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His soft puppy hair makes you want to pet him for hours, but it seems less cute as it comes off on your clothes at the barest touch. They Grow Up So Fast The soft downy feel of your Lab puppy's coat only lasts for so long, and before you know it that petable hair is suddenly all over your house. As your pup nears his first birthday, he'll start losing his puppy coat to make way for the courser, double-layered adult coat he'll have for the rest of his life. Various factors play a role in when your pup actually begins this transition, including genetics and season, but most Lab puppies start losing this baby coat somewhere between 7 and 9 months of age. Hair, Hair Everywhere When your puppy starts losing his coat, you'll think some internal shedding switch was flicked. Once the transition from the puppy to adult coat begins, loose dog hair will be a fact of life for you. Labs shed on a daily basis, and completely blow out their coats twice a year in the spring and fall. Between these major shedding episodes, the hair may simply be an annoying nuisance. But during a seasonal coat change, you may find clumps of hair throughout your home. Stock up on sticky rollers and lint brushes and stash them at various locations to keep your clothes hair free. Grab Your Brush Although there's no way to completely stop a Lab from shedding, you can get ahead of it by regularly brushing your pup. The earlier you start this routine the better, as your pooch will simply expect it and consider it a part of life. Brush your puppy daily with a slicker brush, pin brush or shedding rake to remove as much dead hair as possible before it ends up coating your couch. Go with the grain of his hair and empty the brush regularly. During his heavy shedding periods, you may need to brush him twice a day to keep ahead of the hair loss. Bath Time Giving your pup a bath may seem like a good way to remove as much of his shedding coat as possible, and technically it will work to scrub his dead hairs loose. But bathing him too frequently could dry and irritate his skin, and damage the waterproof quality of his coat. Wash your pup only as necessary, such as when he's really dirty or smelly. Use a gentle dog shampoo and rinse thoroughly to remove all trace of it, otherwise it will irritate his skin when it dries. After he's dry, brush him through again to remove any stubborn hairs that didn't end up in your drain. More Articles. Labs are known for excellence as sporting dogs, family companions and service dogs. Their coats come in three colors: black, yellow and chocolate, each strikingly beautiful. Regular grooming helps keep Labs looking good and helps manage their prolific shedding. Start grooming sessions while your Lab is a puppy. Labrador Coats Ablestock. Labradors have double coats -- two layers of hair, each with different texture and purpose. One layer provides water resistance, the other insulates the dogs in all types of weather. The outer layer, the guard coat, keeps a Labrador dry in wet weather. The undercoat is soft and downy, like a sweater, providing warmth. According to the American Kennel Club's breed standard, a Lab's coat "should be short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The double coats, however, create two separate shedding issues: The undercoat blows about twice a year, and the outer coat sheds throughout the year. Breeders must be sure to educate puppy buyers and help them prepare for the attention needed to care for a Lab's constantly shedding coat. Puppies will start to shed their baby coats at about age 4 to 5 months; within a month or so, their coats will have transformed into the adult version. Most adult Labs shed twice a year, and during this time you will notice lots of hair around the house. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner. Your tack box or supply drawer should have a wire slicker brush to remove loose undercoat, a bristle brush, a narrow-tooth comb, a wide-tooth comb and nail clippers. Brush your Lab at least twice a week to distribute natural oils throughout the coat as well as to keep the hair from distributing itself throughout your house. Grooming sessions also strengthen your bond with your dog. Develop a regular grooming schedule for your dog. You'll come to enjoy the peaceful time you spend together. Hmm very interesting! Maisie is definitely not as super soft as she was when she was very little, and I think I noticed the softness difference maybe around 3 months. She used to be soft as a cloud, and then only her head was that soft, and I think now only her ears will stay that way for good. But she is definitely getting some sort of hair growth going on, as before it would be sleek and now has sticky out hair. She's pretty shiny but she seems to be taking after the working line in her pedigree parents weren't strictly show or working line, which I liked, but rather each were fairly moderate examples of the breed , so perhaps that's it? I'm interested to see what it will end up like because I have seen labradors with quite different coats. The sad thing about shedding where I live is that it is a "temperate" climate… so dogs like labs don't shed big twice a year and then somewhat the rest of the year… it's like they're in a constant state of losing hair, not quite as much as a moult, but not down to the level other labs might go to. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. The yellow Labrador Retriever's most distinctive feature is its short, thick, and weather-resistant coat. Many pups' coats begin as one hue and gradually change to another as they mature. So, do yellow Lab puppies get darker with age? Yellow Labradors don't get darker with age. Instead, this breed will get lighter as time goes on. As puppies, their coats will have more of a yellow color to them. As they age, it is common for the coat to fade to a more white hue. Throughout this article, you'll learn about the variables that contribute to the color of your Labrador's coat and how they're affected by age. Additionally, I will offer methods for determining the hue of your yellow Labrador when they're older. It is a darker variant of the yellow Labrador, and these puppies' coats do typically darken with age. However, it's also possible for it to stay the same hue throughout its life. To have a better estimate of what to expect, invest in a genetic test kit. By understanding your puppy's ancestry, you can better gauge the anticipated coat change. There are also environmental factors that you can try to influence that we will discuss next. A Labrador must possess two recessive alleles of the MC1R gene to be yellow. This indicates that both parents gave a yellow allele to the offspring. Two yellow labs can only produce yellow puppies since they both have the yellow gene. Certain black and chocolate Labrador Retrievers may have the yellow-causing gene. If they mate with a yellow Lab, some pups may have yellow hair, but they would not be considered yellow Labradors. Besides genetics, other factors contribute to the shade of a yellow Labrador. Nutrition Plays a Part The color of your dog's coat at birth will vary over time, in part owing to their nutrition. Notably, your dog's food is unlikely to bleach or color their hair directly. However, poor nutrition will cause your Lab's hair and skin to appear lighter or darker. A yellow Labrador with insufficient nutrition will have a dull, dry coat and shed a lot, and excessive shedding may give the appearance of a lighter coat because of its thinness. Additionally, a bad diet may result in oily hair. When your dog's coat is very oily, it may seem somewhat darker due to the constant appearance of moisture. Your dog needs a well-balanced diet rich in digestible proteins, fats, and vitamins to keep the skin and hair healthy. Labradors need more protein than other breeds because they have an active and muscular nature. Additionally, since protein is a component of hair and fur, it directly affects your dog's color. The optimum meal plan should be tailored to your dog's life stage, whether a puppy, adult, or senior. The Undercoat May Cause a Different Color at Birth When dogs are a few months old , their actual color begins to emerge from under the undercoat. Undercoat refers to the layer of hair underneath your dog's guard hairs and it's softer, lighter in color, and more densely packed than guard hairs. If your dog's hair seems darker, this may be due to the development of their natural coat. Their hue can shift to darker or lighter shades. And after this transition occurs, you'll be able to anticipate your puppy's adult color. On the other hand, overcast weather slows the lightening process and contributes to darker tones for more extended periods. Your dog will look different in various lighting conditions, especially if they're a Fox Red Lab. In addition, white fur around their paws and mouth typically develops when they're seniors. Melanin is the most influential factor in this. When your canine has adequate melanin, it'll seem as yellow as it can be. But melanin decreases with age, which has an impact on your pet's coat. You may use the following techniques to help your Labrador minimize thinning, breakage, and excessive shedding: Bathe your dog as needed. Very filthy canines always look darker. Maintain a pleasant environment for your dog. A stressed dog sheds more naturally. Keep an eye out for brittle fur and areas of baldness. You may address this problem by supplementing your dog's food with a fresh, high-quality protein source. Maintain a weekly regimen of brushing your Lab. This maintenance helps eliminate knots, which may result in matting and a darker look. Keep an eye out for chapped skin, redness, or frequent scratching. If your dog has allergies or skin problems, they may scratch their hair, resulting in light or empty areas. You can also consult a veterinarian who will be able to give you a detailed plan for giving your dog its best coat possible. However, there are a few ways you can predict the color of your adult Labrador before maturity. It's worth noting that influencing a color shift is difficult since it's the product of years of breeding. Therefore, your golden Labrador will retain its original hue. Pay Attention to Their Immediate Family Each dog receives several gene pairs that contribute to coat determination. Although scientists have not yet identified the number of genes that eventually influence hair color, they agree that close relatives and grandparents contribute to the hue. For instance, if two yellow Labradors create a Fox Red Labrador, both parents have recessive yellow genes. Still, only the darker genes were passed on. If both parents and siblings have a similar coat, your pup is likely to follow suit. Additionally, it would help if you looked at some of the older dogs in their lineage to better understand the coat that will develop over time. Ask the Breeder Additionally, you may check with the breeder what color coat your dog will have. A reputable breeder grooms dogs for years before mating them. They research their DNA background and potential traits they may pass on to their pups. After all, it's the breeder's responsibility to produce pups with distinct and intended characteristics. So, they should be able to provide you with the most accurate answer. Final Thoughts While numerous factors affect the color of your dog's coat, it's unlikely to darken with age. Proper nutrition and genetics will maintain the coat color for an extended period following maturity. It's essential to keep in mind that it's not easy to anticipate the precise coat color of a yellow Labrador puppy. There are, however, methods for you to make a reasonable estimate. Labradors can change color, but they always keep the original color coded in their genetic makeup. Nonetheless, due to aging, seasonal factors, nutrition, anxiety, and some health issues, Labrador coats can lose their sheen and color intensity to become lighter. Concern about coat color change is plentiful among dog owners. For example, a Lab owner on The Labrador Forum recently discussed his worry about his jet-black Labrador puppy that began to develop a chocolate coat at four months. A few other responders in the forum quickly expressed similar experiences with their Labs. So what is it that causes your black Lab to turn chocolate or white or your chocolate Lab to turn yellow? Your Labrador changes color due to genetic, age, health, nutritional, environmental, and emotional factors that influence the production, intensity, and distribution of skin and hair pigmentation melanin in the hair cortex and hair shaft. Usually, coat color change in Labradors and other dogs presents as hair discoloration and fading or the staining of white and black coat hairs into a yellow or red color. As such, some dogs may be genetically predisposed to graying early, and others may gray later. This variation is thanks to the genes inherited from their parents. Genetic predisposition to early graying explains why perfectly healthy Lab puppies may show gray hairs as early as age four. Nonetheless, early or later graying genetic predisposition should not be confused with progressive graying. Progressive graying happens when a dog inherits the gray gene G locus , which causes progressive premature graying in black and liver-colored dogs the eumelanin pigment. However, this is not the case in Labrador Retrievers because Labs are not among dog breeds that inherit the graying gene. There are two aspects of Labrador coat color change that come with aging. First, while Labrador puppies will keep their birth coat color, the intensity of the color may show a slight change at maturity when Lab puppies acquire their adult coat around months. This DNA change slows down the production of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. So, you can expect a dark-colored labrador to gray, while light-colored Labs will develop whitish or yellowish spots. These hairs are more noticeable on the muzzle and face of black Labradors. Further, dog coat color generally tends to lighten with age, regardless of the graying element. As such, a Lab may show a deeper coat color when younger and a whiter shade as the dog grows older. Natural lightening usually starts when your dog is around 6 to 8 years old. Labrador Color Changes With Seasons and Weather Conditions Seasonal and weather-related coat color changes in Labradors are linked to three main factors: Exposure to UV Rays Labradors and other dogs constantly exposed to UV rays can have their coats changing color to a light sheen. Specifically, while humidity and temperature tended to darken dog coat color in the first 24 hours of exposure, exposure to UV lightened the coat color. UV light affects melanin production in dogs, and it is also known to destroy the amino acids in the skin. So, exposing your Lab to direct sunlight, especially in the hotter months of the year, can lighten their coat. Besides, from a different health perspective, prolonged exposure to the intense sun can cause heatstroke in dogs. Seasonal Shedding Dog hair has a cycle of growth that happens in 3 phases: The Anagen phase is when the hair grows. The Catagen stage is a transitional stage when hair growth is stagnant. The Telogen phase is when the hair falls. In Labs, the catagen and telogen phases occur in spring and fall when the Lab grows its coat. The stagnated hair in the catagen phase may appear to be changing to a lighter shade. On the contrary, when the new fur grows, its coat color may appear brighter and more intensely colored. Do you want to know more about shedding and how to keep it under control? Labrador Color Changes Due to Health Issues Illness, injury, and surgery can disrupt the production and distribution of melanin in dogs. When your Lab has an injury or a surgical operation, the fur on the scar area is lost. During healing, a surge in melanin production occurs to facilitate hair growth, causing hyperpigmentation. The new hair has the characteristics of freshly grown puppy fur and portrays a darker shade. However, this surge in melanin production only affects the injury or surgery area. They include: Cancer. Hormonal health issues such as hypothyroidism. Liver and kidney disease. Autoimmune skin diseases like vitiligo and Uveodermatological Syndrome. Vitiligo is a rare autoimmune skin disease that destroys skin melanocytes the cells that produce melanin , leading to depigmentation in the affected areas. However, the disease is not painful, and your dog can lead a normal life. While Labradors are not among dog breeds predisposed to vitiligo, they can get the disease just like all other dog breeds. In fact, a black Lab named Rowdy has recently gained internet fame for his vitiligo patches, among other characteristics. Uveodermatologic Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that destroys melanocytes in high-pigment cells such as the skin and eyes. The white patches, similar to those of vitiligo, are most common on the face, eyelids, nose, and lips, as well as the footpads, scrotum, anus, and vulva. Although Uveodermatological Syndrome is rare and not fully defined medically, most experts believe it is a canine version of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in humans. An inadequate diet can be the reason your Labrador loses fur excessively or loses its coat sheen to become dull and lighter. Several studies have identified dietary deficiencies that can cause dog coats to change color. For example, a study on nutritional influences on dog hair color established that certain body minerals and vitamins significantly influence coat appearance. These include: Trace elements like copper and zinc. Certain amino acids, especially tyrosine and phenylalanine. Vitamins, especially B2, B complex, and H. In a similar vein, another study confirmed that dietary intake of tyrosine amino acid facilitates melanin deposition in the fur of black dogs, resulting in a deep coat intensity. Similarly, a third study found that a diet rich in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and copper reduced off-white discoloration in white dogs and improved the level of fur pigmentation. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Email Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. Then give them a treat. Sign up for product updates, offers, and learn more about The Wildest, and other Mars Petcare brands. Must be over 16 years to sign up. I'm In See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights. A couple months ago, a woman in a Havanese-owner Facebook group posted a question for her fellow Havifans: How was it that her beloved dog, who had had a dark, chocolatey brindle coat when it was a puppy, now had fur the color of pale, milky tea? Other devotees of Havanese — a small, perky companion breed from Cuba that has the long, lustrous locks of a Pantene model — shared that their pups had undergone similar color transformations as they aged. Would Lorenzo be unrecognizable in a couple of years? This leads to a question: Can you ever really know a dog? Lots of puppies have soft, downy coats that look like they emerged directly from a cloud. According to Dr. Clark, puppy coats are generally thinner and softer than their adult counterparts. As they age, there is an increase in the density of hairs, and the hair itself grows more coarsely. How the transition from puppy fuzz to adult fur happens depends on the dog. Clark explains. This evolution is usually when a change of color happens. Clark says. She adds that, just like humans, dogs go gray as they get older, and some may experience hair loss. Related article From shaggy Sheepdogs to curly Cocker Spaniels, a groomer lists 10 breeds that need the most upkeep. Dogs change color slightly as they get older. During the transition from puppy fur to adult fur, lots of dogs will get a little lighter or a little darker. Others change more dramatically. How much they change depends on their breed and genetics. But Dr. None of us are the fuzzy young pups we once were, either. And what should a healthy coat look like, exactly? Veterinarian Dr. Shea Cox separates fact from fiction when it comes to low-shedding breeds. The best way owners can maintain a glossy, pliable, dandruff-free coat, Dr. Clark says, is a good diet, and routine veterinary care. You might notice that your Labrador puppy is starting to lose a lot of hair. However, there is a good chance you do not have to worry. Labrador puppies usually lose their baby coats when they are months old. They start shedding a lot by this time, but some puppies can start shedding a bit by 3 months old, so it can vary. That is because their fur is falling out faster than it can be replaced. However, that is completely normal. As long as the Labrador puppy is healthy and not stressed, you have nothing to worry about. Additionally, you may notice that your Labrador has subtle changes of color in their coat as their fur falls out and grows, but it varies from each pup. They often lose all of their baby coats a month after they start to shed. By that time, they will have a new adult coat of fur. When puppies are born, they have a puppy coat that is soft and thin. It helps them regulate their own body temperature and protects them from any outside elements. Puppy coats are usually shorter than adult fur. However, their puppy coats are not enough to protect their bodies when they are older. Their adult coats are usually rougher than their baby coats. That is because they grow double coats, which is an essential and helpful trait your Lab has. Labradors have two coats of fur when they are adults. The first coat is coarse and is called the topcoat. The second coat is softer and is called the undercoat. The undercoat can be thick or fine. Labradors have double coats because of their breeding. They are working dogs who hunt and swim. Therefore, they need double coats to protect them from the water and from possible injuries. Dogs cannot sweat. Therefore, they need other ways to keep them warm and cool, which is why some breeds like Labrador Retrievers have double coats. Humans have skin layers, but dogs only have .Therefore, they burn easily, and the guard hairs are their natural sunscreen. As mentioned earlier, double coats help repel water, which keeps their skin dry when they swim. Plus, double coats help your Labrador swim because it does not weigh them down. The fur is practically water repellant, so they will be able to swim without exerting too much effort. As stated earlier, your Labrador will start shedding a lot when they are months old to shed their puppy coat. However, Labradors are notorious for shedding a lot. However, most Labradors will heavily shed at least times a year when they are adults. Since dogs have double coats, their undercoat sheds when it is warm. So, you can expect your Labrador to start shedding a lot when it is spring and summer. They shed their undercoat to prepare their bodies for the warmer months. Can I Shave My Labrador? Absolutely not. First, shaving your Labrador is actually not going to help you deal with the shedding. Your Labrador will grow new hairs, which will be more prickly and painful for both you and them. Those new hairs will fall out, too, so it is not worth the effort. Secondly, you can potentially damage their skin. They do not have any way they can shield their skin from the sun, so they may burn easily. Shaving your Labrador also messes up their temperature regulation. Without their undercoat, they cannot keep hot and cold air away from their skin. Therefore, they may feel extreme temperatures and feel very uncomfortable. Plus, it will be itchy and uncomfortable for your dog to grow new fur after you shave it. Most undercoats will not be the same after you shave it. It will feel prickly when you touch it, and your Labrador will feel very itchy as it grows. Instead of shaving your Labrador , you can use special brushes like a slicker brush to remove their loose undercoat hairs. You can also vacuum your home more regularly to keep it clean. You can brush your Lab a few times a week. However, you may need to brush them times a day during the spring and summer to deal with heavy shedding. To Conclude When you own a Labrador Retriever, a big part of it will be dealing with the fur. While it may be a nuisance, regular grooming and vacuuming can help you deal with the shedding. Post navigation.
