mini poodle puppy white

Email Address: lllwalkin yahoo. From time to time I also have some purebred toy poodles. These will be shown on the Shihpoo page. Triple L Farm is located in central Missouri 15 miles south of Columbia, or 15 miles north of Jefferson City, and 5 miles west of Ashland. I am approximately 2 hours from either Kansas City or St. My family and I own 40 acres here and also have horses. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 36 years and have been raising puppies for sale for that length of time. I am a small private dog breeder selling only retail to individuals.This allows me to be the full-time caretaker of my puppies with no outside hired help except for my groomer, who is a god-send, and of course my veterinarian. I also have a wonderful friend who takes excellent care of all my animals.Bless you Chris! All are non or very low shedders. Please click on the individual breeds listed below for breed characteristics and puppies for sale. This is your Text paragraph. Use this space to add information for your users, write about your philosophy or your journey and define your distinguishing qualities. Consider adding an image for extra engagement. There are also additional links at the top of the page regarding puppy care , guarantees , directions to Triple L, and a photo album of past pups. In addition, from time to time we have poodle pups that will be featured on the Shihpoo page. Shih Tzus are believed to have originated in Tibet as early as AD. They are also considered one of the oldest dogs in existence today. The Poodle was first bred in Germany and has served as a water retriever for hunters. Their alert minds mind allows them to be considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds that exist today. Shih-Poos originated about the same time as most other designer dogs, which was in the late s. They are smart, loyal, alert, and dedicated dogs that have pleasant personalities and kind temperaments. Shih-Poos make marvelous companion dogs and fit in easily with families that have children and other pets in the house. They also adapt well to apartment-style living or conventional housing. This breed is very well-liked and will make a great fit in any family. Shih Poos are found in many colors. This includes apricot, black, tan and black, brown, cream, red sable, and white. In some instances, puppies from the same litter can have significantly different colors and types of coats. Some inherit a wool coat from the Poodle or the longer and straighter coat of the Shih Tzu. Thanks to their hypoallergenic coats, they do well in families that have people who suffer from allergies. Routine daily brushing is a good way to keep this dog looking his best. A bi-weekly bath is also suggested, as is routine teeth cleaning. Keeping your Shih Pooh puppy well-fed is very important. This breed is known to have hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar levels. To keep this puppy feeling his best, feed him smaller meals four to six times a day up until the age of six months. After reaching the age of six months, two meals a day spaced apart in twelve-hour intervals is fine. It is also important to brush his teeth at least three times each week. This is a very good way to prevent health issues down the road. Another recommended tip is to make sure his nails are clipped on a routine basis. This will allow your puppy to feel great. The Shih Poo stands between eight to eighteen inches tall at maturity. They average a weight of thirteen to twenty pounds. Shih Poohs have an average lifespan from twelve to fifteen years. Fact: The Shih Pooh gets along well with other pets in the home. Even cats! Fact: The oldest living Shih Pooh was 21 years old. They do not give off allergies. Are they good with children? They are suitable for older children who will not injure them and also for retired seniors with all the time and love in the world to give. Do they eat a lot? Shih Poos hardly reject food, and they have a high tendency to be overweight, so keep them on healthy diets. Where can I get a Shih Poo? Are Shih Poos good with other pets? They are pet-friendly and very accepting of other pets. How do you potty train a Shih Poo? Start by picking a spot and a phrase to make them go. Repeat the phrase when you want them to pee or poo, and be sure to reward them for it. What is Shih Poos daily feeding requirement? Every day, Shih Poos eat one cup of high-quality dry food split into two meals with clean water. Shih Poos are confident, smart, loyal, and active. They make excellent companions and crave attention. What is Shih Poos average weight? This depends on their parent breeds. Shih Poos averagely weigh eight to eighteen pounds four to eight kilograms. What is Shih Poo life expectancy? The Shih Poo has an average lifespan of ten to eighteen years. One Shih Poo was recorded to have lived up to twenty-one years! Are you interested in purchasing a Shih Poo? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Height: 11 - 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: 11 - 15 lb. Lifespan: 12 - 14 years Border Terrier Poodle Mix Personality Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This should be a very friendly dog that is rather small. It will make an interesting mix of energy levels. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. The Border Terrier Poodle mix might be prone to: Addison's, bloat, Cushings, LCP, Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, skin problems, eye problems Note that these are just common problems in both breeds. This mix will have shorter hair that needs groomed. Both of these dogs have higher grooming requirements with their wiry hair. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. What are the exercise requirements? Like all dogs they will do better if they get plenty of exercise. This will be a moderate energy dog as the Border Terrier is known as a couch potato and the Poodle has much higher energy. Plan on exercising them daily to keep their energy level down. He might be bouncing off the walls so get ready. A tired dog is a good dog. What are the training requirements? Though intelligent, it might be stubborn and demanding. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background. Links to other breeds you might be interested in. Published on: 21 January Modified on: 21 January Location: Market Drayton Advert Details We have a beautiful litter of Borderpoo puppies, comprising two boys and two girls, looking for loving, forever homes. Bred by ourselves from our excellent pedigree line KC registered , she has the most fantastic, doting nature. A true companion she is great with children and other dogs and a pleasure to have around our home. She is exceptionally fit and healthy, and is SLEM hereditary clear. Equally happy curled up on the sofa, on long walks or busy around our farm she truly is a dog for all occasions. Posh stands at 12 inches to the shoulders. Local to us, he is also of a delightful nature. Standing 11 inches tall at the shoulder, he is a real sweetie with a thick curly coat. He has been extensively health tested and certificates can be viewed. He has had the following health checks and passed clear: 1. Degenerative Myelopathy. Von Willebrands Type 1. Familial Nephropathy. He is also heart checked clear. The puppies have just turned three weeks old and are already displaying their own individual characters. They are already showing the docility both their parent possess. We expect all to mellow in to red and grizzle coats. Bought up in our busy household, by the time the puppies leave, they will be used to all the sights, sounds and smells of home, including young children and other dogs. We anticipate the puppies to develop into relatively small dogs, similar in stature to Posh. Being a Poodle cross they should be non shedding. We are seeking prospective owners that are looking for a life-long companion and able to provide the best care for their puppy. In addition an advice sheet for looking after your puppy and contract will be included. Please get in touch if you are interested in one of our fabulous litter. Read our Covid safe buying guide. Contact Seller. It is a small-sized Doodle breed. This designer breed is also referred to as a Borderpoo or Border Terrier Poo. Here, farmers and shepherds developed swift and agile terriers to pursue and dispatch the clever sheep thief: the hill fox. He also was named after hunting with Border Foxhounds. In early paintings, you can spot the Border bringing up the rear of the hunting party; his sturdy legs got him there just in time for the action! In addition, as a working Terrier, he has a naturally hard, wiry outer coat and a dense, short undercoat [4] btcoa. The physical and mental qualities of the Border result from generations of breeding and enable the Border to do his job with the least amount of injury to himself and with the greatest efficiency possible [5] borderterriercanada. What makes the Border Terrier different from other terriers? Four main traits set the Border apart: its hide, temperament, length, and legs. It allows him to work his way in and out of narrow openings underground and protects him from scratches and, no doubt, fox bites! Moreover, the breed standard confirms that you should be able to grab a fistful of pelt anywhere along the back. Border Terriers have a strong prey drive. The length of the Border also sets him apart. His long body allows him to maneuver underground through narrow and twisted holes. Prominent ribs, bulky shoulders, or too short of legs are considered handicaps. Moreover, the Border Terrier is friendlier toward other dogs. This is because they were expected to run peacefully with foxhounds. Breeders purposefully made him less dog-aggressive than other Terriers who hunted primarily independently. Lastly, the head is the most visible difference. This was because hunters initially bred Poodles to retrieve waterfowl. Even though Poodles remain excellent hunters, today, they have become popular as companion dogs worldwide. They are brilliant and easy to train, which makes them great pets for people who want a dog that can learn tricks and perform well in obedience competitions. Plus, they are known for being hypoallergenic, which is a huge plus for people who are allergic to dogs but still want to own one. But the biggest reason for their popularity is their unique appearance. Interesting fact: The Poodle cut was meant for function, not fashion! Less hair made the Poodle a more efficient swimmer but more vulnerable to the cold. To find a happy compromise, Poodle owners left puffs of hair on the head, upper torso, and ankles for warmth [7] akc. Appearance The Border Terrier-Poodle mix has a fluffy, round face, otter-like eyes, and a slightly prolonged nose. The body has modest proportions, yet a somewhat longer body and legs.

For the complete list please see our Resource Page page. Boxers are best known for their short coats, but they also come in long-haired varieties. Prices vary on the type of coat. The price of a boxer puppy may also vary because of the place you get the Boxer. For example, most breeders in or around South Carolina charge significantly more than a breeder who is located in another state or country. Prices will also fluctuate depending on whether or not the puppy is show-quality. Boxers are known for being loyal to their families and being intelligent. They are generally very friendly with children, strangers, and other animals unless they have been trained to be aggressive American Kennel Club. They require moderate exercise but do best in homes where someone is around during the day because they do not like being left alone especially if they have never been apart from them before. Overall these characteristics make the Boxer a great family pet. These clearances can be found by looking up the parent dogs on the OFA website offa. They should also show you where and how they were raised and keep them until they are at least eight weeks old to ensure that they have been properly socialized, which is crucial for a Boxer puppy. Ask about any hip or eye problems in their lines. Where and how many generations of champion bloodlines do they go back? This is usually more important for those who want to breed their new puppy as it shows they have a lot of knowledge about the breed and can provide you with knowledgeable information. Are there any known health problems in their lines? Most responsible breeders will be able to tell you that they care for all of their dogs and even give them regular check-ups and if not, this is a red flag. A decent Boxer breeder should be more than willing to tell you about themselves and their dogs. When you visit your South Carolina boxer breeder in person, look for cleanliness and organization of the house or kennel. The area should not have any bad odors, and the puppies should appear healthy with shiny coats and bright eyes. They may be very active, which is normal but if they seem lethargic this could be an indication of illness or improper nutrition. It is also recommended that you ask for references from previous customers as well as veterinarians who have seen these dogs before. This will help ensure that you make a good investment when looking for a Boxer puppy. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in South Carolina Once you have found a breeder that meets the previous criteria, it is time to ask for references. A responsible Boxer Breeder will be able to provide any information about their dogs that you request. Ask them if you can speak with past customers of theirs so that you can find out how they were trained and cared for as well as the personality of these dogs. This way, you are making sure that this potential dog is right for your family before you make any final decisions. References can also be found online. If you find nothing, this may be a red flag since anyone can put anything on the internet. Make sure to contact them directly instead of through their website or Facebook page to avoid scams or other dishonest sellers who use these outlets for marketing purposes only. This allows you to get a more honest opinion about the breeder and their dogs without worrying about repercussions later on. We all know that there is little recourse for unsatisfied customers but rest assured knowing that these people will not hesitate to give you an honest answer if given permission to speak freely. Meeting past customers will also give you a better idea of what type of dog they have put into your family. Meeting the previous owners allows you to look for certain traits in a potential puppy, such as energy levels or age appropriateness. Another good way to find out about your breeder is to ask them if they have a veterinarian that they use for their dogs. A responsible boxer breeder should be able to provide you with this information without hesitation since taking care of their animals is important to them. If the Boxer Breeder does not have any sort of medical history available about their lines, this might be a red flag. If they are unwilling or unable to answer these questions, this could also mean that they are hiding something from you or do not know the answers themselves. These individuals may be backyard breeders or puppy mill owners who are looking to make a quick buck and care little about the health of their animals or their customers. A few signs that your South Carolina Boxer Breeder is unethical include: They Do Not Have References: If you ask your breeder if they can provide any references from past buyers and they refuse, this could mean several things; Either they do not know how to get in touch with them unlikely or there is something wrong with these dogs that no one wants to talk about. Inquiring further will help you identify which it is but under either circumstance, it is best not to work with this kind of breeder. They Have Inflated Prices: Another way to spot an unethical boxer breeder is by the prices that they have listed on their dogs. If these Boxer dogs seem much more expensive than other breeders you have looked at, this might be a sign that something is wrong with them. This could involve health issues or genetics, but it is likely just a scheme to get more money from you without putting in the proper amount of time and care into these animals. Very Little Information about Their Breeding Program: Ethical and good Dog Breeders will do everything that they can to supply you with as many details about their breeding program as possible. They want you to feel safe and comfortable knowing what types of treatments the dog will receive and what they will be born into. There is no excuse not to provide you with this information; if your Boxer Breeder does not, then move on to another one. If you want a full-bred Boxer dog, make sure that you tell them before you purchase the animal. Many responsible breeders ask their customers for preferences when it comes to the age or sex of their dogs so that they can match up your needs with the right puppy. Responsible breeders will not only be able to answer this question, but they should also be able to provide you with information on what type of issues other puppy owners have experienced. If the breeder claims that all of their Boxer Dogs are healthy, then you should push for further explanation. If none of the puppies or adults have any medical concerns then that should be something that makes you feel safe. However, if there were previous owners who dealt with anything severe in the past, this information should still be available somewhere. This can include genetic conditions or simply problems with allergies or skin rashes. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy When you look at a breed as hearty as the Boxer, it can be easy to underestimate how much work and time this dog will need to be happy and healthy. However, if treated properly and cared for well by their owners, these dogs can make excellent pets; which is why it is so important that you take the following steps before bringing your pup home: The biggest thing that you want to do before you bring your Boxer home is to make sure that the living conditions are appropriate for this breed. You will want to have a large, fenced-in yard where your dog can move around freely and play. If you live in an apartment or condo, then it may be time to start looking into other options; Boxers need room to run which cannot be provided adequately in these types of environments. Another important thing that needs to be prepared is the area where your puppy will sleep at night. Not only should it be isolated from any drafts or cold air, but it should also provide warmth during the winter months. Be sure to look into buying bedding or blankets specifically designed for dogs if necessary. Your Boxer will also require training as soon as possible. This breed is known for having extremely high intelligence, but it does not come naturally to them; you will need to work hard to train your Boxer Puppy and give them boundaries that they can grow up comfortably within. You should start this process as early as possible so that it becomes second nature by the time your pup turns into an adult and needs more rules and regulations than just potty training. Potty Training Your New Boxer Puppy The most important thing that you need to teach your new Boxer is how to use the potty appropriately. You do not want to deal with any accidents in the house, and making sure they are trained properly will ensure that this does not happen. The best way to accomplish this is through crate training; it may be a very foreign concept for many owners, but it is also one of the most effective methods when it comes to house-breaking puppies. It is recommended that you put your Boxer Puppy into a crate at night while you sleep and then carefully take them out first thing in the morning so that they can use the bathroom right away. Do not allow them too much time without being taken just before bed because they might make a mistake in your absence. Another important step that you should take is to keep your puppy on a strict schedule; this means taking them out for walks regularly and making time every few hours to play with them, feed them, and then let them use the bathroom once more. This will ensure that they do not have accidents inside of the house because their body will be used to getting into the habit of relieving themselves outside. You need to make sure that there are no areas where they can get injured or choke on something by accident. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states.

