labrador and retriever puppies

Look no further! We have a network of trusted breeders who ensure that our puppies are healthy, happy, and ready to be your new furry best friend. What are Boxer puppies? Boxer puppies trace their origin to 19th-century Germany, where they were developed as versatile working dogs. Around the mids, German breeders aimed to create a loyal and courageous dog capable of performing various tasks. They crossed Bullenbeissers with Bulldogs and selected for traits like strength, intelligence, and agility. The result was the Boxer we know today. Boxers quickly gained popularity as police and military dogs due to their loyalty, trainability, and protective instincts. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC in , solidifying their status as a distinct breed. Over time, Boxers transitioned from working roles to beloved companions and show dogs. Their friendly demeanor, boundless energy, and affectionate nature make them cherished family pets worldwide. The origin of Boxer puppies is a testament to the careful breeding and selection that have crafted a breed known for its remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and affection. Temperament of Boxers Boxers are known for their playful and energetic temperament. They are intelligent dogs that are eager to please and love to learn new things. Boxers are loyal and protective of their family, making them great watchdogs. They are also affectionate and make great companions for children and adults alike. With proper training and socialization, Boxers make great family pets. We offer a vast selection of healthy and happy Boxer puppies that will make excellent family pets. With our commitment to quality and affordability, we make it easy for you to find your new furry best friend. About Vincent Hello! Are you looking for a lifelong companion? Look no further. I am here and just perfect for you. Trust me! I am very loyal, and I can make you smile with just the way I wag my tail. I have a wonderful disposition. Oh, silly me! Well, choose me today! Written by: Howmuchisit. Originating from Germany, it is considered as a very gentle dog, even though it may not look gentle upon first glance. On PuppyFind. Boxer puppy overview A reputable breeder should always include some sort of health guarantee, up-to-date vaccinations, a certified vet checkup, a travel crate if being shipped and registration paperwork. What are the extra costs? Tips to know: Boxer puppies will measure between 21 and 26 inches tall and can weigh up to 50 to 70 pounds, with females, on average, weighing about 20 percent less. They are known to be quite strong, powerful and are known for their smaller nose and powerful jaws. A Boxer will have a shorter, smooth and shiny coat, that can include common coat colors such brown and white, also referred to as brindle and fawn. White Boxers also exist, but most white Boxers are found to be deaf. The Boxer is known to be very attentive, loyal to its owner and highly intelligent. If healthy, the average Boxer can live 10 to 12 years. Boxers are known to be wonderful with children. How can I save money? With so many Boxers out there, consider checking out a local adoption center or rescue group that specializes with this particular breed. Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info. Intelligent Pug Characteristics Pugs are extremely playful and love to interact with their owners. They also get along well with other animals, especially cats and other dogs. They're most known for: Friendly Easy going Health Issues Because these dogs have only been bred for a few years, there has been no study on whether there are any specific health issues being produced from these crosses. In order to get a better idea of which health problems a puppy might face, you must research the parent breeds involved, and take a look at health issues that are common to them. The average reported lifespan of these dogs is between 12 to 15 years. Boxers can be prone to cardiomyopathy , bloat, hip dysplasia , and hypothyroidism , among other possible health threats. Pugs can be prone to obesity, breathing problems , eye problems, and skin problems. Boston Terriers are prone to eye problems , heart problems, epilepsy, and skin problems. Fox Terriers can be prone to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, patellar luxation, congenital hypothyroidism with goiter, and primary lens luxation, among other health issues. Rat Terriers can be prone to allergies, dental problems, and patellar luxation. Corgis are prone to eye problems, glaucoma , and progressive retinal atrophy. Beagles are prone to epilepsy , intervertebral disk disease, and tumbling puppy syndrome. English Bulldogs are prone to a long list of health concerns, including obesity, heat stroke, elongated soft palate , heart disease, and more. Keep in mind that a particular pup might never face one of these health issues, but the possibility could be there in the gene pool, so it's good to be aware. Are you InTheKnow? Sign up for our newsletter featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Invalid email I agree to receive email communications from LoveToKnow. The breeding procedures used to create this mix are extremely controversial. Many " miniature " dogs have been heavily inbred, so it's not uncommon for them to develop genetic disorders or become ill at a young age, even from a reputable breeder. The miniature Boxer is also a high-energy breed that requires a hands-on owner. They aren't meant for owners with sedentary lifestyles or those who reside in apartments. Because the miniature Boxer sheds, it may not be suitable for those looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed. If you understand the cons, there are many pros to this breed. Since they are smaller than Boxers, they are less expensive to feed and easier to care for. They require slightly less exercise than the original breed and can do well in smaller spaces, even if they aren't ideal apartment dogs. This mix is family-friendly, intelligent, eager to please, and easy to train. Also, they're relatively affordable to purchase as puppies. Finding Miniature Boxer Puppies for Sale When looking for a breeder of miniature Boxers, make sure you do your due diligence. Before you decide to do business, take the time to investigate the breeder fully to make sure you'll receive exactly what you're paying for. There are many unscrupulous breeders producing designer dogs, and you want to make sure the breeder can provide a health guarantee. The breeder should demonstrate that they are breeding to create dogs with excellent health and temperament. Because these dogs are not recognized by the top registry organizations and are not bred in large numbers, you may have to search for them online as well as locally through sites such as Craigslist to see if you can locate a breeder. Cost of a Miniature Boxer Puppy Because these dogs are not popular yet, they can be relatively expensive. Dog Clubs The miniature Boxer is not a recognized breed, but it may become one as some point in the future. If you'd like to register your pet with a dog club, both the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Certified Pet Registry take registrations for various crosses that produce this type of dog. Spend Time With These Dogs Before you bring one of these pups home, spend some time at several breeders' kennels so you can get to know the dogs in person. This is the surest way to find out if a Miniature Boxer will fit your lifestyle, as well as which particular cross you prefer. Getting a puppy is a commitment for the life of the dog, so be sure about your choice. How Much to Sell my Boxer Puppies for? I have a light brindle male boxer that is only CKC registered. How much should I sell their puppies for… what's the usual price? Photo Credit: Katie! Then see what the average adoption fee is for shelters in your area. That is what those puppies are worth. Answer by David Gilbo I paid for my male and for my female without papers. I now am having my own litter and I wouldn't sell them for any less than what I paid just cause I know both the dogs' backgrounds and they are well behaved great temperament and a great bloodline there just like my kids. CKC would register pretty much anything…they register designer dogs so that shows you how much they care. Really with only 1 of your dogs being AKC registered you shouldn't even be breeding them. I would have to check out both parents before I even purchased a boxer. As for papers, papers to me are just papers who cares. If someone really wants a dog they will pay. Just make sure they go to really good homes. Answer by Juan Garcia Honestly, I believe the price of a boxer pup depends on its features. The whole reason behind even creating a breed is to produce dogs with specific features. Buying a pup with a great pedigree is done as an attempt at ensuring the end results features. However, a boxer pup with; a bulldog head, pink inner eyelids, reg. Answer by Summer Yeah, papers are papers. Definitely make sure they go to good homes. All boxers need to be with a family that will make them part of there family.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is there anything cuter than a two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy? At eight weeks old, they are absolutely, impossibly, unbearably adorable! At two months old, a Golden Retriever is ready to leave their mother and littermates to join their new family. Some breeders will keep a puppy for a couple more weeks before sending them home, but eight weeks is very typical. Puppies at this age are usually playful and curious, with brains like little sponges. This usually only lasts a day or two, and then their true personality will shine through! They are in the prime socialization window here, which is the time between three and sixteen weeks when puppies are most open to learning about the world. Proper socialization can help you buffer against potential behavior issues as your pup matures, and teaches them how to feel and act in different situations and environments. It helps them feel confident and self-assured. A two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy is constantly learning! Make sure your puppy is learning that they are safe and that they can trust you both at home and out in the world. A fear period is a temporary span of time where a puppy may be more sensitive to things like strange people, strange dogs, inanimate objects, sounds, etc. It usually lasts about a week and you may notice your puppy showing signs of fear such as cowering, running away, growling, or barking. It can be a little scary as the owner of a puppy to see them acting this way. The good thing is that a fear period is short-lived and will pass. If they are concerned about something or someone, help them get more distance so they can observe the thing while feeling safe. They have a lot of needs and are totally dependent on you to meet those needs. Be patient as you help them learn how to live in our human world, and you can develop a strong, positive bond with your new companion. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! This is heavily influenced by genetics, but is not always the best indicator of their adult weight. Some lines of Goldens are bigger or smaller than average, so puppy size will reflect that. Your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. Eight-week-old Golden Retrievers need around 18 hours of sleep each day. Oftentimes, a puppy that is wild and bitey is in fact overly tired and in need of a nap. It may seem like they need more exercise to drain that crazy energy, but they actually need sleep. Using crates and pens can help ensure that your puppy is getting enough sleep at night and throughout the day. Many two-month-old Goldens are not good at putting themselves down for a nap, even when they really need it. So, you may need to step in and help your puppy settle in for some sleep. Make sure that their crate or pen is nice and comfy before you put them in for a nap, so they are more able to relax and fall asleep. Every puppy is different, so yours may prefer a nice cushy bed , or they may actually like laying on the bare floor. You can take note of what kinds of surfaces your puppy lays on around the house and then recreate that in the crate or pen. Covering the crate or pen with a blanket can also help make sleep easier for a two-month-old puppy, as it cuts down on the visual stimulation. Products like Adaptil spray or diffuser , and the Snuggle Puppy toy can also help a puppy settle in for sleep. Chewing and licking are naturally calming behaviors for puppies, so it can also help if you offer something like a stuffed kong , which can assist in transitioning the puppy from awake to asleep. Playing Classical music can also help a puppy feel more calm and able to sleep. At this age, most two-month-old puppies are ready for sleep after about an hour of awake time, so by following these tips, you can help make sure your puppy is getting enough quality rest. Instead, you can give them a break and see if they choose to get up, or simply scoop them up and walk home. Sometimes people get a Golden Retriever to be a running or biking companion, which can be a great thing when the pup is a fully grown adult, but is too much exercise for a young puppy. Playing with toys in the house or in the yard can be a great way for young pups to burn some of that puppy energy. If you have a yard, letting your pup safely explore and run around outside can also be a nice way to get in some exercise. You may also find that your puppy needs more sleep on some days, and on other days, they need more playtime and exercise. Golden Retrievers as a breed can also vary a lot in terms of exercise needs. Some are pretty laid back and chill and others are up for anything and want to go hard. These differences can be reflected in how much energy your puppy has, as well as in what kind and how much exercise your puppy needs. Training is an excellent way to build a positive bond with your puppy and create a way to communicate with each other. Group puppy classes can be a good option for getting started with training, as the trainer will help you learn how to train your pup. You can also hire a certified, professional trainer to come to your home and provide personalized training guidance for you and your puppy. Before you sign up with any trainer, be sure to ask them what kind of training methods and tools they use, to avoid causing any physical or mental distress for your puppy. Potty training is definitely a top priority for two-month-old puppies. They have small bladders and bowels and will need frequent trips outside to help them learn appropriate potty behavior. Crate training can also be started at this age, as learning how to be okay with confinement is an important life skill. Eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppies eat about a half cup of food three times per day. There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to feeding your two-month-old Golden. Puppies at this age need more frequent meals than adult Goldens, so three meals a day is recommended. Because two-month-old Goldens are undergoing so much growth at this stage, feed them high-quality food that can support them as they mature. Most Goldens have big appetites and will happily gobble down their meals when you serve them. Using slow feeder bowls like this bowl on Amazon , or other food dispensing toys, such as the Planet Dog Snoop , can help slow down their eating and provide them some mental stimulation while they eat. Puppies like to put things in their mouth as a way to learn and play. Unfortunately, it can be pretty painful for humans, as those puppy teeth are needle-sharp! There are, however, some things you can do to minimize and deal with the biting. First, ensure that your two-month-old Golden is getting enough sleep. Overly tired puppies tend to get super bitey and frenzied, so naps are key to preventing your puppy from turning into a piranha. Your floor might look a little cluttered, but it helps to keep toys within reach for a quick redirection. Third, you can simply give the puppy a break if they are on a biting spree. You could step on the other side of a baby gate or put them in their pen to calm down a bit, and then resume the play. This communicates to the puppy that when they bite, they lose access to you and the fun stops. A common piece of advice when dealing with puppy biting is to yelp in response to their nip, as if you were another dog. This is actually not a good way to handle puppy biting and can actually make it worse. Other puppies will be further excited by the yelp sound and come at you with even more intensity, resulting in harder bites. Good Beginnings Bringing a two-month-old Golden Retriever home is a very exciting thing. It can also feel pretty overwhelming as you figure out how to care for and train them. You might be sleep-deprived and have a couple scratches on your hand from those sharp puppy teeth, but try to keep in mind that this is the beginning of a special relationship with an incredible animal. Focus on bonding with your puppy, teaching them about the world, and creating good habits from the start. Have any questions about raising eight-week-old golden retrievers? Let me know down in the comments! Read the rest of our Golden Retriever puppy series here:. At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? As larger dogs, Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to reach their full weight. Most Golden Retrievers will be close to their adult height and weight around a year of age but may need one more year to fill out their chest fully. A six-month-old male Golden Retriever will weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, while their female counterpart will weigh around 30 to 35 pounds at the same age. As for their height, most Golden Retrievers will still need another three to six months to reach their adult height. At this age, they will likely be a few inches away from their adult height, which ranges from .Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on bonding with your pet, puppy-proofing your home, training, microchips, and more! How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines. What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever? As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur. Golden Retrievers are stunning, sunny dogs that easily steal our hearts. Unfortunately, as a purebred dog breed, they are more susceptible to genetic diseases, which can compromise their lifespan and quality of life. However, many genetic disorders can be treated or prevented with regular veterinary care. Remember that prevention is almost always easier and less expensive than treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend a large-breed growth food to your Golden Retriever puppy to support their growth rate which can help prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood. According to the Veterinary Centers of America , Golden Retrievers are also more prone to gaining excess weight. Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to various genetic health disorders, such as oral tumors and aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is most commonly found in large, purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, and occurs when the aortic valves to the heart narrow. Aortic stenosis causes the body to struggle to pump blood through the valve, creating additional stress on the body. If untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to muscle failure and even fatality. However, veterinarians can treat many genetic diseases like aortic stenosis and oral tumors through surgery and medication. Even with proper prevention and wellness care, necessary veterinary visits can be expensive, with many treatments costing thousands of dollars. Out of over 20, pet parents surveyed , only .The last thing you should be focused on when the worst happens is how to finance a needed surgery or treatment for your beloved pet. This is where pet insurance comes in. Just like people, dogs are living longer lives and will need additional veterinary care to maintain a happy quality of life. Let pet insurance help you with these costs should the worst happen to your dog. Wellness plans are also available as an add-on to help with the ongoing costs of regular veterinary care , like x-rays and exams. Act now and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your Golden Retriever is covered should anything happen. Compare top Golden Retriever pet insurance plans side-by-side with Pawlicy Advisor today! Key Takeaways On average, male Golden Retrievers weigh pounds and females weigh pounds. At full height, Goldens stand between .Although puppies groww extremely fast, the Golden Retriever breed can take as long as 2 years to reach full maturity. Owners should keep an eye on their Golden Retriever's diet because they are very prone to obesity. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care necessary to give your Goldie a happy, healthy life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. How much does an 8-week-old Golden Retriever sleep? How much exercise does your 2-month-old Golden Retriever need? Eight weeks is typically when breeders allow puppies to be taken to their new homes, but some breeders keep them for a couple of extra weeks. This shy, sleepy puppy will eventually get more comfortable with its new environment and come out of its shell in a couple of days. Socialization is important for eight-week-old golden pups. Getting your pup used to these things is a good way to avoid potential behavioral issues as the puppy matures because it allows them to learn how to feel and react to various stimuli and leaves you with a confident, well-adjusted pup. You need to reinforce the idea that your puppy is safe and gain their trust during this time period. During this time, pups will be a little more fearful of things like strangers, sounds, and certain objects. It will pass, and usually only lasts a week or so. It can be a little scary or discouraging for the owner of a golden puppy to see them go through this fear period, especially if they start exhibiting fear towards people. Goldens are known to be such friendly and social dogs, so watching them exhibit such antisocial traits can be off-putting. You can still get them outside and introduce them to new things, just remain mindful of their feelings. You need to be patient with an eight-week-old puppy. These adorable balls of energy and fluff are completely dependent on you to meet their needs and there are a LOT of needs! Check out our article on the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers so you can meet their hygiene needs! You need to be patient with them so that you can not only bond with your new pup, but also help him grow and learn about the world around him. Sometimes the puppy that was the smallest puppy in the litter can grow and quickly become the largest. And the largest puppy of the litter may not always remain the largest. As a breed, Golden Retrievers vary in size and weight. So you should enjoy that before they grow too big to pick up and cuddle! You may be surprised to learn that 8-week-old Golden puppies require about 18 hours of sleep a day. This may seem counter-intuitive because most people would assume that if a puppy is full of energy it needs to run it off, but in all actuality what they really need is sleep. You should use either pens or crates to make sure that your pup gets the optimal amount of sleep both through the night and during the day. Here are some things you can do to help your puppy nap: Adorn their crate or pen with comfortable blankets or pillows. Learn whether your pup likes to sleep on a bed or on the floor, then set their crate or pen up accordingly. Cover the crate or pen using a blanket or towel so that their visual stimulation is limited. You can use aromatherapy products for dogs to lull your pup to sleep. Get your puppy something like a stuffed Kong toy because licking and chewing are relaxing to pups. Classical or calming music can help your puppy get to sleep. You can expect that your pup should be ready for a nap after being awake for around an hour. So, you can get him to sleep easier using these tips. An 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy is largely able to know how much exercise it needs all on its own. What you should do instead is either pick them up and take them home or give them a break and see if they get a second wind. Golden Retrievers excel at playing fetch, but you need to keep games short. The running and then suddenly stopping to pick the ball or toy up and bring it back is hard on their tiny bones. People often adopt Golden Retrievers with the intent of getting a companion to exercise with running, hiking, biking, etc. Allowing your puppy to play with toys in your yard or house can be a good, safe way for your puppy to exercise. Having a yard is ideal because you can let your pup run around the yard and explore, while also burning off some excess energy. Just make sure you choose a short, easy walk that your puppy can handle. However, some days they have more energy than others, which is normal. Every Golden Retriever has varying exercise needs. Some are pretty chill and would rather lay around, while others are really hyper and active. You need to know that positive reinforcement works best for Golden Retrievers. You should avoid any sort of training that is based on punishment. There are also other training methods that can be beneficial to your pup. Group training is a good way to get your pup acquainted with other dogs and learn alongside them, while the trainer provides you with ways to better train your pup. You also have the option to hire a professional dog trainer, who will come to your house and give you customized tips to train your puppy. Before hiring any sort of trainer, ask them about the methods they use to avoid distress for puppies. They need to learn about confinement early on. Another important thing to teach your pup is their name, and to come to you when you call them. The bond with your pup is vital to any other training you do with them. For more about the training process, check out our article about Golden Retriever Puppy Training. Hey, food is good, okay? Most 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppies should be eating around half a cup of food three times a day. So, talk to your vet for a specific amount. They need high-quality puppy food. For more about what to feed your pup, check out our article about the Best Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers. Your golden puppy will probably quickly devour any food you place in front of them. It can be a good idea to buy a slow feeder bowl or toys that dispense food to slow them down a bit while also giving them some mental stimulation and making mealtime fun. Just as infants put things in their mouths, puppies do too. They do this to both plays and learn about their world. This can really suck for humans because puppies have sharp little teeth that feel like needles. The good news is that you can do some things to cut back on the biting and learn to deal with it. The first thing right off the bat you should do is to make sure your puppy is getting enough sleep. Secondly, scatter chew toys all over your house. Third, give your puppy a break if they start biting. This is as easy as going on the other side of their gate or putting them in their crate. This lets your pup know that when they start biting, the play stops, and access to you is denied. Many people suggest yelping and making loud noises when your puppy bites. But this is actually pretty counter-productive because it can make the situation worse by scaring the puppy. Other puppies can get more excited by the noise and bite harder. Biting is just something that puppies at this age do. However, remember that getting through this trying time is going to help you establish a lifelong bond with your new family member. At this stage, nipping bad behaviors in the bud is more important than imprinting positive ones. Instead, just redirect them to positive behavior and reward them accordingly. By this point, your puppy should have already been given their distemper and parvovirus vaccinations. By this point, they should be fully housetrained or close to it. Your dog will be likely to gnaw and bite on anything they can get their chompers on—including you. Stay calm and redirect their attention to appropriate objects like chew toys. Your Golden should be fully accustomed to their new kibble at this point, and you should feed them three to four times per day. A 3-month-old dog should also get a DHHP booster, which protects them from parvo, distemper, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. You can play with your pup as much as you like, but take care not to put too much stress on their joints. Avoid a bunch of running and jumping, especially on hard surfaces. Your dog can transition from four meals per day down to three at this point, but the meals should probably be larger. This can cause digestive issues until your dog gets accustomed to it, so be prepared to clean up a few messes. Training should continue, although your primary focus will likely be convincing your pup to chew on something besides your shoes. Your dog will need another DHPP booster at this point, as well as a rabies vaccination. Other optional vaccines include Bordetella, Lyme disease, coronavirus, and leptospirosis. This could cause a brief burst of intense biting and chewing, so power through it. Make sure your pup has plenty of chew toys available to them. Stairs in particular should be avoided. Your pup is likely to start asserting itself at this stage and may start to mature sexually if not spayed or neutered. There are no vaccinations required at this point. Everyone knows how much fun it is to raise teenagers, right? This can lead to undesirable behaviors like aggressiveness, increased tendency to roam, and destructiveness. As a result, you may think that your dog is too skinny, but resist the urge to increase their rations. While most breeds have a puppy coat that they eventually grow out of, Goldens do not. Instead, their puppy coat becomes their undercoat, so you may notice your dog becoming increasingly fuzzy. The teenage rebelliousness should be wearing off by this point, and your dog is ready to begin training in earnest. You should still be feeding them twice daily, and they should stay on puppy kibble for at least another 6 months. Goldens reach their full height between 9 and 12 months old. Females tend to get there faster, but males will be taller in the end. You may also need to cut back on the amount that you feed them. It depends on the individual dog, but females generally reach maturity first. Spaying or neutering your dog has its pros and cons. The pros are fairly obvious: less marking, reduced misbehavior, and zero chance of getting an unexpected litter of puppies. Spaying and neutering can also protect against certain cancers. You may want to wait until your dog is at least 12 months old before getting them fixed. This also leaves the window open longer in which they can suffer skeletal damage, though, so be careful about how active you allow them to be. However, stunted growth and growing too quickly can cause serious health problems, so you should check with your vet to make sure your dog is growing on schedule. Stunted growth is usually caused by malnourishment or a medical problem. You should have your pup tested for parasites like hookworm or ringworm, and consider switching them to a higher-quality, calorie-dense food. If left untreated, malnourishment can lead to weak bones, muscles, and immune system. As you might expect, growing too quickly is often caused by feeding your dog too much. American and British Goldens are similar. However, American Goldens tend to be less stocky and muscular, instead having a leaner appearance. They may weigh a bit less as well. They tend to be taller as well, often standing an inch or two higher than their counterparts. Conclusion Golden Retrievers make excellent pets, and we understand how hard it is to resist the temptation to bring a puppy home. If you do, though, you should understand what to expect from your new dog. Steady growth is what you want to see, without too many peaks or valleys. This sets your dog up for a long, healthy lifespan. Every dog develops at their own pace, so as long as you feed your pup an appropriate amount of high-quality puppy kibble and get them vaccinated regularly, you should be fine. See also:.

Breeders first crossed a Chow Chow with a German Shepherd to create a superior breed that would be an excellent herding dog and a loveable companion without the various health issues for which the parent breeds are well-known. Said to be one of the oldest dog breeds still alive today, Chow Chows were used in hunting in ancient China. One Chinese Emperor was alleged to have kept more than 5, of these dogs! Queen Victoria also loved Chow Chows, even carrying her beloved bet with her wherever she went. While Chow Chows serve their role as guard dog well, they are not overly aggressive, and in fact, their personalities are quite similar to that of a cat. Fiercely independent, the Chow Chow is quite happy to be left to do his own thing. However, this reserved and smart temperament can also make this breed quite stubborn. These adorably fully dogs are one of the few breeds in the world to have a blue tongue. The military captain used various local breeds to create the ultimate smart, fit dog that would excel at herding and be exceptionally driven. Rescued during World War Two, this survivor went on to star in a number of silent films in the s. Due to their intelligent and protective nature, German Shepherds still perform working roles today, and you will often find these dogs serving in military and police forces. Here they are used as guard dogs, searching and rescuing, as sentries, drug detection, or as messengers. Their watchful, vigilant nature can make this breed a bit wary of strangers. What does a German Shepherd Chow mix look like? The beautiful and graceful Chow Shepherd has the face of a German Shepherd with a long muzzle. The ears stand up like a German Shepherd, before flopping down at the top. The tail curves up and round, like that of the Chow Chow. Want to know what this breed will look like? The German Shepherd Chow mix will be a medium- to large dog, standing 22 to 26 inches 56 to 66cm tall and weighing between 45 and 90 pounds 20 and 41 kg. However, some dogs of this cross can even reach a weight of 95 pounds 43 kg! With this mix breed being a relatively new breed of dog, you may find Chow Shepherds bigger or smaller than this. Due to their average size, the Chow Chow Shepherd will require a big home with a large yard, although they can adapt to smaller homes if they are provided with enough daily exercise. At night, these dogs will want to be indoors with their family. Their coat colors mainly come in black, dark and light brown, gray, red, fawn, and cream. Some can have white, tan, and blue fur. Temperament: Is a German Shepherd Chow mix aggressive? The playful nature of the German Chow makes them the right choice for families with older children, and while not aggressive, they might not be as tolerant of rough play from young kids. They also will become bored and destructive if left alone by themselves for too long and can suffer from separation anxiety. This protective breed will also watch over its family and are wary of strangers, without being overly noisy. While this can lead to them being aloof with new people, the German Shepherd Chow mix will get along famously with other people, children, and dogs alike with the proper socialization. New dog owners may struggle to tame their independent steak. Still, experienced dog owners will find a loveable, hard-working pet whose stubborn nature is a quirky part of their personality. This makes the intelligent Chow Shepherd both an excellent guard dog and a fantastic family pet. Caring for the Chow Shepherd Chow Shepherds have double coats that help keep them warm in colder temperatures and cool in hotter weather, making this dog a good choice for extreme climates. It is not all easy going though when it comes to caring for the German Shepherd chow mix. This breed does have some specific requirements when it comes to exercise, grooming, and feeding. They will want space where they can play and enjoy doing daily activities with energetic owners. This dog will require at least one hour of exercise daily with hiking and strenuous walks highly recommended. It will take quite a bit of exercise to tire out the Chow Shepherd, so alongside your daily walks, jogs, and hikes, you will also want to plan some visits to the dog park, a game of fetch, or tug of war. Do Chow German Shepherd mix dogs shed? The German Shepherd Chow mix is not a great choice of pet for anyone prone to allergies as these dogs are heavy shedders. They are the cross of two-parent breeds known to shed, and as a result, the grooming needs of the Shepherd Chow are relatively high. Also, be prepared to vacuum your house regularly. When brushing your dog daily, also check their ears for pests and debris and wipe them clean. You can trim the nails of your dog twice a month. These dogs do have healthy nails that can grow very long if left unattended. Bathing, on the other hand, is only necessary when needed and should be done using a dog shampoo that is specifically formulated for long coats. Feeding the German Shepherd Chow mix You should feed your Chow Shepherd a diet of high-quality dry dog food specially designed for medium to large-sized dogs with lots of energy. Three to four cups of kibble can be split over two meals; however, you may find that just one feeding a day is sufficient for your dog. Be sure to stick to a regular feeding schedule and limit the number of treats you give to your German Shepherd Chow mix. You may also want to consider providing your dog with supplements that help alleviate joint diseases common in this breed. This includes fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin. How long do German Shepherd Chow mixes live? The average lifespan of a German Chow is between 9 and 15 years. With that life expectancy, we can say that this crossbreed is generally healthy. These ailments include Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, which affects the joints, Entropion, which causes a variety of eye problems, and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or Bloat, which causes stomach pain and issues with digestion. Also, the German Shepherd Chow mix may be prone to allergies. Other costs, such as treats, toys, training, collar, leash, and bed, etc. German Shepherd Chow mix breeders and rescues While you may struggle to find a particular breeder for a Chow German Shepherd mix puppy, you can try checking your local shelter or rescue center to look for any Shepherd Chows in need of a loving home. You may also be lucky enough to find this crossbreed at a breed-specific German Shepherd or Chow Chow rescue. These dogs are eager to learn and easy to train. Does the German Shepherd Chow mix make a good family dog? Always ready to play, these dogs are great for active families. However, they need proper training to prevent aggression and may not be as tolerant around small kids. Is the German Shepherd Chow mix right for me? If you are active, have lots of time to dedicate to your dog, and a house with space for them to roam, this dog may be the perfect fit! Should you get a German Shepherd Chow mix? The Chow Shepherd will need to be trained and socialized correctly to ensure they interact nicely with other pets and children. Do you have a Chow Chow Shepherd mix? Let us know in the comments below. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Chow Shepherd Highlights Chow Shepherds are mixed breed dogs. The main colors of Chow Shepherds are fawn, cream, gray, red, brown, and black. They generally have a beautiful blend of two or more colors. Chow Shepherds will most likely have long, dense coats and are not a good choice for allergy sufferers. Regular daily brushing and extra brushing during shedding season with a de-shedding brush may be needed. Chow Shepherds have high energy levels. One hour daily of rigorous exercise is a good starting point. Hiking and other adventurous activities are strongly recommended. The Chow Shepherd makes a great addition to a big family with older kids who know how to play nicely with dogs. This pup will not tolerate rough play from small kids. Chow Shepherds are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods, as they can get separation anxiety easily Chow Shepherd History The Chow Shepherd mixed breed may have existed naturally over the years, however breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate herding and companion dog. They continued to create Chow Shepherds as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. To better understand the Chow Shepherd, you may wish to learn about the history of their parents: the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd Dog. Chow Chows are one of the oldest breeds, believed to have originated in Mongolia China. One Emperor was said to have kept 2, pairs of Chow Chows for hunting expeditions. If you would like to learn more about this fascinating breed you can read more about Chow Chows. German Shepherds are a herding dog from Germany. One military captain, Max Von Stephanitz had a favorite pastime, which was breeding and developing the ultimate German herding dog. After retiring from the military, he did just that, and the German Shepherd Dog we see today is the result. Learn all about German Shepherd Dogs. Even though Chow Shepherds got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up Chow Shepherd rescues, or check with breed specific German Shepherd and Chow Chow rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. That said, as a mix between German Shepherd Dog and Chow Chow parents, you can expect the Chow Shepherd to be in the medium to large category. Most weigh in at 45 to 90 pounds and range in height from 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. With them being so new, many can be smaller or larger than average. Chow Shepherd Personality Chow Shepherds make excellent family companions and watchdogs. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their German Shepherd parents regularly work as military, police, and guard dogs, while their Chow Chow parents have jobs as guard dogs. Chow Shepherds like to be active and get lots of attention and praise from their human. They are highly trainable and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods, as they can get separation anxiety easily, which can lead to depression and frustration. This can result in unwanted behaviors, such as chewing and destruction around the home. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Entropion causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes can be affected. If your Chow Chow has entropion, you may notice them rubbing at their eyes. The condition can be corrected surgically. Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat , this is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs like Golden Retrievers , especially if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to get rid the excess air in their stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. Trimming their nails twice a month is strongly recommended. These pups have thick strong nails that can get out of control very easily if neglected. One major concern when it comes to your Chow Shepherd care will be maintaining their oral health. Brushing their teeth three times a week should help prevent any major problems. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with its one-inch jumps. Chow Shepherd Feeding An ideal Chow Shepherd diet should be formulated for a medium to large sized breed with high energy. You should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. One single feeding per day may be recommended, though it will really depend on your dog. As with all dogs, the Chow Shepherd dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years. You should ask your veterinarian for recommendations about your Chow Shepherd diet, as there is far too much variation among individual dogs—including weight, energy, and health—to make a specific recommendation. Chow Shepherds will most likely have a long, dense coat and are not a good choice for allergy sufferers. Chow Sheps descend from two heavy shedding parents. Their coats will require much care. Baths are required only as needed. With these heavy shedding pups, extra vacuuming is recommended. You may benefit from a robovac for day-to-day cleanup. Chow Shepherds have double coats that give them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. This dog would have been a great training partner for Rocky in Rocky IV when he went to train in Siberia! Keep in mind they are indoor dogs and need to live indoors with their families. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Chow Shepherd Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Chow Shepherds because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Chow Chow or German Shepherd Dog breed specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. These dogs can be challenging for novice owners, and ownership may be best suited for those with more experience. If you do decide to bring one of these dogs home, be sure that you have the time necessary to devote to their training. You may also want to budget funds for a professional trainer, just in case you have trouble achieving the desired results on your own. If you own one of these dogs, as they often suffer allergic reactions to flea bites. The symptoms of such a reaction include a rash, excessive scratching, blisters, bleeding sores, and pus discharge. You should brush them with a flea brush regularly, as well as use a medication that kills fleas in every stage of their life cycle. They have strong independent streaks and often come to you for affection on their terms. This is great if you enjoy your space, but it provides something other than the traditional dog ownership experience. This can include digging their way out, wriggling through loose boards, or even jumping the fence entirely. They can quickly figure out what you want them to do, as well as how to get you to do what they want you to do. This means they take to training well and require as much mental stimulation as physical. Chow Shepherds are loyal and loving toward their families and would do anything to protect them. However, that instinct can sometimes cause them to be standoffish or worse toward strangers. While this makes them excellent guard dogs, it can make having visitors over a dicey proposition. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They can get rambunctious while playing as well, which may make them dangerous around elderly family members. This can make them quite popular with older kids, though. They generally tend to ignore them. Before you take the plunge, there are a few important things you should consider. We recommend feeding them a high-protein diet to ensure they have all the energy they need. This should also help to stave off obesity although portion control is your best bet there. Keeping their weight at manageable levels is important, as the breed tends to suffer from joint issues later in life. Walks are necessary but not sufficient, and you should work in other training as well. Obedience work is a good idea, as is agility training. Chows can be standoffish and even aggressive toward strangers, so you must socialize your Chow Shepherd puppy as early and often as possible. These dogs shed constantly. They have thick, dense coats with heavy undercoats, so while their shedding is bad during the winter, it becomes nearly unbearable in the summer. You should brush their teeth several times a week and trim their nails as needed. Be sure to clean out their ears regularly as well, as they can be prone to ear infections. They often inherit the swayed back that German Shepherds are known for, and this can lead to joint and spine problems down the line. Beyond that, here are a few other things to watch out for: Minor Conditions. The dog requires some outdoor space to loosen up when bored. Not only does the dog typically captures the bodily appearance of a Chow Chow, but also has a curved tail that is unlike the tail of a German Shepherd. The dog is also seen to inherit the long muzzle of the German Shepherd parent dog side along with a black accent on its face and pointy ears. This makes the German Shepherd Chow mix resemble the facial appearance of a bear or a lion. This dog is a quick learner, making it easily trainable even as a puppy. Part of its personality that you should try to address while training your dog is its stubbornness which originates from the nature of its Chow Chow parent dog side. Obedience training should be your initial and primary training method on the dog. Unlike the stubbornness of a Chow Chow, the German Shepherd Chow mix find great pleasure in exhausting itself with constant play time and attention by its owner. Without any form or source of mental or physical stimulation, the dog can easily become bored and may end up acting more aggressively or destructively to release its restrained tensions. The dog is prone to chasing things that run by it, so make sure it is always kept on a leash once the dog is taken for a walk or any other outdoor activity. German Shepherd Mixed with Chow Chow Puppies for Sale Before buying a German Shepherd Chow puppy, you need to consider your budget and the costs involved after paying for its ownership. About more than a thousand dollars is required for purchasing the puppy and providing it with medicines and vaccinations. The typical price of a German Shepherd and Chow Chow offspring range from two hundred and fifty dollars to seven hundred and fifty dollars. The best way of looking for this puppy is by checking out dog breeders who specialize in breeding German Shepherd Chow offspring. Besides crossing out possible health issues from parent dogs, your other concern when looking for quality breeders is the price of their puppies. Another budget-friendly method is by looking at adoption centers or German Shepherd Chow mix breeders who are open to adoption. An excellent and responsible dog breeder is someone who makes as many background checks on the buyer as possible. Below are some adoption sites and dog centers to get a German Shepherd Chow puppy: Petcurious. You could also attend professional dog shows, contact or join dog clubs, or talk with a veterinarian who may know or refer a German Shepherd Chow mix breeder to you. Since the dog would appear like its Chow Chow parent dog, its long hair can result in excessive shedding. Having a vacuum around can help you clean up the mess in your surroundings. You should shampoo the dog only when necessary such as flea or skin problems or in cases when it starts to smell unpleasing using shampoo products made for long coats Chow Chows. This dog shampoo is formulated with a Sweet Pea Vanilla scent for a more pleasing smell on the dog. It is also specifically designed for Chow Chow coats and is hypoallergenic. This dog shampoo is a good alternative for skin allergies and infections. It contains Bentonite clay which helps in alleviating itchiness, dry skin, and hot spots. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. Also formulated as a moisturizer, this dog shampoo includes Aloe Vera extracts. Do not forget about maintaining the nails of the dog. Just like many dogs, the German Shepherd Chow mix also needs its nails trimmed once in a while using specialized nail clippers for dogs. This is a genetic illness that is common to many dogs in general. In other cases, obesity and improper nutrition and diet can contribute to the development of hip dysplasia as well. The hip joints of the dog slowly deteriorate and could result in skeletal malformation. Flea Allergy. Irritation can occur once ticks or fleas get into the coat of your dog. The long coat of the German Shepherd Chow mix can provide the perfect and warm atmosphere for the pests to breed and feed for their eggs. Scientifically termed as gastric dilatation and volvulus or GDV, bloat is the result of gas filling up in the stomach. As the stomach expanses, the diaphragm and blood vessels get squished and could cause breathing and heart problems to the dog. Eye Problems. Pannus or chronic superficial keratitis is a common eye problem with the German Shepherd breed. When it is left untreated, the dog may experience blindness. It is usually common for the dog at its middle to the old age of seven to nine years and above. Heart Problems. Vital signs that you should be wary of are breathing problems, behavioral changes, weight and diet changes, abdomen swelling, and weakness. There are several reasons for the dog to catch a heart problem but being aware of the signs and symptoms should help in treating it as soon as possible. The German Shepherd Chow mix does not necessarily have any health issues or illnesses that were specifically pointed out. Nevertheless, the sicknesses and health problems that were mentioned above can still be passed on to the offspring derived from the genes of both parent dogs. Healthy supplements including chondroitin, fish oil or omega three acids and glucosamine should help in preventing or reducing hip dysplasia problems. According to the American Feed Control Officials, a German Shepherd Chow mix puppy should eat protein at about twenty-two percent, while an adult German Shepherd Chow should consume only eighteen percent of protein. Protein from whole meats including beef, fish, and chicken are recommended in its diet. It features the following ingredients: salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, pea derivatives, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and parsley. It is made grain-free and packed with protein. Ingredients are as follows: duck, chicken meal, turkey meal, whitefish meal, egg protein, peas and chickpeas, sesame oil, and almond oil. It is another grain-free dog food with a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. This dog food contains a variety of animal protein and healthy fat sources. Ingredients include salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, lamb meal, chickpeas, split peas, dried potatoes, and sunflower oil. It is a unique-tasting and premium dog food made of real beef, dried whole eggs, pork meat meal, beef liver, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, salmon oil, cauliflower, apples, green beans, carrots, blueberries, and other sources of antioxidants. This dog food is full of nutrients and proteins without containing wheat sources. The ingredients include turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, chicken fats, chicken liver, salmon oil, peas, and potatoes. Feeding your German Shepherd Chow mix should have a balanced diet just like any other dog. You should consult with your veterinarian about these dog foods and devise a holistic dietary plan. Too much protein is too much calorie for the dog and may result in too much weight. If you want to obtain the best food for your sweetheart, this is a place to start. Senior dogs have specific nutritional requirements and you should search for their food in the best senior dry dog list. In case you have welcomed a puppy into your home and the little munchkin is just getting used to a regular diet, take a look at the list of the best puppy food brands. Your sweetheart comes from two different parents, which makes your pups more likely to grow to love dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. The same is expected from its offspring too. Hence, the German Shepherd Chow needs a daily dose of mental and physical stimulation to stay on the right track of things. Aside from doing activities with the dog including running, hiking, jogging and cycling, training is also another way of stimulating since German Shepherd Chows enjoy pleasing their owners. Below are some activities that you should do with the dog: Swimming. Swimming is not only an exciting activity for both the dog and its owner, but it also burns a lot of fuel or energy from the dog. The German Shepherd Chow mix is a friendly dog to people, but it is equally essential for it to recognize other dogs and behave in the same manner towards them too. Dogs, in general, are curious animals, and you can keep their curiosity in check by teaching it how to be around and respect other dogs. The dog will eventually learn new social skills. Scenting or Tracking Games. The German Shepherd parent dog side of the German Shepherd Chow mix was tracking dogs that loved to hunt things. Some games include finding the treat, hide and seek, and find the toy. Obedience Training. There are many ways to train your dog, but it all boils down to giving it commands and following your orders. Any form of training should keep the dog mentally and physically engaged and exhausted too. The Chow Chow parent dog side of the dog is known to be independent due to its stubborn nature and may choose not to obey you when you tell it to do something. Here are some training methods that you could apply to the dog: Puppy Training. The most important part of training the dog as a puppy is giving it your time and company. This should teach your dog the value of your bond with it and will soon acknowledge you as its alpha. Let it play with toys that you give so that it learns that being with you is a rewarding experience. Positive Reinforcement. Rewarding your dog while teaching it commands can come a long way to its relationship with you. You give your dog a reward such as a treat or a toy whenever it successfully responds to your command but gives it nothing until it learns how to react correctly to your call. A German Shepherd Chow mix needs to be taught how to socialize and behave properly around both humans and animals. If the dog would live in a home with children, it should be exposed to them as early as possible so that the dog learns how to tolerate your kids and feel more comfortable around them. They are playful towards any member of the family and is also easy for anyone to get along with as long as the person is introduced to the dog properly and not spontaneously. It is generally a peaceful dog that barks less unless provoked or neglected of attention. Some traits that make German Shepherd Chows great family pets are loyalty, protectiveness, and loving. It is also a perfect watchdog because the dog when faced with a stranger or someone not belonging with the family, becomes wary and can show intimidation as a warning sign to potential intruders. This is not just an energetic dog, but it is also a larger dog breed in size. In terms of lifestyle, the dog does very well with owners who are also active outdoors. The family does not necessarily need to have an energetic attitude towards the dog since it can be stubborn too, but owners should set daily activities that include the dog in their routine. Overall, the German Shepherd Chow mix is an excellent dog breed and family pet to own. With the parents of two dog breeds that are geographically far apart, a combination of the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow seals the deal. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. German Shepherd Chow Mix Puppies A post shared by Karrisa Cardenas karrisamarieofficial The biggest thing that stands out to most people who bring a Shepherd Chow mix home is their energy levels. These new designer dogs have a lot of energy they need to expel, and they have to have a stern trainer. With lots of positive reinforcement and patience, this dog will become well-behaved and social. As medium-sized dogs, this breed has a good lifespan that usually lasts years. They do have a few standard health issues that you should consider before buying one, but overall, they are in good health when they get plenty of exercise. This could get them into a bit of trouble if they feel bored or neglected. Shepherd Chow mixes have to have a lot of stimulation both mentally and physically. Despite having a stubborn side, they will protect you at all costs. Are These Dogs Good for Families? If they are socialized at a young age, they do fine, but it is better to bring one of these breeds into your family when you can teach your kids how to respect animals and give them personal space when they need it. A post shared by Rusty and Duke rusty. They have a lot of demands that must be met in order for them to be happy and act accordingly. Always stick to a regular feeding schedule and limit their treats when possible. One or two feedings every day should usually suffice. One hour of daily, vigorous exercise is only a starting point for this dog. Ideally, Shepherd Chow breeds should go on long adventures like hiking or running every day to get as much energy out as possible. This helps with behavioral issues at home and keeps them fit and mentally stimulated. Because they are sometimes stubborn, you have to be consistent with your demands and offer them a lot of positive reinforcement. Brush these dogs two or three times a week and bathe them about once per month. Check their ears for debris or pests every day and keep their nails trimmed. This breed has nails that are strong and grow fast, so trimming them twice a month usually suffices. Shepherd chow mixes have to have their oral care maintained as well. Brush their dirty teeth at least once a week to avoid any major issues. Most are generally healthy, but they benefit from regular checkups at the vet. Minor Conditions. Sheprachow Description The Chow Shepherd is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Louie the Chow Shepherd as a puppy at 3 months old with his toy. She also has a purple spotted tongue you can't see. I adopted her when she was a year old. She is a wonderful dog. She is very loyal to me. If I ran through fire she would do it to. She loves my family as well but when she sees me its like she hasn't seen me in forever. She is highly intelligent. I can tell her to stay and not to run the street without her moving till I say come. She will play fetch but only for a bit. When she hears a noise from over the fence she waits to see what I will do. If I say no she will do nothing and if I say, "Lilly whats that? She prefers to follow me then anyone else. She is not an aggressive dog but rather a defensive dog. I have known her to mistreat a sign and snap, but not to bite, to warn. She will happily curl up in my pillow but when I start crawling in bed she gets out and on the floor into her bed. When she is out side alone she will never bark unless someone is over the fence but if I yell her name once she will stop barking. She never barks in the house. Unless she is in my room and hears a different voice in the house but I can either say stop or let her out to run to the stranger just to smell but she really could care less about the person. She hates being smothered by strangers only my family and I and a couple friends. She hates when strangers stand close behind her. She doesn't mind dogs as long as they are smaller then her. She hates when a dog is over the fence. A Boxer came on our property once and she attacked it. I broke it up very fast I am aware of the danger, I am a vet tech. She follows me everywhere. She loves my family but when I'm there she will only listen to me. I don't walk her on a leash because she will follow me anywhere. She will run back and forth barking and growling. And doesn't like strangers coming in the back yard. Learned that the hard way with the gardeners. We have a game I chase her and she maneuvers around the trees but I stop and run she will run and bite my hands or shorts or shirts and bark and growl but if I turn around and chase her she will freak and run then crouch and let off a good bark, but once I say Lilly no more she will immediately stop and come to me so I can kiss her. When I feed her I put the food in front of her but she will not eat until she sits and I shake her paw. She will drop a treat out of her mouth if I tell her to. She is very loyal to me, she knows I love her and I adopted her. She was probably 2 years old at that time so I am guessing she is around 13 now. She was very energetic, smart, wouldn't eat from her bowl until given permission, loved being with my grandchildren and me always. Her worst habit as I discovered early on was being aggressive to other dogs which probably was a result from her long term confinement at the pound. Now at her age she is arthritic and moves pretty slow.I feed her an excellent diet and walk her twice daily to maintain muscle and keep her mobile. We are bonded as much as any human and dog could ever be in this life. She is the best and I pray every day that I can be the person she thinks I am. This energetic hybrid dog breed is becoming increasingly popular. The Chow Chow German Shepherd is a designer breed. To create a new breed, it was bred from two different pedigrees. Designer dogs are more robust and healthier than their parent breeds. But, poor breeding can have the opposite effect and magnify any existing health problems. Before you buy or adopt a Chow Shepherd, make sure to do extensive research. Type of coat: Thick, dense coat lengths may vary. Shedding: Moderate to heavy with seasonal shedding Lifespan: Approx years Variations in Color: Tan, brown, chocolate, black, silvery grey, and red colors and patterns may favor one parent breed. Notable Features: Large ears and tufts, with ruffled fur around their necks may vary depending upon each dog , thick coat, and a face that resembles a German Shepherd Daily exercise: High exercise requirements, many hours of intense exercise daily Daily Food: You should eat one to two meals of kibble per day for medium-large dogs the recommended amounts will be in your dog food packet. A Chow Chow was first crossed with a German Shepherd by breeders to create a superior breed that could be a great herding dog and a loving companion. Chow Chows are the oldest dog breed. They were used for hunting in ancient China. According to some reports, a Chinese Emperor kept over 5, of these dogs. Queen Victoria loved Chow Chows and even took her beloved bet everywhere she went. German Shepherds are still working dogs today because of their intelligent and protective nature. You will often see them serving in the military and police forces. They are used here as guard dogs, search and rescue, sentries, drug detectors, or messengers. This breed can be a little wary of strangers due to their vigilant and watchful nature. The graceful and beautiful Chow Shepherd is a German Shepherd-like face with a long muzzle. The tail curves upwards and around, much like the Chow Chow. Because they are a cross between two parent breeds that shed, their grooming requirements are high. Daily brushing with a de-shedding tool is necessary for your German Shepherd Chow mix. If the seasons change, you should do it more often as he will shed more. You should also be ready to vacuum your home regularly. Dogs with healthy nails can grow very long if they are not taken care of. Chow Shepherds are loyal to their families and cautious of strangers. Chow Shepherds are similar to German shepherds and can be trained to guard their family members. They also have less separation anxiety than traditional Chow Chows. Chow Shepherds are stubborn, however. Chow Shepherds are intelligent and can make training challenging. Chow Shepherds can sense inconsistency and uncertainty in a trainer and will react accordingly. Chow Shepherds can be socialized with other pets, but it takes effort. Chow Shepherds may not be the right choice for families with small children and pets. Chow Shepherds need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Chow Shepherds are very social and love attention. They can be irritable if left alone. They may chew on and destroy furniture or cause damage to it while their owners are away. Purebred dogs are more expensive than mixed breeds. Shepherd Chow mixes can be slightly more expensive than other popular breeds but have had problems with dangerous breeders. Many puppy mills used unsafe breeding methods to produce the Shepherd Chow mix when it first became popular. These puppies were often sick or abandoned at the pound. Although price is not everything, it can be a good indicator that your puppy will likely suffer more from a lower price. However, it is important to do your research and get the license of the breeder before you buy from them. They can be socialized from a young age and will do well. However, it is better to have one of these breeds in your home to teach your children how to respect animals. They will get along well with teens and tweens and love to play together all day. Keep your Shepherd Chow mix on a schedule and keep them from eating too many treats. Usually, they will need only one or two meals per day. Ask your veterinarian what you should feed them each day. Grooming Needs Chow Shepherds require regular grooming due to their dense, thick coats. It is recommended that you brush your Chow Shepherd at least twice a week. Your Chow Shepherd will require more frequent brushing during shedding season. Chow Shepherds should not be used if you have allergies. After bathing your Chow Shepherd, dry it thoroughly. Chow Shepherds love playing in the snow and it keeps them cool in winter. Exercise Needs Chow Shepherds require a lot of exercise. Your dog will be happy and healthy if you give them at least one hour of intense exercise each day. Chow Shepherds are often unable to be left alone so make sure they have access to a safe area. For a Chow Shepherd to stay energized and healthy, running, hiking, and playing fetch and throw are all great options. Other German Shepherd Mixes.

Healthy Genetics — Bruiser Bulldogs Focus on healthy bloodlines All of our English Bulldog puppies for sale undergo a rigorous socialization program that ensures they are equipped for a plethora of new experiences. Parents are hand selected for trademark bruiser bulldog breathability and must complete a series of health exams to ensure their offspring maintain the high quality characteristics we are known for. As English Bulldog breeders located near Nevada, we find that many potential adopters located in the city are interested in our breeding program. If you are looking for a English Bulldog puppy, feel free to contact and start a conversation about our adoption process. If you do decide we are a good fit, we are only a short flight away! If you are interested in a English Bulldog Puppy and are located near Nevada, feel free to reach out to us! Check out our available puppies! Things to do with your English Bulldog Nebraska is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Nebraska that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Nebraska that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Nebraska, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Nebraska, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Nebraska, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Nebraska, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Dog-Friendly Businesses Nebraska has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Nebraska. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Nebraska is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English 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 breeders from improving the health of the English 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 the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Nevada? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! 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. He loves people, is good with other dogs, is housebroken, crate trained, and knows some basic commands. Bulldogs ARE expensive. They have lots of health issues and medical needs. As we mentioned, Bo is a typical bulldog. That means he has daily prescription allergy medication he needs to take, he has food sensitivities, he will destroy most toys and try to ingest them if he isn't supervised or is given a destructible toy. He doesn't like loud noises and will bite the vacuum, lawn mower, drill, et cetera - so extra steps to keep him safe and secure need to be taken. Every day he needs his wrinkles cleaned and his butt wiped - typical English Bulldog. Bo would do best in a home familiar with the breed. Bo has never been around children and with his history would do best in an adult-only home with young dogs to play with and a family committed to helping him be the very best he can be. We do not adopt out dogs as gifts Small right facing arrow These pups are in Reno, Nevada too! Below are our newest added English Bulldogs available for adoption in Reno, Nevada. To see more adoptable English Bulldogs in Reno, Nevada, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria!

