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Jacobs Mixed large breed puppies for sale. Call or text us to get a quick reply. This sweet boy is one in a million! He is a perfectly balanced puppy with an excellent temperament - essentially everything you want.Mom is a German shepherd, and Dad is a golden retriever. Mom and Dad are purebred with no papers and have excellent.Raised on the farm. Lots of experience playing with children. Have had their first shots and dewormed. Vet checked healthy. Come and pick out your new.They have been introduced to children, adults, and other dogs. They will be come into your home with their first shots, de wormed, Lots of boys and girls to choose from. Puppies will be vet checked, have first shots, be dewormed 3x, Puppies have received their first shots, deworming and come with vet papers. We will also supply CKC.Pups ready now.Family raised. Cuddly and friendly. No Sunday calls. No kijiji messaging, please. To a good home healthy ,friendly , energetic puppies. Boys and girls available. Our dog Daisy had her precious litter of pups August 12th of 7 girls and 3 boys. We always have fun.Drayton 2 female and 6 male puppies. Absolutely adorable! No vaccinations. Goldens are a fun loving family pet that will be a loyal companion for you. We own.Vet checked Dewormed with 1st shots ready to go home 35 lbs full grown. Mom is on site. Sweet puppies in need of a new home. They are a little over 8 weeks old, very playful, but also calm enough for kids to be able to play with. They like to play and wrestle with each.They are 8 weeks old, very playful, but also calm enough for kids to be able to play with them. They like to play and wrestle with each other.On Friday, Kate Middleton 's younger brother revealed that his Golden Retriever, Mabel, had welcomed a litter of eight puppies earlier this summer. Orla , which is a Celtic name meaning "golden princess," even posed with Princess Charlotte in her 7th birthday portraits and joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a charity polo match this summer. Orla joined the family just before the death of their beloved dog Lupo, also a black Cocker Spaniel. Kate and Prince William, both 40, welcomed Lupo into their family back in , about a year before the birth of their first son, Prince George. Years later, it was revealed that the royal couple got their pup to help them at a difficult time when William was about to head to the Falkland Islands for a six-week-long deployment. James also credits his dogs with helping him in his battle with depression. In a candid January op-ed for the Daily Mail, James recounted how he overcame "debilitating inertia" by packing his dogs into his car and driving to the bucolic Lake District in northwest England. Surrounded by the hills, lakes and clean air, he was able to calm his mind with "solitary walks on snow-capped mountains," he wrote. Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton , Meghan Markle and more! In her own particular way, she has kept me going. It's nice to meet you. We are based in Cambridge in the mighty Waikato, New Zealand. I love being with the dogs and providing advice on all things golden retriever-related. I get a lot of pleasure and satisfaction watching the puppies develop and adult dogs refining their social skills. This includes both daycare and overnight visitors. Unless requested, we generally do not kennel our guests. All dogs are taken out on adventure walks daily and we try and keep all owners up to date with regular pics and messages from all dogs staying at Golden Oaks. Boutique Business We are a small boutique business, so our numbers are limited so we can give lots of love and attention to your golden baby. Mischief We Get Up Too! See more of our recent adventures on Facebook See More "Andrea is such a knowledgeable and caring lady. Sandy and Maisie have joined the ranks of regular grooming late in life at 10 yrs old. Sandy has just returned from her first ever sleepover away from home without her family. Andrea kept us well informed about her progress and what trips she had been on. I will certainly be booking again in the near future. Not a customer of Golden Oaks? Even if you are not a client with us, we are still happy to help. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle 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! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Cambridge Minnesota and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! We have answers. Give me some fun facts about Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Cambridge! Golden Retrievers are a popular breed of dog and one of the most intelligent breeds. They are often used as therapy or service dogs due to their friendly and loyal personality. One fun fact about Golden Retrievers is that they were bred to be gundogs that fetch downed game usually waterfowl. Another fun fact is that the breed was first created in the mid 19th century in Scotland, and the breed was standardized in .Golden Retrievers have an average life expectancy of years. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Cambridge non-shedding? Golden Retrievers may not shed as much as other breeds, however, they do shed some. The amount of shedding and the length of the coat are important factors to consider. Generally, Golden Retrievers with shorter coats shed less than those with longer coats. In addition, those that are kept in a regular grooming routine may also be less prone to shedding. Furthermore, a proper diet and regular exercise can help with shedding as well. What should I feed Cambridge Golden Retriever puppies for sale? Golden Retrievers are an active breed who benefit from a balanced diet. When considering what to feed your pet, it's important to look for high-quality items that are formulated for your pet's age, size, and activity level. Adult Golden Retrievers should be given a balanced combination of protein and carbohydrates with an emphasis on lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and eggs. Look for dog food that has wholesome ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. What are some essentials I should buy before getting Golden Retriever puppies in Cambridge? Before you get a Golden Retriever, you should make sure you have some essential items. First, you need to invest in a high-quality leash, collar, and harness. Additionally, you should make sure to buy plenty of durable chew toys, as well as food and water bowls that are tailored specifically for a Golden Retriever. You may also want to purchase a kennel or crate to keep your pet safe and secure when you're not around. You should also plan on having some grooming supplies, such as a brush, nail trimmer, and shampoo, on hand. Are Golden Retrievers for sale in Cambridge considered small dogs? No, Golden Retrievers are not considered small dogs. They typically weigh between 55 and 75 pounds and have a wide head and square muzzle. Golden Retrievers have a long, thick, and glossy coat with feathering on their legs, tail, and chest. This medium-large size breed was first bred as a retrieving dog, hence the name. Golden Retrievers also have an impressive lifespan of 10 to 12 years, whereas most small breeds usually don't live past 10 years. Moreover, their low-level of activity and sweet temperament make them a great choice of family pet. Can I take my Golden Retriever puppies near Cambridge running? Yes, you can take your Golden Retriever running! If you're going to take your pup on a run, you should make sure they are physically able to handle it first. You should consult with your vet to ensure your Golden Retriever has no underlying health issues that could be exacerbated by running. Once you get the go-ahead, it is important to start slow and build the duration and distance gradually. Make sure to include regular rests while running and let your pup take their own breaks if needed. Do Golden Retrievers in Cambridge make good family dogs? Absolutely, Golden Retrievers make wonderful family companions! They are friendly, loyal, intelligent dogs with an outgoing personality and an eagerness to please. Their gentle nature makes them suitable for families with small children, and they get along well with other dogs and pets. Goldens are also easily trainable and love to play--they truly love to be part of the family. With regular exercise, love, and attention, a Golden Retriever will quickly become an integral part of the family and provide years of loyal companionship. How do I train my Cambridge Golden Retrievers for sale? Training a Golden Retriever is a rewarding experience. Start by setting aside some time each day to specifically train your dog. Whether you take a class, watch some tutorials, or even just read some articles, you need to be well-versed in the different methods and techniques that can make training your Golden Retriever successful. Positive reinforcement and a calm demeanor are key for teaching your Golden Retriever good manners and helpful commands. Keep each session positive and light-hearted and always finish on a positive note.

But at 10 weeks old a good routine and schedule is really going to help you crack the sleep and nap time routine. A feeding , playing, and, toilet training schedule will also help you get into the groove of what your puppy needs, at what time and will generally save you a lot of stress. Knowledge is power, right? Get into the groove with Zigzag! Some puppies will have been in their new homes a couple of weeks by this point, some of you may have only just picked your puppy up from their breeder. Many breeders now give puppies their first vaccinations before they go to their new homes. Read our full guide to puppy vaccinations for more on that. Now onto teething. Lack of sleep means overtiredness and angsty pups, who are more likely to be bitey and generally just a bit manic. Crates and playpens can help with this as they give your puppy a chill out zone that they can fully relax in. Photo by Shane Guymon on Unsplash What you should start doing at weeks Puppies are always learning, so at 10 weeks old you can train your puppy all kinds of basic cues and commands. The fancy trick training can come later! Get yourself and your week-old puppy into a routine Puppies thrive on routines. Knowing what comes next and life being dependable helps build confidence in your puppy. For a week-old puppy schedule, there will generally be a cycle of sleep, wake up and toilet, eat, toilet, play, toilet, sleep, toilet, bit more toilet. .Your week-old puppy will need to go to the toilet frequently so implementing a toilet training schedule of when to take them out and setting reminders in your phone will help you not forget. Toilet training takes time, and puppies learn through repetition that going to the toilet in the right place will mean rewards, but there can be a few accidents before you get to that point. Create a socialisation schedule At 10 weeks old, your pup will be in their socialisation window. This is a period of time where pups are more receptive to new things, and they learn a lot about the world. Read our full article on socialisation for more information. Find training puzzling? Download Zigzag! Have lots of chew toys available for your puppy Teething means sore gums and also a desire to chew chew chew. If you have plenty of toys around for your puppy to chew on, it will save your skirting boards. You can do this by deciding the rules in your house, writing it out and popping it on the fridge. Finding the right one can be tricky, ideally, you want one that will take you at weeks. Choose a member from one of the organisations in the UK Dog Charter so you can be sure they use positive reinforcement based methods. They are basically like a toddler, and have little control of their emotions at this age, they get tired very quickly and will be dribbling a lot. Puppies lose their baby teeth because the adult ones are pushing through, this can cause a lot of pain, and an increase in saliva. Read our full guide to when does my puppy lose their teeth to learn more. Playfulness Puppies practise hunting behaviour through playing, and will enjoy you being their play partner as they chase and pounce on toys. Play is great for building a relationship and life long bond with your pup, try some of our training games to sneak in some training at the same time. They need time and a bit of help to calm down at this age. A week-old puppy needs a sleep schedule…and plenty of it! They are growing at a rate of knots, emotionally, mentally and physically and they need those down time hours in the daytime to recharge, reset and rest. What exercise will my week-old puppy need? Mental exercise via training and enrichment is also a great bet at this age to keep them stimulated and relieve boredom. What should I be feeding my week-old puppy? Your week-old puppy may still be on 4 meals a day — this is fine! Some people may have already dropped to 3 meals, but for many week-old pups 4 meals help to keep them full and deliver enough food throughout the day. Puppies have a fast growth rate so getting the right ratios of fats, proteins, carbs and essential minerals will be important for their development. Photo by David Clarke on Unsplash How to continue training past the week puppy schedule? Training never stops with dogs, and especially not with puppies, they are very willing pupils. Your puppy is at the very beginning of their training journey and will be learning about the world through socialisation experiences. Finding a puppy socialisation class will be the next logical step here. Do your research, watch a few, and join one that uses positive reinforcement training. Members belonging to organisations signed up to the UK Dog Charter all use these methods, so you can be sure the training will be kind and effective. Enjoying Zigzag? Try our app! Your puppy schedule at 10 weeks of age will mainly focus on socialisation, toilet training, sleep training, plenty of play and controlling their chewing. You can also carry on your puppy training journey with the Zigzag app. We know that sometimes having someone to talk to is a bit of a life saver as a new puppy parent. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Check Price on Amazon 6. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. This is known as command nagging. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If an order is not executed the first time, show your Lab what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they learn to obey the first time the command is made. Discipline at the Precise Moment of the Unwanted Behavior Timing is crucial when disciplining your 8-week-old Labrador pup. Dogs will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes. However, they can recall your training commands through associative memory. Once your pup has corrected his unwanted behavior with the desired behavior, reward him with a tasty treat and lots of praise. To learn more about how to discipline your dog, check out my top article, How to Discipline a Labrador: What Not to Do! It can also cause aggression in dogs , as found in this year-long study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. Using physical punishment such as hitting, kicking, or grabbing the jowls and shaking, is simply animal abuse. Other unacceptable methods are physically forcing the dog down onto its side or back, growling at your dog, withdrawing food, using a shock collar, or tying it for hours. Wean Your Puppy off Training Treats Your Labrador needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the behavior and completely mastered it in different locations and with various distractions. Nonetheless, your Labrador puppy is still a dog in training, and you still need to tell him that he has done the right thing. The rule of thumb is that they are trained young when it comes to dog training. You should train Labrador puppies as soon as you bring them home, typically around 8 weeks of age. The American Kennel Club AKC indicates that the first key milestone when training a Lab pup is 8 weeks, as soon as they have left their mother. It is a crucial time to lay the foundation for your Labrador puppy to integrate into the family. When you bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home at two months, it has most likely interacted with a few situations and is eager enough to learn and follow the rules of a new home. A recent study scientifically proved that 8-week-old puppies are quite capable of learning at this young age as they quickly learned to open a puzzle box baited with food and remembered the skill an hour later. Interestingly, these puppies learned the skill better from a human rather than their mother. Other studies have also proven that it is effective for future behavior to teach puppies socialization and other skills rather than adults. In this study, puppies who attended a command and socialization training class for one hour a day for six months responded better to strangers than adult dogs who attended the same classes. Are Lab Puppies Easy to Train? Lab puppies are easy to train. They are a working breed that enjoys physical and mental stimulation and have many positive traits. They are intelligent, devoted, friendly, highly social, and love to please. They are often used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, or search and rescue due to their easy trainability. Apart from the age factor, other breed-specific reasons make training a Labrador puppy easy. Here are three examples: Labradors are among the most intelligent dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, canine psychologist Stanley Coren lists Labradors in the top tier of the smartest dogs. So, even at just two months, your puppy has it in his blood to learn and carry out commands. To perform their original working job of retrieving fish that came off the trawl, Labradors had to be watchful and enthusiastic. These are essential learning characteristics. As game and waterfowl retrievers for hunters, Labradors have to be obedient. Another core training requirement makes your Lab puppy easy to train. With these ten principles on exactly how to train an 8-week-old Labrador, you can now apply them to the key areas your young puppy needs to be trained in. Labrador Puppy Training: Key Areas There are five critical areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week-old Lab puppy. In the next section, I will tell you what the training entails. How to Socialize a Labrador They say humans are social beings, but that is also true about dogs. Socialization begins with the breeder and continues with you. To socialize a Labrador, expose him to many different places and situations. Include sounds, smells, other adults, children, animals, cars, objects, etc. Dogs who are well socialized in the first 12 weeks will be set up for life. Socializing and training your puppy young plays a significant role in the development of adult dogs, as evidenced in this important study. Here are two key findings: Dogs that are well socialized as pups will behave more positively with humans and 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 with humans, helping them establish a true bond with their owners. As a puppy, you can teach your Labrador social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. Once he has completed his vaccinations, take him to public places such as parks or puppy socialization classes. Put him outside hourly and learn to anticipate when he needs to go. Reward and praise him when he does go outside. Usually, puppies will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and after meals. Use their natural rhythm for daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing in the area they sleep in and usually hold it. Nonetheless, very young puppies might be unable to do so. Walk your Labrador after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. Puppies will need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and for vaccinated dogs, a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent them from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you need to go out, get someone to help you stick to the routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new furry friend a good idea of his expectations. Check out my guide to Labrador potty training here. To crate train an 8-week-old Labrador puppy, start as soon as you bring him home. Slowly introduce him to the crate by throwing a treat inside and let him explore the crate voluntarily. When you first leave him with the door closed, make sure he is tired as he will sleep and not be afraid. Check out my Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens recommendations, including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. Here are six key things you should practice when crate-training your Labrador: Keep your puppy in the crate at night. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets used to other sleeping arrangements. My puppy cried during the first night, but she was just fine after that. Lab puppies can be left alone in a crate for 1 hour for each month of age for up to 4 hours. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house. This is also for his safety, such as when you are cooking. Do not let your Lab out of the cage when barking or giving you those puppy eyes. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly learn that being quiet leads to nice things. He will quickly learn that this special place is just for him. Various toys and bedding will offer some comfort for your Labrador. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, the best ones will give your Lab enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into and choose a standard metal model with either a single or double door. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel , also from Amazon, are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is even airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained not to hurt as they have learned their bite inhibition. This simply means that the dog has learned to control the strength of his bite. This sends the message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth until he lets go, then use lots of praise. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially learned from their mother and littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Lab puppy to soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not know how to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and adult jaw muscles. This can be devastating for you both, should your Labrador go on to bite someone! Have realistic expectations — as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his soft bite. How to Train a Labrador Puppy to Walk on a Leash Walking on a leash is not a natural skill in dogs — they need to learn it! Teach a leash cue, then introduce the pup to very short walks. If the dog pulls, stand fast and wait for him to return to you before continuing. Do this by letting him wear them for short periods inside the house and yard. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached, such as the Walk Your Dog With Love harness. They give you more control and are ideal for medium-large breeds. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your Lab to short walks outside on a leash. When it appears he is about to lunge toward another dog or object, quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is crucial. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. You can start steps 1 and 2 when the puppy is young, but you can only commence step 3 once the dog has been vaccinated. Final Thoughts Eight weeks old is the perfect time to train a Labrador puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, not biting, and leash training. To successfully train your Lab puppy in these areas, you must follow good training principles such as using reward-based training, being consistent in your commands, and disciplining at the precise moment of poor behavior. Begin with basic commands before introducing more complex or trick commands. Related Posts You May Like:. Training through play 10 week old puppies have a lot of things in common with each other. Your 10 week old puppy schedule This is our usual 10 week old puppy schedule, which should make a nice basis for your own. And these can feel like a really big deal in the early days. When puppy blues sets in… No matter how much you prepare for the arrival of a new puppy, the reality can come as something of a shock. Potty training accidents happen despite our best efforts. Night times are interrupted, and apparently over for good by 6am. Over-excited puppies launch themselves relentlessly at clothes and skin with razor sharp teeth. And all the nice things you used to be able to do outside the home suddenly seem far, far out of reach. Every puppy is different, some are simply harder than others. What if it was all a massive mistake? The good news is these feelings of puppy blues are completely normal. How To Cope Many puppy owners go through exactly the same emotions when they bring home a new puppy, and survive to reassure others about it from the other side. Or, visit our forum where you can read dozens of stories from happy dog owners who also experienced that period of overwhelming doubt. And importantly for you and your pup, make sure you look for safe ways to get out of the house together. Socializing a 10 week old puppy At 10 weeks old, your puppy is right in the middle of the all-important socialization window. The socialization window is an important period of puppy development. It opens at three or four weeks old. It again closes between 12 and 20 weeks old, but on average by about 16 weeks old. Quality Over Quantity Ten week old puppies still get tired quickly, especially after taking in lots of new sensory information. And to be honest, a 10 week old Lab is already getting a bit heavy to carry for long periods. So these socialization outings are only going to be short and sweet. The trick is to make sure your puppy has a wonderful time seeing something new. Leave on a high! Then feed them their meal, one piece at time while they sit on your lap or by your side in the trunk of the car and watch the world go by. This builds up positive associations for your puppy. And also lays the groundwork of looking to you for cues about what to do next. Socializing your 10 week old puppy to accept these experiences confidently is something you can work on in the safety of your own home. Start by putting the nail clippers in a work surface in sight of him and feed a small handful of treats. The next day, hold the clippers in one hand whilst treating from the other. Day two done! On day three, have someone else dispense the treats while you hold the clippers in one hand and gently lift one paw with the other. Research shows that puppies socialized to different places and physical examinations during puppyhood are less likely to be given up by their owners. Most of the things you can do take less than half an hour. Sometimes it needs to be about spending time by themselves too. Spending time alone! This could be a playpen , or a whole room, with a comfy bed in it. Now is the time to make sure this space is always a happy and comforting place to be. You should find that by 9 to 10 weeks old they regularly take themselves back there to rest and nap. The good news is that most puppies settle comfortably into a routine of being left for short periods from this age. And in the absence of anyone to play with, they usually just take the opportunity to have a nap! And their appetite for fun and games is insatiable! Playing with your puppy is a wonderful way to start forging a bond which places you at the center of their world. And playing with them the right way means you can already start teaching good manners, without them even realising it was a lesson! This article about how to play with your puppy will set you off on the right foot. Potty training problems Potty training starts from the moment you arrive home with your puppy. But finishing it can take several weeks! They might be going a little longer between toilet trips too. When accidents do happen, clean them up thoroughly with a little dilute biological detergent, or a specialized enzyme cleaner. In the next couple of weeks, your puppy will be ready to go for walks outdoors. Just hang in there, share your progress, and ask any questions you have over on our forum. Pinterest Email The age of 10 weeks is a magical time for most puppies. While pups are old enough to leave their mothers and siblings by 8 weeks, many breeders and rescues prefer to wait until a pup is 10 weeks old before sending him to live with a new human family. A week-old puppy has more time to develop canine social skills with his birth family. When my Pit Bull-mix Mookie came to live with us, he was 9 weeks old. Within a week, his little personality was more than obvious. He was affectionate but mouthy, and full of energy. He was at the perfect age to learn how to act around our cats, as the 9- to week period is an important time for puppy socialization. Our wonderful kitties seemed to understand he was a baby, and they agreed to play with him. If he got too rough, they let him know, and he quickly got the message. Not surprising, considering that a week-old puppy is ripe for learning. Puppy with toy. A week-old puppy is going through a critical fear period Many puppies go through a fear period between the age of 8 to 10 weeks. Your week-old puppy may suddenly act overly afraid of new people, animals or objects, or new situations. Instead, show your puppy there is nothing to fear by acting upbeat and happy. Resist the urge to scoop him up and soothe him; this will only serve to reward his fearful response. The best way to get him through this period is to set a good example with your own confident behavior. Bite inhibition If your puppy spent time with his siblings until at least 8 weeks of age, he should have learned how to inhibit his bite. Brother and sister puppies are great at teaching each other how much bite pressure is too much. That said, a week-old puppy is constantly putting things in his mouth. When your puppy gets mouthy, give him a toy to chomp on. He will eventually learn that only toys are for biting — not people. What to Know About Puppy Teething and Dog Teeth Curiosity about his surroundings A week-old-puppy is learning as much as he can about his surroundings. They are eager to discover the world and will want to explore with their senses of sight, hearing, smelling and tasting. Provide a safe environment for your puppy to discover. Puppy-proof your house and yard by removing objects and situations that can get him into trouble: anything he can chew on, swallow, fall in or get stuck in. Expose him to the outside world in a safe way by keeping him away from strange dogs and areas they frequent until he has received his last set of vaccines. In the meantime, provide him with plenty of companionship in the form of humans both adults and children and safe animals, like the other puppies he will meet at a puppy kindergarten class. Remember that at this age, your puppy needs socialization. The key is to give it to him in a way that gives him positive experiences that are both enjoyable and safe. Doggy Toy. Puppies are super playful at this age and need lots of safe toys they can chew on and chase. A week-old puppy is also at the perfect age for puzzle toys designed to stimulate his little brain. Puzzle toys work by rewarding the puppy with a treat when he figures out a simple puzzle. As your pup gets better at a basic puzzle, you can introduce him to more complicated puzzles until he becomes a real whiz at solving them. Your puppy will be active, curious and quick to learn at this stage in his life. He will also be incredibly cute at 10 weeks and will grow quickly, so be sure to take plenty of pictures! Top photograph: AndreaObzerova Getty Images. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. But at 10 weeks old a good routine and schedule is really going to help you crack the sleep and nap time routine. A feeding , playing, and, toilet training schedule will also help you get into the groove of what your puppy needs, at what time and will generally save you a lot of stress. Knowledge is power, right? Get into the groove with Zigzag! Some puppies will have been in their new homes a couple of weeks by this point, some of you may have only just picked your puppy up from their breeder. Many breeders now give puppies their first vaccinations before they go to their new homes. Read our full guide to puppy vaccinations for more on that. Now onto teething. Lack of sleep means overtiredness and angsty pups, who are more likely to be bitey and generally just a bit manic. Crates and playpens can help with this as they give your puppy a chill out zone that they can fully relax in. Photo by Shane Guymon on Unsplash What you should start doing at weeks Puppies are always learning, so at 10 weeks old you can train your puppy all kinds of basic cues and commands. The fancy trick training can come later! Get yourself and your week-old puppy into a routine Puppies thrive on routines. Knowing what comes next and life being dependable helps build confidence in your puppy. For a week-old puppy schedule, there will generally be a cycle of sleep, wake up and toilet, eat, toilet, play, toilet, sleep, toilet, bit more toilet. .Your week-old puppy will need to go to the toilet frequently so implementing a toilet training schedule of when to take them out and setting reminders in your phone will help you not forget. Toilet training takes time, and puppies learn through repetition that going to the toilet in the right place will mean rewards, but there can be a few accidents before you get to that point. Create a socialization schedule At 10 weeks old, your pup will be in their socialization window. This is a period of time where pups are more receptive to new things, and they learn a lot about the world. Read our full article on socialization for more information. Find training puzzling? Download Zigzag! Have lots of chew toys available for your puppy Teething means sore gums and also a desire to chew chew chew. If you have plenty of toys around for your puppy to chew on, it will save your skirting boards. You can do this by deciding the rules in your house, writing it out and popping it on the fridge. Finding the right one can be tricky, ideally, you want one that will take you at weeks. Choose a member from one of the organizations in the UK Dog Charter so you can be sure they use positive reinforcement based methods. They are basically like a toddler, and have little control of their emotions at this age, they get tired very quickly and will be dribbling a lot. Puppies lose their baby teeth because the adult ones are pushing through, this can cause a lot of pain, and an increase in saliva. Read our full guide to when does my puppy lose their teeth to learn more. Playfulness Puppies practise hunting behavior through playing, and will enjoy you being their play partner as they chase and pounce on toys. Play is great for building a relationship and life long bond with your pup, try some of our training games to sneak in some training at the same time. They need time and a bit of help to calm down at this age. A week-old puppy needs a sleep schedule…and plenty of it! They are growing at a rate of knots, emotionally, mentally and physically and they need those down time hours in the daytime to recharge, reset and rest. What exercise will my week-old puppy need? Mental exercise via training and enrichment is also a great bet at this age to keep them stimulated and relieve boredom. What should I be feeding my week-old puppy? Your week-old puppy may still be on 4 meals a day — this is fine! Some people may have already dropped to 3 meals, but for many week-old pups 4 meals help to keep them full and deliver enough food throughout the day. Puppies have a fast growth rate so getting the right ratios of fats, proteins, carbs and essential minerals will be important for their development. Photo by David Clarke on Unsplash How to continue training past the week puppy schedule? Training never stops with dogs, and especially not with puppies, they are very willing pupils. Your puppy is at the very beginning of their training journey and will be learning about the world through socialization experiences. Finding a puppy socialization class will be the next logical step here. Do your research, watch a few, and join one that uses positive reinforcement training. Members belonging to organizations signed up to the UK Dog Charter all use these methods, so you can be sure the training will be kind and effective. Enjoying Zigzag? Try our app! Your puppy schedule at 10 weeks of age will mainly focus on socialization, toilet training, sleep training, plenty of play and controlling their chewing. You can also carry on your puppy training journey with the Zigzag app. We know that sometimes having someone to talk to is a bit of a life saver as a new puppy parent. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun.

