black puppy labradoodle

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. 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. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content. For nearly 50 years we have produced English Labradors in the true style of the all-around dog they were meant to be. Our ultimate goal has been a beautiful dog conforming to breed standards with soundness of temperament and body. Our Labradors retain the hunting ability that has made them the supreme hunting retriever. This intelligent, well-tempered dog is a perfect family companion and service dog. We are pleased to not only have many of our On The Bluff Labradors in pet, show and hunting homes, but also used as guide dogs for the disabled and specialist for airscent detection. Our breeding program strives for perfection in every litter. We use the highest quality stud dogs with a background of multiple Grand Champions. We combine their linage with the outstanding genetics of our females. The result are not just cute, adorable puppies, but dogs that can be well trained, healthy companions for a lifetime. We have never lost sight of our initial goal to produce the perfect Labrador- in mind and body. Feel free to email us for additional information or to get on a waiting list for one of our puppies. Staffed by professional trainers- each puppy receives several weeks and hundreds of hours of individual lessons- Obedience Training, House Living Training, Group Socialization, and Outside Etiquette. We believe our unique training methods and individualized programs sets us apart from any other breeder. Here you will find many adorable pictures of our current puppies.

We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website. Monte Carlo the American Bulldog puppy at 6 weeks Monte Carlo the American Bulldog puppy at 6 weeks "Marilyn is a beautiful three-year-old, pound American Bulldog with a heart of gold. Named after the "greatest female star of all time" Marilyn Monroe, she has a larger than life personality that fits her wonderfully. Marilyn is everything you could ever want out of an American Bulldog—well socialized, protective, obedient, great with children and all animals!!! She is a 7-month-old female American Bulldog who is about 45 lbs. From what I can see she appears to be from the "Scott" or performance line of American Bulls. She is very gentle and learns extremely quickly. I have never raised my voice at her to get her to obey or learn anything; she is very food and praise motivated. Roxy loves to play and run outside but she is relatively inactive and cuddly once indoors. Roxy is a wonderful dog and I am lucky to have her. I would recommend this breed to anyone who can give it the exercise and structured environment it needs to be the best it can. He likes staying very close by me. Very well socialized around people and other dogs. It was very easy to train him on several commands. He was 9 weeks old in this picture and already weighed 25 lbs.!! He has a very outgoing temperament. He already takes on the full-grown Dobermans at the dog park in tug-of-war! He is inactive in the house, but is so playful outside and around other dogs. He hates the vacuum, lol. He actually gets about 2 hours of exercise a day at 10 weeks old but he sleeps for the rest of the night following that. He loves his three brothers, a Great Dane , Chihuahua , and Poodle ; in fact the only thing he loves more is children!! He is able to have fun and run around when we go out, but when we are at home he is able to lay back and relax and chew on toys. At this young age he is already learning commands. I purchased the leashes , etc. The leash truly helps in keep the dogs walking correctly. I tried out his food, and I take the bottled water by Cesar Millan to the dog park so they don't drink the communal water. I always use his techniques, and I train myself before the dog!! Her tail can clear a coffee table in two seconds flat and she snores like the proverbial freight train, but the look of love is so clear in her eyes that all you can do is laugh. I've always had small to medium dogs, but I truly don't think there will ever be another breed for me! His biggest dislikes are the rain and very small dogs. His two best friends are yellow Labs named Bruschi and Molly. How can you not love that face???? This beautiful American Bulldog is named Roxy. Shadow the American Bulldog as a puppy at 10 weeks old Shadow the American Bulldog as a puppy at 6 months old sitting on the couch Shadow the American Bulldog at 10 months old looking over the back of the couch Jynx the XL American Bulldog at 5 years old—"My big boy. He's a gentle giant. Jynx shown here at 5 years old and pounds 56 kg " Tut the American Bulldog puppy at 8 weeks old—"This is Tut. I got him at 5 weeks of age. I never wanted a male dog, but now I won't trade him for anything! At 10 weeks old he weighed 22 pounds. She wasn't sure what to think about the noise the camera was making! She's a very smart girl, but awfully stubborn! We have started obedience training with her and although commands take a while to imprint, once she has it, she's golden! She now sits in her "spot" in the kitchen and waits quietly and patiently while we fill her food and water bowl. When her bowls are full she continues to wait patiently, all eyes on us, until we tell her "Good girl, you can have it! He has been a tremendous addition to our family!! We are a family of five and never before had a dog. He loves to fetch, play tug and when it is time to mellow out, he does!!! He simply picks a spot in the room and relaxes while we go about with our business!! We couldn't be happier with Cooper and can't wait for everything that is to come!!! Maggie is a three-year-old American Bulldog. Her mom is a Johnson type and her dad is a Scott type. We did not know anything about this breed before we got her but we quickly realized that we had to learn fast. She is very strong-willed and also just plain strong! This breed needs hours of exercise a day and a strong pack leader. By fulfilling her needs, we have been able to see her develop to her full potential. American Bulldogs are not for everyone so please choose this breed only after very careful thought. She is loving, fearless and protective. She is also exceptionally smart. She knows her toys by name and could play hide-and-seek for hours. When we tell her to go to her bed she does and does not get up until given permission so we can eat dinner without her begging for bits. She truly listens to her people and is eager to please. She does not like looking at herself in the mirror and she growls at animals on TV and in movies. We will never own a different breed. She has our hearts forever. We've had CeeCee about 5 months now and she has become a very much loved member of our family. Talk about personality! If it weren't for his instruction, CeeCee would be unmanageable. We didn't train her to do or not do anything; she just did her thing and usually agreed with us and followed us around. I started walking for my sanity's sake and she enjoyed tagging along.She was a little over a year old when she was given to us by friends who had to move across the country and couldn't take her along. So before she came to our house, we started reading everything we could find on American Bulldogs. I saw the info on the dogbreedinfo site about Cesar and devoured his book. We found the show and soon after I started ordering the DVD sets so I could watch the episodes over and over. As soon as she got here, we took her for a long walk together. She thinks any package left by the delivery man is her new chew toy, and still gets too excited occasionally, but she is learning to sit still and control her impulses. Our neighbors have wolf-dogs that occasionally get loose and it doesn't scare CeeCee a bit wish I could say the same for me. She holds her own and is gradually winning them over. CeeCee came to us during a time when I was grieving a very traumatic event. She was the catalyst for letting go of things I couldn't fix or change. At first, we were tempted to rename her Bessie. She had just had a litter of pups and the resemblance to your average Holstein was remarkable. Now, all trimmed up and dressed in her fancy black lipstick, she makes us all smile. He is my first dog and has been the best dog anyone could ever have asked for. After originally being chosen by another owner, Casey spent the first 2 months on his own crated nearly 23 hours a day, by himself without a toy in his crate. Since that time he has been the most loveable, affectionate dog anyone could ask for. He loves to play with other dogs, especially his new 3-month-old sister. He even tries to play with our 3-year-old cat. A true Johnson bully, he loves to be out doors running and training. His favorite things to do are play with his football, play tug, dig holes and eat freshly fallen snow. My husband has watched the Dog Whisperer gaining a lot of tips on how to get Carson to "calm" down. She loves people and thinks that everyone must love her. After using some of the techniques on the show, she has really changed into a calmer dog. Rose was a rather destructive puppy, but only when left alone. I had to crate her during periods when my wife and I would both be away to keep her from destroying our home or ingesting foreign objects. I thought we had taken on more than we could handle, but she learned commands and tricks faster than any dog I'd ever had. We began educate ourselves, and the first step was to walk her 2 miles a day, play fetch and Frisbee for marathon sessions, built her a "spring pole" of sorts, and even take long bike rides with her on leash. Her excitability at newcomers decreased right away, and her furniture-chewing habit ceased. Currently at almost 4 years old, she's the best dog I could ever hope for. I shudder to think that we considered giving her up for adoption, and now people ask us how we have such a well-trained dog! And Rose required being handled a bit more sternly than the Labs, Rottie, and mostly mixed breeds I'd owned previously. Only one harsh correction was usually needed; two thousand light vocal reprimands meant nothing. Today if we are playing fetch and the ball goes over the fence, she looks at me almost trembling and I can either tell her "get it" allowing her to hop the fence, retrieve, and hop back or give her a stay command. At 18 months of age, I never believed this dog could restrain herself from any impulse. I only have one dog of this breed to draw on, but I'd venture to say that the American Bulldog needs stimulation, love, play, but most of all exercise and an occasional heavy hand early on, so we could establish her place in our pack. She has made my wife and me far more physically active than we had been, and even that is life enhancing. They are incredibly powerful; playing tug with her has to be experienced to be believed. At only 78 pounds, Rose can jump, pull and bite like nothing else. She once jumped up and bit a tree limb and just hung and shook after I took her rope toy down from the limb. Their enthusiasm is a big part of their charm, but I would not recommend this breed to a busy person who can't devote the time. She is great around kids, cats, other dogs, and even just barks or whimpers when she encounters a snake or turtle while we're camping. But Rose was on the fast track to being given up, when we realized she simply needed more exercise and for us to be more firm with her. He requires a lot of exercise or he can get himself into trouble he is very strong. The most important thing in raising him was being firm and consistent on everything. He is very smart and learns things quickly, even bad habits. He is somewhat protective of females and children around strangers, but if introduced loves everyone. Benelli is excellent with our 2 young children, ages 2 and 3. She's so calm and gentle that my 3-year-old can hold the leash while we go for walks. She absolutely loves our cats and she gets along very well with our other dog. This is our first American Bulldog and we couldn't ask for a better dog!! Her name is Wanda. I have learned so much about her from your website; it is very interesting and useful. I taught her how to sit and how to walk beside me , not in front of me by your instructions. We live in El Salvador in Central America. He's my first AB and I am impressed with the breed. His father is a Johnson type doggy and his mom a Scott type. Porky the American Bulldog puppy at 10 weeks, weighing 21 pounds Belle the American Bulldog at 3 years old—"We rescued Bella a year ago from a pen in a neighbor's garden. She weighed 34 pounds 17 kilos and had ten pups inside her. She was a very scared and seemed to be an aggressive dog. I broke through the fence when no one had been to her cage for 4 days. After a lot of shouting and abuse from my neighbor she eventually let me have her. She had 10 pups in my summerhouse and slowly each day she came to trust me a little more. She still growled and was scared of everyone else. We brought her into our house and had a cage for her. Cesar Millan was and is my hero. He gave me the belief in myself that I could cope with such a big scared dog. We have now had her for a year. She is like a different dog. She sleeps with the cats that she once so wanted to attack. She no longer needs the hated cage and loves visitors that used to scare her. I have never had a dog before and to be honest never really wanted one, but my Bella has filled a gap I never knew was there. So for anyone out there thinking about owning a rescued American Bulldog all you need is lots of patience, a strong will and a touch of Cesar Millan. History The American Bulldog descended from ancient Mastiffs, brought to Europe by nomads in , during the reign of Caesar. Due to its incredible courage and fighting ability, it was used to fight or bring down belligerent and threatening preys like wild bears, big cats, etc. A very tough strain of Mastiff called Alaunts came in after the arrival of the Normans around AD. The breeding of the mastiffs to the Alaunts' produced the English Bulldog. Its 'lock jaw grip' ability enabled it to chase, catch and hang onto the nose, throat or cheek of any large animal and not let them go, no matter how hard the animal struggled. During 17th and 18th centuries, English Bulldog was commonly used as a guardian and butcher dog on farms to hold livestock. It was also being used in blood sports like bull-baiting, for gambling and entertainment purposes. In , bull-baiting was banned in the United States, and the bulldog was conceived as a loving and submissive pet. Johnson and his father decided to revive the breed. With Alan Scott and several other breeders, they began to breed American Bulldogs and maintained their health and working abilities. Later, Johnson and Scott separated and bred two different versions of the American Bulldog. Appearance The American Bulldog is well-built, stocky and hard-working with powerful jaws. Its muzzle is square and box-shaped, and ears are uncropped or rose-shaped. It has a short and smooth coat, that is stiff to touch. The Bulldog has a white coat or any color pattern including black, red, brown and all shades of brindle. It has a pigmentation especially black on the nose and the eye color is brown. American Bulldogs can be droolers, if they are looser jowled or lipped.

