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He is Pure breed German Shepherd. Black and tan. German Shepherd puppies for sale. Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix. I have 2 boys left they are 9 weeks and need a good home. I have males and females of both. Jan 2. All Rights Reserved. They have different markings, they are energetic, loving, playful. If you are serious please reach out to me at show contact info. German Shepherd Puppies. Nadelhaus breeds and sells German Shepherd puppies in Northern California. Pets Available "german shepherd puppies" in Atlanta, GA - craigslist CL atlanta atlanta albany, GA asheville athens, GA auburn augusta birmingham, AL boone charlotte chattanooga columbia columbus, GA cookeville dothan, AL gadsden greenville hickory huntsville knoxville macon montgomery nashville northwest GA savannah statesboro tallahassee the Kids German shepherd puppies. Public meet ups only! Kids German shepherd puppies. All content of BuckeyePuppies. AKC registered German Shepherd puppied. They have not had their shots yet. Best quality and healthy puppies with excellent temperament. Only have 3 available. German Shepherd puppies for sale! Puppy foods vary based on composition and most brands provide a recommended amount basedThe Scotch Shepherd is also known as the Scotch Collie. Ready to go to their new forever home. We have already two other dogs, going to be too challenging. We had 8 total. Puppies German Shepherd and Boxer mixed. Puppies are 9 weeks and ready for their forever home. David 00NINE3. They were born on Sunday, November 13, .They're 10 weeks old and born on Halloween. Dewormed, micro chipped,1st shots, ready to take home today. Historically, they were used in Scotland to herd, protect and drive floSF bay area pets "german shepherd" - craigslist. German Shepherds are dogkind's finest herding and guardian dogs. First time dog owner, we were looking for a family pet after moving to 12 acres. We sell our dogs nationwide! Learn More! Dec .By 2 months of age, a male puppy weighs 20Dogtime. Gentle pets and strong watch dogs, 62 results German shepherds, on Trade Me, New Zealand's leading shopping website. They got Harley, a German Shepherd from an ad on Craigslist. One male and two females available. We strive to select the perfect families and Puppies For Sale. We have collected the best sources for Birmingham deals, Birmingham classifieds, garage sales, pet adoptions and more. Buy, Sell or Adopt Pets in Birmingham. She currently needs a good home to give her the love she deserves. Andrew Schatz bought his puppy from a breeder he met on Craigslist. Barda the collie. Text me if you have any questions. Man warns others after buying puppy on Craigslist. Serious inquiries ONLY!!! Browse All Categories classified ads, including pets, automotive, real estate, announcements and services. Find it via the AmericanTowns Birmingham classifieds search or use one of the other free services we have collected to make your search easier, such as Craigslist Birmingham, eBay for Birmingham, Petfinder. He admits that he saw some red flags that everyone should know about. Pet Classifieds Birmingham. Valley av. Pet Classifieds AL Alabama. Non-registered, had first shots and fully dewormed vet records for each pup. I have these two beautiful dogs that I need to get free home I got sick and I'm going to have to be in the hospital I have no one to take care of them don't want to have to have them euthanized with somebody please give these fur babies a good home I am a Marine corps veteran I'm just asking please I don't want them euthanize. Non-registered, had first shots and fully dewormed vet records for each pup. Serious inquiries ONLY!!! We have collected the best sources for Birmingham deals, Birmingham classifieds, garage sales, pet adoptions and more. Pets Available in Atlanta, GA. Andrew Schatz bought his puppy from a breeder he met on Craigslist. Alabama Animal Adoption Society. Along with our volunteers and caring, adoptive families, we're giving animals a chance to live. The Alabama Animal Adoption Society is a nonprofit organization supported entirely by private donations and volunteer effort serving the Greater Birmingham, Alabama area. WIAT — One young man is warning others to be cautious of where they buy their pets. Along with our volunteers and caring, adoptive families, we're. Sweet two female Yorkie puppy vet checked for shots and dewormed. He admits that he saw some red flags that everyone should know about. Browse All Categories classified ads, including pets, automotive, real estate, announcements and services. Some of our pets are currently being fostered but are available for adoption. Small rehoming fee to ensure good home. Pet Classifieds Birmingham. Buy, Sell or Adopt Pets in Birmingham. I no longer have the time to give him. Check out our adoptable pets below or swing by our Adoption Center to meet them in person. Pet Classifieds AL Alabama. Find it via the AmericanTowns Birmingham classifieds search or use one of the other free services we have collected to make your search easier, such as Craigslist Birmingham, eBay for Birmingham, Petfinder. He bought a puppy Friday, and it died on Monday. Healthy, house broken and micro chipped. Adoption Center for Rescued Kittens Finding forever. Man warns others after buying puppy on Craigslist. Social Media Community Guidelines.
How old must a puppy be to leave its mother? Also, understanding the consequences of adopting a puppy before it is ready to leave its mother. The best age to get a Labrador puppy is 8 weeks old. Let me cut straight to the chase and mention that you should never adopt a Labrador puppy until it is at least 8 weeks old. Even experts recommend adopting a puppy in the 8th week, not even in the 7th. Now, you might be wondering why 8 weeks is so important. Can you take a puppy home at 6 weeks even when you are willing to provide the proper care? Labrador is a very popular and friendly dog in the United States, everybody wants to own a Lab. When can you take a puppy home The best age to take a puppy home is 8 weeks or older. It is not suggested to take a puppy home any earlier than 8 weeks. Taking away a puppy from its mother at an early age will cause apparent issues in development. No matter the level of your care and love for a puppy. Labrador puppies learn from their mother You may wonder why you should adopt a Labrador puppy at some specific age. There are some clear-cut reasons why dog breeders never allow people to adopt Labrador before the 8 weeks. As owners, we should respect this learning period and wait to bring home a puppy at 8 weeks old instead of an early age. Discipline Puppies learn from their mothers. Labrador puppies learn to behave well and get disciplined by their mother even before they are 8 weeks old. At a young age, Labrador puppies throw tantrums that a stern dog mother can handle. Nutrients Not just the behaviors, but Labrador puppies learn to live in every kind of environment from their mother. Therefore it is highly recommended to adopt Labrador after the eighth week. Understanding how to be a dog A dog will learn about new behaviors when it is well aware of its hierarchy and languages. Labrador puppies learn from their mother to communicate and relate with other dogs. Playing correctly, chasing, and having safe interactions is what they learn at the age of 6 to 7th weeks. Adopting a Labrador puppy before the proper age of 8 weeks will be a bad decision. At what age is a dog no longer a puppy? After knowing the right age for adoption, the next point is to know what age is a dog no longer a puppy. So, as a dog parent, you will be able to provide proper food and training for your dog. While adopting a Labrador puppy, keep in mind that this puppy period will last 2 years. It means Labradors are considered mature dogs between the ages of 2 to 2. Noticing new habits and behavior in a 2-year-old Labrador is quite typical. Start training your dog according to its age and maturity to make it a well-behaved Labrador. Furthermore, some points are crucial to discuss when you are about to adopt a Labrador. Photo by Shane Guymon on Unsplash How old should a puppy be to take home? The time of adopting a puppy may vary for some breeds, such as for a Labrador 8 to 12 weeks is the right age. While others 11 to 12 weeks is an excellent age to adopt some puppies. Unfortunately, even at 8 weeks old the puppy is still getting important training from their mothers. We know that puppies are highly active even in the 8 weeks, but they still have some fear and anxiety issues. If you bring home a puppy that is 8 weeks or younger, your puppy might interpret their new transition as traumatic and may get aggressive when you bring it home. Bringing your puppy home If you bring an 8 to 12 weeks old puppy home, it is recommended you follow the steps below. Vaccination Regular vaccination is highly recommended to protect your puppy from viruses. Toilet training Soon after bringing your puppy home, you should start its potty training. Also, teaching your puppy about the basic commands is highly recommended for developing a well-managed puppy. Crate training Along with potty training, crate training is required when you adopt a puppy. In this way, your puppy will sleep in its place without destroying your home. Have food and toys Make sure you have puppy food ready and some puppy-appropriate toys for your new puppy to play with. Consider having some training treats too. Training Classes No matter what is the breed of your puppy, training sessions are highly recommended. Teach your puppy basic commands like no barking, sit, stay, come, etc. Hire a dog trainer or teach your puppy by yourself. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. But why is this? Many studies performed have shown a resulting increase in aggression, over-reactivity, learning problems, fearfulness and anxiety in puppies removed too early. The puppy may throw a tantrum and feel hard done by, but the mother will be stern…although they always follow the discipline with a little nuzzling and some love :- This early and regular dishing out of discipline teaches the puppy about right and wrong, that actions have consequences and bad behavior is punished. If this learning is taken away, the puppy may develop behavioral issues and not accept direction and commands from its owner later in life. This can making training harder and ultimately lead to a less controllable dog. Also, the puppy will itself be the victim of too hard biting, so it gets some first hand experience of how painful it can be. This teaches the puppy that biting too hard hurts and results in bad consequences, so they slowly learn to control their bite. If taken away before these lessons are learnt, the puppy will bite too hard not knowing any better and this can be very dangerous as the puppy matures into a larger and stronger dog. You would have to go through the process of teaching bite inhibition yourself and this can be difficult and even painful work! They learn about hierarchy, canine body language, posturing and vocalizations barking, growling etc. They also learn about things like chasing and how to play correctly with other dogs, also how to interact fairly and safely with other dogs. By removing a puppy too soon, it will miss out on this vital education, will be under-socialized to other dogs and this can easily result in the puppy being fearful of other dogs or just plain not liking other dogs later in life. They Learn Tolerance To Touch A dog needs to be tolerant to touch for health and hygiene reasons and the safety of those around it. And a vet will need to touch a dog all over during a medical examination. So you really need your Labrador to be tolerant of humans touching it all over. A puppy will constantly be bumped, nudged, pawed and climbed all over during its time spent with its litter-mates. This teaches the puppy not to be afraid of touch, to get used to it and be more tolerant. But if a puppy is taken too young it misses out on all this touch and could grow up disliking touch in certain areas of its body. This can result in behavioral issues and even aggression when being touched which for obvious reasons is very undesirable. The things a puppy is socialized to during its first 12 weeks have a profound effect on its level of confidence and levels of fear later in its life. From about 7 weeks onwards, the puppy is very inquisitive and its willingness to approach unknown things and people is at its peak. This period declines at about 12 weeks of age and almost completely ends at 14 weeks where fear begins to creep in as a natural trait essential to survival if it lived in the wild. This is also the time when a Labrador puppy will form their strongest bonds with the humans they spends their time with. Bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks gives you just 4 weeks to do this, bringing one home at 10 weeks gives you only 2! A lack of decent socialization can result in the puppy being fearful of things, places and of human contact. This will put the puppy at greatest ease with the people and places where it will spend its future life. You may wish to bring your puppy home earlier than 8 weeks, but for all the reasons above, you should avoid this entirely. So be very suspicious of the breeder if this is their wish. This is so they themselves can provide a further week of socialization during this critical time and for the puppy to spend more time with their mother and littermates. So for the benefit of you and your Labrador, leave them with their mother and litter-mates until 8 weeks of age. Most dogs will happily bond with and love a new family if given the chance and can be valuable and loving companions. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. 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. How to accept discipline and more besides So taking a puppy any earlier is wrong and detrimental to their development. We follow many of the guidelines set forth by a program called Puppy Culture. Know that once you have your puppy, everything you do, everything they see, every good experience, bad experience, taste, smell, sight, reward and punishment trains them in some way. All of these experiences are granted to them by you and they will be looking to you for guidance through these experiences. Puppies are exactly like children. They take their cues from you to learn where they can go, where they should not, what they should be scared of, what they should not, what they can play with, what they can not…and on and on. You may as well take advantage of this innocence, when they have no idea of what life is with no preconceived ideas, no habits formed or needing to be broken, to start training them to fit into the life that they will lead with the skills that they will need. I believe you should start to train your Labrador puppy as soon as you get them home, from 8 weeks of age. But I stress this important point, to make it fun! You have to think of a puppy as a very young child. A puppy is just as impulsive, has just as little self-control and just as short an attention span. You need to think the same with a puppy. They are just like a child. A puppy will eat what they like, when they like. Go where they can, when they can. And they will not be able to listen to and act on your every word. They will have a very short attention span and no self-control. It would be totally unfair. While watching TV train your puppy during the commercial breaks. Commercial breaks are usually about minutes long perfect time for training your pup! This means going very slowly and not expecting too much. Having many small wins is very encouraging. Just do very gentle training exercises for short periods of time. Most people with a Labrador as a family pet will think of training as obedience commands and performing tricks. But you can train them basic things such as: Sit Stay for mere seconds…with no distractions! Keep it easy! Roll over. And yet, many new owners get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older. Sometimes new owners are just overwhelmed with taking care of their new puppy. Others lack the information needed to make good decisions regarding training for their new family member. Unfortunately, though, some bad behaviors or missed socialization and exposure opportunities are difficult to address with an older dog. So, if your goal is for you new retriever to eventually grow into an excellent duck dog, here is a guide to raising your Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Picking up the puppy The journey with your new retriever pup starts the day you pick him or her up from the breeder. Hopefully you have done your homework and selected a litter of puppies with parents who have proven trainability. If you have a pick from the litter, you will want to take some time to observe the puppies. Even so, most trainers will tell you that picking a puppy is a complete crapshoot, meaning there really is no way to know how good the dog will be while looking at them as a puppy. Genetics and a proven pedigree are the best way to stack the odds in your favor from the start. Beyond that, if you have a good breeder, they are the next best source for information regarding the pups. A good breeder will give you a recommendation based on what you plan to use the pup for and your family situation. Check out this post on searching for a great retriever puppy and what to look for in breeders. If possible, bring someone with you to pick up the puppy. While you can put a puppy in a crate to transport them home, leaving the litter is a traumatic time for most puppies. Being held on the way home is a good way to start bonding with the puppy. Learn what to buy for your new Lab puppy. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. The first week raising your Labrador Retriever puppy There is very little training needed the first week you have your puppy home. Use this time to hold, pet and play with your new puppy. Bonding with the puppy is important and this is a good time to do that. You will likely be exhausted this week from getting up multiple times each night to let your puppy outside. Learn more in What should I do the first week with my new Lab puppy? Socialization is key for retriever gun dog puppies While socialization is important for all dogs, it is essential for retriever puppies destined to hunt. Socialization is the act of putting your retriever puppy in new situations and allowing the puppy to figure it out. Your puppy may handle new situations well, or she might show timid or frightened behaviors. This is not the time to coddle your future gun dog. Dogs are very aware of their owners and if you act or acknowledge your puppies fear, they will likely think you are scared too. This is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve with socialization. We want puppies to learn to adjust quickly to new situations. We want them to learn how to figure out new conditions and handle them without fear or hesitation. Puppies need to be socialized to people also. Let your puppy interact with people of all ages, including children. In addition, it can be helpful if they are also socialized to other dogs and cats. And yet we see too many retrievers with little to no retrieving desire. Sometimes this is just the result of bad breeding, but it can also be the result of poor introduction to retrieving or using the wrong items for retrieving. Many people like to play fetch with their puppy using a ball or Frisbee. But if your puppy is destined to be a hunting partner, this is going to make some retrieving problems down the line. We may use a ball to encourage a very young week old puppy to retrieve, IF, and only IF, the puppy is struggling with retrieving desire. Otherwise, we strongly discourage ongoing use of these items. Gun dogs and duck dogs are working dogs and they need to retrieve birds that fall to the ground. The rolling action of the ball or frisbee will create an excitement and energy that will make retrieving birds seem boring. We have found that dogs that have only retrieved balls or Frisbee often struggle when they need to retrieve a bumper or bird. We have an entire post on this subject, see How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Expose your Labrador puppy to common hunting elements A retriever that is going to be expected to hunt, should be introduced to hunting equipment and elements at an early age. Hills and mounds, flat areas and shallow divots are terrain that a hunting retriever should learn to traverse with ease. In addition to land, different water is also an important factor. Lakes are good, but you should also try to expose your puppy to dirty water. Water with lily pads, cat tails and algae are all things a duck dog will need to handle to work. Hunting equipment Labrador retriever puppies need to learn all about the equipment you use when hunting. Doing this when they are young and continuing the exposure as they grow, will make this second nature to them. Boats and blinds If you hunt out of a boat or blind, introduce your puppy to it. For boats, start on land. Get your puppy comfortable getting in and out of the boat. Throw retrieves from the boat. Similarly, introduce your dog to the blind as a good thing. If you are using a dog blind or hut, make sure your spend lots of time getting your pup comfortable going into and out of it. Make it a fun place to go to get retrieves. Duck or goose decoys If you will use decoys when hunting, take time to expose your puppy to them. Many times over the next few months, put some out on your lawn and let your puppy learn what they are. Eventually, move them to water and again allow your pup to explore them. Throw retrieves through them and teach the dog that he can ignore the decoys. Guns This is one of the most important things that you need to exposure your new puppy to. And it really needs to be done right. The last thing you want to do is create a gun-shy dog. That is very difficult to fix and the dog may never be able to hunt if the damage is too deep. Learn more about how to do this correctly in Introduction to gunfire. Basic obedience for your gun dog puppy Your puppy is ready to learn obedience early on, and you will find that if you start when they are only a couple months old, they will learn quicker and be more obedient as they age. This will make a huge difference as they get older. Teaching HERE to young pups will require a long lead. Squat down a few feet from your puppy and say HERE as you gently pull them to you. Praise is essential with young pups, but the praise should be given when the puppy does something right. For instance, you say SIT and push his bottom down. You can use treats to teach your puppy obedience and reward him or her for obeying commands. But treats should only be used for very young puppies under 4 months. Many Labs will soon learn to only obey when given a treat, that is not the lesson you want your dog to learn. It can be difficult to discipline a cute little puppy, but it is essential. Here at Otter Tail Kennels, we get more than our share of calls from people whose puppies are out of control and causing problems in the home. The pups are causing friction in the family relationships. Small issues often become much larger issues if they remain uncorrected. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, you need to take action to let him know that the behavior is not acceptable. Final thoughts on raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog The time to start training your Labrador puppy to be a duck or gun dog is now. Right away. Even if you plan to send your retriever puppy to a professional trainer in the future, you still want to take the time to socialize, expose, teach and discipline your dog now. Each week your puppy is growing and learning, and those first five months are the perfect time to get him or her off on the right foot. The socialization, exposure, and obedience are all steppingstones they need to advance in their role as a hunting partner. Do not skimp or disregard this time. You can give your ultimate duck dog some essential skills — the ability to adjust to every and all situations with ease. Nothing could be more important. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Commencing Marker Training your chocolate labrador pup Start Marker Training at 8 weeks of age When you take your 8 week old labrador pup to their new home, you should commence their obedience training immediately. Just repetitively say yes and give your pup a treat immediately. Then familiarise your labrador pup with a leash. Clip the leash to their collar and allow the pup to roam a little. This way they will adjust to its weight and the sensation around their neck. If you try to walk your pup straight away, they will simply resist. Don't pull and command, but rather cultivate a positive experience with a leash. Secondly, I recommend that you feed your new labrador pup with a leash attached until they learn to sit. This will establish you as the master and immediately teach the pup restraint. Do not give the food bowl to your dog without firstly bringing him under your control. Even with my mature dogs, I will not let them feed except on command. Feeding should never be random. Hold the leash close to the labrador pup's neck and push their rear end down to the seated position. When they are sitting, enthusiastically praise your pup and, only then, reward their obedience with food. Remember, food should always represent a reward for good behaviour. They hear tones and frequencies. When we train them, we are conditioning them to associate a particular sound with a response so that it means something to them. Labrador puppies like all dogs learn contextually and by consistent repetition. In this way, a labrador pup learns to associate sounds with responses and rewards. This is why you should reward your pup immediately when they have performed a command correctly, even if they did not intend to do so. In the early stages, I prefer to teach a dog to 'sit,' then move on to 'staying' before teaching them to 'come'. This is especially so while they are still a puppy. Remember that a 12 month old dog is still a pup. They are regularly hyperactive and overstimulated. The goal is to get your labrador puppy into a calm and submissive state as often as you can. Ensure you are demonstrating a calm and composed, yet assertive demeanor. When you are in charge, your labrador pup will willingly sit and look to you for direction. Exercise patience and be repetitive but don't overdo it. Remember that the time you put in now will help you bond with your young dog, even if they do not appear to be advancing quickly. It will be a very worthwhile investment in a long term relationship for years to come. Of these three basic commands, the 'stay' command will take more time to teach. When this is mastered and entrenched in your dog's obedience, it can save your dog from danger. You are teaching them associations, not English words. Sit Teaching your new labrador pup to sit should begin immediately when you take it home. Begin by feeding them on a leash. Hold the leash close to the pup's neck. Give the pup the 'sit' command, but don't reward them with food until they are sitting. In this way you have begun to condition the pup to the 'sit' command. This requires patience at meal time. Remember that a labrador pup requires 4 feeds a day for the first phase of their life. This gives you ample opportunity for repetition and reward. When the dog sits, reward them with a treat and a lot of enthusiastic praise. Each time they repeat the behaviour, reward them with a treat again. You can train your labrador pup for short intervals at any time. Carry a few small pieces of food. Call your pup, then reward them with lots of affirmation and a piece of food when they comply. Teach them to sit by offering a small treat. Say 'sit', then let them smell the food as you move your hand over their head. A labrador pup will automatically lift the nose in the air to follow the food. As the head moves up and back, the pup will tend to sit. Give lots of praise and gradually increase repetition as they associate the word 'sit' with the food. Stay Your Labrador pup will need to understand the 'sit' command before you advance to 'stay'. Before you give the 'stay' command, make sure that the dog is seated. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you will use your hand with the fingers pointing up and the palm in front of their face. To begin with, position yourself about half a metre away from your pup's face. Direct the 'stay' command calmly, with your hand up. Slowly take half a step back and remain there for 3 seconds to begin with. Then step back towards to the dog. Wait for another 3 sec and then reward your dog with a treat. Repeat this 5 times. Reward them at the end of each 'stay' routine by praising them enthusiastically and giving them a treat. Don't praise or reward the dog until they have remained seated in front of you for a minimum of 3 seconds when you return. Your puppy should not move a millimetre until you give the reward. If your dog breaks early, you have gone too far. Simply return to your dog, reset them in the seated position and begin the routine again. Come It is important to make sure your Labrador understands the 'stay' command before you begin the recall or 'come' command. Make sure you pup is seated before you give the 'come' command. As your walk away from your pup, maintain eye contact. Don't back away too far too soon. If the pup breaks early, give the 'come' command to establish association. When you call your dog to 'come', do not let them jump up on you. If the dog wants to stand on its back legs and reach up, place the palm of your hand on their head and hold it away from you. I suggest that you don't say 'no! The down command should be used as a more constructive training command. If your pup jumps up, make your disapproval known by using a 'dog' sound; 'Ahhh! If you find yourself becoming frustrated, then put the pup away and start again tomorrow. Don't take it personally and don't blame the dog. Corrections are necessary, but not out of frustration or anger. If it's not working, then look at your consistency and your communication. If the training is a positive experience then you will strengthen the bonding and learning process. Develop consistent communication and trust with your dog in the process of the training. Labrador pups love to please and they will be very proud of themselves when they accomplish the command and gain your approval. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. What is the best age to start training a Lab puppy to work? This guide will answer all of your questions regarding when to start training a Lab puppy. It will combine my personal experience with that of other experts in the field, along with information from behavioral research, to guide you with your decision of when to start training a Labrador puppy of your own. Congratulations on your fluffy new bundle of joy. Labs gained their well-deserved place among favorite breeds for so many reasons. Enthusiastic companions, fast learners, loyal and brave, Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets. How Puppies Learn In the natural canine world, mother dogs teach their pups everything they need to know about their world, survival and living together happily in various stages of development. Most professional trainers try to mimic the natural canine learning process in their puppy training phases. In fact, we only recommend positive training techniques. Rewards can include food, special treats, praise and petting, playing with a favorite toy, etc. Basic Training Concepts Every Puppy Should Learn The first two components of your puppy training should be thorough socialization and potty training. Here are a few tips with each of those early behaviors. Socialization actually refers to exposure to a wide range of situations and individuals. This goes for being around lots of different people, including children. While your pup is still impressionable and inquisitive, introduce her to friends, neighbors and strangers. Introduce her to children with careful instructions to stay quiet, move slowly and pet gently. They could end up grabbing her tightly, and scaring or hurting her. Being handled by other people will be very key in socializing your puppy. Your dog should be properly socialized to gentle and careful handling, teeth brushing, touching ears and paws and tail. This will make trips to the vet and groomer easier. Make sure to also check out our guide to taking puppies outside for more help with socialization. Crate Training for Dogs Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to love spending time secure in their cosy den. Some puppies basically crate train themselves, loving their crate from day one. Others need a more gradual introduction to this safe space. The trick is to not turn crating into a punishment , but instead make it a wonderful place to have a short undisturbed rest. Most puppies will go through a play biting phase, so if you need help training your lab not to nip, you can follow this guide. It will be important for your dog to sit quietly in the field or duck stand. Self-control should be incorporated throughout daily routines and all training phases. Finally, learning how to walk politely on a leash in public is important. In addition to the behaviors listed above, there are a few extra considerations for training a gundog. As early as 8 weeks old, professional gundog trainers begin introducing lab puppies to various scenarios. The core behavioral requirements for a gundog that can be started in puppies this young are: Thorough socialization and desensitization to various environments and sounds. Be sure to start with quieter sounds and build to louder sounds, especially when introducing the sound of gunfire, to avoid creating a frantic dog. Calmness and steadiness amidst distraction. The earliest introduction to this is teaching your pup to sit for his meals, which can be captured as early as six weeks. There are, however, two important considerations to your Lab puppy training. Before their leg bones are fully developed, Labs can develop joint issues if they run too hard and long. Second, resist the urge to play fetch and retrieve every day with your Lab puppy. They overdo it with tossing a ball or dummy to try to encourage the pup to retrieve. The retrieving instinct typically kicks in quite strong around puberty between five to 10 months. Instead, we suggest focusing on sit, stay and waiting quietly with self control. Those are the more difficult behaviors for a lab to learn once adolescent hormones kick in. Start with socialization and household manners as early as 8 weeks old. Then move to sit, stay, steadiness training, and walking on a leash between 12 and 18 weeks. Training is an ongoing life skill, rather than something you do once and consider done. For a hunting Lab, adding various distractions and practicing perfect recall in different environments will be the two biggest training techniques to work on throughout life. Enjoy your training!
