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Best Snacks for a Pug Overview Just as much thought should go into what you give your Pug for snacks and treats as it does in regard to main meals. When you look at the overall nutritional needs for this breed, as well as the importance of steering clear of additives that can cause allergic reactions, upset stomach and other issues, and weight gain being a common issue for adult Pugs, what you offer for snacks and treats will play a huge role in your Pug's overall health and well-being. This section will cover if snacks are really required, how often they should be given, the difference between snacks and training treats, how to get the most benefits from these, and some healthy and delicious options. Already know the details of why, how many, and how often and just want recommendations? Jump to: The Best Snacks for a Pug. You may be wondering if it's just fine to only give your Pug 2 or 3 meals per day without anything extra and if it's really necessary for a Pug to have any snacks or additional treats. And, if your Pug is on a diet to control their weight, this may be particularly relevant. The short answer is yes, most Pugs can benefit from both snacks and training treats, including those on a weight maintenance plan. Let's look at the advantages of each of these: Snacks: Snacks help satiate a dog's appetite in between meals. Without these, a Pug can end up so hungry at meal time that he eats much too fast. Rapid ingestion of food is linked to gastric dilatation volvulus commonly referred to as bloat which is a dangerous and often fatal twisting of the stomach. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the brain to realize that the stomach is full. If a Pug is so hungry that he wolfs down his food, he may want to keep eating even after he's had enough. If a dog's stomach is empty for too long of a time, churning stomach bile can cause an upset stomach, as well as cause vomiting of the bile often appears as a white or yellow foam-type substance. Training treats: The 1 method of teaching a dog what is right and what is wrong is to reward good behavior. While praise and petting play a role, a tasty tidbit of food is the most effective way to offer rewards. Giving a Pug reward treats can greatly boost your success for housebreaking, command training, efforts to stop barking, jumping up, or chewing on non-toy objects, and works well for the reinforcement of good behavior such as socializing with other dogs or with people. So, as you can see, giving snacks and treats to your Pug is important. The key is to find a good balance, only offering these tidbits at the right times, in the right quantities, and to stick with very healthy options. Frequency: Most Pugs do best with a total of 3 snacks per day. This can be any combination of snacks, though dental treats are typically reserved to just one per day. One snack is given between breakfast and lunch, one given between lunch and dinner, and one given one to two hours after dinner. If there is another certain time of the day that your Pug gets really hungry but it's not time for a meal, a 4th can be given. Serving sizes: One hard chew, 2 to 3 medium-sized biscuits, a small handful of bite-size biscuits, or one dental treat. Training Treats - These are moist or chewy small treats. Frequency: When any sort of training is beginning, reward is often given to mark each correct behavior. For example, each time a Pug goes to the bathroom in the designated area or each time a Pug obeys the 'sit' command. In some cases, once training is underway and a Pug is getting the hang of things, reward can be given more sporadically. For example, once commands are understood, praise should be given each time a Pug obeys but reward in the form of a treat can be given every 5th or 6th time. For every behavior that your Pug displays that pleases you, even well-learned actions like sitting nicely while you place a harness on or heeling beside you while being walked, randomly offer reward and praise to show your Pug that you appreciate their actions. Serving size: These are designed to be very small to offer just a tiny burst of flavor so that appetite is not affected by multiple rewards. Only one or two small training treats should be given each time you wish to mark good behavior. The Difference Between Dog Snacks and Dog Training Treats While technically you can give one in place of the other, there are a few main differences: Snacks, meant be given to a Pug in between meals should be dry. This is the best consistency to calm down the stomach and keep away hunger pains. These may be labeled as treats or chews often along with the words crunchy or dry, or you may see the terms cookie, cracker, or biscuit. These are often large enough that a dog has to chew at least a few times before swallowing it down. This also includes hard chews meant to be gnawed on for a while for either teething puppies or Pugs that see chewing as an enjoyable hobby. Training treats, meant to be given to a Pug during training and to mark good behavior should be moist. This is the best consistency to quickly deliver the message that a dog did a great job. These may be labeled as treats, training treats, chews, or training chews and you will usually see the terms moist, soft, or chewy. These are typically very small; they are designed to offer a quick burst of flavor while not having much of an impact on a dog's appetite. Snacks to Avoid Giving a Pug Before we dive into the best options for snacks to give to a Pug, there are 3 types that should be avoided: 1. This pose a risk to all just about every dog breed. Most are made from the inner layers of cow or horse hides and then artificially flavored. Dangers of these types of snacks include choking, contamination of E. Pig ears. The shards from these dry brittle snacks can cause tooth breakage and cause injury to the throat. Once swallowed, improperly chewed pig ears can cause blockage to the intestinal tract. Real animal bones. It is not safe to give a Pug real bones from ham, chicken, turkey, duck, beef roast or any other meat. Cooked bones are the biggest danger, though raw bones can cause problems as well. Cooked bones become very brittle and can crack into sharp splinters that pierce the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestinal tract causing choking, blockage or internal injury. Raw bones are a bit safer but still pose risks including splinters and over consumption of marrow that can lead to diarrhea and flare ups for dogs prone to pancreatitis. The Best Snacks for a Pug Avoid: Whenever you are giving your Pug any sort of food, it is just as important to be aware of which ingredients need to be avoided as it is to what is being offered. Ingredients to steer clear of include: Synthetic preservatives. And, as we covered, these should be dry not moist. Recommended: 1. There are so many awesome flavors including those with yogurt or a beef base, and this one is a variety pack that pairs pumpkin with apple, banana, blueberry, and cranberry. It's a great way to give a Pug different flavors, each is only 9 calories, and these are made in the USA. Bandit's Biscuits All-Natural Cookies. These have no corn, wheat, or soy, have just 10 calories per cookie, and are made in the USA. This is a fantastic option for helping a Pug stay happy until the next meal. These are dry baked biscuits made in North America the US and Canada with lots of yummy flavors to choose from. Note that some of these recipes have flour or some grains but there is also a grain-free option if you prefer that for your Pug. The small size works for most adult Pugs and mini size is best for most Pug puppies. Though 'rawhide' is in the name, that is just their way of letting you know that these chews are a great alternative to real rawhides which as we covered are dangerous for dogs that like to chew. These are designed for small and medium sized breeds, like the Pug, and literally have just one ingredient: healthy sweet potatoes. These are good for a dog's teeth, which is always a plus and these are made in the USA. The Best Training Treats for a Pug Avoid: Just like snacks, training treats should not have synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, corn, high levels of wheat, by-products, generic meats or oils, or be made overseas particularly China. Since these are meant to offer just a small yet powerful burst of flavor to mark good behavior and help with training, avoid anything that is large enough that your Pug has to chew more than just a few times. Look for: Treats that use a vitamin blend as a preservative mixed tocopherols. These should have a strong flavor that dogs see as high-value including meats like bacon, lamb, and bison and sweet fruits like watermelon, apple, and berries. Fruitables Skinny Minis. Though all the entire line of Fruitables are pretty low in calories, the ones in this line have just 2 or 3 calories per treat which make these a great choice for adult Pugs that need an eye kept on their weight and are the perfect chewy consistency for giving rewards. These are all-natural and are made in the USA. Wellness does a fantastic job with both kibble and treats; there is no grain, soy, corn, by-products, or other additives and all are preserved with vitamins. And, these are made in the USA. These little square training treats are ideal because you can break these in half if you're doing a session that involves lots of action rewards, like heeling or working on a command or offer one square for one-time action rewards like house training. Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats. There is no corn, soy, or wheat, these are made in the USA, and a citrus and vitamin blend is used as a natural preservative. Giving Fruits and Vegetables as Snacks There are some crunchy vegetables and soft fruits that you can give to a Pug, if you wish. Veggies - Not every dog will be thrilled to be given plain veggies, but some do like to chew on raw baby carrots which are good for the teeth. Other vegetables that a Pug can eat include peas, green beans, potato, sweet potato, spinach, and kale, but these are best mixed into meals. Fruits - Many fruits have good levels of fiber that cause natural sugar to be absorbed slowly, so fruit can be given in moderation. Fruits that Pugs can eat include pear, banana, blueberries, raspberries, and mango. On hot summer days , berries can first be frozen which can make a nice, cool treat. And Don't Forget About Dental Treats Taking good care of your Pug's teeth is a vital part of care and dental chews are edible so these should be looked at as necessary snacks. One of the most preventable issues that happens to dogs is dental decay and periodontal disease. Just like humans, plaque is constantly being produced. If it is not removed, it starts to harden into tartar in as little as 3 days. Plaque and tartar both form hard coatings on the teeth, often moving below the gum line, and eating away at enamel. Decay develops and this is a silent destruction that can lead to infections and tooth loss. You can help prevent this by performing at home dental care of your Pug's teeth via brushing them or using a spray and by offering a daily dental chew. This will take the place of one of your Pug's regular snacks that is given in between meals or as an after dinner snack. Note that some dental chews are very tasty so a dog will accept these as they do any other yummy treat. Also please note that these have a very hard texture they must, to do their job and for that reason a dog should be supervised when chewing on these. The teenie size is for dogs 5 to 15 lbs. If your Pug is over 25 lbs. Did you find this article to be helpful? This huge, comprehensive book is available in both hard copy soft cover and PDF ebook. Want to stay informed? Become a free PetPugDog Membe r to receive newsletters that announce new articles and updates. 