More VaGolden Retrievers Hello, I hope you enjoyed my website, and have taken the time to review all my pages , from text,photos and videos. You can find answers to most of your questions on my site. Placing you and one of my puppies together is something I take very seriously. Knowing you are happy and that one of my puppies has made that happen, means a lot to me. I do hope each family takes the time to get to know me and the line of adult Golden's I have. This is my line. A strong line of Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers make perfect family pets. They always enjoy being part of the family's company and show love and devotion to all members of the family. They crave love and affection. Companionship is their top priority and they are totally devoted to their human family. Puppies For Sale If you're interested in my coming litter,, please call I have litters arriving thought out the year. Once they arrive, I will have videos of the puppies on this website. It's always best to plan taking a puppy home and contacting me in advance is always best. He has been the most amazing dog and are so blessed to have him in our life. He is going to turn 10 months old and looks so much like his Mom and Dad. Thank you Grayland for such an amazing dog! We named him Hook because we are a Disney family and he is the Captain of our new home. We will definitely recommend you to future Golden owners. Hello, it's been 3 weeks since our Penny came home. I just wanted to thank you for this precious pup. We love her very much and she's become an integral part of the family. She's doing great with house training and is even using door bells to let us know when she needs to go out. She can sit, lay down, and shake. Penny has an awesome personality and loves everyone even our cat! She just had her 10 week check up and our veterinarian said "she's perfect in every way. She's exactly what a golden should be. So thank you so very much. We are so thankful to have our little Piper. She is quite a gem that has added that extra spunk to our Golden family. We now have 4 and plan on adding to our brood with just one more from VA Golden Retrievers. We have had such a positive experience. You can definitely see that Mr. Nelson loves his Goldens. They are friendly, energetic and well bred. Thank you for sharing a part of your family with us. We purchased our golden back in April and we named him Theodore. We are so happy with him! Theo has the sweetest disposition and learns quickly. He does well on the leash, sits, stays sometimes! Our girls absolutely love him I just wanted to let you know what a blessing our puppy has been to us! Hello Mr. We meet before back in .Bailey is such a blessing to our family. First off he is the most loving and sweetest dog in the whole world! We could Not imagine life without him he has truly given our family so much happiness! I just wanted to thank you so much for our sweet boy! We brought Beamer home in December and he has been such a blessing to our little family. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Virginia Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Virginia? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Virginia? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved.

You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Still, you may discover information about how much to feed a Pug puppy here if you were unaware of the specifics before. Pugs are very food-motivated and will do just about anything for a tasty treat. Unfortunately, pugs gain weight as fast as any other dog breed. You are, supposedly, what you eat. The pug is a little dog, so even a slight increase in weight might be noticeable. Because of their tiny stature and low activity levels, pug pups have a lower caloric need than puppies of other breeds. Because of their unique nutritional needs, small-breed puppies should be fed food that has been developed particularly for them. Furthermore, make sure the puppy food you choose has all the nutrients it needs, and ask your physician for recommendations on how much and how often to feed the puppy. By the age of three to four weeks, you may begin feeding your puppy solid food. Mix equal parts of puppy chow and milk replacer as a first step. Give a little bit teaspoons many times a day. Weaning off of milk and onto solid food is complete when a pug puppy reaches this age. Independence from their mother and siblings and other littermates may begin to emerge. Puppies may start interacting socially and maturing rapidly at this age. Water should be kept fresh at all times. This is a good age to start teaching children to use the restroom without assistance. At this age, pug pups are full of energy and wonder. As they become older, puppies often become more receptive to training and socializing. There may be a period of boundary testing when they need constant guidance in training and socializing. Baby teeth may start falling out and adult teeth emerging in puppies. Proper potty training should have been completed. They may begin to express themselves more openly and build their own identities. Get started on the changeover to puppy food for adult dogs. They may test limits and need ongoing socialization and discipline. Make sure they get lots of exercise to keep their weight in check. Their interests and preferences in playthings and other pursuits may become more clearly defined. Maintain a high volume of physical activity and intellectual challenge. Pug pups achieve their full size at this point, however they may continue to gain weight. As puppies become older, they often become more devoted to their families and develop stronger bonds with them. The amount they eat should be adjusted based on their weight. At reaching adulthood, pugs often slow down and spend more time lounging. They may set in their ways, but they can still be taught new tricks with enough repetition. Aging symptoms in adult pugs include the development of gray hair and a general slowing down of activity. Understanding Pug Puppy Nutritional Needs Depending on factors including their age, weight, and level of activity, the calorie needs of Pug puppies might change over time. Pug puppies, on the whole, may need anything from to calories each day. The food of a Pug puppy should consist of between 22 and 25 percent protein, since this is the macronutrient most crucial for promoting healthy muscle and tissue development. Consuming between 8 and 10 percent of their calories from fat is recommended for optimal health and energy levels. To maintain a healthy skin and coat, they need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well. High-quality commercial puppy chow designed for pups is what you should be feeding your Pug. The growth and development of pug pups may be supported by feeding them multiple little meals throughout the day. Feeding them three to four times a day till they are roughly six months old is the norm. To figure out how often and how much to feed your Pug puppy, talk to your vet. Having access to clean water at all times is also crucial. Puppies of the Pug breed need three meals every day. For ages 8 weeks to 6 months, try to stick to this schedule for feedings. As soon as your Pug reaches 6 months of age, you may begin reducing the number of times each day it is fed to twice. Kibble is practical since it may aid in the prevention of tartar accumulation and can be stored easily. Yet, the added moisture provided by wet foods may aid in the fight against dehydration and support efficient digestion. Wet food may have a better texture and flavor for certain Pug pups, while kibble may be a better choice for others. You should talk to your vet about what kind of food and how often you should feed your Pug puppy. Yet the specific time might vary from dog to dog based on their nutritional requirements. To prevent stomach trouble, the change should be made slowly over the course of a few weeks. Puppy anorexia may be caused by several things, including sickness, dental issues, stress, and dietary or habit changes. In the meanwhile, you may try introducing a new kind of food or moistening their normal kibble with a little quantity of wet food or broth to pique their interest. Do not feed your Pug puppy any human food or table scraps since this might cause gastric discomfort and other health issues. Pugs have a tendency toward becoming overweight and overeating, which may lead to a host of medical complications. Instead, you should make sure your Pug puppy is receiving the right quantity of food by sticking to a regular feeding schedule and controlling portions. This may improve general conduct and aid in the process of teaching toilet independence. This formula is designed for purebred Pugs. Little dogs with short muzzles may easily pick up and chew the kibble design. This meal supports Pug immunological, skin, and digestive health with antioxidants and important nutrients. Supports digestive health 2. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins strengthen bones and teeth in this specifically prepared combination. Vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants for immune system, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair No corn, wheat, soy, or chicken or poultry by-product meal Cons May contain artificial flavors 3. This puppy chow supports strong muscles and a healthy heart by starting with high-quality protein. Antioxidants and natural glucosamine will maintain his joints for a lifetime of sports. Pros Protein-rich chicken is the first ingredient DHA aids puppy brain and visual development Four antioxidants boost immunity Omega-6, vitamins, and minerals for skin and coat No artificial flavors or preservatives. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. Aug 25, Share An important part of taking good care of your Pug puppy is making sure that they are properly fed and that they get all the nutrients that they need to grow strong and healthy. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and if your Pug is like most, they seem to like anything that they are fed. Luckily, there are many commercial foods available on the market. There is also the raw doggy food diet that seems to keep getting more popular as time goes on. But what kind of dog food is right for your Pug? How much should you be feeding them? What will the dog not eat? Are there special considerations for a senior Pug? The answers to these questions and more can be found in our Pug feeding guide below. What you do decide to feed your pooch should be based on the quality of the food, no matter the type, and your personal feeding preferences. Here is what can be on the table for your Pug. Image credit: PxHere Commercial Dry Food Kibble Commonly referred to as kibble, commercial dry dog food is the most common and widely available option on the market. Manufacturers of this type of food work hard to balance the ingredients and create a completely balanced nutritional profile for dogs like your Pug. In fact, some brands, like Royal Canin, offer puppy and adult foods made just for Pugs. Whether you choose a dry dog food made just for Pugs or one made for dogs in general, it should include real meat or animal meal as one of the first ingredients on the list. The upside to commercial dry dog food is that it is affordable and easy to administer. It is also typically easy to store for the long term without worrying about it spoiling. The downside is that it tends to be dehydrating, so water should be available to your Pug throughout the day. Commercial Wet Food Commercially made wet dog food tends to be more nutrient-dense than dry food because it contains fresher ingredients and usually has fewer grains, if any at all. Most wet foods have real whole meat or seafood and broth as the first ingredients. Sometimes, veggies are thrown in for good measure, but many are meat-centric to meet the high protein needs of your growing Pug. Wet food is not as easy to store as dry food is, because it must be refrigerated after being opened. However, Pugs tend to enjoy the flavor and texture of wet food more than dry. Wet food is also a little more expensive than dry food, especially when trying to feed Pugs that are full-grown and in their prime. Raw Food A raw food diet is said to result in better digestion, a healthier coat and immune system , optimal dental health, and less susceptibility to allergies among other things. A raw food diet typically consists of quality meat, a source of calcium such as bones , animal organs, and a lower fat count than most commercial foods offer. Feeding your Pug a raw food diet will take commitment and a strong understanding of the nutrition that they need. This type of diet can be expensive and can require storage space in the fridge and freezer. It is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian to put together a complete meal plan to follow if you choose to go this route. It is a freeze-dried raw food supplement that is delicious and nutritious. The process requires about a day of cooking in the kitchen, but the time that you spend in your kitchen should yield enough food for your pooch to eat all week long. You will just have to store the leftovers in the fridge each day until the entire batch has been offered and consumed. Homemade dog food usually consists of whole meat like chicken, eggs, fish oil or flaxseed, brown or white rice, possibly vegetables like carrots and peas , and maybe even supplements of some kind. It depends on what kind of recipe you decide to follow. Any recipe that you consider feeding your dog should be approved by your veterinarian first. But you can quickly tell whether your pooch is being underfed or overfed by checking out their physique every day. If your dog is underfed for too long, you could notice signs like lethargy and an unwillingness to interact with family members. If your dog is overfed, they may succumb to problems like diabetes. If you find that your dog is getting underweight, start feeding them up to an extra cup of food each day. Reduce the amount by up to a cup if your dog is getting pudgy and out of shape. To help avoid under and overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding directions on the packaging of any commercial food you buy for them. If you decide to go the raw or homemade food route, your veterinarian can provide you with a feeding guide. You are free to use this image, but please give credit back to Hepper. Extra immune support is also typically present in puppy food. Once Pugs become adults, they are not as active as when they were pups, and they are not growing at exponential rates, if at all. Therefore, they need food with less protein than what puppies get. Pugs can typically switch to adult dog food between the ages of 9 and 12 months because much of their growth will be complete at this time. The tricky part is the actual process of switching your pooch from puppy to adult dog food. If not done slowly and intentionally, switching to a new food can cause digestion issues for your dog that could create messes around the house. Lethargy and nausea may follow. Finally, offer only adult food. There are many reasons why your Pug might seem like they do not have an appetite. The first thing to consider is whether you are overfeeding them. If your pooch does not want to eat their last meal of the day, they could simply be full and satisfied. However, other issues could lead to a pup not eating such as: Dental Problems. If your Pug has a toothache or some other kind of dental problem, they may not be comfortable eating. Check for red gums, bleeding, and tenderness throughout the mouth. If something unusual is detected, consult your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Recent Vaccinations. Vaccines can cause side effects, including a lack of appetite. So, if your Pug does not seem to want to eat for a day or two after getting vaccinated, this is normal. Uncomfortable Surroundings. If your pooch goes on an adventure with you and is expected to eat their meal in a situation that is not familiar to them, they may pass on the meal altogether in favor of waiting until they get to what they feel is a safe space to eat. Even if your dog seems fine in every other way, a lack of wanting to eat could mean an illness of some kind is brewing. If you cannot find any other reason for a lack of appetite, you should see your vet as soon as possible. Adult Pugs will generally eat about a cup of dry commercial dog food each day or the equivalent, although certain differences might scale this amount up or down as time goes on. Here are the most important factors to consider. Active vs. Sedentary More active dogs will require more food than those that tend to be sedentary. If your pooch takes multiple walks every day, spends a great deal of time playing with kids throughout the day, or enjoys outdoor time with family members each afternoon, chances are that your dog will need a little more food than the average pooch. If your pooch takes only one short walk each day and spends most of their time lounging around the house, chances are that they should be fed as sedentary dogs. Spayed vs. Neutered Sometimes, dogs that are not spayed or neutered eat more than the average pooch. This is because they tend to be more active and excitable, which results in the need for more calories to support their energy needs. Pregnancy Pregnant Pugs need up to twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need. Instead of feeding your pregnant dog puppy or adult food, consider a food designed for all life stages that indicates its suitability for pregnancy. This type of food offers more protein and fat than adult food to support the extra growth they go through, but not as much as puppy food, which could make them overweight after the birth. What Foods Are Bad for Pugs? Image By: Momentmal, Pixabay There are a few foods that you should never feed your Pug to ensure their good health and to avoid serious problems like poisoning and even death. Here are a few food items that should be avoided at all costs: Alcohol. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? 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. For a more detailed growth milestone description, check out our sections below to see how and when you should switch your pug puppy from nursing to solid food. This case or scenario usually happens if the litter is too large and the mother is not healthy enough to supply milk to all of them. It also happens when some members of the litter overpower the other, causing some puppies to be thinner. The third week is usually the best time to start training your puppy with solid food. Again, talk to your vet if your puppy is already capable of handling such food before you start, or you can do a taste test. Most pet owners mix water and puppy food so that the pug puppy will easily digest it. Keep in mind to not let the food go bad and remove it from their cage or quarters after 20 minutes of not being eaten to avoid bacterial contamination. However, you should be mindful of the puppy food that you put in. Ask for advice from your vet, especially if your pug puppy experiences food allergies. However, this will vary depending on when you start feeding your puppy with solid food. The nursing amount during this period will be very minimal. Half a cup of food is still the recommended daily amount for your pug puppy. However, you have the option to extend the number of feedings up to 4 per day. This is especially if your puppy gets hungry more often due to growth spurts. Feel free to supplement their daily food if you see them even more active than the usual pugs. Always make their food healthy as much as possible by providing plenty amounts of protein and little to no artificial flavorings and fillers. This is also the time when your puppy can be re-homed or adopted. They should be fully weaned by 8 weeks of age. However, if you will be the one to adopt, listen carefully so that you know what to feed your puppy. It helps to create a checklist and written schedule so that your puppy feeds properly and with the same type of food that the breeder gave to them. If you have to switch to a different brand of food due to unavailability or other reasons, make sure to address it first and ask for a counterpart. Be wary that food changes should be done over days. This includes doing a portion ratio of for the new food to the old food, gradually increasing the new food after every few days. However, if you are feeding wet food, make it 3 times a day instead, and it should be four ounces in total. Again, consult our puppy chart above or talk to your vet about changes in their weight to know if they are underfed or overweight. Treats should be counted in their daily calories and should be limited to avoid weight issues. Recommended Food Pugs generally need a combination of healthy ingredients to manage their weight. Dry food or kibble is typically the best choice for pug owners who live in a place near the shorelines where food can go bad quickly. If you have kibble that is rich in omega fatty acids, it will help your coat and skin to stay healthy, as well as to maintain a healthy tummy and keep them away from most canine illnesses. Protein-rich wet food If you want to feed your pug puppy wet or canned food, make sure it has fewer preservatives and more nutrients and protein. Wet or canned food is also better for puppies that need hydration. Carrots and similar vegetables Pug puppies work best with carrots not just because of their vitamin A content but also their crunchiness. Glucosamine-rich foods Look for glucosamine foods such as those with fish and chicken, as well as seafood. Pug puppies can be prone to joint problems if not taken care of concerning their diet. Glucosamine and chondroitin can help fight the onset of hip dysplasia. Like chocolate, caffeine is also not suitable for canines due to its toxicity to their digestive system. They will only cause your pug pup to become obese if they take too much of it. Instead, stick to whole meat and protein sources. Foods with too much fat This includes fats that come from various meat sources. Instead, do it in weeks or so. Build up their daily dish with a ratio of adult and puppy food. Gradually decrease the old puppy food while increasing the adult food, until only the adult food is left. You might ask: why should I do the transition slowly? Their tummies might get shocked if you feed them with a different kind of food right away, so get them used to a little bit of the new food first. What should I do if my pug puppy refused to eat? A possible problem with your pug pup could be a toothache or something related to their dental health. Have them check with their vet to see if they have something wrong with their teeth or gums. Aside from that, if they have recently moved from one home to another, they could also feel stressed and overwhelmed if they are in a new environment. This causes them to not eat at all or only eat a few bites of the food. Moreover, getting vaccinated could also be a possible cause of the loss of appetite. Raw feeding a Pug puppy Raw food is okay to be fed to your pug puppy. However, it must be done with care because too much or too little amount of certain foods will lead to a lack of nutrients that they need. For example, you might give too much protein but not much calcium and other vitamins to your puppy. Another possible challenge with raw food is the time for preparation. If you are a very busy person, raw feeding might not be your forte since it requires shopping for the right ingredients and calculating the correct amount of food nutrients for your puppy. Conclusion As a whole, pug puppies should be fed with care, especially with watching their calorie intake and meal portions. We hope this guide helped you in feeding your pug puppy properly! This feeding routine should be followed from 8 weeks to 6 months old. But how much food should that be exactly in each feeding session. How many cups of food should I feed my Pug puppy and adults? Before you check out this Pug feeding chart below, you may just want a quick reference to how many cups of food you need to feed a Pug. The common guidelines say you should feed a Pug puppy of 8 to 20 weeks different cup sizes depending on their weight and age. You can see the cup amounts in the chart here: Puppy feeding amounts This Pug puppy feeding chart explains just how many cups of food you should give them and the regularity. It will be 3 times a day, then twice a day as they get older. As your Pug ages, the number of cups of food you need to him or her will change, as will the regularity. Take a look at the guidance in the graphic below. Adult feeding amounts This is feeding chart for adult Pugs explaining how many cups and how often in the day the feeding times should be. The Pug feeding charts you see above have been scanned from the Royal Canin brand of dog food. This is a very trusted brand, and you will find it being sold in vets all over the world. It contains all the nutrients your Pug puppy will need and is great for starting out with and into adult ages. Almost every time, this happens by the age of 3 weeks; and puppies should not leave their mother until at least 8 weeks of age. They will be like eating machines at this age because they have so much energy to burn. You could also try to sit your Pug down on some scales, but good luck with trying to make them sit still. Instead you can weigh yourself if you have accurate scales, and then get someone to pass you your Pug puppy to see what the difference is. The age of your Pug You might find it hard to get your Pug used to commercial dry food at first. The commercial puppy food should be high enough in calories and nutrients to make up for what they used to get from their mother. In terms of adjusting for their ages, Pug puppies of 8 to 12 weeks old can have one and half cups of food each day, split into 3 servings. By the ages of 6 to 9 months, Pug puppies will be in a regular eating routine where they drop to two meals a day — and this is how it will stay as adults. The dangers of over-feeding Some Pug owners might decide to go to 4 meals a day, but still with the same amount of food. This is because tinier Pugs might find the half a cup 3 times daily, too much of a large meal. Overfeeding is something to keep a strict eye on. If you feed your Pug puppy too much, he could get gastric dilatation-volvulus see definition on ACVS. This is the medical term for a twisted gut and can actually be fatal. Feeding more senior Pugs As Pugs get older, they will start to get less active. With reduced levels of energy comes the need for a lower calorie intake. But only if they are reducing their exercise due to age. With an older Pug you might start to see them putting on weight. If you do see weight gain, start to pull back on the portion sizes. Sometimes your vet may even recommend you go to a higher frequency of daily meals albeit smaller portions , almost like they are puppies again. With senior dogs this can help with weaker stomachs. Overweight or underweight? The average Pug puppy will weigh between 2 and 4 pounds at 8 weeks. These are healthy weight ranges. If you do have a Pug puppy who is clearly underweight, start to add a little bit more food to each of the daily meals until they come back into the health weight range. With overweight Pugs you do the exact opposite but mix more exercise into their daily routines as well. Handy Hint: If your Pug is losing or gaining weight and how much food they eat makes no difference, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health problems related to Pug feeding Not all dogs are the same, and all the guidance on this page is very generic towards how much you should feed a Pug. The bottom line is that your vet will be able to properly tell you how much your Pug should eat due to their age and weight. Raw food vs. I understand why people feed their dog raw food though; they say commercial food has too many additives plus preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and proteins. Consult with your vet for a professional opinion. Pugs that eat their food far too quickly You should also monitor how quickly your Pug is eating. Puppies are used to having to compete for food, and even when they are home alone with you, they will still have an instinct to wolf their food down. This can cause indigestion and vomiting, so there are a few things you can do to slow their intake down. Use a muffin tin evenly spread the portions throughout the tin. The best dry dog foods should have a high percentage of meats and fish in. Omega-3s are healthy fats, so those will also be a good sign if listed. All of the notes and guidance are based on my own personal experience of raising puppies, with exception to the feeding schedule which is from the Canin dog food brand. However, the Canin Pug feeding charts you see, are exactly how I have fed my puppies and adult dogs. Once your dog reaches adulthood, the best times to feed your Pug will be breakfast and dinner times. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Pug will stay at healthy as our dogs have! You might also like… If you have found this useful and are new to Pug ownership, you might find these other handy guides useful during the puppy phase:.

