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Adding a Goldendoodle puppy to your family is a big commitment…and it can come with an equally big price tag! Knowing what the average Goldendoodle price is and the factors that influence the cost can help you budget appropriately. It can also protect you from vastly overpaying or being the victim of a scam. So, how much does a Goldendoodle cost? What Determines the Price of a Goldendoodle Puppy? There are six main factors that will help us determine how much you should expect to spend on your future Goldendoodle. Size There are five sizes of Goldendoodles —standard, medium, mini, toy, and teacup. That rule is, the smaller the size, the higher the price. First and foremost, you want to pick the Goldendoodle size that will work best in your family. All else being equal, however, you may save significant money by choosing a larger dog. Generations are what describe the genetic makeup of Goldendoodles and how close in DNA they are to their Poodle and Golden Retriever ancestors. Some Goldendoodles may even be hypoallergenic , though this can never be guaranteed. More Poodle DNA frequently results in a curlier coat. When it comes to Goldendoodle price, the closer in DNA your potential dog is to a Poodle, the higher the cost will usually be. This is because the demand for allergy-friendly and low-shedding dogs is very high. Location As the cost of living increases, so does the cost of a puppy. For example. Sometimes it can be helpful to drive a few hours to a Goldendoodle breeder further away. While less convenient, it could save you a little bit of money if you are from an area with a high cost of living. How did they seemingly get such a bargain? The answer is where they got their dog from. These owners likely adopted their Goldendoodle from a shelter or rescue organization. Quality, reputable breeders typically charge a premium for their puppies. On the other hand, puppy mills and backyard breeders will sometimes charge very low prices because their expenses are so much lower. Be careful, sometimes you get what you pay for. A cheap, unhealthy puppy will cost you more in the long-term than a more expensive, healthy dog. Click here to get an instant, online pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws! These stores thrive off of emotional, impulse purchases and receive strong criticism for obtaining their puppies from questionable breeders. Color There are so many colors of Goldendoodles, it may be impossible to choose your favorite! There is a wide spectrum of solid color options like cream, apricot, chocolate, or black. On top of that, there are unique, multi-color patterns like parti, merle, phantom , and sable. Many breeders base their pricing partially on color. Usually, the rule of thumb is that multi-color Goldendoodles, particularly those with rare or desirable patterns , are going to be significantly more expensive than their solid-color counterparts. For more budget-minded folks, a solid color Goldendoodle puppy will be just as cute for a fraction of the price. Usually, black. Black Goldendoodles are adorable, but are often overlooked and you can sometimes find them at a bit of a discount depending on the demand. The moral of the story when it comes to choosing a Goldendoodle color is to keep your options open. When there are lots of prospective buyers and not a lot of available puppies, prices will go up. When there are plenty of available puppies but not a lot of buyers, prices will go down. The best example of this when it comes to buying a puppy is around the holiday season. Goldendoodles, along with many other breeds, are often given as Christmas presents to children or spouses. For this reason, many breeders charge more for puppies that will be available to go home around the holidays. Why Are Goldendoodles So Expensive? Why are Goldendoodles so expensive? The simple answer is supply and demand. Poodle mixes are extremely popular due to their adorable, teddy-bear looks and also their likelihood to be allergy-friendly and low-shedding. On the other hand, reputable breeders struggle to keep up with demand and often have waitlists that extend months, or even years, down the road. All Goldendoodle puppies should come with at least their first round of vaccinations, deworming, up-to-date flea and tick prevention, and a vet check. Most reputable Goldendoodle breeders also offer a health guarantee on their puppies. This can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Usually, breeders will send your new puppy home with a few basic items like a blanket, toy, collar, and a small bag of food. In almost all cases, you will be required by a breeder to place a deposit to secure your selection from a particular litter. Be extremely careful sending money to any breeder who you have not personally visited. Do your due diligence to make sure they are legitimate. Many scammers are out there luring eager Goldendoodle buyers in with adorable, fake or stolen puppy pictures only to take their deposits and never be heard from again. Lifetime Cost of Owning a Goldendoodle If you thought the price of a Goldendoodle puppy was expensive, you might want to sit down for this. Here is the average lifetime cost of owning a dog according to a few, reliable sources which utilized major research studies to arrive at their conclusions:. Other factors such as generation, location, physical features, and health may also affect the puppy price. You might be wondering why the average price is unreasonably high. This is because breeders spend years studying how to produce perfect dogs. Also, the process of getting this mix is complicated. However, getting a Goldendoodle puppy from a puppy mill or backyard breeders is not a good idea. The initial price may save you a few bucks, but you may end up spending more on maintenance costs in the future. Since the size of Goldendoodle puppies varies depending on the weight of the parent dogs, they come in a variety of sizes: Standard, Medium, and Mini Goldendoodle. Standard Goldendoodles usually follow the size of a parent Golden Retriever. A Goldendoodle which comes in the toy, micro, and teacup categories, is the most in-demand, with teacup Goldendoodles being the most expensive. For this mixed breed, the size is not directly proportional to its price. Below is a detailed list and an explanation of each factor that may affect Goldendoodle price: Size: Goldendoodle puppies come in three sizes: Mini, Medium, and Standard. Contrary to its size, the teacup Goldendoodle is the most expensive. This is because small breeds easily develop health issues; thus, reputable breeders spend more time and effort breeding them. Coat Type: Goldendoodles can have straight, curly, or wavy coats, depending on the parent dogs. Since those wavy and curly coats are non-shedding and hypoallergenic , they tend to be more expensive. Brown, cream, and white are the most common colors for this mix, while parti is one of the rarest. Demand: This mix is one of the most in-demand designer dogs to date, especially the mini Goldendoodle. Over-breeding may sound like a solution for many breeders, but this will greatly compromise the health of a dog. Reputable breeders opt to increase their prices by tenfold instead. Location: Goldendoodle puppies cost lower in rural areas than in densely-populated cities. This is because the cost of living in rural areas is lower than in urban cities. Reputable Goldendoodle breeders in a rural area could have spent less for the mix; hence they charge lower prices. Getting cheaper options from puppy mills might save you a few bucks, but you will end up spending more on maintenance costs in the future. Aside from the aforementioned factors, gender, genetic testing, health guarantees, health testing, training, generation, and pedigree may also affect its pricing. Consulting with a Goldendoodle breeder may help you know more about the other factors and determine if a Goldendoodle price point is reasonable. If the cost is not within your budget, getting one from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder may be an option, but this does not guarantee that you will get a healthy dog. If you cannot afford the average Goldendoodle price or risk it with puppy mills or backyard breeders, then adopting a Goldendoodle may be your best choice! You can choose to adopt from local shelters or rescues. Adoption fees vary between shelters and centers. Designer dogs like Goldendoodles are also a rare find in shelters and centers unless they are old, past their prime, or terribly sick. Miniature Goldendoodles are even harder to come by in these places. Hip dysplasia , a disease common among large dogs, is one of the reasons Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles are found in rescue facilities. Dogs with hip dysplasia are often harder to look after. To keep them safe, healthy, and happy, you need to prepare their food, bowls, bed, toys, grooming essentials, medications, licenses, and many more. The list below is a compilation of the most basic and important items you need to initially buy for your new furry companion: Food and Treats: The amount of food and treats that a Goldendoodle puppy needs will depend on its size and energy level. Food and Water Bowls: Getting food and water bowls made of stainless steel will save you a lot of money in the long run. Bed: High-quality beds will ensure that your dog will get all the rest that it needs after a long day of playtime. Crate: Crate training may sound unnecessary for those who plan to raise puppies indoors, but Goldendoodles tend to seek shelter and independence when they get stressed. Leash and Collar: A leash and a collar will come in handy when you bring your Goldendoodle outside for dog walking and training. Toys: Goldendoodles and dogs, in general, will undergo a teething stage and chew on almost anything to relieve boredom and pressure on the gums. Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medication: Ask a reputable breeder if the dog has been dewormed or treated for fleas and ticks. Initial Vet Visits: To ensure that your dog is growing normally and without abnormalities, an initial visit to a licensed veterinarian is essential. Initial Vaccine Shots: Initial veterinary care will include vaccinations. Neutering or Spaying: The benefits of neutering or spaying outweigh its risks. Dog License: In case your dog gets lost or involved in an unexpected scenario, having a dog license will help them be identified and brought back to you safely. In case your dog gets lost, this will increase the chance of getting your dog back as quickly as possible. Miscellaneous Supplies: Owning a Goldendoodle entails buying other essentials such as potty pads, carpet cleaners, poop bags, disinfectants, and more. Below is a table containing a breakdown of the most basic items that you need to purchase before taking your dog home: Type of Expense. Before buying or adopting any dog, it pays to do your homework. Knowing where to search for your next dog, what to look for in a reputable breeder, and what you should expect to pay can improve your odds of bringing home a healthy dog at a reasonable cost. Purebred dogs have national breed clubs that provide information about the breed. Though the goldendoodle is a crossbreed, a national organization called the Goldendoodle Association of North America supports responsible breeding and pet ownership. Cost of Adopting a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles occasionally find themselves in need of rescue when people buy puppies from unscrupulous breeders who make unrealistic guarantees, or when new pup parents find themselves unprepared for caring for their goldendoodle. For instance, reputable goldendoodle breeders should never guarantee that a puppy will be 'hypoallergenic' or will not shed. When those adorable goldendoodle puppies start shedding, or when their human has an allergic reaction, the doodle may be in need of a new home. Rescuing an adult goldendoodle is not only a great way to save some money on the purchase price of the dog, but also provides other benefits. Goldendoodle puppies may also end up in rescue occasionally. This adoption fee generally includes the costs of updated vaccines and a spay or neuter surgery, and helps to ensure the organization can continue its lifesaving work. Cost of Buying a Goldendoodle Buying a goldendoodle puppy from a breeder is the most expensive way to acquire a goldendoodle. However, the cost of a puppy varies wildly. Breeders from different states may charge more, and the cost of a larger size goldendoodle may be different than a smaller goldendoodle. Some breeders also charge more for more desirable colors or coat types. Responsible goldendoodle breeders put a lot of money into their breeding programs, which is why their puppies cost a lot. Such breeders purchase or keep high-quality dogs for their breeding programs, perform genetic health screenings on the parents before breeding them, maintain pedigrees and pair dogs thoughtfully to better the breed. Reputable breeders also pursue thorough veterinary care for their adult dogs and puppies, feed high-quality diets, register their litters with the proper organization, and never overbreed their females or breed more puppies than they can responsibly care for. Due to the efforts they put in to produce healthy, high-quality dogs, good breeders usually offer a health guarantee on their puppies. Such breeders may simply breed together any male and female they happen to own and sell the resulting puppies. When a goldendoodle breeder tells you the price of buying a puppy, ask about their breeding program, genetic screening and health guarantees to find out what you are paying for. Additionally, be aware that some pets stores sell goldendoodle puppies along with many other breeds of puppies. It is very difficult to obtain accurate information on breeders who supply to pet stores, and in many cases, animal welfare experts worry about these puppies coming from puppy mills. A puppy mill is often described as a commercial dog breeding operation where the goal is to produce as many puppies as possible without regard for their health and the welfare of the breeding dogs. Both the adult dogs and puppies often have poor health, are exposed to more infectious diseases, and tend to have ongoing health problems in additional to coming from inhumane living conditions. For this reason, it is best to avoid purchasing a puppy if it has a questionable origin. One significant cost to consider for goldendoodles is the cost of professional grooming. Almost all goldendoodles need to have their hair trimmed by a groomer. Some goldendoodles may need grooming once a month; others can go about eight weeks in between haircuts. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. You will also get the satisfaction that you will be providing a dog with a much-needed new home. However, due to the popularity of this breed, it can be challenging to find one available for rehoming. Your best bet would be to look at doodle-specific rescue sites where you might be lucky enough to find an older dog needing a new home. Despite being crossbreeds, these dogs are very trendy, which has pushed up the price of these puppies. Various factors also influence how much you will pay for your puppy, including his size, lineage, and coat type, and color. However, within the Mini Goldendoodle category, you can also find toy and teacup pups. This price increases significantly every year as the demand for these cute doggos continues to grow. Mini: These puppies are rarer than standard ones and are thus more expensive. Toy: Micro Goldendoodles that weigh under 15 pounds are extremely difficult to breed and thus will be more expensive. Unfortunately, due to their small size, they can have many health problems. Teacup: These pups are the most expensive variety. The exact type of coat your dog will have is typically affected by his generation. Dogs with curly coats are more in demand due to their hypoallergenic qualities and will fetch more than dogs with straight coats. F1: These are created using a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. This is the cheapest type of Goldendoodle as their coat is unpredictable, and you could get the straight, shedding coat of the Golden Retriever parent. F1B Goldendoodles suitable for breeding are very expensive as they are the least likely to shed. F1BB: This is .While a rarer cross to find, F2 Goldendoodles are cheaper than F1B dogs. F2B: These are also a pricier variety. This is because they, too, are likely to be hypoallergenic, non-shedding dogs. F2BB: These dogs contain significantly more of the Poodle genetics and thus are likely to have a curly coat and be more expensive. F3: Breeding Goldendoodles beyond the second generation are known as F3 Goldendoodles. These are pretty rare as they are quite challenging to breed, and the result of the puppies is unpredictable. These dogs thus do not fetch as much as F1B Goldendoodles. Multigen: These are the same as F3 Goldendoodles. These dogs are pretty unpredictable and inconsistent. Coat color and markings There are various Goldendoodle coat colors and typically the rarer the coat color, the more expensive the puppy. The most expensive are multi-colored ones such as the Parti, Phantom, or Tuxedo Goldendoodle. On the other hand, standard apricot or solid gold Goldendoodles are the most common and will thus fetch the lowest prices. Reputable breeders who have been doing this for a long time will have spent a considerable amount of time and energy doing health and genetic tests on their dogs to ensure that they are getting the best puppy. Registration papers and pedigree As the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC , and so you will not get registration papers for one of these puppies. That said, reputable breeders are likely to be registered with the Goldendoodle Association of North America GANA and charge more for this stamp of approval. Health screenings and medical expenses As per the GANA requirements, reputable breeders will check their puppies before sale to ensure that they are free of any genetic conditions. Reputable breeders will also regularly perform health checks on the parent dogs to ensure that they are of good quality. They are generally more expensive when young but beware of breeders who sell puppies under eight weeks. Puppies are dependent upon their mothers for warmth and food throughout the first two months of their lives and should only go to their new homes after this. Gender There is little difference in the cost of a puppy based on gender. Supply and demand: Goldendoodles are in high demand and thus are quite expensive. Rather than forcing their dogs to breed more puppies to meet this demand, reputable breeders will instead increase the cost of each individual dog. Breeding stock: As you can see, the different generations of Goldendoodle have different prices. Thus the breeding stock or parent dogs and their lineage will ultimately impact the price you will pay for your puppy. Location: The land price in a specific location will also affect the price. For instance, dogs from California will be more expensive than those from the Mid West. These include food, vet expenses, grooming, training, and more. Vet Bills If your Goldendoodle is exercised regularly and provided with high-quality food, he should lead a long and healthy life. However, you will need to visit the vet with any dog for regular check-ups and vaccinations. Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them One of the most common health problems associated with the Goldendoodle breed is hip dysplasia. Unfortunately, most dogs will need expensive surgery in order to rectify this ailment. Thankfully, this disease can be avoided through proper genetic testing. That is why it is essential to get your dog from a reputable breeder who will provide you with health certificates and warranties for your puppy. Food Consumption Source: kingtuckerdoodle The exact amount your Goldendoodle will eat will depend on his size and energy levels. Obviously, the bigger the size of your pup, the more food he will eat, and this is one breed that does particularly like its food. Dog Grooming Service When it comes to grooming, Goldendoodles need to be taken to the parlor regularly. These dogs do not shed and thus need regular brushing and haircuts to prevent painful mats and tangles from forming. Each visit should include bathing your pet, giving him a haircut, cleaning out his ears, and trimming his nails. Learn more about the different types of Goldendoodle haircuts here. This will enable you to have the means to pay for any large unanticipated medical expenses in the future. However, during potty training, you could spend more as you invest in puppy lessons, potty pads, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, and more. If he destroys the toys quickly, you may need to buy more, but it may be worth it to buy more expensive toys from the start since they are less likely to break or be chewed up. Goldendoodles will also love interactive puzzle-type toys that will stimulate their minds as they are very intelligent dogs. This includes their food, bowls, toys, lead, collar, bed, crate, medication, grooming essentials, and a dog license if required by your state. In addition, the first year of pet ownership is more expensive than any other year due to more frequent vet visits, the cost of setting up your home for a pet, and the expense of neutering or spaying your pup. Lifetime Expenses Goldendoodles have a life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years. As you can see, owning a pet is a big commitment and not one that should be entered into lightly. There is no hard and fast rule about what is included in the price of your Goldendoodle, and thus, it is necessary to chat to your specific breeder. Typically, puppies will come with their first set of shots and deworming. The breeder may also give you a puppy blanket, a starter pack of food, and even a toy. All reputable breeders should also give you health certificates for your pet, and some may provide a health warranty. Is a deposit required to purchase a Goldendoodle puppy? As Goldendoodles are in such high demand, most breeders will require you to put down a deposit to secure your puppy. Conclusion: Should You Buy a Goldendoodle? As you can see, there are various factors you need to consider when buying a Goldendoodle. Do you have a Goldendoodle at home? We would love to learn more about your furry friend in the comments below. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners. When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events. Leave a Comment. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Goldendoodle is one of the most sought-after hybrid breeds and for many great reasons. So, how much does a Goldendoodle cost to adopt and what are the average costs of Goldendoodle ownership? The adorable Golden Retriever-Poodle mix is very in-demand and becoming increasingly popular. And as you might guess, Goldendoodle price is not for the faint-hearted. So, how much is a Goldendoodle going to cost you? Factors that Determine Goldendoodle Price Genetic Guarantees Genetic and health testing is probably one of the most important factors that influences the price of Goldendoodle puppies. Firstly, we always recommend you opt for breeders who do extensive health testing to rule out any genetic conditions. Most common health issues in Goldendoodles are often easily prevented by testing the parent dogs. Secondly, reputable breeders usually offer at least a two-year health guarantee for various genetic conditions. Some even offer health guarantees for up to six years! For instance, you might find that Goldendoodle cost in rural areas can be significantly lower than in highly populated cities. Additionally, Goldendoodle cost even between different states can greatly vary. Breeder Stock Another factor to keep in mind is breeding stock, as breeding different generations of Goldendoodles require a certain set of parent dogs. For instance, F1 Goldendoodles tend to be the least expensive option, whereas F1b, F2, and F2b Goldendoodles tend to be pricier. Some of the highest rated breeders have waiting lists filled for up to a year. Naturally, we can expect those breeders to also charge higher rates. In addition to that, we can expect Goldendoodles to cost more in areas where the demand is higher. As F1b and F2b Goldendoodles are often the most hypoallergenic generations, they usually cost more than the straight-haired pups. Minis and Medium Goldendoodles tend to cost more, as breeding them requires more time and effort. See Also: Click the image Breeder Reputation Of course, adopting a puppy from a reputable breeder will cost you some extra cash. Professional Goldendoodle Breeders We always recommend choosing reputable and responsible breeders whose top priority is the health and wellbeing of the parent dogs and the puppies. These are often professional breeders who have many years of experience in breeding new puppies and responsibly raising them until they go to their forever homes. Professional and reputable breeders have great experience and knowledge in breeding new litters. Professional breeders are dedicated to only breeding Goldendoodle puppies from healthy, genetically tested parents to prevent the risk of developing hereditary diseases later on in life. Professional Goldendoodle breeders are often certified by GANA or possess other certifications or affiliations with reputable organizations. When adopting a pup from a professional and reputable breeder, it will also reflect on the Goldendoodle price. After all, you want to make sure that you adopt a healthy puppy who has a long and fulfilled life ahead. Backyard Breeders Although some backyard breeders surely do their job with the best intentions in mind, they often lack the necessary skills and experience to produce healthy Goldendoodles. Often, they do not offer any health guarantees or even conduct any health and genetic testing on their parent pups. Of course, there are some backyard breeders who are committed to breeding healthy litters once in a while as a hobby. However, we recommend you do thorough research before picking a backyard breeder. Puppy mills produce new puppies on tight schedules while keeping their cost as low as possible. The parent pups are put under a lot of strain while both the parents and puppies are kept in cruel, filthy, and unsafe living conditions. Puppy mills also do not care for health or genetic testing, training, socialization, healthy diet, nor do they provide vet checkups for their parents and puppies. Beware of pet stores, as well, as they often source their puppies from puppy mills. How much does a goldendoodle cost when purchasing from a puppy mill? Here are the typical costs of owning a Goldendoodle: Food Like most other dogs, Goldendoodles can pretty much inhale the food in front of them, especially the larger-sized pups. Grooming Thanks to their high-maintenance coats, Goldendoodles can rack up the grooming bills rather quickly. Regardless if a Goldendoodle has straight, wavy, or curly hair, they will require regular haircuts. However, grooming is the one thing where you can, in fact, cut back on the costs. Namely, by grooming your Goldendoodle at home! Not only is it an easy way to save a lot of money every year, but you can also take it as a bonding experience for you and your furry little friend. Related Content.