I have a 4 month old puppy called Charlie. He is lovely. Seems very healthy and bright and approaches everything in life with great enthusiasm. I have had a black Labrador before, many, many years ago, when I was a kid — and my mum did all the work and worrying. That Labrador was from a big farm in North Yorkshire and I guess he was from "working lines". I feed Charlie on Royal Canin kibble which is what the breeder used and he gets loads and loads of treats — at puppy class clicker training, for walking without pulling, for peeing and pooing outside. Should it be about the same weight chicken for kibble? At 4 months, Charlie is the same weight 17kg now as the girl puppy that the breeder kept for herself. The breeder says that based on his mum and dad, she would guess Charlie will end up weighing, when he is grown, about 35kg. The vet says he is not too fat and is fine, and the vet nurse says the same. Is there anything else I can do to check that he is not overweight? Many thanks for reading what is probably too much information, and thank you in advance for any comments you are kind enough to give. JulieT I have tried to attach a picture… the one on the sofa shows the "puppy fat" along his back and his big tummy. Helping your dog to lose weight. Is My Labrador Fat? The best way to tell is by eye and touch. Have a look at your dog and compare him with the picture below of a healthy Labrador. Look at your dog from the side. Does his belly slope upwards towards his groin, or is it a level line from his front legs to his back, or even worse is it sagging down between his legs? Your Labrador should have an upward sloping line from the base of his chest, towards his back legs. Now look at the dog from above. You should be able to! Your dog should not be the same width all the way down his body. Look at your dog from the side again. Can you see any ribs? Run you hands along his rib cages firmly. Can you feel his ribs? If you can see ribs when he is standing still he is too thin. If you cannot feel his ribs at all with your hands he is too fat! As we have seen above, the best way to tell if you have a fat Labrador is by looking and feeling. The trouble with providing you with a number is that it can give a false impression. Depending upon whether your Lab is field or bench bred, short or tall, chunky or slight, male or female, will all make a big difference to their ideal weight for the individual. The average adult Labrador will weigh anywhere between 55 to 80 lbs! Male Labs usually being around 5 to 10 lbs heavier than their female counterparts. If you are still unsure whether your Lab is the right weight for his or her build having given her a thorough check yourself as described above, then the best thing to do is to pop down to your local veterinarian. They will be happy to let you know how much your individual Labrador should weigh. Why Is My Labrador Fat? So how did your slim little puppy end up as a fat adult Labrador? There are three common assumptions that people make when considering how their dogs came to be overweight. Does the dog need more exercise? Has he got some kind of medical problem? Or am I just feeding him too much at mealtimes or giving too many snacks? In general if your dog is overweight the real reason is simply that he has eaten too much. Or rather, been allowed to eat too much. Does my dog need more exercise? He may well need more exercise, but that is not why he is fat. He is overweight because when you take into account the amount he exercises along with a number of other factors, he has eaten too much. The exercise needs of your dog are an important but separate issue, which we look at in other articles. The important thing to remember is this: The less exercise you give the dog, the less you must feed him. Once put on, weight is hard to shift and it will simply go up and up over time. Medical causes of canine obesity Although most dogs who are overweight have simply had a few too many bites to eat, there are some medical causes for obesity which do crop up from time to time. Canine medical conditions that can affect your Labs weight include hypothyroidism, insulinoma and hyperadrenocorticism. If a medical condition is the reason then the weight gain will normally be sudden and unexpected. If you are concerned by sudden weight gain in your Lab when you have not been giving him more food, then a checkup at the vets is definitely in order. You may also find that your dog puts on weight after having been neutered. If this is the case you will need to adjust your feeding habits accordingly. However, for most dogs weight gain is a simple result of over feeding. My Labrador is always hungry People are often concerned because they worry that their dog is still hungry after eating his dinner. Here is an important truth: Most Labradors are always hungry. You cannot win this battle. These are greedy dogs and your Labrador will always want more food than you give him. No matter how much that may be. If your Labrador is overweight he really needs to eat less and he will get used to his new regime quite quickly. Are Fat Labs Less Healthy? If you have looked at your Labrador and decided he is overweight, you might be wondered whether that actually matters. Is it really worth the effort of ignoring those puppy dog eyes and whines for extra food? Slim dogs are healthier Being overweight predisposes you to an awful lot of unpleasant health problems. This is true regardless of whether you are a human or a dog. Carrying extra pounds can also make existing problems your dog may have worse. For example joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia can be exacerbated by having more weight to lug around. As well as joints and bones suffering from obesity related issues, increased body fat can also make your dog more likely to have problems with their organs including those needed for breathing and digestion. Just a bit of extra fat can have a host of unwanted consequences. Being a fat Lab puppy can potentially make your dog more likely to suffer from joint problems later in life. Slim dogs live longer Not only will a slim dog have a better level of fitness and a lower likelihood of becoming unwell, they will in all probability live longer too. Those Labs on the large food ration had a median lifespan of over 11 years old. Those on the smaller food ration lived to be over 13 years old. When you look at the difference which can be made in these terms, by helping your Lab to stay slim you could be giving him an incredible two more years with you! If he gets a lot of household scraps these may have to go too. If you use food as rewards in dog training, this should be deducted from his daily food allowance. It could also help to find healthier alternatives to your usual training treats. Bear in mind that if your dog is unwell, old or very young , it is sensible to consult your vet before tampering with his diet. It is also a good idea to have a chat with them beforehand if your dog is very overweight and has a lot to lose. Take a photo of him from above and from the side before you start. At the end of the three to four days, check the dog over as described above and ask yourself if he is still fat. If you think he has improved a little but needs to slim down a bit further, keep going for another three to four days then review the situation. Compare the photo you took a week ago and you should see some improvement. You may need to increase his food slightly in order to maintain his new slim figure and ensure he does not get thin. If the dog is not losing weight after a couple of weeks on two-thirds of his previous food allowance, you may need to cut his food down even further. Chicken coop and compost scrap bucket — bonus! Food throwing toddlers— double bonus for a fat labrador! And of course so too have we! Dog friendly — tick can you be too friendly? Chicken friendly— still deciding whether our pet chooks are food or friends! Good health — all appears good other than his obesity! We are off to a great start! The Fat Labrador Diet Begins! September 29th First things first- a fat labrador weight check. Today is the day……. So off to the veterinary clinic we traipse, in search of some specially designed dog scales. Once at the clinic and with a little encouragement, Maxo ambles onto the scales. We watch on with bated breath as the digital display escalates and finally settles on the magic number of 45… A reading of 45 kg or 99 pounds! It is official- this fat Labrador is so overweight he falls into the clinically obese category!! Maxo is not a particularly big framed lab. He stands at 57 cm at the shoulder which is similar to the height of the average female Labrador retriever. Based on his height we calculate his ideal dog weight to be in the range of kgs lbs. These calculations are engrossing, right? So much so, that I am oblivious to the fact that my 3 year old son has located a basket of pig ear chews. Lincoln has proceeded to run around the vet waiting room holding two chews to the sides of his head, pretending to be a pig! He has been drooling and watching intently and spies his opportunity as my son drops an ear to the floor. My arm is wrenched by the leash, as Maxo excitedly pounces upon the ear. With an excited snort and spittle flying, Maxo devours the pig ear in 4 seconds flat. Having just devoured unplanned calories in under 4 seconds! There's no mistaking, the fat Labrador weight challenge has definitely begun. I'll have to up my game with this lab! Maxo has taken to his new home, new diet and new activity plan like a duck to water! At his recent weigh-in Maxo had lost a total of 3. Averaging grams per week 2. So how have we achieved these Labrador weight loss results? Well the same applies for dogs. This involved a general health check and a blood profile. Excess dog weight also predisposes to conditions such as heart disease, joint disease and diabetes. Veterinary checks for conditions such as these will enable any underlying conditions to be effectively managed so that optimal weight can be achieved. Fortunately for us, Maxo receives a clean bill of health on his blood test results! Dog weight gain comes down to a simple equation; if calorie intake is greater than calorie output, weight is gained. This equation had obviously been in action for quite while with out fat labrador. So to limit Maxo's calorie intake, a calorie-restricted obesity management food was selected. Specialized diet food for dogs should be low in fat and calories, high in protein to help dogs to feel full longer and maintain muscle mass. This food must be portioned to meet the daily calorie needs and allowance for your dog's healthy weight. Due to our busy lifestyle our personal preference is to feed dry dog food or kibble. From a practical point of view I find that dry food is less messy, easier to measure and easier to store. Learn more about dog diet food here. And treats you ask? You may think this is a little harsh but I beg to differ. The fast fix of a treat is soon forgotten whereas engaged play and our attention has a longer lasting positive experience. With our fat Labrador arriving to a clean slate; a household where there are no pre-set treat feeding habits. If your dog depends on treats, there are several tactics you can employ to reduce the number of treats you feed. Learn how to avoid pleading looks from your overweight labrador. Step 3: Restricted exercise levels suitable for a fat Labrador Why restricted you ask? Well in addition to lacking stamina, overweight and obese dogs are prone to joint injuries and heat stress when exercising. Being a fat Labrador, Maxo is especially prone to heat stress and he tires very quickly. Because of our hot climate, we walk Maxo early in the morning and late in the evening and try to incorporate a cooling dip in the local creek whenever we get the chance. Heaven for an overweight Labrador living in a hot climate! Currently Maxo averages 2 x 20 minute sessions of lead walking or swimming per day. As his fitness improves and his weight drops these sessions will gradually increase in time and intensity. See more about exercising overweight dogs. So there you have it.Maxo is losing weight due to a lifestyle makeover! And the funny thing is, we are also reaping the rewards. I had forgotten just how good it feels to end the day taking your dog for a walk. Water play and swimming are ideal past times for a fat labrador! Maxo has passed the halfway mark in his Labrador weight loss journey! Well done Maxo! He has now lost 8. And what a difference this has has made! Gone is our lethargic bear of a Labrador and in his place is an alert, active and shapelier version! Maxo is a very willing participant. Swimming is a regular favorite, as are off-leash romps with his friends down at the local creek. Sure, we still get the doe eyed and pleading puppy eye looks whenever there is food around and yes we do need to keep an eye out for his opportunist food seeking behavior especially around the kids! But this is just part and parcel of having a Labrador in the family. And it is up to us as his owners to stand firm and do our best for him by not giving in! It turns out that a good old belly rub and a bit of fuss is ten times more rewarding than being fed a treat anyway! And seeing just how far Maxo has come further motivates us in helping him lose his final 7 kilos to attain his target weight of 30 kg. Maxo tries not to look too smug about his fat labrador weight loss achievement! And with his move to the tropics our fat Labrador has discovered that there is a very tasty pay-off to the heat and humidity of this time of year… the mango season! All that was required for this discovery was an afternoon amble with one of his canine companions where Maxo observed his friend sniff out and devour a fallen mango. Up until this point Maxo had paid no attention to mangoes at all, but now armed with this tacit piece of doggy knowledge, Maxo has realized his own backyard bounty of mangoes on offer. But as it turned out, we were not imagining things! Showing off the fruits of his labor, Maxo would carry his mangoes to us and quickly devour them skin and all leaving behind a well denuded seed. I mean, how fattening can the occasional mango be? Well it turns out, if you eat enough of them they can be very fattening indeed- especially for a fat Labrador trying to lose weight! Nought, zilch, not one single gram!! Each mango alone can weigh up to grams. So in effect each mango eaten by our Labrador equated to about kcal consumed. Which meant Maxo was more than doubling his daily calorie consumption through fruit alone! So remember, everything that passes our dogs lips, contributes to their daily calorie tally. Maxo has done so well with his fat Labrador weight loss program and is now honing in towards his target weight. But there may be trouble on the horizon as I have recently spied some ripening passion fruit and banana in the garden and wonder how long it will be before Maxo is ready to develop his tropical fruit palate further! Despite his mango setback, Maxo makes great progress in his fat labrador transformation. February 23rd No longer an overweight labrador. Maxo has officially done it! He has achieved his healthy target weight!! We can confidently say our fat Labrador has successfully morphed into a fit Labrador! Weighing in at .Maxo can run, jump, swim and play- with energy to spare! No longer satisfied with tagging along behind his doggy friends, Maxo keeps up with the best of them and can now outrun many! Who would have thought? Instead of lardy, he is lean! Instead of fatigued, he is fit! And instead of tubby, he is terrific! Maxo has completely transformed! So much so that visitors often think he is a different dog! Having lost .His energy levels have sky rocketed and finally he is living a life befitting of a three year old Labrador! A healthy life full of energy and play. Go Maxo! From fat labrador to fit labrador. Maxo is loving his new lease on life. Want to achieve fantastic weight loss results for your overweight Labrador? Almost two-thirds of dogs in developed countries are overweight, with Labradors having the highest rate of canine obesity. Now we know the secret to their insatiable appetite: mutations in a gene that has been linked to hunger in humans. They found that 23 per cent of the dogs carried at least one copy of a mutant form of a gene called POMC, which encodes proteins that help switch off hunger after a meal. For each copy of the mutant gene, a dog was on average 1. Babies with compromised POMC function are constantly hungry, and become obese at a very early age. The latest study shows that POMC in Labradors is more similar to ours, meaning these dogs may help us to better understand the importance of this gene in human weight gain. The team found that the mutant form is particularly common in Labradors that have been bred as assistance dogs, for example to guide people with sight problems. Because food is often used as a reward during training, we may have been inadvertently selecting and breeding Labradors that have this gene variant, which makes them especially interested in food.

Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Breeders VS. 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 New York 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 New York? 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 New York? 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. Come visit us in person at our retail store: Directions to Canine Corral The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dogs. The Golden Retriever is family friendly, affectionate, and fun! As a puppy, they have lots of energy and love to play. As adults, they have a relaxed temperament but still enjoy play time. The Golden Retriever is excellent with kids and is very patient. They are eager to please and love to bond with their family members. Your Golden will look forward to taking walks with you, throwing a ball in the back yard, and cuddling up in front of the TV to watch a movie. They have a medium-level exercise requirement. They should have a set routine for exercise every day. They are considered a large breed, with females typically ranging between 55 to 75 pounds and males being usually 65 to 75 pounds. They can vary in color, being as light as cream and as dark as a red-golden color. They have fur and should be brushed throughout the week to reduce shedding. Golden Retrievers can be groomed but do not require grooming. They are intelligent and very trainable. Families love their Goldens and often keep this breed as a family favorite throughout their lives! Get your Golden Retriever puppy at Canine Corral. Average Life Span: 11 - 14 years. Activity level: High Litter Size: 3 - 6 puppies. Male Golden Retriever.

Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Well, you get the German Shepherd Lab mix, a lovable crossbreed with all the great personality traits you could ever want in a family dog. Also known as Lab Shepherd mixes or Shepradors, these mixed breed canines are highly sought after. The parent breeds are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Like all crossbreeds, Shepradors combine the physical and personality traits of their parents, resulting in a one-of-a-kind companion. Because they are a designer dog , there are no established breeding guidelines or standards. Oftentimes, pedigree information is scarce as well, creating a lot of unknowns. Canines are fully capable of crossbreeding on their own. In fact, many of the purebred dogs we know today are a result of centuries of careful breeding. As we mentioned earlier, this crossbreed is a direct result of breeding purebred German Shepherds with Labrador Retrievers. Labrador Retrievers have a very long history that dates back all the way to the s. Back then, they were working dogs that often helped out fishermen. Eventually, these dogs made their way to England where they became companions for European royalty. German Shepherds were working dogs, too. However, their main job was to herd sheep and other livestock for farmers. Today, Labradors and German Shepherds are very popular the world over. .Though, they are popular for very different reasons. Typically, Labs are known for their companionship. They make great family pets and are often used as guide dogs for those with disabilities. Meanwhile, German Shepherds are revered for their athleticism and intelligence. German Shepherd Lab Mix Temperament The beauty of mixed breed dogs is that they take on traits from both of their parents. German Shepradors are a perfect example of this. These dogs are a joy to be around. Whether that required physical work or simply good behavior, these pups are up for the task! Like all dogs, German Shepherds and their subsequent crossbreed are products of their environment. Shepradors make great family dogs. The combination of intelligent thinking and loyalty can prove to be useful in a home setting. Your watchdog will do all they can to protect your home while still being down for cuddles. However, helping your pup grow up to be obedient and well-behaved is manageable. You see, these dogs are very intelligent. In fact, some might say that they are too intelligent for their own good. This mainly comes from the German Shepherd side of the dog. German Shepherds are notorious for being stubborn. Shepradors can take on that personality trait, making the training process a bit more challenging. They may require more time and patience to truly understand things. Another issue you might encounter with German Shepherd mixes is the need for regular mental stimulation. Because they are so intelligent, you must constantly challenge their minds to keep them happy. Like all dogs, Shepradors do best when positive reinforcement is the training method of choice. While dominance-based training used to be the go-to, several studies have shown that punishments do more harm than good. German Shepherd mixes thrive when you use a reward system. Showering your dog with praise and providing plenty of treats is the best way to instill the training techniques. Despite all of this, you may see pups with vastly different characteristics. Genetics is not an exact science. Dominant genes from one parent dog may take over, causing the puppy to look more like one breed than the other. As a result, the crossbreed is going to fall into that same category. You can use information about their parents for reference, but several factors will contribute to their true adult size. Generally, males can weigh upwards of 88 pounds when fully grown. They will stand between 22 and 26 inches at the withers. This is the point between the shoulder blades of the dog. Females are typically smaller than males. You may come across females as small as 35 pounds. Though, most will be around 70 to 80 pounds. As for height, females tend to be between 20 and 24 inches at the withers. Both of the parent breeds are pretty athletic, so most mixed pups will be as well. They fall somewhere in the middle. Depending on their activity levels, you might notice strong muscle development on their hind legs. These dogs usually have wide snouts and dark noses. Their eyes are large and brown. Some pups may have light eyes, but this is quite rare. Genetic variations in the parent breeds can lead to lighter eyes, but a vast majority are going to have big brown eyes. One characteristic where you will see a lot of variation among these dogs is the ears. Most Labs have large ears that flop down over the sides of the head Meanwhile, perky triangular ears are one of the most defining traits of the German Shepherds. The interesting thing about the ears is that you will have to wait and see whether they stand tall or flop down. Puppies are born with soft and fluffy ears. As they grow older, the cartilage in their ears may or may not strengthen to help them stand up. Some pups even have a combination of the two ear styles! Colors Coat colors can vary across the board with these pups. German Shepherds have an iconic tri-color coat. Distinct patterns of gold, black, and white cover the body. The most common is gold. However, black and pure-white Labs exist as well. They may have multi-colored coats or solid ones. Lifespan The average lifespan for a German Shepherd Lab mix is between 10 and 12 years. This falls in line with the life expectancy of the parent breeds. Generally, larger dogs tend to have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. Many factors will affect how much time these dogs have. Health issues and a poor lifestyle can cut that lifespan short. On the same token, extremely healthy pups are fully capable of living past 12 years of age. Possible Health Issues Like all dogs, Shepradors are not immune to disease and health problems. In fact, they may be susceptible to more issues. The problem with mixing breeds is that it opens up the possibilities of health complications in the future. Hereditary problems from both parents can be passed to the puppy. Unfortunately, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are known to suffer from a few different ailments. Here are the most common health concerns to be wary of. Dysplasia is a musculoskeletal condition that often affects dogs later in life. However, it takes years to develop and can be triggered by issues as a young pup. Take hip dysplasia for example. Hip dysplasia can cause debilitating pain. Many dogs who suffer from it have a hard time standing up. They may exhibit signs of extreme weakness in the hind legs, resulting in a noticeably different posture. The hip sockets become malformed, causing mobility issues with the hip joint. While some dogs are born with it, poor development as a puppy can exacerbate the problem. There are treatment options for hip and elbow dysplasia. Veterinarians can perform surgery early on to correct the problem and provide relief. If your dog is already suffering from it, physical therapy and joint supplements can provide relief from pain. Bloat Contrary to popular belief, bloat is not an innocent gas problem with dogs. It occurs when dogs eat too fast or exert physical exercise too soon after eating. Excess air is swallowed, filling the stomach. Eventually, the stomach can twist on itself. This restricts blood flow throughout the body. Provide small meals and prevent your dog from playing for at least 30 minutes. To control fast eating, you can utilize slow-feeding bowls or puzzle toys. They create an obstacle that forces the dog to eat slower than normal, which can do a lot to prevent GDV. Ocular Issues Eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy, are pretty common with both parent breeds. The tissue within the eye can degenerate over time. This causes vision loss. From there, you can provide supplements or foods rich in beta carotene to slow its progression. Diet and Exercise Requirements Shepherd Labrador mixes are incredibly active dogs. They love nothing more than playing and getting tons of exercise. To make matters worse, a lack of exercise can turn into a lasting problem. You need to start your pup on the right foot and establish a healthy lifestyle right off the bat. Go for runs and toss chew toys around the yard. You can break up exercise time in manageable chunks throughout the day to make things easier. As long as you get those 90 minutes in, your dog should have no problem staying healthy. When it comes to diet, you must be just as vigilant! These dogs have insatiable appetites. However, you need to ensure that their food is meeting all of their nutritional needs. It should use wholesome proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. The dog food should also have complex carbs and healthy fats like fish oil. Steer clear of anything that has artificial ingredients or unnecessary fillers. Those foods will do more harm than good. The goal is to provide your dog with muscle-building protein that will keep their body in good shape. As a good rule of thumb, dogs will need about 30 calories of food for each pound of body weight. This usually amounts to about 4 cups of dry kibble a day. That said, foods can vary dramatically when it comes to nutritional density. We recommend splitting their caloric requirements into two small meals a day. One meal in the morning and one in the evening will keep their energy levels stable as they go about their active lifestyles. Plus, splitting the meals will help to avoid issues like bloat. However, thick coats need a bit of extra work. GSDs have double costs. The outer layer of hair is thinner and easier to manage. Meanwhile, the inner coat is thick and dense. It provides insulation in those cold winter months. German Shepherd Lab mixes can inherit that thick coat. They will go through shedding cycles a couple of times a year, resulting in a mess of fur throughout your home! With regular brushings, you can keep the fallout to manageable levels while keeping your pup clean. These pups make great family dogs. They get along just fine with kids as long as you socialize them early on. As always, you should never leave your dog alone with young kids. These crossbred dogs are fully capable of attacking people, so you should exercise caution and always keep a watchful eye. They should know not to pull their tail or agitate the dog in any way. Are German Shepherd Lab mixes good guard dogs? Shepradors make great guard dogs. Plus, they tend to be a bit suspicious of strangers. Are these dogs aggressive? This all depends on their upbringing. If you take the time to properly train and socialize these dogs, they will be gentle and loving. However, if the dogs are abused or trained with punishment, they could exhibit aggressive behavior. How big to German Shepherd Lab mixes get? Males can weigh as much as 88 pounds and grow to 26 inches tall at the withers. Do Shepradors get along with other dogs? German Shepherd Labrador mixes do just fine with other dogs. However, they must be properly socialized first. Exposure to other animals is key during their development. They should be introduced to new family dogs slowly to prevent any aggressive behavior. Do Shepradors make good working dogs? Thanks to their intelligence and high trainability, Labrashepherds make fine working dogs. They do particularly well herding livestock. Conclusion German Shepherd Lab mixes are a joy to raise. If you have an active lifestyle to keep them fit, they will be a great addition to your family. Treat them well and these pups will spend their lives being a loving canine companion. Search Dog Breeds. German Shepherd Lab mix puppies German Shepherd Lab mix dogs are a combination of energetic friendliness and natural protection. As well trained adults they have the potential to make great herding, hunting, retrieving, therapy, service or pet dogs. German Shepherd Lab mixes are affectionate with their family, but need plenty of exercise, shed heavily, and can be destructive if left alone for long periods. That is, they have one parent of each pedigree. So there is huge variation in how they look, and no standard appearance. Some have the telltale muzzle and tall ears of the German Shepherd, others more resemble a Labrador. The color of their coat will depend on the coloring of their parents. For example, a black Lab German Shepherd mix is likely to have a dark coat, and a German Shepherd yellow Lab mix is likely to have a mid-toned coat. There are even arresting-looking white German Shepherd Lab crosses. An ultra-warm undercoat and a coarse outer coat to protect them from the elements as they work outdoors. This is because the gene for long coats is recessive and very unusual among Labs. Gathering up their lost hair will be a never-ending task! A good vacuum cleaner is essential. This might be reason enough to choose a different crossbreed if you have a busy family or someone with allergies in the home. German Shepherds are large dogs. They stand 22 — 26 inches tall at their shoulder blades, and weigh 49 — 88 pounds. Meanwhile, Labs are a medium sized breed, 22 — 25 inches tall at their shoulders, and 55 — 80 pounds on the scales. A Labrador German shepherd mix could be as petite as their smallest parent or as big as their largest parent. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could weigh anything from 55 pounds to 80 pounds. As usual, the lower end of the range is typically made up of female dogs, and the top end is dominated by the boys. They love to interact with people, show their affection, and get on well with children. Also, the German Shepherd is confident, courageous and smart. They are loyal and full of life. Furthermore, Labradors and German Shepherds are both fast learners and eager to please. German Shepherds in particular need productive ways to channel their intelligence, or they will get into mischief to stave off boredom. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could inherit any combination of the traits of their parents, which is why meeting both parents before committing to bringing home a puppy is so important. Socialization Socialization is the process of making a dog comfortable with other animals, people, places and activities. Even for breeds that are known to be friendly and easy-going, like Labradors, socialization is very important. German Shepherd Lab mixes are likely to inherit a love of people and company from both sides of their family tree. But socializing them properly as puppies will be vital to give them the confidence they need in meeting new people. German Shepherds, despite their great loyalty to their family, can be wary of strangers. So thorough socialization from puppyhood is essential, even for a mix. For instance, Socialization can involve having new people call over to the house regularly so your pup gets used to new faces and voices. It can also involve introducing your puppy to new dogs, cats, children and other animals so that they do not become fearful or territorial. A young dog in good health could require even more. They will also need human company for much of the day, and training to keep those big brains from getting bored. They are working dogs at heart. Highly motivated to learn and impress you with their ability to follow instructions. Like with any dog, training them is an ongoing commitment that lasts a lifetime. But with your ultra smart dog it should be a satisfying and rewarding one. German Shepherd and Labrador Health Magnification of health problems in pedigree dog breeds has become a well-documented problem. Labrador Health One of the biggest health problems facing Labradors today is hip and elbow dysplasia — looseness in the joints that eventually leads to painful arthritis. Another is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual failure of the retina at the back of their eyes that can ultimately leave them blind. Also, Labs are also notoriously greedy, and prone to obesity if their penchant for snacking is indulged too often. Another less serious but common issue in Labs is ear infections. These are easily treated but may require veterinary care and frequent inspections. In addition, they are more than usually prone to: Gastrointestinal diseases. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior.

Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon. This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. We all know it and have seen it multiple times: the dog sit. The pup is sitting upright with his knees flat to his sides and the feet are neatly tucked underneath. But sometimes the positioning of the dog sit might change and before you know it, the dog sits sloppy on your feet. To owners, it may seem like the dog sits weirdly, but often this is completely normal behavior. I will go into detail below, the reasons might surprise you. In case you ever wondered if that or any other dog position has a specific meaning, I will tell you, yes it does. The Puppy Sit Photo by Steshka Willems on Pexels The puppy sit — also called lazy sit, sloppy sit, or frog sit — is a phenomenon that occurs most often as the name suggests in young puppies. The dog sits with his legs splayed to one or both sides and flops into a sloppy posture. But why is it seen so commonly in puppies and is it something you need to worry about? When puppies go through these awkward growth stages you will find them running around with their limps flying to the sides and sometimes they just take this lazy stance. Puppies are very flexible because their joints are not yet connected and the bones are soft, leading to uncoordinated walking and sitting. A constant sloppy posture may need to be discouraged with techniques that I will explain below in order to prevent damaging the joints. Health Issues May Be the Cause Your dog assuming the lazy dog sitting position or the sloppy sit might point towards an underlying medical condition. At the very least, you should take measures to prevent these from happening. Conditions like hip dysplasia or luxating patella commonly result in different symptoms including the puppy sit to soothe sore joints. Arthritis or spinal problems prevent your dog from adapting a straight sit. A serious trauma from a car accident will also cause damage to the skeleton which could be permanent or a passing problem. Routinely sitting in a sloppy posture is probably a sign that something is wrong and causing your dog discomfort but what steps should you take in such a case and will it resolve without action? More on that at the end of this article. Your dog chilling in this position once in a while is probably a result of him imitating you. Some dogs also adapt to this posture because they like your reaction to it when you burst out in laughter. Keep in mind that any sitting position should be closely monitored and you should look for cues of discomfort. This is the only position that should be taught to puppies from the beginning and should always be encouraged to prevent back pain. Just like humans, dogs should take care of their posture and an effortless straight sit is a sign of a healthy spine. The leader always chooses the best resting spot so sitting beside you must be the best option and it may even get your attention. There is nothing you need to be worrying about when it comes to this position. If you are annoyed by the lack of personal space, provide your dog with a stuffed Kong and place it in his dog bed. Dog Sitting On Your Face Placing their bum on top of you is a type of scent marking, your dog simply wants to claim you as his pack member. It can also be a weird form of cuddling with the goal to be as close to you as possible. Similar to the human sit, your dog perhaps wants to get a certain reaction out of you. What to do: In the case of learned behavior, you will want to stop giving the reaction that you previously displayed. This might eliminate the behavior altogether. If your dog is just looking for a warm cuddly place, an orthopedic dog bed with soft blankets should do the trick. Redirecting your dog onto his dog bed may also be an option if the behavior persists. Dog Sitting On Other Dogs Well, some dogs like to cuddle a lot with their humans but what does it mean when your dog is sitting or laying on top of other dogs? If there are no particular signs of dominance, then they could simply be playing. Playful behavior is always relaxed and both dogs will feel comfortable with the situation. The sooner you catch the issue the better his prognosis will be. If your dog gets the unfortunate diagnosis of a skeleton issue, your vet will probably recommend physiotherapy or hydrotherapy for healthy exercise without straining the joints. Pain medication or surgery may be necessary for more serious problems. However, some breeds are prone to developing joint problems and my Rottweiler is among these breeds. There are various other options like the nature-based green lip mussel powder or general joint supplements to help with preventing joint issues. Not all work equally well though so research beforehand. Provide your dog with a comfortable dog bed — an orthopedic dog bed like mentioned above might be worth the investment. If your dog is healthy, encourage the right sitting positions. After the vet examined your pup and declares him healthy, then you can start working on a proper sit. If you have an adult dog, you can also redirect your dog into a straight sit or lie down whenever you see him sitting sloppy. These are only slight corrections and not in the slightest invasive. Once your dog connects the right sitting position with a reward, he will do it much more on his own which can make this little exercise really fun. Pin This: Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. The way that your dog sits can be a positive sign. For example, it may mean they are trying to form a deeper bond with you. Otherwise, it may be a sign they have some underlying health conditions. This can be quite dependent on age. If puppies sit sloppily with outward splaying limbs, this is completely normal because of their flexible limbs. Older dogs using this sitting position may be a cause for concern and may be worth checking with a vet. Dog Sitting Position Meaning The Puppy Sitting Position Also known as the frog sit, sloppy sit, or lazy sit, this is known as the puppy sit because younger dogs sit this way the most. The cause for concern here could be due to a number of reasons: Arthritis Spine pain Inflammation of muscles They may be in this sitting position to relieve some of the symptoms of pain in their back, joints, or muscles. If you begin to notice the early warning sign of them sitting in a different way, make sure to look for some other changed behaviors. There are two other common, yet very serious conditions that would cause a dog to sit in different ways, which I have listed below and is important to get diagnosed as early as possible to alleviate their symptoms. Hip Dysplasia While hip dysplasia will begin in puppyhood, dogs may not display clinical symptoms until they are older. It will often take years of gradual bone degeneration before a dog becomes symptomatic. The inflammation causes pain in their hip joints , resulting in dogs changing the way they sit to relieve the symptoms, or their gait may change when walking, or how they move in general. Torn cruciate ligament If your dog has torn their cruciate ligament , they will refrain from extending or stretching their sore leg, resulting in them sitting in this way also. You will also notice a change in the way they walk and will appear lame, so watch out for this too. Dogs Sitting Like Humans It can be quite humorous to see our doing sitting like humans do, or engaging in human-like activities! When their actions like this are met with laughter and adoration, this is seen as positive reinforcement which will probably cause them to repeatedly sit like this. Some larger dog breeds who have longer legs may find this way easier to sit, or have realised that sitting like this takes some of the pressure off their lower spine. You can be proactive by observing them as they move about, and if you see them getting up or walking in a stiff manner, then maybe there might be something wrong. The Straight Sit The straight sit can be recognized by an elongated spine sitting upwards and symmetrically with a knee on either side and their feet underneath them. In this position, your dog has a straight spine which is very good for their posture. The straight sit is actually a good way for your dog to sit and is often taught to puppies when they are young. Like humans, dogs benefit hugely from practicing good posture. If your dog sits with a straight sit, they are showing signs of a healthy spine with good posture. This is why obedience schools always use this position for dogs to sit in. Your dog will view you as their role model and leader, and the resting spot that you choose, in their eyes, is the one for the pack. So naturally, they are going to stay close, and even snuggle close to you to get your attention. If your dog is sitting at your feet, they are using this as a sign of bonding, and want to stay close to you. They could also be asking for pets. Dogs Sitting by Your Face If you find your dog trying to sit their rear on your face, this means that they are trying to scent mark. They would like to claim you to be a part of their pack. This odd type of cuddling is just a sign that your dog wants to be close to you. While this can sometimes mean dominance, it is quite unlikely this is what is meant. Most cases will find that your dog is just trying to form a closer bond with you. This may also be a way that your dog is trying to get a reaction from you by engaging in some strange behavior. If you are wanting your dog to quit this behavior, you need to communicate that this behavior is not acceptable. Make sure you do not encourage them to do it again in the future. Your Dog Sitting on Other Dogs There is two reasons why your dog will sit on or cuddle other dogs, which are either dominance or play. While you might think that this need to assert dominance is a personality trait of your dog, it is