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Final Thoughts Congratulations on adding a Golden Retriever to your family. These friendly pups make fantastic pets. Just be sure they receive adequate exercise and stimulation to help positively release their energy. A trained Golden Retriever can do amazing things, like serve as a companion dog. Enjoy your new pet, and good luck finding a name! More Dog Name Ideas Another great place for dog names is our online generator. It lets you pick your favorite name styles or themes and then generates a list of ideas tailored to you and your dog. Style options include cute, funny, tough, elegant, and more. The themes span everything from movies, TVs, books and comics, to history, food, music, and so on. Is the name easy to say? Sure, some names look good on paper, but in real life they could be quite tough to say. Before you lock in on a name, say it a few times to ensure it rolls off the tongue. Is it right for your dog? Say it out loud a few times. Was it easy to say out loud? Can you imagine loudly calling for your furry friend with this name? Trust your gut! Share this post:. Unique Tips For Choosing The Best Name For Your Golden Retriever You are probably wondering what are some good names for a golden retriever and is there any way of narrowing the list of several names to a manageable few. Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best name for your golden retriever: Use Personal Names: Naming your dog is important since this is the name you will have to live with for a long time. Hence, it is a good idea to consider names you have heard and already like. Instead, take some time to research different names and meanings; you will know when you find the right one. Ask For Advice: Talk with your family and friends and see what name they would give to your dog. You may get inspired or end up liking the names they have suggested. So, spend more time with your new puppy and get to know them better. Listen To Yourself: The right name will feel the best right from the start. Most golden retriever names are short and sweet, mainly because shorter names are easier to pronounce and for a dog to learn and remember. While not impossible, it can be a bit tricky for dogs to learn long names with a lot of syllables. A good name for a male golden retriever is short and easy to pronounce so your dog can learn quickly. Nevertheless, it is up to you to pick and decide which name is best suited for your dog based on your preferences. There are many cool dog names you can give to your golden retriever, just make sure that both you and your pooch are fans of a particular name. If you have a hard time picking just one of several names, say them one at a time to your pup and see which one gets their attention. There is no shortage of cute golden retriever names that can be a perfect moniker for your adorable pooch. Whichever name you decide to choose, make sure you can pronounce it easily and that you can call it out quickly. There is a wide selection of male and female golden retriever names to choose from, so I broke them up for you into: The top names for this year Brave and loyal golden retriever names Hunting and tracking inspired names Cute names for golden retrievers Take your time to read through all the names; you will know when you find the best one for your golden retriever. You May Also Like.

How to size your dog for this harness: Medium: around the neck of the dog green color on the picture : inch cm around the chest behind the front legs red color on the picture : inch cm around the neck of the dog green color on the picture : inch cm around the chest behind the front legs red color on the picture : inch cm around the neck of the dog green color on the picture : 24,,5 inch cm around the chest behind the front legs red color on the picture : inch cm We produce handcrafted harnesses for the best reliability and long term use of the best professional dog trainers equipment. I am very pleased both with the products and the customer service. I shall certainly be using your company again in the future and recommending it to my friends. I will not except it. I'm very impressed with the quality of the harness and the size is perfect he has loads of room to grow into. Although the first order didn't turn up and did have to wait awhile I was impressed with ur customer service you always got back to me so I new what was going on, which I think is very important. I will defiantly be ordering from you in the future, many thanks for your time and effort to get my order to me. All the best. January 25, The Best Dog Harnesses for Golden Retrievers in If we had to make a list of dogs that come to mind when we think of iconic family dogs, golden retrievers would definitely be among the top. This classic gentle breed with its blonde fur and triangular flopped ears is one of the most popular in America. They are known to be loyal, trustworthy, easy to train, and eager to please. Combine this with the fact that they are known to retain their puppy-like qualities well into adulthood, they make amazing companions for all types. Purposefully Designed Because golden retrievers make such wonderful family pets, it might be surprising to find out that the breed was originally carefully crafted to ideal hunting gundogs. He wanted a dog who could withstand the rugged and rainy Scottish Highlands and accompany him on hunting trips around his estate. The lines of goldens grew consistent and refined, and in they first made their grand appearance at a British dog show. Through Canada, the Golden made its way into America and people fell in love. Hunters loved how useful the dogs were, and families loved that they were sweet and sensible. In the s, the breed made the big time. President Ford had a beautiful golden retriever named Liberty, and more and more people wanted one. The rest is history! While we love happy, excited dogs, a fur baby with a lot of energy and nowhere to put it can turn destructive jumping, chewing, and so on. One great way to help your pup focus and burn some of that energy is through regular walks! It lets your fur baby smell all of the fun things outside, creates great bonding time, and gets in some steps for you, too! And coming in between 55 to 75 pounds, they could put a good amount of force into a sudden pull or run. Joyride Harness is the choice for pet parents of excitable dogs because of the superior control it offers. The durable vest is fitted with a super-secure leash attachment point on the top for times when your fur baby is just a little too overzealous. Additionally there is a side ring for times when pulling is an issue. Attaching your leash at this ring point causes your pup to spin to face you should they try to suddenly forge ahead. With breathable fabric that allows for full range of motion without painful rubbing, Joyride Harness is secure, safe, and comfortable. Here are just a few of what the Golden lovers had to say! Andrew A. It is so simple to put on our dog Snowflake and adjusting the harness is so easy. She is quite the puller, and although we have not put in serious training time with the side rings, from the few instances that I did use them she pulled herself right in a circle. This is exactly as advertised. Snowflake is a very willful Golden Retriever and we have tried countless harnesses that never lived up to expectations. I wholeheartedly recommend this harness to any dog owner regardless of breed or attitude. The item shipped out within a day and was at our front door within three days from the order date. If you are looking for a dazzlingly simple harness that is well built and looks fancy on your pet then look no further. We have two golden retrievers that weigh between pounds and they let us put this one on them easily - no struggle at all. Harness is sturdy and I really like the three rings option. Also, seems very comfy for our fellas. Customer service was great - email notifications of order, shipment and delivery. Our daughters jog with him using it, which makes running much easier. Walking in town and on side walks has never been easier! He tugs and pulls me down at times. This Joyride harness is the best, least stressful harness we have gotten. Not expensive which is helpful since we have bought so many other brands. Great, great product! Both of them are slight pullers when taking walks, but with these harnesses they are so much more pleasant to walk! No more pulling! I also love how easy they are to get off and on them! I love these harnesses! And with a great dog harness you can have the best experience possible with this iconic member of the family! While you can search by breed, it is always recommended to weigh and measure your dog to find their exact size. To take a look at our sizing chart, go here! If you have any questions about our dog harnesses, how to put them on, or anything else, you can reach our team through the contact form on our website. To take a look at more reviews and everything our customers have to say check out this page! For more doggie photos and pup-related fun, follow us on Instagram at joyrideharness. And for a more detailed blog post about finding the best size dog harness for your pup, check out this blog post! Image credits. It is an adjustable harness that comes with two metal attachments for leashes, with one being on the front and the other at the back. The front attachment clip is meant for dogs who pull. If the dog starts pulling when the leash is attached to the front clip, they will be turned around instead of going forward. After a while, this will get frustrating, and they will learn that it is best not to pull. This makes it a great tool for teaching your feisty one how to be obedient. Once they have learned not to pull, you can switch to the back attachment clip. This harness will not give you any problems when it comes to putting it on or taking it off. The straps are also adjustable to allow you to find the size that fits snugly on the animal. This ensures that you do not have to worry about the Golden escaping the harness. This harness also comes with reflective strips to ensure that your dog is visible and therefore, safe when walking at night. The only downside to this harness is that the straps loosen after extended periods of intense activity. Nonetheless, the Rabbitgoo dog harness more than makes up for that drawback in quality and functionality, which is why we have it as our top pick.

Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Frequently Asked Questions Are Boxers good family pets? Yes, boxers are particularly fond of their family members especially when goodly trained. Are Boxers trainable? Though the boxers can be a little headstrong, they are very intelligent and with a proper training environment, they respond well. Are Boxers friendly with kids? They are very fond of children and they love playing games with them. Are Boxers friendly with other animals? Boxers are naturally patient with puppies, pooches and small animals but a bit unaccommodating of adult dogs and other animals. Are Boxers good apartment dogs? They can live anywhere you make as a home all you need is to provide it with enough space for exercise. How is Boxers shedding? Given the shortness of their coat, they shed minimally and occasionally, you can also regulate the shedding by frequent brushing of their coat. Are Boxers good for first-time owners? Not quite, as their exercise needs are way too high for their inexperienced hands. Are Boxers loud barkers? But growling is a thing they do most. Are Boxers tolerable to heat and cold? All they need is moderate exposure to heat and cold because of their thin fur body. How long can Boxers live? The average life-span of boxers is 10 years Are you interested in purchasing a Boxer? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The Brass Tacks This is where you learn a little about us, and more about how to purchase a puppy from us.That would drive me nuts! Ready Set.Our puppies will have dewclaws and tails done, will be current on vaccinations and worming appropriate for the puppies age at pickup or delivery. We do ENS with our puppies, we affectionately call it baby exercises, daily from day 3 to day .To create Super Dogs! Healthier and Smarter Dogs! Click here to learn about ENS. All our babies also come microchipped, with a pre-paid membership, all you have to do is mail it in. They each come with a goody bag with their AKC limited papers and a lot of info to help you raise a cherished family member, not just a dog you have for a while then re-home. Also in the bag is some items to help baby not miss mommy and its siblings so much, like toys, food and a blanket that smells like home. Speaking of home, we are located in Central Texas outside of the little town Luling which is about an hour South of Austin or an hour East of San Antonio, or 2. Our puppies are available for local pickup and possible local delivery for a fee. We are also able to meet you at the San Antonio or Austin Airport if you wish to fly down and pick up your baby yourself. Some people fly back, and some rent a car and drive home. There are also companies who provide door to door delivery of puppies for a fee. Deposits can be Cash, Venmo, or PayPal. Deposit can be transferred to a different litter in the future, if your circumstances change or the puppy you were looking for was not in that litter, with the understanding the price may be different based on parentage, color, sex, and quality. I have tried to address as many topics as I could think of, I'm sure I forgot some, feel free to shoot me an email or text with any questions and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Great People!!! You won't go wrong trusting them with your pup! They are excellent teachers that really care. I firmly believe they're making the world a better place, one dog at a time! I worked with Ky and he is exceptional in his training program. So happy with the degree of training and instructions. If you follow what your instructor tells you to do your dog will have the best manners which makes awesome service dogs and companion. I can not even express how please I am with my service. Thank you so much I really appreciate everyone and everything. Their dedication to service and hyper-care is reflected in their innovative training approach. Their team of local dog trainers, Geneva, Wolf, and Team, at Dog Training Elite San Antonio is made up of skilled and trustworthy professionals who embody the values and mission of the organization. Overall, if you are looking for a caring, reliable and effective dog training service in San Antonio, we highly recommend Dog Training Elite San Antonio. Their commitment to service and effectiveness makes them a standout choice for dog owners looking to improve their furry friend's behavior and obedience, ultimately enriching quality of life. Before training he could accomplish most of the basic in a controlled setting but failed with distractions. He has been doing training now for 3 months and his public outing are now like I have a whole new dog. He is still a work in progress especially when meeting up with other dogs but the group classes are helping immensely with that. We just accomplished walking through hobby lobby for over an hr without any issues. The entire team is fabulous! I had no idea how I would go about getting a service dog for myself. They helped me with everything! They evaluated the dog we adopted and the training sessions have been amazing! They are very responsive when I call and super supportive! Love, love them! We have now enrolled another one of our dogs in some basic training. We had taken our puppy to another training facility, but it was unfruitful. Our puppy had been attacked twice and was extremely reactive to many situations. Since starting classes with Dog Training Elite San Antonio, our puppy has done a complete turn around. We have no words to express our gratitude in helping us help our puppy! The entire team has been excellent, especially Adakias!!!!!

The transition period can be a little intimidating once you get over the cuteness overload and realize that your new puppy has no training whatsoever and it's up to you how things will progress from there. We'll try to make it easier for you with this short list of things to do the first 2 weeks after bringing your new puppy home. Your puppy is in a brand new place and it's their first time being away from their mom and siblings. I know you want to bring the puppy with you everywhere, play all day and show him or her off to all of your friends and family. But take it slow at first so that your new puppy can get settled and relax. Hang out at home. Become a professional treat dispenser. And begin the foundation of building your bond with your pup. Crate training is the best way to house train. Introduce your puppy to the crate early on by making it a positive experience. Toss a high value treat inside and let them explore and go inside on their own volition. Place a chew toy that can hold treats into the crate and close the door. Make sure the puppy sees you do this. When the puppy tries to paw and get inside the crate, open the door and let them in. When they start chewing on the toy, close the door for a few seconds before opening. And remember to reward your puppy when it's playing quietly inside the crate and to ignore any whining. Also remember the rules of potty training using the crate. If the pup just ate or drank, let them outside. If the pup is coming out of the crate for any extended time, let them outside. If your pup is so much as sniffing the ground a little too much, you guessed it, let them outside. The fewer accidents inside the house, the less likely it is for the puppy to get into the habit of going inside the house. Start immediately with potty training and socialization. Puppies aren't fully protected until their final vaccination at weeks, so openly socializing in public isn't the best idea. But you can have friends and family come over to meet your puppy, as well as their fully vaccinated, well behaved dogs and puppies. You can also begin the foundation of basic obedience commands. All that's necessary later on is getting consistency and working around distractions. Unless of course you want to compete in obedience or a sport that requires obedience. Competition makes things a little more complicated than that. This step is often overlooked and it's arguably the most important step for a new puppy. Puppies love a routine. It's comforting knowing what's going to happen. Wake up in the morning, outside to potty. A little training with treats, breakfast, outside to potty again. A little play time etc. If you have to go to work, make sure you have a friend, relative, dog walker or dog sitter to let the puppy outside if you can't make it home during your break to let the puppy use the potty. They have a tiny bladder and can't hold it for a full workday. When you have a routine that works, things will go smoothly. If you stray from that routine or never establish one, you'll have more accidents, a confused puppy, and quite possibly a headache. Consistency is key, and make sure you throw in several short training sessions. Most places require these. It may sound silly that you're probably legally required to get a license for your dog, but.But rules are rules. Better safe than fined! A vet who has fair prices for your area, yet is also professional and competent is a must. You will see your vet often enough that they will eventually know your name without having to check the paperwork. So your best bet is to find a good one! Routine checkups, vaccinations, and minor or even major health issues will happen. So build a relationship with a local vet as soon as possible. Also, if you have a German Shepherd or any other large breed and ever intend to breed, you should try to find either an orthopedic vet or a vet who is experienced in taking and sending in hip and elbow x-rays to the OFA to be graded. This may not be your primary veterinarian, but it's good to plan ahead. Even if you don't intend to breed, most breeders state in their contract that they will cover hips and elbows, but only if you get preliminary x-rays or have x-rays graded within a certain amount of time usually 2 years. As a bonus, taking hip and elbow x-rays at 2 years old can help extend the quality of life for your dog if they do end up having dysplasia. You'll know to dial down exercise that is hard on the joints, and that can mean the difference between a dog with pain at 5, and a dog who lives its whole life without pain. It'll also give you a head start on a medication and treatment plan. There are dogs with moderate hip dysplasia that live a very comfortable, long life without the need for surgery thanks to their owner taking that extra step of getting x-rays done. The advanced notice gives their owner a head start on supplements and getting into therapy programs, like swimming, to strengthen the muscle around the joint before they're ever in pain. So this may not be a necessary step if you don't care about your breeder's guarantee, but it can help ease your mind or give you a heads up before a problem even surfaces. But it'll be much less stressful if you have a plan in advance and stick with these 6 tips. If you have any other tips or tricks, leave them down in the comments below and be sure to leave a like and share! How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. Blankets, pillows, and towels. The mother GSD and her litter need a quiet place to stay. It should be spacious, clean, and comfortable. If money is not an issue, you may purchase a commercial whelping box and a washable vet bed. But if you want to be thrifty, you can just make use of a clean cardboard box. Just make sure that the box is big enough for your GSD to stretch out comfortably. You may also buy a heat pad. It will provide warmth to the litter. Instead, put the heat pad under the whelping box, with one end on top of the box. Cover it with a towel to avoid overheating. The whelping box should be close enough to an electrical outlet so you can easily plug in the heat pad once you need more warmth for your Litter. Make sure they stay warm by providing a heating pad and lamp. You may add blankets, pillows, towels, or even old newspapers and a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Be careful though because puppies might get entangled and suffocate if the blanket, pillows, and towels are not taut. Puppy milk replacer, baby bottle, or feeding syringe If the litter is abandoned or orphaned, ask your vet to prescribe milk formulated for German shepherd puppies. Purchase a baby bottle or syringe for feeding. If you leave newborn German shepherd puppies with their mother, give her the first two days to bond with her litter and feed them. Once you see that your GSD has accepted her litter and is feeding them, you can put the puppies in a box beside their mother. She will take care of cleaning and nurturing her pups while continuing to feed them with her milk. But if she still refuses to take care of her pups, you must take matters into your own hands. To do this, place a clean towel or a washable vet bed inside a cardboard box. Keep the box beside your GSD but make sure that she cannot get in touch with her pups. Plug the pad into an electrical outlet and adjust the heat to maintain its temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pups can get hypothermia if their body heat drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit. See also How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick and when to take the bully stick away? Now, put your German shepherd puppies under the warmth of the heating pad at 95 degrees F and wait for them to feed. Only put three puppies per towel or one puppy per section of the vet bed for ease in feeding and monitoring. A mother GSD can produce about 4 to 5 cc of milk every hour. This means that she will need someone to feed her pups every 2 or 3 hours. To correctly use the eyedropper, put your puppy on its stomach and tickle its throat to induce swallowing. Repeat this process until you see that the pup has emptied the eyedropper. Pups will probably fall asleep after feeding. To avoid suffocation, place rolled-up newspapers in their box the pups can use them as pillows when they sleep. These are only temporary until the mother GSD starts to take care of them by licking them clean and keeping them warm with her presence. Weighing scale To make sure if the German shepherd puppies are gaining enough weight, monitor their weight by using a weighing scale at least 4 times a week. If the puppies are not gaining enough weight, they may not be getting enough milk or nourishment so consult your vet right away. Use a wet cotton ball or washcloth to massage or rub gently the anal region. A mother GSD can give birth to 4 to 9 puppies in one litter, 6 as the average. Newborn German Shepherd Puppies Newborns especially 1 to 3-day old German shepherd puppies are vulnerable so before you do anything, consult with your vet especially if you are inexperienced. Right after your GSD gives birth, check the 1-day old German shepherd puppies if they are breathing. If you notice a puppy having breathing difficulties, use a suction bulb syringe to suck out the blockage and clear its airways. Most of the time, they just sleep or eat. They usually eat every two hours during their first week of life. If the puppies are orphaned, you may wash them gently using a warm and moist cloth. Avoid over-bathing the pups because it can cause dehydration. You will notice some of them wagging their tails as well which is adorable to look at. The puppies will gradually open their eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. They will be curious so expect them to move around to inspect their surroundings. Instead of crawling, they attempt to use their legs even though their legs may shake. Check their weight to see if they are gaining well and continue keeping them warm and clean. Their ears will open so they can hear the sounds around them. Though their legs still shake when they attempt to walk, they can finally stand on their own. They will begin to socialize and explore their surroundings more so you should not separate the puppies from each other. They will start teething so they tend to bite everything. They will also be interested in eating solid food. The puppies can walk well at 4 weeks so they will continue socializing with their siblings, their mother, and their handler through playing. They can begin eating solid foods for the first time now that their teeth are fully developed. The puppies can be fully weaned when they reach 6 weeks because they become independent of their mother. They also improve their social skills by playing not only with each other but also with people. Not to worry because this is just a normal phase. This is a good time to expose the puppies to various sounds, places, and people. Teach them basic commands but focus on socialization and bite inhibition. If the puppies are not fully potty trained , train them now. At 9 weeks, the weight of male German shepherd puppies normally ranges from 9 to 10 kg while the females would be from 7 to 9 kg. Their height ranges from 12 to 15 inches. See also How to Crate Train a German Shepherd Puppy When the German shepherd puppies reach 10 weeks, their ears will become pointy but sometimes the ears are floppy. Their height and weight will continue to grow as long as they are adequately fed. By this time, your puppies should already know how to gently use their mouth in dealing with humans so you can enhance their training by teaching other basic commands. When they are done, let them play so that they learn how to do this on their own. Be patient because it takes time before they get the hang of it. If after 24 hours it still refuses to eat, use a baby bottle or feeding syringe to feed the puppy. Prepare a milk replacement formula using evaporated milk mixed with egg yolk, using two egg yolks for every half cup of milk. To avoid bacteria growth, boil the water first before mixing everything and store any leftover formula in the fridge. Gradually increase the proportion of milk replacement formula and decrease the proportion of puppy chow until you wean them off milk replacement completely. Your GSD puppy may have parasites because stools may look like pebbles or tan-colored, small balls which can be a sign that they have swallowed something in their litter box. This is particularly common when they are still with their mother because they tend to eat the feces of the other pups. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress, which is common for a newborn GSD puppy that has been removed from its mom. If this happens, make sure you give them enough attention and place your hand gently on their body to calm them down. Conclusion German shepherd puppies are truly a sight to behold from birth to adulthood. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Puppies How to Care For a Newborn German Shepherd Puppy German Shepherd puppies are the cutest pets, but can be very fragile at an earlier stage of life, making it impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about newborn German shepherd puppy care. However, these little babies are often born blind, deaf, and toothless. Since these pups are so fragile at an earlier stage of life, it is nearly impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Unfortunately, due to lack of care, many German Shepherd puppies easily succumb to unfortunate circumstances. It is essential to know that newborn puppies generally require a lot more care and attention than adult dogs. Here, we will dive deep into the world of newborn German shepherd puppies so you know how to take care of them. Important Things to Know About German Shepherd Puppies Newborn German Shepherds are blind until they are between 8 and 14 days old and deaf until they are 5 to 8 days old. These unique-looking puppies are typically born with dark blue or grey eyes, but their physical features keep changing and evolving as they grow. If the first litter of a German Shepherd has more than four puppies, it can render the mother incapable of providing them ample care. This means that there is a potential risk of the newborns getting sick, dying, or becoming very weak until you intervene. Care for the Pups During their Birth Once your German Shepherd has given birth, you will need to check all the puppies to ensure they are breathing properly. Generally, the mother cuts the umbilical cord and cleans up her puppies by licking them gently. She typically starts with their genitals, moves on to their legs, and then finishes with the rest of their bodies. You can start by using a disinfectant to clean the cords and then rub their bodies with a clean towel until they dry. Adjust the Temperature and Humidity Before delivering, a German Shepherd mother searches for a safe and private space enough for her puppies to be born it. So, as a dog parent, it will be your responsibility to provide your pup with a big enough box to suit her and her puppies. Therefore, adjusting the temperature of the nest is a rather significant part of keeping these pups healthy. Generally, German Shepherd mothers are the primary heat source for babies. However, if, for any reason, the mother cannot be in the box, you must provide the puppies with other heat sources, such as a warm lamp or a heating pad. The best way to maintain ideal humidity levels for the puppies is to install a humidifier or keep the nest in your laundry room. Feed the Puppies A significant part of caring for your newborn German Shepherd puppies is providing them with the right amount of nourishment. The best way to do this is to allow nature to take the wheel. The puppies will be nursed by their mother immediately after the birth, even without the pups unable to see her nipples. A German Shepherd mother typically lactates for two months. However, if the mother is unable to provide her pups with this nourishment, you will have to search for other sources. Take Note of Hygiene Maintaining the hygiene of the puppies and their nest is an integral part of keeping them in good health. However, it is best to maintain a clean environment by disinfecting the nest and replacing the blanks or towels once a day. Additionally, you must only start bathing the puppies after 45 days of their birth. Wrapping Up This article only provides you with the basics of newborn German Shepherd puppy care. Discover how to create a joyful, healthy home for your pet. Subscribe to your weekly rundown of practice, real life ideas and training tips straight to your inbox. We offer practical, real life ideas and training tips for a joyful experince, with your pet. All rights reserved. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!