Her love for dogs prompted a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she concentrated on behavior and genetics. Ann has attained many performance and breed titles with her Labradors. Over the years, she began to import classic English bloodlines which improved and strengthened her foundation blood. Our Mission To breed and maintain the classic Labrador temperament for whatever your goals may be. We are a small ethical breeding facility. We are stewards of the breed, not just puppy breeders. We breed an average of litters per year of quality black, yellow, and chocolate Labradors. Consequently, a waiting list is generally on hand for upcoming litters. Our small specialized size ensures lots of hands on for every dog, every puppy, every day. We are as dedicated to them as they are to us! Our Facility Dove Hill Labradors is located 1. We are situated on 12 acres surrounded by pastures, creeks, ponds, and woods. Our Dogs We maintain approximately 15 labs, where each one is a member of the family. Some are show dogs, some are performance oriented, and some do both. ALL of our Labradors excel in temperament. Check out our sister website DoveHillsEnglishLabradors. It's part of being a dog.Onyx is a week old black pup now under the care of Najla West. What a handsome character he is. The entire staff fell in love with that face. Your policies on worming, vaccination, feeding, and training dovetail with our policies nicely. We wish all new pet owners received such good advice from their breeders. Lastly, it was delightful to learn that this owner plans to neuter this pup and pursue professional training. I feel confident this pup will have a good life! We bought Jake from you 11 years ago when we lived in Virginia. We loved him so much and he was a central part of our family. He was extremely smart, almost like a person at times, and unbelievably kind. He was so gentle with our children and such a loyal companion for us. More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Whether for show, hunting, or pure companionship, our labs are sure to please! Labs are one of the top most breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. We are lovers and breeders of both the English and American Labrador Retrievers. We have been raising Labrador Retrievers on our farm since .Our labs have the genetics to produce chocolate, yellow, and black coats. Reaching anywhere from lbs. They are pet quality pups and representatives of the American Kennel Club. For information about our breeding program i. All puppies are de-wormed and receive their first vaccination prior to adoption - dewclaws are not removed. To secure a pup from one of our litters, please fill out a Puppy Request Form found on our Contact page. This will ensure we are able to pair your family with a pup that best suits your needs. We take the health and safety of our labs very seriously, therefore, families that have visited other kennels or breeding facilities must wait 48 hours before visiting our farm. We welcome all visitors and hope you enjoy our family companions as much as we do. Please call for an appointment and directions if you are interested in visiting us in person. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Litter page for more information! Make a reservation today! Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Take a look at the three best Labrador Retriever breeders you can find in the state of Virginia. The 3 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Virginia 1. Located on rural acreage, the breeder has an expansive facility for breeding and offers boarding services with climate control, radiant heat flooring, and central air conditioning. All parent dogs are vetted for genetic conditions common in Labrador Retrievers, and only the top performers with natural hunting abilities, trainability, and temperament are bred. All puppies are born and raised at home, provided with handling and socialization, and released at 7 weeks. Puppies come with dew claws removed, veterinary records for vaccinations and deworming, and a 5-year health guarantee on hips, elbows, and eyes. Weather permitting, all puppies are introduced to birds, water, and loud noises. This breeder offers English and American Labs in chocolate, yellow, and black varieties. All puppies come with a genetic health clearance and veterinary records for exams, deworming, and vaccinations. Potential owners must fill out a puppy request form and may make an appointment to visit the breeding facility and meet the dogs. The property is fenced, allowing the dogs to enjoy the woods, open fields, and creek. Parent dogs are both English and American Labs and produce black, yellow, and chocolate puppies. All puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club and come with a month guarantee against hip dysplasia. Puppies are vet checked and come with records for first vaccinations and deworming. Tips for Choosing Reputable Breeders Breeding dogs , as well as other animals commonly kept as pets, can be profitable, leading to a rise in inhumane puppy mills. These high-volume dog breeding facilities churn out litters for profit, often ignoring the needs of the parents and puppies. In many cases, the puppies that come from puppy mills are unsocialized and suffer behavioral and emotional problems and health conditions. The facilities are poor, leaving puppies in extreme conditions in wire cages. The mother dogs are often found covered in filth with sagging nipples, crusted eyes, and parasites. When you research breeders, look for small operations with limited litters. Puppies should come with genetic health clearances, veterinary records, and vaccinations. Most puppies from breeders will be registered with limited breeding rights, meaning that your puppy will not be registered as a suitable breeding dog with the governing organization. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. The good folks of Virginia hold the Lab in high esteem. According to Google search statistics, Virginians rank in the 72nd percentile in Internet searches for Labrador retrievers. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Furthermore, telling a dog to sit, and then watching the dog do what he was told, provides children with tons of confidence. By giving children the confidence needed to consistently practice reading, they become better readers by virtue of the practice. Dog-owning children have fewer sick days off school, and children who own them often have better self esteem. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Did you know… Chesepians were the first inhabitants of the area now known as Tidewater in Virginia about whom hardly anything is known. They occupied an area which is now the independent cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. In , after a voyage of days, three ships headed by Captain Christopher Newport carrying men and boys made their first landfall in the New World where the Atlantic Ocean meets the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. However, these English colonists of the Virginia Company of London left the area, and created their first permanent settlement at Jamestown. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client!

German Shepherds, like other dogs, have a day gestational period. It is approximately nine weeks of total pregnancy, but a female German Shepherd can give birth as soon as 58 days or as late as 68 days. This day difference in the average length of German Shepherd gestation may vary depending on the number of puppies and the size of the mother. To put it simply, the more puppies there are, the longer it takes, and vice versa. In some cases, a pregnant German Shepherd may only have one puppy, while huge litters might produce up to 15 puppies. Generally, in canines, preterm delivery is uncommon, and most pregnant dogs deliver their puppies at full term. However, being a few days earlier or later is normal and is frequently caused by a wrong assessment of the date when a female German Shepherd becomes pregnant. Furthermore, if you know when your German Shepherd has mated, you can use a dog pregnancy calculator to acquire an accurate estimate of its due date. Many breeders or even seasoned owners find it difficult to tell if their German Shepherd is pregnant, especially in the early pregnancy stages. Furthermore, unlike humans, there is no at-home pregnancy test for animals. Veterinarians perform ultrasounds between 25 and 35 days of gestation. They will analyze the levels of relaxin , a pregnancy hormone that is taken throughout the breeding process, using a blood sample from dogs. The veterinarian will determine the exact number of German Shepherd puppies in the womb 55 days or more after breeding. Abdominal Palpation: It is a traditional way to detect pregnancy of German Shepherds. It is done around the 28 to day mark by looking for uterine swellings that indicate the existence of developing puppies. Although German Shepherds are independent during pregnancy, there are still a lot of preparations you must make before the puppies are delivered. Generally, the average age for a German Shepherd to get pregnant is around two years old, but it can be as early as five months old. Additionally, because German Shepherds are a large breed, it takes them a while to fully mature before getting pregnant. So, they must be at least 18 months old if you plan to breed them. Once they reach full maturity, German Shepherds can be pregnant during the fertilization period in the second stage of their heat cycle. The heat cycle of female dogs consists of proestrus , estrus , diestrus , and anestrus. During the proestrus stage, female dogs begin to attract males, which will last for nine days. Meanwhile, during estrus, a female dog is marked as available to a male dog, usually lasting for three to four days. Then, the diestrus is the final day of the reproductive cycle when the female dog will no longer permit mating. However, like other large dog breeds, a German Shepherd Dog has its first heat cycle in the latter months. Thus, there is no precise date at which it can get pregnant. Yet, you can expect your dog to be pregnant when it is six months old because it is when the anestrus phase occurs. It is the time elapsed between one heat cycle and the next. That said, knowing the four stages of the heat cycle is important for estimating how long German Shepherds are pregnant. Week 1 Within a few days after breeding, the sperm reaches the eggs, and fertilization occurs. Week 2 Fertilized egg cells will begin to develop, separate, and descend towards the uterus for implantation between the 12 and day mark during the second week. There will be no physical changes to the German Shepherd, but it will become either more affectionate or irritated. Therefore, getting your female dog groomed is advised to lessen its stress. Week 3 During the third week, the embryos will begin to travel to the uterine horns to embed themselves in the uterine wall. The embryos will continue to develop while receiving essential nutrients within the womb through the uterine lining. Some body parts, including the placenta and nervous system, will develop on the 18th day. The placenta will be fully formed by the end of this week. In addition, your German Shepherd may gain weight, and its abdomen might begin to swell. If you notice these changes, confer with your veterinarian, who will provide veterinary advice about the right food and diet plan for your pet. Week 4 This week is the most critical stage when a fetus develops facial features, limbs, and vital organs. So, your German Shepherd must avoid rough play and serve its food in smaller portions. This is also the optimal time to bring your German Shepherd for an ultrasound after the 25th day to know how many puppies your dog expects. Week 5 The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to resemble actual puppies during this period. On day 35, all major organs of the puppies should already have developed. Thus, a pregnant GSD might increase her weight by 20 to 50 percent as it has growing puppies in its abdomen. Therefore, it will need more calories and nutrients than usual. Furthermore, it will avoid normal routines like walking and become more sensitive because of discomfort. Week 6 The puppies develop more rapidly and should have their skin colors. Their eyes remain closed but have lids, claws form, and their heads begin to grow hair for the first time. Furthermore, your female dog will be more uncomfortable and may occasionally vomit because of the increased pressure on its stomach. There will also be clear vaginal discharge, which is completely normal. It will also decrease appetite and produce a clear and odorless vaginal discharge. Furthermore, preparing a whelping box for your female dog to nest in and give birth within the next few weeks should be done during this period. Week 8 Puppies have grown fur and are swarmed into the uterus, moving towards the birth canal. Also, your German Shepherd Dog will spend the majority of its time in the whelping box digging in the bedding. It will also feel restless as its body grows, so give your dog the comfort and attention it needs, especially when it is in pain. You can also get an X-ray examination to determine how many puppies your German Shepherd will have. Week 9 During the last week of pregnancy, the puppies are now fully developed and ready to be born, moving toward the birth canal. You will notice that your German Shepherd may appear uncomfortable, restless, or anxious during this stage. Keep an eye on your dog as it seeks a safe place to give birth. To make your dog feel at ease and to avoid stress, keep your house clean and quiet. Afterward, you must start taking its rectal temperature every 12 hours. In this way, you always obtain the best possible outcomes and perhaps get to meet your litter of healthy puppies. German Shepherd Pregnancy Signs Apart from the fact that conception is unpredictable and varies from dog to dog, no noticeable physical changes occur during the early stages of pregnancy. Nevertheless, similar to people, there are some early signs and symptoms that can indicate if a German Shepherd is pregnant: Change in appetite. Final Thoughts How to Prepare for Your German Shepherd Giving Birth German Shepherds are truly great pets, and preparation for your dog giving birth will be one of the most important things you do for her throughout the birth process. But first, take a look at this incredible 3-minute video of a German Shepherd giving birth. Nature is truly amazing: German Shepherd giving birth incredible video Even though dogs are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to the actual birth, there are still plenty of things you will need to do to get her ready and get the area ready where she will be giving birth. Talk to Your Vet The best way to be proactive in the success of your German Shepherd giving birth will be to have frequent discussions with your vet and maintain an open line of communication with them. In any case, once you suspect your dog is pregnant, you will need to take her to your vet for regular check-ups. Ensuring her overall health is the crucial first step. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam and alert you to anything you need to be aware of. As with pregnant humans, health concerns are elevated during gestation, so be sure to take your mom-to-be to the vet straight away and continue to monitor her throughout the pregnancy. Be sure to ask your vet any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your German Shepherd during the coming months and the birth itself. They will give specifics for your dog and anything else you need to be aware of. The third trimester is when the pups develop rapidly, and your girl will need more calories for energy, depending on how many pups she is carrying. You should gradually transition this, and the feeding schedule should be little and often aid digestion. But if your vet specified anything additional due to an individual circumstance for your GSD, always adhere to their instructions. Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready. And remember, you will want this checklist to include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. That will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready. Standard Supplies: Clean sheets, towels, and blankets You will want to have some of the blankets around the mom. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. If she has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those. But you will also need additional towels and blankets ready for the little pups after birth. Ensuring they are all warm and cozy after the birth will be, first and foremost. A pile of German Shepherd puppies bundled up with mom surrounded by comfort blankets is also just really adorable. Heating Pad or Heat Lamp Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature. The new mama understands this and will do her best to keep her pups warm using her body temperature and cuddling them close. But having a heating pad or lamp ready to go will help keep the space warm for the newborns. If you opt for a heating pad, you can place it underneath the towels and blankets where the puppies lie. It also has loads of temperature settings and timer settings, giving you plenty of options. If you opt for a lamp, be sure it is far enough away not to be too hot and burn the puppies. Place your hand underneath it to gauge where it gives a subtle warmth without causing your hand to feel hot. I prefer a heating pad as it just seems the safer option. Whelping Box and Mat To prepare for whelping, a whelping box will be required for the German Shepherd puppies to snuggle up in after the birth while the mom is recovering. You can purchase a large basket or make one yourself using a large cardboard box. German Shepherd puppies, on average, weigh around 0. As we know, German Shepherds seem to go from adorable 2-pound pups to majestic pound protectors in the blink of an eye. So, knowing how much they weighed after birth and monitoring their weight gain throughout their infancy is an essential step to proper health. There is no need to take them directly from mom and plop them onto a scale straight away. Give them time. But have it ready to take their weights within the first day or so. According to VCA Hospitals, the area where the puppies are kept should be between degrees for the first four days. Then gradually decrease the temperature to 80 degrees by the 7th — 10th day, and finally, 72 degrees by the end of the fourth week. Emergency Supplies: Baby Nose Suction Bulb Sometimes newborn puppies have built-up mucus around their nose, and the mucus causes breathing troubles. The mom will do her best to lick it away, but if you see one of the German Shepherd puppies still struggling with taking breaths, you need to have a baby nose suction bulb , such as this one from Amazon, ready to go. Gently swaddle the puppy and use the bulb carefully to suction the mucus out and hold him for a while after, massaging his chest very gently. Gloves, Sterilized Scissors, Thread, and Antiseptic Solution Typically, the mom will cut the umbilical cord herself by biting through it. Once tied off, ensure the end of the cord is cleaned with antiseptic. Cleanliness during this is critical, so a pair of medical gloves and a clean workspace are essential. Soft Travel Crate Hopefully, the birth goes smoothly, and there is no need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during it. But if there is an emergency or you have any concerns, always call your vet or nearest animal hospital immediately. Have the crate by the door with plenty of cozy blankets and familiar smells ready to go if you need to transport your GSD. This is never an ideal situation, so it should be avoided whenever possible, but under emergency circumstances, you may need an impromptu trip to the vet. Pro Tip! Use the buddy system. If you need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during birth, it will help to have someone with you. Consider asking a few close friends or relatives. They can drive while you sit in the back with your girl to comfort her. This is going to be a scary moment for your German Shepherd, and she will appreciate being able to have you by her side. Ensure the Environment is Clean and Comforting You will take much of this care during the prep stage. You will be placing clean towels down, ensuring everything is sterilized and ready for the momentous occasion. But during the birth itself, you will want to help maintain that environment. Here are a few things to consider that will help you make this a comfortable environment for your German Shepherd: Have familiar sights and smells around, such as toys, soft clothing, and blankets that she likes. If there are open windows and loud noises, shut the windows and do everything you can to limit the amount of noise and distractions around her. Give words of encouragement occasionally in a soft and soothing voice, letting her know she is doing great. In between puppies, she will need a breather. Make sure she is supported and comfort her during these breaks. Your German Shepherd will begin nesting behavior during the onset of labor, and her temperature will drop. She will become restless and may refuse food, pant, pace, shake, or vomit. But how do you know when the birth is imminent? You will see clear fluid from her vulva before the first birth. The first puppy should be delivered within minutes of hard straining. Giving Your German Shepherd Space During the Birth Oddly enough, one of the best ways to care for your German Shepherd during her birth journey will be to leave her alone. All dogs are instinctual in ways that amaze us mere humans. GSDs are also incredibly smart. So, between their instincts and intelligence, they have a knack for understanding what to do during and after giving birth. They will know what is best for their health, as well as the health of their newborns. Interfering too much during birth can cause frustration and even anger in your German Shepherd. While she will most likely understand you are trying to help — she knows best, and she will need her space. Once you have completed all preparations and have done all that you can from your end, the best thing you can do is sit back and enjoy the incredible experience of watching your German Shepherd Dog give birth. Be Ready When She Needs You Part of sitting back and watching as your German Shepherd gives birth is also knowing that she may need you, and, if so — be ready. If you have done the proper preparations, everything will be ready in case of an emergency or even a small hiccup. Here are some warning signs to be aware of as you watch the process and when you need to intervene: Your GSD has shown signs of going into labor, including a temperature below degrees, and does not end up going into labor within 24 hours. A puppy has only come halfway out, and mom seems to be struggling. She appears to be in pain, and is yelping or crying. One of her breaks in between puppies lasts more than 4 hours, and you know there are more pups to come. Typically, a long break will happen halfway through, which can be up to 4 hours. But past that, there could be something wrong. She is having contractions for more than 45 minutes without another puppy coming. If there is something more complicated, you will need to take your girl to the vet. This is another reason the buddy system is a great step to take. Now what? A big part of the preparation is to ensure that everything is ready for the new mom and pups once she is done. She is going to be exhausted, needing lots of rest and love. And the newborns will be adorable little helpless creatures that need their canine mom and their human mom or dad too! Making sure they all stay home, clean, and healthy is the number one priority after birth. During your discussions with your vet, this should be something that is covered. Your vet will offer specifics if there are particular health concerns for your German Shepherd. But otherwise, they will have general guidelines to keep the new family safe and sound. Once your German Shepherd has had enough time to recuperate and seems to be doing well after the last birth, take her outside to urinate and get some fresh air. She may not want to, as she wants to stay with her newborns, but encourage her to go outside for a quick pee and move around. Next, try to get her to drink some water and see if she has an appetite. At this point, all the puppies should be warm and snuggled in the whelping box. Let Mom join them and begin nursing them. They are going to be hungry, sleepy, and hungry again. Your job is to make sure the pups are getting enough food from Mom, and that mom is getting enough rest to care for them properly. If your German Shepherd stops producing milk for a while, you will need to have supplements and formula on hand so you can feed them yourself from a bottle. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are smart, instinctual, and fiercely protective. They also make amazing moms. And they know exactly what they need to do during the birth of their puppies. We hope this article has given you confidence in knowing what to do when your German Shepherd is giving birth. You will know when you are needed, and you will have everything ready to go from your checklist if she tags you in. You will soon be hugging those little bundles of joy and wondering what to name them. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for your pet. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Yes, German Shepherd puppies are actually born black! They can also be born gray and white, as the coats will gradually change color as they grow older. By about eighteen to twenty-four months of age, a German Shepherd puppy should have its final coat color , and it will stay that way! However, many German Shepherds can be born black, and their coats may stay black. Some German Shepherds that are born black will never gain their color, and will remain with a black coat forever. However, this is incredibly rare, and it is said that only about 6. It may surprise you that German Shepherds can actually be born in three different colors. They are typically either born black, white or gray in color, and you will see the color change from the age of 8 weeks onwards, but it can take up to two years to see the final color. Black and tan German Shepherds are the most common, and they will gradually get more tan as they age, with the browner colors appearing around the face, tail, ears, and stomach as time passes. In addition, a German Shepherd that is born black can either grow up to be black all over, or they may fade to another color such as Sable, Gray, Black and Tan, Brown, Black and Silver, or other variations of the breed. Even if you have a puppy that has been black for more than 8 weeks, it is very unlikely that it will stay entirely black as it grows. Black German Shepherds are extremely rare, and most will turn more Sable colored or Tan as time progresses. Whilst German Shepherds can come in a few colors , their coats also vary in length and thickness. The most common German Shepherds will have very thick, long, fluffy hair, but some can be short-haired. The German Shepherd breed has two pigments in their fur called eumelanin and pheomelanin. How these pigments interact with other genes in the German Shepherd puppy determines how the coat will turn out! For example, the pigment called eumelanin is responsible for the color black. On the other hand, pheomelanin defaults to red, which can create Red Sable, or deep brown tones and pale gold colors. If you are hoping to find yourself a black German Shepherd, then you may have a tough job in doing so. A black German Shepherd is actually very rare, and is down to genetics and pigmentation, so even with a black parent, it is not guaranteed that the puppies would be black in color, or remain black in color as they grow. The most promising combination for a black German Shepherd puppy is if both parents of the puppies are black themselves. This will give you the greatest chance of achieving all black puppies. However, some black puppies can come from parents that are both black and tan, or if one parent is black and tan, and the other is black. It sometimes is just down to luck. That being said, if both parents have the solid black color recessive gene, meaning they are fully black all over, and not even slightly black and tan, then it is likely that the puppies will be born black, and will stay black as they grow older. As black German Shepherds are incredibly rare, some people are under the impression that they are a different breed altogether, but the black variant is a recognized version of the regular German Shepherd dog. Although they are the same breed, there can be some differences between the Black and Tan German Shepherd and the Black German Shepherd. For instance, a black German Shepherd can quite often be much larger than the regular German Shepherd. They may also have a much straighter back than a normal German Shepherd. In addition, black German Shepherds can sometimes have a thicker coat, especially at the neck and on the front and back legs. You may also notice that some black German Shepherds will have thicker fur at the ears and around the tail, which is why some people think that they are a different dog breed as they can sometimes look more like wolves than German Shepherds! Some black German Shepherds may also have much fluffier coats, or a stronger, more athletic build and erect, pointed ears, however it does depend on the dog itself. As previously mentioned, the black German Shepherd is a much more rare occurrence than the more common Black and Tan German Shepherd, and as such, they can be harder to come across and much more expensive than any other type of German Shepherd. However, you should exercise some caution when trying to purchase a black German Shepherd, as many breeders may advertise a black version of the breed, which may not exactly turn out to be. In addition, purchasing from a reputable breeder will ensure that the dog does not have any health issues or problems later in life which can also cost you thousands of dollars, too! To ensure that you get a good quality dog, you should always find out the parentage of the puppy. This means either asking for documentation to prove the father of the puppies, and checking to see if the mother is with the puppies, and properly cared for. You can also research which breeders are trustworthy by looking at registered breeders on the American Kennel Club website. Some people are under the misconception that black German Shepherds are highly different to regular German Shepherds, and have different temperaments and health issues or ailments. However, this is not always the case. A great number of people seem to think that black German Shepherds are more aggressive than regular German Shepherds, and may be more prone to angry outbursts or aggressive behavior. German Shepherds are typically very active, intelligent, alert, friendly, loyal and loving animals, but there may always be some that show signs of aggression or misbehavior. This can be solved with a solid routine and expert or professional training. You have to keep in mind that because German Shepherds are so intelligent, they need a lot of mental stimulation and attention to keep their minds engaged and active. This means giving them a lot of exercise, time, energy and toys to keep them focused and interested. Otherwise, you may notice some aggression, anti-social, destructive or bad behavior as they tend to act out and become naughty if they are bored. Summary To summarize, German Shepherd puppies can be born black, but not all are. Some German Shepherd puppies can be born black, white or gray, and may stay this color for about 8 weeks. After this period has passed, the puppies will begin to show their true colors shall we say, and turn their final color. At this point, most German Shepherd puppies will become that common Black and Tan color that we know and love, however some will have different genes and pigments, which will result in a black German Shepherd, but this is very rare. In order to get a black German Shepherd, both parents would need to be black, or one would have to be black and the other black and tan. This is why all black German Shepherds are considered a rarity, and are therefore much more expensive than normal ones. However, the black variant of the German Shepherd is no different in temperament, health or breed. To see some German Shepherd puppies with their beautiful black colors, check out this video! Puppies If your German Shepherd is pregnant or you are planning on breeding you may be wondering how many puppies can a German Shepherd have. The amount of puppies each German Shepherd has will vary on many different factors. This article will answer dive into the factors to help you better predict the number of puppies your GSD will have. Generally, you can expect a German Shepherd to have between 5 and 8 puppies per litter. However, German Shepherds have had litters as large as 14 and as small as only 1. There are many factors that contribute to the size of the litter. A German Shepherd can have puppies twice a year. Large dogs like German Shepherds go into heat around every 6 months. During their heat is when they are capable of becoming pregnant. A normal heat cycle lasts between two and four weeks long. Thus, if you breeders or individuals who are looking to breed their GSD track their heat timing and plan to have them mate during their heat. German Shepherds are pregnant for nine weeks on average. Factors That Affect German Shepherd Littler Size Although it is normal for a German Shepherd to have between five and eight puppies a litter, there are many factors that can increase or decrease the litter size. The most common factors are below: The size of the female dog The size of the dog has a big impact of how many puppies they can carry. Although German Shepherds are considered to be a large dog breed some female German Shepherds are larger than others. A female GSD that is larger will be able to carry more pups than a smaller one. Inbreeding Another factor that can contribute to litter size is inbreeding. A pregnancy that is the result of inbreeding will generally produce less puppies than one that is not. Accordingly, if you want to increase your GSD litter size make sure not to bred a female with a male that is related. The age of female The age of the female German Shepherds also plays a role in their potential litter size. Older German Shepherds will generally have smaller litters. The prime age to breed a GSD is between 2 and 5 years of age. You should not breed an elderly GSD. Just like with human males, the sperm count of male German Shepherds will decrease as they age. This decrease can make it harder for them to get a female pregnant and can also impact the litter size if they do get a female GSD pregnant. Health of the female Another factor that is important is the overall health of the female German Shepherd. In order for any dog to produce a healthy plentiful litter of puppies the dog carrying the pups has to be in prime health. Leading up to pregnancy your dog should be fed a high-quality diet, and during pregnancy a GSD will require a diet in that a certain amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates to ensure a health pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant German Shepherds can sometimes need dietary supplements if they are not getting the appropriate nutrients through their diet. Conclusion There are many factors that impact how many puppies German Shepherds can have. Most commonly German Shepherds will have between five and eight puppies, but age, health, and inbreeding can cause a GSD to bear a smaller litter. Breeders who are looking to increase litter size will need to make sure that all those controllable factors are in line and let nature do the rest. On the other hand — not all of the pups survive their first weeks in natural environment. Than read what are the simple things you can do to help. Average Size and Weight Babies Normally, the average size of German Shepherds litter is puppies that are born in period between hours. The newborns are blind, deaf and have no teeth. They weight about 0. You need to make sure they are breathing properly. You can swing it in strong downward motion be careful and hold its head and shoulders firmly or rub him vigorously with towel. You can also try to put a drop of strong alcohol to his tongue or dip his body into cold and hot water, giving pup a contrast shower. Sounds like a torture, but these methods can help you reanimate a weak puppy. Mark each puppy at birth with a colorful thread around the neck, so you can tell the difference between them later. Keeping Newborn Puppies Now, when you made sure the baby is fine — let it suck on his mother breast straight away — this will help to stimulate new contractions. Place them in the warm box, better with the heating pad in it, until the new pup is born. Then immediately let the mother resume nursing. When the labor is finished you should place the new mother and pups in prepared in advance whelping box. Basically is should be a bed, large enough for the puppies and the mother to fit in with a bit of space for free movement. Proper Care The under layer has to be replaced every day, so you can make is from newspapers or special substance. Cover it with warm blanket, but make sure its tight enough and puppies will not get entangled in layers of cloth. The mother takes as much care as she can for her kids poo and pee, but still make sure the bed is changed every day and pups are laying in dry place. Temperature Control Sometimes the heat lamp will be a necessity. If they laying in pile, trying to hide their noses — they are chilled, if they are not even touching each other — they might be overheating. Make sure they do not dehydrate — pinch the skin on their necks. Healthy puppy eats every two hours in first week and after feeding has a good round belly. Now, if everything went fine — take care of the mother and she will take good care of her pups.

