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The current Guinness World Record for the largest litter is 24 puppies, who were born in Cambridgeshire in .The sight-loss charity runs the biggest breeding programme of working dogs in the world. All puppies will spend a week at the Guide Dogs National Centre near Leamington Spa before being individually placed with volunteer puppy raisers around the UK. Register for free to continue reading Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. LOG IN Email Please enter a valid emailPlease enter a valid email First name Please enter a valid emailPlease Last name You must be at least 18 years old to create an account Enter your password Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our Privacy notice. Opt-out policy You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Email This account already exists. Enter your password to log in. Please enter a valid email Password. The U. In late , Guide Dogs' three-year-old German shepherd Unity gave birth to 16 healthy puppies. As a first-time mom, Unity delivered a litter over twice the size of the average for German Shepherds, which is eight, according to the American Kennel Club. The 16 puppies are also the largest litter born through the Guide Dogs' breeding program in its year history. The pandemic has had a detrimental impact on our charity's breeding program and how many litters we can have, so these puppies are even more treasured," Matthew Bottomley, Guide Dogs' head of breeding operations, said in a statement. Trigger is a 6-year-old golden retriever and Guide Dogs' most prolific stud, having sired close to puppies. The nonprofit hopes that Unity and Trigger's puppies will have the loyalty and drive of a German shepherd mixed with the friendliness and confidence of a golden retriever. The puppy raisers will care for the dogs for about a year, helping the little animals socialize, tackle new environments , and learn basic commands. Once the puppies are older, they will receive the specialized training needed to become service animals for the visually impaired. To learn more about Guides Dogs' work and how to support the charity's efforts, visit the nonprofit's website. Related Articles. Share this article Share The charity said it hoped these crossbreed puppies will have the loyalty and drive of the German Shepherd, as well as the friendliness and confidence of the Golden Retriever. While it was Trigger's 28th litter, it was the first for the puppies' mother, a three-year-old German Shepherd called Unity. Guide Dogs said it runs the 'biggest, most ethical breeding programme of working dogs in the world'. The puppies cosy up to their mother, a three-year-old German Shephered called Unity This was the first litter Unity has had, although it is the 28th litter of their father, which is Guide Dogs UK's most prolific stud The sight loss charity tests the health of its breeding dogs, which live with volunteers to give the puppies the best start in a home environment. All puppies to go the Guide Dogs National Centre near Leamington Spa for one week before being individually placed with volunteer puppy raisers across the UK. The charity helps millions with sight loss in Britain, such as Nathan Foy, 41, from Cardiff. Pictured: Nathan Foy, 41, with his dog Mason. Mr Foy suffers from sight loss because of congenital glaucoma Mr Foy said Guide Dogs UK 'saved' his life and said his dog Mason reassures him if he has hallucinations becuase of his condition He also has Charles Bonnet syndrome, which causes him to have intense visual hallucinations, usually related to things he touches or hears. The hallucinations can be simple patterns but in many cases are complex images including events, people, places or animals. Mr Foy said his guide dog Mason kept him safe and able to realise his visions were not real. He said: 'Living with Charles Bonnet has been really difficult.
Besides being born deaf, she was left at a local shelter with her six puppies and a case of heartworms. Her puppies have been weaned and five of them have already found their fur-ever homes. Betsy has been spayed and is on monthly preventative for her heartworms. She loves all people - including kids big and small. She would probably do best with a buddy dog who can be her ears and help guide her when she needs it. Betsy is housebroken and knows how to use a doggie door. A fenced yard is a must for this little girl. She does exhibit some separation anxiety, so will need someone who can be patient with her and be there for her as she adjusts to her new home and routine. She is also going to need a home that can supply her with a large assortment of squeaky and scrunchy toys, because she just loves them and carries them everywhere. Betsy is also a great giver of hugs and kisses and has a huge heart. She really wants nothing more than to be loved, to be cared for, and to share her love in return. Heartworm Information: Betsy Ross is Heartworm positive. Adopters should discuss heartworm protocols with their veterinarian to determine treatment. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to republish under a Creative Commons License, and we encourage you to share our stories with your audience. There are a few guidelines and restrictions, which you can review below. Attribution: Make sure to always cite Stacker as the original source of the story and retain all hyperlinks within the republished text - whether to Stacker, our data sources, or other citations. To avoid publishing duplicate content, we also ask you to point the canonical tag back to the original article noted in the code. Click here to learn more about canonical tags, and if you have any technical questions, just let us know. But you can also make copy edits, retitle the article, extract specific paragraphs, or put the story into your own voice. Please just attribute Stacker, link back, and note the types of edits that were made. Non-Commercial Use: Stacker stories may be used for editorial purposes only. As long as they are published in an editorial context, you can run ads against them. However, you may not resell our articles, sublicense, charge for access to, or resyndicate them on any aggregation platforms, including but not limited to Apple News, NewsBreak, MSN, or Google News. Visuals: Visuals, including photography and graphics, that accompany our stories are not included in this license, and rights to all image content must be separately secured from Stacker or the applicable rights holder. Story Counter: We include a Javascript snippet in the code so that we can keep track of where our stories are published. We only track the URL and number of page views - no user information is collected at all. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, as well as image rights, data visualizations, forward planning tools, and more. If your organization is interested in becoming a Stacker distribution partner, email us at [email protected]. Stacker offers its articles as-is and as-available, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind. Of these households, dogs and cats top the list of most popular pets, with .Without a nationally codified and streamlined process for collecting, organizing, and reporting on shelter data, there has been a grave lack of transparency around the country's shelters. That makes it difficult not only to pinpoint accurate statistics regarding sheltered animals in America but also to understand the true state of animal welfare in the country, which is the first step to improving that welfare. It's important to note that pet adoption is a huge responsibility and requires available savings for emergency and routine veterinary care, a day-to-day routine and game plan for coverage if the pup needs to be left at home during the day i. Be sure to do due diligence on breed research to see what kind of dog will be the best fit for your lifestyle. In exploring the history of animal shelters and rescue organizations in the country, nothing proves as problematic as the lack of a centralized reporting system to collect data on these organizations. If you've been considering bringing home a furry companion, be sure to keep reading. Stacker compiled a list of dogs available for adoption in Savannah, Georgia on Petfinder, ranging in age, breed composition, temperament, and needs. Without further ado, here are adoptable dogs in your home city. All rights reserved. Back to top.
Excellent example of a 7 week old Salhaus Champagne pup, genetically white, produced by 2 colored parents who carry the white gene. This pup comes from a kennel in the UK. See him below as an adult. Just stunning! Shown here as an example of the champagne coloring. The champagne color is technically "white. Anyone can have a White German Shepherd, but why not join the few who own a more "rare" Champagne Shepherd! We only get 1 or 2 in each litter, so don't hesistate! More to Come! He's super gentle, as well as a wonderful family protector even at this young age! See his gorgeous champagne overlay! Both are gorgeous, just slightly different. Both are "whites" one just has more pigment. Beau This dog's name is Kai. He loves his stuffed "lambie! Both boys love toys! Certified at just 5 months of age! Our dogs are family dogs, but are super smart! Notice his champagne saddle! Shown on the left at 3 months. On the right as a young adult. Stunning, heavy built Salhaus Champagne Shepherd! Also, the whole creamy champagne enhancement through his body! Notice how the white backdrop of the snow really accentuates the gorgeous champagne coat on this young Salhaus dog! Champagne saddle on one of our white pups. So well behaved in the house! She still thinks she's her 9 week old size in her mom's lap! All of our white pups have champagne in their coats to varying degrees. None of our whites are snow white. Anyone can have a white Shepherd. Why not get one of our more eye catching Champagne Shepherds to add to your family! Our whites are "champagne," which means they get lots more color pigmentation than a regular white dog would, since their parents are both colored dogs. There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about our females. The first three dogs are Greta, Tillie, and now Lady. They are our current breeding females. At the bottom of our page are our retired females, Mady and Dayna. They are enjoying their retirement right here at Schutzhaus German Shepherds. So, be sure to check them out as well. All of our dogs are AKC registered. The puppies will get the AKC application for you to register your puppy when you adopt him or her. Since we are really only concerned with the normal range for the breed, logically: 0. Therefore, make sure to check out all of my dogs' testing results with each dog. Each dog's PennHIP results are listed with each dog. As you will notice, my dogs have fantastic hips. She is a champagne color. She may look white. However, she has the champagne top-coat color. We are hoping for a lot of color with her and Kaiser. Greta is our Dayna's half-sister. Stryker is a silver sable. Rosy is a blue. Testing: Greta has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Greta's parents are both DM normal. Therefore, through parentage Greta will be DM normal. Greta's PennHIP distraction index was 0. Her PennHIP test is shown below. Greta is going to be a big girl, like her sister, Dayna. At 10 months old Greta was 88 pounds. Since she still has a lot of growing to do, she is going to be a very big girl topping at well over pounds. I predict her to be about pounds when mature. She is a very sweet and gentle little lady with a loving personality. Greta has been easy to train and is very smart. She is a Salhaus puppy from Salhaus German Shepherds. She is a black and tan. Bravo is a black and silver. Gray is black and tan. Based on what we see right now, she is going to be a stocky girl. Tillie is the traditional Black and Tan saddle-back color. She still has a lot of growing to do. Based on Tillie's Embark test, she is going to be a large female. Tillie weighed .I predict Tillie will be a stocky pounds when mature. Tillie loves to play with the other dogs and is very athletic. She is very sweet and loves attention. Tillie is very clever and uses her intelligence to maneuver well while playing with the other dogs. Testing: Tillie has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Tillie's PennHIP distraction index was 0. As you can see, Tillie has phenomenal hips. This would be considered supurb if OFA was to ever go there. We are taking deposits on this beautiful girl for around September puppies. We have started taking deposits on this beautiful girl and she does have some female spots available. She also has the Royalair's German Shepherd bloodlines. Her sire is Menard's Legendary Royalair's Natsu. Natsu is bicolor. Koa is black and tan, but she is a very light black and tan. Lady's color has been hard to figure out. We thought she was a black and tan. However, her true colors have finally come out and she actually is a dark black and tan sable. This is due to her under coat being a different color than her top-coat. Either way, as you can see by the photos, Lady has a lot of color. I predict Lady to be around pounds when she fully matures. Lady is very playful and energetic. If you are looking for a puppy to run with you or go on hikes, I highly recommend one from Lady. She is a very happy and an intelligent little lady who loves to have her belly rubbed. Testing: Lady has had her Embark testing completed and she is completely clear of over genetic health conditions that Embark tests for. Lady's PennHIP test reveals her hips to be in good range with a distraction index of 0. Her PennHIP results is shown below. We are starting to take deposits on this beautiful little lady and her list has already started and is filling up fast. Lady's Photo Gallery. For several reasons not necessarily good reasons , white dogs aren't appreciated by the German Shepherd's national breed club nor by German Shepherd breeders who compete at dog shows. Despite their disapproval, a white puppy who pops up in a litter of German Shepherds can still be registered with the American Kennel Club as a German Shepherd. So if you're considering acquiring an AKC-registered German Shepherd who just happens to be white, you can expect a similar temperament and behavior as if he were a more familiar black and tan color. If you're considering acquiring a UKC-registered White Shepherd, you need to find out whether the breeder's goal was to make the temperament of his dogs the same as or different from normal-colored German Shepherds. White Shepherds are often bred to have a softer, more mellow, more sensitive personality. Because of this sweeter temperament, White Shepherds are seldom used as police dogs, guard dogs, or to participate in protection dog sports such as schutzhund. A White Shepherd can certainly be a very good watchdog, but his "watching" is usually limited to alerting you that someone is coming. White Shepherds are not typically aggressive. In fact, if a White Shepherd is going to have any temperament fault, it's more likely to be timidity or skittishness. White Shepherds need a great deal of early socialization to build a confident attitude toward strangers and strange situations. White Shepherds do need plenty of physical and mental exercise. This smart breed should not be relegated to a home that simply wants a casual pet to walk around the block. White Shepherds can be quite vocal, tending to whine, mumble, and grumble. Though they seldom have dominant personalities, White Shepherds still need a confident, consistent owner who will establish and enforce rules. I'm currently working on an article about that breed. If you want a dog who.Is strong, athletic, and natural-looking Has a "softer," more mellow personality than a traditionally-colored German Shepherd Thrives on challenging activities and exercise Is exceptionally intelligent, loyal, and versatile — when well-socialized and well-trained, can learn and do almost anything Makes a sensible watchdog and is not inappropriately hostile A White Shepherd may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.Providing plenty of exercise and interesting things to do Skittishness or shyness in some lines, or when not extensively socialized Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough Potential aggression toward other dogs, especially of the same sex Constant heavy shedding A White Shepherd may not be right for you. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult White Shepherds have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. The range of temperaments. You should know what kind of personality you're looking for before you ever start looking for a White Shepherd. Otherwise you might end up with an individual who is very different than what you can handle. You should be especially cautious with this breed because there are a good number of them with inherited temperament problems such as nervousness and timidity. Serious health problems. White Shepherds share a number of health problems with German Shepherds of all colors. Crippling hip and elbow dysplasia, skin diseases, and autoimmune diseases are some examples. Read more about White Shepherd Health. Heavy shedding. White Shepherds shed constantly. Longhaired individuals "appear" to shed less because much of their shed hair gets caught in their long wavy outer coat. But you still need to brush it out and you'll be amazed at how much hair this breed can produce. Make sure you're okay with this. Socialization requirements. Standoffish by nature, White Shepherds need extensive exposure to people so that their natural caution does not become shyness or fearfulness, which are very difficult to live with. Read more about the importance of careful socialization. Providing enough mental stimulation. German Shepherds of all colors are so intelligent and capable. I hate to see them chosen by owners who just want a dog to hang around the house and yard. Shepherds of all colors thrive when you find interesting things for them to do that challenge their minds. Get your White Shepherd involved in agility obstacle course , or advanced obedience classes. Play fetch games. Take them hiking. They must have physical outlets for their energy, and mental outlets for their intelligent minds. Potential animal aggression. Most White Shepherds are good with other dogs and cats in their own family. But some individuals aren't so tolerant of other dogs of the same sex. Legal liabilities. White Shepherds may be lumped in with other German Shepherds for purposes of "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guardian dog should be considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy.