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. Conclusion Training Treats vs Snacks Some treats are snacks, some snacks are treats. But how can you tell the difference between snacks and treats? The answer lies in HOW your dog thinks. Understanding how your dog processes things can help you figure out if the treat is a snack or a training treat. Knowing this will allow you to use treats more effectively while training and giving your dog a healthier diet. There are a lot of opinions on whether to give your pug training treats or snacks. The most important thing to remember is that treats should only be given in small amounts. This will help Pugs to focus on the task at hand. When it comes to treats, you want your pug to learn that good behavior is always rewarded. Dog treats will act as a great motivation to encourage them to keep performing the desired behavior. But, a snack is a general term used to describe any form of food or drink that your dog may enjoy. There are plenty of healthy snacks you can give your pug, like pieces of fruit or vegetables. Just be careful not to overdo it, because too many treats will quickly lead to weight gain. And can also provide a little bit of mental stimulation. Yogurt Drops: Another great source of calcium for your pug is yogurt drops. They make a tasty snack and are easy to chew. This is important for keeping their bones healthy and preventing joint problems down the road. Freeze-dried Liver: This is a healthy and nutritious treat that your pug will love. It is a great source of protein and vitamins, and it will help keep your pug healthy and strong. The liver is a good source of vitamin A, iron, and other important nutrients. Freeze-liver is also a protein-rich substance. All these nutrients make the liver an excellent choice for a healthy and nutritious treat for your pug. Green Beans: These are healthy and crunchy snacks that your pug will love. Green beans are a good source of vitamins A, C and K, as well as dietary fiber. Carrots: Another healthy and crunchy option, carrots make a great snack for pugs. They are a good source of Vitamin A, which is important for healthy eyesight, and also contain fiber, potassium, and other nutrients. Like most vegetables, carrots are also low in calories, making them a healthy choice for overweight pugs. Peanut Butter: This is a classic treat that pugs love. Just make sure to give it in moderation, as it can be high in calories. However, with the right type of treat, you can use them as a way to help train your pug and reinforce good behavior. Homemade Treats for Your Pug If you love cooking and pugs, or if you adore your canine companion. And want to try a new treat for them, this is the perfect recipe for you. Making a Pug Treat is very simple. These treats are great for rewarding good behavior or as a training treat for your pug. The best Pug puppy treats are typically homemade. There are many recipes that are simple, healthy, and will make your pup delighted. One of the simplest Pug puppy treat recipes is a mixture of boiled chicken, rice, and some vegetables. The chicken can be substituted with other meats or fish if desired. This recipe is low calorie, high in protein, and a good source of vitamins and minerals. Another great Pug puppy treat recipe is a simple mixture of peanut butter and oatmeal. Look no further than your own pantry. Your kitchen covers all the elements necessary to prepare delicious home-style treats. Using one of the many treats for pugs recipes offered. One of the key benefits of homemade treats for pugs is that when you use your own ingredients to cook homestyle dog treats. You can know for certain that unlike commercially made treats for pugs with their high quantities of fats and sugar. You are giving your Pug a treat that is delightful as well as being good for your pet as it contains a fraction of the important nutrients your Pug needs. They also do not have any artificial food colorings, other preservatives, or added sugar. They are also free from dangerous chemicals and additives when they are made in your own kitchen using fresh ingredients. The absence of all these things helps to make the treats both healthier and safer for your pug to chomp. One important reason you may want to make your dog some treats is to build up and develop the bond between the two of you. Again, this is a case of positive reinforcement. If you give your Pug a treat, he will feel loved and cared for. And he will thus be happier and more affectionate. Making your own treats for pugs at home can be exciting and save you money. Homemade treats for pugs are better for your Pug. Here are some simple recipes with items you already have at home. Flank Steak Lamb While you can try wild game, like self-hunted bison, deer, and other wild animals, it is best to freeze the meat first. You want to kill any bacteria on the meat before giving it to your dog, such as E. Manufactured Treats You can purchase pre-made manufactured treats from the store. However, be careful when you try out a treat. Try to stay with natural, healthy selections with minimal ingredients. Also, if your pug has allergies, you need to be aware of any potential irritants. Some ingredients to watch for are: High sugar High sugar or fructose Synthetic, cooked, or raw bones Because of the increasing awareness about popular dog treat ingredients, companies are starting to recalculate their angle for marketing. Even if a brand claims to have all natural ingredients, always take a look at the contents before you trust it. Homemade Treats Homemade treats are typically healthier, but they do require prepping. You can get some really nifty ideas online for recipes. These will involve less ingredients and more nutrition than processed treats. Plus, you are in full control over what goes into the creation process. Some ideas you could try for a snack include: Homemade dog biscuits Vegan, gluten-free, or organic treats Frozen pureed fruit cubes You can bake, freeze, or tailor-make your pet snacks just the way they like. Certain kinds of readily available treats are absolutely no good for your pug—or any dog, for that matter. While some of these treats have remained popular despite being unhealthy, you should avoid these treats at all costs. Sugar-Filled Treats Treats chalked full of sugar can lead to obesity, addiction, and dental issues. If they continue to ingest too much sugar over a long period, it can lead to more serious problems like liver failure and diabetes. Pig Ears Pig ears are very tough, and they can break into sharp bits—posing as a choking hazard. Pig ears are also a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. Artificial Additives When treats are filled with artificial dyes, preservatives, and flavoring. If your pug is sensitive to an ingredient in the treat, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It can also trigger allergic reactions and prove toxic. Raw or Cooked Bones You may think that raw or cooked bones are a healthy alternative snack for your pug. However, raw bones can harbor lots of bacteria leading to gastrointestinal upset. Cooked bones can split apart and cause choking or damage to the throat, stomach, and intestines. But human food is a bad habit to get started that leads to poor health. Real chicken is the number one ingredient here, which is something you want to keep an eye on when you purchase treats. This selection has .You can break these little meatballs up to get the most out of them if you prefer. I break one in half for Sid to reward him for a job well done and save the other half for later. If your pug has food sensitivities, you may want to steer away from this one. Chicken can be a trigger for allergies in some pugs. Email Offering high value treats for your pug should be foremost on your mind if you want to raise it to be healthy. It is your responsibility as a pug parent to know just the right food to give noting the fact that this breed has weight issues. While it may sound lovely to prepare your own dog treat, time can be cruel on your side. Source: pugingtonpost. These treats are also low in calories and fat. Because they are quite filling, it makes them consume less but get the most of what they need leading to a more controlled weight. After scouring Amazon for the best pug treats, here are the top 3 bestselling ones. High quality made in the USA, this bag offers nothing but high quality proteins from single animal source, easily digestible carbs, and Omega 3 and Omega 6 for topnotch health. It also contains ZERO corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs, and no chicken or beef to prevent triggering allergies in your pug. For safety and authenticity, always order from Amazon. To feed your pug, it is best to consult your veterinarian. For healthy meaty eats. .This high value pug treat is recommended as training aid making them the best choice when potty training or doing skills training for your pug pup. Made with percent pure USA-sourced and made beef liver, it is dried raw or freeze-dried to ensure locking in the aroma and freshness leaving a smooth texture pugs love to eat. Low on calories and fat, this is truly heaven for pug parents who want nothing but the best for their pup without making them overweight. The Purebites Beef Liver Dog Treats are highly recommended also for pugs and other dog breeds with health issues like obesity, diabetes, allergies, and GI disorders. No wonder new pug owners reviews often give this one two thumbs up. Available in Amazon in various pack sizes—4. Each pack comes in resealable bags to preserve taste and freshness. Another flavorful choice from Purebites is its Cheddar Cheese dog treats. .Instead of meaty liver, this one is made from percent pure USA-sourced and made cheddar cheese to ensure quality. Aside from its pug snout-friendly size and design, it is freeze-dried raw to encapsulate wholly the aroma, freshness and texture. High in calcium but low in fat