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Breeds The link has been copied! Looking for some sweet little curls, or perhaps a teddy bear that loves you unconditionally? A Miniature Goldendoodle may be just the companion for you. These family-loving dogs have quickly become one of the most popular pet breeds in the United States for many different reasons including their size. These sweet, affectionate, and loyal dogs are incredibly easy to train, particularly when bred with a top-notch breeder. With an average full-grown size of between lbs, Miniature Goldendoodles are the perfect size for most families. But there is quite a bit to know about these sweet little pups before bringing one into your home - including how much to expect when it comes to size. So let's take a look at what a full-grown Mini Goldendoodle looks like, and some of the important things to consider when deciding if this breed is the right fit for you and your family. Full Grown Mini Goldendoodle Size A full grown Mini Goldendoodle stands about inches in height and weighs between 20 and 40 pounds, on average. It falls on the smaller end of the scale, typically weighing between pounds and measuring inches in height. However, it is important to note that the exact size of a Goldendoodle can vary depending on the specific breeding, genetics, and the size of the Poodle parent used in the breeding process. Generally, Mini Goldendoodles are bred by crossing a Miniature Poodle with a Golden Retriever, resulting in a dog that is small in size but big in personality. Despite their small size, Mini Goldendoodles are active and energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them happy and healthy. Goldendoodles are a popular crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. They come in various sizes, including Teacup, Toy, Mini, Medium, and Standard, which can affect their full grown weight and height. Full Grown Teacup Goldendoodle Size Teacup Goldendoodles, as the name suggests, are the smallest of the breed, usually standing inches tall and weighing around 13 pounds or less. Due to their small size, Teacup Goldendoodles may be more fragile than their larger counterparts and may require extra care and attention to ensure their health and safety. It's important to do thorough research and choose a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs when considering adding a Teacup Goldendoodle to your family. Full Grown Toy Goldendoodle Size Toy Goldendoodles, in comparison to other types of doodles, are slightly larger and stand inches tall, and typically weigh between 13 to 20 pounds. Toy Goldendoodles are bred by crossing a Toy Poodle with a Golden Retriever, resulting in a dog that is small in size but big in personality. Despite their small size, Toy Goldendoodles are active and energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them happy and healthy. They are also known for their affectionate and friendly nature, making them great companions for families and individuals alike. Full Grown Standard Goldendoodle Size Finally, the Standard Goldendoodle is the largest of the breed, standing inches in height and weighing between 40 and 75 pounds, on average. The exact size of a Goldendoodle can vary depending on the specific breeding, genetics, and the size of the Poodle parent used in the breeding process. Goldendoodles are bred by crossing a Golden Retriever with a Poodle, resulting in a dog that is known for their friendly, social, and outgoing nature. They are also highly intelligent and trainable, making them great companions for families, individuals, and even service animals Despite their larger size, Goldendoodles are also known for their gentle and affectionate nature, making them great with children and other animals. As with any dog, it's important to provide proper care and attention to ensure the health and well-being of your Goldendoodle. This includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and routine veterinary check-ups to ensure they remain happy and healthy throughout their life. The Mini Goldendoodle, a smaller variation of the popular Goldendoodle breed, reaches a full grown size of approximately 16 to 20 inches in height and 20 to 40 pounds in weight. On average, they tend to fall towards the smaller end of the scale, with a typical weight of 20 to 30 pounds and a height of 16 to 18 inches. This compact size makes Mini Goldendoodles a great fit for individuals or families who live in smaller homes or apartments, or for those who prefer smaller dogs. The weight and height of a Goldendoodle can be impacted by several factors, including: Parent Breeds: The weight and height of a Goldendoodle can be influenced by the size of its parent breeds, as well as the gene pool it inherits from them. For example, a Goldendoodle with a larger Poodle parent and a smaller Golden Retriever parent may be smaller than a Goldendoodle with two larger parents. Genetics: Genetics play a significant role in determining the size of a Goldendoodle. The combination of genes from the Golden Retriever and Poodle can result in a wide range of sizes, from Teacup to Standard. Nutritional intake: Feeding a Goldendoodle a well-balanced diet that meets its nutritional needs can help ensure that it reaches its full growth potential. Overfeeding or underfeeding can result in an underweight or overweight Goldendoodle, which can affect its overall size. Health: A Goldendoodle's health can also impact its size. Health issues such as hormonal imbalances or malformations can slow down or stop growth, resulting in a smaller or malformed dog. This delightful crossbreed is the result of mating a Miniature Poodle with a Golden Retriever. The Mini Goldendoodle was created as a smaller, more manageable alternative to the Standard Goldendoodle and was designed to be the perfect family pet. The Mini Goldendoodle quickly became popular due to its adorable appearance, cheerful personality, and hypoallergenic coat. These dogs are known for their affectionate and playful nature, as well as their high intelligence. Mini Goldendoodles are also known for their low to non-shedding coat, which makes them a great choice for individuals and families with allergies. Today, Mini Goldendoodles continue to be one of the most popular breeds for families and individuals looking for a smaller, yet still lively and affectionate companion. These dogs are known for their versatility and are suitable for a wide range of activities, from hiking and playing to simply cuddling on the couch. With their cheerful personalities and adorable appearance, Mini Goldendoodles have earned a place in the hearts of many and will likely continue to be a favorite for years to come. As mentioned, the Gooldendoodle is a cross between a miniature poodle and a golden retriever. Take a look at what makes this breed so adorable! Parent 1: The Miniature Poodle Miniature Poodles are a smaller size variation of the Poodle breed and are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They stand at inches tall and typically weigh between pounds. Miniature Poodles are known for their distinctive curly coats, which come in a variety of colors such as black , white, brown, and apricot. In addition to their attractive appearance, Miniature Poodles are highly trainable and excel in obedience, agility, and other dog sports. They are also affectionate and social, making them great family pets. Despite their small size, Miniature Poodles have a lot of energy and require regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Parent 2: The Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are a popular breed of dog known for their friendly and loyal personalities, as well as their attractive appearance. They are a medium to large breed, typically standing between inches tall and weighing between pounds. Golden Retrievers have a thick, waterproof coat that is usually golden in color, hence their name. Golden Retrievers are highly trainable and intelligent dogs, making them great choices for families, hunters, and individuals who participate in dog sports such as obedience, agility, and search and rescue. They are also known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them great family pets. They're usually between inches tall and weigh pounds. Mini Goldendoodles boast curly or wavy coats that can come in a variety of colors such as cream, apricot, red, black, and brown. With their round faces, floppy ears and soft, cuddly coats, it's no wonder people often describe these dogs as "teddy bear-like"! On top of that, they have a moderate build combined with an athletic, energetic appeal. Plus, they usually have long, curly tails and dark, expressive eyes. Temperament of the Mini Goldendoodle The Mini Goldendoodle is a highly social and friendly hybrid breed that is known for its great temperament. These dogs are known for being affectionate, playful, and cheerful, making them great companions for families, individuals, and seniors. They are also highly trainable and intelligent, which makes them easy to train and a great choice for first-time dog owners. Mini Goldendoodles are known for their love of play and their energetic personalities. They have a lot of energy and enjoy going on walks, playing fetch, and participating in other activities with their owners. Despite their energetic personalities, they are also known for being calm and well-behaved, as long as you properly train your pup. In addition to their friendly and playful personalities, Mini Goldendoodles are also known for their loyalty and love for their owners. They are highly social dogs that enjoy being around people and other animals, and they are known for their ability to form strong bonds with their owners. Do Mini Goldendoodles Bark a Lot? Barking is a natural behavior for dogs, and Mini Goldendoodles, like all breeds, can bark for various reasons, such as alerting their owners to potential danger or when they are seeking attention. However, Mini Goldendoodles are generally not known for excessive barking. The amount of barking a Mini Goldendoodle does can depend on various factors, including their training, socialization, and individual personality. Consistent training and positive reinforcement can help minimize barking, while neglect or boredom can lead to excessive barking. It's important to remember that all dogs bark, and it's a natural behavior that serves a purpose. However, if excessive barking is becoming a problem, it's important to work with a professional dog trainer to address the root cause of the barking and find a solution. Do Mini Goldendoodles Like to Cuddle? When it comes to cuddling, Mini Goldendoodles are in their element! These affectionate and cuddly-natured dogs truly enjoy snuggling up to their owners and seeking out extra affection and attention. It's a great way for your pup to bond with you and feel secure while getting lots of love in return. Other forms of physical contact, like playing and walks, are also important parts of their social needs. Mini Goldendoodles will show their love and appreciation for you through cuddling, snuggling, and other endearing gestures. There is so much to love about Mini Goldendoodles! From their playful and bubbly personalities, to their willingness to be showered with affection, these dogs make great companions for those who are looking for a cuddly and loving pup. So if you're wondering about how cuddley they are, rest assured Mini Goldendoodles will not disappoint. Plus, cuddling is just one of the many ways Mini Goldendoodles show their love and appreciation for their owners. They also enjoy playing, going for walks, and other forms of physical affection, making them highly social and great for those who want a pup that enjoys spending time with them. Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed? Not surprisingly, all doggies are prone to shedding some fur - it's their body's natural way of regulating their coat and skin. Mini Goldendoodles are considered to be low-shedding, though, because they are a result of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever being crossed - and Poodles are known for being low-shedding! Of course, the amount of shedding can depend on various factors such as genetics, health, and age of the pup. For those looking for a low-shedding pup, Mini Goldendoodles are an excellent breed choice to seriously consider. Regular grooming, such as brushing and bathing, can also help to reduce shedding and leave your Mini Goldendoodle's coat looking, feeling, and smelling its best all while having a silky, shinny mane to show off! When you're choosing a pup, make sure to keep the shedding factor in mind, and do deeper research on the breeds you're looking at to make sure its right for you. But this breed is a real sweetheart and with proper love and care, the shedding shouldn't be too much of an issue to worry about with Mini Goldendoodles. Do Mini Goldendoodles Smell or Stink? No one wants a smelly dog, which is why it's a pretty valid question to ask: do Mini Goldendoodles smell? The answer is not overly smelly, in fact, they can actually have a very mild to moderate odor. Of course, this largely depends on a few factors such as their health, diet, and hygiene. A good grooming routine accompanied by the right diet, healthy lifestyle, and lots of love and care will go a long way in helping keep any odors at bay. If you're still on the fence about adopting a Mini Goldendoodle, it's a really good idea to do your research and visit different breeds to get a better sense of their natural smell. However, you can rest assured knowing that Mini Goldendoodles are known for their mild, or even non-existent, odor. Like most dogs, the smell of a Mini Goldendoodle can vary, so it's always a good idea to take the necessary steps in keeping them clean and healthy! By doing this, your pup will stay smelling sweet and cuddly. Health matters. No one wants to get a dog that is going to then cost a fortune in vet bills. But Mini Goldendoodles are generally considered a healthy breed due to hybrid vigor the effect of crossing different breeds. Of course, genetic health issues can still crop up and the most common in Mini Goldendoodles are hip dysplasia, ear infections, skin allergies, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. It's all important to remember that these issues might never be experienced by your pup. Early detection and proper care can decrease the likelihood of health problems arising. So make sure to do your research and choose a reputable breeder. Finally, it's key to give your pup the best—love, proper nutrition and regular vet check-ups. Then you can be sure of a long, healthy, and happy life for your precious Mini Goldendoodle! It's no doubt that Mini Goldendoodles are a popular breed. From their teddy-bear faces to their friendly and affectionate temperaments, these low-shedding pups provide an irresistible package. They're versatile and suitable for any kind of lifestyle, plus they tend to be healthy — as long as you do your research and find a trustworthy breeder. With the right amount of love, care and attention, Mini Goldendoodles make amazing companions for both families and individuals alike. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. So, make sure to visit the vet for regular body checkups. Grooming All the varieties and sizes of Goldendoodles have beautiful curly coats available in many different colors. These types of doodles usually shed less, but still, they require regular grooming and brushing. Otherwise, their fluffy undercoat will easily get matted and tangled. Just brush your mini goldendoodle full grown once or twice weekly with a metal comb. You can use a pin and bristle brush if your Goldendoodle has a wavy coat type. FAQs How long do mini doodles live? Mini Doodles, which are small-sized Poodle mixes, typically have an average lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. However, individual lifespans can vary based on factors such as genetics, health care, diet, and exercise. Are mini Goldendoodles good house dogs? Yes, mini Goldendoodles can make excellent house dogs. They are known for their friendly and social nature, which makes them great companions for families and individuals alike. Their smaller size compared to standard Goldendoodles can be well-suited for indoor living. Are mini Goldendoodles high maintenance? Yes, mini Goldendoodles can be considered relatively high maintenance due to their grooming needs and exercise requirements. Final Thoughts So this is all about the full grown Goldendoodles. Every variety of Goldendoodle Teacup mini Goldendoodle, Toy Goldendoodle, mini Goldendoodle, medium Goldendoodle, and Standard Goldendoodle has a similar lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Get all the necessary information and always get your dog from a reputable and legal breeder. This is the key to getting a happy and healthy Goldendoodle that will be your lifetime companion. I hope this in-depth Full Grown Mini Goldendoodle dog breed guide has helped you decide which variety is best for your family. Also, if you loved this article, please share it with your family and friends. For more information:. Predicting the mature size of a puppy is by no means an exact science, especially with a hybrid breed like the goldendoodle. How big will my goldendoodle puppy be? From birth until the gotchya day, puppies have fluctuated back and forth in terms of who weighs the most. Even though adult weight is a bit of a guess for a young puppy, expect mini goldendoodles to weigh 4lbs-9lbs at 8 weeks of age. A medium puppy and standard puppy may both weigh 9lbs at 8 weeks old, but the standard puppy with gain weight at a quicker rate than the medium. Like most dog breeds, goldendoodles generally do the majority of their growing in the first six months of life. In fact, many mini goldendoodle puppies reach half of their adult weight by four months. Standard goldendoodles may take a month or so longer to reach that halfway mark. The larger the dog, the longer growing takes. For mini goldendoodles, expect the weight to start leveling off between months of age. Standard goldendoodles, like other large dog breeds, will grow for a longer period of time. While this rule may work for many standards, it is not accurate with smaller-sized goldendoodles who finish growing at a younger age. When will my goldendoodle stop growing? Dogs can finish growing anywhere between years of age, but generally reach their maximum height by a year of age and spend the remaining months filling out. This means your dog might hit a growth spurt right after her first birthday — she might not get any taller but she could thicken up. Golden retrievers grow at a slower rate in terms of height than standard poodles, but fill out more quickly. Golden retrievers tend to finish growing and filling out between months while standard poodles can take up to 2 years to accomplish the same. Established breeds generally reproduce naturally, whereas first-generation mini goldendoodles require artificial insemination. Subsequent generations of hybrid breeds i. F1b, F2b, etc. F1b goldendoodles can potentially have a slightly more predictable size range if the parents are similar sizes. Our 19lb F1 goldendoodle and 24lb poodle produce F1b mini goldendoodle puppies ranging in weight from lbs as adults. Embark is a canine genetic testing company that offers a variety of canine disease and trait tests in their panel. Order an Embark testing kit off Amazon , send in that quick cheek swab, and Embark will happily send you the results. Check out our goldendoodle puppy time lapses to watch various goldendoodles grow up right before your eyes! If you would like to submit data, please complete our quick survey or email goldendoodles timberidgefarms. Growth patterns vary from dog to dog but there are some generalities you may find helpful. Remember, this is a guide only, not a guarantee! Thank you for your support! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share this:. Full Grown Mini Goldendoodles look like fluffy teddy bears as they have oval shaped heads with floppy ears and soft coats that are medium in length. They have a medium stature and come in many coat colors including black, red, apricot, merle and more. Check out the adorable Goldendoodle puppies that are currently available here! PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over , puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! Embark Vet offers a health test which will give you a predicted adult weight for your puppy. They are unable to look after themselves and are fully dependant on their mothers as the only senses they have are taste and touch. Mini Goldendoodles spend majority of these 2 weeks sleeping and nestling as close to their mother as they can. Their muscles are not developed and they cannot walk. At the beginning of this period they will get their hearing and sense of smell. Their eyes and ears open so they become much more inquisitive about the world. They start to interact with litter mates, bark and walk a little as their muscles start to get stronger. Mini Goldendoodles start to become more aware of their surroundings and start to interact with others. By 8 weeks, they have full use of their senses and usually go to their new home. Many Mini Goldendoodles undergo a big growth spurt at this age as they are only eating puppy food now. At this age, your Mini Goldendoodle will be at least half their adult weight. Female Mini Goldendoodles go through their first heat if they are not desexed. At this age Mini Goldendoodles are extremely active and also very inquisitive. They love exploring their world and learning new things. Further Reading.