Quickly place your dog in their designated potty area. Praise them when they urinate or mess in the correct area. You must always watch them when they are loose in the house, or else they will have an accident. Follow this guide on potty training your German Shepherd , step-by-step, for a stress-free experience. Enjoy Gentle Daily Exercise German Shepherd puppies have lots of energy but still need gentle exercise. Your breed is highly active and loves the challenge of new activities! But these activities must consider their age. Start with a shorter walking session and work on building up the time and distance as your dog matures. Increase distance very slowly to avoid injuries to your dog. Begin with only 5 minutes of slow walking for every month your pup is old. An 8-week-old pup can walk 10 minutes at a time. A week-old pup can handle 15 minutes of walking at a leisurely pace. Your large-breed pup needs time to let its bone fully fuse and to gain an increase in strength. Here are a few more safe, healthy German Shepherd puppy exercise for steady growth. This is the same program I used for my GSD and she now jogs a 10k routinely. Mental Exercise and Training are Essentials Without proper mental exercise, your dog becomes bored. Boredom leads to destructive and annoying behaviors such as: excessive barking biting and nipping you and your guests mouthing your hands or digging up your yard Brain games mentally stimulate your dog. These games require your dog to figure out a small task to receive a reward. Mental activity is shown to help keep dogs more engaged in their environments and prevent boredom. They help control unwanted behaviors from boredom. I started my German Shepherd with this activity flip board dog brain puzzle. As your dog becomes proficient in a game, you make the game more challenging. There is no end to how easy or hard you can make these games! Learn the Joys of Grooming Start puppies out with grooming gloves, which are gentle and easier on their skin. GSDs need a brushing routine that keeps them and your house free from excessive loose hair and helps their skin stay healthy. Use these grooming gloves on your puppy while in a quiet area. They are soft and gentle and create a positive association with future grooming. Offer tasty treats to keep the grooming upbeat. Use a soothing voice and tell them how good they are. Above all, help make grooming and brushing positive experiences from the very start to save yourself and your dog stress later. A baby German Shepherd that tolerates and even enjoys a daily brushing is a dog that is easier to keep in better health and experiences less frustration when you bring out the grooming tools. While a puppy gets immunity through nursing in the first weeks of life, the immunity wears off shortly. Therefore puppies get a series of shots during their initial vaccination schedule. Vaccines prevent illness and keep your pet safe from disease. Your breeder should give your pup their first vaccination series before you bring them home. Bring this vaccination history with you to your vet on your first visit. Your Priority of Care What to Do 1. Make your house puppy ready for your new dog Prepare their sleep area, have the right supplies on hand, and make sure any hazards are put away out of reach. Communicate the essentials Have a list of words printed out so that you and your family know what to say to help your puppy learn what you want and what he needs to know. Meet their daily needs Your puppy has a lot to do each day for their basic care, so understand what routine you must develop for them to thrive. Set sleep routines Having a sleep routine in place keeps your puppy from becoming too unruly. Teach potty training Start from day 1 to teach potty and house training by using a structured schedule. Daily gentle exercise German Shepherd puppies need gentle exercise so avoid running, jumping, or jogging with them until around 18 months or so to prevent joint issues later. Brain training and mental stimulation Your smart breed needs to keep their mind occupied by using a training program to brain train their obedience skills and include mental stimulation with fun games and puzzles. Early introduction to grooming A grooming glove is your best friend for a safe, easy introduction to later brushing and coat maintenance. German Shepherd Puppy Care for Life While there are many aspects to puppies, this guide is a great start on learning how to take care of a German Shepherd puppy so you feel confident with your new puppy. These early encounters set the pattern of his future relationship with you. Use these ideas to make your German Shepherd love you and give them plenty of love and affection throughout the day. With proper care and attention, you and your GSD will enjoy a long, happy life together. Want more help with your German Shepherd puppy care for even smoother sailing? Are you prepared for any unusual and surprising behavior changes? Do you know what training your dog needs and when? She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. The transition period can be a little intimidating once you get over the cuteness overload and realize that your new puppy has no training whatsoever and it's up to you how things will progress from there. We'll try to make it easier for you with this short list of things to do the first 2 weeks after bringing your new puppy home. Your puppy is in a brand new place and it's their first time being away from their mom and siblings. I know you want to bring the puppy with you everywhere, play all day and show him or her off to all of your friends and family. But take it slow at first so that your new puppy can get settled and relax. Hang out at home. Become a professional treat dispenser. And begin the foundation of building your bond with your pup. Crate training is the best way to house train. Introduce your puppy to the crate early on by making it a positive experience. Toss a high value treat inside and let them explore and go inside on their own volition. Place a chew toy that can hold treats into the crate and close the door. Make sure the puppy sees you do this. When the puppy tries to paw and get inside the crate, open the door and let them in. When they start chewing on the toy, close the door for a few seconds before opening. And remember to reward your puppy when it's playing quietly inside the crate and to ignore any whining. Also remember the rules of potty training using the crate. If the pup just ate or drank, let them outside. If the pup is coming out of the crate for any extended time, let them outside. If your pup is so much as sniffing the ground a little too much, you guessed it, let them outside. The fewer accidents inside the house, the less likely it is for the puppy to get into the habit of going inside the house. Start immediately with potty training and socialization. Puppies aren't fully protected until their final vaccination at weeks, so openly socializing in public isn't the best idea. But you can have friends and family come over to meet your puppy, as well as their fully vaccinated, well behaved dogs and puppies. You can also begin the foundation of basic obedience commands. All that's necessary later on is getting consistency and working around distractions. Unless of course you want to compete in obedience or a sport that requires obedience. Competition makes things a little more complicated than that. This step is often overlooked and it's arguably the most important step for a new puppy. Puppies love a routine. It's comforting knowing what's going to happen. Wake up in the morning, outside to potty. A little training with treats, breakfast, outside to potty again. A little play time etc. If you have to go to work, make sure you have a friend, relative, dog walker or dog sitter to let the puppy outside if you can't make it home during your break to let the puppy use the potty. They have a tiny bladder and can't hold it for a full workday. When you have a routine that works, things will go smoothly. If you stray from that routine or never establish one, you'll have more accidents, a confused puppy, and quite possibly a headache. Consistency is key, and make sure you throw in several short training sessions. Most places require these. It may sound silly that you're probably legally required to get a license for your dog, but.But rules are rules. Better safe than fined! A vet who has fair prices for your area, yet is also professional and competent is a must. You will see your vet often enough that they will eventually know your name without having to check the paperwork. So your best bet is to find a good one! Routine checkups, vaccinations, and minor or even major health issues will happen. So build a relationship with a local vet as soon as possible. Also, if you have a German Shepherd or any other large breed and ever intend to breed, you should try to find either an orthopedic vet or a vet who is experienced in taking and sending in hip and elbow x-rays to the OFA to be graded. This may not be your primary veterinarian, but it's good to plan ahead. Even if you don't intend to breed, most breeders state in their contract that they will cover hips and elbows, but only if you get preliminary x-rays or have x-rays graded within a certain amount of time usually 2 years. As a bonus, taking hip and elbow x-rays at 2 years old can help extend the quality of life for your dog if they do end up having dysplasia. You'll know to dial down exercise that is hard on the joints, and that can mean the difference between a dog with pain at 5, and a dog who lives its whole life without pain. It'll also give you a head start on a medication and treatment plan. There are dogs with moderate hip dysplasia that live a very comfortable, long life without the need for surgery thanks to their owner taking that extra step of getting x-rays done. The advanced notice gives their owner a head start on supplements and getting into therapy programs, like swimming, to strengthen the muscle around the joint before they're ever in pain. So this may not be a necessary step if you don't care about your breeder's guarantee, but it can help ease your mind or give you a heads up before a problem even surfaces. But it'll be much less stressful if you have a plan in advance and stick with these 6 tips. If you have any other tips or tricks, leave them down in the comments below and be sure to leave a like and share! November 8, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The German Shepherd Dog, one of the top ten popular breeds in the United States, is known for their regal appearance, bravery, intelligence, and noble character. They are hard-working dogs that fit into a variety of service jobs, but can also be amazing family dogs, making them an all-around great breed for dog lovers! How do you know if the German Shepherd Dog is the right fit for you and your family? German Shepherd Dogs are a younger breed that started in Germany in by Captain Max Von Stephanitz who sought to create an unmatched herding dog. But as Germany became more and more industrialized, the breed shifted from herding work to police and military training. Hundreds of these dogs made their way to the United States during WWI, one such being a small five-day-old puppy that was rescued from a destroyed kennel in France and brought home to the states to Los Angeles. This puppy later grew up to be one of the most famous four-legged movie stars, Rin Tin Tin, starring in 26 movies, forever making the German Shepherd Dog breed a popular choice in the nation! If you are looking for an attractive dog, look no further! German Shepherd Dogs have beautiful coats, strong muscular builds, a square muzzle, long bushy tail, and a black mask. Some colors like red and black, or tan and black, have distinct markings such as saddle or blanket on their back. However, German Shepherd Dogs come in a variety of colors: sable, silver, liver, panda, solid black, and solid white. What are German Shepherd Dog Personalities like? German Shepherd Dogs can be reserved, often appearing aloof toward new people, but this very loyal breed loves their families and can be very affectionate. While they can be wary of new people and protective of their family, with the right socialization, German Shepherd Dogs can be friendly and easy-going. They are an intelligent and high-energy breed that thrives with a job to do. Due to this, without the proper or consistent amount of stimulating work, they can easily become bored and frustrated. Those feelings could translate into behaviors like barking, howling, or chewing. As they get older, they'll equally enjoy relaxing with you at home and getting up with you to do the next fun activity! If you are a lover of going for long walks or runs, enjoy hiking on the weekends, or trips to the beach depending on where you live, a German Shepherd Dog will gladly trot alongside you! German Shepherd Dogs while they can be independent, do crave to be with their family and offer great companionship. With crate training, your German Shepherd puppy will learn to adapt to being left alone for periods of time without developing separation anxiety, however, this breed thrives with interaction and will do best a puppy parent that can provide them with a balanced amount of alone and accompanied time throughout the day. Like many large breed dogs, German Shepherd Dogs can suffer from some common illnesses including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, degenerative spinal stenosis, and Von Willebrand disease. Thankfully, responsible breeders today have bred out many of these and improved the health of the breed significantly! When you bring home your new German Shepherd puppy, schedule their first veterinarian visit to discuss appropriate health care, proper nutrition and supplements, and exercise. German Shepherd Dogs tend to shed regularly and heavily twice in the year during the Spring and Fall season. With soft undercoats and harsher topcoats, they would do best with regular brushing once a week will help remove their dead fur and maintain healthy skin! Note: When looking for a reputable German Shepherd Dog breeder, go through an accredited website such as AKC for their breeder locator. Additionally, many pure-breed and mixed German Shepherds are available in rescues and shelters for adoption! German Shepherds are smart and hard-working, so puppy training will not only provide them with the stimulation they crave but also solidify your communication, trust, and overall relationship! Early puppy training Lay the foundation for good behavior the day your puppy comes home, introducing them to basic obedience. Keeping your puppy on a leash at home while under supervision will help to build their focus on you as their leader and also help keep them from darting away. Soon, build up to more obedience training commands, work on their focus through distractions, and start to introduce training in different locations such as your yard, or neighborhood to solidify their communication with you in any situation. Also, check out the rest of our Puppy Training and Puppyhood Made Easy for New Owners series to guide you through what to train your puppy next, how to troubleshoot, and other important topics every puppy owner should know! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your German Shepherd Dog puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Socialization is a must German Shepherd Dogs are natural protectors and benefit greatly from being socialized with other dogs, people, new places, textures, and sounds. When done correctly, s ocialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged German Shepherd Dogs are very intelligent and have high-prey drives which mean they love to work! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. Developed as part of K9 and military dog training, this is a perfect activity for your German Shepherd to burn off some mental and physical steam! Did you recently bring home a German Shepherd Dog puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! German Shepherd dogs are known for their athletic capabilities, intelligence, and loyalty, making them one of India's most sought after breeds. Dog lovers are enamoured by the German shepherd's majestic appearance, intellect and guarding abilities. If you have decided or have recently become a German Shepherd's parent, you should be grateful to have such a loving and loyal companion who will stand by you no matter what in the years to come. However, parenting a German Shepherd is not an easy feat. Multiple factors need to be taken into consideration before you are confident that you will be able to provide for the needs of this dog. Parenting a German Shepherd is a highly gratifying affair, but the first step is choosing your puppy and caring for it. It needs to be planned out carefully to ensure that you and your dog spend all your days enjoying maximum satisfaction. This article will run you down through all the crucial decisions and actions that must be taken, starting from whether you should parent a German Shepherd, all the way to how you can care for your puppy. Is a German Shepherd is right for you? Before answering this question, it is imperative to check if parenting any German Shepherd is right for you to begin with. This breed is a very demanding one. It requires plentiful exercise to remain physically and mentally healthy. Without adequate playtime and activity, dogs of this breed can become destructive. So the question here is, do you have the facilities required to give your German shepherd this level of exercise? Do you have a yard, a park or a lawn near you where you can exercise your dog? Do you have the time to take them out on frequent walks? German Shepherds are usually suitable for people who engage in high-intensity sports such as running and bicycling. Will you be able to engage in such activities for the benefit of your dog as well as you? Similarly, German Shepherds are highly sociable animals and thrive in interactive environments. They need other dogs or people around them most of the time. Does your daily routine allow you to be near your dog for long periods of time? If you plan to leave your German shepherd at home for hours a day while you are working, this breed may not be suitable for you. Dogs of this breed are also prone to excessive shedding, and you need to be ready to find a lot of dog fur all around you. Being a large breed, feeding and taking care of these dogs are time and money intensive. They live long lives and can suffer from health problems too, and thus, caring for them can be an expensive affair. Thus, these are some of the questions that need to be answered to gauge whether a German Shepherd is indeed right for you to begin with. With these conditions in place, this breed may not be ideal for first-time dog parents. Coming to the type of German Shepherd that is right for you, this breed can be classified into two categories - work line type and show line type dogs. The differentiation is based on the heritage of the dogs of this breed and the purpose for which they were bred. Show lines were mainly bred for their look, colour and body type. Work Lines were primarily bred for their health and personality rather than to look a certain way. The line you choose depends on what you really want to be doing with your German shepherd. Work lines should be chosen if you seek a family pet or want some type of function to be performed because this type is known for its trainability, knowledge and skill. However, if you are more concerned with your dog's appearance, then going after show lines might be more appropriate. It must be mentioned, though, that it is possible to find show line dogs with the same characteristics as work line dogs and vice versa if they have been bred by individuals who are concerned with their appearance as well as health. Beyond work and show lines, age is another essential factor to consider. A good breeder would not offer puppies that are lesser than 8 weeks old as they still require their mother's milk as well as other social skills. Puppies who have received this from their mothers will be less likely to engage in destructive and unruly behaviour. First and foremost, verify that the puppy's parents have good health and desirable temperaments. Then examine the puppy in terms of health and hygiene by checking the eyes, ears, teeth, skin, coat, paws, etc. Study the gait of your puppy; it should be even. With German Shepherds, in particular, it is vital that you choose a pup that does not have undesirable traits. Visit the breeder at least four to five times before making a decision. Choosing a pup from the litter that is neither the timidest nor the most dominant would be wise if you want a bit of both traits. A German Shepherd puppy that is well built, energetic and sociable would be ideal. Next, to gauge the temperament of a puppy you want to select, you could perform a few simple tests, such as making eye contact with them. If they hold contact, it reflects confidence. It might be a sign of nervousness and anxiety if it looks away. Clapping your hands is another simple test. If the puppy runs away, it can be judged as timid, but it can signify that the pup wants to be friends if it approaches you. Similarly, other tests include calling the puppy to pet it, introducing it to a new toy, making a sudden noise, lifting the puppy and holding it above your head, or grabbing its paw. The reaction of puppies to such actions can provide much-needed insight into a puppy's temperament and help prospective dog parents make the right choice. On the one hand, if you prefer a dog that isn't prone to undermining your authority, it would be sensible to choose a moderately submissive puppy. On the other hand, if you want a dog for protection, it would be wise to choose a tough, trainable, and courageous puppy. After four to five visits, it would be possible for you to judge correctly - the personality and various character traits of the puppy you're interested in. As German Shepherds have highly individual personalities, you might bond more with one German Shepherd than the other. Lastly, before making a final decision, it is always good to ask the breeder for their opinion, as good breeders often have vital information about their puppies and can provide valuable insight into their characteristics and temperaments, thereby ensuring that you exactly find what you are looking for. Bringing Your German Shepherd Puppy Home Once you have established a rapport with a puppy and have made up your mind about becoming a dog parent, or a dog parent to another puppy, take a friend or companion with you who can help you clean up if your puppy is carsick. If you intend on making your puppy comfortable in a crate, give the crate to the breeder a few days before you bring the puppy home so that the breeder can help it acclimatize itself to the crate. The first day at home will be a traumatic experience for your puppy as it is away from its family. Thus, ensure that your puppy has a place to be comfortable and relaxed, with an adequate amount of food and water. It would be wise to spend some time exclusively with your puppy initially, such as an extended weekend plan so that your bond can grow. Be sure to collect your puppy's adoption contract and veterinary records. Furthermore, find out the exact kind of food that the breeder was giving the puppy you just adopted. Giving your pup entirely different food during the first few days can be traumatic for them. With their unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds, your home and car can frighten your puppy, leading it to stress out and get anxious. Anticipate this and give your pup some time to adjust to the new environment. The first few days can be demanding as a dog parent because you need to