From puppyhood to old age care The black Lab is up to 24 inches tall and weighs up to 80lbs. Depending on on their ancestors, your black Labrador puppy may be a little smaller than this when they are fully grown. And the hunting or American Lab may have a lighter frame and a strong drive for retrieving. The lifespan of a black Labrador is 12 years, and some purebred black lab puppies can live even longer given the right diet, exercise and a healthy dose of luck. He was my constant companion almost into adulthood. He came on countless runs through the woods, spent hours playing ball in the backyard, but also sat with his head gently rested in my lap whenever I was sad. It has always amazed me that despite the black Labrador being the most common color, it is in some ways the least appreciated. With an amazing history of working alongside human companions, and a fabulous temperament, this pup really is one to watch. This black retriever has been favored by the hunting community for generations. But they were bred from a fishing companion that has been extinct now for nearly fifty years. This breed was also most likely the route of the rather different, and bigger, Newfoundland. Albeit often with white markings. Do you ever feel like you see more black Labs around than any other color? The first chocolate Labradors that we know of were born in the s, but colors other than black were not at all popular until the mid 90s. Horribly, for many generations most puppies born with chocolate or yellow coats were routinely euthanized at birth! If a puppy has inherited the gene for black coat color from either of her parents, this is the color that her coat will be. These both come from a pigment called eumelanin. More eumelanin leads to a black Lab, less leads to a chocolate. Genes come in pairs. Here we are dealing with B genes at the B locus. B is dominant over b. So a pairing of BB or Bb will give a black coat. Only bb will give a brown coat. A puppy gets one gene from each parent. With me so far? This is because these genes are also effected by another set of genes, at the E locus. E is dominant, and does not get in the way of the B genes. But e is recessive, and this does. It has the potential to stop the B genes giving a black or brown dog, and gives us yellow Labrador pups. And these all interact with each other differently to give different coat colors. This diagram explains them nicely: You can see from these combinations alone that the most common result is a black Lab puppy. But also how chocolate and yellow Labs were hidden for a time through careful matings and selective culling. But there is another twist to the black coat color tale. Occasionally a Lab is born with the dilute gene. This genetic twist essentially tones down the shade of the dark coat color. In the same way that the chocolate Lab looks silver when this gene is activated, the black Lab looks charcoal. In genetic terms, this dilute gene lives at the D locus. Popularity of Black Labs Black Labs have always been the most prevalent color, but their popularity has changed over the years. In the sporting dog community owners of hunting dogs still often prefer the black coat, but pet and show owners often show a preference these days for the paler colors. Chocolate and yellow Labs can even fetch higher prices from some breeders, not to mention the less common fox red and silver tones. Black Dogs Are Harder To Rehome There is a sad phenomenon in pet shelters, which impacts the rehoming rate of black dogs. Prospective owners often pass them by, regardless of temperament, in favor of the brighter colored pups on offer. But these adopters are missing a trick, because black dogs have so much to offer beyond their coat. And what they do offer differs slightly between the Labrador types. English Black Labs — bred for show There are two strains of Labrador. One was bred for the show ring, and the other was bred for the field. Although they are both Labs in the true sense, these separate strains can be quite different and are easy to pick apart if you know what you are looking for. English black Labradors are often preferred by pet homes as well as owners interested in the ring. The English black Lab has a reputation for being a little slower to mature, and a lot more playful. American Black Labs — bred to work American black Labs are slimmer, less excitable but more driven. They stand around the same height, but their heads are less broad and their tails often have less of the otter quality that their show companions sport. Although still friendly, they are perhaps less inclined to play than their show bred cousins. And in contrast to this have a stronger drive to retrieve and hunt. The English black Lab was bred for looks over purpose. Their broad head and barrel chest is matched with a straight, thick furred tail and a heavier weight on the scales. Black Labradors bred for show or as pets tend to be slower to mature, with a more playful personality, and are arguably less likely to run off after wildlife! Which Type Suits You? American black Labs may need more exercise and mental stimulation than English black Labs. They will benefit from gun dog style training involving retrieving exercises. Black Lab Characteristics Although there is no denying that the different Labrador strains have separated to a fair dramatic degree, these are still all fundamentally black Labs. And they do have some features in common that makes them who they are. The Lab has a double coat, excellent for keeping them warm in and out of the water. Their thick straight tail is described as having an otter-like appearance. And they are almost all one single color with no other markings. Mismarked Labs rear their heads from time to time, but this is generally just a case of white toes or a splash of white on their chests. Grooming and Coat Care Your black Lab needs no special grooming due to his coat color. In fact, the grooming requirements of your Labrador Retriever are some of the simplest among dog breeds. Their coats are designed to take care of themselves. Though your furniture and floors may benefit if your dog has a twice daily brush when shedding heavily. Other than that Labs have a wonderful coat that requires only occasional washing. The eventual size of your black Lab puppy will depend a little upon their upbringing, and a lot upon whether they are from American or English lines. An adult black Lab will weigh anywhere from 55 to 80 lbs, and be from 21 to .The English black Lab will tend to be closer to the heavier end of the spectrum, and the American nearer to the lower. Black Lab Temperament Labradors are well known for being friendly. Perhaps sometimes a little too friendly! This bouncy breed is more likely to leap up and lick a burglar than to stop him in the act. The downside of this is that they can be easily distracted at the dog park by wanting to greet everyone they come across. Their jolly, lively nature can also lead them into trouble with people who are unsteady on their feet. Although lovably clumsy, this dog also has a brilliant brain. Intelligence Black Labradors have been bred for generations as hunting companions. Deliberately bred from dogs that were attentive to their handlers and relatively easy to teach commands to, they are absolutely an intelligent breed. Because to get that black coat expressed is just a matter of mating two dogs, whereas to get the recessive genes you need to at least partially make your breeding choices based upon the colors of the parents as well as factors to do with temperament and trainability. But the most important factor when bringing together two Lab lines should always be one of health. Training and Exercising Your Black Lab Black Labs are intelligent dogs and training is an absolute essential for them and their owners. RUnning, swimming, cycling, hiking and even dock diving are popular pass times. Although American Labs tend to be more driven to fetch, English Labradors are often still keen too. Both types need a good workout every day to keep them fit and healthy. And to help them relax at home. You can exercise your dog with a traditional walk, by going for a run together or through play. Retrieving games are a great way to give your Lab a lot of exercise without you having to travel quite such a long distance yourself. You can find some great ideas for games you and your Labrador can play together in this article. Black Lab Health The best way to avoid health problems is by purchasing a puppy from health tested parents. The main areas to be aware of are joint problems and eye problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common Lab complaints. This condition ranges in severity and an adult dog can have x rays to assess their joint health, and be given a score to let you know how well their joints have developed. To avoid your puppy suffering from this either both parents need to be Clear or one Clear one Carrier. If one is a carrier, your puppy might carry the gene too. A general eye exam once a year will make sure that there are no other vision problems manifesting over time. Most breeders advertise online now, so you will need to be careful to have a good chat with them before committing to buying a puppy. Do not put down a deposit before meeting the mother and the litter at their home. The mum should be relaxed and happy to meet you, and for you to handle her pups. If you are looking for a pet you will need to decide whether you think a show or working temperament is better suited to your lifestyle and family needs. Make sure the breeder willingly shows you copies of health certificates from both parents. As a minimum they should be PRA clear, have a recent clear eye check from a vet, have good hip scores and an elbow score of 0. If one parent has been shown as a carrier for dwarfism or PRA, be sure to check that the other has been tested clear. Good breeders ask lots of questions because they care about what happens to their pups, and will be open and willing to answer all of your questions too. You might find it helpful to check out our article on Labrador breeders before you start searching for a pup. You might also want to read this article: Choosing the Right Dog. The information in these articles will help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when looking for their new best friend. Rescuing a Black Lab Rescuing a dog is a great thing to do if your circumstances are right. And rescuing a black Lab is even better, as this color can be hard to home. Reputable rescues will work hard to match you to the right dog, and help you to make a choice that fits in well with your family. Rescuing such a dog can be very rewarding. We hope you will find our article Should you adopt a Labrador helpful. You can view a list of rehoming societies on our rescue page. They will also offer plenty of support and help once you bring your dog home. Especially when it comes to behavioral and training problems. White or grey hairs may start forming around their muzzle, giving them a bearded or grizzled look. This pale hair is nothing to worry about and happens to most black Labs sooner or later. As your black Lab reaches old age, you might find that he slows down a bit. His typical energetic black Lab personality may mellow. He will be less boisterous, and more inclined to spend the day in bed than bouncing up and down by your side. The average lifespan of a black Lab is around 12, but if you are lucky your pup might be with you for 14 or more years. A more comfortable bed, ideally with memory foam, can help support those ageing joints. Ramps for accessing the car can really help them out too. Depending upon advice from your vet you might also want to switch them to a senior dog food , which is easier to digest and has additives that some believe can help slow the pace of arthritis. Life Span Did You Know? Black Labrador Retrievers, or just Black Labs, are a common coat color variation of one of the most popular dog breeds. The Black Labrador Retriever is not necessarily a separate dog breed. Black Labs are still Labrador Retrievers; they just have a distinct coat color that is a specifically-bred characteristic. Like other Labrador Retrievers, Black Labs are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great family companions. Although they are active and energetic dogs, Labs are also known for their gentleness and patience with other family members. Well-socialized Black Labs tend to get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, pets, and even strangers. They are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , Black Labs thrive on attention, especially from their favorite humans. They are happiest when they are spending time with their families and receiving affection and attention from them. Despite their high energy, Labs are highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be better suited to homes with fenced yards where they can run, but they also adapt well to apartments provided they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold like many dog breeds. As such, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Black Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, heart disease, hereditary myopathy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Another potential health concern is EIC exercise-induced collapse , which can occur in young adult Labs and has a genetic link. Because carriers can be identified by DNA tests, it is recommended that breeders test for them. 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 talk to the breeder 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 large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Although their high energy and puppylike exuberance can sometimes be a challenge, they are intelligent dogs that are eager to please. As long as training is kept consistent and focused on positive rewards and praise, novice owners still tend to do well with Black Labs. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training too. Black Labs have a short, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and sheds heavier as seasons change. Depending on how active your Black Lab is and what they get into, they may need a bath more often, especially if they are swimming a lot. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed help prevent ear infections. Good dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. As one of the most active dog breeds , a Black Labrador Retriever will need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are a minimum. Your Black Lab will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood. They tend to maintain a puppylike exuberance until they are years old. Although they do tend to mellow out as they get older, they are still active, energetic, and playful dogs. Once they are fully grown, you can try other things like hiking, running, dock diving, and more to find other activities you and your Black Lab can enjoy together. Fully-grown Black Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Black Labs generally live for years on average. Black Labrador Retrievers came before the also-popular Chocolate Lab. All modern Chocolate Labs can be traced back to three Black Labs in the s. It was the December issue of .Featured Black Labrador Retriever Article.
So while a dog like a Chihuahua Great Dane mix is possible with medical intervention, looking for purebred black Golden Retrievers for sale will disappoint. Anybody claiming their black puppies are purebreds are likely trying to scam you, so be careful. It is possible that Golden Retrievers get a pigment somatic mutation that can cause a black patch of fur. But this will never make their entire body black. Golden retrievers have a specific genetic makeup that produces their characteristic golden coat color. This means that they can only produce puppies with red or cream-colored coats. In short, if you see a dog resembling a black Golden Retriever, it is probably a different Retriever breed, called the Flat-Coated Retriever, with a signature black coat. The other possibility is that it is a Golden Retriever crossed with another breed with a dominant black gene. Rare colors like Merle could only result from outcrossing with dogs like Australian Shepherds. When two different breeds are bred together, the resulting puppies can inherit a wide range of traits from both parents, making it difficult to predict their temperament, health, and physical appearance. In short, obtaining a puppy from an ethical breeder who is knowledgeable about the breed and committed to producing healthy, well-socialized puppies is always essential. Dogs have various gene pairs called alleles that determine their coat color and patterns. Coat genetics is complicated, so we will only cover the two essential major genes determining Golden Retriever colors. Firstly, black dogs have a kind of pigment called eumelanin, while red or yellow dogs have a pigment called pheomelanin. Goldens only have gene for pheomelanin, which means they can only be shades of red or cream never black. This is unlike their black Labrador or Flat-Coated Retriever cousins that have dominant black coat genes. The gene for black coloring is the E-locus gene, which is a dominant gene. So all purebred Golden Retrievers have a recessive gene that ensures their signature golden cream, yellow, and red coloring. You can only get a black dog from a Golden Retriever parent by crossing them with a dog with a dominant E-locus gene. The problem with this is that the gene for a black coat is a dominant gene, not a recessive one. This dominant E-locus has been bred out of the Golden Retriever bloodline and true Goldens only have recessive genes for cream, yellow, and red coats as per their breed standard. Finally, how rich or intense their color is, is determined by their recessive dilute gene. Dogs with dilute genes will be a light cream color, and those without may be rich dark red color. Help Dogs In Need Our blog posts aim to provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information on all types of dogs, helping our readers make informed choices that fit their lifestyle. We don't endorse any specific breeding practices, but advocate for ethical breeding and dog welfare. We encourage exploring adoption first. Countless wonderful dogs, from all breeds, await their forever homes in shelters. Remember, with AdoptDontShop, you can give a deserving rescue a second chance at happiness. Just like the black Golden Retriever, silver or blue is not a color that exists in purebred Golden Retrievers. Silver, blue, or gray are dilute versions of the black color gene. To get a Golden Retriever that has this color variation, you would likely have to mix them with a silver dog like a Weimaraner or rare blue German Shepherd or Blue Bay Shepherd. There is no such this as a white or platinum Golden Retriever. English Cream is the lightest color you can get, which is nearly white, but is a very dilute yellow color. It is unclear if any albino Golden Retrievers exist, and if they do, it is exceptionally rare. Albinism in dogs is a genetic mutation where they lack any pigment in the skin. The Flat-Coated Retriever looks exceptionally similar to the Golden Retriever, with glossy black coats instead of shades of gold. These dogs are slightly more independent, have longer noses, have a sleeker build, and are generally more energetic. Are there Green Golden Retriever Puppies? In , the internet went wild over a picture of a newborn green Golden Retriever puppy called Forest. This natural discharge would simply wash off over time. Golden Retrievers are one of many dogs that get patches of pigment on their tongues, causing a black or purple spot. This is usually not more than a birthmark or a freckle and is nothing to worry about. This color is more common in European bloodlines, and some breeders specialize in producing English cream golden retrievers. This color is still considered within the range of acceptable colors for the breed, and it does not represent a distinct genetic mutation or variation. This color is deeper and richer than the typical golden or red shades, and some breeders selectively breed for this color. However, like the English cream color, it is still a standard color for Golden Retrievers. While coat color can be an interesting and appealing aspect of a dog, it should never be the sole reason for choosing a particular breed or breeder. Final Thoughts The idea of a black Golden Retriever or silver or any other color is charming, but there is no way for this to happen in purebred dogs. Suppose you do come across a black golden retriever. Dogs should be bred for health and temperament before color, which is the most important thing to look for when buying any puppy. Alternatively, adopting a rescue dog is always a good option. Tamsin De La Harpe Author Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs. Got Questions? There is no dog breed that is a Black Golden Retriever. The Flat-Coated Retrievers or mixed breeds have the dominant E allele which produces the black or liver color in skin or fur. The recessive e allele will always produce a coat that is yellow or red in color. But it is possible to have a nearly purebred black Golden Retriever that looks and acts like a golden retriever except for the black color. See 1 below for the explanation as well as some other ways for a dogs to appear to be a black Golden Retriever. For example, a breeder may have crossed a Golden Retriever with a Flat Coated Retriever, then bred the black puppies back to Golden Retrievers. They then kept breeding successive generations of only the black puppies back to Golden Retrievers until the type and personality matched the Goldens Retriever again except for the black coat. This is how many breeds were created in the first place. So the black Golden Retrievers being advertised may or may not be exactly like a Golden Retriever based on how many generations ago the outcross happened. Breeder Warning! If a breeder tries to tell you they are selling AKC registered Black Golden Retrievers, then you should look for another breeder. Listing the wrong dog as a sire or dam is very unethical. A breeder may tell you that their black golden retriever dogs are purebred but not registered. This is controversial as the meaning of purebred is difficult to define. Some consider an outcross more than 5 generations back to be unimportant. While it is ok to purchase these dogs, I would avoid paying extreme prices for what may be a mixed breed dog. An ethical breeder will be happy to explain how the black gene entered their Golden Retriever gene pool. Which means, if this type of genetic mutation occurs in a Golden Retriever it will show up as a black patch on the skin or fur, not the whole coat. Check out this facebook photo of a Golden like this. Sometimes it can be challenging to tell the different breeds apart. In this article we will discuss why the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Retriever are similar, but different breeds. We will also look at the science behind these two breeds and discuss some other breeds that are very similar. If you are looking to purchase a Black Golden, then there are a few breeds to consider. Below we will cover some dogs that appear to be a Black Golden Retriever, but are not. Here are 4 possible breeds that can be mistaken for a black Golden Retriever. They may look and act remarkably like a Golden Retriever, but they are their own breed. They can only be black or liver in color. Check out our article on Flat Coated Retrievers vs. Golden Retrievers. Hovawart A Hovawart looks like a mixed breed of a Golden Retriever and a Rottweiler or Doberman, but they are their own breed. They are larger than a Golden and have about the same body and shape. Newfoundland A Newfoundland is like the Golden Retriever. They have the same blocky head and similar facial expressions. The big difference is they are twice the size and shed twice the amount of fur than Golden Retrievers. They are a mix of a Golden Retriever and another breed. Whether you are looking to purchase a Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, or a Mixed Breed Retriever make sure that you are using a reputable breeder that knows the genetic and health background of the parents and the puppy. If they do not have a lot of knowledge about the breed or puppy, it would be best to find another breeder. They are still out there, but you may have to do a little more research to find one. There are some dogs that are a mix of Golden Retriever and another breed. Be sure the breeder provides you with all the necessary information about the different breeds involved as well as health and temperament information. It will not be hard to find one. There are many Goldens out there that need some love. Conclusion Golden Retrievers come in many colors and types. There are many options if you are looking for a Golden Retriever type of dog with a black coat. If you would like to learn more about the types and colors of Golden Retrievers, check out our article Types and Colors of Golden Retrievers. She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Active families, service roles, therapy, hunting, companionship Temperament: Loyal, attentive, affectionate, active If you are interested in learning more about this Golden Retriever coloration, then this article is perfect for you! Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. The Black Golden Retriever is not an AKC-registered purebred as it most likely has a mix of another dog breed in their ancestry — the flat-coated retriever or Labrador. In , a Scottish man bred a black wavy coated retriever to a Tweed water spaniel which produced a litter of three yellow puppies which were the base for continued breeding. He then used the sandy-colored Bloodhound and a flat-coated black retriever in breeding efforts to produce his goal breed. The result was an energetic and loyal dog who could retrieve downed waterfowl during a hunting trip. The main reason the Black Golden Retriever exists is that it carries recessive genes from the flat-coated Black Retriever. It is also possible that a breeder added a new dog breed into the mix without reporting it to breeding authorities. The athletic build and affectionate temperament drew in dog owners worldwide. Since this dog features a genetic mutation, there was originally a lot of fascination and confusion as to how such a unique-looking Golden Retriever was produced. The Black Golden Retriever has all the same temperament and husbandry requirements as the original Golden Retriever; however, their coat is more sought out and unique. Furthermore, excitement over this color mutation spans way back and better quality lineages have been produced from this coloration to create a stark black and shiny coat that can be long or short, wavy, or straight. The AKC states that their standard coat for a Golden Retriever is a rich, lustrous golden coat of varying shades, disallowing extremely light or dark coats. However, the Black Golden Retriever has been part of many Golden Retriever clubs if their bloodline closely dates back to the generation of this dog breed. Genetic Mutation The Black Golden Retriever is not a breed itself, but it can be considered a genetic mutation with a history of a Golden Retriever in their blood. Image Credit by Pixabay 2. Brains and Strength Golden retrievers are well-known and loved for their glamorous appearance and energetic and loyal temperament. Since the black coat is generally just a genetic mutation, the Black Golden Retriever has acquired the same popular temperament. These dogs are smart and easy to train while being incredibly strong and agile. Rarity The Black Golden Retriever can be considered rare. This is because there are not many specimens that have a black coloration while still featuring the typical look of the Golden Retriever. Image Credit: Fotoshautnah, Pixabay 4. Flat-coated or Golden Retriever? There is a lot of confusion over whether the black coloration can only come from the flat-coated or Golden Retriever which are two separate breeds that have slightly different appearances. However, a Golden Retriever can have a black coat coloration because of a genetic mutation, but it is easy to get the two breeds mixed up. This dog is great for children and adults alike. They are family-orientated and loyal which makes them a great guard dog that is active and goofy. Many owners will describe their Black Golden Retriever as a family dog that is willing to protect them, but not afraid to show their affectionate side by appreciating cuddles and pets. Black Golden Retrievers are a great choice for a dog if you have an active lifestyle. They will gladly accompany you on walks, hikes, and runs with bursts of energy and excitement. This dog has all the loveable qualities of the popular Golden Retriever, which is why this rare coat-coloration is so interesting. The Black Golden Retrievers are a lifelong commitment as they can live for over a decade. You need to be prepared to care for them for several years and plans are necessary to ensure that your Black Golden Retriever always has a safe place to go if you can no longer care for them. Conclusion The Black Golden Retriever has an interesting history and a confusing ancestry, but they are worthy dogs full of personality and a luxurious coat appearance. Aside from being such an undeniably family-orientated and obedience dog that can fit into nearly every family, the Black Golden Retriever will turn heads with its beauty and this dog is guaranteed to be a great companion for years to come. We hope that this article has taught you something new about the backstory of the Black Golden Retriever. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Should you get a Black Golden retriever puppy? It is the perfect family dog. A golden retriever can be your friend, your jogging partner and a reason to smile and love daily in the hefty world. The golden retriever with gold hair on his or her body looks beautiful when playing in the lawn. But lately, a lot of people have shown interest and love for the Black Golden retrievers. Black retriever? Do the black golden retrievers even exist? Is black golden retriever is any different from the regular the golden retriever? How do they look? Do they share the same breed? How is it black? What are you talking about? Well, ladies and gentlemen, these kinds of questions I have been hearing for quite a time now, and I especially dedicated the today's article for you to tell you everything you need to know about the Black Golden retrievers. This article will help you get all the information regarding the black golden retriever breed and the ultimate answers to all of your questions. So, hold on your horses, turn off any distraction and get that chips packet and get right into the content, maybe this breed will be your next pet. Sounds great, doesn't it? It does, so let's find out about this mystery. What basically are the black Golden Retrievers? They share all the same characteristics, but they have that classic midnight shade. Black Golden Retrievers exist, yes for real, and they are same as intelligent and friendly as The Golden ones but have that glamourous black colour. I love the colour I hope you do too, so my love for black retrievers is exceptional. One of the reasons for the importance of the black Golden Retrievers is that they can surely be purebred. They are just black because of the genetic diversity factor which was added into their bloodline in the breed development processes. Major people think that a purebred black Golden Retriever is the outcome of a Flat-Coated bred Retriever that was used in the breeding process to make the Golden Retrievers. The black colour they have just becomes of the recessive gene that came up in the next litters. But, the Flat-Coated Retrievers are an entirely separate breed which is actually not wholly suitable for the first-time dog owners. The flat-coated retrievers have higher impulse and nature to wander than the pure Golden retriever, and they might have the need of more exercise daily. So comparing with all that, Black Golden retrievers are very easy to train, they have a relaxed nature that means they donk bark and irritate that much as compared to other breeds , and they will surely stick by and love your family. The physical differences There are quite a lot of physical differences between these two diverse breeds. Though, Flat-Coated Retrievers have a long and a wavy coat, which is nowhere close as thick as the Golden retriever's body. To describe to you an interesting fact, the Black Golden retrievers can be purebred, but they can never possibly perform in the show rings. The reason for that is the British, Canadian and American Kennel Club are very strict in the colouration requirements. The ultimate comparison of Black Golden retrievers with the Golden retrievers As a matter of fact, the Black Golden Retrievers are no any different than the old Golden Retrievers. The main difference is in their coating which is entirely black. The average Black Golden retriever can live for up to 12 maybe 13 years old and can have a height of 23—24 inches. The healthy Black retriever can weigh between 70 to 76 pounds. Most of its physical properties are like the Traditional Golden retrievers just the difference is in the colour and minor other differences. The Black Golden share the same temperament as the traditional Golden retrievers. That means if you are thinking to buy a puppy of this breed you will get an affectionate, lovely, friendly, and also a little bit goofy dog in your home. The traditional golden retrievers need consistent and many exercises. They have that tropical travelling nature. Same is with the Black Golden retrievers. The black or golden retriever is full of love, literally always but you have to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. The bad mood of your Golden or Black Retriever can result in the catastrophe of your new Nike sneakers, and no one wants that, so keep your dog happy and healthy. If you want a Golden Retriever but with an exciting and different coloured coating, then look no further as the Black Golden retriever is the dog you want. The share all those wonderful characteristics that the traditional golden retrievers have. This is the perfect family dog. The Black Golden retriever is also very sociable, that means you won't have a hard time to teach your dog to be social and well-mannered. The Black Golden retrievers are very patient, friendly and gentle. They play well with small children and are very excited to join their little adventures. So now you have discovered that the black golden retrievers are not much different than the traditional Golden retrievers and maybe you want this breed for your new pet. If you are interested and excited to get a Black Golden Retriever, you have to go to a dog breeder and the black golden retriever specialist to learn more about the breed and the guidelines to have better care. You will get a best friend for 12 years if your dog is guaranteed by the breeder to be healthy and you keep him or her healthy too. For that you have to find the trusted and well-reputed pet provider in your area, ask around in the family and friends, search online, visit and ask other people views about the pet specialist especially the Golden retrievers one. Make up your mind to take care properly of the new puppy because it will be no less than raising a baby. Provide a good environment for your Black Golden retriever puppy and raise him or her well to be very responsible, caring, well mannered and a good dog citizen. So what are you waiting for? Go and buy your new little best friend and enjoy the life. Need our help? Contact us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Read the full disclosure here. If these are things you are looking for in a dog, look no further than a Golden Retriever. These dogs are fantastic companions. As long as they have enough exercise they will be the perfect addition to your family. The most popular Goldens come in—you guessed it—a gold color. However, some people have an interest in black golden retrievers. There are many questions: Do black golden retrievers exist? Are they different from regular golden retrievers? In this article, we will take a look at this golden retriever breed and answer all of your questions. Black Golden Retrievers are a variety of Golden Retriever dogs. They have all of the same characteristics of a Golden but come in a midnight shade. Black Golden Retrievers do exist. They can even be purebred! They are likely black because of genetic diversity that was added to the bloodline in the development of the breed. Many people believe that a purebred black Golden is the result of a Flat-Coated Retriever used in the breeding process to develop Golden Retrievers. That black color simply became a recessive gene that showed up in later litter. However, the Flat-Coated is an entirely different breed that is not as suitable for first-time owners. It has a higher impulse to wander than the Golden and might have higher exercise needs. It also has a harder time controlling its energy, making it better-suited to older children. In contrast, the Black Golden will be easy to train , relaxed, and will stick by your family. There are physical differences between the two breeds as well. This makes grooming low maintenance because the coat does not require as much brushing. Interestingly enough, although Black Goldens can be purebred, they cannot perform in show rings. This is because the Canadian, British, and American Kennel Club are strict in their coloration requirements. Black Golden Retrievers are actually no different than traditional Golden Retrievers. The only difference is that their coat is entirely black. Because of this, you can still expect your Black Golden to live for 10—12 years and stand about 23—24 inches tall. It will weigh between 65 and 75 pounds See the full Golden Retriever weight chart. Besides the different coloring, you can expect your Black Golden to have the same temperament as a traditional Golden. This means you will get a dog that is affectionate, friendly, and somewhat goofy. This dog will turn heads wherever you go, but it will also make friends with strangers. Golden Retrievers also have a high need for exercise. They love to swim and their favorite game is to play fetch at a beach or lakeside. All you have to do is toss a stick into the water and your dog will be more than happy to bring it back to you! You should be careful with this activity, though. Golden Retrievers are highly enthusiastic and will focus on one game for a long time. They might play so hard that they get too tired to walk home! You should also be careful if there are birds on the water. The dogs will swim far out to investigate the waterfowl. Your Golden will always be full of love but you do need to take care to keep him stimulated. This includes both mentally and physically. Without enough exercise or playtime, the dog can quickly become bored or even a little mad. This might result in your favorite pair of shoes as they become a new chew toy. If you are looking for a Golden Retriever with an interesting colored coat, look no further than this dog. It has all of the amazing characteristics of a Golden Retriever in an interesting and refreshing color. We recommend this dog to families first. This is because it is extremely sociable. It will always want to be around people and will mope around the house if ignored for too long. It makes sense as a family dog because there are more people to pay attention to it. This dog is also great for families because it is patient and gentle. It plays well with children and is happy to join in their adventures. It is a perfect playmate for younger kids. Young families also love this dog because it is easy to train. Goldens are incredibly focused and they learn quickly. If you are juggling a small child and a puppy at the same time, this is a lifesaver! If you are interested in getting a Black Golden Retriever, you will likely have to go through a breeder. Golden Retrievers tend to always look like a perfect mix of their parents. They are not like Labradors which can have three different colored puppies in a litter. Because of this, you will probably have to find a Black Golden Retriever specialist. While it is expensive, it is absolutely worth the price. You not only get a new best friend for 10 years, but the dog is practically guaranteed to be healthy. If coming from a reputable breeder, puppies will have undergone numerous documented health checks prior to going home with you. Their lineage will also be well-known and the pride of the breeder. To make sure that you find a reputable breeder, be sure to ask around. This industry works almost exclusively through word-of-mouth so check reviews online. The breeder should be knowledgeable about the dogs, of course, but they should also care about the animals. Generally, they will be more concerned with finding a good home for the puppies than making money. They will be a loving part of your family for years to come!
German Shepherd Puppies are lovingly home raised and socialized at our modern 5 acre park like Kennel Facility in Florida Miami. These are just a few words that describe our German shepherds. Life with a German Shepherd is a joy that one must experience to appreciate and understand, and the intelligence of these great dogs must be seen to be believed. Petersburg Our dogs have provided countless individuals and families with a loyal pet that has a high aptitude, as well as the ability to provide protection. Each of the German shepherd puppies we have for sale are AKC registered and come from a superior lineage. Notably, our German Shepherds go through rigorous testing to qualify for breeding, as our dogs are bred with top sires that have at least a V or VA show rating. German Shepherds are well known for their character and temperament. Poised and confident, our pups are faithful and intelligent companions. They are also great protection dogs, as many safeguard homes, property or livestock. Our breeding program has earned the the highest level of accomplishments that a kennel in the United States can achieve. All of our German Shepherds come with a written guarantee and have been vet-checked, socialized, vaccinated to date, temperament-tested by a professional dog trainer, and above all, have been very much loved. Our German Shepherds are gorgeous Black and Red color, big boned, and correct structure. This price is determined by the size of the puppy, and includes the flight ticket, pre-flight vet exam, a crate the perfect size for your puppy, and travel to the airport. Every year we hand select dogs to add to our breeding program to improve the breed. Breeding top producing west German Sieger show Line German Shepherds is number one in producing quality German Shepherd puppies for sale. Being a German Shepherd dog breeder requires breeding high quality German Shepherds from some of the top rated German Shepherds in Germany They are superior in health with parents being x-rayed with clear hips and elbows by the OFA or the SV. These German shepherd litters of puppies for sale will make great companion dogs as well as excellent conformation, show and working dogs. Their inclination towards making their masters happy, their mental soundness and their high degree of intelligence have made this dog a successful working dog and masterpiece companion for their owners. Our breeding male shepherds are from top pedigrees. You can also visit us on our Facebook page to see recent news. Visit our website, at any moment you may feel you need more information than what we supply here feel free to Contact Us. Our main goal is to produce dogs that will become very special to you. Contact Us with any questions you have about our puppies or anything else. German shepherd with its puppies resting on green lawn Tags in St. Petersburg German Shepherd Puppies in St. Petersburg German Shepherd in St. Petersburg GSD in St. Petersburg German Shepherd Dogs in St. Petersburg German Shepherd Breeder in St. Petersburg Pure German Shepherd bloodlines in St. Petersburg German Shepherd studs in St. Petersburg German Shepherd Female in St. Petersburg German Shepherd dog trainer in St. Petersburg Healthy German Shepherd in St. Petersburg Working line German Shepherd breeder in St. Petersburg Long hair German Shepherd breeder in St. Petersburg Long coat German Shepherd breeder in St. Petersburg Plush coat German Shepherd breeder in St. Petersburg Site Links. 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. The breed is well proportioned and strong with a sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated body that has a light but solid bone structure. The head should be in proportion to its body and have a little bit of a rounded forehead. The nose is most often black, but blue or liver colors still do sometimes occur. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. Its eyes are dark and almond-shaped but never protruding. The ears are wide at its base, pointed, upright, and turned forward. However, it is natural for German Shepherd puppies under about six months to have ears that droop slightly. It also has a bushy tail that reaches below the hocks and hangs down when resting. There are three varieties of the German Shepherd: double coat, plush coat, and longhaired coat. It has a double coat made-up of a thick undercoat and dense, slightly wavy or straight outer coat. Most German Shepherd dogs have tan and black or red and black hair, medium in length and tend to shed all year round. There are some other, more rare color variations such as solid black, solid white, liver and blue. The white coat version is recognized as a separate breed by some breed clubs and is called the American White Shepherd. A piebald color has also occurred and is now being called a Panda Shepherd. Discover more about our German Shepherd puppies for sale below! Disposition The German Shepherd is an intelligent and versatile breed. The breed requires an active lifestyle and makes for an ideal companion, protector, and guard dog. Very devoted to its family and home and usually maintains a suspicious demeanor around strangers. German Shepherds can be dominating and assertive towards other dogs, though normally friendly with other pets in the home. Therefore, it is important to begin training your dog beginning as a puppy in order to avoid negative behaviors later. Exercise This breed is very active and athletic. It requires a lot of physical and mental exercise. Without the proper amount of exercise, it can become frustrated and develop negative behaviors. Participating in canine activities such as agility, herding, tracking, and diving is great exercise and fun for the dog. Training Puppy socialization and training are critical, as well as continuing obedience training to ensure the puppy will become a well-mannered adult. The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent companion and extraordinary worker. Use consistent and positive reward-based training for best results. Grooming The German Shepherd sheds regularly and is a heavy seasonal shedder. As a result, it is best to brush them daily. You only need to bathe them when necessary, however, as over bathing can cause skin irritation from removal of oil on their skin. Check their ears and trim their claws regularly. Origin The German Shepherd Dog originated in Karlsruhe, Germany from longhaired, shorthaired, and wire-haired local herding and farm dogs in the mids. Its now famous qualities of intelligence, agility, speed, stealth, and courage were developed not in a police or military academy but in the sheep pastures of s Germany. The breed gained popularity in the United States during the early s due to the canine movie stars Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart. Unfortunately, because it is among the German breeds including the Dachshund it suffered a decline in popularity due to anti-German sentiment during and after both world wars. However, due to the rise of modern livestock management and the decline of herding as a dog occupation, von Stephanitz promoted his breed as an ideal K-9 worker and today is therefore the preferred breed for police and military units all over the world. See store for details on this particular puppy. American Canine Association. We are committed to utilizing world class, imported German Shepherd dogs from top producing West German Shepherd lines. GSD puppies are a great addition to family homes as well as excellent dogs for a variety of jobs. Because of their intelligence and quick-learning abilities, this breed has long been used for a range of tasks from herding to home protection. German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the country and our dogs are the cream of the crop. At four weeks, we introduce all pups to the outdoors, and at six weeks, we start all puppies on the NuVet supplement, building a foundation for a strong, long healthy life. How are your GSD puppies raised and when can I take my puppy home? Our puppies receive top-quality care from the moment they are born. The Mom dog and her puppies have private whelping rooms away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the kennel. Starting at 3 days of life, each puppy is exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation. ENS is a set of short exercises which serve to stimulate the neurological system in a young puppy and has been proven to strengthen the heart, increase resistance to diseases, and produce greater tolerance of stress. As the puppies become older they are introduced to more and more new things around the kennel and are socialized with many people, young and old. Puppies can go to their new homes at 8 weeks. Give us your preferred puppy specifications and expectations and we will do our best to surpass them Breeding purebred West German Showline German Shepherds are our passion. If you share our passion and is looking for a German Shepherd breeder that specializes in providing the highest quality show dogs, protection dogs, working dogs, or family companions, your search just ended. All of our puppies have plenty of wide open spaces to get all of the physical exercise their growing bodies need. We show and work with our dogs and try to improve the German Shepherd breed We follow strict German guidelines and health testing SV Our puppies are raised at home and are well socialized. We try to housebreak puppies as well before their new homes Roche's Pedigree German Shepherds is located within Chicago Illinois area. They are black and red in color. We breed dogs that pass hips and elbows evaluation, and have earned their schutzhund titles. We strive to breed healthy dogs with best bloodlines in mind. For more information, please contact Jeff Roche at or simply fill out a very brief form below. Thank you for your interest in Roche's Pedigree German Shepherds and we look forward to hearing from you. Please, call ahead to schedule your visit. Appointment is not warrantees the sale. We have a right to sell the dog at any time.
