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Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Both of which conduct yearly inspections and verify my dogs are all well cared for. I have been breeding Golden Retrievers since .I hold a degree in Animal Science. I have worked several years in an active animal hospital. I administer most of my own vaccines, conduct progesterone testing with my own machine determines best timing of breeding through collection of blood sample , and I conduct my own ultrasound at home for confirmation of pregnancies. I conduct natural breeding with all my dogs. Delivery of puppies also occurs at my home naturally unless an emergency health issue dictates otherwise. I am very passionate about the care of my dogs and strive to have the healthiest and happiest puppies possible. If you would like to see more detailed information about Hilltop Golden Retriever, please continue to read on and click through all the tabs of this website. Hilltop Golden Retriever Location: If your still unsure of where South Westerlo is located, we are about 25 minutes northwest of Catskill and 35 minutes southwest of Albany capital of NY. We are closest to Albany International Airport if you are looking to fly. If you are looking for a direct flight, you might want to look into Newark but would require a car rental and some travel time on the road. If you are traveling from decent distance away and in search of a hotel. If your early for your puppy pickup appointment and looking to get something to eat, a few minutes away in Greenville you can find the Tasting Lab or the Tiny Diner to sit down at. If you want something quicker check out the hot dog stand in front of the Tiny Diner or the Dunkin Donuts just up the road off of .I worked several years as a veterinarian technician assistant in a very active animal hospital. Over the years I learned so much and gained a lot of experience that has helped me excel as a breeder. While I was attending college, I ended up meeting my husband. He also shared my passion in dogs. She was my dream come true and truly encouraged me to be the breeder I am today. I fell in love with a dark female puppy from the litter. Over time and seeing so many families pleased with our puppies we wanted to grow. We felt that a large property was a must for our dogs to exercise and play. We ended up selling our first home and purchasing the house where we reside now. Technically our mailing address is in Greenville however we are in fact in South Westerlo within the hills of Albany county. Both of our families are from the area, so the transition was very supportive and the location is very easy to travel from or to the New York State Thruway or from Interstate I.Soon after our move we have spent so much time with creating the best environment and care for our dogs. Throughout the year we get visited by the state and AKC to verify our dogs are in the best care possible. Everything was thought of during this build. The building consists of two floors. Fans are optional throughout the entire interior. We have additional propane heaters that will work with no electricity. The floors have built in drainage and are covered in grippy flecked epoxy. Our dogs have constant access to water and have comfortable Kuranda beds to lay on. We have designated areas for our older puppies after mom is done nursing them. These areas consist of very nice over-sized play areas. The walls are made out of washable white plastic, and we use g-flooring with fresh wood chips for the bedding. The puppies have plenty of toys and their own Kuranda bed s that they love to lay on or hide below it. Our outside run area consists of a fully covered roof, so our dogs are protected from the elements, with lighting and fans. The play area has over feet of beautiful black chain link fencing. The large play area also offers a doggy playground area where they have plenty of toys to tug and pull on. About our Dogs: We strive to provide the best and healthiest lines of Golden Retrievers. We spend endless hours in search and communication with multiple breeders from all over the United States. Checking pedigrees and clearances prior to committing with a new line. We have made some amazing relationships with some of the best breeders, all of which share the same common goal of breeding healthy AKC Golden Retrievers. We raise and train all of our puppies within our home. We work with commands, potty training, and socialization on many different platforms and various environments. Early on we are verifying their personality and traits are conclusive with a possible prospect for future breeding. As time goes on, we decide if they are a good candidate or not for breeding. If they are a good candidate additional health testing is scheduled per their age. We conduct several medical tests to verify healthy lines prior to breeding. The health tests set us apart from most breeders that claim their dogs are healthy per a veterinarian check or that claim that they conduct DNA genetic health testing but nothing else. One of the first health tests that we conduct and one of the most important tests on all our dogs, is DNA genetic testing. We have used Animal Genetics in the past but have been shifting towards using Embark. This test allows us to verify we have the best pairing of parents prior to breeding and that we are not passing on bad genes that could be avoidable issues in the future. After our dogs turn 1, they proceed to get OFA testing of their eyes and heart. A specialist either looks at their eyes or heart to verify they have no health conditions that could be passed to their offspring. If we are lucky enough that our young golden passes, we will move forward to the next health testing stage. The next health test that we typically conduct once our young golden is 1. While they are sedated to have these x-rays we usually also have Penn Hip testing done. Also, per our vet the Penn Hip is a better test to know the overall health of the hips as they test the elasticity and movement rather then judging based on an image. Last health test we do is done at the age of 2 years old. As the dogs age their bones calcify, a dog with failing elbow or hips younger then 2 could very well change to passing once they turn 2. Under each dog there is a link from K9 data. Unfortunately K9 data will not allow preliminary testing information in the link which is the OFA elbow and hip test results if the dog is under 2 years of age when the test is conducted. However we do list the preliminary test results under each dog. Once we have the official results K9 data will be updated to reflect their latest test results. We are constantly conducting health tests and updating K9 data as well as the webpage. Lots of factors could play into why a dog could fail their OFA elbows or hip tests. It may not necessarily be genetic but instead could be from the environment that they are raised in. Limiting their jumping heights is extremely important. Simply slipping on ice can cause unforeseen affects to their overall development. It is also highly recommended for additional joint supplements as they grow, we prefer the use of NuVet supplements see link on website tab for further information on NuVet products. Lack of vitamin C in their food is another considered attribute to not having passing scores. All of these factors are highly overseen during the raising of our potential breeding dogs. Unfortunately, sometimes our dogs do not pass all of their tests. We sometimes keep them, but we also have found amazing homes for them. We are even more particular in their home placement as we know their personalities and what would be the best fit. They will be spayed prior or be contracted to be spayed soon after being placed in their new homes. We are very focused on ensuring we know our breeding stock through both their individual health and their genealogy testing. Our dogs and puppies get a lot of socializing. Daily they are engaged with our other dogs, our young sons, our friends, and other family members. They all get a ton of love and attention. This ensures they keep up on their house manners and it also makes it incredibly easier when pregnant moms deliver within our home. Our dogs are not kept outdoors like you might see with other breeders. We also have them go into large fenced in play areas where they play in large groups with each other. We do not show our dogs or conduct any competitions with them. When I am not raising my children, I am constantly spending time with my dogs or interacting with potential customers. My husband works many hours in his law enforcement career to dedicate any additional time in competitions, trials, or shows. Once he retires and the children are older, we may pursue that however it is not our current focus. Some of the lighter goldens that we have also known as English Creams do have championship titles in their bloodlines as does our darker red field goldens. Any of our puppies with proper training could and would be amazing for shows or hunting trials as its in their bloodline. About our Puppies: I usually make the determination of puppies after 30 days of a breeding. I have my own ultrasound machine and can get a good determination of how many puppies are present. It does not give me an exact count. Only way to really narrow down the number of puppies is by an x-ray, around the day mark. I do not conduct my own x-rays and that would require a visit to the animal hospital. To reduce stress on mom and the puppies we do not do x-rays. I get a final count upon delivery keeping mom where she is most comfortable. Delivery of puppies take place in my home around the days after being bred, unless an emergency C-section requires otherwise. Typically, all our puppies are delivered naturally. Someone is always with the mother for the entire delivery. It is very strenuous but has the best outcome for both mom and pups. When all the puppies are born, we will post pictures on the Facebook page. We will then reach out to anyone on our waiting list. If by chance, there are any extra puppies we will make an announcement on Facebook after exhausting our wait list. Sometimes people back out and puppies do come up available at various times. During the initial few days into the few weeks mom and puppies are spending a lot of quality time together. We are keeping a close attention that everyone is gaining weight and seem to be progressing. The pups are handled daily by us. After about 2 weeks eyes and ears will begin to open. The fourth week they are starting to find their legs and moving around exploring. The fifth week if all are doing well, I begin the weaning process where mom is nursing less and less as I introduce kibble to their diet. We begin the deworming process and also begin the first vaccine. We do not travel with the puppies to an animal hospital. I feel it could be stressful for the puppies and creates an opportunity for the puppies to be exposed to other pet sicknesses. I have a traveling vet come and conduct full physicals on all of the puppies. You will receive a copy of her report in the puppy folder upon pickup date. We have outside play areas and toys for them to interact with. They will also be played with by children and handled by adults. They will have several toys to interact with. Obstacles will be in there play pens to learn jumping and crawling. Process Purchasing a Puppy: If you decide that you would like to move forward with getting a puppy, we recommend that you first look at the females and the males that we have. Sometimes the males could change if multiple females come into heat at the same time. We also have an additional tab where you can view planned future breeding so you can have a better idea of potential pairings. Next, I would like to have a phone interview so we can find out more about yourself and the home that a puppy of mine would be going to. In our discussion I would like to know which mother you were leaning towards and whether you prefer a male or female puppy. I can go over all additional questions that you may have including total costs. If both parties are fully satisfied, I will move forward with sending you over the contract. I sell all my puppies with limited AKC registration. Under certain circumstances I will offer full AKC registration for an additional charge. If you are wondering what the difference is between limited and full registration. Limited registration means you can never breed a puppy from me and it will be expected upon proper age that the dog is spayed. Full registration is only for breeders that want to purchase a puppy with intentions of breeding. I am not against giving another breeder full registration however it must be discussed prior, and all requirements must be met that I have. I do require the final payment to be in cash upon pickup of the puppy, so there no issues of bounced checks or issues with sending monies from one bank institution to another. No exceptions. I typically only reserve the first 3 females and the first 3 males as there are no guarantees of how many puppies are born. I go in order of when I am contacted. For an example if you contacted me in May for a female, and John Doe contacted me in January for a female from the same mother then John Doe will get first pick and you would get second pick. It seems to be the fairest method I have come across and will be moving forward with that process unless I discover a better way. I also reserve the right to have first pick so I can sustain my future breeding line as it dictates. I do not allow visitation to the puppies until they are ready for pickup. It also increases the chances for the puppies to get sick and potentially all die from a condition call parvo, as they are not full vaccinated. I have scheduled meetings with individuals that would like to meet me and the adult dogs fully vaccinated prior to making a commitment but not when I have current litters. I would recommend if you want to see the puppies earlier to log into Facebook and follow my page on there. I conduct live videos where you can see all the puppies. After a few weeks old we begin to collar them so you can tell them apart better. I do not place or pick certain pups for certain homes. Some people may not like that due to a puppies drive or behavior. I personally feel training is key to your dogs behavior. You have to spend time with this puppy and be consistent. Goldens just want to please you, but they will test you to learn their place in the household. If you lack experience in training dogs, I do recommend you work with a trainer and read literature so you can achieve the most success with your puppy. You will get an hour to choose your puppy. Please be mindful as I will have others scheduled after your hour of time is completed. I will need some of that time to go over paperwork that is required through the state to complete. I have no problems if you want to bring a trainer or conduct your own tests to see if one puppy might be a better fit based on their opinion. Please be respectful of my property and do not go adventuring around wherever you may like without me being present. Once you pick your puppy and all paperwork has been completed, you will be provided with vet records of your puppy and the vaccines that were previously given. At this time, I do not microchip any puppies. I personally feel the best time to microchip a puppy is when they are sedated which I recommend during the spay. We do require that you schedule an appointment with your vet within 14 days of the pickup date. You may want to schedule this prior to arrival as animal hospitals have been extremely busy. We will have gift bag for you. There will be some surprises in there for your pup, including enough puppy food for the next several days so you can either remain on it or gradually change the food to one of your liking. We highly recommend slowly changing the food over time if you decide to change it as they have extremely sensitive stomachs at this age. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