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. Adopt a Pet can help you find an. You can text or call me at for more information or for a. Welcome to Queen City Frenchies. Are you a proud owner of an adorable Frenchie or considering adding one to. Here are our available Fluffy. Originally bred as mini. French Bulldog Breeder in Raleigh, North Carolina, if you are looking for a French bulldog puppy for sale, Visit or contact us , Small operation, deliver nationwide. Their price depends on the age, color, breeder , location, and bloodline, of course. Thank you for visiting Adore French Bulldogs. All of our Frenchies are AKC registered. We are a small show kennel located in the Triangle area of North Carolina. We work hard to ensure that our French Bulldog puppies not only get the best home, but also help a not so lucky puppy get basic care. They focus on breeding top-quality French Bulldogs that will find a loving home. Happy, Healthy Bloodline We strive on happy and healthy dogs. We have the knowledge and discipline to ensure that only the top lines enter our breeding program. Absolutely adorable looks with a loving nature are just some of the common traits that describe our Fluffy Frenchies. French Bulldog Puppies For Sale In North Carolina They are perfect for families with children and as companion dogs because they love human company and are extremely sociable. French Bulldog puppies for sale North Carolina are one of the cutest pups around! French Bulldog Puppies Near Me. Check with the breeder for up-to-date information on puppy availability. Kaylee Cunningham. Find French Bulldog puppies for sale. Number of puppies available at time of publication: 3 puppies available. We are not a kennel and only have 1 to 2 litters per year. Whether the puppy has been bred before. Click below to find a shelter or rescue in your area! Find an Animal Shelter. Our Frenchies are cared for by passionate Puppy Agents from the moment they are born until they are ready to go to their new homes. You're offered a very special boutique experience when using Uptown Puppies to get a puppy that will be specially transported to you. These attributes include sex, temperament, coloring, and more importantly, breeder experience. We health test all of them along with a color DNA profile. All of our dogs are a part of our family. The French Bulldog puppies for sale in North Carolina sold by the professional French Bulldog breeders in North Carolina and businesses in our network are treated with special care - care that doesn't come cheap. Few dogs are as recognizable as the French Bulldog. Frenchton Puppies for Sale Frenchtons are exploding in popularity. Ready for pick up, shipped or in person delivery to most states. Royalty Pets North Carolina. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Displaced by the Industrial Revolution, many of the lacemakers crossed the English Channel, taking their small bulldogs made their way to Paris, where well-to-do Americans on the Grand. View our current and upcoming blue french bulldog puppies. We are a small breeder of the fabulous French Bulldog located in North Carolina. We are not a kennel and only have 1 to 2. Bentonville Pets — Find Frenchton puppies for sale from a safe and secure source Welcome to Bentonvillepets. Our focus is the consistent improvement of the health, temperament, and confirmation of these wonderful dogs. French bulldogs gained in popularity in the early s and their price has continued to go up since then. Our focus is breeding exceptional French Bulldogs. We are a small breeder in NC. Read More Ego My mom tells me I have the perfect structure and composition — I will grow up to be a perfect stud muffin. Approximately 8 weeks after birth, your Frenchie comes home to you or you pick them up in North Carolina. Our Frenchies are cared for by passionate Puppy. There are often many great French Bulldogs for adoption at local animal shelters or rescues. These attributes include sex, temperament, coloring, and more. Feel free to call or email fluffyfrenchiesnc gmail. French Bulldog Location Age Any. All their puppies come with a one-year health guarantee against any genetic disease. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we. French Bulldog, North. Our focus is breeding exceptional French Bulldogs who stand out for their personalities and physical beauty. Purebred blue merel male French bulldog. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, they have compact bodies, upright ears, and are the perfect partner for spending time at home. View our current and upcoming blue. Here at Premier Pups, we work hand in hand with the nation's top breeders to raise happy and healthy French Bulldog puppies. They are known for their playful. We breed both standard color and blue Frenchies. French Bulldog puppies for sale in North Carolina from. Read More Ego My mom tells me I have the perfect structure and composition. Our foundation is based on honesty, trust. Behind it is Jenn Kruse, an expert breeder who also happens to be a licensed veterinary technician. We've been breeding Bully Breeds since ; breeding is our hobby and passion! They are known for their playful personality and the fact that they rarely bark. On occasion we have companion puppies available for approved homes. Quality AKC Reg. Search for a French Bulldog puppy or dog. Our puppies are well socialized with other dogs and our children. Our puppies are well socialized. They have well-versed and genuine French Bulldogs available with them. Our Frenchies are cared for by passionate Puppy Agents from the moment they are born until they are ready to go to. Luvabullies is a hobby breeder dedicated to producing the best Bulldogges possible. She likes to lay around and chill all day. They have cute faces and delightful personalities. Perfect timing for a Mother's Day gift! The puppies from this litter have been socialized with regular activity and bio-sense exercises! Adopt a Pet can help you find an adorable French Bulldog near you. And with great health, a good temper, and a gorgeous bulldog. In the latter part of the 19th century, the lacemakers of Nottingham, England, began selectively breeding a smaller Bulldog as a lap pet. Pricing is determined by the unique attributes of each particular puppy. There's no set price for French Bulldog puppies for sale in North Carolina. Our Puppies Click below to view our french bulldog puppies for sale in Raleigh, North Carolina, Also check back often to learn about our newest french bulldog litters. French Bulldog puppies for sale in North Carolina from …. August 12, If you are on the search for a French Bulldog breeder in North Carolina this article is for you. French Bulldogs have a big personality, are playful, and are energetic to name a few of their best qualities. They are great companion dogs making them one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. On top of all that, they are absolutely adorable which makes them very desirable. When searching for a NC Frenchie breeder there are some important things to look for and the hand-curated list below of the best French Bulldog breeders in NC should help you in your search. French Bulldog Puppies for Sale in North Carolina If you are looking for a French Bulldog to buy, we advise you to do research on the breeder before making a final decision. The article I linked to above helps you choose a reputable breeder and make certain you are working with a quality French Bulldog breeder. Some puppy mills and backyard breeders selling French Bulldogs may have unhealthy puppies that are ticking time bombs of potential health issues. I did my best to vet these breeders out but you should always do your homework to make as certain as possible you are making a great decision. The personality and physical beauty of their French Bulldogs are exceptional. This is because they choose the top line to enter the breeding program. They focus on breeding dogs with superior structure and color carefully curated by their genetic line. Adding to their beauty and superiority, temperament is crucial; therefore, the puppies are surrounded with love and warmth since they are born. Reach out to them for more information on their upcoming litters. They strive to produce quality dogs that are an excellent companion in their families. Health screening is done on all dogs to ensure they have perfect health. One of their unique qualities is ensuring all their puppies are placed in approved homes where they will be adequately taken care of and loved unconditionally. Their litters are well planned; thus, they have few litters of French Bulldogs per year. This helps breed healthy, athletic puppies with excellent temperaments for companion homes and select shows. They offer a one-year health guarantee after purchasing their dogs. Their dogs are taken to a veterinarian for a health exam and first vaccines and are microchipped with AKC Reunite before they are taken to their new home. New owners receive a gift box with their new puppy to help them get started. Buying their puppies comes with a one-year health guarantee against genetic diseases. Their puppies receive excellent vet care and proper nutrition for healthy growth. The puppies stay with their mothers for at least eight weeks to ensure they are friendly and intelligent. They are always there for their customers when they need them. Their motivation for opening this breeding program was the frustration that usually involves finding a responsible breeder. They take great measures to guarantee healthy French Bulldog Puppies before listing them for sale. They socialize the puppies as early as possible to ensure they are fit for your family. All puppies bought from them contribute to helping neglected and abandoned pets. The Bulldogs are raised surrounded by family and socialized with children and other bulldogs. All of their puppies are pure bled, and you can pay a deposit so that they can hold a puppy for you. All puppies are dewormed, vaccinated and have a one-year health guarantee. The puppies are microchipped, and they offer puppy delivery services. They have companion puppies that are available for approved homes. You can contact them through their email for more information about their puppies. They love this breed because they are playful, affectionate, smart, and easygoing. Their puppies get a lot of love and socialization from a young age since they live with them. They focus on breeding top-quality French Bulldogs that will find a loving home. The puppies and their mother are fed the finest organic food and raised at home with tender loving care. To promote maximum health and development, the puppies are natured in an air-conditioned environment. Their puppies are excellent in temperament and socialization since they all get individual love and care from birth. Their dogs get a lot of playtimes, exercise and outdoor activities. When purchasing, the dogs will have been checked by a licensed veterinarian, health tested, vaccinated, and groomed. They offer unconditional love and care and devote their lives to caring for their dogs. When purchasing a puppy from them, you are assured the pup will come with an FCI and AKC registration, health certification, up-to-date vaccination, a microchip and a puppy pack. They focus on breeding companion dogs that make a perfect addition to your family. After purchasing a puppy, the owner gets documentation proving that the puppy is vaccinated and dewormed. Address: Britt Rd. She offers top-quality AKC French Bulldogs bred to the highest standards and undergo genetic testing. To buy a puppy from them, apply through their website, and they will get back to you with all the information regarding available puppies. Their pups are checked by certified vets and receive appropriate shots and deworming before they are released into their new homes. After purchasing, they provide health guarantees and hour customer service to ensure the new owner knows how to take care of their puppy. The puppies are brought up in a loving, responsible and healthy matter, and the owner receives a ten-year health guarantee after purchasing a puppy. Their main goal is to find the perfect homes for their puppies; therefore, they ensure the health and welfare of their puppies are their top priority. The families are licensed and inspected to ensure that the puppies are raised in an environment full of care and affection. When purchasing a puppy from them, you are assured that the puppies are raised with hands-on care, licensed and inspected, and have a lifetime health guarantee. She works hard to ensure that the puppies are the healthiest, happiest, and best-looking on the market. You are assured that the puppies will bring you pure love and companionship as a dog lover. Having the breeder you get your dog from is a great asset as you can get support from them in the future if the need arises, especially during the first few weeks after purchasing. We hope this article has helped you choose a breeder with the best French bulldog puppies for sale in NC. Enjoy your new Frenchie! We have answers. What are French Bulldog puppies for sale near Greensboro like? A French Bulldog, also known as a 'Frenchie', is a small breed of dog with a playful and affectionate nature. Originating in 19th-century France, French Bulldogs are the result of a crossbreed between a Pug and a Bulldog. As a breeder, they produce a muscular, compact size that is seen in most small dogs. Notable physical features include a rounded, domed head, an upright earset, and a wrinkled brow. They are characterized by their bat ears, commonly referred to as "bat ears", which are an immediate identifier. With French Bulldog puppies for sale in Greensboro, what is their coat like? French Bulldog coats are typically short and smooth, with a glossy finish. Depending on which subtype of French Bulldog, they may have a longer coat of thin hair, while others may have a thicker coat. Generally, French Bulldogs have a thick undercoat that makes them quite warm and provides them with protection from weather conditions. What's the best dog food for Greensboro French Bulldog puppies for sale? French Bulldogs require a specific diet to ensure optimal health, as they are prone to allergies and digestive issues. When searching for the best dog food for them, look for a diet that contains high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and is formulated to meet specific nutritional requirements. Generally, kibble made from fresh or lightly preserved ingredients with no artificial preservatives or flavorings is recommended. It's also important to choose a food with a balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio and moderate levels of fat and sodium to reduce the risk of digestive and other health issues. How can I become the best puppy parent for French Bulldog puppies in Greensboro? Becoming the best puppy parent for your French Bulldog involves an ongoing commitment of time, effort, and resources. Firstly, it is important to make sure your home is a safe and healthy environment for your puppy. This starts with proper diet and nutrition, making sure all vaccinations are up-to-date, and providing plenty of socialization opportunities. Secondly, it is important to stay active by providing plenty of mental stimulation and regular exercise. Regular walks, trips to the dog park, or agility classes can help your pup get the physical and mental stimulation needed to thrive. Are French Bulldogs for sale in Greensboro considered small dogs? French Bulldogs are generally classified as small dogs, rather than medium or large breeds. They usually stand at between 11 and 13 inches in height at the shoulder, and they rarely weigh more than 28 pounds. Frenchies are known for their stocky build and wide chests, and they have a short, fine coat that requires minimal grooming. Their friendly and playful disposition makes them popular in families, and they thrive on close companionship. French Bulldogs need moderate attention and exercise, and they have the ability to adapt easily to living in apartments or homes. Are French Bulldog puppies near Greensboro active dogs? French Bulldogs are generally considered quite an active breed of dog, although they do have a slight variation in activity levels among individuals in the breed. Frenchies are known as small, but sturdy and tough, and they easily have the energy to participate in activities like agility training, running, playing fetch, and many other active games, making them an ideal pet for those looking for a pup with pep. Additionally, French Bulldogs need to be walked daily to ensure they get adequate exercise for their health, making them a great choice for those looking for a loyal and active companion. Do French Bulldogs in Greensboro get along with other pets? French Bulldogs are generally friendly and can get along with other pets if properly introduced and socialized. With the right training, support, and love, they can become the best of friends with other household pets. It is important that the animals meet each other gradually in a safe and comfortable environment. As they become more comfortable together, it is important that they are supervised and monitored to make sure that the interactions remain positive. Are Greensboro French Bulldogs for sale considered smart dogs? French Bulldogs are considered to be quite intelligent dogs. They have the ability to be trained to do a multitude of tricks or activities, from fetching to agility courses. They are alert and easily able to learn commands or recognize their owners when given a simple visual or verbal clue. French Bulldogs usually remember and comprehend information given to them quickly and have been known to be very loyal and loving pets. They are often referred to as "clown dogs" because they are playful and can often bring fun and hilarity to their owners. French Bulldog puppy for sale near Greensboro, North from www. This little pups are sure to brighten ADN.March 21, .North Carolina. Call for more informaion. However, they can be pretty pricey. Both parents. About French greensboro bulldog nc. Thomasville, NC is a wonderful family dog. Our desire is to breed healthy well socialized pets at a reasonable price. Location: Raleigh NC .Age: Baby on PuppyFinder. Percy is has been health tested. If you are unable to find your. English Bulldog Puppies .Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 dogs. Find Bulldogs and puppies from North Carolina breeders. Gender Mixed. History: Despite what its name may imply, the French Bulldog was developed in England. These dogs are descendents of English Bulldogs, who were, unfortunately, used for violent "sports" such as bull-baiting. Website at www. Listing ID - fff1. Age Puppy. Only 2 females left. Beautiful, healthy puppies. Frenchton puppies available for sale. Our focus is breeding exceptional French Bulldogs who stand out for their personalities and physical beauty. Check out our list of puppies that are ready to find homes. Filter Dog Ads Search. We have the knowledge and discipline to ensure that only the top lines enter our breeding program. She will offer you references. DOB: They are 7. It's also free to list your available puppies and litters on our site. Try the craigslist app android ios cl savannah savannah albany, ga athens, ga atlanta augusta brunswick, ga charleston charlotte columbia columbus, ga daytona beach florence, sc gainesville greenville hiltonPuppies for sale in Albany. The kennel is owned and led by Cassandra, a longtime French Bulldog lover. What a sight to see!!!!! Looking for french bulldog for sale in north carolina. Find your new family member today, and discover the puppyspot difference. Cassandra dedicates her time to ensure all the Frenchies are healthy, house-trained, and well socialized. Our puppies are raised in our home and get to play with us and the little ones in my family every day. They are given all of the attention and love in the world, so you can be sure our puppies will be affectionate and have a great temperament when they finally meet you. Frenchton puppies available. View more. Born .ADN Color Blue. We deliver along the entire east coast, So whatever your location might be, welcome to the Ethical Kennel. French Bulldog. Gender: Male. The site for this kennel touts itself as a family-owned business that focuses on the health and betterment of the breed. Phone: .For sale as pet or. Ads 1 - 8 of 8, Puppies are 2 months old, up to date on all. When you contact Jessie, she will take lots of time to educate you about the puppy you are interested in and about Frenchies in particular. Age: 4 Months Old. We are a small home based kennel out of Four Oaks, N. We are just beginning our breeding program of crossing the French Bulldog with the Boston Terrier. Beautiful Quality French Bulldog puppies raised in a clean loving home with both parents puppies will be vaccinated, dewormed and come with a vet checked health certificate - dad is 38 lbs brindle and mom is 22 lbs fawn with a full black mask- both parents are born in Europe and are very healthy, amazing temperament, extremely calm and very. For this reason, many people love this breed and want to take one home. Shrinkabulls, Valor, Gordos Bullsz, lines, Breeder of the finest quality. Tags: English bulldog lilac merle chocolate merle merle isabella fluffy isabella bulldog french bulldog. Frenchton Texarkana, Texas, United States. Parents carry testable chocolate and and cocoa. French Bulldogs Pics. While our puppies are bred in North Carolina, once ready they take the long trip to Raleigh, North Carolina where we live. Sometimes, you may find a Frenchy for free in North Carolina to a good home listed by an owner. Check out " Puppies For Sale " Page at the top on the right. Buffalo Bulldog North Carolina. You will find French Bulldog dogs and puppies for adoption in our North Carolina listings. Nickname: Pretty Boy on PuppyFinder. She loves everyone and other dogs. Best known as the Frenchton. English Boxer Bulldog puppies. We breed the modern day bulldog, bulldogs of today! Contact Information: My email address is viviankivett yahoo. Source: dogbreedersguide. She will insist you go on Facetime and see the puppy and the mother live several times. Tags: english bulldog bulldog puppy for sale puppy french bulldog. Check by email or phone for puppys or studd service.