If we want to learn anything about their offspring, we must review certain genetic facts and statistics beforehand. This is the dog that carries it. The Bichon Frise looks like a vanilla cupcake or cream puff with a height of 9 — 12 inches 23 — 30 cm and a weight of 6. It has an affectionate, playful, and cheerful temperament, with a slice of feistiness and sensitivity on the side. The primary health concerns to look out for are epilepsy, White Shaker Syndrome which causes the dog to shake uncontrollably , and dyskinesia — a type of movement disorder. But the vet will be able to make a proper diagnosis. A healthy Bichon Frise has a life expectancy of 12 — 15 years. Brief Overview Of The Poodle Poodles of all sizes toy , mini, and standard have two universal crowd-pleasing traits. The height and weight of a Poodle can be broken down into three categories. Across the mini, toy, and standard growth charts, the height fluctuates between 9 — 24 inches 21 — 61 cm. The weight between 6 — 60 pounds 3 — 27 kg. All sizes are intelligent, active, and faithful, and live between 12 years. Like the Bichon Frise, the Poodle may suffer from epilepsy at some point in its life. It may also experience the following health issues. The Poodle and the Bichon Frise have identical lifespans, so their offspring are predicted to live between 12 — 15 years as well. A full-grown Bichon Poodle should be about 9 to 15 inches cm tall at the withers with a weight of 6 — 17 pounds 3 — 8 kg. The Bichpoo can also be found in cream, black, blue, and apricot. There are certain arguments in life that will never be settled. Blonde vs. When it comes to dogs, there is no definitive, black and white answer. There will always be at least one exception. Although, the point of cross-breeding is to eliminate certain health concerns. So, what predictions can we make about hybrid dogs? The first generation of the Bichon Poodle Mix is healthier than its parent breeds. The second generation is not as healthy as the first, and any issues that arise in round two will most likely carry on in round three and so forth. With alert and active parents, the Poochon will be no different. This mix needs daily exercise preferably outside for at least 30 minutes. It has a lot of energy to burn. Keep in mind that mental and physical stimulation are different, and the Bichon Poodle Mix needs both. A bored Bichpoo will bark and whine or turn your shoes into a chew toy of its own with your permission. OK, we get it. The Bichpoo is smart, but can it be taught to play dead? Or roll over? Or give a high-5? And Yes. This breed is capable of learning a solid amount of tricks. Just make sure to have plenty of treats on-hand for positive reinforcement. Watch how well this Bichpoo gives its owner a high-5 and pay attention to how she rewards her dog! Every breed comes with at least one trait we wish we could alter. This comes from the Poodle side. If your Bichon Poodle Mix is not socialized at an early age, it can develop separation anxiety when left alone for hours. The Bichpoo can show moments of mild aggression around unfamiliar dogs. The Bichon Poodle is a loving companion for adults, children, and strangers, which makes it one of the best family dogs. Haircuts every two months are a necessity to keep its coat tame. If that sounds like too much responsibility or money, you can shave your Bichpoo in the summertime. Its coat causes minimal shedding, which makes it a good option for owners with allergies or who want a clean house. The last part of grooming requires occasional teeth brushing to keep mouth infections at bay. Bichon Poodle owner Sandy Rothra recommends feeding your mix canned dog food because it contains a higher percentage of meat protein. This counts for all dog breeds: if your pup gets sick with a kidney or heart issue, you will need to change its diet. You should never feed any dog chocolate, onions, grapes, and raisins. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Poochons have high energy and are prone to weight gain. Make sure your dog gets frequent walks and play sessions through out the day. If you keep a hanky near by to wipe their eyes when they get moist, it can help minimize the tear stains that their breed is prone to getting. Multiple dogs sometimes clean each others eyes, but dogs typically do not clean their own eyes. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking loudly against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as small breeds are prone to dental issues. Poochon Feeding An ideal Poochon diet should be formulated for a small breed with moderate to high energy. They have a tendency to gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. The main colors of Poochons are cream, tan, and apricot. Usually their coats are solid, and sometimes they have blend of colors. Less common colors are black or grey. Both parent breeds are high maintenance when it comes to grooming, and you can expect the same from the Poochon. These pups will most likely require daily brushing along with shampooing every few weeks with a mild product and monthly grooming. Poochons are prone to tear stains. If you decide to adopt a Poochon, keep a cloth tissue on hand to dab their eyes regularly. It helps manage the tear staining quite a bit. Poochon Children And Other Pets Poochons adore kids and families and the endless noise and commotion that comes with them. However, because the Poochon is a small dog, they can be easily injured by overly excited children. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. The Poochon enjoys the company of other dogs, as long as they receive their fair share of attention from their owner. Since Poochons have a social nature, a family with lots of animals could be ideal. For an active, social person, the Poochon could be your perfect co-pilot for life. Poochon Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Poochons because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Poodle or Bichon Frise breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. The difference between these variants lies in their size, when full-grown. While the former weighs about 6 to 12 pounds, the weight of the latter is 13 to 18 pounds. By height, they stand between 9 and 14 inches. Temperament Respectively, both the cheerful, cuddly, loving personality and the playful, intelligent and charismatic characteristics of the Bichon Frise and the Poodle have been inherited by this Poodle Bichon mix. Care Exercise The moderately active, very small bichon poo do not need vigorous exercise, but taking them to a regular walk and allowing them to play, especially being crazy about reflections in the mirror, is enough. But increase the session-time if your pet lives mostly indoors. Grooming Although not much maintenance is necessary for their very little hair loss, but their hair being long and curly gets entangled easily, hence they need regular brushing to retain a smooth coat, just like a haircut is, if it is too long, but by experienced hands approximately every 6 to 8 weeks. Bathe them if only needed, but do keep an eye for ear infections and brush their teeth few times weekly to avoid tooth decay. Health Problems As a cross, bichon poo does not have much health issues, except genetic disorders and common dog diseases like ear problems and infections, PRA, epilepsy, diabetes, cataracts, allergies and other skin disorders. Training Inheriting the intelligence of the Poodle, the Bichon Poodle puppies would be difficult to housetrain. You should also impart socialization and obedience training to your pets without being harsh and intolerant. In order to make the learning process interesting and fulfilling, you can incorporate positive reinforcement tricks. Feeding Do not feed your dog with chocolate, grapes, raisins or onions. Feed them with the correct proportions of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and fats. They also need vitamins, calcium and other minerals in their diet chart. Eliminate harmful additives or preservatives. Homemade dog foods that are cooked can contain brown rice, chicken or other types of red meats and a variety of green, yellow and orange vegetables. If you want to include raw foods, give your bichon poo skinless chicken or other lean meats, green and orange vegetables and bones as a part of their meals. Dry dog food is also readily available in the market, but that has to be high-quality, meant for small-size, moderately active dogs. Interesting Facts Bichon Poos are tolerant with other animals. They make a good companion dog and love to be around its owner and his family. Bichpoos possess double coat. The inner coat is soft and silky but the outer coat is bigger and curly. Low History of the Poochon The history of the poochon is not well recorded. Purebred dogs have been bred for generations following a special blueprint called the breed standard, which is the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed. The breed standard is what gives purebred dogs predictable height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament. The poochon is a hybrid and not a purebred dog, so it does not have a breed standard and it is not standardized. This means that there is a lot of variation in the way individual poochons might look and act. A poochon that is a cross between a purebred bichon frise and a purebred poodle might look more like a bichon or more like a poodle, or could look different from both breeds. That said, these parent breeds are more similar than different, both in looks and temperament, so poochons are likely to look and act in a similar manner to the parent breeds. Some might question the reasoning behind breeding together such similar breeds. Crossbred puppies have the potential of inheriting congenital diseases and disorders present in both parent breeds. The poochon is not recognized by any of the purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. What Is a Designer Dog Breed? Poochon Care Grooming requirements for the poochon are the same as those for the bichon frise and poodle. The curly, dense coat of the poochon sheds very little or not at all, but daily brushing or brushing every other day is necessary to remove loose hair from the coat and prevent matting. Grooming Poochons with undercoats likely need more frequent brushing than poochons with single coats. Like their parent breeds, poochons need haircuts from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks. Clean the ears with a pet safe ear cleaner if they look dirty. If you see excessive dirt or redness in the ears, or if your poochon is shaking its head or scratching at the ears, schedule a veterinary visit. Exercise Both parent breeds of the poochon are lively and energetic, but poochons are small enough to get enough exercise through one or two daily walks plus playtime with you inside or outdoors. Some poochons are athletic and might enjoy training for dog sports like agility and flyball. Training Like the bichon and poodle, poochons are extremely smart and trainable. Bichons were once famous as circus dogs performing charming tricks, and poodles are considered one of the smartest breeds. Poochons respond readily to positive training methods like clicker training along with tasty treats and other food rewards. Most purebred dogs have specific inherited health issues common to the breed. Crossing bichons with poodles means that poochon puppies are at risk of inheriting any of the genetic diseases found in either breed. The bichon frise is prone to:. What Is the History of Bichon Poodles? In order to understand what a poochon might be like, we need to know more about the history of the bichon frise and the poodle. The bichon frise hails from Tenerife in the Canary Islands and was popular among the nobility of France, Spain, and Italy from about the 13th century onward. After the French Revolution in , these little dogs lost their noble benefactors. They ended up performing tricks, first as street performers, then in circuses. Just like bichon frises, poodles found popularity amongst French nobility and even spent some time in European circuses. However, their roots have nothing to do with luxury or the performing arts. Instead, poodles were duck hunters that originated in Germany. Even today, standard poodles are used for hunting fowl. As for the bichon poodle, this mix cropped up around the late s in Australia. It is believed that breeders were attempting to create an active but affectionate pet that would make a wonderful companion for families with kids. Though poodles come in three sizes, only miniature and toy poodles are typically chosen to mate with bichon frises. Poochons are small dogs with long curly hair often clipped short , fluffy tails, and cute button noses. They can come in various colors, but some of the most popular are apricot, cream, white, and red. Most bichpoos will be toy to miniature sized. What Size Is a Bichon Poodle? Bichon poodles are 9 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 17 pounds on average. Bichpoos with a toy poodle parent are more likely to be on the smaller side of this scale, whereas those with a miniature poodle parent may be on the larger end of this range. Both bichon frises and poodles have hair that is curly and grows long. Therefore, you can expect the same from a bichon poodle mix. Bichon poodles are happy-go-lucky dogs that see everyone as their friend. They make lovely family pets as they are great with children and enjoy activity and play. Bichpoos are very affectionate with their families and enjoy cuddling and being petted. Are Bichon Poodles Affectionate? Bichon frises were bred to be companion dogs, and poodles are known to be affectionate toward their families. Therefore, you can expect a mix of the two to be an absolutely loving dog. If you want a dog you can cuddle with; there is a high chance that a bichpoo will want to cuddle with you, too. They are wonderful little lapdogs who welcome physical touch. Bichon poodles are also quite friendly toward strangers. In fact, they tend to view everyone as friends and are quick to warm up to new people. This mixed breed is both gentle and playful. That said, it is important to always supervise kids and dogs. Because the bichon poodle is diminutive, children must be taught how to safely handle and respect this breed so as not to cause injury. While bichon frises have a low prey drive, the same cannot be said of the poodle, who was originally bred for hunting. So it would not be a total surprise should they enjoy chasing squirrels in the yard. If you have small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, or the like, be aware of the possibility that a bichpoo may see them as prey. Socializing a bichon poodle mix puppy with small animals can help, but it is recommended that you exercise caution if you decide to keep small pets in a home with a bichpoo. Though small animals may be out, other dogs are not. Bichon poodles tend to be quite friendly toward fellow dogs. Are Bichon Poodles Aggressive? Though it is possible for any dog of any breed to become aggressive, this is definitely not the norm for the bichon poodle. This breed is generally very friendly and happy-go-lucky toward everyone they meet. Fear can be a cause of aggression. Do Bichon Poodles Bark a Lot? Bichon poodles are not known for being quiet. How much a dog barks will vary by individual, but it is not uncommon for bichpoos to bark a lot. This may not make them the best option if you live in an apartment with noise restrictions. However, if you are dedicated to putting in the effort, you can teach them to bark less. This training can work especially well if you start it during puppyhood, but training at any age can still be effective. Are Bichon Poodles Intelligent? Bichon Poodles are very smart little dogs. Poodles themselves are considered one of the smartest dog breeds, and we know that bichons frises are more than capable of learning complex tricks — after all, they did spend time in the circus! So a dog born of these two intelligent breeds is likely to be a smarty-pants. Are Bichon Poodles Easy to Train? Training is a joy when you have an intelligent dog that enjoys learning. This is definitely true of the bichon poodle. These little dogs are eager to please as they love receiving praise and treats from their favorite people. Because they are smart, they can also learn a plethora of interesting cues, including complicated tricks. We always recommend that dog owners take their pups to a training class of some sort because it keeps you on task with your training, allows you to ask questions, provides socialization, and offers a new or distracting environment for your dog to learn in. However, the bichon poodle is relatively easy to train, so hiring a professional trainer, while helpful, is not necessary. Similarly, you do not need to be an experienced trainer to successfully teach your bichon poodle new skills. Do your research, be clear and consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques. Respect your dog and remember that training should be fun, and your bichpoo will be trained before you know it. Are Bichon Poodles Energetic? The bichon poodle is considered a high-energy breed, which is no surprise since one of their parents, the poodle, was originally bred for hunting. You should definitely walk a poochon daily as well as engage in play. Bichon poodles will enjoy a romp around a yard but are also happy to play indoors. Most bichon poodles are satisfied with about an hour of exercise per day. If your poochon seems bored, then you may need to provide even more exercise. Aside from their barking habits, bichon poodles can be a great option for apartment living. They can easily get their exercise via walks or even indoor games on rainy days. Are Bichon Poodles Good Watchdogs? A bichon poodle will alert you to the presence of someone at the door or anything else they find out of place. For this reason, they can be considered good watchdogs. However, they are very friendly toward strangers and, of course, are quite small, so they cannot offer you much more than a four-legged alarm system. Bichon poodles are too small to fit every service niche for instance, they could not guide the blind , but they can make for talented service dogs in general. Their loving, affectionate nature would also make them a great option for someone who is looking to get an emotional support animal. For those who want to bring joy to others, a bichon poodle would likely excel as a therapy dog because they tend to be quite friendly and do well with children and adults. How to Care for a Bichon Poodle The bichon poodle usually requires visits to a groomer every four to six weeks to have their coat clipped. Otherwise, they require brushing at least weekly and should have their ears checked for infection regularly. Perhaps the most vital care for a bichon poodle is dental care. You must brush their teeth every single day. This is because the bichon poodle is predisposed to periodontal disease, and it is not uncommon for this breed to lose teeth because of it. This is because the bacteria growing in an unhealthy mouth can spread, often leading to systemic issues in the heart, kidneys, or liver. As their hair grows back out, you should brush even more frequently to prevent matting. Mats make it difficult for groomers to give the dog a neat clip, and severe matting is painful. Bathing once a month is enough for a poochon, but you can also choose to bathe as needed. Do Bichon Poodles Shed? The bichon poodle mix is a minimal shedder. This is because their hair grows long and continuously. This cycle of growth can take years, which is why the breed is considered low shedding and hypoallergenic. What Should a Bichon Poodle Eat? Bichon poodles should eat the highest quality small breed dog food you can afford. The best dog foods meet AAFCO guidelines, are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, and undergo feeding trials. To determine how much to feed your bichon poodle, check the guidelines on your preferred dog food. Bichon poodles are at risk for all the same diseases for which poodles and bichon frises are at risk. Though these health risks may seem scary, there are ways to increase your chances of getting a healthy pup who will live a long, happy life. The best option is to get your bichon poodle puppy from a responsible breeder who health tests their dogs. These health tests ensure that the parent dogs do not have any identifiable diseases that could be passed on to the offspring. Responsible breeders not only health test their dogs but are also more than willing to share the results with potential adopters. Poodles live between 10 and 18 years whereas bichon frises live about 14 to 15 years. Therefore, you can expect a bichpoo to have a similar lifespan. Are Bichon Poodles Expensive? Your recurring monthly expenses for a bichpoo will mostly consist of grooming and food. How to Find a Bichon Poodle Breeder? What are your credentials? You should learn about how long the breeder has been in business and how familiar they are with bichon poodles. Have the parent animals undergone health testing? Ask to see these tests. Can I see where the dogs are kept? Can I meet the parent? How do you socialize your puppies? Socialization is important for puppies to become friendly and confident. Are the puppies up-to-date on vaccinations? Do you offer a health guarantee with a contract? Some breeders guarantee the health of their puppies: should your puppy come down with a serious illness early on, the breeder may offer to reimburse the purchase price of the dog or even take the puppy back. This will also help you avoid irresponsible breeders. What do you require of potential adopters? Many breeders want to make sure their puppies are going to homes where they will be treated well and kept for life. Therefore, breeders may ask a number of questions about you, your situation, and your experience as a dog owner. Can You Adopt a Bichon Poodle? These shelters typically rescue mixes of their designated breeds. You should also keep an eye on small breed rescues. Are Bichon Poodles Purebred? Bichon poodles are not purebred. Rather, they are the offspring of two purebred dogs: the poodle and the bichon frise. Some bichon poodles may also have two bichon poodle parents. Can You Show Bichon Poodles? Unfortunately, only purebred dogs are allowed to be shown. This is partly because purebreds have a set standard for how each breed should look and be proportioned. No such standard exists for mixed breeds like the bichon poodle, so they cannot participate in dog shows. The bichon poodle would make a great first dog for a new dog owner. The bichon poodle is a wonderful dog with many desirable traits. The Bichon poodle may be right for you if: You want a dog you can cuddle with. You have children and want a family dog. You want a dog that has low-maintenance grooming needs. Finding a Bichon Poodle puppy The History The Bichpoo originated in Australia during the s, as a loving household pet that would do well with children and other pets. This hybrid has quickly grown in popularity in recent years, as more people discover their benefits as companion animals. But their history goes way further back than that. The Bichon Frise is thought to be descendant from the Bichon Tenerife, a member of the Barbichon breed family. The Bichon got its start on the Canary Islands, specifically on the island of Tenerife. The breed has roots dating back to at least the 13th century, when they grew quite popular with European royalty as lapdogs. Eventually the breed made its way to the Americas, where it was officially recognized by the AKC in the early s. The Poodle has a storied history dating back at least years. It is thought to have originated in Germany, where it was bred for retrieving waterfowl for hunters. The Standard Poodle, the original breed, was bred down to the Miniature, which was then bred down again to the Toy variety. Today, all three versions of the Poodle — as well as their various cross-breeds — remain popular. What is the temperament of the Bich Poo? The Bich Poo typically takes on many of the characteristics of its parent breeds. Most Bichon Poodle mixes will have a lively, affectionate and active disposition. They are also quite intelligent. Typically a Bichon Toy Poodle will have an accommodating, patient nature. This makes them a good choice for households with children or other pets. They are prone to sudden bursts of energy, so you will commonly see them zooming around for short periods of time. They also tend to bark a lot. This can make them good watchdogs. But it also means that if they are not trained properly at a young age, barking can become excessive. Poochons typically do not do well if left alone. They are prone to separation anxiety and tend to bark continuously when left by themselves. Bichon Poodle puppies could take on more characteristics from one parent breed or the other. Physical Characteristics The physical characteristics and appearance of this breed can vary, just as the behavioral tendencies can differ. It depends which parent breed comes through stronger. With that said, the bulk of these dogs are small, at 6 to 12 pounds on average. They typically have a height of 9 to 14 inches when fully grown. The size of a Bichpoo dog will also vary depending on the size of the parents, and whether the Poodle parent was of the Miniature or Toy variety. Their cute button nose is the only feature to emerge from the thick curls. Their coats are typically quite soft, as long as they are properly maintained and cared for. They also inherit the Poodle tendency for very minimal shedding. The Bichon Poodle coat is typically white or apricot, with various other light shades being possible, but not common. The Bichon Poo requires frequent brushing to keep their coat soft and prevent matting. Ideally, you should brush its coat daily. Frequent Bichon Poo haircuts are a necessity. Coats should be trimmed every two months or so to maintain a manageable length and prevent matting. Shedding is very minimal with this breed, but routine brushing is still essential. Dental care is also important for this breed, as they can be susceptible to gum infections and related dental problems. They have a moderate to high energy level, and enjoy frequent walks and playtime. Because of their small size, they do better with frequent shorter walks, instead of long ventures once a day. They also tend to have quick bursts of energy, during which time they love to run around and play. As for training, this mix is typically eager to please. This is particularly true with problem behaviors like excessive barking. Health Concerns Bichon Poodle mixes are prone to many of the health concerns that are prevalent in their parent breeds. Eye problems are common, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Dental concerns are another common issue. Bichons, in particular, are prone to gum infections and tooth loss. Other concerns like patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, sebaceous adenitis, and Von Willebrand disease are also common. Many of these health concerns can be tested for. Reputable breeders will conduct health tests on their breeding stock to help minimize the risk of complications. Interestingly, there is some evidence to suggest that first generation mixes i. Second generations and beyond the offspring of two Bichon Poodle mixes are more likely to show health concerns common in Poodle and Bichon Frise dogs. Thus, some experts recommend specifically seeking out reputable breeders that offer first-generation puppies. As with any breed, frequent veterinary checkups are important and should be scheduled at least once a year. A good breeder will conduct health tests on their breeding stock to help reduce the risk of various inherited health concerns. To locate breeders, search the web for resources in your area. Before settling on a breeder, be sure to do some research into the background and reputation of the company or individual. Reputable breeders will not hesitate to show you health records and test results. It is considered a designer dog breed. The mix originated in Australia and started appearing in the late s. The goal was to breed a low or non-shedding dog that was sturdy and active with a temperament for families with children. The Bich-Poo is charming, affectionate, highly intelligent, and eager to please. They tend to get along well with other pets and with children, which makes them a great fit for families. Bich-Poos are also alert watchdogs. They can be prone to excessive barking, but training and socialization as a puppy can curb this tendency. Although they will alert you as a watchdog, they are more interested in making friends, so will not make a good guard dog. Bich-Poos are highly adaptable. They do well in apartments or larger homes as long as they get enough exercise and fit right in with families with children, other pets, or both. They do well in most climates and, as with most dog breeds, caution should be taken with extreme heat or cold. With this first generation cross, many of the health issues associated with the parent breeds are often not a concern. However, there is always the potential for inherited issues. Some of the potential breed-related health concerns are allergies, patella luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy. Because they are a small dog breed, they are also prone to breaks and fractures if dropped. This designer dog breed tends to be highly intelligent. That, paired with their eagerness to please their owner, makes them quick learners and fairly easy to train. They tend to be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Novice owners may want to enroll in obedience and training classes to ensure training and socialization is going as it should. A professional trainer can also help you put a plan in place to eliminate any potential issues with separation anxiety or the nipping that can become a common fear or anxiety response in small dogs. A Bich-Poo will often have a soft and curly coat. If their coat takes on Poodle properties, then it will be low-shedding and hypoallergenic. Common coat colors are typically light, like white or apricot, but can appear in other colors like tan, brown, black, or gray. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks is also a good idea for a healthy coat. You will also want to trim their nails monthly and clean their eyes and ears regularly. Although small, these dogs are robust and energetic. They tend to have bouts of high energy and require regular exercise throughout the day. Although they are active dogs, moderate levels of exercise will be enough to tire them out. Regular exercise, like daily walks and active playtime, will help immensely when your pup gets a sudden spike of energy and starts racing. Some of their energy bursts can seem endless, but, due to their smaller size, they do tend to tire quickly, so these bouts of energy will likely be on the shorter side. After that, your Bich-Poo will likely be ready for a nap and some cuddles. Keeping your dog well-exercised and engaged is key. A bored dog is one that can become restless and start to whine, chew, or bark. This designer dog breed usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between pounds. A Bichpoo will generally live between years. Featured Bich-poo Article.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Cockapoos have an infectious zest for life that spreads to everyone around them, that essential joie de vivre that makes every day a celebration. These guys are just plain happy to be alive. The true Cockapoo been bred with the goal of a healthy, hypoallergenic dog with a good temperament. When the cross works as intended, you get the intelligence and spirit of the Poodle with the sturdiness and field spirit of the Cocker. Efforts have been made over the last decade to clearly separate Cockapoos and Spoodles into two different hybrids, and some success has been achieved. If the type of Cocker involved is important to you, be sure to ask. Cockapoo Highlights 1. Friendly and Affectionate: Cockapoos are known for their friendly and loving nature, making them excellent companions. Hypoallergenic Coat: Many Cockapoos have hypoallergenic or low-shedding coats, which can be a great choice for allergy sufferers. Intelligent and Trainable: They are intelligent dogs and are usually easy to train, responding well to positive reinforcement methods. Adaptable: Cockapoos can adapt to various living environments, including apartments, as long as they receive enough exercise and attention. Good with Families: They are generally good with children and other pets, making them great family dogs. Long Lifespan: Cockapoos often have a longer lifespan compared to some other breeds, living 12 to 15 years or more with proper care. Moderate Exercise Needs: While they enjoy playtime and walks, they are not overly hyperactive, making them suitable for families with varying activity levels. Unique Coat Variety: Their coat can vary from curly to wavy and comes in a range of colors and patterns, adding to their charm. Grooming Requirements: Regular grooming is necessary to keep their coat in good condition and prevent matting. Health Considerations: Like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, so regular veterinary care is essential to maintain their well-being. Cockapoo History When it comes to designer dogs, the Cockapoo is an old hybrid, popular since the s. The first breeding may have been accidental, but the happy result was a litter of puppies who were intelligent, almost odorless, had the low-shedding Poodle coat, and showed the easygoing and loving nature of the Cocker Spaniel. These puppies were well received, and the Cockapoo line began. Some efforts are being made today to establish breed standards and start the Cockapoo on the hard road of becoming a true breed, one producing offspring with consistent traits. Once the Cockapoo became more well-known, he only grew in popularity. The Cockapoo Club of America formed in and, in an effort to create breeding consistency, it created a breed standard. This group formed in and provides certification for Cockapoos who are the results of first- through sixth-generation breedings. The Toy Cockapoo can reach 10 inches in height but has a sturdier build, the bigger ones tipping the scales at just under 12 pounds. The Miniature Cockapoo weighs 13 to 18 pounds and ranges between 11 and 14 inches high. The Standard or Maxi Cockapoo should weigh more than 19 pounds and be at least 15 inches in height. Cockapoo Personality Intelligent and easy to please, the Cockapoo was established as a companion dog. He has an outgoing nature and usually gets along with everyone. Depending on his temperament, he can be active or he can simply enjoy snuggling up on the couch with you. He has the intelligence of his Poodle forebears but also the sweet disposition of his Cocker Spaniel ancestry. Socialization helps ensure that your Cockapoo puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. He prefers, always, to be with his family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Cockapoo; he can achieve high levels of obedience with time and patience. However, there is a general misconception that hybrid vigor automatically applies to mixed breeds. Cataracts : Cataracts cause opacity on the lens of the eye, resulting in poor vision. Cataracts usually occur in old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve vision. Patellar Luxation: Also known as slipped stifles, this is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, although many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem. Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Allergies : Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Cockapoo is no exception. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes. Liver Disease : This condition is becoming more prevalent in Cocker Spaniels in two forms: chronic active hepatitis and copper toxicosis poisoning. Both conditions may or may not be genetic; at this point no one is certain. Ear Infections : These afflictions may plague the Cockapoo because of his floppy Cocker ears, which can trap moisture, dirt, and debris. Ask your veterinarian about appropriate ear care products. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Health clearances are not issued to dogs younger than 2 years of age. They enjoy a good walk — and need it to keep them from becoming overweight. The best type of exercise, though, is a good play session in the backyard. Expect him to need at least 15 minutes of exercise every day. The Cockapoo is an adaptable breed. He can live in an apartment, though the smaller varieties seem to do better there than do the Maxi or Standard Cockapoos. They thrive when with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left for long periods of time — and that can lead to excessive barking and to destructive behavior. A crate is also a place where he can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will also help your Cockapoo accept confinement if he ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Cockapoo in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Cockapoo, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Cockapoos can be found in all the colors and color combinations that are seen in both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles — a more rich variety of coat colors than is usual in many other breeds. The Cockapoo is usually seen au naturel, but many people like to clip the coat. However, it should only be trimmed to two to three inches in length. The coat should be brushed daily. To retain coat oils and health, he only need be bathed when absolutely necessary. Because his floppy Cocker ears block air circulation, the ears must be checked and cleaned weekly to prevent ear infections. Gently wipe out the ear — only the part you can see! Your Cockapoo may have an ear infection if the inside of the ear smells bad, looks red or seems tender, or he frequently shakes his head or scratches at his ear. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding — and your dog may not cooperate the next time he sees the nail clippers come out. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Cockapoo Children And Other Pets The Cockapoo does well with youngsters , although he generally prefers homes with older, more considerate children. He also gets along with other dogs and pets. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Cockapoo Rescue Groups Cockapoos are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. Cockapoo Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have both health and behavioral issues. More Info For You. This small to medium sized dog is very active, who loves to be outside. However, they are also friendly and caring, liking just as much to curl up on your lap and to watch TV with you! These dogs can be used as working dogs such as guide dogs, although they were originally intended to be companions, especially for those with allergies who needed a dog with a low-shedding coat. Breeders must follow the rules when producing puppies to make sure they stay in line with the breed standard. To get a better understanding of where these dogs came from, we can take a look at the origins of their parent breeds. The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl. Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century. Cocker Spaniels first came to the US on the Mayflower in the 17th century. They were registered in and the popularity of the Cocker Spaniel grew significantly during the s and s. The American Cocker Spaniel has a smaller prey-drive than the English Cocker Spaniel, which makes them better family pets. Characteristics Of The Cockapoo Although there is a breed standard for the Cockapoo, you still cannot be sure what traits you are going to get in a litter of Cockapoo puppies. These dogs can come in a range of colors and patterns and it all depends on which parent they take after more. A Cockapoo puppy is normally born in litter sizes of four to eight pups. Because the Toy Poodle is the smallest size of all dog breeds, if you are crossing a Cocker Spaniel with one then the Toy will always be the father to prevent any complications. However, if the Poodle is a Miniature size, it does not matter whether they or the Cocker Spaniel are the mother because they are similar in size. Cockapoos are popular dogs and this means that they can have a hefty price tag. Always ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder. Appearance The Cockapoo has a distinct look due to their adorable teddy-bear appearance! These dogs are classed as small-medium sized dogs, although their size will largely depend on whether they are bred from a Toy or Miniature Poodle. The Cockapoo is a well proportioned dog that is athletic and sturdy. Their heads are round and their eyes should be brown with a black nose. If they have a brown nose then their eyes should be black and if they have a lighter nose then they will have green or hazel eyes. Their ears hang down, too, giving them a super cute look! Coat There are three different coat types that the Cockapoo could inherit. Again, this depends on which parent they take after more. They can have a tight curly coat, a medium curl or a flat coat. All of the coats will be quite thick but they will almost always be a single coat. One of the reasons the Cockapoo was bred was to inherit the low-shedding coat from the Poodle parent. While the coat is not hypoallergenic, these dogs do not shed as much as many other breeds and may be the perfect dog for those with allergies. Color There are a range of different colors that the Cockapoo can come in and they can either be solid, part, phantom or tri-color. The colors include red, black, merle, tan, sable, brown, chocolate, and apricot. Temperament The Cockapoo is a very energetic pup that loves to be outside exercising. Because of their hunting heritage from their parent breeds, the Cockapoo can still retain this trait so you will need to be careful when out and about. Proper training and socialization can fix this, and it can also help with unwanted or aggressive behaviors that the Cockapoo is sometimes known to develop if not socialized properly at a young age. Friendly and loving, the Cockapoo will happily also spend time curled up next to you on the couch. They love attention and people and can be known to be very social dogs with children, pets and even other strangers. The Cockapoo is an observant dog and will bark to warn you if something is out of place. Occasionally, the Cockapoo can be prone to rage syndrome and, although rare, it is associated with Cocker Spaniels and they can sometimes pass it on to their young. Again, adequate socialization from a young age can help with this. Lifespan The Cockapoo has a long life expectancy. These dogs are expected to live to anywhere between 14 and 18 years old. Known Health Issues Due to the fact that these dogs are a mixed breed, they have fewer health concerns than many pups. However, unfortunately, they can still be prone to some health problems that their parent breeds are prone to. This is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Patellar Luxation is another condition the Cockapoo may inherit from their Poodle parent. This is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring. Daily Life Now we know all about the Cockapoo temperament and traits, we can take a look at what daily life with one of these pups is like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. Food And Diet A Cockapoo needs roughly calories of food a day, which equates to around two cups of kibble. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. The food you feed your Cockapoo should be high-quality and nutritious. You should try to split their food into at least two meals a day. As a puppy, their food should be split into three meals a day. Unfortunately, this Poodle Mix can be a fussy eater so it may take you a while to find a food they like. Take a look below at the food we recommend for this breed. At the tiny end of the scale, the teacup Cockapoo will weigh less than 6 pounds. The toy Poodle Cocker Spaniel hybrid will weigh less than 12 pounds at adulthood, and a mini Cockapoo will weigh in at anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds. A full grown miniature Cockapoo is the medium size and the one you are most likely to see at the dog park. At the other end of the scale, a maxi Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix, with a standard Poodle parent, will weigh 19 pounds or greater. The vast majority of Cockapoos weigh a more moderate lbs Appearance Cocker Spaniel Poodle mixes tend to have a broader head the average Poodle. Their fur varies between loose and very tight curls. Both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles come in a wide range of colors so there is plenty of choice for the would be cockerpoo owner. Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? He began crossing breeds in an effort to produce a hypoallergenic guide dog, for a blind woman whose husband was highly allergic to dogs. So, he crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. This is because allergies are caused by pet dander. And all pets, regardless of breed, produce some dander. Certain dog breeds shed that dander less readily, however. This particularly applies to dogs with very curly coats. And this may be beneficial to owners with allergies to dander. Dogs that shed less fall into this category partly because loose hair remains trapped in the curls rather than floating around your home. Do They Shed? All dogs shed to some degree. A Poodle and Cocker Spaniel hybrid dog can have either coat type, or something in between. And unfortunately, you cannot predict which coat they will inherit. So they may be less likely to trigger allergies. But they might not. Remember that the tighter the curl, the less the dog is likely to shed, and if you have allergies, do spend some time with Cockapoos to see how they affect you, before you bring one into your home. Cockapoo Temperament The typical Cockapoo personality can be hard to predict. It is important to make sure that both parents are friendly, when you buy a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix. And Cocker Spaniels are loving and very loyal. Both breeds are clever and active. Cockapoo Barking Any dog has the capacity to bark. And may bark more if they discover barking is in some way rewarding. But some individuals of this particular breed maybe a little more prone to barking than average. And to make use of resources like this one if you need to train your pup not to bark. Training and Exercising The good news here is that these dogs are as a whole are people-centric and eager to please. Your Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix will likely want to be where you are, doing whatever you are doing. These dogs are social and people-oriented. So, the closer your bond is, the easier Cockapoo training will become. Throughout training, positive reinforcement will be your key to success. Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix dogs are particularly sensitive to punishment, so avoid this at all costs. They need daily exercise, and regular training to stimulate their minds, too. The important thing is to keep your Poodle Spaniel mix busy. Remember that young puppies have much lower exercise needs than adult dogs. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of structured exercise, such as walks, per month of their age, per day. Heart Valve Disease Cocker Spaniels are liable to develop leaky heart valves as they grown older. In the early stages medications will help extend life. But in the later stages the dog develops heart failure, a leading cause of Cocker Spaniel death. Sadly operations to repair heart valves are not yet commonly performed on dogs. A blood clotting disorder that causes excessive bleeding. Epilepsy Cocker spaniels are prone to epilepsy and seizures. These can often be treated with medication. Both Poodles and Cockers are prone to this disease, which causes blindness. Hip Dysplasia Cocker spaniels and standard poodles are prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia causes pain. It affects the movement and function of the hip joint. Some cases are improved by surgery. Patella Luxation Toy and Miniature Poodles are among a number of smaller breeds that can suffer from Patella Luxation. It may require surgery. Exactly how likely each problem is, depends on a number of unpredictable factors.