in fact natural instinct. In cases like this, when referring to dominance it is actually just the social relationship in which dogs have with each other. These signs of dominance may be displayed by putting their paw or head on top of another dogs back. This could also be meant as a playful gesture. If both dogs seem relaxed and comfortable then this is nothing to worry about. Dogs can end up sitting in a variety of different positions, particularly when they are playing. Below is a list of the most common sleeping positions: Lions Pose If your dog is sleeping with their front two paws outstretched and their head resting on or between their paws, then they are sleeping in lions pose. This is typical of a dog who is resting and has not entered a deep sleep. Superman This sleeping pose is easier for smaller dogs to do. This is when they lie on their stomach and stretch their legs out in front and behind. This is similar to a superman flying through the air. This position allows relaxed dogs to stretch out in a comfortable manner. Curled Up in a Ball Some dogs just prefer to sleep like this. It could also be that your dog is trying to make themselves as small as possible for safety reasons. This is a common sleeping position of dogs who are in shelters. Side Sleeping If your dog lies on their side with their legs outstretched, this means that they are comfortable in its surroundings. This position makes them vulnerable. So if they had any concerns about where they were, they would not be lying in this relaxed position. Dog sitting position meaning: Sitting and sleeping positioned explained The way in which your dog sleeps and sits is a good indicator of their state of mind and emotional well-being. A vigilant pet parent will use these as a good early warning sign for more sinister complications of their dogs health. This is particularly useful for dog breeds that are more prone to having issues with their joints. If you notice some of these signs, it would be well worth contacting your veterinarian. Dog sitting position meaning — FAQs Why does my dog sit with his legs to the side? If your dog sits with their hind legs sideways, as opposed to having its legs under its hips, it is considered puppy sitting or sloppy sitting. While this is not a problem for younger dogs because they have flexible limbs, older dogs should sit more straight up. Sitting in this sloppy manner can indicate numerous problems. What does my dog sitting position mean? The best position for your dog to sit in is when they sit squarely with a straight spine. They will have a knee on either side and their feet underneath their knees, in a symmetrical way. Related posts:. This correct position right photo allows the dog to engage all his knee, thigh and gluteal muscles properly when standing up. Improper sitting form left photo with legs splayed wide, hocks spreading out to the sides uneven left vs. What can I do? First and most important: always exclude possible physical limitations. Past injuries, possible weaknesses, chronic problems in joints or soft tissues of the hind limbs can result in compensatory changes and losing the ability to sit properly. Dogs with chronic unaddressed issues in the knee or hock joints often end up with reduced joint range of motion, and therefore lose the ability to fully flex these joints. Bad hip conditions create a vicious circle of pain and disuse of this body part, resulting in a weak core and hind limb musculature with hocks splaying out to the side while sitting. Spinal issues lumbosacral diseases, spinal injuries can also elicit painful response. Forcing the dog in correct sit when it is not desirable, or if the dog is physically not able to or ready yet , can quickly do more harm than good and requires professional help. Therefore you should always consult with an orthopedic vet and certified rehab professional to address the issue properly and help your dog regain these abilities through an appropriate individualized approach. What kind of ground is your dog sitting on? Sitting on slippery surfaces such as tiled or hardwood floors does not provide enough grip for your dog to keep the legs in proper position, let alone load the hind end to stand up. If your dog does not have a known history of past injuries or joint diseases, and is sitting sloppily on non-slip flooring, a lack of strength might be the reason! Weak core and hind limb musculature prevents the dog from maintaining a good posture. Strengthening exercises are definitely a great way to improve the overall physical condition and well being of your four-legged companion. Obese or overweight dogs also lack the needed strength to sit correctly. What about puppies? Well, young puppies might not be really able to perform a proper sit just yet, let alone work out. But don't worry, possibilities for proper sitting come with growing up when they develop enough body awareness and strength. Here are a few tips that can help your dog achieve a better sitting form: Work on smaller surfaces Sitting on a reasonably smaller surface itself usually promotes better sitting position and thus helps strengthen correct muscle groups. We can use a slightly raised platform or balance pad to start with. Use a narrow path Work with the dog on a narrow plank, just wide enough to promote good position of limbs, but narrow enough to prevent turning the feet out. Dec 23, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Have you ever wondered why your dog sits weird with one leg kicked out or both of his knees bent outward in a cross-legged position? Normally, a dog should sit upright with his knees flat to the side and feet neatly tucked underneath his hips. However, some dogs just flop to the floor like they are tired and end up sitting in some rather weird positions. While it may seem that your dog is sitting weird, this can be a completely normal canine behavior. In fact, strange sitting positions are quite common in puppies and are a completely normal part of the growing stage. However, while the puppy sit is normal for puppies, in adult dogs, it can be a sign that something is wrong. If you have a young puppy that sits weirdly from time to time, there is nothing you should worry about. But if your older dog flops into a lazy sit on a regular basis, you should take him to see a vet as soon as possible. In most cases, a dog that is experiencing pain or a health problem will feel more comfortable sitting in a weird position than in a normal sit. For some reason, dogs with joint and bone problems experience relief while sitting in strange positions. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the puppy sit and list the most common reasons behind this strange behavior. Dogs have many interesting habits and are known to do some rather strange things. You have probably noticed that your dog is exhibiting some weird behaviors such as chasing his own tail, barking at his reflections, sitting on your feet, and walking in circles before lying down. However, the thing that most owners find the strangest is the infamous lazy sit. Have you ever seen your dog sag into a sit like he is tired? Or has he ever flopped onto one hip and kicked out his other leg to the side, like he is trying to chill out? Or does your dog ever sit cross-legged with both of his knees splayed on the side and toes almost touching? All of these weird sitting positions are called puppy sit, but you might have heard some people refer to it as lazy, sloppy, or frog sit. If you have just brought a new puppy home , you have probably noticed that he is sitting in many different positions, with limbs spayed in every possible direction. While the lazy sit is quite common in puppies, it is completely normal to wonder if there is something wrong with your new pooch. All puppies go through a growth stage when they look extremely cute and bit awkward running around with limbs flying all over the place. But no matter how cute your puppy looks in this position, most new dog owners assume the worst. Lengthy potty training sessions or too much play can be tiring for a young puppy and may cause your pooch to flop down into a lazy sit more often. If there is a chance your pup is too tired from his daily activities, try to keep his training sessions shorter and more fun to prevent fatigue. However, if your puppy continues to flop into a lazy sit once he reaches maturity, then there is a chance that he is suffering from an underlying medical problem. Underlying Health Problem A lazy sit is a perfectly normal sitting position for puppies, but in adult dogs, it is usually a sign of underlying health problems. Your dog might be sitting weird to relieve pressure from his joints, back, or to avoid aggravating a sore spot on some other part of his body. If your adult dog slips into a lazy sit every once in a while, this might be a sign of a temporary issue, such as muscle soreness after a vigorous play session. However, if your adult dog is sitting like this all the time, you should have him checked out by a vet. Many potential health issues can cause your dog to have trouble sitting normally, but luckily, most are treatable. Listed below are a few health problems that might be the reason why your dog has trouble sitting normally: Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a painful skeletal disease that is often seen in large and giant breeds such as Great Danes , but it can also occur in smaller breeds. In dogs with this condition, the ball and the socket of the hip joint do not fit properly and they rub and grind against each other whenever the dog moves. The grinding causes wear and tear to the joint, which causes a lot of pain and discomfort to the dog. Dogs with hip dysplasia usually have trouble walking, getting up, jumping, and sitting normally. Most dogs with hip dysplasia start sitting in weird positions to relieve soreness and pain caused by this condition. However, once diagnosed, hip dysplasia can be treated surgically or managed with pain-relieving medication. If your dog sits weird on a regular basis, you should take him to your vet for a checkup. And if it turns out that your pooch has hip dysplasia, your vet will suggest treatment options and prescribed meds that will reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Knee Problems Conditions such as luxating patella and torn cruciate ligament are extremely painful knee problems that can cause your dog to have trouble sitting. Luxating patella is often seen in small breed dogs and happens when a kneecap moves from its normal location. If your dog is sitting on the side and is also limping on a rear leg, he might have a torn cruciate ligament. This condition is usually caused by trauma from an injury or a degeneration of the ligaments within the joint. A torn cruciate ligament is an extremely painful condition that usually happens when a dog is running and suddenly changes its position. If you suspect your pooch is experiencing any type of knee problems, you should take him to a vet for a checkup. Back Pain Back pain is another common health problem that might cause your dog to sit with his legs splayed to the sides. Dogs who are developing intervertebral disk disease or herniated disk may have trouble sitting normally. In these cases, a sloppy sit might be more convenient for your dog and help alleviate soreness and back pain. If your dog is suffering from any one of these two conditions, he might also show symptoms of hind leg paralysis, lameness, loss of coordination, and pain. To prevent further damage to the spine, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms of back pain. Impacted anal glands can become abscessed and very painful if not diagnosed and treated in time. While sitting weirdly is one of the signs that your pooch has inflamed anal glands , he might also scoot, bite or lick his rear end, and have constipation. Luckily, impacted glands are very easy to treat with antibiotics. Once the inflammation subsides and your dog starts to feel better, he will no longer have to use a lazy sit to relieve pain and will start to sit completely normally. If you have caught your dog sitting on the sofa with his legs extended out front like a human, chances are that he is copying you. If your dog sits like this often and you notice any signs of back pain, stiffness, or trouble getting up, schedule an appointment with your vet. A who dog just flops into a sit with his legs splayed sideways rather than beneath his hips or appears to go almost cross-legged is sitting in a puppy sit. However, adult dogs should be more stable and a puppy sit can indicate many different problems. In most cases, a dog will use a sloppy sit as a way to alleviate soreness and joint pain. Hip dysplasia, knee problems, back pain, and inflamed anal glands are a few health problems that can cause a dog to sit in weird positions. If your dog sits strangely and also has trouble walking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. The most common signs of hip dysplasia in dogs include decreased activity, pain, stiffness, lameness in hind legs, and decreased range of motion. Additionally, you will notice that your dog has trouble rising and is reluctant to run, jump, and climb the stairs or sofa. Some dogs with hip dysplasia also develop a swaying gait and have noticeably enlarged shoulder muscles compared to the rear end of the body. In some cases, you might hear grating in the hip joint while your dog is walking. Some dogs sit like humans just because every time they do it, their owners find it funny and unintentionally encourage this behavior. Dogs know how to copy human behaviors, and if your pooch thinks you like the way he is sitting, he will start sitting this way more often. However, some dogs might sit like people just because this position is more comfortable and alleviates back pain and soreness. If your dog is sitting like a human and has difficulty walking, you should take him to your vet for a check-up. Dogs that have hip dysplasia will sit on the side with the affected leg extended to the side, instead of sitting square with both legs tucked under hips. Additionally, dogs with bad hips might also have trouble sitting normally and they usually just flop to the floor like they are very tired. Observing the way a dog sits during an examination is one of the ways a vet can determine if he has hip dysplasia. Conclusion If you have noticed that your dog sits weird, he is most likely flopping down into a puppy sit with his legs splayed to the side. Also known as lazy and sloppy sit, the puppy sit is completely normal for puppies, but can be a sign of health problems in adult dogs. This weird sitting position helps dogs relieve pain and feel more comfortable if they are suffering from: Hip dysplasia Knee problems Back pain If your dog is slipping into a lazy sit only once in a while, he might be trying to relieve temporary muscle soreness or pain. However, if he sits weirdly all the time and has difficulty walking, you should take him to a vet for a check-up. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Does my Dog sit weird? What you can do to help Written by Tori Acres on .Share Seeing or teaching a dog to sit is common practice. However, by analysing their sitting posture, we can discover hidden problems or gain clues about their physical health. The Dog Sit We all know it; we've seen it many times and possibly worked on getting our pet to do it on our command—the dog sit. It's probably one of the first behaviours that dogs learn when they are puppies, and it often seems to be one of the easiest to master. It looks like this: a dog's bottom lowers to the ground, the hind limbs are bent and neatly tucked under the hips, the front legs stretched straight, and the head stands tall. Easy and simple. Or is it? Many owners will mention that sometimes or often their dog sits weird—one leg sticking out, the spine looks arched, or both knees bent outward in an odd manner. Although these abnormal postures may be due to something benign such as fatigue after exercise or a developing body. More often than not, though, this might be one of the signs of a much bigger problem rather than simply an unusual choice of pose. Does My Dog Sit Weirdly? To answer this question, let's first learn to distinguish between good and bad dog sitting. What's a Good Dog Sitting Position? The dog has straight forelimbs when sitting properly, with elbows pointing backward and the shoulders down. The hind limbs are neatly tucked alongside the body, with the knees and toes facing forward. The head and neck are relaxed, looking forward. An inability to adopt this posture can often happen during the puppy stage and in young dogs up to two years old whose skeletal and muscular structure is still developing. If we notice unusual sitting in adult dogs, it should attract our attention and prompt us to observe the frequency of such behaviour. Poor sit posture in the dog world has several names: lazy sit, sloppy sit, frog sit, or puppy sit. Precisely because of the latter, it is clear that puppies often demonstrate this behaviour. Puppies are very flexible since their boney structures are still developing, and their connective tissues are often more pliable than older dogs. Thus, movement patterns in younger dogs including sitting can look uncoordinated. What does a sloppy sit look like? When viewed from the front, it may seem that the dog has thrown its hind legs to the side and is sitting on one hip only; from behind, it may look as if the spine is crooked to the side. The hind legs can be bent outwards at the knees like a frog. However, due to the unnatural position of the spine, the shoulders may appear to stand high, and the forelimbs may not be aligned or pointed forward. If your puppy adopts this sitting position only occasionally, it may be due to fatigue after exercise or a slight asymmetry during their developmental phase. However, if this positional dysfunction persists or is accompanied by other signs of movement dysfunction, then they should have a thorough physical assessment. Puppies or adult dogs that frequently sit weirdly or suddenly start sitting weirdly may have an underlying medical issue that requires intervention. There are various reasons why an adult dog might not have a perfect posture while sitting. Some are minor issues, easily treated by your canine manual therapist and precisely targeted exercises. While others may be the first sign of an underlying problem that dogs often try to cover up. Therefore, sloppy sitting in adult dogs should always be carefully observed to determine if a physical problem would require veterinary assistance. Conformation Sometimes the conformation of dogs is such that textbook-propper sitting makes them uncomfortable. Different types of dogs have different builds, and some prefer unique sitting positions precisely because of their conformation. Long backs An example of conformation affecting the dog's ability to sit can often be seen in dogs with long backs, such as the popular sausage dogs or dachshunds. This hunting breed is recognisable precisely by its elongated shape. Their long spine requires strong core muscles and a good range of motion through the hip, stifle and tarsal joints for them to successfully adopt the proper sitting form. Otherwise, they can be inclined to sit on their hip, with their feet off to one side. Helping long-back dogs to maintain good posture throughout their lives is important in reducing the risk of long-term health consequences. Dwarfism Chondrodysplasia, also known as canine dwarfism, is a recessive genetic defect found in some purebred dog breeds. This condition occurs due to abnormal growth of cartilage, which affects the development of joints and the speed of their growth, resulting in irregular growth of limbs and the appearance of dwarfism. Probably the most famous dogs with this disorder are corgis, they physically are unable to point their forefeet forward. However, they will benefit, from regular conditioning to help support their bodies and maintain good posture. Athletic Excellence Certain types of dogs, such as sighthounds, are built for speedrunning and often have difficulty sitting correctly due to their long spines and strong muscular hindquarters. More specifically, these dogs have difficulty sitting in general as they often find it too uncomfortable to lower themselves into a sitting position, so most prefer the sphinx position or simply lying down. Surfaces If your dog is only showing signs of sitting weirdly in a particular place, consider that it could be down to the surface. Some dogs are picky about where they lower their bums, so a less-than-ideal surface might prompt them to avoid sitting directly on it—either because they've decided it's too wet, too hot, too cold, or perhaps too itchy. Surfaces should always have enough grip that the dog can safely move into and out of the sit position without their feet slipping. Fatigue If your adult dog occasionally slips into a sloppy sit, it's not immediately a cause for concern. Sitting in the correct position requires core strength, which can be too much effort for a dog when it's tired after a long play session or exercise. Such issues are usually not too serious and resolve on their own. Long training sessions for puppies, too, can result in this kind of behaviour. So keep in mind that they need to strengthen their muscles through conditioning exercises to withstand the challenges of sitting up straight after the training. Dysfunctions With all the above in mind, it is not an immediately alarming situation if you catch your adult dog in a strange sitting position on rare occasions. However, if your dog is over two years old and sloppy sits very often, it would be a good idea to have it examined by a vet or therapist so that potential health problems that cause it can be detected in time. Judy C. Coates, a researcher and author of Evaluation and Rehabilitation Options for Orthopedic Disorders of the Pelvic Limb, highlights that, when observing the dog in the sitting posture, a therapist considers square sit as normal. Therefore, abnormal sitting posture is often a sign of an injury or pain. Some of the potential medical conditions that could cause weird sit are listed below. Hip Dysplasia Canine hip dysplasia appears more regularly in some breeds, with larger breeds often afflicted by this condition. Although, it is also not unusual for it to occur in small dogs. Hip dysplasia is caused by the ball and the hip joint socket not fitting correctly, so they rub and grind against each other when the dog moves. This causes pain because your dog may have difficulty walking, flexing their hip to climb stairs, or sitting correctly. This condition is genetic, and the only thing you can do to reduce its occurrence is to get your dog from a reputable breeder who screens for hip dysplasia. Once diagnosed, hip dysplasia can be treated surgically, or the pain can be controlled with medication—something your vet will advise you best about. Manual therapy is an excellent adjunctive therapy for hip dysplasia, as it helps to maintain the range of motion in the joints and releases tension in soft tissue from muscle compensation. Pain A dog sitting in a position with its knees protruding outwards on each side can be a good indicator of pain. For example, a sloppy sit might be more convenient for your dog in this condition as it might help reduce tension in the already sore muscles. Pain can present through other symptoms, too, such as lameness, unwillingness, or even aggression. If you think your dog is in pain, a quick thermal imaging scan can help identify areas of concern. From there, you can make a plan to treat your dog or seek a diagnosis and medical care from your veterinarian. Injuries If you notice that your dog is limping on its hind leg, that is, if it has problems with shifting its weight on one side, there may have been an injury that prevents your dog from sitting correctly. Injuries can be either internal or external and may affect bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves, or even the superficial layers of the skin. A qualified professional must assess injuries that prevent your dog from sitting. Inflamed Anal Glands Inflammation of the anal glands is an uncomfortable condition that can cause your dog to refuse to sit correctly, and they may prefer to lean to one side. You can learn more about inflamed anal glands in the previous article. What is certain is that if there is inflammation in your dog's anal glands, the dog will avoid putting pressure on this painful area at all costs and may show it through a sloppy sit. Handler Impact Sometimes a poor sitting posture results from the owner or trainers' biomechanics. When teaching a dog to sit, placement of the treat is essential in training good posture. Everyone wants their dog to learn quickly and to be motivated and engaged during training, but this requires the right approach. Improving the guide mechanics is one of the key things to work on. It doesn't need more training time but, rather, enhanced handler mechanics. Mechanics include your handling position, movement, leash , timing, cues, and delivery of reinforcements prepare treats in advance. The handler's body language must be neutral when teaching a new behaviour, and it is necessary to reward reinforce only the behaviour we want from the dog. If we give confusing commands to the dog, be that verbal or through the position of our body, this may force the dog into a poor sitting pose. Regular reinforcement of poor posture will likely increase the frequency with which the dog adopts the dysfunctional pose. How to Correct Your Dog's Sit Now that we have talked about several possible reasons that cause dogs to sit weirdly, it's time to approach your dog individually and observe if this is a common behaviour or if it only occasionally shows a sloppy sit. For example, is your dog a puppy that doesn't yet know how to sit correctly? Do you notice any other symptoms that might indicate painful conditions? Perhaps changing the surface you usually train on will show that this was the reason for the sloppy sit all along. Also, could you consider from which side you observe the dog and in which position you are concerning the dog when you notice a weird sit? To help your dog strengthen its physical condition, in addition to regular exercises, you can provide your dog with quality supplements. Antinol is a dietary supplement that reduces inflammation and promotes joint function and health, which will facilitate holding the proper posture. Where physical dysfunction is the reason for the incorrect sitting, you should contact a professional that can help your dogs, such as a veterinarian or a canine therapist, depending on the severity and type of condition. Dogs lacking in muscular strength or condition, without other concerns, can be booked in for an online consult with a canine fitness trainer. These professionals can help you improve your dog's sitting biomechanics. Is puppy sitting a bad thing? No we are talking about the way your little pooch pie sits! Is there anything more adorable than a puppy? Sure, they may eat your shoes and stain your carpet yellow — but they are still cute. Even the way they sit captivates you and your friends. However, puppy sitting also known as sloppy sitting or the lazy sit can indicate a problem for dogs after one- two years of age. Why is this? Find out below. Normal sitting vs puppy sitting Dogs after the first two years should sit up straight with their body directly over their hips. This is considered normal sitting. If a dog is sitting with their hind legs sideways, rather than under the hips, it is considered puppy sitting or sloppy sitting. However, older dogs should be more stable and sitting this way can indicate numerous problems. What problems might be related? There are numerous potential conditions that may be related to abnormal sitting posture. They are: Hip problems — This includes potential items such as hip dysplasia, hip arthritis, or anything else that causes an inflammatory response in the joint. Knee pain — This could be the result of something as serious as a torn cruciate ligament or something more chronic in nature as a luxating patella. Back pain — Back pain may be the result of altered biomechanics, which would affect the joints involved in sitting. Problems with the anal glands and other inflammatory issues related to the hind end may also contribute. If the issue is biomechanical, such as hip, knee, or back issues than a good treatment option includes animal chiropractic. The goal of chiropractic care is to restore normal alignment to abnormal joints using very gentle, specific corrections known as adjustments. These adjustments will help restore normal motion and help your pet sit comfortably. There are other potential causes though, and it may be worth a visit to your primary care vet. Nutrition Developing puppies need a healthy diet for their joints to develop appropriately, no different than a human. There are many options including popular kibble brands such as Fromm , Zignature , Orijen , and more. If you prefer a dehydrated raw food for your pup, Sojos is a fairly popular brand. No matter what you feed, you want to avoid ingredients such as by-products in the ingredient panel. When it comes to supplements, it may be worth considering a puppy multivitamin. The glucosamine and other similar ingredients should help growing joints and may be useful in breeds predisposed to dysplasia, etc. So, is puppy sitting a bad thing? The answer to that is no — if your dog is still a puppy. However, abnormal sitting can indicate multiple other issues such as hip, knee, or back problems. There are options, however. Animal chiropractic via a certified veterinarian or chiropractor will help the biomechanical problems. A routine visit to your primary care vet can help rule out other issues. Looking for advice for products that may help your puppy as they age, visit our favorite products page or visit a reputable website like Chewy!