We have a litter of beautiful, purebred German Shepherd puppies that are ready for their forever homes. Each pup will be vet-checked, vaccinated, microchipped and comes with a health record. Our German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature, making them the perfect addition to any family. These pups have been raised with love and care. If you're looking for a loyal and loving companion, these German Shepherd puppies are the perfect fit. Contact us today to schedule a visit and meet your new furry family member! It's important to note that protection dogs require extensive training and should only be handled by trained professionals. NOTE: If you are considering getting a puppy from two working security dogs, it's important to understand the responsibilities that come with owning a dog with such high energy and drive. These dogs will require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour. Additionally, they may need specialised training to properly direct their protective instincts. It's also important to note that not all puppies from working security dog parents will have the temperament or drive for security work. Some may be more suitable for other types of work, such as search and rescue, or may simply make great family pets. Contact me for further details on…Mr ALI. Director at Meetchk9 Happy to help with any queries. Similar Adverts. German Shepherd Puppies London 3 males, 2 females available, ready to go now. First shots, vet checked, dewormed. Mom is our family guard dog. Friendly and loyal and alert. Very intelligent. Father is a neighbouring dog, looks.Our dogs are raised on a large country property with children. Puppies are well socialized and are raw.I would like to find a good and loving home that has space for them. They still need a little bit of leash training but they know all of the basic.Please Contact Female german shepherd puppies Springfield Great with livestock, non barkers, sweet affectionate puppies underfoot of chicken's, turkeys,pigs, kids and a pony. Great companions. Puppies have been vet checked, all vaccines, tattooed, wormed and CKC registered, Puppies will be suitable for show, Please Contact Please contact. Three females and one male. They love to be outside playing. They get along with other dogs and farm animals. They love to interact with adults and children. Port Burwell 2 females and 3 males available! Ready to go September 1 with their first shots and deworming. Mama dog is Dusty, our faithful German shepherd, and dad is a neighbor dog, half Pyrenees and half.We have 1 more female that need a home. Pups have been vet checked, have first shots, dewormed and.Born right on our front step, these sweet-hearts have been handled from day one. Friendly and playful, each.Ready to go to new home in a week. Mother is three years Rottweiler old father is two years Shepard. Great temperament. Call or text Ian at .All his vaccinations. We need to find a new home for him due to unforeseen circumstances. There are 4 females and 2 males available. Puppies were born on May 6 and are ready to go when you want them. Father and mother are both Purebred as well.
To help them do this by sleeping during the night, make sure to establish a routine with the puppies so they learn when to sleep when to play, and when they can go potty. Tips to help your Labrador puppy sleep: Establish a nightly routine if you can establish a routine for the whole day as it will help the puppy adjust faster Keep the sleeping area dim and quiet Don't get the puppy energetic before bedtime avoid the temptation for a late evening playtime session Prepare for interruptions barking , howling , or potty breaks during the first few weeks of their life 10 Weeks Old At about 10 weeks old, the puppy is likely still adjusting to its new home and only just starting to get used to the nightly routine. They will sleep for about 16 to 20 hours each day. At this stage of their life, your puppy should start getting better control of its bowels, meaning you shouldn't have to take it out during the night as often as you have in the past few weeks. They may even be able to sleep through the night without a bathroom break. During this period, make sure to mainly focus on helping your puppy learn its nighttime schedule, as it is still difficult for it to learn at this stage. Trying to teach too many things to the pup at once can overwhelm it and rove to be unsuccessful. Your puppy should be getting around 11 to 15 hours of sleep every day. It is at this age that you are going to have to worry about the dog's temperament. However, if a good schedule was established for the puppy with time for naps throughout the day, you shouldn't have to worry about a rowdy or energetic pup during the night, as it knows when bedtime is. At about 6 months old your Labrador puppy will be sleeping for about 12 to 14 hours every day. By this stage in your Labrador puppy's life, it should no longer be barking, howling, or need to go to the bathroom during the night as you have established a routine and it has had plenty of time to learn it. With Labradors, make sure to give them plenty of exercise during the day so that they use up the stores of energy they have, or they can develop health problems and an irregular sleep schedule. Giving your Lab something to chew on before it goes to bed will also help it use up its excess energy and sleep better through the night. Now that it is an adult, it requires less sleep and will usually sleep for around 8 to 13 hours a day. This is a positive for Lab owners as they are monophasic sleepers , which means that they only have one sleep period. This means that if you have established a good routine for your Lab, you will be on the same sleep schedule. This is nice as most dogs are polyphasic sleepers , separating their periods of sleep into two or three chunks throughout the day. So, your Lab will still take naps during the day, but they will likely occur while you are at work or are out and about during the day. Example Routine For Labrador Puppies The following is likely what your Labrador's schedule will look like, including its naps. Morning Schedule: Wake up and take the puppy outside to relieve itself Feed it breakfast Give it another potty break it is typically that puppies need to relieve themselves after eating Socializing, playing with your puppy, or taking on a walk Ideally for 30 to 60 minutes Nap Time Expect about 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on age Potty Break. Do Labradors Sleep Through the Night? There may be a lot of causes, though, if your dog sleeps more than 15 hours each day. Age, breed, amount of activity, and environmental circumstances are just a few of the multiple variables that affect how much sleep your dog needs. If your dog appears to be sleeping more than usual, analyze any environmental changes. Minor lifestyle adjustments for your dog might have a major impact on how they sleep. You might be curious as to why your Lab sleeps so much. If you have a smaller dog, it could seem like they are sleeping more or more than you are used to. The following are some reasons for changes in the sleeping pattern of your Labrador. Diet If your pooch has begun sleeping more since changing its food, nutritional variations could be the problem. Large dogs like Labradors typically sleep for 12 to 14 hours each day source. Your Labrador will probably sleep even longer if it is a puppy or an older dog. Weather It can be the case that the hot temperature has been making you feel exhausted if the weather has gotten hotter where you are. In this situation, providing it with access to shaded areas, water, and a cool room throughout the day would be beneficial. It would also be beneficial to walk it in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Aside from that, it would be beneficial to keep it out of the sun as much as possible to prevent heatstroke. Illness It may have been sleeping more recently due to a disease. That would be more likely if it had more recently started to sleep and had been displaying other symptoms of illness, such as weariness while up. It would be better to take it to the vet in this situation. Boredom Its tendency to sleep more might be because of boredom and lack of stimulation. A lot of daily activity is suggested for the breed of Labradors. It is often advised that they exercise for an hour each day. Click here to learn more. Activity Level Does your dog like frequent strolls across the park? Or does your dog prefer to sit on the couch? The American Kennel Club AKC estimates that a puppy that is highly active when awake may require up to 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day. Less active dogs, on the other hand, often sleep for just around 14 hours daily. No matter how active your dog is, the best strategy is to spread their exercise throughout the day. Dogs often want to snooze frequently to rejuvenate. Aging Puppies and senior dogs typically sleep even more. Puppies sleep more because they are quickly growing and because sleep is when their muscles are rebuilt. Older dogs sleep more because getting around takes more energy and they become weary more quickly. Click here to find out. Since they are young, being separated from their mother may make them feel lonely and afraid. Throughout the night, they could also need to feed or go outside a few times. Before assuming that the dog can sleep through the night, you will need to allow them some time to acclimate. They will eventually quit complaining and keeping you up at night so they can sleep through the night like everyone else. But you might be wondering when this is going to happen for those new pet owners who are sick of waking up in the middle of the night. When a Labrador Retriever reaches the age of around four months, pet owners may anticipate that they will begin to sleep through the night. They have reached an age where they can successfully sleep through the night and are less likely to need to get up in the middle of the night to obtain attention or for any other reason. The simpler it is to encourage the puppy to accomplish this milestone, the more of a foundation you provide for them early on. Each puppy may react differently to being in your house, and some may take a little longer to sleep through the night. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. Your Labrador puppy might be a dynamo when they are awake and then fall into a deep sleep in the middle of the action, like a magic trick. REM and Your Puppy Much like human babies, your Labrador puppy will spend between hours sleeping, and the rest causing mischief and delightful mayhem. Like people, your pup experiences REM or Rapid Eye Movement, which is essential for brain processes such as learning and processing daily experiences. Unlike humans, your labrador pup has a polyphasic sleep pattern meaning that they sleep multiple times in a 24hr cycle. Puppies that have more activity before their nighttime sleep tend to move from a drowsy state to REM quicker. Experts in this field believe that dogs use REM to consolidate their memories and need REM to retain their learned skills. This learning is also essential when teaching your labrador puppy routines such as sleeping through the night. How Long Do Labrador Puppies Sleep at Night Your Labrador puppy will initially only sleep a maximum of three hours, as their tiny bladders are not fully developed yet. Expect to be woken once or twice in the early hours for your puppy to use the bathroom. It may be an idea to set your clock for two to three-hour intervals so that you can allow your puppy to go to the bathroom without getting into the habit of walking you for bathroom needs. Your Labrador puppy should be sleeping through the night or roughly hours by the time they reach the age of 4 months. It is essential to teach your Labrador puppy to learn your sleeping routines and sleep when you do at night. However, you should be in no hurry because your puppy needs time to learn how to match their sleeping patterns to your own. Establish a routine where you put your pup to sleep at the same time and place. Some owners prefer to train their Labrador puppies to sleep in a crate when they are eight weeks. Although it makes logical sense, some may see this as a bit extreme. Labrador puppies thrive on human contact and need contact to transition from their separation from siblings and their mother. It would be best if you kept the puppy nearby in your room unless you aim to let them share your bed as adults. This way, you can be attentive to their needs and let them out to do their business. Preparing Your Labrador Puppy for a Sleep Schedule Daytime Sleep Puppies also need to sleep during the day and often drop off mid-stride after energetic play. Once they wake, they are refreshed and ready to cause mischief once more. These day naps can last anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple of hours. Daytime sleep is as essential as nighttime rest, and you should try not to disturb or move them unless it is to make them more comfortable. Keep them entertained with playtime and attention before you intend to sleep yourself. They need to learn that nighttime is not for play but for sleep. Puppies are like babies and need to learn to understand the world around them. I am a firm believer in dogs that share my life, share my bed. Dogs in the bed may be contentious, but it seems the benefits may be reciprocal as studies show that humans sleep better with a dog in their bed. Whether a crate or a bed is your preference, you should consider these tips when readying your pup to follow a nighttime sleep schedule: Designate a sleeping area. Whether you chose a puppy bed or a crate, you should try and make the sleeping area as comfortable as possible for your puppy. You should explain to children or others in your space that the puppy should not be disturbed when they are in their sleeping area. Make the area a calm and positive space. Allow your puppy to familiarize itself with the sleeping area or bed and reward your pup with treats so that they associate the area with positive experiences. Set a waking and sleeping schedule. Puppies soon learn human waking and sleeping times, and you should stick to an established time for morning waking and nighttime sleep. Encourage day naps in the sleeping area. After play and exercise, introduce your pup to the sleeping area for daytime naps, so they associate the area with quiet time. Keep the area quiet and dim. If your puppy is in your room, turn off brighter lighting and turn down your television volume if applicable. If you choose a crate, throw a light cover over it to make a safe nest for your pup. Set a routine that nighttime is not for play and Reward your pup with treats when they go into their crate or sleeping space. Even adult labradors thrive on close physical contact with their owners and love nothing better than a cuddle. Labrador puppies crave physical contact even more so and love nothing better than being close to their human parents. However cuddly they are as pups, Labradors will grow on average to 29—36 kg 65—80 lb for males and females 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. They are a medium-large breed, and I can vouch for the fact that they take up quite a bit of space on the bed. They also love anything muddy and wet and often drag soggy treats onto the pillows for fun. And noises from the other end. However, you may opt for a dog bed nearby your sleeping space as a more spacious option while staying in close contact with your dog. Conclusion It seems strange that a Labrador puppy that sleeps on average 18 hours a day can still consistently wake you in the wee hours. Your furry Labrador pup will steal your heart and possibly a month or two of unbroken sleep at the same time. Consistency is key to giving your Labrador the time to learn and develop enough to understand the need for nighttime sleep. With the right training and patience, your pup will be sleeping the same hours as you in no time at all. Related Articles. Why do dogs lick wounds? Lower nutrient food requires more time and energy to digest so can really slow your dog down. While plenty of sleep is normal for the majority of dogs, a sudden change in sleeping patterns — for instance, sleeping a lot more or displaying signs of lethargy — is not. This could indicate a health problem. Canine depression , diabetes and hyperthyroidism can all cause your dog to become lethargic and sleep much more than normal. Infectious diseases like distemper, parvovirus, rabies and Lyme disease will also have a similar effect. Certain factors that can cause restlessness in dogs include metabolic conditions like hyperthyroidism, medication side effects, anxiety, chaotic households or even allergies. Cooling pads and air-conditioners may be necessary, for example, if you live in an unusually hot climate while blankets and special dog sweaters may be in order in colder locations. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Why do Dogs Sleep So Much? Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. How Much do Labs Sleep in a Day? How much do Labs sleep? Are you the proud new owner of a Labrador Retriever? Then welcome to the club! Well, assuming that pile of snoozing pup lying next to you ever decides to wake up! Makes sense—these dogs do seem to sleep a lot! So how much do Labs sleep in a day? Adult Labradors can be expected to sleep as much as hours per day. Young puppies and senior Labs tend to sleep even longer, often around 18 hours each day. How Long do Labradors Sleep in a Day? Age is a very important factor when it comes to how much sleep your Lab will need. Just like you, your pup will require different amounts of sleep at different stages of his life. This is especially true of puppies under four months of age. Like human babies, Lab puppies need a lot of sleep to grow up healthy and strong. Your Lab puppy should always have easy access to a quiet, private place where he can go to catch some shut eye. A crate with some nice soft padding makes for a great sleeping environment. As does a cozy bed tucked away in a low-traffic corner. During this stage of his life, you can expect your Lab to sleep for around hours each day. Which means a lot more fun and active awake time! Senior Labradors, like puppies, also tend to sleep much longer than their adult counterparts. Again, your Lab should have a quiet place where he can retreat for a snooze during all stages of life. These sleep need estimates are just the basics. Other factors can also affect the amount of sleep your Lab needs. Pregnant Labs will also need a few extra hours of shut eye, especially during the early and final stages of their pregnancy. When do Labradors Sleep? Labradors are very flexible when it comes to sleeping. Unlike people who get all their sleep in at once, dogs can snooze on and off without repercussions. This is because dogs are adaptable. They can wake up throughout the day when things get exciting and then go right back to snoozing when life gets dull. So you should expect your Lab to sleep through the night along with you. If this is not the case and he seems to be constantly active at night, you should consider what might be causing his midnight wanderings. And more importantly, what are the things to watch out for? Not sleeping through the night is definitely one reason for concern. Circling and Digging A Lab that circles and digs around his bed prior to settling in is to be expected. Their ancestors used to do this in the wild to get comfortable before taking a snooze. However, when the circling becomes excessive, there may be cause for concern, as your pup could be suffering from arthritis or pain. This is especially true if your dog seems to constantly have trouble setting in and getting comfortable. If you suspect arthritis or other issues, take a trip to your vet. Twitching and Movement A dog that twitches or makes noises in their sleep is also quite common. If you notice your Lab doing this, it means he has entered into REM sleep and is getting a good, deep rest. Along with leg twitches, you may notice some occasional barks, grunts, or tail wagging. Your dog is probably dreaming and acting out his dreams. Petting him or otherwise waking him up is not recommended, as this stage of sleep is very important to good health. Labradors, among a few other breeds, are particularly prone to having seizures. Rather than the occasional twitches characteristic of a dreaming dog, a Lab experiencing a seizure will have violent movements. His limbs will be stiff and rigid, and he may urinate or defecate on himself. If you suspect your Lab is having a seizure in his sleep, say his