Can puppies eat carrots? A Toy Box. This is better than having all of the toys down at the same time as puppies quickly become bored. If you like, you can allow your pup to have a look at the box each morning and choose their own toys for the day! Should I let my puppy play with a box? Do puppies like cardboard boxes? Well, first of all, dogs love to chew. So, your dog might just find the cardboard to be a fun and exciting chew toy. Shredding a cardboard box to pieces is a lot of fun. Do dogs like to be in boxes? Introducing … busy boxes! Not only do dogs love receiving these boxes, but they provide an appropriate opportunity for your dog to think, chew and enjoy. Can dogs play with cardboard box? Although it is not toxic to your pet, it is indigestible. Do puppies need blankets at night? Indestructible bedding is best for a puppy. Avoid blankets and towels, which a puppy can reduce to shreds and then swallow. How long do 8 week old puppies sleep? Most puppies will sleep about 18 to 20 hours a day to support their fast-growing brains and bodies. Puppies from 8 to 12 weeks old may seem to go from zero to 60 out of nowhere, then suddenly pass out to nap within minutes of being in overdrive. Why do dogs like to sleep in boxes? Each dog has his own space and often is fond of sleeping in his or her kennel. Some dogs simply feel more secure in confined surroundings. Not every dog likes small, confined spaces. What happens if a puppy eats cardboard? No, cardboard is not usually toxic to dogs. Eaten in small quantities, it is unlikely to cause any problems to your pet. Most dogs will be fine after eating a small amount of cardboard or paper. How can I get my puppy to stop nipping? However, this is completely normal for puppy teething and necessary for development, and something you can train away with a few simple steps. Teach your puppy bite inhibition. Can a puppy sleep in a cardboard box? The box should be big enough for the puppy to stretch out and sleep but not so large that he can move away from any mess he makes. It should be tall enough so that he cannot climb out. Is cardboard bad for puppies? The key here is to keep an eye on them, and look out for the following symptoms: Diarrhea. Can I put my puppy in a box at night? Are toilet rolls bad for dogs? Eating toilet paper can lead to serious digestive issues. At the very least, your pup may experience an upset stomach as the toilet paper passes through their system. This could cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and lethargy. How do you entertain a dog with a cardboard box? To help dog owners, The Dog's Trust has shared eight fun ways to turn cardboard boxes and toilet roll tubes into DIY dog games — and they're incredibly easy for everyone to have a go at. From activities involving their favourite treats, to games using things you may have left over from online deliveries, there are many ways you can keep your dog active, without stepping outside your front door. Want to give them a go? Take a look at the games below.Creating a figure eight how-to video above 1. This game is a simple way to introduce some fun into your pup's day. First, get two cardboard boxes and set them apart at a little distance. Next, hold your dog's favourite toy or treat in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you've got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed. Digging game For this game, you will need an empty cardboard box and some old scrunched-up newspaper. All you have to do is tear the newspaper into pieces you can also use regular paper, too and place into the box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig away! Paws-up game This game is incredibly simple but also mentally stimulating for your pup. Take the cardboard box and see if you can get them to put their front paws on the box. Then switch it over and see if they can put their back feet up. Bowling balls Take your empty kitchen roll tubes and grab a soft fabric dog ball. Have a competition with your pup and see how many of the tubes you can knock down. It's a great way to create a bond with your pet. Create a tunnel for your pup For this game, you will need to cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through the tunnel by hiding treats at the end. Perfect to do inside if you don't have a garden. Memory game This game is great for helping to jog your dog's memory. Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them make sure your dog sees you do this. Next, hold up a sheet to block your dog's vision and then drop it to see if they remember which box the treat was in. Keep playing the game to see how many times they get it right. Related Story Dog games to play with your pup 7. Snoot challenge To play this game, cut a hole out of your box and see if your dog can poke their nose through it. It's a fun way to keep them entertained during lockdown. Teach your dog to read To begin with, start by writing down different words such as sit, down and paw on different boxes. Once you've written the words on the boxes, speak them aloud and ask your dog to do what it says. Remember to reward your pup with a tasty treat once they have guessed it correctly. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Can Puppies Chew on Cardboard? Raising dogs can be fun, but it takes all the responsibility of raising a child. Knowing what behaviors should and shouldn't concern puppy owners helps puppies receive the responsible care that they need. Puppies can chew on cardboard. Cardboard is not toxic, it won't hurt them, and it doesn't cause sickness. Chewing on cardboard is also a good activity during teething as it helps them to learn about their environment. However, get them to stop early on to prevent bad habits of chewing later. While carboard isn't toxic to puppies, it can be indicative of various health issues and should still be regulated. It can also lead to bad habits that should lead puppy owners to consider other creative, energy-engaging activities for their pets to enjoy. Why is it Okay? Chewing on cardboard is okay simply because it isn't toxic to puppies, and it doesn't have any negative effects on their teeth. In fact, especially at the puppy age, it can be an enrichment activity as puppies learn about the world around them. Teething will also be an uncomfortable period of growth, and puppies will be looking for ways to numb the pain. Think about puppies as though they were a human baby. As babies grow, they become more mobile and curious about the world around them and their teeth. During this growth period, they will learn to chew on soft foods, and they'll probably shove an unidentified object into their mouth, that they picked up off the ground, and that their parent will spend the next 30 seconds trying to dig out. Ultimately, they'll be fine, if not a bit confused. Puppy owners can expect the same for their small canine friends. Chewing on a bit of cardboard as their teeth come in, and maybe even swallowing a small piece or two, won't do any harm to the puppy. They're just trying to experience their environment through tastes and textures, and relieve some pressure on their growing teeth. Can it Be a Bad Habit? While chewing cardboard is fine, it can lead to bad habits, as well as become a health issue. Chewing and then eating cardboard begins to become a health issue if large amounts are ingested. Because cardboard isn't digestible , it can cause an intestinal blockage, which will lead to symptoms such as appetite loss, weight loss, weakness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Ingesting too much cardboard is perhaps the worst it will do to a puppy. However, other results of chewing cardboard can result in annoying behaviors for their owners. If a puppy really loves chewing cardboard, it may start to seek out cardboard and similar items on its own. These items might be toilet paper, books, and yes, homework. Some people use cardboard boxes to store important documents which will lead to double trouble for unsupervised puppies! As puppies find similar chewy textures around the house, the potential for them to create surprise messes will grow. In order to keep chewing cardboard from becoming a destructive habit, it will be important to regulate the activity as soon as a puppy is introduced to it. How To Regulate Chewing on Cardboard Firstly, knowing why puppies chew can help their owners better understand when the behavior is good and when it is getting out of hand. Chewing behavior can be caused by several different issues. At its most basic root, it may be a result of your puppy teething. Puppies may teethe from two weeks of age to eight months, at which point they should have their adult teeth. Because of this, as was mentioned earlier, chewing on cardboard may be an activity of relief or curiosity during this period of growth. Additionally, excessive chewing in a puppy can potentially indicate a health issue known as pica, which is when pets eat or chew unconventional things. In puppies, it may look like an especially unnatural penchant for chewing—and eating—cardboard and other paper products. The behavior can be addressed by ensuring that puppies are receiving proper nutrients and exercise, or by mixing up the variety of toys and food that puppies receive. Not all chewing behavior is meant to be interpreted as pica. As long as puppies are receiving proper care for all their health needs and display other healthy chewing behaviors, chances are that their cardboard chewing habits are not detrimental. In order to ensure that chewing on cardboard doesn't lead to destructive habits, the best action that puppy owners can take is to regulate how often and how long puppies are allowed to chew on cardboard. Because chewing on cardboard can lead to puppies destroying other paper products, and even books, they should be constantly supervised when gnawing on this particular toy. If puppies begin to seek out cardboard on their own, their owners can take the opportunity to remove the unregulated item and redirect them to a variety of toys to chew on, such as bones, balls, or a noise-making toy. Playing with puppies will also focus their energy on the toy being used, and create fun memories at the same time! Another solution may be the simple fix of getting them a meal. Slow feeders for puppies can help them to get proper nutrients, as well as chewing stimulation from slower eating. Introducing a variety of slow feeders can help stimulate a growing puppy's mind, allowing them to divert their focus from cardboard. Lastly, if regulating their interactions with cardboard isn't doing enough to keep them from seeking it out on their own, then puppy owners may need to puppy-proof the house by keeping cardboard and similar items out of the reach of their pets. This may look like reorganizing bookshelves, moving tissue boxes onto high shelves, keeping important documents secure, closing bathroom doors, and either using a more secure disposal for recyclables or moving them to the garage. All in all, if a puppy is just enjoying a moment to gnaw on the corner of a box, there isn't anything to worry about. Let them explore the world around them and see what else they might discover! Cindy J. Cindy is a prolific writer and online researcher who can't imagine life without dogs. There is scarcely a dog topic she has not researched or written about. Her love for dogs and helping dog parents is evident by the thousands of dogtemperament. Most of all, each topic Cindy writes on helps forge a stronger bond and understanding between her and her happy Catahoula Leopard Dog Jossie. Why Do Dogs Love Cardboard? Many dog lovers have noticed their dog has a special love for cardboard boxes or paper towel rolls. And, is it a reason to worry? Why would our dogs love it so much? Especially when they have their delicious doggy food. Well, first of all, dogs love to chew. So, your dog might just find the cardboard to be a fun and exciting chew toy. Shredding a cardboard box to pieces is a lot of fun. Pieces go flying. And your dog has made a huge accomplishment. He fought a cardboard box… and he won. But… if eating items other than their food becomes compulsive your dog could have pica. Pica is a condition where our dogs or humans eat foreign items. Instincts or Boredom? The cardboard, or paper, could also be an instinct thing. Hear me out. When paper or cardboard is shredded, could you imagine it feeling like feathers in their mouth? Our dog could just be plain out bored. And, when dogs are bored, they will find themselves something to do. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog. The main worry we have with a dog eating cardboard is that it could obstruct their intestines. The treatment might range from stool softeners to surgery, but you want them to make the decision. Stop Chewing the Toilet Paper Rolls There are a couple of behavioral issues that could be causing your dog to eat cardboard. Before diving into the behavioral side of things , you should first talk to your veterinarian. Better safe than sorry in all of these situations. The first step on the behavior side of the spectrum… find out if your dog is just plain out bored. Take him for an extra walk. And, play with her a little longer than usual. You can even try a mental stimulation toy for dogs- like a puzzle. Yes, there are puzzles just for dogs. Brain Puzzles for Dogs Brain puzzles for dogs give your dog a job. They give your dog a sense of purpose. Before you start breaking them down and putting them in the recycling, you can find useful ways to reuse them around the house. For pet owners, there is only one rightful place for those unused boxes and your animals will make sure to let you know! Whether you have cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, or birds, a cardboard box makes for hours of entertainment for your pet! Cats, as we all know, have the biggest personalities. From knocking things off counters and attacking your feet, to following you around the house and rubbing themselves all over you to show their affection. Although every cat has its own unique personality, you can almost always count on them to fall in love with a simple cardboard box. There are a few reasons that cats absolutely adore cardboard boxes: Cave Like Enclosure — Despite being domesticated and comfortable in your home, cats have natural instincts. They are both predators and prey in the wild so they feel the need to observe their surroundings in a safe, secure place. Safe Zone — Cats simply love confined spaces. Cardboard boxes provide cats with comfort and security and allow them to hide from unwanted attention and relax. Insulated — Cats tend to feel more comfortable at a much higher temperature than us humans. This of course depends on multiple factors including breed, hair length, and more. Cardboard boxes are an excellent insulator, cats can stay nice and warm which is another huge draw for them. Scratching Post — Some cats love to scratch and while there are many different types of scratching contraptions on the market for your cat, a cardboard box will often take the cake. So, you might as well put them to use! You can cut holes, build tunnels or even build a whole kitty castle. Your cat will love it and you! There are several reasons why dogs chew such as teething pain, cleaning their teeth, and strengthening their jaw. However, not all chewing can signify a healthy behavior as some chewing can be a result of boredom, anxiety, and other issues. Can Dogs Eat Cardboard Boxes? Although it is not toxic to your pet, it is indigestible. A small amount of cardboard consumed by your dog during play is unlikely to cause a problem and not concerning. In order to prevent your dog from eating cardboard, you should always monitor them while they play with the material. If your dog has a continued tendency to eat cardboard, consider another option for mentally stimulating them. Bunnies are becoming more and more popular as household pets. They are each unique in their own way and full to the brim with personality and energy. Rabbits love to be mentally stimulated and they have their own special category of toys that are very different from a traditional cat or dog toy. They love chewing, tossing, digging, and pushing around their toys. Cardboard provides an all-in-one solution! Insider tips: Fill your cardboard rolls with hay and other fun snacks to pique their interest. Rip up small bits of cardboard and paper into another cardboard box to create a digging box. Put a few treats or pellets in the box to get them to dig and forage for food. Can Bunnies Eat Cardboard? Cardboard is perfectly okay for your bunny to chew on, shred and tear apart. A small amount of ingestion is also inevitable and not a concern when it comes to rabbits, however, it is important to closely monitor how much cardboard your bunny may be consuming. Rabbits have delicate digestive systems and too much cardboard can cause obstructions and other issues. Keep an eye on your rabbits when playing with their cardboard toys until you can determine what kinds of habits your bunny may have. If they consume their cardboard while playing, try limiting their time or the amount of cardboard you give them to prevent any digestion issues. At The Packaging Company, we know how important your pets are to your family. We are not only happy to hear that our natural cardboard boxes provide safe spaces and hours of fun for your pets, but we are thrilled to see them being reused before they are sent to compost or recycling. We love when customers repurpose our materials, so much so we wrote a whole other blog about it, check out how to repurpose your moving supplies today! Submit a Comment Your email address will not be published.

The mother dog was my first bitch to give birth naturally. First bitch to give birth naturally Every breeder someday has bad luck; for me it was in and .An unsuccessful litter by means of a C-section and all the pups were still-born. Then a litter with only one pup, again a C-section. I had no choice but to keep this one pup, otherwise I would have lost one of my two breeding lines. Nobody could understand why I kept Happy because she was no beauty. I knew, however, that I had never had such an energetic and tenacious bitch. From the outset, these never-ending C-sections and unnatural rearings have been a thorn in my side. To this day, many breeders believe that English Bulldogs cannot give birth naturally and would die during a natural birth. The C-section appointment is determined in advance, without giving the bitch a chance to whelp. The mother dog is often so groggy after the birth due to the strong anaesthesia that the pups are not left with the mother because of the danger of being crushed. The mother comes into contact with her pups only as a milk bar. These breeders are convinced that they are raising their pups with special devotion! On 22 July , Happy began having dilation contractions, and I telephoned my veterinarian as usual for the birth. He had gone hunting and was not available. What now? So I tried what the vast majority of breeders fear to this day. Success: my first naturally born litter with six perfectly healthy pups L1 litter , whose mother could take care of them day and night. Happy, by the way, lived to be almost 12 years old and became the first Swiss Veteran Champion. A pup has just been born. This birth and the natural rearing the mother dog was always with the pups were a sensation on Facebook. I am now looking back on the fifth generation of naturally birthing Bulldog bitches, who have, by the way, very frequently placed very high in international shows. A Complete Guide Having a litter of puppies is an exciting and tiring experience! To watch those well-rounded puppies grow and head off to their forever homes to be lifetime companions is a magical moment. The entire puppy raising process starts at birth. Bulldogs have many health issues and daily exercise is taxing on their stocky frames. With their stubby legs and small bodies, many wonder if a bulldog can give birth naturally. In general, bulldog puppies are often too large for the birth canal. This requires the aid of a trained veterinarian to perform a c-section. However, some bulldog breeds do not require c-sections and can have a natural birth. Breeding bulldogs is complicated and not always the same from start to finish. While some conditions and issues are common when our bulldogs are expecting, bulldog breeds often present a few challenges. Some issues are natural breeding, whether they can whelp naturally, and even if they are pregnant which can be surprisingly difficult to determine. Can Bulldogs Get Pregnant Naturally? While the answer is yes, bulldogs can get pregnant naturally. First, with many bulldog breeds, the chest, shoulders, and head are much larger than their hips. What this means is that the dog is usually heavier in the front than they are in the back. When a male bulldog mounts a female, his front weight pushes down the backend of the female bulldog. This makes it very difficult for them to obtain a tie. Is My Bulldog Pregnant? Unfortunately, signs are few and far between for pregnant bulldogs and all dogs in general. In fact, most signs and symptoms do not occur until your bulldog is over 40 days pregnant. However, when you start to see signs, you can quickly determine if your female is pregnant or not. If you find that your dog is napping more than usual, especially around week 3, there is a good chance she is pregnant. Morning Sickness: I already mentioned this, but dogs can have mild sickness. This means she has decreased appetite around day 21 and may vomit. Increase in Appetite: This can be difficult to determine, but as the weeks progress, you should find that your pregnant dog eats more than usual. Nipple Changes: Every dog is different when it comes to nipple changes. Some changes are early in the pregnancy and others have none until close to delivery. However, you can usually spot differences in nipples by 3 or 4 weeks. Nipples will be slightly darker and will start to look rounded in shape. Finally, you may see hair loss around the nipples as her body prepares for nursing. Changes in Temperament: Another symptom that varies from dog to dog, changes in temperament are a good sign. Often, bulldogs become clingier or go off on their own. Any abnormal behavior for your dog could be a sign that she is pregnant. Your dog gains weight if she is pregnant, but most of the weight gain is seen closer to the end of the pregnancy. Knowing if your bulldog is pregnant is tricky because female bulldogs show few signs. How Long are Bulldogs Pregnant All dogs follow the same pregnancy schedule, regardless of breed, and will usually deliver their puppies on day 63 from ovulation. Breeders follow a guideline of 59 to 70 days from the date of the first breeding. Your bulldog should deliver any time in those 11 days, but frequently, they will deliver on day .You will usually know the date of ovulation and the vet will simply do the c-section on day 63 or when the bulldog shows signs that labor is imminent. What is a Bulldog Pregnancy Like? The best way to understand your pregnant bulldog is to learn about the weeks of pregnancy. With dogs, week 1 of pregnancy starts on the day of ovulation or the day of the first breeding. Bulldogs are pregnant for roughly 9 weeks before they deliver and a lot is happening during those weeks. Your bulldog female, or bitch, is bred this week and you may notice that she is a bit tired. Life should return to normal during this week. Regular activities should continue, and your dog will eat a normal amount of food. Your dog, more than likely, is in heat for another week , but you can continue with her regular schedule. She may be her usual self and return to how she was prior to her heat. During this week the vulva stays slightly swollen However, this can be hard to notice, especially in maiden bitches. Week Three: During this time, the embryos are finally attaching to the lining in the uterus. Too much weight gain can cause complications. During this week, you can get a blood test to detect relaxin, which indicates pregnancy. A slight increase in food is all that is needed. Your female bulldog can continue her usual activities and exercise at this stage of pregnancy. Week Five: Between