The recipe features real meat, garden veggies, and fruit plus whole grains and LifeSource Bits rich in antioxidants. It also features ingredients that support healthy growth and development for a growing pup. Natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine are the building blocks of healthy joints and cartilages ideal for mobility. It is packed in vitamins and minerals with antioxidant benefits for lifelong health and happiness. This kibble made for large breed adult dogs also features Iams DHA Gold to promote mental sharpness and alertness and also to encourage healthy cognitive ability. It is crafted with prebiotics for healthy digestion and strong defenses. Puppies and adult pooches have diametrically different nutritional needs, and senior canines require kibble that is gentle on their aged teeth and stomachs. We suggest you pick one of our recommendations for the best puppy food brands and the best senior dry dog food and see how your pup responds. Who knows? Given that your Pitbull Boxer is neither big nor small, they may like the taste of the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food alike, so you might want to offer them both kinds! Pitbull Boxer Mix Exercise Requirements The general advice for most dogs would be to train them while they are young. But in the case of your Pitbull Boxer cross, you have to very cautious. Puppies of large-breed origin that exerts too much energy from running or playing can cause injuries that may last his lifetime. For puppies, activities may be limited to regular short walks or play until it has reached a certain maturity, around one year up to 16 months. As it gets old, the daily exercise requirement will also change. For an adult Pitbull boxer, minutes of exercise should be adequate to maintain good health. It is a very energetic hybrid so they will thrive in a lively environment. An ideal home would mean lots of space to move around, inside or in the backyard. Some states enforce restrictions with regards to Pitbull mixes like your pitbull boxer, so you have to keep it on a leash while out exercising. Using a leash will also prevent them from running into or jumping into everyone they encounter. They are most happy walking around in the city or the Dog Park or even trudging in the mountains. Another essential thing to consider is the weather. During the rainy season, your dog will need a raincoat to protect her from the rain and also to keep her warm. Sunscreen can be used but avoid products with zinc oxide, as it is a poisonous substance. The jacket provides full chest coverage, and the solid print is stylishly chic. The elastic leg straps and adjustable fastener guarantees a snug band comfortable fit. It also features reflectorized stitching so you can see your dog even at night. It is guaranteed durable — it features a galvanized cable and coated with crack-resistant vinyl. It should be able to withstand up to 7x the weight of your dog. My Dog Nose It! Pitbull Boxer Cross Training The combination of Pitbull and Boxer is explosively stubborn, so it is a suitable pet for someone with a firm and unyielding grip in training and socialization. And as always, your dog will react and respond best with positive reinforcement, rewards, and incentives. Punishment will never work, and more often than not, will only create or aggravate behavioral problems. It is essential to reward your pet to encourage positive behavior. Early socialization and training from puppyhood will form the foundation of a well-adjusted dog. Training your Pitbull Boxer should be a piece of cake because of their ability to pick up commands. To get their focus though, you would need to be tough and establish yourself as the master and make him obey you. We listed some training activities you can try out with your petpal: Behavior Training — How do you train him to stop barking mad? Constant practice will help you achieve the desired effect but never shout at him even if he continues to bark. Also, allow him to learn commands other than barking. Keep in mind that the goal is to reward your pup for being silent. Chores Training — Teach him to fetch your newspaper for you. Playing fetch with a toy or a ball should prep your dog for this activity. All you have to do is replace the toy with the newspaper and tech your Pitbull boxer how to get it, pick it up or bring it back to you. Fun Training — Rollover is one activity designed with your big Boxer Pitbull in mind. Start with getting your dog to lie down, and eventually how to roll over. Make sure you reward each action accordingly, and of course, practice makes perfect. Pitbull Boxer Combination And Families The Pitbull Boxer will become accustomed to any family dynamic most especially when trained well and socialized correctly. Their energetic and sometimes rowdy nature can knock off small bodies, so be extra careful if you have kids. There are specific training designed to help you manage this kind of behavior. Check with your local authorities with regards to the legal status of Pitbull mixes in your area. Find out if your Boxer pitbull mix is banned or restricted. Not only will they thrive in large spaces to allow lots of movement, but they will also want owners who will dedicate their time to train and socialize and to love and care for them. Should a Boxer Mix take after their Boxer parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and friendly dog that loves their family and loves being active with them. Boxers are known for their energetic and exuberant personalities. They bond closely with their families, tend to have a cheerful disposition, and also tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are friendly dogs, they do have the instinct to protect their families. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boxer Mix. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix is a good start. You can also meet the mother dog to get a feel for her temperament and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boxers are moderately adaptable dogs. Because of their energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. But, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Although all dogs are sensitive to heat, the Boxer is even more so because of their short snout. And, because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that could affect the adaptability of a Boxer Mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Knowing more about the other parent breed will help you get a better idea of what range of potential characteristics to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A Boxer Mix can inherit any combination of the potential health issues common to one or both of their parent breeds. Or, they could inherit none of them. From the Boxer side, potential health conditions include degenerative myelopathy, thyroid deficiency, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions. Boxers also tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which often makes them gassy. As a brachycephalic dog, they will also snort and snore. Because they are a barrel-chested breed, they are also at a higher risk for bloat in dogs. This can become dangerous, especially if the stomach flips, so you want to make sure you reduce the risk when you can and know the symptoms so you can get help as soon as possible. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, they should be able to answer your questions. Despite their high energy, Boxers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Because they are intelligent, they pick up on things quickly and can get bored easily. But, they are eager to please their owners and tend to respond well to training. The other parent breed could make a Boxer Mix even easier to train or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what range of trainability to expect. A Boxer Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both of them. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris or pests. Unfortunately, many dog owners overlook dental care, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime and other activities should be enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Boxer Mix to also be a high-energy dog. However, this is a potential range, so you will still need to be prepared to deal with a Boxer Mix that is high-energy. A Boxer usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can affect this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask about them. A Boxer generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect a similar life span in a Boxer Mix. 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Thus, it can be quite a challenge to find this hybrid. However, if you are eager to get one as a pet, you can refer to the following lists to find possible sources of this lovable pooch. Listed below are platforms where you can possibly find a German Shepherd Heeler mix: Lancaster Puppies — Lancaster Puppies is a website where you can browse puppies of almost any breed or hybrid for sale. There are AKC-registered pets available on this site as well. You can use multiple filters to speed up your search. Greenfield Puppies — Greenfield Puppies is a platform where you can find puppies for sale from all over the United States. They also show information about each breed or hybrid they advertise. They are offering Blue Heeler mixes, so be sure to check them out. PuppyFinder — Puppy Finder is a website where you can use search filters to find pets. Each puppy or litter they offer is described well through their posts. You can try checking out our top picks of German Shepherd breeders to broaden your options when finding a German Shepherd Cattle Dog mix. Apart from buying from a reputable breeder, you can also adopt a rescue dog if you prefer a much cheaper option. They are dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming German Shepherds and GSD mixes while also ensuring that the adopted dogs are happy in their new homes. They have been rescuing Australian Cattle Dogs and their mixes for the past ten years, and they make sure that each dog is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. They also aim to educate about the importance of sterilizing pets. You can inquire to see if they have a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix on hand. You can also check out our top picks on German Shepherd rescues to have more choices in your search for the Australian Cattle Dog German Shepherd mix. This guide will equip you with the ins and outs of adopting a dog. There are also details about the requirements that adoption centers set as well as a few tips to give you a head start in applying for adoption. However, enough preparation and self-assessment should be done before bringing home one. Here are the advantages of owning a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix: Highly intelligent: Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes are well-known to be intelligent dogs, just like their parent breeds. Despite being stubborn at times, this highly skilled pooch is very trainable and can be obedient once disciplined. Positive reinforcement training is an excellent way to teach them. Great guard dogs: Both German Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs are excellent guard dogs due to their loyalty and protectiveness. The same goes for their crossbreed. This hybrid will not hesitate to defend its owner or family. Excellent workout companion: As discussed, the Heeler Shepherd mix is a very active and energetic dog compared to other pooches in the canine world. This dog is a great partner for people who have an athletic lifestyle or love outdoor activities. Overall handsome appearance: The mixture of the German Shepherd dog and the Australian Cattle Dog definitely makes sense. The compact but athletic build of the Blue Heeler and the noble and stoic stance of the German Shepherd combine to create a good-looking hybrid. Thus, this furry pooch demands regular grooming. Regular brushing is a must when keeping this hybrid. Has aggressive tendencies: A hybrid of strong character, the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix can show signs of aggression. But this usually only happens when the dog feels threatened. Proper training and socialization are keys to good canine behavior. Can be stubborn: Despite being an intelligent pooch, the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix can be quite a challenge to train if it fails to recognize you as a master. Obedience training and showing a firm hand can let this dog know its place. Extremely active and energetic: As mentioned, the Heeler Shepherd mix is a dog packed with energy, all thanks to its very active parent breeds. Before owning this hybrid, you must be prepared to provide it with a regular playtime schedule and a place to frolic. Hopefully, the list can help you in deciding whether a German Shepherd Heeler mix is the right dog for you or not. As both of his parents are shepherd dogs, the blue heeler german shepherd mix is a very active and energetic dog who would need a lot of playtimes and mental stimulation. Appearance of blue heeler mix german shepherd Like any other designer crossbreed, a blue heeler mix with german shepherd will shape up based on the dominant genes. They can look like a German Shepherd or a blue heeler or somewhere in between. Still, the below traits should likely be present. Body: They have a strong and muscular long body with broad shoulders. Face: They have a lean face with a medium to long, deep muzzle. Ears: They have erect pricked ears. Coat: They have a thick double-coat between short to medium coat length. They can come in varying colors but a mix of blue and tan is the most popular. This is a wide range and where any dog would fit would be based on whose genes are more dominant. Lifespan: They typically have a lifespan of 9 to 14 years. Check out another Blue heeler mix — Cowboy Corgi The temperament of blue heeler german shepherd mix Blue heeler german shepherd mix are working dogs that carry the traits of driving cattle. They love being engaged with work or play. And if they get bored, they may find something by themselves which could be destructive. Blue heeler german shepherd mix will thrive on human companionship. So if you are planning to leave your dog alone for a long time, this would not be the right dog for you. Here are a few of their personality traits that you should be aware of. Needs a dominant leader ACD and GSD mix may take the position of the leader of the pack if the owner is not a consistent leader. Energetic and agile Blue heeler german shepherd mix has a powerful body and are extremely energetic and agile. They would need a lot of playtimes and running or else would get bored. This is because both the parents of this breed are working dogs who were used to drive cattle. They would enjoy being active in some work which may mean both physical and mental stimulation. If they are not engaged actively, they may devise something of their own like chewing or scratching things that you may find destructive. Loyal and obedient They are loyal to their owners and family. Given proper training, they can be highly loyal and obedient companion dogs. Excellent guard dogs These dogs are fearless, territorial, aggressive, and wary of strangers. This makes them excellent Guard dogs. Intelligent but stubborn These dogs are intelligent and learn training commands easily. But at the same time, they can be obstinate as well with their free-thinking. Strong willed Blue heeler german shepherd mixes are strong-willed and confident dogs. They need an experienced dog owner who can be in charge else they would be ready to take up the position of being the leader in the pack and be aggressive to others. High prey drive Both the parents of Blue heeler german shepherd mix have a high prey drive. This can lead them to go after smaller animals like squirrels, rabbits or cats, etc. It is a must for them to be socialized since puppy age to other pets, children, and strangers. Avoid if you have young children Blue heeler german shepherd mix, if properly trained, are good family dogs who do well with older children. Though for families having children aged 7 years or less, we would not recommend them. They have a high prey drive and are considered aggressive. Young children may not know how to treat them with respect. Noisy — depends? Although the blue heelers are not known for being vocal, german shepherds do have a bad reputation for barking for their needs or if they are left alone for long. Experienced dog owners only With their wary to stranger attitude, prey drive, intelligent mind, and independent thinking, they are not recommended for a first-time dog owner. Not apartment friendly Blue heeler german shepherd mix is a very active, energetic, and agile dog. He would need a fenced yard to play and run for venting out his energy and hence not recommended for living in apartments. Care Nutrition It is recommended to give 1. You would need to adjust the diet based on the size, age, and activity level of the dog. Meat is recommended for them as a source of protein. If you do make up your mind for this food, we would recommend to slowly start mixing in your dog food before completely replacing it to be sure that your pooch is not allergic to the ingredients of this dry dog food. But they will shed heavily when their inner coat blows out. They can have a dense inner coat and a short or medium-sized outer coat based on which parent breed gene is more prominent. It is good to groom him daily but at least twice in a week is recommended. Regular grooming would help to massage the skin to produce oil and keeping the coat healthy. It will also promote bonding between the owner and the dog. This will also aid in keeping the hairs contained as the loosened or dead hairs will be removed by the brush reducing the chances of hairs spreading everywhere. It has got great reviews from dog owners and is very easy to groom. Its self-cleaning feature is great and makes removing hairs from the brush hassle-free. Blue heeler german shepherd mix needs bathing once in four to six weeks or when you feel he is dirty or smelly. Frequent bathing may lead to dry skin and other skin related ailments. Choose a natural oatmeal based shampoo. You should also need to clip his nails once every month. This would help to minimize the risk of nail splitting which could be very painful to the dog. Exercise Blue heeler german shepherd mix is an extremely agile dog who needs a lot of exercises and playtime. They need lots of mental and physical stimulation. If you are an active jogger, he would be an ideal companion. Just the daily walks may not suffice the needs of this active and energetic dog. He can play all day and hence it is recommended for folks who have a fenced yard where he can vent out his energy. Training They are smart dogs and are easy to train. They will learn the commands quickly. At the same time, they can be obstinate due to their independent thinking. So you should start the training since the beginning. Here are a few tips to train a Blue heeler german shepherd mix. Start the training at puppy age. Start with simple commands like sit, stay, and stand. Positive reinforcement training works better with them. We recommend obedience and crate training as a must for them. Obedience training helps to make them follow your commands and subvert their aggressiveness and high prey drive. Crate training helps them to feel safe when alone. They should also be socialized early with other dogs, pets, and humans so that they can become a well-adjusted dog. Health They are generally healthy crossbreed dogs but they can be prone to certain health issues. It is not necessary to have the disease but as a responsible dog owner, you should be aware of what disease your dog may be prone to. This can be painful in various intensities in different dogs but finally leads to Arthritis. This can be inherited and dogs having this medical condition should be neutered. Elbow dysplasia Elbow dysplasia is an inheritable medical condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow-joint in the dog. Progressive retinal atrophy PRA This is a disease that leads to gradual blindness. The dog would start to lose his night vision first and then slowly it leads to complete blindness in a couple of years. This again can be inherited and the dogs having this should not be bred. Deafness This is a genetic disease prone to Queensland Heelers and can be passed upon. This could affect single or both the ears. How to get a Blue heeler german shepherd mix puppy? So you do not want a lazy pooch and have made up your mind for a Blue heeler german shepherd mix, let us look at how you can find a puppy for you. It would not be an easy task to find this designer dog breed. You should check first for the local shelters of blue heeler and then GSD ones and check if you can see this crossbreed. There might be a dog waiting for a new life. Though you may not know the details about him so it is best to spend some time before finalizing and taking him home. Pros and Cons. High; requires up to minutes of exercise daily Suitable for families Yes, for active families that can take good care of them Dietary needs High-protein diet; adults require high-quality food depending on activity level Potential health issues Hip dysplasia, bloating, deafness, eczema, epilepsy, hemophilia, and cataracts Blue Heeler History Image Source: Ezio Ricardo Martins — pexels. They are known for their herding skills and are often used as working dogs on farms. Blue Heelers are also popular pets and make excellent companions. Blue Heelers were first bred in the s and were used as working dogs on Australian farms. They are intelligent and loyal dogs and make great companions. They were originally bred in Germany for herding and guarding sheep in the late s. German Shepherds are now used as working dogs in a variety of fields, including law enforcement, search and rescue, and as service dogs. They are intelligent, hardworking, and protective dogs. GSDs make great family pets. Their coloring is predominantly black and tan, with the saddle patterning seen in German Shepherds. They may also have some white markings on his chest and feet. The mix typically stands around inches tall and weighs pounds. Their coat is thick and weather-resistant, making them a great choice for those who live in colder climates. They have the characteristic straight tail of the Australian Cattle Dog, as well as the pointy ears and broad face of the German Shepherd. Overall, they make impressive dogs that are sure to be a favorite among many people. These dogs are loyal, protective, and intelligent. They make great family pets and are excellent with children. Heeler Shepherd Mix are medium to large dogs that range in size from 35 to 80 pounds. They have a short, thick coat that can be black, brown, white or a mix of these colors. Their ears may stand up or hang down, and they have long tails. Temperament If you are looking for a dog that is both active and protective, the Blue Heeler cross German Shepherd may be the perfect breed for you. This crossbreed is known for being loyal and intelligent, making it an ideal watchdog. However, as with any dog breed, it is important to understand the Heeler Shepherd Mix temperament before bringing one into your home. The Blue Heeler and German Shepherd mix is an energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise and stimulation. If left to its own devices, this crossbreed can become bored and destructive. However, with proper training and socialization, they make great family pets. This breed is also known for being protective of its family and home, so it may not be the best choice for those who live in a small apartment. Feeding As with any mixed breed, the Blue Heeler Shepherd mix can inherit traits from either parent. The Blue Heeler is a high-energy dog that needs a diet that will sustain that energy. A diet that is high in protein and low in carbs is ideal. The German Shepherd is a large dog that requires plenty of protein and calories to support its growth and development. Training One of the most important things in Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix training is to be consistent. If you are tough one day and then lenient the next, your dog will become confused and may not respond well to training. Be firm but fair, and always stick to what you have taught your dog. This will create a strong foundation for German Heeler training. Another important tip is to use positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your dog when they do something right, such as sit or stay. This will help them to understand what you expect from them and will make training more enjoyable for both of you. Blue Heelers are intelligent dogs, so be patient with them. They can grow quite a bit in their first year and will need regular trims to keep them looking their best. Make sure to find a groomer who is experienced with German Shepherd Heeler Mix, as they can be a bit more challenging to groom than other breeds. It is important to be aware of these conditions and to seek veterinary care if your dog begins exhibiting symptoms. Some common signs that your dog may be sick include lethargy , loss of appetite, and difficulty walking. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Blue Heelers are also at risk for bloat, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach twists on itself. This can happen if your dog eats too fast or drinks too much water after exercise. If you notice your dog acting strangely or appearing in pain, contact your veterinarian immediately. Bloat is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Cancer is also a concern for both Blue Heelers and German Shepherds. The most common types of cancer that affect these dogs include lymphoma, skin cancer, and bone cancer. It is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with German Heeler and to seek veterinary care if your dog begins exhibiting any symptoms. By providing your dog with regular check-ups and preventive care, you can help reduce the risk of disease and ensure that they live a long, healthy life. Does Blue Heeler and German Shepherd mix make good guard dogs? Blue Heeler Shepherd Mix makes great guard dogs. They are loyal and protective of their family and home. They will bark and alert you when there is someone at the door or when something is not right. Heeler Shepherd mix makes excellent watchdogs and will protect you and your property. If you are looking for a good guard dog, a German Shepherd Heeler Mix is a great choice. Are Blue Heeler German Shepherd aggressive? They are very intelligent and have a high energy level. They need a lot of exercise and training. Some people think that they are aggressive , but this is not true. They are just very protective of their family and home. If you are thinking about getting a Blue Heeler German Shepherd, you should be prepared to give them the time and attention they need. They will be a great addition to your family. How much does a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix puppy cost? Blue Heelers are bred for their herding abilities and make great working dogs. German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and are known for their intelligence and obedience. If you love the outdoors and being active, then the German Heeler is definitely the right dog for you. They are a high-energy breed that loves to run and play fetch. They are also very loyal and protective of their family, making them excellent guard dogs. The downside to this breed is that they require a lot of physical stimulation and can be very stubborn. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a great choice for families who are looking for an active and loyal dog. However, they require a lot of exercise and training, so be sure you are prepared for this before bringing one home. They will make a great addition to any family who is willing to put in the time and energy needed to care for them. Conclusion The German Shepherd Blue Heeler mix is a hybrid dog that combines the best of both breeds. These dogs are intelligent, energetic, and loyal companions. They make great family dogs and are excellent with children. Blue Heelers are known for their herding instincts, while German Shepherds are known for their obedience and trainability. Sergey Uhanov, a certified veterinarian, has authored all of the content here. With over 20 years of experience in dog care and breeding three dogs of his own, he has a deep passion for these furry friends. Sergey owns a pet clinic in Israel where he provides care and treatment to dogs. He enjoys sharing his expertise and knowledge to assist others in caring for their dogs. All content on this site is written by Sergey Uhanov who is an experienced veterinarian. For more information about Sergey, click here. As Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Ideally, this cross combines the enthusiasm of the Blue Heeler with the kindly, easy-going disposition of the German Shepherd. This makes the Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix a powerful working dog that is clever, determined and loyal. However, it is important to point out here that the resulting puppies can inherit the physical characteristics and the personality traits of either parent breed. Blue Heeler and German Shepherd Mix — Source The hybrid might also look like a perfect blend of both parent breeds or lean towards one breed over the other. Want to train your dog without spending hundreds of dollars? Click Here to check out the brain training for Dogs course now! But where did the German Shepherd Heeler Mix come from? Well, he is a relatively new crossbreed in the canine world. However, it is widely believed that the Blue Heeler Mix with German Shepherd was created in the last 30 or so years. A wide variety of breeds were used in the early stages of developing the Australian Cattle Dog. The early stock that was used in developing the breed included: Smithfield: a sturdy herding dog that originated in the British Isles. Dingo: these Australian wild dogs were used to boost endurance. Bull Terrier: these dogs were used in the s to enhance stockiness. Dalmatian: the Dalmatian was added to increase the love of cattle and loyalty to their owners. Kelpie: the Australian Kelpie was added to instill a good work ethic and the tan markings characteristic of Blue Heelers today. The Australian Cattle Dog is extremely intelligent and can solve problems on the move. He can also be stubborn because of the tenacity necessary to herd challenging cattle. They also tend to be possessive and some can be aggressive towards other dogs. Therefore, proper socialization is a must for your Blue Heeler Mix dog. This dog is also intelligent and loyal. The history of the German Shepherd begins in the late s when Captain Max von Stephanitz decided to develop the ultimate German herd dog. In fact, the present-day German Shepherds are descendants of his herd dog, Horand von Grafrath. Stephanitz also played a huge role in defining the early standards for the breed. Among his priorities were working potential and high intelligence levels. As livestock farming methods improved, their herding use reduced drastically. Nonetheless, their intelligence and spirited nature remained the same. Today, German Shepherds are commonly used for military and police activities around the world. But did you know? The German Shepherd dog is sometimes also known as an Alsatian. As with all dogs, the amount of care and love you shower on your GSD will be returned to you and your family manifold. Physical Characteristics of the Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Descending from two different breeds, it can be difficult to predict the physical characteristics of each puppy. A Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix puppy can take on the traits of either parent or become a combination of both. The upright ears of both parent breeds is a must. This cross also has a strong, muscular body, just like both parent breeds. Both parents are working dogs and their offspring will have a shorter frame and broad shoulders. Size, Height and Weight Blue Heelers are generally short and strong. Meanwhile, the German Shepherd is also a very powerful dog, although taller, leaner and longer. As you would expect, it can be difficult to foretell the adult size of their offspring. He should reach around 18 to 26 inches tall. Males are generally larger, but females will also have a strong, athletic body. With any hybrid dog, it is important to keep in mind that crossbreeding does not guarantee the desired personality traits of a dog. To understand his temperament, you need to study both the parent breeds. Strength and bravery are both attributes that both the parent dogs share. They are both loyal and protective, making them good guard dogs. Both parent breeds also share a good work ethic, intelligence, endurance, herding skills and a general tendency to be quite stubborn. These strong and athletic dogs are likely to be destructive if left alone for an extended period of time. With this mix, expect an alert and steadfast dog that will always be ready for anything. These pups can be possessive and tend to be wary of strangers. Since both the parent dogs get along well with adults and older children, your Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix could be a good family pet. However, this mix can be somewhat unpredictable with young kids. This fact should be taken into consideration before buying or adopting one of these dogs as a family pet. Training If you think that a Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix might be a good match for you, be sure that your new furry friend will be intelligent and quick-witted, just like his parents. When you teach this dog various commands, he will learn quickly. But since these dogs tend to be quite stubborn, make sure to start training them early as puppies. It is natural for both parent breeds to be dedicated and family-oriented. However, obedience training is important if you want to keep your pup out of trouble. Without proper training and socialization, your Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix puppy will not obey any commands. Their defence-based, protective personality may reach extreme levels. During training, be sure to give your dog clear and simple commands. Using complex sentences or too many unnecessary words can lead to confusion and frustration on the part of the dog as well as the trainer. Otherwise, you can expect this cross to respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques. Strong leadership is important if you want your dog to learn quickly. To make your dog obey any rules you set, be authoritative and firm with him. Teaching him to stay, sit and come is very important. Crate training is recommended if you want to adapt your puppy to a safe and comfortable environment. A properly trained and socialized Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix puppy will end up being a hardworking, loyal and obedient canine friend. Exercise Requirements The German Shepherd Australian Cattle Dog Mix is a high-energy dog who loves to stay active as well as play around throughout the day. This cross is just as active as his parents, so be sure to provide him with the necessary physical exercises as well as the mental stimulation he needs to remain happy and healthy. Ideally, you should be physically active yourself and have a proper daily exercise routine in place. This dog loves various physical activities. Although taking your dog out for daily walks is highly recommended, he will also need to play and run around to release his limitless energy. Playing together can also help strengthen the bond between you and your beloved dog. Games such as Frisbee or Tug of War are also an excellent way to tire out your dog. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. These dogs have a double coat, but minimal grooming demands. Grooming your dog might be quite easy, but if he inherited the longer coat of his GSD parent, he will have moderate grooming needs. This mix has a strong tendency towards heavy shedding whereby he loses his undercoat. During such periods, you should brush him each day to help keep his coat healthy. Bathing should be done only if he gets particularly dirty. Bathing him too frequently could make his skin dry. A good option is to use quality deodorizing wipes for dogs to keep his skin properly conditioned at all times. Top 15 Feeding Info These dogs require 2 to 3 cups of high quality dog food each day. They also need to be fed two to three times each day to remain happy and healthy. You can also provide vitamins and fish oil to supplement his diet. This mixed breed dog is considered to be quite healthy. However, chances are he can inherit the health issues of his parents. They include hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy , eczema, deafness and eye disorders. You can ensure your puppy has greater odds at good health by buying from a reputable breeder and also using the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit to find out about his heritage and any potential health concerns. A good breeder will be happy to meet you in person and find out if this dog is a good match for you. They will also allow you to meet both parent dogs. Make sure to check the health of both the litter and the parent dogs before making your purchase. You can also go online, search for reputable breeders, view pictures and check the price of any Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix puppies that are available for sale. Alternatively, you can visit local animal shelters and rescue organizations and see whether they have any of these puppies or dogs available for adoption. Imagine the enthusiastic Blue Heeler and the industrious, easygoing German Shepherd dog rolled into one! If you lead an active lifestyle and need a loyal and intelligent companion, this dog is a good fit for you. Just make sure to buy your puppy from a responsible breeder who will help ensure your Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix is healthy and will live for many years to come. Lifespan Sociability In terms of energy and trainability, this breed is one of the best that you could bring home. The one area that a hybrid breed like the Red Heeler German Shepherd mix lacks is sociability rating. Both parent breeds are strong-willed and protective. There is a good reason for that. This breed was originally bred to protect flocks of herding sheep from predators. They were servants for farmers and not considered companions. However, as humans grew closer to these animals, they still thrived in a work environment. These dogs contain the same blood as Dingo dogs. Dingoes are free, wild dogs that are native to Australia. It is extremely rare to find a domesticated Dingo. They prefer to live wild, free lives, which is why Heelers have a bit of a wild look to them as well. These dogs are very intelligent and catch onto training fairly quickly, but only with owners who are persistent enough to handle their strong-willed nature. Poor socialization could lead to issues with children, strangers, or other pets. They do tend to bark a lot, and obedience classes could do this breed some good. These dogs are not suitable for cities or apartment living. The amount of energy they have pairs best with families who own a good chunk of land that allows them to run around and patrol the property. Are These Dogs Good for Families? However, not all dogs are the same. Puppies who grow up with the kids and are around other pets and animals a lot tend to adapt just fine to those around them. It is recommended to give active dogs of this size about 1. Divide this amount into two separate meals so that they eat both in the morning and at night. Cattle Shepherd mixes are happiest when they are given a specific job to do. The bare minimum amount of exercise they require is 1 hour, but they do a lot better when they have at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise every day. This level of activity is much easier to achieve when they have lots of land to explore. In other words, they are not suitable for apartment living. The biggest issue that owners face when training a Cattle Shepherd mix is breaking through their willpower. Brush through their medium-length hair once per week to remove any loose strands. They also benefit from a bath once every week or two since they spend a lot of their time outside. Keep the nails trimmed by using a sharp clipper. If you start the grooming routine when they are young puppies, then they are cooperative as adults. To ensure you select the best and healthiest puppy you can find, select one from a trustworthy breeder. You can also request that your chosen pup undergo DNA testing to know more about its heritage and any potential health problems. Make sure you provide it with two to three cups of premium dog food during each feeding. The right food will help nourish your dog and give it additional protection to fight back against certain illnesses. Hills uses only high-quality ingredients that are enriched with vitamins and amino acids and have an excellent anti-oxidant profile. It reduces digestive problems caused by gluten and has enough vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your pet healthy. Taste of the Wild asserts that their kibbles are a healthy approximation of what canines in the wild will eat. It uses lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. The company only uses natural sources of antioxidants like apples, spinach, and pumpkin. They also use the cold-press process to ensure that all the healthy goodness is preserved. Taking good care and helping your dog stay safe is what every responsible dog owner wants. If your dog is a bit older, try to get any product from the best senior dry dog food list that will help extend their lifespan. Puppies have a bit different food requirements and you can find the top-quality food for your little munchkins in the best puppy food brands list. You should discuss any change in the diet plan with your vet. It loves to remain active and play all day. As a responsible owner, you should make sure that you can provide it with the necessary physical activity and mental exercises it needs to stay healthy and happy. The exercise needs of this mix will depend on which parent breed it takes after more. While the GS needs considerable exercise, it pales in comparison to the massive amounts of activity that the Blue Heeler requires. The energy levels of the German Shepherd Blue Heeler make it a good pet for a physically active owner or families who love the outdoors. While this dog that loves doing different activities, running along its owner as they jog or ride a bike is a favorite. Older kids will undoubtedly appreciate all the games they can play with this dog, but its enthusiasm might make them too rough for younger children. Your mixed breed will need a minimum of two walks a day. Aside from that, it will also need ample space to run around and play to release its seemingly boundless energy. Playing a game of Tug of War and Frisbee will bring happiness to your dog and strengthen your relationship as well. There are three types of toys that are ideal for your Blue Heeler German Shepherd cross — puzzles, chew toys and tug toys. Here are some of the best toys for your dog: Kong XXL: The classic chew toy from the company that specializes in sturdy dog toys since the 70s. Plus, it comes in a variety of sizes for your dog to try out. Place the pole in your yard and watch your dog tug and play with the attached rope. Watch your little buddy spend hours twisting and turning this toy to reach the treats. Ultra Ball: This virtually indestructible toy can be used for both outdoor and indoor play. Chuck it and watch your dog leap and run after it. HDP 18 ft. Dog Training Tunnel: If you have a large yard, a training tunnel is a good investment. It will simply soak up knowledge, making it easy to train. While this dog will learn commands easily, its innate stubbornness means it should be trained early. As a puppy, it will have a tendency to be wary of strangers and become possessive of its owners. This is not surprising as the parent breeds are family-oriented and dedicated to protecting its family. These are traits that it can carry until adulthood if it does not undergo obedience training and socialization early. Without the right training and exposure to other people and dogs, your German Heeler puppy will not learn to obey commands. In time, their protective, defense-based personality could hit extreme levels. It needs consistent, solid training and a lot of activities to exercise its mind and body. Positive reinforcement is the way to go. Use treats and praises during training. Harsh words and punishment-based strategies will only make the Blue Heeler German Shepherd aggressive. Be a strong leader. You need to step up and give your dog the leadership it needs. Proper training and socialization will lead to a well-adjusted and happy German Shepherd Blue Heeler puppy. But this crossbreed will thrive if placed in the capable hands of an experienced owner who has already dealt with strong-willed working dogs. German Shepherd Blue Heeler and Families When it comes to families, a German Shepherd Blue Heeler crossbreed will blossom under someone who has the proper training and experience in handling large and powerful working dogs. This is an athletic dog that will be happy to either help out with ranch and livestock duties, or to go hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors with its human. Newbie dog owners and families with young children will find the Blue Heeler German Shepherd too much to handle. If you want the industriousness and easygoing personality of a German Shepherd and the enthusiastic and affectionate ways of the Blue Heeler, then their hybrid offspring is the perfect dog for you. This dog will likewise be happy in families with older children and those who live in homes with enough space to run around. If you think you have room in your life for this unique dog, you have to step up and be the strong alpha it needs. You should make sure you can provide it with the love and attention, as well as the physical and mental care it needs. This is a relatively new crossbreed, with a limited history. However, we can look to the parent breeds to learn more about these dogs. Both the German Shepherd and the Blue Heeler share a similar history. Both were bred to be herding dogs, primarily to be used on cattle ranches. He then spent the next 35 years refining the breed, while promoting it and forming the first German Shepherd club in existence. As commercial husbandry took over, and the need for herding dogs declined, the German Shepherd retained its role as a working dog. The Blue Heeler was also bred to herd cattle, but this time in Australia. The breed was developed through a complex mix of breeds including Collie, Dalmatian, Black and Tan Kelpie, and even a feral breed known as the Dingo. Thus, you could end up with a mix that looks more like a German Shepherd, or more like a Blue Heeler — and anywhere in between! There is always some variability with mixed-breed dogs like this, so keep that in mind. With that said, we can look at the details of the parent breeds to get a good idea of the general appearance and size that a German Shepherd Blue Heeler mix might take on. The German Shepherd is a large dog, weighing between 50 and 90 lbs and measuring inches tall. The Blue Heeler is short and stocky and generally smaller, at pounds and a typical inches tall. Thus, you can expect your Australian Cattle Dog German Shepherd mix to be somewhere in the middle — around pounds, and inches tall. Again, this varies from dog to dog and is difficult to predict! As far as their coats, both parent breeds have thick double coats to protect them from the elements. Both dogs tend to shed a lot, particularly in the spring as they prepare for the warmer months. Temperament Traits The German Shepherd has a confident, intelligent and courageous temperament. On the other hand, the Blue Heeler has an alert, curious and watchful personality. Both are extremely loyal and protective. These tendencies can be both positives and negatives at the same time. Their intelligence and confidence makes them able to accomplish incredible feats, but can also make them stubborn and difficult to train. In short, this mix needs an experienced owner. If not properly trained and socialized, this breed can be aggressive and is prone to guarding tendencies. Early and frequent socialization is very important! One need only to look at the purpose these dogs were bred for, and what they are used for today. Both breeds are herding dogs for large animals, designed to both herd and protect large groups of big animals. They are excellent at what they do, but these instincts can make them difficult to keep in domestic situations. This breed can make for a good family pet, for the right situation. While they are generally okay around children, they should always be supervised. That said, this mix can also make for a loving, and fiercely loyal, companion dog. When push comes to shove, they will not hesitate to protect their family, making them excellent watch dogs. For experienced owners, this breed can make for a good family pet. With that said, they are definitely not the easiest breed to train. Training should start early, and be conducted often. Positive reinforcement training is the most effective way to train your dog. Socialization is also important — both with other dogs, other animals, and with humans. This mix is not naturally outgoing. So, socialization is even more important than it is with many breeds. Ideally your pup should be trained and socialized from a young age, for best results. This is also a fairly high-energy breed that will need plenty of exercise. Aim for at least 2 long walks per day, and ideally mix in some higher-intensity exercise like running or hiking. You should also seek to give your dog mental stimulation by giving them challenging tasks. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix loves to have a job to do! Blue Heeler and German Shepherd Health This mix is generally fairly healthy, with an expected lifespan of years. Although, like any breed, some health concerns are possible. The German Shepherd brings with it a high likelihood for back problems due to the intense slope of their back. Hip and elbow dysplasia is also common in both breeds, as are certain eye problems and allergies. Some of these conditions can be tested for, and some cannot. To maximize your chances of getting a healthy pup, try to source your dog from a reputable breeder, or adopt an adult dog. They might just be because blue heelers usually have beautiful shiny coats and black masks, so when you breed them with another breed that also has the same markings it stands to reason that their puppies will too. What is a blue heeler? In the past, they were used for herding cattle but now mostly as family pets or police dogs. These are large sturdy dogs standing at cm tall 20 inches weighing around 20 kg 50 pounds. They have a thick coat that can be either short or long and can be blue, black, red, or speckled. They have a characteristic black mask across their face. What is a German Shepherd? They are also large dogs, standing at cm tall 24 inches and weighing around 30 kg 75 pounds. They are bred as working dogs but are now popular as family pets too. They come in a range of colors including black, tan, and sable. They have a long coat that needs regular brushing to keep it looking good. So, when you put these two breeds together you get some pretty impressive puppies! Not only do they inherit the good looks of both parents but they often inherit the good characteristics too. This means that they are very intelligent and active, which makes them great all-rounders! Many people like to keep these mixes as working dogs because of the endurance and stamina they inherit from both parent breeds. They make excellent farm dogs and can be trained to herd cattle in much the same way as their parents do. Appearance: The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix inherits the color of their parents, with a speckled or mottled blue coat. The mask is usually black but can become more prominent as they get older just like the Aussie Blue Heelers. They are often brown eyes but sometimes inherit the amber or green eyes of one parent breed or another. This breed gets its height from the German shepherd parent, measuring about 20 inches tall 60 cm with an average weight of around 75 pounds 30 kg. So you can see that these puppies are going to be quite large dogs, like their parents. They need plenty of both physical and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored or restless. Training should be positive and consistent, using treats and rewards to encourage desired behaviors. Basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down are a good place to start. Physical activity is also important for these active dogs. A good hour-long walk or run every day will help keep them in good shape and burn off energy. Playing fetch or Frisbee in the yard is another great way to get them moving. Agility courses or even just regular playtime with other dogs can provide plenty of exercises. In addition to exercise and training, Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix also needs a lot of attention. They do not like being left alone for long periods and prefer to be with their family at all times. They are very loyal dogs who crave attention from the people they love. This can result in separation anxiety if you have to leave them home alone for too many hours each day. This breed also loves children and is typically very gentle with them. However, because of their intelligence and high energy, it is important that they get plenty of quality time from any small humans in the house to help channel their boundless energy properly. If not socialized properly it may get protective over certain members of the family or become aggressive. As with all dogs, proper socialization and training from a young age are important. They need to be taught not to chase people or other animals and should learn the basic commands such as sit and stay. Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix can also get protective of their family and territory if they are not properly socialized with friends and strangers. If their coat is short and dense, then they will require very little grooming. However, if their coat is long and fluffy, they will need to be groomed regularly to avoid mats and tangles. No matter what their coat type, Blue Heeler German Shepherds Mixes should always be brushed at least once a week to remove any dead hair and keep them looking healthy and clean. They may also need to be bathed occasionally, depending on how active they are and how much dirt and mud they get into. Nail trimming and ear cleaning may also be necessary from time to time. Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mixes do not have a characteristic dog smell and are not known to drool or to have any body odor. However, if their coat is long and fluffy they may get mud and twigs stuck in the fur around their paws sometimes. Health Problems: Typically, they have similar health concerns as their parent breeds, but some ailments may be exacerbated by the hybridization. Both breeds can be prone to PRA progressive retinal atrophy , detachment of the retina, cataracts, and glaucoma. The condition of progressive retinal atrophy results in partial or total blindness for your dog which develops progressively over several months or years. The other conditions result in blindness in one or both eyes. Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common problem in German Shepherds, and it can also occur in blue heeler German shepherds. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition that affects the elbow joint. Ear Infections: Ear infections are another common problem for both breeds of dogs and can be a problem for blue heeler German shepherds as well. Ear infections should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as they are noticed in order to prevent further damage to the ear and possible hearing loss. Other Health Concerns Other health concerns that may affect blue heeler German shepherds include epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid problems, and cancer. All of these conditions can occur in either purebred or crossbred dogs, so it is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian regularly. Personality And Behavior: The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is bred for its intelligence and working ability, so you can expect your puppy to be bright and full of energy. They will need plenty of exercise and training or they may become destructive. These dogs are loyal and protective of their family and make great guard dogs. They are also very good with children. You can expect your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix to be quite energetic and dominant. Sometimes, this dominant nature can make them aggressive or overly protective of their family. They are not exactly shy but they do need socialization from an early age to help them feel more comfortable around strangers. Like most herding breeds, they can be reserved but remain loving and loyal to their family. But there is a high chance you will find it for less if you choose to adopt instead of buying from breeders. Nutrition Requirements: One of the best ways to make sure that your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix gets the right nutrition is to consult a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. However, there are some general nutritional guidelines that all dogs should follow. First and foremost, your dog should have access to fresh water at all times. In addition, they should eat a balanced diet that consists of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables. Dogs need between 18 and 30 percent protein depending on their age, activity level, and breed. Good sources of protein include meat, eggs, fish, legumes, and cottage cheese. Dogs also need plenty of healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa. And finally, Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes need healthy fats like Omega-3s to help keep their skin and coat healthy and shiny. Good sources of Omega-3s include salmon, flaxseed oil, and chia seeds. A healthy Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix needs between 60 and minutes of exercise per day. This can be in the form of a long walk or jog, playing fetch in the park, or going for a swim. By providing your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix with a balanced diet and plenty of exercise, you can help them stay healthy and active for a long time. Both of its parents are well-known for being good with children and being loyal and protective companions. Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix puppies are usually very friendly and love to play. They are also very intelligent and learn quickly. As they grow older, they will be loyal and protective companions to their families. If you are looking for a family pet that is easy to train and loves to play with, a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix dog may be the perfect dog for you. Just make sure you are prepared to handle the high energy levels of this breed! However, some health problems that can be shortened to years. They get along great with other animals and children. They are also very loyal and protective of their family. They are a great dog for active families who love the outdoors. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a great dog for families. They are loyal and protective of their family and get along great with other animals and children. They are also very active and love to be outdoors. This makes them a great choice for families that love to be active and spend time outdoors. This breed can be very protective of its family. They are good watchdogs, but not the best choice for guard dogs. They love to please their owners and are easy to train. It is important that they receive a lot of attention from their families. If you work all day or your family is inactive, this dog will not be happy living in your home. Socialization needs to happen during the first year of life, before 12 weeks old, and after 4 months old the most critical times. This breed should also get along well with cats if properly introduced at a young age and if they are raised with them. Pros of having a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix: 1. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a very good guard dog as it is alert, intelligent, and agile enough to prevent an intruder from entering the house during unauthorized hours. This breed of dogs is also used as military or police dogs due to their strong physique and sense of duty towards protecting their master against any harm whatsoever. As it has a high energy level, needs lots of physical exercise such as jogging or playing ball games with you which will release all the tension built up in his mind due to work or monotony. This breed is the best to keep at home with children because it loves them and they love it in return. They are very clean dogs which also makes them non-allergenic for people who have allergies to dogs. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix does not bark unnecessarily due to its highly intelligent nature once trained properly by owners so that they warn their master of any unwanted intruders or suspicious movement outside instead of barking continuously which could be irritating for the family members living in one apartment after a certain hour at night. It has a long life span of 12 years or more due to its high immunity levels against diseases, infections, colds, etc. Cons of having Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix: 1. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is very expensive and not easily available at pet stores or animal shelters. It needs constant companionship and without it can become destructive by chewing furniture, shoes, wires, etc. Owners need to be committed to spending time with this breed to avoid any such incidents from happening. As it needs lots of exercise, it cannot be left alone for long hours during the day when its owners are working and would require someone else to take it out for a walk or play games with it in the yard. Otherwise, it can develop neurotic behavior which is very difficult to train out of the breed. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix cannot be left alone for long periods at home because it has a dominant personality and could harm other pets around without any warning. It is always advisable to keep the other pets away if they are smaller in size or even cats as these two could become their food due to their hunting nature. To avoid any mishap happening, owners should not allow this breed untrained by themselves because it can snap suddenly without any reason causing physical injury to family members living with them or strangers coming to visit them unexpectedly. Since this breed enjoys chasing running animals like squirrels, rabbits, etc. They are loyal, and protective and make great family dogs. They are also very intelligent and easy to train, making them ideal for both experienced and first-time dog owners. However, as with all breeds, there are some things to consider before bringing one of these hybrids into your home. First and foremost is their size — they can be quite large, so make sure you have enough space for them. Finally, they do have a reputation of being aggressive with other dogs and animals — especially if not introduced to them from a young age — so take extra care when taking them out in public. However, with the right training and socialization, it should not be too much of an issue. It is very hard to imagine our life without this cute, cuddly family member. They are just perfect for many reasons. They are loyal, compassionate, and have the ability to understand their owners even before you speak a word! The breed gets its name from its blue-grey color which makes it resemble a heeler dog. Heeler mixes are lovable pets with usually medium energy levels so they can be great companions not only for active individuals but also for people whose physical activity level is much lower. This type of dog needs consistent training and socialization in order to stay obedient and friendly towards both strangers and other pets, especially cats or small dogs which they might perceive as prey. As for other characteristics, the Blue Heeler Mix is devoted to its family and has a tendency to form an excellent bond with kids. These dogs like children as much as the kids love them! The answer to this question is not a simple one. However, it is generally safe to say that Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix dogs can be aggressive, particularly if they are not well socialized from a young age. This is because both the German shepherd and the blue heeler are bred for working purposes, and as such, they can be quite independent and strong-willed. If these traits are not properly managed, they can lead to aggression in dogs. It is therefore important to ensure that your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix receives plenty of socialization and training, especially if he will be around children, as these are the two groups who are most likely to provoke an attack. Additionally, it is important to remember that both parties in this crossbreed had their temperament breed into them, so even if you give your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix constant love and attention throughout its life, they may still snap at another animal or human without warning. If your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix puppy is exhibiting signs of aggression, it is important to take steps to correct the behavior as soon as possible. One way to do this is by enrolling them in a good obedience class. This will help to teach them how to properly behave around other people and animals. You can also try using positive reinforcement methods such as treats or praise to reward your dog for good behavior, which will help to establish a strong bond between you and your pet. If all else fails, you may need to consider using a muzzle when out in public until you can get the aggression under control. What activities are not recommended for Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix puppies? Although they are very adaptable, these dogs do best in a home or apartment with a large yard. This is especially important for this breed because of their size — adults can reach up to 70 pounds! They will want to run around outside until they drop from exhaustion, so make sure you provide plenty of space. If you live in the city or apartment, do not get this breed. Post navigation.