and calories, this also makes a great choice for pugs with weigh issues, GI problems, diabetes, and allergies. Reviews and feedback from pug parents have also hailed this flavorful PureBites Cheddar Cheese Dog Treats as one of that most pugs love. To order, feel free to choose from two budget-friendly sizes—in single or 2-pack .Order from Amazon to ensure authenticity, shipping and, of course, discounts. Feed Them Right! Source: petpugdog. If you want to raise healthy and disease-free pets, choose any of these high value treats for your pug. You can diversify the flavors in doing so but make sure to stick to either of these brands — Blue Buffalo Basics or Purebites—to ensure quality ingredients and content. When buying, the best and safest route is still with Amazon. So, order now and do it in bulk to save more. Everyone likes treats, including your adorable Pug. Carefully chosen health treats are not only great for the overall health and well-being of your pup. These also come in handy during training sessions. The 10 best treats for pugs is what you need and we got it. Dogs often listen to commands better when they know that something yummy is waiting for them. Treats are even more important for breeds that are stubborn to train, such as Pugs. Thus, as a Pug owner, it is important to know what treats will be safe and healthy for your dog so you can teach these flat-faced cuties some tricks and good manners. Here are the 10 best treats for Pugs that you can add to your to-buy list: 10 of the Best Treats for Pugs 1. This is one of the most popular brands you can find in the market today. The brand developed the Basic Skin and Stomach Care line. These treats are packed with high-quality proteins from a single animal source. These are also rich in omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and easy-to-digest carbs to promote better health. The formulation is also free from eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, or corn. Beef or chicken are also not included in these treats to avoid unwanted allergy triggers in your adorable pup. These treats are available in an exciting hodgepodge of exciting flavors. These include grain-free potato and duck, potato and turkey, potato and lamb, and more. Fruitables Skinny Minis Even though Fruitables is best known for its entire line of treats with low-calorie content, the Skinny Minis collection only contains 2 to 3 calories per treat. It makes them a great option for your adult Pug that needs to keep a close eye on his weight. These treats also have a delightful; chewy consistency that makes them perfect as rewards for your small pups. Fruitables Skinny Minis is a variety pack that includes pumpkin and mango, pumpkin and berry, and apple and bacon. These choices are all-natural and made in the USA. The snacks are delectable treats for pooches made from top-quality ingredients. These include beef hide and real chicken meat. The flavors of these treats are hard to resist and something Pugs will always crave for. The gourmet treats are made even better by their funny shapes that make chewing them long-lasting fun. The freshness of these meaty bites is maintained thanks to the sealable bag they come in. These are hands-free tasty treats that will keep the mouth of your pup clear of plaque, tartar, and bacteria. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has given its approval to these treats, which means you can be assured of the safety of your pooch. These blueberry-flavored treats are also rich in nutrients that encourage easy digestion. Take note, however, that these treats are not wheat-free. It means these may cause issues for dogs with gluten concerns. Buddy Butter Dog Treat Dog owners know that peanut butter should never be given to any dog breed. Peanut butter scientifically contains Xylitol, a type of alcohol unsafe for canine consumption. But with Buddy Butter, you can have peace of mind knowing that the treats come from safe peanut butter. Your Pug will definitely love the nutty taste of these treats. This is basically peanut butter for dogs which they will love. Each piece has 27 kcal. The small meatballs can be broken down into tinier pieces so you can make the most out of these treats. However, you might want to avoid these treats if your Pug suffers from food sensitivities. Chicken happens to be one of the common triggers for allergies in some dogs. These high-value treats for Pugs can be used for training, including potty training and skill training. It is either freeze-dried or raw to help lock in the freshness and aroma that creates a smooth texture that pugs love. The treats are low in fat and calories, making them a heaven-sent for Pug owners who want to reward their dogs without compromising their weight. PureBites treats are also recommended for Pugs and other breeds with health concerns such as allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, and diabetes. In addition to the design and size that are perfect for the snouts of your Pug, the treats are freeze-dried raw to maintain the texture, aroma, and freshness of every piece. Low in calories and fat and high in calcium, these treats are great options for dogs with allergies, GI issues, weight problems, and diabetes. Wellness Training Rewards Wellness never fails to do an amazing job with its treats and kibble. Everything is also preserved with vitamins and made in the USA. Wellness Training Rewards come in the form of small square training treats that you can break in half. It makes these treats perfect for training sessions that involve numerous action rewards such as working on commands or heeling. You can also give your Pug one square treat as a reward for one-time actions such as house training. There are several delicious treats you can choose from including lamb and salmon, chicken and lamb, beef and turkey, and turkey and duck. Every piece only contains 3 calories and is available in various flavors that most dogs love. These include chicken, rabbit, duck, salmon, peanut butter, and oats. A vitamin and citrus blend is also used as a natural preservative. The treats come in small bits, which means you can use them depending on how you deem fit while training. These are also safe and soft enough for both puppies and seniors. These are absolutely one of the 10 best treats for pugs must haves. Best Treats for Pug Puppies Now that you know the 10 best treats for Pugs, here are some of your options for the best treats for Pug puppies. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft-Moist Training Treats These soft moist training treats from Blue Buffalo are very tempting that even the unruliest pup will surely behave before you even know it. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits use real beef as its first ingredient. The treats offer Pug puppies the real nutrition they need. The treats also contain DHA which can encourage the healthier brain development of your pup. However, although the treats are great snacks for dogs, they contain some cane sugar. It means you need to limit the amount that you give to your pup. But of course, these still work perfectly as special occasion treats. The product is also free from corn, wheat, and soy. These are also enriched with omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids just like other Blue Buffalo treats. Old Mother Hubbard Wellness Puppy Biscuits One of the biggest benefits of dry treats is that they can clean the teeth of your Pug puppies. Old Mother Hubbard treats contain chicken protein. These are small but extremely crunchy biscuits that all puppies will love. Aside from chicken, these treats also contain apples, oatmeal, carrots, and a selection of added vitamins and minerals that can support the optimal growth of your puppy. Be sure to have some of these treats handy every time you play and interact with your pup to reward good behavior and manners. One of the best things about these treats from the Pupford brand is the fact that they are very healthy. These treats are made from simple freeze-dried beef liver, making them a great source of protein for canines. These treats are free of fillers and sugar. These snacks for puppies also have low-calorie content, with each treat only containing one calorie. Nutrient-rich and tasty treats that are low in calories like these are ideal for training, specifically for breeds such as Pugs that are at risk of weight issues. Dogs are known to be big fans of lamb and its taste. Salmon is also a great addition to the already rich flavor of these treats. Puppies love chewy treats, and these soft puppy bites are great options for them. These treats are made up of all-natural ingredients. Aside from pure salmon and lamb, they also contain other healthy ingredients like blueberries and sweet potatoes. Antioxidants are also added to further enrich these puppy treats. Fruits and Vegetables as Treats for Pugs Pugs are among the small dog breeds that are prone to weight gain because of their short snouts and legs which make exercise less appealing and tougher for them. Excess fat in their diet may worsen their breathing problems and even shorten their lifespan. The extra weight can also put additional stress on their tiny backs, legs and hearts. To prevent weight gain, it is important to take your Pug on regular walks and avoid overfeeding. One of the easiest ways to train and treat your Pugs without putting their health at risk is by using fruits and vegetables as treats. Listed below are some of your best options. Just make sure to consult with your vet first before you let your Pug munch on these treats: Apples.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. To keep up with all these changes, your puppy will require a healthy diet. It can mean the difference between a happy, active, and healthy puppy and a sickly, moody puppy with a slow growth rate. When choosing food for your puppy, ensure that it contains the main ingredients: fats, proteins, and digestible carbohydrates. It should also contain essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Puppies need protein for building up their body tissue and for healthy skin and coat. You should always look for high-quality proteins from an animal source e. Fish oil, beef fat, chicken fat and eggs are all great sources of fats. These nutrients can be found in sweet potatoes, whole oats, white rice, and potatoes, among other starchy foods. However, be sure to limit the intake of calcium. Too much of it has been found to cause hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs. A German Shepherd puppy should consume between calories per 10 pounds of body weight according to the Nutrient Requirements of Cats and Dogs of the National Academy of Science Committee. This, however, also depends on their overall health conditions and activity level. You may need to feed them more or less to support their optimal growth. Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading.

Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states. For the complete list please see our Listings of Boxer Breeders page. Boxer breeders can be found throughout Pennsylvania but prices fluctuate based on location within the state. The bigger brand-name dog kennels tend to charge more than small hobby breeder kennels. However, the latter is more likely to have less experience and may not yet know proper breeding practices. Prices vary depending on location within the state because there are pockets with lower demand and pockets with a higher demand for boxers. Bigger cities tend to have more financial competition from other breeders so sometimes prices can be lower in nearby rural areas. Please note that the average price does not include breeding rights included with the purchase of the boxer puppy which varies based on location within Pennsylvania. The best way to find one is through our list of breeders on this page. Another way is to ask for recommendations from friends or family members that have purchased a Boxer puppy in Pennsylvania before. If you are having trouble finding a responsible breeder please reach out to us. Visit Your Pennsylvania Boxer Breeder in Person It is always best to visit your boxer breeder in person before deciding on purchasing a puppy. This way you can see the conditions that the puppies are living in. If possible, try to check out more than one litter before committing to buying a puppy. Do they look happy and healthy? Are their cages clean? Do they have any health issues? By visiting the breeder in person you can also see the temperament of the adult dogs. Visiting your potential breeder in person is one of the most important steps of selecting your puppy. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Pennsylvania Be sure to ask for references from the breeder as well as talking to other owners that have purchased a Boxer puppy from them. This can be anyone from past or current customers as long as they are satisfied with their purchase. References will be able to give you a better idea of the level of service and care that your breeder provides. They can also tell you if they were happy with their boxer and if a boxer might be the right breed for you. Meet some of their past Boxer customers in person so you can ask questions. It will give you insight into their customer support after the sale should something unforeseen come up with your pup. You should be able to find out if your breeder uses a Veterinarian for their dogs and also where you can take your puppy for his check-ups. Reputable breeders will always have their own vet they use and recommend. A reputable breeder will also provide ongoing care, recommendations and support long-term on an ongoing basis to their customers for the life of the dog. Be sure to visit the veterinarian within 48 hours of bringing your new boxer home. Make sure all necessary paperwork is provided along with the puppy, including AKC registration papers. Also, be sure your Boxer Puppy is at least 8 weeks old before taking him home so he can have all his vaccinations and get settled in. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy Finally, you want to make sure your home is ready for the addition of a new Boxer Puppy in Pennsylvania after they are old enough to be taken from their mother. Be sure that they have a secure area where they can get away from children if needed, and they can still see everything going on around them. Introduce him slowly to everyone in your family, not all at once or he will become overwhelmed. How to Cope with Boxer Bites And Scratched up Furniture Boxers are very smart and loving dogs but can be aggressive at times because of their strong personalities. You should also invest in chew toys like Kongs that they can chew on without destroying your shoes, couches and other things around the house. A great alternative to having them always on a leash is getting a dog crate, putting it in the living room and letting them sleep there at night. Lastly, sit down with your children and teach them how they need to behave around their new family member. As long as you ask the right questions and remember those above points it should be easy enough to find yourself a well-bred boxer puppy. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Boxer puppies for sale Erie, Pennsylvania Boxer puppies for sale Erie, Pennsylvania Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Erie Pennsylvania? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Erie for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. Wiki Erie Drop us a line! We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.

All dogs are spayed or neutered. Read each bio very carefully, as not every rescue Frenchie is suited to every home. Our adoption fees offset only a portion of the veterinary expenses for the dogs in FBRN. As these costs rise we have had to increase the adoption fees as one measure to try to keep up with expenses. Our Available Dogs page is updated weekly, so check back often! We are currently reviewing the applications that the dog has already received. Please do not attempt to apply for a dog with a Pending Adoption banner. Your application will not be processed without the fee. If you experience any problems completing the application or you do not receive an auto confirmation for your application, please contact FBRN at [email protected] Thank you. Fees have recently risen. You may see some dogs of the same age have different fees. We elected not to raise the fees on dogs that were posted before the increase. Our fees can be found on the Adoption Info page. Any communication will come through email. Please never share any personal information with anyone who indicates they are a volunteer unless it is coming through the correct channels. If you have received a FB messenger message, please send it to [email protected] so we are aware. In the meantime, check out our Foster Page to see if we might be a good match! Read more about the pups that are currently up for adoption. Read More… Foster Dogs FBRN is being faced with an increasing number of dogs who are ill, handicapped, or need expensive veterinary care before being placed. Meet our Foster Frenchies and please consider sponsoring one of them to ensure that they receive the care that they need. Read More… Surrender a Dog Life has thrown you a curve ball and you must surrender your French Bulldog… we are here to help! Read More… Volunteer We welcome you to join us in our efforts to rehabilitate and rehome needy French Bulldogs. We have many options for you to choose from, depending on your circumstances, time and resources. Our organization is composed solely of volunteers who nurture and foster these dogs as well as provide education and training. Our goal is to place healthy and happy French Bulldogs into forever homes. Read More… Contact Us Learn about the many ways that you can get in touch with us. He has a Staffie sister, Lettie, who he adores and who has taught him so much with her gentle patience. He has doggie friends at daycamp he sees once a week. He is the best snuggler ever! He used to be a resource guarder, but will now bring you his toys for a treat! He loves our daily walks and meeting people. Thank you FBRN for picking us to be his family- we love him so much! Despite being mostly blind and deaf, Ham is thriving in his golden years, especially with his folks now working from home. Thank you FBRN for our goodest good boy! We are so grateful for every day with him. She had cherry eye surgery in March right before Covid quarantine and the surgery was a success. A gigantic thank you to FBRN for allowing me to adopt this perfect little nugget. All Rights Reserved. A c 3 Non-Profit Organization. Tax ID: .Powered by Geeks4Rent. Share A Story! Read our full affiliate disclosure. They are easily one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the country. In New Jersey, they are a favorite among people looking for pets to complete their homes. One of the best places to get this dog breed is from rescues in New Jersey. They offer french bulldogs for adoption at a very affordable price, and most of the time, you get fully grown and fully rehabilitated dogs. You do not have to worry about further training and, in some cases, medical care. However, finding rescues with french bulldogs in New Jersey can be difficult, so we have curated a list of some of the best places to start your search. These are rescues that are either bulldog specific or have french bulldogs for adoption. We will also include the contact information of these rescues and their adoption processes. This guide is meant to provide you with all you need to get a french bulldog in New Jersey. They are not arranged in any particular order, but they are some of the most likely places to get a french bulldogs. They provide french bulldog rescue and adoption services across the entire country. Their mission is to find and rehabilitate french bulldogs that have been abandoned for one reason or the other. When they feel the dogs are ready again, they put them up for adoption in the hope of finding new forever homes. They do not discriminate, and they take in any dog irrespective of health or behavioral issues. They believe that every french bulldog deserves a chance at happiness. This rescue understands that french bulldogs are not ideal for everyone, so they ensure that each dog is placed in the best possible home. They have also taken it upon themselves to create awareness about french bulldogs and the proper way to treat them. The first thing to do is ensure that the french bulldog you want is a good fit for you. Do not be fooled by the pictures because a lot can be hidden. While choosing a dog, ensure that the dog you want is available for adoption. Once you have chosen a bulldog, complete the online application form through the link provided in the profile of the specific dog you want. This step is very important because you might not get the dog you want if you do not follow it. During the application process, try and provide all the necessary information. How many people are in your household? Do you have any regular visitors that the dog might have to get used to? You should include all the other pets and animals that stay with you. This is necessary because some french bulldogs do not do well with other animals. The more detailed your application is, the easier it would be to process. You cannot submit one application for multiple dogs. Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by the adoption board. They will also crosscheck the veterinary and personal references you provided. This is followed by a phone interview and a visit to your home. The report gotten from these interviews will be compiled and sent to the board together with your application. It is the board that will make the final decision. If your application is successful, the rescue will notify you, and once you have signed the necessary papers and paid the adoption fee, you will have your dog ready for pick up. They have a strict no-shipping policy, so you have to pick up your pet within two weeks of completing all the paperwork. The entire adoption process should take about a month to six weeks. Rescue and Adoption Details.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Texas Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Texas? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Texas? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. We have compiled some of the best breeders in Texas to make the process easier for you. After thorough research, we can ensure that all these golden retriever breeders in Texas are verified, reliable, and strictly adhere to American Kennel Club AKC and US Department of Agriculture guidelines. Weatherby Goldens They are owned and operated by two retired U. Coast Guard officers. Their dogs are imported from Europe and belong to champion bloodlines. Weatherby Goldens breeding facility is spread across 15 acres of land, wherein their dogs and puppies can play and run all day. One of the best features of their property is an old 6-car garage that they have converted into temperature-controlled homes with plenty of room for dogs and pups to run and play. Their dogs are healthy and well-exercised. They have received their vaccinations on time, have been dewormed and declawed, and have been Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA -cleared for elbows, eyes, and heart. Their puppies are raised with love and attention and are socialized from birth within their 3-acre wooded property in Bulverde. All pups go to their forever homes with a thorough month puppy guarantee that covers congenital or hereditary defects, severe hip and joint issues, and other life-threatening and altering conditions. They have a strict sanitization policy to eliminate germs, and all pups are examined by a veterinarian before they go to their forever homes. Each puppy undergoes deworming, vaccination, Early Neurological Stimulation, tactile and noise desensitization, potty training and kennel training, area training, and microchip insertion. Address: The Colony, TX Splendor Goldens This breeder is a boutique breeder whose dogs prove to be perfect indoor and outdoor pets. Their pups run and play with their four children and accompany the breeder as the ideal hunting , ranching , and camping partners. Their English Creams belong to champion bloodlines of potent European pedigrees. These pups are well-socialized from birth to become the perfect family pets. All pups are thoroughly checked by certified and experienced veterinarians, dewormed, declawed, and vaccinated. Their pups and parent dogs are genetically sound, screened for hip and elbow dysplasia through OFA, for cataracts by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and heart defects. They are proud breeders of puppies that have competed and won in ring shows, obedience, and hunting competitions. Their puppies are well-socialized and raised with a lot of love and care. As soon as the weaning process begins, the puppies are moved to a large playpen in the living room. They are exposed to ambient noise, such as children playing, television, music, kitchen noises, and the like, to make it easier to adjust to their new homes.