Best Chew Toys for German Shepherds Large breed dogs like the German shepherd can be heavy chewers, and you need some durable toys that can withstand those powerful jaws. So what are the best chew toys for these power chewers? Here are two we think are top of the line. The unique Orka TPE rubber material keeps these toys lasting through tough chewing while keeping dogs interested. The flat shape of the Orka Mini Bone helps exercise jaw muscles while rope pieces support good dental hygiene by… Chewy This is a great chew toy for your GSD. It has a rope running down the middle with knots at each end. You can use it as a tug toy, toss it for a fun game of fetch, or just let your pooch enjoy chewing it. It comes in different sizes, so you can get one for your puppy or adult dog. Featuring squeak and crinkle sounds dogs love, rope handle and ultra durable material, these plush toys stand up to tough tugging play. This eco-friendly rope Outward Hound tug toy is made of jute rope and durable rubber rings. It also doubles as a puzzle toy since your dog works to figure out how to remove the rings. Once he does, you can put them back on to keep the game going. This is a great toy for those tough chewers who really like their toys chewy, and it will leave your best buddy with clean teeth too! Best Interactive Toys for German Shepherds German shepherd dogs are intelligent dogs, and because of that, they need toys that provide them with hours of mental stimulation. Here are some of the best toys that are great for those intelligent dog breeds like the German shepherd. The tennis ball and multi-sized openings are sure to keep your pup mentally engaged for hours of play! Can your pup figure out which two tunnels let the ball out? You can even add treats inside for an extra tasty challenge. You can also put tasty treats like kibble or other types of dog food inside the tunnels so your dog will also be treated to a delicious reward. This intermediate level toy features three tiers with twelve compartments for dog snacks or kibble. The Dog Tornado is a level 2 interactive toy that will keep boredom at bay for hours. Stuff it with treats or even peanut butter. Some of them grow up to be working dogs too so they need to get out and about a lot! Here are some great toys to help them do just that. This durable fetch toy has a thick rim that doubles as an easy grip for you and a tough chew for your dog. Made from TPE material and reinforced with inner ribs and raised textures that feel satisfying to chew while being gentle on teeth and gums. The Orka Flyer bounces and floats so you can take… Chewy This is a great dog toy for your pooch. This fun fetch toy can soar and it also floats, making it a great water toy. This set is great for training your dog to learn new tricks or commands with an easy to set up obstacle course. This outdoor training set features one circular collapsible tunnel, six weave poles, and an adjustable jump with hoop that come in a slim carry case. You can teach him new tricks and commands with this easy-to-set-up obstacle course. He actually has a real hoop to jump through! The kit comes with 1 circular, collapsible tunnel, 6 weave poles, and that adjustable hoop. It will provide you and your dog with hours of fun, mentally stimulating exercise. Here are a couple of great toys that offer a new twist on the classic tennis ball. Your pup will love fetching this squeaky tennis ball whether playing indoors or enjoying the great outdoors. As far as rubber toys go, these are top-of-the-line! They can be used indoors or out, and they are made with high-quality rubber to ensure they will last a long time. Be sure to order GSD-sized balls. Balls that are too small can present a choking hazard. It has the classic rubber ball enclosed in a durable rubber phthalate-free and lead-free shell that helps it last longer. It also keeps your formidable chewer from damaging the squeaker as easily as with other toys. The outer natural rubber shell not only protects the rubber ball but also gives your dog another fun texture to work with. What more can you ask for? Final Thoughts German shepherds are a popular dog breed that will be a loyal best friend for many years. There are also some fun toys on our list for you to enjoy with your buddy too! This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one, Outward Hound may receive a small commission. With so many unique options on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which of them are the best toys for German Shepherds. So why exactly does a German Shepherd need to have toys? Toys Provide Physical Stimulation Have you ever felt the need to do something with your hands? Nothing specific, you just feel like your hands have to be moving, and most of the time, you just find a small, repeated movement like twiddling your thumbs. German Shepherds are the same, and often feel the need for some sort of physical engagement. The difference, however, is that they feel the need to do something with their teeth, which usually means chewing. Without toys to keep them busy, your German Shepherd will start chewing anything and everything they can get a hold of. Toys Provide Relief In another case of dogs being remarkably similar to humans, your German Shepherd will often use their favorite toy as a security blanket of sorts. This is because a familiar toy helps soothe their mind by giving them comforting scents and physical stimulation. Toys are Great Training Aids As with anything your German Shepherd enjoys, the right dog toy is an excellent motivator during training. Just use it like you would any other training aid, giving them a bit of time to play with it after they successfully follow a command. This will allow your German Shepherd to associate training with play, creating a much more fun and positive experience for all parties involved. Toys Help Build Strong Bonds Of course, having plenty of dog toys also provides you with the opportunity to bond with your German Shepherd. Toys Prevent Boredom As we mentioned before, German Shepherds need steady sources of physical stimulation, and this stimulation helps to stave off boredom. Bored dogs may become depressed or anxious, causing them to embrace destructive behaviors such as chewing. Essentially, giving your dog plenty of fun toys is a way to keep them happy and healthy and your belongings undamaged. First of all, the toys you buy need to be tough. From there, look for variety. Your pup should have access to a variety of toys, textures, and functions. Go for a mixture of hard toys, soft toys, chew toys, puzzles, and anything else your pup will enjoy! The best toys for your German Shepherd appeal to their natural instincts as a herding dog. In addition, you need to consider that German Shepherds are particularly prone to separation anxiety, so they should have a mentally engaging toy to keep themselves occupied, such as a treat puzzle. German Shepherd Exercise Needs German Shepherds are large, energetic dogs, so they need about hours of exercise per day. You should try to give them a variety of activities aside from your standard walk such as wrestling, chasing, or searching for objects. A good combination of mental and physical exercise will keep your pup happy and healthy! It comes with a variety of items your pup will love, with two ultra-tough toys, two bags of diet-adjustable bags of treats, and two delicious chews. Indestructible Beef-Flavored Bone This indestructible chew toy comes with a delicious beef flavor that will keep your German Shepherd entertained and always ready to play. Orka Bone Dog Chew Toy This dog bone is unique, serving both as your standard chew toy and a treat puzzle. Just pop a treat each into the two treat compartments and let your dog gnaw on the resilient rubber bone! Naturals Jute Puzzle Rope Dog Toy This toy is perfect for when you want to play with your German Shepherd, made of a tough, plant-based material designed to withstand game after game of tug of war. It works much like a standard puzzle toy, but once your furry friend gets the tennis ball out, you can treat them to a good old-fashioned game of fetch! Tux Tough Treat Dispensing Dog Chew Toy For more persistent chewers, this puzzle toy from Tux is incredibly tough, but also tricky enough to provide a solid challenge. Harry Barker Cotton Rope Tug and Toss Toy This toy is designed for humans and pups who love playing together, perfect for the two most popular games: fetch and tug of war! While there are plenty of good toys for your German Shepherd to play with, there are also plenty of bad ones. One of the greatest dangers certain toys present is their size. Many toys, especially plastic ones, can be chewed down to a sharp point after a while, which then poses a risk of choking or injury. If you notice that a pointy tip has been formed, the best thing to do is toss the toy out and buy a new one. Finally, stay away from toys with frills or ribbons as well as those that resemble common household objects. Toys that resemble household objects, on the other hand, can promote destructive habits. Your pup is sure to be happier, healthier, and absolutely thrilled with their new toys! Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions! German Shepherds will enjoy just about any toy you give them, but they definitely prefer toys that engage their natural instincts. Toys such as frisbees or tennis balls that allow them to chase will appeal to their herding instincts, while treat puzzles will help keep them mentally engaged. Of course, everyone needs a bit of mindless entertainment, which your standard chew toy will deliver perfectly. German Shepherds are an extremely intelligent and active dog breed, so they need a fairly high amount of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored or depressed. Most vets recommend getting in around hours of exercise or playtime with your German Shepherd, as well as keeping around a variety of toys so that they have multiple ways to keep themselves mentally engaged. Of course, they have to be able to keep themselves entertained sometimes, but nothing beats direct engagement, so try to play with your German Shepherd directly whenever you have the time. German Shepherds all have standard dog hobbies such as walking and wrestling, but their instincts as herding dogs mean they also have a few unique interests. Or sometimes even their humans! Being the little balls of energy they are, German Shepherd puppies need plenty of toys to learn and grow. Once you reach the teething stage, chew toys are going to be an absolute must to allow them to teeth without destroying your valuables. In addition, you want to promote their natural spirit of curiosity and adventurousness from a young age, so be sure to keep them mentally stimulated with a variety of puzzles as well. The best interactive toys for German Shepherds typically have some sort of food reward involved, giving your pup incentive to focus on the toy. German Shepherds are commonly known to suffer from separation anxiety, but having something like a puzzle or a kong will keep them busy enough to prevent that anxiety from setting in. Related Articles:. With a curved base, this chewable wiggles back and forth as your pup tries to lick and chew, keeping him focused on the tasty task. Features: Made of vanilla-scented natural rubber Can be filled with liquids like bone broth, pastes like dog-safe peanut butter, and solids like kibble Safe for washing on the top shelf of your dishwasher for easy upkeep Made in China Can be used with most common canine treats Fun, tasty way to beat the summer heat Great pricing perfect for stocking up and having several ready at a time! Cons Not the toughest chew on the market Different Types of Toys for German Shepherds The German shepherd is a large, active dog requiring daily physical and mental exercise. Toys are an excellent tool for making the task easier and provide a fun way to unwind with your pooch and build your bond. Dog toys come in many forms, however, with some better suited for German shepherds than others. The most common types of toys enjoyed by German shepherds are: Balls and Fetch Toys The German shepherd is a chase-happy floof ready to run, making fetch toys like balls or Frisbees some of the best toys for him. Like retrievers, German shepherds can be a little too fetch-obsessed, giving your arm one heck of a workout. Invest in a dog ball launcher to make things easier and give your arm a break. Incorporating a treat-dispensing ball is another great idea, as these toys keep your shepherd occupied on his own as he paws, nudges, and shakes the ball to free goodies hidden inside. Doing your homework here is vital since chews come in various types, from chew toys for teething puppies to long-lasting chews for the most determined chewers. Some German shepherd owners like to offer edible chews on occasion, too, such as beef collagen and bully sticks. Tug Toys Most German shepherds love a good game of tug, so tug toys are a natural choice for the breed. These toys should be large enough that you and your dog or your dog and another dog can safely hold either end of the toy. Training Toys Many German shepherds have specialized skills that require ongoing training. This can include working dogs like police pups and herders or those who practice canine sports like Schutzhund or agility. Maintaining these skills takes a lot of training that can get boring or repetitive. Adding dog training toys to the mix makes sessions more fun and engaging. Water Toys Not every shepherd is wild about the wet stuff, but water-loving ones are obsessed. Puzzle toys offer a great test and heaps of fun for your wise woofer, usually with a tasty reward that food-motivated shepherds are eager to work for. Every dog has likes and dislikes that may not always align with their breed. Also, consider his age and overall health. Picking a Toy for Your German Shepherd: Things to Think About Every dog is unique, but there are some basics to consider while toy shopping, as only some products are a good fit or even safe for your dog. This is especially true with a large breed known to be hard on toys like a German shepherd. Another dog might prefer a simple chew for laid-back fun. Food-motivated shepherds love Lickimats as an indoor option. Freezing them helps them last longer, too. Snuffle mats are another great option, as they put his sniffer to work for hidden goodies. Toys made of solid heavy-duty rubber or nylon are ideal, particularly those without small pieces that can be chewed away. While fun for a dog to gnaw at, these nubs are choking and ingestion hazards if chewed free and swallowed. Materials Dog-safe construction is a must for any toy. The U. Dangerous chemicals like arsenic and lead have been found in toys manufactured overseas. For this reason, many pet parents opt for American-made dog toys only. Other toys can be used for games of fetch on land or in water, and some can double as chew toys and tuggers. Warranty Some manufacturers stand behind their products so much that they offer a money-back or replacement guarantee if your doggo damages or destroys the toy. Sometimes, these have time limits such as 30 days, while others offer lifetime guarantees. These warranties are great for peace of mind about the product and for getting the most for your money. Most toys can be rinsed clean with mild soap and water, while others are dishwasher-safe for more in-depth cleaning. To keep your German shepherd safe around his toys: Purchase responsibly: Only buy size-appropriate toys for your dog made of dog-friendly, non-toxic ingredients. These super hard chews are especially risky for dogs who chomp down on toys versus gnawing at them. To see if a dog toy is too hard, press your fingernail into it. You also want to see if any are due for a cleaning or if your pup has outgrown them super important with puppies! Discard damaged or small toys: Promptly trash any broken or damaged toys. These are serious choking and ingestion hazards, as well as risks for mouth lacerations if they have sharp edges. Not only are these foul-smelling, but they can also make you and your dog sick. Every dog is different. When in doubt, ask your vet. The Importance of Toys for German Shepherds All dogs originated with a job, but few take working as seriously as the German shepherd. From herding to police work to sniffing out bombs, these doggos are the floofs-of-all-trades in the dog world. This makes the breed one of many that need a job, which can be hard to offer all the time. This is where toys come in. Here are a few ways toys benefit German shepherds: Burning off physical energy. German shepherds started out herding livestock around the farm, covering large swaths of land with speed and agility. This athleticism remains at the heart of the breed and demands a daily outlet. A long walk or brisk jog is ideal, but not everyone can go as fast or as long as the breed would like to. Toys help take off some of the physical workload of exercising your German shepherd. Instead of hiking with your dog for an hour every day which not everyone can do! Providing mental stimulation. He can and will get bored quickly. This is where toys can shine. Easing anxiety. Anxiety can lead to many issues, from destructive chewing to nuisance barking and even health problems. Offering a safe outlet for chewing instincts. Chewing is a natural instinct that dogs need to express. This is as costly as it is dangerous, with non-chew items risking potential mouth injury, bowel obstruction, and poisoning. Does your German shepherd have any of the toys we listed? Share the details in the comments for other shepherd parents! Like it? Share it!