Other Grooming Activities In addition to the grooming steps we mentioned above, you should also keep track of other activities like nail trimming , ear cleaning , and teeth brushing. They get along well with people of all ages, including young children. They come in multiple sizes, so you can adopt a pup according to your preference and living arrangement. Golden Labradoodles are generally healthy with a longer life expectancy when compared to purebred Retrievers. Cons Of Golden Labradoodles: Not all Golden Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, so you must carefully choose one based on their coat type. Getting a healthy and happy puppy is more than worth the investment! Neither of them is better than the other, as both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are wonderful companions with many amazing traits. Additionally, they both have the same requirements when it comes to grooming, training, and exercise. However, based on our survey results , some people note that the Labradoodle can be a bit more laid back compared to the slightly more hyper Goldendoodle. Golden Labradoodle: Final Thoughts We hope this in-depth guide about the Goldendoodle-Labradoodle mix has shed some light onto this wonderful Double Doodle. Just make sure to research the breeder carefully before committing so that you can be sure your puppy is coming from an ethical source. Take matters into your own hands and learn to give your Doodle the exact haircut YOU want with this valuable online course! Varies in texture and length, can be straight, wavy, or curly Color Golden or shades of gold, ranging from light cream to dark golden Eyes Usually medium-sized and expressive, can be brown or hazel Ears Medium to long in length, hanging close to the head Tail Long and set at or near the level of the back It is important to note that individual Golden Labradoodles may deviate from these averages, as they are a mix of two different breeds, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. The size and appearance can also be influenced by the specific size of the Poodle parent used in breeding, whether it's a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle. When considering the appearance and size of a Golden Labradoodle, it is essential to choose a reputable breeder who can provide information about the specific traits and characteristics of the puppies. Factors such as exercise, diet, and grooming can also play a role in maintaining the optimal appearance and size of your Golden Labradoodle. Coat and Grooming The coat of a Golden Labradoodle typically exhibits a wavy or curly texture and is soft and dense. Maintaining their coat's health requires regular grooming practices. This includes consistent brushing to prevent matting and to ensure the coat remains neat and tidy. Golden Labradoodles boast a double coat, featuring a water-resistant outer layer and a soft undercoat. Regular baths are essential to keep the coat clean and free from dirt and debris, with the coat's length varying from short to medium to long among individual dogs. To maintain their appearance, professional grooming is recommended every weeks, including trimming around the face, paws, and tail. Golden Labradoodles are known for shedding minimally or not at all, making them a suitable choice for individuals with allergies. Additionally, regular nail trimming is crucial to prevent discomfort caused by overly long nails. Routine brushing also helps distribute the coat's natural oils, promoting a healthy and glossy appearance. Ensuring ear cleanliness through regular cleaning and checking for signs of infection is essential for their overall health. Good dental hygiene is vital as well; brushing the dog's teeth regularly prevents tartar buildup and gum disease. While professional grooming can be costly, adopting a consistent maintenance routine at home can help control grooming expenses. Keep in mind that grooming requirements may vary based on the specific crossbreeding of the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Furthermore, grooming sessions serve as an excellent opportunity to bond with your dog and reinforce positive behaviors. Temperament and Personality When it comes to the temperament and personality of a Golden Labradoodle, there are several traits that are commonly seen in this breed: Friendly: Golden Labradoodles are known for their friendly nature. They are typically outgoing and welcoming towards both strangers and other animals. Social: These dogs thrive on companionship and love being part of a family. They enjoy being around people and are usually good with children, making them a great choice for families. Intelligent: Golden Labradoodles have a temperament and personality that includes high intelligence. They are quick learners and are often eager to please their owners. This makes them relatively easy to train. Playful: These dogs have a playful and fun-loving nature. They enjoy engaging in various activities such as fetch or playing with toys. Their playful nature also makes them good companions for active individuals or families. Loyal: Golden Labradoodles are known for their loyalty. Once they form a bond with their owner, they are committed and devoted. They make excellent companions for those looking for a faithful and devoted pet. Trainability When it comes to the trainability of a Golden Labradoodle, there are some key factors to consider: Intelligence: Golden Labradoodles exhibit a remarkable level of trainability due to their inherent intelligence. They possess a quick learning ability and readily comprehend and execute commands. Positive Reinforcement: The most effective approach for training a Golden Labradoodle involves utilizing positive reinforcement techniques. Employing reward-based training methods such as treats, praise, and playtime yields highly favorable outcomes. Consistency: Consistency plays a pivotal role in the training process of Golden Labradoodles. These intelligent canines thrive on routine and exhibit superior responses when commands and expectations remain consistent. Socialization: The early socialization of Golden Labradoodles holds immense importance regarding their overall trainability. Introducing them to diverse individuals, animals, and environments aids in fostering confidence and adaptability in these dogs. Early Training: Initiating training at an early stage of a Golden Labradoodle's life is highly recommended. Due to their eager-to-please nature, they can commence learning basic commands and obedience training from a tender age. To enhance the trainability of your Golden Labradoodle, the following suggestions should be taken into consideration: Enroll in obedience classes: Professional training classes provide structure and guidance for both you and your dog. They offer an excellent opportunity to acquire effective training techniques and ensure that your Golden Labradoodle attains proper socialization. Exercise patience and maintain consistency: Training requires time and effort. It is crucial to remain consistent with your commands, rewards, and expectations. Patience is the key, as each dog learns at their own pace. Establish a positive and calm environment: Dogs respond most favorably to positive reinforcement and a serene training environment. Avoid punishments or negative reinforcement techniques, as these can impede progress and have adverse effects on their well-being. By considering these factors and implementing the aforementioned suggestions, you can cultivate the trainability of your Golden Labradoodle, thereby positioning them for success in their training journey. History and Origin of Golden Labradoodle The history and origin of the golden Labradoodle can be traced back to the s in Australia. The breed's history and origin are unique and not standardized, unlike purebred dogs. Each Labradoodle can have variations in appearance, temperament, and coat type, depending on the traits passed down from their parent breeds. This variability is what makes Labradoodles unique and endearing to many dog lovers. The golden Labradoodle is a hybrid breed obtained by crossing a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. Its history and origin lie in the purpose of developing a hypoallergenic guide dog for visually impaired individuals who also had allergies to dog hair and dander. This aim led to the combination of the intelligence, trainability, and friendliness of the Golden Retriever with the low-shedding coat of the Poodle. The result was a dog that not only had a hypoallergenic coat but also possessed the desirable qualities of both parent breeds. Due to its friendly and affectionate nature, intelligence, and adaptability to various lifestyles, the Labradoodle quickly gained popularity. It became a sought-after family pet, therapy dog, and service dog. Its popularity also extended internationally, and today, golden Labradoodles can be found in many countries around the world. An interesting fact about the golden Labradoodle is that the term "Labradoodle" was actually coined by Wally Conron, one of the breed's initial developers. The name was created by combining the names of the two parent breeds, Labrador Retriever and Poodle, resulting in the catchy and distinctive name we know today. Caring for a Golden Labradoodle If you've got a lively, bouncing golden labradoodle in your life, it's essential to understand how to properly care for them. Exercise Needs When it comes to the exercise needs of a Golden Labradoodle, it's important to provide them with regular physical activity to meet their exercise needs and keep them happy and healthy. Daily Walks: Taking your Golden Labradoodle for daily walks is essential for meeting their exercise needs. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour of walking each day. Playtime: Engage in regular play sessions with your Golden Labradoodle to meet their mental and physical exercise needs. This can include playing fetch, tug of war, or interactive puzzle toys. Outdoor Activities: Golden Labradoodles love outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and running in an enclosed area. These activities provide them with an opportunity to burn off excess energy and meet their exercise needs. Training Exercises: Incorporate training exercises into your Golden Labradoodle's exercise routine. This not only helps them stay physically fit but also enhances their mental agility and fulfills their exercise needs. Dietary Requirements Golden Labradoodles Protein Golden Labradoodles require a diet that is rich in protein to support their active lifestyle and maintain healthy muscles. The diet should include high-quality sources of protein such as lean meats, fish, and eggs. Fat A moderate amount of healthy fats is essential for Golden Labradoodles. It provides them with energy and supports healthy skin and coat. Include sources of healthy fats like fish oil and flaxseed oil in their diet. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for Golden Labradoodles. Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables, which provide a steady release of energy and are rich in fiber. Vitamins and Minerals Golden Labradoodles need a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals to support their overall health. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diet to ensure they receive an adequate amount of essential nutrients. Water Water is crucial for Golden Labradoodles to stay hydrated and maintain proper bodily functions. Ensure fresh and clean water is always available for them to drink. Dietary Restrictions Some Golden Labradoodles may have specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities. It's important to consult with a veterinarian to determine if any special dietary considerations are necessary, such as avoiding certain ingredients or following a specific diet plan. Health Considerations When it comes to the health considerations of owning a Golden Labradoodle, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to ensure the overall well-being of your furry friend. It is recommended to schedule annual examinations, vaccinations, and screenings for common health issues such as hip dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy PRA , and allergies. To address the health considerations, it is crucial to maintain a balanced diet and proper nutrition for your Golden Labradoodle. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate portion sizes and types of food that best meet their dietary requirements. In addition, regular exercise plays a vital role in keeping your Golden Labradoodle physically fit and mentally stimulated. Daily walks or playtime are necessary to prevent obesity and ensure their overall well-being. Grooming is another important aspect of their health. Regular brushing of their curly coat is essential to prevent matting and maintain their skin and coat in good condition. Don't forget to schedule regular bathing and grooming sessions to maintain their hygiene. It is important to be mindful of any changes in behavior or appearance and seek veterinary advice if any health concerns arise. Early detection and timely intervention can greatly contribute to the long-term health and happiness of your Golden Labradoodle. By incorporating these health considerations, you can help ensure that your Golden Labradoodle leads a healthy and fulfilling life. Training and Socialization for a Golden Labradoodle Ready to unleash the charm of your golden labradoodle? In this section, we'll dive into the key aspects of training and socialization. Discover the power of basic commands and obedience training, unlocking your dog's potential for good behavior. Basic Commands and Obedience Training Basic commands and obedience training are essential for a well-behaved and disciplined Golden Labradoodle. Here are some key aspects to consider: Start early: Begin training your Golden Labradoodle puppy as soon as you bring them home. Puppies have a natural curiosity and eagerness to learn, making it easier to teach them basic commands. Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats, praise, and affection, to reward your dog when they obey commands correctly. This positive association encourages them to repeat the desired behavior. Consistency: Be consistent with your training methods and commands. Use the same verbal cues and hand signals each time to avoid confusion. Consistency helps your dog understand what is expected of them and speeds up the learning process. Focus on essential commands: Teach your Golden Labradoodle basic commands like sit, stay, come, lie down, and leave it. These commands provide the foundation for obedience and ensure your dog's safety and control in various situations. Short and frequent training sessions: Keep training sessions short, around minutes, to maintain your dog's attention and prevent boredom. Regular, frequent training sessions throughout the day will yield better results than longer, infrequent sessions. Gradual progression: Once your dog has mastered the basic commands, you can gradually move on to more advanced obedience training, including leash walking, heel, and off-leash training. Build on their previous knowledge to expand their skills. Persistence and patience: Training takes time and patience. Dogs have different learning abilities, so be patient and understanding if your Golden Labradoodle takes longer to grasp certain commands. Stay consistent with training and celebrate their progress. Professional help if needed: If you're unsure about training techniques or facing challenges, consider seeking help from a professional dog trainer. They can provide guidance and tailor the training to suit your dog's specific needs. Remember, basic commands and obedience training are essential for a harmonious and well-behaved relationship with your Golden Labradoodle. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, your furry friend will become a well-mannered and obedient companion. Socializing with People and Other Animals When it comes to socializing with people and other animals, Golden Labradoodles thrive on interactions and companionship. Here are some important aspects to consider: Early socialization: It is crucial to start socializing your Golden Labradoodle from a young age. Expose them to various environments, people of different ages and backgrounds, as well as other animals. This helps them develop confidence, adaptability, and good behavior. Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward your Golden Labradoodle for good behavior during social interactions. This can include treats, praise, or playtime. Avoid punishment or negative reinforcement, as it can hinder their socialization progress. Leash training: Ensure your Golden Labradoodle is comfortable and well-behaved on a leash. This will make it easier for them to interact with other dogs and people while on walks or in public spaces. Introduce gradually: When introducing your Golden Labradoodle to new people or animals, do it gradually and in a controlled environment. Start with calm and friendly individuals before progressing to more challenging or stimulating situations. Supervision: Always supervise your Golden Labradoodle's interactions with people and animals, especially in the beginning stages of socialization. This ensures their safety and allows you to intervene if any issues arise. Consistency: Be consistent in your socialization efforts. Regularly expose your Golden Labradoodle to different social situations, and reinforce positive behavior and manners consistently. Remember, every dog is unique, so individual temperaments and preferences may vary. Also, seek guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist if you encounter any challenges during the socialization process. Pros and Cons of Owning a Golden Labradoodle Considering the pros and cons of owning a golden Labradoodle, it's essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, you'll discover the perks of having a loving and sociable furry companion by your side. On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks that come with this unique breed. So, let's delve into the details and uncover what makes owning a golden Labradoodle such a mixed bag of blessings and challenges. Advantages Advantages of owning a Golden Labradoodle include their low-shedding coat. This is great for individuals who are allergic to pet dander or for those who prefer a cleaner living environment. You won't have to worry about constantly cleaning up fur around the house. Intelligent and trainable: Golden Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and trainability. They are quick learners and enjoy pleasing their owners, making them ideal for obedience training and learning various commands. Whether you want them to perform tricks or just follow basic obedience, they will quickly pick up on what you're teaching them. Gentle and friendly temperament: With their Golden Retriever and Poodle heritage, Golden Labradoodles are known for their gentle and friendly temperament. They are typically good-natured and get along well with people of all ages, including children. Their friendly nature makes them excellent family pets. Versatile companion: Golden Labradoodles make excellent companions for individuals or families. They are adaptable to different living situations, whether you live in an apartment or a house with a large yard. They are also great for outdoor adventures like hiking or going to the beach. Therapy and service dog potential: Due to their intelligence, temperament, and trainability, Golden Labradoodles have the potential to be excellent therapy or service dogs. They can provide emotional support and assistance to individuals with disabilities or special needs. Disadvantages When considering owning a Golden Labradoodle, it's important to be aware of the potential disadvantages that come with this breed: High Energy Levels: Golden Labradoodles are known for their high energy levels and need for regular exercise. Without enough physical and mental stimulation, they can become bored and may exhibit destructive behaviors. Grooming Requirements: The coat of a Golden Labradoodle is dense and curly, which requires regular grooming to prevent matting. This can be time-consuming and may require professional grooming services. Health Concerns: Like all dog breeds, Golden Labradoodles are susceptible to certain health issues. Some common health concerns in this breed include hip dysplasia, allergies, and eye problems. Regular veterinary care and health screenings are essential to ensure their well-being. Separation Anxiety: Golden Labradoodles are sociable and affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship. They can experience separation anxiety when left alone for long periods, which may lead to destructive behaviors or excessive barking. Finding and Choosing a Golden Labradoodle When it comes to finding and choosing a golden Labradoodle, there are a few key factors to consider. In this section, we'll explore how to find a reputable breeder, the importance of health testing and certifications, and the crucial steps in selecting the right puppy. Finding a Reputable Breeder When finding a reputable breeder for a Golden Labradoodle, it is important to consider several factors to ensure you are making the right choice: Reputation: Do your research and look for breeders with a good reputation. Read reviews, talk to other dog owners, and join online communities to gather information about reputable breeders. Breeding practices: A reputable breeder will follow ethical breeding practices. They will prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs and will conduct health tests to ensure the puppies are healthy and free from genetic diseases. Transparency: A reputable breeder will be open and transparent about their breeding program. They will provide you with all the necessary information about the parents of the puppies, including their health records, pedigree, and temperament. Interaction with the puppies: A reputable breeder will allow you to meet the puppies and their parents. They will encourage you to spend time with them to assess their temperament and confirm that they are well-socialized. Contract and health guarantee: A reputable breeder will provide you with a written contract that outlines the responsibilities of both parties. They will also offer a health guarantee for the puppies, ensuring that they