cavalier cross golden retriever puppies

Tweet Looking for free German Shepherd puppies? If you are looking for a German Shepherd, and your budget is tight, you can find your new best friend nearly free or at a decent price. You just have to know where to look. Most of the dogs they place are one year or more, but they often have puppies as well. This normally includes vaccinations, a heartworm test, and spay or neuter. For about one third of the price of a purebred GSD from a reputable breeder, you can give a deserving dog a second chance. Rescue groups specialize in finding forever homes for lost, abused or unwanted German Shepherds. They have extensive knowledge of every dog they place and can normally match you with the right dog for your unique situation. Do you have a German Shepherd rescue success story to tell? Adopt a German Shepherd It may take some patience and persistence, but you can find a nearly free German Shepherd from a local shelter. If they don't currently have puppies, check back often. Or ask them to call you as soon as they get one. The adoption fee will normally cover an initial vet checkup with puppy shots and a spay or neuter. This is cheaper than the cost of a purebred German Shepherd from a rescue group. One quarter of all shelter dogs are purebreeds. Why adopt a dog? You may be their last hope. Many shelters only hold dogs for a week. If they are relinquished by their owner, they are on the short list for euthanasia, as they are not considered lost and no one will be coming to look for them. My Begian Malinois , Ryder, was 48 hours away from being put down after his owner signed him over. Search for a local animal shelter. Don't make price your primary consideration. Backyard breeders and puppy mills price low to sell quickly. Avoid these unscrupulous breeders. Even if an ad reads AKC registered dogs , this is not necessarily a sign of a quality dog. Be aware that Puppy Mills also use this as a lure for unsuspecting buyers. Exercise patience. You don't have to break the bank. Your new best friend is worth the wait. Jennifer here. I've been a fan of the German Shepherd breed for as long as I can remember. Wyoming is a shepherd mix — approximately 3 years old Wyoming has been in a wonderful GSROC foster home and has come a long way from when he was first rescued. He is housebroken and socialized. He loves to play with other dogs and ignores the cats in the home. Wyoming is a a shepherd mix, a great medium sized dog with a beautiful sable colored coat. He takes time to warm-up to anything new — new people and new situations. A gentle, quiet home will be ideal for this sweet boy. Wyoming loves playing with other dogs, and should be in a home either with his big brothers Nevada or Dakota or other playful dogs. He would love a home with multiple dog friends, and he gets along with all of his foster siblings, including a chihuahua. He plays well with other dogs, and is dog friendly. Wyoming is around cats at his foster home, but does not have close interaction with them. He would be appropriate in a home with cats, but not left alone with them to be safe as he does have a play drive. He would thrive in a home with a regular schedule, and would be fine with a family that is at work during the day once he was comfortable as long as he had a safe yard to play in and dog friends with him. Wyoming loves to go on long walks, and has really great leash-walking skills. He walks very easy on leash, unless he gets startled. Wyoming should not be let off leash as he is startled easily and will run in fear. He is learning how to have fun now that he knows he is safe, loved and cared for! Are you looking for a special, gentle dog that needs your love and patience? If you are looking for a dog that will blossom with patience and love, please complete the online application and an adoption counselor will contact you. History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. House-trained, Story Introducing Thor, the big and friendly dog with a heart of love! This squishy pup is a great companion for anyone who loves big, playful dogs. Thor is a natural social butterfly and loves spending time with other dogs. Making him a great fit for households with multiple pets. He loves being in the house and quick to make himself at home. Thor is a dog who's always up for an adventure, and he particularly loves car rides. He jumps into the car with ease and settles in for the ride. This makes him the perfect companion for road trips and outings with the family. Thor is also a well-trained pup who knows how to sit and walks well on a leash. He's always eager to learn new things and is a quick study. With his love of learning and eagerness to please, Thor is a great candidate for obedience training or other dog sports, agility training anyone? He does like to explore, we recommend a high fence for this big boy. In short, Thor is a big and friendly dog who's always ready for fun and adventure. If you're looking for a loyal and playful companion who's great with other pets and loves car rides, then Thor is the perfect fit for you! You can text unlimited questions to Petcademy and they'll respond within 24 hours Monday-Friday. We only adopt in the USA. We are open to adopting in other states, except in Massachusetts. There are quarantine laws for MA and until these laws change, we are not able to adopt into MA.

Welcome to Sugarwood Australian Labradoodles! We are the Jones family, living in rural West Virginia. Our desire is to provide other families with amazing pet companions and a fabulous adoption experience. We strive to raise healthy puppies with excellent temperaments. Sugarwood Australian Labradoodles is committed to our mission and will offer a lifetime of support to our families. Thanks for visiting our site and feel free to reach out to us with any questions. Our Commitment to Health All breeding dogs will have genetic and health testing to meet or exceed Breeding Standards. Both organizations recognize that not all dogs labeled as Australian Labradoodles are the "real deal," therefore the certifications make clear the identification process for potential buyers. All puppies will be evaluated by a veterinarian with up-to-date vaccinations and de-worming, microchipped, and will come with a 2-year health guarantee. Our Focus on Temperament All puppies will be raised with ENS Early Neurological Stimulation , desensitization to loud noises and experiences, and other positive training techniques utilizing Puppy Culture. Every puppy will have early socialization to people of all ages and other pets, with lots of love and cuddles. All puppies will be raised in our home and be exposed to all sights and sounds of a normal household. All puppies will begin potty training outside and crate training prior to going home. Qualities of an Australian Labradoodle: extremely clever, sociable, comical and joyful. They are energetic when free and quiet when handled. Additionally, they display intuition about the emotional state of family members or their handlers; thus making them excellent dogs for service or special needs. Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder. What is a Labradoodle exactly? Contrary to popular belief, Labradoodles are suitable for people with allergies, thanks to their parents. Labradoodle puppies have tons of other great qualities as well. In fact, they get along with them well. These tiny guys make brilliant companions for kiddos and seniors. A standard Labradoodle will love a nice backyard to play fetch in. The mini Labradoodle would be an excellent fit for a small space or apartment. Mini Labradoodles will fit just as great in a larger area. I mean, just look at that face! To ensure our adopters are successfully choosing the right breed, please watch the video below before applying. Labradoodle puppies are lovable, energetic, and very smart. These extremely friendly and kind puppies are happy to be around their human pack. They enjoy being around other dogs too. Labradoodle puppies love giving puppy kisses. It is hard to go wrong with a Labradoodle puppy. Activity: We hope you are ready to go on walks, runs, hikes, and swimming. Your friends and their pups can come along. The Australian Labradoodle will love your friends and puppies too. Labradoodles enjoy playing. Want to play ball, anyone? Did you know, Labradoodles are known for their love of water. They have strong swimming ability. Good luck keeping them dry! Hypoallergenic: Do allergies plague you? A Labradoodle puppy will be great for you. Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, which is excellent. They have been bred to have a low-shed coat. Lower your sneeze factor with this puppy. No more extra Kleenex or lent rollers are needed here. How awesome is that? Coats: You have plenty of options in coats with Labradoodles, wavy, shaggy, curly, or the less common straight. Just look at all the choices you have in coat color for your Labradoodles. How are you ever going to decide? Intelligence: Can we just say Labradoodles are super-duper smart? The fact they are smart makes them great guide dogs, which is pretty neat. Labradoodles love to learn new tricks and show off to their friends. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in West Virginia? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in West Virginia. Due to their incredible fur coats, Australian Labradoodles are totally non-shedding and hypoallergenic. For those looking for a dog that makes life a little bit easier, Doodles are the perfect choice! Extremely Intelligent Training your Aussie Labradoodle is a snap! Perfect Family Pet Whether your family is large or small, quiet or outgoing, has kids, pets, or none at all, Australian Labradoodles fit in nearly everywhere. Our Doodles just plain love people and get along famously with families of all stripes. Premium Network of Labradoodle Breeders in West Virginia Our unique network of breeders is made of people who share our passion and commitment to only the best breeding standards. That means healthier Doodles, happier Doodles, and more Doodles available in all 50 states—including West Virginia. Highest West Virginia Labradoodle Breeder Standards Uptown Puppies thrive because of our sky-high standards, including our network of guardian homes for mommy dogs, plus breeding retirement ages and limits on the number of total litters for our moms. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Teays Valley West Virginia and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted.

Stool that contains worms, blood, or mucus Coughing in the case of severe roundworm infection and, less commonly, lungworm infection Many of these symptoms can indicate other health problems like parvo in puppies with the exception of worms in poop , so you should always consult your veterinarian if you notice any red flags. Are puppy worms contagious to humans? Many worms commonly found in puppies are zoonotic, meaning they are transmissable between animals and people. If your puppy has worms and passed them onto you, it can cause diarrhea, intestinal pain, and secondary health problems in the respiratory, digestive, or cardiovascular systems. Certain people are at increased risk of infection by a contagious puppy than others, specifically: children, seniors, pregnant women, diabetics, cancer patients, and anyone with a compromised immune system. In addition to the worms people can get from puppies — including roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworm — there are other zoonotic puppy parasites you should be aware of like Lyme disease in dogs caused by ticks, as well as Giardiasis from giardia in dogs. The good news is that you can avoid sharing a zoonotic infection with your pet by following your vet's recommended deworming schedule, puppy vaccines, and parasite preventatives. When to deworm puppies Puppies should be dewormed every 2 weeks until they are 8 weeks-old, then again at 6 months-old. At that point, you can switch to an adult deworming schedule for dogs, which typically consists of a worming treatment every 6 months. However, you should onsider using a preventative therapy to defend your pet from an infestation, as parasites have high rates of re-infection after entering the bloodstream. It's best to begin a worming treatment before eggs laid by transplacental parasites pass through the stool. Therefore, most vets recommend starting a puppy deworming schedule as early as 2 weeks-old. Deworming Schedule For Puppies A typical puppy deworming schedule is administered by a veterinarian at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, then again near the 6-month mark. How to deworm a puppy Deworming treatments are easy and effective to use. The typical treatment protocol is for a veterinarian to provide or supervise the puppy wormer administration for days and then repeat in weeks. The repeated dosing is used to kill the parasites that were still larvae or eggs during the first treatment but have since developed into adults. Be sure to speak to your veterinarian for a puppy wormer prescription; it is not recommended to buy over-the-counter wormers due to inefficient active ingredients and improper dosages. During your first vet visit , the veterinarian should examine your puppy's poop for the presence of worms and determine how much wormer to prescribe and on what schedule. How to administer puppy wormer There are many different ways to give your puppy a deworming treatment. Broad-spectrum formulas are available by prescription as well as over-the-counter, though they are not recommended. Dewormer can be administered as oral medication chewable dog treats, pills, liquid, pastes, and food additives or injectable shot administered by a licensed veterinarian. Can I deworm a puppy naturally at home? You need a vet's help in determining whether your puppy does indeed have worms and identifying what kind of parasite they are. Without this information, it is not possible to choose the correct medication to deworm your puppy at home. What happens after deworming a puppy? After deworming, you might notice dead worms in puppy poop. Sometimes, you might notice slight movement but the worms will go on to die. You should also expect your puppy to experience some diarrhea after treatment. Puppies with high worm burdens might become ill after deworming. This is because when all of the parasites die at once, the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Luckily, this usually resolves on its own and your puppy should feel fine in a couple of days. What are the side effects of puppy wormer? In general, anti-parasite drugs have a very high margin of safety, which means that they rarely cause problems. How long will my puppy poop worms after deworming? Puppies will typically poop worms for days after a deworming treatment. How long does it take for the dewormer to work? Typically, multiple rounds of dewormer are required in order to kill the eggs and larvae. The number of rounds and length of treatment differs depending on the parasites for instance, treatment for roundworm infection typically lasts 4 weeks , as well as the severity and size of the infection. Does dewormer prevent worms? No, deworming puppies only treats a current parasite infection. While intestinal worms are typically not fatal, they can be a big nuisance. If left untreated, they can result in coat issues, lack of appetite, poor nutrient uptake, poor growth, intestinal upsets, organ damage, loss of consciousness, and even death. For this reason, it is very important to treat your puppy regularly for worms. How much does it cost to deworm a puppy? If your puppy has heartworms, your veterinarian will need to do bloodwork, X-rays, and other tests to determine how serious the infection is. Pet insurance can cover expensive veterinary treatments your pet might require throughout its life, and some plans include deworming. Many companies also offer pet wellness plans to help offset preventive pet care expenses, including the cost of vaccines for dogs , annual wellness exams , and standard fecal tests. Pawlicy Advisor can recommend the best pet insurance plan for your puppy based on its unique information. The platform also helps you compare plans from top pet insurance companies side-by-side, so you can understand coverage details and enroll in your favorite solution within a matter of minutes. Click the button below to get started. Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Key Takeaways Because puppies can inherit intestinal worms from their mothers, deworming schedule should be started early between two and eight weeks old. Intestinal worms in puppies can cause diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, poor growth, organ damage, and even death. Many parasites your puppy might have, such as hookworms and roundworms, can also infect you and your family, which is why regular deworming is so important. If you have any questions or concerns about treating your puppy for worms, be sure to contact your vet and stay away from natural homemade remedies. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Of course! In this section of the blog post, I will go through some of the most common symptoms. Take a look. There are a lot of different types of worms that can infect your lovely Golden Retriever. In this section of the blog, I will go through the most common types of worms found in dogs. Adults are between one to seven inches in length and look much like spaghetti. These worms have microscopic eggs which your furry friend can pick from the environment and get infested. However, a pregnant female can pass these worms to her puppies which is very harmful to the little ones. If your dog has roundworms, he may get diarrhea, vomiting, have abdominal pain, be lethargic, and look pot-bellied. Your dog may even lose some weight. Your furry friend can pick them up from the soil. While most dogs are immune to these worms, this is seen in those that have a weak immune system. Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. A nursing mom can pass them on to her puppies which is extremely problematic. Adult whipworms are about two or three inches in length. Your dog can get infected if he swallows the eggs in water or soil. Your dog will have vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss if he is infected with whipworms. Your dog can get infected by drinking contaminated water or pick it up from infected humans or animals. The worm causes diarrhea and in young pups and can even cause death due to malnourishment and dehydration. Your dog can get coccidia through infected feces and soil. As I mentioned in the previous section, several types of worms can infect your furry friend. These worms have different symptoms and need different methods of treatment to be dealt with. The best way to determine which worm has infected your dog is by getting his stool examined. Pyrantel is commonly used with puppies Panacur C is used for whipworms and works between three to five days Praziquantel removes tapeworms which are the toughest to kill It is always the best idea to take your dog to the vet than to give him over-the-counter medicine. Some medicines may even do more harm than good. I strongly believe that saying. You can prevent your dog from getting worms by simply ensuring that your furry friend has a strong immune system. You need to ensure that you give your dog the best diet by giving him natural, meat-based whole foods. Summing Up: Dog Worms and Deworming It is crucial to deworm your furry friend if you want him to be happy and healthy. Dogs are the ideal hosts for worms, and they can get them quite easily because they like to lick and eat anything and everything. So, getting worms is inevitable. Several types of worms infect dogs, and the treatment option depends on which worm infects your furry friend. Do you have questions? More Health. Table Of Contents Worms and deworming Puppies Adoption of a Golden Retriever puppy should be reflected because of his needs and your availability to him. All puppies are born with worms, and there's no way of avoiding worms altogether. After your Golden Retriever puppy adoption, you must ensure the de-worming every month during the six first months and then deworm him only 2 times a year. The worms are parasites that live in the dog's intestine. These parasites can cause more or less serious diseases. For a puppies, and up to six months old, a monthly deworming puppies is needed. Then as an adults, you should treat them twice a year. However, Golden retriever puppies often moving outside should be treated more often. Before starting deworming puppies, you should know that there are two types of worms: Roundworms and tapeworms [AdSense-A] Roundworms : Types and how to start deworming puppies. Deworming puppies from the Hookworms Hookworms are intestinal parasites that are found in Golden Retriever puppies and all breeds, and adults living in groups. Hookworms are difficult to detect because they are rarely present in the stool. Some Hookworms can also affect humans by migrating through the skin. Attaching to the intestinal wall and feeding on the tissues or blood, their number can cause severe damage to the intestinal wall and a true anemia in Golden Retriever puppy, and even death. Deworming puppies from The Whipworms Whipworms are intestinal parasites with 2 to 4 cm in length and recognizable by their wound end. They live in the cecum and large intestine colon especially in the area where the small and large intestines meet and feed on blood. They suck the blood through the wall of the colon, causing bloody diarrhea, weight loss and painful inflammation for bleeding the Golden Retriever puppy or dog, as well as anemia. Using some heartworm preventives is effective against whipworms parasites. An oral dewormer for deworming puppies is effective at eliminating these parasites and treating your Golden Retriever puppy or dog. Deworming puppies from Ascaris These parasites are roundworms and white, the length can reach 20 cm, and infest most Golden Retriever puppies and all breeds. Ascaris are transmissible during pregnancy of the mother or through breastfeeding. Feeding directly into the intestine, these parasites can cause stunted growth and many health problems as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss, and even intestinal obstruction or perforation. Tapeworms : How to deworm infected puppies. These parasites called tapeworm, can reach 80 cm long and usually infect Golden Retriever puppies through chips that are carrying their larvae. Its eggs are evacuated in rings and their presence is identifiable in the stool. This parasite causes endless itching in the anus of the dog. Because of this, your Golden Retriever puppies or dog will scoot, lick their behinds a lot or dragging their bottoms across the floor. Normally, these parasites are easily treated and do not cause serious problems. There are several safe prescription medicines for deworming puppies. The treatment will dissolve the worms and you will not see them when your Golden Retriever puppy goes to the bathroom. Dr Alice Marshall - Vet BVSc Hons Alice is a honours degree veterinarian who has worked across private mixed veterinary practice, the animal nutrition and the animal pharmaceutical industries. She loves to communicate with owners about the importance of pet health and provide useful information to help them enjoy life with their pets. Brand-new puppies are full of love and keen to express it. Many do this by licking you, your face, your children. While it is nice to feel so loved, puppies can bring some parasites with them from their previous home. As some worms can be transferred to family members, including children, it is essential - for both their health and yours - to start them off on a preventative worming schedule from the start. What worms are puppies susceptible too? In Australia, puppies are susceptible to intestinal worms, including roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm, and also to heartworm. Unlike intestinal worms which live in your puppy's intestines, heartworms live in a dog's heart. Why are puppies prone to worm infections? Puppies are incredibly susceptible to worms. They can pick up worms from their mother's milk, from other adult dogs at the breeder's or rescue shelter, and also through their constant desire to investigate, sniff at or eat most things they come across. Grooming and swallowing fleas carrying the infective stage of tapeworms can also lead to infection. Symptoms of worms in puppies Symptoms of intestinal worms in puppies include loss of appetite, diarrhoea or ill-formed stools, vomiting, poor growth, dull coat, or scooting dragging their bottom across the ground. In heavy infections, puppies can sometimes appear 'pot-bellied'. The good news is that common worms are easily controllable with a reliable worming schedule. Treatment of worms in puppies Worming your puppy from the day you get it is a good idea. This will help keep them, your house, and your family all healthy. Check with the breeder or rescue centre for how often they wormed your puppy, including when the last dose was, and continue that schedule. Puppies should be wormed every 2 weeks, from birth until 12 weeks of age. Then every 3 months. We suggest choosing an ' all wormer ' which will cover for all intestinal worms and tapeworms. You can also ask your vet for advice about worming brands and schedules - there are tablets, spot-ons and collars all designed to help. If you need assistance, your vet can also help show you the best way to give your puppy a tablet. For example, hiding a tablet within a puppy treat. Impact of not treating your puppy properly for worms Poor growth, intestinal upsets, and potential to infect human family members are all good reasons to treat regularly for intestinal worms. It is important to realise that worming treatments do not prevent worms; they only kill worms. So it's essential to deworm regularly. Ongoing worm prevention for puppies and adult dogs Because they can inherit worms from their mothers, worming treatment in puppies should be started early. Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. Once they have reached six months of age, a puppy can transfer onto an 'adult' worming schedule. All adult dogs need to be wormed every three months for effective protection. For peace of mind when it comes to worms, it is always useful to understand how often and when you need to be worming your puppy. That way, you can ensure you are protecting their, and your, continued good health. Always ask your veterinary health team for advice if you have concerns for your pet. Related articles. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. They are VERY necessary and getting a vaccination schedule is important! Discuss this with your vet and get on a schedule to continue! Depending on your vet, your puppy will likely need more boosters before being considered fully vaccinated. A vaccination record will be included in your puppy pack! These areas are dog parks, pet stores, etc. It is best to just avoid them all together until your puppy is fully vaccinated. Don't be too concerned about socializing them with other dogs at this age. They have plenty of time to socialize with lots of dogs after they are fully vaccinated! They can still play and be around other vaccinated dogs! You can also use this time to introduce new people, sounds, and other animals in a safe environment! Keep all interactions positive! Provides maximum protection. This vaccine contains a high antigen mass more vaccine units per dose , which results in a short period from vaccination to protection, a higher level of protection, and a long duration of immunity. Found to be safe for use in young puppies. This is a modified live version of the virus. Be very careful where you take your puppy before they are completely finished with boosters. This means no dog park, no pet stores, no feed supply stores, pick them up when you walk in and out of the vet, etc. Typically more boosters is necessary. This product contains the CPV 2b strain. Modified live and killed virus. The diluent contains killed antigens for Canine Coronavirus Vaccine, L. The intranasal administration stimulates immunity inside the nasal passage where much of the disease process begins. Rabies Vaccination- 1st vaccine at 16 weeks. If your puppy picks up a parasite, it will show up almost immediately in their stool. Parasites are most commonly spread by birds, bugs, and water sources, so regardless of where you live, those are just about everywhere. Adult dogs can also be susceptible to parasite infections but their immune systems are more likely to rid of the parasite on its own. Not always though, which is why we highly recommend getting your dog on a regular deworming schedule. Your puppy will be regularly dewormed with quality products against a wide variety of worms, giardia, and coccidia before leaving our home. We recommend to continue deworming your puppy every two weeks until your puppy is 16 or so weeks old. By keeping your puppy on a deworming schedule, you will help to prevent your puppy from contacting parasites. If your puppy aquires a parasite of some sort, don't freak out! Remember that dogs are animals and parasites are both easy to contract and typically easy to get rid of. Get a fecal from your vet to figure out exactly what parasite you are dealing with and treat accordingly! What was given to your puppy while in our care will be on their health record given to you at the day of pickup. Also used in the treatments of Giardia.

Things to do with your English Bulldog Ohio is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Ohio that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Ohio that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Ohio, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Ohio, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Ohio, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Ohio, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Ohio has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Ohio. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Ohio is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Ohio? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. I think I was given that pretty name to make up for how I was treated before coming to Badass Bulldog Rescue and my current foster home. Even though my life started out rough, having that name gave me something to rise up to - it's hard to not feel like you have a better life coming when your name is Princess! At first when I came to my foster family's home, I wanted to engage with them but not fully. After a little time, I opened up to belly rubs and now I am a full on cuddler! When I'm the only furbae in the room, I velcro my eyes to whichever foster parent is there and like to stay on their heels. Same when they take me on walks. So I am looking for someone who is ready for BIG love in a stout package! Speaking of walks - I love them! My pre-foster life was not very active and I've had some babies, so my weight really crept up! I'm on my new health journey now with better nutrition, medical care and exercise and am already seeing positive changes in my figure. I really hope my furever home will keep me active and keep me on track - I'm a short gal so every oz matters! I have an older foster sister and brother and have had some great play sessions with them! Full disclosure, as much as I do like to play, I also have a tendency to get possessive over food and chewbones with them. My foster mom thinks it is because my beginnings to life didn't include regular feedings or the opportunity to have anything extra to chew on. So if my furever family would have patience and continue to practice with me, my ability to share could improve. In summary, even though I have a past and am still working on becoming every aspect of the name I've been given, I'm a catch. I love my people, toys, car rides, cuddles, walks and to play. My perfect furever home will keep me on the healthy lifestyle I'm on now, continue to help me understand that pets, food and treats are plentiful and be patient with me through the process of learning to share if I'm joining a home with other furbaes. Gus came to us after being surrendered to a shelter with a female Bulldog. Unfortunately, the female was too sick and even after an emergency surgery, she did not make it. Gus was in a little better shape so we addressed his medical concerns one at a time! The results came back positive for cancer. Fortunately, this type of cancer is generally taken care of once it is removed. However due to this, Gus will need closely monitored for the remainder of his life. He loves attention and being with his people. He loves a good nap on the couch and prefers a pillow so he can elevate his head. He has not been kid tested, but due to his overwhelmingly sweet personality we do not anticipate there would be any issues. Gus does prefer to be the only dog though and would do best in a home without other pets. He is crate trained and doing better with leash walking and house breaking! He is looking for a family to love him, spoil him and to let him take it easy for the remainder of his golden years. Donations can be made via our PayPal account - info prodogsohio. You must be willing to commute to the location that the pet is being fostered in order to be eligible to adopt. We do not ship our pets. We also require that you personally bring the pet back to us should the adoption not work out. All money goes to support our rescue operation. We require your current dog s to be current on vaccines and heartworm prevention. Due to the volume of apps and inquiries, we may not be able to respond to everyone. September 13, , pm. However, with Cheappuppiesforsale. Our user-friendly website allows you to filter your search based on location, price, and other preferences, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. When it comes to purchasing a puppy, we understand that cost is a significant factor for many individuals. We work closely with a network of trustworthy breeders who prioritize the well-being and health of their puppies. Rest assured, our breeders comply with ethical breeding practices and provide a nurturing environment for their dogs. Understanding the origins and characteristics of this beloved breed can provide valuable insights for prospective English Bulldog owners. Originating in England, the English Bulldog has a lineage that traces back to the ancient Mastiffs. Bulldogs were originally bred for bull-baiting, a popular sport during the 13th century. Temperament of english bulldogs Despite their intimidating appearance, English Bulldogs have evolved into gentle and affectionate companions. They are known for their patience, loyalty, and love for their families. The temperament of English Bulldogs is characterized by their calm and easygoing nature. They tend to be docile and get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Bulldogs have a reputation for being dependable, protective, and fiercely loyal to their loved ones. While Bulldogs are generally laid-back, they also have a stubborn streak. This means that consistent and patient training is necessary to establish good behavior and ensure About Ranger Well, hello there! I can assure you that I am the one you have been looking for. How do I know? My coat is shiny and soft, and I have been told that my face is too cute for words. I am also fun if I do say so myself. I have been known to catch a ball or two, long walks tickle my fancy, and fetch is just about my favorite pastime. Reviews There are no reviews yet.

