third generation labradoodle puppies

Looking for an English Bulldog puppy for sale? We have top quality English Bulldog puppies for sale from the best world renowned champion bloodlines. Offering sales and delivery of our puppies nationwide. For those who want the very best. You can trust us for your next family member. Our website has been online since .We are breeders of Bulldogs living to .We are not associated with any other breeders or resellers. All of our puppies are home raised by us from our dogs. If you are looking for a reputable breeder with top quality English Bulldog puppies for sale give us a call to help you find your perfect puppy. Our puppies are very loved and well taken care of and we want this to continue when they go to their new homes. All of our Bulldogs are bred to standard from European champion bloodlines. Buyers can call us anytime for advice and guidance after you bring your puppy home. We offer Personal hand delivery by our courier to most U. Buyers of our puppies are also welcome to fly to our nearest airport we will meet you there and you can take your puppy back home with you as a carry-on. We are approved by all. We are top rated by our puppy buyers on Facebook as well. Quality is not cheap. Our puppies are no exception. If you are price shopping you may be looking at the wrong breeder. We have a lot of time, money and effort in our dogs and their care. We want only the best at Brenglora Bulldogs. Be aware a low priced English Bulldog puppy for sale may have high veterinary costs due to health problems. Bulldogs in general have always been considered expensive compared to other breeds due to high expense of c-section births and around the clock care of newborn puppies. Also newborn Bulldog puppies can have a high mortality rate. As reputable english Bulldog breeders, we are not about the latest fad for making more money. Fads are Mini Bulldogs, non standard colors and eye color not allowed in the Bulldog breed standard. Bulldogs were meant to be as described in the breed standard not to be non standard colors or sizes. Breeding to the breed standard and protecting the Bulldog breed is why we breed Bulldogs. Understanding and using pedigrees of the best Bulldogs available and knowing what those dogs contributed to their offspring is vital to producing the best English Bulldog puppies and avoiding health problems. Carelessly bred English Bulldog puppies for sale are a dime a dozen and are most likely to have health or temperament issues. Do yourself a favor and purchase your English Bulldog puppy only from a qualified breeder not a backyard breeder or pet store. Look for Bulldog breeders that are breeding to improve the breed. These breeders are more likely to be reputable. At Brenglora Bulldogs we take pride in producing top quality English Bulldog puppies for sale to families and individuals wanting a healthy, well bred English Bulldog puppy. We will have new litters born in .Reservations being accepted now. Call us to get information for future puppy availability. Since we are not a mass producer or re-seller we do not have English Bulldog puppies for sale all of the time. The focus at Brenglora Bulldogs is more on quality and health not how many pups we can sell. Reserve your puppy from future litters to get the English Bulldog puppy you have your heart set on. With a reservation you can look at each litter until you find the puppy you fall in love with. We offer standard colors only seen in purebred Bulldogs. We usually have, Red, light fawn, or white. The fawn or darker red are usually combined with white markings. English Bulldog Puppy. Sold English Bulldog Puppies for sale from the more reputable breeders are bred to standard, vet checked, and raised in a loving environment. When it comes time to sell the puppies, the breeder carefully screens potential adopters. At Brenglora Bulldogs we are Bulldog Enthusiasts and follow these practices when planning a litter and selling our puppies. We keep a waiting list for our puppies and want to assure they get the best homes. Our English Bulldogs are all our pets and are treated as family members. The English Bulldog breeder you choose will be the best or worst decision you can make when looking at an English Bulldog puppy for sale. Pick your breeder carefully and as a result, you will be assured of the healthiest English Bulldog puppy having the least amount of issues. When you purchase a puppy from Brenglora Bulldogs, you will have lifetime advice and guidance. As far as breeding healthy Bulldogs goes we have been breeding long enough to know how long our dogs live. We have gotten feedback from puppy buyers over the years and have had many healthy Bulldogs. We breed Bulldogs that are healthy and look like a Bulldog should and have the track record to prove it. We have bred many living to .And most are relatively problem free. We have several generations in our 40 plus years breeding. Our reputation is built on the puppies we have produced with many happy puppy buyers across the U. We offer our English Bulldog puppies for sale nationwide. Check out our English Bulldog puppy videos Contact us to get on our future puppy waiting list or for more information. Nationwide sales and delivery. If you are looking for the cheapest puppy you can find please go elsewhere. The puppies are priced according to quality. You are paying for a top quality puppy and our 40 years experience with the breed. Bulldogs are not an inexpensive breed. Ours are no exception. We are very busy so we appreciate serious inquiries only. We do not have English Bulldog puppies for sale all of the time so you may be on our waiting list for a bit awaiting your English Bulldog puppy. They are well worth the wait. All rights reserved. No part of this website can be copied or transmitted in any form without written permission. Brenglora Bulldogs-Augusta, KS. We sell and deliver puppies Nationwide. Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article.

You've come to the right place. Here, at Premier Pups, our Mini Bernedoodles are happy, healthy, and ready to embark on a life-long journey with their new families. These puppies are raised with love and cared for by the best in the business. We align ourselves only with the best breeders that meet our high standards. All our Mini Bernedoodles come with a year health guarantee that backs up our Premier Promise. Nationwide delivery is available for all out-of-state customers looking to adopt a Mini Bernedoodle. The beautiful Mini Bernedoodles are a blend of fluffy looks and darling personalities. They can be small or medium depending on their generation, but regardless of their size, they are simply adorable. Mini Bernedoodles are designed to be loyal and loving companions for equally loving owners. They thrive in a setting where attention and fun are plentiful. We partner with the best dog breeders in the nation to offer you healthy, happy Mini Bernedoodle puppies. Find your dream Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix puppy today! A few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups. View Our Available Puppies! You should not confuse Mini Bernedoodles with Standard Bernedoodles. Our adorable Mini Bernedoodle are of the F1 variety. All the doodle moms are purebred Genetic Tested Bernese Mountain dog females. Our mini Bernedoodle pups usually end up weighing pounds and around inches tall when full grown. Most Mini bernedoodles live to be around years old. Mini Bernedoodles have become really popular because they shed very little after they shed their puppy coat, they are very hypoallergenic. We have specialized in breeding Mini Bernedoodles as well as a few other breeds for many years. They are a big part of our family and farm. We have also partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. We usually have a good selection of very high quality doodle puppies. So if you live near Orlando Florida and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Bernedoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are a few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups! Questions about Bernedoodle puppies for sale in Orlando FL? We have answers. Give me a an overview of Bernedoodle puppies for sale in Orlando FL. While Poodles are intelligent, clever and lanky, Bernese Mountain Dogs are caring, loving and easily trained. Bernedoodle breeders in Orlando have successfully been able to combine the best traits of both breeds into one super dog, the Bernedoodle. One of the greatest benefits of working with Uptown Puppies is that our network of independently screened and reviewed breeders have Bernedoodles for sale in all sizes, colors and shapes. How do you screen Bernedoodle breeders? We enforce strict standards when it comes to breeder experience, animal care, facility quality and cleanliness which are all extremely important attributes for a breeder to embrace. Why is Uptown Puppies different? Instead of ranking puppy businesses by the amount of money they spend on marketing, we focus on factors like animal treatment, breeder reputation and facility cleanliness! What does the average Bernedoodle cost? Things like rare coat colors, personalities, size and even location can all play a part in the price of a new puppy. When you work with Uptown Puppies, all you have to do is browse our selection of puppies available right now and pick the one you want to meet. What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is a factory like facility where dogs are bred for profit above anything else. Obviously when a business is breeding to maximize profit, conditions are not going to be the best. These conditions and the practice of inbreeding can often cost owners thousands in dollars in vet fees later in life. Instead of conducting an online search for Orlando Bernedoodle breeders and trusting that they are an ethical business, why not guarantee it with the Uptown Puppies network? What should I expect when I bring home a Bernedoodle? You should expect to own a dog that is extremely loving towards its owners, affectionate and intelligent. The Bernedoodle is popular not only for their personalities, but also because they are hypoallergenic and non-shedding. What is a backyard breeder? Backyard breeder is an industry term used to describe a puppy business or small breeder who does not take the proper precautions and safety measures into account when breeding new Bernedoodle puppies. A lot of these types of businesses have a very basic backyard breeding setup that does not stand up to important safety standards. When you work with Uptown Puppies you'll never have to worry about puppy mills, backyard breeders or endless Google searches for Bernedoodle puppies for sale in Orlando or Bernedoodle puppies in Orlando. What is the Uptown Puppies process like? The Uptown Puppies process is incredibly easy.

Dilute gene of black lab Dilute gene of chocolate lab Similarities Between Charcoal and Silver Labrador Some of the biggest similarities between charcoal and silver Labradors are discussed below. Purebred — Both are purebred but there were many speculations about the silver lab which was cleared by AKC after they registered them as chocolate labs. Height — Just like other Labradors, both these dogs are 21 to 24 inches tall. Intelligence — Both these pups are very intelligent and easy to train. Temperament — Both these pooches are very friendly and loving to humans. They are even-tempered and loyal dogs that will make great family pets. Training — Both charcoal and silver Labradors need less training. Shedding — Just like other Labradors, they are not hypoallergenic and shed hair heavily because of their double coat. Exercise — Both are energetic and active dogs which means to keep them healthy and happy, a lot of daily exercise is required to burn their excessive energy. Living Environment — Labradors are considered large dogs and always prefer large places like yards. Similarly, both dogs prefer yards but can survive apartment living if proper training and exercise are given to them. Are Silver Labradors the same as Weimaraners? Click here to learn more. Who Should Get a Charcoal Labrador? People who have large places, like backyards, can get this dog. They are not only loving but are also quite loyal to their masters. Charcoal Labradors love to play in water due to their history of retrieving water game. They can also adapt to apartment living if the owners are experienced enough to train them and can take care of their needs. People who want to spend less must get a charcoal Labrador. Who Should Get a Silver Labrador? These beautiful blue-eyed pups are quite pleasing to look at. Hence, they make an ideal alternative for those owners who are looking for an attractive companion. Silver Labradors are quite fond of playing and can be adopted by the people who have an active lifestyle. They are quite cool in nature and bark less, especially when they are alone for some time. This means that owners who stay away from home for some hours should get a silver Lab. People with houses with a backyard as well as apartments can get these dogs. However, apartment owners will have to focus on fulfilling their mental and physical needs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. What Is a Charcoal Lab? A charcoal Lab is a purebred Labrador Retriever that carries a dilute gene. Charcoal Labs come in a light shade of black with hints of gray. They often get mixed up with silver Labs but they are different. Despite the controversy surrounding its genetics, this dog is considered purebred. Aside from coat color, the charcoal Lab is similar to the standard Labrador Retrievers in terms of other physical features and temperament. Generally, the Labrador breed has been known to be a good family pet dog as well as an excellent working dog. So you can expect these qualities from a charcoal Labrador Retriever too. Due to their controversial dilute genes, they are not considered standard by the American Kennel Club AKC and are disqualified in shows. However, you can still register it as a purebred Labrador Retriever. Are Charcoal Labs Rare? Charcoal Lab puppies are considered rare. Their breeding process is not as straightforward as the typical Labrador Retrievers and may require a lot of time for charcoal Labs to emerge in a litter. They usually come from carrier genes , like silver Labs. However, because Labrador Retriever charcoal dogs are still purebreds, there might be exclusive silver and charcoal kennels out there. Silver and charcoal Labs are often interchanged with one another. Their appearance is sometimes taken as the same as Weimaraner dogs. However, if you look closely, silver and charcoal Labs have slight differences. These two types of Labs may both have diluted genes, but a silver Labrador comes from the dilution of chocolate Labradors while a charcoal Lab puppy comes from the dilution of black Labradors. Silver Lab variants have higher tendencies to be blue-eyed, and they have a bluish tinge in their coats. On the other hand, charcoal pups have a grayish fur tone. Nothing specific is documented about the charcoal Labs when it comes to history. However, we know they are among the most popular pet dogs globally and in the working dog breed line. They are sometimes called Newfoundland dogs because of their origin. Like their yellow Lab peers, they are bred to be retrieving gun dogs and popularly labeled as hunting dogs extraordinaire. The unique charcoal coat color is a product of gene dilution, carrier genes, and selective breeding, which we will discuss later on. Aside from the distinctive, silvery charcoal coats, charcoal Lab puppies share the appearance of the rest of the Labrador Retrievers. They are large dogs with evenly distributed muscles and athletic stances. Charcoal Lab puppies have well-defined muzzles, powerful jaws, and floppy ears. They have broad skulls, and their eyes could be dark or light, depending on parent genes. They have thick and long tails known as the otter tail that helps them to maneuver and move easily in water. In terms of colors, one can look like a charcoal silver Lab puppy or a charcoal grey Lab. Their furs can vary in intensity. Some may be darker, while others are a little bit darker. But not as light as a silver Lab. Charcoal Labrador dogs have color similarities with male and female Weimaraners. In fact, both Weimaraner dogs and charcoal Labs carry and come from the same dilution gene for their fur color. Moreover, like other Labrador puppies, a charcoal Lab puppy grows fast into a large dog. They can stand between 21 and 25 inches and weigh around 55 to 80 pounds, making them more suitable in ample-sized homes. When it comes to genetics, a charcoal Lab is documented to come from a recessive dilute gene. This means that both parent dogs should have a copy of this dilute gene for charcoal Lab puppies to emerge. Specifically, this dilute gene is also known as the little d , and two copies from the parent dogs will be the dd genotype. When breeding charcoal Labrador puppies, DNA testing can help determine which ones have the little d. So charcoal Lab breeders can produce them through selective breeding. The same DNA testing process is done when breeders want to avoid a charcoal Labrador puppy in a litter. However, it may not be very apparent for a charcoal Labrador puppy. They may only lighten or darken in a very subtle manner. However, they will still maintain the same coat colors they have from childhood to mature dogs. In contrast, senior dogs may develop whitish hairs and a more grayish appearance due to aging, but the charcoal coat color will still be predominant in their bodies. Charcoal Labradors are really smart dogs. They are natural fast learners and love fun activities. They are also quite affectionate and protective, making them excellent family dogs. Aside from its tremendous work ethic, it is also a fantastic guard dog. Charcoal Labs will happily guard your property and alert you of any dangerous intruders just to keep you safe. A charcoal Labrador loves children and is pretty much gentle with them. No wonder this breed is considered a popular pet dog. However, like other dog breeds, socialization and training them as puppies are crucial factors to help them understand how to behave appropriately. Luckily, obedience training and learning commands will not be very challenging. They are people pleasers and would always love to show their best to everyone. Averagely, a charcoal Labrador Retriever dog has a 10 to 12 years lifespan, making them great as a companion. However, their lifespan and health will vary based on different factors. One of the most critical factors that affect their health is where you acquire them. A reputable and responsible breeder who prioritizes breeding healthy puppies is the one you should be looking for. However, like other breeds, a charcoal Labrador puppy may be prone to health issues despite being generally healthy. Most of these are genetically linked. Anti-inflammatory drugs, supplements, and daily exercise can help treat hip dysplasia. Seizures: Seizures are also known as epilepsy. This can be caused by abnormal and uncontrolled neurological activity, resulting in variations of movements, such as involuntary twitching and harsh tremors. Obesity: A charcoal Labrador Retriever can gain weight fast, and not giving them the proper diet and exercise may lead to obesity. Though this is reversible, excess body fat can often lead to cardiac problems and even death, so make sure your Lab receives nutritionally-balanced dog food daily. This condition is also highly preventable if we are responsible pet owners. All their life, they will rely on you, so you must prioritize their well-being at all times to prolong their life span. They will need essential items to transition smoothly into your home. Tweet on Twitter This is your complete guide to the charcoal Labrador. And whether it affects charcoal Labrador personality, health, or grooming needs. The charcoal Labrador is still considered to be a purebred Labrador retriever dog in spite of the controversy over the dilute gene that causes the charcoal, or silver, coat color. These dogs—the most popular pet dogs in the history of pet dogs—hail from Newfoundland in what is now Canada. These are hunting dogs extraordinaire. This gene is a recessive gene, which means that both parent dogs must contribute a copy in order for a puppy to pop out with the charcoal coat color. Experienced breeders of show yellow, black, chocolate Labs that are well-versed in dog breed genetics can control against the dilute gene in future litters of puppies. Newer breeders that are learning the purebred breeding craft may inadvertently produce charcoal Lab puppies until they develop a more complete genetic map for their breeding stock. And some breeders deliberately create charcoal Lab puppies using that same genetic map. Working Versus Show Labrador Retriever Charcoal Dogs If you have ever attended a dog show you likely noticed that the Labrador retriever is also a frequent contestant in the show ring. However, only three