Home » Blog » What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks You certainly want to know about every minute of your sweet puppy. Last year we did a documentary about our breeding program in which we showed where our Frenchies live and we also wrote about how our program has grown over the years. In this article, we share with you how we help our little puppies on the TomKings Puppies farm, from the first moments of their lives until we find a forever loving family for them. The vet checks if everything is fine and we take them home. The average birth weight of a Frenchie is 0. Their size strongly depends on the size of the litter; when there are a fewer of them they can be as big as a two-week-old puppy from an other litter. Newborn puppies are deaf and blind and absolutely helpless so we are here to assist their mother to nurture them. In the first two weeks They are breastfed every 3 hours, and then their mom stimulates them to pee and poo. Not all mothers are eager to do this, in which case we assist them with a dam, warm cotton towel. The puppies spend the rest of their time sleeping they often seem to be dreaming! Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email They are so cute as they love to huddle together, but we also keep them warm with an external source like an infra lamp. As the puppies are very small, there is a threat that the mom accidentally smothers one or more of them. In the first 4 weeks We make strict precautions to keep the newborn babies sterile to avoid the risk of them being infected. They sleep in the house with us, and only a small circle of carers are allowed to touch them who use lots of hands sanitizing. As the mother has less and less milk we gradually switch to give them milk from a bottle and then crushed food. The puppies open their eyes when they are days old, and then they are able to hear — a whole new world opens up for them. At the age of weeks, the little explorers start crawling and then the first few shaky steps. At this stage, they are already very playful and start love-biting each other. New born puppies are very helpless. They are born blind and deaf and unable to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to use an external heat source when the puppies are not in direct contact with mom. During this time period, their mothers have to stimulate them in order for them to urinate and have bowel movements. This is a very busy time for us and we are usually very sleep deprived because we assist the mothers every 3 hours around the clock to make sure that all puppies are latching on well, growing, and being stimulated to urinate and defecate. It is a critical time in which the puppies are so small that an unaware Frenchie mother could accidentally smother one or more of her pups, so we monitor them very closely. Lacey takes a video of each litter at 3 weeks of age and posts them on our website under New Puppies so that our clients near the top of the list, as well as other clients and prospective clients, can get a early look at them. They continue to gain weight rapidly over the next several months of their lives. At two weeks age their ears open and they are able to hear, and another big part of their new world opens up. Prior to this event, about all they do is grunt or mew, but afterward their vocabulary includes yelps, whines, and even little barks. At three weeks of age the more advanced puppies start taking their first shaky steps; prior to this their basic mode of transportation is basic army crawling. They are now able to urinate and defecate on their own and will move away from their sleeping area to do so. Up to this point it is strictly the mothers and us Donna, Lacey, and Bick who have handled the pups with lots of hand sanitizing before and after and they have been kept in their kennel. Even though it is hard on the kids, we do not let them or their friends handle them until 4 weeks of age. At four weeks we start introducing them to solid food initially crushed and moistened. By the end of the 4th week they are eating their crushed puppy food, with no water added, three times a day. Because they are not nursing as long or as often, we provide fresh water for them at all times. The kids are allowed to hold them now closely monitored and with clean hands and we allow the puppies to run around and explore our large main room in the house. At 5 weeks of age they are starting to run around all over the place when they are let out to play, and, when they are in their kennels, they play sometimes rather roughly with litter mates. It is during this time when some of their adult personalities will start coming out. By the end of this week their puppy teeth are all in, and they love to chew on things, including fingers if you let them. However, even at this age, they will spend most of their time sleeping, probably close to 20 hours per day, with only short times between naps when they are alert and active. By the end of the 6th week they are completely weaned from their moms and eating solid food well. We frequently take them out of their kennels to scamper around. They are full of energy and love to play with their litter-mates and the kids. This is the time that we really focus on socializing them and we even start their paper training. By 7 weeks they have already passed through most of their puppy milestones and are continuing to grow rapidly; they are generally in the 4 to 6 pound range. This is when their personalities really start coming out! It is so fun to watch them play with the kids and their litter-mates and observe their new fascination with toys. They have become somewhat accustomed to going potty on pee pads so that when they are out running around the room they often recognize them on the floor and will go potty on them. Though they are fast, active, playful little puppies at this point in their lives, they still are like babies and require lots of sleep probably over 18 hours per day and are still quite fragile. This video will show the color and conformation of each puppy, in addition to its personality. Their their third DAPP and 2nd Bordetella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks and then a yearly booster thereafter. The rabies shot can also be given at 12 weeks no later than 16 weeks. They are also regularly de-wormed and given a medication for the prevention of coccidia and giardia. Occasionally we hold onto puppies a little longer if we do not feel they are quite ready to go to their new homes. Our clients are encouraged to come to our home to meet their fur babies if this is feasible. When this is not possible, we arrange for one of our responsible puppy chaperones to hand deliver our puppies to meet their new owners at their nearest major airport. In fact, even as adults they will sleep at least half of the day in a series of long naps, and probably closer to 14 hours per day. Have More Questions? As with most purebreds, French Bulldogs have in-built health issues. This causes some major problems when it comes to giving birth, and special care is needed if you are to avoid the pitfalls and dangers ahead. The mother needs to be given medication to let her body know that her babies have been born, as the natural hormones would not have been released. She may not bite through the birth sacs or the umbilical cords, so you should be prepared to help out here. Special DAP Dog Appeasing Pheremone collars are often used to combat the problem of mother dogs not bonding with their puppies, usually starting several days before the C-section. However, the owner or breeder should be fully prepared to step in and take over the job of caring for these tiny bundles of joy. They will need all the help and love you can give them. Some breeders and owners prefer to allow a natural birth, despite the risks. Being Prepared Preparation is key to the safe and successful delivery of the puppies. It pays to have everything on standby in case the mother begins to whelp before the scheduled C-section appointment. Although the date can be predicted pretty accurately, the time can be out by about 24 hours. However gentle they usually are, they might snap at little hands that get too close. Plastic whelping boxes are lightweight and easier to keep clean than wooden ones, which can harbor parasites and germs. Make sure the box is large enough for the mother to stretch out but small enough to keep her precious puppies close, with easy access for her to get out without the puppies escaping. Any equipment you use should preferably be sterile. Placing a plastic sheet around the whelping area and under the box will help. What To Expect Photo from: ansem. As the hour approaches, she will pant a lot and become restless before lying down, upon which she will begin trembling. Soon after this, she will begin to push. The best sign of the start of labor is a sudden drop in body temperature, from around .Once she starts to push, the first puppy should appear within twenty minutes. If there is no sign of birth after this time, then call for assistance immediately as there is a good chance that puppy number one is stuck. Hopefully, all will be well, and the puppy is born safely. Help momma dog out if she needs it by cleaning and cutting cords. She should lick her babies clean as this will help her bond as the scent causes hormones to be released. The birth process is exhausting for the mother, so help her whenever you can. If at any time she becomes distressed, or things go wrong, call for help immediately, or both she and her Frenchie baby could be at serious risk of death. Clean up the area as much as you can without disturbing them, and leave them to it. But your work, in some senses, has only just begun! Caring For A Newborn French Bulldog Whether whelped at home or delivered by C-section, both mom and her new babies will need your help. One new puppy is a challenge. You might have two, three, or more, plus their tired mom to look after! However, in some cases, the mother may not naturally take to feeding. This can be a problem when the birth has not been natural. If you need to step in, ready-made puppy formula is available, or you may wish to make your own. Allow enough flow to let them feed easily without it overflowing around their mouth and nose. For the first week, they need to be fed every two hours. This can be extended to three or four hours in the second week, especially if they look healthy and are a good size. Potty Training Like any newborn baby, they will look to their mother for guidance, but you will most likely have to lend a hand. They will not poop or pee of their own accord, and mom has to stimulate this action by licking them. After this, you will obviously have to clean them up. Newborn French Bulldog puppies lack the ability to regulate their own body temperature in the first week of their lives. Overheating can be fatal. Check the areas for drafts and plug any gaps where cold air is flowing, but do make sure there is a slightly cooler area for mom and her babies to escape to if they want to. Frenchies, in general, due to their flat face, can be prone to overheating throughout their lives, so you should always keep this in mind. Keep Them Clean Any newspaper that becomes soiled should be replaced as soon as possible, and blankets or sheets should be washed regularly. These precious pups are vulnerable to staph infections and can get sick really quickly. Diarrhea or vomiting are serious problems, leading to dehydration, which can be a killer. If they are feeding naturally from mom, they will be getting the nutrition they need and protection in the form of antibodies to help fight infection. Development They will need to nurse or be fed formula for about three to four weeks before weaning. By this time, they will have changed significantly. When born, and for the first week, they are blind, deaf, and only able to move by wriggling. They will also react to sound even though their ears are just starting to open. By now, they are able to defecate and urinate by themselves, without help. This is a good time to begin things like toilet training. Place a shallow water bowl within reach, and be sure to remove any small objects from the area as they are likely to choke on them! They will be more independent and will play with their siblings, sometimes getting pretty rough. By the sixth week, they should be fully weaned and eating good-quality puppy food. As well as interacting with their siblings and mother, they should be showing interest in humans too. This is the time to book them in for vaccinations. Up to this point, the puppies have been courageously investigating their little world, their natural curiosity overcoming any fears. Now, however, they should start to display caution, especially with new objects or experiences. An eight-week-old French Bulldog puppy should now be fully formed, with deep brown eyes and weighing between 5 and 7 pounds. As loyal, fun, playful, and cute as they can be, this breed faces a host of health issues. They require special care and consideration, and you should only take them on if you are prepared to do what it takes to keep them healthy and give them the love they deserve. Home » Blog » What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks You certainly want to know about every minute of your sweet puppy. Last year we did a documentary about our breeding program in which we showed where our Frenchies live and we also wrote about how our program has grown over the years. In this article, we share with you how we help our little puppies on the TomKings Puppies farm, from the first moments of their lives until we find a forever loving family for them. The vet checks if everything is fine and we take them home. The average birth weight of a Frenchie is 0. Their size strongly depends on the size of the litter; when there are a fewer of them they can be as big as a two-week-old puppy from an other litter. Newborn puppies are deaf and blind and absolutely helpless so we are here to assist their mother to nurture them. In the first two weeks They are breastfed every 3 hours, and then their mom stimulates them to pee and poo. Not all mothers are eager to do this, in which case we assist them with a dam, warm cotton towel. The puppies spend the rest of their time sleeping they often seem to be dreaming! Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email They are so cute as they love to huddle together, but we also keep them warm with an external source like an infra lamp. As the puppies are very small, there is a threat that the mom accidentally smothers one or more of them. In the first 4 weeks We make strict precautions to keep the newborn babies sterile to avoid the risk of them being infected. They sleep in the house with us, and only a small circle of carers are allowed to touch them who use lots of hands sanitizing. As the mother has less and less milk we gradually switch to give them milk from a bottle and then crushed food. The puppies open their eyes when they are days old, and then they are able to hear — a whole new world opens up for them. At the age of weeks, the little explorers start crawling and then the first few shaky steps. At this stage, they are already very playful and start love-biting each other. New born puppies are very helpless. They are born blind and deaf and unable to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to use an external heat source when the puppies are not in direct contact with mom. During this time period, their mothers have to stimulate them in order for them to urinate and have bowel movements. This is a very busy time for us and we are usually very sleep deprived because we assist the mothers every 3 hours around the clock to make sure that all puppies are latching on well, growing, and being stimulated to urinate and defecate. It is a critical time in which the puppies are so small that an unaware Frenchie mother could accidentally smother one or more of her pups, so we monitor them very closely. Lacey takes a video of each litter at 3 weeks of age and posts them on our website under New Puppies so that our clients near the top of the list, as well as other clients and prospective clients, can get a early look at them. They continue to gain weight rapidly over the next several months of their lives. At two weeks age their ears open and they are able to hear, and another big part of their new world opens up. Prior to this event, about all they do is grunt or mew, but afterward their vocabulary includes yelps, whines, and even little barks. At three weeks of age the more advanced puppies start taking their first shaky steps; prior to this their basic mode of transportation is basic army crawling. They are now able to urinate and defecate on their own and will move away from their sleeping area to do so. Up to this point it is strictly the mothers and us Donna, Lacey, and Bick who have handled the pups with lots of hand sanitizing before and after and they have been kept in their kennel. Even though it is hard on the kids, we do not let them or their friends handle them until 4 weeks of age. At four weeks we start introducing them to solid food initially crushed and moistened. By the end of the 4th week they are eating their crushed puppy food, with no water added, three times a day. Because they are not nursing as long or as often, we provide fresh water for them at all times. The kids are allowed to hold them now closely monitored and with clean hands and we allow the puppies to run around and explore our large main room in the house. At 5 weeks of age they are starting to run around all over the place when they are let out to play, and, when they are in their kennels, they play sometimes rather roughly with litter mates. It is during this time when some of their adult personalities will start coming out. By the end of this week their puppy teeth are all in, and they love to chew on things, including fingers if you let them. However, even at this age, they will spend most of their time sleeping, probably close to 20 hours per day, with only short times between naps when they are alert and active. By the end of the 6th week they are completely weaned from their moms and eating solid food well. We frequently take them out of their kennels to scamper around. They are full of energy and love to play with their litter-mates and the kids. This is the time that we really focus on socializing them and we even start their paper training. By 7 weeks they have already passed through most of their puppy milestones and are continuing to grow rapidly; they are generally in the 4 to 6 pound range. This is when their personalities really start coming out! It is so fun to watch them play with the kids and their litter-mates and observe their new fascination with toys. They have become somewhat accustomed to going potty on pee pads so that when they are out running around the room they often recognize them on the floor and will go potty on them. Though they are fast, active, playful little puppies at this point in their lives, they still are like babies and require lots of sleep probably over 18 hours per day and are still quite fragile. This video will show the color and conformation of each puppy, in addition to its personality. Their their third DAPP and 2nd Bordetella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks and then a yearly booster thereafter. The rabies shot can also be given at 12 weeks no later than 16 weeks. They are also regularly de-wormed and given a medication for the prevention of coccidia and giardia. Occasionally we hold onto puppies a little longer if we do not feel they are quite ready to go to their new homes. Our clients are encouraged to come to our home to meet their fur babies if this is feasible. When this is not possible, we arrange for one of our responsible puppy chaperones to hand deliver our puppies to meet their new owners at their nearest major airport. In fact, even as adults they will sleep at least half of the day in a series of long naps, and probably closer to 14 hours per day. Have More Questions? The bat ears, large bright eyes, stubby tail, compact and muscular body, playful nature and remarkably docile demeanour; some of the innumerable qualities that make the French bulldogs an excellent companion animal. Due to their smaller body size, these dogs make good travel companions as well. Additionally, their intelligence and quick adaptability ensure that they are safe to be let about around infants and old members of the family as well. To these statements, I can attest myself for I have a 4 years old female French bulldog — one of the most brilliant dogs that my family has ever had the privilege to own. However, during these past four years, one major concern surfaced itself time and again to my veterinarian parents: Pyometra. Pyometra is defined as an intrauterine accumulation of pus accompanied by a persistent corpus luteum and failure of oestrus. Apparent failure of the endometrial luteolytic factor or endogenous prostaglandin to cause luteolysis makes bitches appear and behave as though they were gestating. Risk factors for pyometra include increasing age, nulliparity, breed, and exogenous oestrogen or progesterone administration. Spaying Ovariohysterectomy completely and promptly removes the infection, prevents uterine rupture and peritonitis, and prevents recurrence, in most cases. Spayed animals do very rarely develop pyometra in the uterine stump. Even so, ovariohysterectomy is currently considered the most effective and safest treatment. It is thus, a very important disease to be aware of for any dog or cat owner because of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. While it is observed that this condition may occur in any dog regardless of age and mating history, it is more common in bitches that have not whelped even once throughout their life nulliparous. Therefore, after a proper discussion and consultation with scientific literature, we decided to allow our French bulldog to mate with a healthy adult male of the same breed. Little did we know what was in store for us in the next few months to come. Our dog conceived successfully and started showing some symptoms of gestation such as gradual enlargement of abdomen, quick exhaustion, reluctance to run or play, enlargement of mammary glands, etc. However, she lost her appetite abruptly and refused to eat her meals about two weeks into her pregnancy. As her abdomen rapidly grew in size, her appetite reduced alarmingly. To manage the issue, she was given appetite inducers, liver supplements and shifting of meal ingredients from fish, to egg, to chicken, to pork alternatively, in an attempt to spark her interest. She ate almost nothing. There was gradual loss of condition as her abdomen distended significantly. At merely 30 days of gestation, her general appearance was of a bitch at full term. A general abdominal ultrasound was conducted on the 40th day of gestation and roughly 7 puppies were observed even though the number could be greater since unlike X-ray, the number of foetuses cannot accurately be determined using ultrasonography and we were unwilling to conduct radiography due to radiation hazard. She instead preferred to sit close to walls and furniture and lean for support, thus keeping her thorax elevated than her abdomen to reduce pressure on her diaphragm while breathing. There were a couple of concerns we were ailed with. Since French bulldogs are known to have a narrow pelvic girdle and foetal head size is typically large, normal parturition could lead to lodgement of the head of the foetus in her birth canal leading to dystocia. This is why being a veterinary surgeon; I had made all preparations for a caesarean section. Additionally, on an average, French bulldogs have no more than 5 puppies per litter but in the case of my dog Paris, her litter size appeared considerably larger upon ultrasonography, which could be correlated with her abnormally distended abdomen. On the 58th day of gestation, she displayed vivid signs of labour such as nesting, restlessness, panting and straining. We were alarmed due to her pre-term parturition since there were still days of pregnancy remaining. At pm in the winter evening she delivered her first puppy via normal parturition without incident and continued to deliver 8 more over the next 7 hours and delivered a total of 9 puppies of which one was still-born. It was severely cold and raining outside. She displayed admirable maternal instinct and licked away the foetal membranes from all the puppies enabling them to breathe and stimulated them by licking their faces and bodies until the pups let out their first cries. The puppies were cleaned and stimulated further by rubbing gently with sterile absorbant cotton. Unlike most other breeds of dogs, Paris readily allowed us to handle and care for her pups, trusting us completely to keep them safe. On the first two nights, the puppies were allowed to remain with the mother however; we lost another pup as a result of crushing injury inflicted due to her lack of experience. It was then decided to undertake human intervention so as to ensure the safety of the remaining 7 puppies and avoid such accidents in the future. On the 4th night however, the mother managed to get into the basket housing her puppies, reached in with her mouth and carried out one puppy then took her to her bed. The puppy was licked thoroughly by the mother and was only discovered approximately 4 hours after the incident. By then the puppy was hypothermic and dehydrated. Due to severe dehydration and subsequent hypoglycaemia, she was very weak, unable to suckle milk and twitched in frequent intervals. Intensive care was initiated immediately and the puppy was separated from the rest, kept constantly warm at 39 degrees Celsius, fed artificial milk in intervals of 1 hour. However, not much improvement could be observed. After repeating the procedure thrice, she visibly regained strength and began suckling on the finger showing intent. I continued to feed her the milk replacer at 1 hour intervals and 0. This is an essential step since most puppies at neonatal stage are unable to void faeces and urine independently and require stimulation from the mother by licking or artificially using soaked cotton balls. In the case of Paris, she would tend to lick using excessive pressure perhaps due to her overwhelming maternal instinct, which is why we had to deter her from doing so and took charge of the issue ourselves. From the 4th week, feeding was repeated at 4 hour intervals and subsequently increased to 6 hours at the age of 6 weeks. They are currently 12 weeks old and in the past couple of months, I have put my theoretical knowledge on neonatal care of puppies into practical application. General status of health could be assessed by observing faecal consistency and frequency. Neonates void yellow or brown semi-solid faeces with a seedy appearance at intervals of 2 to 3 hours. Faeces solidify gradually and take the form of small boli in healthy puppies without gastrointestinal ailments and having sufficient hydration. Anaemia was assessed by colour and dryness of the oral mucous membranes, dehydration could be assessed by pulling the skin on the back using thumb and index finger as well as the colour of urine. Healthy puppies void clear, colourless to slightly yellow urine, and dehydrated puppies have dark yellow urine voided in scanty quantities. The first two weeks are very crucial since the puppies were prone to hypothermia and hypoglycaemia if optimal room temperature and feeding schedule is not carefully maintained. Methylcellulose eye drops were instilled at 6 hour intervals for one week to prevent corneal desiccation. The mother resumed feed consumption the morning after her delivery. Her diet was supplemented with multi-mineral and multivitamin syrup Multistar Pet and calcium chew tablets Drools to help her regain optimal health as well as to sustain the high nutritional requirements during lactation. All puppies were vaccinated with Puppy-DP Distemper and Parvovirus at 30 days age considering the facts that Paris missed her vaccination during her pregnancy and a Parvoviral infection was on-going as an epidemic in the city. Additionally, the puppies were kept under complete isolation and I had to place myself under home-isolation since I would encounter multiple Parvo and Distemper cases at my workplace. It is with great pride that I can say that all seven puppies have shown remarkable growth and development, are healthy, happy and playful. A healthy female French Bulldog Paris , 4 Year age. A photograph of Paris at 30 days of gestation, with distended abdomen and mildly enlarged mammary glands. A photograph of Paris resting with her fully fed puppies after nursing. Six French bulldog puppies of 60 days age, sitting attentively for a photograph.