Sometimes the blue coloring is due to a coat color called merle , which features "irregularly shaped patches of diluted pigment and solid color," according to the University of California, Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Merle is incredibly popular, but it can become harmful for dogs in some cases: Breeding two merle-colored dogs together can lead their puppies to have auditory and visual problems. Other dogs from certain breeds sometimes rarely have blue eyes. German Shepherds, for example, will rarely have blue eyes due to a genetic variation , though most breeders consider it a fault. Sometimes dogs will have two differently colored eyes, with one blue or partially blue, which is called heterochromia which can sometimes indicate a health problem. Scientists have also found that for some breeds, blue eyes are caused by a genetic mutation that is passed down through recessive genes, which means both of the parent dogs must carry the gene to pass it to their offspring, according to National Geographic. For other breeds, blue eyes are the result of a genetic mutation that actually results in decreased pigmentation, so the dogs' eyes aren't really blue — they just look like they are. But, in addition to the fascinating — and confusing — science behind the trait, dogs with blue eyes are mesmerizing just because, well, they are. Here are 10 dog breeds that can have striking blue eyes. Also, contrary to what their name tells you, Australian Shepherds likely originated in the Basque region of Spain. Melanin is what determines eye color, and when puppies are born, their eyes don't produce enough of it to give them a clear color. Something similar can happy with white babies, who are often born with blue eyes that then change to green or hazel or brown. Shepherds with the variation are often called Blue German Shepherds. Often, blue eyes in a Shepherd would result if the dog is actually a mix with something like a Husky. Border Collies with just one blue eye are called "walleyed. When the Great Dane has a merle gene that causes merle coat coloring their blue eyes can remain. The black-and-white coat that can cause blue eyes in a Great Dane is known as "harlequin," according to the AKC. Sanitary Wipes Can German Shepherds have blue eyes? Blue eyes are possible in German Shepherds , although it is scarce. Brown eyes are the most prevalent in German Shepherds. However, some exceptions exist where some German Shepherds possess grey, hazel, amber, and green eyes. How rare is a German Shepherd with blue eyes? Blue eyes are occasionally seen in German Shepherd dogs. It fades into dark brown eyes over time in most of these cases and is only seen in very young puppies. Adult German Shepherds can have blue eyes due to a rare gene mutation in both parent breeds; however, it is rare. Many mature German Shepherds have brown eyes, but blue eyes are prevalent in mixed-breed dogs. Can Purebred German Shepherds have blue eyes? No, because it is not in the breed standard. A healthy purebred German Shepherd will not have blue eyes. Can German Shepherds be odd-eyed? A German Shepherd can possess two blue eyes or be odd-eyed i. While most breeders consider the feature a flaw, many dog owners believe it is desirable. These dogs are often referred to as Blue German Shepherds not only because they have blue eyes. They have classic markings, and the recessive gene responsible for the blue eyes can also give them dark patches on the hair, which seem more blue or silver instead of the usual black. Blue-eyed German Shepherd Dogs are classified into three groups. These can be summed up as follows: 1. However, puppies do not produce a large amount of melanin before or after birth. As a result of this, nearly all German Shepherd puppies will have blue eyes when they are born. Understanding Punnett squares, genetics, and phenotypes will improve your chances of acquiring blue-eyed German Shepherds. A genotype is a group of genes that determines how the body functions. A phenotype is an observable physical characteristic that can be classified. The phenotype is influenced directly by the genotype. For instance, If you possess a tall height gene, it will show in your phenotype, and you will be taller than an average individual. The ability to see the phenotypes of their animals and the progeny they produce is beneficial to dog breeders. It will help them determine genotypes within their breeding pairs using this knowledge. And also, they can use this information to select breeding pairs based on their genetic compatibility. You can also conduct a genetic analysis for your dog. However, this form of expert testing is better suited to individuals looking to avoid congenital disorders caused by inbreeding rather than identifying the eye color of future pups. Genetic Mutation German Shepherds result from more than a century of inbreeding, which is notorious for producing recessive genetic disorders. As a result, offspring from breeding parents with blue eyes recessive alleles may be predominantly dark-eyed. However, their offspring may get the recessive blue-eye feature. In that case, there is a higher chance of getting blue-eyed puppies. Health concerns for Blue German Shepherds German Shepherds with blue eyes are usually equally as healthy as those with brown eyes. However, your dog could be at risk for various health issues, ranging from pigmentation loss to genetic flaws. Skin Disorders German Shepherds are highly vulnerable to skin infections and allergies. However, the presence of recessive alleles for blue eyes makes their vulnerability skyrocket! Genes function primarily to regulate skin cell production. They produce new skin cells to replace dead ones. Recessive genes function differently. It increases the likelihood of your dog developing a skin disease. The presence of the merle mutation increases the risk of auditory and ocular defects such as hearing loss and blindness. To rule out any congenital disabilities, perform an ear and eye examination for your dog. Sensitivity to Light A lack of melanin characterizes blue eyes, which does not appear to be a problem until you realize that melanin protects the eyes from UV rays! As a result of their light sensitivity, blue-eyed German Shepherds are frequently seen squinting or avoiding sunlight. How to care for your blue-eyed German Shepherd? If you suspect that your German Shepherd is suffering from eye pain, here are a few preventive measures you can take: Use of doggie shades As previously stated, German Shepherds with blue eyes may be light sensitive. As a result, taking your dog out on bright days may cause discomfort. You can buy a pair of doggie sunglasses to protect their eyes from sun rays. Eye ointments In case of an eye infection or injury, contact your vet immediately. You can apply an eye ointment as a handy treatment to tackle the problem right away rather than waiting for the vet. Always make use of wet sanitary wipes to keep their eyes clean and hygienic. Oh, the humanity! Fret not, this article should shed a bit more light on this uncommon occurrence, why it happens and how it affects you. What are normal purebred German Shepherd eye colors? Different shades of brown, green, hazel …and blue are normal eye colors. But green, gray and hazel-colored eyes are also normal. More importantly, although blue eyes are rare, depending on the circumstances, they can occur naturally in German Shepherds. The recessive gene or a mutation therein, is typically the main reason as to why every once in a while, a black German Shepherd with blue eyes comes out of a German Shepherd litter of mainly brown-eyed offspring. If you still remember your biology class back in high school with your teacher endlessly droning on about Gregor Mendel and his genetics work, then worrying about your black German Shepherd with blue eyes is a textbook example of this application. German Shepherd eye color changes happen much in the same way that eye color changes happen in normal dogs. Recent research has shown that the amino acid melanin is chiefly responsible for lighter or darker shades of eye colors in dogs. Melanin also determines coat color. More on this later. Is my German Shepherd still a purebred if it has blue eyes? Yes, but not necessarily. To understand why blue-eyed purebred German Shepherds are such a controversial topic, it pays to know why purebred dogs are so highly-valued. Continuing on this line of thinking, blue eyes are a common trait inherent to the Siberian Husky breed and may be a telltale sign that your German Shepherd is not purebred. Purebred dogs are typically associated with the following traits: Well-socialized Prone to suffer genetically-acquired diseases Typically the only kinds of dogs recognized and supported by kennel clubs While mixed-breed dogs are known to exhibit the following: Prone to suffer fear-based behavior problems Have a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases Generally accepted as being more hardy than purebreds It is important to note, however, that white German Shepherds also known as White Shepherds are recognized as their own breed, and should not be confused with mixed-breeds or an offshoot genetic mutation. See also The German Shepherd Dachshund Mix Breed Guide And Information If you find cause for concern regarding your white German Shepherd with blue eyes or any kind of dog with unusually colored eyes for that matter , do some research, reach out to your local vet and inquire about genetic testing for your pet. Is it normal for German Shepherd eyes to change color over time? Melanin as a contributing factor to German Shepherd eye color change was a fact mentioned earlier. This happens because melanin takes time to produce. Because this is the case, it is not uncommon for a baby German Shepherd with blue eyes to have its eye color change over the course of a few months. On the same note, it is normal to find puppies with blue eyes regardless of breed because of this lack of melanin. In addition, it should also be noted that other eye conditions may result in eye color changes for your German Shepherd. All the more so if your German Shepherd is a puppy! More often than not, there are plenty of conditions that account for German Shepherd eye color changes or blue eyes outside of breed. See also The Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Breed Guide On the downside, this may mean that there is a small chance your German Shepherd is experiencing some kind of degenerative eye disease or disorder. But in any case, with the advent of modern technology, it should be easier than ever to inquire about your German Shepherd with blue eyes, including requesting genetics tests. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Jul 22, Share You have probably seen a cat or husky with blue eyes, but have you ever seen a German Shepherd with blue eyes? Probably not. To learn more about German Shepherds with blue eyes, read on. This article covers everything you could possibly want to know about German Shepherds with blue eyes. The majority of both purebred German Shepherds and mixed German Shepherds have brown eyes because it is the dominant trait. In contrast, the blue eye color is a recessive trait. For a recessive gene to appear, both parents must have the same trait. Interestingly, the recessive trait that causes German Shepherds to have blue eyes is also found in humans, but it is simply more common in humans. Thus, the German Shepherd has a bluer appearance, and its eyes are blue instead of brown. Although it may sound weird that blue eyes are blue due to lack of pigmentation, the same is true of human blue eyes. Whereas humans with blue eyes can come in all sizes and races, German Shepherds with blue eyes tend to look the same, but they look different from the classic German Shepherd. German Shepherds that end up having blue eyes are called Blue German Shepherds. A Blue German Shepherd can come in three colorations, including blue and black, blue, and dark brown, and blue and tan. Often, the blue and black coloration makes the dog appear dark gray all over. It is considered very rare for German Shepherds to have blue eyes. Not only must the German Shepherd have the recessive gene, but it also must have blue eyes. Plus, most breeders prefer not to waste time breeding Blue German Shepherds for reasons we will discuss next. This recessive gene can be seen in other dogs, such as Dobermans. In Dobermans, the gene can cause the dog to have certain skin conditions. In German Shepherds, there is no negative health link between the recessive gene and the dog. That being said, many breeders avoid breeding Blue German Shepherds because kennel associations view them as a defect. What this means is that you cannot present your German Shepherd at dog shows because the blue coloration is a fault. Of course, you can always find a Blue German Shepherd if you want one specifically and have no intention of showing it. Final Thoughts If you have seen a German Shepherd with blue eyes, you have seen a real treat. German Shepherds can have blue eyes only if they have the recessive gene. Even though the gene is not associated with any health defects, kennel associations view the color as a defect and most breeders view it as a waste of time to breed these dogs. Despite the rarity of blue-eyed German Shepherds, they will bring you just as much fun, love, and companionship as a classic German Shepherd. Related Reads:. A German Shepherd can have blue eyes due to a genetic defect that causes one or both eyes to be a different color. Their piercingly blue eyes have little to no effect on their temperament, so you can expect the same characteristics as a typical German Shepherd. Watch This NOW! The genetic site that causes the blue color is the D dilute locus. The diluted pigment lightens coats from black to blue. It causes, in effect, a watered-down version of black. The two alleles connected with dilution are D dominant full color and d recessive dilute. It takes two recessive alleles dd to lighten black pigment to blue. In simple terms, both parents must carry and pass on the recessive D gene for a German Shepherd to have blue eyes. It is, therefore, impossible for a blue-colored dog to have any black on its coat. While these dogs are beautiful, the American Kennel Club classifies their eyes as an issue, docking points or refusing to let them rank in conformation. So although blue-eyed German Shepherds can enter events, they are seldom seen. This causes controversy among owners of blue GSDs, who often feel discriminated against. A German Shepherd with blue eyes is extremely rare because both parents must carry the recessive D locus gene, home to the dilution gene. When a dog is homozygous for dilute, a black dog will become blue. So it is highly uncommon to get two mutated copies of the gene that causes blue eyes. While many dog breeds can also lose pigmentation in their eyes to make them look blue, a German Shepherd can have truly blue eyes, albeit unique. German Shepherds with blue eyes can be purebred or mixed. This trait is much more common if mixed with a husky since these dogs can naturally have blue eyes. However, a purebred German Shepherd can have light brown, dark brown, golden, hazel, or blue eyes without another breed in the mix. Send a quick sample and find out if your pup is mixed or if his blue eyes are a purebred genetic rarity. All GSDs have striking features, but adding blue eyes makes them even more beautiful. Blue-eyed German Shepherds can also be quite confident and brave. When raised in the right household, these dogs will feel proud of themselves and their territory. Common Health Problems German Shepherds with blue eyes are prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and digestive issues as they age. All of these health concerns can be minimized or managements with the three following tips: Healthy food is crucial from birth through their senior years. German Shepherds need up to two hours of exercise daily. Attention and affection prevent the anxiety that can cause stress, seizures, and blood pressure problems. I also recommend you invest in a good orthopedic bed suitable for large breeds as they help prevent mobility issues and ease pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. Some owners might be concerned that blue eyes in a German Shepherd cause additional health concerns. But are blue eyes in the German Shepherd breed a health concern? These lovely dogs are just as healthy as the standard brown-eyed German Shepherds. Their health predictability is based on their genetics, diet, activity, and affection. So what causes the confusion? Some dogs, such as the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, and Great Dane, carry the M-locus Merle gene that causes mottled white patches of fur, solid or piebald, on the face and body. Breeding two Merle gene carriers is, therefore expressly forbidden and deemed inhumane. However, this presents an opportunity to bring a gorgeous pup into your home. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. The few with blue eyes owe their eye color to a recessive gene that needs to be inherited from both parents. Blue-eyed German Shepherds can have two blue eyes, or they can be odd-eyed with one blue eye and one brown eye. Dogs with odd eyes are sometimes described as having heterochromia. A Blue German Shepherd is one with a color variation caused by a recessive gene. It dilutes black pigment so the fur will appear blue-gray or silver-gray rather than black. On the other hand, powder blue German Shepherds have lighter colors. Blue GSDs can be blue-and-black, blue-and-tan, or blue-and-sable dark brown. Strangely enough, Blue German Shepherds can appear in litters containing prototypical black-and-tan pups. While the blue color is a normal variation, both the AKC and many breeders consider it a defect of sorts. Well sometimes at least… The Dog Breed Info website includes a list of dog breeds that are known to have blue eyes on occasion. While all puppies are born with blue eyes, the breeds listed can actually retain their blue eyes as adults. A German Shepherd mix can inherit blue eyes from the GSD parent, or from the non-Shepherd parent if the breed has been known to have blue eyes. These dogs, which are also known as Siberian Shepherds or German Huskies, often inherit blue eyes from their Husky parents. Generally speaking, blue-eyed German Shepherds are as healthy as their brown-eyed relatives. There are, however, some unfortunate exceptions. While this sounds harmless and even attractive, dogs that inherit the merle gene from both parents often have birth defects. Mating two carriers of the merle gene is thus considered inhumane and strictly forbidden. However, a German Shepherd mix can have the merle gene. Such examples of breeds affected by the merle gene include the Australian Shepherd, the Collie, the Great Dane, and the Shetland Sheepdog. An albino dog will thus not only have pure white fur, but the skin around their nose and eyes will be a very pale pink. The eyes may have some pigment and be a very pale blue, or have no pigment and appear pinkish. The pink color is actually due to the blood flowing beneath the skin. Albino dogs of any breed are generally healthy, but they are very sensitive to light and are vulnerable to both sunburn and skin cancer. Are White German Shepherds Albino? In most cases, no. That gene has two alleles or versions: white and non-white. White is recessive, so a puppy would have to inherit the trait from both parents. One big difference between white German Shepherds and albinos is that the gene for albinism affects the skin and eyes as well as the coat. Those that do have blue eyes are the result of another recessive gene. Cataracts, for example, cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy and appear to be a hazy blue. Glaucoma can also make eyes appear cloudy blue. Yes, German Shepherd puppies are born with blue eyes! In fact, all puppies are born with blue eyes, no matter what breed their parents are. This is because the reason behind puppies having blue eyes has nothing to do with inherited genetics. Blue eyes are caused by a lack of melanin in the irises. It is natural for puppies to be born with this imbalance, as melanin is something that develops as they age. This is why puppies are born with blue eyes but will grow out of them by the week mark. But, the irises are never really blue. They are actually clear, but they appear to look blue. However, some dog breeds can retain blue eyes as they grow older. Full-blooded German Shepherds can have blue eyes, however, this is very rare. Blue eyes in German Shepherds are caused by a genetic mutation in the breed line, as the majority of German Shepherds will have brown eyes. However, this genetic mutation does not mean that your German Shepherd has something wrong with them. In some dog breeds, blue eyes can be a sign that something is wrong with your pet. But, German Shepherds are one of the few dog breeds where blue eyes are relatively common. So much so that a sub-breed is recognized for these German Shepherds with blue eyes. So yes, full-blooded German Shepherds can have blue eyes, and these dogs are just as healthy as any other kind of German Shepherd. How much is a German Shepherd with Blue Eyes? As German Shepherds with blue eyes, or blue Shepherds as they are otherwise known, are relatively rare, you can expect to pay more for them than a regular German Shepherd. This is because blue Shepherds are viewed as a premium dog breed. They are very rare, so when a breeder manages to breed this type of German Shepherd successfully, they will want premium prices for the puppies. Additionally, you should expect to pay higher prices for a German Shepherd that has a single blue eye, as this is also considered premium. Does a Blue eye mean a Dog is blind? No, a blue eye in your dog does not mean that your dog is blind, or that it is going to go blind at some point. Blindness is rarely the cause of this. You might also think that blue eyes are a sign that your dog is deaf. This is probably because blue eyes in cats have been linked with deafness. So, no blue eyes are not a sign that your dog is blind. In fact, there are no health concerns linked with blue eyes in dogs, it is simply a genetic mutation. They can occur thanks to a genetic variant in purebred dogs. This fact automatically makes them less valuable to breeders than dogs that can be shown in competitions. Because they are considered a fault, blue eyes are becoming rarer and rarer. Instead, most of them are neutered and sold as pet dogs. A breeder may continue to use a blue-eyed dog for breeding in rare cases, but only if they have exceptional features otherwise. The rarity is increased even more due to the recessive nature of this trait. Both parents have to be carriers of this gene for their puppies to have blue eyes. Brown eyes are dominant, which means that they will cover up the blue eyes trait. A dog may technically have blue eyes — but still, end up with brown due to a dominant brown-eyed gene. Instead, many of them focus on matching the breed standard — which means not using dogs with blue eyes in breeding programs. Breeders that breed show dogs will not have blue-eyed dogs available. However, you may be able to find them produced by breeders that concentrate on pet dogs. These people may even purposefully breed them because they are sometimes sought after by those looking for a pet. German Shepherds usually have brown eyes. This color is the most common and recognized by the breed standard. When many people breed German Shepherds, they aim to breed dogs with brown eyes. The brown-eyed gene is dominant. This means that the dog only needs to inherit one gene for its eyes to be brown. On the other hand, most other eye genes are recessive; the dog must receive two to develop the other eye color. The shade of brown can vary widely, though. Some dogs have dark brown eyes, while others are more of a tan. It largely depends on the amount of melanin a dog produces. More melanin equals a darker shade. There are multiple traits involved. Whether they are brown or blue is pretty easy to work out, but all the traits determining the shade can make determining their end eye color rather tricky. They may look like one of their parents — or they may not work at all. When they are first born, a puppy will not produce all the melanin that they will when they get older unless their eyes are a very light color — in which case they may never increase their melanin output. Therefore, most puppies will be born with light eyes, but they will darken as they get older. Usually, their eyes will reach their final color by the time they are about ten weeks old. This can vary widely from dog to dog, though. Some dogs may have their final color much earlier. Others may develop them much later. Some puppies may even be born with blue eyes — but these rarely stick around into adulthood. Typically, they will darken to brown within a few weeks. Instead, they happen to have blue eyes instead of the usual brown. This is a recessive trait, so your best chance of getting a puppy with blue eyes is to breed two blue-eyed adults. You may occasionally end up with a few blue-eyed puppies from breeding two brown-eyed dogs — assuming that they both have a recessive blue-eyed trait. Some German Shepherd mixed breeds also have blue eyes. Siberian Huskies are a typical example of this. Many Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. Therefore, if you breed them with a German Shepherd, your odds of getting a blue-eyed puppy are much higher. Of course, brown-eyed dogs are much more common. Finding two German Shepherds with blue-eyed traits is much more difficult than finding a Husky with blue eyes. At the moment, it is unknown. There have been few studies done on blue-eyed German Shepherds simply because there are so few of them. Most German Shepherds with blue-eyes are also mixed breeds. There are some health problems associated with blue eyes in other breeds, though. This is primarily because of the decrease in melanin that these dogs produce. For instance, German Dalmatians with blue eyes are more likely to have sensorineural deafness. However, this study also found that there was obvious inheritability even when eye color was controlled for. Therefore, other genes involved caused the deafness — not just the blue eye color itself. It may be that the blue-eyed gene itself has a large enough effect to cause deafness — or German Shepherds may not be affected at all due to their lack of this other deafness gene. Dalmatians also have an increased chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. There have been other physical traits linked to increased deafness in Dalmatians in dogs, including the amount of spotting in their coat. This may suggest that German Shepherds will have an equal chance of being deaf if they have blue eyes. However, this is not known for sure. What About Merle German Shepherds? There are no merle German Shepherds. However, mixed-breed German Shepherds may have the merle gene — depending on the dog they are bred with. Sadly, the merle gene causes quite a few health problems. However, the science is pretty clear on this topic. Many proposed health problems may come along with a merle coat. However, only a few have scientific evidence supporting them. Dogs with the merle gene are nearly twice as likely to be deaf or blind than those without it. Multiple studies have drawn these conclusions. These health problems likely stem from the decrease in pigment the dog creates, leading to problems with their eyes and ears. Many breeders will not attempt to create merle German Shepherds for this reason. And these canines would not be purebred. It makes the dog worthless since they cannot be shown. Finding a blue-eyed German Shepherd is extremely difficult. For the most part, these dogs are rare. Most breeders produce dogs to be shown in the show ring. Instead, they are focused on producing pet-quality dogs. In this case, they may purposefully breed dogs with blue eyes, as many potential pet owners are willing to pay a high price for these German Shepherds. These breeders are few and far between. You may have to travel quite far to find one. And the waiting list may be substantial. If you want a dog now, you should probably settle on one with brown eyes. Due to their rarity, some people assume that this is a defect. However, it is caused by a recessive gene — it just happens to be a rare one. There may be some health problems associated with this gene. In other breeds, dogs with blue eyes are more likely to have certain health conditions. Plus, the current need for studies is relatively low, as these dogs are often not very common. If these dogs do have different health problems, the odds are likely not substantial. They might have a slightly higher chance of being deaf, for instance — but this chance will be meager. However, you may want to keep this in mind if you decide to adopt one. Conclusion Blue-eyed German Shepherds are very rare. The blue-eyed gene does exist in this breed. However, it is not nearly as common as the brown-eyed gene. Therefore, finding these dogs is difficult. Many breeders do not produce German Shepherds with blue eyes because they cannot be shown. They will avoid breeding these dogs where possible, though some blue-eyed dogs may pop up occasionally. These breeders usually market their dogs to pet owners. Stay on the lookout for more studies, which may be published as this dog becomes more popular. Author: Kristin Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish. Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is there anything cuter than a two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy? At eight weeks old, they are absolutely, impossibly, unbearably adorable! At two months old, a Golden Retriever is ready to leave their mother and littermates to join their new family. Some breeders will keep a puppy for a couple more weeks before sending them home, but eight weeks is very typical. Puppies at this age are usually playful and curious, with brains like little sponges. This usually only lasts a day or two, and then their true personality will shine through! They are in the prime socialization window here, which is the time between three and sixteen weeks when puppies are most open to learning about the world. Proper socialization can help you buffer against potential behavior issues as your pup matures, and teaches them how to feel and act in different situations and environments. It helps them feel confident and self-assured. A two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy is constantly learning! Make sure your puppy is learning that they are safe and that they can trust you both at home and out in the world. A fear period is a temporary span of time where a puppy may be more sensitive to things like strange people, strange dogs, inanimate objects, sounds, etc. It usually lasts about a week and you may notice your puppy showing signs of fear such as cowering, running away, growling, or barking. It can be a little scary as the owner of a puppy to see them acting this way. The good thing is that a fear period is short-lived and will pass. If they are concerned about something or someone, help them get more distance so they can observe the thing while feeling safe. They have a lot of needs and are totally dependent on you to meet those needs. Be patient as you help them learn how to live in our human world, and you can develop a strong, positive bond with your new companion. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! This is heavily influenced by genetics, but is not always the best indicator of their adult weight. Some lines of Goldens are bigger or smaller than average, so puppy size will reflect that. Your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. Eight-week-old Golden Retrievers need around 18 hours of sleep each day. Oftentimes, a puppy that is wild and bitey is in fact overly tired and in need of a nap. It may seem like they need more exercise to drain that crazy energy, but they actually need sleep. Using crates and pens can help ensure that your puppy is getting enough sleep at night and throughout the day. Many two-month-old Goldens are not good at putting themselves down for a nap, even when they really need it. So, you may need to step in and help your puppy settle in for some sleep. Make sure that their crate or pen is nice and comfy before you put them in for a nap, so they are more able to relax and fall asleep. Every puppy is different, so yours may prefer a nice cushy bed , or they may actually like laying on the bare floor. You can take note of what kinds of surfaces your puppy lays on around the house and then recreate that in the crate or pen. Covering the crate or pen with a blanket can also help make sleep easier for a two-month-old puppy, as it cuts down on the visual stimulation. Products like Adaptil spray or diffuser , and the Snuggle Puppy toy can also help a puppy settle in for sleep. Chewing and licking are naturally calming behaviors for puppies, so it can also help if you offer something like a stuffed kong , which can assist in transitioning the puppy from awake to asleep. Playing Classical music can also help a puppy feel more calm and able to sleep. At this age, most two-month-old puppies are ready for sleep after about an hour of awake time, so by following these tips, you can help make sure your puppy is getting enough quality rest. Instead, you can give them a break and see if they choose to get up, or simply scoop them up and walk home. Sometimes people get a Golden Retriever to be a running or biking companion, which can be a great thing when the pup is a fully grown adult, but is too much exercise for a young puppy. Playing with toys in the house or in the yard can be a great way for young pups to burn some of that puppy energy. If you have a yard, letting your pup safely explore and run around outside can also be a nice way to get in some exercise. You may also find that your puppy needs more sleep on some days, and on other days, they need more playtime and exercise. Golden Retrievers as a breed can also vary a lot in terms of exercise needs. Some are pretty laid back and chill and others are up for anything and want to go hard. These differences can be reflected in how much energy your puppy has, as well as in what kind and how much exercise your puppy needs. Training is an excellent way to build a positive bond with your puppy and create a way to communicate with each other. Group puppy classes can be a good option for getting started with training, as the trainer will help you learn how to train your pup. You can also hire a certified, professional trainer to come to your home and provide personalized training guidance for you and your puppy. Before you sign up with any trainer, be sure to ask them what kind of training methods and tools they use, to avoid causing any physical or mental distress for your puppy. Potty training is definitely a top priority for two-month-old puppies. They have small bladders and bowels and will need frequent trips outside to help them learn appropriate potty behavior. Crate training can also be started at this age, as learning how to be okay with confinement is an important life skill. Eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppies eat about a half cup of food three times per day. There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to feeding your two-month-old Golden. Puppies at this age need more frequent meals than adult Goldens, so three meals a day is recommended. Because two-month-old Goldens are undergoing so much growth at this stage, feed them high-quality food that can support them as they mature. Most Goldens have big appetites and will happily gobble down their meals when you serve them. Using slow feeder bowls like this bowl on Amazon , or other food dispensing toys, such as the Planet Dog Snoop , can help slow down their eating and provide them some mental stimulation while they eat. Puppies like to put things in their mouth as a way to learn and play. Unfortunately, it can be pretty painful for humans, as those puppy teeth are needle-sharp! There are, however, some things you can do to minimize and deal with the biting. First, ensure that your two-month-old Golden is getting enough sleep. Overly tired puppies tend to get super bitey and frenzied, so naps are key to preventing your puppy from turning into a piranha. Your floor might look a little cluttered, but it helps to keep toys within reach for a quick redirection. Third, you can simply give the puppy a break if they are on a biting spree. You could step on the other side of a baby gate or put them in their pen to calm down a bit, and then resume the play. This communicates to the puppy that when they bite, they lose access to you and the fun stops. A common piece of advice when dealing with puppy biting is to yelp in response to their nip, as if you were another dog. This is actually not a good way to handle puppy biting and can actually make it worse. Other puppies will be further excited by the yelp sound and come at you with even more intensity, resulting in harder bites. Good Beginnings Bringing a two-month-old Golden Retriever home is a very exciting thing. It can also feel pretty overwhelming as you figure out how to care for and train them. You might be sleep-deprived and have a couple scratches on your hand from those sharp puppy teeth, but try to keep in mind that this is the beginning of a special relationship with an incredible animal. Focus on bonding with your puppy, teaching them about the world, and creating good habits from the start. Have any questions about raising eight-week-old golden retrievers? Let me know down in the comments! Read the rest of our Golden Retriever puppy series here:. How much does an 8-week-old Golden Retriever sleep? How much exercise does your 2-month-old Golden Retriever need? Eight weeks is typically when breeders allow puppies to be taken to their new homes, but some breeders keep them for a couple of extra weeks. This shy, sleepy puppy will eventually get more comfortable with its new environment