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Browse our Pug puppies for sale to add a fun, small companion to your home! Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. New Tripoli dogs fetch big honors from Westminster. Pug mix puppies and designer breeds like the Daugle and Pom-A-Pug are all the rage these days, and provide even more variety when choosing your ideal Pug pup. Factors such as color, attitude, experience of the breeder and eye color to name a few. Their coat is fine, smooth, and short. Our Pugs puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. Our Pug puppies for sale are sure to bring joy, cheer, and laughter into your home! Pugs may be small, but they have a huge heart that loves being with humans and bringing joy and laughter to their owners and families. They've been well cared for, properly sexed, are not pregnant and are vet-checked. The Pug is a beautiful, small dog breed that enchants the world with its goofy personality and big heart. The precious Pugs are originally from Ancient China, where they were raised on the lap of luxury. Up to date on vaccines and vet checked. We offer ground and air shipping for an additional fee, or you are more then welcome to visit. Pugs For Sale Under Dollars. No two dogs are ever thrown in together to let. Very friendly and playful, fully weaned and toilet training in progress. Come find the Pug you've been looking for! How much are Pug puppies for sale? Pug prices are influenced by several different factors. With registration, vaccinat April 9, Oft-called the Pug Dog or Chinese Pug and said to be "multum in parvo," the sturdy toy companion has an adorable wrinkly-muzzled face, and curly tail in silver, black or fawn, and black. Pug puppies for sale What can I expect to pay for a Pug puppy near me? Black pug puppies, although in high demand, are quite rare. Pug For Sale in Michigan .They really like to please their owners, so they're happy to learn new things, as long as you have some patience with them and don't try to push them too far. One female pug and Three male pugs left. Find Pug dogs and puppies from North Carolina breeders. Also, be sure to check the Pug Dog Breeder listings in our Dog Breeder Directory, which feature upcoming dog litter announcements and current puppies for sale for that dog breeder. Cheap Teacup pugs for sale near me. History: The Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs that is still around today. USDA licensed commercial breeders. Where can I adopt a Pug? AKC Fawn female available puppy. While most Pugs come in one of several colors—several. We are asking for six hundred dollars. He has a few white hairs on his chest. Since these dogs are considered a low-maintenance breed, grooming them requires very little effort. Their distinctive expression is soft and solicitous. Pug Puppies for Sale from Missouri Breeders. Pug puppies for sale in New York. Pugs are happy, gentle, and charming little dogs. We also have Pug puppies for sale in texas, miniature corgi puppies for sale, Pug puppies near me, Pug puppy for sale in georgia, Pug puppies for sale in ohio, Pug puppies for sale in pa, corgi mini aussie mix for sale, Pug breeders texas, mini corgi breeder, Pug puppy price, Pug for sale texas, Pug puppies nc, Pug puppies for adoption, Pug breeders ny, Pug breeders nc, Pug cutest puppy, Pug. Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. The average price of Pug puppies for sale New York can vary quite a lot. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. The price that Pugs for sale in Houston sell for depends on quite a few important factors. Pug puppies for sale in USA. Pug For Sale in Alabama .Their forehead has large, deep wrinkles. Her personality is more laid back and placid! She has champion bloodlines on both sides!! She will be up to date with vaccinations and will be dewormed multiple times when she is ready for her new home. New York Pugs for sale are therefore a good choice for those who don't have much experience with dog training. For instance, a rare brindle Pug for sale Atlanta will fetch a higher price than other Pugs for sale Atlanta. Have had their first shots and wormed on schedule. WWWThese adorable pug puppies have been family raised and are used to being played with everyday! Ready with health certificates. These can include the color of the puppy some coat colors are more rare than others , the breeder's experience, location, and more. Pug puppies for Sale in the UK Puppies. Miniature Pug Puppies for sale. This will allow you to have more freedom, budget, and fun shopping for other new puppy necessities like bowls, leashes, beds and toys. Our puppies are fed a top-quality premium pet food. No puppies where found matching your criteria. Cheap Teacup Pugs for sale. Pug Puppies for Sale in OH. The average cost for all Pugs sold in the Missouri area is. AKC pug puppies. Listings of section 8 apartments for rent. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Find your Pug puppy for sale. This is the price you can expect to pay for the Pug breed without breeding rights. In contrast, buying Pugs from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Our puppies are bred for health, temperament, and conformation quality. Six beautiful pug puppies available for forever homes. Pug For Sale in Ohio .Pug, Michigan » Dayton Township. Males Super smart noneshedding. If you have to stretch the budget to buy a more expensive puppy, then everything after will feel like a big daunting decision. Discreet Pug Puppies for sale. The Pug breed's roots can be tracked back to Imperial China in B. Pug, Ohio » Cadiz Township. AKC registered with 5 generation pedigree. Mum and dad both home reared family pets, and can both be viewed with the litter. Pug Puppies for Sale Near Me. Imported to England in the 16th century, the breed quickly became a popular lap dog among the aristocracy. These colors are renowned in AKC champions and showing pugs. They will be ready to go the first week in August. Most researchers agree that the Pug originated in China, and were then brought to Holland via trade during the late s and. Location is Somerset Wisconsin. Pugs are more than capable of effectively learning basic commands with ease. Puppies for Sale Find the perfect puppy for you and your family. Pug puppies for Sale in the UK. I have 35 month old pugs for .This way, you will be able to find out if there are cheap Pug puppies for sale near me. Tags: Pug Puppies pug puppies in Texas pugs Texas family dogs apartment dogs. Tools 2 days ago on PuppyFinder. Pug Puppies for sale .Check out out puppies. We have Cheap and healthy pug puppies for sale in the United States and Canada. Most commonly, they are found in fawn coloring. Pug Puppies For Sale In GA Blue Ridge Pugs has had pug puppies and adult pugs in standard and rare colors to include fawn, black, silver, white, platinum, apricot, stone fawn, pied, chinchilla, chocolate, merle, and panda. You might end up finding your new best friend! Their gait is strong and jaunty, but with a slight roll of the hindquarters. Browse our Pug puppies for sale to add a fun, small companion to your home! Active, cute and super friendly. Affordable Male and Female Pugs. Well, the price tag for each pup can be affected by a range of different factors like coat color, eye color, size, and more. Pug Puppies for Sale in Florida. Delightful Pug Puppies For Sale. Cute puppies for sale at an affordable price. Click to browse available Pug puppies from 5 Star Breeders. Pug Puppies for Sale in Pennsylvania. To find out cheap Pug puppies for sale near me, you can use the above-mentioned tips. Size: inches tall, lbs. Here at Uptown, we aim to help you find a Pug New York that meets all of your requirements and matches your budget too. Microchipped, vaccinated and wormed. They are the best companions and get along wit. Find your Pug puppy for sale Puppies. Olive is a sweet girl who can be registered with AKC. Her momma, Penny is part of the 4th generation of my…. Pug puppies for sale fcogapril 4 girls available 8weeks old Vet checked , wormed and first shots x-xxx-xxx-xxxx. Pug Puppies for Sale in PA. Vet Checked And First Shots. PDWRA has been receiving an increasingly high number of surrendered pugs, so please consider either of these options to give these pugs the future they deserve! Please see our Adoption section to find out more about the requirements to take into account for adopting, also to apply. Fostering We are in URGENT need of more foster homes due to the increasingly high level of surrendered pugs, many requiring dedicated healthcare or rehabilitation prior to adoption. Please read our Fostering section for all the details and considerations, also to apply. As with many rescues, the volume of pugs being surrendered has risen greatly, many in poor health, over and above the suitable homes available for them. We will be focussed on doing the best for those in our care, in order to Re-Open as soon as possible. Please read our Surrendering section for further details. Volunteering There are a number of ways that you can volunteer to support PDWRA, including: Home checking, by assessing adoptive or foster applicants in your near locality, according to rehoming requirements. Transporting involves the collection, delivery and safe transportation of a PDWRA pug to its new home. Fundraising, in a variety of ways including at Events, or organising your own, to raise much needed funds for the pugs in our care. There are also vacancies for specific, dedicated roles in the charity, that you can apply for. If you would like to find out how you can get involved or to apply to volunteer, please see our Volunteering section. Lynn lives in the lovely South West of England with her husband Geoff, and their family of five male pugs.

What you need to know! Step 1 Reserving your puppy Once you get in touch we can discuss your requirements and how the puppy will fit into your lifestyle. When do you want a puppy? If we have a current litter and there are available puppies, you can arrange a visit. I can also put your name onto a waiting list at this stage you pay your non-refundable deposit. Step 2 Choosing your puppy Once the litter has arrived I will contact you to let you know how many are male and female. At 6 weeks old, you will be invited to visit and select your puppy. This is done in the order that the puppies were reserved. Please note that you will be required to take a LFT and all visits will be inline with the government guidelines. I will send you photographs and weekly updates of your puppy. Step 3 Paying for your puppy Once the collection day has arrived we can discuss how you would like to pay the balance of the puppy fee. I can accept bank transfers, cash or paypal payments. We know our stuff Partners and Certification Do you have what it takes to be a guardian? In an effort for us to expand our breeding programme, we offer a Guardian Home programme. Your puppy will be born and raised in our busy household. Our passion is to produce wonderful family pets with gentle loving temperaments that will bring a lifetime of happiness. We are extremely proud that the foundation of our lines have been trained as canine partner dogs and many of our puppies are therapy dogs and visit schools regularly. We have been breeding for a number of years and over these years we have seen many clubs come and go and we have been a member of some of them. We breed authentic Australian Labradoodles with lines that have been verified. We are content to follow our own path with strong ethics. We have an excellent reputation and we adopt the highest standards so you can be assured your puppy is an authentic Australian Labradoodle with bloodlines and health testing that has been verified. We follow a socialisation programme and temperament test all of our puppies before puppy pick day so we can help you make your choice. Temperament and health is always our first priority. We purchased our first Australian Labradoodle in and have been hooked ever since. Our dogs are our much loved family pets or live with their guardian families. Please contact us via email for more information. Access to our private puppy family area. A WhatsApp group for your litter. Both parents have been fully health tested with certificates available to view. Been bred in our family home by a 5 star council licensed breeder. Temperament tested and advice provided at puppy viewing. Call us today on Health Guaranteed All our puppies leave us with a full vet health check and a 2 year genetic health guarantee. Health Tested All our breeding Australian Labradoodles are fully health tested. We give our puppies the best start by following a tried and tested programme. Ethical Breeding We have the highest welfare standards which is why we hold a 5 star council licence. We believe every dog deserves a good life and this starts with the breeder. What our customers say.We travelled far to find her, and her knowledge, expertise and love for all things ALD is exceptional. After only a few days, Willow is already a huge part of our lives and so we are very glad that we chose Judy and RIpley's. Our dogs are very much our family pets. We are not a kennel, all our Australian Labradoodles have wonderful fulfilling lives either with us or our guardian families. Our dogs are for life and not just for breeding. The health and temperament of Australian Labradoodles is our number one priority, of course we breed exceptionally lovely puppies but our puppies health and temperament will always be our first priority. The Australian Labradoodle breed originated in Australia in the 's. The focus has always been on temperament, coat and quality through good health testing and planned matings. Our Australian Labradoodles are multigenerational, meaning both parents are Australian Labradoodles. Australian Labradoodles are very people focussed, they have a strong desire to please. Australian Labradoodles come in 3 sizes, miniature, medium and standard. Within my breeding programme I concentrate on miniature and mediums. Our Australian Labradoodles are extremely clever, sociable , comical and joyful. They are energetic when free and quiet in the home. We test their hips, elbows, eyes and genetics. When you purchase a Ripley's Australian Labradoodle you can be assured we have tested everything possible. We provide a 2 year health guarantee but we ask that our puppy families not give ingestible flea and worming treatments. Order of list is in order of deposits received. We have regular open days for people to come visit us and meet our dogs. We also arrange puppy meet ups in local areas. Once puppies are born they are allocated in order of list. Puppy pick day is held when puppies are around 6 weeks old, we find this is the best time for you to make an informed decision, their personalities are developed by this time. Puppy pick is done in reserve list order. We temperament test the puppies beforehand to help you in making your decision. Puppies go home at 8 weeks, vaccinated, microchipped and with a full puppy pack which includes, food, scent toy, shampoo and a comprehensive guide to help you through the first few weeks. We also offer a lifetime of support. We sell our Australian Labradoodles for a pet price, this price is for an Australian Labradoodle that has been permanently neutered or spayed before reaching 12 months of age. Intact or un-neutered and un-spayed dogs reaching over 12 months of age cost more. We are planning quite far out and once a place has been reserved we do not accept deposits from elsewhere. The commitment is