adapt to changes in your schedule with the arrival of your puppy. Similarly, the puppy, too, can cry, whine or get overly affectionate, which can be regarded as coping mechanisms to deal with the sudden change in environment. During this time, make sure you don't scold your puppy or be overly affectionate either. Before bringing your newly adopted puppy home, it is essential for you to puppy-proof your home! Go down on all fours and check for sharp objects, hazardous materials, or any other dangerous substance that your puppy might end up chewing or swallowing. Cover your electrical outlets as well. Stock your home with food that your puppy has been eating while under the breeder's care. Keep an adequate amount of food and water, water bowls, treats, and grooming tools such as brushes, shampoos for puppies and nail clippers. Cleaning detergent for stains and smells will also come in handy in case of any accidents. Decide on that area of the house that will be where your puppy spends most of its time. This step is crucial as constantly changing your puppy's place can lead to disruptive sleep patterns and cause stress. German Shepherds, being extremely active, will tend to run across your halls, and in such cases, an accident or two are bound to happen. In such cases, it would be a good idea to restrict your dog's movements to areas that can be cleaned easily. Furthermore, German Shepherds have sharp claws and can ruin expensive hardwood floors, so it would be wise to keep them away from such flooring. As mentioned previously, your puppy will be nervous during the first few days. Frequent bathroom breaks will be a necessity for your pup, and thus, keep an area designated just for this purpose. Also, let your dog run around the house and acquaint itself with its surroundings. If your dog is chewing or biting furniture in a puppy-proofed home, you could offer a toy as a distraction. If you have children, teach them how to properly handle your puppy without being too rough. If you have other pets, give your pup a chance to meet and acknowledge them. Be careful while introducing your puppy to other puppies and grown dogs. However, most dogs are not aggressive with puppies, so it is doubtful that you will face problems on this front. Between eight and sixteen weeks of age, Puppies require plenty of clean water to drink and many meals a day. They also have small bladders and hence, will urinate often. Since they expend a lot of energy during the day, they will take several naps. It would be recommended to begin a daily routine for your pup and stick to it. Since German Shepherds require a lot of physical activity, taking them out in the mornings and evenings for an adequate amount of time religiously would be necessary. The faster you get your pup accustomed to a routine, the more beneficial it is to better sleeping schedules and better mental and physical health. When you begin house training your dog, be sure to praise them when they relieve themselves in designated areas but refrain from punishing them if they fail to do so. Remember that your home is a new environment for them, and thus, it will take a while to house train them. Training Your German Shepherd Puppy. Training your dog from the day they come home is very important. Clear rules should be set that should not be broken. For example, if you do not want your dog to get on the bed, do not let them come on the bed ever. Allowing them sometimes and then not other times gets confusing for your dog, and they may not be able to learn the desired behaviour effectively. Training your puppy can be divided into two stages, each with different objectives. The first stage of training needs to take place when your pup is between eight to sixteen weeks of age. In this period, socialization, house training and crate training goals must be accomplished. The second stage of training needs to occur when your puppy is three months of age until about 9 months. The main objectives of this training phase are obedience training, impulse control, and recall. From 8 - 16 weeks Goal: Socialization German shepherds are very protective of their owners. This makes it essential to make them see that other individuals are not necessarily threats. This period is critical to expose your puppy to different people in non-threatening situations. This can help them grow more confident around strangers instead of becoming hostile. Socialization creates a strong foundation for the rest of your puppy's training. One example of socialization comes from the grooming requirements of this breed. German Shepherds need to be groomed regularly so that they don't shed a lot. Thus, introducing them to groomers at a young age and to tools like blow dryers and nail clippers can help achieve this goal of adapting to social environments. Furthermore, to improve their mental development, expose your puppy to new sights, sounds and smells to help their confidence improve. Goal: Crate Training Training your puppy to sleep or stay in a crate can be difficult at first as they might face separation anxiety. Crate training is necessary if you prefer sleeping alone or washing the utensils in the kitchen and need your puppy to stay in one place for a couple of minutes. Patience is key to achieving this goal. Help them get over their separation anxiety with the help of treats and toys. You can also use your crate for feeding purposes to help your pup get more acclimated to it. Goal: House Training A strict schedule can help get your dog house trained. When your pup is around 8 weeks old, it should be taken outside for a bathroom break every two hours or so. At 12 weeks, it should be taken every 3 hours and around 16 weeks, every 4 hours or so. Begin teaching your puppy how to eliminate on cue by looking for signs such as sniffing the floor or circling a particular spot, or going to an area where it has made a mess before. Using a command to push your puppy to go outside to relieve itself can be helpful. Remember to praise your pup when it obeys such actions. From 3 - 9 Months Goal: Obedience Training German Speherds are acutely intellectual and have a commendable work ethic. Training that has begun early and consistently can help your puppy's best traits and features emerge with time. Dogs of this breed are excellent at obeying commands, and you can begin this type of training by teaching basic commands such as stay, down, and up. They can even be trained to walk on a leash easily during this period. Goal: Recall When obedience training is done right, the goal of recalling or successfully calling your puppy to come to you becomes relatively easier. Achieving recall takes patience and practice. It should be done diligently and on a daily basis, using treats and toys as incentives. Achieving this goal can come in handy during emergency situations as well. Goal: Impulse Control German Shepherds are highly susceptible to boredom, often resulting in excessive and inappropriate chewing, barking, chasing, etc. They also have a tendency to chase down cars and even cats. Such impulses need to be controlled as they can otherwise lead to destructive and problematic behaviour. Training for impulse control simply means getting your puppy to pay attention to you when required. You can begin such type of training by getting your puppy to sit before eating or using commands during playtime, which makes them focus on your voice only. Treats and toys could be attractive incentives to encourage your pup to respond positively to commands. Feeding Your German Shepherd Puppy. Remember to follow the breeder's diet in the initial days and gradually change this diet to incorporate different foods. Milk should not be given to puppies at this age as it can cause diarrhoea. Puppies need to be given food rich in protein, calcium and fats as they are still growing. Their food needs to be higher in calories when compared to the food given to a grown dog. When you give your puppy a food bowl, give it a specific window of time to finish eating, such as 10 or 15 minutes. After this period, remove the bowl. This will help your pup understand that it has to eat during a specific period of time only, which is a valuable component of obedience training. Between 4 to 6 months of age, you can start feeding your puppy increased portions of food four times a day. Foods such as meat and vegetables would be ideal. Treats should only be resorted to during training and not as actual food for mealtimes. Make sure to never give leftover human food to puppies as they contain spices, salt, sugar and so on, which are very unhealthy for dogs. FAQs: Are german shepherd puppies hard to take care of? Not just german shepherds, all puppies are hard to take care of initially. This is because it is exactly like getting a newborn baby home. There will be sleepless nights, vet visits, training, creating and sticking to routines and so on. However, these efforts will eventually pay off, because once your pup is trained, they will be socialized and can adapt to your lifestyle easily. How many times should a german shepherd puppy eat a day? For up to four months, puppies should be fed three to four times a day. Post this period, gradually reduce the number of times your pup is fed. After eight to nine months, two meals a day will suffice. Where should my german shepherd sleep? German shepherds are highly sociable animals and should not be left alone for too long. Puppies should be trained to sleep in a crate or share the bed with you if you so desire. As they grow older, they can be allowed to sleep in a crate, or in an area specially designed for them. What are the best foods for german shepherd puppies? Like other puppies, they too require meals that are high in protein, grain-free, rich in good quality fats without any chemicals, artificial additives etc. Is it okay to feed a german Shephard 3 times a day? Up to eight to nine months of age, it is okay to feed your German Shepherd three times a day. However, feeding them twice a day is more than enough beyond this age. The amount of food ultimately depends on your dog's age, size, weight, and levels of physical activity. When do german shepherd puppies stop biting and jumping? It is perfectly normal for your puppy to constantly bite, chew, or jump for the first four to six months. However, while teething is normal, you must redirect your puppy to chew on toys and other things that are appropriate instead of household furniture. Do not wait to think issues will be resolved after months. Get professional help from day 1 to teach your pup the right behaviours. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are amazing dogs with perfect guiding skills and prominent intellect. If you have decided to get one for your home, be sure that you will obtain an obedient, loyal, and reliable friend. However, you need to know the main principles of German Shepherd puppy care to understand how to raise your dog healthy, energetic, and well-trained. Consider whether this dog breed is for you. Home conditions play a great role, so ensure that your GS puppy will feel great at your home. Consider such things as feeding , house training, socializing, exercising, playing, bedding, teaching obedience, grooming, and medical treatment. This guide will help you to find out more about this fascinating breed and how to deal with it with less effort. German Shepherd Puppy Care Starts with the First Minutes You can select your German Shepherd either as a puppy from a reputable breeder or as an adult dog in a dog shelter. Remember that your relationships with your fluffy friend start with the very first minutes of your acquaintance. Bringing a Puppy Home Suppose you have chosen a puppy from a breeder. Now, the first task is to bring it home. Bring someone with you to facilitate the task. You can use a puppy crate. So, ask your breeder to introduce the puppy to it several days before you take it home. However, taking a young puppy from its mother and siblings is always a big stress. Do your best to reduce it. If it is purebred, you may need a copy of a pedigree certificate. It is important if you want your dog to participate in shows. If you take the puppy home in a car, try to reduce the stress from new odors and experiences by letting it explore the inside of a vehicle to get used to it for a while before you drive. The puppy can start whining, so you may want to put it on your lap. However, puppies usually feel carsick and frightened, so they may make a mess. If your trip is long, you may stop and let your puppy stretch and relieve itself. You have already prepared it for a new tenant. This preparation should involve taking away all electrical wires, dangerous materials, tiny and sharp items, and everything your puppy can chew or swallow. You will also need chew toys, and a good cleaning detergent because accidents can happen during the first days. Learn the basics of how to care for a German Shepherd puppy before you bring it home. You may need to know how to arrange an area for sleeping , playing, and relieving. Start with introducing your little one to the potty place outside, and then bring it inside. Your doggy needs to get used to its new home first. So, let it explore the room meant for its stay first. If your puppy starts chewing furniture or house items, give it a chewing toy. Your new friend wants to see a pack leader in you, so it is essential to take this role from the very first minute. You can do it right now because further on it may try to challenge this role. Speak calmly but firmly, call the puppy by its name, and encourage it. If you have young kids, explain to them how to deal with the doggy. Introduce other pets to it. If you have a cat, it is likely not to care much about the puppy. Your cat will just sit and observe. Though, if you have other dogs, they may show a sort of aggression. So, you may need a muzzle for your dog at first to protect the puppy. When you see that they start getting on well, you may take off the muzzle. After that, you can feed your pup. Offer it some food that it is used to. After eating, take the doggy outside for relief. Wait for minutes and then take it back inside. Young puppies need to be fed several times per day, and they should have a lot of drinking water in a separate bowl. It may be the start of house training. However, accidents may happen, so do not scold or punish it. You also need to take your pup outside after every playing session. Try not to feed the doggy before it goes to bed, or you will have a sleepless night. Your puppy needs a special place for bedding. It may be a crate or some mat in a designated part of the room. Your little dog will go to it as soon as it wants to take a nap when it understands that it is its bedding. The First Night at Home Is Challenging The first night in a new place is a challenging and stressful experience for a puppy. It may start crying and whining because it is a pack animal and its instincts prompt it that staying alone is hazardous. So, you need to be in contact with your little one all the time. Avoid giving it food or drink immediately before going to bed because it will end in a mess in the room. Play with the pup for a while to make sure it is tired and ready to sleep. Take it outside before sleep and praise it if it is successful in doing its job. It will be difficult to eliminate this habit in the future. The best way is using the crate. Though, keep the crate not far from you to keep an eye on the pup. You can put it in your bedroom for the first night to make it feel comfortable. Give the puppy a treat before placing it into a crate. The puppy may want to potty at night, so take it out every three hours. You may need to take it out just once during the first nine months of age. You should offer optimal conditions for health, well-being, and daily activities. Month One Breeders are usually fully responsible for the care of a puppy during its first month. There is a strong risk of infections from adult animals and people that can lead to death. The mother is responsible for hygiene. At the age of 3- 6 weeks , breeders should carry out the first deworming. If there is a risk of infections, the puppies should receive their first preventive vaccination. More about 6 week old GSD puppy care. Month Two At this age, a puppy can have its new owner. Weaning from a mother is always significant stress, so if you take the puppy from the breeder, try to distract it with toys and continuous communication. When at home, the doggy needs a determined place for living. The ideal option is to keep it in an enclosed space with a special booth. When you want to keep the dog in a kennel, use straw or hay for its bedding. You can leave your pet unattended for a while during this time, but not for a long time to avoid stress. Moreover, it can start gnawing on something dangerous, get poisoned, and die. Do hair brushing times a week. Do not bathe the puppy before the vaccination. Even adult German Shepherds should not be washed more than 3 times per year. If there is a need for more frequent washing, do not use shampoo. Clean the ears and teeth 1 or 2 times per month. Monitor the eyes. If some redness or tearing appears, contact the vet. Vaccinate your puppy against plague, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis at this age. Do deworming 2 weeks before the vaccination. Observe a 3-week quarantine after the first vaccination before walking outside. Do not bathe the puppy, change its diet, or do much exercise during this time. More about 2 month old GSD puppy care. Months Three-Six The puppy grows quickly during this time. Its limbs become longer, and the doggy is getting stronger. Start regular walking with the puppy. The first walks should be no more than 5 minutes, but at the age of 4 months , you can walk with it for minutes already. Up to 6 months, it is advisable to walk times a day, but when the puppy gets older, 2 long walks are enough. Take your puppy outside in your arms for the first walks, and then offer it moderate runs and games. Take care of its musculoskeletal system from the first months. The second vaccination is needed at the age of 3 months , and the next one is after the change of teeth. The teeth change at months, so the ears may drop down during this period because of a lack of calcium. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. They still have their cute side of course, but they are often a whole lot more work than most people expect. And when it comes to German Shepherd puppies, while not anymore difficult than any other breed, there are a few specific things that may help both you and your furry pup through the struggle of puppy-hood. German Shepherds, in general, tend to be very loyal, loving, and protective. But they do have other characteristics that are good to be aware of before getting a puppy, in order to ensure that they are the right match for you. German Shepherd puppies can be a little shy and anxious sometimes, which, if not treated properly could develop into fear-based aggression. Socialization becomes very important for these puppies in order to keep the shyness and aggression in check. German Shepherd puppies are very energetic and intelligent. So keep in mind that you may need to get creative with the doggie activities! If you like your privacy, you may want to reconsider getting a German Shepherd because these puppies will follow you everywhere. Training in this area becomes extremely critical if you want to prevent their biting from transitioning into a much more dangerous game. German Shepherd puppies are incredibly intense when it comes to playtime, so get ready for some heavy-duty wrestling. You will need to supervise any interactions with other dogs to ensure that nobody gets hurt. A German Shepherd puppy just might be the right one for you. Finding Your Puppy The first step in caring for your puppy is finding your puppy, and the best place to go for that is a reputable breeder. While you can find plenty of breeders on the internet, your best bet would be to ask for referrals from other German Shepherd owners that you know. This way you can ensure that you find a German Shepherd puppy that has been well cared for from birth, giving you a great head start. And while there will be many times for playing and cuddling during the first few days and onward, even the very first moments you spend with your puppy are extremely critical for training. Potty Training Little puppies have little bladders, which means they will have to relieve themselves every two hours or so until they are about six months old. Take your puppy to your designated potty area frequently and praise your pup if he goes in the right place. Using a specific spot, rather than just the entire backyard, will help immensely during potty training. Sticking to a schedule can help minimize accidents. A good starting point is to take your puppy outside 20 minutes after eating, as this is generally when he will need to relieve himself. You will also need to wake up two or three times in the night to check on your pup. And keep an eye on him throughout the day. If he is whimpering uneasily, he probably needs to potty. Crate Training Crate training your German Shepherd puppy will become a huge help while you are teaching him the house rules. It also helps give them a safe place they can call their own. Keep your crate somewhere in the home where there are people around to supervise, but not too public or chaotic of a place that he will feel scared or threatened. Also, make sure the crate is not so small that they feel trapped and uncomfortable. Your pup should be able to comfortably stretch and lie down if they want to. Even when your dog is in the crate, make sure he is on his best behavior. If your pup exhibits bad behavior in the crate and you respond by taking him out, he may develop bad habits. Once your puppy calms down or shows good behavior, reward him by letting him out and giving him praise. Socialization Especially as German Shepherd puppies can lean more towards the aggressive side, socialization is critical if you want to keep this aggression in check. Letting your puppy meet new people and new dogs during the first couple months of life can really make a difference in his social skills and overall behavior. Let your puppy spend quality time with the family and everyone who may frequent your home such as neighbors, relatives, and babysitters. General Training The first thing your puppy should learn during training is that you are in charge. Otherwise, your puppy will take on that role himself and you could lose control completely. German Shepherd puppies respond well to positive training techniques, so keep those treats handy! Feeding Although your German Shepherd puppy may be small, his diet should not be. Growing from a puppy to an adult dog is hard work, and he will need a strong, healthy diet in order to do it. Until 6 months of age your puppy will need to eat 3 to 4 times a day. The best way to ensure that he is getting the right amount of grub is to check his ribs. You should be able to feel them through his skin, but not see them. The most common type of puppy food is your everyday kibble, but actually, raw dog foods are the best way to go, even for the littlest of pups. About Emilyn Gil Hello! My name is Emilyn and I am currently studying English at Utah Valley University and working as a copywriter, researcher and mother. Although I have had just one dog throughout my life, my sweet Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel mix, Pup, has given me many fond memories that I hold dear. In addition, have also owned and cared for cats, fish, hamsters, rats, parakeets, chickens, goats, rabbits, frogs, and lizards. Every one of these adorable pets has given me a love for all kinds of animal friends, which is something that I hope to share here at TruDog.