We love helping people find the perfect new addition for their families and enjoy a reputation as an ethical, kind, honest dog breeder. We take pride in breeding great temperament dogs and improving the breed. The health of our dogs is one of our top priorities. Our four kids play a big role in socializing and handling the puppies and exercising and training the big dogs. We live on a large property for our dogs to run and swim. We see our lab puppies go to active families, hunting, running buddies and service dogs. Foxtail Labradors also has many repeat puppy buyers and we are proud to welcome them into the Foxtail family. It gives us great joy when we hear how each pup fits so perfectly into adopted homes. Labrador Retriever The Labrador is loyal, obedient and playful. It was bred as a sporting and hunting dog but is widely kept as a companion dog. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog or for rescue or therapy work. Standard weight is pounds, .Their coat is short and dense with a thick otter tail. Labrador Retrievers have a muscular build and a broad head with a kind expression. There are three colours of labs: solid black, yellow varying from creamy white to fox red and chocolate. Our Kennel Our Kennel Our Kennel We live in the frigid north but our Kennel is cozy warm with in-floor heat, so our puppies are never cold. Also we have webcams to easily check on what's happening in the Kennel at any moment. They are both! We have mixed the two styles of Labradors over the years to get taller, heavily built Labradors with big heads. Our dogs are usually around 80 Lbs fully grown. We take great care in picking and pairing the breeding pairs to get healthy dogs with great temperaments. Do you have any puppies available? If we have any puppies available currently you can read about them in the available litters tab or in the store tab. If not please join the waitlist. So join our waitlist and you will be notified when we have available dogs. The dogs are put in the site store with colour and sex. Visit the How to Purchase page to learn more. Saturna Island? Can we come visit? Clients and potential clients are welcome to book an appointment with us to come visit. Also for each litter we will pick one Saturday where we bring the puppies to Sidney BC where you can pick up your puppy. This way you do not have to make the trip to Saturna Island if you do not want to. Do you ever have adult or senior dogs to adopt? However, once in a while we do have a adult dog to re-home. Part of our guarantee is that no matter what happens in your life we will take one of our dogs back if you can no longer keep it for any reason. In those cases we make sure to re-home our dogs to the perfect family. If you would to be added to our waitlist for adult dogs please contact us and let us know. We choose our lineages based on making sure that your new best friend is happy, healthy and ready to love you. These dogs are so lovable and healthy that many of our clients become repeat customers. We are so certain that you will love your dog that we provide a lifetime guarantee. If the dog has any health or temperament issues, bring the dog back for a refund. If a life circumstance comes up and you have to part with your dog, we will take them back and give them a happy home. About Us: About. Welcome to Starstruck Labradors! Inquire about all colours of our CKC registered adult and Lab puppies for sale! For anyone hoping for more from their next pet, Starstruck Labradors has gone through great lengths to selectively breed for healthier, longer lived Labrador Retrievers. We offer pups and dogs with our Lifetime Genetic Warranty , registered purebred with the CKC, house trained with a doggy door, as young as eight weeks of age , vaccinated, and imprinted for best temperament potential. For families who live outside of an easy day's journey to meet with us, we offer tours via Facetime, or appointments by telephone. Our pups can go home by car or by air between weeks of age. Puppies can be flown home with their new families in the cabin of the plane, which we recommend. It is invaluable to meet you pup's breeder in person, and can be one of the best experiences you will have with your new fur-baby! For families who are unable to meet with us in person, our pups can be flown home via direct flights, and we have done so seamlessly in the past. Because our pups have already been introduced to a kennel, and the sensation of traveling, most of our pups just curl up and take a big nap during the ride home. Although distance between us may add complexity in getting to know each other, or taking your little one home, we hope you will be as confident as we are that our pups are well worth the investment. To learn more about what we have to offer you, and your family, please take the time to browse through our carefully crafted website. We have done our utmost to compile information you need to know about your new pooch's food , genetic health , and even neutering! If you can find a breeder close to home, with equal health testing, ethical practices , and warranties available, then we encourage you to work with them. Of course, we urge you to consider rescuing a pet from a reputable organization, if that is a reasonable option for you. However, if you are set on buying a purposefully bred pooch and are unable to find an educated and ethical breeder in your area, please inquire to learn more about the pups and dogs we have available. Shots are up-to-date, Story Hello everyone. She actually had to pay the driver to convince him to surrender us. Needless to say, we were all over the moon, not believing how lucky we were. I love to snuggle and if you are ok with it, I have plenty of doggien kisses to give. I enjoy meeting new friends at the shelter, in fact, I am responsible for welcoming all the new rescues that my mom brings to the shelter. My rescue mom has been training me to walk on lead. She says I am a very smart girl and eager to learn. I have no problem sharing my space and toys with other dogs and have never been seen guarding my food. My rescue mom keeps telling me what a well behaived girl I am. Given my young age, I do need daily walks and activities. I am looking forward to finding my forever home where I can blossem, love and be loved. Please be patient assisting me in my transition. Please be prepared to continue training. House trained: Yes. Please be prepared to help me learn where to go in my new home. This includes my transportation to Canada, if I am able to be accompanied by a flight volunteer directly to Vancouver. Although a 1-on-1 trainer is often not needed, it is good to have someone in mind in case any problematic behaviours arise. Most bad behaviours can be modified if caught early enough, so make sure to nip undesirable behaviours in the bud before they become serious problems. Basic training should be taken seriously, but should not begin until your dog is well settled in - at least a couple of weeks. After you feel your new dog is relaxed and comfortable in their new home, check out training courses in your local area. Even basic beginner courses like those taught at a local pet store can have a huge benefit in helping your dog learn to socialize and get used to being in public situations, all with the added benefit of strengthening their bond with you. The age and breed of a dog is usually an educated guess, so we are not able to guarantee the accuracy of age or breed of our dogs. Information included in the profile is provided to us from the international rescuer or local fosters. LALDR does not have access to overseas dogs and cannot always verify the accuracy of their descriptions. Every dog is an individual and can act differently in different situations based on the person adopting them and the environment in which they live. Normally, we will not approve adoptions to homes with children under 12 years of age. However if a dog has been determined to be good with children we will approve applicants with children 8 years or older. More information can be found on our website. Showing 1 - 40 of 69 resultsPage 1 - 69 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. The father is a 80 pound American Labrador and the mother is a 55 pound American Labrador. They are both purebred but.Please Contact Yellow lab puppies Victoria We have a litter of beautiful yellow labs. They will be ready for there forever homes October 11th. There are 4 boys and 4 girls to choose from. They have been raised around kids and other animals so.Meet Sheba. The perfect puppy. The entire ranch was named after this.Not too many pups left. Located in PrinceGeorge. Pick your puppy now and watch him grow with weekly video updates. Mom is a pure bred English Lab and weights 70lbs she loves playing fetch and.One yellow male one yellow female available. Five months old absolutely beautiful! Champion bloodlines perfect for hunting, companion and absolutely amazing.They are well trained and super nice with kid and cat. Both Mom black and Dad chocolate are super gentle. They all purebred.They are so healthy and growing fast. These pups get handled by children and adults alike. Sunny is a smaller lab, Not spayed. Kennel trained. From a Beautiful litter of 9 purebred chocolate lab puppies. Call or text to get your name in line for one of these cuties! They were found abondoned in a ditch, but appear healthy. Guestimated to be about 4 months, and assumed to be a cross between lab, These pups will be raised with small children and other animals. They will be well socialized to ensure.Showing 1 - 40 of 67 resultsPage 1 - 67 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. The father is a 80 pound American Labrador and the mother is a 55 pound American Labrador. They are both purebred but.Please Contact Yellow lab puppies Victoria We have a litter of beautiful yellow labs. They will be ready for there forever homes October 11th. There are 4 boys and 4 girls to choose from. They have been raised around kids and other animals so.They have been raised with utmost loving care and come with deworming throughout, vet.He is a purebred Labrador retrevier puppy. He is such a good boy following me everywhere and already has quite a good recall. He loves being held with.One yellow male one yellow female available. Five months old absolutely beautiful! Champion bloodlines perfect for hunting, companion and absolutely amazing.They are well trained and super nice with kid and cat. Both Mom black and Dad chocolate are super gentle. They all purebred.They are so healthy and growing fast. These pups get handled by children and adults alike. Sunny is a smaller lab, Not spayed. Kennel trained. Not too many pups left. Located in PrinceGeorge. From a Beautiful litter of 9 purebred chocolate lab puppies. Call or text to get your name in line for one of these cuties! Visit Website Below to Order Now! They were found abondoned in a ditch, but appear healthy. Guestimated to be about 4 months, and assumed to be a cross between lab,

How does the Labradoodle growth chart work? The following numbers are estimates based on the litter of a Labrador Retriever crossed with a standard Poodle. If your pup's Poodle parent is a toy size, then they are likely to be significantly smaller than these estimates. Their health is what matters most, so if you have questions or concerns about your puppy's development, reach out to your veterinarian. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? Labradoodles typically need 12 to 18 months to reach their full size, especially if their parents were on the heavier side of the average weight spectrum. Large breeds grow slower and take longer to reach their full size compared to small and medium-sized dog breeds, which usually reach maturity within nine to 11 months. How big should a 6-month-old Labradoodle be? A 6-month-old Labradoodle may weigh anywhere between 40 and 55 pounds. As a general rule, male Labradoodles weigh more than their female counterparts. In terms of height, a 6-month-old Labradoodle puppy will stand around 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders, but this varies based on their genetic makeup. Pro Tip: Download our new puppy checklist for tips on how to set up a vaccination schedule, essential pet care supplies, and more. How much bigger will my Labradoodle get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much more your Labradoodle may grow. Most Labradoodles need anywhere from 12 to 18 months to reach their full size. If your pup is younger than a year old, they are likely still growing. Refer to our Labradoodle weight chart to estimate how many more pounds they might put on as they mature into adulthood. If they look oversized compared to their limbs, then they're probably still filling out. Oversized paws are a classic puppy feature indicating that your pup still has more growth underway. Lastly, if you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you can contact them about your Labradoodle's weight. Alhough the breed varies greatly in size, knowing the weight of your puppy's parents and those of previous litters can help you predict your Labradoodle's adult size. What is the size of a full-grown Labradoodle? As a hybrid dog breed, Labradoodles vary significantly in size based on their geneology. Per Agape Labradoodles , adult Labradoodles typically weigh over 45 pounds, with some Labradoodles weighing as much as pounds. However, most Labradoodles will weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. In [terms of height], Labradoodles stand 21 to 24 inches tall when measured from paw to shoulder, or approximately two feet excluding their neck and crown of the head. How do I make sure my Labradoodle is healthy? Our Labradoodle puppies are important, cherished family members who we want the best for. One of the best ways to help your Labradoodle thrive is by taking them to regular veterinary appointments to have them routinely checked out and evaluated. Prevention is always better than treatment, and regular veterinary exams provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to screen your Labradoodle for disease. Your puppy will need to see the veterinarian several times in their first six months of life for core vaccinations against things like Rabies, and then at least once a year as an adult for annual health check-ups. Like their parents, Labradoodles are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia , a common orthopedic condition that occurs when the hip joint forms improperly. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain in their back legs, impaired mobility, and even lameness if not treated - fortunately, the condition is treatable with surgery. When over 20, pet parents were surveyed, only .As loving pet parents, it can be devastating to think that our four-legged friend could develop a painful disease that requires expensive treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Most pet parents opt for accident and illness pet insurance plans as they cover both injuries and most illnesses, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. Pet wellness plans can be added to your insurance coverage to help you pay for preventive veterinary care, like your regular vet exams, x-rays , dental cleanings , vaccinations, and more. Like humans, dogs are living longer, which creates an even bigger need for excellent veterinary care so that our dogs can live their happiest and healthiest lives. Pet insurance helps alleviate the financial strain that's often caused by vet visit costs. If your Labradoodle puppy gets sick or hurt, you and your veterinarian can work together to provide your pup with the best treatment plan - without worrying about how much it might cost. Key Takeaways Adult Labradoodles weigh pounds on average. The parent Poodle breed has toy and standard size variations that impact the size of the offspring, along with other genetic factors. Most Labradoodles grow until months of age. The breed is known for several congenital health disorders, and is especially prone to hip dysplasia. Pet insurance can protect your puppy and provide a financial safety net for vet costs throughout their life. 