name loudly or make a sudden noise to see if you can awaken him. And lastly—though it goes without saying—give your vet a call. Helping Your Labrador Get Better Sleep There are a few different things you can do to help your Labrador get the most out of his sleep. These include: Ensuring he gets proper exercise during the day so he is tired enough to sleep at night. Making sure he has a proper bed that is comfy and inviting. Placing his bed in a quiet place away from the daily hustle and bustle. Only disrupting a REM cycle in cases of emergency. But try not to become overwhelmed. Of course if you ever have any concerns you can always call your vet. Otherwise, let your sleeping Lab lie! Related Questions Is my Labrador happy sleeping all day? Everyone enjoys a good nap—especially if it involves soft blankets and a warm patch of sunshine. But Labrador Retrievers are also an active breed. They need lots of exercise in addition to good sleep. If you suspect your pup is just lazing around out of pure boredom, get him up and going! Does a Labrador only lie down to sleep? So a lying-around Lab is completely normal! Trusted by millions of dog lovers worldwide. Where do dogs sleep? Dog sleep patterns are fascinating things. They have what is called polyphasic sleep, where they have periods of wake and sleep that occur during both the day and the night. And help you to understand the changes that occur in different stages of their lives, including when they are unwell. How Long Do Dogs Sleep? Dogs have a sleep pattern known as polyphasic. This means that they have multiple periods of sleep scattered throughout the day and night. A feature that they share with many other mammals. Dogs have better night vision than we do. So their ancestors could hunt both by day and by night, if necessary. In fact, hunting at night may have given them some advantages. It is easier to creep up on your victim under the cover of darkness. Dog Sleep Patterns Sleeping all night had no advantage for dogs, so dogs did not evolve a natural tendency to sleep for a single long stretch of time like we do. Instead, they acquired the useful ability to get as much sleep as possible, often in short stretches, whenever there is nothing much going on. You may have noticed that your dog wakes up instantly and is ready for action right away. And living with humans means that most dogs do learn to sleep the night away without disturbing their human family. Though they may wake and move around briefly during this period of time. If your dog is not sleeping through the night and disturbing your sleep, consider whether he is getting enough daytime activity and stimulation. Dogs have retained their ability to sleep whenever life gets dull. Studies of guard dogs have shown that dogs are not disadvantaged by being woken up frequently or working in changing shifts. They simply sleep when they get the chance. But how many hours sleep does a dog need during each 24 hour period? Dogs naturally sleep for longer periods of time each day than people do. But just like humans, sleep needs vary among individual dogs. Sleep needs also vary among different dog breeds. Adult Labradors will sleep for well over half of every 24 hours, and puppies under four months old may sleep as much as 20 hours a day. The reason for all this sleeping may have to do with a special type of sleep called rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep during which dreaming takes place. Do Dogs Dream? Dogs certainly appear to dream in the same way that we do. And their brains behave in a similar way to ours during the sleep cycle. REM sleep is just one phase of the sleep cycle that both dogs and humans experience. A study published in showed that REM or dreaming sleep decreases as dogs get older. So it looks as though puppies dream more than adult dogs. Sometimes when fast asleep, your dog will make twitching and running movements with his paws, and some dogs will give little yips and barks. This is a normal part of deep REM or dreaming sleep. Studies have also shown that if the part of the brain that de-activates movement during sleep is removed from a dog, the sleeping dog will actually carry out the behaviors that he is dreaming about. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie! We know that in humans, REM sleep is important. Being deprived of REM sleep can cause unpleasant effects, and there is no reason to think that dogs are any different. It is important to allow your dog to sleep deeply when he wants to and to not interrupt his sleep when he starts dreaming. Some veterinary specialists speculate that dogs sleep more than humans because their REM sleep is often interrupted due to their ability to wake easily and quickly and be ready for action. Because of that wakefulness, dogs need more periods of sleep in which to get an adequate amount of REM sleep. If you are worried that your dog may be ill because he is sleeping so much, ask yourself what has changed. Is he sleeping a lot more than he was just last week? Or has he always slept this much? Is he bright and bouncy when he is awake? Does he have a good appetite? Or does he seem lethargic or uninterested in food? Excessive sleeping in a dog that is eating well and full of energy when awake is unlikely to have any significance. And some elderly dogs tend to sleep more than they did when they were young. Make a Special Sleeping Space Your Labrador, like all dogs, is able to awaken quickly from sleep and be ready for action, whenever an opportunity presents itself. However, constantly interrupting his sleep is not a good idea. While many confident dogs will sleep pretty much anywhere, it is important that every dog has his own sleeping space. A place where he can go and relax when he wants to. Even if your dog shares your bed at night, he should still have a bed somewhere in the house that he can call his own. It needs to be somewhere free of drafts and comfortable, preferably lined with a cozy mat or blanket. Elderly Labradors may need thicker padding to support their joints. Orthopedic dog beds can provide extra comfort. It is here, in his special space, that your dog can relax fully and sleep deeply. Dogs naturally sleep for long periods of time, and sleeping a lot is nothing to worry about in a dog that is active, enjoying his food and living life to the fullest. Just like people, dogs need deep REM sleep, and constantly interrupted sleep can be harmful. You can check out crate information here: The benefits of a dog crate.
Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Back to Top Labrador Retriever Temperament Cheerful and animated, this large dog breed has stamina and energy to spare, able to keep up with your family and all your activities. And thanks to their high intelligence, learning commands and tricks come relativity easy for them. Labrador dogs love having a job to do and excel at things like agility courses and, just like their name implies, retrieving items. In fact, their superior intelligence is why they often make great assistance dogs, working as therapy or service animals. A people-pleaser, Labrador Retrievers have a pleasant personality and love interacting with humans. Get ready to be showered with lots of affection! Slow and controlled introductions to other family pets will help make the transition go smoothly. Addressing any biting issues early on, providing proper socialization when they are puppies aka safely exposing them to lots of new people, places and things and working with a professional dog trainer can help avoid behavioral issues when they get older. Back to Top How to Care for a Labrador Retriever As you might expect with such a popular dog breed, Labs are relatively easy to care for and make great dogs for first-time pet parents. The toughest part about taking care of a Lab will likely be your ability to keep up with them! For more routine maintenance, brush them at least once a week. Consider using a tool like the Furminator to help brush out the undercoat and remove the excess fur. Labs who spend most of their time indoors should be bathed every four to six weeks. You can do this at home or have it done by a professional groomer. For those who get a lot of outdoor time, you should bathe them weekly. Training Labs are eager to please, making them highly trainable. You can begin obedience school with your Labrador puppy between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months. They can learn the basics such as housebreaking, commands—sit, stay, speak, shake and roll over—and leash skills, such as heel. Labs can be leash-pullers and jumpers. To help train dogs more effectively, choose a headcollar to help prevent pulling and provide more control. A certified professional dog trainer can provide more guidance on correcting the issue. In general, Labs are extremely friendly and do well in most social interactions. As a working dog, they can compete in agility courses, retrieve fish, be excellent guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, sniff out bombs and drugs, and help law enforcement in search-and-rescue missions. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet. Because Labs are so active and always on the go, they may benefit from a high-protein dog food. If your pup has digestion issues, you may need to seek out a different dog food formula. While treats are often used in training, be sure to limit the amount you dish out on the daily. An overabundance of treats, even if your pup is super active, is an easy way for them to pack on the pounds. Take them for runs around the neighborhood or at the dog park, in addition to regular walks and hikes at least once a day for an hour is ideal. A great way to burn off their energy is to enroll them in agility course training or let them swim in a pool, lake or ocean if you have those options nearby. Speaking of swimming, Labs absolutely love the water—they were, after all, bred to be waterdogs, retrieving fish and fowl. Lab parents should prioritize water-based outings as often as possible to ensure that their pup gets the precious water time they love. Since Labs are natural swimmers, dock diving makes for a fun exercise that will keep them entertained for hours on end. Ideal Environment Labs want love, affection and attention—and lots of it. Their ideal environment is, unsurprisingly, one where they can be smothered with cuddles, hugs and kisses. These family dogs generally do well with kids and other pets because of their amicable attitude and spirited energy. Having friends over for dinner? Your Lab is likely to steal the show with their cheerfulness. Labs are extremely versatile and tend to flourish in many different environments, from urban to rural. A game of fetch is always a fun option for Retrievers! Reputable breeders often look at lineage to eliminate health problems that can run in bloodlines and be passed from generation to generation. Elbow Dysplasia: When an elbow joint grows abnormally, your pup might experience stiffness in their forelimbs. Their mobility may be affected, and they might deal with some discomfort or pain over time. Treatment will depend on the primary cause of the elbow dysplasia, but in most cases surgery is recommended. Arthritis is common in older Labs because of their large size, which places more strain on their joints with age. There are hip surgeries that can mitigate the effects of hip dysplasia if identified early enough. Allergies: Labs are prone to environmental and food allergies, which can be, at times, rather relentless. Common signs of really bad allergies? Recurring ear and skin infections and chewing at their paws. If your Lab regularly shows these signs, check with your vet for the best way to help keep these reactions at bay. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Otherwise known as PRA, this describes a number of diseases that can cause degeneration of the lining in the retina, which is in the back of the eye. In some cases, this condition can lead to blindness. But as a deep-chested dog, Labs are more likely to be susceptible to it. In severe cases, the stomach can twist upon itself and result in a condition called gastric dilation volvulus GDV. This is very serious and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Johns Dog or the lesser Newfoundland, Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland not Labrador , Canada, and are longtime descendants of the now-extinct St. With their strong hunting heritage, Labradors first became popularized in the early s as a waterdog who could help fishermen retrieve fish and ducks and bring them back to their boats. Their soft mouths and gentle jaws made them perfect for delicately handling birds and fish. Eventually, they were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to England after English nobles visited Canada. There, the English continued to refine the breed in the second half of the 19th century. The popularity of the Labrador breed has only continued to grow since then. Today, modern Labs are the most popular dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club, which formally recognized the breed in .Labs are mostly sought after for their unmatched diving aptitude and ability to work in the water, largely thanks to their water-repellent coats, webbed feet and otter-like tail. You can also reach out to Labrador Retriever rescue organizations to adopt a Lab or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter. No, Labs are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Labs shed frequently. Overall, some dog breeds may have less reactive dander, which may make them be seen as hypoallergenic. But it mainly depends on how your body responds and how sensitive your allergies are to any particular animal. Can Labrador Retrievers swim? Yes, Labrador Retrievers can swim; they have webbed feet, which help propel them through the water. They readily jump into the water to retrieve fish or ducks when directed. Can Labrador Retrievers be guard dogs? They perform better at jobs that require constant stimulation, like sporting activities or being a therapy or service animal. What are the most common Labrador mixes? Labs are always up for anything. For those who love to stay active and want a loyal canine companion, Labs are undoubtedly the way to go. They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. They've won the dog personality popularity contest for so many years, as Labs are devoted to their owners—always willing to show you their affection and receive your adoration in return—are highly intelligent, and are happiest doing any and all family activities. Their enthusiasm not only makes them fun to be around, but also makes them a hard-working breed. Labs are companionable, bonding with all family members, and famously friendly to every person and pup they meet. While they have high energy and require lots of activity , they are eager to please and highly trainable. Appearance Thanks to their role as a hunter's companion, the Labrador retriever is a sturdy dog, weighing in at anywhere from 55—80 pounds. Labs come in three colors: chocolate, black, and yellow. While black Labs were an early favorite with breeders, all three types of Labs are common today. Some breeders do offer "rare" Labs, including polar white, fox red, and even silver, but these are simply variations of the three original Lab coloring combinations. Their top coat is short and thick. Their undercoat is softer and helps provide protection from the weather, especially cold temperatures and water, a nod to their original role as retrievers. A Lab's tail serves a purpose in their heritage as well. They are thick and tapered, an "otter tail" that acts as a rudder when Labs swim. But watch out on land—this happy breed gets to wagging their tail often and eagerly, and won't stop if you happen to be in the way. Yellow Labs might be easy to confuse with golden retrievers. Though both are friendly pups and popular with families, they distinctly different breeds. Temperament "The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non aggressive towards man or animal," the breed standard says. They are friendly with new people and animals they meet. Tops in the personality department, Labs are also highly intelligent, making them very trainable. They do have lots of energy, so you'll need to stay active with them, but they are also happy to relax at home for family movie night. What many veterinarians do find, however, is that each Lab is an individual with his own personality. Some Labs are more mellow, while others can be higher energy. Some tend to be more anxious dogs. And you can even have a Lab that is a bit of a goofball. But no matter what personality your Lab puppy grows to develop, one thing is always the same. Living Needs Labs adore their owners. They will want to live indoors and sleep as close as possible to you—or even on you. They like to get outside to play, but don't leave them unattended for too long as they may prove they have a naughty side. Labs have been known to dig and chew, so invest in plenty of sturdy chew toys to keep yours entertained. If properly introduced and trained, Labs can also get along well with other pets in the home including cats , other dogs, and small animals. They are competitors, doing well in agility, field tests, and at dog shows. And they absolutely love to swim. Care When you welcome a Lab to your home, be prepared for lots of shedding. Grooming isn't substantial, but brushing your dog daily will help reduce the tumbleweeds of fur scattered about your house from their thick double coat. They should be bathed every other month to keep them smelling fresh. Brushing their teeth a couple of times a week, keeping their nails trimmed —likely once or twice a month—and checking their ears for redness or odor should also be on your Lab care checklist. A daily minute walk or a lively game of fetch will help your pup burn off some of his energy. Lack of activity could lead to undesirable behavior, but don't overdo it—this "workaholic" breed is apt to exhaust itself. Don't let Lab puppies run and play on hard surfaces for their first two years so they don't damage their joints. Of course their reputation for good behavior precedes them, but that doesn't mean you can skip training sessions with your Lab. Training is important to ensure they don't grow to become too rowdy. Introduce Labrador puppies to other humans and animals early to help socialize them properly. This, coupled with ample positive reinforcement , will allow your pup to grow into the friendly Lab many know and love. Health Labs are a pretty hearty and healthy breed , living 10—12 years. But, as with all breeds, there are some common conditions to be aware of. Elbow and hip dysplasia , heart disorders such as tricuspid valve dysplasia TVD , epilepsy , and hereditary myopathy or muscle weakness can all affect Labs. They can also face eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Owners should also be aware of a condition called exercise induced collapse EIC. Labs may also develop hot spots —or acute moist dermatitis—cold tail, and ear infections. History A bit misnamed, Labs actually come from Newfoundland—off the northeastern coast of Canada—not Labrador, according to the Labrador Retriever Club. Descended from St. John's water dogs, Labradors are a traditional waterdog used to retrieve ducks and keep fishermen company. At the end of the work day, Labs were then happy to head home to spend the night with the fishermen's families. They became increasingly popular starting in the early s, when they were brought to England by nobles who appreciated their work ethic and disposition. Public Domain It may be hard to believe, but by the s, Labs were almost extinct because of government restrictions and tax laws—the same laws that led to the St. John's water dogs' extinction, according to the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. Thankfully saved by English breeders, they were introduced to the U. After World War II, the Lab's popularity took over and grew for decades until they ultimately achieved the status of America's—and England and Canada's—most popular pooch. Fun Facts In , for the 29th year in a row, the Lab was voted the number one most popular breed. King Buck was the model Labrador retriever featured on a U. Another famous Lab is Ben of Hyde , born in .Considered the first documented yellow Lab, today most lines of yellow Labs can be traced to his bloodline. The star of the show, Marley, is actually several different Labs who played the role to reflect the various age stages of Marley during the film. His family adopted another chocolate Lab, Seamus , after Clinton's presidency ended. Was this page helpful?