However, it is a relatively big dog and has long, droopy ears. In addition, it has a dense fur coat that makes it appear huge. Its head is square with a straight muzzle that ends in a black or brown nose. Having a pink nose is out of the window, as it would be almost impossible. The common eye colors for this breed are typically light and dark brown. However, puppies can be born with blue eyes. Black Lab Golden Retriever Mixes can live between 10 to 15 years. Of course, Black Goldadors can die long before they reach these ages under poor conditions or because of accidents. One popular question people ask is if Black Goldadors are healthy. The most prominent of these illnesses include: Image from Instagram: lincolnthegoldador Joint Dysplasia In general, joint dysplasia is a common issue that Black Goldadors will face. This condition usually manifests in areas at the hips and elbows. It occurs slowly and is caused by the gradual death of photoreceptor cells present in the retina. Cataracts Cataracts are another condition that affects the eyes of Black Goldadors. This happens when the lens of your pooch is covered with a cloudy film that impairs its vision. Luckily, with surgery, you can remove this film. But in most cases, it ends in blindness. The good thing about these diseases is that they can be diagnosed on time. Therefore, you must take your pooch to the vet regularly for checks. Taking care of a Black Goldador is relatively easy. A high-quality feed contains all the nutrients your pooch needs in the right proportion. Three significant nutrients your Black Goldador requires daily are carbohydrates, protein, and calcium. An adequate amount of carbohydrates gives your dog the energy it needs for daily activities. In addition, protein helps to repair worn-out tissues and replace cells that die daily. Apart from that, there are other nutrients that your dog needs which include vitamins and some other minerals. And because it can be pretty challenging to get all of these in a meal, your dog can have a deficiency of these nutrients. And you prefer already made high-quality feed for it. If this is the case, look no further, as Pet Plate contains all the nutrients your dog needs to grow healthy. But if you are someone who works from home or stays at home all day, then you will need to take your pooch for walks. Moreover, exercise is essential for this hybrid as they have a high disposition to obesity and heart disease when they stay inactive. Take a look here! Are Black Goldadors Aggressive? They are very friendly and playful dogs. They associate well with their owners and other dogs that they are used to. Nevertheless, Black Goldadors do not welcome strangers well. They will bark and even attack people when they feel that they or their owners are threatened. So, if you live in a place where your dog sees strange faces every day, do not be surprised when you see it displaying some aggressive behavior. To enable your dog to be friendly towards people, you can start socialization training early. Training Being bred from two intelligent dog breeds, you will find the Black Goldador very easy to train and versatile. These mixed dogs have shown to be outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. Another reason is that this hybrid is very bent on pleasing its owner. Therefore, your Black Goldador will obey every command you give it just to make you happy. So, whenever you want to teach your pooch something new, always give it a good rub to let it know it has done well. Also, giving it treats is a good motivator. However, it will be best to give your dog treats occasionally to avoid situations where it expects treats every time. Nevertheless, this hybrid is quite clingy, and it may take some time for your dog to get used to your absence. Therefore, it will be best to find a professional sitter for your Black Goldador in your absence. Is A Black Goldador Hypoallergenic? This dog has two layers of thick fur that it sheds in little quantities every day. This Black Goldador also drools a lot, especially when it feels hot. Its fur and saliva have been known to cause allergic reactions in some people. So, this is something you should be aware of. Deshedding The Black Goldador sheds a lot. It sheds heavily during seasonal changes. But daily, it sheds little amounts of fur. Seeing fur around your home can be annoying for you. How exactly do you deshed your dog? Deshedding is relatively easy. So, with the right tool, you can keep your home fur-free. Removes loose hair: reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair without cutting skin or damaging the.FURejector button: just push the button to release hair with ease. But on occasions when yours gets dirty or starts developing an odor, you should bathe it. For example, acidic shampoo can be corrosive to your dog, thereby decolorizing its fur and damaging its skin. As a result of poor skin health or peeling skin conditions, your dog can produce more unwanted dander. However, Black Goldadors puppies with more desirable fur colors, such as pure black and golden, can cost a lot more. Do Black Goldadors Like Swimming? Yes, Black Goldadors generally like to swim. However, your dog may develop a phobia for water if it has had bad experiences. Therefore, it will always be best to supervise your Black Goldador while it swims. No, Golden Retrievers are not smarter than Black Labs. Given that both breeds essentially share one common ancestor , namely the St. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. It is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Nearly 2-year-old Danish origin Labrador x Golden Smorre with Dutch owners on beach in Portugal—after catching the fish and showing us how clever he is, he ate it all! She has lovely blue eyes and a killer smooth golden tone on her fur not yellow. Nala is very playful but also very demanding Top Dog trait? She has already seen her vet for general checkup and parasite deworming at 1 month. She only had 2 young eggs, medicine was administered and on 2nd visit 6 weeks , she was all clear. That 1-month general health assessment went great! Doctor found her in super great shape and her 6-week-old first vaccination went very well also. She was fed on Royal Canin Puppy 33 up until now. She just started Pedigree Puppy. This transition helped her well. She favors tennis balls, a teething rope with two plastic balls, and a teething plastic lifesaver as her toys, but also likes to call for attention and be petted and played with. We started the "Sit" and "Down" commands yesterday with the information on your page and we were amazed!!!! For now, I showed her I am Top Dog and she behaved better!!! This is incredible and powerful stuff!!! Loud barking and calling for attention are still issues at hand, but we will not be disappointed easily and we will keep training and interacting in a more knowledgeable and effective way each time. Finding black Lab Golden Retriever puppies for sale? The black Lab Golden Retriever mix is still a Goldador. But, by using a black Lab parent, many breeders aim to get puppies with a black coat. A black Lab Golden Retriever mix will have the same general traits as any other Goldador. They will be friendly, energetic, and playful. Black Lab Golden Retriever mix dogs are also great with kids and other animals. Especially when they are socialized and trained well from a young age. This dog is simply a puppy with one Golden Retriever parent and one black Labrador Retriever parent. Since the genes for a black dog coat are dominant, many breeders hope that they will get black Goldador puppies when they breed with a black Labrador parent. But, first generation mixes like this are quite unpredictable. A Goldador with a black Lab parent will usually have a black coat. But, in some instances, puppies may have lighter, or golden coats. Other than their coat color, their traits will vary as much as any other Goldador dog. It will depend which parent they take after the most. Generally, you will have a medium to large dog. Typically, a Goldador will grow between .They usually weigh between 55 and 80 pounds as adults. Females are often smaller than males. In terms of coat type, this mix will have a double layered coat that sheds all year round, and more heavily during shedding seasons. Their coat may be slightly longer if they take after their Golden Retriever parent, with some feathering around their legs and chest. However, a puppy must receive two recessive genes one from each parent to have a non-black coat color. So, it is much less likely that your puppies will have golden or chocolate coats if they have a black Lab parent. If your heart is set on a black Goldador puppy, let your breeder know. They may be able to give you first pick of the litter to ensure you get the shade you want. Both parents of this Goldador mix are known to be friendly, energetic, and loving. Especially toward their close families. Generally, when they are well socialized as puppies, they will get along very well with everyone they meet. This includes other pets and even young children. However, since they are quite large dogs, they can accidentally bump and hurt young kids during play. Socialization is Proven to Help Studies into dog behavior have shown that socialization from a young age helps to prevent behavioral issues in older dogs. This includes aggression and fearfulness. So, you should train and socialize your black Goldador mix well from a young age to get the best of their temperament. You should also meet the parent dogs to see what traits your puppy may inherit. If its parents are friendly and keen to meet you, your puppy will often be similar! Most families get on well with a black Lab Golden Retriever mix. They tend to love everyone they meet, especially when socialized and trained from a young age. These dogs need families that have plenty of time to dedicate, and who can take their dog with them everywhere. Plenty of Energy On top of this, a black Goldador is a very energetic dog, that comes from two hardworking, athletic parents. A black Lab Golden Retriever mix will usually be as healthy as its parents. Mixed breed puppies like this are vulnerable to the same health issues as their parent breeds. Common problems to look out for include: Cancer big issue for Golden Retrievers Hip dysplasia. Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor Grapes or raisins Golden Retriever Crossed with Labrador Exercise Requirements The Lab Golden Retriever Mix has an active temperament so they might get destructive if they get bored. It is recommended to exercise them at least 2 hours daily. Getting them to do physical activities every day will help keep him happy and healthy. Here are some outdoor activities that you can try with your Golden Retriever Lab Mix: Hiking: It is a great way to turn your daily walk more challenging and exciting for your dog. Swimming: Utilize your private pool and do a swimming exercise with your dog companion. Swimming does not only serve as an exercise activity to yourself and to your companion dog, but it is also a great bonding experience. It also provides relief from the heat during the summer months. Make sure you supervise your dog all the time while doing this activity. Dock Diving: This is a fun sports activity to enjoy with your dog. All you have to do is throw a floating toy and encourage your dog to jump and swim out to retrieve it. If you and your Golden Retriever Lab Mix want to upgrade the challenge, you can try joining a Dock Diving Club and compete with other dogs. Play Fetch: This is a classic outdoor game that is great to do in summer. Challenge your dog by putting a twist to the activity, you can either use a Frisbee or a tennis racquet to make the object travel farther for your Golden Labrador to retrieve and return back to you. However, you should not be working them too much because when it comes to recovering objects, both parent breeds of Golden Retriever Lab Mix can be overly enthusiastic. However, even though they are intelligent dogs and has a friendly nature, you still need to put time and effort to train them better. Both parent breeds were bred to carry things. The best way to teach your Goldador not to bark is to socialize them frequently with strangers. Use Positive Reinforcement The Labrador crossed with Golden Retriever is a sensitive type of dog, so training them using positive reinforcement will be very helpful. Make sure to avoid negative punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may end up fearing you rather than respecting you as their leader. Make it a regular routine to reward your puppy whenever they do something right. Training your Goldador consistently in a positive method will give you pet companions that are obedient and good-natured. Do Mental Exercise The Golden Retriever mixed with Lab is an intelligent dog, and they need stimulating mental activities to avoid developing any aggressive behaviors, such as nuisance barking and chewing. Without proper mental exercise, Goldador puppies will grow into a passive, timid and uninspired dog. Labrador Golden Retriever Mix and Families Despite its large size, the Labrador mixed with Golden Retriever is a great family dog because of its easy-going personality. It is extremely friendly and affectionate. The Goldador is the type of dog that goes well in a loving and active family — one that considers him as a family member. The Golden Labradors cherish the company with children. They are naturally gentle, but they can play tirelessly as long as your kids can keep up. However, due to their sheer size, supervision is still needed around toddlers and infants. The Goldadors makes an excellent therapy and companion dog. Because of their affectionate nature, they generally do well when given lots of attention and affection. These hybrid dogs love to be with people, and hence it is tough for them to cope with solitude. So give love lots of love and affection to your Goldador Lab Retriever Mix and expect that it will shower you back with love. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article.
Brushing: Ideally every day, or at least 3 to 4 times a week. Nail Trimming: Every week or every other week. Ear Cleaning: Clean and dry the ears after every swim or shower. Use a dog ear cleaner weekly. Haircuts: Ideally every weeks. Never discount the importance of a well-constructed, carefully-designed brush. At worst, they will simply come apart in your hands from all the strain. Although a little on the pricy side, most Doodle owners agree that they are hands down the very best brushes for these dogs. Their slicker and pin models come in various shapes and sizes, meaning there is one to suit every dog, whatever their coat type, thickness, and length. Having one of these brushes in your tool kit will save you a great deal of time, effort, and worry. These include regular hair trims and bathing alongside other grooming activities, all covered below. Most groomers would recommend a professional brush and cut every 6 to 8 weeks. Bathing Your Goldendoodle Bathing forms the last prong of the coat-care triad. Many owners do not relish this chore and are grateful it only needs to be done around once a month. If your Goldie has a tendency to roll in nasty things, you might consider using waterless shampoo to clean and freshen them up a little. Although you might need to learn to love a faint tinge of Eau de canine about the place. If you can get your dog used to being bathed right from the time they are a puppy, this will pay dividends as they get older, making bath time a far easier experience for the both of you. Treats really help with encouraging your pet to enjoy bath time. Slick some peanut butter on the side of the tub, and this should keep your pooch busy as you get on with the business of cleaning them. See Also: Click the image Step One Make sure to give your hound a thorough going over with both a brush and a comb before popping them in the tub. Both of these tend to tighten when they come into contact with water, leaving them all but impossible to remove without the help of clippers. As you brush, focus on the places where tangles tend to accumulate — under the legs, around the tail, on the ears… Step Two Have everything close by to keep things simple. For a Goldie-type coat, you might have issues with shedding, so opt for a deep-cleaning shampoo. This can wash away dead hair and dander while locking in moisture to reduce the amount of hair your pup is losing. For a Poodle-type coat, your biggest struggle is going to be knots and mats. Shampoos with silk proteins are excellent for this. With the wavy in-between coat, the lowest maintenance of the three — a general all-rounder should do the trick. A 2-in-1 formula is a good pick. See Also: Click the image If your pal is a nervous bather, then a shampoo that contains nerve-soothing essential oils such as mint or lavender can be a real life saver. Conditioners and detangler sprays can also be welcome additions to your Doodle bath-time toolbox. No matter the situation, never substitute a people shampoo or any other product unless it is a baby blend. These tend to be pH-balanced rather than acidic like the regular kind. Pat, your pup dry. Never rub curly hair, as this can create new tangles for you to deal with. You might also use a high velocity blow dryer on a cool setting if your pup is up for that. Again, getting your dog used to this from an early age is a good idea. Once your fur baby is fully dry, then you can give them another good brush through. Other Grooming Necessities Aside from coat maintenance, there are a few more aspects to the grooming routine necessary to keep your dog in the best health possible. While these will not need to be done with the same frequency as brushing, they should still be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the specific needs of your pup. These are further exacerbated by the presence of a lot of hair in the ear canal — which is why some people like to pluck these. Ear infections can be irritating, uncomfortable, and downright painful for your pup, which is why you are going to want to clean and dry their ears often to keep the chances of this happening low. Luckily there are plenty of dog ear cleaners and wipes you can use to remove dirt, discharge, and waxy buildup. Most of these are designed to deal with the external parts of the ear, although you can also get liquids that can be dripped down into the ear canal for a more thorough clean. Both are vet-approved and should be included in your grooming routine. Stay away from q-tips. These can do more harm than good. Related Content. Some of the care should be done daily to weekly, and other care depends on the coat length you keep on your dog as well as your lifestyle. To help with this, we created a series of videos for those who want or need to do all of their grooming themselves at home. Check them out here! Lack of ear care can result in painful ear infections for your dog. Many groomers will also trim nails and clean ears. We recommend no more frequently than every two weeks, and no less frequently than ever 6 weeks. Even small snags can turn into mammoth mats in a bath. A longer coat understandably requires more care, as does a more active lifestyle. Find your own personal style with your Goldendoodle taking your lifestyle and maintenance preferences into consideration. Someone who keeps their dog in a very long coat and has a very outdoorsy, active lifestyle may need to brush every other day or daily. We recommend starting to brush your dog at least twice a week, and then adjust in either direction depending on your dog and your lifestyle. Brushing only works on the superficial part of the coat and misses most of the coat closer to the skin. To properly brush, use your brush on a small segment of coat, separating it until you can see the skin. Brush that out and then move on to the next section. Again, be sure to comb to the skin. Regular brushing AND combing can help avoid this. Always discuss matting with your groomer PRIOR to leaving your dog at the salon to avoid any unpleasant grooming surprises. The larger the mat, the more it can pull on the skin, and the more likely you may be to have skin problems under the mat. Matting can hold in dirt, bacteria, funguses, as well as painful debris such as burrs. Conclusions I asked the experts — when to start grooming a Goldendoodle? While I had a fair idea of when I would first start grooming a Goldendoodle puppy — I decided to ask the experts! I sent the following short survey to four Poodle Mix breed groomers, two Goldendoodle breeders, and 8 actual Goldendoodle owners. I then ran a poll on a Goldendoodle owner Facebook group and verified the results were consistent. There were four simple questions that we asked to find out when to start grooming a Goldendoodle Puppy. How old should a Goldendoodle be for first grooming What age should a Goldendoodle start being shampooed? What age to start cleaning Goldendoodle ears? How often Does a Goldendoodle need to be trimmed in its first year? I then asked for any special comments, some of which you can see in the results below, supporting what we found. As always thank you to our experts — we are thrilled our panel was willing to answer our surveys and help us out. Here are the results! The experts mostly agreed that a Goldendoodle should be first groomed around 5 months of age. A pie chart of the expert survey results showing how the experts recommend when to start grooming a goldendoodle puppy. The breeders trended a little higher, recommending first grooming around 7 months of age. The owners and groomers settled at 5 months. Everyone mostly agreed around 5 months of age is the first time to groom a Goldendoodle. The primary reason for this is that around this time most Goldendoodle will be shedding their puppy coats. It is also around this time that you will get a clearer picture of what type of coat your Goldendoodle actually has. This will influence the frequency and cost of grooming over the lifespan of your Goldendoodle. Straight coats shed a lot more but are lower maintenance. Wavy and curly coats are low to no shedding but require more frequent grooming. There are lots of sounds, sights, smells and touching that a Goldendoodle needs to get used to. The earlier the better they feel about grooming when older. This is great because Goldendoodles can get stinky. There were four options to select from. Many owners use puppy shampoo for the first year or two. This is especially true if they have a super cute teacup or toy miniature Goldendoodle. It varies dog to dog! Any Poodle Mix Breed needs to be acutely aware of the issues that our awesome mixbreed dogs inherit from the Poodle. The shape of the ear canal and hair that grows can lead to troubles and ear odours. Cleaning a Poodle Mix ear canal is something that can easily be done at home. Goldendoodles will require regular grooming and upkeep. You can trim your Goldendoodle at home! If you feel up to it — it is a worthy challenge! Even if it is not going to be a regular thing — I recommend everyone learns how to do a Goldendoodle puppy cut. With that said — our awesome Groomers do an amazing job — and are usually worth the money if you can spare it! They can be magnificent at keeping your Goldendoodle calm and enjoyable. Depending on the generation and coat type of your Goldendoodle , this can be subtle. For others, it is a very noticeable change. Our experts recommended 5 months and older for grooming because Goldendoodle tend to be in the start of the puppy coat transition at this point. This only refers to a whole body trim, as a hygienic and comfort trim of the paws, eyes, and around the butt are safe and common. The change is so minor in some wavy coated Goldendoodle that you will not even notice it. For straight hair or curly, it can be a significant difference in softness. Cutting the Goldendoodle puppy hair at the right time around 5 months plus gives the easiest foundation for soft fur and easy maintenance. An exception is if your Goldendoodle just ends up too dang shaggy before they hit 5 months. Some Groodles just have fast growing hair! It is unavoidable for such dogs to have a full body trim earlier. Conclusions You should start grooming your Goldendoodle early to get them used to the procedure. The first full groom will come around 5 months of age. This is an ideal time as the Goldendoodle puppy coat will be shedding. A Goldendoodle puppy cut and coat trim will keep your puppy looking and feeling fresh. It is very possible to figure out the type of Goldendoodle coat early using these tricks. You can wash a Goldendoodle puppy with shampoo and conditioner from a very early age. You should only wash when indicated till the dog is older. For puppies only wash when there is dirt or bacteria. Choose the best shampoo for Goldendoodle puppies based on reviews and testing. You can safely groom a Goldendoodle at home, from cleaning their Poodle Mix ears , right through to full haircuts and groom following online guides. For more information about Goldendoodles, consider reading our comprehensive Goldendoodle Vs Labradoodle breed guide. If you enjoyed this article, consider checking out our extensively researched article about what do do if your Goldendoodle barks all the time. We figure out the causes, and find ways to minimise and eliminate problem barking behaviour. All from home, all for free. A Pinterest friendly image for this article. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Besides brushing out mats, tangles, and furballs, there are several reasons that you should regularly groom your dog. Some people rarely if ever groom their dog , while other dog owners treat their pups like royalty and give them a thorough bathing and grooming every single week. Controlling Goldendoodle Shedding Having an appropriate grooming schedule can really help you cut down on the amount of shedding from your dog. A Goldendoodle depends on having a healthy coat to keep them warm during winters and as cooling on hot summer days. Be aware that it is possible to groom your Goldendoodle too often, which will result in most of these oils being stripped out of the coat and undo all of your previous good work. Grooming your Goldendoodle is a very important part of the socialization process. How Often Should Goldendoodles be Groomed? Every component of dog grooming nail trimming, bathing, brushing, etc. Some of the additional factors that you will have to consider includes: Diet: What you feed your Groodle will most certainly affect the health of the coat and nails. A rich and nutritious diet will support a normal growth rate and the subsequent shedding. Health: If your pup has any chronic illnesses, schedule an appointment with your vet who can help make an informed decision on how frequently you should groom him. Time of year: Every six months your Doodle will require some special attention when it comes to grooming. Your dog will shed more intense when the seasons shift from cold to hot and then back again. Stuff like dead animals, excrements from other animals, and numerous other revolting things. Filth level: A Goldendoodles typically also loves mud. How Do You Groom Goldendoodles? Brushing it is the most significant part of Groodle-grooming. Every time you start brushing your pup, see it as an opportunity to check if there perhaps are some irritated spots or new injuries. When brushing your Goldendoodle, you should be by just checking things out with your two bare hands and no brush just yet. With your hands, you can run over the entire body of your pup, and lightly massage all the large muscle groups while also paying close attention to just how he responds to your every touch. Perhaps you find a spot that seems unusually sensitive or tender? If your Doodle seems remarkably uncomfortable, it would be a good idea to schedule a trip to your vet just to ensure that everything is fine. Should I Groom Goldendoodle Puppies? As with most dogs, the process of socialization is absolutely crucial in making sure that your pup is prepared for his everyday life — and grooming is an important part of this. When dealing with a puppy, you should limit your grooming sessions to about twice a week and only for a couple of minutes every time. Be aware of not forcing your puppy to allow you to groom him as fun and short sessions are the key to success with socialization. And when your pup gets older, you can try to extend the sessions just a few minutes every time. The worst times for shedding in a Goldendoodle are during fall and spring. But generally speaking, if you want to limit the amount of shedding for even just a bit, you should consider brushing your dog at least once every day. Also, consider getting one of the numerous different types of de-shedding shampoos and conditioners that can help you in your struggle against shedding hairs. During more than 20 years of being a dog owner, I have tried numerous different grooming brushes and for the past many years my favorite has been Chris Christensen Mark III. The reason is that bathing your pup too frequently will usually lead to the skin drying up, resulting in a lot of bother for your dog that will most likely ultimately lead to severe scratching and itching. A good and quick solution to bathe your dog can be to just do a quick hose down in your yard or perhaps even a short swim in a nearby river. If your dog ever experiences any problems with spring or fall molting, I would recommend that you find a de-shedding shampoo and conditioner you can use once or twice a month in addition to a natural swim. Shampoo and Conditioners For Goldendoodles Find the best shampoo and conditioner to prevent shedding is quite confusing, but one product that I can recommend personally for you to consider is Furminator. Click here to check the Current Best Price on Amazon. Their adorable wobbly ears have a particular way of working as a cover on their ear canal, so, if some kind of debris or water gets in there, they can risk being stuck in there and eventually start to fester. I would suggest that you take a look at the ZYMOX Ear Solution, which is widely regarded as the best product in the current market for that specific task. Then you should start massaging the ear canal while the solution is inside as a method to loosen up the muck in the ear. If the infection your dog is experiencing is severe, it can be quite painful for them, and you may have to begin doing this method by using some kind of disinfectant or possibly even a prescription on anti-biotics from your vet. Check out this article for more info about ear infections. You can actually even expect that your Doodle will greatly enjoy having his ears massaged. After stopping the massage, you will most likely end up with a bit of gunk in your room as your dog will most likely start shaking his head in an attempt to remove the liquid from his ears. This should help remove whatever might be left in there. If you cut too far and get into the hyponychium also known as quick , quickly apply some chapstick to help stop the bleeding. If you are regularly trimming the nails, the quick will actually withdraw closer to the paws of your dog making it a lot less likely that you will cut into it in the future. You can get an electric trimming tool , or a guillotine cutter , each with its different pros and cons. There are several different methods for you to stop tooth decay in your dog. For some people, the easiest option is to just get a normal dog toothbrush. A few years ago, I chose to have my dog in for a checkup at the vet, and even though everything looked fine on the surface, the vet suggested that I should consider booking a dental appointment to remove any plaque and tartar. The first, and lucky for me, is also the cheapest alternative is the Pedigree Dentastix. The next option I tried purchasing was a toothbrush that dogs are able to use entirely by themselves. It is the Wisedom Dog Toothbrush. This dog toothbrush has bristles on it that are flavored to make sure your dog will be addicted to some serious chewing on this thing. Conclusion A Goldendoodle demands quite a bit of love and attention to avoid having hairs all over your home, but grooming sessions are the perfect opportunity to form a strong and loyal bond with your dog. And as time goes by, those grooming sessions will only be easier and easier to perform as you, and your Goldendoodle becomes more experienced, and also a lot more enjoyable for both you and your pup. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Every dog loses their puppy fur to grow in their adult coat. For Goldendoodle puppies, this poses a challenge. A quick solution to this is using a slick brush a few times a week. Here is one of our favorites. All of our Doodles of NC puppies are brushed from just a few weeks old so they grow fond of the one-on-one bonding time. Bath time! In addition to brushing, our puppies learn to love bath time. Using a tear-free or mild dog shampoo allows you to bathe your doodle as frequently as every week without drying out their fur. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo is our all-time top pick. Dogs, in general, have sensitive ears. If their ears start emitting a strong odor, or your dog scratches their ears and whines, we recommend a trip to the vet to check for an infection. Mini goldendoodles can easily be bathed in the kitchen sink. For larger Goldendoodles a walk-in shower or bath tub with a shower wand works beautifully. Lather twice and rinse thoroughly! Then towel dry and brush the coat. To speed up the drying process, a hair dryer on a low, cool setting, can speed up the process. Trips to the Groomers A goldendoodle's fur grows quite rapidly. We encourage a few trips to the groomers a year to help trim up their coat especially around their eyes to help minimize madding of the fur and healthy coat growth. And, one last tip! It is gentle enough for their delicate skin, but also smells super clean and fresh. And, feel free to reach out to us with any other questions you have on providing the proper care for your Goldendoodle. How Often does a Goldendoodle Need Grooming? June 26, About Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are known for having charming personalities and gorgeous coats. Goldendoodle grooming needs are pretty straightforward. Here are a few items that help with grooming at home. Be sure to brush before and after baths. You can typically get by with brushing your Goldendoodle once or twice a week. Brush your Goldendoodle more frequently for a cleaner and tidier coat. Take your Goldendoodle for walks every day. How often should a Goldendoodle go to the groomer? How often you take your Goldendoodle in for grooming really depends on what you want your Goldendoodle to look like. However, you should take your Goldendoodle to a professional groomer at least twice a year to keep his coat clean and manageable. Go once at the beginning of summer and once at the end of summer. This helps keep your Goldenoodle cool in the summer, and gives enough time for his coat to grow out for the winter. If you prefer shorter hair, you should take your Goldendoodle in for grooming at least once every six to eight weeks. For longer hair, schedule a visit every eight to 10 weeks. Your dream has come true! We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Allison Camp from You Dirty Dog grooming salon in New Town, Ohio to get the inside scoop about what groomers recommend for goldendoodles. How often do you recommend that goldendoodles go to the groomer? Allison: It depends on the look you want. Goldendoodles kept in clips with a longer hair length need professional grooming every weeks. If you keep your goldendoodle in a shorter clip, you can take her for grooming every weeks. Do you prefer goldendoodle owners to show you a picture or give you a description of how they want their dog clipped? Allison: I much prefer a picture over a description! A picture is much better for showing me what you actually want. How much does it cost to groom a goldendoodle? Goldendoodles often love to swim but chlorine really mats up the coat. If your dog will be swimming regularly in a chlorine pool, keep her in a short clip. What brushes do you recommend for goldendoodles? Allison: My two brushes of choice are a slicker brush with a curve at the end and a metal comb. I use these for all goldendoodles, no matter the coat type. How often do goldendoodles need to be brushed? Allison: Honestly, it depends on the hair length. A really short clip may not require any brushing until it starts to grow out while a longer clip may require daily brushing. More frequent brushing is needed for a curlier coat. How frequently should a goldendoodle be bathed? Try to bathe your goldendoodle maybe once a month at most. If you notice that your goldendoodle has a continuous bad smell, check for a yeast infection. If you have cut back on the frequency of bathing and your goldendoodle still seems to be itching, try switching to a chicken-free, corn-free dog food like Fromm. What shampoo do you recommend for goldendoodles? I also like Show Season shampoo. Besides regular brushing and occasional baths, what other grooming should I be doing with my goldendoodle at home between appointments? I want to give my goldendoodle a sanitary clip between grooming appointments. What clippers do you recommend? Allison: Any Andis clippers would be a good choice. If you are just doing a sanitary clip, one or two speed clippers will suffice. If you plan on doing a total groom, consider purchasing more expensive Andis five-speed clippers. Share this:. How often should I brush my puppy? Your puppy needs to be brushed daily with a slicker brush followed by a metal comb. The slicker brush will only brush the surface. The comb will help you detect any mats that are forming underneath, which is a vital part of the process. Daily brushing will keep your puppy mat free and will also teach your puppy that grooming is a routine event. Typically they need to be clipped weekly to be kept at the proper length. As they grow, you can move to once or twice a month. A groomer will typically clip nails as part of the grooming service. How often can I bathe my puppy? As long as you use a tearless shampoo, you can bathe as often as you like. Be sure to fully brush after a bath to avoid matting. When should my puppy have its first hair cut? Your puppy will probably be ready for its first hair cut at months of age. You will want to find a groomer before you bring your puppy home so that you can take them to the groomer before their first hair cut to get them comfortable with the groomer and the process. How much does a professional clip cost? Pricing will vary based on location, kind of cut requested, and the length and condition of the coat. How long does a professional clip usually take? You can expect the grooming appointment to be hours depending the size dog and the kind of cut you request. This is a widget ready area. 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It all started when we became empty-nesters and purchased our first lab, since then our Lab family has continued to grow. We strive to breed for great all around family Labradors that are healthy, calm, intelligent, and are of the beautiful English type Labs stocky bodies, square, blocky heads. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for visiting! Healthy Parents We welcome litters a year with the goal of producing healthy family dogs, all purpose Labradors placed in loving homes. We strive for good temperament, structurally sound, intelligence and to improve the breed. Our Labs are sweet, intelligent, easily trained, and so eager to please. Our Labrador Retrievers have superior pedigrees with champion bloodlines from traditional English lines. We do recommended Genetic health testing. The puppies are also dewormed at recommended times. We keep puppies until 8 weeks of age. Labs take 2 to 3 years to develop mentally and physically, training is an important part of the development of your Lab. We strongly recommend you locate a Beginner puppy class, enroll and take several classes. Labs are very intelligent and require socializing, training and exercise. Labs do not socialize themselves. Commitment to the welfare of your dog is extremely important. This puppy will be with you the next years. It's important our puppies are placed in homes where they receive the type of care Lab puppies need. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Regular dog-walking increases social interaction for children—especially those who have just moved to a neighborhood and are feeling homesick for their former home. A child who might not want to go out into the neighborhood alone, feels that he or she has a purpose in walking the dog, and therefore can face unfamiliar faces or places more easily than when alone. Walking the dog could be the perfect way for a shy or awkward adolescent to meet new friends in the neighborhood. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Lucas Sullivant, a surveyor from Virginia came here in and founded one of these new settlements on the west bank of the Scioto River. He named his new community Franklinton after Benjamin Franklin. It was named to honor Christopher Columbus. It was founded in at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and was named the state capital in .Once the National Road reached the city in , many more immigrants came to settle here. The city became a melting pot of many nationalities, each settling in their own favorite area of the city. The distance from Columbus to Washington DC is miles. The distance to the Ohio state capital is miles. Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client!
Pugs require attention, but should also have a space of their own in which they feel comfortable when you are not home or are otherwise occupied. Provide your pug with an area of its own including a bed and blankets, some toys, and easy access to food and fresh water. This way, even if you cannot pay attention to your pug for a moment, they do not feel alone. Remember that pugs are sensitive to very hot temperatures and rapid temperature changes. Avoid setting up their space in areas with continued direct sunlight or near heating and cooling vents. Pugs are prone to nervousness and anxiety. You can help them calm down by being consistent in your daily routine. This means scheduling feeding times, walks, play times, and quiet times as close to the same time every day as possible. Because of this, it is important to schedule a vet check as soon as you bring your new pug home. It is important for your pug to be seen by a veterinarian regularly so that it can get preventative veterinary care. A bi-annual check up will ensure that your dog stays up to date on immunizations, preventative medications, and that any emerging health problems can be dealt with quickly. Younger pugs may need to see the vet more often until they are spayed or neutered and have completed their first course of shots. Your vet will help you work out a preventative care schedule for things like annual shots, heartworm treatments, parasite elimination, vaccinations, microchipping, and teeth cleanings, all of which are important parts of keeping your pug healthy. This is especially important if you have children in the house. Teach your children how to recognize when your dog is anxious or fearful, so that they know when to back off. But, owning a Pug does come with some challenges. Since Pugs are prone to carrying excess weight, this brings in the care elements of both eating a healthy diet and following an appropriate exercise schedule; though this can be tricky, since Pugs must be exercised with care in regard to both duration and intensity. Pugs have thick coats of fur with heavy shedding, lots of wrinkles that need to stay clean, and are generally prone to skin sensitivities. This all requires proper grooming and upkeep. Aside from this, is the general care that applies to every dog. While many owners do this as part of the excitement and preparation of bringing a new pup into the household, this is something that should be done on a regular basis throughout your Pug's life. This can lead to accidentally swallowing things, toxic poisoning, or choking. Proofing the house involves removing small items from the floor, placing cords out of reach or wrapping them in cord protectors, finding new places for shoes and other objects that may be chewed, and placing child-proof locks on any lower cabinets that a Pug may be able to access. The Pug is prone to skin yeast infections, eye issues, and is a heavy shedder, so this a breed that requires lots of grooming. It is best to stick to a schedule in regard to these care tasks. Baths - Bathe you Pug once every 3 weeks, even if your puppy or dog does not appear to be dirty. This will help prevent bad odors , keep skin properly moisturized, and loosen dead hairs from the coat. Young pups can be given a bath in the kitchen sink and older adults can be placed in the bathtub. Because the Pug has sensitive skin, use a shampoo that has a pH between 6. A terrific shampoo to use on Pugs is Earthbath Shampoo which has plant-based cleansers and no additives. The Oatmeal and Aloe formula is ideal for just about Pug since it works to keep skin in great shape. Don't forget about a wash-out conditioner. Hair cuticles open during the shampooing process and a conditioner smooths them down. Eye maintenance - Pug's eyes are large and slightly bulging which means they are prone to picking up debris that can irritate the eyes or scratch the cornea. Small food particles are a top culprit. Keep the eye area clean by wiping it at least once a day and as often as after each meal. For this, you can use the same type of wipe that you have for your Pug's wrinkles see next tip. Wrinkle maintenance - Pugs have lots of deep wrinkles on their head and face making these areas prone to skin infection, so attention must be given to keep these folds clean and dry. Wipe the wrinkles at least once a day, and up to 3 times a day by opening each fold and wiping it with a grooming wipe. If you are looking for a good grooming wipe, Earthbath All-Natural Grooming Wipes are excellent for cleaning wrinkles, wiping the eye area, and to spot-clean a Pug in between baths. Brushing - Pugs are heavy shedders, a lot of the dead hairs will stay lodged in the coat and some will fall to the floor. So, even if you do not notice much shedding, it's important to brush your Pug on a regular basis. Young puppies can be brushed once a week, but adult Pugs should be brushed at least every other day and as often as once per day. Use a tool that will reach down through this breed's thick coat and pull out all the loose and dead fur. While you may be envisioning using a brush, a grooming glove like the Delomo Pet Grooming Glove works very well on a Pug's dense coat. This has over grooming tips that latch onto dead hairs and debris. Pugs are a brachycephalic breed that is very prone to breathing issues. Using a collar when on leash, which places pressure on the trachea, is near guaranteed to exacerbate this. So, part of caring for a Pug involves using accessories that do not impede breathing. For this reason, a harness should be used any time a Pug is on a leash. Harnesses displace tension over the shoulders, back, and chest, leaving the neck free. This is a step-in design just the front legs are placed through the holes, so nothing has to slip over the head , there is an easy-close adjustable Velcro flap on the back, and it is made with air-mesh to keep a Pug cool and comfortable. What you choose to feed your Pug will have both short and long-term consequences, affecting everything from weight maintenance to allergies to intestinal health. Pugs do best with a dry kibble as opposed to a wet canned food; a dry formula tends to keep stools firm and is better for the teeth. Puppies should be fed 3 times a day and this can transition over to twice per day at the 9-month mark. Several dry snacks should be given in between meals and moist treats can be given to reward good behavior such as house training and obeying commands. This breed generally has a very hearty appetite and this, along with their intolerance for extended exercise, makes it easy to gain excess weight. Pugs also tend to have sensitive stomachs and are prone to skin reactions from food additives. Therefore, aim to provide all-natural foods that have no chemical preservatives, no artificial flavoring or dyes, and no by-products, high grain counts, generic meats or oils, corn, soy, or other cheap fillers. If you are not sure what rating your Pug's current dog food has, a good place to check this is Dog Food Advisor which rates the quality of hundreds of brands. And, if you are looking for a good kibble, one recommended brand is Wellness Complete for Small Breeds. For snacks and training treats, Wellness offers several good choices in their line, and if you have an adult Pug and you are working on helping them keep off excess pounds, a good low-calorie option is Fruitables Skinny Minis Dog Treats. Pugs need to drink 1. The tap water in many regions of the US, the UK, Canada and other countries is either outright unsafe or improperly monitored. A number of studies have found drugs in tap water including contraceptive medications, Prozac, Naproxen, Ibuprofen and even illegal drugs; these contain fine particles that are not caught by municipal filtration systems. Other toxins include Chromium-6 a known carcinogen , fluoride which is toxic to canines , chlorite which can cause central nervous problems and HCB which can cause can cause liver disease and skin lesions. And, heavy metals are also an issue. So, for this care tip you can offer bottled spring water, a filtering device that connects your kitchen tap, or a more portable device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher. Pugs are prone to bloat, a dangerous and potentially fatal twisting of the stomach. Raised bowls are a contributing factor, as well as eating or drinking too fast or too close to a bout of exercise. For this reason, place food and water in floor-level bowls. If your Pug tends to gulp down his food or water quickly, use a slow-feeder bowl. After eating a meal, do not take your Pug out for exercise for at least one hour. Another element to consider is that stainless-steel bowls are recommended since plastic bowls can cause allergic reactions to either the material itself or to dyes and tend to more easily harbor bacteria, fits the requirements of both height and material. When saliva and tiny food particles mix into water, this creates a slimy film in the dish, which can lead to a dog avoiding it. With food bowls, caked on food can lead to a buildup of bacteria and even mold. Make it a habit to wash both of your Pug's dishes with hot water and soap every day. Since dogs can be very protective of their bowls, a good time to do this is in the evening, after dinner or once your Pug has gone to sleep. Despite their reputation for being lazy, Pugs can have a good amount of energy. And, you'll want to meet this by keeping your Pug moving along, for several reasons: Exercise plays an important role in a Pug's physical health; it's good for the heart and lungs, regulates metabolism, helps maintain proper muscle composition, boosts the immune system, and can keep certain diseases at bay including canine diabetes and even some forms of cancer. Exercise also plays a vital role in a dog's mental health; it allows a dog to release any restlessness that bottles up and allows for desensitization and socialization to all outside elements. At the same time, too much exertion in either duration or intensity can lead to breathing difficulties or overheating for this brachycephalic breed. So, the goal for this care element is to exercise your Pug on a regular basis while keeping in mind your dog's limitations. Pugs do best with at least two walks per day. Each session should last a minimum of 20 minutes, but can extend to 45 minutes or even longer if your Pug is game. Breaks should be taken at the halfway mark of a short walk, every 15 to 20 minutes for a longer walk, or any time that a Pug is breathing noticeably heavier than normal. Bring your Pug into the shade and offer fresh water, ensuring that breathing is back to normal before starting up again. Light to moderate cardio sessions can also be added in, with a rousing game of fetch being the easiest to play and one that most dogs love. Pugs are sensitive to seasonal changes in temperature and some care elements will need to be adjusted. Summer - Hot humid weather makes summertime care a bit tricky with Pugs. Breathing issues are more pronounced and it's more difficult to keep a Pug active. It can help to take your little guy or gal for walks in the early morning and then later in the evening, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. You can help your Pug stay cool by offering lots of water and refreshing treats like frozen blueberries or raspberries. Stay aware of hot walking surfaces which can cause burns to a dog's paws. Take routes in the shade when possible and use a paw wax to offer a layer of protection. Another helpful care tip is to give your Pug a cooling mat to rest on. The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Pet Pad works by drawing excess heat away from the body, is self-activating you don't have to plug it in , and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Winter - Plunging temperatures and slippery weather conditions can make wintertime care a bit challenging as well. Fortunately, Pugs have thick coats which help them stay warm in the winter, but never-the-less, many don't like to go out when it's snowy and cold. And, even with dense fur, dogs that are outside for too long, particularly when it's below freezing, are vulnerable to developing hypothermia. So, continue to take your Pug out for their regular exercise sessions, but limit this on days with heavy winter precipitation or below-freezing temperatures. Another aspect to keep in mind is that arid winter air can lead to issues with dry skin. Be sure you are using a hydrating shampoo see care tip 2: Baths and apply a paw wax every two weeks to offer better traction and keep the paw pads in good shape. The Pug is prone to certain issues related to the joints, bones, and ligaments including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes. In addition to this, all dogs age 8-years and up suffer from some level of osteoarthritis and this is more common with breeds that have the aforementioned issues. For this reason, supplying your Pug with a quality bed to rest and sleep on that provides good cushioning and proper support for the body is vital. This should be an appropriately sized orthopedic memory foam bed with at least a 2-inch base. Either a flat mattress or a bolster bed will work and sometimes dogs do have a preference. Because Pugs tend to snore and may have other sleep-related breathing issues, like sleep apnea, being able to place their head on a bolstered cushion which helps extend the neck can be helpful. This also has a non-slip backing and the cover is machine-washable. There are lots of effective toys that can help your Pug in a number of ways and it's always better to have just a few that do their job than a ton that are ignored. Teething puppies need teething toys that help them scratch their itchy gums and soothe the discomfort of erupting teeth. Pugs of all ages that enjoy chewing should be given durable chew toys that they find pleasant to use, as opposed to looking to non-toy items in the house. Pugs that are home alone and suffer from separation anxiety can be helped with interactive toys that respond to them and a companion toy that helps ease feelings of isolation. Toys breeds and brachycephalic breeds are both prone to tooth decay, so that means that if you have a Pug you need to pay particular attention to keeping your dog's teeth clean and healthy. A build up of plaque, which eats away at tooth enamel and can travel under the gum line, can lead to terribly painful infections, tooth loss and more. Taking care of your Pug's teeth includes brushing the teeth with a quality canine toothbrush and effective canine toothpaste, or using a spray if your Pug is intolerant to brushings, and offering daily dental treats like GREENIES Dental Chews. Note that this applies to puppies as well, since decay on milk teeth can affect adult teeth that are waiting to emerge. Pugs should have their teeth examined by the veterinarian at least once a year during their wellness checks. An x-ray may be taken to look for any decay and if there is plaque or tartar present, this may require a 'full dental' which involves scraping the teeth clean. This is done with a dog under light sedation. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for all puppies, the Pug breed included, and is a top concern for Pugs of all ages. Many instances of severe injury and death can be prevented by following some simple care tips: If your Pug has trouble navigating stairs most applicable to puppies and seniors , block these off with a gate. When outside, never allow your Pug to be off leash. Never allow your Pug to be in the yard unsupervised. If you have a puppy, do not allow anyone to handle him unless they have been shown proper handling techniques, which includes using both hands, one under the rump and one supporting the chest. Have young children stay on floor level to play with your Pug. Always be aware of where you are walking, especially at night, so that your puppy or dog is not accidentally stepped on or tripped over. If your Pug will be a passenger in your car, use a safe canine car seat or a canine belt restraint. These yearly for dogs age 1 and up or twice-per-year typically starting at age 8 visits are crucial for good health, prevention, and the best possible prognosis, should any issues be detected. The vet will perform a full physical examination to check for issues seen with canines in general and health issues specific to the Pug breed. Vitals will be taken temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and your Pug will be weighed. The head will be checked eyes, ears, nose, mouth. The coat and the skin will be examined to look for any signs of concern. Proper posture will be assessed, knees and hips will be examined, and reflexes will be checked. A stool sample will be tested for possible parasites and a blood test will be run to evaluate overall health, flag any infections, and check organ function and electrolyte and protein levels. Senior dogs may have more advanced testing, including x-rays. During the visit, this is your opportunity to ask any questions; a good owner is an involved owner. The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US every year. Here are some tips to prevent this: If your Pug tends to run off, consider spaying or neutering. Intact dogs can have strong urges to take off, looking for a mate. If your Pug darts for the door as soon as its open, have a rule that everyone knocks before entering to allow enough time for someone to hold onto the dog. Consider having your Pug micro-chipped; dogs with chips are returned to owners at a much higher rate than those without. Have current photos of your Pug. If your dog does become lost, create 'lost dog' posters and bring these to all animal services and shelters within a mile area dogs are sometime brought to local shelters but send further away if there is over-crowding. Did you find these care tips to be helpful? This is available in both soft-cover paperback and ebook. Pug Paw Care - The most common issues seen and helpful tips to keep the paws in excellent shape. When a Pug is Super Itchy - Top reasons that cause both acute and chronic itchiness and how to offer fast relief. Housebreaking a Pug - Pugs typically aim to please, but house training can still be a bit challenging. See exact guidelines for fast success. Tips to Keep a Pug Busy and Occupied - Does your Pug stay home alone or seem lost unless you interact with him or her? See super-helpful advice to keep your Pug entertained and happy. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. He is goofy, silly, and fun. Pugs were originally bred to be lap dogs and this is evident in the affection that they show to their owners. Nothing makes a Pug happier than being a member of the family. With their large heads, big, sparkling eyes, and wrinkled faces, Pugs are able to achieve a wide variety of human-like expressions- happiness, surprise, and curiosity. So whether you have a Pug already or are wanting to adopt one, here are all the facts and tips for creating a lasting bond between you and your pup. Meet The Pug Height: inches tall at the shoulder Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years Fur type: Pugs have a double coat of short, smooth hair. But they do shed a lot, because of this they are not hypoallergenic. Color: Typically fawn or black. But coats can have different tints like apricot or silver. Personality Pugs are happy, affectionate, loyal, charming, playful, and mischievous. They can be trained to be social from a young age. They are even tempered and gentle. Many people would say that Pugs are a lot of dog in a little space. Pugs tend to be sensitive to the moods of their owners and are eager to please them. Energy Level Pugs are a small, quiet breed, and are for the most part inactive while indoors. They are great for apartment dwellers. While they are docile and peaceful dogs, they do require a daily walk or some playtime to get their wiggles out. Good With Children Because they are bigger and sturdier than most other toy breeds, Pugs are an ideal pet for children. They can withstand some rough play and love to be around people. They are sweet and loving by nature and will protect your children as well as entertain them with their goofy and charming antics. However, if your children are looking for more of an active breed that they can play fetch with or take for long walks, a Pug would not be the best choice for your family. Good With Other Dogs If trained from a young age, Pugs can learn to be social with other animals and can even be trusted with other animals like cats and rabbits. Shedding Pugs have a short, double coat, and shed profusely. We recommend that if you live with a pug, to invest in a vacuum cleaner! Grooming Needs Regular brushing and monthly baths will help keep your Pugs coat in great condition and shedding to a minimum. A rubber curry brush will help remove and catch the shedding hair. Pugs do not naturally wear down their nails, so regular nail-trimmings are necessary. Teach your Pug to tolerate teeth cleaning. This will help prevent him from getting gingivitis. It may seem like a daunting challenge, but the more frequently you brush your Pugs teeth, the more acclimated to it they will become. One of the best things that you can do for your pug to ensure a long healthy life is to regularly clean out his face folds. The wrinkly folds on his face, although adorable, are a hot breeding spot for infection and bacteria. It is very important that after baths you dry out the folds and in-between baths you clean them out. You can use a dry cotton ball to get the junk out or a wet wipe, whichever you have handy. They do have a love for food, so using treats to your advantage might help your little guy learn quicker. Start training your puppy from the minute you bring him home, the earlier you start training, the faster he will pick it up and learn to behave well. How To Feed My Pug If you allow your pug to eat as much as he would like to, you will end up a roly-poly puppy. Pugs will eat everything and anything that you give them, so be sure to measure out their food and feed them small meals at regularly scheduled times. Pugs are usually allergic to foods like corn, soy, and wheat. Try feeding them raw food. Eating a raw, natural diet will ensure the best health of your Pug. Your Pug will love eating raw food! A high-quality diet of Raw food will ensure the best health condition for your pup. Because Pugs are prone to obesity, watch their calorie intake and weight. If you chose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation. Give table scraps sparingly and try to avoid giving your furry friend cooked bones or foods that are high in fat. Feeding Your Puppy Your cute little Pug should start eating a scheduled diet around 8 weeks. He should eat 4 times a day. This schedule should be followed until your furry friend reaches 3 months of age. At this time you Pug can start eating 3 times a day instead of 4. Feeding Your Adult Once your Pug reaches 1 year, he will be ready to start eating adult food. At this time you may also want to decrease his eating from 3 times a day to twice daily. This will be your best option because Pugs tend to gain weight very easily. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If you Pug happens to have a square shape, he is getting too much food. Health Concerns For Pugs To ensure you are getting a healthy Pug never buy one from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Heat stroke: Pugs suffer from heat stroke if they are outside for too long. When outside with your pug, watch for signs of overheating. They are definitely house dogs and should not be kept outside Breathing: Because of their short snout, pugs are prone to wheezing, snorting, and snoring loudly. Obesity: Be aware of how much you are giving your Pug. If your Pug is developing a square shape, he is eating too much. Pug Dog Encephalitis: This disease is not treatable nor is it testable. Most vets cannot diagnose it until after the death of the dog. It is an inflammation of the brain and meninges. It usually occurs between 6 and 7 months of age and is fatal. Will my pug bite? Pugs are strong-willed but rarely aggressive. They will only bite in moments where they feel threatened or the need to protect. When will my pug stop growing? Some Pugs will actually stop growing then, others will put on a few more pounds before they reach a year. At 1 year your pug puppy will be considered an adult, and by this time their full height is reached. They will still keep filling out in width in the chest area and a little more muscle until about 18 months. If you notice your pug gaining weight in other areas or later than 18 months he may be gaining unnecessary weight and should be checked out by the veterinarian. Can pug eyes pop out? Since Pugs have such beautiful bulgy eyes, they can accidentally go through something call proptosis, which is the popping out of the eyes. You might think this to be a very uncommon, scary thing, but in reality, it is more normal than you think. It is most common among breeds with short snouts and shallow eye sockets, like pugs. It can be a result of a trauma or it can happen completely all of a sudden. Immediately call your vet and she will give you further instruction on how to help your dog. Can pigs swim? Like most dogs, Pugs have a natural ability to swim. Does that mean that he will like the water? Not always. Make sure you introduce your pug to the water in a fun, positive way so that he will have a great first experience. This first time will really make it or break it in terms of him enjoy or disliking the pool. The barrel shape of your Pug does make it harder for him to swim than other breeds and he may get tired very quickly, but as long as you are there to supervise and help him if he starts to panic, he should be fine to swim. When will my pug go in heat? Your female pug could start her first heat as early as 4 months or as late as 15 months. The most typical time is between 4 and 6 months of age. The average heat cycle will last from 2 to 3 weeks and your pug will enter heat every 5 to 8 months. How much do pugs cost? It all depends on pedigree, the area of the country, and health tests that the breeder has done on the parents. Many people would think that the more expensive the pug, the better the quality of life it will have. While that may be a good guess, price does not always indicate how your pug will live. Buying a puppy at weeks is always a guessing game. Are pug puppies hyper? Pug puppies are known to be more energetic than their older parents. This energy usually lasts until about 1 year of age. At this time they tend to slow down and really embrace their lazy personality. Why does my pug howl? Pugs are very loyal dogs. They attach themselves to their humans and love them with all they are. They do not like to be left alone. Some Pugs have been known to howl when their humans leave. Every dog is different though, you might get a pug that howls in conversation or one that never makes any noise. Why do pug tails curl? Kind of like our tailbones. It consists of bone and cartilage. This is an anomaly in how the vertebra develops. Specifically, the bones and the tail form a twisting wedge shape. The twisting is what causes the tail to curl. So if you are looking for a dog with a ton of personality, one that will make you laugh as well as love you until his dying days, look no further. Your Pug will be your constant companion. He will love you as no has ever loved you before. Give him a lot of attention and love and you will have a forever best friend. About Jenna Barrington Hi! My name is Jenna and I am a proud pet parent of a gorgeous Golden Retriever. I grew up surrounded by animals and developed a love for anything on four legs! I spent a year working as a night puppy nurse for Doberman Pinchers, delivering puppies and taking care of all the health needs of the parents. I work now as a professional copywriter and researcher and am happy to be able to share my love for dogs by contributing to TruDog. Small Pets Taking Care of a Pug Puppy Pugs are some of the most soulful looking animals on the planet, and are very expressive. You can easily recognize a pug as these small breed dogs have a wrinkly face and a curled tail. They first came to international prominence when mobile operator Vodafone used them to endorse their brand —the ad with the pug, named Hutch in the ad, was a stupendous success with the pug soon becoming a household name. But there are certain things that you must be aware of if you also want to adopt this cute pet. Unlike adult pugs, small pug dogs are most likely to suffer from a number of health issues ranging from obesity, overheating and pharyngeal reflex. So, you need to be the doubly careful when dealing with these vulnerable puppies. If you are worried, you can take heart from the fact that taking care of the pups is uncomplicated and easy as they have very few demands. Before bringing home the pug puppy Ensure that you have all the grooming items in place starting from brush, cotton swabs, and petroleum jelly to puppy shampoo and dog treats. Here are some guidelines that you can refer to when taking care of the pug puppy: Training the puppy to follow your commands: There is no substitute for a well-trained dog, so train the puppy from day one. The first six months are the most crucial as during this period, he will learn the most which will mold him. Every time he responds correctly to your commands, like sit, run, jump, and come, give him some treats and words of encouragement. But there is one caveat: keep the sessions short as being such a young dog, his power of concentration is limited. To start with, minute sessions would be ok. Also, when taking him for a walk, better use a harness which will provide protection to his windpipe. Potty training: This is a very important stage of puppy training. When he is young, he has very little control over his bladder, so you need to take him out for potty breaks more frequently than you would do to an adult. He may demand potty breaks every hours at this stage, but as he grows older and his control over the bladder imp roves, the frequency will gradually become normal. However, under no circumstances, you should overlook his tendency to soil corners of the home thinking that it is an isolated incident, because it is not. Deal with such incidents with a firm no, or else he will become a big nuisance and a lazy dog. Grooming routine: The pug has a double coat which keeps shedding continuously, so daily grooming is essential. Brush the pug at least twice every week and vacuum him extensively. In what is unusual, pug dogs are very fond of water, unlike other dogs. You can easily find soaps and other bath related items that are designed for puppies in the local outlet, use them. Try oatmeal based shampoos which not only keeps his skin soft, but protects his sensitive skin. Pugs have narrow ear canals, so chances of getting an ear infection if water gets into its ear are higher in pugs. What you can do is use soft tissues or a cotton ball to wipe the ear clean and dry. If your pug is shaking his head violently, then it may indicate an ear infection —and if there is an infection, get in touch with the vet immediately. Cleaning of Pug Wrinkles Pug wrinkles are called folds, which serve as a great place to accumulate all sorts of unwanted stuff like water, mucous, dirt, tear, food etc. Cleaning of pug wrinkles is an easy task and getting the Pug used to it at an early age is a good idea. Some owners use an Ear Bud or Q-Tip for this purpose, but we would not recommend this as the slightest struggle from your Pug could cause an eye injury. Instead, you can use baby wipes or medicated wipes. You can fill a cup with lukewarm water and dip the baby wipes or cotton swab in it. After that, run the moist tip of baby wipes through the wrinkles so that all dirt and grime particle come out. At the end, you should use a cotton swab to smear petroleum jelly inside the wrinkles to keep the internal skin protected. Tackling overheating issues: Pugs are adversely affected by warm conditions and may get dehydrated. So, ensure that the living condition of the pup is cool- special care needs to be taken during the summers when the pugs feel great discomfort. Regularly check the room temperature where the pug is kept, and if you feel that the room is too hot, you have to either move it to a cool room or else you have to provide him with lots of water. In extreme conditions, there are cold compresses that you can put on his belly till it cools down. Exercise: Pugs are actually overweight for their size, so unless they exercise a lot heath issues are a given. Take him for a daily walk and play different games with it which will help it maintain its health. Be careful not to take him out on a bright sunny day, as it can dehydrate him. Feeding the puppy: There are special diets that are designed for pugs. But you may be unsure which brand to select for your puppy as there are so many different brands in the market. The best thing to do in such a situation is to take the advice of a vet. Pugs would eat almost anything and in the process put on a lot of weight. So, make it a point not to overfeed it. Also, if your dog prefers a particular food and you want to wean it away from that food, do it gradually. Normally, puppies in the age group 3 to 6 months should be fed at least three times a day. And from 6 months to 1 year, change it to two times. To make the feeding process easier for the pet, try using bowls that has an elevated shape off the ground. For more guidance, please refer to this article : Puppy feeding tips for new dog owners Dealing with obesity: Overeating will not only make the pug overweight, but may pave the way for ailments like leg pain, eye disorders, and lung problems. About Rahul From Delhi, Rahul is an animal lover at heart. He is a writer and most of his writing revolves around making people aware of animal issues like health, training and grooming. You might be wondering about proper Pug care. Bringing a new puppy home is always exciting. Puppies are cute, fun, and lovable. They make a perfect addition to the family. But, having a puppy at home comes with a few responsibilities of its own. This will make it easier for your new puppy to get used to your home. There are many things in your home that may be dangerous to a puppy. This is the basics of Pug care. Puppy Eye View This may seem crazy, but it works! You have to check to see for things your puppy can bite, chew, get tangled in, squeeze through, etc. This is an essential step in Pug care. Hide the Electrical Cords! Your puppy can electrocute himself by chewing cords. And, hide all the cords. You can use a baby gate to close off these areas. Use a pet gate to block off the stairs as your Pug may hurt himself. Hide Your Food! Some of your favorite foods may be toxic to your Pug. Onions, grapes, coffee, tea, sugar-free chewing gum, etc. Hide Medication Just like the food items, your medication may also not be safe for your puppy. Your Pug can have a bad reaction to your medication. And when you take your pills, be sure to take them over your kitchen sink. Better to have a pill fall in the sink rather than the floor where a fast Pug can gobble it up. Puppy-Proof the Yard Are you planning on letting your pug out in the yard? Preventing a crisis is an important element Pug care. Instead, you should buy the supplies beforehand. This way you can enjoy bringing your new Pug home. No stress! We recommend getting a comfortable bed that your Pug puppy can grow into. Puppy Food Pug puppies love food. You should ask the breeder about the kind of food your puppy likes to eat, and buy it. Changing homes is a big transition for your puppy. You can slowly switch his food to something new after he is comfortable in his new home. Food and Water Bowls You should get two, high-quality dog bowls for water and food. Stainless steel bowls usually work the best. A Comfortable Blanket Pug puppies love their blankies and find comfort in them. My Pug still loves his blanket, even after all these years! Puppy Toys Do you like your furniture and shoes? Then, you must get some toys for your Pug puppy to save them from destruction! When teething, puppies with chew anything and everything. Treats Treats are a great training tool as they make an excellent reward for good behavior. Some are even enriched with vitamins and minerals! Good Pug care may cost you a little extra money, but worth it in the end. Pee Pads Your Pug will have accidents at home. All puppies do. You can train your Pug puppy on the pad. It is best to get these as soon as you can to help your pup get used to them. A Crate for Transportation For safe and stress-free transportation, you should get a crate for your Pug puppy and line it with some pee pads to avoid accidents. The crate will keep your puppy safe during the car ride home. Start proper Pug care for the day you pick him up! There are many things you need to keep in mind when choosing the best dog food for Pugs: His activity level Any medical issues and problems Food sensitivities Age For the right guidance, refer to your vet. He will be able to guide you about Pug care. Different diets have become very popular such as the raw food diet, keto diet, etc. With these diets, you need to take extra care to make sure your Pug is getting all the nutrients he needs. A healthy diet equals a healthy Pug. Growing Pug puppies need 55 kcals per pound bodyweight. Adult pugs need kcals per pound bodyweight. You should feed your Pug puppy at least three meals a day. Puppies nurse several times a day, and this feeding schedule helps ease the transition. For puppies over six months in age, you can slowly transition to two meals per day. Ask any Pug, and they will tell you that proper Pug care includes two meals per day. Grooming is an important factor in Pug care. He may not even show any signs of illness until it is too late! They affect his quality of life. It will fit all the crevices without irritating or injuring your furry friend High-quality toothpaste: Never use toothpaste made for humans on your dog! It may have Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Many dog toothpaste come in yummy flavors your Pug will enjoy! You can also give dental treats and toys a try. But, these folds and rolls can collect a lot of dirt and grime. All you need to do is to take a warm, wet towel and clean his face. There is also wipes for dogs that you can purchase. Be sure to care for your Pug properly by keeping those cute wrinkles clean. They get everywhere! Trimming His Nails Did you know that long nails in dogs are linked to causing arthritis? Not just that, long nails can easily split and break, which is very painful for dogs. They also cause many other paw issues! Using a nail grinder is also an option. Bath Time! You should give your Pug a bath when necessary. Experts suggest you bathe your pug once every four to six weeks. This helps keep your Pug dog clean and well-maintained. You can bathe your Pug in the sink or the bathtub. These tiny dogs do well with light to moderate exercise. Proper Pug care includes taking your Pug out for two minute walks per day to meet all his exercise needs. Backyard access is also great for your furry friend. You can also get your Pug some toys to keep him entertained throughout the day. Exercise Restrictions for Pugs Necessary Pug care means watching his breathing closely. Pugs have breathing issues, so strenuous exercise is out of the question. Running, extremely long walks, jumping up and down the stairs, etc. It will trigger breathing problems. Avoiding exercise is not a good idea, though. Pugs are prone to gaining weight and becoming obese. This puts them at risk of developing problems like heart issues, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, etc. Controlled exercise is the best solution for excellent Pug care. Even if your Pug is perfectly healthy, it is a good idea to take him to the vet every months for a check-up. So, even if your Pug dog seems perfectly fine, it may not be the case. A vet will thoroughly examine your Pug to see if everything is okay. Vets keep a close eye on: Dental health.