For the complete list please see our Boxer Reference Links page. However, pet stores will often sell lower-quality puppies for less than this. It would be wise to go with a breeder if you want to get the best possible dog because the parents will have the highest standards of temperament and health. You can expect that boxer breeders in Alabama are more professional because they know that they need to keep their customers happy so that they can come back for future litters. The more expensive the dog generally means that there is a better history of health and temperament in both parents. They will also have more qualifications for being accepted into the American Boxer Club. There are many advantages of going with a breeder when it comes to owning a boxer puppy. If you buy one directly from a pet store then you may end up getting an older dog that somebody did not want any longer or possibly one that has been poorly bred by accident. If you go with a boxer breeder in Alabama then you will be able to get the best possible puppy for your family. They can help you find one that is just right for your home and lifestyle. You will also know exactly what conditions they were kept in when it comes to health and nutrition, which makes the chances of them being healthy even better. How to Find A Responsible Boxer Breeder in Alabama There are some red flags that you should watch out for when it comes to locating a boxer breeder. It may be tempting to buy from someone who is selling puppies for less than market value but this could end up being a bad idea. You need to understand what kind of conditions they were kept in because you do not want your puppy coming into the home with health problems right away. Asking friends and family or taking to social media can be a good place to start when looking for a boxer breeder in Alabama. It is more likely that they can get a referral from somebody who has used their services before compared to just randomly calling or emailing them. You should be able to do all of this online if you want to save time and feel safer about it. It is also highly recommended that you go with what the American Kennel Club suggests when selecting any dog breeder. They have certain standards that need to be met before they are approved so take advantage of this. Visit Your Alabama Boxer Breeder in Person When you are ready to visit your boxer breeder, be prepared to see how they do business. They should let you into the house or facility right away if it is clean and there should not be any loud barking or dogs in cages. You will most likely meet the parents of the litter as well as any other adult boxers that they have on-site at the moment. If everything goes well during your meeting with them then you can expect to get a healthy puppy from them after completing all of the payment and paperwork details. Visiting the breeder in person will also give you a better idea of what kind of animal they have kept in their house. There should not be any nasty odors or signs of neglect so keep this in mind when thinking about them as a business. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Alabama Always make sure that you ask for references or referrals when visiting your breeder since this is an important part of their job. You may even be able to go with somebody who has already gotten one of their puppies in the past so you can see if they are happy with how he turned out. References will also give you an idea of what kind of pets that they have raised in their house. You should not visit with somebody who has nothing but terrible things to say about them or if they do not feel comfortable giving out references at all. If your breeder will not provide you with references then you should be even more cautious about their practices and think twice before sending them any money. Ask Your Alabama Boxer Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers Your Alabama Boxer breeder should be more than happy to help you find one, or a few happy customers, as most good quality reputable breeders love talking about their dogs. Meeting past customers will also give you a chance to ask questions about temperament, or any problems they may have had. I personally like meeting past customers the best when looking for puppies because it gives me an idea of what my new puppy might be like when she is at that age. Your breeder should have a vet they regularly use for all of their dogs and puppies. Your breeder will also be able to give you the contact information or provide it to you beforehand so that you can make an appointment and get your little one checked out as soon as possible. These shots can be given as early as 8 to 10 weeks old; all depending on your breeder, where they are located, and what is standard in the area. Remember, good quality Alabama puppy breeders should want you to have a happy healthy Boxer for many years. They should want to know that you are using a veterinarian that they approve of, because since this person has already opened up their home and hearts while raising this pup; they want to make sure that when your puppy comes home with you, he or she will receive the best possible care. Asking if you have other pets can also be seen as an ethical sign because it shows that the breeder wants to make sure the environment in which everyone is living is safe and beneficial for all involved. This Alabama breeder may even ask what kind of food or treats you plan on giving your pup so that they can share information about how these items were developed. If so, how are they being treated? They should have full medical histories on both mom and dad including what vaccines were given, if there were any incidences of disease or illness during pregnancy, where the litter was born, their weights at birth, etc. You might even ask if the parents are still available for stud services or babysitting because this shows that you care about more than just money. A good breeder will know what type of food is best for a Boxer Puppy and they may even suggest a specific brand. Ask if you can buy any of their current food because this is an easy way to save money, plus most reputable breeders have been feeding the same food for years so they know it works well with their pups. A simple way some people have been successful in training their Boxer Puppy is by taking them outside every 2 hours and giving them a chance to go potty on a patch of grass. Make sure you provide lots of praise when they do go. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states. For the complete list please see our Boxer Reference Links page. However, pet stores will often sell lower-quality puppies for less than this. It would be wise to go with a breeder if you want to get the best possible dog because the parents will have the highest standards of temperament and health. You can expect that boxer breeders in Alabama are more professional because they know that they need to keep their customers happy so that they can come back for future litters. The more expensive the dog generally means that there is a better history of health and temperament in both parents. They will also have more qualifications for being accepted into the American Boxer Club. There are many advantages of going with a breeder when it comes to owning a boxer puppy. If you buy one directly from a pet store then you may end up getting an older dog that somebody did not want any longer or possibly one that has been poorly bred by accident. If you go with a boxer breeder in Alabama then you will be able to get the best possible puppy for your family. They can help you find one that is just right for your home and lifestyle. You will also know exactly what conditions they were kept in when it comes to health and nutrition, which makes the chances of them being healthy even better. How to Find A Responsible Boxer Breeder in Alabama There are some red flags that you should watch out for when it comes to locating a boxer breeder. It may be tempting to buy from someone who is selling puppies for less than market value but this could end up being a bad idea. You need to understand what kind of conditions they were kept in because you do not want your puppy coming into the home with health problems right away. Asking friends and family or taking to social media can be a good place to start when looking for a boxer breeder in Alabama. It is more likely that they can get a referral from somebody who has used their services before compared to just randomly calling or emailing them. You should be able to do all of this online if you want to save time and feel safer about it. It is also highly recommended that you go with what the American Kennel Club suggests when selecting any dog breeder. They have certain standards that need to be met before they are approved so take advantage of this. Visit Your Alabama Boxer Breeder in Person When you are ready to visit your boxer breeder, be prepared to see how they do business. They should let you into the house or facility right away if it is clean and there should not be any loud barking or dogs in cages. You will most likely meet the parents of the litter as well as any other adult boxers that they have on-site at the moment. If everything goes well during your meeting with them then you can expect to get a healthy puppy from them after completing all of the payment and paperwork details. Visiting the breeder in person will also give you a better idea of what kind of animal they have kept in their house. There should not be any nasty odors or signs of neglect so keep this in mind when thinking about them as a business. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Alabama Always make sure that you ask for references or referrals when visiting your breeder since this is an important part of their job. You may even be able to go with somebody who has already gotten one of their puppies in the past so you can see if they are happy with how he turned out. References will also give you an idea of what kind of pets that they have raised in their house. You should not visit with somebody who has nothing but terrible things to say about them or if they do not feel comfortable giving out references at all. If your breeder will not provide you with references then you should be even more cautious about their practices and think twice before sending them any money. Ask Your Alabama Boxer Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers Your Alabama Boxer breeder should be more than happy to help you find one, or a few happy customers, as most good quality reputable breeders love talking about their dogs. Meeting past customers will also give you a chance to ask questions about temperament, or any problems they may have had. I personally like meeting past customers the best when looking for puppies because it gives me an idea of what my new puppy might be like when she is at that age. Your breeder should have a vet they regularly use for all of their dogs and puppies. Your breeder will also be able to give you the contact information or provide it to you beforehand so that you can make an appointment and get your little one checked out as soon as possible. These shots can be given as early as 8 to 10 weeks old; all depending on your breeder, where they are located, and what is standard in the area. Remember, good quality Alabama puppy breeders should want you to have a happy healthy Boxer for many years. They should want to know that you are using a veterinarian that they approve of, because since this person has already opened up their home and hearts while raising this pup; they want to make sure that when your puppy comes home with you, he or she will receive the best possible care. Asking if you have other pets can also be seen as an ethical sign because it shows that the breeder wants to make sure the environment in which everyone is living is safe and beneficial for all involved. This Alabama breeder may even ask what kind of food or treats you plan on giving your pup so that they can share information about how these items were developed. If so, how are they being treated? They should have full medical histories on both mom and dad including what vaccines were given, if there were any incidences of disease or illness during pregnancy, where the litter was born, their weights at birth, etc. You might even ask if the parents are still available for stud services or babysitting because this shows that you care about more than just money. A good breeder will know what type of food is best for a Boxer Puppy and they may even suggest a specific brand. Ask if you can buy any of their current food because this is an easy way to save money, plus most reputable breeders have been feeding the same food for years so they know it works well with their pups. A simple way some people have been successful in training their Boxer Puppy is by taking them outside every 2 hours and giving them a chance to go potty on a patch of grass. Make sure you provide lots of praise when they do go. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. My husband is no stranger to boxers, as his parents were boxer breeders in Killduff, Iowa. I was introduced to my first boxer in .In an office conversation, I mentioned my husband's love for boxers. Shortly after, a co-worker showed me an ad for a boxer for a 1-year old boxer. We interviewed twice with the family and were awarded the privilege of owning the dog--Bogie. We tragically lost him shortly after. I swore off dogs-especially boxers. It was a painful experience for our family. In October , on a trip to Cow Palace, I stopped to visit my brother who had a litter of 4-week old boxer puppies. I should have never fallen for his trap. One look at those boxer puppies and I had to have one. Being the first to see them, I got first choice. I took many pictures of Kadie to bring home to the family, and of course, they too were smitten. Kadie will always be our special girl. We love to take every opportunity to educate boxer families on the breed. We feel very blessed to have had great success in the years we have been breeding professionally. Our thanks to the extended CinniBon family members and families who have adopted puppies from us. Since .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. Boxer puppies for sale Mobile, Alabama Boxer puppies for sale Mobile, Alabama Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Mobile Alabama? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Mobile for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. The population within the city limits was , as of the United States Census,6 making it the third-most-populous city in Alabama, and the most populous in Mobile County. Wiki Mobile Drop us a line! We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.