coat colors of Labrador are currently eligible to be shown—yellow, black and chocolate brown. The champagne yellow dilute silver chocolate dilute or Labrador retriever charcoal coat black dilute colors are currently not eligible to enter dog shows. Among Labrador retrievers with show-eligible coat colors currently, these are yellow, black and chocolate Labs , there are two recognized breed lines: the working line and the show line. There are some notable differences between the working vs show Labs , including appearance, rate of maturity, personality, temperament and trainability. Since the charcoal coat color is a recessive dilute gene that may have been present all along in the Labrador retriever gene pool, it is entirely possible that a charcoal Lab could come from either a show dog or a working dog breed line. For this reason, it is worth asking your breeder about the breed line itself because this can give you valuable clues about what to expect as your charcoal Lab puppy grows up. However, as of the time of this writing, a charcoal Lab is still not eligible to be shown. If you have ever seen a Weimaraner dog, with their distinctive silvery-charcoal coats, you can already visualize what many charcoal Labrador dogs look like. And in fact, both Weimaraner dogs and charcoal Labs carry the same dilute gene, which is responsible for their shared unusual coat color. Also, as with all other dog breeds, the charcoal coat color can appear in a range of colors from lighter to darker. In other ways, the charcoal Lab will typically resemble his or her black, chocolate and yellow Lab peers. Often, this is a matter of personal opinion, since some people say they can see a difference while other people say the charcoal Lab looks like all other Labs. As research shows, Labradors are not just the most popular pet dog, but also the dog most likely to become obese. The responsible gene is now called pro-opiomelanocortin POMC , and Labs can have one or more than one copy of it. The more copies a Lab carries, the fatter that dog is likely to be. Labrador retrievers often show gender-based differences in height and weight at adulthood. The female Lab will generally weigh between 55 and 70 pounds and stand .The male Lab will typically weigh between 65 and 80 pounds and stand .Labs rarely meet a stranger, with their easygoing personalities and gentle natures. Labs are also really smart dogs and they are fast learners, which makes training beginning in puppyhood a must to help your dog learn to become a productive member of a multi-species family and community. Is the Charcoal Lab Good with Children? The charcoal Lab, like all Labrador retriever dogs, is a very good family pet dog. The top layer is waterproof and coarse while the bottom layer is softer and highly insulating. What this will mean for you is a dog that sheds a lot. You will want to invest in a slicker brush as well as a pin and bristle brush for frequent de-shedding and brushing sessions. This will help keep coat shedding cleanup duties manageable. Training a Charcoal Lab Dog The biggest determinant of how easy your charcoal Lab is to train is which line working or show your dog has been bred from. Dog breeding and training experts assert that the working dog breed line generally produces Labs that mature more rapidly and are easier to train overall. Here again, the breed line that your charcoal Lab hails from can have a great influence over how much exercise your Lab needs and craves. The working line of Labs tends to stay more active and vigorous throughout life, while the show line can become more sedentary in adulthood and later in life. On average, the Labrador retriever dog can live 10 to 12 years. The first and most important is to ensure you work with a reputable and responsible breeder to choose your charcoal silver Lab puppy—a breeder who prizes breeding healthy puppies above all else. This condition is not curable but it is manageable. In addition to follicular dysplasia, charcoal Labs can be susceptible to all other known health issues associated with the purebred Labrador retriever breed lines. The latter is to test for the coat color gene. Optional but recommended additional health tests include centronuclear myopathy, cardiac issues and progressive retinal atrophy. Picking Out Charcoal Labrador Puppies You can count on finding that charcoal Lab puppies are just as cute and irresistible as all Labrador puppies. Instead, start by carefully researching charcoal Lab breeders to find a health-focused breeder who ensures all parent dogs are prescreened and health tested according to current CHIC guidelines. This will rule out known genetic heritable health issues and help you select the healthiest charcoal Lab puppy. The charcoal Lab, like all Labrador retrievers, is generally considered to be an ideal family dog. There are two main issues to consider before making up your mind that a charcoal Lab is the best, future dog for your family. The second issue is that a Lab may be the soul of friendliness, but this dog can still be quite strong and powerful, especially during puppyhood. This can make for rough play that may be a bit overwhelming for very young children. There is no right or wrong answer about whether a charcoal Lab is the right pet for you in years to come. There is only the answer that best fits your lifestyle, interests and time availability to parent an active, young dog. For the right person or family, a charcoal Lab can make a wonderful family pet. Readers Also Liked. For over 20 years, Silver and Charcoal Kennels has worked to establish itself as the highest-quality Labrador breeder around, including silver lab puppies! Today, as a household name throughout the Greenwood, MS area, they strive to uphold this reputation by providing you and your family with the Labrador puppy of your dreams. Whether you are interested in silver , charcoal , champagne , red or white lab puppies, you can rest easy knowing that the quality of our labs will not be compromised by color. At Silver and Charcoal Kennels, they bring only the finest lab litters into this world. They believe all their breeds, including silver Labrador retrievers , are the kindest, most intelligent breed of dog, which is why all of their puppies are treated with only the highest level of affection and care. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Silver and Charcoal Kennels today at .They look forward to speaking with you! Check out the current litters of silver and white labs for sale. These labs are the highest quality of labs that can be produced with fourth and fifth generation pups! They are located in Greenwood, Mississippi. If you are picking up your lab puppy from their location, your lab will come with some of the most sought after breed traits and health guarantees including: Sire has numerous Field Trial Championships and has a Senior Title When grown, their adult Labs are large in size and have great temperaments All pups come with AKC Registration month hip guarantee on pups free from genetic defects Puppies are current on all vaccinations If choosing to have your lab puppy shipped, Silver and Charcoal Kennels can arrange to have your puppy shipped once it is eight weeks old. Be sure to inquire about this service, as the time of year and shipping location may affect delivery. Deposits are nonrefundable and puppies will be sold with limited AKC registration unless otherwise discussed. Their Current Litters page allow interested buyers to see new arrivals and to learn about upcoming puppies! Contact As a breeder that lab lovers trust, Silver and Charcoal Kennels welcome your inquiries! Life Span Did You Know? Charcoal Labrador Retrievers, or Charcoal Labs, are playful little helpers that just want to explore. Their loyalty and independence make them a perfect pet for beginners. Interestingly enough, many breeders believe the gray tint appeared from outside labrador lineage. However, genetics has been able to provide more than enough evidence to support that these are indeed Labradors, albeit rare ones. Their genes contain a diluting factor in coat color dominance traits that are responsible for the gray hue — something that is also present in Silver and Champagne Labs as well. Quizzical and adventurous, Charcoal Labs have a penchant for chasing woodland critters. As a Retriever, they make great companions or service dogs and are perfect for hunters. Besides their working dog nature, Charcoal Labradors also exhibit a playful and patient attitude. This makes them perfect for families, even those with small children that may be too exuberant for other breeds. Highly adaptable, Labs are happy in almost any environment. While they definitely love to get attention, they are not a high maintenance breed and are content to spend time guarding over their family. They do tend to have natural retriever urges though, such as digging and minor barking, but exercise and some training will usually take care of this issue. These dogs are happiest when they are with their family, are well-exercised, and have plenty of mental stimulation. They can adapt to apartment living, but they must get enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation in order to do so. Their double coat makes them a good fit for almost any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Overall, Charcoal Labs tend to be a healthy and active dog breed. Regular visits to the vet will take care of most common issues, but owners should keep an eye out for overeating in their pup. Later on in life, Labs are likely to develop common age-related issues such as eye disorders and joint problems. Ideal for first-time owners, Labrador Retrievers are highly independent and adapt to almost any living situation. They are also highly trainable and are eager to please their owners. As companions, Labs can make the change from lap dog to guard dog and make a great fit for most owners. Grooming is fairly low maintenance for Charcoal Labs when compared to most breeds. Charcoal Labrador Retrievers will shed moderately year-round and will go through two heavier shedding cycles each year. A thorough brushing once per week, and the occasional bath will do just fine. If your pup likes to swim a lot or gets muddy on a hike or run, it may be necessary to bathe them more often. Bred to be working dogs, Labs are fairly active and need regular exercise as part of their routine. Daily walks and runs, trips to the park, or the occasional hike or swim will help them to stay active and healthy. They do tend to calm down a little once they get around 2 years old, but they will still be a high energy and active dog. Charcoal Labs grow up to be medium to large dogs. Typically, they get to be about 23 inches in height, weighing in at an average of 75 pounds. Males tend to range between 65 and 80 pounds while females range from 55 to 70 pounds. Labs enjoy a nice longevity, providing companionship for 10 to 14 years. Labrador Retrievers have a thick, tapering tail. Featured Charcoal Labrador Retriever Article.

The tri-mix is a result of crossing the Akita and the Welsh Corgi, then mixing it with the German Shepherd. With three parents, the outcome of the dog depends on the most outstanding genes. On this note, if you have the German Shepherd as half the parent and the other two as quarters, the dog can have unique features from one of the less dominant parents. Thankfully, the history of its parents is clear and can give us an overview of how the mix looks, behaves, and generally exists. Captain Max created it in the 19th century; he wanted a dog that could suit military and police work. This saw him make a dog that matched the looks, intelligence, and versatility he was looking for. During this time, the dog was used to deliver food and other necessities to German soldiers in the land mines and tanks. After the war, movies featuring German Shepherds brought them back into favor, and people started to keep them. American audiences got attracted to the dog, which saw a growth in numbers in the United States. The German Shepherd was recognized by the American Kennel Club in , becoming one of the oldest dogs to earn recognition. Akita History The Akita is a large-sized dog with its origin in the northern mountainous regions of Japan. The dog comes in two varieties, the Japanese strain, the Akita Inu, and the American strain, known as Akita. The Japanese Akita has a narrow palette of colors, while the American Akita comes in all dog colors. The Akita has a coat similar to that of the Siberian Husky, and this is why they are often confused as one. The Akita is one of the oldest native dogs in Japan. Its ancestors, the Matagi, included the wild boar, Sika deer, and the Asian black bear. This dog was used to track large game until hunters arrived to kill. Bernard, Great Danes, and Tosa Inu. This breeding created a fighting dog as the industry was taking off. The American Akita is a descendant of the Japanese Akita, which was not desired due to the markings it came with. Its popularity grew in America, attracting recognition by the American Kennel Club in .Today, the Akita is a sought-after dog not only for its cuddly body but also for its natural protective instincts. It is one of the two varieties of Corgi, descendants of the northern spitz-type dogs like the Siberian Husky. The Corgi is one of the most miniature dogs in the herding group. Since that time, Corgis have been associated with British royalty, but their numbers seem to decline due to popularity and demand. They were trained to herd sheep, horses, ducks, geese, and cattle, making it one of the oldest herding breeds. It has a long tail that is set high and has a well-muscled stature. Its muscular body brings out the confidence of the dog together with its alert look. The dog has upright ears and curious eyes, which can be attributed to the hunting and herding histories of the parents. Depending on the dominant genes, it will look more like one of the parents or as a mix of all three. Weight and Height The mix is an average of most medium and large dogs with smaller puppies in the litter growing to be more medium-sized than large sides. A German Shepherd can weigh between 75 and 95 lbs, an Akita can weigh between 70 and lbs, and a Corgi can weigh between 20 and 30 lbs. The mix, therefore, can weigh between 50 to lbs. A German Shepherd can grow as tall as 22 to 26 inches, an Akita can be as tall as 26 to 28 inches, and a Corgi can be as high s 10 to 12 inches. The mix, therefore, can grow as tall as 15 inches or thereabout. Coat Type and Color This tri-mix dog will come with a double coat and a soft, dense undercoat. The outer coat will be straight, loose, or standing away from the body. It has a ruffle around the neck, loose around the ears, and the coat is shorter on the legs. When it comes to color, the dog can come in variations of black, red, and brown with some white markings. It has attractive markings and lighter colors on the legs. German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix Personality The mix has quite the personality; you can expect this from its variable genes. It has a working-dog history, so you can expect excellent hunting skills, alertness, curiosity, and protectiveness. The dog is quite confident, but it does not like being alone. It should not suffer too much from separation anxiety, but it always appreciates some company. Puppies need extra attention and interaction to thrive; therefore, they are suitable for people who can set aside time. The mix is sweet and cuddly but can be highly sensitive and territorial. It likes pleasing its human family and will always want to protect you from any kind of harm. Naturally, the dog is protective and can be a little aggressive towards strangers and new pets. With the parents having a working history, the mix can be unruly and aggressive if not trained. It is powerful and independent, and intimidating. It is therefore essential to teach them early and socialize them so they can relate well with people and other pets. Generally, the dog loves company and enjoys spending time with its human family. It is a great companion and will feed you as much love as you feet it. It is an action junkie, so it will enjoy exploring with you and engaging in competitive and challenging events. It is good with kids but needs early socialization to play with them safely. Due to its medium to large size, the mix is not apartment friendly unless you have a designated green area that allows dogs. Its territory-protecting nature makes it a great watch or guard dog. It will gladly give warning of intruders or any strange occurrence. It will protect your family while maintaining its loyal and affectionate self. How to Take Care of the German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix This tri-mix dog is not challenging to care for, but there is a bare minimum that you must accord it to keep it happy and healthy. The dog needs regular exercise, a nutritious diet, consistent grooming, and early training. Exercise Needs The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a high-energy and highly active dog that thrives on working hard and exercising. It enjoys the outdoors and will be happy to run around the park, hike, or stroll around the neighborhood. If you have obstacle courses and sports in your area, you can enroll your dog in some to stimulate it physically. The dog needs at least an hour of exercise every day and physically-engaging activities a few times a week. Nutrition Needs Since the dog is a high-energy dog, it needs food that can cater to its energy needs and still meet its other nutritional requirements. It will require high fat and protein food to support its muscular body while providing enough energy to stay active. The food you choose for your dog needs glucosamine and chondroitin to support bone and joint health. For treats, it is best to stay away from store-bought treats as they might have hidden sugars. Stick to raw vegetable treats to manage a healthy weight. It seems challenging to maintain, but it is not, as long you brush it regularly. Brushing your mix for approximately 10 minutes daily is advisable to keep the coat in the best condition. On this note, you will need a powerful vacuum to remove the hair. And, the dog might shed its undercoat twice a year, making the shedding even more pronounced. It is therefore not hypoallergenic and might not be the best fit for people that suffer from pet allergies. The mix can do with one bath a month, but you can do more baths if needed. Check the ears for wax weekly and clean. Brush its teeth at least three times a week and check for any injuries from time to time. Training You might need help training this dog, as it can be challenging to guide during training. The tri-mix is intelligence, which, even though a good thing, impacts the training phase of the dog. The dog can be stubborn, and the low attention span does not help. It likes to be the boss, so you might need to break the training sessions into short, engaging ones to keep up. Alternatively, you can hire a trainer for socialization and obedience classes. The tri-mix can stay healthy and active for years with the proper diet, regular and consistent exercise, and health checks. The price varies from breeder to breeder and can go up with additional health tests. It is not ideal for novice owners, so the best approach to finding one would be to visit a few shelters and rescue kennels. It is a highly active dog; therefore, the perfect fit for a busy family. Lastly, it is cuddly and enjoys the company of its family, so you can be sure to get as much love as you accord it. Gifts for Dog Lovers Do you know someone who loves their dog more than anything? Our selection of gifts for dog lovers is sure to have something perfect for the special person in your life. Share this post:. This mixed breed is known for being loyal, protective, and intelligent. They are also known for being very friendly and good with children. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is an excellent family dog because they are so loyal and protective of their family. They are also very intelligent which makes them easy to train. These dogs are friendly and good with children, but they may be too big for small children. The German Shepherd: The German Shepherd is a very smart breed of dog that is protective and loyal to its family. They are also excellent guard dogs, but they need early socialization when they are puppies so they can become accustomed to different people, places, and things in the environment. The Corgi: The Corgi gets its name from its short little legs which are similar to a Welsh Corgis short legs because it is in the same family as the German Shepherd Akita mix breed. The Corgi tends to be stubborn at times, but they learn well by repetition. Their trainability shines through in training sessions. The Akita: The Akita has an independent personality that often clashes with other breeds in the same household. This may cause them to have behavior if there are multiple pets in the household. They are best with older children because they view small children as prey. The Akita is a very amazing guard dog because of its alert nature, loyalty, and protectiveness. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix breed has the physical characteristics of each parent breed that can vary depending on whether they take after their German Shepherd or Corgi side more. These dogs will have a short to medium-length double coat that is long but thick which makes them weatherproofed for both hot and cold weather conditions. Appearance: The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a medium-sized dog and it has a height range of about 19 to 24 inches. These dogs have the physical features that you would expect from their parent breeds. They will look like larger versions of their parents, but they might actually be very different in appearance because this is a mixed breed. A German shepherd Akita Corgi mix will probably have the colorings and markings of both parents: white fur and black ears typically or brown fur and red ears Akitas or cream fur with black markings Corgis. They should be given a minimum of one hour of exercise per day. They can be trained using positive reinforcement methods and are generally easy to train. They are also very intelligent dogs that need to be kept busy mentally as well as physically. Since the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix needs plenty of exercises, they should not be placed in homes with small children. They may accidentally knock over a child while playing and running around. These dogs enjoy being active outdoors and do their best when given plenty of space to run around. They will need their coat brushed every now and then to remove any dead hair or debris that has been collected on them. Just like other breeds this dog could start shedding at certain times so regular brushing should be done to remove the dead hair. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix comes in a variety of different colors. German Shepherds are usually medium-sized dogs with large heads and chests while corgis are small dogs with big personalities so this mixed breed falls somewhere in between which makes it an average-sized dog. Grooming requirements for this dog depend on whether they have mostly German shepherd traits or mostly Corgi traits. If they have more German Shepherd traits then they will need to be brushed about twice a week and bathed when needed. If they have more Corgi traits then they will need to be brushed once a week and bathed about once every few months. Health Problems: A few health problems may occur in German shepherd Akita corgi mixes. Some of these include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and gastric torsion. Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joints. It can lead to pain and lameness in the affected dog. Elbow dysplasia is also a joint problem that can cause pain and lameness. Gastric torsion is a condition in which the stomach twists on its axis, leading to obstruction of the airway and potential death. All of these conditions may require surgery for correction. Dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia may also require lifelong and physical therapy. Dogs with gastric torsion may require surgery to correct the problem and may also require lifelong care. If you are considering adding a German shepherd Akita corgi mix to your family, it is important to be aware of these potential health problems and to discuss them with your veterinarian. By doing so, you can make an informed decision about whether this breed is right for you. However, some general things can be said about this mix. They are likely to be loyal and protective dogs that are good with children. They may also be intelligent and have a strong work ethic. However, they can also be independent thinkers which may lead to them being stubborn at times. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a good choice for families with children. They are loyal and protective dogs that will protect their family from harm. They are also good with kids, likely because they are intelligent and have a strong work ethic. This means that they will be patient and playful with children, which can make for a fun family pet. However, the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix can also be independent thinkers. This may lead to them being stubborn at times. It is important to remember that this dog is not just looking to please its owner, but wants to think things through on its own as well. So, if you are looking for a dog that will always do what you say, this may not be the right choice for you. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a very intelligent dog, which means they will likely have a strong work ethic. If they are trained properly, this can make them one of the most loyal and obedient dogs out there. They like to please their owners which is why they tend to do well with training. However, if they are stubborn at times it may make things difficult when trying to train them. It is important that people choose their pets based on what traits they want in their pet rather than choosing something simply because it has an interesting name or looks cute in pictures online. This breed inherits certain personality traits from its parents including loyalty, playfulness, obedience, etc. It is important to make sure that you are choosing a dog based on the personality traits, not the name. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a great family pet. They are loyal and protective which means they will be good with kids. In addition, their love of pleasing their owners makes them one of the more obedient breeds out there. So, although this breed may have an independent side to them sometimes, they will likely always come back around and obey their owner in order to please them. This is why they tend to do well in situations where families already have children or plan on having some in the future. These dogs will need plenty of exercise and socialization as they can become destructive if left alone for long periods of time. They will make great family pets but should not be left unsupervised around small animals as they may see them as prey. Overall, the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a versatile dog that is likely to be friendly, affectionate, and protective. If buying a puppy, make sure to do as much research as possible before committing to purchasing one of these dogs. Nutrition Requirements: Though each dog is different, there are some general nutritional requirements that all dogs have in common. Dogs need a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This is because their bodies are designed to digest and use proteins more efficiently than carbohydrates. Dogs also need a lot of essential fatty acids, which can be found in animal-based proteins and certain oils. When it comes to specific breeds, some dogs may have additional dietary needs. For example, German Shepherds often require a diet that is high in calcium to support their large bones and muscles. Akitas typically need a diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids to help with joint health. And Corgis may require a diet that is higher in fiber to help with digestion. If you are looking to feed your German Shepherd Akita Corgi a balanced diet, it is best to consult with your veterinarian. He or she can help you create a diet that meets the specific needs of your dog. And remember, always provide your dog with plenty of fresh water to drink. Socialization: Most dog breeds are considered to be social animals, and as such, they thrive on companionship. But some dogs, like German Shepherds and Akita Corgi, mixes, take this one step further and become very attached to their families. These hybrids are known for being incredibly loyal and protective of their loved ones. Many owners of GSD Akita Corgi mix dogs report that their pets are very friendly and good with children. They tend to be quite playful and make excellent family companions. However, it is important to remember that these hybrids can also have a lot of energy, so regular exercise is key. The answer to this question is yes, the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix can make a great family pet. This breed is known for being loyal, protective, and intelligent, which are all great qualities for a family pet. The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is also a fairly active breed, so it would be a good fit for families who are looking for an active dog to keep them on their toes. This breed does best when given plenty of exercise and room to run, so if you have a large yard or live in a rural area, this may be the perfect breed for you. Of course, no breed is perfect and neither is the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix. Life Span: The average lifespan of the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is years, but it can vary depending on eating habits, overall health, and lifestyle. They are good with children and make great family dogs. Because of their herding instincts, they may try to herd small children or other pets. They are also very active and love to play, so they need plenty of exercise. These dogs are usually easy to train and tend to be loyal and protective of their families. This dog has a big body with huge-sized paws. Generally, people prefer to have bigger dogs as their companions because they look really good with children. The cuteness quotient offered them makes everyone love them without fail. In addition, these dogs are very lovable and affectionate towards their family members. Good with children- Another great quality of this dog is that it is good with the kids. It does not bark unnecessarily and will not hurt the kids even if it gets angry. In fact, it will try to protect them from any harm. So, if you are looking for a family pet then this breed can be a great option for you. Moreover, its playful nature would keep your kids entertained for hours. You need to be very patient and consistent while training it because if it gets bored then it may start exhibiting unwanted behaviors. In addition, you will also have to spend some time each day in order to properly obedience train your dog. Needs plenty of exercises- Another thing you need to keep in mind is that this dog needs plenty of exercises. If it does not get enough physical activity then it may become destructive or obese. May be prone to separation anxiety- This dog may also suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for a long period of time. It will start barking, chewing on things, or urinating in the house. So, you need to make sure that you do not leave it alone for more than hours. Overall, it is a great breed with lots of desirable qualities. However, you need to make sure that you properly train it and provide it with enough exercise to keep it healthy and happy. Final Thoughts: Overall, the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is an amazing dog that is sure to make a great addition to any family. She is loyal, protective, and loving, making her the perfect pet for anyone looking for a best friend. With her gentle nature and playful personality, she is sure to bring hours of joy to your home. So if you are looking for a new furry friend, be sure to consider the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix! They are very loyal and protective of their family and home. They require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They can make excellent companions and loyal guard dogs. They tend to be a healthy mixed breed and typically have a lifespan of years. This breed is loyal and protective, so they may not be the best choice for someone who lives in a small apartment. They also need lots of exercise so if you do not have the time or space to provide that, this may not be the right dog for you. Additionally, these dogs can be difficult to housebreak so patience will be needed. All in all, the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a great breed of dog that makes an excellent family pet. They are loyal, protective, and intelligent which makes them versatile. Their high energy level means that they need lots of exercise, but this can be achieved with a long walk or run each day. They are good with children and very trainable which is why they are recommended for families. There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on the individual dog and what you are looking for in a pet. Some people may find German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mixes to be great dogs, while others may not be as pleased with the mix. This is a difficult question to answer as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some German Shepherd Akita Corgi mixes may be aggressive while others may not. That being said, there are some things you can do to help reduce the risk of your dog becoming aggressive. First, socialize with your dog early and often. This will help him learn how to interact appropriately with other people and animals. Second, provide plenty of exercise and enrichment activities. A tired dog is less likely to be aggressive than a dog who is bored and restless. Akita Corgi mixes are among the most popular designer dogs. They are often chosen as police dogs because of their size and strength. How big will a German shepherd Akita Corgi mix get? Males tend to weigh more than females do, so your pup could potentially be over 60 pounds full-grown! If not fed well or exercised regularly this breed becomes overweight easily just like any other giant breed dog. They should have daily exercise whether it be walking, running, or playing, and should be fed a high-quality diet to avoid any joint issues. Post navigation. Learn more. Dog ownership has gotten interesting these days. With the possibility of cross-breeding, picking out the right breed with desired characteristics is now a reality. Breeders have been experimenting with up to three breeds at once and a few success stories have come forth as a result. One of the most fascinating and precious tri-mix dog breeds is the German shepherd Akita Corgi mix. Just from the name, you already know this dog is a winner in the looks department. If you are looking for a cuddly, intelligent, and loyal bear for a dog, this great mix might just be for you. In this guide, you will learn a ton about owning a German shepherd Akita Corgi mix. Some of the things covered include physical characteristics, temperaments, grooming, training, feeding, health, and exercise requirements. Physical Characteristics This unique three-way mix is one of the most interesting dogs around. Expectedly, he has a little bit of everything from his folks. Size, weight, and height vary but if you get a large breed, best believe he got it from two of his parents, the German shepherd often measuring inches , an Akita measuring inches , and a Corgi measuring inches. This adorable dog looks like a little grizzly bear. With the exact frame and power, many people understandably have a problem telling if it is a real dog or not until they see the paws sticking out. Ideally, a Corgi weighs as much as 30 lb, a German shepherd, 95 lbs, and the Akita, up to lbs. This disparity reflects greatly on the end result. This goes for its size and height as well. The German shepherd is considered one of the most intelligent dogs around. This small herding dog is a force to reckon with. Plus, Akitas are thought to be humble and very loyal. When you bring these three breeds together, you will definitely end up with an intelligent and calm dog with a love for the outdoors. He will want to be on the move as much as possible. As for affection and loyalty, expect to get plenty of that. As long as his needs are met, he is one of the most moving and sweet dogs to own. His herding instincts always get the best of him. If you can play fetch or Frisbee, that would be great too. This is not a dog to own if you are a couch potato. A long walk to the park twice a day during weekdays and strenuous activities such as hiking and hill walking during the weekdays is in the works for you. On the positive side, he will keep you super fit and toned. Besides physical exercise, this dog requires mental stimulation as well. Squeaky toys and outdoor ball games will give him the best of both worlds. However, because this dog mixture is dependent on high activity levels, he needs to eat the right amount of food. Of course, beware of the looming danger of obesity but let him eat two balanced diets twice a day. Vets recommend a raw food diet with an occasional intake of fish oil. Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements will also keep things like hip dysplasia at bay. Related Post: 12 Best Joint Supplements for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia Grooming Just by looking at his super-dense coat, you can tell this dog is high maintenance when it comes to grooming. He is a heavy shedder always leaving lots of hair on sofas and fabric. This means you have to brush his coat a number of times weekly to reduce shedding. A quality vacuum is also essential to keep your floors and surface fur-free. As for baths, moderation is the key. Too many baths are counterproductive as it can dry out his skin. Ideally, a couple of baths every month is sufficient. Needless to say, your dog will depend on you to trim his nails and lean his ears from time to time as well. Health Issues All dog breeds have a disposition to certain health complications. As a matter of fact, this breed has the potential to suffer more health problems than pure or two-cross breeds. Two of his big parents, Akita and German Shepherd are susceptible to hip dysplasia and bloat. This can be passed to the baby. Other common problems include back problems, eye issues, and allergies. Since it is difficult to predict the future of your fur baby health-wise, it is always a good idea to have him checked prior to taking him home. This is definitely costly but it will pay off huge in the end. Many breeders often hide this information so that they can make quick sales. Keep that in mind. Finally, a proper diet, proper exercise, and frequent pet visits will go a long way in keeping your mutt happy and healthy for a long time. Buying a Pet Training This is not the hardest dog to trains but not the easiest either. The different personalities and temperaments play out during training. If he gets most of his character from his German Shepherd parent, expect the training to be responsive. He will likely pick up new skills quite effectively and fast. Of course, this depends on your level of dominance and leadership. If you prove yourself to be a worthy leader, the dog will have an easy time obeying your commands. Corgis and Akitas are sweet and loving but they can be quite stubborn. Find a way to work through this by reminding him who is in charge. If you are not firm enough, he will have a field day taking advantage of this. Right from the beginning, establish your leadership as the Alpha and your dog will quickly give you the respect you deserve. Is a German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix for you? Well, if you can handle the high energy requirements and grooming needs, why not! Obviously, this is no dog for an apartment dweller. However, if you like to be on your toes and have plenty of space, this mix is definitely for you. Just keep in mind his feeding requirements, health complications, and temperaments to ensure you give him the best that life has to offer him. Related Posts:. This is a unique blend of three different breeds. They are known for looking like a bear cub! Keep scrolling below to see a video of them and what they look like. While we really recommend that you acquire one through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their German Shepherd mixed with Akita Corgi puppy. That is, if they have any for sale. Always screen your breeders as much as possible to ensure that you are getting as high a quality dog as is possible. If intentionally bred, typically it is a German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix. If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals. However, we go more in depth to the history of both breeds. As his name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, where he was created in the nineteenth century primarily by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to develop a dog that could be used for military and police work. The result was a dog that encompassed striking good looks, intelligence and versatility. German Shepherds braved artillery fire, land mines and tanks to supply German soldiers in the trenches with deliveries of food and other necessities. American audiences loved them. For a time, the German Shepherd was the most popular breed in the United States. It is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi. The other is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and both descend from the line that is the northern spitz-type dog. An example of a spitz breed is the Siberian Husky. Another theory is that Pembrokes are descended from the Swedish Vallhunds, which were crossed with the local Welsh herding dogs. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the younger of the two Akita Corgi breeds and is a separate and distinct breed from the Cardigan. The Corgi is one of the smallest dogs in the Herding Group. It is said that Queen Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 during her reign and are her preferred breed. These dogs have been favored by British royalty for more than seventy years, but among British Commoners, have recently fallen into decline in terms of popularity and demand. The story goes that the Vikings and Flemish weavers brought the dogs with them as they traveled to settle in Wales. Going back as far as the 10th century, Akita Corgis were herding sheep, geese, ducks, horses, and cattle. They are known as one of the oldest herding breed of dogs. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are becoming more popular in the United States and rank 20th 24th in American Kennel Club registrations, as of .The Akita is a large dog breed that originated in the mountainous northern regions of Japan. There are two separate varieties of Akita: a Japanese strain, and an American strain, known as the "Akita" or "American Akita". The Japanese strain called the Akita Inu comes in a narrow palette of colors, with all other colors considered atypical of the breed, while the American strain known simply as the Akita comes in all dog colors. The Akita has a short double-coat similar to that of the Siberian Husky, but long-coated dogs can be found in many litters due to a recessive gene. The Akita is a powerful, independent and dominant breed. Japanese history describes the ancestors of the Akita, the Matagi dog as one of the oldest of the native dogs. The Matagi's quarry included wild boar, Sika deer, and Asian black bear. This early dog tracked large game, holding it at bay until hunters arrived to make the kill. Bernards, and the Tosa Inu. Unfortunately, this was done to create a fighting dog as that industry was taking off in the early 20th century. During World War II the Akita was also crossed with German Shepherd Dogs in an attempt to save them from the wartime government order for all non-military dogs to be culled. The ancestors of the American Akita were originally a variety of the Japanese Akita, a form that was not desired in Japan due to the markings, and which is not eligible for show competition. This very humble and loyal dog helped push the Akita into the international dog world. Professor Ueno lived near the Shibuya Train Station in a suburb of the city and commuted to work every day on the train. On May 25, , Professor Ueno suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage at work. He walked to and from the station each day for the next nine years. He returned home where the professor's relatives cared for him, but he never gave up the vigil at the station for his master. His behavior became world-renowned and in , a bronze statue was erected at the Shibuya train station in his honor. He died shortly after. This statue was melted down for munitions during the war, but a new one was commissioned after the war. Then, it mixes in the German Shepherd, the most accomplished canine in the world. In a typical mix, you have two purebred dogs as parents. Even if your mix is half German Shepherd, for example, it could be that some of the Akita or Corgi traits end up being dominant in your dog. With this ambitious mix, you are getting a surprise package and if you are buying a puppy, and hopefully you will welcome your journey of discovering what your dog will become. Appearance The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is probably going to be medium-sized, longer than it is tall, with a long tail that is set high. It will likely be well-muscled and will carry itself confidently. It will probably have a gorgeous coat, upright ears and an intelligent, alert look. Its height will probably be around 15 inches 38 cm. Here are the breakdowns of the weights of the individual purebred parents: German Shepherd: 75 — 95 lbs 34 — 43 kg Akita: 70 — lbs .There will be very attractive markings and lighter colors on the legs. The nose is black and the eyes round, in various shades of brown, even blue. There is often a face mask and a saddle. Its outer coat will be straight, lying close to, or standing away from the body. There is often a ruffle around the neck, a feathering around the ears and the coat is usually shorter on the legs. Temperament This mix shares many temperamental traits. All have an ancestry of being working dogs. All of them will need to have jobs to do and will want to be part of a family that they will guard, protect and defend courageously if need be. All are suspicious of strangers. Does Not Like Being Alone This particular mix should not suffer too badly from separation anxiety, but family dogs of any age, and especially puppies, do not like being left alone beyond two to three hours. Unless they have been well exercised, they will look for things to do, which will result in destructive outcomes. The Shepherd, Corgi and Akita breeds feature in German, Welsh and Japanese folklore where all are depicted as particularly close to humans. Can Be Unruly or Aggressive If Untrained Your fluffy, adorable puppy has bloodlines from powerful, independent, intimidating dogs. The Corgi is known for its large and stubborn personality. Unless you socialize it early and train it consistently, constantly teaching it how to behave, you could end up with an aggressive dog. Akitas are banned in some countries. Preferred Climate Is Cold Your mix will likely be double-coated and will love being outside. This is an important point for you to consider, as a double coat means double the grooming. Companion or Suitability Factor The bloodlines suggest this mix will be a rewarding companion. The breeds all seek to be close to their humans. It will be happy as long as it has you in sight. If you are also an action junkie, you can meet its need for competitive and challenging events. Kid-Friendly with Caution As part of socialization, you should teach your puppy and children how to play together safely. The Corgi loves kids; the Shepherd will be protective and the Akita will be very wary until it realizes they are part of its family. Children under 8 should never be alone with dogs. Is Not Apartment Friendly Unless you live on the immediate border of a designated green area that allows dogs, an apartment will be difficult with such a dog. Your dog will probably be large and will definitely prefer to be occupied outside. A farm or house with extensive, fenced grounds is needed. It will give warning of an intruder. It will find, identify and decide if they are ill-intentioned and it will protect you and its territory. It will also attack on command. Also consider that this heavy shedding mix might make for a house that needs cleaned more often. If the Akita comes in strongly, it would be in its element in Search and Rescue work. The Corgi is known to be charming, playful and a bit of a clown and would excel in Emotional Support. All three parent breeds tend to be aloof, especially the Akita. That being said, there are many instances of the mix enjoying other pets. You will just have to guide how your dog responds. The Akita and Corgi have an innate sense of their place in the world, and that is with them being in charge. The German Shepherd has a more nuanced and intellectual attitude and is easier to mold. You can improve their intelligence score by the way you interact with them. Consider joining your local kennel club, attending their puppy socialization classes, and then moving onto basic obedience courses. You will enjoy a gratifying mutual bonding with your dog. Physical Needs The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is an extremely active dog that thrives on working hard and working out. Extreme canine sports and obstacle courses are great options that this dog is sure to love. You will need to keep it fueled up on a high-quality diet. It will need food with a high fat and protein content containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Use raw vegetable treats and avoid obesity. A lot will depend on how big your mix grows. Discuss dietary issues with your veterinarian at the first check-up. It will also need extra outdoor activities at least three times a week such as jogging, hiking, and canine sports. Its lifespan is 12 to 16 years. Grooming Your dog will probably have a luxurious, beautiful coat. Investigate a veterinarian recommended food supplement to keep it in good shape. Check the ears weekly and clean as needed. Brush its teeth three times a week. Always check an active dog for any injuries. You will probably have a high shedder and will need a powerful vacuum for all its hair. Bathe your mix only when needed. No one has yet come up with a catchy name, but the designer was obviously trying to bring the most admirable, attractive and loyal traits together in an energetic, intelligent dog. Below is a brief description of the heritage. German Shepherd Background Captain Max von Stephanitz spent 35 years breeding the perfect herder starting with a wolfish-looking dog named Horand von Grafrath he picked up at a dog show in .Originally only owned by royalty, they are courageous, dignified and profoundly loyal. They have sumptuous, plush coats, massive heads balanced by bushy, high-set tails that curl over the back. Known for their calm, regal demeanor, they will tolerate no challenges. Their bite force is , versus for German Shepherd. They were first brought to America by Helen Keller in .Parents used to tell their children that fairy folk used Corgi to pull their carriages and rode them into war. There are two kinds: the Cardigan Corgi with a long tail and the Pembroke Corgi with a stubby tail. This is a beautiful mix but not really for novice owners. Visit a few shelters and rescue kennels. You are sure to find the perfect young dog and it will have been assessed by staff. You will need to make sure to feed it an age-appropriate high-quality diet, control its weight and give it sufficient exercise to keep it healthy. This induces shock. The stomach also twists, cutting off blood to the pancreas which releases a toxic hormone that will stop the heart. This is a medical emergency. You MUST get to a veterinarian immediately. Signs of bloat are hardening of the abdomen, dry retching, salivation and restlessness. Risk factors include dogs with a high height-to-width ratio, deep-chested dogs, dogs whose parents bloated, being male, fast eaters and dogs fed all their food at one meal each day. Hip Dysplasia This is a genetic problem in small and large breeds. It occurs when the head of the femur bone does not fit snugly in the pelvic socket. The breeder should check the parents and be able to produce test results of both parents showing that they were cleared for breeding. This usually develops by the time the dog is 18 months. See your veterinarian if you spot any signs. The sooner it is treated, the better. Be careful not to let young dogs play until exhaustion. A knowledgeable breeder of this crossbreed should have had the parents tested before breeding. The normal range is .It causes spontaneous bleeding from nose, mouth, urinary, reproductive and intestinal tracts. It can also cause excessive bleeding during teething or minor surgery, like removing a dew claw. Infections and certain medications can also cause bleeding. Your dog must not have aspirin, heparin or sulpha-type antibiotics. This is not Hemophilia. This is a difficult question to answer since there are many factors that can influence the price of a German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix. How much is a German Shepherd Corgi mix? However, prices can vary depending on the breeder, the coat colour and patterns, and whether the dog is purebred or not. German Shepherd Corgi mixes with blue or green eyes are typically more expensive than those with brown eyes. Blue and green eyed German Shepherd Corgi mixes are also less common than those with brown eyes. How much does an Akita German Shepherd mix cost? However, prices may vary depending on the breeder, the specific characteristics of the dog, and whether or not the dog is purebred. German Shepherds are typically more expensive than Akitas, so a mix of the two breeds may cost more than either breed alone. Akita German Shepherd mixes are not common, so it may be difficult to find one for sale. However, there are many reputable breeders who specialize in this type of dog. How much do German Shepherd mixes cost? Many people want to know how much German Shepherd mixes cost. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the breeder, the specific mix, and the location. However, some mixes may be more or less expensive depending on the factors mentioned above. Is there a German Shepherd Corgi mix? Yes, there is such a thing as a German Shepherd Corgi mix. This breed of dog is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Corgi, and it is considered to be a designer breed. These dogs are relatively new, so not much is known about them yet. However, they are said to be intelligent and loyal, just like their German Shepherd and Corgi parents. The answer is… it depends. Breeders price their puppies differently based on a variety of factors, including the rarity of the crossbreed and the demand for that particular mix. Are you tempted by this adorable hybrid breed? Be sure to do your research before bringing home your new pup! You Might Also Like. Mixed breeds incorporate various canine traits in any number of configurations. When you know what breed characteristics your dog might have, you can better anticipate its needs. While each of these breeds is unique, a particular set of their mannerisms will likely be noticeable in all mixes. This is because all three breeds have a few deep-rooted and highly specific traits in common. Tons of Spunk No matter how you slice it, this mix is going to be energetic. The German Shepherd is a highly driven dog with boat-loads of self-motivation. The Akita is a powerful breed with no shortage of stamina. Corgis may be small, but make up for their size in stamina and charm. A Bold Personality All three breeds come fully-loaded with personality. The German Shepherd is protective, eager to please, and loyal. The Akita is an independent dog with a regal demeanor. The Corgi is a playful and clownish fellow known for being endlessly entertaining. A Thick Double Coat All three breeds feature a thick double coat. This means that they have a smooth topcoat that will be fairly long, and a short undercoat that keeps them warm. This means that they have been bred to herd and protect livestock. The Akita is also a working dog, originally bred for guarding homes and pulling carts in Asia. Is it equal parts Akita, German Shepherd, and Corgi? Instead, your dog will be half of one breed, and one-quarter of each of the other two breeds. So, your dog will most likely one of the following combination hybrids: The Half Akita, one-quarter German Shepherd, one-quarter Corgi With this mix, the characteristics of the Akita will be most dominant. It will likely act more like a German Shepherd than either of the other two breeds. The Half Corgi, one-quarter Akita, one-quarter German Shepherd This hybrid will be larger than the usual Corgi and it may not look like a Corgi at all. Corgis are very bold and strong-willed, so expect a dog that requires ample mental stimulation. Not to worry, mutts make great pets and tend to be healthier than pure breeds! Each of the three breeds that make up the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix has its own unique and interesting characteristics. This way, you can anticipate its needs. Remember, every mixed breed dog is different. Your mixed pup could have any, none, or all of the traits of the following three breeds. The German Shepherd German Shepherds are a working-class breed. They can be protective, brave, and are generally very loyal. German Shepherds can have coats of various lengths and thicknesses. The Akita Originally only owned only by Japanese royalty, the Akita is a Spitz-type dog that has a plush thick coat, athletic build, and regal demeanor. We recommend that families who intend to own an Akita mix check with their insurance company and landlord. Akita breed restrictions exist in some states. The Corgi A lovable and often clownish breed, the Corgi is intelligent, playful, full of energy, and pretty darn adorable. Corgis are a working-breed. These are very intelligent little dogs who like to keep physically and mentally busy. This helpful video from the Dog vs Dog Breed Comparison channel goes over exactly how the German Shepherd and Akita differ in breed-specific characteristics. Considering how independent the Akita is and how mischievous the Corgi can be, this is a fair question. Luckily, the addition of the German Shepherd helps enormously with training. The key to a well-trained dog is consistency and determination with training. However, keep in mind that German Shepherds left to their own devices can become unmanageable. Start training early Training your dog in early puppyhood is a great way to help your dog understand its place in your home. As this Breeding Better Dogs Website explains, training early on is the key to long-term success. Take your dog to obedience classes Dog obedience classes can provide you with an arsenal of tools for fostering a better relationship with your canine companion. Obedience training professionals know how to work with mixed breeds. This PetMD article can help you decide if obedience training is necessary. Be consistent in your training As dog expert Jeff Millman explains, dogs learn patterns and apply them. When you work with your mixed breed pup, consistency is critical. This is a breed with keen intelligence. With a sharp cookie like this, mental stimulation will be critical. This is especially true if your mix contains lots of Corgi! You can provide mental fun in many ways, even at mealtimes according to PetPace. Walk your dog once or even twice daily to release excess energy A well-behaved dog is a well-exercised dog. Physical activity is very important if you want a calm dog that listens! To learn more about how to offer your dog the physical stimulation it needs, you can watch this helpful in-depth Cesar Millan video training guide! Be firm, yet fair, think like a dog! Berkeley Magazine writer Glen Martin explains this in-depth. While all dogs are different, some dog breeds are better with kids than others. This dog can be great for families, with a few conditions. To ensure that this mixed breed, or any breed for that matter, will be good with kids, socialization is the name of the game. As leading AKC dog behavioral expert Denise Flaim explains, you have to train your dog and your children to coexist respectfully. You have to teach your kids to respect your dog, and your dog to respect human beings in general. This can be done through careful civilization. Puppies of any breed who have been socialized properly usually make wonderful family companions. That being said, both Akitas and German Shepherds are known for being naturally loyal and protective of their families. German Shepherds have thick undercoats that tend to shed often. On top of that, Akitas are also known for leaving bits of fur everywhere they go. Two out of the three dog breeds in this mix are heavy shedders. Essentially, this breed is going to shed, and possibly, shed a lot. The solution? A sturdy dog brush and a lot of willpower. People may sell the pups of their family dog at reasonable prices as they just want their puppies to go to a loving home, but those who have dog breeding businesses will charge higher prices as they know there is a demand. These breeds are quite rare, so most breeders will charge higher prices for them. Breeders will need to pay lots of money to raise these puppies until they can be given to their new homes. These costs include puppy food, necessary shots, vet checkups, registrations, toys, and bedding which could total up to thousands of dollars once the puppies are ready to give away. Both German shepherds and corgis are much-loved breeds by dog owners, with the corgi being recognized and often associated with the Queen of England and German shepherds being seen as great loyal guard dogs to protect your home. These breeds have inherited the high intelligence from the German shepherd genes but combined with the more friendly and affectionate levels of being a smaller dog like a corgi. Are Akitas bigger than German shepherds? Male Akitas weigh between lbs whilst measuring 26 inches inches tall, whereas a male and female German shepherd weighs around lbs, and a male measures inches tall. Female Akitas are smaller than male German shepherd dogs though. With good training and adequate grooming, they make wonderful pets for just about anyone. Remember, with this breed, physical and mental exercise are very important.