April 4, Is your French Bulldog sleeping a lot in your opinion? Perhaps you are concerned if this is normal behavior for this breed of dog? It is a perfectly normal question to ask and I definitely researched this when my Frenchie was a puppy. But have you ever wondered if all this sleeping French bulldogs do is normal? Their sleeping patterns closely mimic our own, but differ in some important ways. When entering their sleep phase, French Bulldogs can take about 10 minutes or more to transition from the slow wave where their breathing slows, their blood pressure decreases, and their heart rate lowers. This is part of the process of your four-legged friend entering into rapid eye movement known as REM sleep. Sometimes my Frenchie has his eyes slightly open which creeps me out. I often see my Frenchie running or playing in his dreams and his little legs kick like they are running. French Bulldogs may only spend about 10 percent of their snoozing time in REM because of their irregular sleep patterns. Since they tend to doze off whenever they want, often out of boredom, they also wake up quickly and jump to alertness. Make sense? Do you think your French Bulldog is sleeping too much? Did you know that most fully-grown adults sleep around hours a day? Crazy right!? French Bulldog puppies require even more sleep, sometimes sleeping as hours per day! Older Frenchies can also sleep as much as their younger counterparts. The average French Bulldog spends about half of their day sleeping. Pretty impressive. As you have likely noticed, they are active in short bursts of activity and then go back to resting. Life is hard for a French Bulldog. Check out my article on crate training and picking the right crate here to assist with setting a good sleep schedule. I have personally found having a set sleep schedule helps to stem some behavior problems and helps with training. Does my French Bulldog sleep too much? Fear not my fellow French Bulldog owner it is perfectly natural. As I mentioned above, these little bundles of joy require ample amounts of down time. It is very unlikely you have anything to worry about with your Frenchie sleeping as much as they do. It is perfectly natural for your French Bulldog to be sleeping the majority of every day. Due to how they get into REM sleep it is very normal and nothing to worry about. Share on facebook. How many hours do the French Bulldogs sleep? On average, you can expect French bulldogs to sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, and another hours at night. French bulldog puppies and older Frenchies might sleep even longer, ranging between 18 to 19 hours a day. Why do French bulldogs sleep so much? Known as REM or rapid eye movement. You might have heard that term before as humans need REM sleep too. You might have observed your French bulldog twitching their tails or rapidly moving their eyeballs with eyes closed, well this is maybe their deep sleep phase. Most of the sleeping habits of your French bulldogs are the same as that of humans. You will see a puppy between 0 to 18 months sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day. Young bulldog puppies are full of energy and you will always find them running around in the house and creating havoc. They need a good amount of sleeping time to recover from all the activity. Additionally, your French bulldog puppies are constantly growing. And a lot of sleep is required during this period of growth. Sleeping at this age helps your Frenchie grow into a well-developed adult. The next phase of their life is adulthood, between the age groups of 3 and 6 years, you will find them sleeping between 12 to 14 hours a day. They will usually sleep during the nights for full 6 to 7 hours and scattered sleep sessions throughout the day. Generally, adult French bulldog divides their day into 3 periods. When your French bulldog gets older and is between the age of 7 to 8 years, they will return to similar sleeping habits to when they were puppies. Like humans, as your French bulldog is aging it will need more rest. Hence, you will find them lazing around, napping or sleeping around most of the time when they become senior citizens. What times of the day do French Bulldogs sleep? You will find French bulldogs sleeping their longest sessions during the nights. The remaining 5 to 7 hours of sleep is done throughout the day in the form of frequent naps. When to be concerned with their sleeping habits? It might be the onset of something serious so better get your dog examined. Some symptoms such as change or loss of appetite, Coughing and Sneezing, Vomiting and diarrhea, drinking either too much or too little water, overall general lethargy might be a sign your French bulldog has an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. Conclusion French Bulldogs are endearing and lovable dogs. When they enter your home, they become a part of your family. Make sure you provide this special member of your family with everything it needs. The most important of all being, its sleep and rest. While we humans are designed to require around hours of sleep per night, adult French Bulldogs generally need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily. Frenchie puppies can sometimes sleep for even longer, anywhere from 18 to 19 hours of sleep per day, only waking up for an hour or so after a few hours of rest. The truth is that the amount of sleep your dog need really depends on these four factors 1. Age As previously stated, Frenchie puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into seniorhood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier. Activity Level Does your Frenchie live a sedentary lifestyle? Unlike breeds that are bred to perform specific activities such as sniffing out bombs and drugs, assisting a patient with their medical problems, or other service animal needs, Frenchies are best at just hanging around keeping you company. Life Changes Has your dog been going through any major life changes, such as but not limited to the following? Current State of Health Is your Frenchie suddenly sleeping more than usual? Do you think your dog is sleeping a bit too much? There might be a reason why… Sure, as your dog ages they will tire more quickly and require more sleep. But does something just seem a bit off about their sleeping habits? There could be a few reasons why your Frenchie is sleeping excessively… Cancer. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea because of obesity How do identify abnormal sleeping habits As a serious pet owner monitoring your Frenchie sleeping habits should be a top priority as abnormal sleeping habits could be a sign that your pooch has fallen sick. Here are a few symptoms we recommend you to look for: Continuous rapid breathing while sleeping. Staying awake for 10 hours or more. Unexpected convulsions with frequent eye-rolling indicating possible seizures. Unusual sleep cycles Trouble waking them up even after sleeping for a good amount of time. Do Frenchies sleep through the night? While some adult Frenchies comfortably sleep at night, in most cases young Frenchies have trouble sleeping at night, but this improves as they age. Besides that, if you move to a new house, your pooch may have challenges sleeping as he tries to adapt to the new environment. You can help your Frenchie adapt to the new environment by allowing him to sleep with you for a few days. Your Frenchie may also struggle to sleep at night if he has been resting the entire day. If that is the case, he may struggle to close his eyes when it is time to sleep. Taking time to play with your pooch around the house for a few hours before sleep can help him sleep throughout the night well. Make your Frenchie comfortable Frenchies rely on their owners to live a comfortable life. So, you should try as much as possible to provide him with a good environment. To help your dog nap more comfortably, we recommend you find a soft Frenchie bed filled with memory foam. It is also vital to teach your Frenchie how to crate as this can prevent him from suffering from separation anxiety in the near future. Keep your Frenchie fit It is obvious your pooch will gain weight for spending most of the time indoors and lounging quite a bit. You can prevent your Frenchie from obesity by keeping him entertained. For example, get your Frenchie some cool toys to play with. Alternatively, take your Frenchie for a minute walk and remember not to do this in warm weather as Frenchies are prone to overheating. Wrapping up While French Bulldogs tend to nap quite a bit than other dogs, it is good to be mindful of abnormal sleeping habits as they may be a cause of concern. Immediately your notice any irregular sleep pattern makes sure to keep a close eye and to consult your vet in case that change persists. Written by jay kang. French Bulldogs sleep so much because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard to breathe, so they get tired quickly, it also turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle and are liable to have respiratory problems. They also have a tendency to overheat, and limiting activity helps keep that from happening. The French Bulldog is a big cuddler and likes to sleep close to their humans. They enjoy this contact and comfort. The French Bulldog is a toy breed and is liable to have respiratory problems. In order to keep them from becoming overheated, they need to sleep in the coolest, most comfortable place possible. There are some breeds of dogs that are notorious for being lazy. This breed of dog is one that is notorious for sleeping for the vast majority of the day. They sleep so often that you may even wonder if they are not entirely alive. French Bulldogs are known for their long naps, but why?! But there is a more scientific answer. It turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle. They sleep for about 12 hours at a time, but they only sleep in spurts of about 30 minutes to an hour. Reasons Why French Bulldogs Sleep So Much Here are some of the common reasons why French Bulldogs sleep so much which are as follows: Breed traits and fewer activities to perform French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companions and not to be service dogs like German shepherds or hunting dogs like Beagles. Being human companions, Frenchies do not need to do lots of exercises to stay healthy, but just to perform their primary task of companionship. Since French Bulldogs are not servicing dogs they have nothing to do rather than sleep in their spare time. They also sleep a lot because they are generally prone to heat exhaustion, and can not work for long. Hormone Imbalance Due to this reason of some hormonal changes in most Frenchies, French Bulldogs tend to have longer sleeping hours during winter. Additionally, many French Bulldogs have a higher incidence of hormone imbalance. It could be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and the result is extreme sleepiness and even depression. The warm temperature of the house, as well as its chemical makeup, may cause excessive levels of stress to French Bulldogs which always results in sleeping too much. French Bulldogs are adapted to the changing environment, but this affects their sleep patterns and can explain the long sleeping hours during the winter. Generally, Frenchies tend to sleep longer during the winter, as it helps them fight off seasonal mood changes. Being depressed and angry is a common side effect of seasonal affective disorder in French Bulldogs. As it is also known as the winter blues, seasonal depression also makes Frenchies sleep longer. Changes in Routine Your Frenchie can result in unnecessary lengthy sleeping because of the little change in your daily routine, after all, they love sleeping. Over Stimulation Much like us humans, French Bulldogs get overstimulated in the winter months. They have to contend with many other factors that affect their sleep. Also, an increasing number of French Bulldogs are kept indoors and the average temperature in the houses is lower. As the temperature starts to drop, French Bulldogs tend to get tired, making it hard to get them to go back to their feet. This leads to them sleeping longer as a natural reaction. The right temperature and temperature changes in the environment could have a severe effect on their health. It is recommended to bring them to the warmest room in the house, remove unnecessary clothes, use a shaded lamp to control the indoor temperatures, and ensure that they have enough space to play and sleep. The colder temperatures inside the house make it difficult for Frenchies to get rid of all the drowsiness. French Bulldogs fall asleep more easily in such extreme temperatures. If the temperature is high, it leads to unnecessary heat exhaustion, which makes Frenchies weak. Mold and mildew The lack of ventilation in the houses during the winter leads to mildew and mold. While the French Bulldog is sleeping, it is not getting proper air circulation. The longer it stays inside, the more chances are there for the air to get trapped in the house and lead to mildew. This is why French Bulldogs tend to sleep longer when there is a mildew or mold problem in their houses. Light exposure French Bulldogs have very sensitive eyes that depend heavily on sight to help them function. As it gets darker outside, there is a gradual decrease in the amount of daylight. Generally, French Bulldogs are not always doing good when exposed to high-light intensity which can sometimes force them to go to bed for several hours. Death of companion This is one of the major reasons why French Bulldogs may result in oversleeping as a sign of depression or anxiety. French Bulldogs are an amazing social breed of dogs that are often attached to a single person that takes more care of them. When they lose their loved ones, they become highly depressed, they may start staying on their own, and can develop separation anxiety. Age French Bulldog puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into adulthood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier. Adult French Bulldogs sleep as much as hours per day. Frenchie puppies may sleep as long as 18 hours per day, and senior French Bulldogs tend to sleep for much longer. So to wrap it up, the current age of a Frenchie has a lot to do with how long they sleep. Questions Here is more interesting information that will help you understand why French Bulldogs sleep so much: How do I know if my Frenchie is getting enough sleep? Here are signs your French Bulldog is getting enough sleep which is as follows: Waking you up long before your alarm goes off. French Bulldog becomes too active during the night. Always Sleepy during the day Needing to go outside in the middle of the night. Less snoring at night Sleeping after a few minutes of eating. Why do French Bulldogs sleep with their eyes open? Is it bad for French bulldogs to sleep all day? Yes, it is not right for French Bulldogs to sleep all day, but it is a good practice that French Bulldogs at most sleep not more than 8 — 10 hours per day, anything more than this, is not normal because they may become lazy and develop unnecessary health challenges. They still need little exercise to keep them fit. Why do French Bulldogs like to sleep so close to their humans? French Bulldogs love to sleep close to their owners because French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companion dogs that are always around their owners, also French Bulldogs are great cuddlers that thrive better on human companions rather than staying alone which is why they are prone to separation anxiety. How does the overheating affect French Bulldog sleep? It is recommended you calm your Frenchie down before you send them to bed, according to French Bulldog Owner there are many ways you can help French Bulldogs with overheating. How do I know if my Frenchie is not getting enough sleep? There are many ways to know that your Frenchie is not getting enough sleep, which is as follows: When your French Bulldog seems grumpy If your Frenchie is always disoriented. Your Frenchie is very forgetful. When your Frenchie finds it difficult to concentrate or performing his usual tasks. If your Frenchie is always pacing at night. Suddenly collapsing after activity Always snoring too loud after a little exercise. Signs of Insomnia Can my French bulldog sleep in my bed? Why are French Bulldogs prone to so much snoring? French Bulldogs are prone to snoring because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard for them to breathe, so they get tired quickly. Their narrow nostrils make it hard for them to take in air and push out air, which results in snoring most of the time. Too much exercise can lead to a French Bulldog heat exhaustion, which is a problem most Frenchies encounter and when they sleep, they snore a lot. How to identify abnormal sleeping habits in French Bulldogs Being a reputable and good Frenchie owner entails you will monitor your Frenchie sleeping habits which should be a top priority as unusual sleeping habits can be a sign that your Frenchie is sick. Here are some symptoms to watch out for: Constant unusual sleep cycles. Having trouble waking up your Frenchie even after sleeping for a long? Staying awake for 8 hours in a row. Frequent eye-rolling indicates possible seizures. Constant convulsions Health Reasons Why French Bulldogs show abnormal sleeping habits Here are some medical reasons why French Bulldogs may show signs of abnormal sleeping habits: Intense depression. Search Close this search box. This is understandable, they nap their way throughout the day. Since sleep is crucial to their health, you should know what habits are odd for your furry companion. Table of Contents French Bulldogs are big sleepy heads. They have personalities that shine even in their weird sleeping positions. But their long sleep hours can concern even dog lovers. Most of the time, it is nothing to worry about. What is more worrying is that even in their sleep, they want to be beside you. So to help them get the quality sleep they need, read on. Do French Bulldogs Love to Sleep? When they say that a tired Frenchie is a happy Frenchie, it is because they can sleep comfortably. Their love for sleep is what makes them perfect apartment dogs. They are content with lounging and napping the day away until you come home. Age Depending on their age, Frenchies will sleep more or less. Puppies tend to sleep more than adults. And once your Frenchie becomes a senior, they will go back to sleeping more Lifestyle Frenchies who are more active may need to nap more to recharge their energy level. Those who have a more sedentary lifestyle may not nap as much. This can lead to unwanted behaviors if they get bored while awake. Environmental Changes Frenchies may sleep less in response to changes in the household. Moving houses, a new family member, and death are a few things that can stress them out. Also, Frenchies who have separation anxiety may sleep much less. Older Frenchies are more susceptible to developing these, so they sleep more. The following are a few health issues that can cause excessive sleepiness: Canine Depression Hypothyroidism Sleep Apnea Due to Obesity There are a lot more other illnesses that can make your Frenchie sleep more than usual. Do French Bulldogs Nap a Lot? Many people regard Frenchies as a lazy breed, but that is because they love napping a lot. And it may surprise you that when they are awake, they can get pretty hyper. They make the most out of their energy while awake, so they will play and run around when they can. But since they are a low-energy breed, this energy can wear out fast. That is why they need constant naps throughout the day to recharge. It is alarming if your Frenchie is wide awake for 10 hours or more in a day. This is not a normal sleeping habit for them since they have to nap a lot. When a Frenchie is sleep-deprived, their immune system becomes weak. This makes them prone to getting sick and developing serious health issues. So if you notice that your Frenchie is not napping as much anymore, take them to the vet for a check-up. Adult Frenchies sleep anywhere between 10 to 14 hours a day. While older Frenchies need to sleep at around 15 to 18 hours a day since they easily get tired. This is why older Frenchies go back to sleeping like puppies. Another reason is that Frenchies become prone to health issues as they age. Their bodies are working so much, so it needs to recover with sleep. Both short-term and long-term illnesses have this effect on Frenchies. Frenchies can sleep 7 hours at night uninterrupted, but this can vary. While some can sleep as long as you do during the night, others cannot. The most common reason for this is that they have slept enough during the day. So when it is bedtime, they do not feel tired enough. This is why you should provide your Frenchie with means to keep themselves active during the day. If you cannot play with them because you are at work, interactive toys will do. And if your Frenchie has other furry companions, they will keep each other active while you are away. Older Frenchies may find it hard to sleep through the night. They cannot hold their bladders as well as they used to. So they may take frequent trips to the bathroom at night. This can also be true for younger or adult Frenchies. Stress, health issues, and medications can make them pee more than usual. You may think that your Frenchie is sleeping too much, but it is normal for them to spend most of the day sleeping. They are only awake for about 30 percent of the day. For a breed that can sleep as much as 20 hours a day, it is not unusual to ask yourself if there is something wrong with them. But do not expect them to sleep as long as you do, as they have different sleeping patterns. Frenchies only get about 10 percent of REM sleep whenever they are snoozing. While humans get 25 percent of REM sleep to compare. This means that they can nap whenever they feel like it and wake up completely alert. But that would mean that they need to sleep more to make up for the incomplete REM sleep that they had. As long as your Frenchie sleeps within the normal range hours per day , you should not worry. If they are sleeping more than usual, it can be due to stress or underlying health problems. Frenchies spend half of their day sleeping because they need a lot of rest. It is because of their love for sleep that many regard Frenchies as a lazy breed. If your Frenchie naps a lot throughout the day, this is their normal sleeping habit so you should not worry. You should only worry when your Frenchie presents abnormal sleeping habits. Frenchies can regulate their sleep times on their own, relying on their body clock. As long as they are healthy, they should get the right amount of sleep themselves. For adult Frenchies, this would be around 10 to 14 hours per day. While puppies and older Frenchies need more, at around 15 to 19 hours a day. Some can even sleep as much as 20 hours per day. Of course, this will also depend on factors other than age. Especially if your Frenchie has a health issue. If your Frenchie does have one, it is best to talk to your vet about this. If your Frenchie is not tired before bedtime, they will not sleep and you may not be able to as well. So play with them right before your bedtime! This releases all the energy that they have accumulated with naps throughout the day. It does not even have to be a long playtime, 10 to 20 minutes will do for their low energy. Other than that, there are other ways that you can help your Frenchie to sleep through the night. Below are a few of them. Crate Training To your Frenchie, their crates are like their own rooms. This is where they are most comfortable and where they feel protected. Having their safe space to go to is one of their canine instincts. The first step in this is to make their crates appealing to them. A quiet and cozy place of their own will help them to sleep at night. Comfortable Dog Bed You should not underestimate the magic that a cozy dog bed can do. If you want a soft bed for yourself, your Frenchie also wants one. But cotton-filled beds are the best to start with. If your Frenchie is older, you may want to invest in orthopedic dog beds. Especially if they have arthritis or joint pains. This will make sleeping more comfortable for them as it eases their pain, even a bit. With a routine, they will know exactly what is going to happen and when. And with an intelligent breed like Frenchies , they will quickly learn this. So schedule their bedtime and figure out what you can do before going to bed. You can insert playtime as part of your night rituals, which is effective in tiring them out. Comfort Toys As a clingy breed , Frenchies can get attached to anything that brings them comfort, even if it is a stuffed toy. Having their comfort toy beside them as they sleep will help to ease their anxiety. This can help you and your Frenchie to sleep uninterrupted at night. Sleep Beside Them This is especially helpful for Frenchies with anxiety. As their fur parent, you are their greatest source of comfort. Being able to feel your warmth and cuddle with you at night should bring them ease. Frenchie puppies sleep way more than adults. Having more energy means that they are spending more time playing. This leads to more and longer naps throughout the day for them to recharge. Puppies can sleep for hours and hours and this is necessary for their growth and immune system. So you should not worry about their sleeping habits. Relish the moment while they are asleep because it will get rowdy when they wake up. As puppies, it is normal for Frenchies to sleep around 18 to 19 hours per day. This unusual sleeping behavior is necessary for a rapidly growing pup. Other than that, puppies have too much energy for their bodies to handle. So they may be playing with their toys one minute, then sleep without you noticing it. When your Frenchie pup is awake, they take up a lot of energy too. Other than playing, they also use energy to explore the world. Constantly analyzing new sounds, smells, and sights take a toll on them. If you are trying to socialize your puppy, all the information they take in can be overwhelming for them. And at this young age is when most of the training should happen. They have to learn from you, all the behaviors you want and do not want. With all that they go through during their waking hours, they need to sleep. Not only to recharge but also to process all that has happened during the day. This is when they can store all that they have learned in their brains. So if you think your Frenchie puppy is sleeping too much, they are probably not. You will know if they sleep too much when they have no energy after waking up from a nap. They should be happy and playful after snoozing. You need to wear down your Frenchie pup before bedtime since they have weird sleep cycles. Puppies find it hard to sleep through the night, but you can train them to. As they grow older, their sleep will sync with yours. Play Before Bedtime Spend some time playing with your Frenchie throughout the evening. At least 10 minutes will do to for their short attention spans. For dinner, you can use a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl. Making it tricky for them to eat their meals will get them to work their brains. But make sure that this is not too difficult as they may give up trying. You can also play with your Frenchie right before bedtime. One last release of excess energy will make them want to snooze right away. Give Them a Comfort Blanket Puppies used to sleep with their litter and mothers. So this may be the reason why your Frenchie cannot sleep at night. You can give your pup a fluffy blanket to mimic the sensation of sleeping beside them. Lights in your home, even from your phone, can affect the release of this hormone. So having a crave cover for your Frenchie can prevent this from happening. Potty Break Before Bed Frenchie pups have small bladders , so they may need to go on frequent trips to the toilet. To help prevent this, take them for a potty break before you sleep. Calming Bedtime Ritual Canine behaviors like sniffing, chewing, and licking are all soothing to your Frenchie. You can use this to your advantage and calm them down before bedtime. Freezing their meals will make your Frenchie lick their food more. But you can also use a licking mat and their favorite treat for this. You can get creative and see what works! Use White Noise There are many playlists online made to lull your Frenchie to sleep. This can also help to distract them from other noises in the house, some of which may scare them. Frenchie puppies will start to sleep uninterrupted at night at around 4 months old. This will depend on your Frenchie. But you can speed up the process if you start training them at an early age. There are areas that your Frenchie may nap in more than others, like your sofa. As a breed who loves to sleep, Frenchies have certain places in your home that they love to snooze on, but why? Below are common places that Frenchies go for a nap and why they like them. On Soft Surfaces Frenchies love to lie down in soft places as humans do. So they will hop on your bed or sofa to get a good nap. Close to the Heater or Aircon As a brachycephalic breed, Frenchies cannot regulate their body temperature well. So during the winter, you will find them nestled near the heater for warmth. And during hotter seasons, they will nap near the aircon or fan to cool down. Frenchie puppies should have a soft and cozy place to sleep in a quiet place. You can even have sleep beside you if you want them to. No matter where your Frenchie sleeps, it should be in a cozy and quiet place to make them comfortable. They should have a soft and cuddly bed to lie down on too that is slightly elevated. If your puppy has a crate, you should keep these in mind It will also help if you leave them comfort toys and a piece of your used clothing. This will make them feel at ease since they can smell you while they are off to dreamland. But a lot of puppies will also want to sleep beside you. They are still getting used to sleeping away from their mothers and littermates. Having you, their fur parent, beside them will ease their distress. Since Frenchies are companion dogs, it is natural for them to desire to sleep beside you. They are very affectionate so they will want to cuddle with you and feel your warmth while sleeping. And if you have been showing them lots of love, they will want to sleep beside you even more. Another reason is that they see you as the leader of their pack. Their instinct is to seek protection as sleeping is when they are vulnerable. They know that you are their protector, so they will snuggle up to you for this. According to experts, you can let your Frenchie sleep beside you if you want to. It is a great way to bond with your Frenchie and it can have a positive impact on your mental health. As long as you do not run over them while you are sleeping, they can sleep in your bed without problems. Having your Frenchie sleep in bed with you is a matter of preference. You can if you want to and having them sleep beside you is comforting. Especially if you have issues