Ready for new homes: August 11, .Ready for new homes: September .Ready for new homes: October .Ready for new homes: November .Ready for new homes: December .Ready for new homes: June .GSDs are a versatile and highly intelligent breed capable of mastering complex obedience commands. Their intelligent versatility is just one of many unique factors that put GSDs head and shoulders above most other breeds in the canine world. The average GSD can grow to a shoulder height as high as 26 inches and are capable of equal parts grace and power. Because of this incredible mixture of intelligence, grace, and strength, they are the favorite breed of security experts from local K-9 police departments to every branch of the military across many different nations. GSDs are also capable of mastering the highest levels of show dog training making them among the most popular breeds of championship show dog organizations. There are plenty of reasons why German Shepherds have long been thought of as canine royalty. Select your new pup from one of our available litters and make your reservation with us. No problem. You can contact us at or or email us at vomragnar gmail. Our trainers can also train your pup for basic obedience, advanced obedience, and protection or security work. Your puppy will learn excellent manners and communication skills that will provide you with many years of a rich, full relationship with your German Shepherd. Design Please beware of scams and frauds! There are scams out there who use our brand. Their website may look exact the same since they duplicate our website or their domains look similar. Our website is vomragnar. Our brand name is patented. We are licensed breeders in Illinois. Please do not trust scammers and beware. Want to see our puppies available for sale? Write a Review vitali P 2 weeks ago Thank you affinity! We are very happy with our work together! A very special thank you to Jessie. Our new puppy sends you much love! Anastasiya Karovina 2 weeks ago Thank you guys for the beautiful baby. She's gorgeous! Brought joy to the house for the whole family. Excellent work, service, responsible attitude. I recommend it! Hagen 3 weeks ago My journey with my German Shepherd began with the expert guidance of the breeder at I Guard International and was beautifully complemented by the training prowess Jessi, Cody and Nick at K9 Country Club. Together, they've shaped a truly remarkable experience for me and my family. At I Guard International, I found not just a breeder but a passionate caretaker for these noble animals. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, and the profound understanding of the German Shepherd breed were evident from our first meeting. Our pup was not merely a product but a living testament to their dedication to excellence Cody, working in unison with Nick, brought a whole new dimension to our German Shepherd's training. Their collaboration, with unique insights and methodologies, created a synergy that was reflected in the outstanding development of our pet. Cody's patient approach, his investment in understanding our dog's unique needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with Nick, resulted in a well-rounded and perfectly trained companion. But it wasn't just about the training; it was about the relationships that were forged. Jessi, Cody and Nick became more than trainers; they became mentors and friends to our family. They shared their wisdom, their love for dogs, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best care and training possible. Our German Shepherd's growth under their combined guidance has been a joy to watch. His character, discipline, and happiness are direct reflections of their hard work and heartfelt investment. If you're considering a breeder who truly understands the essence of the German Shepherd breed and trainers who will not just train your dog but celebrate its unique personality and potential, I wholeheartedly recommend I Guard International for breeding and training. In a world filled with choices, choosing them was one of the best decisions we've made for our family and our beloved pet. Their combined expertise and genuine love for what they do have created a lifelong bond and a truly happy, well-trained German Shepherd. Thank you, I Guard International, Cody,Jessi, and Nick, for being more than professionals in your field; thank you for being partners in our family's journey. Tom Jones 2 months ago.Hans Hauge 3 months ago We wanted two dogs that could both defend our home and still be a part of the family. We got it with these two. When someone comes to the door they let us know, and then they just chill out. Megan Mathews 6 months ago.As I was looking for breeders in the Spokane area. I came across I-Guard and gave them a call and spoke with Jessi. We set up a meeting to talk about their German Sheppards and she introduced us to Nick. He listened to our story about our Mal and he matched us up with the perfect German Sheppard for our family, Ace. I was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism that both Jessi and Nick gave to me and my family and feel very fortunate that I made the phone call to I-Guard for our next addition to our family. Since July Nick has reached out to ensure that all is going well on top of training Ace 1 on 1 to help out with my autistic son. Thank you Jessi and Nick for all you have done for my family. Zach Phelps 8 months ago Love these guys! Jessi was super helpful in answering any questions. They breed great tempered dogs for any environment. They took the time to talk and match the right dog to my crazy lifestyle. I will absolutely be coming back to expand my pack in a year or two. Chris Destro 2 year ago We searched and spoke with many German Shepherd breeders. Once we connected with Jessie, we felt super comfortable as she did not rush our decision at all, in fact, she was extremely patient and helpful as we made our final choice. So glad we went with I-Guard and her! He is amazing with kids and has a friendly disposition. We love him very much. Thank you again, Jessie.Koda is the best! We look at every German shepherd puppy as a special member of our family—and a future member of yours. Think of it like skipping the baby stage and the sleepless nights. Puppies range from two to 10 months old depending on your preference. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. Sound in mind and body, strong, functional, intelligent, trainable, courageous, and resilient. These are the natural qualities that can only be realized through the incredible genetics of purebred German Shepherds. We only import the best-of-the-best. Certified champions straight from Germany! Due to his home being burglarized in , Wayne decided to train dogs in tracking, obedience, and protection. His untrained Staffordshire Bullterrier was unable to protect his home and he then decided to obtain a Rottweiler for protection. Wayne continued to train Rottweilers up until the early 90s where he purchased his first German Shepherd. He was raised along side German Shepherds which had a huge impact toward his love and respect for the breed. At Kraftwerk K9, we honor the history of the German Shepherd. We here at Kraftwerk K9 care for and teach these world-class dogs to live up to their full potential. Our ethical breeding facility sits on 25 gorgeous acres of Washington soil and is available for touring before purchase. Take a look at our facility Learn more about our certified German Shepherds by calling today at or visiting our Available Dog page!

For the complete list please see our German Shepherd Breeders in a state by you page. However, this number may vary depending on the breeder that you choose to work with. This number may be a bit confusing to some, since this is the average price. You should try to purchase your German Shepherd from a local breeder so you can save on the transport costs involved in getting one from out of state. The cost of food and training will also vary depending on where you get your shepherd from, so you need to take all these factors into consideration before making an investment in purchasing your next pet. The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and beauty. If you are looking for a great family dog, then the German Shepherd may be the perfect breed for you. They will also provide a health guarantee for the puppies, as well as a return policy in case something happens to the dog after it has been purchased. Responsible breeders will also require you to sign a contract stating that you will not re-sell the puppy to a pet store or Craigslist. They do this to help ensure that the puppies are going to good homes and will not end up in a shelter or rescue organization at some point down the road. They should be able to refer you to a few responsible breeders in your area. This will allow you to interact with the dogs and see how they are treated. A responsible breeder should at least let you meet the parents of the puppies, if not both parents as well. You also want to ensure that your potential German Shepherd breeder shows their dogs love and attention on a regular basis since this breed thrives on affection and emotional stimulation. If the dogs look neglected or abused, then not buy one of their puppies. You can then contact the people they have provided to see what their experience was like when working with your potential breeder. This is an excellent way for you to find out more about how serious they are when it comes to taking care of their puppies and finding them good homes. Before you purchase one of their dogs, ask your North Dakota German Shepherd breeder if they require that you spay or neuter the dog before it reaches its first birthday — this is a sign that they care about the dogs and want them to live long and healthy lives. You should also ask them about the health history of their breed lines, as well as what hip dysplasia is and how it can affect German Shepherds over time. A responsible breeder will provide you with all the information you need to ensure that your new dog is healthy and free from genetic diseases. This will give you a chance to ask them about their experience with the breeder and whether or not they would recommend them to others. Past customers are usually more than happy to share their experiences, good or bad, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. Meeting past customers will also help you to get an idea about the quality of puppies the breeder produces and whether or not they are willing to stand behind their puppies. By following these tips, you should be able to find one that will be a perfect fit for your family. The next thing you want to consider is whether or not your German Shepherd breeder has a good veterinarian that they use regularly. This ensures that the dogs are kept up-to-date on their vaccines and preventative care. If you come into contact with an unethical breeder, you can also report them to the North Dakota German Shepherd Dog Breeders Association. If your German Shepherd pup is sickly with runny eyes, ears, nose, etc. When you buy a new puppy from a responsible North Dakota German Shepherd Dog Breeder, it is highly advisable for you to get either a written contract or an agreement of terms. This document outlines what both parties will do upon the sale of a puppy. Most contracts are set up in a way that states you must spay or neuter your dog by the time they reach 6 months old. You are also required to have an agreement with your breeder that if, for whatever reason, you cannot keep your German Shepherd Dog any longer then they will take them back and find them another good home after every effort is exhausted to rehome them. If you do not want to keep your pup beyond 6 months, most breeders will give you half of what you paid at the time of purchase back towards getting another dog from their kennel. There are some additional things that will benefit both them and you throughout their life when they live with you in North Dakota. While most breeds can hold their bladder for 8 hours at a time German Shepherds cannot and will need to go out after that long. Potty Training Your New German Shepherd Puppy When potty training a new German Shepherd puppy, always remember that they will have an inclination to want to eliminate outdoors. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Breeding family raised German Shepherd puppies that are black and red, or solid black in color. We produce short coats, stock coats, or long coat German Shepherds. Thank you for contacting us in your search for a German Shepherd puppies or maybe even a retired or older German Shepherd. We pride ourselves on sharing our passion for the German Shepherd breed with our families and individuals who purchase a German Shepherd puppy from us. We enjoy the loyalty, love and compassion of this great breed. German shepherds are known for their loyalty and intelligence. As a responsible breeder, our goal is to find suitable homes and families for each and every German Shepherd Puppy. We want to ensure that our German Shepherd puppies are not only loving and healthy, but excellent representatives of the German Shepherd breed. Our German Shepherds are beloved members of our family. Each and every one of our German Shepherds have a very special place in our heart. They are our best friends and are loved beyond belief. We put time and research into producing quality AKC registered German shepherds that are fun to be around, loyal, loving, beautiful, and easily trainable. We produce the type of German Shepherd that will become a great asset to your family. We are thankful for our German Shepherds and the people they have brought into our lives. Breeding these wonderful dogs is truly our passion! From time to time we will have solid black due to lineage. We encourage you to come meet us and visit our dogs and our kennel.Resource guards food and toys. Apply today and be a winner! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs. His favorite game last night though was to put the tennis ball into the pool for me to get and then throw for him. I just love how his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth when he gets excited. Cain is a high energy guy who loves squeaky toys, benebones, and playing with his foster sister. A patient dog who can match his energy or an active family who is committed to providing regular enrichment walks, training, hiking, car rides would be ideal. He had one accident in the house but he is learning to ring bells to go outside. He will go in a kennel if a treat is thrown in, and he slept quietly in there overnight. He was full of energy and was super interested in the other dogs. He did jump up quite a bit though and was redirected with some success. He met 2 little kids and was gentle with them. Cain did well on the car ride too, though I do not recommend the windows to be down too low in fear that he would jump out. He had a pup cup from Scooters and seemed to really enjoy that. If I could, I would totally foster him, but I have 3 dogs of my own. He is such a sweet boy and I hope he finds forever home soon, I love him! To view additional dogs available for adoption, please see our website: www. Questions about German Shepherd puppies for sale in North Dakota? We have answers. How much do your German Shepherd puppies for sale in North Dakota cost? The experience of the breeder also makes a difference when you look for German Shepherd puppies for sale North Dakota. Do you limit the network to local breeders and litters? No, our network stretches right across the country so you are not limited to North Dakota German Shepherd breeders. If you find your perfect puppy in another state, your breeder can make travel arrangements so you can meet your pup at your most convenient major airport with no trouble at all. How can I be sure I will only find the best breeders and businesses here? We want only the best German Shepherd breeders in North Dakota and around the country here. Take a look at our Breeder Pledge to find out more about our requirements. Because here you will only find properly raised pups from the best German Shepherd breeders North Dakota. When you carry out an online search, you never really know how your puppy has been raised. But here, you can find German Shepherd puppies North Dakota that have been bred ethically. Why should I not use a puppy mill to find my new dog? Because these are places where profits come before all else, so avoid them when you search for German Shepherds for sale North Dakota. Dogs are often kept in bad conditions, and they have a higher chance of suffering from illnesses and dying younger. Mills are sad places that you should avoid when looking for a German Shepherd North Dakota. What about if I want a very specific kind of German Shepherd? Whether you have a particular color, pedigree, or something else in mind, search today for German Shepherd puppies in North Dakota. How can I find my German Shepherd puppy in the network? We make it really easy to find your perfect German Shepherd for sale North Dakota here. Just search for your dog until you find one that looks perfect, then connect with the breeder or business and start making arrangements for picking up your pup. Why should I trust you? You can start by reading our reviews to see just how happy our customers are. Get started now by looking for the ideal German Shepherd for sale in North Dakota. People know they can trust us to find healthy, happy pups from the top breeders and businesses in the country. Are German Shepherds easy to look after? When you find a North Dakota German Shepherd for sale, it will shed throughout the year. And sometimes they can shed a lot! They have quite thick hair, and they need regular grooming, which usually means a few times a week. Are German Shepherds good around kids? German Shepherds are usually good around kids, especially children they grow up with. Once you have searched for North Dakota German Shepherds for sale and found a puppy you like, make sure it is trained and socialized properly. While every German Shepherd is an individual, they usually love the kids in the family.

We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Cincinnati Ohio and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Thank you for visiting Adorable Goldendoodles If you're looking to add a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, or Sheepadoodle to your family you've come to the right place! Doodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are social dogs, happiest when with people. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. Adorable Goldendoodles is home to the most exclusive and beautiful Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, and Sheepadoodles in America. We have very carefully selected our puppy Parents from the highest quality — champion lines with years of good health history behind them. Our puppy parents are the best of the best! We strive for healthy, even tempered, well adjusted, friendly puppies with low-non shedding-allergy friendly coats. We offer a full one-year health guarantee on all of our puppies against inheritable genetic defects and a lifetime of support and re-home if needed. Our puppies are checked by our Veterinarian several times, vaccinated and come with shot records. Adorable Goldendoodles is a Veterinarian recommended breeder - many times over. We are conveniently located on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio on the corner of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. We also ship puppies all over the United States! We have been committed to the development and research of the Doodle since .With over 20 years of combined experience we are a Premium Doodle Breeder that specializes in some of the most outstanding Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, and Sheepadoodles not only in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, but in the country. Adorable Goldendoodles has a reputation for producing beautiful, top quality low-non shedding-allergy friendly Doodles, that are smart, healthy, happy, well tempered, gentle and extremely laid-back. All puppies are well on their way to being crate trained when they go home and have all been well socialized with children. Adorable Goldendoodles puppies are child tested and mother approved. We serve local customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and we ship nationwide. All deposits are transferable but non-refundable.

Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Labrador retrievers are an adorable and popular dog breed that can make a great addition to your household. Aside from a physical examination, you can do a professional DNA test on the dog to check its genetic makeup. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Does the fur appear short, and have a thick texture? The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Did you know? There are silver labs, but silver is not an acceptable color in the breed standard as this color is believed to have come from a cross with the Weimaraner. However, dogs with this coat color may still be registered with certain kennel clubs. If the dog is a yellow or black lab, check that the puppy has brown eyes. In the case of chocolate labs, check for brown or hazel eyes. Check to see how long its legs are; while a Labrador should have longer legs than a Dachshund, its legs should be shorter than a Husky. Purchase a dog genetics test, which will give you a specialized testing kit. Some DNA tests will look for genetic markers, while cheaper tests focus more on the different breeds. Tip: Try to keep the puppy from sharing food or playing rough with the other dogs, as this might hurt the integrity of the saliva sample. Package the saliva sample according to the instructions given by the company. Seal the envelope or package carefully, so the sample is completely secure while it travels to the lab. Generally, you can find the test results listed by breed, followed by a percentage; however, this might differ, depending on the company. If this is possible, use a cotton swab to collect saliva samples from 1 or both parents. Store these samples carefully, so you can send them to a professional company. Seal the envelope or package carefully to secure the sample, and keep it safe in transit. Go to source Seeing a CH or confirmation champion title on the pedigree certificate means that the dog is close to the ideals in the breed standard and is related to a dog that was able to win over other dogs at a show with at least 15 conformation points. Go to source A dog with this lineage can make a great candidate for showing. If your dog has documented parentage with the American Kennel Club, you can search their database and purchase a certificate that affirms this. You can also register your dog through the American Kennel Club once you have proof of their pedigree. Go to source Fees for pedigrees very depending on the type. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Old chocolate Labs I have been writing about Labradors for many years now, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are all wonderful dogs. But the chocolate Labrador is special. Meet Rachael, my Beautiful Brown Lab All Labradors are beautiful, of course, but brown Labradors will always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I am unashamedly biased! You see, I am lucky enough to share my life with Rachael. A female chocolate retriever from a mixture of American and English Lab lines. This is Rachael as a puppy. This page is a celebration of what is for me, one of the most beautiful dogs in the world. Rachael has been a huge source of inspiration for this website, so this is a little tribute to her and a thank you for all she has taught me. Where do Chocolate Labs come from? But they had been around for some years before that. The Labrador breed was developed mainly by a couple of English aristocrats in the s, from dogs they had imported from North America. Although our early Labrador Retrievers were predominantly black, some of these original dogs carried the genetic information required to produce chocolate puppies. Just as some also carried the information required to produce yellow puppies. If mainly black dogs were bred from, you may wonder how a brown puppy was ever born! To understand that, we need to take a peep at the genes that carry the code for coat color in the Labrador retriever. How is the Chocolate Color Inherited in Labradors? The instructions that tell your dog what to look like, and what color to be, come packed in genes. And genes come in pairs. This is true for the gene that determines whether or not the Labrador will be brown this gene is called b or black B. Every Labrador has either two genes for a black coat BB or two genes for a brown coat bb or one of each Bb. The color black in Labradors is dominant. That means that if a Labrador has one gene for the color brown, and one gene for the color black, the dog will be black. This is because his black gene switches off the brown one. The brown gene just sits hidden inside him doing nothing in particular, while the black gene takes control of his coat. What about Chocolate Labs? So for a chocolate Lab puppy to be born, he needs to have those two chocolate genes, one is not enough. However, a black Labrador can sneakily carry a brown gene Bb and pass it along to his children. This is how the color brown can and did remain hidden in generation after generation of black Labradors. Shedding chocolate Labs can appear paler as the undercoat shows through more when deep in shed. In old age their coat can also fade, especially around their face. Why were Chocolate Labs not Wanted? So if there were always brown genes in our Labrador population, there have always been occasional brown puppies. All that was required to produce some chocolate Labrador Retriever puppies was for someone to mate a black dog carrying brown Bb with another black dog carrying brown. And hey presto, some of this litter of puppies are brown! And of course in the days long before DNA tests,, there was no way of knowing for sure that a black dog was carrying brown, until he had made some brown puppies. By which time it was too late! It seems bizarre to us now, in a world where chocolate is such a popular color in dogs. But in the early s only black would do. When did Chocolate Labs become Popular? By the s and 30s a few brown or liver Labradors as they were then called were making an appearance on the shooting field. But for some years more, brown was not widely acceptable to Labrador enthusiasts. Chocolate Labs are loving dogs, full of warmth and enthusiasm That preference continues today, and we still often name our brown Labs after favorite snack bars and chocolate flavored drinks! The s was a turning point in the popularity of the chocolate Lab, but interest grew slowly at first. Gradually, the public began to demand more chocolate Lab puppies, and gradually breeders began to produce them. Over the next few decades, Chocolate Labradors became increasingly popular both in the show ring and as pets. In the shooting community, where Labradors were expected to do a job of work, the preference for black continued. This continued throughout the late s, and into the present day, particularly in the UK. American Chocolate Lab American chocolate Labradors were bred to work, and are also known as field Labradors. The chocolate Lab has now become more established in the working community, but they are harder to find. There is a rumour going around that this is because brown Labradors are a bit stupid! But is it true? You might also have noticed that chocolate Labs are rarely seen as seeing eye dogs. Chocolate Lab Characteristics Just like you and me, every dog is a product of both his environment. As well as the genes he is born with. We have seen that many chocolate Labradors come from show Labrador lines, and these bloodlines tend to have certain characteristics in common. Characteristics that are passed along from parent to puppy. Chocolate Lab size varies quite a bit. Show Labradors English are often more heavily built, and somewhat slower and physically less agile than their field bred counterparts. Some English brown Labs may reach 80 or 90lbs without being fat or overweight. Whereas American chocolate Labs are often lighter. My Rachael, for example, weighs less than 60lbs. Most males of her build will weigh five or ten pounds more. English chocolate Labs are also more likely to have a chunky Labrador head and thick otter tail. And while some feel that the chunkiness of the skull has been taken too far in show lines, there is no denying the beauty of a classic Labrador head. A brown Labrador is more likely to be from these show types of bloodline and are therefore more likely to share these general characteristics. But there is more. Chocolate Lab Temperament American Labs may have a more intense retrieve drive, or urge to chase and retrieve things than their show bred cousins. In short, they are desperate to please. Over many generations this biddable quality has been bred into our working Labs alongside their retrieving and hunting prowess. This has given working dogs a rather different temperament from our show stock. Chocolate Lab Intelligence In show dogs you may see a more robust temperament. An English chocolate Lab is often less concerned over the little ups and downs of life. Nothing is taken too seriously. Many English chocolate Lab owners report that their dogs are especially playful. And I have certainly found that to be the case with Rachael. She adores soft toys and spends hours playing with her Flat Squirrel! However, they may less distractible, more focused and therefore easier to train. This can certainly give the impression of a dog that is pretty smart. These dogs may also be more likely to be black. English Labs are still highly intelligent, highly trainable dogs. The differences between field and show might give you the edge in competition. They are also becoming increasingly irrelevant as we switch to more modern methods of training which are much better at motivating dogs to engage in the training process. We mentioned earlier that the color black has long been favoured by the working retriever community. Experienced, working gundog enthusiasts are less likely to buy a puppy that is not from working lines, and when they do, they are more likely to choose a black dog. Unsurprisingly this means that most working lines of Labs are predominantly black. Black is also a great color for a hunting companion. A yellow dog really stands out in the countryside, even in poor light, so even when yellow dogs became more common, they were not so popular with the hunter. Brown dogs are better camouflaged but became more numerous much later and were embraced first by the pet and show communities. Are Chocolate Labs Stupid? To my knowledge, no study has ever been carried out on the differing intellectual abilities of Labrador of different colors. Everything you hear is based on personal anecdotal stories, often passed along in fun. At least to begin with! She has very intense retrieve drive, but is less naturally keen to share the outcome with anyone. She is also easily distracted and because of this she has taken me a little longer to train than my working line Labs. But it is most unlikely that there is any distinct difference in intelligence between dogs of the same breed that happen to be a different color. Being chocolate does not make a dog stupid Even if there were a difference in learning ability between different colored dogs, it does not mean that one caused the other. The answer lies in the behavior and temperament of dogs from different bloodlines. Types of chocolate Labs The difference in trainability is in short a feature of the difference between the field bred dog and the show bred dog. Not a feature of the color of the dog. It is a coincidence that many chocolate Labradors are English in type, and many black Labs are American in type. Because of this coincidence the characteristics of the show bred Lab tend to be attributed to our brown friends. While the characteristics of the field bred Lab tend to be attributed to our black dogs. So you can see how the myth got started. The fact is, that chocolate Labs from working lines are just as easy to train as black Labs from working lines. But you are less likely to meet a chocolate Lab from working lines at the moment. But rest assured, your chocolate friend is not stupid. With modern training methods you can easily teach him to be a well behaved and obedient dog. Chocolate Labrador Shades Unlike our yellow Labradors — which come in a wide range of shades, the color chocolate is pretty consistent in puppyhood. Most chocolate Labs are quite similar in color. As the old hair dies it starts to lose some of its color, and the dead hair is much paler than the glossy new coat that will soon appear. And though some chocolate Labs are darker than others, even when taking the stage of moult into account, variations between individuals are fairly small, with one very contentious exception. The Silver Labrador. Silver Labs Are Chocolate Labs Silver Labradors have a gene which dilutes the color chocolate and makes it a pale, silvery shade. Some people find this very attractive, while others regard it as an abomination. There is no doubt that a hundred years ago, there was no coat dilution gene in our Labrador Retrievers. We know for sure that this gene has appeared quite recently. The strongest theory is that the gene arrived through cross breeding a Labrador with a dog that carries the dilute coat color gene. A breed such as the Weimaraner for example. This seems rather less likely. Not as silver itself. A bright Future for the Chocolate Lab Throughout history, there have been a number of famous black Labradors, and we tend to associate yellow Labs with the all important role of working as assistance dogs. This is not because chocolate Lab dogs lack the qualities or abilities of black and yellow dogs, but simply because the popularity of the color is a relatively recent phenomenon. There are as we speak, plenty of chocolate Labradors serving in the military, working as assistance dogs and in the shooting field. Maybe you have a story to tell about your own chocolate friend, or maybe you are just starting out on your journey to finding a chocolate Lab to share your life. We have some tips for searching in the right places. The other way, is to buy a chocolate Lab puppy and raise him yourself. There are pros and cons to both rescuing an older dog and raising your own puppy, I go into these in some detail in The Labrador Handbook. It may well depend on what stage of life your family is at and on how experienced you are with dogs in general, and with Labradors in particular. You can buy both books from Amazon by following links above. If rescuing appeals to you, and you are ready for the challenges and the many benefits of giving a dog a new lease of life, there are plenty of rescue societies that specialise in Labradors. Rescuing can be a wonderful and fulfilling way of bringing a lovely brown retriever into your life, so do consider it thoroughly. You can find lots more information here: Is a rescue Labrador right for you and here The right dog for you- Puppy or Rescue? If now is not the right time for you to rescue an older dog. Or if