Best shampoo to groom Golden Retrievers professionally Jan 28, by ABK Grooming Golden Retrievers are a beloved breed known for their friendly and affectionate nature and beautiful, wavy coats. These dogs are often used as therapy and service animals and are also popular as family pets. However, with their thick and fluffy coats, Golden Retrievers require regular grooming to maintain their healthy appearance. Golden Retriever's coat comprises two types of hair: the topcoat and the undercoat. The top coat has stiff guard hair acting as a shield from dirt and repelling water, and the innermost layer has soft fur, and its purpose is insulation. The thick coat of hair proves to be unfavorable at times by making them prone to be affected by a skin disease that goes unnoticed for a long time if proper care is not taken and for that. The undercoat of its fur stores heat, retaining humidity and increasing the chances of skin infections and diseases. Grooming a Golden Retriever requires patience and the right tools, including a slicker brush, a pin brush, and a metal comb. This will also help to distribute the natural oils throughout the coat, keeping it shiny and healthy. In addition to regular brushing, Golden Retrievers should be bathed regularly to keep their coats clean and remove any dirt or debris. Choosing an ideal shampoo that fits the golden retriever can be quite a task, but it can be done by keeping specific categories of shampoos available. These include Hypoallergenic shampoo Oatmeal, and Aloe vera extracts to prevent itching Better hydration Maintaining volume and shine of coat Antiseptic elements Good odor. When grooming a Golden Retriever, it's essential to use a high-quality shampoo specifically formulated for their coat type. These four shampoos are all excellent choices for keeping a Golden Retriever's coat shiny, healthy, and clean. It comes in a large bottle, size 32 oz. Bacteria, mold, fleas, parasites, fungus, and more can get trapped and hidden within a Golden Retrievers furry coat. This shampoo contains ingredients that treat skin scaling, hydrate the skin, promote healing, relieve parasite infections, and remove fungus and bacteria. This shampoo is known for its fast-acting formula that also heals rashes, bald spots, and dry, itchy skin. Veterinary Formula works to provide quality medical ingredients at an affordable price for pet owners. This shampoo leaves your dog clean and smelling fresh without having to use any water. Ingredients found in this shampoo are paraben-free, alcohol-free, and plant-based with no harsh chemicals. If your Golden Retriever likes to avoid bath time at all costs, do not hesitate to try this waterless, no-rinse shampoo. This shampoo is specifically targeted to reduce the amount of shedding in dogs like Golden Retrievers. It contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that will get your dog clean and smelling fresh. There are no parabens or dyes in the ingredients that would harm your dog. You can purchase a 16 oz. Best Puppy Shampoo for Golden Retrievers While many of the above shampoos would work great for your Golden puppy, below are a couple options that we recommend if you are looking for something specifically for a puppy. This shampoo contains all-natural ingredients that are safe for dogs of all ages. It provides relief for allergies with an added hypoallergenic lotion, which contains antifungal and antibacterial ingredients that work to reduce flea yeast. Not only do the ingredients in this shampoo smell great, but they also keep odors away for extended periods. Do not hesitate to get a 17 oz. The mild and natural ingredients in this puppy shampoo make it safe for dogs of all ages and help prevent irritation to the eyes, nose, and paws. There are no harsh chemicals, colorants, or fragrances, which make it completely safe and well recommended by veterinarians. This fantastic all-purpose shampoo for puppies comes in a 16 oz. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shampoo for Golden Retrievers When it comes to choosing the right shampoo for your golden retriever, there are several factors to consider. Look for shampoos that are specifically formulated for dogs and have a pH level between 6. You should also consider the ingredients in the shampoo, as some dogs may have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients. As mentioned before, Golden Retrievers have a double coat that will easily trap unwanted dirt, smells, pests, sweat, and more. To keep your dog clean and smelling fresh, you will want to bathe and groom it frequently. The number of baths you give your dog should be based on its activity level, skin sensitivity, allergies, and hair length. For example, if your Golden Retriever has more sensitive skin, bathing your dog too frequently can lead to skin dryness and irritation. So if you find your dog has these symptoms, try reducing the frequency of baths and introducing a moisturized shampoo. Having the right shampoo for your dog will allow it to stay cleaner and smell fresh longer. Tips for Bathing a Golden Retriever When bathing a Golden Retriever, you want the experience to be both enjoyable for you and your dog. Below are some brief tips to help the process go smoothly. For a more in-depth look, read our article How to Bathe a Golden Retriever. Sample a few different types at first until you find the one best for your dog. Brush your dog before the bath. You will want to prep your dog before each bath by brushing away excess fur and removing tangles. Be consistent. Just like children, dogs will feel more comfortable in a familiar place with an established routine. Use the same bathtub or area of the yard each time you bathe your dog. Have everything with you. The last thing you want to do is get your dog watered down and then realize you are missing an essential bath time item. Make sure you have everything you need before you start, so you never have to leave your dog unattended. Be sure to have a comfortable water temperature. Select a water temperature that is comfortable for your dog. It may be tempting to use cold water, but treat your dog like a child and provide it with the right water temperature. Warmer water will also do a better job at cleaning than cold water. Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Each type of shampoo is different. Some are tear-free and safe for eyes, paws, and nose; others are not. The shampoo bottle will tell you how to lather, scrub, and rinse your dog to get the best results possible. Dry your dog. After each bath, you should dry your dog with a towel or blow dryer rather than letting it air dry. This will keep it warmer and reduce the amount of water that drips or is shaken off. Do Golden Retrievers Need a Conditioner? The question of whether to use a conditioner on a Golden Retriever is a common one. Lots of great shampoo products include some conditioning elements in their formula, so if you are unsure if you want to use a pure conditioner, this might be an excellent way to go. Also, if you are using a high-quality shampoo for your dog, then using a conditioner might not even be necessary. If you decide to use one, there are several benefits to using a dog conditioner. You do not always need to apply conditioner right after shampooing your dog. There can be some adverse effects when using a conditioner on your dog. If you see any of these symptoms, then stop using the conditioner and just wash with shampoo. Some symptoms might include skin irritation, weakened hair shafts, or trapped dirt after applying the conditioner. Do not attempt to use a human conditioner on your dog. When it comes to washing your dog, always try to use dog-specific products. Tips on Reducing Odor? It will also help significantly in reducing its unpleasant odors; however, a good shampoo is not the only thing needed to keep a dog smelling fresh with a healthy coat. Test out different shampoos for your dog until you find one that keeps it smelling fresh longer. Increase grooming. Wash its bedding weekly. For more information on solving your dogs odor problems, see our article Do Golden Retrievers Smell. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Bathing Your Golden Retriever Bathing your golden retriever may seem like a simple task, but there are several common mistakes that you should avoid. One mistake is not brushing your golden before the bath, as this can lead to tangles and mats in their coat. To prevent this, place a cotton ball in each ear and remove them once the bath is complete. Use only the recommended amount of shampoo, and make sure to rinse thoroughly. Instead, use a low heat setting or let them air dry. Because there are so many different dog shampoos on the market, try out a few different ones recommended in this article that you think will meet the needs of your dog. Once you find the one you like, stick with that shampoo to provide your dog with a healthy coat of fur. Remember always to avoid using human products. Use a dog conditioner if you feel it is necessary, or select a shampoo that has conditioner added. Or, if you are more interested in different options for dog brushes, check out our article Best Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers. She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Specially formulated to reduce shedding in dogs, this shampoo enhances the effectiveness of deshedding tools. It is made with natural ingredients that help control excessive shedding by promoting healthy skin and coat. Other natural ingredients, including calendula extract, chamomile extract, and papaya leaf extract have soothing properties and help soothe dry and itchy skin. Cruelty-free and made without sulfates, colorants, or other harmful ingredients, this gentle shampoo is completely safe for regular use on young puppies or adult dogs. This tearless shampoo is made with the mildest ingredients to make bath time more pleasant for both you and your pup. Additionally, their active lifestyle means they tend to pick up dirt that hangs onto their coat, and since they are high shedders, you can expect them to leave that dirt around your home! A good shampoo is a must, since you will need to bathe your golden retriever once every four to six weeks or more often if they tend to get dirty. Unless your golden retriever has a specific skin condition for which they need a specific vet-approved product, when choosing the best dog shampoos for goldens, consider the following factors. Natural Ingredients: You should always avoid shampoos that contain harsh chemicals such as parabens and phosphates. Since golden retrievers tend to be prone to allergies, their skin and coats can greatly benefit from the use of hypoallergenic dog shampoos. Odor Control: Naturally energetic and active, golden retrievers like to play and can get stinky in no time! If you need help keeping your dog smelling fresh, look for a shampoo with deodorizing properties. Hydration: Whether or not your golden has skin problems, you should look for a shampoo that will keep their skin properly hydrated. Puppies benefit from different ingredients and formulations than adult dogs, and if your dog has sensitive skin, you may need to fork out money for a more expensive shampoo. Similarly, you can get deshedding shampoos to help you manage specific problems such as shedding, fleas and ticks, or dandruff and similar issues. Below is a list of the different types of shampoos you might want to consider for your dog. Not only do puppies have more sensitive skin than adult dogs, but they also have sensitive eyes. For this reason, look for mild and tearless puppy shampoos that are formulated to make the bathing process less stressful and more enjoyable for both you and your pooch. Flea And Tick This type of shampoo can be natural or chemical and is designed to kill fleas and ticks. For the best results, you will have to work it into the coat and leave it for 10 minutes to sit before rinsing. Depending on the type you choose, some flea and tick shampoos have repelling properties and will keep these blood-sucking pests at bay for some time. You can find out more about flea and tick shampoos for dogs here. Medicated Dog Shampoos These shampoos are designed to tackle skin conditions and have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic effects. If your golden retriever suffers from allergies, skin mites, seborrhea, or has a yeast infection, your vet might prescribe a medicated dog shampoo. All-Purpose Shampoo A good quality, all-purpose shampoo is essential if you want to keep your dog clean. Look for one that has natural ingredients and is hypoallergenic. Chances are, they are going to get dirty often and need regular bathing. Exactly how often you need to bathe your dog depends on their specific coat and activity level, but even dogs that spend most of their time inside need to be bathed at least once a month. Here are our top tips for making bathing your golden retriever as easy and effective as possible. Brush your dog before bathing them to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from its coat. Make sure to soak the coat all the way to the skin so you can work in the lather properly and remove all dirt and grime. When bathing your golden retriever, place a towel or a mat inside the tub. Use treats to entice your goldie to get into and stay in the tub during bathing. Generally speaking, you should bathe your golden retriever once every four to six weeks to keep their luxurious coat clean. However, if your goldie tends to get dirty quickly, you can bathe them more often. What can I use to bathe my golden retriever? Make sure you are using dog shampoo whenever you bathe your golden retriever. Dogs have a different skin pH than people, and dog shampoos are specially formulated as to not dry or damage their skin. Can I use human shampoo on my golden retriever? You should never use human shampoo on your dog! This is because human hair and skin are slightly acidic, and therefore our shampoos are formulated with a slightly acidic pH, of 5. Dog skin and hair has a more neutral pH of around 6. If you regularly wash your dog with human shampoo, you can disrupt the acidic mantle that protects them, making them vulnerable to parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Can I bathe my dog with baby shampoo? You technically can bathe your dog with baby shampoo because it is designed with a neutral pH to accommodate the more sensitive skin of babies. However, you are still better off choosing a specialized dog shampoo for your golden rather than relying on baby shampoo as an alternative. After all, you are what you eat. A diet that is rich in healthy fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and fish oils will give your dog the nutrients they need to grow and maintain a healthy coat. Regular brushing, using a good dog brush , to remove dirt and debris and spread oils throughout the coat can also make a big difference. How do you bathe a golden retriever at home? Many first-time owners worry about how they will manage to bathe their golden at home. Fortunately, goldens are actually one of the easier breeds to bathe. They are cooperative, highly trainable, and love water, so they are more likely to tolerate a good soak and scrub than many other breeds. The key is to be gentle but firm and to teach your dog the behavior that you expect at bathtime through positive reinforcement training. Another important thing to remember is that bathing is going to be a wet and messy process, so do it outside, in the shower, or somewhere similar, and watch out for slippery floors. If they slip, they could hurt themselves or leave a big wet patch on your carpet or couch. Conclusion Regular baths are what you signed up for when you welcomed a golden retriever into your home! While all shampoos listed above can do wonders for your goldie, the Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs is our choice for best overall. Our other recommendations for the best dog shampoos for goldens are ideal for specific circumstances and needs. What is your favorite shampoo for bathing your golden, and why? Share your advice with the community in the comments section below. You May Also Like.
ricky golden retriever puppies - Many will say I want a puppy on a certain date. Mother Nature has blessed us with two wonderful litters. Please ask for a price on the merle puppies. We always welcome visitors! About Us Experienced Breeders We have been breeding dogs for 33 years and breeding labradoodles for 19 years. We also breed occasional litter of Moyen poodles. I Carol have a degree as licensed veterinary technician which allows me to bring my medical knowledge into the breeding program. All puppies leaving our home will have excellent temperaments! We have worked with a lot of families over the years and we pride ourselves in being very family friendly. Our goal is to place the perfect 4-legged family member into your home. Don't buy from a breeder that won't show you their dogs or makes excuses why you can't visit. We welcome your visit! Our Family We are a family run business. Carol and Tom established Acme Creek Kennels in .Amber and Ryan run the boarding and daycare. Carol and Amber raise the labradoodles. Our guarantee We guarantee our labradoodle puppies 2 years. We are also available throughout your dogs life for any questions that may arise. In order to provide the healthiest puppy for your family we do hip, eye and DNA testing. Our labradoodles have fantastic temperaments, We have 30 years experience as a veterinary technician and breeder. Thank you for your interest in this wonderful breed here at South Mitten Australian Labradoodles! Our labradoodles are allergy-friendly, meet rigorous health standards and have wonderful temperaments, making them the perfect addition to families of all shapes and sizes. Located in southern Michigan, our dogs are raised in our home as cherished and spoiled members of our family! Our puppies are given the utmost care and researched-based attention and stimulation right from the start. This ensures you are not just getting a puppy of impeccable bloodlines, but one that has an optimal start and a superior advantage. We strive to produce healthy well-socialized puppies from multi-generational lines with amazing temperaments. South Mitten Labradoodles follow the strict health guidelines and strong ethics of the Australian Labradoodle Club we belong to. We specialize in the true Australian Labradoodle with wonderful coats and temperaments with bloodlines originating from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia. This is a different dog and usually a different temperament than the Australian Labradoodles. True Australian Labradoodles average generations of labradoodles back in their pedigree that all originate from either Rutland Manor, Tegan Park, or Sunset Hills in Australia. We strive for nothing less than excellence in breeding and raising our precious puppies. We love and are devoted to this very special breed. Why do we believe that certified Australian Labradoodles are the ultimate breed? You are getting the best of the best! Virtually Non-Shedding Greatest ambition is to be with "their people" Incredibly intelligent and easy to train Loyal Low to no odor even when wet Comical and endearing. We are experienced Labradoodle breeders with 6 years of working with Australian Labradoodles. Our puppies are non-shedding and hypoallergenic, making them not just a family pet but a perfect addition to any family. Quality - At Michigan Labradoodles, we have the best team! Our dogs , are members of our family—they are all descendants of experienced selective family- based Labradoodle breeders in the business. Our business is centered around our family, including our dogs—you can always expect an exceptional experience with our family based company. We are a recognized ALAA breeder, our goal is to breed our wonderful Australian Labradoodles to provide you with an excellent addition to your family. Service - Honesty is a foundation of our family that stretches far beyond our business. We understand that it takes a lot of trust to buy a puppy online. At Michigan Labradoodles, we are committed to making this a fun and memorable experience for you and your family. When you buy a labradoodle from us you can expect constant communication through the puppy adoption process. While our labradoodle puppies are born in Michigan, we provide delivery service anywhere in the US. We provide updates through our Facebook and Instagram page and email variety of forms, including detailed descriptions, pictures, and videos. Why Authentic Australian Labradoodles? Consistent - Our dogs and their puppies are consistent, they are descendants of a multigenerational breed. The pedigree is true back eight plus generations, breeding Authentic Australian Labradoodles with the same great qualities of their breed. This gives us the ability to closely predict the size, shape and color of your puppy. On top of that we breed for excellence and closely adhere to the ALAA standard. They were originally bread as service dogs and therapy companions with an allergy friendly coat dating back to the 's. Coat - Our Australian Labradoodles all possess a soft fleece coat that has been developed over generations - a quality that you will only get with experienced dog breeders. It provides the allergy friendly coat qualities of the poodle, without sacrificing the amazing soft to the touch feel you will love. Temperament - Originally the Authentic Australian Labradoodle was bred as the ideal therapy dog. They interact well with adults and their playful personality makes them a fun addition to families with children. They are a great mix of playfulness and cuddly. The organization promotes responsible dog companionship for labradoodles for sale in Michigan and the United States by cataloging helpful information about the breeds making it easier to buy a dog online by offering networking services to breeders and owners. The organization protects our breed from inhumane puppy mills. This status recognizes our commitment as a breeder to maintaining a high health standard for our dogs, as well as our recurring investment in health testing of our breeding dogs. It assures potential adopters that our litters have come from the healthiest parents possible along, with a strong level of health guarantees that can be maintained. They were bred to get a less allergic and less aggressive breed. It was mostly achieved, but some exceptions exist. These curly balls of fur have become quite popular today for having a warm temperament and adaptability. Properly bred Labradoodles prove to be the best company, if not the best guard dogs. A lot of households with children prefer having a Labradoodle in the USA. Features Labradoodles are an easy-to-go breed with a life span of years. They adapt quickly but can be hyper-energetic. They are available in various sizes and colors with good characteristics. One should always opt for a trusted and ethical breeder to get the healthiest dog. Labradoodles have these basic features. Appearance A standard Labradoodle is inches tall, while the medium one is inches tall, and the miniature Labradoodle is inches tall. They generally have long, wavy hair, making them look like little teddy bears. They can be found in a combination of chocolate, red, gold, black, and cream colors. Weight The weight varies for each dog, but there is a broad range for each size of Labradoodle available. The standard Labradoodle weighs anywhere between pounds, the medium Labradoodle weighs between pounds, and the Miniature Labradoodle weighs between pounds. Personality Labradoodles are one of the friendliest breeds you can ever find. They are loyal and have a warm temperament. Full of energy, these bundles of joy like surrounding people all the time. They adapt to the living conditions well and can be left alone for some time. Labradoodles are an intelligent and calm breed and with proper training. Training and grooming Labradoodles of all types are easy to train and groom. They require regular grooming and exercise. They are both hot and cold weather tolerant and trained for better tolerance. Based on the proportion of characteristics of both the breeds required, the various types of Labradoodles bred are: It is the original Labradoodle. In addition to being a Labradoodle, it has another characteristic of the pure breed. F2 Labradoodle F2 is the second-generation Labradoodle. A cross between two F1 Labradoodles gives F2 Labradoodle. F2B Labradoodle It is almost .F3 Labradoodle Also called the multi-gen Labradoodle, it is the third or more generation Labradoodle. Why Labradoodle? Labradoodles are not only intelligent and active. If you want more reasons to get yourself Labradoodle puppies in Michigan, here are other features that make them a good choice. Less shedding: The deliberate mix with a Poodle makes a Labradoodle shed lower than the standard breeds. The choice for novices: Labradoodles are easy to train and quickly adapt to their surroundings, making them a good choice for new learners. Although it is not a difficult procedure, their energy levels might make it difficult sometimes. Some tips below might help take care of a Labradoodle. Exercise Labradoodles require minutes of exercise every day. Their wanderlust makes them require regular walks. If in a small apartment, it is necessary to take them outside in parks or gardens to keep them happy and healthy. Socialization Early socialization is a pompous activity with a Labradoodle. It means keeping them around lots of people. This helps them become friendlier, and they pick up recognizable traits. Grooming Labradoodles require grooming, like brushing, combing, and bathing regularly. They have a great liking to water, so it is easy to groom them. Generally, getting professional grooming kits is a good option. Family Environment It becomes imperative to keep the Labradoodle inside with the family. They are sensitive creatures and cannot sleep outside. Any comfy place near the bed or in the living room works well with the breed. Final Words With its warm temperament, loyal and adaptable nature, Labradoodle is a perfect fit for company, even on tours and travels. Michigan provides numerous options to choose from, but as a matter of concern, most of the dogs may not have a healthy lifestyle in which they are raised. To find good Labradoodle puppies in Michigan for your family, you must trust only credible breeders. You should also be aware while looking out for dogs from mills as they may not be healthy. The article familiarizes readers with the 6 best Labradoodle breeders in Michigan MI. So, ensure you choose from the best breeders to raise a healthy and active Labradoodle that fits into your family fully! These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. She doesn't shed at all and has an extremely nice, soft coat. Her temperament is outstanding and she gets along great with our old lab and loves kids - she was truly a great pick and we couldn't be happier with her. We're thinking she'll probably end up around 60 because she just weighed in at 52 at her last vet visit and she still has a lot of filling out to do. Paul Michigan Hi Karri- just a little update on Jet. Since picking him up on Thursday, he has been the perfect puppy. He has only had one accident in the house, sleeps through the night, only waking once to go outside, he is crate training quickly, and has been on road trips to Spring Lake and as far as Up North Cadillac.He is a little cuddle bug and is beginning to play a lot and becoming more independent. I absolutely love this little guy. Thanks for breeding such great pups! She really helped make the transition of my new puppy to my home a breeze. I was able to meet and visit with my puppy for the first time at 4 weeks old and it was love at first site. What a beautiful boy, with a brown curly coat that feels like silk. We were already bonding at this visit and it was pure bliss. I anxiously waited while he grew old enough to bring him home, all the while in contact with Karri as she answered any questions I may have had and also gave me updates. The day finally came where I was to bring him home, Lance was now 9 weeks old and when we reunited he was so excited as if he recognized me and this just melted my heart. What a pure joy he is. Lance also loves to snuggle which is my favorite. He met and visited with my children, grandchildren and their dogs and cat on several occasions, who all love him to pieces. He plays nice with them all. He is a big part of our family now and is adjusting so nicely. Sir Lancelot is the best gift I have ever given myself! I look forward to our future together. Thank you Rozey K9 Farm! Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Michigan? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Michigan. While many dogs are said to be great for allergy sufferers, our Australian Labradoodles are actually hypoallergenic and truly non-shedding. Life with an Uptown Labradoodle is just easier without worrying about sniffling, coughing, or clumps of hair all over the house. The secret to all those followers is that we breed our dogs to be even more adorable than normal, with luxurious coats that would make a sheep jealous. Friendliest Dispositions Australian Labradoodles have a reputation for being friendly, and that reputation is well deserved. These dogs simply love doing whatever their family loves doing, whether that means playing fetch in the park or taking naps on the couch! To help you raise the ultimate Australian Labradoodle, we also offer the best food, most effective supplements, and most helpful training materials you can find. Perfect Family Pet Doodles are so popular because they manage to fit in and thrive with so many different types of families. From quiet older couples to active outdoors enthusiasts, Labradoodles just love people—especially kids! Premium Network of Labradoodle Breeders in Michigan In order to meet the astronomical demand for our Doodles without sacrificing the wellbeing of our animals, we decided to create an elite network of breeders who all share our vision and love of Doodles. Highest Michigan Labradoodle Breeder Standards We enforce breeding retirement ages and limitations on the number of litters for our mommy Doodles, and we make sure our mommy dogs stay in loving guardian homes rather than kennels throughout their whole lives—for maximum health and happiness. Our dogs are famous for being even-tempered and healthy throughout every litter.