These two are serious cuddlers!! We love them BIG! Thanks again for the amazing quality pups! Have a great week! He is truly the most wonderful boy and has been a godsend during the pandemic. He brings us so much happiness. He has an amazing personality.Thanks again. I attached a couple of pictures. My good friend and neighbor Jennifer is planning to contact you.He is absolutely the best!! I just wanted to let you know how well Bella is doing!! So sweet and doing very well and healthy!! Best dog ever!! Thanks again!! He is 3 now and such a love with the biggest personality! I am also writing as we have a few friends who love him so much that they are looking to inquire about getting their own golden like Huey! One of the names is Maggie Moriarty. I have passed along your information! I hope all is well! Stay Healthy! I would like to talk to you about getting a puppy. We have a dog from that we got from you 5 years ago, and we think he is a beauty! You can judge for yourself. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. She is such a sweet, smart loving girl! We love her so much! Thank you! Our family feels whole again! Annie, the pup we got from you late last March has turned out to be absolutely everything we had hoped and lots more. Having had goldens for every one of my sixty-six years, my standards are high, and I have had several world-class bird dogs. She is as mellow and easy going as a dog can be but given the scent of a bird and she is ALL business. She is smart and biddable; I just could not hope for a better dog. Grateful in Chelsea, VT. Chelsea, VT .I would add that it is quite unusual to find a Golden from show stock, regardless of how good that stock may be, and have the dog be as good as Annie is. I am not new to this game. She is as fine a dog as I have had for a first-season dog. Watching her learning curve has been astonishing. These are profoundly serious level dogs. Annie is not overshadowed by these dogs at all. All the best, - mm Madison is doing great!!!!!! Everyone had to hug and kiss her. She really is quite adorable. Our Daughter, Son-in-law and 14 month old granddaughter are coming in tonight for the weekend to meet her. I am anxious to see how the babies get along. Our granddaughter loves dogs. They also bring their sweet 4 yr old cat, too. I'll keep you posted, maybe even some pictures. I see all the puppies are spoken for. They are truly special. She is such a sweetie!!! You did such a great job crate training her. Our Nikki loves her. I just bought a new camera today and am charging the batteries now. I will send you a couple of pictures of them together when it is finished charging. She is loving our home and her new Mommy Sophie! We lucked out last night and found a big bag of Royal Canine at Pet Smart, along with many new accessories last night. Many thanks. He is growing so fast and gets smarter everyday. We have so much fun with him. My husband was so surprised and happy I gave him Odie for his birthday. I wanted to update you on Brandy. She's doing really well! She's actually sleeping and snoring on the couch right now - she's claimed her corner of it. She's very smart and friendly. She had completed Puppy Basic and we're in Intermediate Class now. She's very good with children and with my grandparents. My grandfather absolutely adores her, and she walks very slowly with him while he hobbles along on his cane. I sent some photos so you could see how she's grown! She is wonderful - thank you so much. We adopted Abigail from you the end of last February and I contacted you during the summer about a male puppy, well we are now ready. We are looking for a light, big and blocky male. We were interested in the males you just had, but were not quick enough! So, we were wondering if there might be any puppies fitting that description that might be up and coming. We are certainly willing to wait for the puppy. Please let me know if you might have anything available in the near future. Thank you so much! I always enjoy checking out your web site - your Christmas puppies were beautiful. I don't know how you manage to get them in such great poses - your photography is superb. Our Oliver is a very calm and affectionate Golden - we are enjoying him so much. He was a little upset on the ride home, which is understandable, but as soon as he arrived and met his two year old sister, Mitzi Maltese who likes to play every bit as much as he does, all else was forgotten. They have a ball together and wear each other out. He goes to the door whenever he has to go, which is every twenty minutes, and comes when he is called without hesitation. His training starts in earnest this weekend since he is a very smart dog. Instincts run deep. This morning he met our 16 year old cat for the first time, and his reaction was to freeze and point. He held the point for a good two minutes as the cat sized him up and then retreated to a safe loft to think it over. He is a great dog! Below is the announcement to family and friends with pictures. But it's a start. We already have about fifty pictures of him. Thanks for the picture of his mother. I have just moved it into the hard drive and will incorporate it into Montana's CD album. If you ever have a chance to get a picture of his father, we would love to have that as well. It was a pleasure meeting you, and we will stay in touch with pictures as he grows which is by the minute. Hope all is well with you, and quietly hope that you do not get out of the business. You do a great service. Stay in touch. What a wonderful dogso gregarious and affectionate. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me how handsome he is. As you may recall, this is my first dog ever and I am completely happy I made the decision. Coby was house trained in two weeks, so he is both smart and good-looking!! Keep up the good work. Frank Happened to visit your site last night and saw that you have a litter of puppies from the same parents that had Gem she was Caroline and I decided to send you some photos so you can see how well she is doing. We have had Gem for nearly 2 years now and, as you can see from the photos, she is a huge part of our family and my children love her so much. She is a very sweet natured dog and has never shown any signs of aggression to people or other dogs. She is so beautiful, people stop me to compliment her all the time. I was interested to see the photos of her parents again, now that she is an adult. I can definitely see a strong resemblance to her father, and from what I recall you telling me about his personality, it seems that she has a good share of that too. Thanks for helping us get such a wonderful dog. She is such a love. She wants to be wherever her people are. We ask where is Gracie? Thank you for a wonderful dog! She is an absolutely wonderful dog and we are loving her to pieces! We live on The Cape and she goes to the ocean to play on the beach every morning and goes walking on the dog trail every afternoon with her best friends Gracie GR and Ella Australian Shepherd and swims in the pond after. The family behind us recently got a puppy about Madison's age, a cross between a beagle and border collie. They play every chance they get. Madison weighs about 66 lbs. She jumps on everyone and licks faces; we are working on that. I have been following your website and all the pups are adorable! Thought you would like this picture. He's a great dog. Very lovable and very smart. Thank You. Shes doing great. Fully house trained, obeys commands sit, paw, stay, etc and is absolutely adorable! She loves people, especially little kids and is gentle and good natured. We love her! Thanks for getting us together! Sonny is doing great! He is such a perfect puppy, he is well on his way as far as potty training and is an angel in his crate at night, we don't hear one peep out of him. We are having so much fun with him and he seems really happy. Thanks again, I will send you a couple of pictures in a separate email. Thank you for our wonderful doggie! She seems to love her new big yard in Austerlitz and is having a ball following us around the house. Today we drove back to Brooklyn and Lily was promptly greeted with a friendly hello from the neighborhood dogs. One was a Goldendoodle and the other a Labradoodle, and together all three were a gorgeous golden color, what a beautiful sight! Lily is also enjoying her Brooklyn backyard and for now seems to have enough room to run around. She likes exploring the different floors of the house as well. Our cat seems to be taking her presence in stride and we anticipate that they will get along well after they become accustom to one another. Thank you for sharing your abundance of knowledge and providing us with an amazingly beautiful, calm and sweet puppy. He is a great dog and very social. I will keep you in the loop and send you some pictures as he grows. We took him out on the ocean yesterday to start to get him use to being on the water as our family spends allot of time there. He loved it and actually slept on the ride back!! Thanks again Dave and Amy, We will keep you updated with pics. These pictures are on his first birthday June 23, .People around watching me with him were just amazed how beautiful and smart he was for his age. We have him in agility and he is amazing. Odie is very smart, has a sweet personality and always has love and kisses for everyone he meets. Oh, he loves to watch golf on television with his daddy. If anyone is looking for a great Golden Retriever puppy they need to think about getting one of your puppies. A few accidents but we're working with him! He's been so much fun and we're looking forward to him being part of our family! Thanks again for everything. Love to see more, we are loving Cooper so much. Let me know. .Warm Regards, Denise. He has been such a joy and it has only been two days. I have been meaning to email you and give an update on our life with Stanley we renamed him Odie after seeing that name on your website before we bought Stanley, we loved the name. I know you remember us, so heartbroken over the death of our Jack. We still are, of course, but Odie had come into our lives and brought so much joy. He is the best behaved puppy, so mild mannered, never EVER barks, so loving and happy. He is very smart and learns so quickly. He has brought us so much joy already we cannot imagine life without him! I wanted to thank you for your patience with us, and thank you for providing us with such a perfect beautiful Golden, we love him so much. I have attached a photo of him, he is adorable, and a photo of him with his brother Max, our 10 year old Cocker Spaniel. Odie loves his brother very much!! 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts? 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. Please scroll and read all the way down to learn about our process before sending us an application. Interested in obtaining a puppy from us? Do you live in the New England area? No exceptions. Golden Retrievers are not couch potatoes! They are active sporting dogs. Do you have plenty of time to play, train, socialize and groom your athletic Butternut Golden? Can you hold off on neutering your male pup until 3 years old? Or allow your female pup to have 1 heat before spaying? Have you seen the videos of our dogs on YouTube? Are you are interested in sending your Butternut Golden to Camp Butternut? Have you read this page in its entirety? Please do not email us asking us to put you on a list for a future litter. About us and our process: What is Butternut Hill Goldens? We have been breeding since .We are proud members of the Golden Retriever Club of America. We have litters a year. Our dogs are vital members of our family and all live with us in our home, not in kennels. We participate in different venues depending on each dog's needs and talents -- including obedience, tracking, rally, hunting, showing and therapy work. Butternut Hill seemed to be a fitting name for us. We live on a hill at the base of Butternut Mountain, with our butternut colored Golden Retrievers, who love to eat butternut squash. This is not a profit business for us. It is hobby of passion and labor of love for the Golden Retriever breed. Through our breeding program we strive to promote the health, temperament, workability and the beauty of the breed by adhering to the Golden Retriever Breed Standard as defined by the Golden Retriever Club of America. We feel it is important to retain the ability of the Golden Retriever to be multi-purpose. Each breeding involves in-depth research into the parent's pedigree, genetics, health history, longevity, structure, work ability and temperament. We adhere to breeding practices as recommended by the Golden Retriever Club of America. Our Puppy Raising Philosophy Our puppies are born and raised in our home. We pride ourselves on providing a wholesome enriching environment with an strong emphasis on socialization to get puppies off to the best possible start. Carmen Battaglia. Besides the important interaction with their mother and littermates, daily handling by us, additional enrichment activities begin at a very early age. Our socialization include exposing them to a variety sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches, which we feel allows them to better cope as an adult dog. Our puppies get to experience a variety of footing such as blankets, sheets, wood floors, tile floors, decking, carpeting, short grass, long grass, concrete, gravel, puppy agility equipment and sometimes snow. They are exposed to toys of all shapes and textures. They get to experience a variety of sounds from our household on a daily basis -- humans conversing, big dogs playing, television or radio playing, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, front door slamming, etc. We believe in providing a variety of challenges such as climbing steps, going through a tunnel, playing follow the leader, learning to come to a whistle. We trim the puppies nails weekly. When the puppies are old enough, we begin the foundation for house training by taking the puppies outside as soon they wake to relieve themselves. All of our puppies are nurtured as part of our family pack. As they mature they interact with our adult dogs and household cat. The pups are exposed to car rides and short field trips to new safe experiences. And if the season and weather allows -- an opportunity is given to the puppies to go for a swim in a clean, quiet Vermont pond. These activities will help give the puppy a chance to experience new things and meet new people. Care should be taken that these controlled experiences are positive, and do not the put the puppy in a risky situation with unknown dogs. We recommend staying away from dog parks, especially until your puppy has become fully vaccinated. Waiting to Spay or Neuter your Golden Retriever In our puppy contract you agree to allow your female Golden Retriever to have one heat or to wait to neuter your male Golden Retriever until after years old. Before deciding on acquiring a Golden Retriever it is important to become knowledgeable about the strengths and weaknesses of the breed. Goldens require a good amount of daily exercise, personal time, training and grooming. This breed is happiest when they are at your side or when they are working with you. As a breeder and owner, there are several health issues with the breed that concerns us. Still interested? We are dog lovers and entrepreneurs that specialize in quality Golden Retriever puppies. We are located in beautiful New England; in Hampden, Maine. We like to consider ourselves collectors, if you will! Our British Cream aka Euro Cream retrievers are almost pure white, with some light shades of tan. We do invite you to compare, and ask any questions you may have as well. Our Golden Retrievers are happy, healthy, obedient animals of only the highest quality! Our program concentrates on the traits of the family dog first; health, trustworthiness, gentleness, loyalty, beauty and longevity. Then, we incorporate the correct and proven genetics, imported and genetic lines that are proven through generations, not by just a few individuals, to pass on the history of the breed to their offspring. Show champions along with champions of the field events. These bloodlines are gathered from around the world! This results is an European bred Golden Retriever that is very beautiful, strong, athletic and extraordinarily capable and willing to please. These are wonderful animals with the history of the breed embedded in their very soul. They come from genetic lines that formed the foundation of the Golden Retriever breed! They are truly loving dogs that live to be loved, and will be a pleasure for you to work with. Over the years, we have developed many friendships with happy owners and quite a following on Facebook. We have many repeat customers and referral customers. We also breed dogs which become service dogs. NEADS places a high premium on these qualities because our assistance dogs need to be structurally and psychologically sound in order to assist someone with a physical disability. Our program places dogs with those who can benefit from both the functional and emotional support the companions provide: picking up a dropped article, opening a door and holding it open as the client passes through in their wheelchair, retrieving a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and many other tasks. Many of these tasks help people who have limited dexterity or mobility. Our rigorous standards are based on 35 years of experience training assistance dogs for those with a physical disability, autism or hearing loss. These qualities begin with a breeder who pays attention to quality breeding and early development practices. Director of Programs and Communications PO Box West Boylston, MA — You will find lots of pictures of Goldens to enjoy, and important questions and discussions about food, health, play, and events. Please visit us on facebook at:.