you are getting a Labrador for a special purpose — as a hunting companion for example — you may be better off with a new puppy. If someone wants to sell you a puppy much younger than that, alarm bells should be ringing. You also need to make sure you buy your puppy from the right place. This means choosing the right breeder. And avoiding puppy mills and pet stores. If you want a puppy for hunting, you need to go to a breeder that specialises in field-bred dogs. If you want to get involved in the world of showing, you need to go to a breeder that breeds Labradors for the show ring. It is possible to train a show dog for work, though he or she is unlikely to get far in high level field competitions. It is not normally possible to succeed in the show ring with a field bred dog. Keep this in mind. Chocolate Labrador Puppy Health Labradors of all colors suffer from inherited disorders. Please, please make sure your puppy is from health tested parents — it may all end in tears if you omit this important step. Their parents should have good hip scores, good elbow scores, clear eye tests and be PRA clear too. But does picking a chocolate Lab puppy set you off on the wrong foot in terms of health from the start? Are Chocolate Labs Unhealthy? In a study hit the headlines hard, and had a lot of chocolate Lab owners in a panic. Their research suggested that there is a link between Lab color and not just health, but lifespan too. Over 33, Labs were studies, with .Giving a good sample size. Chocolate Labs in the study were more likely to have dermatitis, which matches with some colloquial findings of owners of silver Labs with skin problems. Ear problems are also more common, and this is in fact something Rachael has even suffered with in the past. Gastrointestinal issues were more common with chocolate Labradors too. Chocolate Labradors live on average for just .At least according to this study. Interestingly, they were least likely to have degenerative joint disease or dental problems. It reduces the chances of your pup becoming ill. But it is also important to look at the coefficient of inbreeding. Chocolate Labs get their color from a recessive gene. This means that to ensure you have a litter of chocolate puppies you need to breed from two chocolate parents. Reducing gene pools will always increase health problems. Finding a puppy with a very low coefficient of inbreeding will help you to avoid some of these problems. In addition to health testing, of course. It would also be sensible to avoid a chocolate Lab puppy with parents with a history of ear or skin problems. You can find out more about health issues in Labradors in this article: Health screening for Labrador Diseases. And there is lots of information on finding a good breeder here: Labrador breeders — how to find a good one Training and Exercising your Chocolate Labrador My advice for training and exercising your chocolate Labrador is to figure out what type of lines your dog is from and adjust your expectations accordingly. Then to follow a good positive reinforcement training programme. Make sure you exercise his mind as well as his body. Even if you never intend to take him hunting, he still needs a job to do, retrieves to complete, toys to find, streams to cross and so on. If your dog is from show lines, he too needs training and plenty of exercise, but he may also need plenty of play. Toys and games, and other dogs to interact with. Training my Chocolate Lab Even at seven years old, Rachael still loves to play with other dogs and with people. She is hugely enthusiastic about meeting people and dogs and prone to be over-friendly. And I have to make a special effort to ensure that she is not allowed to interact with visitors until she is sitting calmly. On the plus side, I have had to spend less time socialising Rachael than I would with a field bred lab. As she takes everything in her stride. Too friendly! You may find she is intensely friendly and rather distractible, so this aspect of his education is important. Above all, treat your chocolate labrador like an individual. He is far more than just a product of his breeding and environment. He is a unique character, there will never be another quite like him Caring for an old Chocolate Lab As the years pass by, we leave behind one set of challenges and they are replaced by new ones. Failing eyesight, stiff joints, and declining hearing. However, these senior years can still be happy and fun filled for many dogs, especially if you keep your dog slim. If your chocolate friend is quite heavily built as many chocolates are, you need to be extra careful to keep an eye on his weight as he ages. More body weight means more stress and strain on joints, this can aggravate problems like arthritis in older dogs. I personally think that elderly chocolate Labradors are particularly beautiful, with their greying muzzles and kind eyes. Of course, you will want to make your old friend as comfortable as you can. Tell us what is so special about your chocolate Labrador and why you think they are the best.

You know your German Shepherd is one of the smartest breeds. You know they can listen to you when they want, but… Sometimes they become distracted or just downright ignore you. But, there are many reasons why. The first thing you need to remember is you need to be able to communicate effectively with your dog. This is the number one way to practice proper listening skills and obedience. Your dog will often learn to simply tune you out if you persist in poor communication skills. Maybe you call their name over and over… And you keep calling their name and expect them to come. Instead, call their name and try luring them with a tasty treat, toy, or even by slapping your leg. Or, go to them and get their attention with the toy or treat. German Shepherds are adept at reading body language and are more prone to listen when you have a reward at hand. This is where using positive reinforcement comes in! Using Positive Reinforcement Play, praise, and food treats are all positive rewards. Positive reinforcement teaches your dog that good behavior, such as listening to you and paying attention, get them good things. Like a squeaky toy you play with them or even a tasty bit of chicken. These types of punishment cause your dog stress and will prevent you from training them effectively. If your training becomes so stressful you want to hurt your dog, step away from your training and call a dog trainer in to help you. Teaching your GSD to listen to you can begin at any age — from a rambunctious puppy to an aging senior. German shepherds are intelligent dogs and are willing to work with the right motivation and rewards. Learn What Motivates Your German Shepherd to Pay Attention In order to have the most effective communication with your dog, begin by finding out what motivates your dog. But it can also be another thing they find rewarding, like a favorite toy such as a ball or tug rope. Most importantly, make sure these rewards are high in value to them. This means your dog would practically sell his soul to get them! Only use them for training your dog to listen. The same goes for the treats. Make these treats so special that your dog knows you mean business when you get them out for your training. What are good rewards for a German Shepherd? Always keep a stash of motivational rewards on hand for your training to motivate your dog to listen to you and pay attention. Your dog is sure to love one of these healthy, highly scented training treats for German Shepherds. Or even praise through your words and pets. And always be sure to account for the extra calories your dog eats during training so you can reduce their regular meals a bit. Capture Their Attention Another dog training technique to get their attention is using the capture method to train your German Shepherd to listen. Use these techniques to get a German Shepherd to pay attention to you. STEP 1 Keep your special reward treat in your pocket or a treat pouch so they are quick to offer. Now, watch what your dog is doing around the house on its normal day. STEP 2 This method is all about catching your dog at the exact moment when their focus is on you. STEP 3 When they turn to look at you, use a verbal command when you see the behavior to mark it. .STEP 4 Reward right away after the verbal command when they are looking at you. This teaches them to look back to you whenever the cue word is used. STEP 5 Catching when your dog looks at you requires ninja-like reflexes, as they look quickly and you must time your cue word to their looking at you. Quickly mark the behavior with your verbal command and immediately reward them. Over time, your dog should respond to the cue word to look at you and listen. Train Them to Focus on You Training your German Shepherd to focus on you takes a bit of patience, but pays off in the end. Follow these steps to train them to focus on you. STEP 1 Pick a special, high-value treat and start in a quiet area of your home. STEP 2 Hold the treat where your German shepherd can see it in your hand, but out of reach of your dog. They will probably only look at your eyes for a split second at first, so be prepared to say your command cue exactly as they look at your eyes. STEP 5 Reward your dog with the treat as soon as they look at you. STEP 6 Repeat this scenario a few times a day, always with their super special treat in hand. Work up to your German Shepherd looking into your eyes in increasing times, such as 2-seconds, then 3-seconds, and so on in order for them to earn their reward. This approach is from a renowned animal behaviorist, Kathy Sdao , explained in her book Plenty in Life is Free. STEP 1 Gather 50 very small pieces of training treat at the beginning of each morning. Make sure they are healthy and broken into very tiny pieces since you have so many and keep them in your pocket or a treat bag. STEP 2 Watch for times during the day when your dog is behaving appropriately. This is the core of the program. STEP 5 Continue to look for good behaviors you want your dog to repeat throughout the day. Work through the 50 tiny treats. And, even if they do you might prefer to use a toy instead of a food motivator occasionally to keep training interesting and fun for both you and your dog. STEP 1 Pick a toy that is only used for this special training game so they focus on your cues more easily. Some toys that your dog may love are toys that squeak, crinkle, make noises of other kinds, or smells interesting. STEP 2 Now, act energetically by jumping up and down, making unique noises, or slapping your hand against your leg. STEP 3 As your dog looks to you, begin to run away. German Shepherds have a high prey drive and love to chase. So, running in the opposite direction convinces your GSD to chase after you, especially if you have their favorite toy in your hand. STEP 4 Now, reward your dog with their special toy when they catch up to you. Toss their toy for them and enjoy a bit of playtime with them. Keep the energy upbeat and positive. The playtime with the toy is the reward instead of a food treat and encourages your dog to stay near you. STEP 5 Continue to play the catch-reward-play game throughout the day. Your German Shepherd will begin to form the habit of paying attention to you when you are consistent in your training and in your rewards. Use these techniques to get your German Shepherd to listen to you in different situations and places. STEP 1 When working on new commands begin indoors in a quiet, distraction-free area — like a bedroom. Try a kitchen or living area when the TV is on. STEP 3 Now add in more distractions. Have your family or friends around while you ask your dog to perform the command. For example, move back to the quiet bedroom if the TV on in the living room distracts them. STEP 5 Once your German Shepherd has mastered listening to you indoors, begin training in your backyard or front yard Make sure your dog is on a long line for safety and easy recall. Whether you have a puppy or an adult, you can train your German Shepherd to listen to you with the right steps. With highly intelligent dogs like the German Sheperd, remember they can sometimes become bored or turn their attention to something else entirely as they lose interest in you. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. It can also help keep you sane by helping you manage problem behaviors. Here are a few problems you may be encountering. So remember to practice first exercise, then discipline, and then affection. Sit down as a family and discuss the rules, boundaries, and limitations you want to set for your dog. It can be helpful to write them down and display them somewhere prominent. Master Your Energy Dogs listen to their pack leaders, and you can only be that leader if you are displaying calm-assertive energy. Have a friend observe your behavior and give you feedback — or even film it so you can see for yourself. Go Back to Basics Does your dog truly know the command? It can take hundreds or even thousands of repetitions for some dogs to learn a new skill. Practice makes perfect. You may need to focus on training again to ensure your dog really has it down. If your dog is listening to you, consider what may have changed about your physical presence. Are you holding a baby? Are you sitting down? Are you looking away? Small changes like these may be impacting your ability to fully communicate your message like you normally would. You have to deal with the underlying issue before you can get your dog to really listen to you. If you continue to have problems, consider hiring a professional to help. Communication between you and your dog is important for both of you and worth the investment of your time and energy. Only by learning how dogs communicate you will be able to fulfill your role as Pack Leader. Order yours now. Does your dog ever not pay attention to you, or do you have a method of getting his attention that always works? Tell us about it in the comments! Use Positive Reinforcement Techniques Positive reinforcement, also known as rewards-based training, implies giving a reward to increase the frequency of the response. Rewards can be: Treats. Choose healthy treats, pieces of kibble, or tiny pieces of meat. Physical attention. You can pet behind the ears or give a hug. Verbal praise. Give your GSD his favorite toy that you save for rewards. Rewarding your German Shepherd for good behavior is an underrated tool in your dog-training arsenal. It is simple yet incredibly powerful. Unfortunately, it is also often ignored. If you scold him, he might feel content for having received your attention. This speaks to the importance of patience; the more patient you are, the more your German Shepherd values positive attention. When you bestow it upon him during his calmer episodes, he starts recreating the setting. You will notice him sitting in the same place where you patted him or held a similar