with your mental health or sleep disorders. But of course, it is not that simple. To help you decide, here are the factors that you should consider. But they cannot help it, their deformed face shape restricts their airflow. If you are a light sleeper, this may not be a good idea. They Fart A Lot Frenchies are prone to flatulence. This can be due to their sensitive stomachs or it can be due to the way they eat. Chances are, you will wake up because of their stinky farts. They Invade Your Space It may surprise you that they take up much of your bed space even if they are not that big. Frenchies love to stretch when they are asleep, leaving you less bed space. Another thing to consider is your personal space. They will push themselves into your face whether you like it or not. This can be an issue if you sleep with your partner. They Can Trigger Allergies If you are an allergy sufferer, keep in mind that Frenchies are not hypoallergenic. They shed quite a bit, leaving dander all over your bed. And even if you are not allergic to dogs, their fur can trap pollen, dirt, or dust that can trigger your allergies. They Can Get Hot While this is great for winter, sleeping with your Frenchie in the summertime is a nightmare. They can get very warm, which can disrupt your sleep. They Can Get Harmed Both you and your Frenchie move around when asleep, so they can get physically hurt if you share a bed with them. You can roll over them at night without you noticing. Or they can get caught in the sheets when they roll around, injuring themselves. They Get Too Attached Once your Frenchie gets so used to sleeping with you, they may get separation problems. An over-attachment to you can lead to separation anxiety. And this is the cause of many unwanted behaviors in Frenchies, including aggression. It is not the best idea to let your Frenchie puppy sleep with you. As tempting as it is, this does not help in teaching them to be independent. If your puppy gets used to sleeping with you, it will be hard to get them to sleep in their dog bed as adults. Also, they will grow up to struggle whenever you are away. Like adults, this can lead to separation anxiety, which can be crippling for your Frenchie. Making your Frenchie sleep in their beds needs a lot of your effort and time. It can be hard, but with consistency, your affectionate companion will get there. Below are the necessary steps to take to teach them how to sleep alone. Get a dog bed that is right for their size and is soft to tempt them to get in. Throw in some stuffed toys and a fluffy blanket for comfort and this will make their bed more appealing. Pick the Best Sleeping Spot You should place their dog bed near yours, so they feel at ease sleeping alone. Once you have chosen a spot, do not move it anymore. Their own space makes them feel secure and relaxed, so moving it will make them feel insecure. Prepare for Sleep Timing is everything, so make sure they had enough time to digest their dinner before going to sleep. This way, you can take them for a potty break before they sleep. A routine like this will help them know what to expect, so they are more open to your commands. Use Verbal Commands Tell your Frenchie to go to their beds before bedtime every night. Make sure to reward them if they listen so they will have a positive association with their beds. Do this at around the same time at night for them to learn their night routine. This will help if your Frenchie is afraid of sleeping in their beds alone. While they would prefer to sleep beside you, Frenchies can learn to like sleeping in their beds. This requires consistent and repetitive training. There is no cut-and-dry answer to this. The best dog bed for your Frenchie will depend on their needs and their likes. It is up to you and your companion to figure out what works best. But not any dog bed will do. Frenchies like to stretch and change positions, so this is important. For them, the best dog bed is an orthopedic bed which eases their joint pains. Make sure their bed can withstand their bites. Cleaning The Bed: For messy Frenchies, their beds can easily get dirty. There are beds with removable covers to help cut down your cleaning time. Bed Style: You can opt for dog beds that are covered if your Frenchie likes enclosed spaces. What Size Bed for a French Bulldog? For a standard-sized French Bulldog , a medium bed size will work. Keep in mind that male Frenchies are larger than females, so you may need to size up or down depending on their sex. Can French Bulldogs Sleep Outside? Frenchies are indoor dogs so they should not sleep outside under any circumstances. Even keeping them outside for a long time is not a good idea. The main concern is that they cannot handle hot or cold weather well. They have short furs that do not provide them enough insulation for the cold. And they have restricted airways that will not help them cool down efficiently when it is hot. Another concern is that this companion breed will get depressed when left outdoors a lot. They thrive on human interactions so depriving your Frenchie is cruel. Frenchies will sleep on their backs when it is hot so they can cool down. You will see them do this more often during the summer when it gets too warm. The only sweat glands dogs have are in their paws. Also, the fur on their bellies is thinner and sparser. So by lying down on their backs, they expose their paws and bellies to the air. This maximizes their way of cooling down. Any dog breed will do this, but this is especially important for Frenchies. A consequence of being a brachycephalic breed is that they cannot cool down properly. Other dogs do this better by breathing, but Frenchies have inefficient airflow. Also, Frenchies are prone to obesity. Dogs with excess weight have trouble cooling off since they have too much fluff in the way. Another reason for this position is that they feel safe in their surroundings. Leaving their internal organs exposed is dangerous if they are in an unsafe place. They cannot get up quick enough to protect themselves. But they will do this in a safe environment with people and other furry companions that they trust. So if you see your Frenchie exposing their belly to you, take it as a compliment. Lying down on their backs is a good way for your Frenchie to regulate their body temperature. Most dogs do this without risks. The only issue is if they sleep on their backs in an unfamiliar place. They will not be able to spring into action when there is some threat. But they are smart enough not to do this, so you should not worry about this. Digging beds is a presleep ritual that dogs do to make their bed more comfortable. There are various reasons behind this behavior including the following: Regulating Their Body Temperature Depending on the weather, your Frenchie will look for a cooler or warmer spot to rest. Their ancestors did this in the wild to protect themselves from other animals. While your Frenchie does not need to do this, their instincts are still strong. So when they are pawing at their bed, they are trying to spread this to claim their spot. This reason is likely for households with many dogs. Nesting If your Frenchie is pregnant , they are trying to prepare for their babies. They create a nest using their bed and blanket so that their puppies have a comfortable place to sleep in. Fluffing Their Bed Frenchies will also try to fluff their beds as humans do with their pillows. Once they have the arrangement that they like, they will circle around and then lie down to snooze. Frenchies will burrow themselves under the covers for protection. This is because sleeping is when your Frenchie is most vulnerable. It can also be because it is chilly and they are trying to keep themselves warm. If your Frenchie is sleeping under your covers, it is because they feel safe with you. You are the leader of their pack, after all, so they seek protection whilst asleep beside you. May 20, No comments The amount a French Bulldog sleeps is a topic of interest for many new Frenchie owners. It makes sense, because it would be concerning to see your dog sleeping all day if you were unfamiliar with the amount of sleep dogs typically need. The thing is, Frenchies vary in types , personalities , and family history which means each individual pup will have slightly different sleeping patterns. It may be in the nature of some Frenchies to sleep more than others, just like it is for humans. But, of course, there are some hard and fast rules you should be aware of. How much do French Bulldogs sleep? The simple answer is — French Bulldogs require a lot of sleep. Most adult Frenchies sleep approximately hours a day. However, for French Bulldog puppies or elderly dogs, this average can go as high as hours per day. Although Frenchies are avid sleepers, it is vital to note that they are also flexible sleepers. They can routinely change their pattern according to your schedule. Just like other dogs, Frenchies wake easily if there is a sudden knock at the door or another abrupt sound — their instincts are always ready to protect their owners. Is your French Bulldog sleeping too much? Wrap Frenchies are the perfect apartment-living dog given their small size, tendency to sleep long hours in the day, and small appetite for exercise. This is family and dinner time. We all spend time in the lounge. Awake for 3 hours. In the evening he comes upstairs. Sleeps on our bed whilst we watch TV. Asleep for 3 hours. We than take him downstairs. Before he beds down for the night he goes outside. Sniffs about for a while doing his business in the garden. Awake for 1 hour. He then goes back into the kitchen. He sleeps with our cat for the night. Asleep for 7 hours. Total hours a day asleep: 14 hours average. How these hours of sleep look over a 24 hour daily period I also put a graph together below which shows you what this sleep schedule looks like pictorially, running from 7am in the morning, through a 24 hour period. Not every day is the same, but the above is a pretty decent stab at what you might expect on average. Occasionally he will also have a mini-nap around mid-morning. Important: Dogs sleep for more hours in a day than they actually are awake. How many hours a day does a 3-month old French bulldog sleep? French bulldog puppies are a different case altogether, as just like human babies, they will sleep for hours and hours. French bulldog puppy sleeping habits are certainly different to adult dogs. If your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old or 3 months old, he could be sleeping for as much as 18 hours a day. This is Claude as a puppy, catching up on some sleep. Notice that he was sleeping with his eyes open! I know that the temptation will be to wake him, as they are so much fun at this age. Does my French bulldog sleep too much? The answer to this question is probably no. As a breed, French bulldogs tend to be a sleepier breed than your average dog. However, there can be some health issues to keep an eye on, if you feel that your Frenchie is exhibiting unusual sleep patterns and sleeping habits. Claude will come sleep on our bed for a few hours before he goes down to his own bed. Increased sleeping hours. Not sleeping well and out of sync, particularly staying awake at night. French Bulldog sleeping habits Below are some of the more common questions I see people asking on Facebook about their French Bulldog sleeping habits and schedules. Why does my French bulldog sleep with his eyes open? Sometimes French Bulldogs will sleep with their eyes open. When Claude falls asleep, often it will be with his eyes half open. I did some research online into why dogs and Frenchies sleep with their eyes open and found that this can be traced back to their ancestors. Sleeping with their eyes open was a defense mechanism which would let them keep safe from predators whilst resting. However, do keep watch on him, as if he is twitching in his sleep it could be the sign of a seizure if it gets to be violent movements, so look for any unusual behaviour. The most likely reason your Frenchie is sleeping with twitching legs and eyes will be because he is having a dream. Why does my French Bulldog sleep on his back? For example, a Frenchie who sleeps on his back will help him keep cool. This is because sleeping with an exposed tummy will let heat escape, letting him keep cool and happy on a warmer night. Why does my French bulldog is make puffing noises in his sleep? The physical make-up of a Frenchie is commonly known to lead to breathing issues. As brachiocephalic dogs they have short snouts. They will make a lot of strange noises in their sleep, puffing be just one of them. Similar to rapid breathing which I will come onto next. Claude as a puppy again. Sometimes French bulldogs will sleep on their backs. Why does my French bulldog have rapid breathing in his sleep? Rapid breathing is a common issue during Frenchie sleep too, most of which is related to their snout and airwaves not being as free as other dog breeds. But there are some signs that you should look out for. If your dog has rapid breathing in his sleep that seems unusual to him as a individual it could be a signal that: He is hot and his body temperature has increased. If you are worried, wake him up and see if he still has laboured breathing. If he is also sitting up in an unusual posture or his chest is moving irregularly it could be the sign of something serious. In fact, YouTube has plenty of videos showcasing this cute and funny behaviour. The following symptoms will often be seen in conjunction with hanging tongue syndrome. His tongue looks dry, rough, sore, with possible patches or spots. His tongue looks paler than normal and could be swollen. His breath smells worse than normal. His drinking has become less and loss of appetite. Final thoughts French bulldogs are adorable. The need their beauty sleep after all! But do be prepared, as once they wake up they will want your undivided attention! Handy Hint: Another guide you might find helpful is recommendations on how far and how often you should walk your French Bulldog puppy based on my own personal experiences. New born puppies are very helpless. They are born blind and deaf and unable to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to use an external heat source when the puppies are not in direct contact with mom. During this time period, their mothers have to stimulate them in order for them to urinate and have bowel movements. This is a very busy time for us and we are usually very sleep deprived because we assist the mothers every 3 hours around the clock to make sure that all puppies are latching on well, growing, and being stimulated to urinate and defecate. It is a critical time in which the puppies are so small that an unaware Frenchie mother could accidentally smother one or more of her pups, so we monitor them very closely. Lacey takes a video of each litter at 3 weeks of age and posts them on our website under New Puppies so that our clients near the top of the list, as well as other clients and prospective clients, can get a early look at them. They continue to gain weight rapidly over the next several months of their lives. At two weeks age their ears open and they are able to hear, and another big part of their new world opens up. Prior to this event, about all they do is grunt or mew, but afterward their vocabulary includes yelps, whines, and even little barks. At three weeks of age the more advanced puppies start taking their first shaky steps; prior to this their basic mode of transportation is basic army crawling. They are now able to urinate and defecate on their own and will move away from their sleeping area to do so. Up to this point it is strictly the mothers and us Donna, Lacey, and Bick who have handled the pups with lots of hand sanitizing before and after and they have been kept in their kennel. Even though it is hard on the kids, we do not let them or their friends handle them until 4 weeks of age. At four weeks we start introducing them to solid food initially crushed and moistened. By the end of the 4th week they are eating their crushed puppy food, with no water added, three times a day. Because they are not nursing as long or as often, we provide fresh water for them at all times. The kids are allowed to hold them now closely monitored and with clean hands and we allow the puppies to run around and explore our large main room in the house. At 5 weeks of age they are starting to run around all over the place when they are let out to play, and, when they are in their kennels, they play sometimes rather roughly with litter mates. It is during this time when some of their adult personalities will start coming out. By the end of this week their puppy teeth are all in, and they love to chew on things, including fingers if you let them. However, even at this age, they will spend most of their time sleeping, probably close to 20 hours per day, with only short times between naps when they are alert and active. By the end of the 6th week they are completely weaned from their moms and eating solid food well. We frequently take them out of their kennels to scamper around. They are full of energy and love to play with their litter-mates and the kids. This is the time that we really focus on socializing them and we even start their paper training. By 7 weeks they have already passed through most of their puppy milestones and are continuing to grow rapidly; they are generally in the 4 to 6 pound range. This is when their personalities really start coming out! It is so fun to watch them play with the kids and their litter-mates and observe their new fascination with toys. They have become somewhat accustomed to going potty on pee pads so that when they are out running around the room they often recognize them on the floor and will go potty on them. Though they are fast, active, playful little puppies at this point in their lives, they still are like babies and require lots of sleep probably over 18 hours per day and are still quite fragile. This video will show the color and conformation of each puppy, in addition to its personality. Their their third DAPP and 2nd Bordetella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks and then a yearly booster thereafter. The rabies shot can also be given at 12 weeks no later than 16 weeks. They are also regularly de-wormed and given a medication for the prevention of coccidia and giardia. Occasionally we hold onto puppies a little longer if we do not feel they are quite ready to go to their new homes. Our clients are encouraged to come to our home to meet their fur babies if this is feasible. When this is not possible, we arrange for one of our responsible puppy chaperones to hand deliver our puppies to meet their new owners at their nearest major airport. In fact, even as adults they will sleep at least half of the day in a series of long naps, and probably closer to 14 hours per day. Have More Questions?

We have answers. What are Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Evansville like? A Golden Retriever is a large, strong breed of dog that is one of the most popular breeds worldwide. Originally bred as a type of gundog to assist with hunting and retrieving game, these dogs are distinguished by their golden-colored double coats, well-defined wavy layers of hair, and gentle, loyal personalities. Golden Retrievers are known for being incredibly intelligent, highly trainable, and incredibly loving—making them an ideal pet for families of all sizes. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Evansville hypoallergenic? Golden Retrievers are not considered a hypoallergenic breed, meaning that they can trigger allergies in those with allergies and asthma. While not hypoallergenic, Golden Retrievers can still make a great choice for allergy sufferers if their environment and health are managed properly. Regular baths, good grooming, and brushing a Golden Retriever's coat can help reduce the proteins that trigger allergies. Additionally, regular vacuuming of the home can aid in reducing the allergens that can linger in fabric and furniture. Do Evansville Golden Retriever puppies for sale have special dietary needs? Golden Retrievers can have some specific dietary requirements depending on age, activity level, and size. Generally speaking, Golden Retrievers need a nutrient-dense diet that includes proteins and fats to help support their active lifestyle, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain their good health. They may need more protein and fat than other breeds, and can benefit from supplements or special food for their joints. When adding treats and snacks to their diet, make sure to choose items with high-quality ingredients. Do Golden Retriever puppies in Evansville have any kind of special requirements? Golden Retrievers generally require lots of love and attention from their owners. They need regular exercise and mental stimulation to help keep them healthy and happy. Grooming is also important to keep their beautiful coats in good condition. In terms of medical care, they should see their veterinarian annually for checkups and vaccinations in order to prevent any health issues. As with all breeds of dogs, they should be provided with plenty of quality food and clean, fresh water. Golden Retrievers may also require a bit more brushing and trimming to keep their coat looking great, as compared to some other breeds. Are Golden Retrievers for sale in Evansville considered big dogs? Golden Retrievers are of medium size, with adult males usually standing between inches tall and weighing around pounds. Despite this, they may appear larger due to their thick, luxurious coats. By comparison, larger breeds such as Mastiffs and Great Danes can reach heights of 35 inches and weigh around pounds. While Golden Retrievers are considered medium-sized dogs, they have a larger-than-average presence, and make a great guard and working dog. Do Golden Retriever puppies near Evansville like to swim? Yes, Golden Retrievers love to swim! It has been said that this breed was developed to work on water, and as such, they can often be seen splashing around in pools, lakes, and ponds. Golden Retrievers are powerful swimmers, and if properly supervised, are capable of great distances in the water. Not only do they enjoy swimming, but they do so with enthusiasm! They also love to retrieve things that have been thrown in the water, making a game of it. Swimming is an essential element of a Golden Retriever's lifestyle. Are Golden Retrievers in Evansville good with kids? Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family dog breeds because of their intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate nature. They are highly sociable and enjoy interacting with both children and adults alike. They are known to be very patient and gentle with young children, which makes them a perfect companion for kids. Golden Retrievers are also great at learning commands and quickly gain an understanding of what's expected from them. They bond easily and deeply with their humans; these traits make them the perfect choice for families, making them one of the best breed of dogs for kids. How many minutes per day do I need to train Evansville Golden Retrievers for sale? The amount of time needed to train a Golden Retriever will depend on several factors, such as the age, character, and size of your pup. Generally speaking, it is recommended that you spend 15 to 20 minutes per day training your Golden Retriever, though you may need to spend more time if they are more stubborn or learning something new. How you spend this time is also important, as it should be a combination of activities that allow them to learn commands, become obedient, and have fun. The Golden Retrievers enjoy a little piece of country heaven with a woods, hiking trails, and a pond for training. While the retrievers are mainly my passion and hobby, raising them is a family affair! Our two married daughters, sons, grandchildren, extended family and friends, all play a part in raising the Golden Retriever puppies. We are small, hobby, preservation breeders and while we breed on a limited basis to further our goals, we are committed to breeding healthy, intelligent, sound, quality golden retrievers. Long ago, the road to our home was commonly referred to locally as "Grapevine Road". Since our roots are so deeply established here, the name seemed to naturally fit. We hope you enjoy looking through our website and learning more about our dogs and the Golden Retriever breed. Mission Our ultimate goal and focus is producing Golden Retrievers for the breed's original purpose, a true hunting companion and working dog that is also a devoted family dog. Our puppies are well suited for working homes, and active pet homes. If you have any questions, we are always happy to discuss the breed, our dogs, and our program with you! You can connect with us by email, Facebook message, or by using the contact form at the bottom of this page. Our Dogs.

We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Erie Pennsylvania and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Micro Goldendoodles Are you in the Pennsylvania area and looking for ethical breeders that offer Goldendoodle Puppies for sale? Are you interested in having a playful puppy as a perfect family pet? If the answer is yes, you have found a great resource to take care of all your puppy needs. We offer the best Goldendoodle puppies for sale in Erie, PA. Why we choose grain free diets for our puppies Cows, goats, deer, elk, etc. Cows, goats, deer, elk, etc. Whereas, your dog has a single stomach made to digest meats and fats. Feeding your pup grains could cause them to miss out on important nutrients, causing them to become malnourished and have weakened immune systems. We recommend carrying this diet over into your home for your future puppy so that they can continue to grow and lead the healthiest life. You can visit or purchase Great Lakes Pet Food online at greatlakespetfood. We health guarantee the genetic health of our Golden puppies for thirty days, and if you choose to use Great Lakes Pet Food the guarantee will be extended to two years. We like to provide proper education backed with logic and science so that you can feel confident that your puppy is given only the best! Our Promise We are so happy that you are interested in our Puppies! Here at Breezy Hollow Puppies, we promise to make this the best and easiest experience for you and your family. We take pride in our ability to provide excellent care to our puppies. We value giving the puppies nurturing environments that will allow them to be socialized and most of all the healthiest puppies. We keep our facilities safe and sanitary in order to provide the best pup for you! I started my business in with my family by my side. We reside on a beautiful farm in Dauphin County, PA. Our passion is preparing our puppies for loving homes and giving each individual customer a unique and easy sales experience. Breezy Hollow Puppies strives to raise happy and healthy puppies. We would love to hear from you! Omar would love to find your new fur-ever friend! Feel free to contact Omar at with any questions, comments, or concerns! Goldendoodles for sale in Erie, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas Contact Us. Contact Us Goldendoodle The Goldendoodle is known for its social qualities and friendly disposition. With varying traits among this crossbreed, the Goldendoodle often referred to as labradoodle is considered one of the most lovable canines. Discover more about our Goldendoodle puppies for sale below! Due to the variation in traits inherited from its parents, the Goldendoodle can have different sizes and colors. Temperament The golden doodle is generally a loving and cuddly dog. They are very calm and loves to be around its owner, for the most part, does very well when shown affection by others. However, golden doodles are crossbreeds and so comes the varying traits of its parents. Environment The golden doodle is quite the adventurous dog so it loves to move around and roam freely. A nice yard would suit the Goldendoodle where it can satisfy its exploratory tendencies. Due to its wandering nature, a fence would be ideal to give some boundaries. Grooming One of the main reasons for crossbreeding the golden retriever and the poodle was to get a breed with reduced shedding. However, the Goldendoodle should be brushed once a week and should be bathed only when it is physically obvious it needs one. This also includes when it starts smelling unpleasant. The nails are naturally trim when Goldendoodles exercise and move about. Their faces and ears should be wiped so as to avoid infection. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Goldendoodle puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies. These pets make for excellent family pets and get along with children. Very sociable animals and thrives on interaction with its owner. Male or female, which Goldendoodle is better? Both male and female genders have their pros and cons so it is really up to the owner. Are Goldendoodles good watch dogs? Goldendoodles are not good watchdogs. What is the average lifespan of a Goldendoodle? Taking into account the health and size, on average the Goldendoodle has a life expectancy of about years. How much exercise does a Goldendoodle need? The Goldendoodle is a real homely and does not require much exercise, unlike many dogs. About 30mins a day would keep the Goldendoodle physically and mentally sound. How much does it cost to get a Goldendoodle? The Goldendoodle cost can vary. Contact us today for availability and costs How much grooming does a Goldendoodle need? Goldendoodles generally are high maintenance dogs, especially in the grooming department. They require brushing almost every other day to separate loose hairs and distribute the coat evenly across the body. As is with most furry dogs, it is imperative to look after the coat to maintain the beauty of the doodle. Nails can be clipped every other month to avoid them getting too long. Are Goldendoodles hard to train? The Goldendoodle has a high affinity to its owner and so is usually very submissive and loving. That being said, training a Goldendoodle will require patience and reinforcement amongst necessary responsibilities such as health care, simple bonding activities such as playing catch, a good diet, and adequate exercise. Are Goldendoodles aggressive? Goldendoodles are hardly aggressive towards people or other animals for that matter. There may be a little apprehension towards a few characters it does not perceive as friendly, however, this does not last after periods of getting used to such individuals. Goldendoodles also get along with other pets. What are the challenging health issues Goldendoodles are likely to face? Considering health and age, generally, the Goldendoodle is not likely to have major health-threatening issues until the later years of its life. Some of the common complications could include hip dysplasia, ear infection, and torsion. A most vibrant dog, not many can compare in terms of friendliness and intelligence when it comes to the Goldendoodle. Contact Us.