and come out of its shell in a couple of days. Socialization is important for eight-week-old golden pups. Getting your pup used to these things is a good way to avoid potential behavioral issues as the puppy matures because it allows them to learn how to feel and react to various stimuli and leaves you with a confident, well-adjusted pup. You need to reinforce the idea that your puppy is safe and gain their trust during this time period. During this time, pups will be a little more fearful of things like strangers, sounds, and certain objects. It will pass, and usually only lasts a week or so. It can be a little scary or discouraging for the owner of a golden puppy to see them go through this fear period, especially if they start exhibiting fear towards people. Goldens are known to be such friendly and social dogs, so watching them exhibit such antisocial traits can be off-putting. You can still get them outside and introduce them to new things, just remain mindful of their feelings. You need to be patient with an eight-week-old puppy. These adorable balls of energy and fluff are completely dependent on you to meet their needs and there are a LOT of needs! Check out our article on the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers so you can meet their hygiene needs! You need to be patient with them so that you can not only bond with your new pup, but also help him grow and learn about the world around him. Sometimes the puppy that was the smallest puppy in the litter can grow and quickly become the largest. And the largest puppy of the litter may not always remain the largest. As a breed, Golden Retrievers vary in size and weight. So you should enjoy that before they grow too big to pick up and cuddle! You may be surprised to learn that 8-week-old Golden puppies require about 18 hours of sleep a day. This may seem counter-intuitive because most people would assume that if a puppy is full of energy it needs to run it off, but in all actuality what they really need is sleep. You should use either pens or crates to make sure that your pup gets the optimal amount of sleep both through the night and during the day. Here are some things you can do to help your puppy nap: Adorn their crate or pen with comfortable blankets or pillows. Learn whether your pup likes to sleep on a bed or on the floor, then set their crate or pen up accordingly. Cover the crate or pen using a blanket or towel so that their visual stimulation is limited. You can use aromatherapy products for dogs to lull your pup to sleep. Get your puppy something like a stuffed Kong toy because licking and chewing are relaxing to pups. Classical or calming music can help your puppy get to sleep. You can expect that your pup should be ready for a nap after being awake for around an hour. So, you can get him to sleep easier using these tips. An 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy is largely able to know how much exercise it needs all on its own. What you should do instead is either pick them up and take them home or give them a break and see if they get a second wind. Golden Retrievers excel at playing fetch, but you need to keep games short. The running and then suddenly stopping to pick the ball or toy up and bring it back is hard on their tiny bones. People often adopt Golden Retrievers with the intent of getting a companion to exercise with running, hiking, biking, etc. Allowing your puppy to play with toys in your yard or house can be a good, safe way for your puppy to exercise. Having a yard is ideal because you can let your pup run around the yard and explore, while also burning off some excess energy. Just make sure you choose a short, easy walk that your puppy can handle. However, some days they have more energy than others, which is normal. Every Golden Retriever has varying exercise needs. Some are pretty chill and would rather lay around, while others are really hyper and active. You need to know that positive reinforcement works best for Golden Retrievers. You should avoid any sort of training that is based on punishment. There are also other training methods that can be beneficial to your pup. Group training is a good way to get your pup acquainted with other dogs and learn alongside them, while the trainer provides you with ways to better train your pup. You also have the option to hire a professional dog trainer, who will come to your house and give you customized tips to train your puppy. Before hiring any sort of trainer, ask them about the methods they use to avoid distress for puppies. They need to learn about confinement early on. Another important thing to teach your pup is their name, and to come to you when you call them. The bond with your pup is vital to any other training you do with them. For more about the training process, check out our article about Golden Retriever Puppy Training. Hey, food is good, okay? Most 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppies should be eating around half a cup of food three times a day. So, talk to your vet for a specific amount. They need high-quality puppy food. For more about what to feed your pup, check out our article about the Best Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers. Your golden puppy will probably quickly devour any food you place in front of them. It can be a good idea to buy a slow feeder bowl or toys that dispense food to slow them down a bit while also giving them some mental stimulation and making mealtime fun. Just as infants put things in their mouths, puppies do too. They do this to both plays and learn about their world. This can really suck for humans because puppies have sharp little teeth that feel like needles. The good news is that you can do some things to cut back on the biting and learn to deal with it. The first thing right off the bat you should do is to make sure your puppy is getting enough sleep. Secondly, scatter chew toys all over your house. Third, give your puppy a break if they start biting. This is as easy as going on the other side of their gate or putting them in their crate. This lets your pup know that when they start biting, the play stops, and access to you is denied. Many people suggest yelping and making loud noises when your puppy bites. But this is actually pretty counter-productive because it can make the situation worse by scaring the puppy. Other puppies can get more excited by the noise and bite harder. Biting is just something that puppies at this age do. However, remember that getting through this trying time is going to help you establish a lifelong bond with your new family member. Golden Retriever puppies are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards. They enjoy physical activity and have many favorable traits as a gundog bred to retrieve downed game birds. They are friendly and gentle and often train as assistance or detection dogs due to their easy trainability. Apart from starting training while young, other breed-specific reasons make training a Golden Retriever puppy easy. Here are three examples: Golden Retrievers are among the smartest dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs , canine psychologist Stanley Coren ranks Goldens fourth of the brightest working dogs. So, even at just two months old, your puppy has it in his genes to learn and execute commands. To perform their original hunting job of retrieving felled ducks and other game birds in the Scottish marshland, Golden Retrievers had to be watchful, eager, and energetic. These are primary learning attributes. Golden Retrievers also have advanced skills as gundogs. They also have to excel at obedience. These are core training requirements that make your Golden Retriever easy to train. To succeed in your training mission, however, there are specific principles you need to follow. Read about these key training standards in the next section. Key Principles of Golden Retriever Puppy Training The purpose of any dog training is to have behavioral skills mastered. I explain these training requirements in my 10 key principles of successful Golden Retriever puppy training. However, they also have to handle grooming, making them feel uncomfortable. Your Golden Retriever can learn to manage this uneasiness if exposed to handling when young. In one study, puppies subjected to early gentling behaved more calmly at 8 weeks old than puppies not experiencing early handling. You can continue to hold your pup gently as soon as you arrive home. Teach Name Recognition How does your Golden Retriever puppy know you are talking to him if you only make commands? It would be best to teach him his name as this is the foundation for his future training. Say his name first, then give the command. That way, your pup knows to answer when you call. Assert Yourself as the Alpha Leader In dog training, your Golden Retriever must know that you are the boss from the start. Set rules and boundaries, and be consistent and fair. He will respect you as being top of the hierarchy. Never mistake being the alpha with punishment. It will only cause resentment. An alpha leader is calm and assertive, teaches his dog to be happily submissive, and approves of the behavior. Rewards reinforce the behavior, and you can use treats, a favorite toy, or activity, in conjunction with lots of verbal praise. Only Give a Command Once When it comes to training, you reap what you sow! Teach your pup to heed a command the first time you say it. Then make lots of eye contact. Repeat until he learns to obey the first time you give the cue. Dogs have poor short-term memory and will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes, as discovered in this experiment. However, dogs can recall your training commands through associative memory, which means they remember based on associations and not memories. For example, if you put your shoes on and grab your car keys, your Golden Retriever knows you are going out. Once your puppy has corrected his undesirable behavior with the required behavior, reward him with a high-value treat and heaps of praise. Other unacceptable confrontational methods include growling at your dog, forcefully removing an object from the mouth, withdrawing food, staring, using a shock collar, or tying your dog for hours. Your dog needs to have consistency, which means everyone else in the household. Dogs need simple training instructions, and everyone should also use the same verbal and non-verbal cues. Perform the same basic commands every day. At this young age, ten minute sessions are far better than a ten-minute session. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the desired behavior and mastered it, including in different locations and with various distractions. With these ten principles, you can now apply them to the essential areas that you need to train your 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy in first. How to Socialize a Golden Retriever Puppy Dogs are social creatures, especially the Golden Retriever, who is super friendly, good-natured, and loves to be around you. To socialize a Golden Retriever, expose him to many different experiences, places, and situations. Include noises, smells, other people, children, babies, animals, cars, bicycles, objects, the weather, etc. Early socializing and training your Golden Retriever plays a significant role in developing adult dogs, as found in this exciting study. Check out these two important findings: Dogs socialized well as puppies are less likely to display unwanted behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. Socialized dogs are more likely to engage in positive social behaviors with humans. They also learn better how to play games, helping them establish a real bond with their owners. Socialization will make your puppy feel confident around people and teach him to engage in his new world happily. You can teach your Golden Retriever social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. My best tips: Take one step at a time. Use positive reinforcement. I often get asked whether you can socialize your puppy before his final vaccinations. Take him to non-doggy places or carry him where necessary. To potty train an 8-week-old Golden Retriever, create a separate area where you want your puppy to go, establish a routine, and start with hourly potty breaks. Supervise your puppy at all times, learn to spot the signs, and never punish him after an accident. Give lots of rewards and praise when he goes. Many new dog owners fall for this — your puppy has to learn to tell you he needs the toilet. Make sure you take your puppy outside often enough. Stick to your schedule! It is a gradual process for him to grasp this. It may take a few weeks to master potty training, not days! Usually, puppies will need to go early in the morning, after a meal, and after a play session. Use their natural rhythm for daily poop walks. Dogs hate messing in their sleeping area, and most will usually hold it. Walk your Golden after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to poop. Do the same in the evening. Puppies need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and a short walk every hours is an ideal routine. If you crate your puppy when going out, get friends or family to help you stick to your routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new pup a pretty good idea of your expectations. To crate train a Golden Retriever puppy, get him used to the crate by letting him explore it. When he is happy to go in and out freely, introduce treats or feed inside, and close the door; that way, he associates nice things with his crate. Gradually increase the time he spends inside with the door closed. Here are seven fundamental principles when crate-training your Golden Retriever: Let your puppy sleep in the crate at night. Initiate crate training on the very first day. It will be harder to succeed if he gets accustomed to other sleeping arrangements! My puppy cried during the early hours of the first night, but then, she was just fine. A rough guideline for puppies to be left alone in a crate is one hour for each month of age, up to four hours. Keep your puppy in the crate when unsupervised. It only sends a message that he can get his way. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly associate that being quiet leads to positive things. He will quickly learn that this is his particular spot. Interesting toys and comfy bedding will offer some solace for your Golden Retriever. Dogs are denning animals, so they often go underneath tables or desks. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into it. My favorite is the MidWest Homes for Pets Dog iCrate from Amazon, as it has everything you need, including a divider and a handy removable wipe-clean plastic pan. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel check price on Amazon are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is also airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. This sends a message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth to prevent chase drive until he releases. Then, give praise and redirect the biting with a chew toy. When your puppy gets the hang of repeatedly letting go, and his bite becomes softer, this is a good sign that he is beginning to learn his bite inhibition. Helping a dog learn to curb the force of his bite is necessary to living with humans. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially began learning from their mother and siblings. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Golden Retriever puppy soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not be able to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and jaw muscles. Remember to have realistic expectations, as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his bite inhibition. Teach a leash cue, and start very short walks. Reward with a treat and praise. You can do this by letting him wear them inside the house or yard for a few minutes. I use this one as it gives you more control, is inexpensive, and comes in various colors and styles. Give a treat when your dog obeys the command. Introduce your Golden Retriever to short outside walks on his leash. Anticipate the behavior and quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is the crucial part. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. Follow the excellent training principles above and use reward-based training to train your puppy in these areas successfully. Be consistent in your commands, and always discipline at the precise moment of unwanted behavior. Are you looking for a puppy training schedule? Related Posts You May Like:. We took each puppy individually and did a rigorous eh, not really test to find out which puppies would be best suited to do service dog work. However, there were two tests that stood out: The Retrieve Test — We crumpled up a piece of paper next to our puppy to get his attention. I mentioned we performed 10 tests, but the results of the above two ended up determining which puppies would be our next service dog puppies in training. Puppy temperament testing is tiring! Liberty Berlin — While she performed about the same as all the other pups on every other test, Liberty stood out during the Umbrella Stability Test. She was the only puppy to enthusiastically approach the Umbrella. We knew from day 1 that Liberty was a confident puppy and had a good feeling that she would have no problem with the Umbrella. She lived up to our expectations boldly and playfully engaging the umbrella. Tank Bear — One of the larger puppies in the litter, Bear was our little cuddly buddy. He did not do well on the Umbrella Stability Test and neither did three of his siblings. However, Bear was a standout when it came to the Retrieve Test. Bear was the only puppy to run out, pick up, and bring back the crumpled-up piece of paper. Not only was he the only one to do it once he did it several times! Trooper Buster — Our smallest puppy by over 3 lbs. Trooper was our mini-mite. Even though he was the smallest he may have been the mightiest as he was the first of only 2 puppies Liberty was the other to climb out of the whelping box. While not exhibiting the enthusiasm of Liberty during the Umbrella Stability test Trooper had a more curious attitude towards the opened Umbrella as he approached, sniffed, and explored showing a more calm demeanor than Liberty. The response of the other puppies on the Umbrella Stability Test ranged from slowly moving away from the umbrella to cowering and running away from the umbrella. The Golden Bear Puppy — Checking out different surfaces. Day 56 — Puppy Names Since the beginning of this series, you may have noticed I listed 2 names for some of these puppies. After 8 weeks with these adorable puppies, they finally got to meet their puppy raisers. Bear stayed with us while Buster and Berlin went to new homes. Awww…Cuddly Golden Retriever puppies! Berlin — Our former first lady she was first born , Liberty first went to a puppy raiser home until she was 16 weeks old. Unfortunately, I did not have a puppy raiser to work with her for the full 18 months. As luck would have it the breeder we partnered with for this Golden litter was looking for a female puppy as a potential breeding dog. Again, we did not have a puppy raiser to train him and we looked to a service dog organization we volunteered with in the past. We contacted Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs and set up a meeting to have Buster tested, and he passed with flying colors. They fell in love with Buster on the spot and adopted him into their POOCH program where he is being trained at a prison to be a service dog. We kept our Lil Bear to train as a service dog. From the beginning, we knew he was a little softy, but he passed the retrieval test with flying colors so we had high hopes for him. We started taking him on outings to the book store, grocery stores, and shopping malls. He never showed the confidence we hoped and while he would eventually adapt to places after several visits he was always hesitant in new situations. He continued to progress and we were hopeful his confidence would grow as we exposed him to new environments and worked on his training. At the same time, an opportunity arose and we had to make a decision with Bear. Our friends had recently lost their long-time Golden Retriever, Sugar, and also tragically lost a puppy they had adopted. After discussing with my wife we decided to see if our friends were interested in adopting Bear. They said YES! And the rest is history. Heck, he has a huge following cheering for him every step of the way! Puppy Crate Training ? Once again, Happy Birthday to our Golden Litter! That concludes our 8-week journey with our Golden puppies! Just in case you missed any of the other blog posts in the series: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — This is Week 8! I hope you enjoyed our pics and insights into raising a Golden Retriever litter. Raising a litter of puppies is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. Definitely not for the faint at heart. If you have any questions or comments please leave us a note in the comment section below. Are you about to bring home an 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy? If so, Puppies for Dummies is a good starting point for learning the basics of how to raise and train a puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