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. All puppies start out so small and cute that it can be difficult to imagine how big your puppy will be when he is fully grown. Thankfully there are ways for you to determine how large your dog will be as an adult. The first is to use a Labradoodle puppy growth chart. This works based on averages to see where your pup is now compared to where he will be fully grown. Another way to work out how big your puppy will be is to look at his parents, if you have access. Paws that look oversized on a small puppy means that you are going to have a large dog as they are going to have to grow a lot to fill out their paws. Finally, you can use a DNA test to see what the breed makeup of your pup is and get an idea of how big he can get. When a puppy is born, his eyes will be shut. He will open them within the first couple of weeks, but will stay by his mother the entire time. At 3 weeks, your Labradoodle will still be very small and rely on his mother for nutrition. Puppies tend to begin to move around at this point, gradually exploring their world. At 12 weeks, you will have a much bigger puppy looking for trouble. Your puppy will begin to lose his teeth. If you have a larger Labradoodle you will see a high rate of growth still at this point. If you have a smaller Labradoodle, you will see a slowdown in growth during this time period. Puppies get into a lot of trouble chewing at this age as well as they combat their teething. Most Labradoodles still have some growing to do, so will not be finished growing at this point, but the speed at which they are growing will definitely slow down. Food-wise, this is a good time to drop your dog down to only two meals a day but keep him on puppy food until his first birthday. Use the Labradoodle growth chart as a guide to see when your puppy will likely reach his final height. At 12 months old, you can transition your puppy from kibble to regular dog food. Even if there is still a little bit of growing to do, puppy food is much higher in calories. Adult Labradoodles should be done growing by their first birthday, regardless of the type of Labradoodle that they are. If you have a larger Labradoodle, you should not see any more gains in height, but you will continue to see some weight gain for a while yet. Some dogs are done gaining weight at 12 months, while others may take 18 or even 24 months. Factors That Affect Labradoodle Puppy Growth Genetics Genetics is the key factor in all breeds of dog as far as what affects their growth, but Labradoodles are especially affected by this. It is because the Poodle mix in their breed can come in so many different sizes. Labrador Retrievers are more consistent and predictable, but Poodles are not. Looking at what size of Poodle has been bred with the Lab will help you know how big your pup will get and how quickly that will happen. A Labradoodle is more likely to fall in between his parents in size, since he is a mixed breed, making genetics the biggest indicator you have. Most puppies will be well taken care of, naturally, but sadly that is not always the case. Puppies who live on the street or who are neglected by their owners will not receive the proper nutrients that they need to grow healthy and strong. In this case, the growth defects are likely internal and will not appear until your dog ages. Puppies need exercise to stay fit and healthy, but a puppy that is overexerted will have too much strain put on his body and he will not grow as well as a puppy who was allowed rest. Also, puppies that are sickly cannot grow as much as healthy dogs, because their bodies are working hard on their health, leaving growth on the backburner. It has long been the standard to spay or neuter your puppy as soon as possible. It usually happens at the 6-month mark, in order to ensure that they are large enough to withstand the anaesthesia and not so mature that they have reached sexual maturity. The purpose of this was to stop a female pup from going into heat and having an unwanted pregnancy or to stop a male from reproducing. Puppies that mate too young also have their growth at risk, so the idea was to save them in the long run. Unfortunately, there is new information that has come out in recent years. Studies have shown that dogs, especially larger breeds, which are spayed or neutered before they have finished growing are more likely to have joint issues when they are older. This is because altering their bodies during their growth will affect other parts of their bodies as well. The dogs do have a lot of similarities, but the Bernedoodle is a little bit larger than a Labradoodle is. Much of their size is based on the type of Poodle that has been mixed with the Labrador or the Bernese Mountain Dog, but in all of the cases, the Bernedoodles will be bigger, weighing as much as 90 pounds. What If My Labradoodle Is Not The Right Weight If you have been following your Labradoodle growth chart and you see that your pup is not growing at a consistent weight, you might be a little concerned. Since growth spurts can be unpredictable and you will not necessarily know when they happen, sometimes a puppy will stray off of his expected weight and size. The concern is when your puppy has completely fallen off of the growth curve, whether in being too large or too small. If it was a one-time occurrence, that is one thing, but if your puppy is simply not growing at the right pace, it is best to speak with your vet to make sure there is nothing else going on. You should be weighing your puppy routinely to get a good idea about how fast he has been going and these records will help your vet immensely. Feeding your Labradoodle puppy the right amount of food can be easy as long as you stick to a schedule. Given their curly fur, the regular visual check that you can do to monitor the size of other breeds is incredibly difficult. To know how much you need to feed your Labradoodle, you will need to focus on his age. Puppies between the age of 8 and 12 weeks need about 4 equal meals a day. Between 3 and 6 months, this can be reduced to 3 meals a day, dropping to 2 meals at 6 months. The quantity of food will depend on the type of food that it is as well as the type of Labradoodle that you have and his activity level. Take your pup in for regular weight checks with the vet and ask her what food recommendations she has. How To Choose A Labradoodle Size Since there are three different types of Labradoodles, you will need to choose which type of Labradoodle is right for you. The ultimate factor to help you decide is which size is right for you. A Standard Labradoodle is between 22 and 24 inches in height for males and between 21 and 23 inches for a female. Their weights range between 50 and 65 pounds. This is the biggest size. The medium Labradoodle is between 18 and 20 inches for a male and 17 and 19 inches for a female. They weigh between 30 and 45 pounds. The smallest Labradoodle is the mini Labradoodle that stands between 14 and 16 inches for either sex and weighs between 15 and 25 pounds. Weighing your Labradoodle puppy consistently is essential to his overall health. This can help you be certain that your puppy is growing as much and as quickly as he should be. Ideally, weighing your puppy twice a month will give you a good amount of data to go with. To weigh your puppy, you can weigh yourself while holding the puppy, note the weight. Then, weigh yourself again without the puppy. If your puppy is too large to hold, you should be able to take him into the vet to have a weight checkup. Labradoodle Genetics And Common Health Problems All dog breeds are more prone to certain genetic conditions than others. One of the most common genetic conditions that Labradoodles face is hip dysplasia. This happens as the dog ages and will result in mobility issues. Labradoodles can also suffer from epilepsy, but this can typically be controlled well with the right medicine. An eye condition that Labradoodles are at risk of is progressive retinal atrophy PRA , which can ultimately result in blindness. Your vet should be able to keep tabs on your pup and screen for these possibilities. If untreated, a dog can experience trouble with the kidneys and circulatory system. Even though a Labradoodle is a mixed breed, it runs the risk of genetic conditions of both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. 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. Some of these may be genetic, while others can be environmental. Here are some factors that affect labradoodle puppy growth. Genetics No matter what breed of dog it is, genetics plays a very important role in the growth of a puppy. Labradoodles are a mix between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. These dogs share genetic traits from both parents. The size of a labradoodle depends on its Poodle parent. For example, if the Poodle parent is a toy or miniature, you will get a mini and medium-sized labradoodle. However, if the Poodle parent is standard size, you will get a standard-sized labradoodle. Nutrition Selecting a nutritious diet for your Labradoodle puppy is essential to his well-being and development. Giving him all of the nutrients he needs to flourish and grow. Puppies are in a period of rapid growth, so they require more nutrients for bone and joint development than adult dogs. Puppies who receive adequate nutrition grows to their full potential. When feeding your pup, make sure the food contains all essential nutrients as well as the right levels of fat and protein. Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal food to provide them with. Physical Activity Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. If not given enough exercise, they could develop health issues such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. When your puppy is young, it is best to limit their exercise as excessive physical activity can cause joint damage that will impact their development later in life. Walking and jogging are two activities that puppies enjoy doing, but these should only be done in small amounts in order to protect their joints. Health The growth of Labradoodle puppies also depends on their overall health. Labradoodles may suffer from health conditions that hinder their growth, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions make it difficult for them to walk or lead an ordinary life. So, make sure you buy a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder and screen them for any health issues. It is also advisable to take them for regular vet visits. Many new pet parents often wonder what size their Labradoodle will be when they grow up. For Labradoodle puppies, puppyhood lasts from birth until about five or six months old. During this stage, you will see a massive growth spurt in Labradoodles. They will keep growing until they reach adulthood. However, this may not always be the case; some may need additional pounds to gain before reaching this milestone. Conclusion A Labradoodle is a designer hybrid dog created by crossing two breeds — Poodles and Labrador Retrievers. As such, these dogs possess high energy levels, are friendly, and are highly affectionate. If you are planning to get a Labradoodle puppy or already have one, it is essential to monitor their growth, as their size can be drastically affected by certain factors. With some simple formulas, these charts may even allow you to predict their future weights. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Standard and medium Labradoodles will generally stop growing at around 1 year of age, while miniature Labradoodles will stop growing at around 10 months. However, there is some deviation in this, and your Labradoodle may stop growing slightly sooner or later. If you notice your Labradoodle putting on extra weight when it is over 12 months old, it could be a sign that it is putting on too much weight. Check the height of the dog, compare it to the expected size, and make sure you are providing a balanced diet and regular exercise. Image Credit: Adam Melnyk, Shutterstock Factors Affecting the Size of Labradoodles The primary factor that determines the size of a Labradoodle is whether the first generation was bred from a standard, miniature, or toy Poodle. Beyond that, factors such as diet and exercise play a big part. Dogs that eat more will usually grow heavier, although not necessarily bigger. Exercise helps to keep weight off but it can also lead to a growth in muscle mass, which also puts extra weight on the dog. Some illnesses can cause growth to slow or speed up, and if your dog is growing more quickly or slower than expected for its age, and has any other symptoms of concern, it is worth speaking to a vet to ensure everything is OK. Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight Labradoodles should get protein from high-quality sources , typically including chicken, turkey, beef, and other meats. They can also get protein from vegetable sources as Labradoodles—like all dogs—are omnivores that benefit from a diet that consists of meat and pl1ant-based ingredients. Unless they have an allergy, Labradoodles can also eat grains and cereals. Such protein and other ingredients can come in dry kibble, via wet or canned food, or as part of a carefully constructed and safely prepared raw food diet. Owners should follow feeding guidelines, which are usually given according to the weight or target weight of the dog. Alternatively, your vet or possibly a dog groomer may have scales and measures to help take the required measurements. Conclusion The Labradoodle has become one of the most popular dog breeds around the world and is almost certainly the most popular hybrid breed. It was bred as a guide dog that was also hypoallergenic but is more often kept as a companion dog. There are different sizes, according to the size of Poodle that was originally bred, which means that the typical weight and size of the Doodle can vary. Our puppy growth chart and calculator has your answer! Size is largely determined by genetics. Size is inherited in non-linear ways in dogs and other animals. Some puppies stay much smaller than both parents, some become much bigger, and some are in the middle. While size is already hard to predict in purebred dogs, it becomes even more erratic when two breeds are crossed such as in any Doodle mix litter. Labradors are large dogs. They can have a heavy build with deep chests and a wide rib cage. Poodles on the other hand are rather dainty, even though they are tall. Especially in the first generation of a Labradoodle litter that means a generation whose parents are a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador , there will be a greater variation of size. The smallest and the tallest puppy of the litter might be as much as 20 pounds apart in weight! That being said, most Labradoodles weigh somewhere between 45 and 65 pounds and are inches tall. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and have no breed standard that requires a certain size. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? As a large dog breed, Labradoodles grow past their first birthday. The smaller a dog, the sooner he is finished growing. Some very small breeds can stop growing around months. Since the Labradoodle is tall, expect him to continue growing until about months of age. At 12 months, most tall dogs are lanky teenagers! By the time your Labradoodle is 2 years old, he will definitely be done growing. How big is a 6 month old Labradoodle? At 6 months old, your Labradoodle will weigh about pounds. He is definitely not fully grown yet — expect him to become quite a bit taller and heavier in the coming months. As your Labradoodle puppy is growing up, his coat will become longer and thicker as well! Make sure you bathe and brush him regularly. Trimming his coat regularly with a good set of clippers will be very important as well! Ensuring healthy growth Here is what you can do to set your Labradoodle up for a healthy growth and solid adult weight: Nutrition and feeding Without the right nutrition, your pup cannot grow well. You need to feed your Labradoodle a high-quality food with a lot of protein. Protein is what our bodies are built of — your growing pup needs a lot in order to grow tall and strong. You can choose from a variety of different foods, such as: Dry food.