We invite you to visit with us and our Beautiful German Shepherd puppies for sale. On occasion we have gorgeous long coated German Shepherd puppies for sale as well. Please see our Family Reunion page to see some of our pups in their homes that we have sold over the years Throughout the years, several of our Rotterbarental German Shepherd dogs have had jobs. We have had pups that have become Search and Rescue dogs, Certified Therapy Dogs, One of our therapy dogs was used for children with cancer through Create a Smile. Please be sure and read these special dogs stories on our Dogs with Jobs page. If our dogs can accomplish these special jobs, just imagine what a Rotterbarental GSD puppy can do for you and your family. That is why our German shepherd dogs are health tested and puppies are raised in a home environment with a variety of other pets to insure proper socialization. Our puppies and dogs play on grass and not in kennel runs. Far too often, we have seen the ill effects to dogs that have lived a kennel life. Every Rotterbarental German Shepherd puppy comes to you with a 5 year written health guarantee, vaccines and de-worming up to date, a comprehensive puppy package and life time support as well as a forever home policy. We are conveniently located near you within minutes of the , the 60 and the 10 fwys on our seven acre ranch in the beautiful San Jacinto Valley, Riverside County, Southern California. You are welcome to visit us and our beautiful German Shepherd dogs and puppies with an appointment. Click here Puppies for Sale to see what pups are available today or in the future. Located in beautiful Southern California, we strive to breed superior quality family dogs that will not only make great companions and protectors for your family but that also represent the German Shepherd breed well with the exceptional temperament the breed is known and loved for worldwide. We breed only top German V and VA bloodlines that possess superior health and temperament through generations of hip and elbow certified and temperament tested dogs. Additionally all of our dogs are tested for Degenerative Myelopathy to be sure we are producing puppies safe from this disease. Additionally all of our dogs are DNA tested Clear for the MDR1 gene that can cause mild to severe reactions to a variety of medications. Please visit our testimonials page to read review from many of our clients through the years. Also be sure to visit our Dogs For Sale page to see retired females and males we currently have available to the right homes. Check back often as we are always updating photos of our available puppies. With keeping a small number of dogs we have time to give plenty of love and individual attention to them and the puppies when we have them. Our dogs are not kept in kennels, they live with us as part of our family, with room to roam outside on our one acre property and a warm spot inside to sleep. All puppies are raised inside our home in a clean and healthy environment. All whelpings are supervised by us and assisted as needed to ensure the best start and to protect the health of the mother and her puppies. All puppies are well socialized with small children, cats and our other dogs. Temperament is very important to us, our breeding dogs have wonderful temperaments that they pass on to their puppies. Puppies are temperament tested so that we can help you to find the perfect fit for your family and your needs. We actively show our dogs on the local, national and international level thereby striving to breed dogs of quality bloodlines and structure that adhere to the German SV standard for the German Shepherd dog. We make every effort to continue to learn and to improve our bloodlines by importing dogs of superior quality with top German VA bloodlines to bring you the highest and best quality puppy for you and your family to enjoy. Our hope as breeders is that we can provide the best quality German Shepherd puppy with an outstanding temperament that will in turn make a lasting impression on you and your family like they have in ours. I have so many customers that have been lifelong fans of the German Shepherd, that have grown up with German Shepherds and long for that companionship again with the dog of their childhood. I look forward to providing the dog of your dreams to you and your family! Call today to begin your future with a great German Shepherd Dog of your own. Call or email for an appointment to visit us and to meet our dogs and puppies. Our breeding program has earned the the highest level of accomplishments that a kennel in the United States can achieve. Nadelhaus breeds purebred German Shepherds year round and we also import both German Shepherd puppies and adults direct from Europe for our clients. Long-haired German Shepherds are technically called a long coat German Shepherd, while a short-haired German Shepherd is called a normal coat or stock coat German Shepherd. Dogs with either coat have the same physiological structure and both have double coats: an undercoat and a top coat. The only difference between the two is the top coat. The long haired German Shepherd will have a heavier top coat than the undercoat. The double coat of a German Shepherd is an important feature of the breed. The double coat weathers and insulates the dogs—it protects them from the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. The length of the coat of a German Shepherd has no impact on its ability as a working dog. What does a long haired German Shepherd look like? The skeleton and structure of a long-haired German Shepherd will be the same as a short-haired German Shepherd. Both dogs will have an undercoat, but the difference is that the top coat of a long-haired German Shepherd will be longer. The long coat GSD has longer and silkier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Short on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck, almost forming a mane. On the back side of the legs the hair extends to the carpal joint or the hock and forms clear trousers on the back side of the haunches. Historically, German Shepherds originated in Germany and were native sheepdogs. He firmly believed that the standard of the German Shepherd breed should not include dogs with long hair. Throughout the s, long haired German Shepherds were considered unsuitable and unacceptable for breeding. It is important to note that long-haired German Shepherds are the result of natural genetic diversity and not a separate breed. Their long coats are an inherited trait that can occur when both parents carry the recessive long-hair gene. This gene manifests as a more luxurious and abundant coat, offering a striking contrast to the traditional short-haired German Shepherd appearance. The breeding of long-haired German Shepherds follows the same rigorous standards and principles as their short-haired counterparts. The focus remains on maintaining the breed's exceptional temperament, working abilities, and overall health. Over time, breeders recognized the value of long-haired German Shepherds and began selectively breeding them to maintain and enhance their unique characteristics. Through careful pairings and strategic breeding programs, the long-haired variety established itself as a distinct and cherished branch of the German Shepherd breed. How big do long-haired German Shepherds get? Long-haired German Shepherds are structurally the same as short-haired German Shepherds, therefore they can both grow to similar sizes. Males: inches tall, pounds Females: inches tall, pounds Since both German Shepherds are physiologically the same, they also have the same temperaments: loyal, intelligent, energetic, courageous and protective. German Shepherds are ranked 2 on the AKC Breed Popularity list and make for wonderful family companions and working dogs. How can I identify a long-haired German Shepherd puppy? In the photo below are two litter mates from a recent Nadelhaus litter. The puppy on the left is a long coat and the puppy on the right is a normal coat. The long coat has wispier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Long-hair female German Shepherd next to short-hair male German Shepherd. Genetically in German Shepherds, the short hair gene is dominant and the long hair gene is recessive. This means if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated, but neither carries the recessive long hair gene, then no long haired puppies can be produced. However, if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated and both carry the recessive gene, then long-haired German Shepherd puppies can be produced. Long-haired German Shepherds are considered a less common variant of the breed, adding to their allure and exclusivity. While short-haired German Shepherds dominate the breed standard, enthusiasts of long-haired Shepherds appreciate their unique beauty and elegant appearance. Due to their rarity, finding a reputable breeder or rescue organization specializing in long-haired German Shepherds may require some research and patience. However, the joy of owning one of these beautiful dogs is well worth the effort for those who appreciate their longer coats and exceptional qualities. Do long-haired German Shepherds shed more than short-haired German Shepherds? No, this is a common misconception. Although they shed less than short haired German Shepherds, their coats still require regular maintenance. They will need regular brushing and grooming, especially if you enjoy hiking or outdoor activities with your GSD. While it is a rare occurrence for a long-haired GSD to not have an undercoat, most of them do have undercoats. And just like short-haired GSDs, their undercoats will shed more or less throughout the year depending on the season. Should I trim my long haired German Shepherd's coat? The decision to trim a long haired German Shepherd comes down to personal preference, but it is not a necessity. Trimming can help make for more manageable living around the house. If you choose to trim, you can trim around the backs of the ears, on the back of the legs both front and back and then thin the bushy tail. Shaving a German Shepherd on the other hand is never recommended. Their double coats help keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What are long haired German Shepherds called? Regular brushing: Long-haired German Shepherds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Aim for at least a few brushing sessions per week to keep their coat in good condition. Finish your brushing session with a gentle dog brush to clean up loose hairs. Bathing and drying: It's important to bathe your long-haired German Shepherd as needed, using a dog-specific shampoo. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo to prevent any residue. After bathing, use a high-velocity dryer or a cool air dryer to dry their coat thoroughly, as moisture trapped in the fur can lead to skin issues. Professional grooming: Consider taking your long-haired German Shepherd to a professional groomer for occasional trimming and coat maintenance. A groomer can help keep the fur around sensitive areas, such as the paws and ears, tidy and reduce the chances of matting. Watch for seasonal shedding: Like all German Shepherds, long-haired ones will undergo shedding seasons. Be prepared for increased shedding during these times and brush your dog more frequently to remove loose hair. A de-shedding tool can be helpful in managing shedding and keeping their coat healthy. Remember, each dog is unique, and the specific care requirements may vary. Does Nadelhaus sell long haired German Shepherd puppies? Nadelhaus breeds German Shepherds puppies year round and while the majority of puppies we sell are short hair, we do have occasionally have long haired puppies. We breed all our German Shepherds in the black and red color. If you are looking for a long haired adult German Shepherd, we can also import long-haired German Shepherds direct from Europe. Contact us for more information.

Squirrels drive them crazy, garbage is their favorite snack, and immediately after chewing your one-of-a-kind, handmade leather jacket into confetti, they can give you a look of such innocent love and adoration that you forget all about it. This kind of behavior can baffle and frustrate even the most conscientious of dog owners, and rightfully so. When you bring a puppy home, she becomes part of your family; you need to be able to trust her with your home, your belongings, and even your children. She needs to be taught appropriate behavior calmly, gently, and—most important—consistently. As soon as you get your labradoodle, you can start teaching her how to obey you, how to act around people and other dogs, and generally to be the best-behaved dog ever. Wild dogs live and hunt in packs, and to your dog, you and the other members of your family are fellow pack members. This is an important model, because in every pack there are structured power relationships between members. Puppies who are never disciplined may begin aggressively testing their boundaries when they reach doggy adolescence. In extreme cases, they can begin biting. You do not have to use physical intimidation to do so. Some trainers recommend that owners establish their dominance through a show of physical force ranging from an alpha roll—flipping a dog over so her belly is exposed—to actually biting a dog on the muzzle. This can leave a dog feeling threatened and defensive, and may even provoke an attack. Most dogs are perfectly happy submitting to a leader; they actually gain confidence and a sense of security from having someone to follow. The job of a good pack leader is to project a sense of strength by using a deep, steady voice, reacting calmly to situations that make the dog nervous, and giving rewards only for good behavior. Training your dog to sit and lie down is helpful as well. Having her repeatedly take a lower, submissive position at your command reinforces your dominant position. The social life Socializing is one of the most important things you can do to train your young labradoodle. Puppies, like babies, are like sponges—ready to absorb all kinds of information about their world. In the first few months of their lives, they learn the right places to sleep to catch the late afternoon sun and that the sound of the can opener means dinner- time. This is one of the most important things you can do for your fuzzy family member. The less afraid your puppy is of strange people and animals, the less likely she is to act defensively and attack another dog or even a child. The socialization of puppies begins between three and four weeks of age, before most people bring their new pets home. This means that some of the work is out of your control. If your puppy has been raised by a careless owner or breeder, you may have an uphill battle to fight when you get her home. The good news is, puppy will continue the socialization process until puppy is few months old, so you have plenty of time to give her good experiences. First of all, make sure puppy bonds with you and your family. Pet pup, groom pup, play with puppy, talk to her, and just generally give her lots of love. Show puppy that she can depend on you for affection, food, and gentle leadership. Once your pup feels safe with you, introduce puppy to your big world. Make sure puppy has plenty of chances to meet kind people and play with well-socialized dogs. Try to make trips to the veterinarian go safe and smoothly in the comfort of your arms, with plenty of petting from you and the friendly veterinarian and technicians important to never let puppy or dog run around in Vet office especially in waiting room. Introduce your puppy to children, too, in a well-supervised environment. Show the kids how to speak calmly to your puppy and pet her gently. If you notice your puppy acting nervous in a new situation or starting to bristle at a strange dog, try not to scold her. Raising your voice will only make puppy more tense. Trying to comfort puppy will backfire too. Instead, distract puppy as best you can. Toss a ball or a chew toy to pup, or start playing a favorite game. When puppy gets absorbed in the game and starts ignoring the people or the dog that scared your puppy, give pup lots of praise. Soon puppy will associate the scary situation with fun and playtime, and your puppy will become a canine socialite. We will be sharing our Helpful Hints in email before puppy comes home with lots of great info and photos of good products to have and picture of a comfort safe zone. When most dog owners think about training their dog, they think in negatives. They want their puppy not to chew the furniture, not to piddle on the carpet, and not to jump up on guests. Imagine you were a puppy home alone, and you spent most of your day chewing on some loafers and spreading garbage around the kitchen. Then you nap for an hour and meet your family at the door when they come home. Was it the chewing or meeting the family at the door? What were you supposed to do instead? For example, if you see your puppy dancing anxiously around the living room like she needs to go out, get her outside in a flash. This teaches puppy that going outside is a good thing. Whenever you catch her chewing on one of her toys, reward puppy. Make a point of noticing these behaviors and rewarding them with attention, praise, or treats. Training is a gradual process, and it can be a difficult road to walk alone. Remember, when you train, you need to be persistent, and above all, patient. Puppy needs your love, attention, and guidance to be the good Labradoodle dog you know pup can be. There are lots of good book on dog training! Her website has a lot of excellent resources. See lots of fun photos and videos of our GorgeousDoodles families on our Pics and Vids page , and on our YouTube and Facebook accounts! But in the early days, we recommend keeping them close to you at night. It will help them feel safe and cared for — leaving their litter is quite a big step, after all. Your puppy may be unsettled and will most likely need at least one bathroom break through the night. It will all be okay in a few weeks time, though. The crate should be a cozy warm den for your puppy. Soft blankets and a cuddly toy should do the trick to help them settle. It is also a good idea to cover over the sides but keep the front uncovered so your pup can still see out. Just before bed, take your pup out for one last potty stop. With that beautiful voice of yours, gently reassure them and rest your hand in the crate so they know you are there. When your puppy wakes up in the night they definitely will at some point , listen to see if they are settling back down. Expect to be out at or am to take them straight to the loo. They will be bursting! That just about covers the first steps of Labradoodle sleep training. Very tired. But early mornings, late nights and disturbed sleep are all part of owning a puppy. As they mature emotionally and settle into their new home they will be happy in other parts of the house, and even outside of their crate. Having them in your room does not cause separation anxiety later on. Stick to a routine! Consistency is everything. It will backfire on you. Check out our guide on how to get a puppy to sleep through the night for more tips. Alone Training Labradoodles are very sociable. That can mean two things — they will always be happy to see you and that being alone can be challenging for them. This will help them feel at ease without you and also help them love their crate a little bit more too. While they are eating, go and do something close by. No need to go completely out of sight, but try not to focus on your puppy either. Labradoodles love to eat, so use this time wisely to distract them away from you. Just a few seconds is good enough in the early stages. Repeat: Practice makes perfect! Do this exercise at least once a day to build up alone time, and check out our guide to puppy separation anxiety. We expand on our little secret in our puppy potty training article. Every 30 minutes, after eating, sleeping or playing. Socialization Exercises to do This Week Early socialization is important for all puppies. It gives them confidence and teaches them to view the world in an optimistic way. Here are some puppy socialization exercises to do with your Labradoodle. Let your Labradoodle Puppy Explore the Yard The yard is a great way to introduce your puppy to the great outdoors. They will also get used to walking on different types of surfaces such as your tiled, wet lawn or open flower beds. To get them there, here is a quick exercise you can run through: Exploring different surfaces exercise Have plenty of treats ready. Only use safe surfaces, nothing too slippery. Gather surfaces such as: A piece of carpet A large tray with a thin layer of water A large piece of tin foil or cardboard, something that makes a noise. Put the surfaces out on the floor and let your puppy investigate. Let them take their time and go at their own pace. In our experience Labradoodles are quite food motivated, and you can probably use a low or medium value treat for this. You can even try to use their kibble as many will be delighted to work for their food. For more info on what rewards to use check out our article on rewards and treats. Teach your puppy their name One of the first things your puppy will learn from you is their name. Fortunately, teaching a Labradoodle puppy their name is rather simple. Pretty easy, right? Practice this a few times everyday until they start flipping their head at you every time you call their name. Make sure everyone in the family uses the same name too! Teach your puppy to sit Labradoodle training is often started by teaching them how to sit. We call this a marker word. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow with a tasty treat. Bits of smelly sausage or cheese will definitely do the trick. If this happens, try to keep it simple at first and just use their own kibble if they are motivated to work for it. Save the big guns in treat terms for when you really need it! How to do it Always begin training at home. The outside world is far too exciting at the moment, and your puppy will probably not focus on you. Stand in front of your pup with a treat in your hand and place the treat on their nose, then bring it up to your waist. Recall — How to teach your Labradoodle puppy to come back when called Your puppy should have a good grasp of their name by now, which should make recall training pretty straightforward. Pun intended. How to do it You will need plenty of those high value treats and your best cheery voice. Call your puppy only once! This is super important as you want them to learn that their name only has to be called once for them to react to it. How to do it Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Once they are interested in the toy, throw it a short distance away from you. With that lovely singing voice of yours, encourage them to bring it back to you. When they do, swap the toy in their mouth for another identical toy. Repeat about 5 times and practice everyday. Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Prevention of Resource Guarding This part of Labradoodle training is important — it will prevent resource guarding by teaching your puppy how to give up items willingly. Resource guarding is this thing that happens when dogs are unwilling to give up items back, or when they get protective over something from humans or other dogs. From the training tips above, preventing resource guarding always comes down to a good swapping. Resource guarding starts when we force our dogs as puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. To avoid that, resist your temptation to reach deep inside their mouths to get whatever it is they have. Ultimately, we want our puppies to be willing to give things up when we need them to. What we really mean is care, handling, health and grooming. Start by just showing them the brush and running it over them with the apartment side so they get used to the sensation minus the bristles. Hand Touch and Handling If you handle your puppy too roughly or grab at them, not only are they going to have a bit of a fright, but it could make them feel scared about being touched in the future. Use plenty of treats, and remember to stop if they walk away. Touch should be a pleasant thing not forced. Week 2 — Training your Labradoodle puppy Week 2 already! Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. Contact Prepare for Your Australian Labradoodle Puppy Bringing home your new puppy is one of the greatest joys, and planning ahead and having what your new puppy will need are keys to a successful beginning. While it is great fun to buy lots of toys and pet beds and cute collars for your new family member, the greatest gift that you can give this furry baby is to prepare yourself with the knowledge of raising a dog. It is very important to think about your puppies first week with you in the most quiet and peaceful manner you can imagine. The following tips will help establish a good foundation relationship between you and your new pet. Good idea. Your puppies first few days would be best suited to having as much of your attention as possible and as calm of a schedule as you can manage. Your puppy will adjust best if you keep company to a minimum for the first days. Establishing a routine for feeding your puppy three times a day and a designated "crate training" time each initial day will serve both your family and your puppy well. It is very scary for a puppy to come into a new home and be left alone for many hours at a time. While it is fine to leave the puppy for a little while each day, it needs to be done in a manner that will be conducive to helping your puppy adjust well. If you have children, be sure to read books and watch videos about children and dogs. The puppy is not a new toy, and the children need to be very respectful of the new puppies space and sleep schedule. The puppy is not a toy. Watch for signs that your puppy needs to use the restroom. Puppies have very little bladder control and will need to take frequent breaks to eliminate. The key times to be watchful and initiate potty breaks are: after eating, drinking, playing, or waking from sleep. Do not ever punish your pet for an accident. Just pick him up and redirect him. Then praise him each time he goes outside. Never ever take a puppy that has not been fully vaccinated to a retail pet store. Vaccinations will usually be completed by 16 weeks and your vet can inform you of the timeframe that your pet will have the full coverage of the vaccinations. Pet stores are frequently the culprits of a puppy being exposed to harmful diseases that are life threatening. Be sure you have read a few books to understand what typical "puppy behaviors" look like. A few normal puppy behaviors include: nipping, chasing, chewing, and barking. Good pet owners will have a plan in place to address these issues in a manner that is positive and will redirect the behavior. Like children, puppies respond best to repetition. Australian Labradoodles are particularly sensitive in nature and do not usually require harsh discipline. Additional supply list info that is more specific is on the Homecoming Prep link above. Follow this labradoodle puppy care guide to help with the transition. A few things you might want to have with you when you pick up your puppy are a bottle of water, some baby wipes, and a towel or a blanket. If you are meeting your puppy at the airport, your puppy may be thirsty from the trip. We put a frozen dish of water in the crate, but it is usually long gone by the time your puppy arrives. The wipes are needed in case the puppy may have soiled the crate. The towel or blanket also, in case the puppy has soiled the crate, is for you to hold your puppy or to put in the crate. Using a Leash to Bond with Your Puppy When your puppy first arrives to your home, we suggest you keep the puppy on a leash for the first couple of days. Do your best to have the primary caregiver be the main person handling the leash. We also suggest you not have outside visitors to the home for the first couple of days. Give your puppy some time to adjust to her new family first before she meets your world. Your puppy is going to be a little confused at her new surroundings. From the beginning your puppy needs to learn that she is at the bottom, below even the youngest child. She needs to learn who her main leaders are and what the boundaries are in her new home. Labradoodles are people loving dogs! Your puppy will want to bond. Your puppy is smart and will quickly learn that the person attached at the other end of the leash is important to her. Your Labradoodle will look to you for example and comfort. She will learn that you are her source of not only example and comfort, but also food! Using the leash these first few days will help your new puppy learn who to trust and who to please. Other Advantages of Leash Training Your New Puppy Even if you are not holding onto the leash, you can control where she goes easily by stepping on the dragging leash. This is much more comfortable to a dog than having you lunge over her to get her. Keeping her on a leash also allows you to monitor where your puppy is in the house, and help her learn which rooms you would like her to be in and where she is not allowed. Lastly, having her on a leash helps her adjust to the idea of a leash so that she is ready to be trained to heel on a leash. A crate can be a useful and comforting tool or it can be an overused source of misery for your puppy. We suggest using a crate for very short periods of time during the day and for your puppy to sleep in at night. During the day there will come short periods of time where you have a task to do that requires your full attention. While your puppy is still in the house training stage, the crate can be very valuable to you. By putting your puppy in the crate for short amounts of time during the day, say an hour, maybe two, you can accomplish what you must do and also help puppy control her bladder. As soon as you let her out, immediately take her outdoors to relieve herself. Using the crate this way will encourage her to only go to the bathroom where it is appropriate to go. If your puppy is not crate trained already, you will have to work up to the hour or two hour mark. By the time your puppy arrives, she should be able to sleep around 7 hours through the night in a crate. Of course all puppies are individuals and so the time can vary. Your Golden Xpress Labradoodle puppy is used to being in a crate, but she is also used to smelling and hearing her siblings nearby. She may have adjustments to make in her new home because of this. Another factor in labradoodle puppy care is that their little tummies often get upset over the first couple of weeks in their new homes. To help her adjust to your home atmosphere and sleeping during the night, keep her crate in your bedroom at night. Keeping your hand down by the wire door is comforting to her. Responding to her cries with talking or tapping encourages your puppy to cry and whine more. Tapping on the crate lightly is ok, but not in response to her noise making. Another thing to think about with regard to labradoodle puppy care is if your puppy starts to wet her crate, you need to first check and see if her crate is too big. Generally, dogs do not relieve themselves in their sleeping places. If so, either use a smaller crate or block part off with a box. If her crate seems the right size, you may need to take out anything like blankets or soft materials. When your puppy has successfully kept her crate dry for a couple of weeks, try putting the bedding back in. Feeding Your Puppy At first, your puppy will need to be fed 3 times a day. Once they have adjusted, offer food to them all day so they learn not to gorge at meal time, and always make sure your puppy has clean, fresh water available to her. Feed your puppy in a quiet place, free from distractions. Put a good amount of food in her bowl and let her eat as much as she would like. After about 20 minutes or so, remove the food. Repeat this morning, mid-day and evening. It helps keep teeth and gums in better shape than wet food does. DO NOT feed your puppy people food. Your food does not provide the nutrition that your puppy needs. She will choose to have the people food and not eat her own. Feed your dog people food and you will have one unhealthy puppy. Just make sure you choose high quality dog treats with some nutrition. At Golden Xpress Labradoodles we give our dogs and puppies different kinds of treats: dog biscuits, dog turkey or chicken jerky. The jerky is good for a training aid around the house — to teach the puppy to come or to sit, or down. They are very intelligent and very willing to learn, and this makes them easier to train. Just remember that they are puppies so be patient. Lots of Loves Above all labradoodle puppy care requires lots of love. Make sure you pet her and hold her so she knows she belongs to your family. Labradoodles are loyal, loving dogs — give your puppy your love and she will return it tenfold. The Labradoodle is a gorgeous cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and the Goldendoodle is an adorable mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Characteristics and traits can vary significantly because these pups are a hybrid breed, but they are usually incredibly people-focused, laid back, and playful, making Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training an enjoyable moment. Doodles make awesome pets, especially if their owners fully comprehend the importance of training from a young age. The type of adult dog breed you end up with depends a little bit on their personality and a lot on how you take care of them. Before you begin Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training, it helps to decide exactly what kind of dog you want to have. Do Plenty of Research It is vital that you have an understanding of canine learning theory because dogs learn very differently from people. A puppy does whatever it can to get what it desires the most at that moment. There are plenty of online resources that can teach you about methods to get the best out of your training. It may be helpful to consult a puppy training professional or spend some time at doggy school to get a headstart and pick up tips from experts. Your pup is a blank slate — with your guidance, they can develop the traits and learn the behaviors that you value the most. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle puppies are curious and they love exploring their new home as they make it their own. Getting it right during the early stages sets a precedent for the rest of their life. Spending as much time as you can with them helps build the foundation for a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. Form a Bond and Gain Trust With Your Doodle Before you do anything, you will need to develop a strong bond with your new pal to make sure they trust you. Try to keep your own energy as calm as possible — they bounce off you. While it may be tempting to get excited by their cuteness and mirror their enthusiasm, this makes it more difficult for them to listen to you and regulate their own behavior. Teach your furry friend what to expect from the moment they get into the home to stop them from getting confused. Use Positive Reinforcement Intimidation or fear tactics are never the best way to build a loving and secure bond between you and your fur baby. To make the most of this method, reward your pooch for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Treats, verbal praise, and clicker training reward them for a job well done. This also helps them to make positive associations with you and training time. Everyone has their own list of priorities and yours will depend on factors such as whether you have children or other pets. Potty training is a straightforward, formulaic process that your new puppy will adapt to. A consistent routine is the key to getting them toilet trained as efficiently and effectively as possible. Let them outside at the same time each day, and take them to the same spot. In the early days, it may be difficult for them to make it all the way through the night, so try to make provisions for this stage. Select a word for them to associate with potty training and repeat it over and over whenever you take them to the toilet. Every time they do their business outside, give them lots of cuddles and praise, treat them and play one of their favorite games. There will be setbacks — getting it right takes time! If they mess in the wrong place, take them outside to their toileting spot and give them the chance to relieve themselves. We cannot emphasize the importance of praising them when they get it right enough! Crate Training Not everyone opts to crate train their puppy, but it can be useful for the earliest stages of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training. The crate gives them a safe place they can call their own. Be sure to make the time they spend in the crate a positive experience, and never leave them in there for more hours than their age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy can be kept in their crate for no more than four hours. Socialization Dogs are social animals, and Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, in particular, are happiest when they spend time pleasing people and playing. However, building confidence takes effort and guidance from their pet parent. If you want to ensure they grow up to have a balanced personality, you need to expose them to plenty of dogs, people and different situations. Take them out and about as much as possible to help them become accustomed to a range of noises, sights and sounds. Bring them to a local dog park to get them used to spending time around other dogs. Manners Your adorable little pup has the potential to develop a host of bad habits, but these behaviors can be nipped in the bud. Temperament and Dealing with Small Children There are several steps to take while getting your canine cutie used to being a member of a family with children. Both pup and child will need to have clear boundaries mapped out for them so they can build mutual trust and be kind to each other. Let the child practice with a toy before they pick up or cuddle the pup. Ensure the child sits down when they play with the dog; this helps to prevent the pup from getting overexcited. Teach the child to do small tasks to help care for the dog, such as filling the bowl or helping with grooming. Knowing what to expect according to the time of day helps them to settle and feel reassured. Always wake them up at the same time, feed and walk them around the same time and do training exercises at a set time. Patience Is Everything! The best piece of advice for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training is to have patience. Spend lots of time bonding and playing with your pooch so you can make training something fun that you both enjoy. Small puppies should not be left alone throughout the working day, they need company and frequent small meals. Ideally, you should try to take time off work when you first bring your puppy home. This way, you can start to form that strong bond with your dog. And, once your Doodle is old enough, you can consider alternatives like doggy day care. What Do Puppies Need Most puppies are about 8 weeks old when they are adopted into their new human family. At this age they need a lot of company, meals spread out at intervals during the day, and most importantly they need to be socialized. That means you need to take your puppy somewhere new, and find new experiences for them, almost every day. And your puppy will also need to be potty trained. This includes playtime, feeding them, and more. It is possible to raise a puppy if you work full time. But in most cases, you will need to hire someone to help you out. The best option is often a professional dog sitter, or someone that works closely with animals. They will be more knowledgeable about puppy needs, and will be able to follow any instructions you leave regarding potty training, socialization, and daily routines. But, despite good intentions, many friends may be less happy to put in the work needed when they realise how tiring puppies can be! Can Someone Just Check on my Puppy? Many people hope to hire a friend or dog sitter to just pop in and check on their puppy every few hours. They may even hope to go home during lunch to do it themselves and save some money. But, this is not enough contact for a very young puppy. If a friend has agreed to care for your puppy it would be better if you drop your puppy off with your friend on your way to work, and collect them on the way home. If you leave your puppy home alone all day with someone popping in to check on them once or twice a day, they are likely to become very upset and potentially to suffer in the long term from separation anxiety. This can be hard to treat. What Do Puppies Do During The Day Small puppies do spend a lot of time sleeping, but this time reduces quite quickly over the first two to three weeks. Much of those early weeks are spent learning the ropes of family life, getting to know family members, and learning to focus on, and listen to their human companions. Puppies that spend a lot of time around family members learn quickly and adapt quickly to their new lives. Puppies that are left home alone miss out on this important time in their development and importantly their owners miss out too. One thing you can do if you work full time, is to make sure you spend your evenings interacting with your puppy. Crate Time Most Labradoodle owners opt to use a crate for their puppy. This gives their puppy a safe space to rest, nap, and play whilst they are away from home. Crate training aims to mimic the confined comfort of a low, enclosed den. This is similar to the den that a young wild canid might take shelter in whilst their mother is out hunting. After all, your puppy has only just said goodbye to their littermates, who they shared a bed with. At first, your Labradoodle may be anxious about crate confinement. So, let them sleep in the crate next to your bed for the first few nights at home. And, build up their time in the crate in very small increments. This can be stressful for them, leading to depression, built up energy, and anxiety. A puppy proof room or large play pen with a bed in it, drinking water, and an area of puppy pads for bathroom purposes is essential. This will probably mean potty training takes you a little longer. Puppies with upset tummies may need 5 meals a day for a while. This is because their small stomachs will struggle to digest large amounts of food like an adult Labradoodle would. Your work schedule may allow you to feed the morning and evening meals. But, most owners who work full time outside the home find that they need help with feeding during the day. Feeding your Labradoodle puppy personally is a great way to build your bond, and you can use their daily food allowance in training. Until then, expect accidents, whether your Labradoodle puppy wants them to happen or not. The general rule of thumb is to add one hour of bladder and bowel control for each month of age. So, at eight weeks two months old, your Labradoodle might be able to hold it for two hours. But, this is not guaranteed, and some puppies may need to pee as often as every 20 minutes. And you will struggle to get your puppy clean indoors in the long term. Not surprising when we consider the breeds they come from — the friendly Labrador Retriever and the loyal Standard Poodle! Labradoodles, and many other breeds of dog, live for human companionship. Especially considering that this is the first time they will have been truly alone, without even their siblings or mother for company. Training and Socialization As long as you get your Labradoodle from a reputable dog breeder, your puppy will have started some basic training and socialization before coming home with you. This includes: Basic commands Potty training And socialization to strange people and animals You may want to consider if your work schedule will allow you to train your puppy before and after work. This is ideal, since the bond with your new Labradoodle puppy will grow stronger with each training session you do together. Exercise and Play Many Labradoodle owners choose the fun-loving, energetic Labradoodle because they want an active dog to go walking, hiking, and adventuring with. Labradoodle puppies get a surprising amount of exercise from simply exploring your home, playing, and training. As a rule of thumb, puppies only need 5 minutes of exercise per month of their life. So, at 12 weeks old, they should only get 15 minutes of formal exercise. At 16 weeks, this can increase to 20 minutes, and so on. By 8 months old, your Doodle may enjoy some longer walks, of up to 40 minutes! But, other dogs may also enjoy some energetic time in the dog park, or learning to retrieve. If possible, arrange your work schedule so you can give your Labradoodle puppy some interactive free play time before you leave. This will help to build the bond between you. What About Doggy Day Care? So, you will have to wait till this age before a doggy day care center becomes an option for you. Or, reduce your working hours, and take plenty of trips home during the working day to look after your pup. Today, more than ever before, many employers are offering workers flexible schedules or even remote work accommodation where possible. This has made it possible for many people to have a dog when they could not have one before. But for many pet parents, the only workable solution to raising a puppy while they work full time, is professional help. So you do need to consider the cost of this before you bring a puppy into your home. You also need to think about what you want to get out of raising a puppy yourself. The truth is, the more time you can spend with your Labradoodle puppy whilst they are young, the stronger your bond will become. It is definitely possible to raise a Labradoodle puppy if you work full time, but you will miss out on a lot of that early care, which can be disappointing. Let us know about your experiences in the comments. Related Articles. Contact Us Raising Your Labradoodle Puppy The minute you get your new puppy he will be learning how to act around you and his environment. Puppies are like little sponges and absorb information better than any other time in their life. So, now is the best time to concentrate on socializing, getting them out to meet people, and teaching your puppy manners they will need throughout their life. You will want to get your puppy out and experience as much of the world as possible. Ask your vet what they recommend is safe to do with your puppy before they get all of their vaccinations. After that, the possibilities are endless for where and what you and your puppy can explore. Look into puppy classes and socialization classes as soon as possible. There are all types of classes and puppy play groups offered in most communities. The AKC has a couple of great programs that I feel are wonderful for dog owners and their puppies to participate in. The first one, for young puppies is the AKC S. Puppy Program. The First Few Days Settle on a name for you puppy so he can start to learn it. Let puppy investigate one room, preferably the one he will be spending most time in, then move on to others when he seems comfortable in that one. For the first few nights he will need reassurance about his new home. He will look to you for comfort and guidance. Keep him next to your bed to calm him when he gets scared and to take him out quickly if he has to go. Limit visitors till puppy has become used to his new home. Puppies are very fun to play with but, when he is sleeping let him sleep. They really need it at this age. Establish a routine with eating, going to the bathroom, play, and sleep. House Training Designate the area you what your puppy to go to the bathroom. Make sure you praise him when he is finished. Take him in afterwards. Do not encourage play since this will confuse him of the purpose of the activity. Puppies can only connect scolding to what is happening at that moment. If you do not catch him in the act, it is YOUR fault for allowing him to make the mistake. All you can do now is clean up the mess. Times when your puppy may need to go to the bathroom is when he wakes in the morning or from a nap, after play, after eating or drinking, and just before bedtime. At night, take water away about an hour or two before bedtime to help puppy hold himself till morning. If you crate train, generally, puppies can safely be left in their crate the number of hours equal to their age in months plus one, until their first year. However, these are things we do not want to continue into problem behavior. Growling— Since dogs cannot talk, they use growling to communicate fear or warning. First, you need to figure out why your puppy is growling. If it is from fear, use a calming voice and gentle touch to settle him down. Help him overcome his fear but, never force him to accept it. At the same time, do not smother him with affection to try and comfort him. Show him that there is nothing to fear, you do not have any reaction to the thing that is causing the his fear. This can sometimes take take repeated confrontation with the fearful thing to overcome the anxiety. Return it back to him. Then in a minute or so take it again. If he does not growl, praise him enthusiastically. Do not give up. Never let a dog get away with bad behavior. Nipping or Mouthing— Puppies use their mouths like babies use their hands to touch and investigate their environment. Puppies also play with their litter mates by nipping and biting. So, when they play, they are are using their mouth in a way that comes naturally. Try to have a toy or bone that he can have after the incident to show him what you would prefer him to bite on. You can also put your palm, flat in front of their nose and wait for them to lick it. When they do, praise them for being pleasant. Whether you have a substitute for him to chew or not, once he has stopped the bad behavior, praise him for his improved behavior. You will find that this can be a long process. Keep up with your corrections and make sure you do not get angry, just be firm. Chewing- Puppies need to chew. Their teeth are moving and growing which makes them want to chew. Also, chewing is a way for them to clean their teeth. Make sure your puppy has plenty of appropriate toys and bones to chew. Be patient and consistent. You can also take the opportunity to praise him when you find him chewing one of his chew toys or bones. Remember that chewing is something they need to do. Training Habits for You Here are just a few simple things that you can get in the habit of doing which will make you a better teacher for your puppy. Be firm but gentle Be consistent. Everyone in the family needs to use the same words for commands and use the same method and timing for corrections. Follow through with every command. Never hit your puppy. Always reward your puppy when he shows good behavior. You can never over do praise. Additional positive reinforcement like playing with him and his a favorite toy or offering a tasty treat can be rewarding for your puppy and you. Remember, I am always happy to help if you have questions or have a problem situation that needs attention. Of course, I always get excited when I hear how one of my puppies is doing and how they are growing. Please do not hesitate to contact me, whatever the situation is. Labradoodle puppy care is something we can help you with! SCL has been breeding and raising Labradoodles since .Our opinion is that puppies should be raised with the sights and sounds of a typical home from day one, since it is typical homes our puppies go to. They should be exposed to as many varied sights and sounds as possible. Our puppies are born in our bedroom. A quiet and safe environment for mama to feel secure in is extremely important. A stressed mama releases stress hormones and her milk is affected, which affects babies. The stress hormones pour through the milk to babies resulting in higher stressed dogs as they mature. It is amazing how stress can negatively impact the development of puppies in so many different ways. We do not allow other dogs into the room, or other people into the room. A mama feeling a threat will quickly jump up and can unintentionally step on and harm, or kill, a newborn puppy. All of these reasons and more are why our pups are born away from the traffic of the rest of the house and in a place mama can relax in and feel safe in. We weigh them daily, check their identifying tags, change bedding, clip nails, etc. Just enough handling that they become used to us, but not so much that they are put under negative stress. Once puppies are about weeks old, we move them from our bedroom to our puppy nursery. The sights and sounds puppies are exposed to increase, but we are still able to control the degree of stress to mama and not have her and babies right in the middle of where people are coming and going through the main part of our home. Like most families, we have people in and out all the time, but we do not want mama feeling strangers are a threat, and we do not want visitors feeling they can handle puppies just because they are in the middle of our home. We control the exposure puppies have at this age and introduce them to things carefully. We want every experience to be a positive one. We want our puppies to be safe from disease and bacteria others may bring into our home. Around 4 weeks, they are introduced to a potty box, they begin eating mush, and they have much more people interaction with our family members or friends that have been taught how to properly handle a puppy, so the experience is positive for the puppy. They are exposed to a variety of musical instruments, as we are a musical family. They hear the radio, sometimes a movie on t. We begin introducing little slides and toys and rotate out daily. At about weeks of age, puppies begin being introduced to the great outdoors. We have a wonderful outdoor play yard with artificial turf, play toys, wading pools, and a variety of toys. Pups experience all sorts of new textures under foot, and have room to run and play. They are introduced to crates without doors and quickly learn to love them as a safe place. When weather does not allow for outdoor play, pups have a 12 x 12 indoor play area with much of the same types of toys and structures. During this time their exposure to outdoor things begins. Lawn mowers, goats, horses, cars, cats, chickens, etc. They are taken for walks in a puppy stroller. They visit the vet office. We increase their level of exposure as is positive for them and do everything we can to make sure they are well adjusted, relaxed, happy puppies. In general, we follow a raising and socialization program designed to slowly increase the exposure and stress to puppy as they are able to cope with it in a positive way. Our goal is to provide families with puppies that have had the best start in life that we can possibly give them. Once they leave our care, it is necessary for families to be committed to continuing this positive exposure and socialization. The next few months are just as critical as the first two. Build on the foundation we started and you will end up with one of the most rewarding experiences and relationships with your dog. This video on our YouTube channel visually walks you through all the things you need to prepare for your new puppy. What should you be doing for your puppy once he has joined your family to ensure you are providing the environment necessary to help your puppy be an outstanding companion? At Spring Creek, we are very careful to provide the appropriate socialization and experiences while raising each litter. It is up to every family to continue the careful raising of their puppy during the following critical periods after the puppy has left us. This document is a great resource for understanding what happens as a puppy develops. It is very important to understand that the risk of parvo is much less than the risk of ending up with a puppy with very serious socialization issues that result in families choosing to give up their dogs later or even have