Perfect for first time pet parents, the Black Pug is a loving and easy to train dog that is known for being very affectionate and the perfect companion. These pups are classified as a Toy breed because of their tiny size, which means they are a great canine for those with smaller spaces who still want a furry friend to cuddle! Read on below to find out more about this interesting little dog. History Of The Black Pug The Black Pug is one of the oldest purebred dogs in history and they have, therefore, been recognized for a long time by many different kennel clubs. They were originally worshiped in Egypt and bred as companion dogs for Tibetan Buddhists. Then, around two thousand years ago, the Black Pug came to China and many Emperors believe that these dogs brought good luck and began to worship them. In the s, Dutch traders brought the Black Pug from China to England and Holland and these pups became a popular dog among aristocracy and royalty. After the Civil War they made their first appearance in the US. Characteristics The Black Pug falls under the Toy breed and they are known for being extremely cute. These dogs are normally born in litters of one to nine puppies, although four to six puppies is most common. Appearance By the time your Pug dog is 8 weeks old, they will be ready to leave their mother and come home with you. They will be roughly between 2 to 4 lb. By the time your Pug is one year old they will be fully-grown and considered an adult. They can weigh up to 20 lbs, but the breed standard suggests they should weigh between 13 to 18 pounds. Because the Pug is in the Toy category, they normally stand between 10 to 14 inches. Although they are small, they are quite stocky animals and are normally short legged with a symmetrical cobby body and a large apple shaped head. The face is one of the most distinctive features of a Pug. They should also have a corkscrew tail. Coat The Pug coat is short, straight and soft. Unlike fawn colored Pugs, Black Pugs have a single coat which does mean they will shed less than their fawn siblings. That being said, Black Pug dogs are still known to shed and will lose more hair in the warmer seasons, which means they are not a good pet to have in the house if you have allergies! We go into more detail about grooming your Pug later on. Color Of course, Black Pugs should be black all over! The brindle colorway that some Pugs may have should not be confused with the black coloring. Brindle is a a striped pattern that combines black and brown and this coloring is not accepted in the breed standard. Temperament Pugs are bred to be companion puppies and will love to spend their days by your side. All they want is to be loved, and they will give plenty of this love back to you! The perfect family dog, Pugs love both adults and children. These dogs are very energetic and love playtime. They especially love to play with their family and can go on for hours! However, once they are back home they will happily curl up next to you on the couch and relax too, making them the perfect best friend. Although these dogs are very active and will want to play, they are also very relaxed dogs, which is what makes them such good first time pets. However, this does not come off as aggressive, and instead shows more of their curious nature. Lifespan The Black Pug has an average life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. This is relatively long for a dog. Known Health Issues Unfortunately, like any dog, Pugs are known to have some health issues. Within this breed, the majority of their health problems are due to their flattened face. They are known as a brachycephalic breed which means they have a shortened airway due to their flattened face. Their face can be the cause of many breathing issues, especially whilst exercising or during high temperatures. Before buying a Pug you should do your research on brachycephalic breeds and learn about the risks and issues that are associated with this breed. The Pugs eyes can also be the cause of other health issues. Their skull structure means they have shallower eye sockets which gives them bulgy eyes. This can sometimes lead to cataracts and vision loss. Daily Life Now we know all about the temperament and characteristics of the Black Pug, it is time to take a look at what daily life is like with them. Read on below to find out about their food and diet, their exercise needs and what training a Pug is like. Food And Diet It is advised that a Toy dog of the Pug size should be eating around 40 calories per pound of their body weight everyday. This should be around calories a day for an adult Pug. Until they are 6 months old they will need to be fed three times a day, then twice a day from six months to one year, and then once a day when they hit their adult age. High-quality dry dog food with added water for moisture is advised for a Pug. Always make sure that it is a nutritious diet that hits all the food groups. They are a breed that can be known to gain weight, so try to stick to their diet and refrain from feeding them scraps. The more weight they gain, the more they will struggle with their breathing and may be prone to breathing problems. This food is also made with real chicken as the number on ingredient and ensures your Pug will be getting all the nutrients they need. Even better, because the Pug can be known to gain weight, this food helps with weight management and ensures they maintain lean muscles throughout the course of their life. Exercise The Pug only has little legs which means their exercise needs are not great. You should take them for two 20 minute walks everyday. Pugs are very sociable dogs, so taking them on different routes so you can introduce them to new sounds and smells is advisable. Black Pugs, because of their dark coat, are more prone to overheating in the sun, so if you live in a hot part of the world then walking them at night or early in the morning is advised. As we have mentioned before, Pugs love to play. Between walks you should ensure you make time to play games with them and keep them stimulated. Remember, they love spending time with you, so the more you do it, the happier they will be! Family Compatibility A Black Pug is a perfect family dog. First and foremost, these dogs love to be around people — both adults and children — and will be happiest when they are by your side, making them a true companion dog. Because they are a little dog, the Black Pug does not have great exercise needs which means they are great for those who live in small apartments or those who do not have a yard for them to run around in. That being said, they do love to play, so you should make sure you have time to put aside for bonding with your Pug. Training your Pug is simple too, and they get on well with other humans and animals. This includes other household pets such as cats and rabbits, and they will seek out humans for extra attention. Pugs also do not have high grooming needs — all you need to do is give them some love! Training and Socializing Pugs are a very intelligent dog, which makes training them easy. You should always use positive reinforcement and rewards in the form or verbal praise and treats to show them that they are doing a good job. They can be a little stubborn, but as long as you are consistent with them, then your Pug will learn. Never use harsh punishments with your Pug because this will upset them and you will not get any positive work from them. Socializing your Pug is also simple, because they love other people. You should try taking them to new places as often as you can so they can experience new sounds and smells, although it is known that Pugs react very well in many different situations. Remember, these dogs just want to be loved and to play, so as long as you incorporate that wherever you go, they will be happy. Grooming Because the Black Pug has a short and smooth coat, their grooming needs are not too high. However, as we mentioned above, these doggies can be known to shed so giving them a brush every week is a good idea to help minimize any shedding. You can bathe your Pug whenever you need to, although experts recommend that this should be done once a month. When bathing them you will need to ensure you clean the wrinkles on their face because bacteria and dirt can build up inside them and cause infection. Always ensure you take time to dry them properly, too. You can also used dental sticks if it is easier. Make sure you start grooming your Pug from a young age so they get used to the routine. This will allow them to see that there is nothing to worry about and they do not need to be scared. Black Pugs are not known for being aggressive dogs at all. The Pug is a loving and affectionate dog that makes the perfect companion. They love to be around humans, especially children, and other pets too. These dogs enjoy running and playing and will thrive in an environment where they can spend their day by your side. They also love to curl up next to you on the couch after a long day. Pugs have been known to be protective over their humans, but this comes from a place of curiosity instead of hostility. Many people say that Pugs are the pooch that just want to be loved so no, they are not aggressive! How much is a Black Pug? A Black Pug is one of the cheaper variations of the Pug breed and are not as expensive as their fawn colored siblings. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder. If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local animal shelter and see if there are any Pugs there that need a home. There are many dogs in shelters who need loving and caring companions! Summary The Black Pug is an adorable and loving small breed of dog. Playful and energetic, this dog loves to play and will certainly keep you on your toes. These dogs are relatively low maintenance and do not have high grooming or exercise needs, and do well in small apartments. Perfect for first time dog owners, do you think a Black Pug could be for you? Search Dog Breeds. Black Pugs Overview Pugs are found in two basic colors, black and fawn, plus silver-fawn and apricot-fawn standard with clubs other than the AKC. Black is a very interesting coat color with the Pug; distinctive markings seen with fawns do not show on black Pugs, however, an all black Pug is extraordinarily beautiful. This article will dive into the details about black Pugs including popularity, variations, possible markings, photo examples, mistaking brindle for black, coat aspects, questions regarding behavior, and origin. Black Pugs in Kennel Club Breed Standards Though there are variances in regard to non-black Pugs with all major kennel clubs, there is agreement across the board regarding black Pugs. How Common Are Black Pugs If you've noticed that there are generally fewer photos of black Pugs than fawn Pugs or that you don't see black Pugs in person very often, this is because there really are fewer of them. To determine more precisely how many black Pugs there are, we presented the question of 'What color is your Pug? This polling suggests that a bit less than one-fourth of Pugs are black or in other words, 1 in 4 Pugs have black coats. Variations with Black Pugs In conformation show rings, all major kennel clubs expect black Pugs to be solid black. And, this is indeed what many black Pugs are, but there are some exceptions. Black Pugs can have small markings, sometimes referred to as a mismark, which can occasionally be seen with Pugs of all colors. If this occurs, it is often a small white or light patch on the chest. Aside from this, there can be larger markings, seen as faults in the show ring, which may include a larger area of white on the chest or a scattering of lighter hairs throughout the coat. This doesn't stop her from being active with her family, Jerry, Shelly and Taylor Koltz in Frisco, Texas Just like humans, dogs can develop gray hairs as they age. It does not happen to all Pugs, but to a majority of them to some extent. While this will not be very noticeable on fawn Pugs, gray hairs on black Pugs stand out quite a bit. In some cases, graying will only be seen around the face, but other seniors can grow gray hairs on any other areas of the body. The appearance of gray hairs with black Pugs may start as early as the 8-year mark, but is most commonly seen with those age 10 and up. Mistaking Brindle for Black Brindle is a pattern of interlocking striping colors and is not an accepted standard color for the Pug with any of the well-known kennel clubs. In fact, many wonder where this color came from or if it can even truly exist in the Pug bloodline. Other breeds were used to develop the Pug which is where the pattern most likely came from; however, since it is not a color called out for in breed standards, most breeders do not aim to produce this and it is only seen sporadically. As you can see with Luna here photo below who is a brindle, there is a lot of black in the coat. Yet, it is woven in with fawn as part of the brindle pattern. While she may have an overall appearance of a dark coat, this should not be confused with a true black coat. This may lead you to wonder why there are more fawn Pugs than black ones. The main reason is that breeders choose more often to produce fawns. If both colors were equally represented within all breeding programs, there would be many more litters of black Pug puppies than there currently are. Each pup's color is determined by a pair of color genes, one comes from the dam, the other from the sire. If both genes in the pair are black, the Pug will be black. If one gene is black and the other is fawn, the pup will be black since it is the dominant gene and overpowers the fawn. If both genes are fawn, the Pug will be fawn. Interestingly, despite their coloring, black Pugs carry the fawn gene, known as SS, though it is a recessive gene. The B gene produces the black coat color. Generally, it is not acceptable to breed a black Pug to a fawn. Crossing colors will not improve the coat or color of either type. Therefore, with no benefit to the pairing, most breeders will focus on one certain color. This said, due to recessive genes, a litter can consist of both fawn coats and black coats. In most cases, there will be more fawns, with a ratio. Size, body structure, ear set, bite set, tail shape , and eyes are all the same for all colors with this breed. While you may see black Pugs that are smaller than fawns, there are just as many that are larger. And while you may spot more fawns with double-curled tails, there are just as many black-coated Pugs with the double curl. Any physical differences that you may see are just a matter of those particular dogs. Non-black Pugs have black ears and a black mask black over the muzzle and around the eyes , and of course technically this is there with black Pugs but is part of the dog's overall coat. The toe nails on Pugs of all colors can be black or white, though black is preferred in conformation events. Differences - The one and only difference between the two colors is that some but not all black Pugs often have a single coat versus the double coat seen with most fawns. The double coat consists of both a soft and dense inner layer and a short, shiny outer layer. Black Pugs that have just the single layer will be missing the inner layer. While you may not notice much of a difference by eye, you can often feel the difference when petting a Pug and this does affect how much a Pug sheds. With double-coats, there will be more shedding since the inner layer rapidly cycles, especially in the fall and spring. There is generally more upkeep needed with grooming tools to remove the dead hairs. Personality Differences There is much debate on whether coat color determines a Pug's personality. Some may say that black Pugs are better behaved, are more relaxed, or are less vocal than fawns. Yet, just as many will say the opposite. The question of personality traits is one of nature versus nurture. Is behavior inbred or does a dog's environment and type of care received shape the personality? It has been our experience that while genetic traits regarding temperament can be passed down, it is how a Pug is raised, trained, and treated that will have the biggest impact on that dog's overall behavior. The Origin and Popularity Spread of Black Pugs Unlike many other breeds whose development was meticulously recorded and those documents are preserved as part of history, the Pug's early development is shrouded in mystery. General consensus is that the Pug originated in China thousands of year ago at least B. Chinese drawings, carvings, and statues depicted dogs that were, most likely, ancient ancestors of the Pug. But, unfortunately, documents covering the very early development of Pugs was essentially erased from history when some time around B. Yet, of course, moving further ahead in time, evidence and record-keeping started up again, including those connected to the appearance of black Pug dogs. Black Pugs are known to exist as early as the 's thanks to William Hogarth's painting of one in House of Cards .The artist was an owner of Pugs and portrayed many in his paintings so there is an exceptional visual record of this breed's appearance from over years ago. House of Cards, a painting by William Hogarth showing a small black Pug [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Note that this far back in the breed's development, the body was more slender and the face was not as flat. It was in that black Pugs first appeared in England which allowed them to eventually spread to other parts of the world including the United States. It is believed that Lady Annie Brassey, a Victorian author who traveled extensively, is responsible for this introduction. On one of her trips to China, she brought back a pair of black Pug puppies and decided to show them at the Maidstone Dog Show that was held that year. Due to her efforts, black Pugs where shown more and more and started gaining acceptance and popularity. Black Pugs actually became recognized as a separate variation of the Pug in by the Kennel Club in London. Do you have a Pug? This comprehensive care book guides you through every step of your Pug's life. Are you part of the PetPugDog family? Join us by becoming a free PetPugDog Member ; this will allow you to receive newsletters that announce new articles and help you stay up-to-date with care tips and other information. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.