Lifespan Sociability The Rhodesian Boxer is a high-energy dog that does not like to be left alone for long periods. Their intelligence and energy make them highly trainable, although they can be stubborn at times. They have good overall health, and while they are considered friendly dogs, they should be leashed at all times while out for a walk because of their instincts to chase almost anything. The Rhodesian Boxer has a high prey drive. The combination of these two breeds gives the Rhodesian Boxer the urge to chase small animals and must, therefore, be leashed while out or in a properly fenced yard. The Rhodesian Boxer wants to spend time with the family. They would prefer to stay indoors with you rather than be outdoors alone. If left alone for too long in your yard, they will resort to destructive behavior, and you might find your dog digging holes and ruining the lawn. The Rhodesian Boxer might not do well in the heat. However, because of their large size and the boisterousness of these dogs, supervision with younger, smaller children might be necessary as they could get knocked over. They are protective of their family and will warn you of strangers approaching the property but are not aggressive and therefore safe around children. However, as already discussed, they are prone to chasing smaller animals, and their instincts might kick in when they see an animal run. They will do well with smaller animals within the household if they are raised with them. Feeding them a high-quality dog kibble twice a day should be sufficient while keeping an eye on their weight. Because of the working dog background, they do need to keep busy so lots of playtime will be of great benefit. Like with most dogs, training with perseverance and patience but with lots of love and positive reinforcement will give you a loyal and devoted dog. On average, they do not need to be brushed more than once a week to remove loose hair and to keep their coat shiny. Only give them a bath when necessary about once a month using an appropriate dog shampoo. It will also give you a break from doggy breath. Current Age: 12 Years 5 Months best estimate Microchipped: Yes Lake and her buddy Forest came from a local kill shelter, they were set to be put down as there time was up! They are so sweet and loving we couldn't help but help them! According to www. They were later crossed with the powerful ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Early on, these dogs were prized for hunting, bull baiting, and for pulling carts. A bit farther down the family tree, Boxer ancestors became cattle dogs, and were used to round up livestock. They were also popular circus and theater dogs because they learned tricks so easily. Breeding was rather indiscriminate until the first Boxer studbook was started in , stabilizing the breed standard. In spite of its German origins, "Boxer" is an English name that suitably describes the dog's punchy fighting style. Though early Boxers may have been quite ferocious, the breed today is a very gentle, loving family companion. The Boxer is happy, high-spirited, playful, curious and energetic. Highly intelligent, eager and quick to learn, but can be stubborn and sneaky. The Boxer is a good dog for competitive obedience. Constantly on the move, bonding very closely with the family. Loyal and affectionate, Boxers are known for the way they get along so well with children. A well brought-up and properly socialized Boxer will also get along with his own kind and other household pets. However one Boxer owner reported; their Boxer is best friends with their many barn cats and second dog, but will chase and eat their ducks and other farm birds. The female boxer will often get into fights with other female dogs, trying to display her dominance. If one owns a female boxer and another female dog, they will get along and even play most of the time, however they will most likely fight from time to time. It has been said that the name Boxer came from the way the Boxer likes to use is front paws for just about everything. If you have ever watched a Boxer go about his business you may have noticed the way he paws at his toys, food bowl and you for that matter, in a very playful cat-like way. Some Boxers have been known to paw at their food or water bowl if they are empty. Playfully barking, pawing and playing with the bowl, flipping it upside-down and putting their front paws on the top of the bowl, sliding it around the house barking and whining until someone fills it for them. It looks like a silly game, but the Boxer knows what he is trying to tell you, he's hungry! While participating the sport of schutzhund, Boxers are known to jump up and use their front paws as if they are boxing. They are very clownish and playful and have been known to grab and carry ANYTHING around including your knickknacks if he thinks he can get away with it. The Boxer's nature is to protect you, your family, and your home. Known visitors will be welcomed boisterously. They are always keen to work and play. Boxers need lots of human companionship. They can be rather boisterous and even in old age are still extremely athletic. Teach the Boxer not to be boisterous and especially not to jump up at people. Boxers LOVE to jump. This breed is noted for courage and makes great guard dogs. Boxers have a wide use in military and police work. Training should start young and be firm and consistent. This breed requires a dominant owner. An excellent watchdog, the Boxer will restrain an intruder in the same way a Bulldog does. They have a life expectancy of years. Height: 24 - 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 64 - 90 lb. Lifespan: 10 - 12 years Boxer Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix - Rhodesian Boxer Personality Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This could obviously make for a very powerful and strong breed. Both of these parent breeds can be strong and powerful and have very strong prey and drive instincts. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. The Dalmatian mixed with the Rhodesian Ridgeback might be prone to Cancer, heart problems, hypothyroidism, bloat, deafness, eye problems, patellar luxation, Note that these are just common problems in both breeds. Both of these dogs have rather shorter hair and should be pretty easy to groom. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. What are the exercise requirements? Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. What are the training requirements? This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background. Links to other breeds you might be interested in. These dogs are known for their loyalty, strength, and intelligence. They make great family pets and are always up for a game of fetch or tug-of-war. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were originally bred in Africa to hunt lions. They are the only dog breed with this unique ability. Today, they are still used as hunting dogs, but they also make excellent companion animals. Boxers were originally bred in Germany to be guard dogs. They are known for their fearless nature and powerful build. Boxers make loyal protectors and are always ready to defend their families. When these two breeds are mixed, you get a dog that is loyal, intelligent, strong, and fearless. Temperament Rhodesian Ridgebacks are loyal, loving, and protective dogs that make great family pets. They are also intelligent and trainable, although they can be stubborn at times. Boxer mixes are known for their playful personality and high energy level. This combination makes for a dog that is both loving and active, the perfect companion for an active family. They are loyal and protective of their family but can be aggressive toward strangers. This breed needs an experienced owner who can provide firm, consistent training. They are not recommended for first-time dog owners. Training Needs This mixed breed is known for its loyalty and protective nature, but it can also be stubborn and headstrong. Training a Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer mix can be challenging, but it is important to start early and be consistent. Here are some tips to help you train this mix: 1. Start training early. It is important to start training your dog as soon as possible. This will help them learn the basic commands and obedience skills that they will need in their adult life. Be consistent with your commands. When you are training your dog, it is important to be consistent with your commands. This means using the same words and phrases each time you give a command. Potty Training Potty training your Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer mix can be a bit of a challenge, but with patience and consistency, you can surely teach your furry friend where to do his business. First of all, it is important to choose an appropriate potty area for your dog. This spot should be in a quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of your home. Once you have chosen the perfect spot, take your dog there frequently so that he can get used to it. Reward him with treats or praise whenever he does his business in the designated area. If you find that your dog has accidents inside the house, clean up the mess immediately and do not scold him. This will only make him scared and confused. Instead, take him outside more often so that he can learn that this is where he is supposed to go. Obedience Training Many dog owners choose to obedience train their dogs. This can be a rewarding experience for both the owner and the dog. There are many different methods of obedience training, and each has its own benefits. Rhodesian ridgeback boxer mixes are no different. Here are a few things to keep in mind when obedience training this Mix: 1. Be Consistent — One of the most important things to remember when obedience training any dog is to be consistent. This means using the same commands, rewards, and punishments each time you work with your dog. Consistency will help your dog learn more quickly and make it more likely that he or she will obey your commands. Positive Reinforcement — Positive reinforcement is a more effective training method than using negative reinforcement. With negative reinforcement, a dog is punished through verbal or physical means — which is not ideal. With positive reinforcement, you reward the dog for doing something good. The best way to do this is with a treat or some kind of praise. This shows your dog that they are doing something right and encourages them to keep up the good behavior. Timing — Timing is very important in training your dog. You have to get the timing right or the dog will not understand what you are trying to teach them. Socialization Socialization is key for this breed. Without proper socialization, they can become aggressive and territorial. Here are some tips for socializing this mix: 1. Start early: It is best to start socializing your puppy as soon as possible. This will help them to be more comfortable around other people and animals. Be consistent: It is important to be consistent when socializing your puppy. If you only expose them to other people and animals occasionally, they may become fearful or aggressive when they do encounter them. Go slow: It is best to start off with just one or two people and one or two animals at a time. If you overwhelm your puppy, they may become overwhelmed and resentful of the whole process. Do not force things: If your puppy is fearful or uncomfortable, take a step back and try again later. You want them to be comfortable in the situation, not resentful. Use positive reinforcement: Remember that you are trying to socialize your puppy, not train them. The more positive the experience is for them, the more likely they will be to enjoy it. Keep things fun: It is important to keep things fun for your puppy. If they are having a bad time, they will be more likely to act out in an attempt to escape the situation. Use distractions: Distractions can be very important in helping your puppy learn new things and become more comfortable around other people and animals. Without enough exercise, your dog may become restless, destructive, or even aggressive. So how much exercise does this mix need? Ideally, your dog should get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be in the form of a walk, run, or playtime in the yard. If you have a young dog, you may need to increase the amount of exercise to up to 60 minutes per day. Remember that all dogs are different and some may require more or less exercise than others. Mental Stimulation Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer mixes are known for their high energy and need for mental stimulation. One way to provide mental stimulation for this breed is through puzzle toys. By offering your dog a new puzzle toy each day, you can help them stay mentally stimulated and avoid boredom. Another way to keep this mix mentally stimulated is by providing them with opportunities to learn new things. You can teach your dog tricks, have them participate in nose work classes, or even just take them on new and different walks each day. Grooming Requirements This high-spirited pup is perfect for an active family that likes to go on hikes and play fetch in the yard. But before you can enjoy all the fun that comes with owning a Rhodesian ridgeback boxer mix, there are some grooming requirements you need to be aware of. First, this breed has a short, dense coat that requires weekly brushing to prevent matting. Be sure to avoid getting water in their ears, as this can lead to ear infections. This mix is also known for having big, floppy ears. However, they are also prone to certain health issues. Some of the most common health problems for this breed include hip dysplasia, allergies, and skin problems. Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint does not fit properly into the socket. This can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis. Allergies are also common in this breed, and they can be caused by anything from environmental allergens to food allergies. Skin problems are also relatively common in this breed and they can range from minor irritation to serious dermatitis. This mix is a large and powerful dog with a hearty appetite. Though their diet should be tailored to their size and activity level, they can generally eat the same foods as other dogs. This includes meat, vegetables, grains, and commercial dog food. Though they are omnivores, meat should make up the majority of their diet. This can include chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, fish, and more. It is important to choose lean meats with little to no fat content. Too much fat in their diet can lead to weight gain and health problems down the road. In addition to meat, vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet for a Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer mix. Some good options include broccoli, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, and squash. For Commercial dog food, you should try these options:. Click Here to solve all dog problems the kind and gentle way. Unfortunately, not much is known about the Rhodesian Boxer origin, but this mix will inherit the finest traits from the parent breeds. The dog was developed by Boer farmers who wanted a versatile and courageous hunting dog that could stand up to large wild animals! Breeders began by mixing breeds like Mastiffs, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, and Great Danes with a semi-wild dog called the Khoikhoi. The Khoikhoi had a distinctive ridge on its back and dogs with this ridge were distinguished hunting dogs! As the popularity of big game hunting increased in South Africa, Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs started accompanying their masters to help them! Soon after, they realized that these dogs were very good at teasing and distracting predators such as lions to control them so the hunters could take aim at them. Besides being loyal hunting dogs, Ridgebacks also serve as loyal family dogs and companions. The South African Kennel Club recognised the breed in .The breed really began to skyrocket in popularity after the Second World War. It is believed that the first Rhodesian Ridgeback arrived in America even before the s when an actor named Errol Flynn began breeding them in the country. Ridgebacks were first registered by the American Kennel Club in and since then, their popularity as family companions and pets has continued to soar. They descended from Bulldogs and certain German Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Like most breeds, Boxers are a mix of several breeds. They were developed to be working dogs, and have fighting and hunting backgrounds. When it comes to appearance, the Rhodesian Boxer Mix is a strong dog with a deep chest, athletic body, and strong, elegant legs. They have a black nose, and round eyes that are brown or amber in color. They also have triangular ears and a dark face mask. Their tails are usually straight and long. Remember both the Boxer and the Ridgeback are large dogs. While the Rhodesian Boxer loves to cuddle, he is not lap-friendly. One major difference between the male and female Boxer Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix is their size. Full grown males stand between 24 and 27 inches tall while females are around 22 to 25 inches tall. For weight, male Boxer Rhodesian Ridgeback Mixes weigh around 65 to 80 pounds while females weigh around 55 to 68 pounds. Coat and Coat Colors The Rhodesian Boxer has a short and straight coat that comes in a wide range of colors, including black, white, brown, red, fawn, and brindle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luke laid. They are loyal, loving, and protective of their owners and family, alerting them to strangers and ready to be on your side at any time. Leaving them alone might make them destructive. Attractive, charming, and confident, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Boxer Mix makes a loyal and lifelong friend and companion. Want to train your dog without spending hundreds of dollars? Click Here to check out the brain training for Dogs course now! The Rhodesian Boxer Mix dogs are brave, loyal, and protective dogs that also make great watchdogs and guard dogs. Rhodesian Boxers are also good with kids and are reliable when left with them. While friendly and loyal, this dog is best suited to active families and experienced owners who have experience handling energetic dogs. These dogs can also get along well with other dogs if socialized properly as puppies. While Rhodesian Boxers can get along fine with other animals in the family, they have strong hunting instincts and are vulnerable to chasing small animals like cats. However, they should get along well with small animals if they are brought up together with them. At least minutes of daily exercises and walks around the neighborhood will help keep your designer dog healthy. Just be sure to keep your Ridgeback Boxer on a leash and to minimize exertions during those hot days. Also, make sure to supply your pup with fresh water when exercising and at all other times. Thanks to their working background and intelligence, you should also keep them busy and entertained playing with the best interactive dog toys available out there. Total 4 layers of orange petals can hide.But in order to provide more fun for lovely puppies, we set up .But your dog.Early housetraining will help minimize accidents in the house. Vets and previous owners also say crate training can help prevent these dogs from developing separation anxiety. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Mixed with Boxer can also be stubborn, so be sure to use plenty of positive reinforcements such as praise and treats. Because of their strong prey drive, we also recommend early socialization to ensure your pooch gets along great with other animals and people in the family. In general, brushing them once a week is enough to remove any loose or dead hair and to maintain their coat in good condition. Only bathe them when necessary using a mild shampoo because this designer dog is vulnerable to skin allergies. Also, brush their teeth to maintain oral hygiene and to keep their gums and teeth healthy. Trim their nails occasionally as well, to prevent breakage. Some of the other tools and supplies that will come in handy when grooming your Rhodesian Boxer include:.