day 30 and 35, after the first breeding, you can schedule an ultrasound to determine if your furry friend is pregnant. With your pregnant bulldog, you should start to see some weight gain. In addition, her appetite will increase and will need more food on a daily basis. Be careful not to overfeed her. In addition, avoid any strenuous activity, but incorporate daily exercise. Your pregnant bulldog may be tired and need small, frequent meals throughout the day. Week Six: You may notice that week six is when your bulldog begins to reduce how much she is eating. To help offset this, portion her meals into more feedings per day. Mood wise, she may be sleeping more. You may find that she is very uncomfortable and should monitor her behavior to know what she needs. See also Do Bulldogs Fart? And How to Stop It! Week Seven: Week seven is similar to the previous week. Your female will be uncomfortable, and she may start looking for a quiet place to sleep. She may also become clingier than usual. When week seven arrives, you are getting closer to delivery day! You should be able to feel puppies moving and your pregnant bulldog may start losing her hair around her nipples. Now is the time to start setting up a space for her to give birth. Week Eight: If you are planning to do an x-ray, now is the week to do it. During this time, the skeletons of the puppies have calcified enough to be picked up on an x-ray. This is a great way to find out how many puppies your bulldog is having and will help you plan for the delivery or c-section. Your pregnant bulldog may start producing milk this week, however, not all dogs produce milk at this stage. Some can start producing shortly after the puppies are born. Now is the time to keep a close eye on your female. Week Nine: This is the week when your pregnant bulldog is due! She can go any time and you want to watch for nesting behavior. In addition, her temperature should spike before dropping down by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you are planning a c-section, monitor her temperature in case your pregnant bulldog goes into labor before the scheduled surgery. Bulldog Pregnancy Cycle. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Dystocia difficulty in giving birth can occur for a variety of reasons. Both affect the English bulldog Johnston et al and lead to a very high rate of dystocia in this breed. Abnormalities of pelvic shape have been investigated in relation to dystocia in the Boston terrier and Scottish terrier Eneroth et al but, as far as we are aware, there have been no corresponding studies in the English bulldog. The foetal factor that is most likely to cause dystocia is a large head Johnston et al .The larger the puppy the greater the risk. The English bulldog is a brachycephalic breed. Dogs with brachycephalic airway disease have a shortened and distorted upper airway, narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and an abnormal larynx voice box. Secondary to these airway obstructions, these dogs can develop collapsed airways, especially involving the larynx and trachea. These defects commonly make it difficult for the breed to breathe adequately whilst undertaking normal activity. Stress caused by exercise, excitement, heat or giving birth can exacerbate this and lead to collapse and death. It is likely that a proportion of the large number of caesarean sections carried out on English bulldogs are elective procedures arranged by breeders to avoid any chance of dystocia and the risk of asphyxiation of whelping bitches as might otherwise occur during the normal birth process Harvey .Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Dystocia is a severe welfare problem for the affected bitch and, if untreated, it will usually lead to her death. Treatment of a bitch that is having difficulty giving birth involves transportation of the dog to a veterinary practice for examination and imposes further stressors for a brachycephalic dog with breathing difficulties. Uterine contractions are painful and control of this pain is difficult in the home environment, so any delay in the birth process causes more prolonged and severe pain than usual. Caesarean section is usually required to treat English bulldogs with dystocia. Unplanned, emergency caesarean sections are likely to have a higher welfare impact than either natural birth or elective caesarean, and a higher death rate for the puppies. Caesarean sections are major surgical procedures and anaesthesia presents particular risks to brachycephalic dogs because of their abnormal respiratory tracts and breathing difficulties. It is likely that a significant proportion of caesarean sections in English bulldogs are performed electively. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact If untreated, dystocia may continue for up to hours although, as this time goes on, mortality among the puppies will increase. If a caesarean is performed, there will be pain from the surgery for some days although effective analgesia should be available. A further issue is that if live puppies have been delivered and the bitch is to rear them normally then their sucking on a teat close to the surgical wound may cause her pain in the first week, or so, after the procedure. Return to top 4. English bulldogs were found in a study undertaken in Canada and the USA, to be in the top five of the breeds most likely to have elective and emergency caesarians Moon et al .From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are English bulldogs Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around 50, Return to top 5. Diagnosis A normal labour has three stages. In the first stage, the body prepares itself for birth with the cervix relaxing and dilating. During this stage, if left alone, the bitch in the wild would seek seclusion and dig a den. The second stage involves the loss of uterine fluids, progressively more vigorous straining, and birth of the puppies. The third stage of labour is delivery of the foetal membranes and, in dogs, this stage can be concurrent with the second stage, as membranes are sometimes expelled with their puppy. In some cases of dystocia, stage two never starts and dystocia is diagnosed once a dog is recognised not to have progressed from stage one to stage two after about 24 hours. Radiographs can be used to investigate if foetal-pelvic disproportion is the cause and to help in judging if normal birth will be possible. Return to top 6. The part of the canine genome responsible for brachycephaly has been identified and two genes have been implicated Bannasch et al .There are no genetic tests to help determine which dogs are least at risk of dystocia and therefore most suitable for use in breeding. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? All female English bulldogs are at risk of this condition. All puppies have the brachycephalic head shape and many bitches are unable to give birth naturally because of this and perhaps also because of pelvic abnormalities. Thus it is very difficult to find a puppy which has not been born via caesarean section. Ideally only puppies born by natural birth from a bitch that did not have dystocia, should be used for breeding. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem It might be argued that breeding from dogs that had been born naturally would help to select for a strain population able to give birth naturally in the future. However, any advantages that might bring would have to be 'weighed' carefully against the risks associated with allowing all births to progress naturally rather than undertaking elective caesarians to preclude the risk of dystocia. It might be possible to assess the size and shape of the pelvises of prospective mothers, as has been described for Boston and Scottish terriers by Eneroth et al .These authors found that bitches in which the pelvis was larger vertically than horizontally were less likely to suffer from dystocia. Breeding from such dogs, and from those with the greatest pelvic measurements, might be a reasonable approach and may be helpful in reducing the incidence of dystocia. However, this speculative proposal has not been validated and might be hard to undertake in practice. As yet no such scheme is in operation. Given the high proportion of animals that appear to suffer from foetal-pelvic disproportion in this breed, efforts to breed only from a minority judged to have the best chances of giving birth naturally might risk, through diminution of the size of the breeding population, inadvertent selection for other genetic diseases. Selecting for smaller head size in puppies is theoretically possible and, if successful, would probably help in reducing the incidence of dystocia. However, this might result also in unpredictable changes to other aspects of conformation or biology. Efforts directed at reducing the prevalence and severity of brachycephalic airway disease in the breed eg by out-crossing with dogs that are not affected with this disease would probably have an impact through reducing the severity of the brachycephaly itself. Return to top 9. Return to top .References Bennett D Normal and abnormal parturition.

I enjoy taking a bath and being brushed. I would be a great addition to the family. All dogs are microchipped, neutered, current on all vaccines, heartworm tested if age appropriate , and up to date on preventatives at the time of adoption. All household members and any dogs from the household need to be present at the time of your appointment. A photo ID will be required at the time of adoption. The shelter is currently open by appointment only with an approved application. Please note, all applications are considered general and stay on file for 6 months. Specific animals are NOT put on hold for adoption. When you visit, the adoption counselors will be able to make suggestions based on the type of pet you are looking for and help you find the best fit for your family. Animal House Shelter cannot guarantee the breeds of the adoptable animals. The animals are posted on the website as the breed or breed mix based on their physical characteristics they most resemble. We also cannot guarantee the ages of our adoptable animals or how large puppies will be when fully grown. We look forward to seeing you soon! Watch Us On YouTube! Follow Us On Twitter! They are breeders who maintain the highest standards of quality and care at their facility. Vom Ragnar is a top-quality breeder in Chicago Illinois. This facility has been owned and operated since its inception by Natalya Babenko, who is a licensed veterinarian. The facility maintains one of the highest quality standards for breeders and trainers of French Bulldogs and German Shepherds, two of the most popular breeds in the world. Every French Bulldog puppy bought at this breeding facility goes home with an official health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. The puppies are given all current vaccinations and also carry a one-year health guarantee protecting against hereditary and congenital defects. Every new pet owner is given a minute orientation at the facility, before taking their new puppy home. During this time they will learn how to feed, care for, socialize and train their new French Bulldog puppy. The dogs are raised in a home environment set in 45 acres of land. Vom Ragnar is a state-licensed dog breeder and is registered with the American Kennel Club. They are a home-based breeder so the parent dogs and all the puppies get a lot of attention and love. Inside the facility, the dogs have heating and air conditioning to keep them comfortable and healthy. Story continues French Bulldog puppies have a small body that makes them great for apartments and other small living spaces. This breed is easy to train does not bark excessively and is very safe and good with children. Customers can state their requirements of gender, color, age and temperament of the puppy. Vom Ragnar Frenchies, Puppies, and Boutique will do their best to find a pet that best matches the customer specifications. Vom Ragnar has been featuring on the top big News sites Reuters and Yahoo because of their good reputation. Contact Info:.