on both sides. However I do understand that circumstances change therefore you may choose to switch litters up to two years away for a maximum of 2 litters. However, if my prices have risen in the meantime, your deposit will be deducted from the higher price. As a tiny pup she grew up in their house lots of breeders say they do this, but the pups are often in an outside shed. She arrived with me at 8 weeks old as a confident well rounded little girl. As an added bonus, she was practically house trained. I would have no hesitation in recommending Southdown Labradoodles. They are really caring breeders who love their dogs and will go the extra mile to make sure every pup gets the very best start in life. After a great amount of searching we found Southdowns Australian Labradoodles. Debbie was both friendly and professional. She was happy to answer any questions we had and we found the puppy information pack really useful. Debbie kept us informed throughout Otties pregnancy. Being able to watch Ottie and the puppies over the webcast was amazing and helped us feel connected to the puppies. We were able to see what a lovely mum Ottie was. Debbie's care of the puppies including making sure they all had the necessary health checks was excellent. The puppies were beautiful and well socialised. Our puppy has a very good temperament, well adjusted although very mischievous. She has bought a lot of joy to our lives and we can't thank Debbie enough. If you are looking for an ethical trustworthy breeder who places the welfare of her dogs and puppies above all else then you would do no better than Debbie. We would definitely recommend her Marie, John and Pebbles New Puppy Owner Adding an Australian Labradoodle to our family is the best decision we have made and we couldn't imagine our lives without our fur baby! As soon as we met Debbie and Tony, it was obvious that they are responsible breeders and are passionate about what they do. They took time to answer all of our questions and as first-time dog owners with young children there were lots!! We were invited to meet them and their dogs when the pups were four weeks old; following this we visited regularly and were always made to feel welcome. We were able to view the puppies via puppy cam at any time and it was lovely to see them grow and develop. Debbie and Tony provided us with expert advice and are clearly very knowledgeable about the breed. We have stayed in touch with Debbie and Tony and meet regularly for dog walks. They have always been on hand with advice and to answer any questions - I recommend them to everyone. My parents fell in love with our pup and 14 months later, brought home her brother - it's lovely to watch them grow up together, they bring so much fun and laughter to our family. Pippa K Are you ready to embark on your Puppy Journey. ? Our Breeding Dogs We are proud to introduce our breeding dogs, who are the foundation of our program to produce healthy, happy, and family-friendly Australian Labradoodles. Our dogs are all tested for health and temperament, and they come from a long line of well-bred Australian Labradoodles. South Downs Australian Labradoodles Puppies We are currently expecting a litter of puppies from our breeding dogs. Our puppies are born and raised in our home, so they are well-socialized and used to being around people and other animals. They are also non-shedding dogs, making them a great choice for families with allergies. Non-shedding Dogs for Families Australian Labradoodles are known for being non-shedding dogs, which makes them a great choice for families with allergies. They are also very intelligent and easy to train, making them a joy to have around. Eastbourne Australian Labradoodles Puppies for Sale We are located in Eastbourne, England, and we are happy for our puppies to relocate to other parts of the UK with their new 'puppy parents'. If you are interested in learning more about our puppies or our breeding program, please contact us today. We have both been animal lovers since we were children. There is no animal we don't love. All life, whatever you are, is precious! We both were brought up spending school holidays volunteering with our mums at a pony rescue and cats protection league. Animal Welfare is extremely important to both of us and we raise every puppy with the love and care they deserve. We are very lucky to have 3, soon to be 4, healthy children that also play a huge part in raising our dogs and puppies. You will see our children regularly on the puppy cam, playing and even cleaning out the puppies. Alex is chief puppy cleaner and gets very upset if anyone tries to help him as he likes the puppy area to be just perfect. Teaching children compassion and love is very important and we do feel very lucky that we can do that for our children with the love and care we put into our puppies. Being around animals and being able to work with them everyday is not only a passion but a childhood dream. We have worked with dogs for the last 16 years and have a very successful doodle dog grooming salon. This is where our love for Australian labradoodles was born. Out of all the dogs we groom, pedigree and cross breeds in our busy salon, we have never come across a breed of dog that is as wonderful as an Australian labradoodle. Australian labradoodles are born to be a companion, and a dog the whole family can enjoy. Having been brought up in a family that had rescue dogs, rescue cats and rescue chickens, its very important to us that our puppies and dogs are raised to the highest welfare standards, and we will campaign and help other breeders willing to work to the same high standards we have here at Willows Australian Labradoodles. Not every Australian Labradoodle is created equally, so we can't stress enough the importance of buying from a breeder that is doing all the health testing not just one test and then claiming that they are health tested and raised the puppies in a family home. As each person and family plays such an important part of having the highest welfare and the best quality dogs possible. Willows Australian labradoodles East Sussex - Fully License Breeder The proof is in the Puppies A good way of explaining how a good breeder feels is to compare ourselves to a baker. We are making the best possible cake we can! We grow our own organic ingredients, weigh out each ingredient, perfect the perfect mix and put it all together from our years of experience. Then we lovingly place it into the oven and set a timer. A spiritual breeder with a big heart. Our puppies are born with love, and our support is forever. We bring these beautiful souls into the world, and their forever happiness is the most important thing of all. We pride ourselves on communication, support and friendship. Firstly let me introduce myself, My name is Michelle, and we are a small breeder with strong ethics and a big heart. My dogs really are my life. They are my companions, best friends and family. As you will discover with the breed, they are my entertainment too. Pippa, her daughter Florence and her grandaughter Merebelle live here with me and Winnie. Along with the heartwarming joy we feel when we meet their new families and see how they truly change lives. Read a handful of our reviews, and you will understand how special our Australian Labradoodles are and how passionate we are about supporting our families. Benson was my world. He was a fantastic companion who filled every day with love and laughter. Benson is the reason we breed these beautiful dogs. I wanted to share what I found in Benson with others. I built this website myself with the aim of giving you a window into the world of the Australian Labradoodle. It was imperative that our website was written from the heart rather than built by a business. All of our breeding dogs are much-loved pets who have their very own forever families. And we couldn't have it any other way. We never sell retired breeding dogs. When our dogs retire, they stay with their forever families. Our Guardian program works brilliantly. Why not pop onto our Guardian Page to find out more? We consider our pup's families our friends and are always at the end of a call or text to offer help and guidance. We create private pages for our litters, enabling their families to follow their pup's progress from birth to collection. These pages create great memories too. Imagine looking back in ten years time, seeing their first steps. We use these pages to upload photos and videos and share advice and links to help their families prepare for their arrival. In addition, we have an Essex-based Australian Labradoodle walking group where you can arrange your own group walks. Our pup's health and temperament are of the utmost importance to us. The health of the puppies starts with the health of both parents. All of our breeding dogs go through physical and DNA health screening. All of their health and breed authentication certificates are available to view on choosing day. There is no rush when you are here. Rather than tryig to see everyone in one day, we invite our families to spend time with the puppies over a week. I love sharing my knowledge about the breed, so please do not hesitate to call. The love and devotion the Australian labradoodle has for their human friends is simply amazing; indeed the Australian Labradoodle was bred to not only to be a companion but a trained therapy assistant dog. Through diligent breeding practices, keeping temperament the top priority, the breed have developed to become extremely smart, intuitive, loving, fun dogs. Australian Labradoodles have wonderful sense of humours. They live to make people smile. Australian Labradoodles love everyone and every thing. .They live their lives assuming and insisting that everyone and everything loves them back. They really do bring so much joy. Please take a moment to read through our reviews on the website and Facebook page. Our Australian Labradoodles really do change lives. Australian Labradoodles also make excellent performance and agility dogs. Therefore if you're looking to keep busy, be very easy to train and enjoy learning new things, the sky is the limit. Their unique connection to their human companions makes them yearn to be near their people and eager to please them. Take a look at the video below of our lovely Yogi, who is a therapy dog. He loves to visit all the people who need a little Yogi love. Our aim here at Churchills Australian Labradoodles is to breed healthy, happy puppies who are perfect family pets and assistance dogs, as well as one on one companions. You will see from our photo galleries that all our dogs have lovely soft fleece coats and great looks that the Australian Labradoodles are known for.

Owners of golden retrievers know that these dogs are prone to ear infections. Cleaning golden retriever ears is important for two main reasons: to prevent infection and to keep the ears clean and free of wax buildup. Ear infections are fairly common in golden retrievers, and they can be quite painful. Wax buildup can also lead to problems, as it can trap dirt and moisture, leading to irritation and inflammation. Infections Golden retrievers are prone to ear infections. This is because their ears are long and droopy, which can trap moisture and dirt. Symptoms of an ear infection include shaking their head, scratching their ears, and holding their head tilted to one side. Discomfort Aside from ear infections, golden retrievers are prone to wax buildup due to the long, droopy shape of their ears. This can cause discomfort and even pain. After all, think about how uncomfortable it is for you to have wax buildup in your ears. If left untreated, the wax can eventually harden, making it difficult for the dog to hear. In severe cases, the wax can block the ear canal completely. Overall Health As any dog owner knows, keeping their furry friend clean and well-groomed is important for their overall health and hygiene. Monthly ear cleaning is probably sufficient for most dogs. Some dogs need their ears cleaned more often, such as those who swim a lot or have lots of hair inside their ears that traps dirt and moisture. You can purchase dog ear cleaning kits online. However, in most cases, simple tools will suffice. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your dog has clean ears in the most stress-free way possible. Typically, this means placing them between your legs. To open their ear, hold the ear flap back and upwards. You should be able to see the canal opening. How much? However, you should ideally use enough to fill the entire ear canal. Do this for about 30 to 60 seconds. If you notice dirt and debris around the tips of their ears, you can use the cotton balls to gently clean the inside of their ear flap. Let Them Shake Now, feel free to let go of their ear flap and let them shake out the solution! Then, repeat with the other ear! Using The Wrong Cleaner There are a variety of different ear cleaning solutions for dogs on the market. Using Q-tips Similar to humans, dogs should never have anything stuck down their ear canals. This includes Q-tips. Cleaning Too Much Ear wax serves a purpose! It helps to keep the ear canal clean and free of debris, and it also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Not Seeking Veterinary Assistance And finally, most pet owners make the mistake of not seeking veterinary assistance when needed. We have answers! Yes, you absolutely should. Most golden retrievers are fine if they receive regular ear cleaning at least once a month. Yes, they do tend to get ear infections. This is because their long ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Doing so could irritate or even damage the delicate tissue inside the ear. Looking For a Golden Retriever? If so then we suggest you take a look at our golden retriever puppies for sale. They are bred healthy by great breeders and ready to take home after eight weeks with all of their shots and documentation. Ready to add a new pup to your family? Click here to view our golden retriever puppies. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Cotton balls or gauze Towel We use this Dechra MalAcetic ear cleaner , but talk to your vet to see what they recommend. Here are two options: Have them sit, then stand over them behind them with their body between your legs. Have them sit in a corner facing you. This is better for dogs who try to escape during this process. Gently pulling it a little bit out away from their head will open up the canal so the cleaner can get in there and do its job. You should hear a swishing sound as you do this. This is where the towel comes in handy! Give them some treats and praise, and do the same process with the other ear. To make things a little easier, here are four tips: Start Early Get your dog used to getting their ears touched and cleaned as early as possible. Get A Partner Having a partner to help control your dog or wield the towel when they start shaking is a game-changer. Make It Fun Use a happy voice, praise your dog for being a good boy or girl, and give them lots of treats to make this potentially miserable experience a little more enjoyable. When people stray from these instructions is usually when they start making mistakes. Cotton balls and gauze are softer and less likely to damage their ears. Have a Golden Retriever puppy? Click here to download the potty training cheat sheet to make potty training faster and easier! Let us know down in the comments! And if you liked this article, check out this post about how to groom your Golden Retriever step by step. Related articles:.