She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Labrador retrievers are an adorable and popular dog breed that can make a great addition to your household. Aside from a physical examination, you can do a professional DNA test on the dog to check its genetic makeup. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Does the fur appear short, and have a thick texture? The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Did you know? There are silver labs, but silver is not an acceptable color in the breed standard as this color is believed to have come from a cross with the Weimaraner. However, dogs with this coat color may still be registered with certain kennel clubs. If the dog is a yellow or black lab, check that the puppy has brown eyes. In the case of chocolate labs, check for brown or hazel eyes. Check to see how long its legs are; while a Labrador should have longer legs than a Dachshund, its legs should be shorter than a Husky. Purchase a dog genetics test, which will give you a specialized testing kit. Some DNA tests will look for genetic markers, while cheaper tests focus more on the different breeds. Tip: Try to keep the puppy from sharing food or playing rough with the other dogs, as this might hurt the integrity of the saliva sample. Package the saliva sample according to the instructions given by the company. Seal the envelope or package carefully, so the sample is completely secure while it travels to the lab. Generally, you can find the test results listed by breed, followed by a percentage; however, this might differ, depending on the company. If this is possible, use a cotton swab to collect saliva samples from 1 or both parents. Store these samples carefully, so you can send them to a professional company. Seal the envelope or package carefully to secure the sample, and keep it safe in transit. Go to source Seeing a CH or confirmation champion title on the pedigree certificate means that the dog is close to the ideals in the breed standard and is related to a dog that was able to win over other dogs at a show with at least 15 conformation points. Go to source A dog with this lineage can make a great candidate for showing. If your dog has documented parentage with the American Kennel Club, you can search their database and purchase a certificate that affirms this. You can also register your dog through the American Kennel Club once you have proof of their pedigree. Go to source Fees for pedigrees very depending on the type. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Back to Top Labrador Retriever Temperament Cheerful and animated, this large dog breed has stamina and energy to spare, able to keep up with your family and all your activities. And thanks to their high intelligence, learning commands and tricks come relativity easy for them. Labrador dogs love having a job to do and excel at things like agility courses and, just like their name implies, retrieving items. In fact, their superior intelligence is why they often make great assistance dogs, working as therapy or service animals. A people-pleaser, Labrador Retrievers have a pleasant personality and love interacting with humans. Get ready to be showered with lots of affection! Slow and controlled introductions to other family pets will help make the transition go smoothly. Addressing any biting issues early on, providing proper socialization when they are puppies aka safely exposing them to lots of new people, places and things and working with a professional dog trainer can help avoid behavioral issues when they get older. Back to Top How to Care for a Labrador Retriever As you might expect with such a popular dog breed, Labs are relatively easy to care for and make great dogs for first-time pet parents. The toughest part about taking care of a Lab will likely be your ability to keep up with them! For more routine maintenance, brush them at least once a week. Consider using a tool like the Furminator to help brush out the undercoat and remove the excess fur. Labs who spend most of their time indoors should be bathed every four to six weeks. You can do this at home or have it done by a professional groomer. For those who get a lot of outdoor time, you should bathe them weekly. Training Labs are eager to please, making them highly trainable. You can begin obedience school with your Labrador puppy between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months. They can learn the basics such as housebreaking, commands—sit, stay, speak, shake and roll over—and leash skills, such as heel. Labs can be leash-pullers and jumpers. To help train dogs more effectively, choose a headcollar to help prevent pulling and provide more control. A certified professional dog trainer can provide more guidance on correcting the issue. In general, Labs are extremely friendly and do well in most social interactions. As a working dog, they can compete in agility courses, retrieve fish, be excellent guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, sniff out bombs and drugs, and help law enforcement in search-and-rescue missions. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet. Because Labs are so active and always on the go, they may benefit from a high-protein dog food. If your pup has digestion issues, you may need to seek out a different dog food formula. While treats are often used in training, be sure to limit the amount you dish out on the daily. An overabundance of treats, even if your pup is super active, is an easy way for them to pack on the pounds. Take them for runs around the neighborhood or at the dog park, in addition to regular walks and hikes at least once a day for an hour is ideal. A great way to burn off their energy is to enroll them in agility course training or let them swim in a pool, lake or ocean if you have those options nearby. Speaking of swimming, Labs absolutely love the water—they were, after all, bred to be waterdogs, retrieving fish and fowl. Lab parents should prioritize water-based outings as often as possible to ensure that their pup gets the precious water time they love. Since Labs are natural swimmers, dock diving makes for a fun exercise that will keep them entertained for hours on end. Ideal Environment Labs want love, affection and attention—and lots of it. Their ideal environment is, unsurprisingly, one where they can be smothered with cuddles, hugs and kisses. These family dogs generally do well with kids and other pets because of their amicable attitude and spirited energy. Having friends over for dinner? Your Lab is likely to steal the show with their cheerfulness. Labs are extremely versatile and tend to flourish in many different environments, from urban to rural. A game of fetch is always a fun option for Retrievers! Reputable breeders often look at lineage to eliminate health problems that can run in bloodlines and be passed from generation to generation. Elbow Dysplasia: When an elbow joint grows abnormally, your pup might experience stiffness in their forelimbs. Their mobility may be affected, and they might deal with some discomfort or pain over time. Treatment will depend on the primary cause of the elbow dysplasia, but in most cases surgery is recommended. Arthritis is common in older Labs because of their large size, which places more strain on their joints with age. There are hip surgeries that can mitigate the effects of hip dysplasia if identified early enough. Allergies: Labs are prone to environmental and food allergies, which can be, at times, rather relentless. Common signs of really bad allergies? Recurring ear and skin infections and chewing at their paws. If your Lab regularly shows these signs, check with your vet for the best way to help keep these reactions at bay. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Otherwise known as PRA, this describes a number of diseases that can cause degeneration of the lining in the retina, which is in the back of the eye. In some cases, this condition can lead to blindness. But as a deep-chested dog, Labs are more likely to be susceptible to it. In severe cases, the stomach can twist upon itself and result in a condition called gastric dilation volvulus GDV. This is very serious and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Johns Dog or the lesser Newfoundland, Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland not Labrador , Canada, and are longtime descendants of the now-extinct St. With their strong hunting heritage, Labradors first became popularized in the early s as a waterdog who could help fishermen retrieve fish and ducks and bring them back to their boats. Their soft mouths and gentle jaws made them perfect for delicately handling birds and fish. Eventually, they were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to England after English nobles visited Canada. There, the English continued to refine the breed in the second half of the 19th century. The popularity of the Labrador breed has only continued to grow since then. Today, modern Labs are the most popular dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club, which formally recognized the breed in .Labs are mostly sought after for their unmatched diving aptitude and ability to work in the water, largely thanks to their water-repellent coats, webbed feet and otter-like tail. You can also reach out to Labrador Retriever rescue organizations to adopt a Lab or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter. No, Labs are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Labs shed frequently. Overall, some dog breeds may have less reactive dander, which may make them be seen as hypoallergenic. But it mainly depends on how your body responds and how sensitive your allergies are to any particular animal. Can Labrador Retrievers swim? Yes, Labrador Retrievers can swim; they have webbed feet, which help propel them through the water. They readily jump into the water to retrieve fish or ducks when directed. Can Labrador Retrievers be guard dogs? They perform better at jobs that require constant stimulation, like sporting activities or being a therapy or service animal. What are the most common Labrador mixes? Labs are always up for anything. For those who love to stay active and want a loyal canine companion, Labs are undoubtedly the way to go. Reviewed by Monica Tarantino Dr. Monica Tarantino, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian and writer with five years of general practice, emergency medicine, and geriatric pet health experience. She is certified as a Fear Free doctor. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These pups make a great addition to every home, as they are excellent with kids, love to cuddle, and will do anything to make their owners happy. They are medium-to-large sturdy dogs with excellent balance, obedience through the roof , and an adorable face. Keep scrolling to see the cutest photos yet and discover mind-boggling Labrador retriever trivia. Despite their name, Labrador retrievers originally came from Newfoundland, not Labrador. Continue to 2 of 16 below. Continue to 3 of 16 below. Continue to 4 of 16 below. Continue to 5 of 16 below. Continue to 6 of 16 below. A little training will go a long way. Continue to 7 of 16 below. It may require some training, but their instincts will know how to handle soft items. Labrador retrievers go crazy for plush toys and are often found napping with their favorite ones. Continue to 8 of 16 below.
bark box puppy - Diet Breeders Preference Many people are surprised to learn that there are NOT three types of Golden Retrievers, as you often will read on the internet. Instead, there is only one Golden Retriever breed possessing different colorings and structures. In truth, those colorings and differences are due to the preferences of breeders for specific physical structures, including coat length and thickness and color preferences. Of, if your buying your Golden Retriever from a non-registered breeder, it again depends on the lineage of its parents and grandparents. In other words, if you want to know approximately how fluffy your Golden Retriever will be, then looks at its parents. His mother was taller and lankier, with a short wavy coat. The result? Bailey is a mix. He has the size of his mother and the thickness of his father, and his coat is gold with white markings, mid-length and wavy. However, beware that even seeing the parents is no guarantee of a fluffy Golden Retriever. And that is because Golden Retrievers can have individual differences within a family litter. Just like human families can have wide variations among siblings in their eyes, hair, and physical attributes. The reason? Genetics You can take heart that almost all Golden Retriever puppies will have some degree of fluff factor. However, suppose you find your Golden Retriever puppy is not as fluffy as another. In that case, unfortunately, you have little control over that. How much or little fluff your Golden Retriever has largely depends on genetics. In other words, that is how your puppy was born. Golden Retriever puppies are individuals, and the interplay of genetics in each of those puppies can be very complex. This means there can be a wide variety of trait variations between individuals. Consider human beings, for example. You may have a child that is taller or shorter, has brown or blue eyes, and goes bald later in life. So, similarly, you may have a Golden Retriever puppy that is not as fluffy as your neighbors solely because of genetics. As well, even within a litter, you can have variations. So, while your Golden Retriever puppy might be highly fluffy, someone else selects one that is far less so. Regardless if your Golden Retriever puppy is high or low on the fluff scale, I can guarantee it will be cute and adorable they all are. And fluffiness is fleeting. It decreases as the puppy ages in adolescence and adulthood discussed next. Your puppy is special and unique in its own right. I have yet to meet a Golden Retriever that is not. Moreover, the degree of fluffiness does not necessarily guarantee that your adult Golden Retriever will be long-haired. Again, genetics does. Be mindful that the coat you see on your puppy will not be the same as the one it has as an adult, and that includes color, length, and fluffiness. Age The next factor that affects fluffiness is age. Puppies that are less than 12 weeks old are all fluffy. However, as noted in the previous section, fluffiness is fleeting. Within the first three months of age, the Golden Retriever puppy has very thin, soft goose-like fur. Golden Retrievers puppies are similar in that their coats are thinner and more fuzz-like. The fuzz-like fur, due to it being lighter, tends to stand up more and is more frizzy. So it puffs up the puppy making it look fluffy. The puppies get protection and warmth from their mother and littermates early on. However, as the Golden Retriever puppy ages and becomes more independent, its fuzzy fur thickens and lengthens. Then, it is slowly replaced by a longer coat. Bailey was a fluffy puppy. That thinner, fuzz-like coat that is consistent with a fluffy furball is most prominent within the first 12 weeks, after which it begins to lessen as the coat grows in. The coat will rapidly thicken beyond three months of age, and the fluffiness associated with a young puppy decreases. Typically, there is nothing to worry about in the first eight weeks as the mother keeps the puppies clean by licking them. A Golden Retriever puppy should not be bathed before eight weeks of age. Your puppy will should still be with the breeder within the first eight weeks of its life, and typically, there will be no baths. However, many breeders ours included will give your Golden Retriever its first bath at about eight weeks old, usually before you bring it home. Bathing removes any dirt or oils from the fur and removes any matting. The coat has more volume and lift, making the puppy look more fluffy. No different than if you have hair that is dirty, greasy, and matted down, and then wash it. Immediately after it dries, it has more volume and lifts, and it looks fluffier. One word of caution. Overbathing can remove essential oils and cause skin issues. There is no need to bathe a Golden Retriever more than every six to eight weeks. Health and Medical Issues Health or medical issues or medications can impact a Golden Retriever, including the fur. Often the coat will be thin and lack shine, and there could be excessive shedding, dandruff, or dry fur and skin. Some medical issues that can impact a Golden Retrievers coat are hormones, parasites, cancer, and problems with digestion and metabolism. Arthritis, obesity, or malnutrition can also cause issues with the fur. Skin issues such as allergies or hot spots may also impact the coat, and excessive scratching can exasperate the problem. Fur and skin issues are often a sign of an underlying health issue. If your Golden Retriever is showing signs of skin and fur issues such as excess itching, shedding, and a thin, lackluster coat, consider booking an appointment with your vet for an examination. Another cause of potential fur issues is stress and anxiety. If your Golden Retriever appears sad or depressed, it is often due to stressors. Sadness and depression can also affect appetite and desire to exercise, which in turn, can impact the fur. Diet Like a poor diet can impact our hair; the same is true for our Golden Retriever. A diet deficient in nutrients or calories can cause a malnourished dog or a dog that is too skinny , which impacts health and fur. Likewise, lacking adequate macro and micronutrients can cause the fur to be thin, look dull, be matted, and fall out. In contrast, overfeeding a Golden Retriever can cause obesity which can prevent a Golden Retriever from grooming itself properly. Furthermore, a dog that is too fat is not only more prone to health issues but has a shorter lifespan too. Watch for allergens. Often if your Golden Retriever is allergic to a specific ingredient, it will manifest in the skin and coat. Itchiness, hotspots, excess shedding, and a thin, lackluster coat could be signs of an allergen or skin issue resulting from the diet. Also, watch table feeding. Premium dog foods are designed to provide the optimum amount and balance of nutrients for your dog, something which table scraps may not provide adequately. Plus, table feeding can cause a dog to become a picky eater. A common allergen for Golden Retrievers is dairy products, including milk. How fluffy your Golden Retriever becomes is mainly dependent on those issues discussed earlier: breeder preference, genetics, and age. However, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to make your Golden Retriever more fluffy. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight with adequate exercise along with feeding it premium dog food is important for optimum coat health, as is keeping the dog clean and brushing it regularly. As discussed earlier, a Golden Retriever puppy should be bathed no earlier than eight weeks of age. If your breeder does not give your Golden Retriever puppy a bath before taking it home, then you can proceed to provide the puppy with its first bath. In addition to making your puppy more fluffy, introducing it to regular baths early on ensures that it becomes used to being bathed. Doing so makes it much easier as the dog gets bigger. Keep it as short as possible and as positive as possible. Your puppy is in a strange house with strange people and is now separated from its mother, littermate, and home. Add in a scary bath now, and you have a stressed puppy. In fact, I might suggest waiting until week nine or ten, so your puppy can acclimate to you and your home first. While blow dryers are great for puffing up fur and accentuating the fluff factor, be mindful of the heat. If you decide to use a blow dryer, then be mindful of the temperature and the length of time you are using it. This is especially true of puppies. Puppies have smaller surface areas and do not yet possess their full coats, which offers some protection against heat. Moreover, dogs do not sweat but instead regulate heat by panting. As a result, a small puppy is less equipped to keep up with cooling if overheated. The next thing you can do to make your Golden Retriever more fluffy is to brush it regularly. Brushing will help remove loose hairs and dirt while redistributing body oil. Regular grooming practices are vital for maintaining your Golden Retriever in optimum health. Doing so will ensure a healthy dog that has an attractive coat. In addition, premium dog food coupled with proper portions and adequate exercise will ensure your dog has all the nutrients it needs while maintaining a healthy weight and good digestion. Adding supplements such as salmon oil can help produce a shiny, soft, and healthy coat and aid in healthier joints, brain, and heart. To help ensure a healthy, well-balanced Golden Retriever that is at an ideal weight, make sure your dog gets regular daily walks or runs. Finally, regular vet check-ups will ensure there are no medical issues that need addressing. Regular vet check-ups are also the perfect time to discuss any coat issues. Are Golden Retriever Puppies Fluffy? There are few cuter things than a Golden Retriever puppy. As puppies, one of the most adorable things is their fluffy, goose-like fur. So, is this trait specific to a few lucky puppies, or are all Golden Retrievers puppies fluffy? Most Golden Retriever puppies will be fluffy up until three months of age. Within the first three months, the puppy possesses fluffy, soft fur that helps regulate body temperature. After three months, the coat begins to thicken and lengthen, gradually becoming less fluffy as the dog ages. Yes, the Golden Retriever puppy is adorable with their juvenile coat being so high on the fluff factor. You wish you could keep them small and fluffy forever. But can you? As your Golden Retriever ages, it will become less and less fluffy. Before 3 months of age, the fur of a Golden Retriever puppy is similar to fuzzy goose down. However, as the Golden Retriever ages, its coat begins to grow. The coat thickens and increases in length, and the dog develops its double coat. Golden Retrievers possess a double coat consisting of a thinner and lighter inner coat that helps regulate body temperature and a lustrous golden outer coat, which is thicker and water-resistant. While the coat still might have a fluffy-ish appearance, it typically will not be the same as before month three. And it will continue to become less so over time. As an adult Golden Retriever, the dog may have more dense hair, and that fur might be longer. As a result, the dog may appear a bit more fluffy than an adult Golden Retriever with less length and thickness. Again, this is determined by genetics and breeding. For example, some Golden Retrievers have shorter, less dense coats, while others have longer coats. Bailey is only 1. Still, as an adult, a Golden Retriever with a longer, thicker coat, while looking a bit more fluffy, will not look like it did as a puppy. The hair is longer and thicker, which is heavier and lays on the body more, versus the lighter fuzzy fur that a puppy has, which has more volume and lift. So, the short answer is no; Golden Retrievers do not stay fluffy, at least not to the same degree as they are when puppies. Final Thoughts Golden Retriever puppies are pretty much all fluffy. However, there is a timer on that fluffiness, and after about the 3rd month of age, that soft, thick fuzzy fur will start to thicken and grow. So by adulthood, while most Golden Retrievers have a long, dense coat, they lose the fluffiness they had as puppies. While you can control what breeder you buy a dog from and from that, get a good idea of what it will look like , you cannot control its genetics. Need more convincing? Fluffy vs. Learn more. This breed is so famous for being a charming member of the family. His piercing brown eyes, friendly face, and striking rich coat make him insanely beautiful. When you are around him, you cannot resist the temptation of running your fingers over his fluffy coat. He will fill your life with so much joy that you never imagined possible. When choosing a puppy, you might encounter both the fluffy and non-fluffy types. Granted, the first type is the most abundant but it is not uncommon to have a non-fluffy pooch as well. Which one should you go for and why? To keep you informed, we will highlight what you should expect from both fluffy and non-fluffy Golden retriever puppies. Their coats feature soft, fluffy hair. However, as they reach three months of age, you will notice the coat taking on the appearance of long hair. This begins at the tail where a few strands of long hair will grow over the soft fluffy hair of the puppyhood stage. The feathers start at the tail then grow on the legs and stomach area. Gradually, the rest of the areas will grow flat, long locks with the new hair being longer and darker than light puppy fur. Instead of the puppy shedding his fur, the adult hair often grows on top of the fluff. Even as the adulthood hair catches on, some Goldens will still have fur variations on their skin. If you have visited a rescue or a breeding center, you have probably noticed this. Ending up with a non-fluffy goldie can be really frustrating, especially if you know that Golden retriever puppies should have fluffy coats when they are young. So what can cause a Golden retriever puppy to lack the fluff? Here are a few suggestions. Genetics Genetics plays out a lot in the making of the puppy. Coat length is a hereditary issue. To know if the appearance of the coat is a result of genetics, talk to the breeder and find out if the parents had the same coat. If one of the parents had the same coat or something close when they were little, you definitely have nothing to worry about. Some are long-haired while others are short-haired. The common short-haired variety includes field-bred golden retrievers. Bred to work in the field and hunt, this type has relatively short hair than his counterparts. By now, the hairs are preparing to shoot and so you cannot judge the future based on what you see now. Wait until he turns months of age to observe what is going on before making a conclusive judgment. Typically, a growing puppy needs a perfect balance of fats, proteins, vegetables, and fatty oils to be in top shape. The only way to rule this one out is to visit the vet. Health Issues Last but not least, a non-fluffy Golden retriever puppy may be suffering from health issues that directly impact his coat health. If your pup shows any signs of sickness including decreased appetite, restlessness, stress, anxiety, diarrhea, vomiting, or just being in bad mood for long periods of time, let him be checked. But before you do, you have to know what to expect when it comes to caring for the coat lest you get confused and overwhelmed. Ideally, you want to start grooming your ball of fluff as a puppy. The earlier you start teaching him about grooming, the easier things will be for you because the dog will get used to it early. First things first, a golden retriever should not be shaved. If you shave him, he runs a chance of freezing in winter and suffering a heat stroke during summer. To be safe, simply trim the hairs if they grow too long but really, you may not even need to trim anything. Just locate any long hairs and clip them a bit for a good look. Perhaps the only advisable thing would be to brush the coat once or twice a week to keep it neat and keep any loose hairs away from your surfaces. Brushing allows the body to release its natural oils and makes the coat shiny and cute. A slicker brush will get the job done to perfection. It has a wide surface filled with pins and will help your work through loose hair and mats. What about a Non-Fluffy Coat? Some people consider non-fluffy golden retriever puppies to be less attractive compared to their fluffy counterparts. While that may be true to a certain extent, having a non-fluffy type may be a blessing in disguise. This is because you have less hair to worry about. This means fewer grooming sessions for you as well. The best grooming tool for a non-fluffy golden retriever is the bristle brush. It is less intense and is ideal for your pup. A weekly brushing schedule should do the job. At this stage, expect the puppy to play with the bristle brush and chew it up. That is the whole process of getting him used to it. After a few sessions, he will be comfortable with grooming and will give you an easy time. Final Thoughts Wondering whether to buy a fluffy or non-fluffy golden retriever? Both options are good-looking dogs with the same incredible temperament of the breed. Caring for the coats is slightly different as well as looks but either way, you will have a great canine friend in your golden retriever. Related Posts:. However, like most breeds, they can come with some health concerns and grooming needs you must keep in mind. While many coat issues are a simple fix, this can be a sign of deeper issues that need addressed such as poor nutrition. Your Golden Is Not the Right Age One thing many forget when adding a golden retriever to their family is that their coat will go through several phases. The coat that your puppy arrives to you with will not be the exact same texture as what they grow older with. If your dog is not yet reaching that fluffy golden retriever coat you were hoping for, it may not be time for them to yet. However, this is very normal, and a puppy coat will be much different than the coat later in life. You should focus more on training your pup and teaching good grooming habits at this stage. This feathering begins at the tail and moves upward to the head, while hair begins to darken in color. This is a good idea of what your adult dog will look like. It is important to note that some golden retrievers will take longer to reach their adult coat. After the three year mark, if your dog still does not have a fluffy coat or you notice any coat changes, this is when you should become concerned. If your dog has not yet reached adulthood, their coat is not a major concern and patience is key! As a pet owner, it can be challenging to know exactly what your pet needs and golden retrievers have a fairly high maintenance coat. You will want to offer your pet regular coat care as part of your daily routine. This should start as soon as you bring your puppy home, even before they truly need it. This will establish good grooming techniques and ensure that your dog is used to regular brushing. Removes dead skin cells which will cut down on the levels of dander your pet has. Removing excess dead hairs will avoid matting and keep hair detangled. Start with a softer brush for puppies and get a sturdier brush as your dog ages to remove unwanted dead hairs. Routine Bathing Will Keep Your Golden Fluffy Another important part of raising any dog but especially golden retriever is to routinely bathe your pet. This will help ensure that the coat remains supple and free of any debris. Dogs that have longer coats can easily become entangled with small twigs, burrs, and dirt which are hard to remove without regular bathing. Before bathing your golden retriever, remove any notable sticks or debris. You will want to find a shampoo that works well for the breed, which you can often ask a vet for assistance with. You should only bathe your dog as needed, and never more than a couple of times per week. If your dog is particularly hard to bathe or brush, you may want to take it to a professional groomer. This can also help if your dog has gotten matted or knots that you cannot deal with on your own. Overall, proper coat care is the first step in creating a fluffy coat. Some golden retrievers will simply not have as fluffy coats as others, which is something you cannot necessarily change. If your notice that your puppy grows a less fluffy coat and wavier coat, this may just be their genetics. The first step to determining if your dog simply does not have a fluffy coat is to consult your breeder. Often puppies of two golden retrievers that have wavy hair will also have wavier hair. If your puppy has a coat that resembles the parents, that probably means they too will have a wavy coat. If you have rescued or adopted the dog, this can clearly be a bigger challenge. However, it is simply put that not all golden retrievers will be fluffy, and this should not be a concern unless a major coat change is noticed. There is truly no way that you can alter a genetically based hair texture. Poor Diet and Nutrition One of the biggest reasons for a change in coat in an adult golden retriever is a lack of nutrition. This is also one reason why some goldens do not grow silky, shiny coats as they are not getting the nutrients needed. To ensure that your dog has a fluffy coat, you will want to guarantee they get the nutrients they need. Some signs of poor nutrition that can be noted from the coat alone are excessive shedding, bald patches or extreme loss of hair, dry hair, dandruff, and more. If you notice any of these signs, you will want to seek better quality nutrition for your pet. This can often be done on your own, but a vet can always point you in a proper direction. This will change as your dog grows older and you will want to update foods accordingly. Choose a higher quality food that has better ingredients. Unfortunately, better foods often come with a higher price tag but can be very beneficial to your dog. Try adding supplements to promote hair growth and quality. Omega-3 can be added and will help with coat quality immensely. This should be brought up at your next vet visit for more exact dosages. Environmental Changes Impact Coat Health If you have recently made a major move and brought your pet along or have had a recent change in seasons, this can have an effect. Dryer weather can often lead to a less supple coat. If you have noticed an increase in dry weather in your area, this could be the culprit. Offering more frequent bathing with a higher quality, moisturizing shampoo can also help immensely. If you live in an area that is dry often, you may want to combine these suggestions and speak to a vet for more options on what you can do for your pup. Unknown Health Concerns If you ever notice a change in coat in addition to a change in behavior or overall health, this can be a concern. While this could be a simple issue, it could also be something that needs immediate care. Beyond ensuring that your dog has a healthy coat, a vet can do screenings to find deeper issues. This will help guarantee your dog has a long, healthy life. Proper nutrition and quality routine care will almost guarantee your dog has a fluffy, soft, and silky coat. Share this:.