How much you feed the puppy will depend on how much they weigh. If you are using a brand of puppy milk replacer, they may have directions on the side of the box. Otherwise, you can follow these general guidelines: If they are under eight ounces of weight, you should feed them one cc of milk per ounce of weight. If they are between 8 and 24 ounces, you should feed them one and a half cc of milk per ounce of weight. If they are over 28 ounces, you should feed them one ounce of milk per pound of weight. You can buy powdered or premade puppy milk replacer at a pet store, vet's office, or online. You can also make your own. Prepare the milk substitute according to its directions, and place it in the microwave to heat it up for 3 to 5 seconds. Make sure that the milk is warm, but not hot, before feeding the puppy. You can make homemade puppy milk substitute by mixing 10 ounces of goats milk, one tablespoon light corn syrup, one cup of plain white whole milk yogurt, and one egg yolk. Always use whole not low-fat dairy products. You can buy these in pre-prepared cans or in powder form. If you cannot get puppy milk replacer or make a homemade substitute in the first 24 hours, you can use pedialyte instead. This is not a long term solution, however. In general, you should use a 12 cc feeding syringe or a syringe without the needle. Using the measurements on the side, fill it with the proper amount of milk substitute based on the puppy's weight. This is a long tube that will be placed down the puppy's esophagus. Once you have attached it, draw a little formula through the tube until a drop or two comes out the other side. Place this tube in the puppy's mouth. They may suck on the end of the tube, helping you slowly guide the tube to the back of their throat. If you have never tube fed a puppy before, ask your vet to show you how to properly do this part. Your vet may be able to provide you with a feeding tube, and they can mark on the tube exactly how far the tube should go. Lay the puppy on your lap with one hand behind the puppy's head. Hold the syringe vertical above the puppy's head, and slowly press down on the plunger. If you go too quickly, the milk might go up into their nose or they might get air in their stomach. If you notice milk dribbling out of their nose or mouth, stop. Once you are done, pinch the end of the tube, and quickly remove it from the puppy's mouth. Hold the puppy up against your shoulder, with their belly against your shoulder and their head on your shoulder. Gently pat their back until they burp. This will help release any air that accidentally got in their stomachs during tube feeding. Typically, the mother licks the puppy to help the puppy relieve themselves before or after nursing. In the mother's place, you will have to do this instead. Take a warm, damp washcloth, cottonball or tissue. Gently rub around the puppy's genitals and anus until they urinate and defecate. Newborns may need to be fed every two hours for the first week or two. After that, you can start feeding them every three to four hours. By the time they're 12 ounces, you can start feeding them every five hours. A cleft palate is an opening along the middle of the palate. This opening can range from small a few millimeters to severe the entire length of the hard and soft palate. This results in a lack of tissue connection between the mouth and nasal passages, creating problems for the dog that include eating, difficulty nursing, and poor growth. Symptoms of Cleft Palate in Dogs Symptoms of a cleft palate in dogs can be easy to notice and even visible. Cleft palate in dogs can also create various health issues due to its structure. These symptoms can include: Difficulty nursing: Puppies with a cleft palate are unable to create enough suction when nursing because the oral cavity is open to the nasal cavity. The milk or food the dog does manage to get travels from the mouth to the nose, causing sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal irritation also known as rhinitis , regurgitation, and gagging. Poor growth: Without the ability to nurse and eat normally, many puppies and dogs with cleft palate do not get proper nutrition and can be lethargic, with a poor rate of growth. Aspiration pneumonia: Breathing in food and water can cause an infection of the lungs. Facial deformity: Occasionally, dogs with cleft palate will also have a facial deformity, such as cleft lip. Other issues: Though they are not always apparent at first, and depend on the cause of the cleft palate, problems with the inner ear, middle ear, swallowing apparatus, nasal septum, sinuses, and teeth may develop. Causes of Cleft Palate in Dogs There are two types of cleft palate in dogs: Congenital cleft palate is present at birth if the palate fails to fuse properly during days of gestation. This can occur for a variety of reasons: Genes: Most congenital cleft palates are genetic. Therefore, dogs with any level of cleft palate should be spayed or neutered and not used for breeding purposes. Nutrition: Cleft palates can occur with too much dietary vitamin A or a lack of folic acid during pregnancy. Medications: Most notably, steroids, aspirin, griseofulvin, and some anti-seizure medications during pregnancy can cause cleft palate in puppies. Viruses: If the mother is exposed to certain viruses at a specific time during pregnancy, her puppies may be born with cleft palate. Acquired cleft palate is a new defect that appears in a previously normal palate. Some common brachycephalic breeds predisposed to cleft palates include Boston terriers, Pekingese, Boxers, and Bulldogs. Other breeds that may have congenital cleft palate include: Miniature schnauzers. A dog may only have one deformed nostril depending on the shape and position of the cleft. You can't immediately see the opening extending inside the mouth along the hard or soft palates that accompany a lip or nostril deformity. Upper or Bottom Teeth Stick out of the Mouth Depending on the shape and position of the defect, the dog's upper or bottom teeth and gums may awkwardly stick out of the mouth. This is due to the excess fluid entering the nasal passages. Coughing or Gagging When Drinking or Nursing Coughing or gagging when attempting to drink water will also occur since some of this water is going down the trachea instead of the esophagus. A dog breeder may recognize a problem if a newborn puppy is having trouble nursing because it can't latch on to its mother or a bottle. Milk may be coming out of its nose or it may cough and gag when attempting to nurse. Malnourished These deformities and the fact that food and water can go down the airway make eating difficult so a dog may be malnourished if it isn't eating enough. Difficulty Breathing Difficulty breathing may occur if too much fluid goes down the airway as well. What Causes Cleft Palate in Dogs? A cleft palate is a congenital problem. This means that a dog is born with this problem making it a genetic condition. However, the puppy's mother may have encountered nutritional deficiencies, viruses, and poisons during pregnancy that resulted in the birth defect, as well. Purebred dogs are more likely to have the condition than mixed breeds. Breeds with brachycephalic syndrome appear to be especially at risk. A cleft palate is often noticed when a newborn puppy is not gaining weight and eating well. This exam finding is a key indicator that there may be a cleft palate inside the puppy's mouth if it's not already visible. Since there are a few different kinds of cleft palates, it may not be externally visible and the inside of the mouth will need to be examined. The roof or back of the mouth will have an opening in it if the dog has a cleft palate. A small light or special oral examination tool called a laryngoscope may be needed to see the opening, especially in a small puppy. Occasionally sedation is needed to examine this abnormality. How to Treat Cleft Palate Depending on the type of cleft palate, corrective surgery may be necessary to try and fix the deformity. Depending on the severity, sometimes supportive care including tube feeding and starting the puppy on solid foods as soon as possible can be pursued until able to surgery can be performed. A temporary prosthesis or a mouth appliance is another possibility to successfully feed a puppy until it is old enough for surgery at about three or four months of age. Prognosis for Dogs With a Cleft Palate Many puppies that have cleft palates are often euthanized shortly after birth due to the difficulty in feeding. Though surgery may be an option, it is risky when done on young dogs that are possibly malnourished and may have other complications like aspiration pneumonia. It also is usually a costly procedure with a low success rate and major post-surgical care. However, if the cleft is small and surgery is elected, the post-surgical prognosis is very good. How to Prevent Cleft Palate Since cleft palates are a birth defect, selective breeding may be the only way to try and prevent a cleft palate in a dog. A dog born with a cleft palate should not be used for breeding. Cleft paletes tend to occur more in breeds with certain skull types, especially brachycephalic breeds. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pneumonia in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Cleft palate american college of veterinary surgeons - acvs. The defect results in direct communication between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Cleft palate is due to a disorder in the processes that form the skull and jaw during embryonic development. Cleft palate is generally a congenital malformation, which means it is present at birth; unfortunately, there is no DNA test for genetic diseases that can predict the occurrence of this condition in puppies. Hare palates vary in their degree of severity: the defect is usually easily detectable, but a very small defect may be difficult to see in a newborn puppy. For this reason, immediately after whelping, puppies should always be examined for the presence of cleft palate: if cleft palate is identified or suspected, the puppy's chances of survival are very low, and the puppy almost always dies because instead of feeding on mother's milk, it ingests only air. In most cases, cleft palate is hereditary: the genetic determinism of the disease is complex and varies from breed to breed, and in most breeds, the biological determinism remains unknown. Some drugs can disrupt the normal development of the embryo or fetus; these are referred to as teratogenic drugs. Exposure of the mother of the puppies to teratogenic drugs taken during pregnancy can result in the development of cleft palate, which is why it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before administering medications and vitamins during pregnancy. Nutritional deficiencies have been identified in the development of cleft palate. For example,folic acid is important for normal neural tube development in embryos. Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy can lead to the birth of puppies with cleft palates. Cleft palate: clinical signs and treatment Clinical signs depend on the extent of the fissure and may include sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge. Milk may be observed dripping from the nostrils when the puppy attempts to suck: other signs may include difficulty in sucking, weight loss. This situation inevitably leads to the death of the puppy. Puppies with cleft palates are predisposed to chronic rhinitis, laryngotracheitis and aspiration pneumonia. The latter can cause bronchopneumonia, which can be life-threatening for the puppy. Surgical correction may be an option in some cases but on a newborn puppy it is impossible to perform. The procedure is usually delayed until 8 to 24 weeks of age, when there is enough tissue to close the gap and when the puppy's anesthesia is easier to manage. Surgery can be challenging, and the technique used will depend on the location and severity of the cleft. In some cases, more than one surgical procedure may be needed to achieve complete closure. Pups with cleft palates require intensive supportive care, such asregular tube feeding, until surgical correction can be attempted. Tube feeding is not without risks, including regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia. If the puppy can survive for a few weeks, the surgery has an excellent long-term prognosis after surgical correction. Obviously, pups born with cleft palates should never be used in breeding. Prevention of folic acid and cleft palate In women, folic acid supplementation is recommended during gestation to prevent neural tube defects in newborns. In dogs, scientific studies have shown thatfolic acid supplementation has a preventive effect, especially in predisposed breeds. Because neural tube development stops at approximately day 30 of gestation, folic acid supplementation should be started early in pregnancy. In cases of cleft palate induced by drugs administered during pregnancy, folic acid supplementation will have no preventive effect. December 13, .Written by Dr. The result is cleft palates in kittens and puppies whose oral cavity communicates with their nasal passages. This leads to problems eating, swallowing, and receiving enough nutrition, but it also has respiratory implications. While environmental factors during gestation may theoretically yield cleft palates, this is generally regarded as an inherited condition. As such, cleft palates in puppies are far more likely to suffer these defects when they are purebreds. This is especially the case for brachycephalic short-headed breeds and bulldogs. That hole may be larger or smaller and may vary in location closer to the front or back of the mouth , but most are readily identifiable at birth. Some cleft palate defects may extend so far forward as to affect the lip. In that case, the most typical sign that one or more pups in the litter may have a cleft palate involves difficulty suckling and swallowing. Coughing, gagging, and milk bubbling from the nose are typical indicators of cleft palate in puppies, as are sneezing and snorting. Other signs usually in less obvious defects may include the failure of a pup to grow normally, a sudden onset of pneumonia typically from aspiration , or sudden death. This so-called CP1 mutation appears only in this breed. However, if handled with sufficient care and diligence, many of these puppies will survive. If elected, treatment of cleft palate depends largely on the size and location of the defect, and the degree to which the affected puppy is currently affected some pups may already suffer from pneumonia or malnutrition. Bottle or tube-feeding small quantities of milk every two hours is a typical recommendation for neonates. Older pups may transition to solid foods as early as four weeks of age. Assuming no serious complications ensue and pups are healthy enough, surgical correction may be advisable after four weeks of age. Several surgical procedures may be necessary as these pups grow and their palates expand. For this reason, as well as for reasons related to anesthetic risk, surgery is considered a last resort undertaken later in puppyhood when the palate is closer to its adult size. Note: Surgeries for cleft palates in kittens and puppies have historically suffered a low success rate. However, when performed by a board-certified surgeon or board-certified veterinary dentist, puppies tend to enjoy a far higher rate of success. These dogs are at higher risk of upper respiratory infections. Some will suffer a chronic nasal discharge that may or may not be definitively treatable. In general, breeding for exaggerated traits related to a shortened head, snub nose, and compressed airway structure will increase the risk of cleft palates. While there is no concrete evidence to state that cleft palates in puppies or kittens are hereditary, it is believed that genetics play a role in the development of cleft palates. The lifespan of cats and dogs with cleft palates varies, but, unfortunately, the overall life expectancy is relatively short. Unfortunately, because cleft palates are generally present and noticed at birth they are almost always considered a pre-existing condition by pet insurance companies. Veterinary pediatrics—dogs and cats from birth to six months. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, .Lawler DF. Neonatal and pediatric care of the puppy and kitten. Theriogenology ;70 3 .Macintire DK. Pediatric intensive care. Merck Veterinary Journal. Plunkett SJ. Fading neonatal syndromes. In: Emergency procedures for the small animal veterinarian. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, ;.The development of the palate includes the soft palate, the rostral frontal hard palate, the premaxilla section of the skull and the lips1. This defect creates an opening between the oral and nasal cavities. This opening is concerning because the puppy will have difficulties nursing leading to malnutrition and may inhale milk into the respiratory system which can lead to a sinus infection or pneumonia.Some dog breeds more commonly present with cleft defects than others suggesting a genetic component to this condition1. Genetic testing the appropriate dog breed may help reduce the chance of producing puppies with this defect, but a breeder must understand the parameters for this testing. When a new litter has one or more affected puppies, what are the treatment options and how successful are they? Hopefully, the more we understand about this congenital abnormality, the more it can be prevented. The oral and nasal cavities become distinct separate openings by fusion of certain tissues during the 23rd to the 28th day in embryonic development1,2,3. To achieve this separation of cavities, five different embryonic structures need to develop appropriately with coordination of a complex series of events including cell growth, cell migration, differentiation, and apoptosis cellular destruction 1,2,3. These five structures are the frontonasal prominence, which will become the primary palate and delineate into the incisors and medial portion of the upper lip. The right and left maxillary prominences, which will develop into the secondary hard palate and lateral portions of the upper lip. Successful fusion of the secondary palate results in complete separation of the nasal and oral cavities. Lastly, the right and left mandibular prominence will develop into the two halves of the lower jaw1,2. Genetics play a prominent role in determining this tissue development. However, the underlying genetic basis for cleft lip and palate is extremely complicated4. There can be many genes involved and only a few have been identified through research. The mode of inheritance for cleft palate depends on the breed of dog affected1. This is known as penetrance of a genetic variant or mutation. Likewise, the expression of a mutation that does present in a dog can be variable and inconsistent1. It may involve just the lip, the lip and palate or only the palate where the cleft is found. When a cleft is the only defect the puppy presents, this is classified as a nonsyndromic1. When a cleft is one of several abnormalities presenting in an affected puppy, these are considered syndromic clefts1. Nonsyndromic clefts are anecdotally more common than syndromic issues, but this may be skewed by the fact that many puppies with syndromic presentations are immediately euthanized and records are not always accurately kept1. Despite being presumptively more common, genetic testing for nonsyndromic clefts is lacking. This is in part due to a multifactorial inheritance pattern which limits the ability to study these types of clefts1. Multifactorial inheritance means many sections of DNA along with external environmental factors are involved. Skipping generations and presenting in atypical patterns, nonsyndromic clefts limit the predictability of inheritance1. The alternative to nonsyndromic clefts is, of course, syndromic clefts. The inheritance of this mutation was determined to be autosomal recessive with variable expression due to the variety of clefts demonstrated.In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. This mutation has not been found in other breeds so, at this time genetic testing is only appropriate for the NSDTR. Certain nutritional changes such as excessive amounts of Vitamin A, much higher than recommended therapeutic levels, or conversely Folic Acid deficiency has been associated with cleft defects5,6,7. When a chemical or drug causes a birth defect, this is called a teratogen. The effects of teratogens on the developing fetus or puppies are based on research across many species. Unfortunately, surgery should be delayed until the puppy is of an age when anesthesia is better tolerated and will not place the puppy at undo risk. This means until that time, the puppy must be carefully managed in terms of feeding and cleaning the oral cavity. Sometimes a stomach tube must be placed to ensure the puppy received adequate nutrition Complications during this time are always possible so owners must be aware of signs of distress or issues with the affected puppy. Non-resolving sinus infections or pneumonia regularly require lengthy and aggressive veterinary treatment. Clefts that only affect the lip may not be more than a cosmetic problem, but any defect in the palate will require considerable effort from the owner. Often, owners will elect to euthanize these dogs soon after birth. The best surgical time is at the discretion and experience of the veterinarian, but 4 to 6 months of age is a common time when this issue is addressed11, Surgery prior to the eruption of the permanent teeth may cause further dental issues later11, By 6 months of age the tissue around the cleft defect has mostly stabilized and the success of the corrective procedure is improved. The surgery itself depends on the planning of the veterinary surgeon. This can be done in a single procedure, but often requires multiple efforts to fully correct the defect. Post-surgical complications are common, and owners must be prepared for arduous postoperative care11, These defects create an opening between the nasal and oral cavities. This is concerning for the puppy as it prevents them from nursing properly. This leads to severe nutritional deficiencies or respiratory disease. Multiple locations during embryonic development produce the normal anatomy that separate the nasal and oral cavities. Any disruption in this development may produce a range of cleft defects. Although several breeds are suspected of having genetic mutations that cause cleft defects, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever has had two mutations identified. Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. To eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended. Palatogenesis: morphogenetic and molecular mechanisms of secondary palate development. Reproduction and prenatal development. Philadelphia: W. Saunders Company; .Padgett GA. Control of Canine Genetic Diseases. New York: Howell Book House; .Davies M: Excess vitamin A intake during pregnancy as a possible cause of congenital cleft palate in puppies and kittens. Vet Rec Vol 4 pp. Pol J Vet Sci Vol 16 1 pp. Can Vet J Vol 13 10 pp. PLoS Genet. DavidsonA P. Gregory C, Dedrick P: Successful management permitting delayed operative revision of cleft palate in a labrador retriever. In , I had the opportunity to save this puppy. It was not one of my puppies, but I took over on a mission to save him. Tube-feeding every two hours for weeks, around the clock. Saving puppies takes time sometimes, but it is really worth it. Most vets and breeders will tell you to euthanize, and for good reason, as they do not want to see the puppy suffer, and most people do not realize how much time it can take. If someone just tries to save the puppy by putting a little effort into it, instead of a LOT, the puppy will suffer, and slowly die. This is NOT fair. It is encouraging to hear that they can be saved with commitment and time. Many cleft puppies are being saved around the world, and the vets that recommended euthanasia are getting to see how good these puppies can do, and what normal, healthy, active lives they can live. The vets cannot be blamed for recommending euthanasia. That is what they learned in vet school, and it has been the normal recommendation for years and years. The vets also believe clefts have to be repaired ASAP for the puppy to survive. That is not always true. What is Cleft? A cleft palate is an opening in roof of the mouth. Clefts can be very different in size and placement. Pictured to the left is a cleft on a 4-month-old cleft puppy. This pup was bottle-fed for five weeks and tube-fed for six weeks. He now swallows kibble whole and drinks water from a bowl. We watched and waited for a natural close-down, but it didn't happen. Cleft puppies cannot nurse no matter how hard they try, as they cannot get any suction. It would be like you trying to suck on your finger without closing your mouth. The sign of a cleft pup is when the pup tries to nurse, there is no latch-on and it can only mouth the nipple. Some cleft palates are so severe that euthanasia is necessary. Cleft palate on a newborn puppy If you choose not to intervene, please take the pup to the vet and have him humanely put to sleep, as otherwise he will slowly starve to death. A Decision Must be Made The question you need to ask yourself is: Are you willing and able, and do you have the time and desire to devote to the care of your special pup. If your answer is yes, it is recommended you seek info from an experienced vet. Time is VERY important to intervene. We have had the most rewarding experience of saving one of these pups. I work full-time, so with the help of a friend, we did it! Bev from Canada. Timbit was born on July 23rd, with a cleft palate, which was eventually surgically repaired when he was 6 months old. At birth he was turned over to MistyTrails Havanese to ensure he received the best care and was raised and cared for by them and is now a happy, healthy, well trained little guy who fits right in with his home that adopted him after surgery about 9 years ago. Their reputation for being able to save cleft palate dogs has led many to seek out their help. They have since fostered and saved two more Cleft puppies, that are thriving in forever homes. Timbit at 10 years old Courtesy of MistyTrails Havanese.

Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Bulldog from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Bulldog puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many English Bulldogs young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos! English Bulldog Description The Bulldog is a small-statured, medium-sized dog, originally bred for working with bulls but trained and bred to fight bulls for sport. This practice began in England in the s and throughout Europe until the mids. Its distinctive undershot bite allowed it to hang on to the bull with amazing strength. Discover more about our English Bulldog puppies for sale below! The shuffling gait is a result of this selection since the dog needed to be able to withstand severe shaking and thumping without having its spine or ribs broken. Bulldogs can move swiftly and make sudden leaps, which accounts for their surprising agility and cleverness. The coat is glossy and fine, with standard colors including, red, white, yellow or a combination of those. Young bulldogs are full of energy, but they slow down as they age. Their appearance makes them great watchdogs, but their personalities make them huge lovers. A Bulldog that understands its place in the human pack with thrive with all people including kids. The English Bulldog is described as very affectionate, dependable, gentle with children but known for its courage and bravery. This breed is good with family pets , but some English Bulldogs can be combative with strange dogs especially if their owners are not present to lead them. Bulldogs are very people-oriented and will seek as much love and attention as they can get; in fact, these dogs require a lot of affection from their owners if they are to thrive and be happy. This breed snores very loudly so buyer beware. This is a trait that these dogs are famous for and it is just a fact of life for them. Most English Bulldog puppies also drool and slobber so they are messy eaters, but most owners find these qualities endearing in their bulldogs. They are also prone to flatulence, especially when fed food other than their regular dog food diet. A once ferocious and tough dog — through select and skilled breeding — the bulldog has become a docile and loving pet and cherished member of countless families. The bulldog is beloved for its patience and affection for children making it an excellent family pet known for being jovial, charming and at times comical though messy. The breed is devoted, obedient and always willing to please, yet preserves its own independent brand of stubbornness present in the bulldog breed. Most of them are pleasant or even aloof towards strangers; however, some can be hostile to unfamiliar dogs, though the breed is compatible with most household pets. The fact is dogs are much happier when they know they follow their human. English Bulldogs can be a bit dominating so their owners are best to show strong leadership and understand alpha canine behavior. This is not a dog to drive around within your car, especially in the Arizona summer months. The breed is prone to mast cell tumors , skin infections, and hip and knee problems. See store for details on a specific puppy. American Canine Association.