We also raise a limited number of black and chocolate English Labradors throughout the year. Our dogs and pups are our life and passion; each pup we raise is lovingly cared for- from the time of birth, until the time of adoption into their forever home. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site; please stay awhile and browse through our gorgeous photos. From the time of birth to the time of adoption into their new homes, Redwood pups are spoiled with the best of everything. Along with the superior care that our pups receive, it is of equal importance to us that our adults also are given the best care possible. Each adult is a part of our family, and treated that way. It's important to us that they are properly trained, loved, and are well behaved just as a single family pet would be. We spend numerous hours with our dogs each day, ensuring they receive plenty of play time and proper exercise. This is, and always will be our 1 Goal as breeders. We carefully select each and every dog for our breeding program, so as to remove potential health issues in our pups before they exist. These dogs are not only beautiful, but they also have great personalities. Fox Red Labs are known for being friendly and outgoing, and they love to be around people. Because of their friendly nature, Fox Red Labs make great family pets. Fox Red Lab Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Fox Red Labs for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Fox Red Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Another concern is elbow dysplasia, which is similar to hip dysplasia but affects the elbows instead. Fox Red Labs may also suffer from eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent these health concerns. For example, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help to keep joints healthy and prevent obesity, which can put unnecessary strain on joints. Finding a Fox Red Lab puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. The coat of a Fox Red Lab is usually a rich, deep red color, which can range from a light golden red to a dark red. However, the coat can also vary in shade depending on the individual dog. In addition to being beautiful, the coat of a Fox Red Lab is also very dense and thick. This type of coat requires regular grooming and care in order to keep it looking its best. By taking good care of their coat, you will help to ensure that your Fox Red Lab always looks and feels their best. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that there are a few distinct color coat variations. Fox Red Labradors are a rare-colored version of the Labrador Retriever. Despite this, they can be registered as purebred Yellow Labrador Retrievers , as the darker-colored coat is not considered to be a disqualifying factor. Due to their unique and certainly eye-catching color, the Fox Red Labrador continues to grow in popularity. Labrador Retrievers are known for being exceptionally sweet and are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. These dogs yearn to be a part of a family, and fit right in when joining one. In fact, Labs are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Well-socialized Fox Red Labradors tend to get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. After all, every person they meet is a potential friend that they can play with. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Despite their energy, Fox Red Labradors can adapt to most settings. As long as this dog breed has a chance to get in daily walks, go outside to run and play, and they get plenty of attention, they are content. They are not overly affected by cold weather, but they have a dense double coat. Fox Red Retrievers are also happiest when in the presence of people and they love to be with their families whenever possible. They also have a lot of energy and get bored easily. Potential health concerns to be aware of in Fox Red Labrador Retrievers can include hereditary myopathy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease, and cataracts. There is also a condition with a genetic link that can occur in young adult Labradors called exercise-induced collapse EIC. Carriers can be identified by DNA tests. Good breeding practices can reduce the risk of potential health issues and make a big difference in the health of Fox Red Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances. The national breed club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an EIC DNA test, and an ophthalmologist evaluation at a minimum. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Fox Red Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk of bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Labrador Retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds and are highly trainable. Although they can become stubborn at times, they are eager to please and pick up on training quickly overall. Their energy and intelligence mean they can lose focus in training and get bored easily. However, training that is kept clear, consistent, and focused on positive rewards usually keeps them focused and responding well. Any color variant of the Labrador Retriever is ideal for beginner dog owners. Fox Red Labrador Retrievers have a short, dense double coat that is water-resistant. They shed year-round and more heavily as the seasons change. Brushing their coat a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding is usually enough to keep their coat healthy and looking great. Bathing is on an occasional, as-needed basis. Because their coat tends to protect them from the cold and they are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , your Fox Red Lab may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. If they are an avid swimmer or tend to get into a lot of things, you may need to bathe them more often. It is highly recommended to give them a bath or at least rinse them off thoroughly after going swimming with your dog. Their nails should be trimmed once or twice monthly. This will help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs is essential for preventing the tartar buildup that lends to dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is a good start. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. Like other Labs, Fox Red Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. However, they will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Often, they are just happy to be spending time with you. Labs tend to have an extended puppyhood until they are around years old. They will mellow out a little, but also tend to maintain a puppy-like exuberance even in their senior years. Once they are done growing and your vet has cleared them for more activities, you can try a lot of different things. Labs are athletic and versatile dogs. They are one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures and tend to enjoy a variety of activities. They tend to excel in swimming, running, obstacle courses, and several dog sports. Fully-grown Fox Red Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Fox Red Labs generally live for years on average. Click Here For Available Puppies! Blackfork Labradors breeding quality English AKC registered fox red labs, including yellow, chocolate and black Labradors. Our lab puppies are bred for companions, hunting, showing and therapy. Blackfork Labrador Retrievers specializes in breeding the fox red shade. We have fox red lab puppies available through out the year, along with black, chocolate and yellow Labrador pups. Blackfork Labs takes great pride in striving to improve our fox red labs taking into consideration health, temperament, soundness and the Labrador Retriever Breed Standard. Fox red is not a separate color of the Labrador but a shade of yellow. In the early years of the breed development, fox red or dark yellow was the original yellow shade of the Labrador Retriever. Fox red is the darkest shade of yellow Labradors. Tap the photo below for Fox Red Labrador Information When looking for a breeder that produces fox reds in their breeding program, it is very important that the following questions be asked: Do you have an overall goal for your breeding program? This goal should be more than just producing wonderful pets for families. Ask to see copies of clearances. It is very important that your breeder is doing annual eye CERFs to be certain that eye issues have not developed over time. Here at Blackfork Labradors we are striving to improve the overall standard of the fox red. I do not breed solely for depth of color. I spend hours researching pedigrees and calling other breeders to ask questions. That means there will be times that my fox reds will be bred to black stud dogs and yellows of all shades.

However, there are a number of things that will cause them to pant more than usual. Some of them will be a cause for concern and others will be less troubling. It is too hot The most likely reason that it pants a lot is because it is too hot. Add in the fact that German Shepherds have double coats and it becomes easy to see that they will get hot very easily. When dogs get hot they will naturally pant more than usual as a way to cool off. It has heatstroke Another reason that a dog might pant more than usual is that it has heatstroke. This would be caused by doing too much activity, outside, while it is hot. If you notice that your German Shepherd continues to pant after having been out in the heat for some time it would help to give it access to water and to give it access to a cool and shaded area immediately. If it does seem to have heatstroke then it would be important to take it to a vet as soon as you have helped it cool down. Fear German Shepherds may also start to pant a lot more than usual when they are frightened. This could be due to thunderstorms, a low flying jet, fireworks or it could be because you started to seem frightened yourself. It could also be the case that it is fearful of a certain person. This would be more likely if it only starts to pant more when that particular person is around. It might also be the case that it has some separation anxiety. This would be more likely if it only seems to pant more when you are about to leave. Related post: Why is my German Shepherd afraid? It has a heart-problem The reason that it has been panting more than usual could be that it has a heart problem or some other serious issue. If you think that this is the reason then it would likely be worthwhile for you to take your German Shepherd to the vet. Allergic reaction to something The cause of the panting could be that it has had an allergic reaction to something or it has been poisoned. Again, in this case, you should consider taking your German Shepherd to the vet to get it checked out. Exercise German Shepherds will begin to pant more than usual right after they have done exercise. This will be because they need to supply their muscles with more oxygen. Panting more than usual right after it has done exercise is a normal time for a German Shepherd to be panting unless it does it excessively for a long time. Related post: Ways to exercise your German Shepherd. Excitement German Shepherds may also start to pant a lot when they are excited. This is because they will become more active and because they will be supplying their muscles with more oxygen in anticipation. Again, panting more than usual when it is excited is a normal time for a dog to start panting a lot. When panting a lot is normal If your German Shepherd has been panting a lot then it may be quite concerning for you. Below, I will mention some instances where panting more than usual would be normal for a German Shepherd. It is hot If it pants more than usual when it is hot outside then this would be a normal time for a German Shepherd to pant a lot. However, if it has been out in the sun for a long time and it has started panting a lot more than usual then this would be a sign of heatstroke and you should cool it down and take it to a vet. It has just been running Another time where it is normal for a German Shepherd to pant more is right after it has been doing exercise. It is excited German Shepherds and most other dogs will pant more when they are excited and this should not be a cause for concern on its own. It is acting normally otherwise If your German Shepherd has not started to act differently suddenly then that would also be a sign that the panting is normal. However, if it is acting normally, it could still be the case that there is something wrong. This would be more likely if it does it in the scenarios that will be mentioned below. How to tell if it is abnormal While there are many instanced where panting a lot is normal, it can also be a sign that there is something wrong. Below, I will mention some signs that the panting is due to something abnormal. For example, if it does not usually pant so much but, in recent days, it has been panting a lot constantly even when in a cool, calm and shaded environment then it would be a cause for concern. It pants when you are about to leave If you notice that it only starts to pant more than usual when you are about to leave then this would suggest that it has some separation anxiety. In this case, you may want to get the help of a certified dog expert in your area. The panting is constant and intense It is normal for a German Shepherd to pant more than most dogs. However, if you notice that your German Shepherd pants intensely constantly then it would be a cause for concern and a reason to get it checked out. Again, in this case, you should get your German Shepherd looked at by a vet. It is behaving abnormally Another cause for concern would be if it has been panting more than usual and it has been acting weird. This would be a sign that it is sick or injured in some way and another reason to get it checked out by a vet. Things you can do There are a number of things that you can do to reduce how excessively your German Shepherd has been panting that I will mention below. Go to a vet if you think that the panting is abnormal The first thing that you should do is to get it checked out by a vet if you think that the panting is abnormal or if there are any signs of the panting being abnormal such as those mentioned above. Remove its undercoat Often, the cause of the panting will be because your German Shepherd is too hot. To reduce the panting, in this case, it would help to get help it to stay cool. One way to do this would be to de-shed your German Shepherd using a de-shedding brush. You can do this by following how it is done in the video below. Give it access to shade and cool areas Another way to help your German Shepherd pant less and to cool down would be to give it access to shaded areas. You can do this by letting it come inside when it wants to and by making there be more shaded areas in your garden. Give it access to water Another way to help cool your German Shepherd down would be to give it access to water. By doing this you will help your German Shepherd be able to stay hydrated and to reduce the likelihood of it getting heatstroke. Give it exercise on a daily basis Giving your German Shepherd exercise on a daily basis will help to keep your German Shepherd healthy and to reduce how much it pants when it is not doing exercise. Generally, it is recommended that you give your German Shepherd at least an hour of exercise per day. This is because German Shepherds are working dogs that are designed to be very active. Giving your German Shepherd can also prevent other problems such as aggression or destructive behavior. There are many ways that you can give your German Shepherd exercise. One way would be to just walk it for an hour per day normally. If you live in a hot area then try to do it in the morning or evening when it is cooler and there is less sunlight. Another way to give your German Shepherd a lot of efficient exercise would be to play fetch with it. By doing this you will be able to get it to do a lot of running which will wear it out quickly. If you are not able to give your German Shepherd exercise daily yourself then consider paying a dog walker to do it for you. There are apps that you can download now that you can use to find dog walkers in your area. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. Finally Why Do Dogs Pant? It is established that German Shepherds pant a lot, mostly due to their size. Size is not the only factor as to why German Shepherds pant, as panting is something all dogs do to cool down. Panting is a natural, normal behavior in dogs that they instinctively use to control their body temperature, in response to the climate. Equally, dogs are not able to sweat through their skin. They do not have the efficient arrangement of sweat glands like we do as humans. Instead, canines cool down using the evaporation of moisture coming from their mouths, tongues, paws and nose. Panting helps dogs to exchange the warm air of their lungs for colder external air. With such few outlets to sweat, a dog can get very hot very fast. So, by quickly drawing in breaths of fresh air, they are able to stay cooler. Excessive panting can be a worry for many dog owners, but bear in mind; panting is not labored breathing. Labored breathing is often described as difficult respiration and is usually accompanied by distressing sounds like whining, crying, or whistling due to a blockage in the windpipe or the nostrils. As previously mentioned, German Shepherds are known to pant more than most other breeds of dog. This is for two main reasons. For one, the German Shepherd has a thick double coat that can be heavy and that naturally insulates heat. To help reduce the buildup of heat, panting is used to compensate. Secondly, German Shepherds are a relatively large breed of dog. They therefore have a higher energy level than most other breeds. Equally, because German Shepherds enjoy running, they can easily overheat — especially compared to dogs that are a lot more docile and calm. There are, however, several other factors that can make your Shepherd pant more than usual. Some of these factors are troubling, but there is usually something you can do about it. Some are to be expected whereas others are a little more serious. Your German Shepherd Has Just Exercised It is usual for German Shepherds to pant a lot after exercising or a period of activity; this provides more oxygen to their muscles. Of course, if your dog is panting for longer than expected, even after a sufficient period of time has passed since activity, it may be a good idea to speak to your vet. Equally, if you notice that even a small amount or moderate amount of exercise causes excessive panting, then this could indicate a potential problem. German Shepherds are sensitive to people and situations. These dogs can easily become frightened by loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks, or can even be afraid of a certain person. They can also suffer from seperation anxiety when left alone for too long. In each of these situations above, your dog may suffer from excessive panting. As an owner you should monitor your dog in new environments and try to become familiar with their behavior in different contexts. This way you can identify whether certain situations are causing panting to arise and can then make suitable adjustments to help prevent the panting or support your dog during this time. Your German Shepherd Has Heatstroke Heatstroke is another common reason that a dog might pant more than usual. Heatstroke Is often caused by a dog doing too much activity outdoors when it is hot. Of course, a German Shepherd is a likely candidate for heatstroke due to their size and coat mentioned above. If you notice your Shepherd panting for an extended period after having been out in the heat, give him water to drink and place him in a shaded area straight away. If your dog has heatstroke, you should take them to see a vet once they have cooled down. Your German Shepherd Has Heart Problems If your German Shepherd has begun panting more than usual, then their is the possibility that they are suffering from a health issue. Usually, if this is the case it is a heart problem. German Shepherds are big dogs with powerful physiques, so you will hear them pant as a means of regulating their body temperature. Shepherds have double coats, which keeps them feeling hotter for longer. Loud and sudden sounds frighten the most nonchalant of us, so it hardly surprising that a German Shepherd would become frightened, causing them to pant. Fear will cause your German Shepherd to pant; this is normal. You should be concerned if the panting