Here are some things to consider: Size Do you want a big or a small golden? Sex Do you want a male or a female? Style Or a stocky, blocky-headed golden retriever? Color Do you want a dark gold or red golden , a cream-colored golden , or something more in the middle? Personality Do you want a calm golden or more of an energetic one? Nobody will be able to tell you what you want out of a dog but yourself. Consider your lifestyle, home, whether or not you have kids , what you like to do on the weekend, etc. If you want to get a good feel for what a puppy will be like, look at their parents. Temperament and health are hereditary and no puppy test or observation will be as accurate as what their parents are like. So that being said, pick a good breeder that is breeding dogs that resemble what you want. There are two important things here: Talk to the breeder and tell them what you want Observe the puppies and look for the puppy that resembles what you want Talk To The Breeder The breeder has spent the last eight weeks with the puppies and knows them best. By telling them what you want they can help you decide the right one for you. But assuming the decisions lays in your hands, this next section will help you out. Selecting A Puppy From The Litter When we went to pick our puppy from the litter we knew exactly what we wanted: a big, calm, sweet boy. He had probably worn himself out trying to impress them because two days later we were wondering what happened to that calm puppy as a fluffy little tornado was tearing around our apartment! Are they submissive? This might give you some insight into their personality. Take note of their energy levels. Consider how your puppy interacts with people. How are they with you, whoever is with you, and the breeder? Are they fearful? A friendly dog will be outgoing and interested in you. Toss your keys or a toy. Put the puppy on their back. Either cradle them in your arms on their back, or roll them on their back on the floor. A dominant pup may squirm a lot, but a well-adjusted pup should calm down shortly. They should be ok with being handled. Shoutout to Vet Street for a few of the tips above. In addition to choosing the right puppy, you also want to choose a healthy puppy. Now even if you have your checklist and run each pup through these tests, it may all go out the window if a puppy picks you. But as we tried to give each puppy a chance and interact with all of them, Oliver kept coming back to my wife and nuzzling his nose into her to tell her that he was the one. Conclusion When picking a puppy you first want to decide what you want. Then pick a breeder that breeds dogs that resemble what you want. When it comes to actually picking the puppy from the litter, talk to the breeder about it and try to see which puppies match up with what you want. However, know that puppies may be different than how they initially appear. And finally, you might not even need to worry about picking the right puppy because the right puppy just might pick you. Have any questions about picking a golden retriever puppy from the litter? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is about to pick up a puppy, please share this with them! Related articles:. However, picking the right puppy from a litter can be overwhelming and stressful. So, what is the easiest way to pick a golden retriever puppy from a litter? An excellent way to see how your potential puppy will turn out is to take a look at his parents. Most importantly, ask the breeder a lot of questions before adopting. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! A responsible breeder is your best bet for a healthy puppy. A dog breeder like this will cut corners and overbreed in order to get as many viable Golden retriever pups to sell to unsuspecting puppy buyers as possible. Even if the price for a golden retriever puppy appears to be less initially, the potential long-term health and behavioral problems involved with a puppy from a genetically unhealthy litter will quickly surpass the cost of a puppy from a good breeder. Some of the best ways to find a quality golden retriever puppy breeder is to get referrals from your local veterinarian, a good friend, or a local golden retriever club. You can also find an excellent golden retriever breeder by attending professional dog shows. When you look each puppy over, you want to look specifically at their eyes, coat, build, and skin. Look at their eyes. They should look focused and clear. You want to keep an eye out for any golden retriever puppies that rub their eyes or appear to struggle with their vision, such as squinting. Touch their coat. The coat of your new perfect puppy should be shiny and healthy. Examine their build. Take a look at the overall shape of each puppy. Check to see if they are favoring one foot more than another foot. These could be signs of a more serious health issue. Check their skin. You want to keep an eye out for any flaky skin or skin with bald patches. Look for redness or signs of irritation. There are also instances when a puppy with anxiety will chew or scratch at their skin until the fur falls off. Things to look for when choosing a puppy from a litter. Even the runts are going to be bigger than a lot of other breeds. Many people wonder if the runt of the litter is a good choice when choosing a golden retriever. The runts are typically the pups who are weaker and smaller than the others in their litter. The mother produces the nutrients the litter needs to survive. The runts will be at greater risk of having weaker immune systems and getting infections. Choosing a medium-sized puppy will reduce your chances of getting a runt, an overeater, or a bully overly dominant pup. When it comes to temperament and size, there are differences between females and males. The most significant difference is going to be their size. A male dog will get slightly longer and taller than females, but they will also weigh more. There are also small differences in their faces. They can also come across as more territorial, but this is a very slight difference as well. While the females will still love you unconditionally, the males will be twice as doting and loving. Watch the way each member of the litter interacts with the others. This will tell you how your puppy will react to the other dogs or animals in your home. Extremely shy puppies may not have been socialized well so far, and could grow up to become distrustful dogs that are full of anxieties. Speak with the breeder or the owner of the litter. Ask them tons of questions about how socialized the puppies have been with other dogs and pets so far in their young lives. Make Sure the Golden Retriever Puppy Is the Correct Age Golden retriever puppies should stay with their mothers for eight weeks before being adopted and taken home. As mentioned earlier, the mothers produce vital nutrients that a new puppy needs to survive. If the puppy is taken away too soon, it puts them at greater risk of infections and other complications. It can also increase their anxiety, aggression and make them over-protective of their toys and food. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! Before seeing the litter, research what a golden retriever puppy of eight weeks looks like. It will vary depending on the dog, but this will help you establish a clear idea of what the puppies will look like when you see the litter. The size and temperament of the parents are passed down to their offspring. What is the temperament of the parents? How does the puppy in question behave around dogs outside their litter? What kind of food are the puppies used to eating? Have the puppies all been dewormed? Are the puppies socialized with other animals besides dogs, such as cats or birds? Summary Adopting a puppy is a significant milestone for a family. But simply picking a Golden Retriever from the litter might not be quite as easy as it seems, remember, this pooch would be with you for the rest of its life, so you have to be sure that the Golden Retriever pup you are selecting is just right for you and your family. There are a lot of things to consider, and lots of questions to be answered: What color should I pick? What temperament would I want? Should I pick a male or female Golden Retriever? Lots of questions that require answers. Your experience with the beautiful Golden Retriever should be enjoyed. First off, is Golden Retriever the right dog for you? I assume that you probably did a lot of research on the Golden Retriever breed before picking a reputable breeder to patronize or work with. The Golden Retriever is quite energetic and clingy, and as such does require a lot of time and attention. It requires a lot of exercises to keep from being destructive and for an adult Golden Retriever, an average of hours would be required daily to properly exercise the breed. And for those allergic to dogs or dog coats, the Golden Retriever might not be the best breed for you. This is because the Golden Retriever is a moderate to heavy shedder during shedding season. You might want to consider a Labrador Retriever, checkout our comparison for more detail: Golden Retriever Vs. When trying to decide what sort of Golden Retriever is best for you, answers to these questions would be needed. Male or Female Golden Retriever? This sort of decision might be quite easy for some and incredibly difficult for others. This is because to some, any gender is good enough they have no preferences , while for the rest, specific reasons or purposes could cause them to favor a particular Golden Retriever gender over the other. Both the male and female Golden Retrievers are very lively and equally playful at this stage of their lives. The only slight difference, however, that might occur or might be noticeable between both breeds might be size, as the male Golden Retriever is only slightly bigger or larger than the female when looking at the same litter. As both Golden Retrievers approach their individual sexual maturity, you might begin to notice a lot more differences. A lot of generalization is done between both, the male and female genders of the Golden Retriever breed. Some might say that the male Golden Retriever is a lot more hyperactive and could be harder to train than the female Golden Retriever, or that the female Golden Retriever matures quite faster than the male Golden Retriever, but again, these are all generalizations and speculations. Another popular generalization or myth is that the female Golden Retriever is a lot more independent and affectionate than the male Golden Retriever, again, it could still just be a myth. What Size of the Golden Retriever should I pick? As we already stated earlier, the gender of the Golden Retriever has a huge impact on the size of the Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever males are bigger than Golden Retriever females when comparing two Golden Retrievers from the same litter. What style of the Golden Retriever should I go with? Deciding on what Golden Retriever style you would like is equally important. Are you looking for an athletic Golden Retriever or a slim Golden Retriever, or are you in search of a more stocky and blocky-headed Golden? What Color of Golden Retriever should I go with? Of course, the Golden Retriever has a variety of different coat colors that you could be interested in. Some of these colors are; red-gold or dark gold, or perhaps, maybe a cream-colored Golden Retriever. Either way, there are some interesting Golden Retriever colors to choose from. What sort of personality should I look for? This is yet another decision that can only be made by you. The personality of the Golden Retriever you choose is quite important, so you definitely need an answer to this question. Are you looking for an energetic Golden Retriever dog or a calmer and more gentle companion? You might be searching for a friendly and outgoing Golden Retriever or perhaps a shy or reserved Golden Retriever. The breeder should know them best, being that they have spent approximately 8 weeks with the puppies. The breeder should be able to tell in each litter which of the Golden Retriever puppies is more dominant, which is shy, which is, which barks a lot, which is calmer, and of course, which of the Golden Retriever pups is most energetic. So, by simply telling him what exactly you are looking for in a Golden Retriever, he should be able to make helpful suggestions and recommendations. This is quite common in breeders today, they usually do the picking for you based on the requests and information you give them, which I personally feel is better. These 6 tips would be quite beneficial in deciding which Golden Retriever puppy is best for you. Does it dominate the other Golden Retriever puppies or is it a more submissive puppy? Try to notice the energy levels of each Golden Retriever pup A great way to figure out the temperament of a Golden Retriever pup would be by checking out their energy levels. A Golden Retriever pup that spends half its time barking and the other half running around is a clear indication that it is anything but calm. Notice how your chosen pup reacts or interacts with people In addition to watching how your pup reacts with other littermates, you also have to watch how they react with people. When you interact with them, how do they react, also watch their interaction with the breeder and basically strangers? Do they react in a curious manner? Are they quite fearful? Or are they the outgoing and friendly type that seems to be quite interested in interacting with humans? Try tossing a toy or your keys at the pup This is a great way to identify how alert your Golden Retriever puppy really is. Once you toss your keys or a toy at the pup, try to notice how quickly your Golden Retriever reacts to it. Does your pup run after it? Or does it follow the toy or keys with its eyes? Try putting the Golden Retriever pup on its back As you pick and cradle the Golden Retriever pup, you could try placing it on its back while in your arms or placing it on its back while on the floor. For a dominant Golden Retriever pup, it should squirm or struggle a bit, while for a more submissive and calmer puppy, it should also struggle for a bit but shortly relax. Try Caressing your Golden Retriever puppy You could try caressing your chosen Golden Retriever pup by gently rubbing its ears, tails, paws, and mouth. A calm Golden Retriever puppy should be cool with it. Note: Be sure to check the health of your chosen pup before choosing. Also, your Golden Retriever might pick you. This is not new, as some dog owners have shared their various experiences. Some pups could run up to you all sweetly and cute looking for a cuddle, some could pee on you while others might even go as far as peeing on you, but all in all, when a puppy picks you, you would know. Final Thoughts Picking a Golden Retriever puppy that is just right for you and your family is not an easy task, but it is quite important as this dog would be with you for a huge part of its life. So do ensure you stay attentive when choosing. Ensure that your chosen pup is quite healthy, ensure they are well tested and strong. Following all the steps listed above should be enough to help you when selecting a Golden Retriever pup. In all you do, please ensure that you shower your new Golden Retriever with so much love and care. Drink a lot of water, eat well and of course, always stay devoted to dogs. While the puppy mills and commercial breeders almost always have puppies available and will let you take your pick, the people you really want to buy from are the hobby breeders who are breeding for themselves. Hobby breeders are always looking for great homes for dogs but they sometimes cannot let you know until the puppies are about 8 weeks old who is available. And the good breeders often have waiting lists. My comment to people who are puppy shopping is that if you can walk in and get a puppy, be alarmed. The AKC has a breeder list on its website but you should be advised that there are no criteria for quality used by AKC or most other websites. The Golden Retriever Club of America grca. So the standards may vary but there are standards. It's a good place to start. Go to some dog shows or obedience trials and watch people to see how they interact with their dogs. Plan to talk to multiple breeders to choose the one whose values are in line with yours. If the people you meet are not people you want to have a 12 plus year relationship, then keep looking. Because when you buy a dog from a reputable breeder you are entering into a relationship. This dog will live with you and your family for many many years. This is not a decision to take lightly. Indian Trail Golden Retrievers breedings produce a sweet and loving disposition in a puppy. We breed for conformation, as well as personality. We take special care in matching our stud dogs with our dams to produce beautiful, healthy, and long lived dogs. A Golden Retriever puppy should have bright eyes, a thick lush coat, a black wet nose, and clean ears. A puppy should have several puppy shots and be wormed by the time they are ready to go to their new homes. A Golden Retriever puppy should have both parents cleared by OFA for elbow, hip, eyes, and also have a heart clearance. These are weaknesses in Golden Retrievers created by over breeding and breeding too closely. Regardless of what you want your puppy to be- an obedience dog, a show dog, or a loving pet, you as a buyer need to make sure that the breeder follows strict breed guidelines. At Indian Trail Golden Retrievers, located in Connecticut, we take extra care to have all our breeding dogs screened and cleared for any possible health or hereditary problems, which will provide new puppy owners the best puppy available. Your puppy should reflect your family. Active families should choose an active and outgoing puppy that will thrive in a busy household. A puppy needs plenty of activity, and your puppy should be inquisitive, playful, and not shy. All new puppy families should plan to bring their puppy to puppy classes, it is as important for the owners as for the puppy. The investment in puppy school will reap endless benefits. Consistency in training, both for the owners and the pup, will make your pet expedience most fulfilling. Each puppy has an individual personality, and the fact that our puppies are home raised, helps us match pups with their prospective families. We have found that many pups choose their new families. Puppies just love children, and the bond will last for your dogs life. Remember that puppies are puppies, and they will pull on shirts, pants, hands, and your house will have to be puppy-proofed before you new puppy arrives. Puppies will be teething. They will need plenty of chew toys. Puppies will chew furniture, toys, shoes, whatever they are allowed to chew. Damage to your belongings is not the puppies fault, but the owners. Training and correct confinement, such as crating when they are not with you, will help to give a positive experience. Plan to spend time with your puppy. They will require a lot of exercise. The more positive activity you give your puppy, the less time and energy they will have to get into trouble. Our puppies love to retrieve. We take hikes, and just spend time outdoors playing tug of war. Consider how an Indian Trail Golden Retriever puppy will complete your family. You're looking for a dog that's healthy in both mind and body. Let's see how we can help you pick that perfect pup. Time To Buy a Puppy! It's the day you've all been waiting for. Golden Retriever PuppyYou finally get to visit that new litter of cute Golden Retriever puppies and make your selection. The ideal time to do that is when the puppies are around five weeks of age. That's when they're beginning to explore their world and love being around people. You won't be able to take the pup home for awhile. But at least you can figure out how to pick a puppy at your leisure. The first question you need to ask yourself is, would you rather have a boy or a girl? There are some minor differences in size and temperament between male and female Goldens. But it really boils down to your personal preference. If you're positive you want to buy a female puppy, for instance, ask the breeder to take the males out of the bunch for now. If you're dead set on buying a Henrietta, you don't want to lose your heart to a Henry. Golden Retriever Puppy With ChewieIn most Golden litters, the coat colors usually vary between shades of cream and gold. If you're choosing a Golden Retriever puppy for his color, check out the ears. A puppy's ear color is the best indicator of the color of his future adult coat. His ears are often slightly to moderately darker than the rest of his coat at this tender age. Distended stomachs could indicate a problem with worms. When you pick up one of those cute Golden Retriever puppies, he should smell nice. It's a "newborn thing," just like with human babies. And when you stroke him, his coat should be clean and plush, with no signs of fleas or other parasites. You're also checking to make sure there's no evidence of scabs under the coat on the skin. His eyes and ears should be clear, with no runny discharges from either place. His nose should be jet black. At this stage, a Golden Retriever puppy's eyes will be gray, but they'll gradually change to a permanent dark brown. Your prospective pup shouldn't have any bald spots or apparent sores. You should not see any evidence of adverse reactions to recent puppy shots. Are you choosing a Golden Retriever puppy to show him in the ring? Then you need to make sure there are no obvious markings or conformation problems that would disqualify him. But health and soundness is more than just clearances. Golden Retrievers are often known for skin problems, and the parents in question should be trouble free with no apparent allergies or susceptibility to hot spots. You should ask the breeder about the overall health of the parents, and how long ancestors in the first two or three generations have lived. The answers could indicate the quality of life your new pup can expect throughout his life, and how long you might be blessed with his friendship. Consider Personality When Choosing a Golden Retriever Puppy Sarah Cuddles PuppiesWhen you first see the litter together, they should mob you, absolutely thrilled at the sight of people--and new people at that! Peaches's puppies always enjoyed their play time with my daughter, Sarah seen here. Every puppy has an individual personality, and each litter contains a range of personalities. It's up to you to match your family's needs with your perfect pup's personality when selecting a Golden Retriever puppy. You can do this with the help of puppy temperament testing. Golden Retriever PuppyIf you're choosing a Golden Retriever puppy to take hunting, bring a duck wing or pheasant tail with you when you visit the litter, and tease the puppies with it. Some pups will immediately be fixated on the feather and chase it around constantly, even picking it up when you toss it. Other pups won't care one way or the other what's tickling their nose. Look for the pups that like to hold things in their mouths or carry them around. All Golden Retrievers have a natural retrieving instinct, but some have practically a compulsion to have something in their mouths at all times. There's your hunter pup. Now is the time to buy puppy supplies, make the veterinary appointments, check back with the breeder to make sure the puppy is up to date with his vaccinations, and spend time puppy-proofing your home in preparation for the canine invasion. In general, puppies should stay with their mother until sometime between the eighth and tenth weeks. By this time, the puppies have learned critical canine socialization skills from their mother and littermates. They're also weaned off their mother's milk, are eating puppy food, and are old enough to pass Beginning Housebreaking with flying colors. That means you've been blessed with a wonderful new best friend who will give you many years of unlimited, unconditional love. What more could any mere mortal want? Similar Articles :. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road. On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research. They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee , which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues. Since breeders are there from the day the puppies and their parents! And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust. No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address: Image Source Does the breeder give back to the breed? Breed preservation should be the primary goal of Golden Retriever breeders. They should participate in keeping the species alive through membership at a Golden Retriever breed dog club, a performance club, or an obedience club. What type of experience does the breeder have? Do they stay true to the pure genetic traits of the breed? Do they provide health screenings and health guarantees? Can you meet the puppies and parents in person? How many litters do the females have each year? Female Golden Retrievers can have up to two litters per year. However, breeders who follow ethical practices will only allow the females to have four to six litters in their lifetime. A female can breed between the ages of two and eight. Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home! One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder. When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase. Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age. Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood. With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy. Image Source 1 Why do you want a dog? This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions. Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog. Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home. No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak. Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders usually with generations of pure genetic proof! Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready. Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts. The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this. If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first. The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research. Hunters looking for an intelligent, shorter-coated retriever that will hunt from dark to dark need to research field-bred goldens. By Tony J. Peterson With a charming, eager-to-please personality and looks to match, the golden retriever has plenty to offer. Yet its skyrocketing popularity is the reason golden retrievers have become victims of their own demand. It's also why those in search of a hard-working golden need to be very careful when choosing a pup for hunting purposes. Advertisement A Rich History Among the many reasons for the golden retriever's popularity is the rich history of the breed, which, according to the American Kennel Club, dates back to the early s. Europe is responsible for a good number of our current sporting breeds including goldens, which came into being in England and Scotland well over years ago. During that time, a medium-sized sporting breed was an asset for obtaining food both in the waterfowl and upland gamebird worlds. Throughout the s the breed became even more desirable, and in it was recognized by the AKC. Goldens soon became one of the go-to breeds for many hunters and folks looking to run a dog in an obedience or field trial. They also started showing up in television shows, as well as print and television advertisements, and one needs only look at a single golden to understand why. Very few breeds are as photogenic or as easy to work with as goldens, which contributed further to their popularity. This also led to division in the breed, with an ever-increasing portion of the litters born each year to less stringent standards. Show dogs with their long flowing coats became much more common and they were bred to field-bred dogs as well as other show dogs. Advertisement It has been a couple of decades since the breed hit its high-water mark and since then we've witnessed a decline in the health and hunting-drive of the breed overall. That's not to say that excellent pedigrees don't exist, because they do. They just aren't as easy to locate as a run-of-the-mill, mystery-bred golden. If there is one person that understands this more than most, it's Jackie Mertens. Mertens has owned and operated Topbrass Retrievers since and is undoubtedly one of the most respected names in the world of golden retrievers. Every once in a while, I get to meet someone who was put on this earth to work with dogs, and Mertens fits that category. From her schoolgirl days, Mertens knew she'd work with animals, and as soon as she could she got her first golden. That dog, Ch. Mertens recalls, however, that she almost lost Torch before it all started. Advertisement "Torch had a lot of desire, she was fearless, and she was a good producer — and she did it all on three legs after getting caught in a fox trap," Mertens recalls. She had survived by eating snow and pawing up any plants she could reach. Since then, Mertens has been at the forefront of field-bred goldens, and when someone wants a great housedog, a great hunter — or both — they go to her. And it's all about the breeding. Hunters looking for a waterfowl and upland dog will often steer toward Labs for obvious reasons, but the right golden will fill the role just fine. A field-bred golden with a proper water introduction will bring ducks to hand all day long. They look a bit different and they will exhibit the right drive and retrieving desire. Now, I hear people say all of the time that their dog was the best ever, but they are comparing it to maybe a few other dogs they've owned. To have the best chance of getting a truly good hunting dog, it's field-bred or nothing. There are so many issues that can come up with poor breeding, that it's a process to ensure a healthy litter these days. For us that means looking at all health clearances like hips and elbows, of course, but other things. We use a canine ophthalmologist for eye clearances, a canine cardiologist for heart clearances, and also conduct a litany of DNA tests to ensure proper breeding. Having gone through the heartbreak of losing a golden to kidney failure when she was only six years old, I am particularly sensitive to proper health clearances. All breeds can suffer unfortunate medical issues, but goldens are exceptionally prone to them given the amount of unchecked breeding. Another golden retriever expert I asked to weigh in on this issue is Theresa Bilava, who operates Platte River Retrievers with her son Nick. She started with goldens as a child and has been raising and breeding them for 22 years. Having over two decades of experience devoted to the breed has given Bilava a unique perspective on the current state of the golden retriever, and she was more than willing to offer advice to anyone looking for a pup. Like Mertens, Bilava makes sure all of her Platte River dogs are health checked in all manners. Now people think they can pick up any golden puppy and it will hunt, but that's not the case. With us, we're breeding for athletes, not models. Our dogs are field-bred, and quite frankly, a lot of the people that contact me about getting a dog don't even know what a field-bred dog is. We want dogs that want to play the game and that will have the right temperament. All of our dogs will be companion dogs, and some will be used for agility or therapy, but many of them end up being upland and waterfowl hunters as well. As long as they are well-bred they'll become people-pleasers that will take to training and look to make you happy. A good sign of a dog that is working for you not for itself is if the dog checks back often and looks you in the eye. Goldens are well known for this trait, especially in the field where it matters most. They aren't wired the same as a Lab that might be able to run the same drill times in a row. They are different, and have to be trained differently. When I asked him why he chose to hunt with goldens he responded by saying, "The golden is a gentleman's dog. He will give you percent if you are fair to him. And he can turn it on and turn it off, which is something other breeds struggle with. When a good golden is asked to hunt, he'll give you his all. When the hunt is over, he'll transition back into that lovable housedog. They need to be introduced to water properly, and if you do it wrong it's like pushing a rope — it doesn't work. Goldens will work for you, but if you lose your cool they'll shut down. It has to be fun for them, and you've got to work with their intelligence by keeping it interesting and positive. They respond to teaching, not pressure. Finding a well-bred golden puppy that has all of its health clearances and is a true hunting dog is a different story. The right pedigree takes time to locate, and it will cost more than a run-of-the-mill dog. The upside? You'll get an amazing hunting and family dog. Nick Bilava has spent plenty of time hunting South Dakota roosters for himself and for clients while he was guiding, but his dogs can do much more than hunt ringnecks. They can hunt anything and handle any new hunting situation provided you've got them prepared. I hunt doves with my dogs, ducks, everything. They can do it all, and will, if you ask them with respect. When my pheasant opportunities disappeared with the loss of habitat, we switched gears to ruffed grouse, doves and eventually ducks. And just for fun, I threw in shed antler hunting to see how she'd do. As long as my golden got to retrieve something for me and earn a little praise, everything was just fine. This willingness to please is without question one of the greatest reasons to own this breed. Nick Bilava got into golden retrievers in no small part because his mother, Theresa, has been breeding field-bred goldens for years. Together they operate Platte River Retrievers, where they focus on producing a few litters each year that are bred to be smart, athletic and will hunt everything they are asked to hunt. For the hunter looking to have a rock star in the field and a good-looking house pet all in one dog, they are the ideal choice provided they come from a breeding program that has focused on health concerns and strong hunting instincts. Picking A Golden Puppy When shopping for that perfect golden pup, here are some things that prospective owners should be mindful of. That's the going rate, and it is worth it for the peace of mind you'll have from getting a truly high-quality, healthy pup. Your job doesn't end with research and writing a check, however. Trust Your Breeder After that, it's a matter of being honest with your breeder and allowing him or her to pick the right dog for you. Jackie Mertens stressed this by saying, "I don't let people pick their puppy. I pick it for them. Some people don't like this, but I've already spent seven weeks with the puppies and have watched how they act, and interact, so I know their personalities well. Too many people want to pick their own puppy, and they often take the first dog to run up to them but that is often a bad deal because that puppy might be the most dominant in the litter. It's better to put your faith in the pedigree and the breeder to match you up with the best bet out of a litter. You won't regret it. More Articles From How-To.