are free from any genetic or hereditary defects. By considering these factors, you can find a reputable breeder who will provide you with a healthy and well-socialized Golden Labradoodle. Health Testing and Certifications By conducting health tests and obtaining certifications, breeders can identify potential genetic health issues and prevent them from being passed on to future generations. This helps in maintaining the health and longevity of the breed. Health testing and certifications indicate that the breeder is committed to producing healthy and genetically sound puppies. They give assurance to potential owners that the puppy they are considering is less likely to develop hereditary health issues. One example of a crucial health test for Golden Labradoodles is the hip and elbow dysplasia evaluation. This test determines the structural soundness of the dog's hips and elbows, reducing the risk of joint problems. Selecting the Right Puppy When it comes to selecting the right puppy for your family, there are a few important factors to consider: Breeder reputation: It is crucial to find a reputable breeder who follows ethical practices and cares for the well-being of their dogs. Take the time to research breeders, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from trusted sources. Health testing and certifications: Ensure that the breeder conducts necessary health tests on their adult dogs to identify any potential genetic health issues. Ask for certifications or documentation to verify the health of the puppy and its parents. Temperament assessment: Request information about the temperament of the puppy and its parents. A responsible breeder will provide insights into the puppy's behavioral tendencies and match you with a suitable companion based on your lifestyle and preferences. Observation and interaction: Spend time observing and interacting with the litter of puppies. Observe their behavior, social interactions, and how they respond to stimuli. This will give you an idea of their personalities and help you select a puppy that aligns with your expectations. Physical health: Examine the overall health of the puppies. Look for signs of alertness, cleanliness, and proper growth. Ensure that the puppy has received appropriate vaccinations and has been dewormed. Remember, selecting the right puppy is a decision that requires careful consideration. Take the time to thoroughly evaluate the breeder, assess the puppy's health and temperament, and trust your instincts. By doing so, you can increase the likelihood of finding a happy and healthy Golden Labradoodle that will be a perfect fit for your family. The Golden Labradoodle is a popular pedigree dog breed due to its gorgeous appearance, intelligence, trainability, and gentle nature. It is known for being sweet, loyal, and excellent with families and children. What are the characteristics of a Labradoodle's coat? The Labradoodle's coat can be wavy or curly, and it is soft, silky, and low shedding. This makes it a great choice for individuals who prefer a dog with minimal shedding. How small can a Golden Labradoodle get? If you prefer a smaller companion dog, a Mini Golden Labradoodle may be more suitable. Mini Golden Labradoodles are created by using a Miniature Poodle in the mix and typically weigh less than 40 pounds. What are some favorite activities for Golden Labradoodles? Golden Labradoodles enjoy various activities such as agility competitions, playing with digging toys, and even participating in fun Tik Tok videos. They have natural dirt scraping behaviors and retrieving instincts, making them highly versatile and entertaining companions. What are the recommended dog toys for a Golden Labradoodle? For a Golden Labradoodle with a gentle nature, self-fetch dog toys and aesthetic dog beds are great options. Self-fetch toys allow dogs to play without the owner needing to do much, and aesthetic dog beds provide a comfortable and cozy den-like space for them to relax. The link has been copied! The famous Golden Labradoodle, which is one of the finest breeds of dogs, was created in Australia as a hypoallergenic pattern dog. The very first hybridization between a Labrador Retriever and a regular Poodle was done by a famous Australian breeder, Wally Conron, in .This man is also considered as accountable for the breeding plan at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. Sultan, himself was a magnificent and intelligent creature and had a hypoallergenic sheet along with the abilities, intellect, and character to be a capable model dog. In Hawaii, Sultan got a lot of progress in his job by working along with a woman. After seeing such results, this ignited a new spark in the breeders, and many of them started discerning this astonishing dog and determined to start incorporating these two varieties. The popularity of Labradoodles swiftly expanded because of the Labrador Retrievers, and it has finished up as the most solicited after Doodle dogs. The Golden Labradoodle, which is a mixture of two different species, is generally created by crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. After that, multi-gen breeding got much adhesion to create an enduring and noticeable specie. To modify this fantastic creation to be identified as a thoroughbred race in the coming few years, both the Australian Labradoodle Association and The Australian Labradoodle Association of America are trying their best and taking all possible actions in this course. There has been an ongoing massive effort by these groups to let breeders come closer mutually and assist them in accomplishing a basic standard of Labradoodles with multi-gen breeding. Poodle Although the Poodle is recognized as a national symbol in France and it has been awarded the honor of national dog and the French are very much passionate about this dog, but, it does not mean that the poodle was originated in France. It is considered as one of the most pristine discovered breeds which, in the initial years, were formerly utilized for bird shooting in Germany. Because of this reason, the Poodle had this amazing and outstanding trait of running over the water, particularly. It is the place where it can run swiftly and with no trouble, and it also determines the bird hit by the hunter. The word poodle is an English that has been derived from the German term pudel or pudelin, which means to splatter in the water. It took a lot of time for this race to developed into its particular race in France. But, even in those days, there was this trend where Poodle-owners would tonsure the legs, collars, and tailpieces of their dogs in Germany just like we can see it nowadays. There is a practical reason behind: They would shave those parts that would reduce the weight of the dogs. They would leave the thick cover that would shield the dog throughout its limbs and organs towards the cool water. It was not until the recent 14th ages that breeders began to produce shorter versions of the Poodle. Even in the 14th century, the large poodles were still in use by the French, which is also recognized as the primary and approved Poodle for bird shooting. The ordinary Poodle takes jobs like exploring for truffles in the forests, and the smaller species of the Poodle was considered as a sign or element of decoration and was normally utilized as more of an embellishing dog by the wealthy people at that time. Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever was created on the island of Newfoundland outside the northeastern shore of Canada. Incipiently named St. Except for the fact that their legacy is anonymous, many people still consider that the St. John dogs fraternized with the Newfoundland race and other local wandering town dogs. The breed was facing the fear of being wiped out and facing the threat of extinction at one time. But it is believed that the Malmesbury class and some other English dog lovers and followers who were fond of this breed, they started preserving the remaining living dogs of this specie. That is why they are attributed with the credit of having kept the race in the s. The race gradually started to disperse from Newfoundland because of the restrictions and regulations established by the state and several tax authorities. Families were just permitted to have one dog at a time, and keeping a female dog would mean that the owner will have to pay a huge amount of tax. Hence, the female pups were mostly faced with killing or disposal at the time of birth. Nowadays, Labrador Retrievers are frequently operating in many different areas such as medicines and drugs, bomb detection, rescue and search operations, providing therapies to the injured dogs, and also working as hunter dogs. Not only this, but these intelligent dogs are also performing exceedingly well in other fields such as different competitions of dogs, fieldwork, exhibiting intelligence, and adapting accordingly, showing affection and obedience towards the trainer and owners. How Big do Golden Labradoodles Get The standard size of a Golden Labradoodle can vary quite a lot, seeing as Labradors Retrievers are bred with a Poodle that can have of all sorts of shapes and sizes. A miniature Golden Labradoodle is normally around 12 to 16 inches. And their weight is around 15 to 25 pounds. A medium Golden Labradoodle is typically around 16 to 20 inches, weighing in at 30 to 45 pounds. And a standard Golden Labradoodle usually is 20 to 24 inches with a weight of 55 to 65 pounds. Traits of Golden Labradoodles Since a Golden Labradoodle is a crossbred dog, there is only one fact about which you can be sure about, and that is its color. You can only be sure about its color that it will be golden. Otherwise, you cannot predict any other traits that a dog will possess. Everything from size, weight type of coat, and so on, will be impossible to predict. And even though Labradors and Poodles are somewhat similar when it comes to their temperamental trains, they are fairly different types of dogs otherwise. The Poodle is basically a hypoallergenic type of dog along with a coat that hardly sheds even the slightest bit. While, on the other hand, a Labrador is recognized for possessing a dense, and silky coat that has this tendency of shedding. Both races are categorized into three distinct colors. The Poodle can be found in various colors like apricot, black and rust-colored, and the Labrador is either Golden, chocolate, or yellowish in color. Poodle and Labrador, both are considered water dogs with strong and powerful structural built. As a likely expected master of Golden Labradoodle, one can assume this crossbreed to have a similar type of strongly built body, which also includes floppy ears, a tall tailpiece, and a pleasant and charming expression. Golden Labradoodles With Kids and Other Pets Golden Labradoodles are frequently wonderful with children because they are considered as friendly and caring partners. Although they are much more active dogs, they might beat over tinny little toddlers by collision, but this race will cherish your children wholeheartedly. As with each other dog race, you should also educate children on how to act nearby a dog, and you should perpetually have a keen eye on any cooperation between a dog and children to be assured that neither your dog nor children do anything that would agitate or beat the equivalent. You should clearly instruct your children nearby your dog that the dog must not be disturbed or irritated when it is feeding or resting, and also, they should not try to snatch the food of dogs. Most importantly, It does not matter how kind and loving your dog is; it should never be left with a child alone. This race is very friendly and is particularly great around other dogs in a house. But this woolly friend needs some coaching and socialization, like every other dog, to get the whole experience of being with other pets. Care and Grooming of the Golden Labradoodle The desire for supervision and grooming can diversify quite a little because it usually depends on the length and kind of cover in your dog. In general terms, you should develop a habit of brushing your Golden Labradoodle a few times per week, and trim or shave it at least once a month to keep the coat soft enough to manage easily. They should only be washed when it is necessary because a bad smell or odor is not really associated with these dogs generally. Dogs have this tendency to develop ear infections, and the Golden Labradoodle is also highly vulnerable to ear contaminations, so be sure that you pay immediate attention to take care of their ears. You must regularly wipe and brush them after you have finished bathing with them. You must inspect them for at least once in a week for any dust or heavy smell which will show contamination. You must wipe them with cotton paper once in a week while utilizing a moderate sort of ear detergent just to get rid of any possible threats of contamination. Brush the teeth of your dogs about times a week to kill bacteria. Regular brushing is much more useful if you want to be assured to bypass any critical breath. Cut the nails of your dogs once or twice in a period as your dogs cannot trim them directly by themselves. When you hear the sound of clicking made by the dog while walking on the floor, it means that its nails are growing too much and need to be trimmed immediately. It is a fact that there are blood vessels inside the nails of your dogs. So, if you cut them too much down, you may provoke bleeding, and hence your dog will presumably be not reliable for assistance the next time when you trim its nails. So, if you are not satisfied by cutting the nails of your Golden dog, you must see a vet and have him take the responsibility. You should begin teaching your dog to be cleaned and inspected when it is quite just a puppy. This is the reason that you must be assured that common concern will be an emphatic experience for the dog full of cheering and comments. It will be a lot simpler for you, but also for the conditions where the dog has to attend the vet or any other study when it is growing more timeless. When monitoring your dog, you should be assured to examine any bruising, redness, or symbols of viruses, like soreness or swellings on any part of the body. The eyes must be clear without any redness. Your accurate weekly analysis of your Golden Labradoodle will assist you in finding any possible health problems. Golden Labradoodle Life Expectancy The average life expectancy for a Golden Labradoodle is 12 to 15 years where heredity and lineage, and overall lifestyle decisions have a significant impact. The basic dilemma with standards is that they are just average. Any Golden Labradoodle can live a long life well if you are providing him with good food and exercise. Health Issues of the Golden Labradoodle The Golden Doodle is a strong race, but because of being in collaboration with other races, the Doodle is more jeopardized to develop several problems. If you are anything like us, the Golden Labradoodle might have recently caught your eye. But before bringing your little guy home, you might want to ask yourself a few questions. Maybe even make a list of the pros and cons of a Golden Labradoodle? That is the reason most people label Doodles as hypoallergenic. For example, if you have seasonal allergies, shedding dogs can set off sneezing fits. Hypoallergenic coats are also great for people with asthma and eczema. So which coats are the most hypoallergenic? Most Golden Labradoodles have either a curly, wavy, or straight hair type. But these types of coats can be the pros and cons of a Golden Labradoodle depending on how you view it. Temperament The Double Doodle is the best of everything you know about Doodles. They have the sweet and gentle spirits of the Goldendoodle, but they are also adventure-seeking like the Labradoodle. When you bring a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix into your home, there will never be a dull moment. Your dog will love to cuddle and spend every waking moment with you. But these Doodles are also great for people who love to get out and be active. And when you combine this with their social natures, you will see that the Double Doodle lights up the room. Trainability Golden Labradoodles are some of the smartest dogs you will ever meet. They live to serve and make you happy, which means that your puppy is willing to do anything to make you proud. Anything from potty training to basic commands and tricks is a breeze. Colors You might think that Golden Labradoodles only come in golden colors. Sure, golds and creams are more popular, but they also come in blacks, chocolates, and tan. So if your ideal Doodle is black with curly hair, nothing will be in your way. These Minis are anything under 40 pounds and are perfect for those who want a medium-sized dog. Each breeder has an ideal weight that they aim for when mixing hybrids. Long Lifespans The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix has a long and healthy lifespan. You will have anywhere between years with your family pet if they stay healthy. So what can you do to make sure that you get this, or even more? A great diet , exercise , and check-ups can do a world of wonders to keep your dog healthy. Their sweet characters and gentle spirits make them great family pets. You might even find that your dog understands how fragile younger children are. Your Doodle will stay calmer and act with caution to take care of your babies. The only times your dog will bark is when they get antsy for something. Whether they need a walk, food, or just entertainment, these Doodles will let you know what they need. But you will never see your Double Doodle barking aimlessly at small noises or things in the yard. But this is another one that can also be a con, depending on your optimism. Seeing all the good in a pet is the easy part. But in this next section, you will have to decide if each con is something you can live with. Grooming Are Golden Labradoodles high maintenance? If you are looking strictly at grooming needs, then yes. You will need to prepare for lots of brushing and grooming appointments with a Double Doodle. The curlier and silkier the hair is, the more it will need to be brushed. And curly and wavy coats need a trim every weeks. So you will spend a lot of time and money to keep up with the hypoallergenic coats. But they can inherit more characteristics of one breed over the other because genetics can be fickle. Your dog might act more like a Poodle but have the hair of a Lab. Activity Needs If you are an athletic person, the Golden Labradoodle will have no problems fitting into your schedule. They love to tag along on any outdoor activity you enjoy. Your Doodle will need to have at least an hour of exercise a day. You can rotate between intense play, dog parks, and walks to give your dog something to look forward to. Lots Of Attention With great intelligence in a dog comes great responsibility. Your Golden Labradoodle will need to have lots of attention and interaction to thrive. Unfortunately, that means that if you work long hours, this breed may not be for you. But there are a few ways to get around this. Hiring a dog walker for a midday stroll will help your Doodle feel loved and entertained. Another great option is Doggie Daycare , where your pup can also socialize with other dogs. Your dog will never feel alone and will have a home away from home. Health Most Golden Labradoodles are healthy and hearty dogs. But disease does not discriminate against breeds. Your Golden Labradoodle is more prone to: Joint problems. This is a pretty great list of attributes. No wonder people love Labradoodles so much! What About Undesirable Traits? Be that the nervousness of some Poodles. Or the destructive chewing habit of some Labradors. But with so many positive traits, it makes sense that the Labradoodle was first bred to be a guide dog in service. In fact, Labradoodles continue to be in high demand as service dogs worldwide. This is because of their friendly, happy, intelligent, loving temperament. Does Coat Color Impact Temperament? The Labradoodle hybrid dog breed as a whole is still quite young and has not got a great deal of temperament or genetic history. They will try to take advantage of the demand. They do this by passing off poorly-bred or unverifiable puppies as true Labradoodles. Here, it truly will be up to you, the owner, to thoroughly research any Labradoodle breeder you want to work with. Or perhaps you want to adopt a Labradoodle from a rescue shelter or charity. Rescue golden Labradoodles may have none, some, or all of the characteristics of any dog who has been abandoned or given up for any number of reasons. In this case, taking the help of expert dog trainers can ease the transition for you both. Golden Labradoodle Health There is no evidence to date that suggests the golden Labradoodle coat color is directly associated with any breed-specific health issues. But, both the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle dog breeds have known heritable genetic health issues. It is impossible to know in advance how two sets of genes will mix to influence a particular puppy in any litter. Reputable breeders will always ensure prospective parent dogs are health-tested for all known genetic diseases. This helps to avoid breeding puppies with genetic or other health defects. What are these Health Problems? Then you can ask your Labradoodle breeder for verification that both parent dogs have been cleared of all known genetic health issues. But, we will also look briefly at these problems here. Make sure your potential breeder does these health tests. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This condition is where the hip or elbow sockets form abnormally. It is a painful issue that can lead to difficulty walking, and arthritis. Labradors are prone to this, especially if they are overweight. Fortunately, breeders can carry out x-rays on potential parents to assess the quality of their joints. Testing for eye problems is important. Especially as PRA causes vision loss and eventually blindness. The severity of this can vary. But it involves muscle weakness and inability to move after intense periods of exercise. Cardiac Problems Heart issues are another common health problem in Labrador Retrievers that can be tested. Many larger breeds are prone to this. It is a fatal condition. The CHIC database for Standard Poodle dogs states that all breeding stock should be pre-tested for the following genetic health conditions. Hip Dysplasia We have looked at this briefly above. But Poodles are also prone to hip dysplasia and malformed joints. So, it is even more important that both parent breeds get tested for this problem. Hip scores are tested. So eye exams are another important test to ensure the healthiest puppies. This breed is also prone to eye issues like cataracts. There is no specific test for this. But eye examinations are still important. DNA tests are available for this. So, ensure your breeder tests for this disease. Epilepsy Another potential problem Standard Poodles can face is idiopathic epilepsy. Sebaceous Adenitis This is a skin disorder that has been seen in Poodles. There is no DNA test. So make sure parent dogs have no history of skin problems. Sebaceous Adenitis can cause blistering, itching, hair-loss, and infections. It is a hormone disorder that unfortunately has no DNA test. So, once again, breeders must know the family history of the dogs they want to breed. Not All Problems can be Tested For Not all genetic or idiopathic of unknown origin health issues can be tested for in advance. So, it is also important to learn as much as you can about the individual health and temperament history of each parent dog involved in breeding your puppy. If at all possible, arrange with the breeder to meet and interact with each parent dog. This will help you get a good idea of the temperament your Labradoodle puppy might inherit. Do this and also verify that all testable health issues have been performed on each parent dog. This will give you the best possible chance of bringing home a healthy, happy golden Labradoodle puppy. Golden Labradoodle Grooming All Labradoodle puppies will have a puppy coat for at least the first six months of their life. An adult Golden Labradoodle dog can have three different coat types: fleece, wool, or hair. You might wonder how this could be possible! But the answer boils down to the amount of genetic influence each purebred parent dog has over each puppy in a litter. And these two purebred dog breeds have very different coat types. It sheds seasonally and year-round, to hear most Lab owners tell it. Rather, it means that shed hair gets caught in the surrounding coat and must be brushed out manually. Dog Allergies If you have an allergy to dog dander, you will want to select a Labradoodle with a coat type more like the Standard Poodle parent. But, it can be hard to know in the first six months of life what coat type a given Labradoodle puppy may have inherited. So, if it is very important that your Labradoodle puppy grow up to have a non-shedding coat, ask the breeder about DNA coat testing. Golden Labradoodle with Fleece Coat This Labradoodle has fairly equal influence from each parent dog. It tends to arise most frequently in F1b litters one hybrid Labradoodle parent dog and one purebred Standard Poodle parent dog or F2 and later litters both parent dogs are hybrid Labradoodles. If your puppy grows up to have a fleece coat type as an adult, the coat will be very soft to the touch. Just like angora goat fleece. The coat will either be wavy or have soft spiral curls. If your puppy grows up to have a wool coat type as an adult, the coat will look and feel much like a Standard Poodle coat. It will be wiry and dense with tight curls. The wool coat needs a lot of grooming to brush out shed, dead hair before it can turn into skin-damaging tangles and mats. Owners often take wool-coated Labradoodles for professional grooming and clipping every six weeks to keep coat growth manageable. Often puppies with hair coats come from F1 generation litters one purebred Labrador Retriever parent dog and one purebred Standard Poodle parent dog. If your puppy grows up to have a hair coat type as an adult, the coat will look like a straight or wavy much longer and shaggier version of the Labrador Retriever coat. This hair coat type is fairly wash-and-wear. Plus lots of vacuuming to keep your home from being blanketed in dead, shed dog hair. And if you have dog dander allergies this is not the coat type for you! Your Golden Labradoodle We hope you have enjoyed learning more about all the factors that contribute to creating the most wonderful of hybrid dog breeds, the golden Labradoodle! Are you sharing your life with a golden Labradoodle now? Or are you thinking of adding a Doodle dog to your family? Please post a comment below to share your questions and experiences with the whole community! Take a look at a few of them below!

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These smart, social dogs are known for their amiable temperaments and their patience. Traditionally bred as hunting dogs, Labs also are among the most popular service dogs, acting as guide dogs for blind people and as therapy dogs. By socializing these dogs early, you can tap into their natural instincts as protectors and companions. Socialize Puppies Labs are natural born people pleasers. Introduce your Lab puppy to as many new people and places as possible during the early months of its life. Keep each new meeting and experience positive and upbeat. Doing this will reinforce your Lab's natural tendency to be friendly and accepting of everyone. If you have young children in the home, be sure to socialize them to the animal as well as the reverse. Although Labs are patient and tolerant, they may still nip at a child who teases or hurts them during play. Make sure everyone knows the boundaries and rules. Exercise Every Day Labrador retrievers are high energy dogs, which is part of the reason they are such great pets for active families. But if Labs aren't given sufficient exercise, they can quickly become bored. This often leads to destructive behavior and other common behavior problems , such as barking, chewing, and digging. It's also why Labs are not well-suited for apartment living; they're too big and too active. Plan on giving your Lab an hour or more of exercise each day. Most Labs love long walks or a game of fetch. These are the perfect way to burn off your Lab's energy. Take advantage of their innate trainability by starting an obedience program as soon as you bring your Labrador retriever home. You can work on basic obedience commands on your own, or sign up for a dog obedience class with a local dog trainer. Classes are a great way to train your Lab while socializing at the same time. Since Labs get to be fairly large and have a tendency to pull on the leash, make walking on a loose leash your first priority. You should also teach your Lab to "come," "drop it," and "fetch," so you can take advantage of its natural tendency for retrieving. Use Positive Reinforcement Training Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, affectionate natures, and their love of treats make Labrador retrievers fantastic candidates for positive reinforcement dog training. Reward their good behaviors with a small treat, a game, or some cuddle time with you. You'll find your Lab is soon offering you the behaviors you like with little prompting. If you decide to use treats in your training, remember that Labs have a tendency to become overweight. Plan on a Long Adolescence One of the most endearing qualities of Labrador retrievers is that they remain very puppy-like long after they've reached adulthood. The downside is that their energy level and tendency to get into mischief continues well into adulthood as well. Therefore, it pays to have behavior management tools handy. The training to become a service animal will vary depending on what the dog will be doing; some are trained to be animal companions to sick children and adults in the hospital, while others are trained to serve as seeing-eye dogs. Others may provide assistance to people with mental illnesses, or behavioral problems. Check the requirements for licensing and training where you live; some places have more strict rules and requirements for service dogs than others. Problems and Proofing Behavior Many Labrador retrievers are happiest and the most well-behaved when they have a job to do. Consider getting involved with a dog sport or training your Lab as a service animal or pet therapy dog. Crate train your Labrador so it doesn't have the run of the house when you're not there to supervise Provide your Lab with a variety of interesting toys and chews to keep it from getting bored. Continue practicing basic obedience commands; it reinforces your Lab's training and provides mental stimulation. No matter what training you decide on, keeping your Lab busy and active is sure to keep one of those famous Lab smiles on its face. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McGreevy, Paul D et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine genetics and epidemiology vol. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

Vet visits, injections and health checks are all too often in the early stages and, following all that, the final decision you have to make is whether or not to have your Labradoodle spayed or neutered. Spayed or Neutered? The procedure usually involves cutting a small incision in the abdomen. Whilst recommendations vary, vets typically suggest that you should have your Labradoodle spayed or neutered between the ages of four and nine months. This is thought to have long-term health benefits, as well as helping to prevent behavioural traits, such as marking and aggression. Whilst some recommend spaying before first heat as young as five months , others suggest that this can increase the risk of mammary tumours. We would always recommend consulting your vet for a personalised opinion. There are rumours that spaying or neutering changes the personality of your pet. However, experts have said that this is not at all true. There are many reasons why you should have your Labradoodle spayed or neutered, not least of all because it will likely improve their quality of life and stop you from worrying about a litter of puppies. Spaying is proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer and uterine infections, and neutering similarly prevents testicular cancer. So, if you want to prevent these major Labradoodle killers, neutering and spaying is a sure fire way. Neutering your male Labradoodle will also ensure that he is on his best behaviour at all times. Neutering prevents aggressive and territorial behaviours, and also means that he wont be spending his entire walk hunting for a partner. So, if you want to prevent these embarrassments, get your Labradoodle neutered early on! See also Is Your Labradoodle Bored? Millions of animals are euthanised every year because there are simply not enough willing owners to cater for endless litters of puppies. Having this done will prevent unwanted litters and ultimately save the lives of millions of baby Labradoodle that would end up in shelters. Remember… No, the procedure is not painful. Female Labradoodles can reproduce as young as four months old, and male Labradoodles can as of six months. In a study , researchers found that neutered Retrievers are twice as likely to develop any joint diseases, and it showed it is worse for neutered Goldendoodles. These golden beauties were found to be four times as likely to have hip dysplasia or any other type of joint disease. The study shows that the longer you wait to neuter or spay your dog, the less likely your dog is to develop any problems with their joints. The Limitations of These Studies There is obviously always the possibility of bias or errors in every study ever made. The studies may or may not answer the question about the best age to neuter a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. This can also be said for the study done on German Shepherds. In addition to the limitations on how comparable the different breeds are, it is also important to be on guard for any the potential bias in the studies. What can we learn from these studies about the best age to neuter a Labradoodle? What makes these studies quite reliable, is that the number of studies that are discovering the same results are increasing every year, and thereby giving more credibility to the findings. Likewise, the fact that several breeds including Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are finding similar results, allows us to start generalizing when talking about different breeds. This shows that this might be a general canine issue rather than just an issue with some specific breed. All these studies tell us what the most likely outcome is when talking about lots of different dogs. My Monty when we got him In your specific dog, it is not possible to get a specific and guaranteed answer as there are deviations in every study ever made. And perhaps your dog is one of those deviations. I am not such a person. I believe that any person should, after examining all these studies, put off neutering or spaying a dog until they are at least one year old. The best age to neuter a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle is as late as you can but wait at least one year. Final Summary Regarding Females If you wait with spaying a female there are some risks involved. But if treated properly in time, it is thankfully curable. If you have a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle as a service dog, then neutering your Doodle will avoid the inconvenience of cycles twice a year. This is something to really consider if you rely on your dog for everyday routines such as a guiding service or using it for working situations like hunt trials and so on. But as we established earlier, if you neuter your dog too early it can leave her susceptible to a wide variety of cancers and also some orthopedic disorders. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. When to Get a Labradoodle Spayed My Miniature Labradoodle Max wearing a stylish rain coat It has been usual practice to spay your dog as soon as the animal can endure the anesthetic in recent years. However, this raises the question- How do I know my labradoodle can handle the anesthesia? There are widespread health concerns that spaying at the wrong age can lead to the development of complications. The American Animal Hospital Association advocates that you should spay puppies between 5 and 15 months old. However, it would help if you did not take this as a definite answer. Some vets recommend spaying before first heat Usually happens when the Labradoodle is around five months , while others believe this increases the risk of breast tumors. We always recommend getting a personalized assessment from your veterinarian. If you put off getting the procedure or adopt an older, unaltered Labradoodle, you must consider her heat cycle before surgery. When your dog is in heat, your veterinarian is unlikely to propose spaying. During this time, more blood flows to the area in question, complicating the surgery. As a Labradoodle owner, you should understand that this procedure has some risks. It would be best if you talked to your veterinarian about the optimum time to perform this procedure. Spend time with your veterinarian talking about your worries and aspirations for your labradoodle. Do not be hesitant to inquire. We feel that providing your veterinarian with the most up-to-date and accurate information is the best way to determine the ideal time for spaying your labradoodle. There are numerous reasons to spay your Labradoodle, the most important is that it will improve their quality of life. To begin with, you will have a happy and healthy Labradoodle. Spaying has proved to lower the risk of breast cancer, urinary incontinence, mammary tumors, joint problems, and uterine infections. Complications that are associated with pregnancy, like dystocia , are also eliminated. You can expect the behavior of your dog to be top-notch. Spaying will ensure that you will not have to relinquish your Labradoodle due to behavioral problems like aggression towards other people. Spaying a dog reduces the risk of unappealing smell associated with a dog in heat. Lastly, it will be convenient for you. You will not have to worry about raising other puppies when your pet gives birth. How a Labradoodle Gets Spayed A veterinarian will evaluate your Labradoodle and, in most cases, run a pre-anesthetic blood test. An anesthetic will be delivered if everything goes well. Most dogs will have an intravenous catheter to provide the anesthesia and offer fluid therapy during the surgery. This tube will allow oxygen and gas anesthetics to be delivered directly into the lungs. When it comes to the actual surgery, there are two options. The vet can perform an ovariohysterectomy or an ovariectomy. An ovariohysterectomy involves removing the Labradoodles ovary and uterus. An ovariectomy only removes the ovaries. Before and During Surgery A Parti Labradoodle in this cause black and white When you finally decide to spay your dog, here is what you should do before the surgery: Ensure your Labradoodle is clean before you take her to the procedure- the cleanliness of your pet can play a role in the safety of your pet during the surgery. These precautions, among other things, assist in determining whether or not your pet is ready for the treatment. During the surgery, there will be a team of veterinarians and technicians actively monitoring your pet. Surgery Aftercare You can expect your Labradoodle to take approximately two weeks to recover after spaying. Here are some pointers to help your Labradoodle recover fast and relax comfortably after spaying. At home, allow your dog to recover in a warm, quiet space of its choosing if possible to increase comfort and reduce stress. Administer food, medication , and water as directed. Limit outdoor exposure to supervised and, if required, assisted restroom breaks for at least 24 hours after leaving the hospital. Constant movement can bring about fluid accumulation under the incision. Observe the cut for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling. Do not let your Labradoodle mess with its stitches. Your veterinarian will likely send your labradoodle home with an Elizabeth collar or dog cone alternative to ensure they do not tamper with the stitches. Depending on the stitch material used, stitches will need to be removed after seven to ten days. Your veterinarian will tell you how to verify that the incision is healing correctly and when you should return for the final check. After a given amount of time, some contemporary stitches fall out on their own. In case of any complications, feel free to contact your veterinarian. On the lower end, there are low-cost spay clinics spread across the country. These low-cost facilities lack state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, which may expose your pet to more risk. If you use a low-cost service, make sure you understand what is inclusive before and after surgery. If the low-cost program only covers the surgery, you may need to see your regular veterinarian for a follow-up session. As a general rule, price should not be the controlling factor when choosing a place to spay your Labradoodle. It would help if you treated her like you would treat a companion. Talk to your veterinarian. They will advise you accordingly on your alternatives. Can Labradoodles smile? Get Started on Spaying Your Labradoodle! Spaying is a life-altering procedure. Before adopting or acquiring a Labradoodle, make sure you examine the benefits of spaying a labradoodle. Spaying is critical to your companion living a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your house. In the end, you will enjoy endless cuddles from your cute Labradoodle, avoid tedious cleaning routines, and enjoy your walks. Moreover, you will save lots of money that you would otherwise spend taking care of puppies. Nobody loves unscheduled hospital visits, and spaying will significantly reduce the chances of these as well. From our point of view, spaying your furry friend is a win-win situation. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Learn more » The Labradoodle , a crossbreed of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, has become increasingly popular due to their friendly and affectionate nature, low-shedding coat, and intelligence. However, as with any breed, there are important considerations when spaying or neutering your Labradoodle, and many people might wonder about the best time to perform this procedure. The short answer is when the dog is 4—9 months old, but keep reading as we discuss other options and the benefits and drawbacks of the procedure to help you be better informed. The optimal timing for neutering male Labradoodles can be a bit more flexible. While most experts recommend neutering or spaying around 6 months, some evidence suggests that waiting until they are fully mature can help reduce the risk of health issues like hip dysplasia. However, waiting too long can also increase the risk of certain health issues, such as prostate problems. One of the most significant when it comes to spaying your female Labradoodle is the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and the total elimination of heat cycles, which can be messy and stressful for you and your dog. Spaying can also reduce the risk of reproductive health issues like uterine infections and breast tumors. For male Labradoodles, neutering can help reduce the risk of certain health issues, such as testicular cancer and prostate problems. Neutered males may also be less likely to exhibit behaviors like marking and aggression. The Potential Drawbacks of Spaying or Neutering Your Labradoodle Complications While there are benefits to spaying or neutering your Labradoodle, there are also potential drawbacks. When a dog undergoes anesthesia and surgery, there is a risk of complications like infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to the anesthesia. While these risks are relatively low, you must consider them before spaying or neutering your Labradoodle. Behavioral Changes While neutering can help reduce certain negative behaviors in male Labradoodles, such as marking and aggression, it can also lead to decreased energy levels and an increased likelihood of weight gain. Similarly, spaying a female dog can lead to increased appetite and reduced activity levels. Most experts consider spaying and neutering to be safe. However, any surgery and anesthesia carry risks, including infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. No, spaying or neutering your Labradoodle will make them unable to reproduce. If you want to breed your Labradoodle, you should not spay or neuter them. Some evidence suggests that waiting to spay or neuter can lead to better overall health outcomes for Labradoodles. Waiting until they are fully mature around 1—2 years can allow their bodies to develop fully, which might reduce the risk of certain health issues. After the procedure, your Labradoodle may experience discomfort and decreased energy levels. Your Labradoodle may also need to wear an Elizabethan collar a. The cost of spaying or neutering a Labradoodle can vary depending on your location and chosen veterinarian. Generally, spaying is more expensive than neutering because it is a more complicated surgery. Some clinics offer low-cost spay-and-neuter programs, though, and financial assistance may be available for pet owners who cannot afford the procedure. Conclusion Most experts recommend spaying or neutering your pet when they are 4—9 months old or more specifically, before the female has her first heat cycle. That said, some people argue that it is better to wait until your pet is an adult in order to let their body fully develop. If this is the case, constant monitoring and physical separation of males from females during their first heat cycles is imperative to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Drawbacks of the procedure include complications from surgery, such as infection, bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and behavioral changes. Featured Image Credit: EvgeniiAnd, Shutterstock Written by Ed Malaker Author Ed Malaker is a veteran writer who has contributed to a wide range of blogs that cover tools, pets, guitars, fitness, and computer programming. By Kern Campbell New puppies can be very exciting. There are many things that you will need to consider, such as the food you are going to feed, training, and when you are going to have your Labradoodle spayed or neutered. Are you trying to figure out the best age to spay or neuter your Labradoodle? This can all depend on many different factors. A male Labradoodle should be spayed between 6 and 12 months of age. Female Labradoodles that will be less than 45 pounds as adults should be spayed at around 4 to 6 months of age. Your vet can also discuss all the pros and cons of spaying and neutering your Labradoodle early vs. Neutering is often used to remove the testicles in your male Labradoodle, but technically, it means to make your dog gender neutral so it can be used for a male or female. The most common age your vet will recommend spaying or neutering your Labradoodle is when they are around 6 months old. There are many different factors that will influence when you should spay and neuter your Labradoodle. Large to giant breed dogs will mature later in their life, and some people will want to wait until the dog is a few months older so that they are fully mature before spaying and neutering them. They recommend a different age for different size dogs. Smaller dogs under 45 pounds : Your vet will advise that you should spay your Labradoodle before their first heat cycle. Most dogs will have their first heat cycle anywhere between 5 and 10 months. Your vet will advise that your female dog be spayed prior to their first cycle to help reduce their risk of having mammary cancer. Larger Dogs Over 50lbs : Some vets may advise larger Labradoodle to wait until they are 5 to 15 months old. It may also decrease the chance that your dog develops urinary incontinence. These are all common problems seen in older larger breed Labradoodles. When Should I have my male dog neutered? Your vet is able to do this procedure at any age as long as the testicles are present, most vets will recommend that you have your male Labradoodle neutered between 6 to 12 months. Smaller dogs tend to mature faster and are usually neutered around 6 months, while large breed dogs tend to take longer to become fully mature, and you will want to wait until your Labradoodle is around 12 to 18 months of age before neutering them. If your dog does start to show aggressive or unwanted mating behaviors, you can have them neutered sooner to help stop these unwanted behaviors. Why should you spay your Labradoodle? There are many benefits to having your Labradoodle spayed. These are the most common reasons that you would want to consider spaying your Labradoodle. Overpopulation: By spaying your Labradoodle, you are helping decrease the number of unwanted litters and dogs in shelters. Mammary cancer: By spaying your Labradoodle early, you will decrease the chance of mammary cancer. This occurs very commonly in older intact female Labradoodles. This disease can cause your dogs to become very sick and possibly need emergency surgery to treat the infection. Sometimes, this can even be fatal. Stop unwanted guests: By spaying your Labradoodle, you will cut down on the number of unwanted male dogs unexpectedly entering your backyard attempting to mate with your Labradoodle. A male dog will smell the pheromone released by your female dog up to a mile away. If the male is intact, they will find a way to get over and fence to mate with your female dog. Before spaying your Labradoodle, your veterinarian should have a complete health checkup. This ensures that there are no underlying conditions that would cause your Labradoodle not to have a successful surgery. Why would you want your Male Labradoodle to be neutered? Most people neuter their Labradoodle to prevent them from getting a female dog pregnant. There are many other reasons that you may want your dog neutered. Decrease Unwanted pet Population The most common reason people have their Labradoodle neutered is to help prevent the overpopulation of dogs. There are many pets who end up in a shelter. By having your Labradoodle neutered, you can help decrease this population. A single male Labradoodle can mate with many female dogs each day, leading to many offspring. Prevent aggressive Behaviors Dog fights are often between unneutered male dogs, or the dog who instigated the fight will often not be neutered. These extra testosterone hormones can cause your dog to show aggressive behaviors. Having your dog neutered, will cause a large decline in testosterone hormones, thus decreasing their drive to fight other dogs. Prevent looking for a Girlfriend Unneutered male Labradoodles tend to look for a girlfriend. They will try anything possible to escape their yard. Many can even climb very tall fences. This can cause your Labradoodle to become lost or even hit by a car. Neutering your Labradoodle can help keep them at home more and out of trouble. Prevent any health issues. Many Labradoodles can develop health conditions from not being neutered. Common health issues seen in an intact male are testicular cancer and prostate issues. These can develop as your dog gets older. Having your Labradoodle neutered will eliminate the chance of testicular cancer and decrease the formation of any prostate disease. Prevent unwanted behaviors Marking their territory and humping things is a behavior that can be hard to break. Once your Labradoodle starts these behaviors, it can be almost impossible to get them to stop. Having your dog neutered will help decrease or eliminate them for doing these behaviors. It is best to have them neutered before they start, as sometimes, once they start these behaviors, it is hard to correct. These are: Some vet offices will let you take your dog home the same day as surgery is done, others want to keep the Labradoodle dog overnight. Keep your Labradoodle inside for 2 weeks after surgery. Only let them go outside to potty and on a very short walk while on a leash. Keep your Labradoodle calm and quiet and not allow them to run and jump around. Make sure that your Labradoodle cannot lick at their incision. You may have to put a cone of shame on your dog to help prevent them from getting to their incision. Inspect their incision each day and let your vet know as soon as you notice any problems, smells, or discharge. Do not bath your Labradoodle for 10 to 14 days after surgery Notify your vet immediately if your Labradoodle is lethargic, not wanting to eat, vomiting, or having diarrhea or loose stool. Make sure that your Labradoodle receives any pain medications and antibiotics that your vet has prescribed to them after the procedure. The pain medication may only be needed for a day or two, but some dogs will need pain medication for a few days while they recover. An easy way to tell if your Labradoodle is painful is to monitor their activity. If your Labradoodle is not active, they are probably painful Just because your Labradoodle feels great and wants to be active, they should still be calm and quiet for 14 days after surgery. Is surgery risky? No surgery is without risk. Your veterinarian will examine your Labradoodle before surgery. Your Labradoodle will be placed under general anesthesia and will be monitored with monitoring equipment for the whole surgery. Many veterinary surgeries have a whole team of people working on your Labradoodle not just your vet. This starts from before surgery to recovery to being discharged from the hospital. Your vet will ask that you not feed your Labradoodle after 10 pm the night before. This helps prevent your Labradoodle from vomiting during their surgery from the anesthesia. Make sure that you follow these pre-op instructions and anything else that your vet requires for your Labradoodle to have a successful surgery. The cost of spaying or neutering your Labradoodle will all depend on where you live. Vets in a bigger city will charge a little more than a vet in the country. Many other factors may affect the cost. Most veterinarians recommend pre-operative bloodwork be run on your Labradoodle before surgery. This will check liver and kidney function before surgery. They will also give your Labradoodle pre and post-op pain medications. These are all added expenses to the cost of surgery. Vets highly recommend that you have pre-op bloodwork done even in very young Labradoodle. Your Labradoodle could have been born with a congenital disability that could cause severe to fatal results if not caught before surgery. While it is not very common, it does happen. Some dogs develop a little slower and may not handle anesthesia as well. For Labradoodle with a liver or kidney defect, or if their lab values are not in the proper range, your vet will choose a different type of anesthesia. If these organs are not functioning properly or not fully, then it is best to use an anesthetic drug metabolized by their lungs or not perform the procedure at all. There are also added costs for overweight Labradoodles, currently pregnant dogs, or dogs going through their heat cycle. This is because it takes a little more time and is much more labor-intensive, especially if your vet is also trying to perform a c-section and save these baby puppy lives. There are low-cost clinics that can do the procedure at a discounted rate. These clinics often receive grants and funds from the state to help offset the cost of the procedure. This is one reason that they do not have to charge as much for the procedure as a regular veterinary clinic. Low-cost clinics may also have minimal monitoring equipment and usually do not do surgery on large breeds or overweight patients. Final Thoughts There are many different pros and cons when you choose to spay and neuter your Labradoodle. Your vet can help you determine the best time for your pet. Many vets will recommend that you spay your dog between 5 and 15 months of age. Delaying the spay can lead to mammary cancer, pyometra, or other health issues. However, there is renewed interest in the question of age-appropriate spay and neuter of puppies, in view numerous scientific studies that found significant health implications related to this common procedure. As a guide, months for puppies that will weigh under 45 lbs when adults and between months of age for puppies that will weigh over 45 lbs when adults. Larger dogs take longer to grow, and the age difference is mainly to do with the growth cycle. Are there risks and benefits to spaying and neutering? Some of these include fear of anesthesia, anesthesia complication and financial constraints. Some benefits include a decreases in the risk of mammary and testicular cancers, uterine infections, prevents pet overpopulation, and prevents undesirable behaviors. Risks and benefits of early spaying and neutering Risks: University of California, Davis, performed a study on golden retrievers in that suggested while early sterilization prevented many diseases, it may have increased the risk of other problems cranial cruciate ligament rupture, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphosarcoma, and orthopedic issues. Despite these findings, the study stressed that more studies on the link between sterilization age and the onset of certain diseases are needed to help understand the implications. Benefits: According to Dr. J Am Vet Med Assoc ;.Risks and benefits of late spaying and neutering Risks: Unwanted pregnancies, financial obligations and ethical dilemmas regarding the newborn puppies. Many people simply either do not know that their female dog is pregnant or the dog experiences complications that lead to costly medical interventions. Some people are also not equipped to deal with newborn puppies and the many demands that come with raising socialized and healthy puppies. These puppies can die from either inadequate care or diseases. Other adverse effects of late sterilization include obesity, stunted growth, joint dysplasia, and musculoskeletal disorders, to name a few. Despite many scientific studies and guidelines, it remains a complex question that encompass many factors that each pet owner needs to carefully consider. We also recommend that you consult with your veterinarian to help figure out best timing for this procedure. Spend some time with your veterinarian discussing your goals for your pet and your personal concerns. Do not be afraid to ask questions. We believe that sharing the most accurate and current information with your veterinarian is the best plan to figure out the best timing for spaying and neutering of your pets. While you cannot predict when your dog is going to get sick or injured, you can protect yourself from expensive veterinary bills. Familiarizing yourself with the evidence-based research regarding the risks and benefits, may enable you to make an educated choice regarding your pet. Firstly Spaying or neutering your Labradoodle helps control the pet population. By having your Labradoodle spayed or neutered, you are actively contributing to reducing the number of unwanted pets. Additionally Spaying or neutering your Labradoodle has several health benefits. For female Labradoodles , spaying eliminates the risk of uterine infections and reduces the chances of developing mammary tumours. Neutering male Labradoodles can help prevent testicular cancer and reduce the risk of prostate problems. These procedures also eliminate the desire for your Labradoodle to roam searching for a mate, which can lead to accidents or injuries. Behaviorally Spaying or neutering your Labradoodle can have a positive impact as well. Unaltered dogs often display aggressive behaviours, such as territorial marking or excessive barking. By having your Labradoodle spayed or neutered, you will see an improvement in overall temperament, making it easier to train and socialize. It is important to note that your veterinarian recommends spaying or neutering your Labradoodle at the appropriate age. When spaying or neutering your Labradoodle puppy, it is generally recommended to consult your veterinarian for personalized advice. However, the ideal age for spaying or neutering Labradoodles is typically between six and nine months old. The time frame allows the puppy to fully develop while reducing the risk of health issues, such as certain types of cancer and behavioural problems. For Male Labradoodles, neutering can be done around six to nine months of age, although some veterinarians may recommend waiting until they are closer to nine months. Neutering can help prevent unwanted behaviours such as marking territory and aggression towards other animals. Spaying is also usually recommended for female Labradoodles around six to nine months of age. Spaying can help prevent reproductive health issues like pyometra infection of the uterus and mammary gland tumours. For female Labradoodles, spaying before their first heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumours and uterine infections, which can be life-threatening. Neutering male Labradoodles at a young age helps prevent testicular cancer and decreases the chances of prostate problems later in life. Unneutered male dogs often display aggressive or territorial behaviour, while unspayed females can experience mood swings during heat cycles. Removing the reproductive organs minimizes these hormonal fluctuations, resulting in a calmer and more predictable demeanour for your Labradoodle. Male Labradoodles who are neutered early are less likely to exhibit certain undesirable behaviours, such as marking territory with urine or engaging in excessive mounting. Female Labradoodles spayed before their first heat cycle are less prone to escaping or attracting unwanted attention from intact males during their fertile periods. Every dog is unique, and their needs should be considered. Studies indicate that spaying or neutering pets at a young age may lead to higher chances of certain health problems, including joint issues, specific cancers, and urinary incontinence. These risks are more pronounced in larger dog breeds like Labradoodles. To mitigate these risks, alternative options to consider include delaying the procedure until the dog reaches sexual maturity, which is typically between 6 to 12 months for Labradoodles. This technique removes only the reproductive organs while preserving the hormone-producing tissues. Gonad-sparing surgery minimizes potential health issues while preventing unwanted pregnancies by maintaining hormonal balance. A: Spaying or neutering your Labradoodle puppy between six and nine months is generally recommended. A: Spaying or neutering your Labradoodle puppy offers several benefits. It helps prevent unwanted litter, reducing the risk of health issues such as reproductive cancers, and can also help with behavioural problems such as aggression and roaming tendencies. They will still be the same loving and playful companions you know and adore. Afterward, they may experience discomfort, but your veterinarian will provide proper pain management medication to alleviate any discomfort. A: Like any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks involved. However, the benefits of spaying or neutering usually outweigh the potential risks. Your veterinarian will discuss these risks with you and take appropriate measures to minimize them. A: If you have plans to breed your Labradoodle, it is generally recommended to do so before considering spaying or neutering. Breeding should be done responsibly and under the guidance of a reputable breeder or veterinarian. A: Recovery time will depend on the individual Labradoodle and the procedure performed. Generally, the incision takes about 10 to 14 days to heal. Q: Do I follow special postoperative care instructions after my Labradoodle is sent home? After your Labradoodle is sent home following surgery, it is important to provide specialized postoperative care to ensure their comfort and a smooth recovery. Here are some guidelines to follow: 1. Monitor your Labradoodle Keep a close eye on your furry friend during recovery. Observe their behaviour, appetite, and overall well-being. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any negative behaviour or symptoms in your pet. Provide a quiet and comfortable space Create a calm and cozy area where your Labradoodle can rest undisturbed. Ensure they have a soft bed or blanket, away from drafts or excessive noise. It may include avoiding strenuous exercise, jumping, or rough play. Gradually reintroduce normal activities over time as directed by the veterinarian. Administer medication as prescribed If your Labradoodle has been prescribed medication, follow the dosage instructions carefully. Ensure they receive their medication on time and complete the course as directed. Keep the surgical site clean and dry If instructed by your vet, gently clean the site as per their guidelines using mild solutions or disinfectants recommended by the veterinarian. Avoid bathing or getting the incision area wet unless your vet advises. Prevent licking or chewing Dogs may lick or chew at their incision site out of discomfort or curiosity, which can impede healing or cause infection. Consider using an Elizabethan collar cone or alternative protective devices recommended by your vet to prevent this behaviour. Maintain proper nutrition Provide a balanced diet and fresh water for your Labradoodle, following any dietary restrictions or recommendations the vet gives. A healthy diet will aid in the healing process. Attend appointments Make sure to attend scheduled follow-up appointments with your vet. Yes, spaying or neutering your labradoodle can impact their behaviour. In most cases, it has a positive effect. Spaying for females and neutering for males can help reduce unwanted behaviours such as roaming, aggression, and marking territory. It can also decrease the likelihood of certain health issues, including certain types of cancer. By eliminating the sexual drive and hormones associated with reproduction, spaying or neutering can help your labradoodle become more focused, calm, and easier to train. While there are different opinions and considerations, it is important to consult with your veterinarian and gather all the necessary information before making a final decision. Spaying or neutering can have numerous benefits for your Labradoodle. It can prevent health issues, such as uterine infections and certain cancers. Additionally, it can reduce unwanted behaviours, such as roaming, aggression, and marking territory. You also reduce the number of homeless animals by eliminating the risk of unplanned litter. This procedure can impact their hormone levels, affecting their growth and development. Your veterinarian can guide you based on these factors to help you make the best decision for your furry friend.