is sudden, deeper, and more extended than usual, particularly if your dog has no reason to pant. Here are some other things to look out for an when your dogs panting is more of a cause for concern: The temperature is cold — especially if your German Shepherd has not expended much energy. Excessive thirst and urination — coupled with panting means that your dog is not holding onto enough water. Panting is usually nothing to worry about, but it still indicates your dog is attempting to regulate their body temperature. It usually means that they are too hot, and their trying to cool down. The following are practical ways that you can support your dog and help them feel more comfortable during bouts of panting. Always make sure that they can do this on their own accord and never leave them outside in the heat of the day without the ability to cool off. Be cognizant of any steep hills or challenging landscapes too. This works particularly well if they are already very hot, and are in need of a wash anyway! Comfort Your Dog If your dog is panting heavily even if it is not hot or they are not exercising, it could be a sign that they are anxious, are in pain, or even stressed. In this situation, spend some time calming your dog. Give them a good stroke and divert their attention away from what ever is causing issues. Usually, their breathing will quickly return to a normal pace. Investigate The Environment, Monitor Meals Panting can be a sign that your dog has consumed something they do not agree with. Equally, they may have rubbed against something they are allergic to. Check all the foods in which you dog has eaten, and check up on areas your dog has been to ensure there is not something that has caused the panting. German Shepherds need at least one hour of exercise each day, to keep him fit, healthy, and to reduce panting. This is particularly effective in the summer months, or when you may be looking to increase their activity on a walking holiday for example. You can do this by using a de-shedding brush. The FURminator is one of the best brushes out there on the market. You can get it for a great price on Amazon and many German Shepherd owners swear by it. There are many videos available online demonstrating how to use the de-shedding brush correctly. Finally It is usual for German Shepherds to pant and even more so than other breeds. For the most part it does mean that your dog is hot and is attempting to cool down. As an owner, you need to remember that your German Shepherd has a thick double coat and they are a large breed of dog. Never make them overexert themselves or push them beyond their natural capacities. Equally, panting is not a sound that anyone particularly enjoys, but it is natural in dogs and this breed. It is never something you should look to stop. By putting a muzzle on your dog or yelling at them to stop, you will stress them out and cause further issues with overheating. Thankfully though, there are other things you can do to make your German Shepherd feel more comfortable and reduce their need to panting. If these things do not work, or you notice anything abnormal, its advised to take your dog for an examination at the vet. Excessive panting can mean something more serious — so you should be vigilant and better safe than sorry. Related guides you may want to read: Jeremy I am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets. In fact, it might seem like they pant too much. Fear not! Why does your German Shepherd pant so much though? Instead, dogs pant to cool off — a process known as thermoregulation. As a large dog with a thick coat, your German Shepherd will have a more difficult time cooling down and will need to pant more. But there are other reasons too. The 8 Likely Causes of German Shepherd Panting Most panting will be your German Shepherd trying to cool down, but there are sometimes other reasons they pant a lot. These include anxiety, being overheated, or just not feeling well. Because they have double coats, it will be easier for your German Shepherd to get hot. Image Credit: Pixabay 2. Heatstroke occurs when your pet has been active in extremely hot temperatures and can happen to any dog breed, but due to their thick coats and large size, German Shepherds are at greater risk. How can you tell if your dog is suffering from heatstroke? Other signs of heatstroke can include lethargy, thick sticky saliva, vomiting, and a bright red tongue. If you notice any of these, take your pet to a cooler, shaded area and give them water. They Just Finished Being Active German Shepherds have a lot of energy; they typically require at least two hours of exercise a day. However, if this panting lasts for a longer amount of time than is normal, you may want to speak to your vet. Likewise, if your dog is panting more even after short bursts of activity, it may be a sign that something is wrong. German Shepherd Excited Panting Maybe your German Shepherd is meeting a new person and is happy to have made a new friend. All that jumping and wriggling counts as activity, and they need to get more oxygen to their muscles. Image Credit: Pixabay 5. If your dog has become stressed, it may be panting more than usual. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to figure out what is making your pup anxious. Other times they could be reacting to your emotions. Fear can also cause more panting. While they may end up with digestive issues or reddened skin because of them, your German Shepherd may also start panting in a wheezing manner. Their allergies range from dietary-related, pollen-related, laundry detergents, and dust. Other signs of a reaction include itchiness and paw chewing. One sign of pain in German Shepherds can be panting without the catalyst of exercise or excitement. If you notice this along with other signs of potential illness, get them to a vet right away. Heart disease can manifest symptoms such as the onset of excessive panting. Other signs of heart problems include a swollen belly, loss of appetite, and paler gums than usual. German Shepherd Normal vs. Abnormal Panting Since German Shepherds do pant more than other breeds, how can you tell whether yours is panting an average amount or not? If your dog has been running about or has been outside in the heat, short amounts of panting are normal. Other signs to look for to tell whether your pet is alright are the temperature panting more in hot weather is expected , lethargy, extreme thirst, and hair loss. Image Credit: aleksandra85foto, Pixabay What To Do About Panting Panting is a part of dog life, especially in our German Shepherd friends, but there are some things that can reduce the amount of panting they do. Another good way to help your pup stay cool is by removing their undercoat with a deshedding brush. This technique is particularly beneficial during the summer months. If it seems this is the case, try offering them some comfort. By giving them your company and some good pets, you may distract them from whatever is bothering them, helping their breathing return to normal. This can help you figure out if it is indeed a reaction and whether you need to go to the vet. Other common causes can be excitement, fear, anxiety, heatstroke, heart problems, or illness in general. The main thing you should know is how to differentiate between normal and abnormal amounts of panting by examining their recent activity and surroundings. Featured Image Credit: Pixabay. Other reasons include excitement, exhaustion, anxiety, reacting to unfamiliar events, or underlying health issues. Although heavy breathing can be a worrying thing to see, there are actually many normal causes for it. Panting is the primary way that all dogs cool themself down aside from sweating through their paws. The vast majority of panting can be explained by one of the causes above. If anything is causing your German Shepherd to be stressed either temporarily or chronically then excessive panting might be something you see on a daily basis. Many things can cause your GSD to be stressed or anxious, from being left alone too long, insufficient stimulation , and even in response to your personal feelings and emotions on any given day. Fortunately, it comes with additional signs to look out for aside from excessive panting. You may notice your GSD to have a bright red tongue, very thick or sticky saliva, weakness, and difficulty moving, lethargy, and may experience diarrhea or vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms along with panting in hot weather, call your veterinarian as soon as you can, and in the meantime encourage him to drink water. Allergies German Shepherds can suffer from a range of allergies that can cause panting. Allergies can be dietary and food-related or they could be from allergens such as pollen, dust, mites, certain fabric conditioners, washing powders, or even perfumes. If your German Shepherd has any known allergies this could very well be the cause. So how do you know if something is wrong? These are important questions you are likely asking. But please take your time to consider the situation and recent events before calling your veterinarian. Consider the many situations when panting can be expected as outlined near the top and think about the recent events leading up to when you noticed the panting. Another common question is when it comes to puppies. This leads to a lot of ups and downs with their panting volume. And even this, under the right circumstances, would be considered fast, but still normal. Thank you for reading! This would be more likely to be the reason if the room that it sleeps in is normally quite hot. In this case, it would help to let it sleep in a cooler room or to try to cool the room down itself. It has just been active If your German Shepherd tends to get exercise in the evening or it tends to become very active in the evening then it would be likely to be the cause of the panting. In this case, it would not be an issue to be concerned with. Anxiety The reason why it has been panting a lot at night could be that it is anxious. This would be more likely if it started doing it when something happened that might make it anxious or if there is something in its environment that could make it anxious. It could be that someone mistreated it, there tends to be loud noises such as wind or sirens or that it has recently moved homes and it is unsure of its environment. It is dreaming If it pants a lot during its sleep then it could be because it is dreaming. This would be more likely if it does not pant a lot constantly when sleeping and it only lasts as long as a dream would typically last. If it does not stop then it could be due to a more serious issue that gets discussed here. Illness or injury The cause of the sudden panting could be that it has an illness or injury. This would be more likely if it started doing it suddenly and it is not just panting more at night. It would also be more likely if it has been showing other signs of being ill or injured such as vomiting, behaving differently or being fatigued. In this case, the best option for you would be to take it to a vet. Age If your German Shepherd is very young then it will naturally pant more. According to Cuteness. Things to consider There are many things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your German Shepherd has been breathing fast at night. If it has always panted more at night It would help to consider whether or not your German Shepherd has always panted more at night or if it has started doing it more suddenly. If it has started panting more at night suddenly then it would make it more likely that it is due to illness, injury, a sudden change in the temperature or that it has been more active in the evenings recently. If it has always seemed to pant more at night then it could be because it is still young, it is its natural breathing speed or it could be that there is a medical issue. In this case, it would help to consult with a vet the next time you take your German Shepherd for a checkup. When it seems to do it more The timing of when it seems to pant more would also be something to consider. If it does not always seem to pant more at night then it could be the case that there is something that has been triggering it. However, I will show you some options that you have below. Take it to a vet If you are unsure of why your German Shepherd has been panting more at night, it is constant and excessive or if your German Shepherd has been behaving abnormally in other ways then it would be very important to take it to a vet and to get it checked out. Give it exercise German Shepherds are meant to be an active breed and they are supposed to get a lot of exercise daily. When they do not get much exercise it can cause them to develop health issues. Generally, it is recommended that a German Shepherd get an hour of exercise per day. If your German Shepherd is not getting that much exercise then it would help to make sure that it does after getting the all-clear from a vet. You can exercise it by walking it, playing fetch with it or getting a dog walker to do it for you. Give it access to a cool area Since it might be panting at night due to being too hot it would help to make sure that it has access to a cool area at night. If the weather is hot where you are it would also be helpful to help remove its undercoat by brushing it with a de-shedding brush. Keep it out of the sun during the day If the weather is hot right now then it would also be important to keep it out of the sun during the day. If it has been panting a lot at night after having been out in the sun for a long time then it could be due to mild heatstroke. If it is hot then it would help to give it exercise in the morning or evening when the sun is not up. It would also help to give it access to shaded and cool areas during the day. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. Vomiting Temperature above degrees Fahrenheit If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, call your vet right away. Additionally, following the below treatment steps at the first signs can help cool the dog and provide life-saving care: Treating Heatstroke in Dogs The number one way to treat heatstroke is to avoid it in the first place. Never leave your dog in a parked car, because even with the windows cracked, temperatures can get up to degrees Fahrenheit. For a dog suffering from heatstroke, you want to cool them down slowly. Make sure not to drop their temperature too quickly since that can lead to constricted blood vessels, which can cause a stroke. Give your dog cool not cold water to drink. Give him ice cubes to lick. Note: Be careful not to spray your dog with a water hose; the water left in hoses can heat to almost boiling temperatures. Much like you get wound up for a big presentation at work or excited to meet a friend, your dog also experiences such emotions. They may be thrilled to see you get home for the day or get worked up when strangers ring your doorbell. Either way, some amount of panting from excitement is expected; however, if it is frequent or constant, it may mean your dog has a more severe form of anxiety. German Shepherds may be more susceptible to anxiety as they are a hyper-vigilant dog breed. They are protective of their humans and want to be involved in all aspects of life. This mentality can lead to heightened levels of anxiety as the dog feels the need to be ever-alert. In these cases, it is possible for the owner to calm them in the short term and keep them that way. This can be done with a series of training exercises and some diet changes. Chronic Illness Some dogs may contract a chronic illness or condition that causes them to breathe more heavily than average. Heart Disease or Heart Failure Heart failure is one of the most common illness that causes panting in dogs and cats. Animals show some of the same symptoms as people when it comes to heart failure, including heavy breathing, coughing, and fatigue. Excessive thirst, hair loss, and a pot-bellied appearance can accompany heavy panting. Treatment can include medication and ACE inhibitors. Respiratory Disorders Respiratory disorders can also cause heavy breathing, such as pneumonia, laryngeal paralysis, lung tumors. Contact a vet to rule out any of these dangerous conditions. As allergies affect the respiratory system the same way as humans, your dog may need to breathe more heavily due to a histamine reaction. Typically allergies cause noisy breathing or wheezing in addition to increased breathing rate. Luckily, though, allergies can be treated with medication or the avoidance of allergic triggers. They also can mask it behind normal-seeming behavior gestures such as tail wagging or panting. However, as their guardians, it is our job to notice these changes in behavior. Accompanying panting, you may notice restlessness, anxiety, licking or scratching an area excessively, or enlarged pupils. Medication Some medications can cause shortness of breath or excessive panting in dogs. While it may seem challenging to determine the difference at first, with a little practice, it will become easy. While this practice is essential for dogs with heart failure or other preexisting conditions, it can also be useful to know for healthy animals, too. This way, you are prepared if an emergency ever arises. Most dogs take between breaths per minute, though some can be lower, which is generally not a cause for concern. Higher than 30 breaths per minute is normal if the dog is hot or winded but should not be a sustained rate. However, if they are calm and resting, this works as well. One breath consists of both a rise and a fall in chest movement, which is an indication of an inhale and exhale. Use a stopwatch, phone, or another timepiece to measure 30 seconds as you count the breaths. If you are counting the breaths of a healthy animal, do this once per day so you can establish a baseline. If your pet is ill or experiencing heart failure, your vet may recommend monitoring this every hour. This is especially the case if your dog shows other signs of hyperventilation, such as: Rapid heart rate Collapsing or fainting Weakness If this is related to a physical health issue, the vet may recommend making an appointment or emergency visit. If the panting is determined to be due to stress or anxiety, your vet may offer recommendations on how to calm your dog. How To Calm Panting In Anxious Dogs Dogs, like people, can get stressed, nervous, or anxious in unfamiliar situations or due to changes in routine. Some dogs are extra sensitive, and even one small thing being out of place like a squirrel running around in the yard can cause them to get worked up. When dogs get worked up in such fashion, it could cause them to pant heavily and often. In doing this, the owner should also remain calm so their buddy can pick up on it. In training your dog to adopt calmness, positive reinforcement is the key; this comes primarily in the form of treats but also affirmations of good behavior work as well. Just ensure your affirmations are not too enthusiastic because that could cause excitement in the dog, thus counteracting your recent training session. Yogurt in a squeeze bottle, shredded chicken, or the soft sausage-rolled dog treats are some options you can try. You can also use finding treats as a distraction from whatever is upsetting your pooch. Sniffing is a natural calming action for dogs as it allows their focus to be on something tangible. It also dedicates breaths to the sniff, which can alleviate panting. If they need encouragement, look with them, and point out the tasty treats. Practice Calming Behaviors As an owner, taking your own deep breaths can help show the dog that calm is okay. You want to encourage your dog once they stop panting, even for a moment, and provide them with a treat. Use treats and a flat, upturned palm to slowly encourage your dog to move their chin closer to your hand. Spark their interest in the mat with treats and affirmations without telling the dog to go to the mat. Since it is supposed to be a refuge for your dog, you want it to be their idea when they goes there. At first, the mat will only be out as a special treat and hidden the rest of the time. Eventually, you can leave the mat out all the time and quietly reward your pet for lying on the mat on their own. If you see your dog sleeping or relaxing, quietly place a treat nearby without saying anything. This is the time where enthusiastic praise could actually be a detriment because it will get the pup wound up again. Always call your vet if you are unsure if care is needed.