However, the first thing you need to know is that silver Shepherds are very rare, and their fur coloration is not a sign of another breed but a result of color mutation, especially of red and tan hairs changing under the influence of certain genes or alleles. You may have heard a lot about these unique dogs, but as long as some facts are true, others are absolute myths. History and Causes of Silver Color in German Shepherds The history of this Shepherd coloring dates back to , and this fur tint is considered to be the closest to the original German Shepherd. A German officer and veterinarian, Max von Stephanitz, spent about 35 years researching and breeding ideal herding dogs. Then, in , a new breed was registered. It had a wolf-like appearance, was strong and alert, and was used as a working dog for herding sheep, serving in the police and military, and guarding. According to the American Kennel Club report, it was the third most registered breed in .However, the AKC breed standards focus on rich colors , and washed-out tints that are undesirable for the show ring. Probably, it is one more reason why this coloring is so rare in GS dogs. Therefore, how can this rare and unique color appear in German Shepherds? Every set of genes has two copies. They may be similar or different from each other. If they differ, one copy dominates and results in specific physical characteristics. The other copy produces recessive traits that are not physically displayed. However, these recessive traits can appear in further generations under specific conditions. Both parents need to have a dilution recessive gene to receive a silver color. This gene called the KIT, influences the tan and red colors, making them cream or pale beige. Another dilution gene is the Agouti or A-locus. It affects black, wild sable, and tan colors and also produces a silver coat hue. Therefore, silver refers to black or grey wold-like coat colors and any other diluted GS colors. Appearance and Character of Silver German Shepherd Dogs The appearance of a pure silver or black and silver German Shepherd does not differ much from the dogs of this breed with other colors. Such pups have a long muzzle, domed forehead, long bushy tail, black nose, and erect ears. The average height of these male dogs is inches cm , and females are usually inches cm tall. An adult male weighs pounds kg , while adult girls can weigh pounds kg. The type of coat is short-medium, medium, or long. The latter is pretty rare. Because these animals are double-coated, they are heavy shedders , especially in the seasons of spring and early autumn when they prepare for temperature changes. Since silver Shepherds are a subtype of the mainstream breed, they have a build and physique fully identical to other German Shepherds. Their coloring ranges from cream to off-white with a metallic sheen. They usually have pure black spots among the silver areas. The size of the black areas depends on the color that the Agouti gene has diluted; for example, silver bi-color dogs are mostly black with minimal silver areas on saddles and blankets. It is a result of red or tan modifications. As for their temperament, these pups do not differ much from their counterparts, either. They are brave, loyal, confident, and intelligent. Like other German Shepherds, they are alert, protective, energetic, and territorial. These pets are quite independent and versatile. They are aloof to strangers and can become superb family pets if properly trained. Socialized silver Shepherds are friendly to children and other pets in the household, and they can be perfect dogs for new owners. Such dogs can work in the police, military, and search-and-rescue services. However, they bond with one person only, and it has to be taken into consideration while training to help them extend their protection drive to the entire team or household. Silver Shepherds need a lot of exercise and a good trainer who is confident and consistent and applies only positive reinforcement. Not every German Shepherd carries the Agouti gene that produces a silver coat. That makes the breeding process quite challenging and expensive. Moreover, even if both parents are the recessive gene carriers, they are not guaranteed to produce silver offspring. If you get only one silver puppy out of four in a litter or do not get any, the price of such a rare pup doggy will grow up. These dogs are not a mixed breed. They are purebred, with the same appearance, physical and behavioral patterns, and care needs as their counterparts. Though pure silver German Shepherd dogs are even rarer, most colors can get this stunning silver tint that differentiates this type of dog from other German Shepherds. Even the AKC accepts pure silver as a variation of registered colors. However, even if you register your doggy with this organization, it does not mean you can win prizes on most shows. You may wonder whether your pet needs some specific care because of its coat color. In fact, there is nothing specific, though you need to consider the characteristics and requirements for this breed. Nutrition is an important part of care, and feeding your doggy with high-quality kibble, a mixed diet, or a raw handmade diet rich in protein, fat, and useful carbs, is a must to preserve the shine of its fascinating silver coat. However, extensive brushing is recommended twice weekly, and you can do it even daily in shedding seasons. Your pet will need a medium-to-high amount of exercise. Walking with your dog twice a day for at least 45 minutes per session will do a lot of good. As well, your doggy will need training and socializing. These pups are easy to train, and you can teach them a lot of commands. The lifespan of a silver Shepherd is, on average, years. Vaccination is also very important when you take a silver puppy home. Develop a schedule with your vet and accurately follow it. Despite any misbeliefs, the coat color does not influence the overall health of silver Shepherds. They can suffer from common health problems among all other dogs of this breed. You can prevent or manage many of these conditions if you provide your pet with proper care. It is not true. However, some animals can be more aloof than others, while some individual dogs can be friendlier or more aggressive. Like all other German Shepherds, they need proper training and socialization. In addition, they do not like staying alone for a long time. They can get bored and destructive if you do not play or exercise with them. Try to include more problem-solving puzzles in the everyday training routine, and you will get a perfect pet and companion. Even the rarest blue-silver German Shepherd dogs can have the same issues as their red, tan, sable, or black counterparts. One more thing that is usually misunderstood about silver Shepherd breeding is that this color is possible only from two silver parents. In fact, any dog that has a recessive silver coloration gene can produce silver offspring. However, knowing beforehand how many puppies in the litter can be silver is impossible. That leads to breeding difficulties and the rarity of the silver Shepherds. You may wonder why it is so cheap if the dog is immensely rare. The matter is that these dogs are not accepted at the conformation shows. You can register your pup with the AKC, but the chances it will be successful in the show ring are minimal. So, breeding this tint in dogs is not popular among professionals, which accounts for a price reduction. Is a silver German Shepherd rare? Yes, this color is very rare among German Shepherds. Only the two dogs with a dilution recessive gene can produce the puppies with this tint. They do not need to be silver themselves. They can only be carriers of it. On the contrary, you never have a guarantee that a silver Shepherd will necessarily produce any silver offspring if its mate does not have that recessive gene. The color can even display in the second or third generation. Final Thoughts If you want to adopt a silver GSD and make it a part of your family and household, you need to know more about these beautiful animals. They are very intelligent, courageous, loyal, passionate, and energetic. They become superb guards and trustworthy companions. However, you have to train your dog properly to teach it to do commands and be more aloof and confident while communicating with strangers and other animals. Such pups look truly majestic, especially black and silver German Shepherd dogs. They resemble some fantastic creatures, sometimes rather scary and intimidating. However, they are very kind and caring if exercised and trained properly. You have to be ready to provide your new pet with much time and attention to avoid the development of certain behavioral problems and enjoy your time with your stunning pet. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Lifespan Sociability The Silver German Shepherd is a real spectacle—and among the rarest of all shepherd colors. Because of its rarity, you may have trouble finding a breeder near you. But always do a local search—and be prepared for the cost associated with the color. Also, they may have you sign a puppy contract stating that you will return the pup if you are ever unable to care for them. Finding a Silver Sable Shepherd at a shelter is unlikely, but still possible. If you do, you will likely have to go through a rigorous application and screening process. If you purchase a Silver Sable Shepherd this way, you can expect them to come with all applicable health care, including spay or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. Silver coloration in Shepherds is caused by genetic dilution. The silver color of this particular German Shepherd is the result of a recessive gene in the bloodline. Just because there might be a silver puppy in a litter does not mean that they all will share the trait. Silver Sable Shepherds are incredibly rare. You might have some real trouble locating a Silver Sable German Shepherd. When you do, you want to secure the puppy as quickly as possible—as there is high demand for them. Even if the brothers and sisters of the litter do not share the color, this can make the particular puppy cost more than the others. The ultimate cost is up to the breeder to ensure the quality of the animal. Silver Sable Shepherds are stubborn. Because the Silver Sable German Shepherd is so remarkably intelligent, they tend to have a stubborn streak. For inexperienced owners, their energy levels and intelligence can be intimidating, making training difficult. Silver Sable Shepherds are incredibly family-oriented. Like any other German Shepherd, the silver sables are intensely loyal to the members of its family. Silver Sable Shepherds are perfect for a wide variety of work-related tasks. Because of their sharpness, they do well and work-related tasks on police forces and other special duties. It truly is remarkable what these animals are capable of. Conclusion If a Silver Sable German Shepherd sounds like a perfect fit for your home life, you can start looking at breeders in your local area. If you have your heart set on this rare coloration of an excellent dog breed, we wish you the best of luck in your search. Featured Image Credit: J. Romanova, Shutterstock Contents. In , its name was changed back to German Shepherd. This correlates with anti-German sentiments that lasted throughout the war. The ancestral origin of the silver German Shepherd is as the name suggests Germany, where General Max von Stephanitz spent 35 years of his life researching and breeding dogs. In this process, he intended to develop the ideal herding dog and cross-bred different species because trying to get a better dog by breeding the same bloodline would be ineffective. The different types of German Shepherds available today come from him. The breed ranked as the third most registered breed in by the American Kennel Club, and they remain popular all around the globe. Although silver German Shepherds are a subset of the mainstream GSDs, they have precisely the same build and physique. Their breeding history is also no different than other German Shepherd Dogs. They are a relatively modern breed, with their origin dating back to .Silver GSDs have a wolf-like appearance and were originally working dogs developed for herding sheep. But because of their friendly nature, intelligence, strength, obedience, and trainability, they are now bred worldwide for other types of work such as search and rescue, police, military roles, disability assistance, and even in acting roles. Its appearance makes it stand out from other GSD dogs. Silver GSD Rarity, Cost, Look World of Dogz German Shepherds officially come in a wide range of colors , including black , black and cream, black and red, black and silver, black and tan, bicolor, blue , grey, liver, sable , and white. Blue, grey, white, liver, and silver German Shepherds within this range are considered unique and are pretty rare as well. Washed-out colors are considered undesirable because they are seen as faults, and white is disqualified from the show ring. Sorry to disappoint some — but silver German Shepherds are not always gray and glimmering. So, what does a silver GSD look like? Silver German Shepherds have an off-tan coloration. Silver color can range from a cream to an off-white color but comes in a metallic sheen in most cases. Since silver is a modification of reds and tans or pheomelanin pigmentation, they usually have black areas amongst the silver portions. Silver bi-color dogs are also predominantly black with minimum silver points and extended saddles and blankets similar to their tan counterparts. Scientists also believe their unusual coloration results from a modifier on red or tan hair. They are also known as silver sable German Shepherds. Like all Alsatians, they have a distinctive head, domed forehead, and triangular pointy ears that stand open at the front but are often pulled during movement. Silver German Shepherds are large dogs with a moderately long body length to height ratio. Males weigh lbs and are about inches tall. Females weigh lbs and will be inches tall. There is no standard weight range set by the American Kennel Club official breed standard. Watch This Gorgeous Silver German Shepherd Having Fun… Silver German Shepherd These dogs usually have a long muzzle, a short-medium to medium dense double coat, a soft and long plush tail reaching the hock, and a long neck that raises when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. Silver GSDs possess numerous physical qualities matching standard German Shepherds and are thus not different in build. Their silver color is simply a variation that plays no part in determining their temperament. No German Shepherd variation possesses the G series Greying gene. So, where does the silver color come from then, genetically? In German Shepherd coat color genetics , although clear scientific and genetic evidence explaining the silver coat color is not available, scientists have found out that they come from the A-series or the Agouti series. This same series also produces the sable German Shepherd and contains at least one Agouti allele not paired with a dominant sable allele. The agouti becomes quite distinctive when combined with red hair dilution, which results in the red hairs becoming cream or greyish. Studies clearly show that the silver coat color of these breeds is merely a genetic phenomenon and does not affect their temperament. However, keep in mind that they are not friendly to every stranger they meet and need adequate socialization and training. They are good with children and make excellent family dogs, but you need to set specific boundaries for them, just like any other breed. They often take on a guardian role for those within their family, owing to their history of herding sheep. Silver German Shepherds do not like staying alone for long periods and can become destructive if unexercised and boredom sets in. You can curb their behavior by giving them essential mental and physical exercise by including various activities, training, and problem-solving puzzles in their routine. This ensures that they drain their excess energy by channeling it into constructive and exciting activities. Does Silver Colour Affect Health? Coat color affects the health of some breeds, but that is not the case for silver German Shepherds. Their glorious color has no bearing on their health. They are, however, prone to certain health conditions, but that has nothing to do with their coloration. Their health correlates with that of other German Shepherd types. Hip and elbow dysplasia are some of the most common health-related complications in this breed. Instead of looking for a relationship between health and coat color, one should look at the health condition of parent dogs. Parents with high scores for hips and elbows should reduce the chances of puppies developing these conditions. By then, puppies with dysplasia risk are already bred and sold. Silver German Shepherds are a relatively healthy breed. However, like most breeds, they are prone to some conditions. These are: OCD Osteochondritis dissecans abnormal cartilage growth. Within this range, black and silver German Shepherds are the most unusual options. Silver-grey German Shepherds and silver sable German Shepherds are less common. Washed out colors like blue German Shepherd and livers are considered a serious fault. The white coat is pretty undesirable because it resembles an albino German Shepherd , and it will disqualify you from the show ring. Genes or alleles are responsible for coat colors and patterns in all dogs, not only the silver German Shepherd. Dog experts have narrowed color genes in dogs to a limited number. Scientists have assigned a name or a set of letters to each locus. Every set of genes has two copies. These copies can be identical or different. If the two copies are different, then one will usually dominate the other. Since each parent randomly passes on one of their two gene copies to each puppy, recessive traits can even make appearances in later generations. For example, a black and tan gene is dominant over a solid black gene. Two black and tan parents could carry a copy of the solid black gene, but they will only express the dominant pattern. Only if two copies of recessive genes are present will the recessive gene show up in a form of coat color. Merle is a marbling of black and white, often appearing in Heelers, Dachshunds, and Aussies. If the gene fails to turn on, or if it only has a partial effect, then dogs will be lightly colored or have a washed-out appearance. The recessive intensity suppression gene is similar to the dilution gene on the black pigment. The dilution gene affects black hair or eumelanin as well as red hair, but this makes them look muddy rather than pale. The dilution gene is a recessive one. Dog experts also refer to blue GSD as steel blue or mouse grey. Silver will show up as cream or pale beige where the tan or red colorations would be. As for the silver dogs, a separate gene or modifier suppresses red pigment in white Shepherds. White dogs with reddish fur around their ears and across their backs support the action of another gene. These dogs are chocolate with no effect on tan markings. Photo from: silversun. Animal Genetics refers to the A locus, which encompasses four major alleles. German Shepherd dogs can express any of the four alleles, which is not a common trait among dogs. Even three of the genes allow the expression of the silver color. Sable takes numerous forms, depending on the breed. If a German Shepherd is Ay, it will mostly be a shaded sable with black and red colors meshing together. For example, Collies have Irish spotting and sable where breeders need to select for a few non-black bands in the air. When it comes to German Shepherds, the cream instead of the red banding will produce a silver dog. They usually have less red and more grey and black than shaded sables. While sables can be silver, patterned sables remind us of an unorganized saddle or blanket, and could demonstrate incomplete dominance of the while sable gene over the tan-pointed gene. Silver German Shepherds have a black and tan base color, or even wild sable. The intensity of the gene likely shows incomplete dominance. The relationship between the genes and their effect on color intensity is yet to be discovered. For example, if you have two black dogs and red European show dogs, the male is not as rich in color as the female. With thick variety, tan markings are minimal at points of the eyes, the shoulders, and minimal streaks on the toes. Some German Shepherds have markings similar to Rottweilers, with tan or silver on the front of the chest and extending up the inside of the hind legs. Geneticists may distinguish German Shepherds with extended blankets versus bicolor dogs. Blanketed dogs have the rally gene present. Dog experts have discovered a separate gene; the one they call the rally gene, which is responsible for the saddle pattern in black and tan dogs like the German Shepherd and the Lakeland Terrier. Creeping tan affects silver the same way as it would affect brown or red. Some German Shepherds with tan points end up with little brown or silver creeping, and they seem like they have extended blankets. Others have very small saddles. The E locus may affect the amount of black masking on the body. Many coat variations in German Shepherds act on the dark pigment, or eumelanin. You can describe dilutions and other modifications just as you would describe a black and tan dog. Blue dogs can be blue and tan, solid blue, and blue bicolor. Sable dogs can be blue, where dilution affects the black banding. The liver acts exactly like the blue, but chocolate brown or lighter brown acts to replace areas of black. Silver is a modification of reds and tans, or pheomelanin pigmentation leaving dogs black and silver. Silver bi-colors are predominantly black with minimal silver points. Silver and black dogs can have extended saddles and blankets, just like their tan counterparts. Solid grey dogs have separate genes at work, which are blue, not silver. A rare individual may show minimal black markings and appear solid grey. You can spot the difference between cream and silver versus blue or Isabella German Shepherds by looking at their eyes. Silver dogs have no disruption or eumelanin, and will have dark-colored eyes. Blue and Isabella Shepherds have light-colored eyes. They can completely access conformation exhibitions and other dog shows. However, since silver is a dilute color, the judges will consider this a fault. As an unwritten rule, judges always prefer bright and rich colors encouraged by the German Shepherd breed standard. Silver is still an accepted color variation of the GSD. Silver can infiltrate sable, but the AKC will classify those dogs as sable. Even though the name, silver sable, is quite fancy, the registries will refer to them as black and silver dogs. Black and silver pups are very different from black and tan pups, but their difference from black and cream is much more subjective. Black and silver dogs may approach white with less of the reddish or yellowish tones that cream-colored German Shepherds have. Black and silver Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall, and weigh around 50 to pounds. When it comes to a male vs female silver German Shepherd , you can notice the obvious difference in bone substance and muscular development. Females are usually thinner. Silver German Shepherds, like all Alsatians, have a distinctive head with erect ears and a domed forehead. White Shepherds usually have much less of a stop. All German Shepherds, no matter their color, have a moderately long body-length-t— height ratio, a short to medium dense double coat, and a long and soft tail. Just like all the other GSDs, silver Shepherds are usually aloof with strangers, and use inherent discretion to detect possible threats. Many silver German Shepherds are working dogs in police forces. They help with search and rescue actions, and serve the military forces. As family dogs, German Shepherds are extremely loyal and affectionate. Just like any other German Shepherd, the liver Shepherd is an intelligent dog with strong guarding instincts. They need a strict trainer who will carry out commands and use positive reinforcement consistently. They can suffer from the same disease other GSDs suffer from. Are they healthy dogs? Strong, rich colors are generally preferred in this working bred dog. This may be why silver grey dogs are less common. Washed out colors, including blues and livers, are considered a serious fault. The white coat color is undesirable within the official description, and even leads to disqualification from the show ring. Where Do They Come From? The black and silver German Shepherd is essentially the same as any other color of German Shepherd Dog. The history of the German Shepherd Dog, of course, can be traced back to Germany. Cavalry Officer Max von Stephanitz decided he wanted to breed the ideal herding dog. Von Stephanitz spent 35 years dedicating his life to improving the breed. Expanding from its pastoral herding roots to showing its utility as a service dog and in police and military canine units worldwide. The Genetics of the Silver German Shepherd Coat color genetics are complex, with the exact genes responsible for silver coloration yet to be fully identified. Within the German Shepherd breed, the gene for sable is dominant over all other colors and patterns. The first registered German Shepherd Dog was sable in color. While you may see a working silver sable Shepherd, that would be a very unusual color combination. Different colors Bear in mind as well that the final color of a puppy will only be clear once the outer coat has fully developed. This means that a relatively dark coated puppy could develop into a mature black and silver German Shepherd Dog. They are large dogs, weighing between 50 — 90 pounds and standing between 22 — 26 inches tall. And have a muscular, strong body, with pointed ears and a dense double coat. You may have seen parent dogs advertised as black saddle silver German Shepherds, but what does that actually mean? Any German Shepherd Dog with silver coloration is less likely to have a silverback German Shepherd pattern. Grooming The double coat of the German Shepherd does require brushing every few days to remove loose hairs. They will also shed twice a year, leaving a significant amount of hair behind! Color vs Temperament There is no link between the gene for silver fur and the typical temperament traits of the dog. German Shepherds have a reputation for being fiercely intelligent, intensely loyal, and enthusiastic about work or exercise. This is a brave and courageous breed, as well as being more aloof than some others. They are good around children they know, and often take on a guardian role for those within their own family. Training and Activity All German Shepherds are intelligent dogs, regardless of their coat patterns. Their high level of intelligence means they are a joy to train, and enjoy positive, reward-based training methods. These are active dogs, and require regular daily exercise. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for German Shepherds. Be sure to challenge yours with activities such as agility, or learning tricks, as a way to keep both their mind and body stimulated. Unfortunately, all German Shepherds can be prone to a range of health conditions. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are both common in the breed. Parent dogs should have been given a score for their hips and elbows. By selecting parent dogs with high scores, you can reduce the chances of your puppy developing these conditions. This is the result of abnormal cartilage growth. Other health conditions that can affect this breed include: Degenerative myelopathy. How does silver relate to black and tan? Black and tan German Shepherds come in three varieties. Tan with a black extended blanket Black and tan bicolor — Tan markings are minimal at points of eyes, at the shoulders, and minimal streaks on the toes. Some dogs have markings more like Rottweilers, with tan or silver on the front of the chest and extending up the insides of the hind legs. Genetic testing may distinguish Shepherds with extended blankets versus bicolor dogs. Blanketed dogs have the RALY gene present. Experts discovered a separate gene, one they call RALY, that is responsible for the saddle pattern in black and tan dogs like the German Shepherd and Lakeland Terrier. Creeping tan affects silver the same as it would brown or red. Some tan-pointed dogs end up with little brown or silver creeping and thus have extended blankets. Others have a very small saddle. Since many of the coat variations in German Shepherds act on the dark pigment or eumelanin, you will describe dilutions and other modifications just as you would a black and tan German Shepherd. Therefore, blue dogs can be blue and tan, solid blue, and blue bicolor. Sable dogs can also be blue, where dilution affects the black banding. The liver acts exactly the same as blue, whereby chocolate brown or lighter browns replace areas of black. Silver is a modification of reds and tans or phaeomelanin pigmentation, so dogs are black and silver. Silver bi-colors are predominantly black with minimal points of silver. Silver and black dogs can have extended saddles and blankets, just like their tan counterparts. Just as there are not fawn German Shepherds, silver does not usually present as a solid color. Solid gray dogs have a separate gene at work and are blue, not silver. A rare individual may show minimal black markings and may appear solid gray. If you look closely at these dogs, you will see the faint hint of a saddle or black banding or ticking of a sable or agouti German Shepherd. You can distinguish cream and silver versus blue or Isabella dogs by looking at their eyes. Silver dogs have no disruption of eumelanin and will have dark eyes. Blue and Isabella Shepherds, on the other hand, have light-colored eyes. Can you register and show a silver German Shepherd? You register silver dogs with the AKC as black and silver dogs. They have full access to all conformation exhibitions and other shows that the American Kennel Club offers. However, silver is a dilute color, and judges penalize it as a fault. Even without penalties, judges consistently show a preference for bright and rich colors encouraged by the breed standard. Silver is an accepted color variation of the German Shepherd Dog. Silver can infiltrate sable, but the AKC simply classifies those dogs as sable. They do not distinguish the various shades of sable or the presence of brown versus pale tans or creams. A fancier may use the term silver sable. But throughout the registries and show circuits, silver mostly refers to the black and silver dog. However, the AKC does differentiate black and silver from black and cream, which may be difficult for most people to do. In the end, black and silver are quite different from black and tan, but its distinction from black and cream is much more subjective. Black and silver dogs may more closely approach white with less of the reddish or yellowish hue that cream-colored Shepherds have. How do silver German Shepherds differ from the breed standard? Black and silver Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to pounds. Females should be somewhat finer in their overall impression. Silver Shepherds, like all Alsatians, have a distinctive head with upright ears and a domed forehead. White Shepherds often have much less of a stop. Otherwise, all colors of Shepherds have a moderately long body length to height ratio, a short to medium dense double coat, and a long, plush tail. Silver Shepherds are usually aloof with strangers, using inherent discretion and degree of socialization to detect threats. They should be polite, only attacking when they have exhausted all other means of intimidation. A silver German Shepherd is rare. Silver shepherd work in the police force, search and rescue, and the military, where the emphasis on silver German Shepherd appearance is not a factor. As family dogs , German Shepherds are loyal and affectionate. They have a tendency to bond with one person, although they extend their protection to the entire household. Persistent work will help German Shepherds bond with multiple family members and handlers. Like any German Shepherd, silver Shepherds are intelligent and bold with excellent guarding instincts. They require a trainer who can carry out commands and positive reinforcement consistently and confidently. German Shepherds may challenge an individual who shows uncertainty or otherwise fails to gain their respect. They do not have any more health challenges than Shepherds of other colors. Epilepsy — Unexplained seizures.
Pugs will eat as much as you give them. Measure your pug's food and feed him small meals at scheduled times. As he ages, decrease how often he eats. He should eat four times a day. High-quality dry foods and wet foods are nutrient-dense, so your little guy will not need as much of it as he would lower-quality foods. You can find high-quality puppy foods in pet stores and at your veterinary clinic. Avoid semi-moist puppy foods because they contain high amounts of sugar. Adjust the amount so he is still getting his daily requirement. He may want more; but as long as he is at a healthy weight, don't start giving him extra food. Pugs gain weight easily. Obesity in pugs can lead to muscle and joint problems, diabetes and heart disease. It is doubtful that you will need to increase the amount of food per day even though your pug is growing. Your vet may suggest that you decrease the amount of food if your pug is starting to gain weight. Some owners prefer to continue the twice-a-day feedings because pugs have a smaller stomach than larger dogs. It's hard for them to digest a large amount in one feeding. It is now time to consider adult food. Introduce the new food slowly so he doesn't have difficulty digesting it. If you are concerned that your pug is not getting enough to eat, look at his shape. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If his shape is square, he is getting too much food. More Articles. Still, you may discover information about how much to feed a Pug puppy here if you were unaware of the specifics before. Pugs are very food-motivated and will do just about anything for a tasty treat. Unfortunately, pugs gain weight as fast as any other dog breed. You are, supposedly, what you eat. The pug is a little dog, so even a slight increase in weight might be noticeable. Because of their tiny stature and low activity levels, pug pups have a lower caloric need than puppies of other breeds. Because of their unique nutritional needs, small-breed puppies should be fed food that has been developed particularly for them. Furthermore, make sure the puppy food you choose has all the nutrients it needs, and ask your physician for recommendations on how much and how often to feed the puppy. By the age of three to four weeks, you may begin feeding your puppy solid food. Mix equal parts of puppy chow and milk replacer as a first step. Give a little bit teaspoons many times a day. Weaning off of milk and onto solid food is complete when a pug puppy reaches this age. Independence from their mother and siblings and other littermates may begin to emerge. Puppies may start interacting socially and maturing rapidly at this age. Water should be kept fresh at all times. This is a good age to start teaching children to use the restroom without assistance. At this age, pug pups are full of energy and wonder. As they become older, puppies often become more receptive to training and socializing. There may be a period of boundary testing when they need constant guidance in training and socializing. Baby teeth may start falling out and adult teeth emerging in puppies. Proper potty training should have been completed. They may begin to express themselves more openly and build their own identities. Get started on the changeover to puppy food for adult dogs. They may test limits and need ongoing socialization and discipline. Make sure they get lots of exercise to keep their weight in check. Their interests and preferences in playthings and other pursuits may become more clearly defined. Maintain a high volume of physical activity and intellectual challenge. Pug pups achieve their full size at this point, however they may continue to gain weight. As puppies become older, they often become more devoted to their families and develop stronger bonds with them. The amount they eat should be adjusted based on their weight. At reaching adulthood, pugs often slow down and spend more time lounging. They may set in their ways, but they can still be taught new tricks with enough repetition. Aging symptoms in adult pugs include the development of gray hair and a general slowing down of activity. Understanding Pug Puppy Nutritional Needs Depending on factors including their age, weight, and level of activity, the calorie needs of Pug puppies might change over time. Pug puppies, on the whole, may need anything from to calories each day. The food of a Pug puppy should consist of between 22 and 25 percent protein, since this is the macronutrient most crucial for promoting healthy muscle and tissue development. Consuming between 8 and 10 percent of their calories from fat is recommended for optimal health and energy levels. To maintain a healthy skin and coat, they need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well. High-quality commercial puppy chow designed for pups is what you should be feeding your Pug. The growth and development of pug pups may be supported by feeding them multiple little meals throughout the day. Feeding them three to four times a day till they are roughly six months old is the norm. To figure out how often and how much to feed your Pug puppy, talk to your vet. Having access to clean water at all times is also crucial. Puppies of the Pug breed need three meals every day. For ages 8 weeks to 6 months, try to stick to this schedule for feedings. As soon as your Pug reaches 6 months of age, you may begin reducing the number of times each day it is fed to twice. Kibble is practical since it may aid in the prevention of tartar accumulation and can be stored easily. Yet, the added moisture provided by wet foods may aid in the fight against dehydration and support efficient digestion. Wet food may have a better texture and flavor for certain Pug pups, while kibble may be a better choice for others. You should talk to your vet about what kind of food and how often you should feed your Pug puppy. Yet the specific time might vary from dog to dog based on their nutritional requirements. To prevent stomach trouble, the change should be made slowly over the course of a few weeks. Puppy anorexia may be caused by several things, including sickness, dental issues, stress, and dietary or habit changes. In the meanwhile, you may try introducing a new kind of food or moistening their normal kibble with a little quantity of wet food or broth to pique their interest. Do not feed your Pug puppy any human food or table scraps since this might cause gastric discomfort and other health issues. Pugs have a tendency toward becoming overweight and overeating, which may lead to a host of medical complications. Instead, you should make sure your Pug puppy is receiving the right quantity of food by sticking to a regular feeding schedule and controlling portions. This may improve general conduct and aid in the process of teaching toilet independence. This formula is designed for purebred Pugs. Little dogs with short muzzles may easily pick up and chew the kibble design. This meal supports Pug immunological, skin, and digestive health with antioxidants and important nutrients. Supports digestive health 2. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins strengthen bones and teeth in this specifically prepared combination. Vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants for immune system, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair No corn, wheat, soy, or chicken or poultry by-product meal Cons May contain artificial flavors 3. This puppy chow supports strong muscles and a healthy heart by starting with high-quality protein. Antioxidants and natural glucosamine will maintain his joints for a lifetime of sports. Pros Protein-rich chicken is the first ingredient DHA aids puppy brain and visual development Four antioxidants boost immunity Omega-6, vitamins, and minerals for skin and coat No artificial flavors or preservatives. You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. Aug 25, Share An important part of taking good care of your Pug puppy is making sure that they are properly fed and that they get all the nutrients that they need to grow strong and healthy. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and if your Pug is like most, they seem to like anything that they are fed. Luckily, there are many commercial foods available on the market. There is also the raw doggy food diet that seems to keep getting more popular as time goes on. But what kind of dog food is right for your Pug? How much should you be feeding them? What will the dog not eat? Are there special considerations for a senior Pug? The answers to these questions and more can be found in our Pug feeding guide below. What you do decide to feed your pooch should be based on the quality of the food, no matter the type, and your personal feeding preferences. Here is what can be on the table for your Pug. Image credit: PxHere Commercial Dry Food Kibble Commonly referred to as kibble, commercial dry dog food is the most common and widely available option on the market. Manufacturers of this type of food work hard to balance the ingredients and create a completely balanced nutritional profile for dogs like your Pug. In fact, some brands, like Royal Canin, offer puppy and adult foods made just for Pugs. Whether you choose a dry dog food made just for Pugs or one made for dogs in general, it should include real meat or animal meal as one of the first ingredients on the list. The upside to commercial dry dog food is that it is affordable and easy to administer. It is also typically easy to store for the long term without worrying about it spoiling. The downside is that it tends to be dehydrating, so water should be available to your Pug throughout the day. Commercial Wet Food Commercially made wet dog food tends to be more nutrient-dense than dry food because it contains fresher ingredients and usually has fewer grains, if any at all. Most wet foods have real whole meat or seafood and broth as the first ingredients. Sometimes, veggies are thrown in for good measure, but many are meat-centric to meet the high protein needs of your growing Pug. Wet food is not as easy to store as dry food is, because it must be refrigerated after being opened. However, Pugs tend to enjoy the flavor and texture of wet food more than dry. Wet food is also a little more expensive than dry food, especially when trying to feed Pugs that are full-grown and in their prime. Raw Food A raw food diet is said to result in better digestion, a healthier coat and immune system , optimal dental health, and less susceptibility to allergies among other things. A raw food diet typically consists of quality meat, a source of calcium such as bones , animal organs, and a lower fat count than most commercial foods offer. Feeding your Pug a raw food diet will take commitment and a strong understanding of the nutrition that they need. This type of diet can be expensive and can require storage space in the fridge and freezer. It is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian to put together a complete meal plan to follow if you choose to go this route. It is a freeze-dried raw food supplement that is delicious and nutritious. The process requires about a day of cooking in the kitchen, but the time that you spend in your kitchen should yield enough food for your pooch to eat all week long. You will just have to store the leftovers in the fridge each day until the entire batch has been offered and consumed. Homemade dog food usually consists of whole meat like chicken, eggs, fish oil or flaxseed, brown or white rice, possibly vegetables like carrots and peas , and maybe even supplements of some kind. It depends on what kind of recipe you decide to follow. Any recipe that you consider feeding your dog should be approved by your veterinarian first. But you can quickly tell whether your pooch is being underfed or overfed by checking out their physique every day. If your dog is underfed for too long, you could notice signs like lethargy and an unwillingness to interact with family members. If your dog is overfed, they may succumb to problems like diabetes. If you find that your dog is getting underweight, start feeding them up to an extra cup of food each day. Reduce the amount by up to a cup if your dog is getting pudgy and out of shape. To help avoid under and overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding directions on the packaging of any commercial food you buy for them. If you decide to go the raw or homemade food route, your veterinarian can provide you with a feeding guide. You are free to use this image, but please give credit back to Hepper. Extra immune support is also typically present in puppy food. Once Pugs become adults, they are not as active as when they were pups, and they are not growing at exponential rates, if at all. Therefore, they need food with less protein than what puppies get. Pugs can typically switch to adult dog food between the ages of 9 and 12 months because much of their growth will be complete at this time. The tricky part is the actual process of switching your pooch from puppy to adult dog food. If not done slowly and intentionally, switching to a new food can cause digestion issues for your dog that could create messes around the house. Lethargy and nausea may follow. Finally, offer only adult food. There are many reasons why your Pug might seem like they do not have an appetite. The first thing to consider is whether you are overfeeding them. If your pooch does not want to eat their last meal of the day, they could simply be full and satisfied. However, other issues could lead to a pup not eating such as: Dental Problems. If your Pug has a toothache or some other kind of dental problem, they may not be comfortable eating. Check for red gums, bleeding, and tenderness throughout the mouth. If something unusual is detected, consult your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Recent Vaccinations. Vaccines can cause side effects, including a lack of appetite. So, if your Pug does not seem to want to eat for a day or two after getting vaccinated, this is normal. Uncomfortable Surroundings. If your pooch goes on an adventure with you and is expected to eat their meal in a situation that is not familiar to them, they may pass on the meal altogether in favor of waiting until they get to what they feel is a safe space to eat. Even if your dog seems fine in every other way, a lack of wanting to eat could mean an illness of some kind is brewing. If you cannot find any other reason for a lack of appetite, you should see your vet as soon as possible. Adult Pugs will generally eat about a cup of dry commercial dog food each day or the equivalent, although certain differences might scale this amount up or down as time goes on. Here are the most important factors to consider. Active vs. Sedentary More active dogs will require more food than those that tend to be sedentary. If your pooch takes multiple walks every day, spends a great deal of time playing with kids throughout the day, or enjoys outdoor time with family members each afternoon, chances are that your dog will need a little more food than the average pooch. If your pooch takes only one short walk each day and spends most of their time lounging around the house, chances are that they should be fed as sedentary dogs. Spayed vs. Neutered Sometimes, dogs that are not spayed or neutered eat more than the average pooch. This is because they tend to be more active and excitable, which results in the need for more calories to support their energy needs. Pregnancy Pregnant Pugs need up to twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need. Instead of feeding your pregnant dog puppy or adult food, consider a food designed for all life stages that indicates its suitability for pregnancy. This type of food offers more protein and fat than adult food to support the extra growth they go through, but not as much as puppy food, which could make them overweight after the birth. What Foods Are Bad for Pugs? Image By: Momentmal, Pixabay There are a few foods that you should never feed your Pug to ensure their good health and to avoid serious problems like poisoning and even death. Here are a few food items that should be avoided at all costs: Alcohol. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. This feeding routine should be followed from 8 weeks to 6 months old. But how much food should that be exactly in each feeding session. How many cups of food should I feed my Pug puppy and adults? Before you check out this Pug feeding chart below, you may just want a quick reference to how many cups of food you need to feed a Pug. The common guidelines say you should feed a Pug puppy of 8 to 20 weeks different cup sizes depending on their weight and age. You can see the cup amounts in the chart here: Puppy feeding amounts This Pug puppy feeding chart explains just how many cups of food you should give them and the regularity. It will be 3 times a day, then twice a day as they get older. As your Pug ages, the number of cups of food you need to him or her will change, as will the regularity. Take a look at the guidance in the graphic below. Adult feeding amounts This is feeding chart for adult Pugs explaining how many cups and how often in the day the feeding times should be. The Pug feeding charts you see above have been scanned from the Royal Canin brand of dog food. This is a very trusted brand, and you will find it being sold in vets all over the world. It contains all the nutrients your Pug puppy will need and is great for starting out with and into adult ages. Almost every time, this happens by the age of 3 weeks; and puppies should not leave their mother until at least 8 weeks of age. They will be like eating machines at this age because they have so much energy to burn. You could also try to sit your Pug down on some scales, but good luck with trying to make them sit still. Instead you can weigh yourself if you have accurate scales, and then get someone to pass you your Pug puppy to see what the difference is. The age of your Pug You might find it hard to get your Pug used to commercial dry food at first. The commercial puppy food should be high enough in calories and nutrients to make up for what they used to get from their mother. In terms of adjusting for their ages, Pug puppies of 8 to 12 weeks old can have one and half cups of food each day, split into 3 servings. By the ages of 6 to 9 months, Pug puppies will be in a regular eating routine where they drop to two meals a day — and this is how it will stay as adults. The dangers of over-feeding Some Pug owners might decide to go to 4 meals a day, but still with the same amount of food. This is because tinier Pugs might find the half a cup 3 times daily, too much of a large meal. Overfeeding is something to keep a strict eye on. If you feed your Pug puppy too much, he could get gastric dilatation-volvulus see definition on ACVS. This is the medical term for a twisted gut and can actually be fatal. Feeding more senior Pugs As Pugs get older, they will start to get less active. With reduced levels of energy comes the need for a lower calorie intake. But only if they are reducing their exercise due to age. With an older Pug you might start to see them putting on weight. If you do see weight gain, start to pull back on the portion sizes. Sometimes your vet may even recommend you go to a higher frequency of daily meals albeit smaller portions , almost like they are puppies again. With senior dogs this can help with weaker stomachs. Overweight or underweight? The average Pug puppy will weigh between 2 and 4 pounds at 8 weeks. These are healthy weight ranges. If you do have a Pug puppy who is clearly underweight, start to add a little bit more food to each of the daily meals until they come back into the health weight range. With overweight Pugs you do the exact opposite but mix more exercise into their daily routines as well. Handy Hint: If your Pug is losing or gaining weight and how much food they eat makes no difference, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health problems related to Pug feeding Not all dogs are the same, and all the guidance on this page is very generic towards how much you should feed a Pug. The bottom line is that your vet will be able to properly tell you how much your Pug should eat due to their age and weight. Raw food vs. I understand why people feed their dog raw food though; they say commercial food has too many additives plus preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and proteins. Consult with your vet for a professional opinion. Pugs that eat their food far too quickly You should also monitor how quickly your Pug is eating. Puppies are used to having to compete for food, and even when they are home alone with you, they will still have an instinct to wolf their food down. This can cause indigestion and vomiting, so there are a few things you can do to slow their intake down. Use a muffin tin evenly spread the portions throughout the tin. The best dry dog foods should have a high percentage of meats and fish in. Omega-3s are healthy fats, so those will also be a good sign if listed. All of the notes and guidance are based on my own personal experience of raising puppies, with exception to the feeding schedule which is from the Canin dog food brand. However, the Canin Pug feeding charts you see, are exactly how I have fed my puppies and adult dogs. Once your dog reaches adulthood, the best times to feed your Pug will be breakfast and dinner times. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Pug will stay at healthy as our dogs have! You might also like… If you have found this useful and are new to Pug ownership, you might find these other handy guides useful during the puppy phase:. Kibble, cans and specialty foods Proper Nutrition Since puppies need energy to grow big and strong, their food is higher in calories and packed with more nutrients. This includes more fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. So always choose a food that is labelled for puppies. Since a Pug is a small toy breed , they will grow very quickly and reach adulthood much faster than larger breeds. Toy dog breeds actually need more calories per pound than larger breeds due to their higher metabolic rates. The structure of their flat muzzle and facial folds , while appealing to look at, unfortunately causes a number of serious health problems. This causes soft tissue to block the airways, making breathing very difficult. Their jaws and teeth can also cause them problems. Remember, slimmer is better. How Often To Feed Your Pug Puppy I always recommend feeding puppies small meals at scheduled times several hours apart, and then decreasing the frequency as they get older. For puppies under six months go with something like 7am, 12noon, 3pm then 6pm. As they grow you can reduce this routine to three or even two times a day, but there is no harm continuing with multiple feedings as long as you dividing their daily rations evenly. Kibble vs Canned Food Dried puppy kibble is affordable, easy to store and transport, and readily available. Serving is as simple as opening the package and pouring it into the bowl. Canned or wet food will sometimes offer more meat protein and fewer carbohydrates than kibble does, but you will usually pay more as well. Wet food is also associated with an increase in periodontal diseases , which is not ideal for a dog already prone to these issues. Specialty Pug Puppy Foods The introduction of breed-specific formulas to the market has made it even more confusing. However, there are some Pug puppy formulations that address some of their health issues that might be worth considering. Some kibble is designed in a shape and texture that makes it easier for short-nosed puppies to pick up and chew easily.
Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor Grapes or raisins Golden Retriever Crossed with Labrador Exercise Requirements The Lab Golden Retriever Mix has an active temperament so they might get destructive if they get bored. It is recommended to exercise them at least 2 hours daily. Getting them to do physical activities every day will help keep him happy and healthy. Here are some outdoor activities that you can try with your Golden Retriever Lab Mix: Hiking: It is a great way to turn your daily walk more challenging and exciting for your dog. Swimming: Utilize your private pool and do a swimming exercise with your dog companion. Swimming does not only serve as an exercise activity to yourself and to your companion dog, but it is also a great bonding experience. It also provides relief from the heat during the summer months. Make sure you supervise your dog all the time while doing this activity. Dock Diving: This is a fun sports activity to enjoy with your dog. All you have to do is throw a floating toy and encourage your dog to jump and swim out to retrieve it. If you and your Golden Retriever Lab Mix want to upgrade the challenge, you can try joining a Dock Diving Club and compete with other dogs. Play Fetch: This is a classic outdoor game that is great to do in summer. Challenge your dog by putting a twist to the activity, you can either use a Frisbee or a tennis racquet to make the object travel farther for your Golden Labrador to retrieve and return back to you. However, you should not be working them too much because when it comes to recovering objects, both parent breeds of Golden Retriever Lab Mix can be overly enthusiastic. However, even though they are intelligent dogs and has a friendly nature, you still need to put time and effort to train them better. Both parent breeds were bred to carry things. The best way to teach your Goldador not to bark is to socialize them frequently with strangers. Use Positive Reinforcement The Labrador crossed with Golden Retriever is a sensitive type of dog, so training them using positive reinforcement will be very helpful. Make sure to avoid negative punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may end up fearing you rather than respecting you as their leader. Make it a regular routine to reward your puppy whenever they do something right. Training your Goldador consistently in a positive method will give you pet companions that are obedient and good-natured. Do Mental Exercise The Golden Retriever mixed with Lab is an intelligent dog, and they need stimulating mental activities to avoid developing any aggressive behaviors, such as nuisance barking and chewing. Without proper mental exercise, Goldador puppies will grow into a passive, timid and uninspired dog. Labrador Golden Retriever Mix and Families Despite its large size, the Labrador mixed with Golden Retriever is a great family dog because of its easy-going personality. It is extremely friendly and affectionate. The Goldador is the type of dog that goes well in a loving and active family — one that considers him as a family member. The Golden Labradors cherish the company with children. They are naturally gentle, but they can play tirelessly as long as your kids can keep up. However, due to their sheer size, supervision is still needed around toddlers and infants. The Goldadors makes an excellent therapy and companion dog. Because of their affectionate nature, they generally do well when given lots of attention and affection. These hybrid dogs love to be with people, and hence it is tough for them to cope with solitude. So give love lots of love and affection to your Goldador Lab Retriever Mix and expect that it will shower you back with love. Golden retrievers are known for being extra-friendly and trustworthy. Labs, the most popular breed in the United States , are notably kind and outgoing. When these two breeds are mixed, the result is a sweet-natured goldador, a large dog devoted to his people. While Labs and golden retrievers are very popular breeds, the goldador dog is still somewhat of a rare mixed breed. And while he's a hybrid, Simon says, the goldador's appearance and temperament is relatively predictable, as both parent breeds are similar. Size-wise, full-grown goldadors weigh between 60—80 pounds and are about 22—24 inches tall, like their parents. Often, these dogs have golden or yellow coats inherited from the golden retriever side of the family. But you could also see a black goldador, a brown or chocolate goldador, or even a reddish goldador. These dogs tend to wear wavy double coats, with a short-to-long topcoat and dense undercoat. The goldador's grooming needs are fairly straightforward: They should be brushed every few days , but more frequently during the spring and fall when they're shedding more. As with all mixed breeds, goldadors may inherit some signature traits from either parent. Golden retrievers, for instance, have dense, water-resistant coats and a feathery tail. Labradors have a soft and short weather-resistant coat, with thick tails that taper at the tip and are known as "otter tails" that act as rudders when they're swimming. Temperament Goldadors get the best of both worlds when it comes to temperament. She says on top of providing them with ample structured exercise at least 60 minutes a day , goldadors will enjoy other activities like swimming and agility training. The goldador's parents are both known for being highly intelligent , eager-to-please, and appreciative of having tasks to perform. Because of this, the goldador is highly trainable—he just might fetch the newspaper for you each morning! Living Needs Goldador fans appreciate just how social they are, and these outgoing dogs love to make friends with people and animals alike, Simon says. Because of this, they can fit well into homes that have cats or other dogs, but socializing your goldador puppy with other animals early on will ensure peace among your pets. This is a breed that is extremely loyal. Goldadors see themselves as a member of the family and should be treated as such. They don't like to be left home alone for long periods of time without their humans; goldador adults will gladly be your adventure buddies, splashing around at the local lake these dogs love the water! While goldadors prefer large, fenced yards to run around in during the day, they are adaptable enough to handle apartment living so long as they're getting enough regular exercise, says Brian Evans, DVM, clinical director of Dutch. Their bones are still growing until they're around 18—20 months old, so high-intensity exercise, like long jogs , can hurt their developing bodies and should be avoided, says Corinne Wigfall, DVM, BVS, BVM, consulting veterinarian with SpiritDog Training. Care The goldador dog has a coat that's easy to care for, but their fur sheds a great deal. Owners should brush them every few days, with daily brushing during the heavier shedding seasons, Simon says. As their ears are pendulous aka, they hang down loosely , Simon says they must be cleaned a few times a month to prevent ear infections. As part of their health and beauty routine, it's also important that their teeth are brushed daily in order to prevent periodontal disease. Luckily, goldador training should be a breeze. These dogs are eager to please and highly intelligent, which makes them respond well to positive reinforcement. Keep the training treats on hand and be generous with praise and head pats as you lead short, productive sessions with your goldador. Health The goldador is a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 10—12 years. However, potential pet owners should be aware of some of the health conditions the dogs are susceptible to. This includes hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as potential eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Goldadors are also more prone to cancers than other dogs, Simon says, and this includes bone cancers osteosarcoma , cancer of the spleen haemangiosarcoma , and mast cell tumors. However, the Institute of Canine Biology says mixed breed dogs are typically less likely than their purebred parents to inherit genetic disorders. The goldador is a relatively new "designer" hybrid breed, and since these dogs are in high demand, some goldador breeders may not be operating with the dogs' health as a top priority. To make sure you're working with an ethical goldador breeder and that you're bringing home a healthy dog, be aware of these common puppy mill red flags : A breeder offers to ship a puppy. A kennel produces multiple breeds of dogs. It's difficult to find contact information on a breeder's website. The breeder will not let you meet the puppy's parents or siblings. History While goldadors are an emerging mixed breed and becoming more popular, both golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers date back to the s and have lengthy resumes as working dogs. These Scottish gun dogs took their hunting and field work seriously, and today they make for great guide dogs and search-and-rescue team members. The breed arrived in the U. Labrador retrievers can be traced back to Newfoundland, off the northeastern coast of Canada. Descendants of the now-extinct St. John's water dog, Labradors worked in frigid temperatures, keeping fisherman company and retrieving ducks, according to the LRC. At the end of the work day, the dogs would come home and spend the night with the fishermen's families. They became recognized by the AKC in .Fun Facts The goldador's parents are mighty popular. Labrador retrievers became the AKC's most popular breed in the U. Golden retrievers are currently ranked as the fourth most popular breed. Both parent breeds are movie and television stars. Pip, a short animated film by Southeastern Guide Dogs, stars a goldador named Pip who goes to guide school to learn how to help people with vision loss and veterans with disabilities. The tug-at-your-heartstrings YouTube video has racked up more than million views since it debuted in .Was this page helpful? Labrador Retriever Mix, or a Goldador Dog. The Goldador dog is a playful and good-natured, large dog. When you cross a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Golden Retriever , even though both parents are recognized purebred dog breeds, the result — the Goldador — is a hybrid dog; recently known as a designer dog. Designer breeds come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the genes and appearance of the parent breeds. This cross-breed dog has parents with hunting and retrieving skills. They are often used as therapy dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and other types of service dogs, even bomb detection: but not as a guard dog or watchdog! This hybrid dog breed has the classic appearance of the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever dogs; inheriting their friendly, smiley face and their big brown eyes. The Labrador Golden Retriever mix is soft, loving, and intelligent. This is a large, bouncy, and easy-going dog that loves to be active. It will want to be wherever you are; in your bed, on your sofa or in the bathroom with you! A Goldador puppy is simply adorable. But remember, nowhere is private with a Goldador around! Fact: When two different dog breeds are intentionally mixed it called a designer dog; any hybrid dog will inherit its characteristics and health problems from both parent breeds but the result will not be seen until the puppy is born and observed as it grows up. A Goldador is friendly and will always want to be close to you. In , Lord Tweedmouth, a British Aristocrat, wanted a loyal and hard-working gundog to retrieve waterfowl while hunting on his estate in Scotland. So he crossed a wavy-coated yellow retriever sire with a Tweed Water Spaniel dam and produced 3 Golden-colored Retriever puppies. Fact: the Tweed Water Spaniel is now an extinct dog breed. Lord Tweedmouth mixed this new breed Retriever with an Irish Setter dog to breed the recognized Golden Retriever dog breed. In , the Golden Retriever dog breed was registered by the UK Kennel Club, and they quickly became popular as family pets and show dogs. Parent 2: A brief history of the Labrador Retriever parent — a purebred dog The Labrador Retriever is the best-loved and most popular dog breed in the world! It has a solid- color double coat in one of 3 colors; pure black, chocolate brown, or yellow. Whatever the coat color this is just a good looking dog breed for any level of dog owner or family member. The Labrador Retriever dog is from Newfoundland, Canada, and was used by fishermen to retrieve fish from nets and catch those that escaped back into the sea. They are good swimmers and have a gentle mouth grip that will not further destroy any prey they are ordered to retrieve. The Newfoundland and Labrador Province, in Canada, provided this hunting and retrieving dog with its name — the Labrador Retriever or Lab to its friends! The Newfoundland Labrador Retriever dog breed came to Great Britain around , to be used as gun dogs for retrieving waterfowl from land and water, during the shooting season, in Scotland and England. Ongoing breeding is believed to have continued the pure Newfoundland lab bloodline in our Labrador Retriever breed today. Meet the offspring: The hybrid offspring of these two purebred dogs is the Golden Retriever Lab mix — the Goldador puppy. This mixed breed puppy will be happy, affectionate, and will easily become a family member for sure. Fact: Designer dogs are increasing in popularity and so is the trend to give them a cute combo name that reflects a bit of both parent names. The Goldador puppy will inherit characteristics from both parents. What are the main characteristics of a Golden Retriever Lab Mix? Like any other crossbreed, a Labrador Golden Retriever Labrador mix can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both. Crossbreed dogs, like The Goldador, are no more likely to inherit health issues than purebred dogs; in fact, it is believed they may actually be stronger. Any mixed puppy can inherit all, some, or none of the health issues its parent breeds have. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. The characteristics of The Goldador are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment, and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. The Goldador — possible coat colors Both Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever parents have a thick, double coat: a water-resistant topcoat and a warm undercoat. Therefore the Goldador will inherit the same double coat but is likely to be short-haired like the Labrador. With its impressive and popular parent breed mix it will be loyal with a loving temperament and good around children and other dogs. It will be caring and become and active companion, that just wants to be by your side all the time. Reputation: This large Golden Labrador mix breed dog comes from two of the best-loved and most popular dog breeds. This is why they can make such good service and guide dogs, therapy dogs or even search and rescue dogs. They will still need to be trained and socialized early to teach them how to use that energy positively and learn how to behave in public. They are people-friendly and need exercise. They would not make a good guard dog, or watchdogs as they are approachable with strangers and make friends easily. So watch your slippers! Trainability: The trainability of this intelligent Golden Labrador mixed breed should be easy. The Goldador needs to be trained and socialized early as it will inherit a herding instinct and be highly active. They may attempt to take over and herd small children and smaller pets so they need to be controlled. Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well but not harsh discipline, or any form of negative punishment or physical restraint. Power and intelligence: This mixed breed dog is very intelligent, strong, and active with a herding and working drive. It will enjoy and need working challenges incorporating mental and physical stimulation, but it will be curious and want to investigate the other side of the fence. Socialization: Early socialization and discipline are strongly recommended for any crossbred dog especially those with herding and service dog parents. The Labrador Golden Retriever Mix wants to be active and occupied; if bored it may become destructive and bark. When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around all types of people, children, and other animals. Purpose: Any herding or working dog will want to be useful and please its owner. It will need to be trained and socialized early as it will help with control its excitement in public and develop obedience norms. It will form an early bond and lasting companionship with its owner. Either parent will still give it an athletic, well-balanced build and a strong working ethic. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance. Shedding and Grooming Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding. Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home! With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole. If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. Generally, the Goldador will get on well with children and other pets. Socialization Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Training Tips The Goldador has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs. Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! Energy Levels Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim. Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble. As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners. Exercise is especially important for the health of your Goldador since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems. Health and Care All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding COI. The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds Labrador and Golden Retriever. Labrador Health Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNKP. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. The Labrador retriever and the golden retriever are two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Both are attractive and energetic dogs that are highly intelligent, easy to please, and incredibly friendly. It was only ever a matter of time before someone tried to cross these two breeds. The resulting crossbreed is known as the Goldador! This crossbreed mixes the best of both parent breeds to create a friendly pup ideal for active families with children or for taking on sociable working roles. With the right amount of love, affection, exercise, and mental stimulation, these crossbreeds make the perfect addition to any household. Goldadors are even suitable for first-time owners, as long as their owner has enough time and energy to keep up with these energetic, loyal pups. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Goldador dogs. Goldador Main Characteristics Height: 22 to 24 inches Weight: 60 to 80 pounds Lifespan: 10 to 15 years Key Characteristics: Intelligent, highly trainable, friendly, good with children, high energy, moderate shedding Goldador: History Of The Breed Labrador Retrievers Labrador retrievers were originally Canadian fishing dogs that were later imported to the UK and developed to be a retriever-gun dog. The Labrador is a sporty medium-sized dog with a stocky physique and a broad, square face. They usually weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. They tend to have a short, dense coat that is water-resistant, and these dogs love to swim! The most common coat colors are black , yellow, and chocolate. Labradors are very friendly and tend to make friends with strangers and other animals with ease. They are highly intelligent and easy to please, which makes them easy to train. These characteristics combined make them excellent working dogs, especially when it comes to disability support. They are often used as guide dogs. Labs are energetic dogs that need lots of exercise and attention. Golden Retrievers Golden retrievers were also bred in the UK to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks. They have a soft mouth that allows them to delicately retrieve and bring back game undamaged. Like Labradors, golden retrievers also love water and are strong swimmers. This is another medium-to-large breed that typically measures somewhere between 20 and 22 inches in height. They have a double coat with a top layer that is high shedding. They are both friendly and confident, which makes them excellent family pets. They are also particularly good with children, who they will adopt as their own. While they will be protective of their people, golden retrievers are very friendly and more likely to go in for a pat and a play rather than bark or attack a stranger. They are intelligent, biddable, and have a strong eagerness to please, which makes them highly trainable. This is why golden retrievers are also often used as working dogs in activities such as search and rescue as well as disability assistance. Goldador Goldadors have been around for about 20 years and are an attempt to bring together the best of the Labrador and golden retriever breeds. Normally, crossbred dogs can be highly unpredictable, because there is no reliable way of predicting how the genes of the two parent dogs will mix. However, with Labs and Goldens, while we may not be able to predict their exact appearance, the temperaments of the two dogs are consistent enough that the resulting mix always has the friendly, intelligent, and easy to please temperament that most people are looking for. Goldador Appearance Goldadors are medium-to-large-sized dogs that typically measure between 20 and 24 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 55 and 80 pounds. Females tend to be noticeably smaller than the males. You can expect them to reach their full size somewhere between 18 and 24 months of age. Goldadors typically have a double coat that mixes a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat. This allows them to enjoy a swim even in the coldest water, but it also means they tend to shed quite a lot. They need to be brushed at least once a week to remove dead hair and more often during seasonal shedding periods. Their coat is likely to range in color from a yellowish gold to a reddish gold, though on rare occasions, they may inherit the black or chocolate coat of their Labrador parent. It is difficult to predict whether the square face of the Labrador or the more pointed face of the golden retriever will be prevalent in their puppies. While they might jump up to protect children they consider to be part of their family, aggression among these dogs is almost unheard of and will almost always relate to some kind of traumatic experience. They are more curious about other creatures than worried about them. Intelligence Goldadors are extremely intelligent, and both of their parents are ranked among the most intelligent breeds. This means not only that they can learn new commands quickly, but that they are also independent thinkers. They can figure out what is wanted from them in new situations based on their past experiences. Of course, when not probably utilized, this intelligence can become problematic. A Goldador left at home for hours on end is likely to turn their keen mind into finding a way to escape. Trainability There are many intelligent dogs out there that are difficult to train primarily because they are incredibly stubborn. Thankfully, Goldadors are eager to please and highly motivated by reward, which makes them extremely loyal and easy to train. These dogs also have a great work ethic, and they enjoy having something to do. This means they make great working dogs, and they have the attention span to take on challenges such as disability support. They find this mentally stimulating and emotionally rewarding. Energy Level Goldadors have lots of energy that needs to be burned off on a daily basis. They need a minimum of at least 30 minutes of solid exercise a day, but they will really thrive if given at least an hour or more of exercise per day. They are better adapted to spaces with at least a small garden to apartment living. They will particularly love joining their families on hikes and other adventures. They also love to swim, so swimming should make up a regular part of their activity. Independence Goldadors love being around their people. These are not the types of dogs you can leave at home for extended periods of time. While they might be able to settle down and do nothing for a few hours when you are around, if they are left alone, they can become anxious. This prolonged anxiety can result in lots of nervous, and often destructive, energy. Goldador Health Risks If you adopt a Goldador, you can expect them to live for roughly 10 to 15 years, which is a respectable amount of time for a large-sized dog. They can be prone to inherited health conditions, but whether or not your Goldador will suffer from any of these ailments as they grow is pretty much the luck of the draw. You can get some indication of their likelihood of developing these conditions if you look at the medical records of their parents. One of the most common health problems affecting Goldadors is hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a malformation of the bones that occurs as they grow, as their bones grow at different rates and end up being the wrong size for one another. The best way to prevent this is with a healthy diet and lots of exercise when they are young to prevent the problem from developing. Check out our advice on choosing the right dog food for your Goldador. These dogs can also develop joint issues in later life, which can make moving painful. If this happens, an orthopedic bed that helps take excess pressure off their joints can make a big difference. Goldadors may also develop problems with their eyes, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. These dogs often lose at least some of their sight as they pass through their senior years. They also have a tendency to develop diabetes. If this happens, they will require a special diet. I started raising guide and service dog puppies over 15 years ago. The Goldador has been gaining in popularity among many of the service dog schools. When I spoke to the puppy program manager at Canine Companions for Independence, he told me that the majority of their service dogs were Labrador Retriever Golden Retriever mixes. Many other schools have introduced Golden-Lab mixes into their service dog programs. The mixed traits of both a Golden and a Lab is very popular among guide and service dog schools. Should I Get A Goldador? Having read all of this, you might still be wondering whether a Goldador is the right dog for you. You should start by asking yourself whether you are in a position to make the commitment to adopting any dog. Remember, by adopting a dog, you are committing to care for, love, and support your pup for the next 10 to 15 years. Do you have plans to move in the coming years? If so, will you be able to take your dog with you? Do you have someone who can look after your dog when you travel? This could be a friend, a family member, or a reputable kennel that is able to care for your dog for a certain period of time. Once you have answered those questions, it is time to think about adopting a Goldador specifically. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions moving forward. Do You Have Space? Goldadors thrive when they have at least some outdoor space to call their own. They will struggle with apartment living. Be sure your outdoor space is properly fenced to prevent your Goldador from escaping if they get bored and start digging. Goldadors need to be around people often. They can develop anxiety issues if left alone for extended periods of time. Are there people around the house most of the time to keep your dog company? Also, will you be able to commit at least 30 to 60 minutes each day to providing your Goldador with exercise? Be sure you have plenty of time to spend with your Goldador, as they can be fairly emotionally needy dogs. Goldadors not only need quite a bit of physical exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, but also quite a bit of mental stimulation. Their intelligence and work ethic mean they need someone to take the time to train them and keep them occupied. Thankfully, Goldadors are actually excellent dogs for first-time owners. They are highly trainable, so even a novice should be able to teach them the essentials. Their friendly nature means you are also very unlikely to end up with an aggressive dog that you struggle to control. Additionally, if anyone in the home has asthma, you will want to groom your Goldador regularly to avoid leaving excess hair around the home. Yes, Goldadors are excellent dogs that mix friendliness, intelligence, and energy in one adorable package. The characteristics of their parents tend to complement each other nicely to create a medium-to-large-sized dog that makes a great family pet or working pup. How much does a Goldador cost? The exact cost of a Goldador depends primarily on your location and whether you adopt from a shelter, a breeder, or elsewhere. How do you train a Goldador puppy? The best way to train most dogs is by using positive reinforcement. This means showing your pup the behavior that you would like and then rewarding them when they complete the behavior. Positive reinforcement training teaches dogs how to perform desired behaviors and that they can expect good things to happen if they do it. Soon, it will become instinctive, and you will no longer need to reward them every time. This is a particularly good form of training for Goldadors because they are highly motivated by both treats and pleasing. It is never a good idea to punish dogs when they misbehave. Finally, punishment often teaches dogs different lessons than the ones you actually want them to learn. For example, instead of learning not to pee in the house, they might just learn not to pee while you are around. They are great with children and have a temperament that first-time owners should be able to manage well. They are energetic dogs that do best when they have some outdoor space to call their own and at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Overall, Goldadors are: Extremely loyal, but will develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long Large dogs that tend to shed heavily Does this sound like the perfect canine companion for you? If so, then why not think about adopting a Goldador today? If you are thinking about adopting from a shelter, consider reading our guide on what to expect when you bring your pup home. Do you have any experience with Goldadors? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. 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.
They post details about the pug dogs for sale with the photos of the adorable pugs attached. Here are some of the places you can look: Foster Care New Jersey has foster cares for pugs that will sell a pug puppy. These foster care centers provide veterinary care. You are assured of getting healthy puppies and adult dogs. Adopt A Pet Adopt a Pet is a great website you can visit if you wish to adopt a pug for your home. They also occasionally sell pug puppies. To get a pug puppy from them, you will submit an application form downloadable from their website and submit the form through email or through the mail. Adopt a Pet recommends you submit a pre-approval application for the pugs you are willing to adopt. You can give them a call at or send them an email at ajdusman comcast. You can also ask them for recommended pug breeders near your location or a pug puppy that is for sale. Shake a Paw is one of the largest pet stores in New Jersey. They are a reputable pet store that is well connected to the local community. Shake a Paw is an organization known for taking care of rescued dogs and reforming them until they are fit to be reintroduced to a loving home. Within three years, they were able to reintroduce adult dogs. You can visit their adoption website at www. Their showrooms feature advanced ventilation systems and air purification systems. This is their health guarantee, making sure that the dogs they rescue are in perfect health and are well taken care of. They have a great selection of available puppies like a pug and other breeds to choose from. They are reputable jersey pug breeders who put great value in what they are doing. Give them a call to know if they have a pug puppy for sale. Ask yourself the questions we have listed below to know if you are ready to bring a pug to your home and to your family. Do you have the extra time? Pugs are an active and energetic breed, especially in their pug puppy days. They are cute little balls of joy but make no mistakes, they will bounce around the house and will get let all their energy out. You also need to make time to train them, get them to the vet for regular health checkups, feed them, and groom them. These activities are necessary for the pug puppy to grow healthy. For this reason, breeders discourage buyers who are constantly on travel or those who spend long hours in their work. The perfect puppy needs a parent that is consistently by their side. Another activity that will require your time is cleaning. Pugs are average shedders but they shed hair throughout the year. This is why it is a necessity to make sure they are groomed regularly. Who lives at home with you? Before checking out Pug Puppies for Sale NJ posts, consider other people who are with you before you take the dog home. Since the pug puppy will surely adapt to living in your home, make sure that the rest of the family is open to giving the pug the best time of its life. While a pug can be the perfect puppy for children, children and adults can be allergic to pet hair and other irritants that stem from owning a pet. This is a major consideration to make before taking a pug home. If you already have other pets living in your home, you need to pay attention to how each of them reacts to the perfect puppy. The best course of action is to make owning a pet a family decision. Avoid adding to the hundreds of dogs, whether as pug puppies or as adult dogs, that are being abandoned each year and end up in rescue shelters. Did you consider the added cost? The cost of buying pug puppies is just the beginning of your expenses. Adding a living, breathing, organism to your home will incur expenses in your budget. While the initial costs will come primarily from its food, there are other expenses you need to be prepared for. To breed pug puppies, you should have the budget for regular veterinary care, treats, chew toys, grooming services, grooming products, and medicine. Some home insurance companies will include a fee for pets in your house. Make sure you have a complete idea about the initial cost of keeping a healthy pug in your home and the added cost to keep it healthy and active. Do you have a vet, an animal hospital, or Jersey pug breeders near you? Pugs, and dogs in general, have diseases and health conditions that are inherited. These genetic conditions can show up anytime, depending on the situation of the dog. Owning a pug comes with the risk of having to take them to a hospital due to an emergency or a sickness. Either you should be ready to make the drive or your place is near a vet or an animal hospital. Check out the list of pug breeders below. When dealing with a pug breeder, do not hesitate to ask for detailed information about the puppies and the way they raise them. Check their sale listings and make sure to confirm all the details they provide. Yellow Frame Pugs. They are friendly to new people and agrees with kids and other house animals, they are house and potty trained, they will come with all necessary papers including food menu, interested persons should feel free to contact us with the name of the breed directly via xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. View Detail Pug puppies available now They are home trained, AKC registered and up to date on all their shots and vaccines. These Pug puppies will make a perfect addition to any pet loving home since they are well socialized with kids and other pets. Please contact us with the name of the breed directly via xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. I am looking for someone to play with. When I get tired, I will come and curl up next to you so we can go to sleep. I love to go to parks and meet new people and animals. I am very affectionate and love to give kisses. I promise if you take me home, I will brighten your days and will always love you unconditionally. I will come home to you up to date on my vaccinations and vet checked. I am excited to meet you and become your new best Buy Now 2 montg old pug very cute. Very cute. No shots yet or fixe weight about 2Lbs. Handsome male dog. View Detail Meet Oliver Mr. Oliver is a fun, loving, energetic, cuddle buddy. Lol Owner is allergic to him. They are vet-checked, registered and have complete shots. Super calm with everyone and friendly with other home pets. Perfect companions. All vet and health papers are available. Puppies are potty and crate trained. Text or WhatsApp at.Adorable little female pug puppy looking for her forever home. Born August 6th, she will be 8 weeks old on October 1st. Playful and loving! Both parents are youngers and we have DNA certificate for pure breed 4th Generation level. Price for each is firm, No for resellers, price I am asking, is only looking to recover maternity and care costs. We are looking for a good family that give time and love they deserve, they are playful, beautiful, and healthy. The buyer must take them to the Vet for their first vaccination and physical checkup. View Detail Adorable pugs for sale Pure bred pugs. Cute female and males available. Home raised with up to date shots and dewormed. Great choice. Pugs are popular pets for a reason. This delightful, friendly breed makes a wonderful family pet or companion. But these in-demand pooches can be tricky to track down. Our team has put together a list of top Pug breeders in New Jersey. We know exactly what to look for in a breeder. They have over 25 years of experience breeding Mastiffs and have also been breeding Pugs since .All Agincourt dogs are bred selectively. She is now in the process of becoming an American Kennel Club judge herself and has already participated in numerous educational seminars and workshops. They produce standard and rare Pugs of color including black, fawn, apricot, brindle, reverse brindle, silver, silver brindle, platinum white, and white Pugs. All their puppies are healthy with a certificate and guarantee. Their dogs are all AKC registered with strong genetic lines. Christina and Richard love their dogs and make sure to socialize them with other dogs, cats, and young children. They also come with a health guarantee, first shots, and deworming. Please note that Happy Pugs does not ship their dogs due to the associated risks. They are raised indoors around small children and fed both wet and dry food. Nicole picks only good, safe homes for her pups and does not ship due to the associated risks. MeshugaDogs Phone: Website: meshugadogs. They own, breed, and inseminate themselves. Some of their dogs have even featured in commercials. Meshuga has black, fawn, white, brindle, silver, and apricot Pugs. All their pups have excellent temperaments, health lines, and all studs are PDE tested. They raise and breed AKC standard black and fawn Pug pedigrees only. Pugz Pawz strives to keep their Pug breed top-quality, healthy, and happy. Puppies are raised at home, not in kennels. Pugz Pawz always prioritizes finding safe, loving homes for their pups. To offer the finest Pug-specific products to the world. Pug Envy has litters available at various points throughout the year. Due to high demand, they operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tracy is a registered AKC breeder who has been working with Pugs for nineteen years. She prioritizes the health and wellbeing of her dogs to guarantee you well-socialized, loving, healthy pets. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.
Today, there are many Labradoodle breeders in Texas and finding the right pup for you is certainly easier than it was in the last decade. On the other hand, any breeder can advertise that they have Labradoodles for sale in Texas. See Also: Click the image So, what are the key factors you should keep in mind when choosing a Labradoodle breeder in Texas? For this purpose, all parent pups have undergone thorough health and genetic testing that helps minimize the risk of puppies inheriting any genetic illnesses that can affect their quality of life or even lifespan. That being said, reputable breeders also provide at least a two-year health guarantee that covers any serious genetic conditions that the parent pups have been tested for. In fact, some breeders even offer a three-year health guarantee. Many reputable Labradoodle breeders in Texas are also recommended by Good Dog. Why is that important? Most notably, breeders have to follow strict health testing protocols and ethical breeding practices to obtain certifications by any of these organizations we mentioned above. Many breeders have posted testimonials on their websites, but we also recommend you search for reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, Reddit, here at Doodle Doods , or even on your local online forums. All of their puppies are born and raised in a loving home environment, and all of their breeding dogs are beloved family pets either with the breeder or in carefully chosen guardian homes. Lantana Labradoodles focuses on breeding companion dogs through love, dedication, and enrichment. By the way, the ENS training is an excellent way for the puppies to get used to regular human interactions and body handling from such a young age! Additionally, Lantana Labradoodles gets their Doods started on potty training and crate training, and basic manners and obedience training. They take them for car rides, introduce them to grooming, and even collar and leash training. They also conduct temperament testing on each of their puppies at 7 weeks of age. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Waitlist: Yes. Alicia breeds and raises Labradoodle puppies with beautiful coat colors, and sound temperaments to prepare them for life as family pets or service dogs. She also breeds Goldendoodles and Bordoodles. All breedable dogs live in guardian homes and have health clearances for hip, elbow, eye, heart, and thyroid issues. They also undergo DNA testing for other genetic health conditions, like gradual limb paralysis and stunted skeletal growth. After ten weeks, they go to their new homes. Several factors can impact the overall price of a Labradoodle, such as their pedigree, coat color, breed popularity, breeder location, and health coverage. They may also charge extra for shipping or extended boarding. The amount of time it takes to find a Labradoodle for sale in Texas and take them home can vary from breeder to breeder. Consider creating a feeding chart to track how much food you should give your Labradoodle daily. If your Labradoodle is prone to food allergies from a specific grain or protein, ask your vet about alternate dog food options to prevent allergic reactions. Before bringing home your Labradoodle, be sure to stop by the pet store and pick up some essential supplies for your puppy, including: A bed. Contact us today for more information about our family-raised, hypo-allergenic, highly trainable Labradoodles. We started our breeding program with the best bloodlines to ensure we would be producing the most beautiful, intelligent, trainable and lovable dogs possible. We are grateful for the guidance we had when we started and we continue to improve the way we do things through training and education for more than 18 years. It is our dedication to excellence in the way we raise our precious dogs and train them that sets Texas Labradoodles apart. Most of the breeders were breeding true Australian Labradoodles. Since that time we have watched our amazing and magical breed of dogs become a world wide phenomenon with Labradoodles taking over everywhere. From being in the movies to being the number one choice for commercials, print ads and funniest video stars, Labradoo dles are everywhere. With this profound movement of the love of all things Labra doodle, the purity and purpose of what Labradoodles were originally bred for has become convoluted with many types of doodles. The Labradoodle breed itself is be coming a confusing mixture of levels of breeds, types of infusions into the blood lines, etc. Australian Labradoodles are produced when multiple generations of the original Australian bloodlines, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park are bred together. These two kennels began breeding these dogs to create a hypo-allergenic, low to non-shedding dog. These dogs are bred to be highly trainable dog for the purpose of being taught to be guide dogs or therapy dogs for people with allergies. It took these two kennels a lot of work, testing and breeding to get the breed to where it is today. It was not as simple as breeding a Lab to a Poodle, both great dogs, of course, but not a true Australian Labradoodle The importance of adopting a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle If you want a hypo-allergenic, highly trainable dog for your new family member or a dog for therapy work, you want to get a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Working with a reputable breeder that has many years of experience and a true love of the breed is important. Make sure the genetic testing and puppy care are done to ensure they are breeding the best and most healthy dogs possible. Dogs that are registered with the ALAA as multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are the most consistent breeding of Labradoodles that you can get. These dogs are going to have a consistent temperament and trainability level. This consistency and care to our breeding program helps our families to know exactly what to expect from their new family member. Clearing our dogs for potential diseases not only ensures that our dogs do not have these issues prior to breeding, it also ensures that we will never produce puppies that could have these diseases. The hip and elbow testing does not guarantee that puppies will never have hip dysplasia, but it is the best method that we have to prevent producing puppies with genetic hip issues. Hip problems are often caused be environmental factors, but culling puppies for breeding purposes helps to reduce the risk of breeding bad confirmation. Temperament, coat and trainability for different types of disciplines are key in our breeding program. Creating perfect family members, guide dogs, therapy dogs and best friends begins with breeding the perfect parents. Years of care and experience have made us experts at accomplishing high standards set by the ALAA and our own personal goals for our dogs. We know that a Texas Labradoodles bred dog is the finest of our wonderful breed and we are so proud to have produced such wonderful companions and working dogs. Please see our references page for more stories and letters from our families. November, .I cannot say enough good things about Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! From the beginning Mardee was very caring and knowledgable on all things Australian Labradoodle. It is clear she and her family love their dogs and take excellent care of them from the very start. She takes the time to match each puppy to their forever home and I scored the jackpot with my Maggie! I could not be happier with her sweet demeanor and easy going temperament. She is super smart, easy to train and equally as adorable. Even after bringing our puppy home Mardee has been a great resource and we are still in touch. I am so thankful to have found Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! Mike Tadlock .October, .Texas Labradoodles and Mardee were Amazing. She helped guide us through the selection process and we could not have gotten a better fur baby than Sadie. If you could meet Sadie and see her with us you would understand. We are obnoxiously crazy about this girl! We know others who have used Texas Labradoodles and they all feel the same. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. Paul Chapman 4. We recently welcomed the most perfect medium Australian Labradoodle into the family. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is and if you email me I will. That said, I have been equally impressed by our experience with this breeder. First and foremost, Mardee loves her dogs and this breed and that loves comes through in every single interaction and detail. They are true to breed standard. Go through all the appropriate genetic and health screens and, most importantly, are bred and raised in a loving home with plenty of outdoor country air. These dogs are not inexpensive but they are well-priced, given all the time and expense put into raising quality animals in the very most humane and caring of environments. If you want to know what to look for in a breeder - TX Labradoodle is the standard. Chris Monroe .August, .Highly knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Mardee and Bruce patiently answered all of my questions about Australian Labradoodle's and she matched us with the perfect addition for our family. Mardee provided a thorough background and documentation of care, and a detailed checklist for us to take home. June is 14 weeks old now and is everything we imagined and more. June, .TX Labradoodles are truly amazing, full of heart, and extremely knowledgeable! Mardee and her family have become our family! We have the 3 most gorgeous fur babies ever who bring immense joy and love to my life! We consider ourselves beyond fortunate to have crossed paths with Mardee, Bruce, and James! We are forever grateful! We love you tremendously!!! Thank you for making the world a better place with the most extraordinary fur babies!!! Brittany Meuth .April, .My husband and I recently adopted our first puppy from Texas Labradoodles and we could not be happier with our experience! Mardee has remained a resource to us even since bringing Murphy home and could not have created a better experience for us. She is amazing at what she does and truly loves providing families with amazing pets! Steven Roberts .We got 2 girls from Mardee two months ago. The experience could not have gone better. Loving environment, plenty of outdoor room, clean as a whistle and the pups are all we could hope for. No puppy mill atmosphere here. Solid solid folks and superior dogs. And another plus: Wimberley Texas is awesome. Karen Hernandez .I have truly been blessed by the forming relationship with Mardee and MOE. I did not realize how much joy at my age she allows me to experience. She is not my only dog that I share my life with, but she is definitely an exception that I must say is out of the ordinary. Mardee is very responsive and knowledgeable and her understanding of the breed. I can tell she only wants to breed the best genetics and protect the breed from becoming a backyard hobby only to make money. It is nice to see and know how much she strives to improve the breed. I think anyone looking to start or expand their canine family would be truly blessed. Google rating score: 4. This family owned business is committed to performing extensive health testing and temperament assessments on each female and male breeding Doodle before selecting them to produce our adorable puppies. We have a select number of litters each year, focusing individual attention to the development of each doodle puppy before it goes to its forever home. Whether you are looking to purchase your first Australian Labradoodle or your third, this will be a very exciting time for you and your family! To achieve this, we carefully select our breeding dogs based on extensive health examinations and temperament assessments. Our breeding moms and studs have been carefully examined and tested by local veterinarians here in Texas to ensure they are free of eye, hip, and elbow problems, cardiac issues, genetic diseases and coat issues. Eye testing is ongoing for the entire time the dog is actively breeding. Photo Right: Our reproductive veterinarian, Dr. Kirk Esmond Each and every breeding dog passes extensive health testing to provide the best opportunity for healthy puppies. I think we are getting ready to go to our forever homes! We specialize in medium size dogs, ranging from pounds. Needless to say, the precious puppies we raise are part of our family. Our breeding Australian Labradoodle dogs live in our home as our family pets or in Guardian Homes as a valued family member. Welcome to the world of a Legendary Labradoodle. People are talking about us. Not only do we have an adorable, healthy, hypoallergenic and non-shedding family companion, but Legendary Labradoodles goes to great lengths to assure the temperament of the puppy will thrive in your home environment. They are truly producing the best pups in temperament, coat, and health not to mention hands down the cutest faces and body shape. The small size of our program allows our Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles to be a part of our everyday home life and not be kept in kennels. It also provides an opportunity for puppies to socialize, be nurtured, and be loved. Our puppies are socialized with people, children, and other pets. Our diligent work with young puppies contributes to an easy transition into their forever homes. At Texas Australian Labradoodles, we keep the Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy adoption experience as pleasant and comfortable for you as possible. When you adopt our puppy, you become a member of our program and a part of our Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle forever family. We want to share your joy. We love pictures! We place great importance on your satisfaction with your new Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy. Guided by our experience, careful assessment of each puppy, and objective aptitude evaluations we can select the best puppy for your specific needs and lifestyle. At Texas Australian Multigenerational Labradoodles, we produce 4th generation Australian Labradoodles or later generations we do not have any of the early generation Labradoodles as their temperament, coat, and comfortation can be very unpredictable. Our Doodles are selectively bred for many generations to produce allergy-friendly, intelligent, easy to train puppies with gentle temperaments and exceptional beauty. Their coat is non-shedding and odor-free and works well with allergy sufferers. Our labradoodles are loved and well-socialized, which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children and homes that have other pets. Our Doodles are also perfect candidates for service, therapy, and companion dogs due to their intelligence as well as gentle and affectionate disposition. Our Australian Sheepadoodles are carefully bred by pairing our fabulous Old English Sheepdogs and extraordinary Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles. We are the only breeders that have paired these incredible breeds to create astonishing puppies who consistently deliver allergy-friendly silky coats, calm temperaments, and overall great confirmation. Our Doodles are loved and well-socialized which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children, first time pet owners, and families with other pets. However, our small size ensures that we are able to pay close attention to each of our Doodle puppies to ensure that they get the stimulation and the attention to reach their developmental milestones. Simply put, there are no puppies left behind at Texas Australian Labradoodles and Australian Sheepadoodles. The public is slowly recognizing the value of smaller programs that do not mill their puppies and a handful of Australian Labradoodle Breeders in the US are following our footsteps and cutting the number of adult doodles in their program so that they do not have to be housed in kennels. Although all puppies are beautiful and can enrich the life of any family through their unique personality, we love the Australian Labradoodle and Australian Sheepadoodle puppies! We want to help and give your family a lifetime of sweet memories to warm your heart. If you are looking for kid-friendly, loyal, and easy to train pets or therapy dogs, please check out our therapy dogs for sale and our affordable puppies for sale! She is the sweetest, most amazing dog we could have ever wished for and we are completely in LOVE! We are such proud parents! She likes to play but seems to really enjoy her naps. We are so happy how everything worked out and we were blessed with our little sweetie Lola. Will keep in touch with more pics to follow! We may want to even add a sibling to our family! He plays well with other dogs and children, is energetic enough to play fetch and will curl up with us on the couch and take a nap when it is movie time. It was a pleasure working with you guys through the process. From the initial meeting to the weekly picture updates to picking out and taking home our puppy. She is a people magnet. Everyone wants to see her and pet her because she is so gorgeous! And fluffy! We lover her curly coat! She is extremely smart…when she wants something and is definitely still in the hyper puppy stage! Her forbidden love is socks and she will do just about anything for a piece of cheese. The most important thing is that we love her so much. She brings so much joy to our family! We can love all over her…pet her…kiss her…and she wags her tail and licks us. She is a good girl! Still a hyper puppy that tries to get into everything, but a really good girl! The Labradoodle Puppies in Texas will make a loving addition to your family. They are pretty great for first-time owners. Here are a few reasons why Labradoodles make the perfect pet. Affectionate Labradoodles do well with the company and need a lot of attention. They are intelligent, loving, and make great companions. They are highly affectionate, even with strangers, and are not meant to be watchdogs. They are easygoing and not bred to be aggressive. Adaptability Early socialization makes them bond well with other dogs during playdates, at the park, or in new environments. They may develop separation anxiety , so they must receive all the care and attention needed. Get a pet walker to assist you if you endure long hours at work. Attractive Labradoodles come in a variety of colors such as cream, gold, parchment, chocolate, apricot, silver, black, red, lavender, chalk, and blueish-grey. Their coats come in three distinguished categories; fleece, wool, or hair. It can be anywhere from straight, and wavy to wiry, and soft. Labradoodles have an irresistible look, a plush coat, and adorable, expressive eyes. Their woolly, fuzzy coat is a treat for pet owners. These pets are great lap dogs and are bouncy, playful, and always ready for an adventure. Dietary Requirements and Health The recommended daily amount of food for your Labradoodle is 1 to 2. You should divide it into two meals. They are generally healthy as a crossbreed. They are prone to certain health conditions, and you should be aware of hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Diabetes, and hypothyroidism. It is vital to go for regular check-ups, especially in their senior years, so that potential health issues are identified and treated. Long Life Labradoodles live long, healthy lives of years. Exercise and Trainability Labradors and Poodles are both known for their intelligence, so the Labradoodle crossbreed is also highly intelligent and trainable. They are eager to learn and require plenty of walks, plus they love to run around. Backyard spaces are, and parks are perfect for walls, and it keeps their mischievous side at bay. The earlier generation always has a variation in their size and look as compared to a border collie or cocker spaniel. Breeders can choose among the four poodle sizes, Toy, Miniature, Medium, or Standard. Generally, Labradoodle puppies weigh up to 65 pounds. A mini labradoodle is around pounds, and a Medium puppy can be around pounds. Easy Grooming Labradoodles are mostly hypoallergenic; there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. These pets are suitable for people with allergies and canine dander allergies. They need lots of brushing to stay fresh no matter what their coat type. This can be a good bonding experience for the pet and owner alike. Regular bathing, haircuts, and brushing are necessary for maintaining a healthy and shiny coat. Final Words It is always recommended that you contact a breeder if you want Labradoodle Puppies in Texas instead of going to a pet store. Breeders have the experience, expertise, and care and will also provide you with proper guidance. Check for Breeders associated with the Australian Labradoodle Association of America as they demand stringent health checks for their puppies. Loving, energetic, and hypoallergenic, Labradoodles will make excellent and loveable companions for you and your family. Labradoodles are moderate-level maintenance, shed less fur, and are great for first-time owners. They are also great for people with allergies. Now that you know the Best Labradoodle Breeders in Texas, it is time to bring home a fuzzy, woolly, affectionate, and intelligent furry friend. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products.
pictures of labrador puppies - Breeder mentored by 3rd generation breeder. We proudly support dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. We are responsible Golden owners and hobby breeders who enjoy nurturing and raising puppies with the help of our kids , as well as love the addition our Goldens have been to our family and want to offer that to other families as well. As a new puppy owner, you can build on the strong genetic foundation By providing quality nutrition and age appropriate exercise. Items Included: The Seller guarantees this puppy to be of sound health and temperament at the time of this sale. A health record of all shots and worming will be provided by the Seller. The Buyer agrees to take this dog to a licensed veterinarian of his choice within 72 hours for a physical examination. Should puppy be determined to be in ill health by the vet at that said time, the cause of which is clearly attributable to the Seller, the pup may, upon signed written diagnosis from said veterinarian, be returned for refund of the purchase price. No other guarantees are given, written or expressed. Our puppies are raised in a nursery in our home not in a crate or kennel. We are a hobby breeder but we have Champion blood lines imported from Russia and Hungary. These puppies will grow up to be beautiful dogs. We spend a lot of time with our puppies socializing them and exposing them to the things that are experienced in most of your homes daily. We paper train which makes the transition much easier on our new owners. We put our puppies in a play area aka: our ninja course numerous times a day to allow them to play and mingle. The course teaches them to maneuver through tunnels, slides, etc. A puppy contract will be provided to guarantee health. We believe in being there for our puppies new families anytime they need guidance or assistance with their new puppy and hope to build a long term relationship with them. We want our puppies to go to loving homes where they will be raised indoors and be a part of your family as they are ours. These puppies will grow up to be loving and smart, obedient dogs. They are very easily trained. Golden Retrievers are family dogs. They believe in pleasing their owners. For information please email [email protected] or text I will call you upon request. If we do not respond within 24 hours please contact us again. Please check you spam folder for email also. We look forward to hearing from you. If you text me your email address I will email you our process for our puppy buyers and what we offer to you. I will also text you pictures. We do not post many here since our pictures were used in a puppy scam a few years ago. We will be glad to answer any questions for you. I look forward to hearing from you. Please do your research and don't be a victim of the scammers. Have a blessed day!!!!! Golden Gems of North Texas.
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pictures of labrador puppies - It is important for senior dogs to have a feeding routine, that the food bowl remain in the same area of the house so that they know where to find it, and that they have a rug or yoga mat to stand on while eating to avoid slipping or having trouble standing on hard floors. If your senior dog has gone longer than 24 hours without eating, they should see their veterinarian for a thorough physical examination and possible diagnostics to investigate the cause of their loss of appetite. Is Your Dog a Puppy? Small breed puppies, especially, are at a high risk of hypoglycemia low blood sugar and should be watched closely for signs of lethargy or collapse if they are not eating. If this happens, they should be treated on an emergency basis. Some puppies may not like larger kibble, as it can be hard for their puppy teeth to chew, especially if they are just transitioning to solid food. This can be remedied by mixing in water and letting it soak to create more of a porridge consistency, or the kibble can be mixed with canned food as well. If your puppy still will not eat, they should be seen right away by a veterinarian. If they are also lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea, they should be seen on an emergency basis. A newly adopted dog can take days or weeks to settle into their new home. It is important to ensure that they are given a quiet place to eat, away from other pets or children that may interrupt them. However, if they are lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea, or go more than 48 hours without eating anything, they should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Did Anything Change in Your Household? Some dogs may be sensitive enough that a change in their environment may cause inappetence. Examples include a new addition to the family whether a new pet or a new baby , construction, having people over, or even a change in the location of the food and water bowls. Some dogs with separation anxiety even expect their loved one to be in the room while they eat, and will stop eating if their human leaves the room. While this is not necessarily a health concern, it is a sign that your dog may have severe anxiety that needs to be addressed. Calming chews such as Composure or Solliquin may be helpful, and calming pheromone collars or diffusers such as Adaptil can be beneficial as well. However, if you are concerned that your dog may have severe separation anxiety, consider consulting with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist for help. Did You Switch Dog Foods? This also allows your dog to get used to the new food over time, rather than making a sudden switch. Is Your Dog Pregnant or in Heat? Early in pregnancy , your dog may have a reduced or absent appetite. If your dog is in the middle or late part of her gestation, she may eat less because her stomach has less room to expand due to the presence of puppies, but she should make up for this by eating a smaller amount more frequently. Regardless of what point of gestation your dog is in, if she has not eaten in over 24 hours, your veterinarian should be called right away to ensure that everything is okay. Dogs in heat may also have a decreased appetite, which is considered normal. However, if she goes longer than 48 hours without eating anything, she should be checked by her veterinarian. If she is lethargic, vomiting, having diarrhea, or drinking and urinating more than usual, she should be seen by her veterinarian right away, as this could indicate an infection in the uterus known as pyometra. Is Your Dog Diabetic? If your dog is diabetic and will not eat, this could be an indication that something is seriously wrong. If your veterinarian advised you to give a half dose of insulin if your dog skips one meal, do so, but alert your veterinarian immediately if your dog skips another meal. If your diabetic dog skips a meal, is lethargic, nonresponsive, or vomiting or having diarrhea, they should be seen by a veterinarian immediately, as this could be an indication of hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis, both of which are life-threatening if not treated right away. It is not unusual for your dog to skip a meal or two after a surgery. You may try tempting your dog to eat with a spoonful of canned food or boneless, skinless, boiled chicken on top of their kibble. Better yet, ask your veterinarian for a few cans of a prescription gastrointestinal diet to feed for the first few days after surgery. These foods are highly palatable, are easily digestible, and can help counteract some of the gastrointestinal upset that can happen after surgery and anesthesia. If your dog had oral or facial surgery, your veterinarian may recommend feeding only canned food for two or more weeks. This also means that your dog should not receive hard treats or chew on hard toys until they are declared healed at their recheck appointment. If your dog is refusing to eat the prescribed canned food, reach out to your veterinarian in case there are any post-operative complications. Heat canned food for a few seconds in the microwave make sure to take it out of the metal can and put it into a microwave-safe bowl. Canned food can become scorching hot quickly, so feel the food first to avoid any burned tongues. Try mixing some plain, boneless, skinless boiled chicken and rice with their kibble to encourage them to eat. Add a probiotic such as Purina Fortiflora or Advita on top of the food. Not only can this make the food more palatable, but it can also help any inflamed or irritated intestine heal by rebalancing a healthy gastrointestinal flora. If you have tried these tricks and your dog continues to refuse his food, he should be seen by his veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Unless explicitly prescribed by your veterinarian, your dog should not be given any over-the-counter gastrointestinal medications like Imodium or Pepto Bismol , as these could cause serious side effects or even interact with medications that your veterinarian may want to give. It is best to consult with your veterinarian before attempting to treat symptoms at home. Featured image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? See if you can find some that would correspond to what your mutt is experiencing. And Pugs are usually greatly affected by rising temperatures as they have ingrained breathing problems they inherit from their ancestors. Because of their peculiar-shaped heads and muzzles, as well as very narrow airways, Pugs will have a harder time inhaling hot air. A pet parent will notice some heavy Pug panting if it becomes too hot. It can be so bad, to the point of developing seizures and heatstrokes. Dehydration: It kind of goes hand-in-hand with being overheated. Normally, during the summer, a dog might have to drink a lot more than in the winter. The reason is that most of the moisture evaporates with sweat and while panting. Yes, you heard it, pooches sweat just like humans do! The only difference is that their sweat glands are located on their paws and noses. It may surprise you, but they do sweat in the armpit area as well! Hence, your adorable Pug creature will have to drink aqua a lot more often to avoid possible dehydration. Planning a trip to the park? Make sure to bring plenty of H2O with you to hydrate both yourself and your playful buddy. Separation Anxiety: A very common reason for seeing a sad Pug puppy. Some of them cannot handle when a pet parent has to leave for a few hours, they just go berserk. An owner may observe excessive whining, feet-biting, and nervously running back and forth. Not a pleasant sight to see if you ask me. Even worse if one of the parents leaves the household due to a divorce or hospitalization. All hounds are creatures of habit and bond fast with their masters. Sometimes they become attached to one parent more than the other, actually. It depends on who spends more time with a pup during the day. It stops eating, is always sad, prefers to be in isolation, and loses interest in previously enjoyed activities. Notice such signs? Time to pay a visit to your local vet or a canine trainer. Even though canine depression is not as well-researched as the human one, pooches exhibit the same symptoms as affected two-legged would. Hidden Illness: Sometimes a Pug is not eating and is lethargic because there might be something bothering it physically. It could be a kidney issue, stomach trouble, or even a tooth infection. Possible signs besides not eating may include prolonged whining, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and constipation. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to bring your flat-faced pooch to the vet without delay. Injury: Since Pugs are prone to injuries because of their skeletal peculiarities, no wonder they get injured easily. If you notice any limping, wobbly walking, and wining while stepping on one of the paws, it may indicate that they might have a strained muscle, an injured joint, or a fractured bone. You might want to bring your fur pal to the vet immediately for some much-needed X-rays. Boredom: It is simple as that. Your Pug might be moody just because it has nobody to play with. In case you have to leave your precious friend home alone for a while, try to scatter a few of its favorite toys around to make his past time somewhat enjoyable. The platform has hundreds of great sitters all over the US, therefore it will be easy to find a good match. A sleep-deprived pooch will be eating less, will have less energy to participate in its favorite daily activities, and be sleeping a lot during the day. Old Age: this one is not a result of an injury, depression, or insomnia. Your Pug is, unfortunately, getting old and its body is slowing down day after day. A pet parent might notice that the older a canine companion becomes, the less energy it has and its appetite changes drastically. Talk to your vet about a possible solution for such behavior, like prescription medications, changes in a daily diet, and administering food supplements to keep an aging pooch as healthy as possible. If you started noticing some alarming signs like appetite loss, diarrhea, dehydration, or moodiness, take a Pug pal to a trusted vet to find out what the reason might be. After all, the happier a fluffy companion will be, the happier its owner will be as well. Family Dog Expert Author Hi there! My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. Welcome to Sirdoggie A blog crafted with love for all dog lovers and their families! This section will cover when a Pug puppy or dog has a drastically decreased appetite or out-right refuses to eat. Overview When a dog suddenly stops eating, this is something that should be addressed right away. Though Pugs may appear to have extra weight on them which could help during a phase of under-eating , the main reason that a Pug has the shape that he does is not due to substantial amounts of body fat but is instead due to skeletal body structure barrel-shaped. Refusing to eat can have ill effects very quickly. In many cases, a Pug will not eat as a result of a health concern or other issue that needs to be resolved. But then, not eating exasperates the initial problem or creates an entirely different one as the dog isn't receiving the fuel and nutrients that he needs. Red Flag Signs of Refusing Food Note that while a sudden stop of food intake is a serious issue, this is particularly true for growing puppies. Metabolic calorie requirements are higher with pups; about 55 calories per pound as opposed to 35 to 40 calories per pound for adults. Therefore: If you have a Pug puppy that has stopped eating, this warrants an immediate veterinary visit. This cannot wait for the next day. Health issue. This may be due to gastrointestinal upset, such as an episode of vomiting; most dogs don't want to eat afterward. However, it can also be due to another sort of injury or illness. The majority of canine health problems literally everything from pain due to hip dysplasia to diabetes to organ failure all have decreased appetite or refusal to eat as a possible symptom. This also include dental issues; infection or tooth decay can make eating very painful. Therefore, if you know that your Pug is recovering from something that may have temporarily affected his appetite, offer a bland diet which your puppy or dog may find more appealing and that will be easy on the stomach. Typically, this is one protein plain white chicken without skin and one starch sweet potato or white rice. And, if any health condition is suspected, you'll need to bring your Pug to the vet. Trying to fix an appetite problem that is only there as a secondary symptom will be done in vain and can risk your puppy or dog's health. Major change in activity levels. A big part of what controls how many calories a dog needs is how much he burns off. A fairly active adult Pug needs something in the range of 40 calories per pound of body weight, but a sedentary dog would need far fewer. Age plays a role to some degree as well, with requirements slowly decreasing as a dog enters his senior years. If there is a reason that your Pug is moving around a lot less, like recovery from an injury, keep following the vet's advice. Once your Pug is back to normal, appetite should come back. And, if your Pug is staying inside for a fixable reason, get your dog back on an exercise schedule. Regular exercise is vital to good health, both short and long-term. It keeps the heart healthy, helps maintain muscle tone, helps fend off a wide range of diseases, keeps stools moving along, and stimulates the appetite. Aim for at least two minute walks per day at a pace considered brisk for your Pug and at least a minute session of cardio, like fetch. If your Pug is out-of-shape, start with a shorter duration and work your way up. Stress or depression. High-stress situations like severe separation anxiety or marked mood changes such as when losing a canine or human family member can cause a dog to stop eating. Other causes may be moving to a new home, being in new surroundings like a new doggie day care , being cared for by someone unfamiliar like a friend that's stepping in or a pet sitter , or traveling with you on vacation. For being home alone, take necessary steps to cure separation anxiety. For temporary causes of depression or stress, appetite should come back as the situation resolves itself. For permanent changes such as loss of a family member or being in a new home, time is often the cure. It can help to offer your Pug something mentally refreshing like an outing to the beach or a walk in a new area such as a hiking trail, etc. Change in food station elements. Dogs are typically creatures of habit, so if you've moved your Pug's eating area, if you got your dog a new bowl , or if there's a change in vibe more noise, foot traffic, etc. If you made changes in your Pug's best interest, this should resolve itself. If there are negative changes like moving the bowls to a chaotic location or perhaps too close to the dishes of another pet, address this as needed. Type of food. By no means will all dogs just eat whatever is given to them. To some level, our canine family members have the right to have preferences. This is not to say that your Pug should dictate what you feed him; but, it's okay to make a few adjustments to get your dog eating again. Several studies have proven that dogs are able to sense protein and fat levels in food. In addition, if a dog ate a certain kibble and developed a queasy stomach not enough to vomit, but enough to make him feel under-the-weather , you may not have noticed anything wrong but your Pug may be reluctant to eat that food again. Both of these reasons alone are enough to reevaluate what you're feeding your Pug. But, add to this the very important element that low-quality foods can have severe health effects both now and in the future. A few recommendations include: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds This is a quality dry kibble that is formulated for small breeds like the Pug. This is grain-free; though note that it does have rice most dogs tolerate rice very well and it's often vet-recommended to help calm a queasy stomach. This has a base of turkey, chicken, and salmon. There are good levels of omega-3, this has no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and is made in the USA. This is a base of chicken and turkey with excellent levels of omega-3 via salmon oil and flaxseed, and has added glucosomine for joint health. This also has no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and is made in the USA. This has 4 formulas: lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. This has probiotics and prebiotic fiber for optimal digestion, omega fatty acids, glucosmine, and antioxidants. There is no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and it is made in the USA. Some dogs may flat-out refuse to eat dry food, especially if a change from wet to dry was just made. A strictly wet food diet is not beneficial for the teeth and can lead to runny bowels. So, dry is indeed best. If you having been trying to make this switch and believe this is the cause of your Pug not eating, do this in a gradual way. If this is an issue of suddenly refusing to eat but the food has always been a dry kibble, this points to health issues, including possible dental problems, as noted in point 1. Seemingly not eating, but in fact an issue of being picky. It's common to say that your Pug won't eat when in fact it's more a matter of being finicky. And, it's understandable since as a loving owner, any changes in appetite get your attention right away. In these cases, you may wish to refer to the Pug is a Picky Eater article. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. If your Pug is ravenously hungry , despite offering good amounts, this is covered separately in its own article. If your Pug overeats and you feel that you are part of the problem i. You may be filling the bowl to the brim or continuously giving out snacks and treats. The result, most likely, will be a Pug that becomes overweight, an issue that can lead to all sorts of health problems. What to do: 1. Use the right sized bowl. Be sure to obtain a stainless-steel bowl since plastic bowls can lead to issues including allergic reaction and gradual discoloration of the nose. If you are using a portion pacer to help your Pug slow down his eating pace , allow for a bowl large enough for that to fit inside. So, write down the times and the serving sizes for each meal and each snack and then do not deviate from that. Aim for 3 meals per day and 3 to 4 snacks dry in between those meals to keep your Pug satiated. The only thing that can be given spontaneously is training treats see ahead, point 4. If your Pug begs for food, do not give in. If your Pug bothers you for food outside of the 3 meals and 3 to 4 snacks, draw attention to something else. You can keep a few toys hidden out of view and offer those, take your Pug outside for a game of fetch, head out for a walk, etc. Take care with reward treats. Reward treats are much different than snacks. However, training treats are designed to be very small since they are given out repeatedly during training. The idea is to offer a little burst of flavor that does not affect the appetite, yet sends a strong signal for a job well done command training, housebreaking, heeling, etc. So, these are important, and you should be giving them to your Pug to mark good behavior. But, be sure to offer the right type small, healthy, no additives. For adult Pugs, and especially those that tend to carry a few extra pounds, Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft Dog Treats are fantastic; these are low-calorie yet serve their purpose by being super-delicious. Note that when a Pug flat-out refuses to eat , this is a topic covered separately. Eating, but not as much as expected, is covered here. With puppies, this eating problem can develop due to there being rapid growth, but a Pug puppy can have trouble ingesting enough food to keep up with that. Only so much food can fit in the tummy at one time. With adults, this may be a matter of being a picky eater, which is covered up ahead, yet there are other aspects to explore. This is not to say the food itself is offering the right amount of protein and other nutrients. If you still believe your Pug is not eating as much as needed: 1. Know how much your Pug weighs. Never guess how much your Pug weighs, because serving size for manufactured dog food is based on weight. If you have an accurate scale at home, you can do weigh your Pug by weighing yourself first, then weighing yourself while holding your dog. If you have a very young pup, a kitchen scale may be sufficient. If you do not trust your scale to this degree or do not have an accurate scale, all it takes is a quick trip to the vet to find out. Most vets will not charge a steep fee for a fast weight check. Once you know what your puppy or dog weighs, read the labeling on the kibble. These are not arbitrary numbers; most are pretty spot-on. Do note, however, that if a puppy or dog is not as active as he should be, calorie requirements may not be as high. Other things such as health status or even how much a dog paces can affect requirements. Note that for most brands, serving recommendations on the kibble assume that you are also offering 3 to 4 small snacks per day. Those are the daily amounts, spread out over 2 to 3 meals. In some cases, there will be a need for prescribed medications to stimulate the appetite. If the brand you are giving is causing slight upset stomach issues not enough to cause vomiting, but enough to throw off the appetite you may not have considered this, but it can, of course, cause a dog to be reluctant to chow down. These are different than snacks. These are meant to reward good behavior and are designed to be small as to not interfere with appetite. Regular exercise helps in a number of ways, including stimulating the appetite. Aim for two walks per day 20 to 30 minutes at a pace that is brisk for your Pug and one minute cardio session such as fetch. This can become a trap for many owners. You hand-feed your dog just a few times and he expects it all the time. In fact, he may demand it and refuse to eat unless you do this. Reassess the bowl to make sure it is one that your Pug is comfortable with. Unfortunately, while a raised bowl is a good choice for many breeds, it is NOT with this breed due to the risk of bloat. However, an over-sized bowl or one that is too deep that causes a dog to have trouble reaching his food or puts the neck into an uncomfortable position may be contributing to the problem. Assess the eating area. Dogs can feel quite vulnerable when eating. Remain firm and do not give in. Once you have followed points 1 and 2, place the kibble in the bowl and walk away. At first, your Pug will resist and will be assuming that you will concede. You will need to wait him out. It is canine instinct to survive and very few dogs will refuse to eat when it comes down to it. If your Pug refuses to budge, each hour, remove the bowl for 20 minutes and then place it back down. If this lasts for 3 hours and your Pug outright refuses his food because you are not hand-feeding him, this points to a more significant problem. There may be a condition that is causing discomfort when the Pug positions himself to eat from the bowl, which may include the back, hips, or neck. Dogs typically like the taste of wet canned food over dry food; however, dry kibble is better since wet food does not help keep teeth strong and can cause runny stools. As a side note, if you are feeding wet and wish to remain doing so, giving daily dental chews and performing at-home dental care will be more important than ever. Having trouble with dry food can be classified into two categories: 1. If your Pug merely prefers the taste of wet over dry, but you want to switch to a dry diet, do this in gradual increments. Fish oil is incredibly beneficial, particularly for the Pug breed; it keeps skin and coat healthy, can help with issues related to allergies dry skin, itchy skin, skin sores , is an excellent supplement to help prevent arthritis, and can reduce pain and inflammation in dogs that already have arthritis or joint conditions such as hip dysplasia or patella luxation. This comes in a handy pump, so it is super-easy to add a dash to a meal about 1 pump, exact serving size is listed on this and is based on weight. If your Pug literally has trouble chewing dry food, this points to an issue with the teeth. Any sort of infection or decay can make it very difficult for a dog to grind down on hard dry food. Dental issues are not something to be ignored; infection can spread up into the sinuses and throughout the body sepsis , which can be fatal. Therefore, signs of discomfort when eating hard dry kibble warrants a veterinary examination. Pugs, being relatively small compared to humans, will eat less food than we do. However, if a Pug is truly gulping down his food at a fast rate, this is a problem that should be addressed. Eating fast or drinking fast are top triggers of bloat gastric dilatation volvulus which is exceedingly dangerous and can be fatal. This is particularly common if two pets are eating too close to each other, but can also happen if the dishes are in a spot with foot traffic, people sitting or talking too close, etc. So, provide your Pug with a stress-free zone. Encourage slower eating. These are designed to displace the kibble via a safe protrusion. These are orbs that are placed in a bowl that forces a dog to eat around it. It works for some dogs, but others can quickly become pros at nosing it out of the way. Read further about Pugs that are picky eaters. In most cases, this can happen if the kitchen is a very noisy room, if there are other pets in the home and the Pug feels as if they need to compete for food, or if people sit or walk too close to where the food dish is. How to help: 1. Offer a peaceful eating area. This should be a spot with no one walking by, without loud noises, and without people talking to your dog or trying to pat or play with him while he eats. When your dog takes any food out of the dish, immediately take the food and place it back into the dish. Get ready for your dog to test you; he may try to move it multiple times before finally giving in to your request. While this can seem like a game, it is not, so try to not give the impression that you are amused by this. Stay consistent. For this, no food, not even snacks, should be given outside of the designated eating area. Do a thorough sweep of the interior and exterior of the home. Pick up anything and everything that you possibly can, that can be moved to a new spot, up higher. For things you cannot move — Tie up loose electrical cords and keep them out of sight. Run cords through purchased spiral cable wrap, cord concealers, or even PVC pipe to keep them inaccessible. But, keep in mind that these sorts of sprays are based on bitter agents like apple or lemon and for some reason some dogs don't mind the taste. This is sized for small pups, has textured nubs to 'scratch' the itch of erupting teeth, and is flavored to keep a pup focused on it. They first mouth something and then decide if it's worth their time. Some of these things may be inadvertently swallowed and other things, like pebbles, may be intentionally swallowed due in part to their salty taste. Know that you are in charge. Have your Pug on a leash and harness not leash and collar. With your Pug wearing a harness, you can have full control over your Pug, keep the leash taut and quickly move him away before he eats anything by moderately tugging on the leash, without fear of injuring him because the harness prevents neck injury. If you are looking for a harness, the Puppia RiteFit Harness is fantastic. It's sturdy, breathable, adjustable, and easy to put on and take off. If this happens a lot, every 3 to 4 times offer a training treat if you do it each time, your Pug may learn to fake going for something just to get the yummy treat. Some dogs can be very protective of their food. They may growl at, snap at, or even lunge at people or other animals that are nearby. Assess if there is an aggression issue aside from this food issue. This may include your dog growling when you try to groom him, snapping at you when you take away a toy, etc. If so, training will be in order to instill proper hierarchy. Assess if you are feeding your dog enough. If your Pug is right on the borderline of receiving enough food, he may very well be maintaining his weight but is extremely hungry at each meal time. This alone can cause a dog to feel over-protective of his food. Offer a stress-free eating environment. Have the dish set up in a quiet corner where there is no foot traffic, people chatting away or watching TV close by, pets running around, etc. Dogs deserve to eat in peace without being bothered. Desensitize your Pug to having you near the bowl. This can be done by tossing special treats into the bowl as your dog eats. In this way, you are teaching him that you coming nearby during mealtime can be a good thing. However, every now and then, repeat this so that lessons are not forgotten. However, this oatmeal and aloe combo is also great for fixing minor to moderate itchy skin. The Tea Tree and Aloe Vera formula is also for itching, and is geared more towards hot spots or skin that is extremely sensitive. You may also like: Pugs with Itchy Skin - The top leading causes of the frustrating problem, along with exact steps to resolve things. Best Shampoos for Pugs - What you use during the bath will have lasting effects on skin and coat health, how long your Pug smells good, and more. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. An issue that is a particular concern for many pet owners is how long can a Pug go without eating. Believe it or not, a healthy dog can days without eating before experiencing any serious side effects. That being said, if they are refusing food and water, you should contact your vet immediately. They can go without food for a few days, however, they need to drink water to survive, as they will die of dehydration before they starve. If you want to know how much to feed your Pug, read this article. If your dog is not and is experiencing diarrhea, vomiting or both, you need to get her to a veterinarian immediately to be diagnosed and treated. Upset Tummy Like us, dogs can get an upset tummy that takes away their hunger. If your dog is suffering from an upset digestive system, you may notice gurgling and churning sounds. Some people even say that a dog with an upset stomach will eat grass to help make them feel better. The normal body temperature for humans is .You may also notice other signs such as; lack of appetite, coughing, vomiting, or shivering. Gingivitis or Dental Diseases If your Pug is dealing with tooth infections, swollen gums, or a loose tooth, it will cause your dog to have difficulty chewing and wanting to skip their next meal. Look for any unusual pawing at their mouth or excessive drooling. New Environment Did you recently move into a new home or apartment? If so, it can take some time for your dog to adjust to their new surroundings. Once your dog feels comfortable in their new environment, they should feel comfortable eating on their regular schedule. You can help make them feel more comfortable by giving them their favorite toys and bed to help acclimate them to their new home. Behavioral Problems Like kids, dogs can hold their appetite if they are trying to prove a point. Other Behavior Issues Did you get a new dog? Is your pooch eating amongst aggressive dogs? Maybe the dog bowl is too high for them to eat comfortably? Is your Pug dehydrated? Stale Food? Many dry dog foods claim to have a shelf life of 12 months. Stress Dogs love routine and any unusual changes can affect your pooch to become upset and stop eating. This can include going on vacation or getting a new pet. If you have to make any changes, try to make them gradually to help make your pet feel comfortable throughout the changes. When adopting a Pug, make sure you feed them the same food they are used to. Once they are comfortable in their new surroundings, you can mix their old food with their new food to transition them to a new diet. If your dog has an upset tummy or just not feeling good, they will usually be fine up to hours without eating. As long as they are not showing signs of serious illness, you can try feeding them some boiled rice with white rice. In addition, they will likely administer intravenous fluids to keep your dog nourished. Every mammal needs to consume food in order to build up energy. Just like humans, dogs can go a few days without eating. However, some dogs will not be able to live without food as long as healthy dogs and they are: Active and Energetic Pets Diabetic Dogs Old Dogs If your Pug starts losing weight all of a sudden and is showing signs of being underweight. Most dogs will stop eating when they are feeling sick and it is affecting their digestive system that causes pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Like us, they can get bored eating the same food day in day out. It could be something as simple as their dog food is stale and your dog no longer finds it appetizing. Even though I had it stored in an airtight container. Or maybe your kids have been feeding your dog table scraps and they are no longer interested in their dog food? Either way, a healthy dog will eventually eat and will NOT starve themselves. You can leave their food out for them to eat when they are ready. You can even pick it up and put it back until their next meal, to see if they are hungry enough to eat at that point. Dogs will not starve themselves, but they will hold out on eating as long as possible. A healthy dog will usually be hungry enough to start eating after about two days of not eating. Top Recommended Products Pet Plate : Treat your dog to almost homemade dog food that is customized to their unique needs. Most dogs will start eating again, without you having to worry. It is important to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. In the meantime, you can try offering different types of food, serving smaller portions, and adding enticing toppings to make mealtime more appealing for your Pug. Dental issues Pugs are notorious for dental issues due to their brachycephalic facial structure, which can lead to crowding of teeth and dental diseases. Painful teeth and gums can make eating uncomfortable for your pug, causing them to avoid their food. Regular dental care and check-ups with your veterinarian are crucial to catch any dental problems early on. Additionally, consider opting for softer, moistened food to make mealtime easier on their mouths. Your pug might be sick A loss of appetite in pugs could be an early sign of an underlying health problem. Gastrointestinal issues, infections, allergies, or even systemic illnesses may be the culprit. Keep an eye out for other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea , lethargy, or changes in behavior. Read more: Common Pug Sick Symptoms. You may have changed their food recently Pugs can be creatures of habit, and introducing a new type of food abruptly can make them reluctant to eat. If you need to switch their diet, do it gradually over 7 to 10 days. Start by mixing a small portion of the new food with their current food and gradually increase the proportion of the new food each day. This will give their digestive system time to adjust to the change, minimizing the chances of an upset stomach. Changes in routine Moving to a new home or even rearranging furniture can be a major stressor for your pug. Dogs are creatures of habit, and sudden changes can leave them feeling anxious and unsettled. To help them adjust, create a safe and familiar space for them with their bed, toys, and water bowl in a quiet area of the new home. Be patient and give them plenty of love and attention during this transition period. Stick to their usual routine as much as possible, including feeding times, to provide them with a sense of stability. Emotional Distress Pugs are affectionate and can form deep emotional bonds with their human family members. Any significant changes in the household, such as the introduction of a new pet or family member, can cause emotional distress for your pug. Engage in activities your pug enjoys, such as playing fetch or cuddling on the couch, to strengthen your bond and ease their anxiety. Food Allergies or Sensitivities Just like any other dog breed, pugs can develop food allergies or sensitivities. Common allergens include beef, chicken, wheat, and dairy products. Learn more about pug allergies and skin allergies. Presence of Intestinal Worms Intestinal worms are a common problem in dogs, especially puppies, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including loss of appetite. Pugs, in particular, are prone to developing stomach issues due to worms like roundworms. These worms can cause stomach swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, and an overall loss of appetite. If left untreated, the worms can multiply and lead to serious complications. If you suspect your pug has intestinal worms, you should pay a visit to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. The vet will likely recommend a fecal exam to determine the type of worms present and how severe the infestation is. Depending on the severity, the vet may prescribe medication that will get rid of the worms and alleviate any gastrointestinal symptoms. Spoiled with Treats Pugs have an endearing charm that can make it hard to resist spoiling them with treats. However, excessive treats or table scraps can lead to them holding out for tastier morsels instead of their regular meals. Human food can also be unhealthy or inappropriate for dogs and may lead to digestive issues. Stick to high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs and consult your vet for appropriate treats options. Learn more about dog stomach gurgling and not eating. Boredom with Food Just like humans, dogs can grow tired of eating the same food every day. Introducing variety into their diet can make mealtime more enjoyable for your pug. If you want to switch their food, mix small amounts of the new food with their current food over several days, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food. This method helps your pug adjust to the change without causing gastrointestinal upset. Stress or Anxiety Pugs are sensitive creatures, and changes in their environment or routine can cause them to feel stressed or anxious. Moving to a new home, the addition of a new family member, or even changes in their daily schedule can trigger these emotions. When a pug is stressed, they might lose their appetite as eating becomes a lower priority for them. To help them overcome this, create a safe and comforting environment. Provide a quiet space where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Spend quality time with them, offer gentle reassurance, and use positive reinforcement to build their confidence. Learn more about how much a pug should eat. Ways to get a Pug to start eating Getting a Pug to start eating can be a challenging task, especially if they are picky eaters or have lost their appetite due to illness or stress. You can also try feeding your Pug small, frequent meals instead of one large meal. Make mealtime fun: Turn mealtime into a game by hiding treats or bits of food around the house or in a puzzle toy. Add wet food or broth: Adding wet food or broth can make the food more appetizing and appealing to your Pug. Feed a bland diet: If your Pug has a sensitive stomach or is recovering from an illness, try feeding them a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice. Create a calm environment: Pugs can be sensitive to their environment, so try to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere during mealtime. Hand-feed your Pug: Offer your Pug small pieces of food by hand, as the bonding experience can help encourage them to eat. Use food to reward good behavior: Use treats and praise to encourage your Pug to eat their meals. Talk to your veterinarian: If your Pug still refuses to eat, talk to your veterinarian as there may be an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed. Related Questions Why is my Pug refusing to eat? There can be a number of reasons why your Pug might be refusing to eat, ranging from health issues to changes in their environment. Some potential causes could include dental problems, digestive issues, a change in diet, or stress. Signs that your Pug may be experiencing health problems could include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. What if my Pug is simply a picky eater? Some dogs can be very finicky when it comes to their food, and Pugs can be especially notorious for being picky eaters. Try experimenting with different brands and types of food to see if your Pug has a preference, or consider adding some wet food or meat to their dry kibble to make it more appealing. Should I be worried if my Pug goes a day without eating? Can stress cause a Pug to stop eating? Changes in routine or environment, separation anxiety, or other forms of stress can cause your Pug to lose their appetite. If you suspect that stress may be the cause, try to identify and address the source of the stress to help your Pug feel more comfortable. What can I do to encourage my Pug to eat? There are several things you can try to help encourage your Pug to eat, such as using a different food bowl, feeding your Pug at regular intervals i. You can also try feeding your Pug in a quiet, low-stress environment to make mealtime more pleasant for them. Learn more about what you can feed a pug. Conclusion In conclusion, when your pug refuses to eat, it can be a frustrating experience. With the right approach and a bit of patience, you can help your pug regain their appetite and enjoy their meals once again. So, if your furry friend is refusing to eat, take action now and seek professional advice from your veterinarian. Remember, a healthy and happy pug is always worth the effort! I love researching, writing, and teaching other pet owners how to care for their pets.