TOP "We love Luna and she's been great!!! She has definitely gotten comfortable and driving our other dogs crazy, LOL! We adore her! She has the greatest temperament!!! She's perfect! We cannot thank you enough! Just wanted to send a few pictures of Macky! He's growing like a weed! We joke that all he knows how to do is eat and snuggle. Obsessed with him! He is an exceptional puppy with a sweetness and sensibility that everyone comments on who meets him. We couldn't be happier with this sweet boy. He was the missing piece to our home. We are considering getting another puppy from you. Whatever you are doing, as breeders, is 'kosher' as far as we are concerned, and I trust you and your opinions. Again, I cannot say thank you enough for our wonderful Royal, and all the work you did in his first weeks, to encourage him to be the best he could be. I want to thank your children for their input also. He practically gets hypnotized when we roll him onto his back and rub him all over his belly, paws, and tail, and he absolutely loves when little kids come over to play. You can tell he had a very good experience with your kids, and passes that love on to other kids. Thanks again, Katie! A huge lover and snuggler. We can't get enough of how sweet she is! She is doing so well! She just graduated from the beginner's obedience training this past week! The Golden Shepherd tends to be a friendly, energetic, and affectionate dog that is loyal to their family and tends to be protective of them. Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, and more. A Golden Shepherd tends to bring the all-around friendly personality of the Golden Retriever and the intelligence and devotion of the German Shepherd into one dog. They love their families and tend to get along with everyone including children. These dogs are not necessarily suspicious of strangers, but they are alert and will tend to bark if they see something they feel you need to know about. Golden Shepherds are moderately adaptable dogs. Because they are high-energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. They can adapt to apartment living as long as plenty of time is dedicated to giving them the daily exercise they need. They tend to do well in most climates. But, as with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Because Golden Shepherds are devoted to their families and thrive on spending time with them, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. A mixed-breed dog can inherit the potential health issues common to one, both, or neither of their parent breeds. As a larger, barrel-chested dog breed, the Golden Shepherd, like their parent breeds, is also at a higher risk for bloat. The Golden Shepherd is a highly trainable dog breed. They are intelligent, eager to please, and pick up on things quickly. This makes them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. Puppy training classes can still be a great idea because they offer opportunities to socialize a puppy while also strengthening your bond with them. The Golden Shepherd will have a thick double-coat that sheds moderately year-round and more heavily twice a year as seasons change. A quick daily brushing, especially during seasonal shedding sessions, will help remove loose fur to make your dog more comfortable and also help keep more fur contained to a brush instead of everywhere else. Bathing is on an occasional, as-needed basis. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long or causing issues. Plus, if anything is starting to happen, you can get the vet before it gets more serious. Because many dog owners overlook this, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal. The Golden Shepherd comes from two high-energy dogs, so they require a lot of daily exercise to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime and time to run are the minimum. But, a Golden Shepherd will likely be up for more activity if you are. A trip to the dog park for some off-leash time, playing frisbee or chasing a ball, hiking, swimming, running, and more can all help this dog expend some extra energy. You want to keep their activity low-impact as they are still growing, but once they finish growing, try different activities to see what you both love doing together. You could even try training them for dog sports! A fully-grown Golden Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. A Golden Shepherd generally lives for years. Currently, we do not have any Golden Shepherd puppies available, but we can alert you when new Golden Shepherd puppies are available! Just enter your email address and click submit! Please enter a valid email address! Related Breeds.

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Are you planning to expand your family with a little or not so little Dood? However, not all breeders are cut from the same cloth. Of course, there are many great breeders who follow ethical breeding standards. But then there are Doodle scammers and puppy mills , both of which you should avoid at all costs. Extensive health testing is necessary to screen the potential parents for any hereditary conditions, which can often be carried onto the puppies. Likewise, check if a breeder offers a health guarantee for their litters. Reputable Goldendoodle breeders in Michigan should provide at least a two-year health guarantee, which usually covers any life altering genetic conditions. These organizations uphold breeders to the highest health testing standards and ethical breeding practices. However, many of them are recommended breeders by Gooddog. Previous clients often leave their personal experiences on Facebook groups, Reddit, Yelp, or other breed-specific online communities and forums such as the breeder review page here at Doodle Doods. All of their pups live in their home as their own pets. Pups are well socialized and receive all the love and care they need to become healthy and well-rounded dogs. Jubilee Labradoodles provide pups plenty of opportunities for playtime, swimming, walkies on and off leash. In addition to that, puppies are familiar with and desensitized to common household noises and sights. What Makes This Breeder Unique? They follow strict genetic health testing for both their Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, so you can rest assured that your puppy comes from a healthy lineage. Jubilee Labradoodles is also a recommended breeder by Goldendoodles. Puppies go home with microchips, dewormings, and age appropriate vaccinations. It makes an excellent family pet and companion and is sure to add joy and happiness to your world. If you reside in the state of Michigan getting a Goldendoodle might be a little tricky. This is because not a lot of reputable breeders reside in the Great Lake State of Michigan. It is recommended that you avoid puppy mills, and backyard breeders and only patronize reputable breeders that produce top-quality, healthy Goldendoodle puppies. In this article, we highlight some of the most reputable Goldendoodle breeders in Michigan where you can get Goldendoodles that are healthy and come with pedigrees and health certificates to show it. We do this because we care about the Goldendoodle hybrid and would want you to get the best of the best. They are mainly focused on standard, medium, and mini multi-gen and F1b Goldendoodles of various colors. In addition to their breeding services, they also offer grooming, boarding, and training services. All their dogs are raised in a cool, family-centered, spacious, and large environment so each Goldendoodle pup can run and play to their satisfaction. Their kennels are state of the art, they are kept clean and temperature regulated to ensure that each puppy is comfortable. Every Goldendoodle pup is well socialized, as they get to interact with different people as well as with other pets. They get introduced to various stimulating experiences, textures, and sounds to help them better adjust to their new environment and families. Windmere Kennels has been able to establish a well-thought-out line filled with AKC-championed dogs with perfect, impressive pedigrees. Their parent breeding dogs are health-screened for major genetic health defects and they each have their hips, elbows, and hearts checked by the OFA. They undergo a yearly eye test to be sure they are free from eye defects too. Each Goldendoodle pup is well-checked by a vet, comes with a health guarantee, has its deworming and vaccination records updated, is microchipped, and has its dew claws removed. Windmere Kennels Contact Details. This home breeder produces English Teddy Bear Mini and Toy Goldendoodle puppies that are hand-raised and socialized within the family home. Choosing Goldendoodle Puppy Breeders In Michigan Before you start your search for a Goldendoodle puppy to welcome into your life, there are a few things to know about choosing a puppy breeder. Avoid Puppy Mills! Buyer Beware! A good friend of mine recently fell victim to a puppy mill that was advertising their pups on the internet. When she told me how much the breeder wanted for the puppies, I was surprised. The price seemed remarkably cheap for Goldendoodles! My puppy mill radar was immediately activated! The more I heard about this breeder, the more worried I became for my friend. So, I got busy on the net, looking for reviews and taking a closer look at their website. It turned out the seller was using puppy photos that appeared elsewhere on the web on multiple websites! Further digging revealed some dreadful reviews left by people who had visited the kennels and were horrified by the conditions they found there. So, my fingers are crossed for her and her gorgeous furbaby. Breeder Reputation A well-established breeder who has been operating for many years will have a good reputation. Ask local kennels, vets, and dog trainers for their recommendations. All the dogs should be in good condition, friendly, and happy. Check out these posts:. We take pride in raising these beautiful dogs and specialize in offering dogs with wonderful temperaments and excel to be great family dogs! We have been a well recognized and reputable dog breeder in Michigan for over 10 years! Starting out with one Labradoodle, we fell in love with the breed and have since then also branched off to breed Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles. Doodles are smart and loyal, affectionate, very entertaining to watch, and not to mention beautiful! Our dogs are members of our family and with the help of local families through our guardianship program we have been able to expand our breeding program further and share the doodle love with others! We make sure that every single one of our dogs is treated as a family member and not kept in a kennel, in our opinion that is no way a dog should live. Our dogs heath, happiness, and well being comes first, and breeding these wonderful animals come second to us. We make sure that all of our doodles complete and pass health testing before they are bred and receive high quality food along with lots of daily love and attention. We now primary breed Goldendoodles but occasionally do have a litter of Labradoodles or Bernedoodles. We also offer stud services to outside breeders. We currently breed, Standard, Medium, Mini size doodles. Here at Dreaming Doodles we do our best to provide you with as much information as possible about your new puppy. Please keep in mind that predicted adult weights are just that, predictions. We estimate the adult weight based on size of the parents, and grandparents of the mother and sire as well as previous litters. Even with that information sometimes we have puppies that exceed or fall under our predictions. Most of our puppies have curly or wavy coats. Coats are usually able to be fully determined before the puppy goes home. If you have allergies we recommend that you do a t-shirt or blanket test before bringing your puppy home. If you suffer from allergies please also keep in mind that all puppies no matter what breed they are will shed their puppy coat out usually between 6 and 18 months of age.