Height: 26 inches Ratio: .This should give you their height. For example, 26 inches times 0. Using the other example, .Since each dog is going to be different, you need to look at their overall body condition rather than a weight range. Fortunately, there are body conditioning charts that you can use to figure out if your German Shepherd is at their ideal weight. Just look at them from the side and from above, feeling for ribs and pelvic bones when necessary. Younger dogs will also typically be on the thin side before they fully fill out as adults. Years of line breeding has produced several distinct types of Shepherds. Show dogs are known for a sloped back in which the back legs are shorter than the front. This unnatural formation can cause back and hip problems along with an abnormal gait. German Shepherds bred for show will also be thinner than their hardworking cousins. As you can see in this picture, this is a show-bred German Shepherd with an obvious curved back and short back legs. Working dogs, on the other hand, are bred for a sturdy, straight back so they can work long hours without getting sore. They tend to be thicker than show dogs and will, therefore, weigh more, even at the same height. As you can see in this picture, this dog has a straighter back and longer back legs, so it has been bred for working. Something else I wanted to mention here is that, according to some sources, Black German Shepherds are larger than their bi-colored cousins, despite being otherwise the same. So, if you have one of these rare and beautiful creatures, you can follow the same charts that were listed above. If your German Shepherd is diagnosed by a veterinarian as underweight or overweight for their age, then the first thing you should do is ask him or her to help you figure out the underlying cause of the problem. This will determine what should be done next. Do you have a giant German Shepherd? What about a tiny one? Comment below to tell us more about it! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. American German shepherds have straighter backs then German shepherds. If you have a german shepherd and their lineages are close to their German roots they will have that arch in their back. The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Are male and female German shepherds different? The Neonatal Period. Birth-2 Weeks. In the first two weeks of their life your puppy is mostly helpless and fully dependant on their mother. Their mother will be responsible for feeding, eliminating waste and keeping them warm. The puppies will be able to taste, touch and feel warmth but their eyes and ears are sealed shut. You should see the following milestones hit in the first two weeks. What you should expect to see: Puppies Starting to Crawl Eyes and ears starting to open Teeth starting to appear By the end of the first two weeks your puppies should be able to stand up, albeit a little shakily and have their eyes and ears fully open. The Transitional Period. They will start to be able to control their body and temperature much better. They will start to interact with their litter mates but will still be largely dependent on their mother. What you should expect to see: Puppies Walking Well Puppies Interacting with you and their littermates Puppy teeth almost complete. The Socialisation Period 4weeks — 3 months The puppies will now have complete control of their body and will start exploring the world around them. The latter half of this period is the ideal time to rehome the puppies as this is when they are most susceptible to learning new things and they can start to be taught basic commands. Between weeks your puppy may start to display signs of some fearfulness. This is perfectly normal and will need to be nurtured Not encouraged by you. What you should expect to see: Start showing adult behaviours Wagging tails, sniffing bums Start to be able to be taught basic commands Ears begin to sit upright. The Juvenile Period 3months-6months Your German Shepherd puppy will become much more independent during this period. They will start to understand dominance and will explore their home to understand where their position is in the household. What you should expect to see: Female puppies begin heat cycles Ears now fully upright Males reach sexual maturity The Adolescence Period 6monthsmonths Most of your puppies social understanding and behaviours will have developed by this point but a reinforcement of these is still important. Your puppy will be at their most energetic and will require a structured training routine to help them to continue to develop. Males are considered fully grown at 36months whereas females reach this mark around 24months. You will know have an excellent, loyal family pet and companion to spend many years together with. German Shepherds are a medium-large breed. Females will grow to around inches and weigh lbs whereas the males will grow to around inches and weigh lbs. How many puppies is there in the average German Shepherd litter? German Shepherd litters Usually consist of between 5 and 10 puppies. How long do German shepherds live? The average life span for a German Shepherd is somewhere between 9 and 14 years. Other than the size difference already discussed females tend to be more affectionate than males where is male dogs are usually more protective of their surroundings and their families. Related Posts. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. While looking through the different stages of growth you can see the rough size of German Shepherd puppies at different stages of their life by comparing the ages to a German Shepherd growth chart. Important Note: Once a puppy has been weened off milk it is essential that the puppy is given a high quality puppy food to ensure proper development. A lack of proper nutrients can result in ears not rising, smaller than normal dogs and health complications in later life. In my opinion Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is the best available on the market. German Shepherd puppies, as with all other dog breeds, are born with their eyes and ears closed. At this stage the GSD puppies are completely dependent on their mothers for care, food and the like and the newborn puppies are relatively immobile. A small section of the umbilical cord will still be attached to the German Shepherd puppy - this will dry up and fall off on its own within a few days. The first 3 days are the most critical in a GSD puppies life. Birth is the beginning of the neonatal period in GSD development and it lasts roughly 2 weeks. Typically the puppies will curve into a comma type shape when picked up. This is because their nervous system at this time is still very immature. Additionally, they can't eliminate unless the mother, or caregiver, stimulates their anus or urethra by licking or gently rubbing the area. Gentle, frequent handling by humans is very helpful from this age onward. As their nervous system development continues they will now also now arch their backs when they are picked up and held rather than curving into a more comma shaped position as before. Around Day 7 German Shepherd puppies now begin to crawl more readily and more often during this phase of GSD development. Short periods of daily handling and exposure to some stimuli can also be very beneficial to stimulate weight gain in the puppy, earlier eye opening, hair growth and motor development in all members of the GSD litter. The German Shepherd puppies eyes will appear to be blue in color at first even though they can't focus right now. They will be able to see shapes after about 2 weeks of age during continued GSD development. Around Day 14 The German Shepherd pups eyes and ears should be fully open by now and many may have their first incisor teeth beginning to erupt. The puppies should also be crawling quite well by this time. This is the beginning of the transitional period of GSD development which typically lasts about a week or so. This is also a period of profound changes in the German Shepherd puppies growth and development. The German Shepherd puppy will begin to be more independent from it's mom during this time. During this time the German Shepherd puppies will begin to eliminate on their own and should start walking within 2- to 3 days by about day 16 or so - very shaky at first, but with practice growing legs will soon become less wobbly. You can observe tail wagging as well as the beginning of play fighting. German Shepherd puppies will also be eliminating on their own by this time. Around Day 21 Around this date the German Shepherd puppy will move from the transitional phase into the socialization period of GSD development. By this time GSD puppies should be able to walk pretty well, with a more adult-like gait. They will also begin a more active exploration of their environments and that of their GSD litter mates. This period is thought to last from about 2. This is an extremely important time for the emotional and social development of the German Shepherd puppy. This is also a period of dramatic changes in your German Shepherd puppies life. This is the period in GSD development when puppies can form bonds with species outside of its own such as human beings. This is also the time when the puppy can identify their own species as well as being able to identify future social partners. Oftentimes, the peak of sensitivity to the formation of social bonds is described to be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. This is also called the fear period in GSD development! Around Week 4 By now social play becomes an important factor in GSD development and German Shepherd puppies learn how to interact with litter mates and adult animals of their species as well. They can also play with toys, play fight, play with humans and other animals and are beginning to eat other soft foods to supplement their mother's milk. Many times the GSD puppies are fearless during this time - exploring their environment and all that is about them. This is also a good time for continued exposure to new and novel things, to various people and other kinds of animals, all while the German Shepherd puppy continues to develop. The socialization stage is very important in the growth of GSD development, however it should be looked at within the context of the developing emotional system of the puppy. At around 3 - 5 weeks of age attraction responses in German Shepherd puppies are very strong. These kinds of responses begin to diminish between 5 - 7 weeks of age as fear responses begin to emerge. It is important to note that early socialization is tremendously important in the development of well-adjusted GSD puppies. During these few weeks, your German Shepherd puppy will also learn how to play and communicate with it's littermates, respond to humans it comes in contact with and how to get along safely in the adult dog world. Around Week 6 German Shepherd puppies begin exhibiting more adult like behaviors such as mounting of other litter mates and demonstrating dominance roles. Sniffing of tails and noses also becomes an important part of the greeting process among their canine peers. Between about 7 - 9 weeks of age the fear response may become so strong as to begin to overwhelm the attraction response. For other puppies the social motivation to make contact may very well overcome any wariness during this phase of GSD development. Around weeks 7 - 12 Among other things, this is an ideal age of socializing your German Shepherd puppy to humans, other animals and new surroundings and objects. It also a great time to learn such important skills as: leash training, housebreaking, crate training, accepting gentle handling and grooming and to accept human domination and control. The socialization period is absolutely critical in GSD development and acceptance of other animal species. If a GSD puppy is not exposed to horses, sheep, goats, other dogs, cats or small children before it reaches 12 weeks, it is likely it will never accept them. You may also observe that your German Shepherd pups ears are beginning to come up in some form or fashion. Don't be surprised by the wild and interesting shapes that they may take on as they mature. As the puppy goes through the teething process the ears will go up and down and will do all sorts of weird things - one up one down; one flopping to the left, the other to the right; both in the center, etc. This period is thought to occur from the end of the primary socialization period through sexual maturity. Motor skills are increasing for the GSD puppy. During this time the puppy is still refining both learning and social skills as well. While puppies in this phase can learn quite well, they are easily distracted and very hard to keep on task. This is an excellent time to start puppy kindergarten. This is also a good time to start being very aware of your GSD puppies ear carriage. Around 4 Months German Shepherd puppies will begin to lose their puppy teeth and will soon replace them with their adult teeth, generally starting with the incisors. Young German Shepherds will continue to learn about their environment and all the individuals in it throughout their social maturization process. This is often the time when older puppies are learning about their social relationships within the environment they live. Social maturity takes more time to achieve than sexual maturity. In the beginning of social maturity dogs will begin to display more mature, adult social behaviors. This time is thought to vary between breeds and from dog to dog and to occur anywhere from 12 - 36 months of age, especially in the larger breeds such as German Shepherds. Again, this varies from German Shepherd to German Shepherd but this is a good place to start. If your German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing up by this time on their own it is a good time to consider taping them. Detailed directions for this process can be found here. Overall, most of the puppies internal body systems are nearly "adult" even though the skeleton is still growing and will for some time to come. In many respects your German Shepherd puppy is now a "small adult". The heart rate has decreased again to about 70 BPM and by the end of this month the GSD puppy should have a full set of adult teeth. Also an important milestone: German Shepherd females reach sexual maturity and have their first estrus heat period. If the GSD's ears are not up by this time you need to take action quickly to get them up before it is too late. Read the article on ear taping. Around 7 - 12 Months German Shepherd males reach sexual maturity and begin to hike their leg when urinating. It is important to be especially firm and consistent about setting limits and enforcing commands during this time since your older GSD puppy may challenge dominance of other dogs or humans during this stage. If the German Shepherd puppies ears are not standing on their own by this point, there is a good chance that they will never stand on their own. This is an ideal age in GSD development to start "Beginning" level classes of obedience training. Bonding to humans is now very firmly established and your German Shepherds vocal and body communications are now that of a more mature individual dog - and more easily understood, and well on their way to many years of happy companionship with you. Sign up for promotions, news, discounts, and the chance to win prizes for you and your German Shepherd E-mail Address. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds. German Shepherd Growth Stages: This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot. Cuteness Factor: Through the roof! Height: Male: 4 — 6 in 11 — 16 cm Female: 3 — 6 in 8 — 14 cm Weight: Male: 5. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested. Month 2: Socialization Growth Stage Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall. Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears! Height: Male: 7 — 9 in 17 — 22 cm Female: 6 — 9 in 14 — 22 cm Weight: Male: 16 — 20 lbs 6 — 9 kg Female: 11 — 17 lbs 5 — 7. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home. Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule. Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler. Cuteness Factor: Equal to fluffy pillows! Height: Male: 9 — 11 in 23 — 27 cm Female: 8 — 10 in 20 — 25 cm Weight: Male: 22 — 30 lbs 10 — 14 kg Female: 17 — 26 lbs 8 — 12 kg Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur. Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended. Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended. Month 4: At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. Height: Male: 11 — 14 in 29 — 35 cm Female: 10 — 12 in 26 — 31 cm Weight: Male: 35 — 40 lbs 16 — 18 kg Female: 31 — 35 lbs 14 — 16 kg Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn. Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day. Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended. Month 5: At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point. Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie! Height: Male: 14 — 16 in 35 — 40 cm Female: 12 — 14 in 31 — 36 cm Weight: Male: 40 — 49 lbs 18 — 22 kg Female: 35 — 44 lbs 16 — 20 kg Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge. Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day. Month 6: Adolescent Growth Stage At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer. Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear! Height: Male: 16 — 18 in 41 — 46 cm Female: 15 — 17 in 37 — 42 cm Weight: Male: 49 — 57 lbs 22 — 26 kg Female: 44 — 49 lbs 20 — 22 kg Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present. Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day. Month 7: At 7 months old , a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished. Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression. Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart! Height: Male: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Female: 18 — 20 in 45 — 50 cm Weight: Male: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Female: 53 — 57 lbs 24 — 26 kg Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown. Month 9: At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible! Height: Male: 21 — 23 in 54 — 59 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 64 — 71 lbs 29 — 32 kg Female: 55 — 60 lbs 25 — 27 kg Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now. Month By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 73 lbs 30 — 33 kg Female: 57 — 62 lbs 26 — 28 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Month Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 57 — 62 cm Female: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 75 lbs 30 — 34 kg Female: 60 — 64 lbs 27 — 29 kg Milestones: They are still growing slowly. Month 1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended. Year 1. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 55 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 79 lbs 32 — 36 kg Female: 60 — 66 lbs 27 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Year 2: At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame. Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 57 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 84 lbs 32 — 38 kg Female: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown. Vaccines: DHPP is recommended. Year 3: Adult Growth Stage Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Height: Male: 24 — 26 in 60 — 65 cm Female: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Weight: Male: 79 — 88 lbs 36 — 40 kg Female: 66 — 70 lbs 28 — 32 kg Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually. Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state. A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:.

We established Lobuff in .We're a small hobby kennel on Long Island, and we're proud to own and breed English type Labradors. It's always been important to us to strive to have dogs that are triple or multi purpose dogs. We feel that a well-bred healthy and sound Labrador should be able to go out and do any job asked of him or her. We believe that breeding dogs is an art, not a science. By that time we had an idea of the look, shape and attitude we wanted for our dogs. He sired more than 50 working Guide Dogs as well as champions, Junior Hunters, obedience dogs, explosive detector dogs and family companions. Showing dogs was a family affair, in the 60's and 70's. Col Jerry and Lee Weiss and all 5 daughters enjoyed the sport as a hobby. One of our most important producers and beloved family pet was Dove, she was co-owned with Hollyridge — Julie Quigley-Smith and we enjoyed great success with her, she exceeded any dreams we had for her winning BOB at Potomac, the LRC National and may other Specialties. Sadly, Dove, Puffin, Eddie and Kisskadee are not with us and longer. Like Dr. We continue to work together with new generations!! Nancy always goes full tilt, logging countless hours and miles. We have so many friends to thank for helping us carry on our lines combined with theirs. Thanks to all who have worked so hard!! Check out their websites. Check their websites as well!!! We have also gotten heavily into Cavaliers. As well as Sue Penn and Marie Treacy. We plan to have lots of fun in the future. All of our breeding Labrador Retriever dogs are genetically tested and are from Champion Labrador Retriever Bloodlines. The parents live with us and are located on our premises. Sportsman's Kennels is located on a six acre facility, in the middle of the Long Island Pine Barrens. This versatile breed comes in four colors — yellow, black,chocolate and white — and because of his aptitude to please his master they excel as guide dogs for the blind, as part of search-and-rescue teams or in narcotics detection with law enforcement. Right Breed for You? An ideal family and sporting dog, the Labrador Retriever thrives as part of an active family or as a trusted hunting companion. A double-coated breed which sheds seasonally, regular grooming keeps his coat at its water-resistant best. Because of his even temperament and trainability millions of Americans own a Labrador Retriever as a pet. Our puppies are available in chocolate, yellow, black and pure white. They are microchipped, vaccinated, and veterinarian certified. For information on present and future litters, please call or e-mail info sportsmanskennels.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Virginia Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Virginia? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Virginia? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Are you considering getting a puppy? That is a big decision! We rarely get puppies into rescue. Before you take this big step here are some things you might want to consider. So consider the information below — and carefully think about the fact that an older dog might be a better fit for your family. Be sure you are willing to make a year commitment to caring for a golden for his or her entire life. If you decide to get a puppy, it is especially important to choose a breeder very carefully. When purchasing a puppy, you put a lot of trust in the breeder. Pet Shops or Dealers Our advice is to steer clear of pet shops, dealers, flea markets, or any type of mass puppy raising operation. These pets are often ill or have genetic defects. No reputable breeder will sell puppies through a pet shop because a reputable breeder wants to know where their puppies are going. A particularly sad scenario for these dogs is one we see several times a year. We get a call to take in a young golden that has a hip or leg problem and needs expensive surgery — a genetic defect. While the pet store sometimes guarantees the dog, and will accept it back and replace it with another dog — think about it. What happens to the dog that needs surgery? GRRMF is called upon to step in and help these sweet dogs who are otherwise young and healthy but are doomed to a life of pain if they do not get surgery. We raise funds and help them and then adopt them to a new home. Please trust us on this issue — stay clear of pet shops when getting a puppy. You are setting yourself up for heartbreak if you do. Backyard Breeders Often these folks sell through the classifieds and are breeding their own pet thinking it would be fun to have puppies or that their dog should be bred at least once before being spayed. Some backyard breeders are all about making money. Backyard breeders know little about breeding standards and do not usually provide genetic testing of the parents that is recommended by the Golden Retriever Club of America. You take a chance getting a dog from a backyard breeder. Are you prepared, once the dog grows, to handle any potential health problems arising from genetic defects passed on to your dog? For example, what if your dog needs surgery due to hip dysplasia at one year old? Can you afford a few thousand dollars for corrective surgery? While you might feel like you are getting a bargain from a backyard breeder, think long term and factor in all the risks you are taking. Furthermore, know that many backyard breeders try to charge as much for their dogs as a responsible breeder. Choosing a Reputable Breeder Your best choice for purchasing a puppy is to research reputable breeders. A word about Rescue Dogs Rescue dogs may or may not have been responsibly bred. We consider this only one of the many advantages to adopting an older dog. What you see is what you get! Goldens Rescued Since .Buying A Golden Retriever From A Respectable, Professional Breeder Purchasing a Golden retriever Puppy from a respected, responsible professional breeder is by far the best option when it comes to getting yourself a good quality, healthy puppy given the best start in life. A responsible professional breeder: Cares greatly about the overall quality and welfare of the breed and selectively breeds for the betterment of the Golden Retriever population as a whole. Screen sire and dam for health issues in trying to breed puppies with the lowest possible chance of inherited disease. Will help you to select the right puppy for you from the many different personalities in their litter. Not all dogs are created equal! Some are more energetic, more headstrong, more confident, others less so. They will match you to the perfect puppy for your hopes and lifestyle. They handle, care for, and socialize puppies in such an expert way that the puppies have had the best possible start in life and the greatest chance of growing up a confident, happy dog of good temperament. They provide some of the best advice and support that can be given about how you should care for your new family member, from the moment you make the decision right through your Goldens entire life. So as you can see, there are many benefits to buying from a professional breeder. But surely there must be some cons you may be thinking? Well it depends how you look at it, but: A professional breeder will ask you many questions to be sure you are a good fit and have the right lifestyle that fits in with owning a Golden Retriever. You could have a long wait. Good breeders are popular and do not breed excessively, so you may have to wait a year or more before a puppy becomes available. But a benefit to this is that it weeds out the impulse buyers which cuts down on puppies that are given up after rushed decisions. Compared to some other options, you will pay quite a high price. I say a high price but what I mean is a fair price really. A fair price for a good quality, healthy puppy. But mostly backyard breeders are the unscrupulous types. You usually will not be able to see the premises on which the puppies are bred, they will not ask any questions of prospective owners and there will be no commitment or offer of help and advice for the future of the puppies they breed. This results in a poorer quality of life for the animals, and expensive vet bills for the owners. One positive of backyard breeders though is the price. Yes, they are considerably cheaper than professional breeders. And the savings you make up front are more than lost for extra vet bills down the road. So the risk is your puppy has a higher chance of inherited disease and behavior problems than the general population. There will be no true guarantee of pedigree. But if your friend has taken steps to get veterinary advice and care for the puppies, has looked after and socialized them well, maybe even knows the father of the puppies and can prove he is of good health and pedigree then this option may not be so bad. However they got into the situation, there are way too many homeless dogs in the world. Lack of space and insufficient funding inevitably means that many dogs each year are euthanized. Maybe you could give a second chance at life to such a dog? But you should also be aware that some rescued dogs will have behavioral issues, though the center staff will inform you of this. They may also have suffered some level of abuse and have psychological issues, phobias or anxieties that may not be evident until a certain situation arises. So there is some due diligence and this greatly increases the success rate of finding happy homes for dogs that suit their new human family. This is obviously a good thing for both the dogs and hopeful owners too! Buying From A Pet Store Or A Puppy Mill A large number of dogs bought from pet stores originate from puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, which are profit driven businesses that mass-produce dogs and sell through pet stores and classifieds. In puppy mills, dogs are bred in appalling conditions, kept in overcrowded small wire cages, given little exercise or socialization, enjoy no human contact and receive nothing in the way of veterinary care. The puppies are usually taken away from their mothers and litter-mates at such a young age that behavioral issues in the adult dog are extremely common. The dogs in puppy mills are no more than a commodity, a cash crop to be produced and harvested while spending as little as possible to maximize profits as far as possible. Yes, many people have been lucky enough to have purchased the most glorious of family pets from a pet store, but for each one a lot of suffering has occurred for countless more. I strongly advise that you do not support the puppy mill industry and never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. The risks of not getting a quality, healthy dog are too high, and the ethics of the industry are shocking with many dogs suffering at their hands. Everybody should work to eradicate the entire industry and the first step is by not supporting them financially. There are many places and options available to get a Golden Retriever puppy, some good, some bad, and puppy mills and pet stores just an appalling option to be avoided. In my opinion your 2 best options are to source a puppy from a professional breeder or to adopt from a rescue center. But there are other options available and I hope this article has given you some information to help you in your decision. Please let us know about your experiences of getting a GR from any of the sources above, or even one I may have forgotten. Thank you. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