Both have fantastic playful personalities, and love playing the the garden with their mum and dad and my other older dog! They will also leave with a blanket scented with their litter mates and a soft toy. These Golden Retriever are perfect companion and they make a perfect addition to any family. They hold significant show potential, or will make Tacloban City golden retriever Philippines AKC registerable golden retriever pups for sale golden retriever Tacloban City, Philippines AKC registerable golden retriever pups for sale AKC registerable golden retriever pups for sale Our puppies have all been examed by the vet, had their 1st vaccinations and have been de-wormed regularly. They come with a 60 day health guarantee and AKC registration papers. Please Contact me back by Email: sandrinemayer39 gmail. Our puppies have all been examed by the vet, had their 1st vaccinations and have been de-wormed regularly. This puppies can easily learn all feelings. It will exactly react according to the way you want. We carefully selected to feed them PawTree, Dry. Their favourite food formulation is Chicken and Sweet Potato. They are crate trained. They will come with papers and are registered with AKC. .Six of them are girls and one boy. All puppies are bouncy and cuddly and are happy little characters and would make perfect family pets. .UTd on worming and vaccines Please Contact me back by Email: sandrinemayer39 gmail. The pups are raised in a loving home and are ready to meet a new family. Golden Retrievers have a very instead lengthy background of being tender, easy going, still sports and incredibly hard working. This is an unusual mixture either in people today or puppies. If you're planning on gold retriever adoption you are probably comfortable with his or her great elements. Let us talk more about this even so. .Gold Retrievers are incredibly sports. They can be regarded as an outdoor breed, which means they are really born to maneuver, jump, go swimming and hold game. A high level searching afficiando for example, here is your greatest canine. You'll be able to sit down in the goose sightless and your Golden Retriever will contentedly go swimming plus run her way to pick-up whatever you need her to. Goldens furthermore really like the ocean. Any gold retriever will gladly run and perform frisbee with you the entire day. He'll capture it in water, go swimming with you and still have a variety of satisfaction. It should be valued that goldens actually need this sort of workout to stay balanced. If they do not get it, they could become quite kooky. Gold Retrievers furthermore want to gnaw. It's something they obtain using their searching history. It is the key reason they like to fetch and have items to you. It's really not an issue, it simply means that there are some primary guidelines you mustn't ignore. As an example, on no account give your adopted gold retriever a used sneaker to chew on. The explanation is actually simple, she does not understand the distinction between that old shoe and a fresh running shoe. Buy a number of soft video games, plus some gadgets you'll be able to hide peanut butter within. When you offer the golden these things, they will gladly gnaw these as opposed to a individuals furniture. Goldens will also be instead wise pet dogs. Thats exactly why they're so easy to show. Training them is a good approach to exercise their psychological skills. Nonetheless you must also get them several games to be able to physical exercise their intelligence from the nearby family dog shop. In this manner, when you are not necessarily about, they may be triggered with out your carrying out it specifically. Gold Retrievers are usually a really healthy canine. Should you preserve his inoculations present and produce her to the veterinarian at least once per year, it's likely that you actually will not have any difficulties. Now there's something to think about however. Goldens are susceptible to hip issues known as hip dysplasia. Furthermore, Goldens could possibly get cataracts though surgical treatment that can be set. Goldens could also sometimes later experience their eye lids flipping medially. Just as before, this may typically be resolved using surgical procedures. If you are looking for golden retriever adoption you will then be joining a big hord of thrilled golden retriever owners. Golden Retrievers possess a rather lengthy background to be tender, easy going, nevertheless athletic and incredibly diligent. This is an unusual mixture in either people today or puppies. If you are considering gold retriever ownership you are almost certainly comfortable with his or her good elements. Let us talk much more about this nevertheless. .Gold Retrievers are really athletic. They can be regarded as an outdoor breed, which means they are truly created to move, leap, swim and maintain game. If you're a hunting afficiando by way of example, here is your best dog. You are able to sit down in the duck sightless as well as your Golden Retriever will gladly swim plus run her way to choose-up whatever you require her to. Goldens additionally really like the ocean. Any golden retriever will happily run and perform frisbee with you the entire day. He'll capture it in water, go swimming with you and have a variety of enjoyment. It should be valued that goldens really need this kind of workout to remain well balanced. If they don't get it, they might become very kooky. Golden Retrievers furthermore wish to gnaw. It is something they acquire from their hunting heritage. It is the main reason they like to get and have items to you. It's really not an issue, it really means that there are some primary rules you must not disregard. For example, on no account provide your used golden retriever a used sneaker to chew on. The reason is actually easy, she does not comprehend the distinction between the old shoe and a brand new running shoe. Go out and buy several chewy video games, and several devices it is possible to hide peanut butter within. When you offer the gold these items, they'll gladly munch these as opposed to a individuals furnishings. Goldens are also instead smart most dogs. That is the reason why they're very easy to show. Instruction them is a great approach to workout his or her mental abilities. Nonetheless you have to will also get them a number of video games to be able to physical exercise their cleverness from the nearby family dog shop. In this manner, when you are not really about, they can be stimulated with out your carrying out it specifically. Golden Retrievers are generally a very wholesome canine. Should you maintain his inoculations present and produce her to the veterinarian at least one time per annum, it's likely that you actually won't have any difficulties. Now there's something to consider however. Goldens are prone to stylish problems referred to as hip dysplasia. Furthermore, Goldens could possibly get cataracts though surgery that may be fixed. Goldens could also occasionally later experience their eyelids flipping medially. Just as before, this might typically be solved using surgical procedures. If you are looking for gold retriever adoption then you will be becoming a member of a sizable hord of thrilled golden retriever keepers.

Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. Golden Retrievers were first bred in the early s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens also excel at many other activities, including search and rescue jobs and guide work. They require ample exercise—swimming in particular is a great outlet for their endless energy, and most Goldens love it! Their beautiful coats require brushing and in some climates a summer trim may be in order. Goldens are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their families. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Golden. By knowing about health concerns specific to Golden Retrievers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Golden Retrievers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Golden Retrievers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Golden looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Golden is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Golden Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Golden Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Golden is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Golden Retrievers Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your Golden will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are curable by surgical removal, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Golden Retrievers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Golden Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal , so early detection is critical. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Golden is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Goldens. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Golden Retrievers and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Golden is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Allergies, swimming, overgrowth of hair in the ear canals, and accumulation of earwax can all predispose your dog to ear infections, which are painful and annoying. Goldens are very often afflicted by allergies, which can cause itching and inflammation in the ears and elsewhere. The earlier we diagnose and treat these ailments, the less discomfort and pain your pet will suffer. Be sure to call us if you notice him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears seem painful to the touch. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we also reduce the likelihood of eardrum damage that can lead to deafness. Most ear infections tend to recur until we work together to control the underlying cause. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Golden Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Heart Disease Some Golden Retrievers inherit a heart condition known as aortic stenosis. This disease causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow leaving the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body. If the condition is severe, your dog may faint or seem to run out of energy during exercise. He may also have difficulty breathing, cough frequently, or have stunted growth. Golden Retrievers are also especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected, but Goldens have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you. Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Bleeding Disorders Your Golden Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Taking Care of Your Golden Retriever at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time. Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events. She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help. As long as they are socialised well as a puppy, Golden Retrievers can happily fit into family life. They are gentle but need to be treated with respect by all members of the family, including young children, as like any dog their patience will eventually run out. Common health problems in Golden Retrievers Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight. Eye problems — screening tests are available and dogs should be screened on a yearly basis, especially if intended for breeding. Multifocal retinal dysplasia - abnormal development and growth of the back of the eye retina which can lead to blindness. Generalised progressive retinal atrophy GPRA — slowly leads to progressive blindness over months or years. Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy RPED, or central progressive retinal atrophy — a genetic problem which causes issues in the back of the eye retina and loss of vision. Glaucoma — high pressure within the eye causing pain and loss of vision. Ichthyosis — a skin disease that causes thickening of the footpads and makes other areas of skin rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes that stick to the hair. Caring for your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. How much noise they make will be down to the individual dog. Training and socialisation Golden Retrievers thrive off training and are very intelligent dogs. They love nothing more than to be given tasks to do to keep them occupied and have fairly good problem-solving skills — for a dog! As long as your Retriever is properly socialised from a young age , they should be confident around new people and situations. Retrievers also like their chill out time but will be more than happy to show you plenty of affection on their own terms. Exercise Golden Retrievers are very active dogs and need plenty of opportunities to exercise , play and get rid of excess energy. Your Golden Retriever will need a minimum of two hours of good exercise per day. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together. Because they are intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers can get bored easily so make sure you keep their brains active as well as their bodies. As their name suggests, retrieving is what they were bred for, so nearly all Golden Retrievers love a good game of fetch! Grooming Golden Retrievers have medium to long coats and generally do shed a lot. They are not a dog to take on if you hate hoovering! Ideally, they should be brushed or combed three times a week at a minimum. Where necessary you can trim their coat with the right tools, but seek advice from a professional dog groomer or vet first. You may also find that your Retriever loves water including any and all muddy puddles and swimming. Make sure they stay safe around the water and if they get mucky, use a dog safe shampoo. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate Golden Retrievers and children If you have a young family then Golden Retrievers can be fantastic with children. If socialised properly from a young age, Retrievers can be quite calm and tolerant. Always supervise children and vulnerable adults with your Golden Retriever and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues. Golden Retrievers and other pets Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too. Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time. Obesity can cause other health problems for your Golden Retriever, so keeping them in shape is extra important. Make sure to monitor their weight and keep an eye out for any sneaky snacking. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. If you give your dog an occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily food allowance. Use healthy treats in moderation instead. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave a gap before exercising and after eating. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. If you want to buy a pedigree puppy, we recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they have to do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. PDSA Pet Insurance Fun facts As they were bred to fetch game, they have a naturally gentle grip, called a 'soft mouth', so they don't damage the birds they carry back in their mouths. Golden Retrievers have an amazing sense of smell and are often used as search and rescue dogs in other parts of the world. They absolutely love water well, most of them do. Most Retrievers will take any opportunity to have a swim. Luckily, their coats are thick to keep out water and keep them warm. Golden Retrievers make really good assistance dogs and are often a top choice for training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a Golden Retriever. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in Golden Retrievers are out there too. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. Not sure if the Golden Retriever is the right pet for you? January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Read the full disclosure here. They rely on you for everything and their health and well-being is well and truly in your hands. In order for your Golden to live as long and as healthy and fit a life as possible, you need to first educate yourself on how to care for them properly and build this knowledge into actions and routines. A balanced and nutritious diet, regular exercise , grooming and regular veterinary health checks are all essential parts of maintaining good health and quality of life. All of these are under your control. By taking steps to do the best for your Goldens health and monitoring their well-being regularly, you can prevent illnesses happening, avoiding pain and discomfort for your Golden and vets bills and heartache for you. At first, being a caring and responsible owner can seem a daunting and herculean task, but breaking it down into little manageable routines really does make it easy. Health Care Routines For Your Golden Retriever You should keep a diary and set up daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly routines to make sure every need is met and your Golden is well looked after. Example routines would be: Daily: Provision of nutritious food and clean water, regular and sufficient exercise, general health check via bodily inspections. Weekly: Inspection of ears, eyes and oral health and hygiene. Comprehensive grooming and nail care. Quarterly: Bath your Golden. In the past, any more often than this was bad for their coat quality and skin. Scheduled visits to a veterinarian and canine dentist, perhaps alternating every 3 months so two visits to each per year. Yearly: Vaccination top-ups. Following is a brief discussion of areas you need to pay attention to in order to care for your Golden well. Particularly during their puppy years they can get themselves into all sorts of trouble around your home and garden so you have to undertake a certain amount of puppy-proofing your home : Fence off swimming pools or ponds in your yard as they will get in there but being so small they may not be able to swim well and could find it impossible to get out unaided. Research the plants and flowers you have in your home and garden as there are in excess of one hundred plants known to be toxic to dogs and Goldens love a good chew! Remove or make safe any sharp items in your home that your Golden may play with, rub against or walk over in their playing. Hide away any electrical cables because a dogs sharp teeth and electricity are a particularly dangerous combination. Goldens can learn to open simple storage units and household chemicals therein are extremely dangerous to your dog. For now, just pretend you are an inquisitive dog, tour your home and garden and imagine just how they could get themselves into trouble in any of the areas they have access to. Then take steps to make those areas safe. Diet, Nutrition and Water Intake Dogs in the wild would hunt and scavenge, eating a wide variety of different foods, taking care of their own diet and ensuring they get all the nutrients they need. Modern dogs no longer hunt and scavenge and instead rely on their owners to provide them everything they need. You need to research, find and provide a good scientifically formulated diet to match their very particular nutritional requirements. You should note that a puppy has different nutritional requirements to an active adult dog, that is again different to a very senior dog who may have somewhat slowed down. There are dog foods balanced to meet a dogs different needs for each stage of their lives and activity levels. One thing you really need to watch out for with Golden Retrievers is over-feeding. And a Golden will never say no, they just love to eat! So please be mindful of their food intake and monitor their weight. No dog should be overweight. It can lead to joint problems, which leads to mobility problems, as well as diseases of their internal organs which can really shorten their lives. As well as good food, your Golden needs access to a good, clean and fresh supply of water every day. Dehydration is a real problem, as is over-hydrating in some dogs. And any drastic changes in their intake usually signifies an underlying health problem and you should seek the advice of your vet. Exercise Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed, bred for working and hence considered a high energy breed. To keep them fit and healthy and to occupy their minds you will need to provide them with lots of opportunity for structured exercise. Notice I said structured exercise! This means you cannot simply let them out into your yard and hope they take care of exercise themselves. They will walk around a bit and mostly just spend their time begging to be let back in with you. You have to plan structured exercise such as running, playing fetch or swimming. You have to take them out for a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise per day on top of their normal walks, and preferably with a good 2 hour bout of longer exercise at least once per week. The five minute rule is that a puppy needs no more than 5 minutes structured exercise per day for every month they have been alive. So a 4 month old puppy needs just 20 minutes, a 5 month old puppy 25 minutes etc. So take it easy with a puppy. Training Just how important training is for your Goldens quality of life cannot be overstated. A dog that listens to and responds to just a few well-trained commands can be kept infinitely safer than an untrained dog. So you should provide your Golden with a decent firm yet soft bed and a nice comfortable lining for their crate if you use one. If you have a yard and your Golden will be expected to spend any length of time outside you should provide a form of shelter so they can keep off the cold wet floor in winter and get out of the sun in summer. There are many options for suitable kennels and many of them are reasonably priced. If you fail to keep up a regular schedule of brushing, their coats very quickly become knotted and then matted and these are all but impossible to remove without the help of a pair of scissors. Regular brushing also helps to keep your Goldens coat clean and removes dead hair. When it comes to bathing, Golden Retrievers have a double coat and natural oils that help waterproof them so bathing too often is actually bad for their coats…at least it always used to be. Just be sure if you do wish to bathe them often that you research the shampoo used and pick one suited to regular bathing for Goldens. Human shampoo will never do as it will strip their oils and is too acidic for their skin and will irritate them. And cheap dog shampoos will strip the oils too. You kinda get what you pay for. To keep their coat healthy and prevent irritation you need to remove all the soap. Note: Click here for a selection of the best dog brushes suitable for your golden Nail Care Depending on how often your golden walks on hard abrasive surfaces, they will probably need their nails trimmed every 10 or 12 weeks. But if your golden is constantly walking pavements and roads, they may never need a trim due to concrete and tarmacs abrasive, nail-file like effect. Anyway, you should regularly check your dogs paws. This can be very uncomfortable for your dog and if it gets out of control even painful. You can quite easily trim your dogs nails at home , or you can take them to the vet where they will do the procedure for you. If you do wish to do it at home, I recommend taking your dog to the vet first and asking for advice on how to do it, being shown and learning from the pros rather than risking it alone from a book. Better safe than sorry! Look inside to make sure they are a healthy looking color, not bright red and inflamed. Also check for lots of small little grainy looking brown dots. These are the droppings of ear mites and a sign of a parasitic infection which should be treated ASAP. Dental Care Dental hygiene is an often overlooked area of dog care by many people but is very important. Much like us, dogs can suffer with tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum disease and a build up of plaque and tartar. Not only does this detract from the overall good looks of your dog, it can be quiet uncomfortable, sometimes painful and can lead to more severe problems if left untreated. So you should regularly check their teeth and gums yourself, make use of available chews that help to clean their teeth and take your dog to a canine dentist every 6 to 12 months. Try to treat your dogs teeth as good as you would treat your own. Parasitic problems Fleas, ticks and other parasites can be a real problem for dogs, leading to many problems ranging from mild skin irritation, to extreme sores and infections, and in the most extreme cases dramatic weight loss, tape worms and Lyme disease. So you should regularly check for parasites in your Golden which is very easy to do if you are sticking to a regular schedule of brushing their coats. Simply spend an extra minute to inspect closer to their skin looking for ticks, fleas or small dots droppings in their fur which would indicate the presence of parasites. Treatment for fleas and ticks can be administered at home as there are many treatments for this available over the counter. Try to make it every 6 months, but once per year as a minimum. This will allow your vet to become familiar with your dog which makes spotting changes easier for them. And it gives them a chance to spot problems early that you without an untrained eye may not pick up on. As always, prevention is better than cure and if there is ever a problem then catching it as early as possible is vital for more effective treatment and minimal pain and discomfort for your pet. Regular visits to the vet allow this early discovery. You will also need to see your vet to have your puppy vaccinated. There are many diseases, some fatal, that can be prevented easily with a course of vaccinations. Distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis as well as the infamous rabies can all be kept at bay with vaccines. A puppy will require shots starting at 6 weeks with a course of various shots taking them up to 18 weeks or so. The rabies shot is administered at about 6 months of age and after this your Golden will require just a yearly top up to maintain protection. Highly Recommended Training Course For a detailed program to follow in the form of a video library, including a step-by-step roadmap for raising a puppy from 8 weeks old all the way to a confident, well-trained and happy adult dog, you could do a lot worse than checking out The Online Dog Trainer. This program contains over follow along videos of an NZ SPCA endorsed professional dog trainer, covering all aspects of dog training, solving behavior problems in real life scenarios, explaining the theory, giving practical advice and more. You can see him getting real results in real-life consultations with his clients, so if you ever have a behavior problem you need to solve, you can follow along for almost guaranteed results. Of course, we are developing a fantastic training resource here at TotallyGoldens. Click here to learn more at TheOnlineDogTrainer. Caring For Your Golden Retriever Final Thoughts Regular grooming will keep your Golden retriever not only looking at their absolute best, but also with your help and intervention it keeps them healthy and disease free too. You May Also Like. My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:.