them euthanized due to extreme fear and fear aggression issues. A few of the large guide dog organizations have done studies on the risks of parvo versus the risks of poor socialization and found the risk of parvo to be extremely low compared to fear and aggression issues that resulted from well intentioned people keeping their puppies secluded and isolated until vaccinations were completed. We do not encourage keeping your pup isolated, and we DO encourage as much safe socialization as you can find with your puppy in meeting other people and other dogs. That is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it does require a lot of work as well as require understanding what you need to allow and need to do in order to prevent problems from developing. This includes testing your children. How can you help your puppy and children get along and help your children know what is appropriate handling of a puppy? The info below is invaluable and every family with a child that wants to adopt a puppy should read these pages as well as talk about these things regularly with your children. If you are not supervising your children with your puppy, or if you are not requiring your children to handle puppy appropriately, you are almost certain to have issues develop. He grabs your pants and hangs on while growling. He growls when you try to take something from him. And, you start to wonder if he was the dominant one in the litter. You are sure you are doing everything right and that there is just something wrong with your puppy. ALL puppies growl, nip, and bite. If children are involved in your home, you should not expect a puppy to respect your child, and it will be up to YOU to supervise and make sure you intervene if a puppy growls or nips at your child. Children are not capable of correcting a puppy in an appropriate manner, and if you tell your child to correct puppy, you will likely make the problem worse. Since puppy knows your child does not have the same authority as you do, they will almost certainly react to being corrected by them and growl or nip or bite even more. They see your children as equals and they are treating them as they would another puppy in their litter. Why would you expect anything different from your puppy? He is not a stuffed animal and he does have a mind of his own. Like your teenage child, a juvenile puppy wants to explore their limits and it can be frustrating. Growling and nipping that is part of the normal communication process for a puppy CAN turn into very concerning behaviors if you do not know how to communicate with them properly. How to train properly using rewards and keeping training fun. Understand methods for correcting behavior that will not result in your puppy challenging you further. Always have a calm and confident attitude. If you have read this and are concerned you may not know how to properly deal with normal growling and nipping, then you need to get professional help involved with you and your puppy as soon as puppy is in your home. If you do not, then look for another trainer immediately. Not all are created equal and a trainer who knows what they are doing will absolutely be able to help you train your puppy, identify problems, and know how to resolve them when they come up. We personally highly recommend hiring a behaviorist to help you with training, not just a normal dog trainer. There is a BIG difference between a trainer and a behaviorist and their knowledge is extremely helpful and useful, especially when it comes to working with normal, but problematic behaviors. All foods are not created equal. Many of the ingredients used in dog foods are fillers that have been shown to be the very reason that so many pets are developing diseases that shorten their life span or make their quality of life less than desirable. Do you really want to feed your dog these foods? We have researched dog foods, and have found that there are companies using high quality, holistic ingredients. Foods that are not made with fillers and poor quality ingredients, but foods that will contribute to helping your dog live a long and healthy life. Also, the Dog Food Advisor online reviews dog foods and is an excellent resource to utilize. The cost of a quality food may initially seem high, but remember that you are feeding less than you would if you were purchasing a cheap grocery store food as their system absorbs more of the food and they eat less, which also results in smaller stools. Your dog is a loved family member and deserves to be fed a quality food that will keep him in good health for a very long time. There are a couple of foods on our recommended list for you to consider feeding your puppy. Three brands are available from privately owned local stores as well as can usually be ordered online. All the below foods are from companies that do not have recall histories, have fabulous food reviews from owners and independent dog food review sources, focus on fresh, quality ingredients, and have years of history proving their reliability, safety, and commitment to providing a quality product. We try to keep this list updated with cost breakdown, but prices vary a bit depending on where you purchase, so the prices below may be slightly different than what you find in a storefront or online store as things change constantly. Our preferred quality, all natural puppy food that does NOT contain chicken, beef, fish, wheat, corn, soy, etc. They frequently have intro discounts and if you set up a couple products on auto-ship you get free shipping! Our preferred adult dog food! Does not contain chicken, beef, fish, wheat, corn, soy, etc. When you receive a puppy from us, our recommendation is to continue feeding the food that puppy is accustomed to for at least a couple of weeks. After a few weeks, changing to another food doing a slow transition at least 7 days is completely fine. Please feed a food that does not contain the ingredients below. These are common sources of allergy, digestive, or other health issues for dogs. We have included it in your Puppy Packet. We have included a blanket and toy as well. They will afford some comfort and security for the first few days, so keep them close, especially at night. Family Labradoodles — Music to Calm Puppies is a well thought out selection of music designed to calm your pets. The compositions maintain a soothing yet varied dynamic. Your puppy has been listening to this CD since birth and will be a good tool when you are away or at bedtime. We have included a copy in your packet. Limit Exposure First and Foremost: Until your puppy has received all three sets of vaccinations, use caution and good sense in limiting exposure to the very real diseases that await new puppies. I cannot emphasize this enough. Make no Mistake: Parvo, Distemper and other infectious diseases can threaten the life of your puppy. They are deadly and they ARE out there. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, I strongly discourage Puppy Parks, Pet Stores or open public places where other dogs may have defecated. During a veterinary visit, do not allow your puppy on the floor. Keep him on your lap or in a carrier until he is put on the examining table. Your puppy will need to be vaccinated at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. His vaccination program will continue with your veterinarian. Rabies inoculation is a single dose, usually at four months of age or older, with a repeat vaccination every one to three years. Check with your veterinary facility. Socialization is so important at this time- actually most critical between 4 and 16 weeks- but ongoing for the first year. Pay special attention to this time frame- this is when your puppy learns to grow to be a confident friendly adult. Careful, positive exposure now to all those things he will encounter in his adult life, from car rides to children of all ages to individuals outside of his family, and walks and cats too, and other unfamiliar dogs is essential for a happy well-adjusted dog. I want to mention that at 12 weeks of age, your puppy will experience an ultra-sensitive shy stage. Try not to introduce too much at this time- especially things that could be perceived as fearful, aggressive or over stimulating. You will be walking a fine line between proper socialization and health concerns. Stay vigilant and use good common sense when exposing your puppy to the world. Never, never use pet rest areas; Dog Parks and pet stores are a big no until all immunizations are complete. A darling little girl from a previous litter, Ivy, died 3 weeks after being with her new family. They were anxious for her to go to a dog park with friends despite the warnings and contracted Parvo. She died 36 hours later. So, please, take care while sharing your world — enjoy all the new learning experiences with your puppy while sensibly protecting him. Crate Training I encourage all new puppy owners to use a crate for their puppy. Buy a crate that will accommodate your puppy when he is fully grown. Choose one that has a divider to limit his space initially. This will help with housebreaking. I particularly like the wire crates that have 2 doors; one on the side and front for more placement options. Any time you cannot keep an eye on your puppy, putting him in his crate will keep him safe. Make going in the crate fun! I always give my dogs and puppies a small treat when entering their crate. Never use the crate as a form of punishment Whining: your puppy may or may not whine initially while in his crate. He has been exposed to a crate for several weeks and is familiar with going in and out at will. Do not give in; stay strong- they will learn that being in their crate is a part of everyday life and never a bad thing. Crating, both at night and when you are unable to supervise, is the safest option for your lively and inquisitive puppy. It will also protect your home, woodwork, rugs, table legs, chair rungs, sofa corners, tennis shoes, homework, book bags and anything else that your puppy is convinced is a toy and needs a good chew. Tip: Bitter Apple spray will help deter your puppy from choosing sprayed surfaces as chew toys. Housebreaking This is where your crate becomes an invaluable tool. No animal willingly soils his environment crate. Limiting his space helps to train your puppy to hold his business for longer periods of time. Your puppy will not know how to tell you he needs to go outside so I suggest taking him out every hour or so until he is older and able to go for longer periods of time. Key times to encourage your puppy to potty outside are: When he wakes up-in the morning and after a nap- after playing for an hour, after eating, and of course, hurry when you see him running in circles! Try to take him to the same spot each time and shower praises on your clever puppy when he goes. Remember, he will not know to go outside exclusively for many months. Positive praise for the job well done works. Punishment for accidents, and there will be accidents, may make your puppy fearful and confused with the whole process causing setbacks in the progress he has made. Note: Please remember to give this little puppy time to understand what it is that you expect from him. But most of all, kindness and patience should always temper all parts of the training process. Feeding 4 times a day until they are 4 months of age 3 times a day until they are 6 months of age 2 times a day after 6 months, even as an adult dog Your puppy has been eating Paw Tree chicken and oatmeal formulation. Paw Tree has several very good flavors for puppies. He should continue with this dry food for the first 12 months. At that time his long bone growth is complete. If you wish to change brands at this time, choose a good quality food mixing it in slowly with the Paw Tree until he is acclimated to his new food. Remember that any change in food and your puppy will have gastrointestinal upset which will interfere in housebreaking progress. Otherwise, puppies need to be fed times a day. Plenty of fresh water should be available all day, especially during meals. They are at risk and most prone to drowning. Many pups will leap before they look or simply fall in. Their inexperience, curiosity and fearlessness prompt them to explore but are usually unable to climb out of even small bodies of water. The steep sides of pools and hot tubs are especially dangerous. Your Doodle comes from two breeds that adore a swim and the water is just about the best thing there is, but until they are old enough to find their way out of it, supervision is a must. You will have to teach them where the pool steps or exits are located and help them learn how to navigate their way to safety. Biting When puppies play with one another and explore, they use their mouths; they naturally do the same when they interact with people. Biting in puppies is absolutely normal and therefore a challenge to convince your new pup that it is not acceptable behavior to treat his human as he would his littermate. Do not forget when teaching your pup not to bite, that nipping and mouthing is simply common puppy behavior and that the worst thing you can do is physically punish a pup for something that is natural for him. Discouraging this natural behavior can be trying at times however take solace in the fact that once puppies acquire their adult teeth this behavior disappears. Most normal puppy biting just goes away on its own. Labradoodles are not known for being mouthy dogs so keep in mind that this stage does have an end. Meanwhile, the best approach to this problem is the use of positive distraction and the encouragement and praise of acceptable behavior. Have a favorite toy at the ready and get those teeth into something other than your hand, toe or shoe. Blowing in their face will distract them as well. Building a good relationship on trust rather than fear will create a bond with your puppy that will last his entire lifetime. Your puppy only has you. Be Responsible: When walking your puppy in public places…. Take Time to Read the Book: Even if you have experience with puppies and are sure there is nothing new about raising and loving a puppy. Read the book. You will learn a new trick or two! Enjoy Patricia McConnell- her sensible, charming and good humored approach to training is refreshing. If you leave here with it, it will always be mine. Family Labradoodles.

Side effects of medication Poisoning or trauma The walking service and dog advice site, Wag! Signs of Exercise Intolerance and Lethargy in Dogs It's usually fairly easy to tell if your dog is acting sluggish. Excessive sleep, low energy, lack of excitement, and delayed responses are all overt signs of a lethargic dog, says Vetinfo. Exercise intolerance can be harder to spot, especially if you don't walk or play with your dog regularly. In milder cases, says Wag! Coughing, heavy panting, or labored breathing following physical activity might also signal exercise intolerance. Extreme cases might involve confusion, disorientation, a lapse in toilet training, a rise in body temperature, wobbliness and even collapse. What You Should Do to Help If you notice that your dog is acting lethargic or isn't tolerating their usual levels of exercise, it's important not to force them to run. Follow his cues, and allow them to stop playing or cut his walk short if necessary. Keep a close eye on them, watching for other serious symptoms. If you notice any other worrisome behaviors, you should contact your veterinarian right away. If your dog doesn't show any other symptoms, wait a day or two. If your pup's energy doesn't improve or his condition worsens, contact your vet. That being said, if they show extreme symptoms, such as fainting or collapse, get them to an emergency clinic immediately. Diagnosing Your Dog Once at the vet, your dog will be thoroughly examined. The vet will likely look for any signs of lameness, injury, or pain, as well as any possible tumors. He or she will also perform blood and urine tests to check for underlying health conditions. It's likely that your pup will also be hooked up to an electrocardiograph machine to check the electrical activity of their heart, and will be given chest X-rays to examine their heart and lungs. You can help achieve a proper diagnosis by providing your vet with a list of any medications your dog takes, talking over the details about his diet and lifestyle, and mentioning any other symptoms or changes you've noticed in your pup. What to Do After Diagnosis Lethargy and exercise intolerance are symptoms of a problem, not a condition by themselves. The type of care your dog needs will depend on the condition with which they're diagnosed. Depending on the vet's assessment, your pooch might recover and return to their former levels of activity. However, heart disease in dogs, as well as other progressive illnesses, may require changes in exercise and activity for the rest of your dog's life. Talk to your vet about your pup's condition and how much physical activity they can safely handle. Alternatives to Exercise If your dog is restricted from vigorous activity and exercise, it can be a challenge to control their weight. Because excess weight can exacerbate some ailments, this is a challenge that must be addressed. Depending on your pup's diagnosis and treatment plan, your vet might place them on a special therapeutic meal plan that's appropriate to their condition. Otherwise, talk to your vet about placing your pup on weight control dog food that can help keep off the "puppy fat" in the absence of exercise. Making sure your dog is eating an age-appropriate dog food can also help manage his weight. Proper nutrition is also vital. If your dog is not receiving the right nutrients he needs to keep his energy levels up, this could be a contributing factor to their lethargy. Be sure to talk to your vet about overall food recommendations even if they don't need a specific condition-based dog food. Age Considerations Of course, it's normal for dogs to slow down a bit as they get older. Joint problems, weight gain, and simply growing more tired with age are all factors that could cause an older dog to be less active. But older dogs are also more susceptible to the types of illnesses that cause lethargy and exercise intolerance; regardless of your dog's age, if they're noticeably more tired than usual, it's important not to chalk it up to just being a senior. These are potential red flags that should never be ignored. A dog's activity level can be a strong indicator of their health. That's why as a pet parent, it's important to pay close attention to what's normal for your pooch so that you'll be able to recognize when they're not acting quite like themself. If you're not in the habit of routinely playing with or walking your dog, start now so that you'll be familiar with their normal level of activity. By acting quickly when your dog is acting lethargic, you could help catch a serious illness in its early stages and improve your pet's chances of continuing to live a healthy, happy life. 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. But there are a number of reasons why your dog is lethargic. Perhaps he's having a bad day or just feels tired from playing—or there could be something more serious going on. What's a concerned dog parent to do? You may be able to learn more by taking a closer look at your dog. What Is Lethargy in Dogs? The Merck Veterinary Manual describes it as a "lack of energy; apathy. Pet parents often say, "My dog is not himself" or that their dog seems sad. You can also describe a lethargic dog as listless, lackadaisical, disinterested, sleepy, or dull. Veterinarians sometimes say a dog is "puny" when they act lethargic. Dogs with lethargy may not show typical interest in food , treats , toys , and activities. They may sleep more often than usual or isolate themselves from people and other pets in the home. You know your dog better than anyone, so if your dog seems "off," there's probably something wrong. Is Your Dog Stressed Out? For dogs, lethargy is a symptom: something they feel that indicates the presence of a disorder. To us, lethargy is an objective, observed sign that something is wrong. Because dogs can't tell us how they feel, we must rely on the signs they show us in order to figure out what's going on. Lethargic dogs may experience additional symptoms. It all depends on the actual cause of the lethargy. You can observe your dog for other signs of illness that point to the underlying condition. Dogs with lethargy may show one or more of the following signs:. Andy fact checks and writes for Pure Pet Food while also working as a full time veterinarian. Working with high profile veterinary professionals and nutritionists, Pure Pet Food are changing dog food for the better. What is fatigue in dogs? What causes fatigue in dogs? A tired dog that also shows less or no interest in activities they usually enjoy such as going for a walk or a game of tug and seems listless is probably suffering from fatigue. It could just be the long hot dog days of summer to blame, just like us, dogs tend to feel more lethargic because of the heat but there are lots of other reasons it might be. Dogs with joint pain also tend to stop enjoying their walks so much or become exercise intolerant which causes them to pile on the pounds. Older dogs often become overweight without us noticing as they tend to move less while still being treated to the same quantity of food. Some commercially produced dog foods contain a disproportionate amount of fillers, like wheat and are too high in fat and too low in protein which can cause your dog to lack energy, just like we would if we ate like that. If your dog is vomiting and or has diarrhoea as well as seeming fatigued it could well be down to him eating something toxic or a bin raiding expedition. Common toxins for dogs include chocolate , garlic, onions and grapes as well as chemicals of course. Dehydration could also be the culprit, especially in summer. Although in mild cases you might be able to rectify this just by encouraging your dog to drink it can actually be very serious indeed and need urgent medical attention. Dogs can suffer from anxiety and depression and this can cause them to just want to sleep all day and take no pleasure in life. There are some benign causes of why your pooch might seem tired and lethargic, maybe your dog is in heat or perhaps he is in the middle of a course of antibiotics which can make a dog tired. However, there are some more serious conditions it could be too such as pancreatitis , anaemia, liver disease, anal gland problems , cancer, heart conditions, parvovirus, dental issues or infection. There are some other symptoms that can accompany fatigue too, your dog might seem irritable or even appear depressed, often dogs lose their appetite and can act out of character in other ways too such as ignoring you when you return home instead of bouncing around in excitement waiting for their cuddles. Their favourite toys might not elicit any interest either and your dog might be reluctant to go for their walks or even to move at all. Your dog might be vomiting, have diarrhoea or seem short of breath or your pooch might appear very restless or seem weak and disorientated or be shaking. Sometimes dogs bounce back to their normal selves after 24 hours rest and relaxation, especially if their fatigue is down to a passing mild bug or exhaustion after an extremely active day. If your dog still seems tired and fatigued for more than a day though it really is best to take your pet to the vet, take him sooner of course if you are worried or he has multiple symptoms. The treatment he receives will depend on his diagnosis, it might be something that requires a single treatment such as a parasite infection or a chronic or more serious condition that demands longer-term or ongoing treatment. Some conditions that cause fatigue might be helped by a change of diet, for instance, if your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis or IBS or your vet suspects that inadequate nutrition is the cause of his tiredness transitioning him to an unprocessed, low-fat diet such as Pure could give him back his zest for life. What is the best dog food for fatigue? The best food for fatigued dogs will provide your pooch with slow-releasing carbohydrates and quality protein to ensure that they have plenty of stable energy throughout the day. Due to the sugars and simple-carbohydrates in kibble, dogs can get spikes in their blood sugar after dinnertime. This can lead to periods of hyperactivity, followed by a lethargic crash. If you only ate bread , crisps and other processed foods, your energy would wane after a while, and our pets are no different. Providing your pup with a healthy, natural diet free from fillers should help increase their vitality. Pure Pet Food contains plenty of protein and healthy ingredients carefully chosen to provide slow-releasing energy and complete nutrition, paw-fect for preventing fatigue and other deficiencies. Pups like Billie and Charlie are thriving on Pure, with a renewed lust for life, plenty of energy, and all while maintaining a healthy weight. Another cause of fatigue is hot weather and dehydration. In which instance, food that hydrates your dog will be a huge benefit and will help keep fatigue at bay. Pure is paw-fect for keeping your dog hydrated and you can just add more water to their food to top their fluids up while eating dinner. Overweight and older pooches are more prone to fatigue and can seem exercise averse. This is often due to joint pain and difficulty moving, which puts them off exercising and playing. A balanced diet will help your pooch maintain a healthy weight and will contribute im-paw-tent nutrients like anti-inflammatory vitamin A and C to keep their joints and muscles in good shape and prevent aches and pains to help them become more active. Like many things, prevention is better than a cure. The best dog food for fatigued dogs is one that provides good-quality, natural nutrition to stop them from piling on the pounds and help to prevent any illness that could be causing their tiredness. Lots of lovely pups like Bella have seen paw-some all-round improvements to their health after eating Pure. Their tasty dinners are tailored especially for them and only contain natural ingredients. We are what we eat, and it shouldn't be any different for our pets. Neurological disorders Dehydration These are just some of the multitude of conditions that can cause lethargy to present as a symptom in dogs, and as you can see, the vast majority of problems can potentially lead to a lethargic dog that will require further vet care and attention. Severe Conditions Sadly, a dog may become lethargic when he is about to die as well. When is Lethargy in Dogs a Cause for Concern? Lethargy is a cause for concern when it is moderate to severe. For example, if your dog is so lethargic that nothing gets his attention, then this is probably severe lethargy and will require an immediate visit to the emergency vet. On the other hand, if your dog is fairly lethargic but will still pay attention or try to get up if you offer him his favorite treat, this is probably moderate lethargy. He might still need an emergency vet depending on his other signs, but he might be able to wait for his regular vet. Mild lethargy may occur in dogs who overexert themselves, especially in hot weather. They may be sound asleep for a long while and may not rouse, but when they do wake up again, they usually feel fine and behave like they normally do. Sometimes, this problem is a sign of nothing more sinister than a dog who has had too much exercise on a hot day. However, at other times, it can be a symptom of a much more serious underlying problem that needs your attention as soon as possible. If you think your dog is more lethargic than he should be given his recent activity, you should take him to the vet for a complete checkup. And if he is lethargic along with other signs, you may want to consider taking him to the emergency vet instead. If you think your pet is suffering from a more serious case of dog lethargy, call a vet or emergency vet right away so your pet can get the care they need as soon as possible.