General Appearance and Temperament The Australian Labradoodle moves with agility and grace when active yet is compact with substance and medium boning. Brimming with joy and energy when free, they become relaxed and quiet when handled. Australian Labradoodles have a free flowing wavy or curly coat that is low to non-shedding. The multi-generational Australian Labradoodle comes in three basic sizes. There should be no appreciable difference in the general appearance of the Standard, Medium, or Miniature sizes except in the actual size difference. Medium 17 to 20 inches tall and weighs between 31 and 45 pounds as an adult. Standard 21 to 24 inches tall and weighs between 46 and 65 pounds as an adult. This graphic will help you to better understand how big your puppy will become. Coat One of the benefits of buying a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle is that you will know with a high degree of certainty what the coat type will be when your puppy becomes an adult. Australian Labradoodles have a single coat ranging from straight to loose curls or wool. Ideally, the curls should not be tight and the coat should not be too thick or fluffy. They can be allergy friendly to many people who have dog related allergies. The coat is as non-shedding as any dog can be. However, in some of the early generations, F1, F2 and F1b, more shedding can occur, but shedding is rarely seen in the multi generation Labradoodle. The coat types are as follows: Fleece The Fleece coat texture should be light and silky, often described as feeling like Angora. The fleece coat can be from loosely waved giving an almost straight appearance to deeply waved with soft curls. The fleece coat has been found to be allergy friendly and is low to non-shedding. Wool The wool coat is denser to the feel like a sheep's wool. It is extremely rare for a wool coat to shed, and is the preferred coat type for families with severe allergies. The Australian Labradoodle has a single coat. Both the Fleece and the Wool coat should be of a soft texture. Color The multi-generational Australian Labradoodle comes in a variety of many beautiful colors and patterns. Lighting can change the colors, with summer sun often causing the outer coat to highlight in lighter shades. Silvering or graying may give the coat a distinctive look. Coats often have a slight to dramatic amount of softening of color over the years. Each combination is beautiful in its unique expression. See examples of each color below. Black Pigment Colors: All dogs in this category have dark brown eyes, black noses, gums and paw pads. The descriptions may range in name from black, blue, or silver to cream, apricot, gold or red. Chocolate Pigment Colors: All dogs in this category have brown noses and lighter, usually hazel, eyes and brown paw pads. Chocolate and caramel are the two basic colors in this category. Intensity of the hue in chocolate and caramel can range from a dark to light. Puppies coats may start out darker in tone, then soften in time with hues of cream. Color names for chocolate range from cafe, milk chocolate, and latte to lavender and parchment. The caramel coloration ranges from light to a dark rich shading of the yellow gene. As we can see from the Australian Labradoodle size chart above, these Doodles come in three main size categories — Mini, Medium, and Standard. The smallest of the bunch is the Mini Australian Labradoodle. The Minis weigh around 15 to 30 pounds and stand about 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. The largest are the Standard Australian Labradoodles who weigh between 50 and 70 pounds and stand about 21 to 24 inches tall. The Medium Australian Labradoodle fits right between the Minis and Standard Australian Labradoodles, with a weight of 30 to 50 pounds, and a height of 17 to 20 inches. F1 vs F1b vs F2b Australian Labradoodle If you know a little bit about Doodles, you know that their generation can play a key role in determining their size. For example, Labradoodles have only Labrador Retriever and Poodle genes. They can be either F1, F1b, F2, F3, and so on. In contrast, the Australian Labradoodles are F5 or higher, and can have a total of up to six breeds in their lineage. As a result, the Australian Labradoodle generations are a lot more complicated. This usually translates to their first 6 months of life. After that, their growth will slow down, until it plateaus at their full adult weight roughly around 1 to 1. By their first birthday, the Australian Labradoodle has most likely reached their full adult height. But we can typically expect them to continue gaining some more weight and girth over the upcoming months. Generally, smaller dogs reach their full size earlier than larger pups. Between .Medium Australian Labradoodles typically reach half their adult weight between 3. They will then plateau at their full adult weight around 11 to 13 months old. Similarly, they will then plateau at their full adult weight between 11 and 13 months of age. However, Minis might reach their full adult size slightly earlier than the Medium Australian Labradoodles. Mini Australian Labradoodles weigh about 15 to 30 pounds and stand 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. Medium Australian Labradoodles weigh about 30 to 50 pounds with a height of 17 to 20 inches. The Standard Labradoodle, the largest of them, weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and stands 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. For example, a high quality diet is crucial for proper growth, development, and overall health. Make sure to check out our guides on the best dog food for Doodle puppies , and learn exactly how much you should feed your dog to keep them healthy and happy. They get along well with children and other pets, and love to please their humans more than anything. Hopefully we managed to answer all of your questions about the Australian Labradoodle size and growth patterns so you can be fully-prepared for a long and happy life with this beautiful, fluffy creature. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. Temperament and Soundness are the two KEY elements in a good family companion; they must not be sacrificed for any reason. General Appearance: The Australian Labradoodle should be athletic and graceful, yet compact with substance and medium boning. Joyful and energetic when free, soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye to eye contact. Keen to learn and easy to train. They have a free flowing wavy or curly coat that does not shed and is possibly non-allergenic. Size: Sizes are still "somewhat inconsistent" with no definition between male and female at this time. Accurate prediction of size, even by an experienced breeder, is not expected at this time. Size is measured to the top of the shoulder blades withers while standing squarely on a level surface. Much care is needed when breeding both the large and small dogs. Large dogs can suffer from rapid growth that can lead to structural problems. Soundness is of utmost importance. Over size is a major fault. Care must be taken to keep the miniature Australian Labradoodle a solid athletic robust dog. The dwarfing of dogs can lead to many genetic and temperament disorders. Minimum size attention is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy little dog. Most Australian Labradoodles will weigh more than their height reflects. Weight range tends to be 50 to 65 pounds. Weight range tends to be 30 to 40 pounds. Weight range tends to be 16 to 25 pounds. Body: Height to wither to length from sternum to point of buttock should appear square and compact. Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks. Top line should remain level with strong loin and level croup. Flanks should rise up from a brisket set just below the elbows, but should not be excessively deep. Ribs should be well sprung but not barreled. Overall, the dog should appear square, be balanced, athletic and with good muscling. Movement: When trotting should be purposeful, strong and elastic, with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of "going somewhere". When happy, relaxed or at play will prance and skim the ground lightly. Excessive tightness in the hips will produce a stilted action and is considered a fault. Tail: Set relatively high and preferred to be carried in a saber, can be carried below the topline or "gaily" above. Curled possum type tails are undesirable. Head: Sculptured, broad, well defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart, nose to stop slightly longer than stop to occiput. Foreface shorter than skull. The head should be clean and chiseled and fully coated as on the body, legs and tail. The Muzzle is measured from the tip of the nose to the stop. The skull is measured from the occiput to the stop and does not include the muzzle. Ears: Set moderately flat against the head, base should be level with the eye. Leather should be of medium thickness and when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth. Ear leather reaching beyond the tip of nose is considered a severe fault. Ear canals should be free of excessive hair, and not thick and bulbous. When inquisitive and alert the ear set should rise to the top of the head. Eyes: "Slightly" round, large and expressive, always offering eye to eye contact when engaged in activity with a human. Protruding or sunken eyes are a fault. Watery or tearful eyes are a fault. Wide round or narrow almond shaped eyes are considered a fault. Eye Color: Eye color should complement and blend with the face color. Caramel and dogs with rose pigment may have either dark eyes or "ghost" eyes. Ghost is a hazel color range much the same as it is in humans. Ghost eyes must always remain soft in appearance. Cold staring expressionless appearance in all eye colors is a severe fault. Teeth: Scissor bite only is acceptable, being neither undershot nor overshot. Miniatures must not have crowding teeth. Nose: Large square and fleshy. Pigment: Black or Rose. Pigment should be strong. Black pigment dogs must have dark brown eyes. Pink spots or patches on nose, lips, eye rims or pads are a fault. Dogs with rose pigment can have dark hazel, brown or ghost eyes. Eye rims should be rose as should nose, lips and pads. Pink spots or patches are a severe fault. Rose should be a rich liver color. Neck: The firm, well muscled neck should be moderately long, slightly arched and flow into the well angled shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. The neck should not be coarse nor stumpy and should lend an air of elegance to the dog. A short thick neck is a fault. Color: Any solid color including Cafe' and Silver is preferred. Minimal white on the chest and toes is acceptable. Light chalky coarse hairs kemp sprinkled through a dark coat is permissible but very undesirable. Parti patched and Phantoms, are considered an acceptable color. Phantoms are any shading or two tone coloration such as a Black dog with lower legs showing a soft toning of silver or gold or a dog born dark with a golden shading at the roots or a slight brindling effect. True pure solid colors with the exception of Silver and Cafe' are highly prized and are the ideal for the Australian Labradoodle. It is normal that all colors may show bleaching and discoloration over the top coat. This is called sunning and is quite expected and acceptable, as the Australian Labradoodle is an active dog and often a service dog that enjoys the outdoors. Weather bleaching or sunning must not be penalized. Labradoodle Breed Standard Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles Mission: To bring families an exceptional labradoodle, exceptional in labradoodle health, temperament and conformation. We only breed fleece coats, soft and loopy. We breed wide body, stocky, silly dogs. We do not think labradoodles should look like any other breed; just a cool looking casual dog. We breed for non shed and allergy friendly as much as a dog can be. The following standard guides our Rainmaker Ranch Breeding Program. Labradoodle Foundation Parent Guideline It is very important to us that the foundation breeding parents to your puppy, either, poodle, lab, Australian Labradoodle or Labradoodle are the best representation of their respective breeds. Therefore, we only breed those dogs that first meet the breed standard of their appropriate breed. To better understand the standards for poodles please go to: www. For Labrador breeding criteria please see www. We see, to our dismay, too many dogs being bred that would not even meet their own breed standard yet alone produce the correct breed standard for the Labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle. Labradoodle Temperament Temperament is critical to the work of the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle. To us this indicates we should only be breeding dogs that are laid back, calm, loving, easily trained, family friendly loving adults and kids , fun loving and comical. We are very proud to announce that we have puppies from each of our parents in therapy service, some have passed Guide Dog testing, on is in training as a mold detection service dog. We also work very hard 0 to 8 weeks to handle and train your puppy under a top canine behavior model. Labradoodle Health Health is always an issue for us and our families. The question is typically asked, "What are the health issues in the labradoodle and Australian labradoodle breed". Since these are the issues in the breed, we screen all our breeding dogs for all of these. We have generations of Health tested clear dogs. Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard under our program Labradoodle Conformation General Appearance Should be athletic and graceful, yet compact with substance and medium boning with a free flowing wavy or curling coat that does not shed. Joyful and energetic when free, soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye-to-eye contact, keen to learn and easy to train. Size Standard: 21 to 24 not over 25 inches or about cm from the wither to ground measurement. The ideal size for the female is inches and the male is inches. Weight range tends toward kg about lbs. Oversize is a major fault. Medium: 17 to 20 not over 21 inches or about cm from the wither to ground measurement. Weight range tends toward kg or about lbs. Miniature: 14 to 16 not over 17 inches or about cm from the wither to ground measurement. There is no correlation between height and sex in the Miniature size. Undersize is a Major fault. Body Height to length ratio square and compact. Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Upright shoulders is a fault. Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks. Top line should remain level with strong loin and level croup. They are a galloping dog therefore flanks should rise up from a brisket set just below the elbows, but should not be excessively deep. Ribs should be well sprung but not barreled. Overall they should appear square, balanced, and athletic with good muscling. Movement When trotting should be purposeful, strong and elastic with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of "going somewhere". When relaxed, happy or at play they will prance and skim the ground lightly. Excessive tightness in the hip will produce a stilted action and is considered a fault. Top line should remain level with strong loin and croup. Tail Is relatively high and is preferred to be carried saber. Neck Firm well muscled neck should be moderately long, slightly arched and flow into well angled shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. The neck should not be coarse or stumpy and should lend an air of elegance to the dog. A short or thick neck is a fault. Head Sculptured, broad, well-defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart, nose to stop slightly shorter than stop to occipital. The head should be clean and chiseled, and fully coated as on the body, legs and tail. A long, narrow or blockhead is a fault. Ears Set moderately flat against head and should be level with eye. Leather should be of medium thickness, when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth. Ear canal should be free of Excessive hair and not thick or bulbous. When inquisitive or alert the ear should rise to the top of the head. Thick, heavy ear leather is a fault. Eyes Slightly round, large and expressive, always offering eye-to-eye contact when engaged in activity with humans. Protruding or sunken eyes are a fault. Watery or tearful eyes are a fault. Wide round or narrow almond shape is considered a fault. Teeth Scissor bite. Undershot or overshot bite is a major fault. Crowding teeth in miniatures is a fault. Nose Large, square, and fleshy. Coat Coat length should be inches long. It should be straight, wavy or forming spirals and should naturally grow in staples with a soft texture. It should not be too thick or dense nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy. It should be a single coat; any sign of a double coat is a fault. The ideal Fleece and Wool coats can be spun successfully. Hair coat [Hair texture that sheds] is undesirable and is a major fault. It is important that the coat gives the impression of being a fleece in type rather than dog hair. Fleece The focus of our program : Texture should be light and silky similar to the texture of the Angora goat. Appearing to contain a silky lanolin in texture. Appearance can range from an almost straight loosely waved to an obviously waved coat; Kemp is often found around eyes and along the top line. The absence of Kemp is highly prized. Wool: Texture is denser than that of the Fleece with a similar texture to that of Lamb's Wool. Appearing to contain a sheep lanolin in texture. The ideal wool coat should hang in loose hollow spirals. It is acceptable to exhibit a spring appearance rather than spiral but a sprung wool coat is undesirable. An overly thick or dense coat is also undesirable. There should be no body odor or shedding in the Fleece and Wool coat [with the exception of the Hair coat, which both has odor and sheds in varying degrees, usually seen in the early generation dogs. It is acceptable to see a coat change from the puppy to adult coat, and also during hormonal changes in fertile bitches. This coat does not shed, but should be groomed out. Pigment Black or Rose. Pigment should be strong pink spots or patches on nose, lips, eye rims, or pads are a fault. Dogs with rose pigment should have eye rims, lips, nose and pads with rose pigment. Pink spots or patches are a severe fault. Flecking with different shades of Hazel with Green - Blue make this eye color quite unique. Ghost eyes must remain soft in appearance. Cold, staring, expressionless appearance in all eye color is a major fault. Colors It is normal that all colors may show bleaching and discoloration over the top coat, referred to as sunning, this is quite expected and acceptable. The Australian Labradoodle is an active dog and often a service dog that enjoys the outdoors. Kemp [course hairs] sprinkled through a dark coat is permissible but very undesirable. Parti [Patched], Phantom, Brindle and Sable though not preferred are considered an acceptable color The preferred colors are as follows: Chalk: This color should be a white color but when compared to white is rather a chalky white in color Nose pigment to be Black or Rose. Nose pigment to be Black or Rose. Nose pigment to be Rose in color Red: This color should be a solid even rich red in color. A true red must not be lighter at the root than the outer coat. Reds can fade as the dog grows older, senior dogs should not be penalized for paling of coat color Nose pigment to be Black. Nose pigment to be Black. Silver: This color can range in shades from very light pewter in color to a dark charcoal in color it is preferred to see an even color through the coat but acceptable to see uneven layering of color in the coat. Silvers are born Black with the coat color developing over time yrs. The blue coat color will develop over time yrs but as a developed adult should have an even coat color, any other color throughout the Blue is undesirable. Color should be even, any other color in the coat is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Rose in color [matching the coat color]. Lavender: This color has a definite smoky lavender chocolate color giving an almost pink to lilac appearance. Lavender dogs are born chocolate and will develop over time yrs. Any other color in the coat is undesirable. Parchment dogs are born milk chocolate and will develop over time yrs. From a distance adult dogs can be mistaken for a dark or smoky cream. Nose pigment to be Rose in color [Rare color group] Temperament Extremely clever, sociable and joyful. Easily trained. Quick to learn unusual or special tasks. Active, a little comical at times. Can attempt to outsmart their owners if undisciplined. Friendly though obviously loyal to own family. Non Aggressive. It is the responsibility of conscientious breeders to health test their breeding stock and protect the Australian Labradoodle from developing recurring genetic disorders in the breed. It is good to keep in mind that the Australian Labradoodle is a family companion; we do not want the heartache of illness or the expense of less than sound dogs. Practical research indicates that the fleece and wool coats of the Australian Labradoodle are very successful with Asthma and Allergy sufferers. In these infant years of breeding the Australian Labradoodle some throwbacks will occur, with wiry, sparse, or combination coats that have partial shedding. These dogs need not be discarded for breeding, but should be assessed as to their soundness of body and temperament. Many of these individuals offer valuable hybrid genetics and will breed on excellent offspring. The same applies to dogs displaying undesirable color or size traits. In order to produce a breed with a broad genetic base of quality dogs, haste should be made slowly. Genetic resources must be kept broad to protect the Australian Labradoodle breed from the disasters that many other breeds are suffering, "the genetic dead end". Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodle dogs and puppies. No two families are the same, and their needs for their four legged members differ. We breed three different sizes of Australian Labradoodles so you can find the perfect pup to complete your family. The height of each breed size is measured from the wither, or the shoulder blades to the ground, because this gives the most accurate and reliable measurement for dog height. Weight is based on a healthy range for a full grown Australian Labradoodle of each size. Read more about the sizes below to help you determine which Doodle is right for you! Miniature Height: 14 to 16 inches from the wither Weight: 15 to 25 Lbs Miniature Australian Labradoodles are ideal for families who live in apartments or rental homes with breed and pet weight restrictions. At less than thirty pounds, they can easily accompany you and your family to pet-friendly hotels when you travel most have policies that restrict pets to thirty pounds or less , and they are just the right size for kiddie cuddles! Medium Height: 17 to 20 inches from the wither Weight: 30 to 40 Lbs Medium Australian Labradoodles are slightly larger than Miniatures, and can weigh up to forty pounds. Mediums are still small enough to be lap dogs, but big enough to have a good game of tug of war or accompany you on your morning jog. Standard Height: 21 to 24 inches from the wither Weight: 45 to 65 Lbs Standard Australian Labradoodles are the largest size available. At twenty-two to twenty-four inches from the wither and up to sixty-five pounds, these pups bring the happy, huggable breed to the big dog table. Standards are ideal for active people with a lot of space, as they make good running partners and love to play. Reserve A Puppy Today! The Australian Labradoodle is a very active breed, and needs adequate space and exercise. For example, Miniature Australian Labradoodles would fare better in an apartment than a Medium Doodle. Likewise, a Medium Labradoodle would be better suited to a small house than a Standard. All three sizes are easy to train and very smart. They get along well with other dogs, so they make great additions to pre-started menageries, and are protective and loyal but not aggressive, so they are great with kids. These family friendly, sociable dogs are ideal for anyone seeking companionship and unconditional canine love, from singles to couples, kid-free homes and big families alike. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What is an Australian Labradoodle? The Australian Labradoodle is different from all other labradoodles. In the early days, the Labradoodle was simply a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle, F1 and F1b are both early generation Labradoodles. Whereby the "Australian Labradoodles" are also know as "Multi-generational" Labradoodles. Labradoodles bred to Labradoodles for many generations and can be traced back to the two kennels that started the lines of Australian Labradoodles. In the late 's, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor both in Australia, started breeding the lines we know today.The resulting labradoodles subsequently have been bred to each other, continuing the multi-generational tradition. Even when the other types of Labradoodles are bred on for generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle, as the attributes of the infused breeds were not included in their ancestry. Their mission is to maintain and improve the quality and soundness of the Australian Labradoodles, and to carefully monitor the further development of the breed. All member breeders are carefully screened to help ensure the future of the Australian Labradoodle. Member breeders must breed to the highest standards. Australian Labradoodle Height and Weight Standards: Size Standard: Height 21 - 24 inches at the withers- 45 - 60 pounds Medium: Height 17 - 20 inches at the withers- lbs Miniature: Height 14"" at the withers- less then 20 lbs The Australian Labradoodle is good with children and is easy to train. It gets along well with other dogs. It is extremely clever, sociable and joyful, and quick to learn unusual or special tasks. Active, a little comical at times. Temperament and Soundness are the two KEY elements in a good family companion; they must not be sacrificed for any reason. Australian Labradoodle Temperament: Grooming: Regular grooming with a slicker brush at least every two weeks. Their coat grows like your hair so will need to be trimmed as you prefer it, at least two to three times a year. Trimming and scissoring around the eyes, feet and under area to keep clean and tidy. We are committed to being a leader in this effort. Colors of Caramel may have dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and self colored to dark nails. Colors of Gold, Red, Black, Blue and Silver must have very dark eyes; black noses, eye rims and lips; and black or self-colored nails. Colors of Chalk and Cream may have either pigmentation of dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and self colored to dark nails or very dark eyes; black noses, eye rims and lips; and black or self-colored nails. These colors may appear in one of the following patterns: Solid. Color is solid and preferably even, preferably with no white markings. A small white flash no larger than 2. Even colors are preferred but natural coloration of the coat is not considered a fault. No set pattern is required but symmetrical markings on the head are preferred. Freckling of the solid color in the white of the coat is acceptable but not encouraged. Phantom: The body color must be a solid color with defined markings of a second color as follows: above each eye, on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheek, on the underside of the ears, on the throat to forechest, or on a chin and forechest pattern, with a minimum second coloring on the feet preferably up the legs, and below the tail. Second color on the inside of the leg and flank is also acceptable and should not be penalized. Markings are preferred to be clear and defined. Face markings of the second color with the entire face colored is acceptable, though not preferred, if the other required body markings are present. Any of the solid color combination is acceptable. Abstract: Any solid color with the second color being white, must have less than fifty percent white. Sable: Black-tipped hairs on any solid color, preferable even but no penalty for uneven pattern of ticking. Multi: Multiple colors or patterns, as in a phantom with large white Abstract markings, or a Parti pattern with Sable ticking etc.NOTE: It is normal that all colors may show bleaching and discoloration over the top coat, referred to as sunning, this is quite expected and acceptable. The Australian Labradoodle is an active dog and often a service dog that enjoys the outdoors. Sunrise Australian Labradoodles. Bad carriage or heavy gait Cow hock Albinism disqualification Head Head should be moderately broad with eyes set well apart, without exaggeration. The head should be fully coated as on the body, legs and tail. It should be in proportion to the size of the dog and should flow naturally into a muscular neck. Muzzle should be more squared than pointy. Nose should be large, of square appearance and fleshy. Eye colors can be darkest brown, a transparent honey color, or shades of hazel. Kind, friendly eyes imparting good temperament, intelligence, intuitiveness and alertness are a hallmark of the breed. Leather should be of medium thickness and should not hang below the lower lip line. Neck, Topline, Body Neck is well-proportioned, of good strength and moderately long, slightly arched and flowing into shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. Shoulders should be laid back with elbows set close to the body. In profile, the croup buttocks is nearly flat, though slight sloping is acceptable. Stifles knee joints should be moderately turned to propel forward movement, and hock ankle to heel should be strong, short and perpendicular to the ground. View of legs from the rear should appear parallel. Tail should be long and not too thin, following the topline when in repose or may be carried high in a happy or lively manner when in motion. Curly tails are acceptable, but tails that curl over onto the back are not the ideal. The feet should not turn in or out. Height to shoulder as to length from shoulder to point of buttock should appear square and compact. Ribs should be well sprung but not barreled. Overall, the dog should appear square, be balanced, athletic and with good muscling. Movement Trotting gait is effortless, smooth, powerful and coordinated in mature dogs. Should have a good reach in front and drive from behind for flowing, well-balanced forward motion. When trotting or galloping, they should appear to float almost above the ground. Light and airy, free moving with no apparent effort. Australian Labradoodles have a single coat ranging from straight to loose curls or wool. Ideally, the curls should not be tight and the coat should not be too thick or fluffy. They can be allergy friendly to many people who have dog related allergies. The coat is as non-shedding as any dog can be. However, in some of the early generations, F1, F2 and F1b, more shedding can occur, but shedding is rarely seen in the multi generation Labradoodle. This coat is seen in early generations. Wool coats hang in tight or loose spiraling curls and will open up to show the skin. It is low to no shed. This coat ranges from straight to wavy or falling in soft curls. Coat Non-shedding and easily maintained. Any length is acceptable, but coat generally should not exceed 4 inches. Should be even over the entire body. Non-shedding and easily maintained. Can appear wavy or straight or form spirals, but should not be too thick or dense, nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy. Should be a single coat; any sign of an undercoat is a serious fault. Ranges between fleece and wool in texture. Extremely harsh hair is highly undesirable. Fleece-textured coat is soft in texture, as in the Angora goat. Can have either a straight, wavy look or a soft, spiraling, curly look. Should have the appearance of looser, spiraling wool, which parts easily to the skin. Should not appear too dense or too tightly curled. Coat should not appear overly groomed. Any appearance of sun bleaching is acceptable. Read the coat section to learn more. Any sign of aggression or dominance major fault Fearful, timid, yappy or highly-strung temperaments Harsh hair or any sign of undercoat coats must be fleece or wool Short or overly thick neck A coat that sheds note: some coat instability is to be expected in fertile bitches experiencing hormonal changes Possum-type or teapot-handle tails minor fault A long, narrow or block-like head Protruding or sunken eyes.