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bark box puppy - And you would like to get a Haven Kennels German Shepherd. Thank you as I always take that as a compliment and an honor. You have made your decision and now I have my decision to make — whether you are the right home for one of our babies. These puppies are members of our family! We are there when they are born. I sleep on a cot in the puppy room for the first six weeks of their life to make sure our German Shepherd puppies are well socialized and are safe from any harm. A lot of things can happen to puppy in those early days. A mother dog can accidentally lay on a pup injuring it or a pup can choke on something. Rarely will we have a puppy ready for you immediately. All of our litters have waiting lists, and the wait can be a long time sometimes up to 2 years so if you want to have a puppy right away, we may not have one for you. And to be perfectly honest with you, that is the case with most responsible and ethical dog breeders. I make no apologies for the price of our puppies nor do I negotiate price. A lot of work and expense goes into producing puppies of the quality that we offer. If you feel the price is too high, that is your choice. The choice is yours, but do your homework and choose wisely. To download your Haven Kennels Puppy Application, click here. Approval of Your German Shepherd Puppy Application All our potential owners have to go through the same thorough vetting process. The first step is to fill out a puppy application. Please be candid and honest in filling out the application for your Haven Kennels German Shepherd puppy. Your application gives me a lot of information about what you are looking for in a puppy. An informative application aids me in choosing the right puppy to go to your home. I do not allow people to choose their puppy. I have over 50 years of experience in dog training. I have been breeding German Shepherds for service dog work for over 25 years. I carefully watch those puppies from the time they are born and by 6 weeks old I have a very good read on their strengths and weaknesses. When you talk to owners of my previous litters you will find that they are very happy with their dogs and that is because I placed the right dog with the right family. I take great care when I process a puppy application. Trust me, I thoroughly check you out before I allow you to have one of our puppies. I will be calling your vet and local dog officer. I will talk to whoever you put as a personal reference and be asking them lots of questions about you and any dogs you have or had. I will even take a look at your home on Google Maps to see if it fits my standards for an appropriate place for one of our German Shepherds to live. To me it is not about selling dogs but instead finding the perfect home for one of these puppies. If you buy a puppy from Haven Kennels, you will hear from us at least once a year as I check to see how our babies are doing. I love to get emails and pictures of them as they progress through their lives. Once I approve your application and I am sure that you are who you say you are, I will talk with you on the phone. I will also give you contact information so you can call some present owners of Haven Kennels dogs so you can hear firsthand what their experience has been with their dogs and with us as breeders. Our deposits, like most breeders, are non-refundable, except under one circumstance. We will refund your deposit if we cannot provide you with a healthy puppy, meeting the criteria you expressed in your application, within 2 years. We require the 2 year period because a lot can happen in the attempted breeding of a female dog. Female dogs can have split heats, hormonal imbalances, or even skip a heat. We list planned breedings on our home page so you can make a selection if you want a pup from specific parentage. Occasionally we will have quality puppies available from the use of our stud dog, Baratheon von Haven. We are very careful about who we breed our boy to so you can be reassured that one of his puppies are of the same quality as the puppies born here in our kennel. Once in a while, we will have an adult female dog that we are retiring from breeding. These dogs will be years old, neutered, and will be trained and housebroken. It is not very often that we have a retired breeding dog as we tend to not be able to give them up emotionally but we can only keep so many dogs, particularly German Shepherds as they require individual human companionship on a regular basis. These retiring females are a great choice to go to families with small children as they are very tolerant and gentle with kids. Search for:. Our mission is to improve the breed standard, produce stable, clear headed puppies and prepare them for bonding with their new humans. Come and see the difference. Whatever task you may have - a canine from West German Shepherds. Welcome to West German Shepherds. Our mission: to improve the breed standard, to produce stable, clear headed puppies and prepare them for bonding with their new humans. Committed to producing exceptional canines with 14 years of hard-earned expertise and insight; here, you will glean insider information on selecting a German Shepherd pup and why West German Shepherds. She passed away in my arms on Monday September 16th at AM. Brownie was our reigning queen, an alpha female who earned her stripes the hard way; as a result she never flaunted her position but rather ruled with a strong bark and gentle paw. Great with families, working bloodlines, very protective. When the AKC American Kennel Club or CKC either of the 2 following entities Canadian Kennel Club or the Continental Kennel Club registers a new puppy, it does so sight unseen - without ever having evaluated the appearance, health or quality of the parents of the litter. In fact only a minuscule fraction of the tens of thousands of breeding dogs all across America have ever been evaluated. While registration is a great place to start, there is more to consider than whether the dog is registered. Sadly, the marketplace is chock full of puppies with bad genetics and these are from officially registered canine parents. A puppy born with a slight genetic abnormality might come from purebred parents, and can still be registered. An inexperienced or unscrupulous breeder may not recognize the uneven hips on a puppy and sell it to someone who will later breed the puppy. The final outcome will be a new line of registered dogs that are genetically inferior. None of these statements are made to be derogatory of the AKC or CKC, these registration organizations do many wonderful things to improve the health, welfare, training and advocacy of ALL canines. Yes, AKC registration is an important factor that should not be overlooked, but there is much more to contemplate. The pedigree of both parents should be considered as part of your quest for a puppy, the pedigree will list all of the ancestors historically for 3 or 4 generations back up the family tree. All of the canines listed in the pedigree impact the genetics and thereby the health of the offspring. The pedigree itself does nothing to convey the health of a puppy, but it tells the dogs lineage, their titles and country of origin. By searching, you can find a breeder offering puppies from parents with exceptional pedigrees, that have correct body structure, a superior visual appearance, plus the temperament to match your expectations. What is an exceptional pedigree? The more champions in a pedigree, the better. Here is a quick run down of German Shepherd championship titles. The German Sieger beats hundreds of other Champions to be selected this coveted title. The only higher title accomplishment attainable is the World Sieger. It is the same as the Sieger - but is for the female winner of the German National Championship Conformation show. Not many people are familiar with the word Sieger but even less are familiar with the word Siegerin outside of German Shepherd professionals. The Sieger show is held annually in Germany. VA-2 is the Vice- Sieger, etc. The best genetics possible are found in Sieger show winning adult German Shepherds. The puppies born from these bloodlines will be the absolute best in quality and appearance when compared to the average German Shepherd you see on the street. An analogy would be like comparing a shiny Ferrari against a rusted out Ford Pinto. The top bloodlines are found in the VA titled dogs and filtered down into their offspring, but be prepared to pay a significantly premium price for that level of parenthood and prestige. You will hear of dogs described as being from show lines, herding lines or working lines. Show lines refers to canines that are used to compete in conformation shows, herding lines means canines used to herd sheep, working lines denotes canines used to work in protection, Schutzhund or other disciplines. Primarily there are 3 main types of German Shepherd Dogs. Czech Shepherds are longer and leaner in body frame, more narrow across the chest and have taller rear hindquarters. Typical coat colors are black and tan, black and creme, black and silver, brown sable, silver sable and brindled. The coat patterns of a Czech Shepherd run from blanket-back to saddleback and brindled but most are blanket backed. We do not produce Czech Shepherd pups. Yes, Dutch Shepherds still fall under the umbrella of German Shepherds. Dutch Shepherds originated in the Netherlands and are very similar to Czech Shepherds in body form however they are typically more solid, weighty and sturdy than Czech Shepherds. Dutch Shepherds are not very commonly found outside of police or military use. They also present as a harder dog meaning they require an experienced trainer, handler or owner. Obviously there are exceptions to these generalized statements. Dutch Shepherds are brindled in coat color, brindled simply means a mottled and multi-colored un-patterned coat appearance. We do not produce Dutch Shepherd pups. West German Shepherds come from the democratic capitalist state of West Germany. West German Shepherds have shorter more compact torsos, thicker across the chest and have the squatted or lowered hindquarters. It is not that the dogs are stacked or posed for pictures, their rear bone structure is genetically encoded to be positioned more angular than that of a Czech Shepherd. The coat colors of a West German Shepherd are black and red set in a saddleback pattern. While interesting, we do not own or breed for these types, nor am I going to invest any time delving into them further. Over the past 25 years I have owned and bred different types of German Shepherd dogs. I keep track of the litters being sold in our geographic region. The West German type German Shepherd dog is the most sought after type. This is the number one variety of German Shepherd dog that previous GSD owners, consumers, enthusiast and new first time owners are actively seeking. You might assume that the cheap dogs are not as healthy or desirable, and the more expensive ones are a better, safer choice. Breeders know this. Many breeders will put a higher price on their low quality dog to look professional and make their dogs appear more valuable. Some breeders import very expensive dogs so they can breed them to sell puppies at a higher price bracket. An experienced breeder can evaluate a dog by comparing the conformation or show quality, health, physical performance and the ability to work; but can only do so after having studied the breed and being immersed in these canines for many years. One factor that has impacted price structure is the difference between Czech Shepherds and West Germans Shepherds based on an over-inflated value. Many first time German Shepherd buyers are ignorant of this fact. The new buyer will look at a few breeder websites, see the price tag, then sticker shock sets in; so they search again based on a lower initial purchase price and soon find a breeder that sells at lower price tiers. It never was a bargain. Czechoslovakian Shepherds sell for less money for a number of reasons. The market is diluted with them, it seems they are on every street corner. If you want the best German Shepherd for your money you will need to hit the perfect trifecta: choose breeder, bloodline and puppy very wisely. Breed level dogs or dogs used for breeding purposes should be exceptionally beautiful, it should be like a day versus night comparison. Its time for a really bad analogy, but it should be like comparing the cute girl you saw at BurgerDoodle against the hot supermodel on TV. Or for the lady readers, it would be like comparing an overweight plumber to a ripped fitness instructor. There should be an impressive difference between the quality of a German Shepherd breed dog when compared to the German Shepherd you just saw on the street corner. Both parents should have correct body type, not be excessively underweight or overweight, they should have dark eye colors, the coat should be exceedingly beautiful with vivid color pigmentation. The body should be proportional to the animals overall size, the body should not be too short nor should it be too long. The dog should not be a giant massive pound beast, nor should it be a petite 55 pounds worth of dog. The withers should be the high point and the back line or top line should gracefully slope to the hind quarters from there. The torso should appear rugged with powerful legs, the angulation should be correct and the stance when viewed from the side should look as if the German Shepherd were ready or capable of striking in a nanosecond. The West German Shepherd is a herding type breed and should weigh between 70 to 90 lbs and be 22 to 26 inches tall. That is 22 to 24 inches for a female and 24 to 26 inches for a male Toss a ball and observe the adults as they run, their movement should be easy, graceful as if to announce - yep, I can do this all day long! Look to see if the movement is fluid or constrained. Check the eyes, ear and teeth. Eyes should have dark pupil colors, teeth properly aligned, ears should be set close and stand erect, they should be reasonably clean and not coated with goo inside. Do the adult dogs track you as you move around? Are they agitated or nervous at your presence there? Pet them, handle them and look for their response. Nearly every German Shepherd breeder in America will tell you that they have champion bloodlines. Immerse yourself by studying, looking at pictures, making comparisons, asking questions via phone, text or email and then going to visit several of the top contenders. Go visit, meet them in person, ask questions, make notes etc. Choosing a breeder does not sound like a complicated task, however you should visit with several individuals and keep a skeptical eye open. Just because this breeder has nice looking German Shepherds - does not make them an ethical or honest person. Nearly everyone has heard the term puppy-mill. This refers to a large breeding operation that mass produces puppies to sell in a variety of retail outlets. Some of the puppies go to pet stores and boutiques, others are sold on-line and shipped in crates via carrier or air-freight, still others are to be sold at events like dog shows, local flea markets, farmers markets, outdoor festivals or from the back of a pick-up truck. Please beware of purchasing from the aforementioned venues, a large portion of these animals also come with very serious life threatening diseases. The puppy mills are known for over-crowding, unsanitary conditions and harsh treatment of animals since they often operate in secrecy in a warehouse or very remote type location. Another type of breeder is the novice, money driven or back yard breeder. These types are largely copy cats. They read websites of professional breeders and the on-line ads, familiarize themselves with the terminology, soon enough they begin executing their forgery. They position themselves as professional breeders but on a smaller scale, offering puppies that are hand raised etc. If you were to look around their property - they place looks like a normal home, there is no footprint or significant investment to indicate that they have created a top-notch, professional environment for their canines. See the selecting a breeder section for more information on how to identify unsavory breeder types and more specifically what to look out for. The canine breeder should be a walking encyclopedia about the overall health, housing, care, nutrition, exercise and training necessary for the type of canines they are breeding. They should have built up a considerable amount of knowledge, expertise and experience around their breed, they should also be proficient at mating and whelping too. Their kennels and property should reflect careful consideration about every decision that impacts the housing, health and environment for their canines. I highly recommend you visit with a few breeders, there is no substitute for this step. This is an opportunity for you to evaluate the breeder, to observe the adult canine animals and also the time to examine the relationship between the breeder and their animals. If the breeder is a professional - then there should be compelling evidence that they have made a significant investment in providing great facilities for the animals. What is the condition of the fencing, the shelter, the dog house, the whelping area etc? How does the breeder talk, do you feel extremely comfortable with their knowledge, character, speech and demeanor? This is the precise moment in time where you need to follow your gut. I have visited other breeders and seen unbelievable things, such as: When the puppies eat, play, then take a nap; mice scurried out from under the shed and begin scarfing crumbs of food dropped by the puppies. Another breeder had a koi pond with long strands of green slime pond scum, the puppies were using this as a water source; the issue was every time that it rained, the runoff rainwater drained back into the koi pond carrying with it the germs and bacteria from the waste products generated by the puppies. I have met a few great breeders and many really bad ones. In the final analysis - you are not just buying a puppy, but you are buying into the combined genetics of both parents, you are buying into the kennel, the breeder person, their level of knowledge and expertise, lastly whether or not that person is honest and ethical. Believe me - there are some real unsavory characters out there breeding dogs, selling puppies and offering stud service. For more info please read - Selecting a Breeder. The health of the animal is determined by genetics as passed down from both parents. Each pup has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents 16 great great grandparents all of these ancestor impact the offspring. Inquire of the breeder if there are any known genetic problems. Inquire about the frequency of those genetic problems occurring. If a breeder proudly says there have never had a problem with any of their animals then you should consider 1 of 2 possibilities. The very best kennels in the country have encountered genetic problems, but because of strict quality control protocols they move to a different pairing of adults to eliminate the genetic problem or they stop breeding that line altogether. A sincere breeder should offer a health guarantee to protect the customers investment. Always read the contract and ask questions long before making a deposit. A genuine breeder should want to stand behind their puppies, they should want to protect their reputation and provide detailed records. Furthermore a breeder should encourage open communication and build a relationship with their customers, how else will the breeder stay abreast of the health, wellness and genetic factors that are happening within their bloodline? An experienced breeder should have insight as to the traits of each puppy in the litter. The breeder should be able to help show you which puppy best suits your needs based on the criteria you have stated. What is the singular most important trait to you? Do you travel frequently and want a protective dog for your family? Are you seeking a dog for companionship? Is your situation that you have a big family, a lot of friends, neighbors and relatives who visit often and want a family dog? Were you planning on working the dog? Share this information with your breeder and ask them to help steer you towards a puppy that exhibits traits that are well suited for your primary intended purpose. Many clients want to actively choose a puppy, while others are more comfortable with a passive approach, spend time with the litter and allow the choice to be more organic and mutually made by the puppy that is attracted to them. There is nothing wrong with either method but I will offer this - If you want to ensure that you get the puppy with the traits that most closely match your needs, then for optimum results take an active role in making the selection. In each litter there will be certain trait variations the pups have inherited from their parents. Any German Shepherd puppy born in the litter can be trained to serve or work in any type of role that you desire, however some pups are more naturally suited to be self starters and do the task with minimal input from you. A German Shepherd is not naturally a mean or vicious dog, however they are alert, aware and protective. These traits have been locked into them from the start by the nature of the breed, these animals were coded to be discerning from the start. A Golden Retriever is a great congenial dog, it loves everyone it encounters right down to the burglar who is prying open the back window of your home with a crowbar. The Golden Retriever will hold the door open and wag its tail as the contents of the home are being ransacked and loaded into a truck. Now flip the script and try that with the German Shepherd dog. The German Shepherd dog has already been eyeballing everyone long before they set foot on the property. Even if the dog was inside and did not see someone coming - it is always listening for sounds that are non typical for its environment. Go ahead and pry the window open with the crowbar - lets see how that works out for you. Someone may actually get inside but I am pretty confident they will be encouraged to leave hastily by the canine with intense actions of fierce barking, deep growling, hackles up, ears on high alert and eyes laser focused on the intruder. The uninvited guest will drop everything - run out the door with empty arms, a chewed up backside, a renewed fear of God Almighty and total respect for the German Shepherd Dog… Again, the German Shepherd is not a mean dog, it is not a vicious dog, but it is a vigilant dog. It is a watch dog - it is a dog that closely looks after the people that it is bonded to and the place where they live together. All things considered - a German Shepherd is a very practical investment for peace of mind regardless whether you are young or old, single or have a large family. On pickup day I will spend a minimum of an hour and a half with each new owner going over paperwork and the best practices for feeding, health, training, tips on care, etc. With West German Shepherds. You are buying into the tremendous wealth of bloodlines we have selectively cultivated and created, you are buying the expertise we have accumulated in 14 years of running a top notch breeding program. I am passionate about this breed and ensuring that everyone who wants a German Shepherd - has an amazing experience. Please contact me if I can be of service to you. Thank you for visiting West German Shepherds. The original quote was intended for every breed of dog; as German Shepherd owners already know - these canines are far superior to any other breed on the planet! I often repeat - some days you are the dog, some days you are the fire hydrant. More quotes can be found at the bottom of each page. I have three pets at home which answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all afternoon, and a cat that comes home late at night. Do you get the difference? The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment. June 12, Home » How much should a German Shepherd cost? Older puppies with additional training from responsible breeders often cost more. If you are not familiar with the huge differences in shepherds, please reference our article on the different types of German Shepherd Dogs and selecting a German Shepherd breeder. Rescue Dogs There are many great rescues that charge a reasonable fee. There are many costs that go into rescuing dogs. Some shelters specialize in rehabilitating German Shepherds, and this can take a lot of time and money. These shepherds should at a very minimum be AKC certified. With no paperwork, free might be acceptable if you just want to give a dog a new home. Hopefully the people responsible for their actions would also cover deworming, vaccinations and other fees. German Working Line These Shepherds range depending on the breeder, facilities, bloodline, etc. They can be more with additional training. German Show Lines These are dogs that adhere to the breed standard and are significantly different animals. While any dog can be an excellent companion, these are beautiful, extraordinary family members with a little less drive than the working line. The very first steps to picking out a puppy should first be you determining what it is you would like out of your new puppy. First, determine which German Shepherd type fits you best, then, carefully select a breeder. Thank you, Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.