position. It might be tempting to pet him then, but you have to be patient, or you will confuse the dog. Wait until he mimics the actual calmness you want to reward, then use reinforcement by giving him attention, affection, and treats. Increase Socialization If you have previously delayed socializing your German Shepherd, the chances are that the lack of socialization is a key contributor to his disobedience. You should socialize a German Shepherd at 8 weeks old, which is usually when you bring your puppy home. Your breeder would have already begun early socialization from 3 weeks, so you should now continue the process of exposing your pup to a range of sights, smells, sounds, and interactions with people and other dogs. No matter whether your doggo is a pup or an adult, increasing socialization will set your German Shepherd on the right path to becoming a confident, friendly and obedient dog. I have a great article on how to socialize a German Shepherd from pup to adult. This details easy ways to go about this and includes how to socialize an older dog or even an aggressive German Shepherd. When your German Shepherd has pent-up energy, he might not be in the state to receive commands. By sufficiently draining this excess energy safely and productively, you can make your German Shepherd more receptive and less stubborn. In this state, you can reinforce restraint-centric anchors. That said, you must not wait until the dog is in his most agitated state before you take him out, as that would associate acting up with freedom, and he will almost always act out to be taken for walks or playtimes. Instead, prevent it in the first place. If you have a young pup and need some ideas, you can check out this article, 7 Fun Ways to Exercise a German Shepherd Puppy. German Shepherds are high-energy dogs, and adults need at least hours of daily exercise. In addition to essential exercise for your German Shepherds to stay obedient, he also needs to be mentally stimulated, which brings me to the next solution. Provide Varied Mentally Stimulating and Fun Games We have to remember the original purpose of the German Shepherd, which was to herd and protect livestock. Although rarely used in this capacity nowadays, the genetic working trait remains with the breed. They need a job to do and thrive off pleasing their owner, which is why they are used in law enforcement, search and rescue, and as service dogs today. Every evening around 8 pm, my German Shepherd will sit in front of me and give me the stare! I love this toy, and dogs enjoy finding the treats in the puzzle toy, which keeps them busy for ages. This best-seller gets a crazy amount of good reviews and is widely recommended by almost 60, dog lovers, so it must have something about it. Increase Training Sessions Similar to socialization, if you have previously delayed training your German Shepherd or if training is incomplete, the chances are that the lack of training is a pivotal contributor to his disobedience. Not only does your German Shepherd need to learn that he should listen to you, but he must also find out what listening to you entails. While the best time to start training your GSD is at 8 weeks old , the next best time is now. This will keep your dog continually focused and interested. Your German Shepherd must also learn his position. This entails going back to training in a distraction-free setting. He might not intend to ignore you deliberately, so this is where you need to get him to focus his attention on you. Manage the environment when progressing outside. Start off with not too many distractions. Use high level treats when outside. Check out this excellent video on how to train a German Shepherd with distractions. This gorgeous pup is only 5 months old and is learning to focus on the trainer in a controlled outside environment. Chewing has several functions, including providing pain relief for teething pups, keeping teeth clean and jaws strong in older dogs, and relieving boredom. Dogs just enjoy chewing. But what if the chewing becomes destructive? Providing your dog with a chewing outlet, such as various interesting chew toys, will stop many German Shepherd behavior problems. The happier your doggo is, the less stubborn he will be when it comes to obeying you. Choose something like the KONG variety of chew toys. Follow a Training and Feeding Schedule Having a schedule provides structure and discipline and teaches your pup that you are the leader. Your German Shepherd will soon pick things up and catch up. You should also stick to a feeding schedule. Dogs are creatures of habit, and providing meals at expected times means listening and obeying you when you call them to eat. German Shepherds are prone to sensitive stomachs, and many are not food motivated, unlike the Labrador. Having a feeding schedule also prevents your German Shepherd from becoming a fussy eater. It might be that he wants that extra treat or wants to climb on the couch. So now the tide is turned. Instead of your dog ignoring you, you now ignore your dog. Never bow down pardon the pun to any form of demanding behavior, especially demand barking. This will only teach your best friend that he gets what he wants when he barks for something. Instead, ignore the demand barking, and at the precise moment he becomes quiet, quickly reward him with a treat. That way, he will soon learn that when he stops barking at you, nice things will happen. The trick here is in the timing. Use Brief and Effective Time-Outs When training a stubborn German Shepherd, one of the most crucial steps is teaching your dog to accept time-outs. Rewarding your doggo with treats is easy; it is in discipline or punishment where most people mess up. You need to teach your German Shepherd to follow your commands — or ground himself. So, what do I mean by a time-out? A time-out is a type of negative punishment in which we deprive the dog of what they enjoy, in this case, social engagement. Use an area of the house, a room with a dog gate, or an exercise pen for young pups. Time-outs should be around 60 seconds for young puppies to minutes for older dogs. Use the time-out at the moment of the stubborn behavior, not after. But not only does regular brushing help to control and reduce shedding , but it also helps to increase bonding between you and your pet. Most dogs enjoy being the center of attention. Brushing is relaxing and beneficial to the skin and hair. Your German Shepherd will also learn that it is acceptable to handle his body and feet, and you will develop trust with your canine buddy as a result. This has the everlasting effect of reducing his stubbornness when you need to clip his nails or he needs to be handled by the vet. Go here to find out the best grooming tools for German Shepherds and the ones I use. This will give you peace of mind that he will respond to you positively and help curb any bad habits. Often, inexperienced owners just need to be taught what to do. Attending obedience classes solves this knowledge gap and creates an opportunity to increase socialization, so you kill two birds with one stone. You can also enlist the help of a professional trainer as they will be experienced in training stubborn dogs and improving obedience. Key Takeaways German Shepherds are socially intelligent dogs. However, with delayed or insufficient training and a lack of guidance, they can become asocial and disobedient. Fortunately, with enough patience, firmness, and positive reinforcement training alongside increased exercise time and stimulation, any German Shepherd can be brought back into the socially acceptable circle of obedient dogs. Related Posts You May Like:. Related post: How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you How to get your German Shepherd to listen to you There are a number of things that you can do to get your German Shepherd to start paying attention to you that I will mention below. Exercise The first thing that you can do is to give it lots of exercise and attention. An easy way to give your German Shepherd lots of exercise is to teach it to play fetch. By doing so you will be able to get your German Shepherd to do a lot of running over a short time frame. Training If you want your German Shepherd to listen to you then it will be necessary for you to give it lots of training. One training exercise that you will need to do is to teach it to stay while being distracted. To do this you will first need to teach it to sit. Repeat that process each time increasing the duration that you require it to keep its focus on you. Start by just showing it the toy and then gradually make it harder for it to lose focus by rolling and waving the toy around. By exercising it you will be able to make it less hyperactive and more responsive to you. Related questions Why does my German Shepherd not listen to me outside? To deal with this you should train it in a variety of situations. Watch the above video to see how. Why does my German Shepherd not listen to me on walks? If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link.

Life Span Did You Know? The Shih-Poo has an adorable, alert expression and small, sturdy body. They can take after the Poodle parent, the Shih-Tzu parent, or be any combination of the characteristics of both parent breeds. Shih-Poos tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate. They love their families and are avidly devoted to them. They tend to be friendly to other dogs, strangers, other pets, and children. They tend to do better with older children who have been taught how to carefully handle a dog. Due to their small size, a Shih-Poo can be easily hurt by rough play or accidental falls. They can do well in families with younger children as long as any time with them is closely supervised. The Shih-Poo tends to be a courageous little dog. They make excellent watchdogs because they are very alert. However, they can become territorial and barking can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Early socialization and training can help curb these tendencies and help your Shih-Poo puppy grow into a well-behaved, confident dog. This designer dog breed is highly adaptable. They do well in apartments as well as in larger homes and tend to do well in most climates. They are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, so they do best in moderate climates. Due to their small size, they may need to layer up for short trips outside when winter rolls in. Because Shih-Poos crave affection and love their humans, they do not like being left alone for long periods of time. The Shih-Poo is a generally healthy designer dog breed. Although the genetic mix can sometimes result in winning the genetic lottery, a mixed dog breed can still be susceptible to health conditions common in one or both of the parent breeds in the cross. By talking with the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances, you can allay several of these potential health concerns. This designer dog breed is highly intelligent and can be easy to train. However, they can also have a stubborn streak that can cause some difficulty for first-time dog owners. This is often easily remedied with the help of some puppy training classes. They can also be difficult to housebreak, but it can be done with plenty of training, consistency, and patience. Crate training can also help. Shih-Poos respond best to positive, reward-based training. Whether with praise, treats, or play, you can reward your Shih-Poo for the behavior you like, which will encourage them to do more of it. Coat types and colors can vary greatly in your Shih-Poo. They can have the long, silky, and straight coat of the Shih Tzu, the short, curly, and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, or a combination of both. Most Shih-Poos end up with a curly or wavy, low or non-shedding coat. However, you should be prepared for your Shih-Poo to exhibit either coat type of the parent breeds. This coat looks its best with a combination of brushing a few times a week at home and then professional grooming every four to six weeks. This will help remove tangles and loose hair and prevent matting. Regular dental care is also important. Small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Drop down ears, or floppy ears, are more prone to ear infections because they can trap moisture, dirt, or debris. Daily walks and some indoor playtime will give this dog plenty of exercise. Beyond that, most of them can keep up with you on longer walks and can even compete in dog sports like rally, obedience, and agility. Be sure to check with your vet first and get your dog cleared before taking on any rigorous activities or training for dog sports. A Shih-Poo will generally stand 8 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. The size of the mother dog can give you a good idea of what to expect in your dog. This designer dog breed usually lives for 15 years or more. Some have even been known to live for 21 years! Featured Shih-Poo Article. What coat colors are available? The coat color of a Shih Poo will vary. They can come in black, brown, white, cream, apricot, gold, red and brindle or a combination of all or some of those colors. Will I need to regularly groom my Shih Poo? Daily to a few times per week brushings along with regular scheduled professional grooming appointments every 4 to 6 weeks will keep your little ones coat soft and clean. Will a Shih Poo make for a good family pet? They also really enjoy the company and comfort of older people. With patience and consistency, they will be trained in no time. How much exercise will my Shih Poo need? Since they are smaller dogs, they will require less exercise. Daily walks between 30 minutes will be plenty to keep them fit and active. They also love to have indoor play, so make sure to keep lots of safe toys available to them. What is the life expectancy of a Shih Poo? The average life expectancy of a Shih Poo is between 14 and 17 years. What is the temperament of a Shih Poo? These spirited little pups are full of love and energy. They are companion dogs, so they thrive in the company of others, but prefer the company of older adults. Training them to control their barking is best when it is corrected at a very young age. Does the Shih Poo shed a lot? No, they have very minimal shedding. They make for great companions for those that suffer with allergies. What kind of coat does the Shih Poo have? The coat can vary depending on which parent they take after more. Their coat can be wavy and wiry like the poodle or soft and straight like the Shih Tzu. It may also be a healthy mix of both. Do they adjust well to their living environment? Yes, they adjust very well. They are just as happy and content in a small apartment as they are in a big home. They need to be around people, so it is best not to leave them for long periods of time. If they become too upset or anxious they can get destructive. Shih Poo Reviews.