By Mary Beth Chubby Puppies are loveable, tumbling, stumbling toys that your children are bound to fall in love with. It includes one electronic chubby puppy, four mini puppies randomly selected and some bonus Paw Patrol stickers. Suitable for age 3 upwards. Not only is he super cute, but he presses the ice cream cart buttons in order to produce popsicles. A fun little set for any Chubby Puppies fan above the age of 4. This hilariously fun play set includes various tunnel obstacles, a tennis shoe toy, squirrel toy, dog carrier and an instruction sheet. Perfect for little collectors above the age of 4. Push your pups on the swing or let them enjoy the puppy-powered elevator. Includes one Pomeranian Chubby Puppy, 1 doggy house, 1 spinning dog bowl, 1 swing and instructions. Perfect for little Chubby Puppy collectors age 4 upwards. This adorable set includes a Chubby Puppy and Chubby Puppy baby, as well as a stroller and milk bottle. Using the handle, the King Charles can push the stroller all by herself! He has a sweet, excitable expression, soft grey fur and features the official Chubby Puppies logo. Measuring at 8 inches long and 6 inches tall, this pup is the perfect addition to any soft toy collection. With a cute little waddle, enjoy watching this pug walk across the floor all on his own in search for bacon. He measures at 6 by 4 inches and is suitable for children above the age of 3. Instruct him around the pole course and let him have the best fun ever. The set includes a ball, frisbee and a dog carrier to let him sleep in after a long workout. Suitable for ages 4 upwards. Prices Vary This adorable, big-eyed Golden Retriever pup simply loves chasing after his little pink ball. Throw it across the room and watch him waddle towards it in a humorous way. Perfect for any Chubby Puppies collector above the age of 4. Watch her play and have fun before treating her to a T-bone steak! Perfect for kids aged 4 upwards. Now you can collect this yellow short haired tabby cat and her little kitten to play with your Chubby Puppies collection. Watch them waddle across the floor in a hilarious way and cuddle them up together to sleep at night. For ages 4 upwards. Snuggle up to him at night, stroke his soft fur, or introduce him to your other plush toys for some great imaginative play. Perfect for children above the age of 3. With a hilariously cute waddle, both Mom and baby can walk around on their own for the best interactive play. Prices Vary Add this sweet, big-eyed Pekingese and her adorable baby pup to your expanding Chubby Puppies collection. Watch them both waddle around together in the most hilarious way. Perfect for little ones above the age of 4. Batteries are not included. Bulldog has an adorable expression and is eager to play! Let him drink from the included water bowl and interact him with your other Chubby Puppies for the best possible play. This cute, interesting collectable features a beautiful lavender coat and an adorable expression. Suitable for children above the age of 4. Watch them waddle across the floor in the most hilarious way. Interact them with your other Chubby Puppies for the best interactive fun. Introduce them to your other Chubby Puppies and have the best interactive fun. Perfect for children above the age of 4. This set includes one labradoodle figure and her cute little pup. Watch them waddle around as they walk across the room, and introduce them to the rest of your Chubby Puppies collection. Suitable for ages 3 upwards. Not only is he super cute, but also comes with a little pup of his own! Watch him walk across the room using a hilarious waddling motion. Perfect for collectors above the age of 4. Watch her waddle across the room in a unique and hilarious way. She also comes with a cute little hat that she can wear on her head. Great for little ones above the age of 4. Furthermore, he comes with his own adorable pup. Perfect for ages 4 upwards. Add her to your collection and introduce her to some new friends. She comes with a gorgeous princess tiara, so you can dress her up and watch her parade around! This fun Chubby Puppies set includes a boxer puppy, a hot dog accessory, cake accessory, fashion accessories, 2 hats and a carrier case. Perfect for little ones aged 3 upwards. Not only does he have the funniest wobbly walk, but comes with his own baby pup for company. Add him to your existing Chubby Puppies collection. Suitable for children aged 4 upwards. She comes with her own sweet little chihuahua pup, both of whom enjoy wobbling as they walk. Introduce them to your other Chubby Puppies for the best imaginative play. Husky is soft and squishy, while featuring an adorable, friendly face and gorgeous grey fur. Add her to your soft toy collection and introduce her to your existing Chubby Puppy plushes! Not only does she have a hilarious wobbly walk, but comes with her own removable mermaid tail! Perfect for Chubby Puppies collectors above the age of 4. He comes with a super cute fish themed bow tie that you can dress him up in and has a hilarious walk! Perfect for Chubby Puppies enthusiasts above the age of 4. She comes in a cute carrier case, with five fun accessories including a hair brush, jumping hoop and bow hand bag! Suitable for children above the age of 3. She comes in a pink carrier case, with five fun accessories including a hair brush, jumping hoop and heart shaped earrings! Now you can take her home and add her to your Chubby Puppies collection! Now you can add Dutch Bunny to your expanding Chubby Puppies collection. She even comes with a spotted peach colored bow-tie to wear! The Chubby Puppies and Friends Fashion set features a number of wing accessories and hats, as well as a comfortable carrier case to store it all in. Perfect for Chubby Puppies fans above the age of 4. Now you can add Shiba Inu to your expanding collection! Watch him waddle across the room in a hilariously unique way, while interacting him with his shoe accessory. Now you can add this adorable pup to your Chubby Puppies collection. Watch him wobble and waddle across the room in a hilarious way, and interact him with your other pups for the best imaginative play. Add him to your existing Chubby Puppies collection and watch him waddle across the room in the most hilarious way. Includes a unique squirrel toy accessory for him to play with! A fantastic toy to snuggle up to at night. It includes 1 Misty Spaniel Chubby Puppy, a fashion runway, camera accessories, fashion carrier, sticker sheet, photo booth sheets and 10 dress up items! A creative way to play! Prices Vary. The viral video of Chubby showed the senior Lab struggling to lift himself off the ground when it was time for his walk. But once he was up and mobile, nothing was going to dampen his enthusiasm or stop him from heading out the door. Since the video of Chubby going for "a walk at the age of 17 years old" was posted on his dedicated TikTok account oldchubby06 , it has been viewed more than , times and received over 13, likes. Despite the Lab's advanced age, his tail immediately starts wagging as soon as he sees his owner pick up his collar and leash. Chubby's age might make him look stiff and quite slow, but he still loves going for a walk. Chubby, a year-old Labrador, goes for his daily walk. Chubby has already lived way beyond the expected age for a Lab, which impressed many TikTok viewers of his video. At full size, a Lab can stand up to around 24 inches tall, and a male can weigh up to 80 pounds. It's important to keep them fit and active to avoid any excess weight. Labradors are more than happy to eat whatever they can get a hold of, and they rarely know when to stop. So the AKC encourages owners to limit the number of treats and give the dog plenty of daily exercise as well. This could be a walk, swimming and of course lots of games of fetch. If a Labrador doesn't get enough physical exercise or mental stimulation, it's likely to become hyperactive and engage in destructive behavior. However, given Chubby's mature age, he's much less likely to become overly energetic, and one short walk should be ample exercise for the old-timer. Many TikTok users were impressed by the Labrador's willingness to go for a walk at his age. The TikTok account has over 56, followers, and many commenters were fascinated by Chubby's longevity, leading his owner to continue sharing clips of the senior dog. Among the many adoring comments, one user wrote: "How lucky to have this beauty [for] so long, absolutely gorgeous. Great job," reads another comment. Newsweek could not verify the details of the video and reached out to oldchubby06 via TikTok for comment. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life newsweek. Read more. Helping your dog to lose weight. Is My Labrador Fat? The best way to tell is by eye and touch. Have a look at your dog and compare him with the picture below of a healthy Labrador. Look at your dog from the side. Does his belly slope upwards towards his groin, or is it a level line from his front legs to his back, or even worse is it sagging down between his legs? Your Labrador should have an upward sloping line from the base of his chest, towards his back legs. Now look at the dog from above. You should be able to! Your dog should not be the same width all the way down his body. Look at your dog from the side again. Can you see any ribs? Run you hands along his rib cages firmly. Can you feel his ribs? If you can see ribs when he is standing still he is too thin. If you cannot feel his ribs at all with your hands he is too fat! As we have seen above, the best way to tell if you have a fat Labrador is by looking and feeling. The trouble with providing you with a number is that it can give a false impression. Depending upon whether your Lab is field or bench bred, short or tall, chunky or slight, male or female, will all make a big difference to their ideal weight for the individual. The average adult Labrador will weigh anywhere between 55 to 80 lbs! Male Labs usually being around 5 to 10 lbs heavier than their female counterparts. If you are still unsure whether your Lab is the right weight for his or her build having given her a thorough check yourself as described above, then the best thing to do is to pop down to your local veterinarian. They will be happy to let you know how much your individual Labrador should weigh. Why Is My Labrador Fat? So how did your slim little puppy end up as a fat adult Labrador? There are three common assumptions that people make when considering how their dogs came to be overweight. Does the dog need more exercise? Has he got some kind of medical problem? Or am I just feeding him too much at mealtimes or giving too many snacks? In general if your dog is overweight the real reason is simply that he has eaten too much. Or rather, been allowed to eat too much. Does my dog need more exercise? He may well need more exercise, but that is not why he is fat. He is overweight because when you take into account the amount he exercises along with a number of other factors, he has eaten too much. The exercise needs of your dog are an important but separate issue, which we look at in other articles. The important thing to remember is this: The less exercise you give the dog, the less you must feed him. Once put on, weight is hard to shift and it will simply go up and up over time. Medical causes of canine obesity Although most dogs who are overweight have simply had a few too many bites to eat, there are some medical causes for obesity which do crop up from time to time. Canine medical conditions that can affect your Labs weight include hypothyroidism, insulinoma and hyperadrenocorticism. If a medical condition is the reason then the weight gain will normally be sudden and unexpected. If you are concerned by sudden weight gain in your Lab when you have not been giving him more food, then a checkup at the vets is definitely in order. You may also find that your dog puts on weight after having been neutered. If this is the case you will need to adjust your feeding habits accordingly. However, for most dogs weight gain is a simple result of over feeding. My Labrador is always hungry People are often concerned because they worry that their dog is still hungry after eating his dinner. Here is an important truth: Most Labradors are always hungry. You cannot win this battle. These are greedy dogs and your Labrador will always want more food than you give him. No matter how much that may be. If your Labrador is overweight he really needs to eat less and he will get used to his new regime quite quickly. Are Fat Labs Less Healthy? If you have looked at your Labrador and decided he is overweight, you might be wondered whether that actually matters. Is it really worth the effort of ignoring those puppy dog eyes and whines for extra food? Slim dogs are healthier Being overweight predisposes you to an awful lot of unpleasant health problems. This is true regardless of whether you are a human or a dog. Carrying extra pounds can also make existing problems your dog may have worse. For example joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia can be exacerbated by having more weight to lug around. As well as joints and bones suffering from obesity related issues, increased body fat can also make your dog more likely to have problems with their organs including those needed for breathing and digestion. Just a bit of extra fat can have a host of unwanted consequences. Being a fat Lab puppy can potentially make your dog more likely to suffer from joint problems later in life. Slim dogs live longer Not only will a slim dog have a better level of fitness and a lower likelihood of becoming unwell, they will in all probability live longer too. Those Labs on the large food ration had a median lifespan of over 11 years old. Those on the smaller food ration lived to be over 13 years old. When you look at the difference which can be made in these terms, by helping your Lab to stay slim you could be giving him an incredible two more years with you! If he gets a lot of household scraps these may have to go too. If you use food as rewards in dog training, this should be deducted from his daily food allowance. It could also help to find healthier alternatives to your usual training treats. Bear in mind that if your dog is unwell, old or very young , it is sensible to consult your vet before tampering with his diet. It is also a good idea to have a chat with them beforehand if your dog is very overweight and has a lot to lose. Take a photo of him from above and from the side before you start. At the end of the three to four days, check the dog over as described above and ask yourself if he is still fat. If you think he has improved a little but needs to slim down a bit further, keep going for another three to four days then review the situation. Compare the photo you took a week ago and you should see some improvement. You may need to increase his food slightly in order to maintain his new slim figure and ensure he does not get thin. If the dog is not losing weight after a couple of weeks on two-thirds of his previous food allowance, you may need to cut his food down even further. Obesity is fast becoming the most common health concern of domestic pets. Thinking of a Labrador Retriever whose ideal weight is 66 pounds 30 Kilograms overweight would be 73 pounds and obese 80 pounds. When we look at cats, the numbers although smaller equate to the same percentages. If a cat whose ideal weight is 5 kg 11 pounds weight 5. Again this is only a difference of 0. Why do I worry so much about animals having more weight than they should? I see so many animals with sore joints due to arthritis and I know if they regained their optimum weight, they would hurt less. Every year I see new cases of diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes which is directly related to being overweight. Finally, there is lots of research available showing animals tipping the scales at an appropriate weight live longer than healthy animals. When weight is an issue the only way to reduce the burden is to either exercise more, consume fewer calories or both. The foods we feed our pets are very calorie dense tipping out between and kilocalories per cup. For our 66 pound Labrador, she needs approximately kilocalories per day or 2. This does not take into consideration snacks and treats which all add calories. Our dogs need exercise to keep lean and burn off calories. Running is the best way to burn off calories, but walking also helps. Sixty to ninety minutes of walking per day every day is needed to keep dogs fit and lean. Obesity is fast becoming if not already an epidemic affecting our pets. Planning meals and exercise can help prevent our pets from getting heavy and, if they do pack on the pounds, creating a plan for weight loss will allow them to live longer more comfortable lives.