German Shepherds of all ages are typically heavy year-round shedders. The reason for their noticeable increase in shedding is that this is when they start to grow in a new adult coat. For this to happen, their baby fur has to go. Yet, unlike other breeds where they shed their hair all at once. It happens gradually over the course of a week or two. It then gets replaced with a new, coarser, denser coat. Keep reading to learn more about when these adorable puppies and their coats. Losing the Puppy Coat At Birth German Shepherd puppies are born with a dense, fluffy coat that keeps them warm and snug. It was also thick enough to keep him protected from bumps and falls. That soft, but highly dense, coat helps reduce their risk of injury. You probably know by now that German Shepherds are big shedders anyway. Although, during that time, there will be a distinct increase in shedding. GSDs have a medium-length coat that consists of two layers: an undercoat and an outer coat. The undercoat is the one closest to their skin. This fuzzy layer is thick with fluffy hairs that are relatively short, measuring less than two inches on average. It serves one primary purpose: to keep the dog comfy and cozy all winter long. Then, you have the outer top coat. It comes in three different lengths: short, medium, and long. Even though GSDs shed non-stop all year long, there are two times during the year when their shedding becomes excessive. They do this again in the fall to make room for a new, thicker coat to grow in preparation for winter. This ability to adapt is one of the reasons why GSDs are great at functioning in all kinds of various weather conditions. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. That said, they still do a lot of shedding, and their fur is just as susceptible to getting tangled and matted up. Thus, the best type of grooming brushes for this short-haired breed is pin brushes. It helps remove tangles and dirt. They also work to eliminate pests, such as fleas and ticks. Slicker brushes work best with dogs that have wiry hair. They have short, thin wires placed close together on a flat surface designed to effectively remove mats, dirt, and pests. Those with hair on the longish side will also benefit from an undercoat rake. Long-Haired To keep their coats slick, shiny, and tangle-free, long-haired GSDs do well with an undercoat rake. As the name suggests, this grooming tool has many tiny, curved, sharp blades placed close together. It also helps break up mats and remove loose hairs. Dogs with a long outer coat will also need a slicker brush to ensure their fur is clean, knot-free, and shinier than ever. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. This is especially important because GSDs are such people lovers. So, being the friendly, fun-loving dog that he is, grooming becomes a special way for the two of you to spend quality time together. Check out more emotional benefits grooming has on your German Shepherd: Increases the special bond you have with your furry four-legged friend It makes your pooch calmer and more relaxed The positive reinforcement dogs get during grooming makes them more confident Fosters positive behavior Paul S. Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament. Do German Shepherd puppies change color? Yes, as they grow, these puppies naturally change their coats. Expect a dramatic coat change as it turns into an adult. Do you ever wonder how these puppies go through color changes? You can witness these fun replacements of colors until your dog reaches two years old. They naturally change their overall appearance as they age. Even the color of their eyes changes, too! Adult coats simply replace them gradually as they grow. When you see a newborn puppy, it will be hard to tell what its dominant color will be. There are also German Shepherd puppies that are born with overall white color, which is an exception. White pups will stay all white until adulthood. At Age 0 to 2 Weeks At this age, changes to the puppy coat begin. Some keen dog breeders can tell if the German Shepherd puppy will have an all-black coat or change its color. Aside from coat color, you can also tell at this point if your dog will have short, medium, or long coats. They may turn all black, or their color may develop a darker or lighter color. At 4 to 6 Months When German Shepherd puppies turn four to six months old, they start to shed off their puppy furs. As a result, their coats gradually become thicker and denser as well. By this time, you can see your puppy develop into an adult dog. There will be small or drastic changes, and at this stage, you can usually tell what the dominant color of your dog will be. This is one of the most exciting stages. You can certainly tell if it has turned out to be black, black and tan, gray, or sable. You can often see them in the show ring. However, the original color of German Shepherds is sable because they were bred as working dogs. Nowadays, there are a lot of colors that German Shepherds can have. Black and Tan When you think of a German Shepherd, the first picture that comes into your mind is black and tan. The black appears mostly on the upper limb and their faces, while the dominant color for the chest, neck, and underbellies is tan. Black and Red For this one, the black color mostly appears on the saddle or upper limb and face. The chest and underbellies, however, will have a dark red appearance. Black The dog has a pure black coat, and it is very rare. You cannot see any visible color on them aside from black. Their origins are either both black parents or black and tan. Bi-color Bi-color dogs are those that have a dominant black coat color with a sign of another color. Their face, legs, and feet may have minimal color variation. They are bred intentionally. Gray German Shepherds with gray color have a distinctive appearance. You will see the whole body of the dog with the dominant liver color. You can see most of them in dog shows. Its coat is literally like that of a panda! This is a purebred dog and not a combination of parents with different color breeds. The rare gene altercations are responsible for its cute color. The coat appears to have more black and tan colors and a few white spots. Sable Sable is one of the most popular colors of German Shepherds. You can mostly see this coat color with the working lines of German Shepherds. Red Sable Red sables are rare breeds. They are sold expensive because of their unique color. It resembles a rich brownish-red coat. Its fur has black tips. At 24 months, German Shepherds generally tend to stop changing their colors. If you notice an excessive change in color at this point, consult your veterinarian for immediate assessment. There might be some underlying conditions that you need to address. All canine friends are great companions. When you own a German Shepherd, you will be amazed at how they change their colors into adulthood. Each German Shepherd has its unique coat color. The genes have the biggest impact on their color. The most important thing to note is that you own a healthy and happy German Shepherd regardless of its color. Paul S. Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament. Liver These are all approved show-ring standard coat colors in case you want to show your GSD. But is there any way to know for sure what coat color your GSD puppy will have when they grow up? First-time German Shepherd owners are often very surprised to learn that a large breed dog like the German Shepherd can continue growing for 24 to 36 months. An adult German Shepherd dog may weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds and stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall paw pad to shoulder. That is a lot of growth that needs to get done. For this reason, genetically speaking, it is advantageous for a large breed puppy to grow in spurts, spacing it out over time. Canine coat color experts explain that dogs have two basic pigments: eumelanin melanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin Eumelanin pigment always defaults to black. Eumelanin not only determines basic coat color but also controls for iris eye colors and nose colors. Phaeomelanin Phaeomelanin always defaults to red. Like eumelanin, the introduction of different genes can determine where on the red spectrum phaeomelanin expresses shows up. Unlike eumelanin, phaeomelanin only affects coat color and not eyes or nose. This is the chart many breeders use to design breeding programs to focus on certain coat colors. Each parent dog contributes a set of genes that control for color: coat color, eye iris color, and nose color as well as skin color. If you have a preference for a specific adult coat color, whether because you want to show your GSD or you are developing your breeding program, the best guarantee is to work closely with a knowledgeable breeder who understands coat color genetics. There is one exception to the coat color change to be aware of: often GSD puppies born with white coats will stay white. The coat is no exception here, as we mentioned in the introduction here. When your GSD puppy is born, all the puppies are typically but not always solid in color. The most common GSD puppy colors are black, grey, or — surprisingly — white. Kennels Von Lotta, a German Shepherd breeder, and kennel have posted this picture of a litter of newborn neonate German Shepherd puppies that were born black. Whelping to 2 weeks The puppies will start to show some differences in coat color and also coat length. By the day mark, breeders say it is often possible to tell if a GSD puppy is potentially going to grow up to have a long coat. As South Florida Shepherds kennel and breeder explains, the very same parent dogs can produce GSD puppies with very different adult coat colors. Because nearly all GSDs are displaying their permanent adult coloration by 18 to 24 months, continued changes or a sudden recurrence of color changes should always be investigated further. Now you know what to watch for as your little fluffy German Shepherd puppy starts to display their full and fabulous adult coat color and pattern. Hair is close to the body Hair is slightly longer than short coat Hair is longer and thicker Minimal feathering on legs and tail Feathering on legs and tail Feathering on legs and tail is more pronounced Easier to maintain and groom Can be more prone to matting and tangling Requires more grooming and maintenance Shedding can be more noticeable Shedding can be moderate Check Out Our YouTube Video on German Shepherd Coat Type Lengths… Short vs. Medium vs. They shed continually throughout the year, albeit at a varying rate as the amount of fur shed by the undercoat is heavier during the fall and spring seasons. The fur around the neck is slightly longer and thicker, and they have marginally longer hair on the rear of the hind legs to the hock and the rear of the forelegs. This type is a safer purchase for anyone unsure about the show circuit. They are also the preferred choice as working dogs. Medium-haired varieties qualify for shows as well but can be more expensive. The type at a glance: Has a double coat and a topcoat with 1 inch or shorter hair. Most common coat type. Often used in working roles such as police, military, search and rescue, and service dogs. Commands a medium-to-high price. Can enter dog shows depending on color acceptability. This entails brushing him two to three times a week. This will help remove loose fur trapped in his coat and simultaneously form a mutual appreciation bond. Brushing and de-shedding will need to increase to three to four times a week in the spring and fall seasons because the undercoat shedding increases. I like it because it reaches safely through the topcoat and removes the loose undercoat with ease. Generally, a German Shepherd needs no more than two to three baths a year. They have a fuller look, and they combine the most desirable traits of both the short-haired and long-haired types. Longer topcoat fur makes a dog look aesthetic. My German Shepherd is medium-coated, as you can see in the below photo. My German Shepherd Willow is medium-haired Plush coats have a topcoat length somewhere in between the short and long-coated varieties. They also have an undercoat which allows them to take their beautiful appearance to dog shows. On average, a medium-coat German Shepherd has a topcoat length between 1 and 2 inches. Since the greatest driver of the medium-haired dog price-hike is his ability to get into and win dog shows, you should pay extra only if you want to enroll him in one. Having said that, many owners, including myself, will purchase a medium-haired German Shepherd having no intention of showing. They appreciate the look and temperament of this type. The type at a glance: Has a double coat and a topcoat with 1 to 2-inch hair. Coat type is not common but not uncommon either. Commands premium price, especially if they have a qualifying color. Also used in various working roles such as law enforcement and service dogs. However, they will also require regular brushing. Again two to three times a week is a good practice. Shedding in plush-coated dogs also increases in the fall and spring when they shed their undercoat ready for the new season ahead. Regular brushing also fluffs up the coat for the best appearance. Before using the de-shedding tool mentioned above, I use the FURminator grooming rake , also from Amazon. This is better for thicker fur, such as the plush coat, and I use it for extra undercoat care. Medium coats should also be bathed times per year as over bathing will dry their skin and remove natural oils. However, their undercoat is often missing, which makes them unfit for AKC conformation events. The hair is often shiny and may form a parting along the back. Feathering occurs on the ears and legs, and they will have longer and thicker fur around the neck, which looks like a mane. On average, the topcoat features hair of at least 2 inches in length. In fact, in many instances, their missing undercoat requires a longer topcoat cover for temperature regulation. Ruskin House of Shepherds Long-haired varieties are considered objectively beautiful. However, their absent undercoat disqualifies them from a competition where said beauty would be rewarded. Because the long-haired variety cannot usually enter conformation, you can buy one much cheaper than a short or medium-coated dog. The least common coat type. Usually commands a lower price. Cannot enter a dog show unless double-coated. Friendlier temperament due to lack of working drive. Shedding is consistent throughout the year in single-coated dogs, without the massive increases in the fall and spring. You will still need to brush them frequently to prevent knots and tangles in the long fur. I recommend a good slicker brush, such as the Hertzko self-cleaning brush from Amazon. This brush is excellent for getting rid of tangles and knots without hurting your doggo, as the fine bristles do not scratch. They also retract back into the brush to avoid getting damaged when not in use. Looking at the appearance of long-coated GSDs, one would assume they require a lot of washing. The lack of an undercoat makes it too risky to wet the topcoat as the dog can get cold. Double Coated or Single Coated? The only German Shepherds with a missing undercoat are the long-haired ones. In some rare instances, a short-haired German Shepherd might have a very thin undercoat and might be disqualified from the show ring for the same reason. You can afford to have a single-coated pet if you live in a warmer climate. With the absence of an undercoat, they are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures. That said, you should not pay a premium price for an open coat since such a coat type is considered a fault. Open Coat at a Glance Technically has an undercoat; however, it is practically non-existent as it is extremely thin. Cannot enter dog shows. It is considered a fault, the same as a single coat by the AKC. Should cost less than the average German Shepherd. Temperature Regulation Open coat German Shepherds with longer topcoats are simply called single-coated. If your dog has an open coat, he is vulnerable to the elements. Making sure your dog is sufficiently protected from the cold and heat is one of your key responsibilities. Puppies When choosing a companion dog, it is normal for coat color to be a major consideration. But how about the German Shepherd coat? Do German Shepherd puppies change color? This article will discuss German Shepherd puppy coat coloring and how that coloring changes over time. Yes, German Shepherd puppies change color as they develop into adulthood. Even after they completely shed their puppy coat and grow their permanent adult coat, you can still expect to see some subtle changes in color. Instead, it sheds and changes continuously from birth to around 6 months. Once your German Shepherd turns 7 months old, the changes to their coat color will be more subtle. Nevertheless, it will continue to transform until they become adults at around 2 years old. Puppies are single-coated and their fur is generally soft and fluffy. Over time, they will shed that coat and develop a double-coat composed of dense fur and coarse outer hairs. Thick, downy fur helps puppies regulate their temperature within their first few months of life. However, their needs will change as they develop into adults. In the spring, German Shepherds blow their undercoats in preparation for the warm summer months. They will again shed heavily in the fall to develop a thicker and possibly darker winter coat. However, their appearance will still change—possibly multiple times—until well into adulthood, which starts at around 2 years old. However, you may still notice some subtle changes in thickness as the seasons turn. The color might also change slightly due to various factors like diet and sun exposure. However, experienced breeders can often tell whether a puppy will be long-coated before they turn a month old. It is also common for some unique markings to appear or disappear at this time. Nevertheless, the change in appearance might still be significant between 7 and 18 months old. Their shade could become darker or lighter, and their coat pattern can show some slight changes as well. Changes could still occur as a result of diet, environmental exposure, or health issues. No matter what color you prefer, your German Shepherd will benefit from proper nutrition and supplements for dog coat growth.