We are a small hobby breeder of West Showline German Shepherds with only a few litters a year. Our dogs are part of our family, share our home, and travel with us. We are located in Halifax, PA about 30 minutes north east of Harrisburg. I was impressed with their working ability and superior intelligence along with a loving demeanor that was absolutely unmatched. As I was learning more about the breed and looking for my perfect addition to my family, I saw the Long Coats for the first time and fell in love. Our dogs have brought pure joy and happiness into our home and it is our goal to bring the same joy and happiness into yours! They have sound temperaments, are very intelligent, easy to train, loyal, and protective. Everyone is encouraged to stop in for a visit of our home, meet our family, and see our GSD's. It is our goal to produce top quality German Shepherds with a stunning black and deep red coat with loving personalities, outstanding character, and family protection in one perfect package. Integrity is Very important with us, you will Never feel pressured into getting a Puppy, we are very honest and direct with our process and time table when we will have Puppies available. All the Information Posted about our Dogs can be verified through Documentation. Our Pictures are Never Altered or adjusted to mislead you into thinking our dogs are better than they are, and to be Honest we do not need too : The day you pickup your Bergerhaus puppy you will be invited into a Secret Facebook page called Bergerhaus Puppy Club if you so choose to accept here you can interact with others Bergerhaus puppy owners, watch littermates of your baby grow, become friends with other puppy owners, and ask advise from everyone in the group! 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. They are all a part of our everyday life. We have put a lot of time in finding the right dogs for our breeding program so we can provide quality puppies. Our puppies will make exceptional family companions or working class dogs. Upon viewing our many pictures on our site you will see how happy and healthy all of our dogs are. Our main goal is to provide happy, healthy puppies that make excellent companions. They need lots of personal attention so when considering to buy one of my dogs you need to be willing to have another FAMILY member. Why Choose Us We Strive to Provide We strive to provide our puppies with owners who love and cherish them as much as we do. My puppies mean a lot to me, they are a passion that I love, they are not a business. People have asked me how I let my puppies go when it is time for them to go to their new homes. A Wonderful Dog to Add to Your Family Once you have owned a German Shepherd it is very hard not to have one in your life, they are the most dedicated dog there is. I grew up with German Shepherds in most of my childhood life and my husband and myself have had them in our life together for over 30 years. If you would like to come and visit let us know, we would love to meet you and have you meet our FAMILY, and if you ever decide to make one of our puppies your own, you will know that they were given the very BEST start in life. Take a tour of our site if you have any questions or comments about any of our dogs or puppies feel free to contact us. We feel this step will be VERY beneficial to both puppy and new owners. I am amazed at how well behaved and taken care of they are. Easy and honest people to work with…Simply Amazing! Our Dogs Info We specialize in the best quality long coat king German Shepherd's that have a large bone structure, straight backs and stunning long hair around their main. We love the fact that our German Shepherds are not only very large but come in stunning black and red mahogany color, and no two are ever the same! As you can imagine we fell head over heels for this world champions stunning intelligent breed. We use our experience as a reputable breeder to specialize in long coat German Shepherds for quality not quantity. We strive to produce not only great quality but also German shepherds with great health and great temperament that is tested with every litter. All our puppies are carefully checked by my vet for all the genetic issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, breathing problems, cherry eyes, heart murmurs, any sign of infection and come with a health guarantee and health certificate. They come home with full medical records, shots, dewormings, microchipping, and the full starter package! Our puppies are healthy, happy and come with a great amount of love to give. Our shepherds are raised indoors and are socialized by our whole family, they love kids and other pets. Our shepherds are never kenneled, even at night we put them in a doggy pen inside our home. Our shepherds are part of our family and without them the house would seem empty. We start potty training the new puppies at an early age and put them on shedueles so that when the puppies go to their forever homes they are pretty much potty trained. Caution If you have never owned a King German Shepherd you will see that they are great companions, love attention, intelligent, lovable and love to learn; you may even find that they are like potato chips — you can never have just one! Click pictures for more info about our dogs Puppies.

Lifespan Sociability Making the decision to bring a new dog into your life is filled with questions: What sort of personality will your new puppy have? Is this breed good with kids? How much exercise will they need? In the case of the Newfypoo, this means taking a closer look at both of its parent breeds: the Poodle, and the Newfoundland. Poodles are widely regarded as one of the most intelligent dog breeds around and are known to take readily to training and canine sports. Energetic, friendly, and sociable, they thrive when provided with constant mental and physical stimulation. The Newfoundland, on the other hand, is a large working dog breed originally intended for helping fishermen in eastern Canada. Combining the opposing characteristics of these two breeds seems to have served the Newfypoo well, for they are both decidedly calm and caring as well as pleasantly sociable and easily trained. They Are Excellent Swimmers With the rugged muscular build of a Newfoundland and the athletic agility of a Poodle, Newfypoos are graceful swimmers that love to play in the water any chance they get. If you live near a body of water, you can even train your Newfypoo to perform tricks or agility routines while swimming. Newfypoos Make Great Watchdogs Combining the alertness and energy of the Poodle with the sturdy frame and abundant muscle of the Newfoundland, Newfypoos are almost perfectly suited as watchdogs. They are known for being vigilant and protective of their families and can be trained to bark to alert you of strangers. Barrie was accompanied by a Newfoundland named Luath for the entire time he was writing Peter Pan. Whether or not their offspring enjoy the many positive qualities of their parents or end up displaying their worst neuroticisms is mainly up to chance. Thankfully, the Newfypoo has hit the genetic lottery with its parentage — and shows many desirable characteristics of both parent breeds. Newfypoos are clever yet caring, alert yet calm and confident. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They love running and playing with other dogs, but will not so much as bark at cats, rabbits, or birds. Once bonded to another dog, they will go out of their way to protect them from any dangers. Before you commit to buying or adopting one, be sure to consider the following topics that relate to their health and well-being. With most Newfypoos eating up to 6 cups of food per day spread out between three meals , you should be prepared for a significant monthly food cost. A born water dog, they take easily to swimming — which is also a perfect exercise to keep pressure off their sometimes-sensitive joints. Ideally, you should be able to provide around an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity for your Newfypoo each day. They pick up new tricks quickly and love learning new commands. Perhaps the most important thing to train a Newfypoo puppy to do is how to walk properly on a leash. Daily brushing and combing will keep your Newfypoo happy and healthy all year round. Newfiedoodle Newfypoo Puppies for Sale Our goal is to provide outstanding Newfiedoodles aka Newfypoos of excellent health, temperament, and looks to loving forever homes. Newfoundlands are perhaps the greatest gentle giants of the dog world. Legendary for their docile nature, lumbering loyalty, and wonderful ability with children, Newfoundlands are beloved dogs. To own a Newfie is to fall in love with Newfies. So why would anyone get a Newfiedoodle instead of a purebred Newfoundland? Newfiedoodles bring the added advantage of typically having better health because of hybrid vigor , greater intelligence and trainability because of the standard poodle's incredible intelligence and low-to-non-shedding coats for those who have allergic reactions to Newfoundlands, or don't want to clean tons of dog hair. We've tried several top quality foods and landed on TLC puppy and dog food. TLC is a fabulous choice for quality, value, and service they ship fresh food for free to your door. You'd be hard pressed to find a better large breed doodle than a Newfypoo Newfiedoodle. For someone looking for a moderate to low energy, non-shedding gentle giant, a Newfiedoodle Newfypoo should be a top choice. We never ship puppies as we think it provides a terrible start. We have people from all over the U. Newfiedoodles are low-to-non-shedding, hypoallergenic Gentle Giants. Before that I raised various other breeds, including Newfoundlands and Standard Poodles. Once I discovered how absolutely fabulous the cross between these two breeds was, I changed my focus to raising the very best Newdles I could. Newfypoos are sweet, calm, hypo-allergenic, and get along well with other dogs, children, and other pets. When you have a Newdle in your house, happiness and love reign. Even better, no-shed and no-drool is the rule. If you love Newfoundlands, the drool is something you live with. Their laid-back personality and easy going nature is what you value. Poodle lovers appreciate the no-shed coat and understand how easy it is to train a poodle. You put these two together and you get a Newdle, the best dog you will ever have! I typically have puppies available throughout the year, but they do go fast. You can also call to see what puppies I may have available for their forever homes. For more information, call Lonny — or Jackie — Life With A Newfypoo Temperament The Newfypoo is a wonderful, alert, friendly, playful, intelligent, loyal and loving dog. They make wonderful family dogs and are great with children. In the last few years, many Newfypoos have been trained and successfully serve as personal assistance dogs. Grooming and Maintenance Newfypoos are low to no shed dogs. Lucky Day Ranch Newypoos are typically no shed. They have a fine, wavy coat that needs regular attention and trimming. In particular, the hair around their eyes can get in the way and needs to be trimmed often, as well as their prominent beard that needs regular cleaning. Training and Exercise These happy, intelligent dogs need daily walks, or at least regular times where they can feel challenged and active. They need plenty of room to run and are surprisingly quick and agile for their size. Choko 5 years old Lonny is a wonderful man. He truly cares about his dogs and the breed he is working to create. He takes not only health but temperament into account when breeding. We loved working with him. We were on his waiting list for just under a year and when the puppies were born he was wonderful with communication until we were able to bring her home. We decided to have her flown to us from his ranch in Colorado. He took transportation very seriously and she arrived happy and in great health. She is everything he said she would be. A beautiful, bright, happy, minimal shedding, no drooling and intelligent pup! Very trainable! She was potty trained at 7 months, has grown with our young 6 month old when they met babies, and is very loving to our cats and other dogs. She is everything I ever dreamed of in a dog. Loyal, protective, intelligent, calm, and gentle are all words used to describe this amazing breed. Size Newfypoos are large, beautiful dogs. An adult Newfypoo can stand 24 to 32 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 70 to pounds. Ultimately, the size will depend on the size of each parent and is unpredictable. Coat The Newfypoo typically has a thick, curly, oily, and water-resistant coat. Most common colors are black, brown, and golden with the occasions multicolor coming through with some breedings. Time Requirements Highly inteligent and fairly active, Newfypoos are not the easiest of breeds to raise. They need at least an hour of activity a day and can experience separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches of time. Having an owner with time to spend with their pup is ideal for this breed. Health Concerns As with any mixed-breed dog, you can expect fewer genetic problems than with either parent breeds. With that said, however, you should also anticipate a tendency towards any disease common in those same breeds. Life Span Did You Know? The Newfypoo is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States and is a cross between a Newfoundland and a Poodle. As with many crosses with Poodles, the goal is the get all of the great traits of both breeds plus a low-shedding coat. This is not always guaranteed with a cross-breed because the puppies can take on any combination of traits from one or both parents. Regardless of their coat, a Newfypoo tends to have a friendly and loving disposition that makes a great family pet. Although the Newfypoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations like the International Designer Canine Registry, International Canine Association, and more. Although the Newfypoo grows up to be a big dog, they are notoriously gentle giants. They have a kind, loving, and friendly disposition with a playful, energetic personality. They are loyal and affectionate. Newfypoos also tend to be even-tempered and patient. They get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, and other pets. They also often take on the role of family protector and make good watchdogs. The Newfypoo is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Because of their large size, they do not tend to be a good fit for apartment living. They are better suited to larger homes and will love running around a yard. Because these big dogs tend to be fluffy, they tend to do better in moderate and cooler climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time because they bond closely with their families. Since the Newfypoo is a mixed-breed, they can inherit the potential health issues common to one, both, or neither of their parent breeds. For this designer dog breed, potential health issues to be aware of include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid problems, bone problems, a heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis, and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye. Responsible breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing potential issues on to puppies. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results. Both of the parent breeds of the Newfypoo are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable. The same should be true for the Newfypoo. They tend to pick up on things quickly and tend to be a good fit for dog owners of all experience levels. They respond best to positive training methods focused on reward and praise. Because a mixed-breed can take on any combination of characteristics from the parents, your Newfypoo could end up with a Newfoundland coat, a Poodle coat, or some combination of both of them. As such, you need to be prepared for coat care regardless of coat type. Should your Newfypoo have a Newfoundland coat, they will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year. Brushing weekly or a few times a week is usually sufficient, but it may be a good idea to move to daily brushing during heavier shedding sessions. Bathing is on an as-needed basis. Should your Newfypoo inherit the Poodle coat, they will be low-shedding, but not low-maintenance. Professional grooming needs to happen every weeks. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Keeping it a positive experience and getting them used to it early on makes basic grooming and maintenance much easier as your puppy grows into a large dog. The Newfypoo has a moderate activity level. They do need daily vigorous activity to stay happy and healthy, but they take time to relax as well. Daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity are usually sufficient for this dog. Their large frame and joints do not make them a good fit for long-distance running, but your Newfypoo may enjoy running around with you briefly, going on hikes, taking trips to the dog park, and more. A fully-grown Newfypoo usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. A Newfypoo generally lives years. Although Newfypoo is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes called a Newdle, Newfydoodle, Newfoundlandoodle, Newfoundlandpoo, Poofoundland, or simply a Newfoundland Poodle Mix. Featured Newfypoo Article. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Bringing a new dog into your home, whether a puppy or an adult rescue, is one of the very best things in life well, we think so anyway. In this article, we will cover everything you could ever want or need to know about these delightful, adorable hounds. This will hopefully allow you to make an informed decision about whether or not a Newfypoo would be the best Doodle for you and your family. They are a very new type of Doodle — from around the early s. This means that just about everything we know about them comes from having an understanding of the two parent breeds. As Doodle fans, you likely already know a lot about Poodles, including that they come in three distinct sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard, as well as a rainbow of hues. You might not know so much about Newfoundlands, though. These guys are seriously big dogs! They were originally bred in the Canadian province of the same name. This all accounts for their thick, water-resistant fur and webbed feet, not to mention their strong work ethic. There are actually two sizes of Newfiedoodle — Miniature, and Standard. Both are larger than other regular Miniature and Standard Doodles. With two parent dogs bred to spend time in the water retrieving fowl and helping fisherman , Newfypoos adore swimming and are really rather excellent at it. Physical Appearance In terms of how a pup will look, nothing is ever entirely certain when it comes to mixed breeds. Pack all the Poodle DNA in there you want, and you could still end up with a dog that resembles the other parent. However, the more breeders can refine the breeding process, the better the results. Yet, as we have already mentioned, Newfypoos are a relatively new Doodle. So, it really is a mixed bag — as they say. What we do know is that Newfies most often come in black, grey, and brown, so these are the most likely colors of Newfiedoodles too. They can be all one color or a combination of two or more colors. Many of the breed also inherit that adorable teddy bear look that we have come to associate so strongly with Doodle pups. In fact, they are one of the biggest kinds of Doodle around, often reaching a height of 28 inches to the shoulder and weighing up to pounds. Females are slightly smaller than males but, needless to say, neither of them makes particularly good apartment dogs. Beyond that, these pups are prone to packing on the pounds at the drop of a hat. Be strong, my friend! This gentleness is something they inherit from the goofy Newfoundland. There is some confusion regarding whether she was a Newfie or a St. M Barrie had both breeds. Just take care as their size could be intimidating to both people and other dogs who are not familiar with them — and that could cause some problems. All children-dog interactions should be closely supervised. Further issues could result from the fact that Newfiedoodles are extremely protective of their owners and of their families. There are numerous accounts of fishermen being saved by their loyal Newfie when getting into trouble in the water. While this may only seem like a positive, this guardian nature could get a little out of control without proper early socialization. Luckily, though, their size alone should be more than enough to fend off any budding thieves or criminals! However, we know that many other Doodles, due to the Poodle varieties, come in all different sizes: Teacup, Toy, Miniature, Medium, Standard, and Giant. The mechanics of it would undoubtedly be a little…umm…challenging. However, people do so very much like things in Miniature, and so breeders have been working on making this the case with Newfiedoodles, too. The miniature Newfie is the result of breeding a female Newfoundland and a male miniature Poodle or any variation of Newfypoos that include a miniature Poodle. On average, the full-grown mini Newfypoo size is between inches in height and pounds…making it quite a bit larger than other mini Doodles. Some breeders may claim to have Teacup Newfiedoodles — but you should be wary. If these could even be bred this small, they would probably have some significant health issues as a result. As well as this variation on size, there are also starting to be different generations of Newfypoo that work as follows: 1st Parent.

I went through diaries from the last ten years or so to come up with the usual times pups begin doing all sorts of things, and the ages at which I do different challenging and socializing things with them. Knowing how much people enjoy cute puppy photos, I put one or two photos in the main text to illustrate a new development and supplemented those by a link to more photos that you can view if you like. I have been breeding for 42 years. Years ago, all the screening anyone did was OFA hips. Then OFA began offering elbow certifications. As I went on and encountered other problems such as eye conditions and bad hearts in dogs I bought as breeding prospects or was offered by breeders as breeding prospects, I began screening my dogs for them as soon as OFA began offering certifications. I began with the old American lines, which still had a lot of German imports in their pedigrees. For example, photos from the C litter [whelped ] are distinguished from those of the CC litter [whelped ] by the use of the one-letter or the two-letter label. First, Selecting Parents I do more health screening on a prospective breeding prospect than most breeders. Thyroid ad eye certifications must be redone annually. When I buy pups as breeding prospects, usually 1 out of 3 pass all my health screenings at age 2. The problem is that most health problems are multi-gene recessive faults and can hide in the gene pool for generations. When a particular pup is conceived, it may get an excess of the bad genes and have a health problem. I follow my pups all their lives and keep track of any problems they might have, hopefully minor, and use that knowledge as I choose future breeding partners. So we breeders work in the dark, guessing which combinations of breeding partners will give us what we want, grieving when individual pups get a concentration of some bad genes for a certain trait. I have a friend who had an absolutely gorgeous, super social, fantastic Rottweiler who had 10 generations behind him of every ancestor having OFA good hips. When he turned two she did his OFA hip x-rays and he was severely dysplastic. It happens. All we have to go by are the phenotypic traits that show up on x-rays, not the genes that the dog has. For OFA evaluation the dog is sedated, stretched out on its back, and an x-ray taken. Three radiologists look at the x-ray and rate it excellent, good and fair are passing grades; failing dysplastic hips are rated mild, moderate or severe. In PennHip, the dog is sedated more deeply. After the standard x-ray is taken same view that OFA uses , a fulcrum is placed under each hip and pressure applied. The actual laxity is measured in the joint. PennHip rates each hip separately and gives each a distraction index and rates the possibility of its developing arthritis as the dog ages. PennHip is MUCH more expensive than OFA and only veterinarians who have completed PennHip training can do the x-rays so for me it not only involves a higher fee for the x-ray but also travel expenses and a day lost from other activities. The only health problem for which we have a gene test is spinal myelopathy DM , where the spinal cord gradually becomes constricted and the dog loses control of its rear end. DM comes from a mutation in a famous German dog who was bred to extensively in Germany and whose progeny are all over the world. DM Carriers will not get the condition as the dominant normal gene carries the day. My breeding dogs also must have some kind of training title. Mine usually have Nosework titles, often the Canine Good Citizen title, sometimes agility titles. Outside stud dogs to whom I consider breeding must have as many health screenings as possible and titles, either those listed above or others such as AKC obedience or tracking titles, or Schutzhund BH or further Schutzhund titles. I am serious about breeding dogs that are mentally and physically sound, with good working drives, and I want prospective breeding partners to have proved that in some way. I show a pedigree for the litter with the titles and health screenings listed for four generations. Artificial Insemination, especially with frozen semen, is iffy, so I wait at least until we do an ultrasound at four weeks in whelp before asking for a deposit; sometimes I wait until the pups are born. People on the waiting list are notified first and allowed to put down a deposit before I advertise the litter on my website. I ask people to spend some time doing the application as it gives me a first idea if one of my working-line pups would work for them. My dogs are intense and highly intelligent, not good for people with couch potato lifestyles or who will not spend time training and socializing. Once I approve a person as a possible puppy owner, they are welcome to come meet all of us. Beginning when pups turn three weeks old, people are invited to come play with them. I have to do an ultrasound to determine if my girl is pregnant. Twenty-eight days after breeding an ultrasound will show fetuses, and more importantly, fetal heartbeats. The heartbeats let you know you have live, developing puppies. The uterus has two horns, with puppies implanted and developing in each horn. German Shepherds are so thick that ultrasounds are of little value other than to confirm pregnancy; learning how many pups she has must wait until we can do a x-ray just before her due date. Otherwise, life as usual continues until just before her due date. We keep on training as long as she enjoys it and she exercises as usual, including her daily ball sessions. The Last Week in Whelp As close to her due date as we dare, we take an x-ray to see how many pups she has so I know for sure that we get all of them safely into the world. A week before her due date, I begin taking her temperature twice daily. I also begin adding some raw beef liver or heart to her lunch. I always save hearts and liver anyone gives me just for the near-to-whelping moms because organ meat helps induce milk production. Even if they begin refusing the raw beef cubes, they will gladly eat the heart or liver. The puppies have begun to drop from high in the rib cage to the abdomen area — her lower sides are larger while there almost seems to be a space up higher. The puppies are just too large to remain up under the ribs any longer. Mom has lots of mammary development, getting ready to lactate, and when she moves she clicks as her udder sways back and forth. Quinta shortly before whelping. She is so big that she looks like a snake as she walks towards me, the puppies swaying to the left during one stride and to the right on the next stride. I let her determine how much exercise she needs and just throw the ball when she returns it to me. I begin to really watch her as her behavior starts to change. She will be restless and want to stay close to me as I wander around the house, often begging me to rub her tummy, placing herself so that she can lean her head back and look into my eyes with her own and make sure I know how miserable she was. The strips absorb fluids as each pup is born and are easy to grab in handfuls to remove before placing more fresh strips in the box. I have tried shredded newspapers at times but generally prefer the strips to be wider. For the first couple of weeks they give the fragile, blind pups a place to squeeze into in case mom lies upon them without realizing it. A thermometer helps me make sure the whelping bed is warm enough. I have a doggie door going to a small private yard where she can potty if she needs to. All is ready. Her crate is right by my bed so I can hear if she becomes restless during the night. If at bedtime the thermometer says anything close to .For whelping, I pull the whelping bed out into the middle of the room so that I can access all of it and have plenty of light. I try to take photos as soon as mom has them cleaned up, but I usually wait to weigh the pup and put on its collar until mom is busy with a new arrival and not too worried about me handling the previous one. Average weight is 16 ounces, though occasionally one will weigh up to 20 ounces. I used to sew pieces of Rickrack into collars, but recently have been able to find Velcro collars in a wide enough range of distinguishable colors to make them practical. The first-born male always gets a blue collar, the first-born female always gets a pink collar, and for subsequent pups I try to put darker collars on the sables and lighter collars on the black and tans, again for better quick identification especially in the low-light whelping room during the first few days. I sit by the whelping bed and read a book, frequently checking mom as she peacefully nurses her pups, then go on alert when she goes back into labor. If she goes longer than 2 hours, I will give her an oxytocin shot to stimulate more contractions. When she delivers a pup, I let her clean it — tumbling the pup around as she chews the umbilical cord and dries it, gets it breathing well and rids it of any fluid inhaled during whelping puppy yelling is healthy! Pup on the heating pad while another is being born, BB litter. More photos: BB litter and LL litter When all are born, I give mom a last oxytocin shot to be sure she has expelled all the placentas. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, thus forcing out any leftover fluids and sometimes a hidden puppy. I remove all the shredded newspaper, scrub the whelping bed, let it dry and then put layers of flat newspapers under an absorbent fleece bedding that will wick moisture away from the pups plus give them good traction. Quinta with part of the CC litter my Lively is the pup with the multicolored collar. I then lift the pups back into the whelping bed. Joyful with the BB litter, all black and tans. More photos: FF and KK litters After taking a few photos, I push the bed under the table to create a draft-free, private den for them and add a big bowl of cool water for mom. Newborn pups sometimes roll away from mom and not yet know how to sniff and find her. Eventually they figure things out and the new mom relaxes — their yelling having upset her as she tried to be everywhere for everyone. Peace descends and all of us sleep. This is meant to be a brief overview and is by no means comprehensive. Pregnancy Dogs are pregnant for approximately 9 weeks, or 63 days. During this time, our job is to keep the mother well fed, well exercised, and relatively stress-free. The mother will visit our veterinarian at least three times—once for a prenatal health check, once for an ultrasound, and once for an x-ray. The first ultrasound is to simply confirm her pregnancy so we can begin accepting deposits and preparing to whelp. The X-Ray is for later in the pregnancy to get a more accurate count on how many puppies we are expecting. The mother is fed with proper nutrition as recommended by our veterinarian as well as prenatal and postnatal supplements. Puppies are born blind and deaf. To minimize stress, we do not remove the puppies from their mother for long periods. We do not want the puppies to associate the smell of humans with stress of any sort—rather, we want them to associate humans with safety and comfort. We desensitize the puppies to human touch while they are in the whelping box with their mom. From birth we touch their feet, ears, tails, mouths, stomach, etc. This helps the puppies to accept invasive human touch as a normal part of their lives. This will minimize any problems later on in life when your dog needs grooming, nail clipping, teeth brushing, etc because your dog is very familiar with these experiences already. ESI gets the puppies smelling novel and unique scents from birth to get the olfactory system working well and sharpen their limited senses at an early age. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. Final Thoughts How to Prepare for Your German Shepherd Giving Birth German Shepherds are truly great pets, and preparation for your dog giving birth will be one of the most important things you do for her throughout the birth process. But first, take a look at this incredible 3-minute video of a German Shepherd giving birth. Nature is truly amazing: German Shepherd giving birth incredible video Even though dogs are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to the actual birth, there are still plenty of things you will need to do to get her ready and get the area ready where she will be giving birth. Talk to Your Vet The best way to be proactive in the success of your German Shepherd giving birth will be to have frequent discussions with your vet and maintain an open line of communication with them. In any case, once you suspect your dog is pregnant, you will need to take her to your vet for regular check-ups. Ensuring her overall health is the crucial first step. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam and alert you to anything you need to be aware of. As with pregnant humans, health concerns are elevated during gestation, so be sure to take your mom-to-be to the vet straight away and continue to monitor her throughout the pregnancy. Be sure to ask your vet any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your German Shepherd during the coming months and the birth itself. They will give specifics for your dog and anything else you need to be aware of. The third trimester is when the pups develop rapidly, and your girl will need more calories for energy, depending on how many pups she is carrying. You should gradually transition this, and the feeding schedule should be little and often aid digestion. But if your vet specified anything additional due to an individual circumstance for your GSD, always adhere to their instructions. Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready. And remember, you will want this checklist to include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. That will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready. Standard Supplies: Clean sheets, towels, and blankets You will want to have some of the blankets around the mom. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. If she has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those. But you will also need additional towels and blankets ready for the little pups after birth. Ensuring they are all warm and cozy after the birth will be, first and foremost. A pile of German Shepherd puppies bundled up with mom surrounded by comfort blankets is also just really adorable. Heating Pad or Heat Lamp Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature. The new mama understands this and will do her best to keep her pups warm using her body temperature and cuddling them close. But having a heating pad or lamp ready to go will help keep the space warm for the newborns. If you opt for a heating pad, you can place it underneath the towels and blankets where the puppies lie. It also has loads of temperature settings and timer settings, giving you plenty of options. If you opt for a lamp, be sure it is far enough away not to be too hot and burn the puppies. Place your hand underneath it to gauge where it gives a subtle warmth without causing your hand to feel hot. I prefer a heating pad as it just seems the safer option. Whelping Box and Mat To prepare for whelping, a whelping box will be required for the German Shepherd puppies to snuggle up in after the birth while the mom is recovering. You can purchase a large basket or make one yourself using a large cardboard box. German Shepherd puppies, on average, weigh around 0. As we know, German Shepherds seem to go from adorable 2-pound pups to majestic pound protectors in the blink of an eye. So, knowing how much they weighed after birth and monitoring their weight gain throughout their infancy is an essential step to proper health. There is no need to take them directly from mom and plop them onto a scale straight away. Give them time. But have it ready to take their weights within the first day or so. According to VCA Hospitals, the area where the puppies are kept should be between degrees for the first four days. Then gradually decrease the temperature to 80 degrees by the 7th — 10th day, and finally, 72 degrees by the end of the fourth week. Emergency Supplies: Baby Nose Suction Bulb Sometimes newborn puppies have built-up mucus around their nose, and the mucus causes breathing troubles. The mom will do her best to lick it away, but if you see one of the German Shepherd puppies still struggling with taking breaths, you need to have a baby nose suction bulb , such as this one from Amazon, ready to go. Gently swaddle the puppy and use the bulb carefully to suction the mucus out and hold him for a while after, massaging his chest very gently. Gloves, Sterilized Scissors, Thread, and Antiseptic Solution Typically, the mom will cut the umbilical cord herself by biting through it. Once tied off, ensure the end of the cord is cleaned with antiseptic. Cleanliness during this is critical, so a pair of medical gloves and a clean workspace are essential. Soft Travel Crate Hopefully, the birth goes smoothly, and there is no need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during it. But if there is an emergency or you have any concerns, always call your vet or nearest animal hospital immediately. Have the crate by the door with plenty of cozy blankets and familiar smells ready to go if you need to transport your GSD. This is never an ideal situation, so it should be avoided whenever possible, but under emergency circumstances, you may need an impromptu trip to the vet. Pro Tip! Use the buddy system. If you need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during birth, it will help to have someone with you. Consider asking a few close friends or relatives. They can drive while you sit in the back with your girl to comfort her. This is going to be a scary moment for your German Shepherd, and she will appreciate being able to have you by her side. Ensure the Environment is Clean and Comforting You will take much of this care during the prep stage. You will be placing clean towels down, ensuring everything is sterilized and ready for the momentous occasion. But during the birth itself, you will want to help maintain that environment. Here are a few things to consider that will help you make this a comfortable environment for your German Shepherd: Have familiar sights and smells around, such as toys, soft clothing, and blankets that she likes. If there are open windows and loud noises, shut the windows and do everything you can to limit the amount of noise and distractions around her. Give words of encouragement occasionally in a soft and soothing voice, letting her know she is doing great. In between puppies, she will need a breather. Make sure she is supported and comfort her during these breaks. Your German Shepherd will begin nesting behavior during the onset of labor, and her temperature will drop. She will become restless and may refuse food, pant, pace, shake, or vomit. But how do you know when the birth is imminent? You will see clear fluid from her vulva before the first birth. The first puppy should be delivered within minutes of hard straining. Giving Your German Shepherd Space During the Birth Oddly enough, one of the best ways to care for your German Shepherd during her birth journey will be to leave her alone. All dogs are instinctual in ways that amaze us mere humans. GSDs are also incredibly smart. So, between their instincts and intelligence, they have a knack for understanding what to do during and after giving birth. They will know what is best for their health, as well as the health of their newborns. Interfering too much during birth can cause frustration and even anger in your German Shepherd. While she will most likely understand you are trying to help — she knows best, and she will need her space. Once you have completed all preparations and have done all that you can from your end, the best thing you can do is sit back and enjoy the incredible experience of watching your German Shepherd Dog give birth. Be Ready When She Needs You Part of sitting back and watching as your German Shepherd gives birth is also knowing that she may need you, and, if so — be ready. If you have done the proper preparations, everything will be ready in case of an emergency or even a small hiccup. Here are some warning signs to be aware of as you watch the process and when you need to intervene: Your GSD has shown signs of going into labor, including a temperature below degrees, and does not end up going into labor within 24 hours. A puppy has only come halfway out, and mom seems to be struggling. She appears to be in pain, and is yelping or crying. One of her breaks in between puppies lasts more than 4 hours, and you know there are more pups to come. Typically, a long break will happen halfway through, which can be up to 4 hours. But past that, there could be something wrong. She is having contractions for more than 45 minutes without another puppy coming. If there is something more complicated, you will need to take your girl to the vet. This is another reason the buddy system is a great step to take. Now what? A big part of the preparation is to ensure that everything is ready for the new mom and pups once she is done. She is going to be exhausted, needing lots of rest and love. And the newborns will be adorable little helpless creatures that need their canine mom and their human mom or dad too! Making sure they all stay home, clean, and healthy is the number one priority after birth. During your discussions with your vet, this should be something that is covered. Your vet will offer specifics if there are particular health concerns for your German Shepherd. But otherwise, they will have general guidelines to keep the new family safe and sound. Once your German Shepherd has had enough time to recuperate and seems to be doing well after the last birth, take her outside to urinate and get some fresh air. She may not want to, as she wants to stay with her newborns, but encourage her to go outside for a quick pee and move around. Next, try to get her to drink some water and see if she has an appetite. At this point, all the puppies should be warm and snuggled in the whelping box. Let Mom join them and begin nursing them. They are going to be hungry, sleepy, and hungry again. Your job is to make sure the pups are getting enough food from Mom, and that mom is getting enough rest to care for them properly. If your German Shepherd stops producing milk for a while, you will need to have supplements and formula on hand so you can feed them yourself from a bottle. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are smart, instinctual, and fiercely protective. They also make amazing moms. And they know exactly what they need to do during the birth of their puppies. We hope this article has given you confidence in knowing what to do when your German Shepherd is giving birth. You will know when you are needed, and you will have everything ready to go from your checklist if she tags you in. You will soon be hugging those little bundles of joy and wondering what to name them. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for your pet. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. November 21, Home » Our German Shepherd Aura is about to start Whelping There are many signs your German Shepherd or any other dog will give you when they are going to soon be whelping. Aura is in labor right now! We took her temperature and it started dropping. She is normally a .Wednesday morning we took her temp and it was .A few hours later it was .Towards 6pm it was .It is important that she eats but we did not want to upset her stomach. Instead of her current puppy food diet which she was refusing we cooked rice and boiled chicken breast. Boneless, skinless chicken breast of course, you do not want a dog eating too much fat, especially at a critical moment like this read up on pancreatitis for more info on dogs eating fat. She started panting. Several short breaths by mouth, a few heavy pants via nose. She is uncomfortable. She is an indoor dog. During the night she went under the bed and pulled everything out to create a nest of sorts! When we let her out to go potty she starts digging at the ground to nest. She is not a digger but today she is. Then we have the stretch. A picture below shows her famous stretch. Note that she is on her side and the rear legs are extended. We stayed up with her til 3AM Thursday and fell asleep on the couch. It does look like tonight is the night though. This is her pre whelping stretch. Sorry about the lighting, the pic was taken around midnight. She started labor at noon, three days early, which in itself is a little worrisome, but not that unusual. I now know why she was early. Anyway after several hours the first puppy was presented in the vaginal canal, but too deep for me to pull it out. This is when I first became worried that this delivery was not going to be normal. After two hours and several doses of Oxytocin, I was ready to take her in to the vet for a possible C-section. Of course this always happens on Sunday or holidays after hours. I placed her on the grooming table to examine her one last time before calling the vet and I could feel that the puppy had progressed far enough that I could pull it on out, which I did. To my surprise the puppy was alive and is doing very well today. This puppy was large, but not unusually so, and I surmised that because this was her first puppy she just had trouble pushing out an above average puppy in size. I also surmised that the rest of the puppies should come much easier at this point. I was wrong. The next puppy proved to be just as difficult if not harder for her. After five hours and several doses of Oxytocin this puppy presented itself breach. After feathering and some brave pushing by the new mom, I was able to grab the rear feet of the puppy and ease it out. This puppy was two to three times larger than the average newborn German shepherd puppy. Unfortunately, this puppy did not survive the breach delivery. Sometimes when females have small litters the puppies can grow too large to allow for an easy and normal delivery. When this happens the female will often have the puppies a few days early to keep the puppies from growing any larger. Going to a vet during delivery is very expensive and also could expose the new puppies to diseases. Therefore, it not a decision made lightly. No easy way or formula exists for knowing when it is time to seek professional help. For example, I had a female that was in labor for over hours with no progress made towards delivery. I had been in contact with my vet and he said that we had waited long enough and to bring her in. While picking her up on the delivery table a viable puppy fell out on to the ground. I was sent home and while on the way home she had another two puppies in the 10 minute drive. She ended up having 10 healthy puppies. Another female was in labor all day with presented puppy that was stuck deep in the vaginal canal. After several hours of pushing she was exhausted and could not push anymore, and this time, in the middle of the night on the 45 minute drive to Oklahoma State University Animal Hospital she fell asleep and delivered the puppy in the backseat while snoring. When she fell asleep she relaxed enough for the puppy to slide on out into the side-pocket of my trucks door. In this case she had to have a C-section to deliver the remaining four puppies because she had exhausted her ability to push. All five puppies were healthy and are doing well today with their owners. Making the decision to go to the vet during delivery problems is not easy and best should be made once you have surpassed your knowledge and abilities to deal with the myriad of issues that could arise during delivery. Knowing when you have exhausted your expertise is also not easy. If you are considering getting a German shepherd puppy consider getting one of our older puppies and save a little money on some very high quality shepherds. We have several wonderful puppies that that are ready to go home. Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds Sincerely,