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Well-known for being friendly and loyal, Labs are excellent family dogs. They have a sturdy body, wide head, and eyes that hint at the mischief these energic dogs can get into if they get bored. Labs love their humans and will be happy to follow you wherever you go. Their breeding Labs are all AKC registered, and health testing of their dogs is an important part of their breeding program. You will need to fill out an application for a puppy and the breeders will contact you about available puppies, or the next available litter. Labrador Lovers Visit Their Website Salem, OR Labrador Lovers is a small hobbyist breeder and they focus on the Rules of 7 for their puppies starting at 4 weeks of age to promote trainability, confidence, and socialization in their puppies. Their puppies are light yellow to dark golden colored. Puppies are sold under limited registration, which voids any breeding rights. Puppies have their first round of shots, are dewormed, and are ready to go home with you around weeks of age. Westland Labradors breed only the AKC-recognized colors of yellow, chocolate, and black. Puppies from this breeder are also Limited Registration, which means the dog itself is registered with the AKC, but any offspring from the puppy would not be eligible for AKC registration. Puppies are available at weeks of age and go home with a purchase contract, pedigree paperwork, microchip , microchip registration, and a vet health certificate from a recent well-puppy check. Puppies are registered to their new families upon receipt. They also send you home with a bag of chews, treats the puppy has been eating, toys including one that smells like mom , and a bag of dog food the breeder has been feeding the puppy. Puppy mills do not hold themselves to the same high standards as reputable breeders and puppies from mills often come from unhealthy circumstances and then suffer from serious health issues for the rest of their lives. There has been a rise in online puppy mills so we felt we should share some tips with you on how to avoid them. Puppy mills breeders may look legitimate , but some common red flags indicate you should take a closer look at where your potential puppy is being bred. A reputable breeder will want to meet you. Never buy a puppy without seeing it first. An online puppy mill will offer to ship a puppy. Shipping a young puppy can cause lifelong anxiety and behavior problems. Responsible breeders will have no problem letting you meet the parents and show you their living conditions. They will offer many different breeds of dogs for sale. They want to meet you in a parking lot, a rest area, etc. They are selling puppies younger than 8 weeks old. These are just some of the things to watch out for when looking online for a puppy, which is why we compiled the list of breeders in Oregon. Good luck on your Labrador Retriever puppy journey! You May Also Like:. Use Order Code: I have been a trainer of studio animals for the past twenty years. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Gretchen when she entrusted me with 8 of her beautiful Labradors for a Budweiser Super Bowl commercial in .I have worked with a lot of breeders over the years and trained numerous puppies for many different commercials, none of them compare to Gretchen's puppies. Her puppies came out of the gate bold, confident, super friendly and I have to say the smartest of any Labrador puppies I have ever trained and I've trained a lot! Having well socialized, outgoing puppies is critical for my job and you can see how much love, dedication and time Gretchen has put into her pups before they reach 8 weeks old and are ready for their new homes. I have absolutely no hesitation recommending Cold Creek Farms. Just make sure you can provide as much love to your new puppy as Gretchen does for the first 8 weeks of his or her life! He is also the dog who starred in Hawaii five O. His owner is one of the trainers on the team that trained the puppies in the puppy love Super Bowl commercial. We enjoy long-term relationships with those who have adopted Cottage Garden puppies and are privileged to feature a glimpse of their lives with you! A holistic approach focuses on maintaining vibrant health through natural rearing practices — we believe there is no substitute for a species-appropriate diet, an abundance of room to run and play, fresh air, mountain spring water, and sunshine. And, we are blessed to live in a beautiful country setting that enables us to provide this wonderful environment for our dogs. The care-providers at Cottage Garden possess unique skill sets and educational backgrounds of Animal Science with extensive experience in genetics and animal nutrition , dog training including titles in the AKC hunt test arena , studies of Permaculture and Herbalism encompassing aromatherapy and homeopathy and vast and ongoing research into holistic care practices. To begin the reservation process for a current or future litter, we ask that a brief application which we email upon request be completed to provide information about your home environment as well as your desired physical and temperamental traits for your puppy which greatly assists us in matching each puppy with their new family. Car transports are available within a 5-hour radius — so your puppy can be brought to your home or we can meet somewhere in between. Custom quotes for greater distances may be available. Our Goldador puppies are cream in color with short, soft luxurious coats resembling the Labrador and jet black pigment. They are a perfect blend of the best characteristics of their parents with beautiful structure and exceptionally calm and confident temperaments. Adult weight is typically pounds for females and pounds for males.

Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. 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. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic German Sheprador Highlights The German Sheprador is a mixed breed dog. The main colors of German Shepradors are black, white, red, cream, blue, and grey. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job. Many German Shepradors absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. Protective in nature, they will alert when strangers approach. They can easily become board, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors. German Sheprador History The German Sheprador dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing German Shepherds and Labradors in North America, possibly in the s. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate family companion and watchdog. They continued to create German Shepradors as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the German Sheprador got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up German Sheprador rescues, or check with breed-specific German Shepherd and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. German Sheprador Size As the German Sheprador is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between German Shepherd and Labrador parents, you can expect the German Sheprador to be on the large side. Most weigh in at 60 to 95 pounds and range in height from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger. German Sheprador Personality German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. However, once they befriend you, you have a friend for life. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their German Shepherd parents regularly work as military, police, and guard dogs, while their Labrador Retriever parents have jobs as hunting and guide dogs. German Shepradors like to work and need to have a job to do, whether big or small. Give them a sense of purpose, and this dog will earn their keep ten fold. They are highly trainable, and thrive on positive reenforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. German Shepradors are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one hour long walk per day with several shorter walks mixed in. Hiking and other adventurous activities are also recommended. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as this mixed breed is prone to tartar build-up. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with its one-inch jumps. Crate and kennel training should start in puppyhood. German Sheprador Feeding An ideal German Sheprador diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. They have a tendency to gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. They usually have medium length, dense coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended every few months with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. You will need it. Have you tried robot vacuums? See if the Eufy RoboVac is right for you! Their double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also helps to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they are an indoor dog and need to live indoors. Like all dogs, however, German Shepradors need to be trained how to behave around children and vice versa. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Learn more about this awesome breed by reading about their parent breeds the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. German Sheprador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for German Shepradors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior. German Shepherd Lab mix puppies German Shepherd Lab mix dogs are a combination of energetic friendliness and natural protection. As well trained adults they have the potential to make great herding, hunting, retrieving, therapy, service or pet dogs. German Shepherd Lab mixes are affectionate with their family, but need plenty of exercise, shed heavily, and can be destructive if left alone for long periods. That is, they have one parent of each pedigree. So there is huge variation in how they look, and no standard appearance. Some have the telltale muzzle and tall ears of the German Shepherd, others more resemble a Labrador. The color of their coat will depend on the coloring of their parents. For example, a black Lab German Shepherd mix is likely to have a dark coat, and a German Shepherd yellow Lab mix is likely to have a mid-toned coat. There are even arresting-looking white German Shepherd Lab crosses. An ultra-warm undercoat and a coarse outer coat to protect them from the elements as they work outdoors. This is because the gene for long coats is recessive and very unusual among Labs. Gathering up their lost hair will be a never-ending task! A good vacuum cleaner is essential. This might be reason enough to choose a different crossbreed if you have a busy family or someone with allergies in the home. German Shepherds are large dogs. They stand 22 — 26 inches tall at their shoulder blades, and weigh 49 — 88 pounds. Meanwhile, Labs are a medium sized breed, 22 — 25 inches tall at their shoulders, and 55 — 80 pounds on the scales. A Labrador German shepherd mix could be as petite as their smallest parent or as big as their largest parent. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could weigh anything from 55 pounds to 80 pounds. As usual, the lower end of the range is typically made up of female dogs, and the top end is dominated by the boys. They love to interact with people, show their affection, and get on well with children. Also, the German Shepherd is confident, courageous and smart. They are loyal and full of life. Furthermore, Labradors and German Shepherds are both fast learners and eager to please. German Shepherds in particular need productive ways to channel their intelligence, or they will get into mischief to stave off boredom. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could inherit any combination of the traits of their parents, which is why meeting both parents before committing to bringing home a puppy is so important. Socialization Socialization is the process of making a dog comfortable with other animals, people, places and activities. Even for breeds that are known to be friendly and easy-going, like Labradors, socialization is very important. German Shepherd Lab mixes are likely to inherit a love of people and company from both sides of their family tree. But socializing them properly as puppies will be vital to give them the confidence they need in meeting new people. German Shepherds, despite their great loyalty to their family, can be wary of strangers. So thorough socialization from puppyhood is essential, even for a mix. For instance, Socialization can involve having new people call over to the house regularly so your pup gets used to new faces and voices. It can also involve introducing your puppy to new dogs, cats, children and other animals so that they do not become fearful or territorial. A young dog in good health could require even more. They will also need human company for much of the day, and training to keep those big brains from getting bored. They are working dogs at heart. Highly motivated to learn and impress you with their ability to follow instructions. Like with any dog, training them is an ongoing commitment that lasts a lifetime. But with your ultra smart dog it should be a satisfying and rewarding one. German Shepherd and Labrador Health Magnification of health problems in pedigree dog breeds has become a well-documented problem. Labrador Health One of the biggest health problems facing Labradors today is hip and elbow dysplasia — looseness in the joints that eventually leads to painful arthritis. Another is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual failure of the retina at the back of their eyes that can ultimately leave them blind. Also, Labs are also notoriously greedy, and prone to obesity if their penchant for snacking is indulged too often. Another less serious but common issue in Labs is ear infections. These are easily treated but may require veterinary care and frequent inspections. In addition, they are more than usually prone to: Gastrointestinal diseases. Origin of the Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Designer dogs — the result of deliberately crossing two different pedigrees — are a relatively recent phenomenon. But the Labrador and German Shepherd pedigrees both go right back to the 19th century. And understanding their individual histories provides important insights into German Sheprador temperament. Labrador history Labradors were originally bred as hunting dogs, to retrieve fallen waterfowl from the water. Breeders selected breeding dogs for traits which made them great at this job: a strong build, a thick waterproof coat, and an enthusiasm to learn and work in a team with their handler. The best Labs were also gentle and chilled out companions once the hunting day was over. Which is why Labradors exploded so successfully onto the pet scene, and into service roles as well. Unlike Labs, GSDs needed to be able to work confidently at a distance from their handler. They also used to double up as watch dogs and guard dogs, alerting their owner to the arrival of anything unfamiliar, which might be a threat to their flock. Like Labradors, they also proved to be remarkably versatile, and succeed in a wide variety of roles — including police work, military work, narcotics detection, and service roles. What to Expect From a Black Lab German Shepherd Mix The whole purpose of establishing pedigrees for purebred dogs is to ensure that all the puppies descended from that pedigree look and behave in a reliable way. Inevitably, mixing breeds creates possibilities for unpredictable results. Puppies inherit traits from both of their parents at random. Designer dogs with parents who have a lot in common are easier to predict. Puppies from parents who either look very different, or were bred for very different purposes, are more variable. Black Labs can also carry the genes for chocolate and yellow coloring. Some Labs also silently carry the genes for markings like tan points. These genes hark back to when Gordon Setters contributed to the foundation of the breed. So a black Lab German Shepherd mix puppy might be black or dark brown, and have markings including sable shading or tan points. How big do German Shepherd black Lab mixes get? Labradors and German Shepherds are both medium to large sized dogs. Labs weigh 55 to 80 pounds, and GSDs weigh 50 to 90 pounds. For both breeds, females tend to occupy the bottom end of the weight range, and males the upper end. So, a black Lab German Shepherd mix could weigh anything between 50 and 90 pounds too. Their weight will be partly determined by all of the following: the general parameters of the breed the size of their parents their sex and environmental factors, like receiving adequate nutrition in puppyhood. Do black Lab German Shepherd mix dogs shed? Labs and GSDs both have thick double coats — ideal for insulating them against harsh weather conditions whilst working. So, one thing we can say for sure about the black Lab German Shepherd is that they too will be high-shedding dogs. Regular brushing, and seasonal grooming with specialist tools like a Furminator can help to keep your house clear of discarded fur. They also have a strong retrieving instinct — or in other words they like to carry things around in their mouths! Black Labs in particular have traditionally been favored for working roles, so they tend to be focussed and easily motivated to engage in training. German Shepherds are often described as courageous and loyal. They have strong herding and guarding instincts. Part of this is an innate distrust of unfamiliar people. Although, they are devoted and affectionate to their human family and regular guests. They are also very smart, and capable of picking up new cues quickly. But they are both talented problem solvers and quick learners. Sheprador puppies are sure to be smart and trainable too. So, the training and socialization you do with them while they are young will be very important. Puppies under 12 weeks old readily form positive associations with new things, if they have a good first encounter with them. Socialization is particularly important for German Shepherds and their mixes, because they are naturally inclined to be wary of strangers. It gives them the confidence to interact calmly with the world when they are older. Typically friendly breeds like Labs still need socializing too. And very friendly individuals will also need teaching how to greet people calmly, without jumping up or getting over excited. German Shepradors also need methodical leash training from a young age — being dragged along the sidewalk by a large dog is no fun! Exercise Labs and GSDs are both athletic dogs which have been bred to be mentally and physically active for several hours a day. An adult Lab GSD mix dog needs at least 2 hours of walking per day. At home, they enjoy additional games of fetch, tug and scent work. Training and puzzle feeders like Kongs and sniffle mats are valuable for providing mental exercise. A Sheprador is also likely to enjoy dog sports like fieldwork and advanced obedience training. Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Health Just like in every other respect, Sheprador health is a mixed inheritance from both of their parent breeds. Labrador Health.