Articles Labradors are everything anyone can want in a dog. They are beautiful. They are super smart. And they are loyal almost to a fault. The only way to make Labs any better than they already are would be to mix them with another equally awesome breed. One of the few dog breeds or groups out there that comes close in terms of general impressiveness is the hound group. This is why the Labrador Hound Mix is such a popular pairing. Labrador Hound Mixes are mixed breed dogs developed from breeding between a Labrador Retriever and any purebred dog from the Hound family of dogs. More often than not, dog breeders use the Basset Hound, the Bloodhound, and Coonhound, for the pairing for their aesthetics. Let us take a closer look at exactly what it is about Labrador Hound Mixes that make them special, as well as what to expect if you end up owning one. Image from Instagram: lucylouslab Labrador Hound Mixes are difficult to describe and predict when it comes to things like their size and physical features. There are way too many variables, especially the fact that the mix can be with a number of unique hound breeds that come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. However, looking at the most common pairings involving hounds like the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, and Coonhound, there are a few features that you may expect. Here is an overview of what you have to look forward to. Size Labrador Hound Mixes vary from medium-sized dogs to large pooches depending on the hound they are mixed with. When Basset Hounds are used for the mix, the resulting Bassador is likely going to be smaller than a purebred Labrador Retriever and will usually range between 40 to 60 lbs in weight and 13 to 20 inches in height. If the mix is with a Coonhound, on the other hand, the Lab Hound Mix will fall in a 50 to 80 lbs and 20 to inch size bracket. The largest Labrador Hounds result from mixing with the Bloodhound. These mixed doggies can grow up to lbs and 30 inches. Build Both Labradors and members of the Hound group are very athletically built. Facial And Skull Features These are the most unpredictable of them all, as Labradors are drastically different in appearance from all hound variations. Image from Instagram: gorgeousgeorgethedoggo Labrador Retriever Hound Mixes can live for 10 to 13 years. The same can be expected from purebred Labrador Retrievers as well as most Hounds. In general, Labrador Hounds are healthy dogs with few disease predispositions and even a few potentially life-threatening conditions. Here are some of the common health problems you may encounter if you have a Labrador Hound Mix. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia in Labrador Hound Mixed Doggies is more commonly found in instances where large hound dogs have been used, and as a result, large mixes are produced. The condition involves an abnormal formation of the hip joint, which results in instability of the entire joint unit. To put it simply, this is where the blood supply to the bone at the joint level is inadequate, resulting in localized death of bone cells. The cartilage over the affected bone eventually detaches, resulting in a world of pain and mobility problems for the pooch. Bloat Bloat is very common in Labradors and Basset Hounds and is a result of twisting of the stomach when dilated and subsequent obstruction of the outlet. The condition may be passed on to the mix and is particularly common in Bassadors. Obesity Obesity is a common issue both in Labradors and most Hound dogs despite both groups of dogs being bred primarily for use as active hunting dogs. When kept mainly as companion pets, overeating combined with limited mobility may result in unhealthy weight gain. However, the fact that they are easy to take care of is not reason enough to slack off, as improper care practices can affect both the quality and length of their lives. To help you take the best possible care of your Lab Hound Mixed pooch, here are 3 of the most important care tips you need to know and practice. Pet Plate is ideal in this case as it takes care of all these variables for you. We recommend you get yourself the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers For Dogs to make even the shortest of sessions fun and engaging for the pooch. The best part is that you get to choose the distance at which the balls are thrown depending on the amount of space available to you. Comes with 3 mini tennis balls 1. Use other.Learning to initiate fetch on their own? Owner supervision.The perfect indoor or.These allow for early detection of any possible health issue for prompt management, which is usually more successful. Temperaments Of Labrador Hound Mixes A post shared by Lucy Lou lucylouslab Labradors are hailed as the most popular dog breeds, with their charming temperament being one of the main reasons for their popularity. On the other hand, Hounds are usually a bit more standoffish, goal-focused, and independent. So how do these two personalities work together in the Lab Hound Mix? Here are a few common traits you may notice in your mixed pooch. Alert Labrador Hound Mixes make for really amazing hunting dogs and watchdogs due to their alert nature. They are very sensitive to everything from movement to unfamiliar scents and will not hesitate to raise the alarm if trained to do so. Intelligent Most hounds are not known to be very intelligent or responsive. However, there is something about this pairing with the smart Labrador Retriever that makes the resulting mix very intelligent and generally easy to train. Energetic The Labrador Hound Mix is a very active dog and is happiest outdoors, where it can run and work out all its energy. If not allowed to play on a regular basis, Labrador Hounds are likely to get frustrated and develop destructive behavior. Loyal One of the best personality traits you have to look forward to from Labrador Hound Mixes is their unwavering loyalty. These dogs love their human companions and are very protective, especially over children. Affectionate Labrador Hound Mixes may not be the most sociable mixed doggies, but they make up for this with their affectionate nature toward the people that they trust the most. If you want to sharpen your social skills and share this affectionate side with strangers your dog meets, all you have to do is start socialization training from an early age for Lab Hound Mixes. Do Hound Lab Mixes Shed? Labradors are known to be heavy shedders due to their short and dense coats. Hounds, on the other hand, generally do not shed very much, with some specific breeds, like the Afghan Hound being hypoallergenic. Whatever type of coat your dog ends up having, here are a few grooming tips that will come in handy to keep their coats healthy and beautiful. More often than not, the dog will also have a thick coat, in which case we recommend you invest in the FURminator Undercoat Tool. This grooming brush has strong, metallic bristles that are exactly what you need to get through the dense double coat. If your Labrador Hound Mix sheds less, brushing once or twice a week will be enough. Removes loose hair: reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair without cutting skin or damaging the.FURejector button: just push the button to release hair with ease. This is because even with a good grooming schedule and tools, some fur will make it to your surfaces. The automated vacuum is designed specifically for these kinds of pet messes and will make your life easier. Washing them on a regular basis helps deal with the odor as well as keep their coat healthy and beautiful. Despite the name, this shampoo works wonders on both white fur and other colors, from black to brown and even red. Professionally formulated mild yet effective soap-free formula is ideal for.Many pets right after a bath they try to find a.A Basset Hound Labrador Mix can live for 10 to 12 years if they are generally healthy and well taken care of. Also known as Bassadors, this mix is generally unproblematic when it comes to health issues. The few health problems that Basset Labrador mixes do have are also rarely life-threatening. A Labrador Bloodhound Mix can grow to weigh 70 to lbs and measure more than 30 inches in height. They are among the largest of the Labrador Hound group of mixed doggies. This is largely due to the heavyset nature of the Bloodhound compared to other hounds that the Labrador is mixed with, like the Basset Hound and Coonhound. Do Hound Mix Dogs Shed? Hound Mixed Dogs shed between minimal to heavy levels. The amount and frequency of the shedding depend on a number of factors, with the most important being the dog breed that the Hound is mixed with. If they are mixed with heavy shedders, there is always the possibility that the resulting dog sheds heavily. However, if the hounds are mixed with light to moderate shedders like themselves, then the grooming needs may be more manageable. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular dogs in the world, so you will find lots of mixed-breed dogs with a Labrador parent. One breed that is becoming increasingly popular is a Lab hound mix. A Lab hound is a mix between a Labrador retriever and any dog from the hound family. That means one of their parents could be a bloodhound, greyhound, Basset hound, Plott hound, or even a blue tick hound, so there is a lot of variation within this mixed breed. These dogs tend to be loving and friendly pups ideal for families with lots of energy and love to give. They were originally bred for retrieving game in wetlands, but their intelligence, eagerness to please, and innately friendly nature means they have also become popular in roles such as disability support. Unlike Labradors, which are used to retrieve prey, hounds use their instincts to track animals. The most well-known hounds are scent hounds, which use their keen sense of smell for tracking. These dogs have also been trained to help with search and rescue to find missing people. There are also sighthounds, which tend to follow prey by sight and are faster to run down animals such as foxes and elks. There are scores of different types of hounds. Among the most popular are the bloodhound, Basset hound, greyhound, Dachshund, and the Plott hound. Mixing Labrador retrievers and hounds became a popular practice in the late s and early s when breeders started to mix a variety of breeds with Labs following the success of the Labradoodle. Poodles are also highly intelligent and loving dogs, so Labradoodles quickly became popular as working dogs. While Labradoodles and Boradors a Labrador mixed with a border collie are probably the most popular Labrador retriever mixes, Labradors mixed with Basset hounds, often called Basadors, are also becoming very popular. Appearance Lab hound mixes can vary greatly in size depending on the type of hound giving their DNA to the mix. Labradors are medium-to-large dogs measuring .For example, if a Labrador is mixed with a Basset hound, a breed that rarely reaches 15 inches tall, they will be a lot shorter and stockier than a Lab. On the other hand, if a Lab is mixed with a big bloodhound that can weigh up to pounds and reach 28 inches in height, then you can expect a much taller and overall larger dog. Alternatively, if the hound parent is a greyhound, you can expect another tall dog since they usually measure between 27 and 30 inches tall. However, you can expect the normally muscular body of the Lab to thin out since greyhounds are such slender dogs. The appearance of a Lab hound is also often difficult to predict, but there are a few qualities you can expect regardless of the hound parent breed. Lab hound mixes usually have the face of a Labrador retriever mixed with the long ears of a scent hound. Most breeds of scent hounds have long ears to trap smells for tracking. They might have more skin than usual and look a bit droopy like their bloodhound or Basset hound parent. But if the dog is part greyhound, you can expect them to have a more pointy face with no excess skin. While Labradors tend to have a double coat that is short but thick, hounds typically have a single short coat. This means while Labrador retrievers shed a lot year-round, hounds tend to shed seasonally only, and their coat can easily be maintained with occasional brushing. Which of these two coat styles your dog will inherit is a bit of a gamble, though. So, while you might be thinking of a Lab hound mix as a hypoallergenic alternative to a Lab, just be aware that you might strikeout in the genetic pool and end up with a pup with a high-shedding coat. Lab hound pups will very often inherit the full-colored coat of their Lab parent, which could be black, chocolate, or yellow. But if their hound parent has a patterned coat, like the tri-color coats common among Basset hounds, their mixed-breed pups can have the same color or pattern. Temperament It might be fair to say that with a Lab hound mix, you can expect a dog with the personality of a Lab with their size, coat, and appearance to be more influenced by their hound parent. The same can be said when it comes to temperament; you generally will get a Lab with hound-like characteristics mixed in. Labrador retrievers are highly intelligent dogs that can learn new tasks quickly and easily figure out what is wanted from them in new situations. Hounds are generally a bit less intelligent and intuitive, but they are just as capable of adapting and learning with the right training. However, while Labs are very reward-driven and eager to please, hounds tend to be more independent and not overly concerned with pleasing humans. This can make them a little bit stubborn and harder to train. This is why some people say hounds are impossible to train. Hound Lab mixes will be somewhere on the spectrum between highly trainable and incredibly stubborn, but it is impossible to predict which it will be until they have grown up a bit past the puppy stage. Both Labradors and hounds tend to be very friendly dogs that love to play and prefer to make friends with small people and animals rather than chase them. This means they make terrible guard dogs, but they are excellent family pets. While neither breed of dog tends to bark excessively and will only raise their voice to communicate with you, Hounds can have a tendency to bay or howl, which is a type of barking that many people find very annoying. Thankfully, they can be trained not to do this at inappropriate times. Labradors are high-energy dogs. If your Lab mix was bred with a small hound, you can expect them to not need much exercise, but if they are mixed with a larger breed like a bloodhound or a greyhound, they might need a bit more. Any Lab hound mix will need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and larger mixes could need two to three times that amount. Their energy can often be too overwhelming for both young children and new parents. However, older kids will probably enjoy the liveliness of the dog and helping to look after them. Labs and hounds are both quite needy when it comes to human love and attention. They tend to easily develop separation anxiety, which can manifest in destructive behavior like chewing and scratching furniture. As a result, they can still become troublesome, even if they usually sleep a lot when you are around. Lab hound mixes do better in households where there is someone around most of the time, or even better, when they can accompany their principal companion on all their adventures. This includes the office during the week and hiking and swimming on weekends. Their Lab parentage means they will probably love a good swim. Potential Health Risks Lab hound mixes tend to have a slightly shorter lifespan than purebred Labs, usually living for around 11 to 13 years. Lab hound mixes, especially larger ones, can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a deformity of the joint that occurs when big dogs grow out of proportion. This can cause them serious pain and mobility issues as they get older. The best treatment for this is prevention by feeding and exercising them properly while growing. They should be provided with good quality food with lots of animal-based protein. Be careful not to over-exercise your pup, despite their high energy levels. Until they are fully grown, they should only get about 5 minutes of exercise per day for every month of age. So, according to this general rule, a six-month-old pup needs only 30 minutes of exercise a day. Vision problems are also fairly common among these dogs, and many will lose at least some of their sight as they age. Their long ears that can close their hearing passageways also make them prone to ear infections and hearing problems as they age. Regular ear cleaning is a must! This means Lab hound mixes have a tendency to overeat and develop obesity when their diet is not strictly controlled. Never leave food out for your pup to graze, and always maintain strict mealtimes with the right caloric proportions. If they need more energy, it is better to invest in better quality food rather than more food. Ask yourself the following questions to help make your decision. Labradors and hounds both need a lot of time and attention. They do best when they can join their humans on most of their adventures, whether this means accompanying you to work or joining you on a weekend hike. Will that fit your lifestyle? Even smaller Lab hound mixes are pretty high-energy dogs, so they do best when they have some space to let off steam. Do you have the space for a Lab hound mix to feel comfortable? While Labs are some of the most trainable dogs, hounds can be far more stubborn. Are you an experienced dog trainer, or are you willing to work with one if necessary? While Lab hound mixes love children, their energy and attention can be a little intense for very young kids and new parents. Kids might find them overwhelming, and parents might struggle to juggle caring for young children and a rambunctious young Lab hound mix. These dogs do better in houses with slightly older children who can keep up with their energy levels. Yes, Lab hound mixes are considered very good dogs because they are both intelligent and friendly. They love humans and make great companions. While they might be wary of strangers, they are more likely to want to make friends than make problems. Is a Lab hound mix big? If your dog is mixed with a relatively small hound like a Basset hound or a Dachshund, expect a smaller dog. But if your dog is mixed with a big hound like a bloodhound or an Afghan hound, expect a pretty big dog. What is a Lab hound mix called? There are a variety of different names for Lab hound mixes that depend on the type of hound that parents the pup. For example, a Basset hound Lab mix is often called a Bassador, while a Dachshund Lab mix is commonly referred to as a Dachsador. Do hound mix dogs bark a lot? However, most hounds were bred to give off a loud howling sound called baying when they have trapped or cornered their prey to alert hunters. Are hound mixes easy to train? Hounds can be notoriously difficult to train. Labs, on the other hand, are very intelligent and eager to please. They are considered one of the most trainable dogs. So, you can expect a Lab hound mix to be a relatively trainable dog, though they may come with a few stubbornness challenges. The Verdict If you are looking for a Labrador mix that is slightly bigger or smaller than a purebred Lab with a good chance of having a low-shedding coat, you might want to consider a Lab hound mix. Choose a mix with a Basset hound if you want a smaller pup or a bloodhound if you want a larger dog. In the end, whatever hound you choose, the resulting mix will be a loving and energetic dog. These intelligent dogs will be a bit more stubborn than a Labrador, but they will also be happier to laze around with you rather than always needing entertainment. Either way, the Lab hound mix is meant to be a companion. You will struggle to find a better companion to join you and your family on all your adventures! Have you ever had a Lab hound mix dog? Share your experience 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. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. This mixed breed is slightly smaller than a Labrador Retriever yet somewhat bigger than a purebred Dachshund. Dachsadors are playful pooches that have medium energy levels. Their telltale features are their sausage-shaped bodies, relatively short legs, floppy ears, and long muzzles. These pooches are muscular, heavy, and powerful. On most occasions, these dogs adopt the wrinkly skin of their Bloodhound parent. The Labloodhound mix is an excellent hunter with above-average endurance. These qualities make them ideal as service dogs for the police and military. Unfortunately, these dogs have a pretty short lifespan, at around nine years. Its telltale features are its long legs, broad chest, and small ears. The aerodynamic body of this mixed breed is adopted from its Greyhound parent. Despite having an extremely athletic physique, the Greyhound Lab mix is a couch potato. These dogs like short bursts of energy, but they do get tired quickly. This unique-looking mixed breed is the cross of a Labrador Retriever and a Plott Hound. This hound Lab mix is known for its athleticism, shiny coat, and brindle markings. Plott Hound Lab mixes require moderate to heavy exercise. It is worth noting that this mix is a very vocal dog. They tend to bark if they do not get enough mental stimulation and exercise! These dogs usually sport a bright red coat color similar to a fox red Labrador. On some occasions, a Foxhound Lab mix may have black or white markings on its back. Temperament-wise, this Lab hound mix is sociable and gentle. They are playful as well, especially in their puppy years! This Lab hound mix is a super active pooch that can climb trees. They are speedy runners as well! The temperament of these dogs is simply unmatched as a family companion. As a result, many breeders decided to mix-and-match Labs with different dog breeds such as the hounds. In , the first Labradoodle was bred. While Labradoodles are not Lab hound mixes, their popularity paved the way for Lab hounds. Due to popular demand, breeders were able to sell Lab mixes for a higher price. Their objective was to create a unique-looking dog that has the same temperament as the Labrador Retriever. Unfortunately, the Lab hound mix never dethroned Labradoodles as the most popular Lab hybrid. However, Lab hound mixes still serve as alternatives for people looking for particular traits in a dog. One of the biggest factors why Labs are extremely popular is their affable personality. These dogs are undoubtedly one of the best family dogs out there as they are eager to please their owners! Luckily, most Lab hound mixes adopt the temperament of Labradors. Of course, these hybrids will also inherit some quirks from their hound parents, but for the most part, they are as friendly as Labs. They also make amazing guard dogs if you are after one. One thing to keep in mind is that hounds are natural hunters. These dogs can either be sighthounds or scent hounds. That said, the hound Lab mix is sensitive to peculiar scents and fast-moving objects. Luckily, it is possible to train your dog not to make unnecessary noise. Lab hounds have a pretty decent life expectancy. These pups can live for 9 to 16 years. However, the exact lifespan of a Labrador hound mix will depend on the breed of its parents. Some Lab hounds live longer lives than purebred Labs, while some live shorter lives. The lifespan of these dogs is in the higher end of the range at 12 to 16 years. On the contrary, the Bloodhound Lab mix is on the other end of the range. Sadly, Labloodhounds only have a lifespan of nine years. These pups live somewhere around 12 to 14 years. The most significant factor affecting the health of a Lab hound mix is the health of its parents. A Labrador Retriever Hound mix born from healthy parents is likely to be healthy. On the other hand, one with sickly parents is also likely to be sickly. Fortunately, many Lab hound breeders pay close attention to the health of their dogs. Most often than not, breeders test their dogs for genetic conditions before having them bred. Here are the common health issues affecting Labrador Hound mixes: Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a health condition of a hound Lab mix caused by the misalignment of the ball and socket joint. Most of the time, hip dysplasia is due to genetic factors; however, there are instances that it is brought by normal wear and tear. A Lab hound with hip dysplasia may suffer excruciating pain when moving. Luxating Patella: Luxating patella is a common issue in Labs. Unfortunately, this issue usually gets passed on to Lab hound mixes. Cases of luxating patella are classified into four grades — grades one to four. Each of these grades requires different treatment techniques. Osteoarthritis: Canine osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease common in Lab hound mixes. This health condition affects dogs of all ages, even very young puppies. The common symptoms of osteoarthritis include lethargy, limping, reluctance to jump, and behavior change. Canine Bloat: Gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , also known as bloat, is an emergency health issue in dogs. The typical signs of bloat include pacing, restlessness, excessive drooling, and retching. All of these conditions are life-altering for a Lab hound. While these issues are treatable, it is still best to prevent them. Luckily, keeping your Labrador Retriever Hound in tip-top shape is quite easy. All you need is to keep its weight within the ideal range, promote plenty of exercises, and visit the vet regularly. Here are some advantages of breeding Labrador Retrievers and hounds together: Unique Appearance: The unique appearance of Lab hounds is one of the main reasons they are bred. By combining the Labrador Retriever with different hound breeds, breeders get unique-looking pooches with fantastic temperaments. They usually sell these hybrids for a slightly higher price than purebred Labs. Possibility for Improved Health: Labrador Retrievers and hound dogs have their own health issues. These issues are embedded in the genes that get passed on to their litter. However, when Labs and hounds are bred together, the chances of their puppies developing these diseases are minimized. Fewer Congenital Issues: Many purebreds suffer from predisposed conditions that get passed on as generations progress. Most of these conditions stay hidden beneath dominant genes. As a result, a perfectly healthy lineage of purebreds may still give birth to a pup with congenital issues. One way to stop this from happening is by crossbreeding. Surprisingly, there are plenty of rewards that come in crossing the Lab with a hound dog. However, some drawbacks may also arise from breeding this hybrid. Here are some disadvantages of breeding Labrador Retrievers and hounds together: Unpredictable Temperament: Most Lab hounds adopt the family-oriented behavior of the Labrador Retriever. However, others might still pick up more qualities from their hound parents. That said, some Lab hounds mixes may prove to be unpredictable at times. Unpredictable Size: Unlike purebred dogs, hybrids usually have inconsistent sizes. Due to their mixed genetics, their growth chart may not follow a particular trend. Unfortunately, this is the case for Lab hounds. It is hard to tell how big a hound Lab mix puppy is once it reaches its full-grown age. Possibility of a Risky Delivery: When breeding Labs with small hound dogs, there is always the possibility of a risky delivery. In some instances, Lab hound puppies are harder to push out due to their size. Cases like these require an emergency C-section. As you can see, crossbreeding is a very promising yet risky feat. When done correctly, breeders can produce healthy and unique-looking pooches. Lab hounds do not usually require special care. These dogs can live happy and healthy lives with just the bare minimum. That said, here are a couple of reminders on how to take care of your Lab hound mix! Feeding and Diet Lab hounds are extremely active pooches, especially in their puppy years. Keep in mind that puppy food is different from adult dog food! Sticking to a strict feeding schedule is also ideal for a Lab hound. It is best to feed your pooch around the same time every single day. Three meals a day for Lab hound puppies, while for adults, two meals a day is recommended. Cleaning and Grooming The cleaning and grooming needs of a Lab hound vary with a couple of factors. Moreover, cleaning your pooch also depends on its environment. If you keep your dog indoors, bathing it every four to six weeks is good enough. However, if your dog is always outside, you may bathe it as often as every week. Training and Exercise Lab hounds are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. However, you will still need a ton of patience in training a Lab hound! The best form of training for Lab hounds is known as positive reinforcement training. Essentially, positive reinforcement training takes advantage of a reward system. Whenever your pup follows your command correctly, you may praise it or give it treats. You can also use a dog clicker as an alternative form of reward! Needless to say, these pooches have high energy levels! Fortunately, there are lots of fun activities you can engage your hound in. Some fun exercises include playing fetch, running together, swimming, and going on a hike. Even a simple walk will do! The price of a Lab hound mix is all over the place. Factors affecting the price of a Lab hound puppy are its age, reputation of its breeder, gender, and the breed of its parents. While it may be tempting to buy an inexpensive Lab hound pup from a backyard breeder, it is highly discouraged. Backyard breeders and puppy mills do not hold high standards for the health of their dogs. These sources are usually only in it for the money. On the contrary, reputable breeders test the Labrador Retriever parent as well as the Hound breed for any genetic issues prior to breeding. This way, their puppies will be free from common health issues. If you want to save money, the best option is to look for a Lab hound in rescues or shelters. More often than not, these rescued Lab hounds are originally from reputable breeders, which means they have pretty good health. In fact, many breeders still make a living from breeding Lab hound hybrids. However, it may be challenging to find a breeder that exclusively breeds Lab hound mixes. Often, breeders only breed Lab hounds alongside purebred Labs. That said, the good news is that Lab hounds are pretty easy to find. You may start your search with the places listed below! With over 25 years of experience, this breeder is one of the most trusted Lab breeders out there. Marble Mountain Kennels produce healthy and well-behaved pups with health guarantees. Be sure to check out their available puppies for Lab hound mixes! Ashland Labradors — This Nashville-based breeder is an expert in raising healthy Labs with laid-back temperaments. Moreover, their dogs are home-raised and free from genetic health issues. If you wish to check out their Lab hound availability, you may shoot them a message through their contact us page. Endless Mt. Labradors — If you live near Pennsylvania, Endless Mt. Labradors is a breeder to check out. This breeder specializes in English Lab Retrievers, but they may also have Lab hound mixes. The good thing about this breeder is that all their dogs are house-trained and guaranteed against health issues. Lancaster Puppies — Lancaster Puppies is a website where you can find Lab hound puppies for sale. If you wish to save a bit of money, you can always adopt instead of shop. Here are some sources where you can find Lab hounds for adoption: Labs4Rescue — Labs4Rescue is a rescue organization dedicated to saving Labs and Lab mixes. This rescue is located in Killingworth, Connecticut, and it is run entirely by volunteers. Visit their adoption page for more information about their process. Petfinder — Petfinder is a website that links over 11, shelters and rescues to millions of aspiring pet owners. With this service, you can find hundreds of Lab hound mixes in your desired location! Adopt-a-Pet — Adopt-a-Pet is another adoption website where you can find Lab hounds. Together with 21, pet rescue organizations, Adopt-a-Pet has the largest database of adoptable pets. They also have a ton of Lab hounds, so make sure to check out their listings! Other than these sources, you may also take advantage of social media sites such as Facebook and Reddit. On average, Lab hound mixes are considered moderate shedders. However, the amount and frequency of shedding of these crossbreeds will still depend on their parent breeds. The best way to keep shedding manageable is by maintaining a regular grooming habit. For short-haired Lab hounds, brushing two to three times a week is ideal. On the other hand, Lab hounds with medium hair should be brushed more often. Are Lab Hound Mixes Hypoallergenic? The Labrador Retriever is not hypoallergenic. However, many hound mixed breeds are considered hypoallergenic. So depending on how genetics plays out for a Lab hound, it may or may not be hypoallergenic. If you are concerned about allergies, it is best to stick with a hypoallergenic dog breed. Lab hounds are very energetic dogs. These pups require frequent mental stimulation and exercise. Typically, a Lab hound that does not get enough of these activities tends to bark a lot. Some Lab hounds also exhibit territorial behavior. These dogs may bark at the most random things, such as a squirrel in your backyard or car noise. That said, it is possible to desensitize Lab hounds from common triggers. Many breeders do this to their dogs before selling them. The Lab hound mix is a fantastic dog that comes in plenty of varieties and characteristics. It is the perfect dog for you if you are looking for a unique pup as affable as the Labrador Retriever. For the most part, you will never go wrong with any Lab hound mix. These dogs are intelligent, trainable, and easy to get along with. However, if you are looking for specific traits in certain crossbreeds, then some Lab hounds are a better option than others. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. First, the Hound Lab mix is a very broad description of a dog that could be a mix of a number of different hound breeds. And when it comes to Hound dogs, there are only a few traits they have in common. The other reason a Hound Lab Mix can vary so much in so many different ways is because he is a crossbreed. What Is Crossbreeding? Crossbreed dogs are becoming increasingly popular, and chances are you already know a thing or two about some of the most coveted. Also known as a crossbreed, mixed breed or designer dog, the Hound Lab Mix is a dog with two purebred parents that were specifically chosen to create Hound Lab Mix offspring. Hybrid Vigor is the idea that, due to their wider gene pool, crossbreed dogs like the Hound Lab mix have the potential to be healthier than their pubred counterparts. However, others say that Hybrid Vigor is a theory, and that genetics are genetics either way. Something else you might consider before investing in Hound Lab mix is his predictability. That said, the Hound Lab mix still has a way to go before his story is cemented in history. For that reason, in order to learn more about him we are going to need to take a look at the origins of his parent breeds. He comes in three colors and is a beloved family companion, getting along famously with strangers, children and other animals alike. Thanks to his intelligence and friendly nature, the Labrador is also one of the most commonly used breeds when it comes to service work. Labs are high energy dogs, however, and are best suited for active households with securely fenced yards and owners who have time to commit to training and exercise. Hound Dogs Hounds are believed to be ancient dogs with a history going back as far as 10, BC. Remnants of these pups have been discovered worldwide, but it is believed that Hounds originated in North Africa. Throughout history and even today, Hounds are still used for a variety of tasks from nose work to sight work. There are 31 different hounds breeds today, and all of them were bred for hunting. Those 31 hounds are divided into two groups, including Sight Hounds and Scent Hounds. The two Hound groups do what they sound like they might — they either sniff out or stalk out prey for their masters. All Hounds do have a few things in common, including their knack hunting and the fact that they are active, intelligent and work-oriented. However, those are about the only characteristics different Hound dogs share with one another. Labrador Retrievers are friendly, athletic and intelligent. Hound dogs, regardless of the breed, are likely to be active, independent, and stubborn. While Hound Lab mix dogs can make excellent companions to the right home or owner, the combination between a Hound and a Lab can prove to be overwhelming for some novice dog owners. Hound Lab Mix dogs are therefore best suited to live in homes with owners who are active, have lots of space, and who have a basic understanding of working breeds. We should also note that the Hound Lab mix could have a high prey drive. If you invest in a Hound Lab Mix, keep this in mind and be sure you walk him on a leash and harness whenever out and about. Remember, any dog can nip or bite no matter how well-trained or behaved they are, especially if a small child is treating them too roughly. To better ensure your child and pet get along harmoniously, we would recommend you take some time to work with your children on how to respectfully interact with the family dog. We also recommend you and your family learn about basic canine body language. Not only will doing this help prevent a dog bite in the future, but it can also help strengthen the bond between you and your dog and provide you with a better understanding of him. Labrador Retrievers have a reputation of being intelligent and eager to please. These are two traits that help to make them such wonderful family dogs. Hound dogs are, well, less accommodating to us than their Lab friends. In fact, most Hounds are famous for their independent nature and hard-headedness. This stubborn behavior is a trait that can make a Hound difficult to work with, especially for the novice dog owner. Hounds are bred to follow their noses and instinct, and they are motivated differently than Labradors. The type of Hound your Hound Lab mix is a mix of will determine much of his personality, but for the most part you can expect your Hound Lab Mix to be energetic, intelligent and probably somewhat independent. A good owner of a Hound Lab mix will understand this and will be able to use this to their advantage when it comes to training and socialization. Like all dogs, the Hound Lab mix is going to require routine training and socialization throughout his life, starting from the moment you bring your dog home and continuing on as he ages. Proper socialization should consist of introducing your Hound Lab Mix to as many new people, places, sights, sounds, experiences and animals as possible as early as possible. Making sure these first impressions are positive will help reduce fear in your Hound Lab mix, thus increasing confidence and building trust between your dog and the world around him. Training should be done often and consistently, and the best types of trainers for a Hound Lab mix will keep their training sessions short, gamelike and fun. Remember, Hound Lab Mix dogs can become easily distracted and bored, so use high value treats as motivation and avoid punishment and scolding whenever possible. Regardless of which type of Hound makes up the Hound part of your Hound Lab Mix, you can bet that your dog is going to be active. Ensuring your Hound Lab Mix dog gets enough exercise each and every day is key to reducing potential behavior issues like destructive behaviors including chewing, marking and barking. Hound Lab mix dogs are intelligent, so they are going to need both their mind and their body exercised on a routine basis. This could include a good walk morning and night, hikes, jogs, or even trips to the dog park. Along with an hour of dedicated exercise, the Hound Lab mix will also appreciate free playtime in a securely fenced in backyard. This is a mixed breed that can be prone to having a high prey drive, which means your Hound Lab mix may take off after smaller animals when outside like rabbits, birds or squirrels. This is an excellent and much safer alternative to prong collars, choke chains , and other equipment designed to reduce pulling. Mentally Exercising A Hound Lab Mix All dogs require some form of mental stimulation , but this is especially important for work-oriented dogs like Hound Lab mix breeds. These dogs are bred to have a job, and if they are left to their own devices throughout the day, they can be prone to becoming bored, depressed, anxious and destructive. To help ensure your Hound Lab Mix is happy and healthy, we recommend using consistent