With their pointy bat ears, Frenchies are adorable miniature bulldogs with extremely flat muzzles. They can benefit from the right growth formula to provide immune system support and skin health, and aid with digestion to help cut down on their not-so-adorable gas during puppyhood. Royal Canin French Bulldog dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your pure breed French Bulldog puppy. This exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your French Bulldog puppy, with the specific nutrients to help them thrive. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system to keep their bodies growing strong. Exclusive nutrients reinforce the skin barrier for healthy skin. And a combination of highly digestible proteins, precise fiber content, and high-quality carbohydrate sources supports healthy digestion to help decrease flatulence and unpleasant stool odors. Once your French Bulldog puppy is over 12 months old, transition them to Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult dry dog food for precise nutrition into their adult years. Read more Promoting pet health and wellbeing Creating value for our entire ecosystem Committed to become certified carbon neutral by Cookie Settings.

A friendly dog by nature, it strives for human attention and likes to remain close to its family members. It is patient with children and does well with other pets too. However, its athletic and exuberant disposition calls for careful observation when around younger children, otherwise they could be knocked over and get hurt. This sociable and pack-oriented pet is always happy to help its owner in family activities. Like its Weimaraner parent, it suffers from separation anxiety when left alone for hours. Although it does not bark at everything, it will certainly alert its owner about the presence of an intruder. This makes it suitable for watching and guarding activities. Care Exercise Being highly energetic and lively, labmaraners need plenty of daily activities to burn off their energy. Thus, homes with enough room to play and run are suitable for raising these dogs. They should be taken out for walks every day, which does not mean strolling around the neighborhood will satisfy their exercise requirements. To be fit, they need vigorous activities like hiking, running, and playing. Since these obedient dogs like to stay close to their owners, they do not always have to be taken out on leashes. Grooming The short and smooth-haired labmaraner does not require extensive maintenance. Combing once in every alternate week keeps its coat glossy. While bathing your pet with mild soap is recommended only when needed, occasional dry shampooing prevents the accumulation of dirt. Health Problems Like most crossbreeds , it is also prone to hereditary health issues. It may inherit some health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion, obesity, and bloating from its parent breeds. Also, check for some general dog health concerns including diarrhea, worms, fleas, and ear infections. Training Even though training them is easy, their occasional stubbornness is something that inexperienced owners might find difficult to manage. Employ a firm and assertive training method, but do not be harsh in your approach. Make the puppies familiar to their cage or crate so that they accept it as their safe dwelling place. Start socialization and obedience training early to prevent them from becoming over-dependent. This will also restrain some of their destructive behaviors like chewing small household items and digging holes in the yards. Feeding Your labmaraner dog needs a nutritious diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support its high activity levels. Instead of providing one or two heavy meals, you should divide it through the day. Interesting Facts These are multitalented dogs and could be used for retrieving, jogging, agility, and performing tricks. They are good swimmers and do not shy away from the water. The breed was a great success. Labrador retrievers are considered among the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds. This is why they are often used as working dogs. Labs are also naturally playful and affectionate. They love their people, and they are friendly with strangers and other animals. This makes them great family pets but terrible guard dogs. This is why they are usually rated among the top three dog breeds in most countries. The main complaint that people have about a Lab is that it has a high-shedding coat , which can be difficult to manage. Yes, we have Labs at home and I assume we eat our fair share of dog fur throughout the year, especially during the high shedding seasons. Meanwhile, Weimaraners are large dogs that were bred in Germany for hunting in the early 19th century. They are large enough to use when hunting animals such as boars, bears, and deer and were favored by royalty when hunting was still a popular aristocratic pastime. The history of the Weimaraner Lab mix is less well known, but it most likely originated in the s when many of the Lab mixes emerged. While breeders agree the mix results in an excellent dog, Weimaraner Labs are still relatively rare due to their large size and high-shedding coats unlike many other Lab mixes. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Appearance Both parent breeds are medium-to-large dogs, so you can expect the same from their mixed offspring. Weimaraners are fairly large dogs typically measuring 22 to 28 inches in height. They have athletic bodies, so they typically only weigh between 55 and 88 pounds. Labs are a bit smaller, measuring 21 to 22 inches, but they can weigh between 55 and 80 pounds with their sturdier frame. A Weimador will usually measure between 21 and 24 inches and can weigh anywhere from 60 to pounds depending on whether they get the athletic figure of the Weimaraner or the stockier build of the Lab. They usually have the barrel-chested appearance of the Weimaraner but with a bit more heavy muscle on their frame. Labs have high-shedding double coats that are quite long and can be black, chocolate, or yellow. They will have light amber, gray, or blue gray eyes. Their skin under their coat is a pinkish color rather than white or black. While their coat can be short or long and is a single layer, they still tend to shed quite a bit. They do shed, so they need to be brushed regularly to keep their coat under control. While their appearance can vary significantly, as is true with most mixed breeds, you can expect them to have a relatively long and square muzzle with long ears that flop down. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Temperament Labrador retrievers are among the most intelligent and naturally friendly dogs, which is why they are popular for mixed breeds. Weimaraners are intelligent, but not on the same level as a lab, so mixing them with a lab improves their intelligence and trainability. Weimaraners also have a very strong prey drive. The trainability that the Lab brings to the Weimador mix is important for teaching your dog what not to do and controlling their natural instincts. Weimaraner Labrador mixes need to be properly socialized from a young age to learn appropriate behavior. However, due to their large size, they should always be supervised when around smaller children. Labradors are very social animals that love being around their people all the time. Weimaraners take this to the next level! They are not independent and prefer to be glued to the side of their person. As a result, you can expect their mixed breed offspring might be a little needy. While their large size means they need outdoor space, they also need to be allowed inside the family home to be close to you. This unique mixed breed can develop fairly severe separation anxiety if they are left on their own for extended periods of time on a regular basis. You can expect whining, digging, and destructive behavior as a response. These dogs do best with families when there is usually someone around the house or when they can accompany someone to work. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Energy Levels Both Labrador retrievers and Weimaraners are high-energy dogs, so you can expect their mixed breed offspring to be a big ball of energy. They should have plenty of outdoor space available to blow off steam whenever needed. Just make sure your yard is well-fenced! Their prey drive can see them overcome some pretty impressive obstacles to catch smaller animals. A Weimaraner Lab mix needs at least an hour of exercise a day, preferably broken into two or three sessions. These should be active sessions that include running and games such as fetch and pull. They will enjoy accompanying the family on outdoor activities such as hikes and swims. Both their parent breeds love the water, and the Weimaraner even has webbed feet that it may pass on to its offspring. When they are at home, these dogs need quite a bit of mental stimulation. Interactive puzzles and toys that release treats are a good choice for them. A slow feeder is also a good investment as they tend to gobble down their food. This will stimulate them and improve their digestion. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Health Care Weimaraners are actually considered among the healthiest purebred dogs, and this is something their mixed breed offspring benefit from. They have a good lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which is about average for a dog of this size. Smaller dogs tend to live for longer. Unlike many large dog breeds, hip and elbow dysplasia rates are low in Weimaraners and their mixed offspring, too. It is still worth being careful about this due to the prevalence of the condition in Labs. One of the best things you can do is not over exercise them as a puppy, as this can exacerbate the problem. They should only have five minutes of exercise per month of life until they work up to an hour a day at the age of one. Eye conditions are a common problem for both parent breeds and can show up in their puppies. They probably will develop some kind of sight loss as they enter their senior years. Another problem for Weimanders is bloat or gastric torsion. This is when the stomach twists itself, pinching off blood vessels and blocking the route of food traveling in and out. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to death fairly swiftly. Constipation and a swollen stomach are among the first symptoms. This can be avoided by feeding them smaller meals more often and avoiding rigorous exercise for an hour before eating, as well as for about an hour after eating. However, they do sometimes show up in shelters. Their neediness means they often prove to be too much for unprepared owners and therefore might find themselves in need of a new home. There are a few breed-specific rescues where you might be more likely to find these dogs. Labrador Weimaraner mixes have a friendly and playful personality and are full of energy. They are quite clingy and love to be around their people all the time. They will want to join you on hikes and in bed, and they can develop anxiety if left alone too much. Is a Weimaraner a good family dog? Weimaraners love their families and will thrive in an active family that has lots of time to spend with them! While they love children, it can be difficult to socialize them to live alongside smaller animals, such as cats, due to their high prey drive. Do Weimaraners like to cuddle? Yes, a Weimaraner will love to get up on the couch with you for a cuddle. They are also fans of standing hugs and will probably greet you with one every time you walk through the door. Weimaraner Lab mix dogs are friendly and playful dogs that are fun to be around, but they are also a pretty big commitment! Their size and energy levels mean you need a pretty big space for them and have to commit to regular exercise. They also need good training structure to keep their prey drive under control. These dogs can only be described as clingy, and they will want to be around you all the time. They will not cope well if left alone at home for hours at a time while everyone is out and about. They are ideal for someone who wants constant canine companionship. Labmaraners are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Labrador Retriever or Weimaraner parents. The most common Labmaraner colors are brown, yellow, black, and grey. In general, the Labmaraner is a pretty adaptable dog when it comes to climate. Just make sure to provide a dog coat if the weather gets too frosty, and seek out shade and fresh water during the hotter months. Labmaraner dogs and children are a great fit for each other. The mixed breed is friendly, gentle, and playful and will love to frolic with the kids. Just be sure to supervise play sessions. When it comes to walks and play sessions, aim for a minimum of an hour every day. The Labrador Retriever originates from Canada, where they were first bred for hunting and retrieving tasks before becoming renowned as guide dogs. These days, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the United States—a feat likely helped by their gentle and loving nature. The Weimaraner was also originally bred as a hunting dog, but in Germany. The breed is sometimes affectionately called the grey ghost due to their unique color! The Labmaraner has become known as a designer dog breed, but many of them unfortunately end up in shelters. Labmaraner Size The Labmaraner is usually described as a large-sized dog. Although, as is always the case with newer mixed dog breeds, exact size standards might vary. Most weigh in at 60 to pounds and range in height from 21 to 24 inches. Female Labmaraners might be ever so slightly smaller than their male counterparts. They are smart dogs who also take well to training; although, some Labmaraners might prove a little stubborn at first. Persistent and proper training is key. A big family is a plus when considering a Labmaraner—not least because they crave attention and do best when around people. Kids, especially, are a great fit with the breed. Like most large dogs, the Labmaraner will require a lot of exercise. This is not a dog that will prosper being cooped up all day, and destructive behavior might even occur if they are left alone in an apartment. Labmaraner Health Labmaraners are generally considered to be healthy dogs—although the breed can be predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Labrador Retriever and Weimaraner face. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. It cannot be stressed enough that the Labmaraner needs a lot of exercise. Aim for 60 minutes of walk and play time every single day. If possible, bring the dog along on hikes and runs. As with any active dog, be sure to check their nails and paw pads for any signs of damage that might have been inflicted while outside. Ears will also need to be maintained and checked for infections or parasites—ask your vet about tell tale signs of a possible infection. Labmaraner Feeding An ideal Labmaraner diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. Baths should not need to be given too frequently—unless a particularly messy outdoor play session has taken place! The breed is friendly, gentle and playful and will love to frolic with the kids. The Labmaraner is usually tolerant of any resident household pets. Just be sure to monitor early interactions and set boundaries if need be, especially if the dog starts to show any of their hunting heritage traits. Ultimately, early socialization pays off. Make sure to reward your Labmaraner for good behavior and adhere to a proper training regimen when you bring them home to your family. Labmaraner Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Labmaraners because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Labrador Retriever or Weimaraner breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Lifespan Sociability Labmaraners are extremely cute puppies, so you might find it hard to visit a litter without coming home with a puppy or two. This breed is extremely energetic and intelligent, so they need a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. Digging up your backyard, starting up an endless volley of barking, or chewing the leg of your coffee table are just a few ways that these dogs might choose to entertain themselves! Before taking on the responsibility of a Labmaraner puppy who will grow up to be a large and powerful dog, make sure you can provide what they need. They come in a range of coat colors While the Weimaraner is famous for its grey coat, there are three colors accepted within the breed standard. These are blue, gray, and silver gray. Labradors also come in three accepted colors: chocolate, black, and yellow. Both breeds can have small white markings on the chest. They combine the best bits of both parent breeds As with many hybrid breeds, the Labmaraner combines some of the best aspects of both parent breeds. The Labrador is well-known for its loyalty, friendliness, and intelligence. The Weimaraner is prized for its bravery, energy, and bravery. One puppy in a litter might resemble their Labrador Retriever parent in temperament but look more like a Weimaraner, another puppy might be the exact opposite, while another is a perfect mixture of the two breeds. They have no trouble picking up new commands and will enjoy nothing more than a rewarding training session with their owners. Are These Dogs Good for Families? The Labmaraner can soak up as much exercise as you can throw at them, so if someone wants to take them on a run in the morning and another family is heading out to the lake and thinks that your dog might like a swimming session, the answer is always going to be yes! Keep the first few introductions short, and make sure each dog has a separate part of the house where they can retreat to if they want space. Regarding cats and other small pets, Labmaraners can be trained to accept these with a minimum of fuss. As a hunting breed, the Weimaraner does have a high prey drive, and your puppy may inherit this trait. Image: Gualberto Becerra, Shutterstock Things to Know When Owning a Labmaraner Becoming the proud owner of a Labmaraner is going to require a significant investment of time, energy, and money! So, before you make up your mind, here are a few more things to consider. While they might be an active breed, they certainly do love to eat! Whether you choose to feed your dog just wet food, wet food and kibble, just kibble, or a raw food diet will depend on both your preferences and those of your dog. Once fully fit, these active dogs will happily take as much exercise as you can give them. But if you wanted to go out for a day hike and take your pup, then they will easily cope with that and still have energy at the end of the day. They need to run to work off steam, so make sure they can indulge in plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs. Dock diving, games of fetch, fly ball and agility are all excellent activities that a Labmaraner will love. If your dog has excellent recall and a relatively low prey drive, then you should be okay to let them off-leash when out and about. The best method with this smart breed is to combine both physical and mental activities every day. Having an intelligent dog can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be frustrating when they teach themselves a new trick, like opening a door that was meant to stay shut or realizing that they can jump on a chair to investigate leftovers on the table. Consistent training methods are best with this breed, so finding yourself a puppy trainer who can help you implement a training program is a great idea. Luckily, they also love food, so positive reinforcement using plenty of treats usually turns even the most stubborn Labmaraner into a willing student. Sometimes this will shed frequently, like a Labrador, and other times, it will be much lower shedding and similar to a Weimaraner. Labmaraners can have quick-growing nails that can become uncomfortable if allowed to grow too long. Minor Conditions. Weimaraner Lab mix puppies Due to their high energy and potentially anxious nature, this is not a breed that will do well with an owner who works full time and is not at home much. They also like a lot of space, so apartment-dwellers might think twice about this breed. That said, Weimaraner Lab mix dogs make fantastic family pets. They are great with kids and adults alike and a social breed happy in multi-dog households. The