With my Dad's unexpected passing we were reminded of how short life can be and decided to follow our dreams by starting our breeding program. While working from home as a pharmacist and home schooling our children, we spoil our dogs and puppies throughout each day! Your new puppy will be given the love and nurture needed to go home well-socialized and ready to join your family! Our Health Guarantee Our parent dogs are from excellent bloodlines, have wonderful temperaments, and obtain extensive health clearances. Numerous hours are spent looking through Pedigrees and learning the quality and characteristics of our lines. Our breeding goal is to produce beautiful, healthy companion puppies with exceptional temperaments. When purchasing a puppy from us you can be certain the health and temperament of your new puppy is Above and Beyond Standards. We provide all of our puppies with a 2 Year Health Guarantee to support this. Puppy hall of fame Above and Beyond Standards Puppy Hall of Fame We invite you to submit your favorite stories, memories, or simply a testimonial. Be sure to also submit a photo we can share. It is our hope through this page a storybook photo album can be created of our wonderful puppies and we can enjoy in their adventures and proud moments together! See Testimonials and Fun Moments Here! Breeder Sharee Avila offers lively and healthy Moyen, or medium-sized, Poodle puppies as family companions. Each puppy is microchipped and placed on a spay or neuter contract and has a one-year health guarantee. Toy Poodle and Maltese Perfection is an innovative breeder that offers hearty, colorful litters for anyone who prefers smaller breeds. McKenzie socializes her Toy Poodle puppies with children, adults, and other dogs to help them become accustomed to their potential new homes. The puppies also receive up-to-date veterinary evaluations to keep them in top condition. When her puppies are eight weeks old, they are placed on a spay or neuter contract; they have a one-year health guarantee. Asking questions about their experience is a great way to get insight on how to keep your dog happy and healthy. This screening helps them evaluate whether buyers are responsible enough to care for their puppies. Many of them raise their puppies inside of their homes; they feed them nutritious puppy food to help them grow and do not confine them in cramped kennels. Responsible breeders give new Poodle owners up-to-date medical records, including a vaccination and deworming history. They also provide health guarantees for genetic health issues, like vision loss and epilepsy , to ensure that the pup is healthy before going to its new home. Those prices are red flags for unethical commercial breeders or puppy mills. Poodle Puppies in North Carolina Poodles are one of the most popular and versatile dog breeds for families across North Carolina and the rest of the United States. Their playful and friendly nature makes them perfect for homes with kids, while their low-shedding coat makes them ideal for people with allergies. Poodle puppies come in several coat colors. Some breeders offer black Poodles, while others sell apricot and white Parti Poodles, for a unique pattern consisting of white and another color. Poodles require extensive grooming to prevent matting, so you can expect to get them groomed every six weeks. I also recommend brushing them every day to remove any traces of dander in their coat. Many breeders specialize in one or more Poodle sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The smaller sizes are ideal for apartment life. Regardless of the size you prefer, this high-maintenance breed needs plenty of exercise. Therefore, you should take them on an hour-long walk every day. Conclusion Although searching for trustworthy Poodle breeders in North Carolina can feel intimidating for first-time dog owners, you can find several of them across the state who love caring for their dogs as much as you do. If you are interested in owning a healthy, energetic Poodle, feel free to ask these breeders any questions about their pups and practices to see if they are the right pick for you. Similar Posts. Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. Poodle Info Testimonials We have a puppy from December litter. A black male. He is incredibly smart, loving, great with little people, dogs. Myles is a wonderful addition to our family. He makes us laugh so much with his cute self. Debbie B. We purchased a puppy from the litter born in December of .We had never purchased a puppy through a breeder and we had many, many questions. Throughout the adoption process the breeder was available and patient, taking time to ensure all of our questions were answered. They promised they would pair us with the perfect puppy for our family and we are so glad we took their recommendation. Meeting the parents on pick up day really sealed the deal for us. The parents were sweet, well behaved beautiful dogs who came up to meet us when we arrived. Mike D. Everything was perfect. I first talked to the breeder who helped me select the right pup for my family. The pup was shipped to me in witching 48hr since I wanted the pup asap. Communication was great with the Breeder, professional, patient with my questions, and down to earth. This Breeder truly cares for the well-being of the pups. That means a lot to me. I defiantly recommend this Breeder. In addition my pup everything I wanted! Shani C. Just got my puppy from them. Sweet and knowledgeable people!!!! John L. Wonderful breeder with superb poodle bloodline and quality handling. My beautiful puppy is not only adorable, but so well adjusted, loving, confident and well behaved. This pup traveled 14 hours home to NJ like an old soul and adjusted to his new home with ease. The entire transaction was done with such care and professionalism. Well worth the trip and lovely to meet such caring great people. Thank you so much for my dream pup. Highly recommend this breeder. Joann H. I recently purchased a male Standard Poodle from these wonderful people. These are good people who love poodles and have experience breeding dogs. They have a great facility. My puppy is crate and doggy door trained. He is sweet, smart and has a great demeanor. I would definitely recommend Poodles of Piedmont to a friend. This is a down to earth breeder who cares…a lot. They were very informative and super helpful. Thanks Poodles of Piedmont! Donnie C. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on current and future litters Dogs — Poodle Video.

Should you notice your dog acting disoriented, begin to shiver during your walk, has difficulty walking, or is lethargic, it is time to get him home immediately. If left out in the cold too long, your GSD will become sluggish and ultimately unresponsive. Lasting injury or death can result from untreated hypothermia. Dogs love rolling around in the snow, and some breeds like Labradors love a dip in icy water. But if your dog gets wet, he will be more susceptible to hypothermia. As German Shepherds cannot tolerate the cold as well as the Great Pyrenees or Huskies who are acclimatized to colder temperatures, it is best to avoid winter water time. If your German Shepherd is hypothermic, you will need to warm him by: Getting him inside a warm place Wrapping him in blankets or coats warm these on a radiator first if you can Call your veterinarian Are German Shepherds Good in Hot Weather? For greater insight, check out this article, Can German Shepherds Overheat? Heat Tolerance Explained. German Shepherds, like all dogs, cool themselves through panting. Heat loss through sweating from the paw pads and nose is minimal. Nonetheless, panting loses its effectiveness as the temperature rises. On humid days, dogs must pant even more vigorously. Our dogs feel more uncomfortable on humid, steamy days, just like we do. Thicker coats, like that of the German Shepherd, decrease heat loss from the skin. Without proper attention, your dog may face heatstroke at higher temperatures than other dogs can tolerate. This clever multi-tiered fountain is the perfect size for German Shepherds. The free-flowing water lures your dog to drink more, and the continual water circulation keeps the water fresh and clean. Check out my German Shepherd, Willow, in the below photo. She loves sunbathing — but only for a few minutes! You should never shave your German Shepherd in the summer or at any time of year, for that matter. Your dog can also suffer from red and inflamed skin that becomes painful and easily irritated. Consistent exposure to direct sunlight is also associated with skin cancer. Besides, your dog is programmed to blow his undercoat shed heavily in summer to regulate airflow and enhance cooling. A shaved dog no longer has that cooling system and is more likely to suffer heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke in German Shepherds are: Vigorous panting or labored breathing Dehydration and deep red gums Trembling, disorientation, or seizures Salivating or foaming at the mouth Vomiting and bloody diarrhea Collapse or unconsciousness If you notice these signs in your dog, get him to a shaded and cooler temperature. Pour cool tap water not cold to avoid shock over your dog and let him drink small amounts of cool water. Towels can be placed beneath him in minor cases, and consult your vet. On hot days, walk your dog early morning and late evening when it is cooler. I get my German Shepherd out at 6. I usually take Willow to a nearby wood where the trees shade her. I also take a dog water bottle like the Tuff Pupper PupFlask from Amazon to ensure I always have emergency hydration when my dog needs it. This flask is a great size, is quick and easy to use, and has a cool reversible leaf-shaped bowl that lays flat over the bottle when not in use. My German Shepherd Willow cooling off in the river. Senior German Shepherds and Temperature German Shepherds become more sensitive to hot and cold weather as they age as they have a reduced capacity to maintain their body temperature. Temperatures your dog enjoyed while young may be too much for them as a senior. Dogs lose the ability to control their body temperature as they age. They are more vulnerable to hypothermia in the winter and heatstroke in the summer. Additionally, if your senior GSD develops arthritis common in older dogs , they will feel discomfort during cold or damp weather. The more sedentary senior lifestyle also means many older dogs are prone to weight gain. An obese dog is at greater risk of heat stroke and heart conditions. German Shepherd Puppies and Temperature German Shepherd puppies are more sensitive to temperature due to their smaller size. GSD puppies have boundless energy. If given a chance, they will play in the sun until they overheat. While puppies love playing and rolling around in the snow, they can quickly start to shiver if exposed to the cold for too long. You will need to watch your pup closely and get him warm at the first signs of hypothermia. Final Thoughts German Shepherds can tolerate high or low temperatures for a short while but will do better in cool to moderately warm weather due to their thick double coat. Ensure your dog has plenty of water when it is hot, and look out for shivering when the temperature drops. While you can keep your German Shepherd in an outside kennel in a temperate climate, your dog will be much happier indoors with the family. The ideal temperature for a German Shepherd and the perfect environment is in your house. Related Posts You May Like:. Breed Info One of the reasons why German Shepherds became among the most popular breeds in the world is that they can tolerate all sorts of climates. In fact, early GSDs were bred to herd sheep even in intensely cold weather. Do German Shepherds Get Cold? Just like any other breed, German Shepherds do get cold. But thanks to their robust bodies and double coats, they tolerate low temperatures better than most breeds. In fact, many GSDs love playing in snow. Whereas, the outer coat act as guard hairs to repel moisture and keep the cold from reaching the body. It is important to note, however, that the density of undercoats differ between individual dogs. Body Structure German Shepherds have robust bodies that allow them to stay comfortable in low temperatures. They have a good ratio of muscle and fat to keep their vital organs insulated. Additionally, dogs in general have a remarkable paw structure, which features a network of blood vessels that ensures blood is warmed up before it is pumped back throughout the rest of the body. Additionally, many GSDs will instinctively engage in physical activity when the weather gets cold in an effort to keep their bodies warm. How cold is too cold for a German Shepherd to be outside? Besides, they benefit tremendously from the physical and mental stimulation. There are several factors that could make your German Shepherd less tolerant of the cold. These include: Age German Shepherd puppies have not had the chance to develop their robust bodies and lush coats, and so will have a lower tolerance for frosty weather. Health If your dog is malnourished or has an underlying health condition, they might not have enough fat and flesh to insulate their vital organs. It might not take much to make them feel too cold. Undercoat Not all GSDs have thick or woolly coats. Dampness Guard hairs can only do so much. Ways to Tell if Your Dog is Cold The more time you spend bonding with your dog, the better connection you have. When dogs shiver, their muscles use stored energy to create small involuntary movements in an effort to generate warmth. Needing to Curl Up At the onset of cold weather, many dogs will try to become more active to keep their bodies warm. But eventually, they will instinctively try to preserve their energy and keep warm by curling up. They do so by burrowing or nesting, ideally in proper beddings. Even when standing, they will try to preserve body heat by hunching their back and tucking their tail in. Showing Signs of Stress When they become uncomfortable in the cold, dogs will exhibit signs of anxiety. German Shepherds are particularly vocal, so they might howl , bark , and whine. Lethargy As their bodies focus on keeping their vital organs warm, dogs often become lethargic when they feel too cold. This might be accompanied by dilated pupils. Ways to Keep Your Dog Warm in Colder Weather As winter approaches, a good rule of thumb is to keep your dog indoors unless supervised for potty and play. Generally, these are what you need to keep them safe and comfortable in cold weather: Keep them indoors. The most important thing to keep your dog safe in frigid temperatures is to let them stay indoors. Always make sure they have proper shelter than protects them from snow, wind, and rain. Ensure access to fresh water. Proper hydration will help your dog tolerate the chilly weather. Provide proper beddings. Give your dog thicker blankets so they can bundle up when they want to. You can even roll the blankets up and shape them in a circle so your dog can nest. An elevated bed keeps their body further away from the cold as they sleep. Increase their food servings. Just being in frosty weather makes your dog use up more energy. So, feed them more food to keep their bodies from using their fat and muscle stores for energy. Protect their paws. Additionally, if you have a long-coated GSD, make sure you keep their paws trimmed short since their fur can soak up dampness from the ground and make them more susceptible to hypothermia. Get some clothes. Dog clothes are generally unnecessary for GSDs unless temperatures reach critically low levels or your dog is particularly sensitive