If you click on a link and choose to make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. However, when I got my Golden Retriever puppy, I was surprised at how crazy he was. Golden Retrievers are a highly active and playful dog breed. As puppies, these qualities are intensified due to their fast metabolisms, youthful exuberance, and curiosity about the world around them. As a result, their boundless energy can border on hyperactivity, making them seem crazy to us. As a breed, the Golden Retriever is part of the sporting group of dogs, and they require a high level of activity. While there are differences among dogs they are individuals, of course , a high activity level is a common trait in the Golden Retriever breed. In puppies, that activity level is on steroids. In other words, they can and probably will act crazy. This article will look at why that is, how long it lasts, and why it seems to get significantly worse at night or what I call the witching hour. If I was a mad scientist in a lab and I had to make a crazy puppy, I would go about it in this way. I would make a highly active dog that requires a lot of physical exercise. The dog would be eager to please and learn, enjoy being with its owners, and bond closely with them. I would give it a high level of intelligence, requiring the dog to need a lot of mental stimulation. Of course, the dog would also be eager to please and learn and require a lot of attention. As sporting dogs, they would require lots of endurance to assist their human companions for hours on end, retrieving and chasing game birds. Tada, that puppy already exists. It is the Golden Retriever puppy, and it is why their dizzying hyperactivity is often seen as crazy! So, in essence, the qualities of the Golden Retriever puppy are the same qualities they have in adulthood, just magnified, which is not all that surprising. Comparatively speaking, a dog bred to be active as an adult will be more active as a puppy. It is very proportionate. Why is this? As a whole most puppies are generally more active than when they are adults — this is because puppies, as growing dogs, have faster metabolisms. And a fast metabolism means you get alternating bouts of insane energy and hyperactivity that abruptly stops, followed by a nap to recuperate. This puppyhood is not unlike a young and growing human child. So, as the owner of a Golden Retriever puppy, you have accepted that craziness is part of their puppyhood. However, after months of crazy hyperactivity, you may naturally wonder I did , how long are Golden Retriever puppies crazy for? The crazy period for Golden Retriever puppies, defined by a hyper level of activity, playfulness, and mischievousness, lasts approximately two to three years. After that time, they typically calm down somewhat. However, most will retain a high level of activity and playfulness well into adulthood. So, it can be good news and bad news for many pet owners. The good news is this peak crazy period lasts only two to three years, then moderates after that. Now, two to three years can be a long time for many pet owners, and as far as dog breeds go, that is a long puppyhood. Longer than most dog breeds. But, while the craziness of puppyhood may moderate after two to three years, most Golden Retrievers retain a high level of puppyhood well into adulthood, much more so than most breeds of dogs. As well, Golden Retrievers were bred to be highly active dogs. Their sporting dogs, after all. And that means even in adulthood; the Golden Retriever will still require a high level of physical activity. They are also one of the most intelligent dogs, requiring a high level of mental stimulation throughout their lives. What does all of this mean, then? Now the bad. Suppose you are ill-equipped or prepared to give your Golden Retriever adequate amounts of physical exercise and mental stimulation. In that case, you may have a crazy Golden Retriever puppy and adult on your hands for many years. Golden Retrievers need high activity and mental stimulation to satisfy their physical and mental needs, whether puppies or adults. Not doing so will typically cause a bored dog to direct that excess mental and physical energy into undesirable behaviors. So the key takeaway is this, it is critical always to ensure that the dog you get fits your lifestyle, especially with active dogs like the Golden Retriever. To this day, my 1. That time is the early evening or night, and during this time, his energy peaks, and he often goes crazy. It is something to behold, and many guests have asked me why Golden Retriever puppies go crazy at night. Golden Retriever puppies often go crazy at night because dogs are naturally most active during the morning and early evening. Lack of physical and mental stimulation during the day may intensify this excess evening energy. Either way, the puppy is expending its energy reserves before settling down for the night. Most Golden Retriever puppies will have an additional burst of energy during the early evening from about pm to pm. Outside or inside , the puppy may get infected with the zoomies and sprint at top speed, with his ears down, and do circles around the yard or house. If you have other pets, such as a cat, this may be the time it also pesters it to play. If the puppy is teething, be prepared to have your hands chewed on, or it may attack your furniture. Sometimes they will find makeshift toys and drop them in our laps, trying to elicit a game of tug. And, the cause of this often hilarious, often exhausting, crazy energy? A few reasons. The first reason we discussed earlier. Golden Retrievers were bred to be highly active dogs. As sporting dogs, they would assist hunters for hours by retrieving downed waterfowl. Additionally, dogs are more active in puppyhood. They have faster metabolisms, youthful exuberance, and are curious. If a dog was bred to be active as an adult, as in the case of the Golden Retriever, then expect them to be even more active as puppies. Golden Retriever adults are very active. So, as puppies, they are insanely vibrant. Dogs are naturally more active in the morning and early evenings. So, the night and afternoons are usually sleep and nap times, and the puppy wakes with plenty of energy — this is normal. Next is a common reason and probably the biggest reason for their craziness at night — not enough play, exercise, and training throughout the day. Yup, if not exercised and stimulated enough during the day, your Golden Retriever puppy will still have massive energy reserves. To make matters worse, if the puppy napped a lot during the day because you were gone, it may be rested, bored, lonely, and even more full of zest come evening. Before settling down to sleep at night, it needs to rid itself of that energy. So cue the zoomies and craziness. Lastly, your Golden Retriever puppy may want attention. Of course, seeking your attention is expected if you work all day because your little furball missed you. Suppose you have a crazy Golden Retriever puppy. In that case, I guarantee the next question will be, what can I do to make my Golden Retriever puppy less crazy? To make a Golden Retriever puppy less crazy and calmer, you need to burn off its excess energy and mentally stimulate the puppy. This can be done through physical exercise, playing games with the puppy, and short but formal training sessions. Because Golden Retrievers, by nature and breeding, are highly active, super-intelligent, and very playful, they need their minds and bodies stimulated. Golden Retrievers were also bred to work closely with people, so they are social animals. Physical exercise, play, training, and mental stimulation help satisfy those needs. Physical Exercise Golden Retriever puppies need to be exercised daily. Walking is an excellent exercise, and training them to walk politely on a leash can never start too young. If your puppy has not had its final vaccinations yet, you can still walk it in the backyard or house. So, how much exercise should your Golden Retriever puppy have daily? It should be five minutes x its age in months x twice per day. However, beware that it may be on the low side, and your Golden Retriever may need more. At three months of age, 30 minutes of exercise was not nearly enough for our Golden Retriever Bailey. Typically, 60 minutes is what he needed, plus multiple play sessions, training, and mental games. As a result, play is an excellent form of mental stimulation for your puppy and provides a bonding opportunity. Remember, Golden Retrievers are social dogs, and play helps give them the attention they need from their owners. For Golden Retriever puppies, fetch and tug of war are great games. It is what they were born to do. Bailey loves fetch and tug of war Tug of war is also a great game and provides the dog with physical and mental stimulation. Chase is fun for your puppy, as is hide and seek. Or you can start training your puppy to use its nose for tracking. Training Training your Golden Retriever puppy can start early. In fact, it should. Training provides mental stimulation, attention, and social interaction. Training also lays the foundation for impulse control and good manners. Training is like a formal education for your puppy. Similar to how studying can tax your brain and tire you out, the same is true for puppies. Training requires your puppy to problem solve and work on impulse control. Those mental feats take mental energy. And invoking that mental energy through training helps expel more energy. Or when you are engaged in activities that require it to be calm and out of the way, such as cooking. Bailey is working on his down-stay skill at distance and duration. Golden Retrievers love training. They enjoy interacting and pleasing you, it is fun for them, and they want to earn rewards. And, training does not need to take up a big part of your day. Two five-minute sessions will work wonders. Mental Stimulation While training is mentally stimulating to your Golden Retriever, you should also include activities that are specifically geared towards brainwork. Brainwork can consist of games such as puzzles, scent work, or teaching your dog tricks. Although some of these activities require training, their purpose is to stimulate the dog mentally. Whereas training is usually done to get the desired action from our dogs to make them well-behaved canine citizens, mental activities are meant to make them problem solve and use the grey matter between their floppy ears. Include some scent work for your dog. The more intelligent the dog, the more mental stimulation it needs for it to tire. To learn more about the fantastic scent work abilities of the Golden Retriever check out these posts:. When you find yourself yelling or texting your bestie - "my dog is driving me crazy" - know there are things you can do! Here are 3 things to do when your puppy is stressing you out: Get some space Do something fun with your dog Make a plan Let's look at each one below. Anger and frustration really can cloud our judgment and lead to us doing things we'll regret. If your pup is starting to make you feel overly stressed and you can feel your patience running thin, take a break. Get yourself some physical distance between yourself and your pup and regroup. This can be done by don't use it as a punishment though , in another room, or using a playpen or baby gate. If you need to leave the home for a few minutes, do that. Taking a few moments away from your dog can help you reassess the situation and calm down. You know your dog best, so do something that you know both you and your pup will enjoy. It could be playing tug, throwing a ball, or even some fun not structured trick training. For many of us as pup parents, we originally chose to get a dog because we envisioned the fun moments and memories that come with being a pup parent. So, finding a way to reconnect with that "goal" can be a great way to gain your sanity back with your dog. Plus, taking part in a fun activity with your pup will help both your mood and outlook on the situation. You have to make a plan on how you will improve the behaviors that are driving you up a wall. If, for example, you get frustrated whenever you go on walks because your at other dogs then you can make a plan to combat that. When will you train that behavior? What resources will you use? How often will you practice that training? How long will you practice when you do the training? The challenge with many "annoying" dog behaviors is that we often only think about them when they happen. But the truth is, you're not going to train out a problem behavior in the heat of the moment. Instead, you need to practice the situations that lead to problem behaviors before it's really happening. So if your dog always barks when people come to the door, don't think you can train that when a stranger knocks on the door. Instead, practice having someone a neighbor, friend, etc. If you're feeling stuck as to what your plan should be, then you should sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup. Sign up for free here! So when this happens, take the time to get some space, re-engage with something fun, and then make a plan to help overcome the problem behaviors causing you stress! Again, don't miss out on 30 Day Perfect Pup! It's a guided video course that can serve as a perfect plan for how to handle challenging behaviors. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Golden retrievers are such great family dogs. And they tend to have some behavior problems because of their great characteristics. Most goldens want to be near their people. And they love to be petted and get attention. They may jump, grab our hand or arm, or engage in some destructive behaviors. Many of these are normal dog behaviors that can be modified through training and exercise. Normal Dog Behaviors Versus Abnormal Behaviors Dogs naturally dig, bark, express fear in certain situations, mark territory, chase small animals, and jump. They may steal food. Or want to be with us all the time. Goldens were bred to be sociable, high-energy dogs. My rescued golden Spencer almost always had to carry something in his mouth. So I made sure there were safe toys for him to happily tote around. Unfortunately, many dogs are given up to shelters because of behaviors that can be modified. To have a great companion takes a lot of work, patience, and time. And to meet those needs. These should be dealt with by behavior specialists who can evaluate the individual dog and determine the best behavior modification plan. These abnormal behaviors include aggression to those around the dog, obsessive-compulsive disorders, shutting down, and severe separation anxiety. Why Behavior Problems Develop There is no one reason why some behavior problems occur. Unfortunately, goldens are so popular—the third-popular breed ranked by the American Kennel Club—they are often poorly bred. There are too many back-yard and puppy mill dogs who are more likely to not be the examples of what the breed should be. Jumping on People Golden retrievers usually love everyone and never met a stranger. Goldens are the greeting committee of the dog world. Many dogs want to jump on people when greeting them. The golden can, of course, unintentionally injure someone, knocking them over in his exuberant greeting. Engaging in Destructive Behavior In addition to friendliness, goldens were bred to hunt. They have energy to spare. And they were bred to retrieve and have something in their mouths. They may dig up the garden. Or chew up our furniture. Or they may steal the food on the counter. And the food they eat may be toxic, such as chocolate or raisins. Or they may get a blockage from ingesting a towel or sock. A bored, under-exercised golden can get very creative in meeting his needs. They often need to have something in their mouths. That is, he may constantly try to hold our clothes, arm, or hand in his mouth. Biting is a natural canine behavior. But puppies should be taught bite-inhibition. And it can be dangerous. Someone can be badly bruised or even pulled down. Pulling on the Leash Goldens love to go places and greet all their new admirers. But they want to get there sooner rather than later. Many dogs pull on a leash, but not all are as friendly as goldens are known to be. And they can be lazer-focused on getting where they want to go. Being a rather large dog, a golden pulling on a leash can injure someone. An owner can be pulled down and get injured. Or the dog himself can get free and get lost or injured—or worse. Demanding Attention Because of their natural friendliness, goldens may want to be the center of attention. They are so family-oriented, they love to be with us. Some goldens may bark at you for attention. They may nudge you and grab your arm to be recognized. Some may even engage in unwanted behaviors like taking something off the table. Even negative attention is attention. Hyperactivity Some goldens seemingly bounce off the walls. They are like a hurricane passing through the living room. Tables are cleared of bric a brac. Pillows are shredded and on the floor. But your happy golden is furiously wagging his tail, looking for the next item he can use to help expel his excess energy. Separation Anxiety Because of their innate friendly, family-oriented behavior, goldens may suffer from separation anxiety at a higher rate than some other breeds. Their need to be with us can lead to some unwanted behaviors. Dogs with mild separation anxiety may drool, pace, whine, and generally behave in a distressed manner. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may become very destructive. They may try to get out of doors and windows, feverishly digging at door and window frames. They may even severely harm themselves in their attempts to get free. Dogs with separation anxiety may need professional behavioral help. We owe it to our goldens to do all that we can do to meet their natural needs. A bored, untrained, under-exercised, unsupervised golden is going to develop some problem behaviors. Some of the tips below will even help your golden from developing any of the potential problems cited above. I wrote the ways to help fix a problem separately from the problems because it will probably take more than one item to successfully change an unwanted behavior. All of the favorable interactions we have with our goldens also help further our bond with them. Physical Exercise Goldens were bred to hunt. They are highly-energetic dogs. Walks, fetching, jogging, agility, and swimming can all be great ways to physically exercise your golden. A vet check-up is advisable prior to starting any exercise program. Physical exercise can help decrease or eliminate the above-named problems. Of course, you want to exercise your dog enough but not over-tire them. Dogs who have been sufficiently exercised are less likely to jump or engage in destructive activities such as digging or chewing. Also, dogs who are exercised and calm before we leave are less likely to develop separation anxiety. Obedience Training Obedience training helps us communicate with our dogs and informs them what behaviors are desired. So we can teach them to sit before they receive attention. Or to lie down next to us and settle. And we can show him what toys he can put in his mouth rather than destroying items or turning us into his chew toy. Redirection works. And we can teach them to not pull on a leash and to walk on a loose leash. Part of the training should include how to leave your dog alone. This will help prevent separation anxiety from developing. Start with short sessions. Make leaving a happy opportunity—when great things appear. Leave a frozen, stuffed Extreme Kong with him as you leave. If your dog has already shown signs of separation distress, get the help of a qualified behavior specialists. As far as your golden inappropriately seeking attention is concerned, you can ignore your dog. Turn away or get up and leave. But do give him the attention he needs on your terms by calling him over to you occasionally. Pet him. Have him do a command or trick. Praise, pet, and treat. You should also play games with him. Teach him to tug a toy like a rope or long fleece to and give. You can have him play fetch. You can play hide-and-seek where you go and hide and call him to you. Make a big deal when he reaches you YES! Good boy! And not at all with a dog who has separation anxiety. But, to goldens, this is what they often enjoy most. Everyone is a potential friend. Goldens will thrive if they are fed the same times each day, are exercised as needed routinely, and receive attention from their people every day. No dog should be just put aside like a statue. Goldens especially need attention through positive daily interactions—play, training, exercise. If ignored, their sweet, golden personality will wilt. Final Thoughts Golden retrievers are such happy, affable, family dogs. But they are prone more than some breeds to certain problem behaviors because of their genetic purpose to retrieve and their desire to be with people. By doing so, their lives—as well as ours—will be full and happy. Does your golden engage in any unwanted behaviors? How have you handled them? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Related Article:. Dog owners want their dogs to stop driving them crazy. Dog trainers talk about building drive, channeling drive, switching drive, engaging drive, all sorts of things that simply determine what the dog is internally motivated by when he engages in an act. Although understanding drives might be important to trainers, what pet dog owners usually want is to suppress or inhibit drive. Most owners want dogs that are mirror reflections of themselves. Most dog owners are not professional trainers either. I mean, how can a trainer be without a dog? A lot of inexperienced, newer trainers tend to have gotten into training because they owned a dog that drove them crazy. They figured that since they started with a drivey dog, they can train any dog. Every dog is nuanced and requires that we not only understand them, but that we know enough about instinctual drives to be able to help them. Experienced trainers deliberately get high drive dogs because they wish to pursue a sport or activity where that kind of dog is desirable. Drive is defined largely by instinctual or internal motivators. Defensive drive, prey drive and social drive are the 3 basic drives that facilitate survival. The ability to look for and locate game and to chase and kill game would be prey drive. An animal willing to fight in pursuit of a meal, a mate or territory, could be classified as defensive drive, and the desire to seek a mate, procreate, and hunt cooperatively with a group would be considered social drive. The only drive most dog owners actually want in their dog is social drive. The companionship a dog offers by his mere presence is what most humans seek. They may admire dogs that display strengths in the other three drives, but most owners are inadequately prepared to control them effectively without professional intervention. Having a dog with a lot of drive can be a blessing or a curse to an owner. As I age, I am less inclined to own dogs with a lot of prey, hunt or defensive drive, because although easy to motivate and fun to train, they can be difficult to challenge meaningfully over time and even more difficult to exhaust, mentally. A highly social dog can present his own problems, but he is largely content to just be with his owners. Life happens! Priorities change! That cute little yellow lab you bought down the shore was bred to hunt. Are you prepared to give that dog a meaningful job for the next 8 to 10 years? That Shepherd needs a job. High drive dogs are demanding. When their needs are not adequately met, they become obnoxious. Some can even become dangerous. Everybody loves the romance surrounding the dogs they see in movies and on TV. That can be construed as UNdirected drive. Dog starts lighting up on guests, becoming defensive around food or space. That would be called MISdirected drive. If the owner is smart, they contact the breeder for advice. If the breeder is respectable, they will give it or tell you where to look for it. They get them from alternative sources like Craigslist. Petfinder is another, or as I have heard it referred to, Tinder for Pets. Their behavior became intolerable to their previous owners, who ultimately became frustrated with them and gave up. Dog ended up stuck in a crate, in a back yard, sequestered away when company comes. As his life becomes even more unfulfilled, he becomes a nuisance and potentially a genuine risk. Predictably, dogs with a lot of un-directed drive tend to get dumped first. Usually the owners discover their mistake too late that the Husky they had to have because Game of Thrones was their favorite show is a nightmare screamer who is destroying their landscaping because their only criterion for consideration was the dog would be a nice ornament to their lifestyle. People buy dogs for a variety of reasons, most of which are reasonable. They want dogs that look the part, not actually act the part. They never realize that a dog with a lot of drive requires a lot of effort. Being able to retreat on command is useful. If I were a consumer of dog training, I would look for the trainer with the dogs I want mine to be like. Every trainer involved with dogs has a different training philosophy, a lot of which is an unclear understanding of drives and how to manipulate them. Aaaaand, no. It can, but the average owner should not be expected to demand that sort of focus from himself, let alone his dog. Yes, heel does mean heel, but expecting an average owner to be able to understand and maintain that level of focus from their dog is unrealistic. Owners want dogs to ignore distractions. The reason most people call trainers is because they either own or are quickly creating adrenaline junkie dogs and need help learning how to correct that. Learning how to manipulate drives are what most successful dog training is all about. If you are ready for results, feel free to contact us at or reach out via email! Training www. My dog is driving me crazy…he jumps on me all the time. He gets into trouble. He mouths me. He runs through the house. My dog never calms down. Probably not. True canine ADHD, called hyperkinesis in dogs, is extremely rare and can be diagnosed by your veterinarian. According to Debra F. Horwitz DVM, DACVB, in her manual Canine and Feline Behavior, a true case of canine hyperkinesis is exhibited by a rapid heartbeat that does not slow down in rest, abnormally rapid breathing, excessive salivation, reduced amounts of urine, underweight, and a failure to calm down with external stimulation. Other possible health reasons for frantic or hyper behavior can be anxiety, hyperthyroidism, metabolic disease or food allergies. For example, you ignore your dog when he is quietly resting, but when he speeds around the house or jumps on you, he gets your attention. Fetch is a good way to do that. If you have a loud, active family, your dog may respond in kind. Dogs can get overly excited when interacting with small children and have erratic motions. Working line breeds such as Labradors, retrievers, the herding breeds, or even mixes such as Labradoodles or Goldendoodles tend to be more active than others. Working line breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, and herding dogs are often very active and need constructive outlets for their energy and instincts. If a dog is kept outside because he is active and subjected to social isolation, he cannot learn to be calm in the home. The situation becomes a cycle in which the dog is prevented from learning to be calm in the home. If you have one of these dogs, bite the bullet and bring him inside. Manage the frantic, active behavior with the use of barriers, tethering, or crating to maintain your sanity. However, management is no substitute for training, exercise, and appropriate interactions. When a dog acts crazy, active, and frantic, what can you do to change it? First, take a deep breath and collect all your patience. Consider changing his food to a good quality one that does not have food coloring or poor-quality fillers. Check the percentage of protein in the food. Unless your dog is a working dog, such as one that hunts regularly with you, a lower protein diet is all they need and can process. Try to keep the protein level at about 26 percent or less. Do you have a wild and crazy dog? Chances are it is not hyperactivity, just part of his breeding or personality. Sarah Hickman photography Increase his physical exercise and mental enrichment. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Remember how tired you would feel after taking an exam? Play Find It games with food and treats. Invest in some dog puzzles. Train him! Training not only helps you manage your dog, but force free training is fun for you and your dog and provides valuable mental exercise. Keep your dog in thinking mode and instill good manners by having him sit for everything he wants. Have him sit to put on his leash, sit to go out the door, sit to throw his ball, sit to get his meals or food dispensing toy, sit to be petted or sit for anything else he wants. Focus on impulse control cues such as attention, stays, downs, and leave it. Have a force free trainer help you teach your dog to relax on a mat, in which your dog not only learns to go to a mat on cue but chooses to go to the mat and learns to calm himself. If your dog gets too excited or aroused around other dogs, consider private obedience training. Enroll your active dog in a fun dog sport such as agility, disc dog, flyball or lure coursing. Or involve your dog in an activity that he was bred to do, such as hunting or herding. This is Emily-Rose Allred and Yeti. Increase his exercise. Appropriate play with similarly active dogs is great exercise. Throw a ball. Take him running with you. Participate in one of many fun active dog sports such as flyball, disc dog, agility or lure coursing. If you catch him lying down or sitting politely, praise him in a calm voice and stroke him calmly. Play with dogs of similar size and activity levels is great exercise. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Do you ever wonder what your dog would say if he could talk? Here are five bad habits you need to stop before they wreck your relationship. But will that confuse him? Guess what? When you speak to a dog you must speak from the inside, from your mind, your heart, and your body. Otherwise he will be scratching his head with his paw, trying to figure why he can see your lips moving with strange noises coming out. The ones with the framed pictures of Twinkles all over the walls. Her name is embroidered on all of her pillows and emblazoned on toys of every kind, scattered from kitchen to bedroom to bath. You can see how the human starts to get confused sometimes and starts thinking that Twinkles is a child—but of course Twinkles is under no illusions at all. She is a dog, and she wants to behave like a dog—that is in her DNA. And like all dogs, she wants to run, she loves to chase things, and she wants to use her nose to track. There is nothing wrong with showing your dog love, but remember: first exercise, then discipline, and finally affection. And so often the answer is the same: Your dog is getting bored—he wants something to do. In the wild—from the time they are babies—dogs have to work for their food. They have to hunt it down or go hungry. Dogs have been bred over the centuries for different jobs—from rounding up cattle to hunting to hauling. When their natural instinct is denied, they become frustrated, and that is when they start to show signs of aggressive behavior. So do what your dog asks and give him a job. Put a pack on his back when you go for walks or create obstacle courses so he can put his scent-tracking abilities to good use. The next thing you know, you and your dog are racing around the back yard with a ball and all the rules have changed. At least the rules have changed in your mind—until you are ready to call it quits and go inside for dinner. How is your dog supposed to understand what has happened? You gave up on being pack leader to race into playing with her instead of making it clear that play begins only when she is calm and responsive. Your dog is always looking for consistency and structure, and without it she is going to become confused about when she is supposed to follow your directions and when you two are just buddies. You hate it when she comes to visit—you know she is checking out your home, and you can see the critical disdain in her face. That is why they need calm, assertive energy to relax. Remember: Dogs are predators in the wild, so if they become nervous, their fight-or-flight response is almost always more likely to be fight. Nervousness in dogs will soon come out as aggression. It is how they deal with a problem. Listen to your dogs. Listen to them carefully, for they are trying to tell you what they want. Their needs are really very simple, and if you satisfy those, you will have a happy and harmonious relationship. That is the kind of bond I have with Junior, as you can see from the photos on these pages. And I hope it will be the relationship you have with your dog.

AKC English Labrador Retrievers Labrador Breeder in Iowa Their beautiful temperaments, good looks, and eagerness to please are just some of the reasons people love the labrador retriever! He carries all colors and has the best of both parents as he matures. Clear by Embark DNA panel as well. Lynus hails from Sterling Creek Labradors and is joining us to further our improvements. We are thrilled to bring this pure white boy into the CaveInn! Lynus is clear of all genetic known diseases as tested by Paw Print Genetics. His sire Elway is a son of Nash and we expect Rueben to carry on the beautiful English style improvement Labrador. He has a lot of growing to do but each day we see the beginning of a handsome black sire. We are hopeful for just about every color Lab puppy from Rueben in .Her pedigree is decorated with Champion bloodline. We are thrilled to also have her clear of all hereditary diseases via Paw Print and Embark panel testing. Her puppies have great coats, excellent temperament, and easy to train. Paired with our Cave they have produced awesome charcoal and champagne puppies. Results show her clear of all genetic diseases common to the breed. The genetic health screen panel was done by Embark. She carries all colors and is clear of all gemetic diseases via Embark. PennHip scored average for the breed. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers have been the most popular dog breed in America for 30 years and that popularity holds for the state of Iowa as well. Because bird hunting is also popular in this state, many Iowa Labrador breeders focus on producing strong hunting and retrieving dogs as opposed to show and pet dogs. Until recently, Iowa was one of the worst states in America when it came to animal welfare laws. While stronger protections were passed in , you should continue to screen breeders carefully before you buy a puppy to be certain you are getting a healthy puppy from a clean, safe kennel. Shadowmyst Labradors Visit Their Website Oskaloosa, IA This breeder prioritizes combining both show quality Labs and working dog lines, resulting in puppies who can fill a variety of roles. They are also dedicated to the health of their dogs, with numerous health screenings including genetic testing performed on their Labs before breeding. Only the three original, AKC recognized colors of black, chocolate, and yellow labs are available from this breeder. This breeder makes a point to have their puppies start early training before they go to their new homes with the goal of a smooth transition for the dog and owner. They focus on show quality Labradors, with several champions among their breeding stock. Because they are a small operation, this breeder maintains a waiting list for new litters. The improvement of the Labrador breed as a whole appears to be the main focus of this breeding operation. The family who runs the breeding kennel also created a foundation to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The dogs they breed come from both show and hunting lines but are specially bred to have good, even temperaments. They are more interested in producing high-quality puppies than a large number of dogs. This breeder will ship dogs by air for an additional fee, but only with a courier inside the cabin, never in cargo. Their dogs come from hunting and retrieving bloodlines and are sold as both pets and hunting dogs. The owners of this kennel are veterinarians and the puppies come with a health guarantee. Both the male and female come from a long line of hunting and pointing Labradors. The parents both have certified hips and the kennel offers a health guarantee. This kennel will ship puppies by air or deliver them depending on location. Silver Labradors are not allowed to compete in shows because the color is not accepted by the AKC. However, silver Labs are popular as pets and hunting dogs. The male and females at this breeding kennel are health certified and genetically tested. The puppies are raised with a lot of socialization before they go to their new homes. The parent dogs are health certified and genetically tested before breeding. All litters are hand-raised by the breeders and their children on the farm. These dogs are primarily bred and sold as pets but do have some hunting dogs in their lineage. Their dogs are bred to be talented hunters and loving family pets as well. They also offer adult, fully trained hunting Labradors for sale. In addition, the kennel offers hunting training courses for privately-owned dogs. They are a large operation dedicated to producing excellent hunters who are even better family pets. Their puppies are socialized and mentally stimulated regularly during the weeks before they go to their new homes. This kennel offers a strict health guarantee. Related read:.