breed slowly made its way to the Americas, but their popularity exploded after many Weimaraner pups were brought back from Germany after the end of World War II. The Labrador breed are descended from the St. Labradors were favored by wealthy aristocrats in their early days, before becoming one of the most popular breeds in the modern age. Weimaraner Lab Characteristics The Weimaraner Labrador mix will take on the characteristics of its parent breeds — but as with any mix, the results may vary. Looking at the Weimaraner, the height span is inches, with weight between 55 and 90 lbs. The Labrador is a bit smaller, with a height of .You could assume that a Weimaraner Black Lab mix would fall in a similar weight and height class based on these figures. However, in reality they could be at the Lab minimum or Weimaraner maximum. As for appearance, the Labmaraner is a beautiful dog. It has long legs, a glossy coat, and a strong, muscular frame. The Lab Weimaraner mix tends to have a short, single-layered coat. Longer coats are possible, but are rare. Grooming Since Weimaraner and Lab mix dogs have relatively short coats, their grooming requirements are fairly light. Brushing once a week or so should be sufficient. However, Labradors are prolific shedders, and can molt a great deal. Although Weimaraners shed less, their mix could go either way. So be prepared for either eventuality. Weimaraner Lab Mix Temperament Labrador Weimaraner mixes are very active dogs that tend to have a lot of energy. Since both parent breeds are fairly high-energy, you can count on your Labmaraner having an active personality. These dogs tend to be very loyal and loving, as you would expect from the origin breeds. They are great with kids, and generally make excellent family pets. Their friendly temperament means that although they are likely to bark to alert their owners of an intruder — before running over to get their belly rubbed by said intruder. Labs are also often friendly to the point of being quite pushy, a characteristic that you are less likely to see in a Weimaraner. Weimaraner and Labrador Health Any mixed breed dog will be susceptible to inheriting the health issues of the parent breeds. On the Weimaraner side, potential health problems include hypertrophic osteodystrophy a bone disease , spinal dysraphism a spinal deformity that can lead to neurological abnormalities , hyperuricosuria a condition that can lead to bladder and kidney stones , and hypomyelination a condition that can lead to tremors in puppies. For Labradors, health problems typically include eye problems, joint problems, obesity, and cancer. While generally healthy pups, one of the most common issues with Labs include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Labradors may also be prone to obesity and related concerns, including diabetes and arthritis. These factors can typically be controlled by proper feeding habits and regular exercise. The Weimaraner parent should also have good hip scores and have had their eyes checked by a vet. Your pup might be prone to the health issues of either parent, and it may take on more or less of the characteristics of either parent. Socialization and Training Lab Weimaraner mixes are typically happy, social dogs, but they need to be socialized early for best results. The ideal socialization window for young dogs is typically between 8 and 16 weeks of age. This is the period where your pup will be most open to new experiences. And less fearful of larger dogs and unfamiliar humans. Keep in mind that socialization needs to happen with other dogs, and with other people. As for training, Labradors are generally eager to please. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training with treats. Weimaraners are a bit more strong-willed than labradors, which can make training a bit more difficult. Lab Weimaraners should be trained early and often for best results. As they are both sporting dog breeds with the potential for prey drive, recall training from a young age is essential. And thus, the Weimaraner Lab cross is actually rather uncommon. Finding one in a rescue situation will be quite difficult. When choosing a breeder, make sure to do your research. You want to identify a reputable breeder that is knowledgeable and kind to their pups. Ask if the breeder conducted any health testing on the parents, as the results of those tests could sway your decision. Cream, silver, yellow, black, chocolate Suitable for: Active lifestyles, homes with land Temperament: Energetic, loyal, intense, action-oriented So, what exactly happens when you cross these two structurally similar dogs? You get an agile, lean muscular dog that is capable of taking on the world at large. 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. Labmaraner dogs are energetic and loyal animals. Find the right food for your dog, and give them tons of love to keep them happy and healthy. They have fun-loving personalities and make terrific playmates. The Weimaraner is an incredibly intense dog that loves nothing more than a job to do. When you cross the Labrador Retriever and the Weimaraner, you get a very high-energy breed that needs lots of space to run. Their mental and physical stimulation is equally important, as this dog is fiercely intelligent and very active. This breed would fare best in situations with lots of room to run and explore. If you have a lot of acreage or a huge fenced-in area, they can work quite well in your living situation. This breed is a bit hyper, taking a very long time to mature. Because of their overabundance of energy, they work best with people who have a highly active lifestyle. These dogs can be highly affectionate with their owners and family members. But primarily, they are bred for work. However, a well-trained cross can be incredibly devoted, loyal, and faithful to their humans. These dogs do not do well with apartment living. So, if you and your family live somewhere that makes it complicated for outdoor activities, you might want to think about getting another breed. Because of their exuberant energy, these dogs work best for children ages 6 and older. Also, the Weimaraner is known for exhibiting a bit of aggression at times. They have too much intensity for younger children and might knock down or hurt a younger child. Even though a Lab is a super exciting, fun breed, the Weimaraner DNA might throw a wrench in the mix when it comes to being a family pet. However, because of the possibility of same-sex or territorial aggression, you should socialize them as early as possible. They have high chasing instincts. There is some speculation that the silver Labrador is in reality a Weimaraner Lab mix. Weimaraners come in three colors — blue, gray, and silver gray. Labs come in three colors — black , chocolate , and yellow. But, there is a rare color variation of Labradors called silver. Silver Labs are, in essence, chocolate Labs with a diluted color gene. The Weimaranar Lab mix has a short, flat coat and floppy ears. Their muzzle is fairly long and slim, and they are pretty leggy too. Labradors tend to be between .They can weigh from lbs. Weimaraners are just a bit taller and heavier. They can be as tall as 27 inches as an adult; females can be as small as 23 inches. Female Weimaraners weigh between lbs, while males weigh between lbs. A Working Background Labrador Retriever ancestors originally come from Newfoundland, where small water dogs pulled in nets and traps full of fish for their owners. Weimaraners they were bred as big-game dogs, but shifting hunting priorities turned the breed into a sought-after bird dog. Although used for slightly different sporting roles, these dogs were both bred to be involved in retrieving game. To do that they needed to be intelligent, strongly bonded to their handlers and able to work cooperatively with them. Weimaraner Labrador Mix Temperament Temperament in mixed breeds is just like appearance — impossible to predict! But looking at the parent breeds can give us a better idea. Both types of dog bark when necessary, so expect an occasional barker. Also, both breeds are active and need exercise to get their energy out. They are easily trained, but must have some stimulation. Weimaraner Lab mix puppies could be high-spirited, like a Lab, or a great runner with plenty of stamina, like a Weimaraner. Most likely, a mix will be friendly and sweet. Still, you should remember that your Weimaraner and Labrador mix can show traits of either parent. Training and Exercise A Lab Weim mix will respond best to positive reinforcement. Harsh, punishment-based methods can cause distrust and stubbornness when training. Training will offer much-needed mental stimulation, but also a little exercise. They are active, energetic dogs who need to run. Whether this is an energetic game of fetch, swimming, or hiking with you. They will be great candidates for dog sports like agility and rally. Destructive behaviors will be reduced by staying fit and busy. Just be wary of over-exercising when they are young, as this can have a negative impact on the health of their joints when they are older. Labs are generally a healthy breed. But they are genetically prone to obesity, vision problems, and certain types of cancers. They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which are developmental abnormalities in the joints. Large-breed dogs often suffer from these. Weimaraners, too, are a generally healthy breed. But they are also genetically prone to certain conditions, hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, dermoids, corneal dystrophy, and distichiasis entropion. If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, ask to see both parents good hip scores and clear eye tests. When you visit a breeder, take note of the conditions of the dogs. What About Rescue? They are usually cheaper than puppies, and are past the awkward first training stages. So, it could take you a while to find a Weimaraner Lab mix suitable for your home. Make sure to ask plenty of questions to find a rescue dog that will suit your home perfectly. If you can, find out why they were taken to the shelter. Also ask questions about their temperament, including how well socialized they are different types of people, animals, and things.