to the cold. In those cases, additional insulation through dog sweaters or vests will be helpful. Avoid bathing. Instead, brush them often to remove dirt and debris, remove loose hair, and keep their skin and coat healthy. What to do if you Suspect your Dog has Hypothermia Hypothermia is a serious condition caused by exposure to low temperatures. It could lead to heart failure, comatose, or even death. If a vet is not immediately available, take the following steps: Step 1: Dry them up. Soak up what you can with a towel and use a hairdryer to dry them up and give them warmth at the same time. Step 2: Keep them warm. Step 3: Check their temperature. Otherwise, watch them closely as they warm up. Step 4: Monitor their progress. Check their temperature every 10 minutes. As soon as their body temperature returns to normal, you can remove the heat but keep them bundled up. Final Thoughts The bodies of German Shepherds are built to tolerate the cold much better than other breeds. However, they do still feel cold and excessive exposure to low temperatures still poses severe danger. Listed here are some tips to help your dog through the harsh winter. Keep your GSD well-groomed and brushed. Keep them indoors when the temperature is frigid outside. If your dog lives outside, consider investing in an insulated dog house with a sloped roof and raised floor. A sloped roof helps prevent the water from seeping inside the house, while a sloped floor helps to shield your dog from chilly ground. Plus, depending on how extreme the weather is, you may also need to attach a heater to the dog house. Provide warm beddings. Give your dog a cozy blanket to snuggle up to in their bed. It will be helpful to shape the blanket like a donut so that your dog can nest down inside the blanket comfortably. If your dog needs more heat, you can also consider inserting heated dog pads inside their house. Make sure they have constant access to plenty of fresh water to drink from. Just like their hoomans, dogs can become hydrated in cold weather. Increase their food intake. You should feed your dog more foods, preferably foods high in protein, to keep them warm during cold months. Get them some clothes. Additional clothing, such as a sweater or coat, can be beneficial, especially to puppies or geriatric dogs, to limit their exposure to extreme temperature. Get them some boots. Dry them thoroughly. When they return from a walk, in addition to wiping off their paws, be sure to towel dry them as much as possible, and if needed, use a hairdryer as well. Avoid bathing. In the winter, try to avoid bathing more than once every two weeks. For in-between bathing, you can use waterless pet shampoo to keep your dog looking sharp and smelling good. When bathing your dog, do it in enclosed and warm places like a garage, and dry them off thoroughly after. Leaving your dog unattended in a car for too long on a cold day can wind him up in potentially cold-related issues like hypothermia. Please note that the combination of fainting, sudden lethargy, and blue gums and tongue are serious indications of hypothermia. In the meantime, do the following first aid steps: Step 1: dry them up with a towel and hair dryer. Step 2: bundle them up in thick blankets. Step 3: place a hot water bottle in their belly. Step 4: monitor their temperature. Step 5: continue monitoring their temperature. Once their body temperature returns to normal, you can remove the hot water bottle but keep them bundled up. Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd. Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds. Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here. Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Related posts:. The article talks about the coats they wear and why they should be fine in these temperatures. German Shepherds are working dogs that require a moderate climate with little to no extreme temperatures. This climate is best for these dogs as they need to maintain an active lifestyle and the hot or cold weather would inhibit that. Bad weather can be tough on any dog. But German Shepherds are more than just any dog. They are strong and sturdy, with a thick double coat to keep them warm in cold weather. So how cold is too cold for German Shepherds? If it gets colder than this, you should take your dog indoors with you to keep it safe and warm. There are many dog houses available for GSDs, but one of the best options is the insulated dog house. This dog house is made of durable materials and has a shingle roof. It should be insulated and have a waterproof floor. You can even make the makeshift entrance to the house to keep your dog safe from strong winds. Does the German Shepherd need to wear a vest? No, the German Shepherd does not need to wear a vest. What should you do if your dog gets wet and cold? Provide a dry, warm, sheltered location. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Offer a small amount of food. How much exercise should a German shepherd get in cold weather? A German shepherd should get the same amount of exercise like any other breed of dog, despite the weather. How do dogs react to being cold? Always remember that there are numerous cases every year of dogs found frozen, even in milder winters, so always keep an eye on your dog during the winters. Digital Marketing Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you decided to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Every dog has a different tolerance for the cold. Read on to find out more. Long-haired GSDs can withstand even colder temperatures. Yet, factors like age, health conditions, activity level, and weight may also affect their ability to stand the cold weather. Unlike some breeds who were bred to live and sleep in the snow, like Sebastian Huskies, Saint Bernards, and Malamutes, German Shepherds were bred to live and work with people and livestock. The fact is, the German Shepherd is a breed of dog that has a double coat. This means that there are two layers of fur. Their outer coat is long and coarse, and it is there to protect the dog against snow and ice. The undercoat is thick and soft, and it insulates the dog against cold in the winter as well as heat in the summer. Many owners have shared that their GSDs literally love the snow. Their pooches were fine even after being out in the snow for one to two hours. And when they are cold, they will come inside. Depending on their coat length, age, weight, lifestyle, and diet, German Shepherds will do alright even below zero, as long as they are on the move and are not left outside for a prolonged period of time. How cold is too cold for your German Shepherd? If the temperature gets too far below, your dog will have trouble regulating its temperature. However, there are a few exceptions to this. For example, if your pup is a long-haired German Shepherd with a thick fur coat, eats a healthy diet, or is muscular, he may be able to withstand even lower temperatures. How long can your German Shepherd stay in below zero temperature? Your GSD can go outside for 15 to 20 minutes at below-freezing temperatures for potty breaks. All dogs also have ways to retain heat. For one, their bushy tail can be used to cover the face and keep it warm while sleeping. Also, as a German Shepherd curls up, he retains heat better while sleeping. Raising the coat hairs also helps to trap heat and keep the body warm. These factors include: Age German Shepherd puppies have a thin fur coat that makes winter very hard on them. Their muscles are also underdeveloped, making it hard to regulate body heat well. Feeding your puppy a highly nutritious diet and giving them a warm coat can help them stay warm during winter. On the other hand, older dogs may also have trouble regulating their body heat as well. Over time, older dogs lose their hair and muscles, and their immune systems may dwindle as they age. It is usually best to not take a senior German Shepherd into the severe cold too often. In case you live in an area with a very cold winter, you may keep your young or old dog warm with a vest while going outside. Activity Level If a German Shepherd is highly active and always on the move, he can keep himself warm on a chilly day just by staying busy. This should not be a problem if your dog is healthy. They can run for at least several hours a day for sure. This is a dog who is bred to go all day regardless of the temperature, and all that activity helps to keep your Shepherd warm. Weight If your German Shepherd is slim and seems to be losing weight, this means he may not have enough muscle and body fat to keep him warm. Both of these are important to maintain heat. In really cold weather conditions, the body fat can be converted to extra energy to keep your pup warm. Protein from meat and salmon is a calorie-dense nutrient. And many of the high-protein diets are extremely high in calories and can lead to being overweight. Health conditions If your dog eats a balanced diet and has enough physical and mental stimulation during the day, he is a happy and healthy dog that can stay active to keep himself warm in cold weather. However, when your dog is sick, their bodies automatically take extra energy and direct it toward healing. This leaves very little energy left to help the dog stay warm. This is why it is best to keep any sick German Shepherds inside where it is nice and warm. What to look for when your dog reacts to colder temperatures? Again, not all German Shepherds have the same ability to regulate their body heat temperatures, and they may struggle with colder temperatures. If it seems like your dog is shivering when it gets colder, you need to keep them inside or give them some added layers of protection. Simple cold-weather caring tips for dogs You may assume that your Shepherd will be able to handle the cold with no problem. However, even if your dog seems to be having a great time in the snow, there are some things that you can do to make it safer and easier for them: Paw Balm Paw balm has been used throughout history to protect the paws of dogs who have to track over ice and snow. The formula even includes vitamin E to heal any wounds as well as keep the paws healthy. It can protect them from ice, snow, and salt. Key Benefits: Premium paw balm helps to protect and soothe cracked pads and paws. Moisturizing formula made from premium ingredients. Safe, non-toxic, natural protection includes white beeswax, yellow beeswax and coconut. Easy to apply and you can reapply as needed. Made in the USA. Yes, German shepherds get cold. Because of the way they are built accompanying their thick double coats, German shepherds tolerate lower temperatures easier than other breeds. A German shepherd can tolerate chilly temperatures for a long time or freezing temperatures for a short period. We Recommend The coat will keep your dog warm and cozy, so that they can play outside or sleep comfortably throughout the day even in freezing weather. A Sable German shepherd has longer and fluffier hair than the average German shepherd , which will be able to withstand colder temperatures easier. On the other hand, like most breeds, they can also become acclimated rather quickly to the changing seasons. Age Due to their body mass and size, puppies cannot tolerate cold temperatures like adults. On the other hand, a senior german shepherd temperature will not withstand cold weather as easily as an adult because they cannot regulate their temperature as they age. During these conditions, your German shepherd should avoid going outside as much as possible to decrease the risks of hypothermia and getting sick. Overall Health If your German shepherd eats a well-balanced diet and generally stays healthy, it will be able to withstand cold temperatures longer, however, if your dog is sick or has a health condition. German shepherds are very capable of coping with extreme weather conditions based on their muscle metabolism, paw-blood circulation, energy level, and body structure. Thin and Dense Double Coat German shepherds with shorter hair tend to have a thin layer of fur as their undercoat. Their undercoat functions perform well in extreme cold and hot temperatures. Muscle Metabolism German shepherds can manage their body heat well due to their high muscle mass. Muscle mass maintains high metabolic rates, which allows for an overall high body temperature. Paw Blood Circulation German shepherd paws develop a large amount of blood supply which helps them with circulation. Their heavy padded paws are why they can tolerate walking on sweltering pavement and in the freezing snow. Although they may seem like they have loads of energy playing in the snow or running around the yard, they may not realize they are cold. Pay close attention to their body language. Instead, allow them to get used to the cold with small doses every time you go out with them. Burrowing — is not just a playful method to increase activity. Stress signs — barking, whining , and even howling mean that your dog is showing signs of anxiety. Hunched back or tucked tail — usually happens after they have made attempts to get warm and failed. If your GSD stays out any longer in the cold, they will get sick and develop hypothermia. Pale or Bluish gums — a definite sign of hypothermia. Signs of Hypothermia include: Fur and skin are frozen to the touch Sleepy or lethargic behavior Body temperature lower than 95F Slowed heart rate Labored breathing and trouble walking Sometimes coma While signs of hypothermia may not be present immediately, you should always watch your dog after being out in the cold. The best thing you can do if you suspect your dog has hypothermia is to use warm blankets that just come out of the dryer and place hot-water bottles in and around their bedding. Call a vet immediately after you have warmed them and seek professional guidance. Never put hot-water bottles directly on your pet as you may risk burning them. Coats are best for senior dogs, sick dogs, and puppies. You might also consider buying durable dog boots. Keep walks shorter and ensure your home is warm for when you get back. During bathroom breaks, keep their fur dry as soon as they come inside. Here are some common questions asked by other German shepherd owners. Do German Shepherds Like the Cold? Do German Shepherds Like Snow? Yes, German shepherds love snow. A German shepherd in the snow is like a toddler at a candy store. What is the Perfect Temperature for a German Shepherd? In the summer, temperatures above 95F are too hot. Can German Shepherds Live Outside? Even though the German shepherds are very affectionate and family-oriented dogs, they can surely live outside. Especially if the shelter is provided to keep them safe from windchill and other weather conditions. After ten to fifteen minutes in below-freezing temperatures, your German shepherd should come inside to get warmed back up. The best way to tell whether your dog is managing is by paying attention to their body language. German shepherds are drawn to warmth like humans , so it can be irresistible not to want to curl up in front of a hot burning fireplace. However, fireplaces are dangerous and can cause burns at an unsafe distance. Keep your GSD at least five feet away from the fireplace at all times. Does a GSD have a low surface area? Yes, the GSDs have a low surface area. It means that they lose less heat through their skin. German shepherds are large breeds with a fairly regulated internal heat system. Their paws circulate blood the most, which helps as it will either help them stay cool or warm during sweltering and cold weather. Also, take note of the conditions the weather has outside. Recommended Gear for German Shepherds.