View our detailed comparison chart to find similarities and differences in size, temperament, The other parent breed could affect this, so you want to make sure you ask the breeder about them and. They are intelligent, active and loyal. The Blue Heeler has a double-layer coat which helps to protect the dog from extreme weather conditions as a working dog. They possess an inherent streak for herding cattle, having beenHe loves to be under you once he has gotten used to you and loves affection. Meet Lilly, a cute and curly Toy Poodle puppy who is being family raised with children. Good in a home with Other dogs. Despite their small size, blue heelers are working dogs that. Petfinder recommends that you should always take reasonable security steps before making online payments. Delivery options are available. She is looking for a forever family. This amazing pup is vet checked, up to date on shots and wormer, and comes with a. Smaller white puppy and brindle puppy are maleStanding between 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder, the Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, hard-muscled herder of strength and agility. This socialized pooch is friendly and ready for her forever home. These dogs are a mix between an Australian shepherd and an Australian cattle dog and boast characteristics from both these "parent" breeds. This socialized pooch is friendly and ready for his forever home. What is a blue Cadoodle? Home » Standard Poodle Puppies » Ember. The dog is, by nature, friendly, which is not the natural character of both of its parent breeds. Both Red Heeler and Poodle has same life span. Call or Text Amos for more information about making this puppy yours today! They even tend to be good with strangers as long as they have been properly. Comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee, up to date on vaccinations, dewormed and vet checked. Sunday Vibes - World's largest collection of cat memes and other animals. Both Red Heeler and Miniature Poodle has almost. Known for their distinctive blue-tinged coats, the Texas heeler is an energetic and intelligent working breed. These short coated, blue patterned dogs have upright ears and deep eyes. What about Lancashire Heelers? Home » Toy Poodle Puppies » Clark. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is perfectly built as a family of herding. Blue Heeler Poodle mix dogs also have the tough bones and strong physique of the Australian Cattle Dog. Poodles Popularly known as a fashion accessory, Poodles are among the most intelligent dog breed you will ever encounter. Parti Poodles look like the party animal of the Poodle bunch. The Poodle has curly or wavy hair that makes it unique amongst other dog breeds. Rescue Personality: Active, proud, very smart Energy Level: Energetic; Poodles are enthusiastic walkers, runners, and swimmers. Owning a blue heeler is a lot of work. He loves to be under you once he has gotten If interested please call or text Chris at and look at the photos at www. Date Available: January 9, .We have 6 Blue Cadoodle puppies. Also, Bouncer is family raised with children and socialized. I have 5 stunning cadoodle puppies now ready for deposits. A male Standard Poodle can reach up to 70 lbs, while females are close behind at .How big do heeler poodle mixes get? Blue heelers typically grow to weigh between 35 and 45 pounds and will be between 17 and 20 inches tall at the shoulder. While this may be pretty self-explanatory for those who have this hybrid, in real-world terms, they are fairly rare therefore most people refer to it as a Blue Heeler Poodle mix to give people a better idea about the dog mix. These types of poodle mixes are often called mixed breed,Blue Heeler Poodle mix dogs also have the tough bones and strong physique of the Australian Cattle Dog. Similarities and differences between Poodle vs Blue Heeler. They have a positive outlook on life because they are descended from some of the noblest canine lines. This 1-year-old male poodle-terrier mix is in kennel No. These puppies are for sale! Blue Cadoodle blue heeler and poodle These gorgeous little puppies are incredibly smart and devoted friends. Male poodle-terrier mix This 1-year-old male poodle-terrier mix has a long white coat. This little guy loves to run and play and be adventurous but wants to snuggle when its time to settle down. This was bred to create a dog with a low-shedding coat and a winning character. These dogs are great at swimming, obedience trials, and agility. I will have a vet check before I leave for my forever home. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and Poodle has almost same litter size. Red Heelers are also called Australian Cattle Dogs. This smaller breed of Doodle is a combination of the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. This mix makes for a very friendly dog that will be extremely intelligent as these are two of the smartest dogs around. These hardy pups were bred to herd cattle along the long and rugged terrains of the Australian. Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Puppies are getting increasingly popular. This breed has the charming demeanor of a Boxer combined with a friskiness and playfulness of a Poodle. Mother weighs 15 lbs, and the stud weighs 12 lbs. Items Included: First round of vaccines 3-way. Contents hide. He has short white fur with black spots. The Blue heeler Poodle mix is a rare dog to come by, but they tend to be loyal and great guard dogs when you find one. Location: Bethel, PA Telephone: Email: If you have your eyes on this unique dog, this article is resourceful and can give you insights into the kind of dog it is. Home » Miniature Poodle Puppies » Zoey. What is a heeler poodle mix called? Australian cattle and poodle. Breeding the two parent breeds together produces a perfect watchdog. Heeler mix boy Blue Heeler Puppy Male Heeler mix boy's story This boy is 14 weeks old and has had two rounds of shots and dewormer. He is house broke and crate trained. Heeler Poodle He loves to be under you once he has gotten used to you. They are known for being extremely intelligent as well as very good swimmers. Poodle Mix Breeds. Is it more like the Blue Heeler or the Poodle? The Cattle Doodle is a medium sized dog that can weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Breed Overview. Are Poodles good family dogs? Miniature Poodle Puppy. They weigh around 2 pounds when born and will only grow to around 5. The Cattle Doodle has a life span of between 12 to 15 years. Mother is an amazing Red Heeler. If you are interested in meeting this cuddly. See full list on petdt. These dogs are often called "Heelerpoos," or "Heeler Doodles" which is a combination of their parent breeds' names. He is a happy wired pup, but also laid back. The Red Heelers, are similar but lack the blue speck. They are the ideal prospect for specialized training such as flyball or agility, but are happy simpl. I come microchipped and with a 12 month genetic health guarantee. Red Heeler Puppies, in most cases, are born pure white. Austrailian Blue Heeler. Miniature poodles can grow to a maximum of 15 inches at the shoulders, according to the American Kennel Club breed standards. Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds. Dog Breeds The Blue Heeler dog is an active breed who needs a great food. There is some debate among dog lovers about the ethics of designer or mixed-breed dogs. Some people believe that all crossbreeds are unethical, while others believe that it depends on the individual case. When it comes to the Blue Heeler Poodle mix, we believe that this is an ethical cross. Both of the parent breeds are relatively common, and there is no need to create a new breed when these dogs can easily be adopted from shelters or rescue organizations. In addition, crossbreeding can often help to reduce the risk of health problems in dogs. This is because mixed-breed dogs usually have a more diverse gene pool than purebred dogs. As a result, they are less likely to inherit genetic diseases. This will help you to find the best possible match for your family and lifestyle. Grooming Requirements for a Blue Heeler Poodle Mix These dogs have high grooming needs due to their thick, double coat. They will need to be brushed several times per week to avoid matting and to keep their coat healthy. They will also need to be trimmed regularly by a professional groomer. It is important to start grooming your Blue Heeler Poodle mix puppy at an early age so they can get used to the process. This will make it easier for both you and your dog in the long run. Blue Heeler Poodle mixes are also heavy shedders, so they are not a good choice for people with allergies. The good news is that these dogs only need to be bathed once every few months. This helps to prevent their skin from becoming dry and irritated. Use a slicker brush to remove tangles and mats from their coat. Use a metal comb to reach the undercoat. Trim their nails regularly with a nail clipper or grinder. Temperament of a Blue Heeler Poodle These dogs are intelligent, active, and loyal. They make great family pets and are good with children. They are also known for being protective of their home and family. Blue Heeler Poodle mixes need to be well-trained and socialized from a young age. Without proper training, they may become aggressive or bark excessively. These dogs also need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk or run is a good way to keep them active. They also enjoy playing fetch and other interactive games. However, it is important to start training them at an early age. Here are a few tips to help you train your Blue Heeler Poodle mix: 1. Be consistent with your commands and rewards. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise and treats. Avoid using punishment, as it can make training more difficult. Be patient and keep training sessions short and fun. Start with basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and down. With proper training, your Blue Heeler Poodle mix will be a well-behaved and obedient dog. However, there are a few health issues that they are more prone to, such as hip dysplasia , elbow dysplasia , and von Willebrand disease. Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes the hip joint to develop abnormally. This can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition that affects the elbow joint. It can also cause pain, lameness, and arthritis. Von Willebrand disease is a blood disorder that can cause problems with clotting. This can lead to excessive bleeding during surgery or after an injury. If you are considering getting a Blue Heeler Poodle mix, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about these health conditions. They can help you decide if this is the right breed for you. Feeding Requirements for a Blue Heeler Poodle Mix These dogs have high energy levels and need a diet that is rich in protein and fat. They should also have access to fresh water at all times. Blue Heeler Poodle mixes should be fed two to three times per day. Puppies will need more frequent meals, while adults can typically get by with two meals per day. It is important to avoid overfeeding these dogs, as they are prone to obesity. This can lead to health problems, such as joint pain, diabetes, and respiratory problems. You should also avoid giving them table scraps, as this can cause digestive issues. The best way to ensure your Blue Heeler Poodle mix stays healthy is to feed them high-quality dog food. You can talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog. It should also be free of fillers, such as corn, wheat, and soy. You should also avoid foods that contain artificial additives, such as preservatives and flavorings. The best way to find high-quality dog food is to read reviews from other pet owners. You can also talk to your veterinarian for recommendations. With the right diet, your Blue Heeler Poodle mix will be a healthy and happy dog. There are a few foods that can be harmful to Blue Heeler Poodle mixes, such as chocolate, onions, and grapes. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors. Symptoms of onion poisoning include weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Grapes contain a substance called resveratrol, which can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms of grape poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney damage. If you suspect your dog has eaten any of these foods, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately. This price includes the cost of the puppy, as well as any vaccinations and deworming treatments that are required. If you are looking for a specific color or markings, you may have to pay more. You may also have to pay more if you want a dog from a breeder with a good reputation. Reputable breeders will often charge more for their puppies. If you are on a budget, you can check with your local animal shelter or rescue group. They may have Blue Heeler Poodle mixes that need a home. Tips to Find a Reputable Breeder If you are looking for a reputable breeder, there are a few things you can do to find one. First, you can ask your veterinarian for recommendations. They may know of breeders in your area that have a good reputation. You can also search online for Blue Heeler Poodle mix breeders. Be sure to read reviews from other pet owners before you choose a breeder. Another option is to attend dog shows and meet breeders in person. This can give you a chance to ask them questions and get to know them better. When you visit a breeder, be sure to take note of the conditions of the puppies and their parents. The puppies should be clean and well-cared for. The parents should also be healthy and friendly. Once you find a reputable breeder, be sure to ask about the health history of the puppies. A good breeder will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with all the information you need. Now that you have your Blue Heeler Poodle mix puppy, it is important to start them on the right path. This includes choosing the right diet, getting them vaccinations and deworming treatments, and socializing them with other dogs. Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your dog healthy. All dogs need to be vaccinated against rabies, parvovirus, and distemper. Rabies is a deadly virus that can be spread to people and other animals. It is required by law in most states to vaccinate dogs against rabies. Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause death in puppies. It is important to vaccinate your dog against parvovirus, especially if they are going to be around other dogs. Distemper is a viral disease that can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. It is important to vaccinate your dog against distemper, especially if they are going to be around other dogs. With the right care, your Blue Heeler Poodle mix will grow into a healthy and happy dog.

They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Back to Top Labrador Retriever Temperament Cheerful and animated, this large dog breed has stamina and energy to spare, able to keep up with your family and all your activities. And thanks to their high intelligence, learning commands and tricks come relativity easy for them. Labrador dogs love having a job to do and excel at things like agility courses and, just like their name implies, retrieving items. In fact, their superior intelligence is why they often make great assistance dogs, working as therapy or service animals. A people-pleaser, Labrador Retrievers have a pleasant personality and love interacting with humans. Get ready to be showered with lots of affection! Slow and controlled introductions to other family pets will help make the transition go smoothly. Addressing any biting issues early on, providing proper socialization when they are puppies aka safely exposing them to lots of new people, places and things and working with a professional dog trainer can help avoid behavioral issues when they get older. Back to Top How to Care for a Labrador Retriever As you might expect with such a popular dog breed, Labs are relatively easy to care for and make great dogs for first-time pet parents. The toughest part about taking care of a Lab will likely be your ability to keep up with them! For more routine maintenance, brush them at least once a week. Consider using a tool like the Furminator to help brush out the undercoat and remove the excess fur. Labs who spend most of their time indoors should be bathed every four to six weeks. You can do this at home or have it done by a professional groomer. For those who get a lot of outdoor time, you should bathe them weekly. Training Labs are eager to please, making them highly trainable. You can begin obedience school with your Labrador puppy between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months. They can learn the basics such as housebreaking, commands—sit, stay, speak, shake and roll over—and leash skills, such as heel. Labs can be leash-pullers and jumpers. To help train dogs more effectively, choose a headcollar to help prevent pulling and provide more control. A certified professional dog trainer can provide more guidance on correcting the issue. In general, Labs are extremely friendly and do well in most social interactions. As a working dog, they can compete in agility courses, retrieve fish, be excellent guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, sniff out bombs and drugs, and help law enforcement in search-and-rescue missions. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet. Because Labs are so active and always on the go, they may benefit from a high-protein dog food. If your pup has digestion issues, you may need to seek out a different dog food formula. While treats are often used in training, be sure to limit the amount you dish out on the daily. An overabundance of treats, even if your pup is super active, is an easy way for them to pack on the pounds. Take them for runs around the neighborhood or at the dog park, in addition to regular walks and hikes at least once a day for an hour is ideal. A great way to burn off their energy is to enroll them in agility course training or let them swim in a pool, lake or ocean if you have those options nearby. Speaking of swimming, Labs absolutely love the water—they were, after all, bred to be waterdogs, retrieving fish and fowl. Lab parents should prioritize water-based outings as often as possible to ensure that their pup gets the precious water time they love. Since Labs are natural swimmers, dock diving makes for a fun exercise that will keep them entertained for hours on end. Ideal Environment Labs want love, affection and attention—and lots of it. Their ideal environment is, unsurprisingly, one where they can be smothered with cuddles, hugs and kisses. These family dogs generally do well with kids and other pets because of their amicable attitude and spirited energy. Having friends over for dinner? Your Lab is likely to steal the show with their cheerfulness. Labs are extremely versatile and tend to flourish in many different environments, from urban to rural. A game of fetch is always a fun option for Retrievers! Reputable breeders often look at lineage to eliminate health problems that can run in bloodlines and be passed from generation to generation. Elbow Dysplasia: When an elbow joint grows abnormally, your pup might experience stiffness in their forelimbs. Their mobility may be affected, and they might deal with some discomfort or pain over time. Treatment will depend on the primary cause of the elbow dysplasia, but in most cases surgery is recommended. Arthritis is common in older Labs because of their large size, which places more strain on their joints with age. There are hip surgeries that can mitigate the effects of hip dysplasia if identified early enough. Allergies: Labs are prone to environmental and food allergies, which can be, at times, rather relentless. Common signs of really bad allergies? Recurring ear and skin infections and chewing at their paws. If your Lab regularly shows these signs, check with your vet for the best way to help keep these reactions at bay. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Otherwise known as PRA, this describes a number of diseases that can cause degeneration of the lining in the retina, which is in the back of the eye. In some cases, this condition can lead to blindness. But as a deep-chested dog, Labs are more likely to be susceptible to it. In severe cases, the stomach can twist upon itself and result in a condition called gastric dilation volvulus GDV. This is very serious and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Johns Dog or the lesser Newfoundland, Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland not Labrador , Canada, and are longtime descendants of the now-extinct St. With their strong hunting heritage, Labradors first became popularized in the early s as a waterdog who could help fishermen retrieve fish and ducks and bring them back to their boats. Their soft mouths and gentle jaws made them perfect for delicately handling birds and fish. Eventually, they were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to England after English nobles visited Canada. There, the English continued to refine the breed in the second half of the 19th century. The popularity of the Labrador breed has only continued to grow since then. Today, modern Labs are the most popular dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club, which formally recognized the breed in .Labs are mostly sought after for their unmatched diving aptitude and ability to work in the water, largely thanks to their water-repellent coats, webbed feet and otter-like tail. You can also reach out to Labrador Retriever rescue organizations to adopt a Lab or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter. No, Labs are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Labs shed frequently. Overall, some dog breeds may have less reactive dander, which may make them be seen as hypoallergenic. But it mainly depends on how your body responds and how sensitive your allergies are to any particular animal. Can Labrador Retrievers swim? Yes, Labrador Retrievers can swim; they have webbed feet, which help propel them through the water. They readily jump into the water to retrieve fish or ducks when directed. Can Labrador Retrievers be guard dogs? They perform better at jobs that require constant stimulation, like sporting activities or being a therapy or service animal. What are the most common Labrador mixes? Labs are always up for anything. For those who love to stay active and want a loyal canine companion, Labs are undoubtedly the way to go. They've won the dog personality popularity contest for so many years, as Labs are devoted to their owners—always willing to show you their affection and receive your adoration in return—are highly intelligent, and are happiest doing any and all family activities. Their enthusiasm not only makes them fun to be around, but also makes them a hard-working breed. Labs are companionable, bonding with all family members, and famously friendly to every person and pup they meet. While they have high energy and require lots of activity , they are eager to please and highly trainable. Appearance Thanks to their role as a hunter's companion, the Labrador retriever is a sturdy dog, weighing in at anywhere from 55—80 pounds. Labs come in three colors: chocolate, black, and yellow. While black Labs were an early favorite with breeders, all three types of Labs are common today. Some breeders do offer "rare" Labs, including polar white, fox red, and even silver, but these are simply variations of the three original Lab coloring combinations. Their top coat is short and thick. Their undercoat is softer and helps provide protection from the weather, especially cold temperatures and water, a nod to their original role as retrievers. A Lab's tail serves a purpose in their heritage as well. They are thick and tapered, an "otter tail" that acts as a rudder when Labs swim. But watch out on land—this happy breed gets to wagging their tail often and eagerly, and won't stop if you happen to be in the way. Yellow Labs might be easy to confuse with golden retrievers. Though both are friendly pups and popular with families, they distinctly different breeds. Temperament "The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non aggressive towards man or animal," the breed standard says. They are friendly with new people and animals they meet. Tops in the personality department, Labs are also highly intelligent, making them very trainable. They do have lots of energy, so you'll need to stay active with them, but they are also happy to relax at home for family movie night. What many veterinarians do find, however, is that each Lab is an individual with his own personality. Some Labs are more mellow, while others can be higher energy. Some tend to be more anxious dogs. And you can even have a Lab that is a bit of a goofball. But no matter what personality your Lab puppy grows to develop, one thing is always the same. Living Needs Labs adore their owners. They will want to live indoors and sleep as close as possible to you—or even on you. They like to get outside to play, but don't leave them unattended for too long as they may prove they have a naughty side. Labs have been known to dig and chew, so invest in plenty of sturdy chew toys to keep yours entertained. If properly introduced and trained, Labs can also get along well with other pets in the home including cats , other dogs, and small animals. They are competitors, doing well in agility, field tests, and at dog shows. And they absolutely love to swim. Care When you welcome a Lab to your home, be prepared for lots of shedding. Grooming isn't substantial, but brushing your dog daily will help reduce the tumbleweeds of fur scattered about your house from their thick double coat. They should be bathed every other month to keep them smelling fresh. Brushing their teeth a couple of times a week, keeping their nails trimmed —likely once or twice a month—and checking their ears for redness or odor should also be on your Lab care checklist. A daily minute walk or a lively game of fetch will help your pup burn off some of his energy. Lack of activity could lead to undesirable behavior, but don't overdo it—this "workaholic" breed is apt to exhaust itself. Don't let Lab puppies run and play on hard surfaces for their first two years so they don't damage their joints. Of course their reputation for good behavior precedes them, but that doesn't mean you can skip training sessions with your Lab. Training is important to ensure they don't grow to become too rowdy. Introduce Labrador puppies to other humans and animals early to help socialize them properly. This, coupled with ample positive reinforcement , will allow your pup to grow into the friendly Lab many know and love. Health Labs are a pretty hearty and healthy breed , living 10—12 years. But, as with all breeds, there are some common conditions to be aware of. Elbow and hip dysplasia , heart disorders such as tricuspid valve dysplasia TVD , epilepsy , and hereditary myopathy or muscle weakness can all affect Labs. They can also face eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Owners should also be aware of a condition called exercise induced collapse EIC. Labs may also develop hot spots —or acute moist dermatitis—cold tail, and ear infections. History A bit misnamed, Labs actually come from Newfoundland—off the northeastern coast of Canada—not Labrador, according to the Labrador Retriever Club. Descended from St. John's water dogs, Labradors are a traditional waterdog used to retrieve ducks and keep fishermen company. At the end of the work day, Labs were then happy to head home to spend the night with the fishermen's families. They became increasingly popular starting in the early s, when they were brought to England by nobles who appreciated their work ethic and disposition. Public Domain It may be hard to believe, but by the s, Labs were almost extinct because of government restrictions and tax laws—the same laws that led to the St. John's water dogs' extinction, according to the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. Thankfully saved by English breeders, they were introduced to the U. After World War II, the Lab's popularity took over and grew for decades until they ultimately achieved the status of America's—and England and Canada's—most popular pooch. Fun Facts In , for the 29th year in a row, the Lab was voted the number one most popular breed. King Buck was the model Labrador retriever featured on a U. Another famous Lab is Ben of Hyde , born in .Considered the first documented yellow Lab, today most lines of yellow Labs can be traced to his bloodline. The star of the show, Marley, is actually several different Labs who played the role to reflect the various age stages of Marley during the film. His family adopted another chocolate Lab, Seamus , after Clinton's presidency ended. Was this page helpful? History and Origins The Labrador Retriever breed originated not in Labrador, but on the coast of Newfoundland, in the 17th century. They were trained to bring in the fishing-nets through the icy waters for the fishermen and, in the early 19th century, were brought to Poole Harbour in Great Britain. They were so attractive and with such appealing personalities that the fishermen had umpteen offers from Englishmen to buy them. The breed with their working abilities was instantly successful as a gundog. The Earl of Malmesbury became fascinated by these dogs, known at that time as Saint John's Dogs, and he started breeding them, calling them Labrador Dogs. Today, Labradors are still used as working gundogs as well as being beloved family pets. Ideal Owner Ideal Lab owners enjoy long walks, are mud-proof and water-proof, and have the time, patience and skill to teach this breed to be a polite member of society. Although universally thought of as the ultimate, easy-going family dog and they do generally love everyone! Great for active families with children who can take part in training and exercise — and who can walk this active gundog a couple of hours every day in all weathers. Exercise Needs Labradors will adapt to the amount of time you can allocate for their exercise, as long as they are kept active. Ideally, a couple of hours a day being a good amount for a healthy adult. They love long walks with a chance to run and play off the lead. Many Labradors, unfortunately, become overweight because they are bought by families who want them for their reputation as the perfect dog with children, without realising that this is a working dog, who needs a lot of exercise and training to stay happy and healthy. As well as walks, a Labrador will revel in games and play with their owner, as they are highly social, and need to be involved in all family activities. Space Requirements The Labrador is a large, active breed who is at heart a country dog, and so needs a good-sized living space. As the Labrador size is large and their energy is high, they will appreciate a large garden and need access to the great outdoors for long walks. Nutrition and Feeding Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Labrador is prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk. Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Labrador lifespan reaching 14 years. Grooming Labradors The Labrador grooming process is fairly easy as their coats are simple to maintain. Even though the Labrador size is large, their coat is thick and dense with a weather-resistant undercoat that can easily be kept clean with a simple brush through once a week, and more regular attention when moulting. However, they do love water and mud, and so they may need more regular grooming to keep them clean. Watch out for grass seeds in the summer as they tend to charge around the countryside! Training Labradors Labradors are generally a joy to train as they are both clever and biddable, and love working with their owner. Despite being generally unproblematic, they do still need training as they have a need to work and to keep their busy brains occupied. Plus, they can easily get overly-boisterous, and even destructive, if not given plenty of exercise, and an outlet for their hard-wired breed behaviours. Are Labradors Good Family Dogs? There is a good reason why the Labrador has a reputation as being, almost, the perfect family dog. This is a breed who loves everyone and everything. Their only drawback is that they need a lot of exercise, and so they need an active family who enjoy walking and games. All dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

Breeding Labradoodles takes more than just mating two dogs and hoping for the best. It requires lots of research, time, and money to raise the healthiest litters possible. Unfortunately, the soaring demand for Doodles has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. The Humane Society conducts an extensive review of problematic breeders and puppy mills each year. Likewise, look for breeders who offer at least a two-year health guarantee for all their puppies. Typically, health warranties cover most or all genetic diseases that the parents have been tested for. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Additionally, many reputable breeders are also recommended by Gooddog. To become a certified breeder by any of these organizations, the breeder must follow strict health and genetic testing standards, and follow ethical breeding protocols. All puppies are handled from the day they are born. The pups are exposed to children, everyday sounds, sights, and household experiences. What Makes This Breeder Unique? We are a small, family friendly breeder of Goldendoodles and Labradoodles in Suisun Valley California. Our puppies are raised at our home and are socialized with adults, children, and other dogs daily. You can be sure your future furry family member will have a sweet, gentle disposition. We pride ourselves on our well behaved, cheerful, and intelligent puppies. Our labradoodles make terrific family companions, activity partners, and even therapy dogs. Our home is in Suisun Valley where our families have been farming for over years. To the west of our farm is Twin Sisters Peaks, the highest points in the part of hilly ridge that borders our little valley. This locally well known peak called Twin Sisters, and is where we take our name from. In this case, mom is a goldendoodle and dad is an Australian labradoodle. Since their settlement in this area, our past generations have always farmed our land. We continue to farm tree and row crops. But we also have great love for animals of all kinds. For many years, we helped our children learn to raise and respect animals through the 4-H and FFA. Just as our parents did with us growing up. Reserve your spot! Or give us a call today! With 17 years of experience in breeding Australian Labradoodles, we pride ourselves on selecting only the best dogs for our breeding program, which in turn ensures that we are producing the best puppies imaginable. We work closely with our licensed vet to perform health testing, including hip and elbow testing; eyes, heart, skin, and patella testing; and a series of genetic tests, on all of our breeding dogs. We provide a temperature controlled, in home my master bedroom environment, with sound therapy to expose your puppy to lifes sounds from an early age. This helps desensitize your puppy to the sounds of life traffic, fireworks, outdoor machinery, crying baby, misc appliances, automobiles, etc. We start crate training at 5 weeks with a soothing heartbeat snuggle puppy to comfort them as they transition to sleeping alone and all the puppies love it and sleep better with minimal crying. We add nutrients and special additives for puppies to their drinking water. We add probiotics to their food for a healthy GI tract and immune system. We make special liver water, gruel, with puppy supplements, dog milk formula to their nutritionally dense food to support eyes, ear, bone, joint, coat and heart health. We expose your puppy to sunlight daily on the deck right outside the puppy nursery area. There is always a plush bedding for their cozy comfort in their play areas for those impromptu naps puppies love. Our puppies are held and played with while being bathed and exposed to water, in our walk-in shower, which builds a positive experience, with water, for their lifetime. Bath time is with a human sitting in this large shower allowing plenty of space for your puppy too roam around and enjoy water in a nurturing experience. The puppies love it instead of being in a sink with a dry human just washing them. Water is actual playtime while they get clean and build positive experiences with being wet. Instead we utilize Puppy Culture, Badass Breeder protocols and tons of love from humans that are passionate and dedicated to what they do. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to providing you with your fury best friend! When full grown, these health tested, Australian Labradoodle puppies will be approximately pounds with wavy fleece coats, curly fleece coats or the occasional straighter hair fleece coats. Our puppies can go home as early as 8 weeks old. We can also hold back a puppy if you are interested in training services. Sugar Pine Doodles on Facebook. Would you like to be a guardian for one of our breeding doodles? Please click for our Guardian Home Program to learn more. Find the Next Member of Your Family. In July , Kiah, my Australian Shepherd, was killed and the opportunity to adopt a miniature Labradoodle named Daphne came along. Needless to say, I fell in love with the little bundle of joy that helped me get through the loss of my best friend Kiah. My family had always planned on breeding Australian Shepherds, but after bonding with Daphne and meeting other Labradoodles, I was quickly hooked and Ocean View Labradoodles was born. In , I went back to school for a degree in teaching and needed help if Ocean View was to continue. My parents took an interest in labradoodles as well and Ocean View Labradoodles became a family business. My mom, Sheri, is the main contact person for our puppy families now, especially during the school year! The whelping area is in my bedroom, the playpen when they get older is in the living room, and when the pups are old enough to venture outdoors, an outdoor run area is made available to them during the day. They are introduced to a litter box early on, which will get them started on potty training before they leave Ocean View for their new homes. They will also be socialized with our other dogs, our cat, and children of all ages to provide them with as many experiences as possible to lessen their stress when they leave our home. They have been groomed at least twice by the time they join your family. We feed both our parent dogs and our puppies a holistic dry dog food. Lets Bark About It.

How to accept discipline and more besides So taking a puppy any earlier is wrong and detrimental to their development. We follow many of the guidelines set forth by a program called Puppy Culture. Know that once you have your puppy, everything you do, everything they see, every good experience, bad experience, taste, smell, sight, reward and punishment trains them in some way. All of these experiences are granted to them by you and they will be looking to you for guidance through these experiences. Puppies are exactly like children. They take their cues from you to learn where they can go, where they should not, what they should be scared of, what they should not, what they can play with, what they can not…and on and on. You may as well take advantage of this innocence, when they have no idea of what life is with no preconceived ideas, no habits formed or needing to be broken, to start training them to fit into the life that they will lead with the skills that they will need. I believe you should start to train your Labrador puppy as soon as you get them home, from 8 weeks of age. But I stress this important point, to make it fun! You have to think of a puppy as a very young child. A puppy is just as impulsive, has just as little self-control and just as short an attention span. You need to think the same with a puppy. They are just like a child. A puppy will eat what they like, when they like. Go where they can, when they can. And they will not be able to listen to and act on your every word. They will have a very short attention span and no self-control. It would be totally unfair. While watching TV train your puppy during the commercial breaks. Commercial breaks are usually about minutes long perfect time for training your pup! This means going very slowly and not expecting too much. Having many small wins is very encouraging. Just do very gentle training exercises for short periods of time. Most people with a Labrador as a family pet will think of training as obedience commands and performing tricks. But you can train them basic things such as: Sit Stay for mere seconds…with no distractions! Keep it easy! Roll over. Commencing Marker Training your chocolate labrador pup Start Marker Training at 8 weeks of age When you take your 8 week old labrador pup to their new home, you should commence their obedience training immediately. Just repetitively say yes and give your pup a treat immediately. Then familiarise your labrador pup with a leash. Clip the leash to their collar and allow the pup to roam a little. This way they will adjust to its weight and the sensation around their neck. If you try to walk your pup straight away, they will simply resist. Don't pull and command, but rather cultivate a positive experience with a leash. Secondly, I recommend that you feed your new labrador pup with a leash attached until they learn to sit. This will establish you as the master and immediately teach the pup restraint. Do not give the food bowl to your dog without firstly bringing him under your control. Even with my mature dogs, I will not let them feed except on command. Feeding should never be random. Hold the leash close to the labrador pup's neck and push their rear end down to the seated position. When they are sitting, enthusiastically praise your pup and, only then, reward their obedience with food. Remember, food should always represent a reward for good behaviour. They hear tones and frequencies. When we train them, we are conditioning them to associate a particular sound with a response so that it means something to them. Labrador puppies like all dogs learn contextually and by consistent repetition. In this way, a labrador pup learns to associate sounds with responses and rewards. This is why you should reward your pup immediately when they have performed a command correctly, even if they did not intend to do so. In the early stages, I prefer to teach a dog to 'sit,' then move on to 'staying' before teaching them to 'come'. This is especially so while they are still a puppy. Remember that a 12 month old dog is still a pup. They are regularly hyperactive and overstimulated. The goal is to get your labrador puppy into a calm and submissive state as often as you can. Ensure you are demonstrating a calm and composed, yet assertive demeanor. When you are in charge, your labrador pup will willingly sit and look to you for direction. Exercise patience and be repetitive but don't overdo it. Remember that the time you put in now will help you bond with your young dog, even if they do not appear to be advancing quickly. It will be a very worthwhile investment in a long term relationship for years to come. Of these three basic commands, the 'stay' command will take more time to teach. When this is mastered and entrenched in your dog's obedience, it can save your dog from danger. You are teaching them associations, not English words. Sit Teaching your new labrador pup to sit should begin immediately when you take it home. Begin by feeding them on a leash. Hold the leash close to the pup's neck. Give the pup the 'sit' command, but don't reward them with food until they are sitting. In this way you have begun to condition the pup to the 'sit' command. This requires patience at meal time. Remember that a labrador pup requires 4 feeds a day for the first phase of their life. This gives you ample opportunity for repetition and reward. When the dog sits, reward them with a treat and a lot of enthusiastic praise. Each time they repeat the behaviour, reward them with a treat again. You can train your labrador pup for short intervals at any time. Carry a few small pieces of food. Call your pup, then reward them with lots of affirmation and a piece of food when they comply. Teach them to sit by offering a small treat. Say 'sit', then let them smell the food as you move your hand over their head. A labrador pup will automatically lift the nose in the air to follow the food. As the head moves up and back, the pup will tend to sit. Give lots of praise and gradually increase repetition as they associate the word 'sit' with the food. Stay Your Labrador pup will need to understand the 'sit' command before you advance to 'stay'. Before you give the 'stay' command, make sure that the dog is seated. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you will use your hand with the fingers pointing up and the palm in front of their face. To begin with, position yourself about half a metre away from your pup's face. Direct the 'stay' command calmly, with your hand up. Slowly take half a step back and remain there for 3 seconds to begin with. Then step back towards to the dog. Wait for another 3 sec and then reward your dog with a treat. Repeat this 5 times. Reward them at the end of each 'stay' routine by praising them enthusiastically and giving them a treat. Don't praise or reward the dog until they have remained seated in front of you for a minimum of 3 seconds when you return. Your puppy should not move a millimetre until you give the reward. If your dog breaks early, you have gone too far. Simply return to your dog, reset them in the seated position and begin the routine again. Come It is important to make sure your Labrador understands the 'stay' command before you begin the recall or 'come' command. Make sure you pup is seated before you give the 'come' command. As your walk away from your pup, maintain eye contact. Don't back away too far too soon. If the pup breaks early, give the 'come' command to establish association. When you call your dog to 'come', do not let them jump up on you. If the dog wants to stand on its back legs and reach up, place the palm of your hand on their head and hold it away from you. I suggest that you don't say 'no! The down command should be used as a more constructive training command. If your pup jumps up, make your disapproval known by using a 'dog' sound; 'Ahhh! If you find yourself becoming frustrated, then put the pup away and start again tomorrow. Don't take it personally and don't blame the dog. Corrections are necessary, but not out of frustration or anger. If it's not working, then look at your consistency and your communication. If the training is a positive experience then you will strengthen the bonding and learning process. Develop consistent communication and trust with your dog in the process of the training. Labrador pups love to please and they will be very proud of themselves when they accomplish the command and gain your approval. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. What is the best age to start training a Lab puppy to work? This guide will answer all of your questions regarding when to start training a Lab puppy. It will combine my personal experience with that of other experts in the field, along with information from behavioral research, to guide you with your decision of when to start training a Labrador puppy of your own. Congratulations on your fluffy new bundle of joy. Labs gained their well-deserved place among favorite breeds for so many reasons. Enthusiastic companions, fast learners, loyal and brave, Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets. How Puppies Learn In the natural canine world, mother dogs teach their pups everything they need to know about their world, survival and living together happily in various stages of development. Most professional trainers try to mimic the natural canine learning process in their puppy training phases. In fact, we only recommend positive training techniques. Rewards can include food, special treats, praise and petting, playing with a favorite toy, etc. Basic Training Concepts Every Puppy Should Learn The first two components of your puppy training should be thorough socialization and potty training. Here are a few tips with each of those early behaviors. Socialization actually refers to exposure to a wide range of situations and individuals. This goes for being around lots of different people, including children. While your pup is still impressionable and inquisitive, introduce her to friends, neighbors and strangers. Introduce her to children with careful instructions to stay quiet, move slowly and pet gently. They could end up grabbing her tightly, and scaring or hurting her. Being handled by other people will be very key in socializing your puppy. Your dog should be properly socialized to gentle and careful handling, teeth brushing, touching ears and paws and tail. This will make trips to the vet and groomer easier. Make sure to also check out our guide to taking puppies outside for more help with socialization. Crate Training for Dogs Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to love spending time secure in their cosy den. Some puppies basically crate train themselves, loving their crate from day one. Others need a more gradual introduction to this safe space. The trick is to not turn crating into a punishment , but instead make it a wonderful place to have a short undisturbed rest. Most puppies will go through a play biting phase, so if you need help training your lab not to nip, you can follow this guide. It will be important for your dog to sit quietly in the field or duck stand. Self-control should be incorporated throughout daily routines and all training phases. Finally, learning how to walk politely on a leash in public is important. In addition to the behaviors listed above, there are a few extra considerations for training a gundog. As early as 8 weeks old, professional gundog trainers begin introducing lab puppies to various scenarios. The core behavioral requirements for a gundog that can be started in puppies this young are: Thorough socialization and desensitization to various environments and sounds. Be sure to start with quieter sounds and build to louder sounds, especially when introducing the sound of gunfire, to avoid creating a frantic dog. Calmness and steadiness amidst distraction. The earliest introduction to this is teaching your pup to sit for his meals, which can be captured as early as six weeks. There are, however, two important considerations to your Lab puppy training. Before their leg bones are fully developed, Labs can develop joint issues if they run too hard and long. Second, resist the urge to play fetch and retrieve every day with your Lab puppy. They overdo it with tossing a ball or dummy to try to encourage the pup to retrieve. The retrieving instinct typically kicks in quite strong around puberty between five to 10 months. Instead, we suggest focusing on sit, stay and waiting quietly with self control. Those are the more difficult behaviors for a lab to learn once adolescent hormones kick in. Start with socialization and household manners as early as 8 weeks old. Then move to sit, stay, steadiness training, and walking on a leash between 12 and 18 weeks. Training is an ongoing life skill, rather than something you do once and consider done. For a hunting Lab, adding various distractions and practicing perfect recall in different environments will be the two biggest training techniques to work on throughout life. Enjoy your training! If you are following my training of Bubba, you know that training a 3—4-month-old puppy is a big challenge. By the time your puppy reaches the 5-month age, they have generally started to mature some, not a lot and are usually a bit more receptive to training. Here is the training you can work on with your 5-month-old Lab puppy. Regarding this series of posts This is post nine of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba Bubba has turned the corner from puppy to adolescent. She now understands the training schedule and looks forward to being trained twice a day. I know this because when Bubba comes out of the dog trailer, she is watching me and bouncing in anticipation of being trained. She has learned that if she does her obedience work, she gets to retrieve. So, she is willing to do the work to get the reward. This simple shift has made working with Bubba so much more enjoyable. Now is when I get to really see her start to improve, and I find that so rewarding. Training and socialization for five-month-old Labrador puppy Here are the things we have been working on and will continue to work on with Bubba in month five. Increased self-control and restraint This goes hand-in-hand with obedience. I must continue to increase my expectations of Bubba and put her in more and more situations where she must make the decision to obey. At this age, I can see the conflict going on in her mind. I call her with a HERE command, but she wants to run after the cat. She looks at me, so I know she heard me and then she looks at the cat. At this point, she will more often than not choose to obey the HERE command and come to me. This is huge. It shows some maturity and an increase in knowledge and understanding of right and wrong behavior. Dog trainers live for times like these. It means the dog is growing and learning and making good choices. This drill is very simple. Why is this important? Well, most people have problems with their dog coming to them consistently. The reason is most often because each time the dog comes the dog gets put away in the house, or in a crate. Or they get something taken away from them like a toy or a stick. It allows your dog to learn that coming to you is a good thing and not a bad thing. Obedience training your 5-month-old puppy We continue to work on obedience daily with Bubba and will for at least the next months. After that, we will still do obedience training at least twice a week. You are never done obedience training. Your dog may get very good at obedience work, but if you do not work on it for a few weeks or longer, it will start to deteriorate. For now, we simply use a chain collar and heeling stick, but not too far down the line we will start collar conditioning her for corrections by the electronic collar. In fact, technically, we are already collar conditioning Bubba since each time we take her out to train we put an e-collar on her. It is a small puppy sized collar and it is not turned on, but she wears it each time she gets trained. So, when I pull out the e-collar, Bubba gets very excited because she knows she is going to get trained. This is the response we are looking for. Some dogs get very excited when the owner grabs the leash, because they know that they are going for a walk. This is the same reaction we are looking for from putting on an electronic collar. The dog should not act differently when the e-collar is on. If your dog cowers or fights you when you want to put the e-collar on, then you have introduced the collar incorrectly and your dog now thinks that the e-collar is a bad thing. This means that your dog is collar wise and will act completely different when the e-collar is on. This is a huge problem because it is very likely your dog will be obedient when the collar is on and disobedient when the collar is off. That is not what we want to achieve. We want your dog to be obedient with or without the e-collar on. Micro-obedience sessions At this young age, we often do what I call micro-obedience sessions. These are obedience training sessions, but they are only around minutes long. These are very effective for puppies because they have a very short attention span. You just must pick one obedience command to focus on for each micro-session, preferably only one drill. It is better to do micro-sessions a day than to try and pack too much into each session. She is not perfect, she is still a puppy and therefore makes a lot of mistakes, but she understands the HEEL command and I can walk in squares or a figure 8 and she is following my legs for the turns. I will continue to work on longer and longer walks with Bubba at heel throughout the month. Learn more about How to obedience train a Labrador puppy. Bubba is a chocolate Lab, and as I have said in the past, chocolates tend to mature slower than black or yellow Labs. Because of this, Bubba really struggled with a remote SIT for a long time. She could not seem to stop her little butt from moving! However, we have made progress and she is now sitting still, and I can walk away from her to a distance of around six feet while she remains seated. Again, she makes mistakes. She is a puppy, and we must give her some grace, but we still correct the mistakes and continue to work on improvement. The distance can be anywhere from 3 feet to 6 feet. Later, this will be very important since this is the position to which I expect all my dogs to deliver the birds. She will end facing the same direction I am facing, sitting next to me. This is a vital drill that we do with every dog that goes through one of our programs. It teaches the dog to deliver the bird to a HEEL position. By starting this with Bubba at this young age, she will learn quickly what the HEEL position is and soon I will be able to say HEEL and put my left hand out from my side slightly and she will come into that position. I did use treats for a short time, which again, I am not a fan of for many reasons. HERE is a vital command and so we will work on it daily. And for those of you who are wondering, yes, manually does mean chasing her puppy butt down, putting on a lead and pulling her towards me with the HERE command all the way back to where I was when I issued the command. It is so important that you never, and I mean NEVER, give a dog a command that you are not willing to enforce in one way or another. For your dog to learn that commands are meant to be obeyed, they must understand that any refusal of the command will be backed up with a correction. The correction may only be a sharp NO, or it may be more serious like a lead correction. Retrieving with your 5-month-old Lab puppy In my last post, I talked about how important it is for you to NOT retrieve with a teething-puppy. Bubba has most of her adult teeth in already, we are just waiting on a few, but she is showing us she is more than ready to retrieve again. So, we have begun hand thrown marks again and she is going out like gangbusters and delivering the bumpers right to my hand. If I notice any problems with her carrying the bumpers or if she starts dropping them a lot, I will stop again until the teeth are more solid. If Bubba seems to be in pain at all during retrieving, we will stop immediately. We never want her to associate retrieving with pain. Bubba already understands the retrieving game when it comes to assistant thrown marks too. She sits with me or Steve at the line and faces the gunners throwers in the field. She sits tall and proud; she knows what the gunners are out there for, and she is ready to do the work. It is so fun to watch these puppies figure out the game and what their job is. It is time to start a new retrieving drill with Bubba. The drill is designed to get a dog to mark throws that are further and further away. It gets them to run out a longer distance to a mark and not even notice the change in distance. It is done by starting with a 20—yard mark, generally on shorter grass where the bumper can be seen on the ground. Have the thrower throw the bumper and send the dog using their name. After the dog picks up the bumper and is running back to you, take a few large steps backward. Take delivery of the bumper and line your dog up for another mark. The mark will be in the same place, but that location is now several yards deeper since you have backed up. Have the thrower throw another bumper and again send your dog. After the dog picks up the bumper and is running back to you, again back up several yards. Repeat until your dog is retrieving at longer distances. This drill works well for dogs that have a very strong retrieving desire. For dogs with less desire, you will need to move much slower, only doing marks total in a session. Remember, you never want to burn out your dog with retrieves. Always leave them wanting more! Final thoughts on training for your 5-month-old Labrador puppy If you have been following these posts, you are getting very close to moving your dog into hunting training. We take dogs for our hunting programs right after their adult teeth are in, so generally at months of age. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Training your 5-month-old Labrador puppy. And yet, many new owners get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older. Sometimes new owners are just overwhelmed with taking care of their new puppy. Others lack the information needed to make good decisions regarding training for their new family member. Unfortunately, though, some bad behaviors or missed socialization and exposure opportunities are difficult to address with an older dog. So, if your goal is for you new retriever to eventually grow into an excellent duck dog, here is a guide to raising your Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Picking up the puppy The journey with your new retriever pup starts the day you pick him or her up from the breeder. Hopefully you have done your homework and selected a litter of puppies with parents who have proven trainability. If you have a pick from the litter, you will want to take some time to observe the puppies. Even so, most trainers will tell you that picking a puppy is a complete crapshoot, meaning there really is no way to know how good the dog will be while looking at them as a puppy. Genetics and a proven pedigree are the best way to stack the odds in your favor from the start. Beyond that, if you have a good breeder, they are the next best source for information regarding the pups. A good breeder will give you a recommendation based on what you plan to use the pup for and your family situation. Check out this post on searching for a great retriever puppy and what to look for in breeders. If possible, bring someone with you to pick up the puppy. While you can put a puppy in a crate to transport them home, leaving the litter is a traumatic time for most puppies. Being held on the way home is a good way to start bonding with the puppy. Learn what to buy for your new Lab puppy. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. The first week raising your Labrador Retriever puppy There is very little training needed the first week you have your puppy home. Use this time to hold, pet and play with your new puppy. Bonding with the puppy is important and this is a good time to do that. You will likely be exhausted this week from getting up multiple times each night to let your puppy outside. Learn more in What should I do the first week with my new Lab puppy? Socialization is key for retriever gun dog puppies While socialization is important for all dogs, it is essential for retriever puppies destined to hunt. Socialization is the act of putting your retriever puppy in new situations and allowing the puppy to figure it out. Your puppy may handle new situations well, or she might show timid or frightened behaviors. This is not the time to coddle your future gun dog. Dogs are very aware of their owners and if you act or acknowledge your puppies fear, they will likely think you are scared too. This is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve with socialization. We want puppies to learn to adjust quickly to new situations. We want them to learn how to figure out new conditions and handle them without fear or hesitation. Puppies need to be socialized to people also. Let your puppy interact with people of all ages, including children. In addition, it can be helpful if they are also socialized to other dogs and cats. And yet we see too many retrievers with little to no retrieving desire. Sometimes this is just the result of bad breeding, but it can also be the result of poor introduction to retrieving or using the wrong items for retrieving. Many people like to play fetch with their puppy using a ball or Frisbee. But if your puppy is destined to be a hunting partner, this is going to make some retrieving problems down the line. We may use a ball to encourage a very young week old puppy to retrieve, IF, and only IF, the puppy is struggling with retrieving desire. Otherwise, we strongly discourage ongoing use of these items. Gun dogs and duck dogs are working dogs and they need to retrieve birds that fall to the ground. The rolling action of the ball or frisbee will create an excitement and energy that will make retrieving birds seem boring. We have found that dogs that have only retrieved balls or Frisbee often struggle when they need to retrieve a bumper or bird. We have an entire post on this subject, see How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Expose your Labrador puppy to common hunting elements A retriever that is going to be expected to hunt, should be introduced to hunting equipment and elements at an early age. Hills and mounds, flat areas and shallow divots are terrain that a hunting retriever should learn to traverse with ease. In addition to land, different water is also an important factor. Lakes are good, but you should also try to expose your puppy to dirty water. Water with lily pads, cat tails and algae are all things a duck dog will need to handle to work. Hunting equipment Labrador retriever puppies need to learn all about the equipment you use when hunting. Doing this when they are young and continuing the exposure as they grow, will make this second nature to them. Boats and blinds If you hunt out of a boat or blind, introduce your puppy to it. For boats, start on land. Get your puppy comfortable getting in and out of the boat. Throw retrieves from the boat. Similarly, introduce your dog to the blind as a good thing. If you are using a dog blind or hut, make sure your spend lots of time getting your pup comfortable going into and out of it. Make it a fun place to go to get retrieves. Duck or goose decoys If you will use decoys when hunting, take time to expose your puppy to them. Many times over the next few months, put some out on your lawn and let your puppy learn what they are. Eventually, move them to water and again allow your pup to explore them. Throw retrieves through them and teach the dog that he can ignore the decoys. Guns This is one of the most important things that you need to exposure your new puppy to. And it really needs to be done right. The last thing you want to do is create a gun-shy dog. That is very difficult to fix and the dog may never be able to hunt if the damage is too deep. Learn more about how to do this correctly in Introduction to gunfire. Basic obedience for your gun dog puppy Your puppy is ready to learn obedience early on, and you will find that if you start when they are only a couple months old, they will learn quicker and be more obedient as they age. This will make a huge difference as they get older. Teaching HERE to young pups will require a long lead. Squat down a few feet from your puppy and say HERE as you gently pull them to you. Praise is essential with young pups, but the praise should be given when the puppy does something right. For instance, you say SIT and push his bottom down. You can use treats to teach your puppy obedience and reward him or her for obeying commands. But treats should only be used for very young puppies under 4 months. Many Labs will soon learn to only obey when given a treat, that is not the lesson you want your dog to learn. It can be difficult to discipline a cute little puppy, but it is essential. Here at Otter Tail Kennels, we get more than our share of calls from people whose puppies are out of control and causing problems in the home. The pups are causing friction in the family relationships. Small issues often become much larger issues if they remain uncorrected. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, you need to take action to let him know that the behavior is not acceptable. Final thoughts on raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog The time to start training your Labrador puppy to be a duck or gun dog is now. Right away. Even if you plan to send your retriever puppy to a professional trainer in the future, you still want to take the time to socialize, expose, teach and discipline your dog now. Each week your puppy is growing and learning, and those first five months are the perfect time to get him or her off on the right foot. The socialization, exposure, and obedience are all steppingstones they need to advance in their role as a hunting partner. Do not skimp or disregard this time. You can give your ultimate duck dog some essential skills — the ability to adjust to every and all situations with ease. Nothing could be more important. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog.