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Vet visits, injections and health checks are all too often in the early stages and, following all that, the final decision you have to make is whether or not to have your Goldendoodle spayed or neutered. Spayed or Neutered? The procedure usually involves cutting a small incision in the abdomen. Whilst recommendations vary, vets typically suggest that you should have your Goldendoodle spayed or neutered between the ages of four and nine months. This is thought to have long-term health benefits, as well as helping to prevent behavioural traits, such as marking and aggression. Whilst some recommend spaying before first heat as young as five months , others suggest that this can increase the risk of mammary tumours. We would always recommend consulting your vet for a personalised opinion. Some studies have said that spaying and castration can prolong the life of dogs and possibly reduce future problems later on in life. Castrating a male reduces the risk of prostate and testicilar cancer. There are many reasons why you should have your Goldendoodle spayed or neutered, not least of all because it will likely improve their quality of life and stop you from worrying about a litter of puppies. Spaying is proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer and uterine infections, and neutering similarly prevents testicular cancer. So, if you want to prevent these major Goldendoodle killers, neutering and spaying is a sure fire way. Neutering your male Goldendoodle will also ensure that he is on his best behaviour at all times. Neutering prevents aggressive and territorial behaviours, and also means that he wont be spending his entire walk hunting for a partner. So, if you want to prevent these embarrassments, get your Goldendoodle neutered early on! Millions of animals are euthanised every year because there are simply not enough willing owners to cater for endless litters of puppies. Having this done will prevent unwanted litters and ultimately save the lives of millions of baby Goldendoodle that would end up in shelters. Remember… No, the procedure is not painful. Female Goldendoodles can reproduce as young as four months old, and male Goldendoodles can as of six months. When To Neuter Your Goldendoodle Puppy The right age to neuter depends on the doodle The age when you should neuter your goldendoodle depends on several factors When it comes to goldendoodle dogs, deciding the proper age to neuter is an important question. Generally speaking, it is recommended neutering goldendoodles at around 6 months or later. While certain breeds such as golden retrievers may benefit from earlier sterilization, goldendoodles are hybrid breed so their needs can vary and should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Consultation with a veterinarian ensures that the most appropriate course of action is taken for the individual goldendoodle, allowing them to lead happy and healthy lives. Neutering goldendoodles before the age of six months may interfere with their normal development as it changes their hormone levels. If a goldendoodle is neutered too soon, it can result in suppressed immune systems, causing them to have more difficulty fighting off illnesses and diseases. The best window for neutering a goldendoodle is between 6 and 9 months old. Furthermore, goldendoodles should be spayed or neutered by professional veterinarians only. Keep in mind that getting your goldendoodle neutered will provide you with many benefits such as reducing their chances of certain forms of cancer over the course of their lifetime, helping your pet stay healthier longer. Also, goldendoodles have fairly large sized litters , so neutering can help with overpopulation of dogs. It also reduces the likelihood of behavioral issues like aggression or unruliness due to high testosterone levels once they reach maturity. Consulting with a veterinarian can be beneficial in weighing the risks and rewards of neutering as well as provide expert advice when considering any health implications. Beyond collecting medical information, veterinarians are also equipped to answer questions on behavior changes that could happen after neutering. Ultimately, consulting with your veterinarian ensures you are making an educated and informed decision about your goldendoodle. Although there is no definitive answer to the question of when the best time to neuter a goldendoodle is, we hope this article has given you some factors to consider in making your decision. Every dog is different and will have different needs, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian before making a final decision about neutering. If you want to breed your goldendoodle it is best not to neuter him before your breeding goals are complete! With their help, you can make the best decision for your furry friend and ensure that they live a long and happy life. Related posts:. There is a difference between the words spay and neuter. Neuter is for male dogs where a surgical procedure removes their testicles. On the other hand, spaying is a more complicated surgical procedure where the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and uterus are removed from the female dog. While spaying and neutering take away the ability to reproduce, it does not take away the instincts for breeding like humping. A male dog who has been neutered young may still try and mount a female dog. Contradicting the Past You will get to hear a lot of stuff about neutering that you have not heard before. Modern research in veterinary science reveals that many past assumptions were incorrect. Newer discoveries and facts are more accurate. Let us first take a look at the reasons why people neutered their dogs previously. The reasons above. People neutered their dogs in the past for these four typical reasons: Birth control. Behavioral issues, and Health concerns. While there were other reasons, those were just hot air and antics. Typical Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Goldendoodle Of the four reasons previously followed, only two seem to be legitimate. Neutering will reasonably solve two of these problems. Several predicaments come with pregnancy, and most pet-owners want to avoid these. So, one of the main reasons for neutering is birth control. You can take your dog out for hunting and also leave them be without the worry of having to deal with grand-puppies. There are little things to like about your female dog getting pregnant if there is anything to like at all. Firstly, you have to worry about other male dogs, and you cannot easily leave your Goldendoodle alone. Further, there is the case of vaginal discharge that may stain your carpets or sofas. While you can use diapers for the cause, it is not an activity you will be very fond of. The absolute worst. Service Dogs You may get a dog to serve a particular purpose. It could be to calm someone with anxiety or to guide the blind. When a female dog goes into heat, its ability to serve gets hindered for a long time. Dogs should be able to fulfill their purpose, so this is why many people neuter their dogs. On the other hand. A female dog in the heat outdoors can be a cause of a lot of worries. Breeders Breeders neuter or spay their dogs to preserve the integrity of the breeds. They do not want the dogs to inherit certain undesirable traits like anxiety from their kennels. Prevent illnesses and cancer Spaying a female dog will remove the risk of uterine infections, problems, and also the chance of developing breast cancer. Similarly, neutering a male Goldendoodle will take away the chance of Testicular cancer and other problems related to the prostate. Female Goldendoodles will live longer. Reduced unwanted litters. Male Goldendoodles will look for a night of passion in the neighborhood. It is a cost-effective method more efficient than having to raise a litter. Fights overpopulation and problems related to spaying. All the reasons for the site have not been included because some of them were outdated. Reasons Not to Neuter a Goldendoodle You may come across neighbors who tell you to neuter your dog because it will stop humping or that it will grow to mean if you do not. These are just old maiden tales to convince you to neuter the Goldendoodle. You could cause more behavioral changes BY neutering your Goldendoodle. For example, in some countries like Norway, it is frowned upon to neuter a Goldendoodle unless there is a medical cause behind it. Just the aim to control overpopulation is not good enough. Again, there are places Los Angeles County where spaying or neutering your Goldendoodle before the age of four months is a must. Photo by Jayden Burdick on Pexels. Whether neutering will work depends on why you are doing this to your Goldendoodle. If you aim to control unwanted litter, then it will work. But, if you want to fix behavioral issues, you may be disappointed, or worse, it could even worsen the issue. Neutering could achieve the exact opposite. Neutering your Goldendoodle may make them more aggressive, excitable, and fearful. Training them may become even harder than it was before neutering. Neutering a puppy too early can lead to many other cancers. Some of the issues a dog neutered too early can develop are: Lymphoma. While not fun, hypothyroidism is treatable. Please discuss any risks or concerns with your vet prior to making a decision. Bone Cancer One article stated that information from the Veterinary Medical Database to showed large breed dogs were at higher risk for bone cancer if neutered too early. Reduces the Rate of Prostate and Cancer Problems Obviously, since you cannot get prostate or testicular cancer if you have not prostate or testicles. Reduces the Urge for Him to Mate Neutered Goldendoodle puppies have been shown to have a lower chance of running off to find a mate. Mood Stabilization Some male dogs can be overly aggressive, and neutering can help with this behavior. Reduces Sexualization Behavior It can be terribly embarrassing when your dog greets your friends by hopping on their leg! Neutering has been shown to help with this behavior by reducing some of the hormones that produce this urge. Some research has shown neutering to cause weight gain due to the shift in hormones. This can possibly be managed through diet change and portion control. When should you neuter a medium-sized dog? Most research indicated a medium-sized dog should be neutered between six to nine months. However, as indicated previously, many vets are advocating waiting until your furry friend is a least a year old before moving forward with neutering. Either way, most vets agree you should wait until your dog has gone through puberty. To understand more exact timing for your dog, please discuss it with your veterinarian. Do dogs change after being neutered? Some articles cited research on neutered male dogs that showed they even had a lower propensity to bite than those dogs that were still intact. While positive behavior changes may not be true in every case, neutering has been shown to help with some of the more worrisome behaviors our Goldendoodles can exhibit. I hope the information above has helped. Research has indicated that healthy dogs over seven can be safely neutered. However, some blood tests, such as liver and kidney function, need to be run prior to performing the surgery. If you are thinking about neutering your mature dog and have any health concerns, please discuss them with your vet before making a decision. Will neutering a dog calm him down? Neutering can calm your dog down. It can also help him with the urge to wander and help with many aggression issues. How long does it take a male dog to recover from neutering? Generally, it takes a male dog 14 days for a dog to recover from neutering. For at least the first two days, you want to restrict his activity and try to keep him in a confined space that will limit his movement. Will getting my dog neutered stop him from peeing in the house? Neutering a dog has been shown to help stop urine marking in the house, but your Goldendoodle will still need to be potty trained. Will neutering stop aggression in dogs? Neutering has been shown to help with aggression in male dogs. While it will help, there will be some behaviors that will require training. Is dog neutering reversible? Can a dog go for a walk after being neutered? How long after being neutered can a dog have a bath? General guidance states it will be seven to ten days before you can give your dog a bath after neutering. Will neutering a dog stop him from barking? It can stop urges to bark related to mating, but he will still need to be trained not to bark. Can my dog eat after being neutered? Yes, dogs can eat after being neutered, but they may lose their appetite after the procedure. If his appetite does not return after about 24 hours, contact your vet. Can a dog be left alone after neutering? If you have to leave your dog alone after just being neutered, be sure to keep him crated and in an area where he will be less likely to be active and risk tearing his incision. Can dogs go up and down stairs after being neutered? Most vets recommend not allowing much activity after neutering for a few days. If possible, avoid stairs. Neutering can affect the behavior of a male Goldendoodle once the procedure is done when they are too young. Many people believe you should wait until your dog has hit puberty before you do such a procedure. Proceeding before they hit puberty can lead to problematic behaviors like urine marking or aggression towards others. If you are concerned about your pet to be their best, then you want to make sure you have them neutered at the correct age. That way, you will be able to avoid any problematic behavioral developments associated with neutering them before they reach full maturity. All creatures need help after going through with surgery, including your dog. There are a few things you want to do once your dog gets home after their procedure. When they are recovering, taking proper care will help speed the process up and make them more comfortable at the same time. During this time, there are a few pieces of advice that you should heed if you want to have the best recovery for your dog possible. Make sure that they have somewhere comfortable to lay down with plenty of food and water. You have to put your dog in a crate to prevent any accidents from occurring after they have been recently neutered if you need to leave. Keep An Eye On Their Comfort Levels There is a good chance that your dog will develop some un-comfortability or pain after their surgery. This is normal, but you need to make sure that it does not develop into something more severe that could be a sign of something more serious. Do it several times a day at the site of the incision. Dogs will often develop infections in these areas. It can lead to further complications if they are not kept clean. Although it is almost always recommended to have your pet neutered unless you specifically want to have puppies in the future, people do not talk about the possible downsides of neutering often enough. Complications or issues of several types could develop after neutering your dog. Increases The Risk Of Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is no longer producing the hormones the body needs to ramp up its metabolism. It can lead to serious weight gain in dogs. The chances of hypothyroidism can increase drastically if you have your dog neutered before they hit puberty. This can lead to unforeseen side effects such as bone cancer. It can sometimes be turned off and eventually develop into cancer in the bones. Disrupts Normal Hormonal Development Male dogs normally have high levels of testosterone flowing through their body. This is no longer the case after they have been neutered. Testosterone is crucial for the normal development of male dogs as they go through puberty. If you neutered them beforehand, you would prevent this from occurring. But keep in mind that this is not always the case. Dogs will more likely to develop signs of anxious or fearful behavior after the process even though it is true that neutered male dogs are less likely to display aggression or territoriality. Make absolutely sure that you do not want your dog to have her sire puppies because you will be permanently closing the door on that possibility as soon as the procedure is completed. It May Not Stop Problematic Behaviors Anyways One of the most significant reasons that many people have their pets neutered is to stop problematic behaviors. While it is possible that neutering can help to alleviate them, it is far from guaranteed. It is entirely possible for you to have your pet neutered and then continue with the same problematic behaviors they had before. Reasons To Wait To Neuter Your Dog There are several key reasons that you should consider waiting to have your dog neutered until they are older. Many times neutering a dog too young can lead to future health problems they would not otherwise have developed. This can lead to growth problems as the bones continue to grow to unhealthy sizes. Hormonal Issues The second main issue that veterinarians concern themselves with neutering dogs when they are too young is the development of hormonal issues. This can include things like hair loss or even hypothyroidism that leads to serious excessive weight gain. This is one of the best ways to reduce the chances of developing negative side effects after your dog has been neutered. Frequently Asked Questions Most people want to be very involved in taking care of their pets. It is normal to have a few questions when you are a brand-new owner. After knowing the best age to neuter a Goldendoodle, here are a few of the most common questions that pet owners have bounced taking care of their Goldendoodles. Yes, it is possible for a male dog to display very obvious behavioral changes after they have been neutered. It is more likely for you to see the changes in a neutered male dog than in a spayed female dog. A Decrease In Aggressive Behavior Male dogs are very likely to show markedly less aggressive behavior before they were neutered even if they were fairly aggressive dogs. Testosterone levels decrease after the dogs have been neutered. They are directly linked to displays of dominance and other aggressive behaviors. Less Territoriality Male dogs are known for acting territorial. After a dog has been neutered and their testosterone levels drop, they will be far less territorial then they were before they had their surgery and it still had higher levels of testosterone in their blood. Diminished Humping Activity Whenever a male dog is going through puberty, they will very likely display sexual behaviors such as pumping of other dogs, people, or even random objects if they have not been neutered. If you have a dog that is acting like this and you have them neutered, then you should see a corresponding decrease in the prevalence of this behavior over the course of six weeks as their testosterone levels drop. Increased Weight Gain One common side effect that most dogs experience after they have been neutered is an increase in their weight. Sometimes this increase in weight can be so significant that it puts the dog at risk of becoming obese if you do not limit their food intake for them. Increased Appetite Hormonal levels can change rapidly and erratically, which can significantly increase their appetite after dogs have been neutered. It is very likely linked with the increased weight gain you commonly see in neutered dogs. A dog cannot be too old to be neutered. However, if you are neutering a dog that is over the age of two, you should be extra cautious as there are a few things that could complicate things in older dogs. The ability to repair itself is hampered as the body ages in both humans and dogs compared to when the body was brand-new. This can lead to lengthy recovery timelines after surgeries or other major procedures. Older Dogs Are More Likely To Have Complications During The Surgery Dogs are also similar to humans in this way because the older they are, the more likely they will have complications during their procedure. This is due to a number of reasons. In general, animals are less able to handle trauma effectively the older they become. Conclusion: Hope you enjoyed this post about the best age to neuter a Goldendoodle! Spaying or neutering a Goldendoodle has various benefits starting from their health and ending with their behavioral development. Firstly, neutering a Goldendoodle can greatly reduce the risk of certain diseases and various forms of cancers, such as breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer in females, and testicular and prostate cancer in males. Secondly, spaying a Goldendoodle can greatly reduce the prevalence of some unwanted behaviors. For instance, both male and female dogs tend to roam and even escape from their homes to mate. This can, of course, result in very dangerous situations like your pup getting lost or becoming stranded on a highway. Additionally, unneutered male dogs tend to mark with urine. This is never a pleasant thing, especially if it happens around the house. Unfortunately, many dog owners refuse to get the procedure done, while letting their dogs mate with no regards of the consequences. Of course, this can often result in unplanned pregnancies, which require lots of time, effort, and money. Secondly, bringing new puppies into the world can sometimes be very difficult and result in the death of the mama dog or the puppies. Lastly, finding good homes for the puppies is not an easy task. We recommend you leave breeding to professionals who put a lot of time and effort into breeding genetically sound dogs along with finding good homes for the puppies. In fact, many Doodle breeders include a clause in their adoption agreements that you will have to neuter your puppy at around 6 months of age. None of them have any scientific basis, but nevertheless, many dog owners still believe them to be true. One of the most common myths is that female dogs should have at least one litter before neutering. This misconception has followed the topic for ages. Similarly, many people think that purebred dogs can and should be bred. However, that could not be farther from the truth, as purebred dogs also end up in shelters and on the streets. Other than that, spaying or neutering has no effect on their cognitive abilities nor personality. However, they will still feel the urge to mate, which can result in aggression, attempts to escape, marking with urine, and overall decrease of their quality of life. Some other common myths include the surgery being too costly or that it can lead to obesity. Again, neither of these misconceptions is true, as neutering is one of the most widely available routine procedures at a reasonably low cost. At what age should I neuter my Goldendoodle? In terms of when to spay a Goldendoodle, it should always be done at an appropriate age. But what about younger Goldendoodles and puppies? Well, the recommended age for getting your dog neutered is around 6 months of age — typically, after the dog has experienced puberty. The American Animal Hospital Association AAHA has set useful timelines for when you should neuter your Goldendoodle: Small Breeds below 45 pounds as an adult Large breeds above 45 pounds as an adult Spaying Before anticipated heat cycle, usually around months of age Until their growth stops, around months of age Neutering 6 months of age Until their growth stops, usually around months of age Naturally, we always recommend you consult with your veterinarian, so they will be able to fully examine your dog and propose the most appropriate time for your pup. Spaying and neutering a Goldendoodle usually costs around a few hundred dollars. It depends on your location, veterinary clinics in your area, or if there are public agencies near you who provide neutering at a lower price. Neutering a Goldendoodle has many benefits on their health, behavior, and preventing unplanned pregnancies. As we mentioned above, unneutered dogs can become agitated and even aggressive while in heat. In fact, male dogs can smell female dogs in heat even a mile away. However, there are some common risks included with the procedure. These include: Any surgery performed under general anesthesia comes with a set of risks. However, complications rarely occur and they might be able to be detected before the operation with blood work and a thorough vet exam. Infection on the incision site. The symptoms include smelly and thick discharge from the wound, opening of the incision, or swelling and bulging. Early neutering at an inappropriate age before sexual maturity does increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as joint disorders like hip dysplasia, delayed closure of growth plates, and increase in certain types of cancer. Goldendoodle Neuter Recovery As neutering and spaying are surgical procedures, your pup will experience some downtime after the surgery. During this time, you should tone it down with exercise like jogs and walkies, but you can still take your pup out for bathroom breaks. You should also avoid giving your dog a bath and avoid leaving them alone right after the surgery. In addition to that, you might have to go to a follow-up vet exam for the removal of the stitches and for your veterinarian to check if your pup has healed properly. Spaying or neutering a Goldendoodle is widely regarded as a procedure that helps dogs calm down. Having your pup neutered helps reduce their natural urges to mate, which can often lead to aggression, marking with urine, and dogs wanting to escape and wander to mate. Does Neutering A Goldendoodle Work? Spaying or neutering a Goldendoodle absolutely does work! The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. Wait to Spay or Neuter your Puppy They're only puppies once. Let them enjoy it. Deciding whether to wait to spay or neuter your puppy? Your new puppy from Maple Hill Doodles will be more comfortable and happier, and so will your family. We recommend to wait until your puppy is at least a year old. Ah, but why? Because there are growth and maturity factors to consider. Abetting Joint Disease by spaying your puppy too early This may come as a surprise, because the process is so commonplace. Both of those terms sound serious, and they are. What is Hip Dysplasia? As dogs grow, the hip joint may become loose or distorted from its normal ball-and-socket configuration. Then the hip goes out of joint. Very painful to a dog of any age. Some vets consider heredity to be the primary cause of canine hip dysplasia. And certainly it can play a part, especially in large breeds. Grossly overweight dogs risk dysplasia too, because the hip joint has to bear up under too much strain. All of the hormones and enzymes associated with those necessary parts go too. According to a study by Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, hip dysplasia occurred more often when puppies were spayed or neutered before 5 months of age. The reproductive hormones control normal growth of the long bones of a puppy. Deprived of these hormones, the femur has much less chance of fitting correctly into the skeletal puzzle. It holds the leg bones in their proper relationships for good working order. But some dogs will show a limp before the CCL actually does tear. Your ACL usually ruptures because of a serious injury. But in dogs, the process is much more gradual. Being spayed or neutered has not been directly linked as a cause of CCL sprain. But there is a correlation. The Big C and spaying your puppy too early Removing the reproductive system of puppies will naturally stop all tumors connected to estrogen or testosterone. Take away the source and you have no cancers. Hart et al. Please, wait to spay or neuter your sweet puppy. But he was such a good boy. Castrati were deprived of their boyhood between 7 and 9 years old. That meant their voices never deepened. The sound was the same. But about their behavior we have little idea, except their reported lack of sex drive. Behaviors in spayed and neutered puppies are more noticeable. The procedures have been linked to impaired mental development and a shocking three-fold risk of abnormally low thyroid function itself causing changes in behavior. A study published in followed over Vizslas , divided into groups by age at removal of reproductive organs. Avoid separation anxiety, timidity, fear of sudden noises, aggression, fear biting, hyperactivity, fear of storms and excitability. Compare spaying to major surgery for a 6 year old child. Being spayed or neutered really is a traumatic experience for a young puppy. It makes sense that it would cause trust issues. Or menopause. Just think about that for a bit. Wait a while before you spay your puppy. So, what's to be done? In our opinion, having a young puppy spayed or neutered is a terrible idea. There are way too many land mines hidden down the road of life — growth issues, deadly diseases and abnormal behaviors. But we require that the procedure be delayed until at least a year old, and before the second birthday. By then, your puppy will be mature enough that her bones have developed normally, with the natural assistance of the reproductive hormones. That greatly reduces her chances of having joint problems hip dysplasia, CCL rupture. Also, those important hormones are there to keep your puppy healthy. Removing them early is an open invitation to cancers that are more aggressive and show up earlier in life. This lays the foundation for a well-adjusted dog who can handle anything and has the best disposition possible. When your puppy comes home with you, he becomes a member of your family. A very good reason to have an understanding vet There is a solution to the quandary of how to maintain hormone levels as the time comes for spaying or neutering. Honestly, we would far rather go for sterilization instead. Male dogs can be vasectomized, and their jewels left where they are. These sterilization procedures are not routinely done, but it will be worthwhile to find a vet who offers them. Dogs Naturally Magazine recommends this approach and has a helpful link to the Parsemus Foundation for more information. We hope you find this post useful, both for you and for your puppy.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Black Labrador Puppies Black is beautiful, and black Labrador puppies are magnificent, and are the number one request we receive regarding puppy inquiries. Of the officially recognized three colors for Labradors by the A. In our breeding program, we breed for all three colors. History of Black Labradors Black Labradors have an amazing history dating back centuries. They were bred from the water dogs that are now extinct. Initially, Labradors were hunting or fishing dogs and shooting companions. Up until the year , many believed that all Labradors were black. It wasn't until the mid-century that breeders ventured out and bred for chocolate and yellow Labradors as well. Even now, many people both in the U. The Best Qualities of Black Labradors Buying black Labrador puppies is most preferred by customers but not without reason. They have an amazing history of being bred for centuries as the most favorable human companions! The black Labrador puppies are magical to watch as their striking black color exemplifies the shine of the thick double coat They have an unrivaled temperament known for their devotion and reliability to their owners Categorized as sport dogs by A. Available by phone:. From puppyhood to old age care The black Lab is up to 24 inches tall and weighs up to 80lbs. Depending on on their ancestors, your black Labrador puppy may be a little smaller than this when they are fully grown. And the hunting or American Lab may have a lighter frame and a strong drive for retrieving. The lifespan of a black Labrador is 12 years, and some purebred black lab puppies can live even longer given the right diet, exercise and a healthy dose of luck. He was my constant companion almost into adulthood. He came on countless runs through the woods, spent hours playing ball in the backyard, but also sat with his head gently rested in my lap whenever I was sad. It has always amazed me that despite the black Labrador being the most common color, it is in some ways the least appreciated. With an amazing history of working alongside human companions, and a fabulous temperament, this pup really is one to watch. This black retriever has been favored by the hunting community for generations. But they were bred from a fishing companion that has been extinct now for nearly fifty years. This breed was also most likely the route of the rather different, and bigger, Newfoundland. Albeit often with white markings. Do you ever feel like you see more black Labs around than any other color? The first chocolate Labradors that we know of were born in the s, but colors other than black were not at all popular until the mid 90s. Horribly, for many generations most puppies born with chocolate or yellow coats were routinely euthanized at birth! If a puppy has inherited the gene for black coat color from either of her parents, this is the color that her coat will be. These both come from a pigment called eumelanin. More eumelanin leads to a black Lab, less leads to a chocolate. Genes come in pairs. Here we are dealing with B genes at the B locus. B is dominant over b. So a pairing of BB or Bb will give a black coat. Only bb will give a brown coat. A puppy gets one gene from each parent. With me so far? This is because these genes are also effected by another set of genes, at the E locus. E is dominant, and does not get in the way of the B genes. But e is recessive, and this does. It has the potential to stop the B genes giving a black or brown dog, and gives us yellow Labrador pups. And these all interact with each other differently to give different coat colors. This diagram explains them nicely: You can see from these combinations alone that the most common result is a black Lab puppy. But also how chocolate and yellow Labs were hidden for a time through careful matings and selective culling. But there is another twist to the black coat color tale. Occasionally a Lab is born with the dilute gene. This genetic twist essentially tones down the shade of the dark coat color. In the same way that the chocolate Lab looks silver when this gene is activated, the black Lab looks charcoal. In genetic terms, this dilute gene lives at the D locus. Popularity of Black Labs Black Labs have always been the most prevalent color, but their popularity has changed over the years. In the sporting dog community owners of hunting dogs still often prefer the black coat, but pet and show owners often show a preference these days for the paler colors. Chocolate and yellow Labs can even fetch higher prices from some breeders, not to mention the less common fox red and silver tones. Black Dogs Are Harder To Rehome There is a sad phenomenon in pet shelters, which impacts the rehoming rate of black dogs. Prospective owners often pass them by, regardless of temperament, in favor of the brighter colored pups on offer. But these adopters are missing a trick, because black dogs have so much to offer beyond their coat. And what they do offer differs slightly between the Labrador types. English Black Labs — bred for show There are two strains of Labrador. One was bred for the show ring, and the other was bred for the field. Although they are both Labs in the true sense, these separate strains can be quite different and are easy to pick apart if you know what you are looking for. English black Labradors are often preferred by pet homes as well as owners interested in the ring. The English black Lab has a reputation for being a little slower to mature, and a lot more playful. American Black Labs — bred to work American black Labs are slimmer, less excitable but more driven. They stand around the same height, but their heads are less broad and their tails often have less of the otter quality that their show companions sport. Although still friendly, they are perhaps less inclined to play than their show bred cousins. And in contrast to this have a stronger drive to retrieve and hunt. The English black Lab was bred for looks over purpose. Their broad head and barrel chest is matched with a straight, thick furred tail and a heavier weight on the scales. Black Labradors bred for show or as pets tend to be slower to mature, with a more playful personality, and are arguably less likely to run off after wildlife! Which Type Suits You? American black Labs may need more exercise and mental stimulation than English black Labs. They will benefit from gun dog style training involving retrieving exercises. Black Lab Characteristics Although there is no denying that the different Labrador strains have separated to a fair dramatic degree, these are still all fundamentally black Labs. And they do have some features in common that makes them who they are. The Lab has a double coat, excellent for keeping them warm in and out of the water. Their thick straight tail is described as having an otter-like appearance. And they are almost all one single color with no other markings. Mismarked Labs rear their heads from time to time, but this is generally just a case of white toes or a splash of white on their chests. Grooming and Coat Care Your black Lab needs no special grooming due to his coat color. In fact, the grooming requirements of your Labrador Retriever are some of the simplest among dog breeds. Their coats are designed to take care of themselves. Though your furniture and floors may benefit if your dog has a twice daily brush when shedding heavily. Other than that Labs have a wonderful coat that requires only occasional washing. The eventual size of your black Lab puppy will depend a little upon their upbringing, and a lot upon whether they are from American or English lines. An adult black Lab will weigh anywhere from 55 to 80 lbs, and be from 21 to .The English black Lab will tend to be closer to the heavier end of the spectrum, and the American nearer to the lower. Black Lab Temperament Labradors are well known for being friendly. Perhaps sometimes a little too friendly! This bouncy breed is more likely to leap up and lick a burglar than to stop him in the act. The downside of this is that they can be easily distracted at the dog park by wanting to greet everyone they come across. Their jolly, lively nature can also lead them into trouble with people who are unsteady on their feet. Although lovably clumsy, this dog also has a brilliant brain. Intelligence Black Labradors have been bred for generations as hunting companions. Deliberately bred from dogs that were attentive to their handlers and relatively easy to teach commands to, they are absolutely an intelligent breed. Because to get that black coat expressed is just a matter of mating two dogs, whereas to get the recessive genes you need to at least partially make your breeding choices based upon the colors of the parents as well as factors to do with temperament and trainability. But the most important factor when bringing together two Lab lines should always be one of health. Training and Exercising Your Black Lab Black Labs are intelligent dogs and training is an absolute essential for them and their owners. RUnning, swimming, cycling, hiking and even dock diving are popular pass times. Although American Labs tend to be more driven to fetch, English Labradors are often still keen too. Both types need a good workout every day to keep them fit and healthy. And to help them relax at home. You can exercise your dog with a traditional walk, by going for a run together or through play. Retrieving games are a great way to give your Lab a lot of exercise without you having to travel quite such a long distance yourself. You can find some great ideas for games you and your Labrador can play together in this article. Black Lab Health The best way to avoid health problems is by purchasing a puppy from health tested parents. The main areas to be aware of are joint problems and eye problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common Lab complaints. This condition ranges in severity and an adult dog can have x rays to assess their joint health, and be given a score to let you know how well their joints have developed. To avoid your puppy suffering from this either both parents need to be Clear or one Clear one Carrier. If one is a carrier, your puppy might carry the gene too. A general eye exam once a year will make sure that there are no other vision problems manifesting over time. Most breeders advertise online now, so you will need to be careful to have a good chat with them before committing to buying a puppy. Do not put down a deposit before meeting the mother and the litter at their home. The mum should be relaxed and happy to meet you, and for you to handle her pups. If you are looking for a pet you will need to decide whether you think a show or working temperament is better suited to your lifestyle and family needs. Make sure the breeder willingly shows you copies of health certificates from both parents. As a minimum they should be PRA clear, have a recent clear eye check from a vet, have good hip scores and an elbow score of 0. If one parent has been shown as a carrier for dwarfism or PRA, be sure to check that the other has been tested clear. Good breeders ask lots of questions because they care about what happens to their pups, and will be open and willing to answer all of your questions too. You might find it helpful to check out our article on Labrador breeders before you start searching for a pup. You might also want to read this article: Choosing the Right Dog. The information in these articles will help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when looking for their new best friend. Rescuing a Black Lab Rescuing a dog is a great thing to do if your circumstances are right. And rescuing a black Lab is even better, as this color can be hard to home. Reputable rescues will work hard to match you to the right dog, and help you to make a choice that fits in well with your family. Rescuing such a dog can be very rewarding. We hope you will find our article Should you adopt a Labrador helpful. You can view a list of rehoming societies on our rescue page. They will also offer plenty of support and help once you bring your dog home. Especially when it comes to behavioral and training problems. White or grey hairs may start forming around their muzzle, giving them a bearded or grizzled look. This pale hair is nothing to worry about and happens to most black Labs sooner or later. As your black Lab reaches old age, you might find that he slows down a bit. His typical energetic black Lab personality may mellow. He will be less boisterous, and more inclined to spend the day in bed than bouncing up and down by your side. The average lifespan of a black Lab is around 12, but if you are lucky your pup might be with you for 14 or more years. A more comfortable bed, ideally with memory foam, can help support those ageing joints. Ramps for accessing the car can really help them out too. Depending upon advice from your vet you might also want to switch them to a senior dog food , which is easier to digest and has additives that some believe can help slow the pace of arthritis. Life Span Did You Know? Black Labrador Retrievers, or just Black Labs, are a common coat color variation of one of the most popular dog breeds. The Black Labrador Retriever is not necessarily a separate dog breed. Black Labs are still Labrador Retrievers; they just have a distinct coat color that is a specifically-bred characteristic. Like other Labrador Retrievers, Black Labs are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great family companions. Although they are active and energetic dogs, Labs are also known for their gentleness and patience with other family members. Well-socialized Black Labs tend to get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, pets, and even strangers. They are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , Black Labs thrive on attention, especially from their favorite humans. They are happiest when they are spending time with their families and receiving affection and attention from them. Despite their high energy, Labs are highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be better suited to homes with fenced yards where they can run, but they also adapt well to apartments provided they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold like many dog breeds. As such, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Black Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, heart disease, hereditary myopathy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Another potential health concern is EIC exercise-induced collapse , which can occur in young adult Labs and has a genetic link. Because carriers can be identified by DNA tests, it is recommended that breeders test for them. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Although their high energy and puppylike exuberance can sometimes be a challenge, they are intelligent dogs that are eager to please. As long as training is kept consistent and focused on positive rewards and praise, novice owners still tend to do well with Black Labs. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training too. Black Labs have a short, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and sheds heavier as seasons change. Depending on how active your Black Lab is and what they get into, they may need a bath more often, especially if they are swimming a lot. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed help prevent ear infections. Good dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. As one of the most active dog breeds , a Black Labrador Retriever will need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are a minimum. Your Black Lab will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood. They tend to maintain a puppylike exuberance until they are years old. Although they do tend to mellow out as they get older, they are still active, energetic, and playful dogs. Once they are fully grown, you can try other things like hiking, running, dock diving, and more to find other activities you and your Black Lab can enjoy together. Fully-grown Black Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Black Labs generally live for years on average. Black Labrador Retrievers came before the also-popular Chocolate Lab. All modern Chocolate Labs can be traced back to three Black Labs in the s. It was the December issue of .Featured Black Labrador Retriever Article. However, they were bred from stock imported from Canada and are therefore named for the Labrador region of that country. Even in the early days of breeding in the s, Labradors were more likely to be black than any other color. Labradors are often seen as working dogs and are a popular breed for guide dogs. My first guide dog puppy in training, Stetson was an English black Labrador Retriever! They seem to learn the required skills faster than other popular working dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. Notably, Labradors can be taught to complete very complex tasks. One Lab named Endal was trained to assist their wheelchair-bound human into the recovery position if necessary, cover him with a blanket, and activate an emergency telephone. Appearance Labrador retrievers are considered medium-to-large dogs. The females measure .Labradors have a short, dense double coat that repels water and sheds heavily. The dog has a sturdy and muscular physique with a fairly broad head and rectangular ears. You can tell the difference between an English Lab and an American Lab because English Labs tend to be stockier with more square heads, while American Labs have lankier physiques and thinner faces. Labrador retrievers come in three colors: yellow, brown, or black. English black Labs are, of course, always black. This is actually the most common color for Labrador retrievers, with four in nine pups coming out black on average. Of course any reputable Labrador Retriever breeder can match their stud and dam to produce an all black litter if that was their preference. Same for an all yellow or all chocolate litter. This is due to a recessive gene that each parent must contribute. When I first started raising guide dog puppies we had several black and tan pups including Escort and Eagan. Temperament Labrador retrievers are extremely intelligent and extremely friendly, which is the perfect combination in a canine companion. Labs are considered among the most intelligent breeds, and they are also eager to please. This makes them highly trainable because they are easily driven by reward. They may only need to hear a command two or three times to understand what is wanted from them in combination with positive reinforcement. They also have a strong work ethic and can concentrate on a task for extended periods of time. They are also naturally friendly dogs that bond quickly with their families. However, while they are loyal, they do not have the tendency to bark at any human or animal that is not part of their family that some dogs have. This means Labrador retrievers typically make terrible guard dogs, since they are more likely to make friends with a stranger than raise the alarm. Still, they do well in households with kids and other animals, especially if properly socialized from a young age. They will want to be in the house with their families, including on the couch and in the bed. They need to be around people and can develop destructive separation anxiety if they are left alone too often. Exercise Labrador retrievers are energetic dogs, and they need lots of exercise to stay healthy and happy. In addition to this, they need at least an hour of more intensive exercise per day. This means a run rather than a walk and playing a game of catch or tug. But remember, while adult Labs need lots of exercise, it is easy to over-exercise these dogs when they are puppies. This can lead to malformation of the joints that can be painful in later life. Puppies should only have about five minutes of exercise a day per month of life. This means a four month old puppy needs just 20 minutes, which should boost to 30 minutes when they hit six months. Adult English Labs love active families they can go hiking with. Labs also live swimming and getting in the water. Health And Care Labrador retrievers are generally healthy dogs, but like all purebred dogs, they can be prone to certain health conditions. This is the result of generations of inbreeding that has occurred to develop the breed. While breeders try to prevent inbreeding today, some conditions are well-established within the gene pool. Labradors can be particularly prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, with the chances of these issues increasing if they are over-exercised when young. They can also be prone to eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. At one year old her whole litter went to the vet office for an eye exam. Unfortunately, one of her nine siblings was dropped from the program due to cataracts. Labs need good-quality food that is high in animal-based protein with plenty of healthy animal fats. This will give them the energy they need to get through their busy day without the need for excessive calories. Labradors should also be brushed daily to help remove hair from their high-shedding coats. While it is tempting to give them a good wash on a regular basis, this can actually damage their coats and make their shedding worse. It is best to try to limit shampoo sessions for your dog to once a month. This may not be possible if you have an active dog who loves to romp through the mud but do your best. You can always rinse them down and give them a brush if they seem to have picked up excessive debris between washes. Read our guide to how to bathe a puppy here. American vs. English Labs Before wrapping up, it is worth making a note of the differences between the American and English Labs. As we have already noted, English Labs tend to be stockier with rounder heads. This is because while American Labs were bred principally for working in the last years, English Lab breeding was focused on conformation and alignment with breed specifics. This means English Labs are preferable for pet owners looking for show dogs. Also due to this breeding preference, American Labs tend to have a little bit more energy than their English counterparts. English Labs are often characterized as calmer and quieter, but the overall difference between their two temperaments is minimal. This means there are a lot of breeders working with them, but it also means demand is high. I was researching a black Lab puppy between and .In general, it is not hard to come across black puppies, since they are the most common color. Litters often have a mix of colors among the puppies. Despite being dogs that are relatively easy to care for, you will often find black Labs in shelters and rescues. Not everyone is prepared for the responsibility of looking after a dog, so puppies will often find themselves in search of a new home. So, if you are looking for a black Lab, make sure to check with local shelters first. A black English Lab is one of the three color variations of English Labrador retrievers. The others are yellow and chocolate. Black is the most common color for Labradors. Are English Labs calmer? Due to historic breeding practices, English Labs are considered to be a little calmer than their American counterparts. However, the difference is inconsistent and negligible and should generally not be a major factor when choosing a puppy to adopt. English black Labs are friendly and intelligent dogs that are great for first-time owners and families. Still, deciding whether to actually adopt one is a big responsibility. Like many large breeds, they need lots of love and attention. That means at least an hour of exercise a day and plenty of time around their family. If you have an active lifestyle and the time to spend with a canine companion, bringing home a black English Lab will be a highly rewarding experience.

Another American breeder John Lucero played a pivotal role in developing this breed, calling his dogs American Bandog Mastiff. Temperament This intelligent, confident, docile and loyal breed has the ability in indentifying suspicious human behavior, thereby emerging as great protection dogs, loving and protecting the family till the end. If socialized, they get along with cats and other dogs. Generally good to children, they might become their self-appointed baby sitter. Not being good to visitors when the owner is not at home, they may also howl constantly in his absence. Care Exercise With proper physical and mental exercise, they do not become lazy and destructive. Thought they live well in apartments, a home with a large fence yard is ideal. They also enjoy their daily walks with their owners. Grooming Brushing their short coat regularly with a firm bristle brush, will help removing dead hair and dandruff, whereas rubbing with a clean cloth after brushing will help in retaining the gloss. Frequent bathing is harmful for the skin, but trimming their nails and keeping their eyes and ears clean helps in preventing infection. If they have wrinkles, it should be cleaned with a wet cloth or baby wipes and dried with corn starch or baby powder. This breed has a tendency to drool, so their mouth should be wiped after meals. Health Problems Like all other cross breeds they also may acquire the ailments of their parents. Other health problems include eye diseases, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, autoimmune thyroiditis, different types of cancer and skin problems. Having a deep chest, it can suffer from gastric dilatation volvulus or bloat. Training This mighty, easy-to-train breed needs a firm, assertive trainer who can control their dominant nature. Socialization along with obedience training is needed to be given since its puppy days to make it disciplined and well-behaved. Feeding They should be given good quality dog food and artificial supplements are to be avoided. Clean drinking water should be always available as they often feel thirsty. Because of their drooling tendency, their bowl should be washed and water changed, as they do not drink the soiled water. Interesting facts The term Bandog or Bandogge originated in Middle England around to , talking about a kind of mastiff dog that was chained in the day and freed at night to guard. They are good therapy dogs. However, these dogs are so adorable as puppies that many people often adopt them without giving it the proper amount of thought. The food costs are exorbitant, though, and you should expect a whopper of a vet bill every now and then. They can also be prone to behavioral issues if not properly trained and socialized. Just keep in mind that your home will get smaller after you bring one into it. You better know how to swim, because these dogs drool. When you combine two breeds that are already known for having overactive salivary glands, you get a mix that can flood your entire house. It may sound adorable and it often is. They have no idea how big they are. However, they generally weigh well over pounds. Also, they have no idea where their feet are at any time, and they will definitely step on you. They love being the center of attention. They constantly crave affection — and at their size, they have no problems getting it. They make up for it by being incredibly sweet, though. Masti-Bulls are fun-loving and affectionate, but they can quickly get serious if they perceive a threat. They will not hesitate to protect their families, making them great guard dogs and equally good babysitters. Despite their agreeable nature, they have sad-looking faces, especially their solemn eyes. Are These Dogs Good for Families? However, that protectiveness can sometimes be an issue, especially if your kids have friends over who like to roughhouse. Also, these dogs have no idea how big they are. If they get rambunctious, they can easily step on or bowl over a small child. You need to teach them to be aware of their surroundings; you also need to teach your kid how to act around the dog. They have formidable barks that broadcast just how big they are; there are few criminals brave enough to risk entering a house with one of these monsters inside. However, both parent breeds were originally bred as fighting animals, and there may be residual violence left in their DNA. Also, be careful about resource guarding with these dogs. They may get along great with other animals — until somebody gets too close to the food bowl, a favorite toy, or even you. Avoid anything with animal by-products. Portion control is important with larger breeds, as many of them will eat until they run out of food. A brisk walk, lasting minutes, is often all they need. They love to play, and they can spend hours pulling you around the house with a rope toy. Be careful not to overdo any exercise regimen you put them on. That means avoiding activities like agility training or anything that involves running and jumping especially on hard surfaces. Swimming is great for them, though. Introduce them to new people and places, and build up their confidence. You need to pay special attention to their ears too. Other than that, their grooming needs are fairly basic. Brush their teeth every day , bathe them every few months, and trim their nails as needed. Unfortunately, the breed is prone to a variety of health issues, both large and small. Minor Conditions. Frightened or startled When they are not socialized If you think that your American Masti-Bull is displaying aggression, it is important to seek professional help from a certified trainer or behaviorist. A twice-weekly brushing with a natural bristle brush will help remove dead hairs and prevent matting. They typically shed moderately, so regular brushing will help keep the shedding under control. An occasional bath with a mild dog shampoo will help keep the coat clean and healthy. Beyond regular brushing and bathing, the American Masti-Bull requires minimal grooming. Their short, smooth coat is easy to care for, and they are not prone to excessive shedding or matting. As a result, they are an ideal breed for busy families or individuals who do not have the time or inclination to groom a high-maintenance breed. Nails should be trimmed regularly using a canine-specific nail trimmer. Overgrown nails can cause pain and difficulty walking. Ear cleaning is also important, as American Masti-Bulls are prone to ear infections. Clean the ears weekly with a cotton ball soaked in a gentle, dog-safe cleanser. Never insert anything into the ear canal itself. Teeth should be brushed regularly using a canine-specific toothpaste. American Masti-Bulls are prone to dental problems, so regular brushing will help keep the teeth and gums healthy. Regular grooming will help your American Masti-Bull stay healthy and comfortable. American Masti-Bull — Drooling Levels The American Bulldog Mastiff is known for its heavy drooling, which can be quite irritating to their face and neck. For this reason, it is important to wipe down their face and neck daily with a damp cloth. This will help to remove any build-up of saliva and prevent irritation. The American Masti-Bull is a loyal and protective breed that makes a great family pet. They are known for their gentle and loving nature, and they thrive on human interaction. They are patient with children and other pets, and they will quickly become a cherished member of the family. While they are not typically aggressive, they can be defensive of their family if they feel threatened. For this reason, it is important to socialize them early on and to provide them with plenty of positive reinforcement. If you are considering adopting an American Masti-Bull, it is important to research the breed thoroughly and to find a reputable breeder. This will help ensure that you end up with a healthy, well-adjusted pet that will be a cherished member of your family for many years to come. The American Masti-Bull is an excellent guard dog breed. They are loyal and protective of their family, and they will quickly become attached to their human companions. They are also quick to sound the alarm if they sense something amiss, which makes them an excellent watchdog. While they are not the largest of dogs, their courage and tenacity more than make up for their size. They will stand up to much larger opponents if they feel that their family is in danger. If you are looking for a guard dog that will become a loyal and loving family member, the American Masti-Bull is an excellent choice! However, like all breeds, the American Masti-Bull is susceptible to certain health conditions. Some of the most common health issues seen in American Masti-Bulls include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cherry eye. Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joints and can cause pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition that affects the elbow joints. Both conditions are believed to be genetic in nature and can be exacerbated by improper care or nutrition. Cherry eye is a condition that causes the third eyelid to become swollen and protrude from the eye. While cherry eye is not typically painful, it can cause long-term damage to the eye if left untreated. Proper care and nutrition are essential for all dogs, but they are especially important for American Masti-Bulls. This breed is prone to dental problems, so regular brushing and dental checkups are a must. However, they do have some specific nutritional requirements that need to be met in order for them to stay healthy and active. Puppies: Puppies of this breed need food that is high in protein and fat in order to support their rapid growth. The focus should also be on food that is easy to digest, since their digestive systems are still developing. This is to maintain their muscular bodies and active lifestyles. However, they also need easily digestible food since they tend to have sensitive stomachs. Senior Dogs: As senior dogs, American Masti-Bulls need food that is easy to digest and high in antioxidants to help keep their immune systems strong. They also need food that is low in calories to help them maintain a healthy weight. In addition to high-quality food, American Masti-Bulls may also benefit from a food supplement. This is especially true if they are not getting all of the nutrients they need from their food. Some good food supplements for American Masti-Bulls are omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Table scraps should not be given to American Masti-Bulls as they can easily become obese. This is a health hazard for them since they are already prone to joint problems. Overall, American Masti-Bulls need a food that is high in protein and fat, easy to digest, and rich in antioxidants. A food supplement may also be necessary to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need. Treats should be given in moderation to avoid weight gain. American Masti-Bull — Are they friendly with other dogs? When it comes to other dogs, the American Bulldog Mastiff can be both friendly and aloof. They may get along well with some dogs but be standoffish with others. Due to their size, they may be best suited to being the only dog in the household. However, with proper socialization from an early age, they can learn to get along with other dogs. American Masti-Bulls are usually not aggressive towards other dogs, but they may become territorial if they feel threatened or if their family is threatened. Small dogs may view American Masti-Bulls as a threat, so it is important to introduce them slowly and under supervision. If you have another dog in the house, make sure to monitor their interactions carefully. This cross breed may also try to dominate other dogs, so it is important to be consistent with training and discipline. Overall, American Masti-Bulls can be friendly with most other dogs if they are properly socialized from an early age. These dogs are great with children of all ages and make wonderful family pets. If you are looking for a breed of dog that is good with kids, the American Masti-Bull is an excellent choice. Very young children or the elderly might find a large American Masti-Bull to be overwhelming. If you have small children or the elderly living in your home, it is important to supervise their interactions with this breed of dog. Otherwise, the American Masti-Bull makes an excellent companion for kids and families. Excessive barking can be a sign of underlying behavioral issues that need to be addressed. This makes them an ideal choice for many families, as they can be comfortable in both hot and cold climates. In hot weather, their coat will thin out, helping to keep them cool. In relation to hot weather, the American Masti-Bull is more tolerant to heat than most other breeds of dog. They can handle being in hot weather for longer periods of time and are less likely to overheat. Overall, the American Masti-Bull is a breed that is known for its tolerance to both hot and cold weather. This makes them an ideal choice for many families, irrespective of the climate that they live in. American Masti-Bull — Life Expectancy The American Masti-Bull is a loyal and loving companion, but like all dog breeds, they are susceptible to certain health problems. On average, they have a life expectancy of 10 years, but this can be shortened by health problems such as hip dysplasia and heart disease. By catching these problems early, you can get treatment for your Masti-Bull that can help extend their life. While this mixed breed is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC , it is growing in popularity as a family pet and working dog. The American Bulldog Mastiff is a popular crossbreed in the United States, and their pup prices reflect this popularity. This price range can differ depending on the specific breeder, bloodline, and coat coloration of the pup. For example, pups with rarer coat colors or those from show-quality bloodlines may cost more than pups with more common coat colors or from working lines. In general, though, most Masti-Bull pups will fall within the mentioned price range. If you are interested in purchasing a Masti-Bull puppy, be sure to do your research on reputable breeders in your area. With any luck, you will be able to find a healthy, happy pup that fits both your lifestyle and budget! He is a singleton. He is fawn with the most gorgeous coat ever. The dam is a brindle Bullmastiff and the sire is a brindle Mastiff. He was 15 lbs. He is the most calm and gentle giant. Very alert and has a mature look about him. It is a cross between the Bullmastiff and the English Mastiff. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in any of the breeds in the hybrid. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. She is a big cuddle bug and has the best temperment and loves to play with my children. Her two other best friends are my kittens Cupcake and Cleopatra. For a puppy she does get into a lot and is very curious, but she is also very calm and relaxed. She loves to eat and lounge around. We have only had her a short time, but she fits into our home so well that I couldn't picture home without her. She is so beautiful, loving, good hearted and she came in and completed our family. He is a singleton pup.

She is a chocolate merle with an impressive pedigree! Fiona loves to play and likes when the other girls chase her. She is smart and loves to cuddle. Fifi, as we call her, has the best personality and a sweet demeanor. Fiona is retired and will live the rest of her days lounging on our couch! Lola Lola is retired but will be staying with us. Bella Bella has retired and living her best life as an only dog! We love him soooooo much. Thank you! I was sent pictures and felt so close. I waited not so patiently to fly to Santa Fe to pick her up. The breeder brought her to me in Santa Fe and gave us a ride back to the airport. We were in Instant love. She is a secure, healthy, adventurous Frenchie, and in the two weeks she has been in our family has been the best. We are so grateful that we found Wild Blue. Our puppies are bred to be cute and intelligent and are raised to have the best personalities and temperament. You can expect the greatest attention to detail to make your experience of purchasing a puppy a fun and enjoyable process, as it should be. We are located in Denison, Texas about 1. We are happy to meet you halfway in Amarillo. We have answers. The price of French Bulldog puppies varies from breeder to breeder no matter your location. Some of the factors that affect the price include breeder experience, coat color, and pedigree. The great thing about searching through the Uptown network is that you can be matched with the perfect puppy that fits your price range! What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? French Bulldogs are small apartment dogs with perky bat-like ears, a wrinkly face, and an adorable expression that is hard to resist. The breed has been popular since the 18th century and continues to be a favorite until today. Bred to be smaller than their English Bulldog cousins, Frenchies are great companions and are easy to care for. Why are Dallas French Bulldogs so expensive? French Bulldogs are extraordinary dogs that require special care when breeding. Because of their anatomy, Frenchies have extremely narrow hips that make reproduction quite a challenge. They have to be artificially inseminated in order to conceive and later on, need a C-section when delivering the puppies. The medical expertise needed during this stage is largely the reason why French Bulldog puppies are expensive. Will I be matched only with French Bulldog breeders in Dallas? The Uptown network spans 48 states and you are free to find a match anywhere! The businesses and breeders in our network are experienced in delivering puppies to their new homes -- even when it means crossing state lines. You can pick up your new puppy at a major airport near you or arrange to meet where the puppy was born. How do you screen French Bulldog breeders in Dallas? Uptown Puppies makes absolutely sure that any business who joins the network follow ethical practices and have an excellent facility where the dogs are kept happy, healthy, and safe. Unlike other websites that simply post all businesses in the area without discretion, Uptown Puppies screens out anyone who is not up to standards. This prevents puppy mills and backyard breeders from participating in our community. We want you to bring a happy and healthy Frenchie that will be with your family for many years. What is a puppy mill like for French Bulldog puppies Dallas? Puppy mills are terrible places where dogs breed almost all their lives to produce as many litters as they can. Are there any French Bulldog puppies in Dallas right now? Looking for a Frenchie to take home today? Sign up for free at Uptown Puppies and meet all the beautiful French Bulldog puppies from ethical breeders in Dallas.

Crash At what age do German Shepherds start having hip problems? There is no specific age for hip problems. The signs of hip issues can be seen as early as 4 months of age. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are often seen. The inflammatory signs of hip displacement are visible depending on the size, nutrition, and management of your dog. Hip dysplasia German Shepherd signs There are different signs and symptoms which can tell that German Shepherds have bad hips. They are listed as follows: Reduced movement Challenge or refusal to walk , climb stairs, etc. Idiocy at the back Grip the joint while moving Deterioration of bone mass of lower leg The shoulder muscles are noticeably enlarged by compensating for the back end Distress Tips to Make German Shepherd Back Legs Stronger 1. Proper weight management German Shepherds who are overweight are more prone to hip dysplasia. Weight management is the key tool to help avoid hip dysplasia. Being overweight results in overburdening of the hind legs resulting in displacement. Proper exercise Use the appropriate exercises to strengthen the hind legs. It also results in proper contraction and relaxation of muscles attached to the bone. It also helps in the management of weight. Proper diet plan Always provide a proper diet for your German Shepherd. A proper diet is required for the proper growth of bones. Always consult a veterinarian, a dietitian, or a nutritionist for the formulation of a diet plan. Always provide a high-quality feed. Supplementation Supplements are always useful in maintaining issues related to hip dysplasia. The injured joints can be helped with supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin sulfate, collagen, and glucosamine. Physiotherapy Regular massage Massaging leg muscles is very helpful. Seek the help of a physiotherapist for regular massage. It helps in the reduction of pain and displacement issues related to the hip. Muscle strengthening and stability Adopt the techniques that are helpful in the stability and strengthening of muscles. Reduce injury chances Always monitor your German Shepherd while exercising. Exercise may result in injury. Always monitor and rush to the nearest vet if your German Shepherd undergoes some injury. Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is a good strategy to fight the issues of hip dysplasia. It involves swimming. It is a safe method of exercise and the chances of injury are less. Distinct cushion A specific type of cushion is available for the support of hip joint and leg joints. It provides help against the stiffness and rigidity of muscles. It also helps against knee hygroma issues. Acupuncture Acupuncture is the latest technique in healing to avoid hip dysplasia and other joint issues. Different techniques are employed at different pressure points of the body. Surgical Intervention Always visit your veterinarian for surgical manipulation in case of displacement or any issue like that. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a disease that can impact the spinal cord of a German Shepherd. The initial signs of the disease are similar to canine arthritis or hip dysplasia, so it is often written off as a joint disease at first. However, the disease will eventually progress to knuckling of the back legs, severe lameness, and complete paralysis of the hind end. There is no treatment available for dogs with degenerative myelopathy, but strengthening the muscles in the hind legs is proven to slow the progression of the disease over time. This is why it is so important to keep your pup active over the years. Maintain A Healthy Weight Keeping your German Shepherd at a healthy weight is likely the most effective way to promote strength in their back legs. The extra pressure can lead to significant joint deterioration over time, especially if they are already experiencing the effects of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Obesity can even exacerbate these issues in dogs that may not have developed joint disease otherwise. When their joints are healthy, their back legs will naturally be stronger and more agile. The better your dog feels each day due to optimal nutrition, the easier it is for them to remain active. Keep Them Active Keeping your dog active is a wonderful way to help them build strength in their back end. Not only is a regular fitness routine essential in maintaining joint and muscle strength, but certain activities are known to improve back leg strength itself. Start Joint Supplements At 1 Year Due to how prone German Shepherds are to painful joint conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, starting joint supplements at 1 year of age can be extremely beneficial. Joint supplements are often most effective when they are used as a preventative measure rather than after joint disease has already developed, as they can help to promote joint strength as the years go by. One of the many symptoms of joint disease is weakness in the hind limbs, so preventing these conditions can ultimately promote back leg strength in the future. Joint disease can lead to significant deterioration of the joints when it is left untreated, so you will want to start a joint management plan from the moment they develop symptoms. By monitoring your German Shepherd for any signs of discomfort, you can establish a joint care plan early in the disease process. By doing so, you can hopefully prevent so much joint damage from coming. Popular Articles:. German Shepherds are very intelligent, loyal, and obedient. Originally bred for herding, modern-day German Shepherds work with police and search and rescue units across the world because they are task-oriented, curious, and creative. Like all dog breeds, German Shepherds are uniquely vulnerable to certain diseases. German Shepherds are more likely than dogs of other breeds to suffer from degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Over time, the weakness will get even worse. Your dog might struggle to get up, and, as the disease progresses, and your dog could lose bowel and urinary control. The dog might also struggle to get up because the disease causes muscles to atrophy. Dogs with degenerative myelopathy can become paralyzed by the disease. There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy. But if your dog has the disease, you can take a few steps to reduce their suffering. Kinesiology tape has been used successfully to help dogs with degenerative myelopathy. And, because your German Shepherd will be spending more time sitting and lying down, they are at greater risk for bedsores. Clean and trim them often. German Shepherds that become partially paralyzed by degenerative myelopathy are good candidates for wheelchairs. Custom made dog wheelchairs by K9 Carts can help your dog stay mobile and preserve their quality of life. If your German Shepherd suffers from hip dysplasia, they will eventually develop joint pain, damaged cartilage, and arthritis. Hip dysplasia starts when your dog is a puppy, but it might not be noticeable until the dog is well into maturity. Dogs with hip dysplasia will show a reluctance to exercise, move slowly, and might favor one leg over another. Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. Hip dysplasia in German Shepherds can be treated and managed. Your dog can experience better quality of life through physical therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs if their case is not severe. They could require surgery. In extreme cases, the dog may need a wheelchair. Dilated Cardiomyopathy in German Shepherds German Shepherds, like other large dog breeds, are vulnerable to dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart disease. A heart affected by dilated cardiomyopathy is inefficient at pumping blood, and oxygenated blood is not adequately distributed through the body. The heart becomes enlarged, and its ventricular walls get thinner. In some cases, changes in heart rhythm will also be a result of the thinned chamber walls. Also, dilated cardiomyopathy can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. If your dog has dilated cardiomyopathy, they might tire easily, have trouble breathing, cough often, struggle to exercise, or suffer fainting spells. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Dilated cardiomyopathy can be fatal. It can be mitigated with certain drugs, like ACE inhibitors, but it is a chronic disease. However, if dilated cardiomyopathy is detected early, and the dog is medicated and managed property, it can still live for some time with a good quality of life. It does give you an idea of diseases you may not have heard of that could develop. And remember—if your dog has any of these diseases, they should be treated by a veterinarian. Why does a German Shepherd drag his back legs? The condition is quote common among this breed of dog. One of the first warning signs is a German Shepherd that stands with his back paws together. This explains exactly why the German Shepherd I recently witnessed was struggling to get up. Although his paws were not dragging, he was dragging and still probably in the very early stages of DM. Dogs with DM may exhibit symptoms such as limping, dragging, and a loss of control in their back legs. Understanding these challenges can help owners provide appropriate care and support for their beloved German Shepherds. Challenges 1. Limping and Dragging Back Leg: One of the primary challenges seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is a noticeable limp in the back leg. As the disease progresses, the affected leg may drag while walking, causing difficulty in maintaining a normal gait. Loss of Mobility and Coordination: German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy may experience a gradual loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. This can make it challenging for them to stand, walk, or perform daily activities that were once effortless. Crossed Paws and Inability to Unlock Limbs: An observable behavior in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This occurs because they are unable to unlock their limbs properly, adding to the overall challenges they face. Development of Secondary Conditions: While degenerative myelopathy itself may not cause pain, it can lead to the development of secondary conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis can further contribute to discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. German Shepherds, being predisposed to degenerative myelopathy, are prone to experiencing various challenges related to their back legs. Owners may notice their German Shepherds limping or dragging one or both hind legs. This limping can be a clear indication of a problem in the affected leg, requiring attention and care. As degenerative myelopathy progresses, German Shepherds may suffer a loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. Activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs may become increasingly difficult for them. In severe cases, complete paralysis of the back legs can occur. A distinctive behavior seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This is due to the impaired ability to unlock their limbs properly. The crossed paws further contribute to the challenges faced by these dogs, affecting their stability and balance. Additionally, the progression of degenerative myelopathy can lead to the development of secondary conditions, such as arthritis, in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. Arthritis can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness, exacerbating the challenges already posed by the degenerative myelopathy. Understanding and recognizing these challenges is crucial for owners of German Shepherds with back leg problems. Seeking veterinary care and guidance, providing appropriate pain management, and considering supportive devices like harnesses or carts can help alleviate some of the difficulties faced by these dogs. Ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling life for German Shepherds with back leg problems requires attentive care and a proactive approach to their overall well-being. Knuckling in German Shepherds can be caused due to a variety of different factors, such as genetics, injury, or a neurological disorder. This condition can occur in both puppies and adult German Shepherds, however it is more commonly seen in puppies. If a German Shepherd puppy is born with their back legs close together and their feet turning out, this can be an indication of a genetic predisposition to knuckling. Injuries can also cause knuckling, such as a trauma to the spinal cord or a severe strain on the leg muscles. Lastly, neurological disorders can also be the cause of knuckling in German Shepherds. The symptoms of German Shepherds that drag their hind legs include the dragging of the hind legs behind the body and difficulty walking or running. The feet of the German Shepherd may also turn outwards, and the back legs may be held close together. Additionally, the German Shepherd may show signs of discomfort and pain when walking. If the knuckling is due to an injury, then rest and rehabilitation can help to reduce the symptoms. For neurological disorders, medication and physical therapy may be needed in order to reduce the discomfort associated with knuckling. If the knuckling is due to genetics, then surgery may be an option to correct the physical deformity. In conclusion, German Shepherds that drag their hind legs can be caused by a variety of different factors. If you notice your German Shepherd dragging their hind legs, it is important to seek veterinary advice in order to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, knuckling can often be managed effectively. What is degenerative myelopathy? A disease found in dogs, especially German Shepherds, that is very similar to ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Basically, there is a breakdown of Myelin a protective coat around the spinal cord. The prognosis for progression of degenerative myelopathy is approximately 6 months to 3 years, with no cure at this time. I have no doubt, being the owner of a dog who gets this diagnosis is undoubtedly heart-breaking. The disease will slowly or quickly progress. What causes degenerative myelopathy? At this time, the exact cause of degenerative myelopathy is not known. A gene mutation seems to be consistent in most cases, and tends to be specific to German Shepherds. Other breeds are effected too, including the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Chesapeake Bay retriever. According to Dr. There are several stages of degenerative myelopathy. Signs and symptoms can cross over each other through the different stages, but this table can be used as a general guide. This will gradually build their hind leg muscles. This forces your dog to put more strain on their back legs, helping to build muscle, and uneven surfaces help improve balance and exercise different muscles. This helps exercise their core muscles as well as their hind legs. This exercise helps to build hind leg muscles. Hydrotherapy is highly effective in building back leg muscles, and classes and facilities are available that specialize in this type of therapy for dogs with mobility issues. Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints and prevent injury. This popular joint supplement is often given to large dogs like German Shepherds. Green-Lipped Mussel: When combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, the green-lipped mussel can help reduce pain and maintain joint function in dogs with mobility issues. This supplement supports overall joint health and can help your German Shepherd feel more comfortable moving around. Fish Oil: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health. Vitamin E: Vitamin E can help improve muscle strength and reduce muscle damage. Last fall, Jedi was in bad shape. The two-year-old German Shepherd's health had waxed and waned for months. His owners and local veterinarian saw that Jedi was in pain and suffering from hind limb ataxia, meaning he was losing balance and coordination in his back legs. Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, mobility harnesses, and slings can provide support and improve mobility for German Shepherds with weak back legs. Recognizing Symptoms of Weak Hind Legs in German Shepherds German Shepherds are prone to hind leg weakness, which can be caused by various factors such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and spinal cord issues. Limping Or Favoring One Leg: Your German Shepherd might limp or put more weight on one leg to compensate for the weakness in the other leg. Difficulty Standing Or Sitting: Struggling to stand up or sit down can indicate discomfort or weakness in the hind legs. Decreased Activity Levels: A decrease in interest in playing, going for walks, or heading outside may signify discomfort or weakness in the back legs. Swelling Or Pain In Joints: Swollen hips, stiffness in joints and legs, or signs of pain in the back legs can be indicators of an underlying issue affecting hind leg strength. Here are some common causes: 1. Arthritis: This degenerative joint disease can affect German Shepherds as they age. It can cause pain and stiffness in the hind legs, making it difficult for them to move around. This genetic condition can cause the hip joints to develop abnormally, leading to arthritis and hind leg weakness. It can be diagnosed through X-rays. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy: This progressive neurological disease affects the spinal cord and can cause hind leg weakness and paralysis. It is usually seen in older dogs. Diabetes: Diabetes can affect the nerves in the hind legs, leading to weakness and loss of coordination. Fibrocartilaginous Embolism: This spinal cord injury can occur when a piece of cartilage breaks off and blocks blood flow to the spinal cord. It can cause hind leg weakness and paralysis. Limited Mobility: Dogs that are overweight, have poor muscle tone, or have been inactive for an extended period of time may experience hind leg weakness due to limited mobility. To maintain them, provide proper nutrition, exercise, weight management, joint supplements, physiotherapy, injury prevention, and care, and consider alternative therapies or assistive devices if necessary. Common causes of hind leg weakness are arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, diabetes, fibrocartilaginous embolism, and limited mobility. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect hind leg weakness. Some German Shepherds may begin showing signs of hip dysplasia as young as four months old, while others develop osteoarthritis as they age. However, in many cases, the signs of hip dysplasia become apparent once the dog is around two years old. To reduce the risk of hip dysplasia in offspring, ensure that only German Shepherds with healthy hips are bred. If you notice your German Shepherd whining when walking , limping, hesitating or showing reluctance when moving its back legs, it may have hip dysplasia. The first sign of pain in young dogs may appear as difficulty climbing stairs, jumping into a car, or exercising freely. If you suspect hip dysplasia, consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Yes, a German Shepherd can recover from hind leg weakness with proper treatment, exercise, and diet. Recovery depends on the underlying cause, and it is best to speak to a veterinarian for a plan of action. Justin Author Justin is a protection dog enthusiast. He has years of experience teaching and training dogs. Read More. It seems that the more highly bred a dog is, the more likely they are to come down with DM. Diseases like this normally are self-destructive, that is to say either it will not breed true, or kills its recipient, before it can be passed on. Degenerative Myelopathy unfortunately appears to breed true, and can be seen to have infected German Shepherds, and then passed across the breeds to other large dogs. This is only my theory, but I cannot see how any other diagnosis fits all the known facts. Breeders know of this genetic fault and even though genetic testing is available, they have not failed to stop it being passed on. Irresponsible breeders will deny any knowledge of the disease. And even though DM is becoming more prevalent, some vets do not appear to be interested, although some have even had their own dogs come down with it. If you want to see just how massive this infection is, just run a search using either the full name or the initials Degenerative Myelopathy and see what results you get. Support Groups are thriving all over the Web, all offering advice, but none being of any constructive help. If humans were dying this fast, it would be considered a catastrophe, but each owner, living in their own little piece of hell, believes that their pet is just another casualty, and are unable or unwilling to see the greater picture. First Signs of Degenerative Myelopathy The best thing you can do as a pet parent is educate yourself so you can advocate for your dog and make sure they get the treatment they need. Hind Leg Cross Over: where the nerves scramble the signals to the rear legs, and the dog thinks that he is moving one leg when he is actually moving the opposite leg. Tripping: when one leg catches behind the other as the dog walks. Toe Down: where the foot or feet are curled under, and the dog rests his weight on the top of that foot. An easy test is to manually curl the foot under and place the upper surface on the ground. If the dog resets that foot, to immediately place it down correctly, no current problem. However, if it remains standing, just as you placed the foot, without resetting; then Degenerative Myelopathy is entering its obstructive phase. This led me on a search around the world, via the Web, to try and gain some understanding of exactly what he had and why. We first noticed changes in his gait about 2 years previously, when I noticed that he was scraping his rear legs every now and again. I thought that it was only his laziness, and now wished to God that it had been just that. He started getting grazes on his back feet, and we would treat each scrape and cure it, but as soon as we removed his sock s he would reinjure his paws. He was still able to leap into the car, up on the bed, pretty much wherever he wanted. As it happened, even if we had managed to get an earlier diagnosis, it would not have mattered or helped one iota. A year and a half later, Shane starting to drag his right rear leg, not badly, but sufficiently to catch the top of his foot and break the skin. We took him to our local vet, who had looked after him since he was a puppy. He did x-rays, found lesions on his spine, between his ribs and his pelvis. Just a small white mark around his lower spine. His diagnosis was Degenerative Myelopathy. Here I must say that Shane was the nicest natured dog we had ever had. He had no vices, was friends with everybody and as clean as you could ever want. When once he was caught out in the office and had to go, he even cleaned it all up, and of course was ill for a week afterwards. I tell you this, so that you will have some idea how this wicked disease affected him. Improving Mobility for a German Shepherd with DM His walks that he loved, became shorter and shorter as he tired quickly, and dragged his back feet more and more. We should have thought of a dog wheelchair sooner, but the progression of the disease caught us off guard. He suffered no pain from DM, and only yelped one time when he had overstrained his chest muscles, trying to pull himself along on his front legs. A short course of mg coated aspirin two night and morning for a couple of days fixed the pain, until it went away naturally. By now, being a really intelligent dog, he worked out that inside it was easier to stick his nearly useless back legs out sideways, and slide along on his butt, pulling himself with his front legs. To get up onto his daybed our couch he would move himself, as above, and then wait for someone to raise him onto his rear legs. After he put his front feet onto the couch, he would wait for me to lift his back end, as he moved forward to lay on his blanket. To go out, I bought a sling that went under his stomach, and he walked on his front legs with us lifting the back ones off the ground. At first when he reached his preferred spot, we could remove the sling and he would do his own thing, sometimes with my wife guiding him with his magnificent, but now almost useless tail. Finally, as winter approached, we had to support him with this tail, as the sling he being a male dog would be in the way. Dog Wheelchairs and Degenerative Myelopathy My wife and I had decided months before, that as long as his insides continued to be under his control, and he was happy being with us, we would continue to do everything we could to assist him in living. To this point he continued to have that control, and so we looked for a dog wheelchair to give him the exercise he lacked. The dog wheelchair arrived, and I assembled it. This part was easy, but the minor adjustments, to fit him comfortably took a week or so. We found that making small adjustments was the way to go, as some made things worse, and had to be immediately undone. Having finally found the correct height, length etc. In the end we found that we had to strike a happy medium. Even when correctly adjusted, pooping had to be accomplished by holding the top rear rail, and pulling back slightly, so as to draw his rear legs forward, and allow his rear end to face slightly downwards. Finally putting his tail over that rear bar, allowed him to poop cleanly and not soil himself. At first we found that the saddle tended to rub the inside of his crotch, but adding a piece of soft cotton sheeting, over the saddle and securing it in place by catching the four corners and pinning them together below, seemed to work fine. Any red spots could then be treated with talc and diaper cream, so allowing him to go for exercise every other day. I adjusted the dog wheelchair to place his rear feet flat on the ground, fitted them with boots to stop any damage from dragging. At first, each time it would take him a couple of steps before the rear legs started to work again, but once started they continued to do so for each walk period. I can still see him from behind galloping at full tilt, with his tail moving in circles. Stopping was another thing, but he managed to do so, by ceasing all leg movement and coming to a grinding halt. Not once did he manage to turn the dog wheelchair over, and had to be told when it was time to go home. Nothing was quite long enough. For those of you that are wondering about a dog wheelchair, I can tell you with no reservations that it was worth the price, even if only for a short while. The happiness that the wheelchair brought, far outweighed its cost. Normally, if allowed to continue to its final state, it moves forward to take either the front legs, lungs and heart to the brain. Most dogs or their owners do not let it proceed that far. And then came the day, he finally lost control of his bowels. We thought this over carefully and considered this an unfortunate mistake and moved on. However, we did note that when trying to poop, it became irregular, and that he would move forward whilst doing so. The Vet informed us that this was a sign that he could not feel how he was doing, and to expect a worsening in the coming weeks. Of course, it happened to him again, this time on his couch. Even though we reassured him, he looked depressed. Perhaps if he had been a less than sanitary dog, it might not have affected him that much. But my wife and I knew that finally he was really unhappy and prepared to make that decision. As I had done in the past, she remained with him, until he was finally asleep. My wife says she imagines them all running like the wind, through a field of long grass. Perhaps they will be there to meet us, finally when our time comes. We have decided that because of the prevalence of DM, we will not have any further dogs, Shepherds in particular but we are happily left with Sable II, an Australian Female Kelpie that came in from the cold, as a stray, almost 6 years ago. She did so because she fell in love with Shane, and has stayed with us ever since, but that again is a whole other story. Their back legs have much more of a bend to them. This puts a little extra on the back and a lot more than the usual strain on the back legs. As a result, many years down the line, the strain on the back legs can develop into more serious issues. Studies have shown, in fact, that one side-effect of this is that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop hip dysplasia than many of the other large breeds, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers. If you have an older dog, the leg weakness is likely something that has progressed over the years, but there may be other causes, such as diabetes. Your vet can run some tests to give you a conclusive diagnosis. Symptoms of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds As there are different causes for back leg weakness in German Shepherds, there are a number of different symptoms to consider. If you see one of the symptoms which we have listed below, a vet checkup is a good idea so that the root cause may be determined and treatment initiated as soon as possible. Lethargy Lethargy is a common first symptom, as your dog knows that their back legs are weaker and simply prefers to stay sitting or laying down. Watch to see if this occurs with a reluctance to rise or a wobbly gait — however brief — to see if this energy loss may be an early sign of back leg weakness. Poor Coordination Poor coordination is a definite red flag that your dog may be suffering from back leg weakness. Veterinarian Tammy Hunter, DVM, advises that dogs in this condition are prone to fall over easily when gently pushed from the side. Slipping on the floor quite often is another common way that this manifests and a definite warning sign. Decreased Motion Range Another early warning sign, a decreased range of motion may be indicative of developing back leg weakness, though this will sometimes manifest as well if your dog has simply strained their back muscles while playing frisbee or other games where they must jump and twist. Urinary and Bowel issues In the later stages of degenerative myelopathy, leg paralysis often occurs along with a loss of control of urination and the bowels. While this is more common in Shepherds over the age of 8, it can occasionally occur in younger Shepherds as well. Reduced Muscle mass Reduced muscle mass is a common symptom, which may be degenerative myelopathy or Osteoarthritis. It is a slow process and sometimes manageable by means of a harness or an exercise regimen which may be proscribed by your vet. They may walk a little more slowly or simply creep along with their bodies closer to the ground so that they have better control over their legs and where they are going. Leg Paralysis Leg paralysis is common towards the end of degenerative myelopathy and may possibly occur within 6 months to 2 years following a diagnosis of this condition. Shepherds were bred to have a degree bend in their back legs, and while this provides agility enhancement, it also makes them more vulnerable to certain conditions. The most common causes of back leg weakness have been listed below. Genetics Shepherds are prone to a number of medical conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. Due to this, many prospective owners will ask their breeder for copies of the health history of the dam and the sire, along with X-rays of the hips and elbows of the parents and the puppy to determine the likelihood of certain conditions. Hip Dysplasia With hip dysplasia, the ball portion of the upper thighbone is not fully covered by the hip socket. This means that the hip joint may occasionally become dislocated either partially or, in some cases, completely, and as the ball of the hip joint meets the socket, it causes pain for the dog when moving. While this sometimes affects smaller dogs, it is much more common in larger breeds such as the German Shepherd. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a neural condition which some German Shepherds are prone to, and it manifests as the dog slowly losing control of their hind legs. Of note, veterinarians Ernest Ward and Tammy Hunter advise that a genetic mutation known as SOD-1 has been identified to be a major risk factor in developing Degenerative Myelopathy, but research is still continuing on this condition. As it is very hard to detect, Shepherd owners are advised to have regular vet checkups in order to increase the chances of detecting and managing conditions such as this early on. Subluxation Subluxation is a condition where one or more of the vertebrae in the spine have become misaligned. This often results in pain, along with a reduced range of motion, a wobbly gait, and similar conditions. While this is not genetic, some dogs are going to be more likely to develop this than others simply because the bone structure is inherited from the parents. Lumbosacral Stenosis Lumbosacral stenosis is a disease that sometimes afflicts German Shepherds, and it affects both the spinal cord and the nerves which are present where the pelvis and the spinal column meet. This is something that a dog may be born with, or it may develop, and it manifests with symptoms such as hind leg and tail weakness, incontinence, and pain. Treatment is available, typically in the form of medication or in more severe cases, in corrective surgery, Diabetes Diabetes is another common culprit when it comes to back leg weakness in many dogs, and one of the symptoms is weakened leg joints. Diagnosis of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds If you have noticed symptoms such as lethargy, weakness of the back limbs, or a poor lack of coordination, then you will want to make a list of the symptoms which you are seeing in your German Shepherd and schedule a vet appointment right away. Once you arrive, your vet is going to run a series of tests, both physical and neurological, to assess the root cause of the issue. Finally, imaging technology is employed to see if methods such as ultrasound or X-rays can locate any telltale abnormalities. At this point, your vet should have a full diagnosis so that treatment may be proscribed. Treatment of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds There are various treatments for back leg weakness in German Shepherds, depending on the root cause of the issue. The most common treatments for back leg weakness in German Shepherds are listed below. Chiropractic Care Chiropractic care may help to improve the quality of your Shepherds life and is often used in conjunction with medications for pain, along with joint supplements and other condition-specific pharmaceuticals designed to treat the root cause of the back leg weakness. Insulin In cases where the back leg weakness is caused by diabetes, then insulin may be administered to help to get diabetes in control, while medications are provided to help in pain management, and an exercise regimen is followed to return muscle mass and control to the hind legs of the dog. In this case, the dog has a very good chance of regaining full control of their hind legs, but your vet will be able to best advise what you should expect. Support Harness Along with pain management and chiropractic care, a support harness is commonly proscribed for German Shepherds suffering from back leg weakness to give them better control of their mobility and help exercise the atrophied muscles if their specific condition is conducive to this. In severe cases where full paralysis of the back legs occurs, then a wheelchair may be used in place of the support harness to allow the dog limited mobility when exercise and a support harness is not an option. Cold Laser Therapy With conditions such as subluxation, newer treatments such as cold laser therapy may be an option. In a specific case, a 7-year-old German Shepherd suffering from subluxation was able to have the condition corrected through a combination of regular chiropractic care used in conjunction with cold laser therapy. Many veterinary clinics have started to offer this innovative treatment, but you will need to check with your vet to see if this is a viable option based on the root cause of the back leg weakness. To this effect, a veterinarian can customize a pain regimen that can help your dog remain more comfortable if further treatment is simply not an option. Surgery Some conditions, such as Lumbosacral Stenosis, may be treated by means of corrective surgery, but this is one specific condition where corrective surgery may be an option. Most commonly, this type of surgery is only going to be employed in the most difficult cases where medication is an insufficient means of managing the issue. As this condition is severe, in either case, the dog will need to be confined for periods of 4 to 10 weeks for monitoring and treatment. Recovery of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds Recovery options for a German Shepherd showing signs of back leg weakness will vary, but generally, they will include pain management along with treatments such as chiropractic care, use of a support harness to help to rebuild atrophied muscles, or with diabetes, it could be insulin and a custom exercise regimen designed to rebuild muscle mass. In cases like degenerative myelopathy, a cure is not an option, and treatment will be more geared towards making your dog more comfortable as the condition worsens. Not all back leg weakness will be DM, however, and conditions such as lumbosacral stenosis are treatable with medication and surgery during an isolation period of 4 to 10 weeks. With conditions like Osteoarthritis, joint supplements and pain medication can help your dog live a more normal life with their condition. New treatments such as cold laser therapy are also available and may be proscribed. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Website such as veterinary network TPLO advises that regular walks, in addition to a healthy diet and joint supplements, can help in the treatment and prevention of back leg weakness in older dogs. A large part of this is genetic, as Shepherds were bred to have a more pronounced bend in their back legs, and over time, this leads to additional strain on the back and the legs. Shepherds are prone to conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, Osteoarthritis, and more, so it is vital that you ensure that your Shepherd has a healthy diet, along with plenty of exercise and joint supplements are also a good idea. Finally, be sure to bring your dog in for regular checkups, as conditions like Osteoarthritis can be difficult to spot without veterinary assistance — early diagnosis is always best and offers the best chances of treatment and proper management. Related Posts:. This is because German Shepherds are intentionally bred to have a steeper angulation to the hind legs. The AKC breed standards for the breed, require German Shepherds to have as close to a degree bend as possible in their hind legs. Unfortunately, this steep angle in the back leg makes German Shepherds more susceptible to back pain and hind leg problems. After years of wear and tear, this makes them prone to serious leg problems as they age. For instance, studies have shown that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop dysplasia as compared to Labradors, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers. A brief overview of these medical conditions: Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy DM is a neurological disease that makes German Shepherds slowly lose control of their hind legs. In the end, the dog may lose control of the urinary and bowel functions, and paralysis is a serious possibility. DM typically occurs in older dogs of about eight years or older, although it may also occur at a younger age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. However, there are ways to reduce the suffering of your GSD because the condition progresses gradually. Therefore, treatment options for DM are geared towards ensuring a better quality of life rather than curing it. Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy will lose the function of their hind legs within six months to two years of diagnosis. Although there is no cure, regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life for dogs with DM. As a result, the ball of the hip joint causes pain as it glides roughly against the socket. Signs of hip dysplasia include a wobbly gait, lameness, limping, a decreased range of motion, and pain while walking. The most common causes of hip dysplasia include genetics, leg trauma, and environmental factors. In extreme cases of hip dysplasia, the dog may lose the function of their back legs and require a wheelchair. Arthritis may also occur due to the pressure exerted on the hip joint by hip dysplasia. Since GSDs are prone to hind leg weakness, they are at an increased risk for severe arthritis. Dogs with bad hips and arthritic joints may change their gait and walk lower to the ground, causing German Shepherd legs to appear even more bent. Signs of arthritis in German Shepherds include lethargy, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, reluctance to run, jump, or go up a flight of stairs, and stiffness in the hind legs. Prevention of osteoarthritis through proper dieting, exercising, and joint supplements helps to reduce the onset of osteoarthritis. Once osteoarthritis begins, the treatment is geared towards pain reduction, reducing inflammation, and improving the quality of life. Since osteoarthritis is difficult to detect in symptoms until the affected joints are badly affected, it is crucial to keep up with regular wellness visits with your vet. The best way to prevent these diseases is through genetic testing and following good breeding standards. This is possible by checking with your breeder for the hip score regarding hip dysplasia and proper parent matching to avoid degenerative myelopathy. Diet It works wonders for humans, and it will work for your best friend too. Since this breed is already a large-sized breed and the effects of breeding may be unpredictable, maintaining an optimal weight and observing a healthy, balanced diet is a wise precautionary measure. Some of the important dietary options to provide include ample proteins, vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You should also ensure that the dog food you buy for your German Shepherd is well-suited, with enough calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Your vet may also prescribe bone and joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and collagen if they are required. An obese or overweight will experience increased mobility challenges. Second, regular exercise, especially walking and swimming, is important. Lastly, consult your vet on supplements or medications that may slow down the progression of DM. In any case, for these medical conditions , keep an eye out for changes in movement and contact your vet if there are any concerns. Some common symptoms that your German Shepherd may show include a wobbly walk, slipping on the floor, sitting crooked, hips giving way, swelling, lesser muscle mass in the back legs, and having a shorter stride on the hind legs. Remember that most dogs will not express pain or discomfort at first, so it is up to you to spot the symptoms if they do appear — This is especially important for degenerative conditions because when it comes to treatment, the earlier, the better! Regular exercise Regular exercising does two important things for your German Shepherd. One, it strengthens the hind and front leg muscles, and two, it helps you spot changes in the performance of the hind legs. This is the sit-to-stand routine. In this routine, you start with your dog sitting in front of you. Then, you move back a bit and call the dog to you. When he follows, give a treat to keep his interest and, once again, sit him down. Repeat as many times as needed. Taking your dog on daily walks up and down a hill especially or having swimming sessions will also strengthen the leg muscles and help in managing the weight. Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for dogs dealing with mobility issues. Canine massage relieves fatigue and tension in the hind leg muscles and helps to spot any unrelated pain that may be a sign of something to watch out for. How to massage your dog: Compress the muscle against the bone with your flat hand using both your palms and fingers. Glide your hand along his spine, following the lay of the fur. Apply semi-circular strokes on the muscular areas of the back legs. Using a support harness Sometimes, it is crucial to moderate the pressure that your shepherd applies to the back legs when he moves about. This is where the support harness comes in. A harness helps to remove some of the stress that the dog may be feeling when taking walks, for instance, until the muscles of the back legs are strong enough to take it. The use of the harness reduces the pressure placed on the bad back legs and makes it easier for your dog to walk. Keep them at a healthy weight and ensure they get plenty of exercise. Even if your GSD is battling a degenerative illness affecting his mobility, you can explore treatment and supportive methods that will enable a good quality of life. German shepherds are known as a very resilient and strong breed. Your dog will match and appreciate any effort you put into ensuring his good quality of life. Related Articles:. If one breaks down the name of the disease it describes what happens with the disease. Degeneration refers to a breaking down or deterioration of something. In this case the spinal cord. Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating condition for which there is no cure but only the potential to slow down the progress. The occurs typically in older German Shepherd Dogs. The average age at which clinical signs start and progress is from 8 to 12 years of age. This is not a condition with rapid onset but instead is slowly progressive with clinical signs worsening with time. Degenerative myelopathy starts out as a very slowly progressive hind limb weakness and loss of function of the back legs called paresis. It is commonly confused with hip pain because the symptoms can mimic hip dysplasia, another debilitating condition with a high incidence in German Shepherds. The condition is the result of a demyelination loss of protective cover and nerve degeneration of the spinal cord in the region of the mid to hind back. This degeneration is something referred to as an ascending lesion meaning that it starts at the tail end of the spinal cord and works its way towards the head. The underlying cause of the disease is thought to be a genetic mutation change of the SOD1 gene. This gene is responsible for the protection of cells against certain particles that damage the DNA of cells. The name given to the damaging particles are free radicles. Under normal circumstances the SOD1 gene produces a free radicle scavenger i. The way in which the defect is inherited determines whether a particular dog is at a high risk of getting the disease or if they are a carrier of the genetic mutation without showing clinical signs. An individual dog has to carry 2 copies of the mutation in the genes of the cells of their bodies for it to cause the disease. There is no sex predilection, so male or female dogs may be affected equally. What is interesting about the disease is that even if an individual dog has both copies of the mutated gene and they are at very high risk of developing the disease, there are still other factors that influence whether or not they do contract the disease and to what extent they do. As mentioned previously this a slowly progressive condition that has a time frame of about 3 years before severe debilitating disease sets in. The clinical signs noticed in dogs include the following: After 6 to 12 months of contracting the disease, you will notice weakness and partial loss of function of the back legs. Your dog may seem weak and wobbly on the back legs and they may struggle to get up or be slower to get up that what they used to be. When they run, their back legs may sway abnormally. After 9 to 18 months on contracting the disease, the back legs start to get even weaker and collapse under the dog from time to time. If one assesses the reflexes in the back legs like the patella reflex, you will find that they are abnormal and weakened. After 12 to 24 months of contracting the disease, the front legs start to become affected and you may notice that your dog starts losing their normal co-ordination and function. By this point, the hind legs are very weak and your dog may struggle to stand and use their legs correctly. Unfortunately, the nerve degeneration also influences bladder and bowel control and they will start to urinate and defecate involuntarily. This is known as urine and faecal incontinence. After 24 to 36 month of contracting the disease, and if the dog was able to come this far and still cope with the disease, they develop tetraplegia or quadriplegia which is a paralysis that causes partial or total loss of use of all their limbs and body. The loss is usually sensory and motor, which means that both sensation and control are lost, or put a different way, the dog does not know where its legs are and even if they did, they do not have the ability to correct it. Clearly a very unhappy situation. The way in which this condition is diagnosed by the vet is through a number of tests as well as the typical clinical signs and also the breed of your dog. These, together with the thorough history of the condition, should provide the veterinarian with some very important clues to what is going on with your dog. The important diseases or differential diagnoses to rule out are spinal disc disease like a slipped disc and conditions affecting the lower part of the spine where the hips meet the spine, like hip dysplasia or joint disease. The biggest difference with degenerative myelopathy and the other conditions is that degenerative myelopathy is painless because it is the loss of sensation and function which underlies this disease. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment available. Certain supplements can be used in an attempt to slow down the condition, such as vitamin E and aminocaproic acid. The vitamin E is an essential vitamin which helps various systems in the body to protect it from these damaging free radicles. The aminocaproic acid is an agent used to prevent the breakdown of clots in the bloodstream. Antibodies in the bloodstream attach to the foreign material within the bloodstream forming complexes and these stimulate a response from the immune system. These complexes are usually removed by the liver and spleen. Sometimes they can stick to the walls of blood vessels, damage the walls and stimulate the formation of blood clots. The breakdown of these clots are associated with inflammation and this may result in damage to the surrounding tissues, so-called collateral damage. If this happens in the sensitive tissues of the spinal cord, the damage is devastating because the nervous tissue is not able to regenerate and repair itself. The thinking behind using aminocaproic acid is to inhibit clot breakdown in these delicate tissues. Lastly and most importantly, the most effective treatment for this condition and the only one proven to actually slow down the progress is the use of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Another key factor is, the sooner the dog is diagnosed and treatment started, the better the progress of the disease can be slowed, and the more time the vet can give you with your dog. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that eventually, the disease will lead to complete paralysis and eventually, in most cases, euthanasia. Genetic disorders like degenerative myelopathy can only be prevented by not breeding with animals where there is a family history of the disease. Make sure if you buy a puppy, that you get references on a breeder before you buy.

You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. Final Thoughts Due to their love of food, pugs would do anything for you as long as you will feed them in return. But the tragic aspect of the tale is that pugs gain weight fast, just like any other dog. You have to pay special attention to the way you feed your dog. The pug is a little dog, so even one more pound would change how it looks. I will go into detail on every feeding question you may have based on my personal experience working for a veterinarian. Pug Nutritional Requirements Pugs are small sized dogs that require the proper nutrients in their specific amount to grow healthy. Like other dog breeds, if some of these nutrients are present in excess amounts or less, it would end up endangering the overall health of your dog. The small size of a Pug will require adequate and quality nutrients to maintain its body weight and strong bones to support its massive frame. Anything short of this, can result in many health problems and prevent your dog from reaching its peak size. Their fat source can be from fish oil or vegetables. Their source of fiber can come from wholesome healthy vegetables like cabbages, carrots, sprouts, and broccoli. Pug puppies are incredibly energetic and have a high metabolism. They grow very fast and will require quality nutrients to keep up. They require protein for building healthy muscles and minerals for strong bones; carbohydrates for energy; and fats for maintaining a healthy fur. At this stage, Pug are most active and will need protein and carbohydrates to keep their weight and energy level optimal. However, you should avoid overfeeding your pet at this stage as Pugs are prone to obesity and will develop health complications. Senior Pugs will need more minerals and vitamins in their food to keep their immune system and bones healthy. Factors Affecting The Feeding of A Pug Some factors will affect the diet of your Pug, such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions. Size consideration The average length of a Pug for males is 30—36 cm, and for females, it is 25—30 cm from the soles of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of a male Pug is kg and that of a female is kg. Male Pugs are generally bigger than female Pugs, which means that the male will require a larger intake of calories than the female to stay healthy and strong. Age consideration Pug puppies will require more calories during their growing stage due to their high metabolic rate. They need to be fed a lot if you want them to grow into strong, healthy dogs. Adult Pugs should not be fed more often than puppy Pug. Your senior Pug will be less active and require fewer calories than when they were younger. Doing otherwise might lead to obesity and other serious health problems. Activity Level Athletes are required to maintain a strict diet compared to non-athletes, so you should also keep your Pug away from certain foods if you want to maintain its athletic abilities. Health Consideration Pugs are prone to certain health conditions , which should be taken into consideration in their diets if you wish to manage or prevent those issues. These health problems could be avoided or mitigated by eating or avoiding certain foods from the start, rather than treating them as they arise. It might be tempting to cut corners and go for the cheapest food. But engaging in such an act in the long run could lead to pain, seeing your Pug sick, frequent visits to the vet, and thousands of dollars in expenses. Pug Feeding Quantity Your Pug, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. The amount of food a puppy will need will be different than the amount of food an adult will need to meet their nutritional requirements. On average, feed your Pug puppy 0. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. How Much To Feed a Pug Puppy For your puppy and adolescent Pug to grow into healthy adults, the meal should be high in protein and low in fat, which can be obtained from animal meat. A Pug puppy should be given 0. The feeding requirement of your Pug puppy is given in detail in the charts below: Age. Pugs will eat as much as you give them. Measure your pug's food and feed him small meals at scheduled times. As he ages, decrease how often he eats. He should eat four times a day. High-quality dry foods and wet foods are nutrient-dense, so your little guy will not need as much of it as he would lower-quality foods. You can find high-quality puppy foods in pet stores and at your veterinary clinic. Avoid semi-moist puppy foods because they contain high amounts of sugar. Adjust the amount so he is still getting his daily requirement. He may want more; but as long as he is at a healthy weight, don't start giving him extra food. Pugs gain weight easily. Obesity in pugs can lead to muscle and joint problems, diabetes and heart disease. It is doubtful that you will need to increase the amount of food per day even though your pug is growing. Your vet may suggest that you decrease the amount of food if your pug is starting to gain weight. Some owners prefer to continue the twice-a-day feedings because pugs have a smaller stomach than larger dogs. It's hard for them to digest a large amount in one feeding. It is now time to consider adult food. Introduce the new food slowly so he doesn't have difficulty digesting it. If you are concerned that your pug is not getting enough to eat, look at his shape. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If his shape is square, he is getting too much food. More Articles. Aug 25, Share An important part of taking good care of your Pug puppy is making sure that they are properly fed and that they get all the nutrients that they need to grow strong and healthy. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and if your Pug is like most, they seem to like anything that they are fed. Luckily, there are many commercial foods available on the market. There is also the raw doggy food diet that seems to keep getting more popular as time goes on. But what kind of dog food is right for your Pug? How much should you be feeding them? What will the dog not eat? Are there special considerations for a senior Pug? The answers to these questions and more can be found in our Pug feeding guide below. What you do decide to feed your pooch should be based on the quality of the food, no matter the type, and your personal feeding preferences. Here is what can be on the table for your Pug. Image credit: PxHere Commercial Dry Food Kibble Commonly referred to as kibble, commercial dry dog food is the most common and widely available option on the market. Manufacturers of this type of food work hard to balance the ingredients and create a completely balanced nutritional profile for dogs like your Pug. In fact, some brands, like Royal Canin, offer puppy and adult foods made just for Pugs. Whether you choose a dry dog food made just for Pugs or one made for dogs in general, it should include real meat or animal meal as one of the first ingredients on the list. The upside to commercial dry dog food is that it is affordable and easy to administer. It is also typically easy to store for the long term without worrying about it spoiling. The downside is that it tends to be dehydrating, so water should be available to your Pug throughout the day. Commercial Wet Food Commercially made wet dog food tends to be more nutrient-dense than dry food because it contains fresher ingredients and usually has fewer grains, if any at all. Most wet foods have real whole meat or seafood and broth as the first ingredients. Sometimes, veggies are thrown in for good measure, but many are meat-centric to meet the high protein needs of your growing Pug. Wet food is not as easy to store as dry food is, because it must be refrigerated after being opened. However, Pugs tend to enjoy the flavor and texture of wet food more than dry. Wet food is also a little more expensive than dry food, especially when trying to feed Pugs that are full-grown and in their prime. Raw Food A raw food diet is said to result in better digestion, a healthier coat and immune system , optimal dental health, and less susceptibility to allergies among other things. A raw food diet typically consists of quality meat, a source of calcium such as bones , animal organs, and a lower fat count than most commercial foods offer. Feeding your Pug a raw food diet will take commitment and a strong understanding of the nutrition that they need. This type of diet can be expensive and can require storage space in the fridge and freezer. It is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian to put together a complete meal plan to follow if you choose to go this route. It is a freeze-dried raw food supplement that is delicious and nutritious. The process requires about a day of cooking in the kitchen, but the time that you spend in your kitchen should yield enough food for your pooch to eat all week long. You will just have to store the leftovers in the fridge each day until the entire batch has been offered and consumed. Homemade dog food usually consists of whole meat like chicken, eggs, fish oil or flaxseed, brown or white rice, possibly vegetables like carrots and peas , and maybe even supplements of some kind. It depends on what kind of recipe you decide to follow. Any recipe that you consider feeding your dog should be approved by your veterinarian first. But you can quickly tell whether your pooch is being underfed or overfed by checking out their physique every day. If your dog is underfed for too long, you could notice signs like lethargy and an unwillingness to interact with family members. If your dog is overfed, they may succumb to problems like diabetes. If you find that your dog is getting underweight, start feeding them up to an extra cup of food each day. Reduce the amount by up to a cup if your dog is getting pudgy and out of shape. To help avoid under and overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding directions on the packaging of any commercial food you buy for them. If you decide to go the raw or homemade food route, your veterinarian can provide you with a feeding guide. You are free to use this image, but please give credit back to Hepper. Extra immune support is also typically present in puppy food. Once Pugs become adults, they are not as active as when they were pups, and they are not growing at exponential rates, if at all. Therefore, they need food with less protein than what puppies get. Pugs can typically switch to adult dog food between the ages of 9 and 12 months because much of their growth will be complete at this time. The tricky part is the actual process of switching your pooch from puppy to adult dog food. If not done slowly and intentionally, switching to a new food can cause digestion issues for your dog that could create messes around the house. Lethargy and nausea may follow. Finally, offer only adult food. There are many reasons why your Pug might seem like they do not have an appetite. The first thing to consider is whether you are overfeeding them. If your pooch does not want to eat their last meal of the day, they could simply be full and satisfied. However, other issues could lead to a pup not eating such as: Dental Problems. If your Pug has a toothache or some other kind of dental problem, they may not be comfortable eating. Check for red gums, bleeding, and tenderness throughout the mouth. If something unusual is detected, consult your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Recent Vaccinations. Vaccines can cause side effects, including a lack of appetite. So, if your Pug does not seem to want to eat for a day or two after getting vaccinated, this is normal. Uncomfortable Surroundings. If your pooch goes on an adventure with you and is expected to eat their meal in a situation that is not familiar to them, they may pass on the meal altogether in favor of waiting until they get to what they feel is a safe space to eat. Even if your dog seems fine in every other way, a lack of wanting to eat could mean an illness of some kind is brewing. If you cannot find any other reason for a lack of appetite, you should see your vet as soon as possible. Adult Pugs will generally eat about a cup of dry commercial dog food each day or the equivalent, although certain differences might scale this amount up or down as time goes on. Here are the most important factors to consider. Active vs. Sedentary More active dogs will require more food than those that tend to be sedentary. If your pooch takes multiple walks every day, spends a great deal of time playing with kids throughout the day, or enjoys outdoor time with family members each afternoon, chances are that your dog will need a little more food than the average pooch. If your pooch takes only one short walk each day and spends most of their time lounging around the house, chances are that they should be fed as sedentary dogs. Spayed vs. Neutered Sometimes, dogs that are not spayed or neutered eat more than the average pooch. This is because they tend to be more active and excitable, which results in the need for more calories to support their energy needs. Pregnancy Pregnant Pugs need up to twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need. Instead of feeding your pregnant dog puppy or adult food, consider a food designed for all life stages that indicates its suitability for pregnancy. This type of food offers more protein and fat than adult food to support the extra growth they go through, but not as much as puppy food, which could make them overweight after the birth. What Foods Are Bad for Pugs? Image By: Momentmal, Pixabay There are a few foods that you should never feed your Pug to ensure their good health and to avoid serious problems like poisoning and even death. Here are a few food items that should be avoided at all costs: Alcohol. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. This feeding routine should be followed from 8 weeks to 6 months old. But how much food should that be exactly in each feeding session. How many cups of food should I feed my Pug puppy and adults? Before you check out this Pug feeding chart below, you may just want a quick reference to how many cups of food you need to feed a Pug. The common guidelines say you should feed a Pug puppy of 8 to 20 weeks different cup sizes depending on their weight and age. You can see the cup amounts in the chart here: Puppy feeding amounts This Pug puppy feeding chart explains just how many cups of food you should give them and the regularity. It will be 3 times a day, then twice a day as they get older. As your Pug ages, the number of cups of food you need to him or her will change, as will the regularity. Take a look at the guidance in the graphic below. Adult feeding amounts This is feeding chart for adult Pugs explaining how many cups and how often in the day the feeding times should be. The Pug feeding charts you see above have been scanned from the Royal Canin brand of dog food. This is a very trusted brand, and you will find it being sold in vets all over the world. It contains all the nutrients your Pug puppy will need and is great for starting out with and into adult ages. Almost every time, this happens by the age of 3 weeks; and puppies should not leave their mother until at least 8 weeks of age. They will be like eating machines at this age because they have so much energy to burn. You could also try to sit your Pug down on some scales, but good luck with trying to make them sit still. Instead you can weigh yourself if you have accurate scales, and then get someone to pass you your Pug puppy to see what the difference is. The age of your Pug You might find it hard to get your Pug used to commercial dry food at first. The commercial puppy food should be high enough in calories and nutrients to make up for what they used to get from their mother. In terms of adjusting for their ages, Pug puppies of 8 to 12 weeks old can have one and half cups of food each day, split into 3 servings. By the ages of 6 to 9 months, Pug puppies will be in a regular eating routine where they drop to two meals a day — and this is how it will stay as adults. The dangers of over-feeding Some Pug owners might decide to go to 4 meals a day, but still with the same amount of food. This is because tinier Pugs might find the half a cup 3 times daily, too much of a large meal. Overfeeding is something to keep a strict eye on. If you feed your Pug puppy too much, he could get gastric dilatation-volvulus see definition on ACVS. This is the medical term for a twisted gut and can actually be fatal. Feeding more senior Pugs As Pugs get older, they will start to get less active. With reduced levels of energy comes the need for a lower calorie intake. But only if they are reducing their exercise due to age. With an older Pug you might start to see them putting on weight. If you do see weight gain, start to pull back on the portion sizes. Sometimes your vet may even recommend you go to a higher frequency of daily meals albeit smaller portions , almost like they are puppies again. With senior dogs this can help with weaker stomachs. Overweight or underweight? The average Pug puppy will weigh between 2 and 4 pounds at 8 weeks. These are healthy weight ranges. If you do have a Pug puppy who is clearly underweight, start to add a little bit more food to each of the daily meals until they come back into the health weight range. With overweight Pugs you do the exact opposite but mix more exercise into their daily routines as well. Handy Hint: If your Pug is losing or gaining weight and how much food they eat makes no difference, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health problems related to Pug feeding Not all dogs are the same, and all the guidance on this page is very generic towards how much you should feed a Pug. The bottom line is that your vet will be able to properly tell you how much your Pug should eat due to their age and weight. Raw food vs. I understand why people feed their dog raw food though; they say commercial food has too many additives plus preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and proteins. Consult with your vet for a professional opinion. Pugs that eat their food far too quickly You should also monitor how quickly your Pug is eating. Puppies are used to having to compete for food, and even when they are home alone with you, they will still have an instinct to wolf their food down. This can cause indigestion and vomiting, so there are a few things you can do to slow their intake down. Use a muffin tin evenly spread the portions throughout the tin. The best dry dog foods should have a high percentage of meats and fish in. Omega-3s are healthy fats, so those will also be a good sign if listed. All of the notes and guidance are based on my own personal experience of raising puppies, with exception to the feeding schedule which is from the Canin dog food brand. However, the Canin Pug feeding charts you see, are exactly how I have fed my puppies and adult dogs. Once your dog reaches adulthood, the best times to feed your Pug will be breakfast and dinner times. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Pug will stay at healthy as our dogs have! You might also like… If you have found this useful and are new to Pug ownership, you might find these other handy guides useful during the puppy phase:.

To ensure the safety of our readers and the right fit for a new pet, we work hard to make sure only the most trusted breeders are featured on the site. We have a dedicated team that works hard and has done extensive research that involves checking both the breeder and their dogs, to verify that the breeders featured on our site are highly reputable and trustworthy. Feedback on Google and Facebook is also taken into consideration before they are listed as a breeder to have the highest standards possible. We hope that this gives you a little more information about how we list breeders on our site. Labrador Retriever For Sale in Ontario Before we get to the best Labrador breeders in Ontario, there are some things you should take into consideration before finding the best Labrador breeder in Ontario for you. Labradors come in three different colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. There are a few things you should look for when choosing a Lab puppy breeder. First and foremost, make sure they are reputable and offer health guarantees. Choosing a reputable Lab breeder is key to getting a healthy, well-behaved puppy. By ensuring that you choose a reputable breeder, you can be sure that you are getting a dog that has been raised in a healthy environment and is less likely to have behavior or health issues. Chocolate Labrador Retriever Ontario Chocolate Labrador is the purebred Labrador Retriever breeder in Ontario who has 50 years of experience in breeding Labrador which shows their worth. It was this dog that showed the breeder the true meaning of companionship. They love Labrador puppies so much that they decided to start a breeding program. Some of what they offer are: 1. Lifetime support for your Lab pup 2. No Inbreeding or Line breeding 3. Lifetime guarantee on tested genetics 5. Clients screened for suitability 7. Super premium food fed to all Labs 9. A passion for excellence inbreeding has been the cornerstone of their business from day one. For over 50 years, they have committed themselves to deliver a superior Labrador Retriever experience by focusing on excellent health, outstanding intelligence, and even temperament within all breeds. As a result of this dedication to detail and quality control, every single puppy is guaranteed healthy as well as intelligent with an easy-going disposition that will make them perfect family pets or hunting retrievers who can easily fit for any situation you put them through! They have a variety of bloodlines, including Search-and-Rescue and Diabetic Alert lines. All puppies come from well-titled working, hunting, conformation bloodlines as well as families with autism companions or search and rescue capabilities. So your future family member will be bred to excel in all aspects! All pups are micro-chipped and dewormed 4 times before going to a new home. All pups are well-socialized with people and other pets. Once they reach 4 weeks of age, They start crate training them so that their first home will be a breeze! Labrador Retriever Breeder Info:. Click the button on the right. There are mixed thoughts on bringing a large breed pup to Toronto because of Toronto being an urban area and we will look at some of the issues here. Rest assured that if you are looking for puppies for sale in Toronto, we are the Labrador breeder for you-and, we specialize in having the highest quality, smartest and healthiest chocolate labs for sale. Labs are working dogs and that means brisk walks at a minimum once a day. You may find that your lab is getting into trouble chewing things, etc…. Find a dog park and get out for some hard running playing fetch. Mental stimulation is next. A Labrador Retriever in Toronto will require the same mental stimulation as a dog in the country. This means, opposed to lying in an apartment all day, they need to use their nose and their minds. Many of our Lab pups in Toronto have their very own dog walker. These are people hired to come to your residence, pick up your Lab and take them for a midday walk. Just schedule your walker to come for an hour half way through your day and your Toronto Lab Retriever will get a bathroom break and some much needed exercise. Other points to be aware of are the pavement being too hot for their feet in the summer, road salt drying out the pads on their paws in the winter. These issues can be addressed safely once you are aware of them. If you carefully plan to bring your Labrador Retriever puppy to Toronto and manage these points then you will have a happy puppy! We are simply the best Labrador Retriever Breeder — Toronto Ontario and will back that claim up with a lifetime commitment to supporting you with your Labrador Puppy. In fact we have a 4 year health guarantee including all major organs of your Labrador. Of course the standard things like vaccinations and deworming, hip and elbow testing, genetic testing, kennel club registration, 6 weeks of free health insurance are all covered. However, if you choose to support us you should also know that our main focus is on breeding service dogs for veterans and first responders. We focus on breeding healthy Labs who are of the highest intelligence and most easily trained. We donate many dogs each year to these people to help them through their daily lives. We also have an Emotional Support or also knows as a Comfort dog training program where we breed specifically for this type of dog and can keep them to begin training for this service. But, if you are simply looking for a Chocolate Lab, a Black Lab, Yellow Lab, or a Silver Lab as a pet, then what might be of most interest to you is to follow this link for a list of the off-leash parks in Toronto. If you see another Lab Retriever in Toronto be sure to say hi, it could be one of ours! Instructions of how to apply for one of our dogs for sale is on that page. Apply to adopt here: lastminutedogrescue. Corbin has come a LONG way since he arrived in Canada last summer and moved into a home for the first time in his life. He was a feral dog in Texas in his previous life, and lived with his sister on the edges of society, always between people, surviving by not being caught until one day he was. Suddenly this regal dog found himself trembling on the cold hard floor of a shelter, on the list to be killed. Its easy to understand why its hard for Corbin to feel safe around anyone but other dogs, but for the past year hes been developing an appreciation for life as a domestic house dog and his true character has slowly been emerging. Corbin will always feel most comfortable in the company of other dogs, and loves most of the usual things dogs love. Hes wild about going on walks, especially in the forest, and will happily spend his day hunting and harassing rodents. He loves sprinting freely across a grassy yard now, something he never had the chance to do in Houston. A frozen marrow bone in his crate delights him for a few hours of luxurious chewing. Watching him revel in life is an absolute joy! He enjoys head and butt scratches, and will sometimes even ask for affection. However, the instinct to stay out of reach runs deep in this handsome dog. He will not come when called; he will at best follow other dogs who do, but even then will stay at distance from accompanying humans. He isnt at all aggressive in the least, just very shy and wary. Every day he grows more confident, so much so that now hes ready to take on any bicycles and pickup trucks that have the nerve to pass him on the street. Corbins best life includes a large fenced-in yard and at least one, preferably more, other friendly dogs. Hes pretty curious about most things, even if hes a bit scared, so hed probably do ok in a either suburban or rural environment. A busy city would be too much for someone whos afraid of people getting close enough to touch him. Hes not a dog to adopt if youre looking for someone to play fetch with. Corbins the boy for someone whos content to make a deserving dogs dreams come true, where he can lounge peacefully in the sunshine, chase chippies and explore the neighbourhood with his pack mates. Corbin was born with bad hip dysplasia on one side, and doesnt like to use his rear right leg. He still gets around fine on 3 legs and can run faster than you! He does appreciate a daily pain reliever like gabapentin. Apply to adopt this animal at lastminutedogrescue. Corbin is still skittish, so you can't reprimand him for peeing in the house as this will cause him to piddle. Poor baby. Well trained and house-broken dog. Serious Inquiries only! We have been breeding for 16 years and have had a focus on service quality dogs for 10 years. Our focus is on breeding dogs for service dogs and companionship. The mom is the bigger beige one in the photos. The dad is also completely beige. Great and knownfor being a nanie dog, a.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.Both males and females available. Please apply from our website! Thank you for the interest in our dogs. We have been breeding for 16 years and our focus is.There are 3 girls available. They will come fully vet checked with first and second shots, de worming and a clear bill of health.Ready now. We have 3 males Only in light yellow coloring born on May 24 that will be ready to go to their forever homes at 8 weeks of age. JULY .The price.Mom is a beautiful yellow lab on site Puppies are vet checked with their first set of vaccinations and.The first 6 pictures are of the male pups, and the.Born on July 7, .Male and female are available. Looking for a great home for our puppies. They are not vaccinated and did not get their shots. And not

Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Andorra and Spain Well, to some extent, you have to suck it and see. Many dogs are absolutely fine with a new addition. On the other hand, mine absolutely hated our new puppy with a vengeance. I'm pretty sure there would have been some serious harm done if I had let it happen. So the pup stayed in a puppy pen when the other dogs were in the same room - I spent a lot of time in that puppy pen for the first couple of months! My older dogs 2 years at the time were fine with her outside, so we spent a lot of time in the garden so they could get used to her and, when she was old enough to start little walks, I would take one other dog along for some of that so that they could learn to co-exist. It was seriously hard work, especially as I was alone in a different country away from my husband! It took about two to two and a half months before they started to accept her but they absolutely adore her now. Luckily, she was a very respectful puppy who never jumped on them at all. Even if your boy is good with the puppy, though, you need to give him plenty of time away from it, and make sure he gets plenty of attention. I would always recommend a puppy pen, baby gates or similar to help with this. We recently brought an 8 week old Labrador puppy. I've lived with Labradors all my life and really wanted my daugjter 16 months to have that experience. I was so excited to finally be getting my own. I did all the research, thought I knew exactly what I was getting into. Now I think I might be losing my mind. If we put her on the floor on her bed in our room she just runs around and plays, which is very loud on a hardwood floor. If we put her on our bed she wiggles around all over the place and then settles on my legs, so I can't move for the rest of the night. She wakes me up at five to go out, and she does go outside like she's supposed to sometimes. But then she'll wait until we've got back upstairs and go again, or just won't settle back to sleep and wants to play. She's also started completely ignoring me when I call her, or correct her for doing something I don't want her to. So now I'm terrified she's decided I'm not the boss and she doesn't have to listen to me. Because of the lack of sleep I find myself really short tempered, and have to really try not to lose my temper with her or my daughter. I've considered crating her during the night she has an extra large crate in our living room but worry about her crying and waking my daughter. My husband and I have had some pretty big rows since getting her. He's more or less abdicated responsibility for her to me because I'm the one who wanted a puppy. I feel like such a terrible person for saying this, but I sometimes wonder if I've done the right thing or if I should have waited until my daughter was older. I desperately don't want to be a failed puppy owner, this was not a decision I rushed into by any means, we've been discussing it for years. But I feel like I'm not coping at all and am completely lost for what to do for the best. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Print We recently brought home Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to train her and raise her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. That means Bubba will be with for almost a year and a half. We train one or two of these puppies each year, and over the years we have gotten pretty good at it. We also train adult dogs for hunting and competition, so we see a lot of dogs come into our program. Dogs that have each been raised differently. There are some definite training tips that can help you help your lab grow up to be the best version of himself. Training and socialization for very young Labrador puppies — week one The first week of a puppy being away from its litter is very stressful for the puppy. Most often, the first two days, the puppy will sleep a lot! The pup is adjusting to all the changes, and they need time to do that. After the first couple days you may notice a spike of energy. This is your sign that the puppy is adjusting well and is ready to be exposed to a few more things. Labrador puppy training that first week home Here are the things we work on during week one. A nylon adjustable one is usually best since puppies grow quickly. It often takes the puppy a few days to adjust to having a collar on. Intro crate We introduce our puppies to a crate on day one. Literally the day we bring them home. Most puppies will cry, bark or howl while in the crate the first few or many times. Ignore it, it does not hurt the puppy at all. Always wait until the puppy settles down and is quiet, even if that quiet only lasts for just a minute or two. Learn more about crate training. Intro to housebreaking Another day one lesson and one that will last for a few weeks or months. We introduce housebreaking day one by allowing the puppy to run around an enclosed area under close supervision. If your puppy then goes potty outside, great! The thing to remember about housebreaking, is that your puppy should never be allowed to roam the house or a room without supervision. The only way to housebreak a dog is for them to get caught in the middle of an accident. That is how they learn that what they are doing is not right. Learn more about housebreaking. Intro leash We introduce a leash to our puppies around day three of being home. But once they start getting more energy and get more inquisitive, we use a Flexi-lead attached to the nylon collar to take the puppy outside. This accomplishes two goals. The gentle tugs on the leash and pressure when the puppy strains against the leash are great training for handling pressure as they get older. Intro to pressure and correction The last thing we introduce to our new puppy during the first week home is pressure and correction. This is an often-missing element to training that can severely handicap a dog that you want to be a hunting companion or competition dog. The kind of pressure I am talking about is very mild such as saying NO to the puppy when they are chewing up your shoes or scratching through the carpet. This is the way mama dogs carry their puppies and it does not hurt them at all. This does not hurt the puppy; it is exactly what a mama dog does to teach her puppies. Learn more about introducing pressure and correction. Commands to start using that first week home The first week there are some commands we start using so that the puppy will associate the words we use with actions. Puppies play and explore with their mouths, and often they will think it is great fun to bite your hands and feet. If this does not curb the behavior, I grab her lower jaw, wrapping her gums around her teeth and squeeze. I have found this to be very effective, especially if you start this the first week you have the puppy home. The longer you wait to start, the harder it becomes to stop this behavior. It takes very little pressure to stop a 7-week-old puppy from biting. Learn more about how to stop your Lab puppy from biting you. Off command The OFF command is also started day one. The OFF command is used to stop a puppy or dog from jumping on you. It can also be used to keep a dog off a sofa or other furniture. Starting day one, I gently use my knee to push down the puppy each time they jump on me. I say OFF when I do this. Usually, a gentle push with the knee is all it takes with a very small puppy. They learn this command very quickly. If your puppy is a bit more energetic or stubborn and tries to jump on you despite your gentle pushes, then you may need to use a little more force. Even if you were to knock your puppy backwards onto her back, that is not going to hurt her seriously. But it will likely make a good impression and cause her to think twice before jumping on you again. With jumping, consistency is important. You must knock your puppy off every time she jumps on you. Learn more about how to stop your Lab from jumping on you. We use this as a que when we are taking the puppy outside to go potty. We use this while the puppy is on a leash, and we are pulling them toward us. I only use this command for very young dogs. Your goal is to get the puppy to rest in your arms and not move. But if you keep at it, you will see your dog settle for longer and longer periods of time. Introduction to retrieving Lastly, since all our puppies are retrievers, we start introducing the puppy to retrieving. The first few times are simply throwing a toy a few feet and if the puppy runs out and gets it and comes back to you, great. Then take the item and throw it again. If the puppy does not come back or does not even run out to get the item, then stop for the day. Just let the retrieving develop naturally. Next week we will start more formal retrieving training. Final thoughts on what you should do that first week with your new Labrador puppy As you can see, there is a lot of training that you can do with your seven- or eight-week-old puppy. And while you can wait for training, your puppy is ready and able to learn quickly right now. I will be posting weekly on the training we are doing with Bubba, so you can get a week-by-week snapshot of how we raise and train a puppy up to be a excellent, responsive hunting or competition dog as well as a well-mannered family dog. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on.

I grew up with boxers as my grandmother was an avid lover of the breed and had a lucrative breeding and showing program. While she is no longer with us, I continue her legacy and continue to use her kennel name MerBar Boxers. Each one of my puppies is raised in my home with my children and other pets. I make sure each puppy is loved and has great social skills. I like to give each baby an abundance of attention! All of my dogs are health tested to ensure you get a puppy that will be with you for years to come. I am happy to explain our health tests, what they mean, and why they are important. I will make myself available for any questions or concerns. If you are considering a breeding program I will mentor you on all the appropriate health testing, as well as making sure I fit you with the right puppy. If I do not have what you're looking for I am happy to refer you to my network of breeder friends to ensure you get the right puppy. I know that sometimes situations arise that are out of your control. Rest assured that you have options and I will work with you to resolve any issues. We dedicate ourselves to insuring that the dogs in our program get the second chance they deserve and never find themselves lost, alone, or abused, again. Adoption Policy An must be completed by every prospective family. Why, you ask? You may fill out an online application or if you e-mail us, we will supply a Word document to fill out. Please be patient with our nosy questions. We understand the application is lengthy however, each question has a reason behind it. A complete application helps us discern the best match for your family! It also demonstrates a level of commitment on your part. Our boxers are not "just dogs" and our adoptive families are not "just people"! An incomplete application form must be sent back to you. This causes delay and disappointment, two words we would rather not have associated with your HBR experience. Let's work together! Continue to check the e-mail address from which your application was submitted. When your application is processed, we will attempt to make contact both by e-mail and phone. Keep in mind we are an all volunteer group. Although we have families and jobs that take precedence in our lives, we work hard to save the breed we love! We are committed to doing our best to facilitate the adoption process and make it as pleasant as possible! When the application is received a volunteer will contact you to schedule a Home Visit. If you have questions, please ask your Home Visit Volunteer, he or she will be delighted to help! Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in Houston TX? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in Houston TX? This is because many factors go into the final price of a Houston Boxer for sale and can include factors such as the specific breeder, availability and location and other physical attributes. Do I have to choose from Boxer puppies in Houston? Our national network is made up of breeders and businesses from all over and you can have your choice of any one of these! What are the requirements for Houston Boxer breeders in your network? We want to ensure that irresponsible breeders and businesses are kept out of our network and that we work with only the best and most ethical breeders out there. Learn more from our Breeder Pledge. At Uptown Puppies, we are committed to connecting great people like you with only top-notch breeders and businesses out there, so you can focus on the fun part. We truly care about creating good matches that create a lifetime of happiness and would never sacrifice our standards for profit. Should I worry about Puppy Mills? They often neglect the care of the animals in the interest of keeping profits as high as possible. When you work with Uptown Puppies you will have peace of mind while searching Boxer breeders Houston. Can I get a Houston Boxer puppy for sale immediately? You can immediately start browsing through available puppies and then connect with the breeder or business and make plans to bring your pooch home! What is the history of Boxers? Modern boxers were originally bred in Germany for jobs such as hunting and guarding and gradually spread in popularity all across Europe. The ancestors of the Boxer are one of the most ancient known breeds and can be traced back for centuries. They were introduced in the U. What should I expect from my Boxer? Boxer puppies Houston make great companion animals for a wide variety of individuals and families. They do have boundless energy and will need a decent bit of exercise to keep them well mannered. In addition to all of that playful energy they are also highly intelligent and you can expect them to pick up on training quite easily. Are Boxers good with children? Boxers make great best friends for children of all ages because they have the zest and enthusiasm to play and adventure for hours on end before snuggling up with their humans. In addition to loving to play, they enjoy playing the protector role over the home and the entire family. What size are Boxers? Boxers are considered a mid-to-large breed dog and once they are fully grown they will be around inches in height and weight somewhere around pounds, with the males averaging on the higher end of the range. As long as they get plenty of walks and exercise, they will be happy in most living arrangements.

boxer staffy puppies for sale - We will be happy to recommend you to all our friends and family. .The treats and the stuffed animals he loved it all! He normally doesn't pick a favorite toy but the one toy he got from his box is now his favorite A. The Cinco De Mayo theme was a fun great first box. Dogs loved the toys and the treats. Ebony D. Love it "Thank so much to PoochPerks for the treat box! Jinxy and Popeye can't get enough! Miriam DiazLongtime Subscriber We had a subscription to BarkBox but my miniature dachshund didn't ever like the treats. Also most the toys were too big for her and she just didn't love them. She does love getting the box in the mail so I went out looking for something else. She literally won't stop playing with them and brings one of them with her even to go potty! The option for no treats and mini plush toys made all the difference! Hope it continues!!! Michelle S. Love it!!! Thanks Pooch perks my Lucia and Piper love it! MarciPooch Perks Lover Why Pooch Perks Stands out We hand select the products in our themed boxes from many different vendors which allows for a variety of items in our boxes. At Pooch Perks, we offer a monthly dog box that gives your furry canine friend something new to enjoy every month. Customize Your Box While our team designs the dog boxes each month around a specific theme, there are customization options available. Choose from a mix of toys and treats or a box that contains toys only, making it the perfect gift for dogs with food sensitivities. We take great pride in curating a fun monthly dog subscription box every month so you and your pooch both look forward to what may arrive. Choose the perfect monthly dog box for your furry family member today! Design: Liked the theme and the toys were definitely durable. Health: Treats were made in the U. I mean, I love celebrating Halloween early as much as the next person, but in March? Mostly I was just weirded out by feeling like I'd been sent a Halloween box in March? Happy early Halloween, y'all! But in addition to that, everything in the box felt extremely high quality. Design: Both dog toys here felt very high-end and durable. Neither one was hideous, and I liked that there was a subtle St. I also loved that the rope toy is created through Fundacion Mitz which gives jobs to women in vulnerable communities. Health: I appreciated that the Loving Pets treats were made in the U. Customer Experience: I canceled my subscription via email, and it was easy. The customer service representative was pleasant and I liked that I got an email warning me that my subscription was renewing before I was out of the cancellation window. Summary: I was skeptical of this box going in because subscribing on the Greater Good site felt a little jenky, but I was actually really wow-ed by the quality of the items in the box and the value. I loved the products, and loved even more knowing that my purchase was feeding shelter animals. And our pick for the best Dog subscription box is… Okay, I lied. I love that it gives back, and everything in it felt really high-quality and thoughtfully-curated. I loved seeing a Fair Trade toy in the box, too. It felt good to buy an indulgent treat for our pups that also helped pups in need. Thanks for reading! Pin It The Dapple sometimes receives a small affiliate income when you shop using links featured on our site. Never Miss a Pupdate Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email Address. When our dogs play with an interactive toy, it: Fires up their minds Activates and heightens all of their senses Busts boredom yes, dogs can get bored too Improves mood Tires them out Helps to prevent certain behavior problems. What Is a Busy Box? Also called an enrichment box, foraging box, or destruction box, a busy box is a super simple DIY interactive puzzle. You start with a basic cardboard box and then fill it with dog toys and random stuff lying around your home particularly things you can hide treats in! Before we take a closer look at busy box stuffing ideas, I want to say a big thank you to my friend Tori, founder of WearWagRepeat. We recently did an Instagram Live together where she introduced me to this genius idea. You can use an old soda can box, LaCroix box, cereal box, etc. It can be a squeaky toy or a crinkle toy. Balls — If your dog loves tennis balls or Hol-ee balls then add that to the box too! Treat-Filled Towel — Grab a clean washcloth or dish towel and roll treats inside. Loose Treats — To sprinkle in the box! Stuff the box with goodies. Use the list of ideas I mentioned above and get creative with your own! Sprinkle a few loose treats into the box. Lightly close the top of the box. Give it to your dog to rip open, forage through, and play with!


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boxer staffy puppies for sale - An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. Your German Shepherd Puppy: 8 Weeks To 1 Year Old Apr 08, If you're interested in what the progression of your puppy from 8 weeks to 1 year should look like, and how to achieve it; you've come to the right place. If you're expecting a timeline of what achievements you should hit at specific times, this isn't it. All puppies and dogs learn at different rates based on everything from the drive level, interests in reward, your level of training skill etc. Instead of focusing on what tricks and obedience positions your puppy learns, focus on building a relationship with your puppy. Millions of people have adult dogs who won't let them cut their nails or bathe them and must go to a professional groomer. There's nothing wrong with using a groomer's services, but if you must because your dog won't allow you to, it's because you didn't bond with the dog and condition it as a puppy. To begin building a foundation takes a lot of treats, time, socialization, conditioning, and focus training to get engagement. Let's start with socialization. Socialization doesn't mean you let your puppy play with random dogs and strangers. It's quite the opposite. Socialization means you desensitize your puppy to the presence of other dogs and people to the point it doesn't acknowledge them. Other dogs and people become background noise that they're uninterested in. If you view socialization as getting a puppy to love everything, everyone, and every dog they see, you won't have their engagement. If you don't have their engagement on you, they aren't going to listen to you. You'll be the owner who gets drug down the street every time your dog wants to say "hi" to a stranger or new dog. Not only that, but not every stranger is friendly, nor is every dog. It's better to train your puppy to completely ignore everything except you on your walks. Since we've brushed up on what socialization should be and why, let's get into engagement. Engagement means that your dog looks to you. When you say their name, you have their undivided attention. They are looking at you, waiting for instruction. If you've ever had a dog, not come when called, 9 times out of 10 it was doing something it deemed more engaging than looking to you. That means to your dog, that other thing they were doing was more important than anything you had to say or wanted them to do. That becomes life threatening if a dog deems that engaging with the dog across the street is more important than coming when called. So how do you build engagement? Well, thankfully, it's easy! Start from day one by saying your pup's name. If they look at you, click your clicker or say "yes" and give them a treat. If they come to you, even better, give them a treat for looking at you, and another for coming. Your job is to court their attention and reward every time you get it. Before long, your puppy will look to you for everything. Once that happens, training can begin. If you skip this step, you will notice that during training your puppy may sit for you, take the treat, then decide to run around or sniff the ground etc. Those things means that training will take longer because you don't have engagement. Now that you've gotten the engagement you need, start training by making everything a learning experience and a game. You should be upbeat and excited. When you teach your dog to sit, mark the behavior with a click or a yes and reward with a treat excitedly. This only serves to increase engagement. You're not only a treat machine, you're also a fun friend. The more fun you are, the less fun distractions are. You can even begin to blend this into socialization. For example, your puppy sees another dog being walked across the street and starts to focus on them. You call their name, they look at you because you give treats for engagement, and you're way more fun than playing with another dog they don't even know across the street. This is the corner stone of having a dog who obeys commands every time, and not just when there's no distractions around or when they feel it's convenient. We've all either said, or have heard people say "Well, he usually does it when it's just us! Remember, while you're building this bond, trust, and engagement, you also need to start conditioning your puppy. Lift all 4 paws. Open the mouth. Check their ears. Touch their undersides. Open their eyes.This is the time to condition your puppy to being examined, medicated, temperature checked, bathed, nails clipped or dremeled etc. Lastly, during this time, you should be trying your hardest to build drive to play tug with a ball on a rope or tug. Food is great, but many dogs have more prey drive than food drive. If you have such a dog, a ball on a rope or tug is a powerful training agent. It also helps build a bond because puppies love food, but puppies also love to play. Later in life, you'll find it easier to stuff a ball in your pocket than a full pouch of treats as well. All of this sounds like an informal amalgamation of building trust, building a bond, training, desensitization, conditioning, building engagement and drive etc. But that's because this is exactly what raising a puppy in the most efficient and most reliable way possible is. Taking your time and blending all these aspects together until they're one and the same. Trying to create a schedule of when a puppy should know this, or that will not nearly be as fun for you or the puppy. It'll only make you both frustrated and feel like you're failing. But if you take your time, by 12 months, your puppy will know everything you would've put on that schedule, have bonded with you, think training and learning new things is fun, and be a pleasure to groom and vet! If you enjoyed this article, please leave a like and share. Thank you. Check Price on Amazon 7. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If a command is not executed the first time, show your puppy what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they can learn to obey the first time the command is made. Unless he is born with a hearing defect that is detected by a vet, your German Shepherd puppy has a perfect hearing ability. If you do, you will train him to be anxious or eventually create the idea that shouting is the norm. Otherwise, your poor puppy will be confused about what you expect and will not know how you want them to behave. Eventually Wean Your German Shepherd Puppy off Training Treats At some point, your puppy needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when the time is right. The AKC Pet Insurance advises that this should be done when your dog has repeatedly performed the behavior or trick that you are training him in and mastered it completely. Nonetheless, your German Shepherd puppy is still a dog in training, and you need to replace the treat with some emotional reward. With these ten principles, you can now apply them to the key areas that your German Shepherd puppy needs to be trained in. It might be training for a sport in their early adult years or training to cope with an age-related life change. But, as a puppy, there are five key areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week old German Shepherd. In the next section, I tell you what training entails for each of these areas. If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to train a German Shepherd , I have just the article for you. Humans become social through socialization. Canines become social with training. Humans who are well trained in the first years of life will be well behaved as adults. If you want some scientific proof to the rule that training your German Shepherd young is important for their adult life, here are two key findings from this study: Dogs that are well socialized as puppies will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. These dogs learn better how to play games with humans than those without proper socialization as puppies. Your dog will learn social skills throughout his life, depending on the situations that he gets exposed to. As a puppy, however, you can teach your German Shepherd socialization through intentional training moments in the family, in public places, or by sending the pup to socialization classes. Taking your German Shepherd out often to social places like parks exposes him to other people and dogs. This helps the canine to be less wary or aggressive around strangers. Being among other puppies also helps your little furry friend build confidence. The earlier mentioned study indicates that puppies can learn social skills better when put in socialization classes with other puppies. So, what does that mean? Usually, dogs will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and once they have had their meal. Use that natural rhythm as a reference for his daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing up their sleeping space and will usually hold it. Nonetheless, young puppies might be unable to do so. If they learn that a relief walk happens first thing in the morning, though, they will eventually make an effort to hold it. Walk your dog after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to give him time to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. In addition to this for dogs that have had their shots , a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent your dog from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you are out, find someone to help you stick to the routine. The best dog crates will give your pet enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, you might go for the standard metal model with either a single or double door. I like the double door one as it gives you more options where you can place it in your home, and this one has a carrying handle which makes it easy to move around. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel check Amazon for the latest price are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog, and this one even meets the cargo specifications for airlines. Here are five key things you should practice when crate-training your German Shepherd puppy: Keep your puppy in the crate at night always. Letting him into your bed should be a complete no. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets the idea that there are other options. You will likely hear your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy cry during the first night, but after that, he will be just fine. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house and for his own safety, such as cooking in the kitchen or in exceptional situations like when you have visitors. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate. A blanket and some toys will offer some comfort for your dog. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained to. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Contrary to the widespread idea that we should yelp like a puppy and quickly withdraw our hand or clothing when a puppy bites, the best way to teach your German Shepherd puppy that his bite hurts is to cry like the human that you are. If you watch the video, you will see what I mean. Do the same when they bite your clothing and other parts of the body like ears or hair. While doing this training, let your dog differentiate between a bite that hurts and one that is soft and part of playing. Also, training your puppy to soft bite is best initiated early in the first six weeks and continued until 4 to 5 months, or when they have mastered the art of soft biting. The best way to do this is to practice at home first before going out for walks with your pup. Consider the following steps: Introduce your German Shepherd puppy to a harness or collar and leash by first allowing him to get used to it gradually. You can play with your puppy for a while and give a treat before or soon after removing the leash. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your puppy to short walks outside on a leash. Your puppy will get distracted during the walk and may try to pull. Do not pull back; instead, stand firm until he gives up and walks back toward you. Timing is crucial here. Reward every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of walking on a leash is perfected. You can learn how to stop a GSD from pulling on the leash in this article. Final Thoughts 8-weeks-old is a good time to train a German Shepherd puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, leash training, and not biting. To successfully train your puppy in these areas, you must train them young and follow other good training principles like not shouting at your puppy, being consistent in your commands, and rewarding obedience to commands, among others. Always bear in mind that a puppy is just starting. So, be patient and begin with basic commands before introducing the more complex trick commands. Good luck with your new friend! Related Posts You May Like:. This article is designed to help you along your way. This is completely normal. Every new puppy owner has their moments of frustration and doubt. Remember that your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is going through a big life change, too. She may be feeling stressed and out of sorts when you first bring her home. Consistency and structure will go a long way toward helping both of you. Introducing The Puppy Crate A crate can be your best friend when it comes to caring for your 8-week-old puppy. While some people think of crates as cruel, the reality is that with the right training, your puppy will think of her crate as a safe, quiet space where she can go to relax. If you leave your puppy unsupervised at home, you may come back to find a whole lot of destruction. Puppies can get into all kinds of trouble on their own, with their natural curiosity and desire to chomp down on just about everything in their path. A crate can help you keep your German Shepherd puppy — and your belongings! While every puppy is different, chances are your daily schedule for the first week will look a little bit like this: Early morning: Time for the first potty break of the day! Breakfast time: You can feed your puppy breakfast right after her first potty break, or wait a little longer and let her go back to sleep first. Mid-morning: Time for another small meal, and another potty break. Afternoon: Lunchtime followed by a potty break. Late afternoon: Another potty break! Evening: Dinner, and then — you guessed it — potty time. Just before bed: One last trip outside before you turn in for the night. In between potty and mealtimes, your puppy will probably be playing or napping. Scheduling play and exercise at the same times every day can help ensure that you get that nice, quiet naptime right on schedule, too. Potty Training an 8 Week Old German Shepherd Potty training can be one of the most daunting tasks of raising a brand new puppy. It may take a bit longer than you expected for your puppy to get the hang of things! Your puppy has never been apart from her siblings and mother before. The best way to avoid a night full of mournful wailing is to let your puppy sleep in your room, at least in the beginning. Safer ways to keep your puppy comfortable and contained at night include keeping her crate beside your bed, setting up a puppy playpen, or even just using a tall cardboard box. In fact, an 8-week-old puppy can spend as many as 18 hours a day sleeping! This helps keep some element of consistency in her routine and her stomach. If you do decide to switch over to a different food after a few weeks, do so in stages. You can then increase that slowly over time. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should be fed three to four times per day. Because the German Shepherd is a large breed, you should also feed your puppy a diet formulated specifically for large breed puppies. There are many commercially available diets made to help large breed puppies grow at the right rate. This helps to avoid skeletal abnormalities like hip dysplasia. Want more information on what to feed your 8-week-old German Shepherd, and how to change her diet as she gets older? We have everything you need to know right here in our guide to feeding a German Shepherd puppy. The stress of such a drastic life change can manifest in different ways, and an upset stomach is a pretty common reaction. You can give your pup a better chance of having a settled stomach by keeping her on the food she was eating before you brought her home, and feeding on a consistent schedule. Diarrhea can also be a sign of an underlying issue besides stress, however, and severe diarrhea can be life-threatening if left untreated. Your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is likely to bite you too, for exactly the same reason. She may even growl. And it really can hurt! Your Growing Dog As your German Shepherd puppy grows, our guides will help you care for her throughout her life. Here are a few links to get you started:. Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:.