Prior to his Travel to Ontario he had been hit by a car and it was left untreated. Once treatment was sought amputation was the only choice. Maxi is a tripod just over 2 years old. He can be walked on a body harness, but would prefer to have his own yard to run around in. Off leash Max takes off to explore because that is the life he was used to in Manitoba, so he will need some work on his recall. Max is good with submissive dogs, but we think Max would prefer to be the only dog and the center of attention in his new home. Max needs a dog experienced home, one who understands his quirks and can work with him as he sometimes does not like to be brushed and a dog with his coat needs a good brushing and grooming. He is best suited an adult only home because he likes to jump up and needs some additional training. He also needs a home with few or no stairs so he can navigate his way in and outdoors. Max is a very loving dog who will push the other dogs aside so he can have all of your love and attention, he is a happy go lucky, excited and a really sweet boy. Max is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Coco is a very sweet and gentle 5 year old female Gold Retriever. She was a surrender and has had many litters in her 5 years. Coco is now retired and is deserving of a wonderful life full of love and kisses. She is very timid and panics a bit when outside, she just wants to be in the safety and comfort of her kennel. Coco is looking for a quiet adult home with patient people who can help build her confidence. She is timid with other dogs but may be ok with another gentle dog who can help her along. We are unsure of cats but she is so timid and sweet she would probably be ok. Her home MUST have a secure fenced in yard where she can be let out. She likes her kennel and likes the security of a crate. Coco is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Phone lines open everyday from 8. We're a happy, friendly team and would love you to come and visit us at the centre to see our fantastic facilities and all the waggy tails of our doggy guests. We can care for up to dogs in our 56 air-conditioned kennels. We also have sandpits and water fountains for our four-legged residents to play in, as well as a full veterinary and surgical suite on site. By public transport: The closest station is Denton , which is a minute walk away, but the train service is extremely infrequent. The next closest station is Stockport , which is a minute drive away. If travelling into the city of Manchester, it is a minute drive or taxi ride from Manchester Piccadilly or buses or take approximately 30 minutes from station to centre. By road: Junction 24 on the M60 motorway. Parking available on site. Local supporter relations If you are interested in donating In Memory, have questions about our Canine Care Card service, leaving a Legacy or if you would like to book a guest speaker for your Community Group, then please get in touch with your local Supporter Relations Officer Nicola Hardman , or call on .Supporting us Donate your pre-loved items. Signage outside will make it clear where you can drop off your donations. We rely on your kind support to continue our vital work, please donate today. How rehoming works. The breed has a deep history of being bred to be a multi-purpose dog that's active, alert and keeps a watchful eye over their family. Because the adorable, wrinkly, and smart cane corso puppy can grow to be a pound energetic adult, it's important to appropriately socialize this breed and teach them basic skills so they learn important behaviors they need to be successful in adulthood. Jami-Lyn Derse, DVM, founder of Veterinary Housecall Care , says prospective owners should spend ample time planning and preparing before purchasing any dog, including a cane corso. This ancient Italian breed is a relatively recent addition to households in the U. She adds that the best owner for a cane corso is one that's experienced and willing to put in ample time training their dog. This breed isn't an ideal fit for a first-time dog owner. Appearance Large, muscular, and somewhat majestic in appearance, the cane corso's size and strength are his dominating features—and, of course, among the reasons he's a popular choice for watching over his owners and property. A full-grown cane corso female generally weighs 88—99 pounds, while a male cane corso can weigh as much as pounds. You'll often see them with cropped ears, though this practice is controversial—it's purely for cosmetic reasons, and doesn't have any proven health benefits for the animal. And besides, their floppy ears give them a particularly cute look. When it comes to cane corso colors, the dog's short, double-layered coat could be black, gray, fawn, red, or brindle. The texture of the coat is coarse, thick, and sometimes tufted—and some even compare it to the coat of a cow. The dog's almond-shaped eyes vary in color, and can be different shades of brown, or even a striking yellow or blue. Temperament With a deep lineage as working dogs, the cane corso temperament can be sensitive and serious. Due to their breeding, cane corsi—the plural of cane corso—might not appreciate unfamiliar people surprising him as he's patrolling his yard. As with all dogs, early socialization with new people, new situations , and other dogs is important so he can be healthy, happy, and thrive. However, she says there are cane corsos who "would lick your face and are very friendly. For harmonious relationships with other animals and children, an early introduction when the dog is young is necessary. Make sure to supervise your cane corso whenever he interacts with children or other pets, and teach children how to properly interact with dogs. Living Needs The cane corso is no couch potato. This intelligent working breed thrives on activity—and having a job to do. Adept at agility training, skills training , dock diving, and other activities, the cane corso is happiest when his mind is enriched. If the owner doesn't offer up an activity, the dog may find mischief of his own—like digging. This isn't a dog that enjoys being left alone for long; he prefers to be within view of his owner. Care Because cane corsi grow to be so large and strong, training with positive reinforcement is especially important, Derse says, and it should begin when they're puppies. These dogs need plenty of daily chances to learn alongside you and build skills and behaviors that are helpful in everyday life. A cane corso dog parent needs to understand this and make sure their dog has lots of great outlets that are suitable for their size and activity level. Quick walks around the block or trips to the dog park are not sufficient for this breed. When it comes to grooming, a cane corso's undercoat will shed throughout the year —especially during spring shedding season. To maintain his shiny coat, an occasional bath and weekly brushing is recommended, with daily brushing suggested in the spring. Health This breed is generally healthy , and the cane corso lifespan is 9—12 years. Still, as with every dog breed, there are a few health challenges to look out for. Specifically for the cane corso, potential health issues include hip dysplasia , idiopathic epilepsy , demodex mange , and eyelid abnormalities, according to the Cane Corso Association of America. Because they're a large dog breed with a deep chest, cane corsi are predisposed to experience gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV complex, or bloat , which is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with air and flips, cutting off blood flow. Though there are some theories on what causes bloat—such as eating one big meal in place of multiple, smaller meals—a definitive link hasn't been proven. Cane corso owners should talk to their veterinarian about bloat and other health issues for advice on how to care for their dog. Before bringing home a dog, make sure the breeder has completed the OFA's recommended tests to ensure your cane corso puppy is healthy. That dog is the ancestor to the cane corso. In the early days, the mighty cane corso played a role in the military, and, according to the AKC , "were used as dogs of conquest who earned their stripes as 'pireferi,' fearless dogs who charged enemy lines with buckets of flaming oil strapped to their backs. In the mid-to-late s, the breed was facing extinction as life changed in the Italian countryside, and a group of Italians came together to focus on breeding efforts. It wasn't until that the cane corso arrived in the U. Actress Sherri Shepherd regularly posts photos and video of her enormous cane corso, Lexi, on social media. Was this page helpful?

Hiding treats for your dog to find. Obedience training Grooming The White German Shepherd is a heavy-shedding dog with a double white coat and requires regular brushing. Ideally, a White Shepherd should be groomed every other day, possibly daily, during the peak shedding season. Male vs. Female While for many animal species, the female is larger, with the German Shepherd, it is the males that are larger. While German Shepherds are all loyal and loving family dogs, it is often noted that females are more docile than males. This makes a female Shepherd a better choice for homes with young children. A female White Shepherd reaches sexual maturity at two years of age and has a litter of between five to ten puppies. They have an intelligent and fearless personality and are eager to learn and please. These traits make them wonderful family pets. A determined personality also makes shepherds adept at being working dogs. The White German Shepherd is a loyal and loving dog that quickly forms an unshakable bond with its family and is fiercely protective of them. It is vital for all dog owners to understand that training is important. Any German Shepherd breed needs to be trained and socialized correctly. Failing to do so leads to problems with jealousy and distrust of strangers. White German Shepherd Health and Care All dogs come with their own potential health problems and care requirements. For the White German Shepherd, there are several critical quality-of-life considerations to make. While both White and regular German Shepherds suffer from a lot of the same health issues, there are some with a higher prevalence in white breeds. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health issues faced by White German Shepherd dogs. Caused by a misformation of the hip joint, dysplasia is a painful condition resulting from bone-on-bone grinding. While it can be seen in White German Shepherd puppies as young as four months, it is more common in older dogs. It can be treated with the help of CBD Oil for hip dysplasia. Sadly, this painful condition is very prominent in German shepherds. This is largely due to their combined size and energy levels. Unfortunately, arthritis is a progressive condition that cannot be cured. In the White GSD, arthritis is more common in their hind legs than in their front. Gastric Bloat Gastric bloat is the common name for a serious medical complaint known as gastric dilatation volvulus GDV. Bloat commonly occurs in larger dogs, particularly German Shepherd breeds. There is no time to waste with this condition. If a dog is showing signs of bloat, they need immediate medical attention, as it could quickly become fatal. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy CDM Canine degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease that affects the spinal column. German Shepherds are one of the most commonly affected breeds. The result of CDM is commonly rear-leg paralysis. Middle-aged dogs between 4 and 14 years are more likely to be diagnosed with CDM. Pay attention to any limping or signs of motion impingement. Other Diseases Deafness is another disease that is more common for the White German Shepherd than other breeds. As a general rule, deafness is a common health concern for white-coated dogs and other animals. Some of the core allergies that affect this breed are related to chicken, wheat, and dairy. Dental decay is also a serious problem that is frequently observed in German Shepherds. More so with them than many other breeds. Using dental chews in combination with a healthy diet is a great way to promote healthy teeth and gums. They love to be challenged, while their loyalty sees them eager to please. While Shepherds make great pets, it is important to train them from a young age. Below are five training tips for White German Shepherds. Be consistent: White and other German Shepherds all respond better to training when there is consistency to things. Everything from your manner to the commands you use needs to be consistent from one training session to another. Layer your training in easy-to-iterate steps. Master one of two commands before introducing something else. Be a leader: It is important to remember that dogs are looking for you to be a leader and not a dominator. You must be prepared to take charge rather than use aggression as a training tactic. Communicate properly: Dogs do not communicate the same way humans do. It is important to understand the right way to communicate with your White Shepherd. Short and clear commands yield the best results. Also, avoid using similar-sounding commands, as these are likely to confuse your dog. Practice positive reinforcement: Never punish a dog for not doing well in training or for struggling to recognize a command. Instead, positive reinforcement is the recommended training practice. Reward your furry friend for every good deed. However, the exact costs will vary depending on where you are and the size of the litter. The price also relates to buying White Shepherd puppies from a recognized breeder and not from a puppy farm or through shelter adoption. White German Shepherds are different from other German Shepherd dogs in so far as they have a white coat rather than the traditional tan and brown. However, genetically, there is no difference between White Shepherds and other shepherds. The difference between them is that the White German Shepherd carries a recessive white gene that changes its fur color. This is the same way some humans are born with blond hair. Conclusion The White German Shepherd is the rare form of one of the most easily recognized dogs in the world. Wonderful family dogs. German Shepherds love to be part of the family. They struggle when home alone for long periods. Luckily, this breed is very good with children. The same as any other dog, White Shepherds need to be trained. Exercise is also crucial for this breed, as they can become destructive if they do not get enough physical and mental stimulation. If you work from home or have a family member at home a lot of the day, then a White German Shepherd is an ideal dog. Just make sure ahead of time that you understand the amount of work it takes to train a shepherd puppy from a young age. Whether you are a new or experienced dog owner, the White Shepherd is a great choice for your house. All dogs need love and affection, but the hyper-intelligent German Shepherd needs more than most in order for them to truly feel settled in their home. Luckily, the effort you put in is returned multiple folds in the affection your dog shows. Related Guide:. Updated on 11 February White German Shepherds are rare dogs with a striking coat. However, White GSDs can have some subtle differences. White German Shepherds have been recongised by the UKC since — and the organization have created a breed standard for this particular variety of GSD. While they were banned from registration in their native Germany in , North America proved something of a hotbed for these dogs and a breed club was formed for White German Shepherds in .Ash, who owns a White GSD called Ghost, warned prospective owners to be prepared for their dog to be confused for another popular dog breed! You will constantly be asked if your dog is a Husky white fur that is so noticeable, needs a lot of attention, lots of energy. They can become very attached to their dog owners and members of the family. This can translate to them being excellent family dogs! Alyssa highlighted this loyal trait, having firsthand experience with Lumi. White Shepherds are incredibly loyal and great family dogs. They love their families and will do anything to protect them. Because of this, they typically are a bit skeptical of strangers but this can be worked through with proper socialization and training. While German Shepherds can often be incorrectly stereotyped as aggressive dogs, the White GSD tend to have more mellow personalities. Only the Border Collie and the Poodle are considered more intelligent! They should be quick to learn new commands and can be highly obedient dogs. Having said that, sometimes smart dogs can have a stubborn or mischievous streak. Alyssa explained that consistency is key where training White GSD is concerned. White Shepherds are incredibly smart. Just keep at it and make sure to give lots of praise when they exhibit the correct behaviors. With high energy compared to other breeds, they may not be suited to all pet parents. As mentioned before they need a solid amount of exercise and mental stimulation or they can become bored and destructive. You should be prepared for lots of white fur on your clothes, on your furniture and on the floor. Alyssa shed further light on White GSD shedding! If you have issues with shedding, White Shepherds are not for you. White GSDs require regular daily exercise to stretch their legs. Aylssa provided her insight on White German Shepherd exercise. Exercise all depends on the drive and energy level of your dog. German Shepherds on average White Shepherds included need quite a bit of exercise. They can get bored very easily so its important to keep their mind busy. Training sessions also do a great job of keeping them mentally stimulated. They need regular brushing to remove shedded hair and debris from their coat to maintain their overall coat health. Ash underlined the importance of regularly grooming a White GSD. Sometimes the fur can grow back, other times the elbow becomes a little bald patch which can scab if it gets hurt. But, did you know that they are so special that they even have their own club? Grief, a white shepherd, was one of the dogs he often used to perfect his idea of the best working dog, according to the White German Shepherd Annual, submitted by Aimee Harder. Since Grief was white and Horand was related to him, Horand carried the white gene. Horand went on to sire white puppies, as well as colored pups with the white recessive gene. Max von Stephanitz was the first president. Horand was the first entry in the new SV stud book and one of the foundation dogs of the German Shepherd breed. Yes, white German shepherds are pure bred German shepherds. This gene masks or hides the real color pattern of the dog. A white German shepherd can be any color and pattern found in the breed including black, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, black and cream, blue, liver, sable, saddled and bi-colored. The white gene only masks or hides the coat color, it does not cause health problems or damage the genetic make-up of a dog, unless there are health problems already in the line-then it does nothing to protect a dog from bad genetics. White German shepherds are often confused with the gorgeous Swiss shepherd or thought to be mixed with another white breed to create their white coat, which is not true. How do we Get White German Shepherds? When breeding colored German shepherds, the only way the white recessive gene can be seen in puppies is if both parents carry it. However, they will carry the white gene. If the offspring are bred to a white German shepherd, some may have a white coat. White German shepherds bred to white German shepherds will always produce white offspring. White German shepherds are not albino shepherds. They have black noses and dark eyes and may have dark nails, paw pads, and darkness around their mouths while albinos lack all pigment. Especially a human being who is congenitally deficient in pigment and usually has a milky or translucent skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep-red pupil. Yes, the white German shepherd may be registered with the American Kennel Club as long as both parents are registered. However, this disqualification only pertains to AKC conformation competition. The white German shepherd can still participate in AKC performance events, such as obedience trials, tracking trials, temperament tests, herding events, and any events sponsored by AKC for German Shepherd Dogs. Strong rich colors are preferred. Pale, washed-out colors and blues or livers are serious faults. A white dog must be disqualified. The breed standard is the same for white or colored German shepherds. Their temperament is also no different than any other German shepherd and they come in all personality types. They are just as trainable as any other German shepherd and can excel as working dogs, in sports, competition, and make great family pets. They are equally active, intelligent, loving, protective, and companionable as any of their colored counterparts. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility — difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex. Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! This unique dog is bred from German Shepherds and carries many of the same characteristics, yet it also carries the recessive white furred coat gene. Read on below to find out more about this special breed of dog and whether they could be the right pup for you. This is because the White German Shepherd carries the recessive white furred gene, which is just the same as some humans carrying the recessive blonde haired gene. This color never really stuck, and therefore the White German Shepherd never became as popular as other colors of German Shepherds. They are very popular working dogs who are known for their work as police dogs, military dogs and herding dogs. They are also very popular family dogs because of their loyalty and protective nature. They were first discovered by Von Stephanitz who spotted the German Shepherd at a dog show and decided that this breed was the perfect standard for a working dog. Horand was the first breed standard for the German Shepherd breed and was bred alongside dogs with a similar appearance to give German Shepherd litters. They are thought to have first appeared in the United States in and were recognized by the AKC in .Appearance White German Shepherd puppies look like little balls of fluff and are extremely cute! By 1 year of age, they should be at their adult height. You should always buy from a reputable breeder because sometimes breeders try pass off German Shepherd mixes for pure white German Shepherds. The White German Shepherd can weigh anywhere between 50 to 85 pounds with a male weighing more than a female. They are classified as a large dog breed and stand tall at 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. Again, females are normally shorter than the males. They are a very muscular and athletic breed, which is no surprise because they were bred for their working capabilities. They are very strong and wear a proud posture and have erect ears. Their feet are big too, even when they are puppies! Coat The White German Shepherd has two different types of coat — short coat and long coat. If your White German Shepherd has a long coat, it will typically be much longer than other German Shepherds in the breed. The fur is thick and straight and does require quite a bit of grooming, although we will go into more detail about that below. When they are a puppy, their coat is normally super fluffy. It does become more coarse as they get older, but their ears remain fluffy. Their coat is also a double-coat which helps add protection against harsh winds or rain. Color Of course, the coat color of the White German Shepherd is white! This is what makes them stand out and a unique breed. The white coat recessive gene only impacts the fur color and does not have any effect on their skin or eye pigment. This makes identifying a white German Shepherd very simple and also closely resembles their wolf ancestors. In every other aspect, they mirror the appearance of a standard tan German Shepherd with the same dark brown eyes. They are very protective and make excellent guard dogs or watchdogs. They are also extremely loyal and love to be around people, which makes them a great family dog as well as an excellent working dog. They may also bark at strangers, but this is just because they are trying to protect you! A White Shepherd is an active dog and needs to be mentally stimulated. As we mentioned above, they are originally a working dog and love to be outside running and playing. Lifespan The life expectancy of a White German Shepherd is relatively long. They can live between 12 to 14 years. Many of the problems they are more likely to develop are the same problems that other breeds of German Shepherd deal with. The most common health problem for the German Shepherd dog breed is elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. Dysplasia is a condition that is seen in many large dogs and is a disease of a malformation of the joints. The joints can become very painful and may worsen over time causing lameness. The best way to ensure your pup is less prone to any of these conditions is to buy from a reputable breeder and to ensure you get health clearances from both parents. You should also check your dog often for any signs of these issues and take them to the vet regularly for checkups. Daily Life Now you know all about the characteristics and traits of this unique German Shepherd breed, it is time to take a look at what daily life with them is like. We will look at what to feed this dog, how much exercise they need and what grooming of this big breed should be. It comes as no surprise that this is a high maintenance dog breed, but they are worth it! It is recommended that you feed them a diet specially formulated for large dog breeds and you should always check the back of the dog food packet to see how much food you should be feeding your doggie based on their weight. Experts recommend that a White German Shepherd should be eating around calories a day, which is around 3 cups of food. As a puppy, they should be fed three times a day which can then be decreased to two meals a day as an adult. However, if you have a busy lifestyle then this can just be one meal a day. Their food should be healthy and nutritious. It should cover all the nutrients that a dog of this size needs, including proteins, fats and carbohydrates. High-quality dry kibble is a great option, although some dog owners opt to feed their pup raw food. Exercise It is not a surprise that this breed of white dog is very active and has high exercise needs. As a working dog and a breed that is often used as a police dog, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy. You should ensure that you are exercising your German Shepherd for 60 to 90 minutes a day. This includes walks, playing and mental games. Your doggie will want a big back yard to run around in too, so they will not be getting the exercise they need if you live in a small apartment. Without adequate exercise, they can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors due to frustration and boredom. Family Compatibility A White Shepherd makes an excellent family dog. Because they are so loyal, they will want to protect you from anything harmful, which makes them an excellent guard dog. However, you will need to train them from a young age to understand that not everything is a threat, otherwise they may well bark for hours! We mentioned above how much exercise a German Shepherd needs. As a working dog, they need lots of physical and mental stimulation, so they are the perfect pet for those who are outside a lot. Because they are a large dog, they also need a good amount of space. This includes a back yard that they can run around in. Your German Shepherd will not thrive in a small apartment as they will feel like they are being cooped up and may begin to exhibit destructive behaviors. This breed does have a naturally high prey drive, so you will need to take care when introducing them to children for the first time. That being said, when socialized properly, White German Shepherds love children and will even take your children under their wing. The older your dog is, the harder it will be to introduce them to new things and people, but it still can be done. They also get on very well with other family pets, so there will be no issue there and they will become a loved family member. Training The White German Shepherd is a very intelligent dog and is therefore very easy to train. Their ease of training means that they make a great family dog as well as a dog for couples or individuals. You should train them from a very young age and always use positive reinforcement. This can include verbal praise and yummy treats to show them that they are doing a good job. German Shepherds can be a little stubborn, so you should never punish them or scold them. They are great detectives too, so hiding treats and getting them to sniff the treats out makes a fun game to play! Grooming Unfortunately, your White German Shepherd will shed all year round. This is because their coat is so thick. One way to minimize shed is to ensure that you brush them at least two to three times a week. Bathing is not necessary often — only when they look dirty. Brushing their teeth is very important to prevent dental decay and gum disease, although you can give them dental chews every day to help keep their teeth clean. One way to ensure that grooming your German Shepherd is not a traumatic experience for them is to begin grooming them from a young age. This will show them that there is nothing to be afraid of. For several reasons not necessarily good reasons , white dogs aren't appreciated by the German Shepherd's national breed club nor by German Shepherd breeders who compete at dog shows. Despite their disapproval, a white puppy who pops up in a litter of German Shepherds can still be registered with the American Kennel Club as a German Shepherd. So if you're considering acquiring an AKC-registered German Shepherd who just happens to be white, you can expect a similar temperament and behavior as if he were a more familiar black and tan color. If you're considering acquiring a UKC-registered White Shepherd, you need to find out whether the breeder's goal was to make the temperament of his dogs the same as or different from normal-colored German Shepherds. White Shepherds are often bred to have a softer, more mellow, more sensitive personality. Because of this sweeter temperament, White Shepherds are seldom used as police dogs, guard dogs, or to participate in protection dog sports such as schutzhund. A White Shepherd can certainly be a very good watchdog, but his "watching" is usually limited to alerting you that someone is coming. White Shepherds are not typically aggressive. In fact, if a White Shepherd is going to have any temperament fault, it's more likely to be timidity or skittishness. White Shepherds need a great deal of early socialization to build a confident attitude toward strangers and strange situations. White Shepherds do need plenty of physical and mental exercise. This smart breed should not be relegated to a home that simply wants a casual pet to walk around the block. White Shepherds can be quite vocal, tending to whine, mumble, and grumble. Though they seldom have dominant personalities, White Shepherds still need a confident, consistent owner who will establish and enforce rules. I'm currently working on an article about that breed. If you want a dog who.Is strong, athletic, and natural-looking Has a "softer," more mellow personality than a traditionally-colored German Shepherd Thrives on challenging activities and exercise Is exceptionally intelligent, loyal, and versatile — when well-socialized and well-trained, can learn and do almost anything Makes a sensible watchdog and is not inappropriately hostile A White Shepherd may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.Providing plenty of exercise and interesting things to do Skittishness or shyness in some lines, or when not extensively socialized Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough Potential aggression toward other dogs, especially of the same sex Constant heavy shedding A White Shepherd may not be right for you. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult White Shepherds have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. The range of temperaments. You should know what kind of personality you're looking for before you ever start looking for a White Shepherd. Otherwise you might end up with an individual who is very different than what you can handle. You should be especially cautious with this breed because there are a good number of them with inherited temperament problems such as nervousness and timidity. Serious health problems. White Shepherds share a number of health problems with German Shepherds of all colors. Crippling hip and elbow dysplasia, skin diseases, and autoimmune diseases are some examples. Read more about White Shepherd Health. Heavy shedding. White Shepherds shed constantly. Longhaired individuals "appear" to shed less because much of their shed hair gets caught in their long wavy outer coat. But you still need to brush it out and you'll be amazed at how much hair this breed can produce. Make sure you're okay with this. Socialization requirements. Standoffish by nature, White Shepherds need extensive exposure to people so that their natural caution does not become shyness or fearfulness, which are very difficult to live with. Read more about the importance of careful socialization. Providing enough mental stimulation. German Shepherds of all colors are so intelligent and capable. I hate to see them chosen by owners who just want a dog to hang around the house and yard. Shepherds of all colors thrive when you find interesting things for them to do that challenge their minds. Get your White Shepherd involved in agility obstacle course , or advanced obedience classes. Play fetch games. Take them hiking. They must have physical outlets for their energy, and mental outlets for their intelligent minds. Potential animal aggression. Most White Shepherds are good with other dogs and cats in their own family. But some individuals aren't so tolerant of other dogs of the same sex. Legal liabilities. White Shepherds may be lumped in with other German Shepherds for purposes of "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guardian dog should be considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy. Your browser does not support the audio tag. It has a stiff, long, or longhaired coat. The longhaired types do not have an undercoat. The color is always white. Temperament White Shepherds are courageous, keen, alert and fearless. They are cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. Tranquil, confident, serious and clever, White Shepherds are extremely faithful and brave. They will not think twice about giving their lives for their human pack. They have a high learning ability. White Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. This breed needs its people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when they feel it is necessary. Often used as police dogs, the White Shepherd has a very strong protective instinct, and is extremely loyal to its handler. Socialized this breed well starting at puppyhood. Aggression and attacks on people are due to poor handling and training. This breed needs owners who are naturally authoritative over the dog in a calm, but firm, confident and consistent way. A stable, well-adjusted and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family. They must be firmly trained in obedience from an early age. They should be trained and socialized from an early age. White Shepherds will not listen if they sense that they are stronger minded than their owner, however they will also not respond well to harsh discipline. Owners need to have an air of natural authority to their demeanor. Do not treat this dog as if he were human. Learn canine instincts and treat the dog accordingly. White Shepherds are one of the smartest and most trainable breeds. With this highly skilled working dog comes a drive to have a job and a task in life and a consistent pack leader to show it guidance. They need somewhere to channel their mental and physical energy. This is not a breed that will be happy simply lying around your living room or locked out in the backyard. The breed is so intelligent and learns so readily that it has been used as a sheepdog, guard dog, in police work, as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue service and in the military. The White Shepherd also excels in many other dog activities including schutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, flyball and ring sport. His fine nose can sniff out drugs and intruders , and can alert handlers to the presence of underground mines in time to avoid detonation, or gas leaks in a pipes buried 15 feet underground. The White Shepherd is also a popular show and family companion. Height, Weight Height: Males 24 - 26 inches 60 — 65 cm Females 22 - 24 inches 55 — 60 cm Weight: 77 - 85 pounds 35 — 40 kg Health Problems Some of the diseases that have been found in this breed are hip and elbow dysplasia be sure both parents have their hips certified as OFA good ; malabsorbtion syndrome; degenerative joint disease including osteochondritis ; megaesophagus; pannus and other forms of eye disease not commonly seen ; bloat ; allergies food, fleas or airborne ; other skin or coat problems and missing teeth. At this point in time, autoimmune problems are fairly rare in the breed. Living Conditions White Shepherds will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least a large yard. Exercise White Shepherds love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk , jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Most Shepherds love to play ball or Frisbee. Ten to fifteen minutes of fetching along with daily pack walks will tire your dog out quite nicely as well as give him a sense of purpose. Does best with a job to do. Life Expectancy.