training and teaching your Hound Lab mix different tricks and ques as he ages. They like to use their noses to find things, so a Hound Lab mix will probably have fun with a puzzle toy like this digging puzzle toy listed above. Toys like this can help reduce boredom and help push your dog to use his head. We should also note that, while Hound Lab Mix dogs may have the added benefit of hybrid vigor when it comes to their overall health, this mix may still be susceptible to any and all of the same genetic health issues as each of their purebred parent breeds. On average, a Hound Lab mix has a lifespan of between 10 and 13 years. Some of the most common health issues to Labs and Hound type dogs include:. We will help you to decide which one is right for your family, by giving you a rundown of the pros and cons of the top choices. And let you know some general things to expect when you combine a Labrador with a Hound. Because of this, the Lab is a popular dog used in cross-breeding. Purposefully mixing dog breeds is quite a recent trend that became popular after the Labradoodle was first created in .A Labrador hound mix is created whenever a Labrador is bred with a hound breed. Fishermen used them to help with their labor-intensive daily routines. The history of the second parent dog used will depend on the hound breed used. Because there are so many breeds of hounds, it is difficult to make sweeping statements about the group. However, a hunting background is a major common denominator among hounds. What to Expect From a Lab Hound Mix Lab and hound mixes go by a variety of names, including Labbe , Bassador , and Dachsador, depending on which hound is mixed with the friendly and popular Labrador Retriever. But, this means each Lab Hound mix is very different from the next. A mixed breed dog can inherit any traits from either parent used. So, a puppy could be more like its Lab parent, or much more like its hound parent. To get a better idea of what your Labrador hound mix will be like, you should take a look at its parents. Remember, it could be any mix of the two. Lab Hound Mix Appearance The appearance of a mixed breed puppy like this could be any blend of its two parents. To predict how your puppy will look, examine his parents to see what traits he could inherit. Labradors are medium sized sporting dogs. Their coats come in three colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. You could have a black Lab hound mix, inheriting the Labrador color — or something with more complex patterning. There is a slight difference between the working Lab appearance and the show Lab appearance. But, you can read about this more here. Hounds are a diverse collection of dogs that are segmented into three categories. Within these categories exist many distinct breeds of hound dogs, with varying points of origin. Lab Hound Mix Temperament Before we examine the different Labrador retriever hound mix combinations, it should be noted that the offspring of Labs and hounds will reflect the unique temperaments of their parents. No one can guarantee with certainty the precise combination of traits that a Labrador Spaniel mix , Bluetick Lab mix, or Bloodhound lab mix will inherit, nor how these qualities will be expressed. With an impressive energy level, Labs are a popular choice for law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and service dog duty. Some hounds complement their fine-tuned sensory ability with an amazing gift of speed. Dogs in the sighthound category excel at using their laser-like sight to focus in on and stalk prey. In contrast, pooches in the scent hound category use their superior sense of smell to help locate game. Due to the valuable nature of their acute sense of smell, scent hounds are also used to find missing persons. Some experts consider hounds who follow prey using both the senses of sight and scent a distinct category. But all are active, intelligent, and alert. Proper socialization as a puppy helps to ensure adult dogs grow to be happy, confident, and friendly. It will help to minimize aggression towards people and other animals, particularly fear-based aggression. So, no matter what Lab hound mix you get, make sure to socialize them well to as many new things, people, and places as possible before they are 12 weeks old. Even though one parent will be the Labrador — which is known for being friendly — it still needs to be socialized. The friendliest breeds can still benefit from it! Hunters used the small dog for its superior sense of smell. In , Beagles were the 7th most popular breed in the US. Just like the cartoon Snoopy, real-life Beagles are curious and friendly animals who enjoy being around humans. Beagles sport a short, heavy fur that comes in colors that include black, tan, red, and white, with blue ticking a possibility. Their coats require regular brushing and can be expected to shed on a seasonal basis. On average Beagles range from almost 20 pounds up to around 70 pounds, and they typically average one to two feet in height. A lifespan of 10 to 15 years is common. As a whole, Beagles are prone to hypothyroidism and epilepsy, as well as disc issues. The unfortunate result is a Beagle that is left with a curved back and weakened legs. If you are interested in a Lab and Beagle mix, a responsible breeder will provide you with health information regarding your puppy, as well as its parents. Dachshunds, fondly known as wiener or sausage dogs, originated in Germany where they were used to hunt underground game. Friendly and lively, they are a small breed, with a medium level of energy. Their slender, elongated bodies and short legs made them ideally suited for tunneling for rabbits, etc. They like to bond with their special human. But given their hound ancestry, can be a quite vocal companion. The Doxie lifespan averages from 12 to 16 years. Dachshund coats come in smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired varieties and require regular brushing. Doxies are low-lying dogs, with standard-sized canines averaging 8 to 9 inches and 15 to 30 pounds and miniature sized dogs around 5 to 6 inches weighing about 10 pounds and under. Unfortunately these clever and distinctive looking dogs are prone to a few serious health issues. Back problems are common, with over one quarter of the breed ages years old thought to suffer from back issues. For this reason Dachshunds should be picked up with two hands beneath the body, and children need to be cautioned against rough play. Epilepsy and blindness are other major health concerns with this breed. Greyhound Lab Mix The elegant, beautiful Greyhound is a large breed with a medium level of energy. This uniquely aerodynamic, active dog requires regular exercise but can maintain a status as a house dog quite happily. Greyhounds can be successfully trained using supportive and positive methods, but all hounds are known to have a bit of a renegade streak in their personality! Basset Hound Lab Mix With its big, droopy ears and solid, low-lying body, the wrinkly Basset Hound is an adorably picturesque dog. As a result, the Basset Lab mix appearance is a one-of-a-kind look. As an added bonus, this medium-sized dog is not as vocal either! His smooth coat sheds seasonally, and weekly grooming is enough to keep him handsome and trim. Bassets are either tri- or bi-colored with black, white, tan, and red colors distributed randomly on the coat. He is a sturdy, heavyweight dog with a lifespan of approximately 9 years and an endurance level that makes him ideal for search-and-rescue work. But at home, this dog is a loveable companion, with a temperament not unlike the friendly Lab. He enjoys being in the company of his humans as well as other animals, and is relatively easy to train. Like the Basset Hound, this scent hound has a signature look. He has wrinkly skin and long floppy ears, and his fur colors include red, tan, liver, and black. But beware, he is a frequent shedder, and should be brushed daily and groomed weekly. Eye health is also a concern. Coonhound Lab Mix Coonhounds belong to the scent hound group. This All-American dog originated from foxhounds found in Europe. The Coonhound was bred to do what the Foxhound was not meant to do. Namely, hunt tree-climbing game. Thus, the Coonhound found its purpose hunting game in the US, including possums and racoons. But this breed is not very well known in the other 49 states. The Plott Hound is a strong dog, willing and capable of chasing after large animals such as bears and wildcats. He is a sort of gentle giant, though, capable of pursuing large game with a high level of endurance, but also exhibiting a tender streak with his humans. As you may imagine, this medium-sized dog has a medium to high energy level and needs regular, active exercise in order to remain healthy and happy. This is also a dog that likes to bark, so keep this in mind when considering adding her to your household. The Blue Tick Coonhound has a blue and white ticked coat, that can also have tan coloring mixed in. This breed is particularly affectionate and loyal to its family. They are also very intelligent, and will pick up new skills quickly. They have a short, glossy coat. Blue Tick Coonhounds have strong prey drives, so must be socialized well and trained properly from a young age. They also need plenty of exercise in order to avoid destructive boredom. Most would only require a little maintenance, but owners should develop a regular grooming schedule that they follow religiously. However, a Labloodhound tends to shed more so it should be brushed daily. Regular bathing will also help maintain its shiny coat. If your Lab Hound mix has wrinkles on its face and neck, make sure that the skin there is dry and clean. Wipe the folds with a baby wipe or washcloth and then dry thoroughly. This dog has very strong teeth. Make sure you brush its teeth regularly, especially since the Lab Hound is notorious for being a chewer. The draped ears do not allow air to freely circulate and this could lead to an infection. However, it could still be susceptible to genetic illnesses later on in its life. One complication you should watch out for are skin allergies. These can manifest in a variety of forms and is said to be inherited from its Labrador side. Hounds, the Bloodhound, in particular, have always been prone to bloating and cancer. These two diseases are the main cause of deaths for this breed. It will make sense for you to watch out for it as well. Their Hound ancestry can also make them susceptible to back problems, especially if one of the parent breeds is a Dachshund. You should also watch out for blindness, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Owners should also take note that a Hound mixed with a Lab is athletic and active so it could suffer exercise-related injuries like a broken tail, pulled muscles, or split pads. Older dogs have different nutritional requirements, so make sure to give them the best senior dry dog food to meet those needs. Labloodhounds and Lab Greyhound mixes are big breeds. You cannot go wrong if you offer them food made specifically for dogs of their caliber, so we suggest you try some of the best large breed dry dog food. Three decent sized portions of kibble daily are ideal. This will ensure that they consume the proper amount of proteins and nutrients needed for their size. Meats such as chicken, beef, lamb, and pork are ideal sources of protein. If you need help distinguishing proper dog kibble from that which is sub-par, take a look at our guides on the worst dry dog food and best dry dog food before you shop. Wellness Core also uses fruits and vegetables like apples, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, and spinach. The meal is also packed with vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B2, vitamin E, calcium, iron, and zinc. Dog For Dog Food : This brand ensures that your pooch gets only food made from natural ingredients. It used freeze dried grass-fed New Zealand beef, flaxseed, New Zealand mussel, kelp, and other fruits and vegetables. The ingredients ensure your puppy will have the optimum levels of nutrients it needs for growth. It also uses hoki oil for healthy eye and brain development. This dog food formula utilized chicken, chicken meal, and duck meal to help build lean muscle mass. It also has a distinct blend of whole grain fibers, fruits, and vegetables for improved digestion. The meal also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to ensure your dog has a healthy coat and strong bones. Nutra Thrive dog food supplement for an added energy boost for your big Lab Hound cross! Hound Crossed With Labrador Exercise Requirements As the offspring of two dogs with fairly high energy levels, you should expect a Hound crossed with a Lab to have similar physical needs. You should be prepared to provide your hybrid dog with the proper outlets it needs to remain healthy. Exercise should be done on a regular basis. Spending time exercising or playing with your pet will also help strengthen the bond between the two of you. Your Hound Lab mix will require at the very least an hour of exercise every day and about twenty miles of walking or running distance a week. However, do not exercise or do strenuous activities on hot days. This dog loves the outdoors so running around the park, playing Frisbee, or hiking up a mountain is right up its alley. It also loves to swim, so trips to the beach or even just a walk along the shoreline will be a treat. It might not be able to control its Hound instincts and could take off to follow scents. Check out these toys for your Hound Lab cross: Nylabone Dura Chew: The perfect toy for strong chewers like this hybrid. The various textures keep your dog interested while keeping its teeth healthy. Fill up the toy with kibbles and other treats and your dog will be happily occupied for hours. Mammoth Flossy Rope: As the name implies, this is a huge, cotton blend, three-knot toy. Your dog will love tugging, tossing, and carrying it around. While the Labrador is a hardworking but friendly, Hound breeds are trained to be stubborn and relentless when tracking their prey. Consider the following suggestions when training your Lab Hound: Patience and consistency is key. Keep those two ideas in mind when training this hybrid. Regardless of which side has more influence, training that focuses on positive reinforcement will work best with this breed. It should be reinforced with lots of practice, consistent actions, praise, and rewards. Train early. If you can, begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home. An eight-week-old pup will soak up information like a sponge. You run the risk of having a headstrong dog to work on when you commence training at six months. Socialization should also start early. If not, you can begin the process at home by exposing it to friends, family, and other animals. This large dog needs a home with a lot of space. The Lab Hound should ideally live in a home with a fenced in yard. It needs a barrier as this dog has a natural curiosity and a tendency to wander, explore and follow anything that catches its interest. While it has a loyal, affectionate, and playful personality, it still is too powerful and big to be playing or interacting with tiny tots. It might accidentally hurt its young playmates. The same goes for other pets at home. No matter how well socialized a Lab Hound hybrid is, it could still inadvertently hurt smaller dogs. Mixed breed dogs like the Lab Hound are unpredictable. They can also end up to be the best dogs for you. However, this is a give and take relationship. While this particular breed is affectionate and loyal, it can also be stubborn and destructive. It also demands a lot of attention and regular exercise. You have to be confident you can meet its needs.

The Golden Retriever-Poodle crossbreed is adorable, loyal, and a great option for allergy sufferers. Thinking about adding a Goldendoodle puppy to the family? Here is everything you need to know about the Goldendoodle puppy personality. Here are some facts to help you decide. Typically, they come in three sizes : standard, miniature, and toy. The standard Goldendoodle is the most common. They are usually taller than a Golden Retriever and weigh somewhere between pounds. Mini Goldendoodles are often the result of a Golden Retriever being bred with a smaller Poodle. A Mini Goldendoodle puppy will grow to be somewhere between 30 and 45 pounds. Toy Goldendoodles are roughly 15 — 20 pounds. While you may find a standard or mini Goldendoodle at your local rescue organization, toy Goldendoodles often require specific breeding standards and can only be acquired from a reputable breeder. Given that a puppy of this breed can grow to be anywhere from 15 to 70 pounds, it is no wonder that they can also be found in a variety of colors. Depending on the parents, the puppies can be tan, white, ream, red, black, tawny, or somewhere in between. A straighter coat can come from the Golden Retriever parent. A curly coat will likely be the most hypoallergenic, as it comes from the Poodle. They are not invincible and can get ill just like any other dog. Some Goldendoodles can be prone to Golden Retriever health issues , like hip and elbow disorders. If you are looking to rescue a Goldendoodle from your local shelter, chances are they will not have their entire lineage on file. They have a great desire to please and to learn. Both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle have very loyal personalities. They are both quick to bond with their humans and thrive on human affection. They are both also fairly tolerant of the occasional rough-housing regarding children. The Goldendoodle puppy is also a smart one, just like mom and dad. Canine psychologist Stanley Coren ranked the top ten smartest dog breeds. The Golden Retriever is placed at the fourth smartest breed. Coren ranked the Poodle the second smartest breed. The trend likely started thanks in large part to the creation of the Labradoodle , the Labrador Retriever and Poodle designer crossbreed. This is true in some capacity, but maybe not for what you think. Goldendoodles are often touted as a hypoallergenic dog breed. No dog breed is technically hypoallergenic. If you are allergic to dogs, there is a chance your Goldendoodle could set you off sneezing. Before you run out and bring home a Goldendoodle from your local rescue, though, be sure that the allergy sufferer in your home spends time with the dog before you take them home. Dogs, like people, are individuals, and while someone with allergies may be fine around one Goldendoodle, another one could potentially set off an allergic reaction. Since they are so popular, finding a Goldendoodle at your local shelter might take a while. You could always come across the perfect Goldendoodle for you at your local shelter or rescue group, as well. If you are really hoping to quickly add a Goldendoodle to your life, a breeder may take just as long. Many reputable breeders have waitlists for people who want a Goldendoodle puppy. Here at DogTime, we are strong believers in adopting your pets. If you really want get your own Goldendoodle, check at your local shelters and rescues before speaking with a breeder. Are you thinking of getting your family a Goldendoodle puppy? If you are a Goldendoodle owner, do you have any advice for folks who want one? Let us know in the comments below! Even in the heat, she still pesters to walk and we walk about two miles a day. She also loves to ride in the car and she just sits there and watches. She will sit on our front porch real nice and watch as well. As you can tell, not much goes on that doesn't interest her. She owns the yard and chases rabbits and birds out. She has an obsession with balls and we play catch nearly every day, which she loves. She watches the ball with such intensity. She often looks like the horse in the dean's office in 'Animal House' legs extended up. Even the tough young guy in the neighborhood coos, "Just the cutest little puppy in the world" as we walk by. At Petsmart, she was being groomed last week. We stuck around waiting in the wings as they were finishing up her haircut. It is a 3 to 4 hour event. It was incredible to see the amount of people who would stop by the window, grab their spouse or friend, and point and talk about our dog. Some even were brave and went in to ask about her or to pet her. I bet 30 people stopped and about a half dozen went in in the half hour we watched. Had it not been for your website, we would not have known that Goldendoodles existed! We are so happy with ours and thank you very much!

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 Yorkipoo Overview The Yorkipoo is a people-loving and fun-seeking companion, ready to dazzle his family and entertain visitors with tricks and antics. His confident nature prevents him from being overly aggressive, and he exudes contentment in his own skin. With ample energy and a whole lot of love to give, the Yorkipoo is a great choice for those seeking a small, confident canine companion. Originally bred as a hypoallergenic companion for allergy sufferers, the Yorkipoo inherits the intelligence of both the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle breeds. Like his parent breeds, he thrives in performance competitions such as agility and obedience. Sporting a low-dander, low-shedding coat and the compact size of a toy breed, the Yorkipoo fits well in various households, even as a wonderful companion for seniors. His gentle and affectionate demeanor has also led him to success as a therapy dog. However, due to his small stature, caution is advised when introducing him to larger dogs to prevent accidents. Training the Yorkipoo is rewarding, as he is a quick learner. While he can be stubborn, positive and enjoyable training sessions work best, as harsh methods can be detrimental to his well-being. He takes pride in his alert barking, making him a reliable watchdog. While some Yorkipoos can be trained to limit barking, others may be more vocal. When the Yorkipoo mix is successful, he combines the best traits of both parent breeds — the intelligence and spirit of the Poodle and the bold terrier nature of the Yorkie. While multigenerational breeding has grown, many Yorkipoos result from first-generation unions of purebred parents. Energetic like its Poodle and Yorkie ancestors, the Yorkipoo thrives on daily exercise and enjoys outdoor activities. Barking is a favorite pastime, often persisting even with training, making him an alert watchdog. This non- to low-shedding breed is a suitable companion for allergy sufferers, requiring regular brushing to maintain his fine, silky coat. Endearing and gentle, the Yorkipoo forms a great bond with older, considerate children, though interactions with very young kids should be monitored. Positive reinforcement facilitates training , although occasional stubbornness may arise. Well-suited for apartment living, the Yorkipoo tends to get along well with other pets and dogs. As a loyal companion , he may experience separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Ensuring a healthy dog entails avoiding irresponsible breeders, puppy mills, and pet stores. Seek out reputable breeders who prioritize genetic health testing and nurturing temperaments to provide a loving and well-rounded Yorkipoo. Yorkipoo History The Yorkipoo, a charming and endearing hybrid breed, traces its roots back to the deliberate crossing of two distinct and beloved purebred parents: the Yorkshire Terrier and the Toy or Miniature Poodle. While the Yorkipoo may seem like a modern creation, its history is relatively recent, spanning just a few decades. The emergence of the Yorkipoo can be attributed to the growing interest in designer breeds that combine the best traits of their parent breeds. This particular blend aimed to create a smaller-sized dog with a hypoallergenic coat, addressing the needs of allergy sufferers while also striving to minimize the genetic health issues that have plagued Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles due to poor breeding practices. By combining the intelligence and elegance of the Poodle with the bold terrier characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier, breeders sought to create a well-rounded companion with a desirable temperament. Initially, most Yorkipoo litters were the result of first-generation breeding, which aimed to capitalize on the strengths of both parent breeds. Yorkipoo Size The Yorkipoo, with its endearing and compact stature, is a small-sized breed that perfectly embodies the charm of a true lap dog. Generally falling within the toy breed category, the Yorkipoo is often a result of crossing the petite Yorkshire Terrier with the diminutive Toy or Miniature Poodle. As a result, these delightful dogs typically stand at a modest height of around 7 to 10 inches 18 to 25 cm at the shoulder, making them ideal companions for various living environments, including apartments and smaller homes. Their lightweight build further adds to their appeal, with adult Yorkipoos often weighing between 4 to 15 pounds 2 to 7 kg. Despite their small size, these pint-sized pups are renowned for their energy and vivacity, which allows them to partake in various activities with enthusiasm. This low-shedding quality makes them an attractive choice for individuals with allergies, as their reduced dander and shedding help minimize allergic reactions. Their small size, combined with a coat that requires regular grooming to maintain its silky texture, culminates in a delightful and manageable package that seamlessly integrates into a variety of households, leaving a big impression with their captivating personality and charming presence. Yorkipoo Personality The Yorkipoo embodies an active, affectionate, and fun-loving spirit that thrives in human companionship. This loyal and loving companion eagerly joins in family activities, exuding confidence from its terrier heritage while maintaining an easygoing and undemanding demeanor. Its intelligence shines through in its ability to become an excellent companion through consistent and positive training, adapting well to various situations. Puppies with favorable temperaments display curiosity and playfulness, approaching and interacting with people willingly. Opting for a balanced puppy, neither excessively dominant nor timid, is wise. Meeting at least one parent, usually the mother, and observing interactions with other relatives helps gauge the potential personality of the puppy. Enrolling the puppy in a puppy kindergarten class and regularly introducing it to diverse environments, people, and experiences, such as parks, stores, and strolls, helps refine its social skills. By providing a nurturing and stimulating environment, the Yorkipoo can grow into a delightful, adaptable canine companion. You can verify these clearances by checking the OFA website offa. Epilepsy : This neurological condition can cause mild to severe seizures, characterized by unusual behavior, staggering, or even falling down. While seizures can be distressing to witness, dogs with idiopathic epilepsy generally have a positive long-term outlook with proper diagnosis and treatment. Patellar Luxation: Common in small dogs, this involves the dislocation of the kneecap, causing discomfort. While it can be debilitating, many dogs lead normal lives with this condition. Portosystemic Shunt PSS : An abnormal blood flow between the liver and body, PSS can lead to various symptoms like neurobehavioral abnormalities and urinary tract issues. Corrective surgery and special diets can aid long-term management. Surgery can offer pain relief. Hypothyroidism : A disorder of the thyroid gland, it may manifest as epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, and skin issues. Treatment involves medication and dietary adjustments. Timely diagnosis through tests is crucial. Atopic Dermatitis : An inherited skin ailment causing allergic reactions to common substances, it results in itching, redness, and hair loss. Treatment includes allergen avoidance, antihistamines, and hypoallergenic shampoos. Yorkipoo Care The Yorkipoo is a versatile companion, equally comfortable in a house or apartment. Due to his small size, outdoor living is not suitable, making indoor living essential for both his physical and emotional well-being. Daily exercise is key to his contentment, as he possesses unexpected energy levels. A daily stroll or playtime in the yard will suffice to maintain his health and happiness. Engaging in activities like hallway fetch can also help him expend excess energy. A crate can serve as a cozy retreat for naps as well. Starting crate training early enables your Yorkipoo to adapt to confinement, which proves useful for boarding or hospitalization scenarios. A crate should never be treated as a jail, and he should not be confined for more than a few hours at a stretch, apart from nighttime sleep. Yorkipoos thrive on human companionship and are not suited for prolonged confinement within a crate or kennel. Just as with people, dogs are unique individuals, and their food requirements vary. Naturally, an active dog will require more nourishment than a more sedentary one. The quality of the dog food you choose also plays a role — better quality food provides more nutrition, requiring smaller portions. To assess his weight, use the eye and hands-on tests. Look down at him — a slight waistline should be visible. When placing your hands on his back with fingers spread downward, you should be able to feel his ribs without applying excessive pressure. If not, adjust his food intake and incorporate more exercise. For further details on feeding your Yorkipoo, refer to our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. While each Yorkipoo may differ, those resulting from multigenerational breeding Yorkipoo crossed with another Yorkipoo are often described as odorless and nonshedding. Although complete nonshedding is a bit of a myth, as all dogs experience some shedding, the Yorkipoo does produce minimal dander, a quality highly appealing to allergic owners. The Yorkipoo showcases a versatile spectrum of colors including cream, black, white, red, sable, apricot, tan, chocolate, gray, and silver, often adorned with various markings, such as black with tan points. Regular daily brushing effectively prevents tangles and matting. Ensure to gently brush hair away from the eyes to prevent irritation, and occasional trimming with scissors can safeguard eye health. Dental hygiene is crucial for toy breeds like the Yorkipoo, brushing teeth two to three times a week to combat tartar buildup and potential gum disease. Weekly ear checks are essential for signs of redness or unusual odor, indicating a potential infection. Grooming rituals should be introduced to your Yorkipoo from an early age, acclimating him to brushing, paw handling, and mouth inspection. Positive experiences with grooming, filled with praise and rewards, set the stage for seamless veterinary exams and handling in adulthood. Yorkipoo Children And Other Pets The Yorkipoo is a gentle and affectionate companion who can form a positive bond with children. An older, more considerate child can often enjoy a rewarding companionship with a Yorkipoo. Always supervise their encounters and guide them on approaching and touching dogs properly, preventing any unintentional actions that could provoke a negative response. Ensuring safe and supervised interactions is crucial, even with the friendliest of dogs. While he may exhibit a playful prey drive from his Yorkie parent, his interactions with smaller pets and cats are often in good spirits and driven by curiosity rather than aggression. Yorkipoo Rescue Groups Yorkipoos are frequently acquired without a full grasp of the responsibilities that come with ownership. Numerous Yorkipoos are seeking adoption or foster care. See below for a list on where you may be able to adopt your own Yorkipoo:. This little dog is much willing to approach people and be held by them. They are highly energetic and are in motion most of the times. They are good with children, specially grown up kids. Toddlers might not be safe with them because of their highly active nature. They love taking part in family activities and make a great family pet and apartment dog. They can adapt themselves to almost any situation or living. They are curious and would search for new things around. They are extremely sociable and are good to strangers too. Yorkiepoos are frequent barkers, making them good watchdogs. They also tend to shout and are prone to destroy things especially when they are bored or are left alone for long periods of time. Just a little bit of brisk walk around your block every day should serve the purpose. Also, allow your Yorkie-poo to play around with a ball or a toy in an enclosed yard, if you have one. The playful dog would be happy to play and exercise. Grooming The grooming needs depend on the type of coat your dog has. However, Yorkiepoos mostly need regular or even everyday brushing. Curlier the coat, more frequent should be the grooming; else its coat will get matted very easily. If its coat is too curly like its poodle parent , trim the coat every one to two months. You can take your dog to a professional groomer if you are not an expert in grooming. Also, keep an eye on the ears for possible infection and the teeth clean to avoid tartar buildup. Clip the nails as and when required. Health Problems Yorkiepoo is a typically healthy hybrid. Being a very new breed of dogs, very little is known about any breed specific health issues, except being prone to periodontal diseases like most other small size dogs. Other possible general dog health issues can be dysplasia, epilepsy, hypoglycemia particularly for puppies , musculoskeletal problems, and eye problems such as distichia and cataracts. Those that are underweight or less than 3 pounds might be prone to vomiting, tracheal collapse, diarrhea, anesthesia sensitivity, and frequent injuries. Training Teach your puppy to socialize while it is still very young. Mental stimulation and social interaction are important for your pup to keep them mentally and physically fit. Ask friends and relatives to visit your house often and get them acquainted with your little one. Your dog loves activities like tricks, dog agility, etc. Obedience training is important for these little barkers. Also, set your own rules to resolve pack leader issues. You can also approach the puppy kindergarten classes. In order to lure your finicky Yorkiepoo to eat, you can mix and match tasty doggie foods and try to be creative and experimental about what your little one would love to eat. If you opt for dry kibbles, be sure you choose the type that is meant for the dogs of their size and energy level. In fact, dry food is better for this breed over raw or cooked foods because, with everyday wet food, these dogs have a great potential in developing bad breath, gum disease, and tooth loss. Interesting Facts Yorkie-Poo puppies are very fragile and delicate. If the pup is squeezed hard or hugged too tightly, the puppy can die. A short fall or anyone tripping over it might cause grave injury or even death to the puppy. Since many breeders these days are breeding the Yorkshire Terrier with both the Miniature size Poodles and the Toy Poodles, it is creating a wide variation in the weight and size of the Yorkie-Poo. They retain almost their puppy size even when they are adults. As with many designer dogs, they can be quite expensive. Please keep in mind to also check at rescues. They usually have application processes and waiting lists, but it can be worth the time. You can save a boatload of money and change the life of a lucky pup. When you welcome a Yorkipoo into your home, you can expect to have a friendly and playful dog by your side. Early socialization and training are essential so they get along with other pets. Their sassy temperament might get in the way of training sessions, so be prepared to correct them when necessary. Yorkipoos Come in Two Sizes Yorkipoos can be teacup or miniature. If a Yorkipoo is mixed with a miniature poodle and Yorkshire Terrier, they are miniature. Yorkipoos Are Allergy-Friendly Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle are hypoallergenic, making these pups perfect for those with dog allergies. Remember, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, but these are as close as they come. You have the loving nature and intelligence of a Poodle meshed with the bravery and spunk of the Yorkshire Terrier. These tiny tots will assume the role of the head of the household pretty fast. When you have a Yorkipoo in your home, expect talking back, attitude, and no backing down. This combination gives you an intellectual genius of spicy vigor. Without question, your Yorkipoo will keep you on your toes. They are happy-go-lucky and very high energy—always wanting to go, go, go. Their enthusiasm is an admirable attribute because we all wish we had that kind of get-up-and-go energy on a daily basis. In less likely chances, you could get a soft, sweet, quiet companion. Dogs are individuals with unique personalities. But, realistically, the likelihood of you getting a fun little spitfire is much higher. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Usually, if you socialize early, Yorkipoos make very compatible playmates for children. And if that person shows any submission, your Yorkipoo will always feel like the king or queen. They thrive with a good playmate or two. Quite often, Yorkipoos have a special affinity for cats. But because of their overwhelming desire to be the head honcho, they may trigger other dogs to respond negatively. Always supervise playtime, because these small dogs could get hurt quite easily if disagreements arise. They may not like just any kibble you put in front of them. While high-protein, top quality dry dog kibble is best, their pickiness may require creativity. Yorkipoos have a history of dental genetic issues. Feeding your Yorkipoo wet dog food regularly can lead to gum disease, bad breath, tartar, and periodontal disease. But thanks to their size, they can burn most of their energy in small spaces. Yorkipoos only need about 30 minutes total of exercise per day. Asserting dominance can be hard, but they need to take your rank seriously in order to be properly put in their place. And good luck with house training! The Yorkipoo is definitely smart enough to know where to potty. However, offering a snack in exchange for good behavior works to the benefit of you both. Your Yorkipoo will have curly or straight locks of hair depending on the traits the pup picks up. Since the Yorkipoo could have several hair possibilities, and you can style them accordingly. But their coats are generally very low-maintenance. You will need to brush them a few times a week to prevent matting or tangling. If you want a special hairdo for your buddy, you can tack a monthly appointment cost onto that. Luckily, these dogs are quite problem-free most of the time. However, certain ailments appear more commonly in Yorkipoos, such as the following: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where unprovoked seizures occur in the body due to abnormalities of the brain. A portosystemic shunt is a genetic condition that affects how the blood is pumped through the liver, filtering toxins and impurities. Sometimes, this condition is a congenital disability. Other times, it is a condition that comes with age, often from cirrhosis. Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap dislocates. Essentially, the knee pops out of its original palace, and you have to pop it back in. Minor Conditions. Sometimes called yorkipoo or Yorkie poo, she's a popular designer crossbreed cutie with sass, spunk, and smarts! As the offspring of a Yorkshire terrier Yorkie and a toy poodle or miniature poodle , she has a double dose of energy and wits. Sometimes she doesn't know or care! Because a Yorkie-poo bonds so well with her humans, she's quite snugglesome and loves daily brush time. She also responds well to early positive reinforcement training and is eager to try games and tricks , making her a terrific pooch for dedicated first-time pet parents intent on building engaged relationships with their new pups. Yorkie-poos make great dog friends for seniors, too, as 20—30 minutes of exercise each day helps them stay at the peak of health. Appearance Breeders responded to a demand for more hypoallergenic dogs by creating the hybrid Yorkie-poo, because the combination of Yorkies' silky coats and most poodles' soft, curly fur supposedly causes less reaction in people with animal allergies. As the Mayo Clinic points out, there's really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All canines produce Can f 1, a common protein found in urine, saliva, and skin debris known as dander, and this is what aggravates an individual's immune response. However, with her parentage, it's possible a Yorkie-poo will be less likely to cause sniffles and sneezes in some people. When you scroll through various Yorkie-poo pictures , some dogs have the typical bicolor or tricolor pattern of a Yorkie featuring black, brown, blue, gray, red, gold, and tan. Others pick up more solid hues from a poodle, such as black, rust, brown, gray, beige, and white. Coat texture might vary, too—often sleek and fluffy, but occasionally a tad coarse and scruffy or glossy and smooth. Most Yorkie-poos have inky-black boopable noses and twinkling brown eyes that are the foundation of their sweet expressions. Their snouts are either slightly long and tapered like poodles or short and pert like Yorkies. You'll notice variance in their ears as well: Some Yorkie-poos have fur poofs framing their faces, while others have perky points on their heads. And on the other end, there's even more variety! Tails can be long plumes, short bobs, or a blend of the two. Prospective pet parents often wonder, "How big do Yorkie-poos get? The average Yorkie-poo size is 7—15 inches tall at the shoulder and 5—15 pounds. A Yorkie-poo adult with a toy poodle parent is tinier than one with a miniature poodle parent. Body styles differ, too, as some might have slender, petite frames while others display more robust, square shapes. This is truly a charismatic breed overflowing with personality, affection, curiosity and—we'll just say it—a smidgen of bossiness! Like other intelligent small dog breeds , Yorkie-poos can be a little scrappy and like to make their presence known, especially when they're ready to play or want to try a new trick. Spritely Yorkie-poos thrive when they have consistent mental and physical stimulation and proper boundaries. Fortunately, they're easy to train and have a genuine fondness for being with their people. Puppy kindergarten is a terrific way to help your new dog learn essential socialization skills , especially if she's in a home with children. Pet parents of pups usually wait until after vaccinations to start these classes. Tracey also recommends certain aspects of touch with a Yorkie-poo puppy to help her become more acclimated to being handled. Yorkshire terriers and poodles are both active in various canine activities such as obedience, agility, rally, and barn trials, so it's possible your Yorkie-poo will love spending time with you in these ways, too. While more patience and care may be required to establish trust and train adopted or rescue Yorkie-poos, the time and effort will be worth it to help her become happy and proud of her achievements. Early positive reinforcement training also helps you curb a particular pesky Yorkie-poo trait: She likes to bark. A lot! Sometimes, she's conveying an important message, such as a stranger at the door. Although Yorkie-poos are generally friendly to almost everyone, they're also highly alert and protective of their humans. Clicker training with treats and proper cues allows you to manage this characteristic more effectively. Living Needs Generally, a Yorkie-poo isn't fussy. If you're comfortable in the house, she probably is, too. But no matter how fluffy her fur might be, make sure to invest in proper booties and sweaters to help her manage cold weather walkies. Yorkshire terriers were once bred for rat elimination, so your Yorkie-poo might inherit an instinct to chase after small creatures, sometimes referred to as a prey drive. Good training and playtime in proper fenced areas will help you establish better control over the environment so she doesn't dart off. Leash training, especially if your Yorkie-poo will be around larger dogs in public areas, is also important for her safety. Remember, this playful pooch often thinks she's bigger than she is! Care Because a Yorkie-poo might inherit the hair-like coat of her Yorkie parent or the wiry fur of her poodle parent, it's difficult to estimate how much she might shed. Most Yorkie-poos shed a little bit, especially during the spring and fall, so maintain a daily brushing routine to keep her coat in fine shape and control the floof. This also helps reduce dander, which might be helpful to minimize allergens. This doesn't mean your pooch is high maintenance, though—the degree of grooming may change depending on the type of coat your pup inherits. If your Yorkie-poo has more of a poodle style, visits to a professional groomer every weeks will keep her looking spiffy. You can probably handle nail trimming at home , but a groomer can do that as well. To do this, it's important to understand more of the specifics of crossbreeding dogs. He says the basic concept of breeding and genetics is that the strongest traits phenotype from the mom and dad will be passed on to the offspring. These genes make up the genotype. There will also be bad genes passed along, which leads to specific health problems in certain breeds. These 'bad genes' are passed down from generation to generation. So while a Yorkie-poo is usually rather healthy, it's vital to know what contributes to her medical history: According to the Poodle Club of America , this breed is prone to Addison's disease , which affects the adrenal glands; endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome and diabetes ; and bloat. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America indicates key health problems for this breed might include a liver condition called hepatic microvascular dysplasia ; the spinal disease degenerative myelopathy ; and various eye issues. Singletary also says both breeds could have joint issues, such as hip dysplasia and patella luxation, which is when the kneecap slips out of place. According to VCA Hospitals , many small and toy dog breeds have a genetic predisposition for luxating patella. Tracey adds that Yorkie-poos, like many small breeds, can also have trouble with collapsing trachea, which causes irritation and coughing; as well as a heart condition known as degenerative mitral valve disease. F2 hybrid is created from breeding two F1 hybrids together—breeding an F1 hybrid Yorkie-poo with another F1 hybrid Yorkie-poo to create an F2 Yorkie-poo. Knowing these intricacies is important because of inbreeding. So Singletary says it's important to do your research when choosing a new pup, especially when evaluating breeders and Yorkie-poo costs. This is especially true for hybrid breeds. If the breeder is asking you tough questions, then they're likely passionate about what they do and have the health and wellness of their dogs at the forefront of their minds. Beware of "too good to be true" Yorkie-poos, because many designer crossbreeds are the product of puppy mill schemes. This means they might not be born into a healthy environment that focuses on their well-being. Here are some warning signs of a potential puppy scam : A website states specific wait times for puppies. A breeder offers multiple mixed breeds for sale. You're not allowed to visit the breeder, or don't receive satisfactory answers to your questions about their lines of dogs. A breeder offers to ship puppies. The breeder's website has vague contact information, such as no phone number, no email, doesn't offer video or in-person previews of your pup and her environment, and so on. Fun Facts Actress and singer Demi Lovato's adopted black Yorkie-poo, Batman, often makes an appearance on her Instagram page along with snowy pup sibling Cinderella. You might find this floofy designer crossbreed referred to as yorkipoo, yorkiepoo, yorki-poo, yorki poo, yorkiedoodle, and even yo-yopoo. Was this page helpful? Brown, tan, blue, cream, black, gray, chocolate, silver, red, apricot Suitable for: Active families and singles, apartments or houses Temperament: Confident, energetic, affectionate, intelligent, playful, loyal Yorkie Poos are small dogs that might have long or short noses, perky or floppy ears, or long, plume-like tails or small, whip-like tails—it all depends on which parent they take after the most. They tend to have silky coats that may or may not be curly, and they come in a wide variety of colors, including red, chocolate, silver, apricot, brown, cream, black, or gray. They might be a solid color or in several patterns and markings, which might include black or blue with tan points. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Yorkie Poo Puppies A post shared by Love Yorkies loyorkies Yorkie Poos are energetic dogs that tend to be healthy overall and can have a long lifespan of up to 15 years. There can be a few challenges with training, but otherwise, they are relatively easy to train, and they get along with most people and other dogs. They are people-oriented and can be affectionate, entertaining, and charming dogs. They get along with most people, but they can be protective of their families. Yorkie Poos are intelligent; both Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles are known for their smarts the Poodle is thought to be the second most intelligent breed out there, just behind the Border Collie. They can be curious, scrappy, and sometimes bossy little dogs. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are loving, loyal, and playful and can make ideal companions. However, they would be better in a household with older children. They are small dogs, and younger children might accidentally hurt them. You should also teach your children how to treat dogs; no rough play, like pulling on ears or tails. Yorkie Poos do tend to get along well with other dogs, but their Yorkshire Terrier side might lead to prey drive behavior. Always be careful about feeding people food and scraps to your dog. Yorkie Poos can use at least 30 minutes of play or other activity daily in addition to several walks each day. The Yorkshire Terrier does have a bit of that famous terrier stubbornness, however, so you should expect that to creep into their training, particularly if they take after their Yorkie parent. Poodles have curly coats and Yorkies have silky, long fur. Brushing your dog every day would be your best bet, and it will need trimming on occasion. Only give your Yorkie Poo a bath when necessary, and only do so with a good dog shampoo. However, there are possible conditions to be aware of. Minor Conditions. To understand more about the origin of the breed requires an understanding of the two breeds that go into the formation of the Yorkipoo. These 'Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers,' interbred with local small terriers to provide a Northern ratter working dog who quickly become popular as a very effective factory and mining vermin-killer. After further breeds were used to perfect this terrier such as the Manchester Terrier or the Maltese , it was first shown as the Scotch Terrier in , before it became known as Yorkshire Terrier and recognised by the Kennel Club in .While the breed was a working ratter, the Yorkshire Terrier soon became popular with wealthy ladies as a companion and this popularity led to selective breeding to make them even smaller. Interestingly while the dog got smaller, their coat length stayed virtually the same - hence the long coats that can still be seen on show dogs. These smaller Poodles quickly became popular and many found work in circuses thanks to their ability to learn new tricks. The Yorkipoo can have any combination of the two breeds in their appearance, behaviour and temperament. Ideal Owner The Yorkipoo would suit an owner or a family with older sensible children. They can be noisy dogs as both Poodles and Yorkies have a lot to say for themselves. They do not like to be left alone and so would need an owner who is either at home most of the time or can take their dog with them wherever they go. Without this exercise they can get bored, noisy and possibly destructive.