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ricky golden retriever puppies - A bunny hopping gait or loose walk. Trouble getting up from a nap Difficulty walking up or down stairs to greet you. Other common Lab joint problems include osteoarthritis from old age and not necessarily hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can result in lameness of the front legs. Always consult your veterinarian if you see the symptoms of Labrador hip dysplasia. X-rays and a full exam are necessary for proper diagnosis. Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium-to large-sized dogs can be expensive. In most cases, rehabilitation services can also be costly and postoperative care can be long and arduous. Age may keep your dog from being a good candidate for surgery. Non-surgical treatment options often have no age restrictions. Dog hip braces, such as the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace , support the low back and hip area for mild to moderate hip dysplasia. The purpose of the Hip Hound brace is to stabilize the hip and lower back areas by holding the head of the femur in the hip socket. This reduces grating of the bone, which allows for post-surgical healing or pain-free exercise. Braces come in all sizes so you can find one that is perfect for your pet and allows for maximum support. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Since Labs are prone to joint issues, your dog may be diagnosed with elbow dysplasia Fragmented medial coronoid process. A veterinarian we work with has used the Ortho Dog Hock Holder brace for the hind leg over the elbow joint. We recommend you give it a try! This breed already loves water so much, you may not be able to get them to stop swimming! We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. However, if you had a veterinarian watching this plump pup play in the grass, they would have a much more sobering outlook. This puppy is suffering from the early stages of Canine Hip Dysplasia. What is Canine Hip Dysplasia? This results in the separation of the joint and the resulting wear and tear on the cartilage and bones. What Dogs Get Hip Dysplasia? No one knows for sure why some dogs develop this painful joint condition. However the severity of the illness seems to be linked to both the nature genetic component and the nurture environmental and nutritional elements that the dogs experience as they grow. However, it seems to be less prevalent in puppies with parents passing rigorous hip testing through the OFA Orthopedic Foundation of Animals. This is why it is vital to only buy puppies from breeders who have tested the parents for both hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia , which is the same joint deformity in the elbow socket. For example, if puppies grow too quickly, are lacking specific nutrients or have electrolyte imbalances, they are more likely to get CHD when they get older. Again, this issue is more often seen in larger breeds since they undergo more growth and skeletal changes than smaller breeds. The main two things you want to avoid are rapid weight gain and over supplementing too much calcium into the diet. You will also need to follow the feeding schedule set out by your veterinarian and not feed your puppy too much food. All dogs have a genetic code of how big they will get as adults. Your job, to reduce their risk of hip dysplasia, is to make sure they grow at a steady growth rate over time and not shoot up too quickly by feeding them a balanced diet specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. Environmental Factors Puppies are not usually born with hip dysplasia; it develops as the dog matures. You can take your pup out for a low-impact game of fetch in a park or a swim in a pool. However, doing activities such as forced running, stairs, jumping or agility courses when joints have not fully matured is thought to increase the likelihood of hip dysplasia later in life. The easiest way to tell if you pup has CHD is to do an x-ray of their hips while they are sedated. This allows the veterinarian to see if the joint fits together as it should. However, barring an x-ray diagnosis, there are a few symptoms to look for in more advanced cases. Signs of CHD include: Sitting in a frog position with one hip splayed out. Exercise intolerance. Swaying gait where the back end moves back and forth in a pronounced fashion. Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs. Bunny hopping , especially up stairs. Difficulty getting up. Back legs or hips are painful when touched. Hind leg lameness, which worsens with exercise. Back legs are more close together when the dog stands than the front legs. In more severe cases, you may see muscle wasting in the back legs and hindquarters. Arthritis may develop as the disease progresses. Your dog may start to show unexplained aggressive behavior as the pain increases. Again, the best way to diagnose CHD is with an x-ray. These test rank the hips as Excellent, Good and Fair. You should not buy a puppy without ensuring the parents have at least a Fair rating, and preferably a Good or Excellent hip score. Obviously, dogs exhibiting these scores should not be bred. Yet, even if both parents have great hips, this is not a guarantee that the puppy will be free from hip issues. Refrain from making your puppy your jogging or jumping partner until they are grown. Even if you do everything right, if your dog carries the genetic predisposition for CHD, you may still encounter it when your pup reaches adulthood. If your dog develops CHD, there are several ways to treat it. The best course of action should be determined with your veterinarian. You can also add in exercises such as swimming and leash walking to keep the muscles toned around the joints. Physical therapy and massages have also been known to help. Some dogs undergo total hip replacement surgery , just like humans, and have good success with this approach. There are other preventative surgeries, such as juvenile pubic symphysiodesis JPS that vets give puppies with a high likelihood of developing CHD as a preventative measure. Conclusion While CHD is certainly a frustrating diagnosis, there are many treatment options to help your dog live a long, satisfying life. If you take a proactive approach to their treatment, you can still have an energetic, happy companion that will keep you company on walks, swim with you at the beach and lay by your feet when you relax. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. But seriously, restricted exercise is the biggie. Monty is probably at his fittest right now, and has the best stamina he's ever had, but ten out of ten 3 yr old labs would outrun him on speed and distance. We know what the limit of his ability is, and I'm loathe to push it much more. It's a bit sad sometimes as we got a dog to go out on longs walks and days out, and I read of other dogs' exploits on the forum and think, gosh, I wish we could do that with monts. OH walked part of Hadrian's Wall last year and would have loved to take him, but was never ever an option. Also, I hardly ever get him retieving toys. He has 2 group dog walks each week which I accept are going to involve some racing around with other dogs, I would never deprive him of that as he loves it. However our solo walks are mostly bimbles, I let him stop and sniff very frequently, and though i do have him check in a few times we very rarely play with toys, just because the sudden stops and turns are one of the worst possible things for his ED. On a positive note we've just had a great holiday in Cornwall with him with lots of beach time, which I know can be very bad for joints, and fortunately he's absolutely fine. Touch wood of course Click to expand.Quite a list! Fingers crossed that we won't have to worry about any of this. We currently have her playing with a couple of small adult dogs and puppies that are her size every evening. I wouldn't want to take that away from her. She had a bit of a limp after frolicking in snow. Bunny hops a bit, but so do other non affected dogs. Our vet thought it was a knee issue. Expert orthopods only diagnosed it after xrays under GA. Just trying to put the case for not jumping to conclusions one way or the other just by gait analysis. Its hard for the experts, as lay people we have scant chance of getting it right! I must admit I thought it looked like a rottie-type walk too, like Emily said, coupled with gangly, leggy uneven growth of a teenager's back end! Welcome to the forum Kiera and Co. You're right. Its so hard to not jump to conclusions. My thoughts keep going back and forth as to whether or not she has HD when watching videos of other puppies, but we won't know for sure until we get it checked out. I had her go up the stairs slowly the last two days and noticed that she is capable of walking up the stairs normally. Maybe she just bunny hops when she's rushing. ? What types of treatments have you been doing for Lilly since the diagnosis? Good puppy care to limit your chances. And for these joints to work properly, the ball part, which is the bulbous end at the top of the long thigh bone, must fit neatly into the socket, which is a part of the pelvis. If the hip joint is not perfectly formed, movement is impaired, and use of the joint causes damage to the surface of the bones arthritis making a bad situation even worse. In some cases this can progress rapidly and seriously. Hip dysplasia in dogs causes arthritis, pain, and lameness. It varies in severity depending on the degree of damage in the joint, and to some extent on the individual dog. Some cases can be adequately managed with pain relief and care. But many medium to large dogs will need expensive major surgery to restore normal movement and relieve pain. Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs There are two main factors at work. The other factor is the environment that the dog grows up in, particularly in early life. How fast he grows, and the way his joints are used when he is still developing, can influence the way his joints will turn out. These environmental factors include diet , exercise , and hormones. But for all the dogs in-between, we do know that there may be much that you as a pet owner, can do, to ensure your dog has healthy hips Your opportunities to help There are two main opportunities for you to ensure your puppy is free from hip dysplasia The first opportunity begins before he is born. The second begins when you bring him home. If you have already bought your pup, there is nothing you can do about the first, so just skip down the page and read up on what you can do when you bring your puppy home. There are no exceptions. Breeders can then remove dogs with bad hips from their breeding programmes. It is of course utterly irresponsible to breed from untested dogs, but the tests are expensive, so bad breeders will try and avoid them. And because puppy registrations generate money, the Kennel Club will still register puppies without scores, or with really bad scores! Check those certificates It is vital that you check the health test certificates from both parents of any puppy you consider purchasing. Remember, Kennel Club registration will not protect your puppy from having parents with bad hips. This is completely untrue. And it is thought that there are three main ways that you can help. The first is by avoiding inappropriate exercise, the second is by feeding for an appropriate rate of growth, and the third is a little more controversial as it involves delaying neutering until your dog is mature. Playing in the garden is sufficient for pups under five months old. If you take your puppy out on a leash , a rule of thumb often mentioned is no more than five minutes walking per day, for each month of his age. So that means a maximum of 25 minutes for a 5 month old puppy. This is just a guideline, to help those who are not sure how to exercise a puppy. Avoiding steps and stairs One study has shown that puppies climbing stairs at an early age were more likely to develop hip dysplasia. So it is a sensible precaution to carry your small puppy up and down steps. Diet and growth Everyone wants their puppy to grow big and strong. But optimal growth does not mean rapid growth. It is now thought that slower growth probably allows for healthier hip development. Make sure you keep your puppy slim, with a waist, and you should be fine. You can check out our feeding your puppy article for more information. In fact recent evidence has shown that neutering is implicated in a number of health problems, and hip dysplasia is one of them. A recent study of golden retrievers for example, found that the incidence of hip dysplasia in male dogs neutered early, was double that of male dogs left intact. If you want to neuter your dog, waiting until he is physically mature may reduce the impact of hormone loss on his joint development. You can read more about the pros and cons of neutering in this article: should I have my Labrador castrated? Preferably before you have a gorgeous puppy sitting in your lap and gazing into your eyes! Once you bring your puppy home, give him time to grow and mature naturally. There will be time enough for that later. Spread the word Tell everyone you know about the importance of hip scores. We need to ensure that there is no market for puppies for untested parents. Your decisions now in this respect have the power to help many puppies now and in the future. Got something to ask a vet? Thank you. The rest of the article continues below. One of the common causes of a puppy walking abnormally is vestibular dysfunction. It refers to the impairment of the functioning of the inner ear that allows for adequate balance. In most cases, it is caused by infections to the inner ear, trauma, tumors, and hypothyroidism. Symptoms of vestibular dysfunction include poor balance, incoordination, and abnormal gait. The sections below will explore some other causes of your puppy walking funny. This compression causes neck pain that is often accompanied by nervous system deficits. Nutritional imbalances Good nutrition is needed for adequate growth and function, and several disorders can be a result of nutritional imbalances. Growth disorders are a common result of nutritional imbalances. This can affect the way your dog walks, especially in its growing-up years. Luxating Patellas A luxating patella is a form of knee dislocation, where the knee bone pops out of place. The knee bone can also pop back in on its own due to a change in movement. This can be seen in dogs with a temporary limp that seems almost instantaneously cured before your dog even notices. Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood glucose levels. This condition can cause your dog to exhibit sluggish movements due to decreased energy levels. Infections Injuries and surgical sites create an ideal environment for infection. Hip dysplasia Hip Dysplasia causes loosening of the hip joint, which results in pain, discomfort, and dysfunction. This condition can cause your dog to walk with a pronounced limp, which can be difficult to manage. Some dog breeds are more predisposed to having this condition, such as the Great Dane, English Bulldog, and German Shepherd. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a condition that causes a disruption in blood supply to the hip bone, causing degeneration of the hip joint. When the blood supply is disrupted, it causes the bone to be replaced with cartilage, which then begins to wear down over time. This disease is most common in small breeds, such as Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels, and often strikes between the ages of 4 and 12 months. Panosteitis Panosteitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the bones in dogs as they grow. It is quite commonplace among young, growing dogs and is characterized by inflammation of the long bones in the legs, which can cause pain and lameness. The exact cause of panosteitis is not well understood, but it is thought to be related to rapid bone growth and abnormal bone metabolism. Treatment of panosteitis typically involves managing the symptoms with pain medication and rest. In most cases, the condition will resolve on its own as the dog matures. Congenital abnormalities Some puppies have congenital abnormalities that only become noticeable later in life when they start walking. These abnormalities are present at birth and can affect the bones, joints, or muscles of the legs, resulting in difficulty walking or standing. Some common congenital abnormalities that can cause lameness in dogs include elbow dysplasia and deformities of the feet or toes. Treatment of lameness due to congenital abnormalities will depend on the specific condition and may involve surgery, physical therapy, or other forms of medical management. Ate the wrong thing If a puppy ingests something that is toxic or indigestible, it can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause abdominal pain. This can lead to lethargy, loss of appetite, and difficulty walking or standing. In severe cases, the puppy may need to be treated with medications to control vomiting and diarrhea, and supportive care to prevent dehydration. Do you know what does it mean when your dog keeps trying to poop after pooping? Nervous system diseases These conditions can affect the nerves that control the muscles of the legs, leading to weakness, difficulty walking, and loss of coordination. Some common nervous system diseases that can cause lameness in puppies include distemper, rabies, and encephalitis. Drank alcohol Alcohol has the same effect on you as it will on your puppy, causing abnormal gait and dysfunction. It is very dangerous for puppies, as they are much more sensitive to its effects than adult dogs. Alcohol can cause a range of symptoms in puppies, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking or standing. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can lead to coma and even death. Keep the bottle out of their reach! If your dog does have any wounds make sure to clean and treat the area appropriately. Although there may be normal reasons for your dog to be limping, persistent lameness is a concern and you should consult your vet. Alternatively, you can first check out how to do a lameness exam on your dog. When is Lameness in Dogs an Emergency? If your furry best friend is suddenly unable to walk or stand, it could be a sign of a serious emergency. Firstly, bleeding, trauma, fractures, dislocations, and extreme pain will require immediate attention. I would advise you to seek the help of a vet if lameness occurs suddenly and lasts for a duration longer than 20 — 30 minutes. Puppies below 6 months have a slightly irregular gait, with their back legs facing more outward while running and general clumsiness caused by their excitable nature and developing coordination skills. After about 6 months, it is not normal for puppies to walk weirdly, and further inspection is required to determine if there is a medical condition. Why is my dog walking weirdly with its back legs? Your dog may be walking weirdly with its back legs due to many reasons, such as hip dysplasia, Luxating Patellas, Osteochondritis, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. If it persists, speak to a veterinarian to determine the cause of their abnormal gait and to determine the appropriate treatment. What are the signs of Hip Dysplasia in puppies? Signs of Hip Dysplasia in puppies include Lameness, Decreased levels of activity, Decreased range of motion, Swaying, Stiffness, and Difficulty with running, jumping, and stair climbing. It is indeed discerning when we see our little puppies behaving in ways that seem out of the ordinary. The key thing for all dog owners alike is not to panic and inadvertently cause more stress to your dog and everyone around you. Take a few minutes to check on your dog and observe its behavior for a while. Got a few more minutes? Know someone who might benefit from this information? Please share this article with them. And do consider joining our community of responsible pet parents too! Share this post! Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Popular Posts. Bookmark Wobblers Syndrome also called spondylolithesis , is a condition that can affect puppies or adult dogs. They develop an unsteady gait due to spinal cord compression caused by the narrowing of the vertabral canal, or by a ruptured disc in the neck. This causes the vertabral ligaments to become loosened and overstretched hypertrophy to the point of an inability to tauten properly when strength is needed. The vertebrae become malformed, or do not come together properly, which puts pressure on the spinal cord causing gait problems and moderate to severe discomfort. What Causes Wobblers Syndrome in Dogs? Rapid growth in large breed dogs and a predisposition to vertebrae conditions are considered factors for developing Wobblers. The definite causes of Wobblers Syndrome are unknown, but studies show that like other degenerative joint and ligament diseases, there might be a genetic factor hereditary , possible over stimulation, or perhaps even a nutritional imbalance. Great Danes and Doberman Pinchers seem to be most affected, with males twice as prone to the condition as females. Symptoms can appear in Great Dane puppies as early as 10 to 18 months although it is most commonly seen between 3 and 9 years of age. Signs and Symptoms of Spondylolithesis Symptoms of Wobblers Syndrome are progressive, and show up gradually as a dog ages. Signs of Wobblers Syndrome often begin with a mild, unsteady gait in the dog's hind legs. This "wobbly unsteadiness" often spreads to the front legs. In severe cases, the dog becomes wobbly when he walks and can even fall over when trying to turn. In some cases, the onset of symptoms is sudden, although that is infrequent. The early manifestation of Wobblers Syndrome in dogs can mimic other health problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia or even an inner ear infection. Wobblers Syndrome is a serious and progressive condition in which an abnormality in the spine pinches the spinal cord. It's rare enough that you or your veterinarian may not recognize its symptoms at first, especially if your dog isn't one of the breeds where Wobblers Syndrome occurs most often. It's difficult to treat, but best if caught early. Why is My Dog Walking Funny? The dog may drag his hind toes as he walks, one of the typical symptoms. The stiffness may seem worse in his hind legs, and he may walk clumsily as if partially paralyzed. Note that he generally won't show signs of pain, such as whining or whimpering in the early stages. Clumsiness Falling when making sharp turns - Watch your dog's movements when turning a corner. A dog with Wobblers Syndrome may seem fairly normal walking in a straight line, but have difficulty making a sharp turn. He may appear drunk or uncoordinated or even fall down when turning quickly. At other times, he may walk with his hind legs spread wider than normal to give him added balance. Dogs with Wobblers Syndrome may carry their heads down or lower than usual and move them stiffly. If your dog is showing the symptoms above and other causes have been eliminated, ask your veterinarian to check him or her for Wobblers Syndrome. Since this disease is due to a compressed spinal cord in the neck, x-rays may help with diagnosis. Your veterinarian may also do a neurological exam and can also advise you about the benefits and risks of other tests, such as a more involved x-ray technique, the Mylogram, which may be more expensive or painful. Most veterinary neurologists today recommend CT scans or MRI scans for accurate diagnosis and localization. Unfortunately there is no simple cure for Wobblers Syndrome, but catching the condition early can help give you and your vet a chance to discuss the options for treatment or surgery to slow down or stop its progress. Prevention The best way to prevent Wobblers Syndrome is to feed large breed puppies a diet that will keep them from growing too quickly. Your veterinarian can help you determine which diet will work best for your dog. Many cases of Wobblers cannot be prevented because they are genetic in nature. It's best not to breed dogs that have the condition as they may pass it to their offspring. Treating Wobblers Syndrome Treatment for this condition can vary, depending on the severity of symptoms. Corticosteroids like prednisone can help reduce inflammation and help eliminate most symptoms. A neck brace can also help in serious cases because it stabilizes the spine and reduces inflammation. Pets suspected of having Wobblers Syndrome should not be walked with a neck collar and should be led exclusively using a harness. In some cases, surgery is recommended. The surgeon will fuse the unstable vertebrae together to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. This option is not always a good choice since other vertebrae can become compromised as a result of the surgery. However, this option provides the most chance for fixing the problem and prevention of any worsening of clinical signs. Your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what treatment option provides the greatest benefit to your dog. Post Treatment Options Since there is not yet a cure for Wobblers Syndrome, dogs suffering from this condition must be managed with medication and restricted activity, especially at times when they are experiencing the most discomfort. In some cases, a dog with mild Wobblers can live happily without treatment, while in other cases, treatment is required in hopes that the dog can live a normal life. Ready to start saving money on pet wellness care? Then take a look at Mint Wellness, the pet wellness plan that provides fast reimbursement on routine pet care. Save on vaccinations, wellness exams, preventatives, dental, and more!