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Print Lili the French bulldog. She was a sweet little French bulldog, one of the first of the breed I came to know well. Back in , Frenchies, as the diminutive pug-faced dogs are often called, were not particularly common on the Vineyard. The breed is thought to be descended from a type of toy English bulldog that was popular with lace-makers around the city of Nottingham, England, in the midth century. One theory is that there were just so many toy bulldogs being bred there that they began exporting them to France. Others say economic conditions in England caused many of the lace-makers to move to the continent, bringing their little dogs with them to France. In any case, the toy bulldogs were crossbred over many years with several other types of dogs and eventually arrived at their current appearance. Okay, maybe not on the same canvases, but in the same museums. They typically weigh in at around 20 pounds and AKC standards allow for any combination of color except totally black. Personality-wise, I have always found Frenchies to be friendly, fun-loving, and intelligent. When Lili was in her later years, she had back problems that made it hard for her to navigate the long polished wooden staircase to the second floor. Her owners installed an ingenious apparatus that looked like a cross between an elevator and a dumb-waiter. When Lili needed to go up or down, she would hop aboard, then sit patiently and unperturbed as the motorized device transported her effortlessly to her destination. I get when folks are influenced by a specific animal that is in the public eye. Lassie brought more collies. Beethoven, more St. The Budweiser beer dog, more bull terriers. But why Frenchies? Maybe during the pandemic, as we sit home in our sweatpants, people are nostalgic for a time when elegantly dressed Parisian women socialized in quaint cafes with their little Frenchies in tow. Whatever the reason, I seem to be meeting a new generation of these adorable puppies. Adorable brachycephalic puppies. Brachy means short. Cephalic means head. Brachycephalic breeds come in all shapes and sizes but their defining feature is some degree of abbreviated pushed-in snouts and short skulls. The list includes dogs as big as mastiffs or as small as pugs. There are bulldogs and boxers, shih tzus and lhasa apsos. Japanese chins and Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and many more. Snorting, snoring, snuffling, grunting, wheezing. BOAS has three main components — an elongated and thickened soft palate, very small nostrils technically called stenotic nares and, in severe or chronic cases, changes in the larynx called everted laryngeal saccules, or even laryngeal collapse. Dogs with BOAS exhibit significantly difficult and noisy breathing, and heat and exercise intolerance. They have a shorter life expectancy and greater risk of dying from upper-airway disorders or from heat stroke than all other breeds. So what do I advise the owner of Henri, that really cute Frenchie puppy, who wants to do the best for her new friend? Henri certainly appears to have moderately stenotic nostrils and snorty respiration. Will that change as he grows up? In my day we were taught to let an animal reach maturity before considering corrective surgery. Was this still the right approach? I called Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists for advice. The surgeon there said they usually wait until about 10 months of age, at which time they often combine neutering surgery with whatever BOAS interventions are then deemed necessary. Dogs with BOAS should not be bred. Depending on the severity of the respiratory signs, the appearance of the nares, and assessment of the soft palate by the surgeon which can only be done under anesthesia , corrective surgery might include enlarging the nostrils and trimming the elongated soft palate. The surgeon would also evaluate the condition of the larynx at that time. These procedures are not without risk, and should only be performed by experienced board-certified veterinary surgeons, but they may give Henri a better quality of life and, ultimately, a longer life. Merci beaucoup. Dogs that came with birth names got new names. Dogs we named first, we renamed again and again. Diesel the mastiff was Deez, Deeds, Deedle. Ted the pug was Tedinsky, Tedward, or Teddle. He and his sister pug together are the Littles or the Kids, this since our human kids have grown up and moved out. Each separately is Little. Our dear, year-old female pug is Scout, Scouty, or Fruitloop. The beautiful pug Zephyr that we lost to encephalitis was Zephyr, Z, or Fluffer. No offense intended. Mookie, right, wants to go, too. We did not set out, no more than you did, I suspect, to create a changing list of names for your dog, to be used haphazardly and unthinkingly. I raise this because I suspect that dogs — and maybe cats; you cat folk will tell me — yours and mine, exert such a penetrating influence on us that even when we are without their company, they work their friendly magic nevertheless. Without them nearby, they are ever present, tirelessly invading our memories and flickering synapses to ingratiate themselves, to excavate a secure bunker in our deepest selves where they will dwell for all time and afterward. The dogs are at home while we are bringing home the bacon, pounding the keyboard, hammering the roofing nails. But they are not idle. You may very well say that this sounds, brainwise, unhealthy, or at least inefficient, that your cerebral cortex ought to be head down, ass up figuratively speaking , replying to that inquiry, writing this check, doffing your cap to the boss. You ought to be focusing on the work at hand, not wrestling with some damn pug who keeps hopping on your train of thought. I was wrong too. And now, having all this in mind, I think perhaps the smart thing is to bring your dog to work. He or she is apparently on deck at all times anyhow. That irksome dog that your subconscious trips over time and again while you work is not holding you back. On the contrary, he or she is working you out, like an intellectual aerobics instructor, tightening things up, stretching things out, building your mental stamina, etching those analytical abs, encouraging you mentally to walk and chew gum at the same time. Bring them. Bring the dogs to work. The place is very doggy, far doggier than it was in my day. There are daily dogs, occasional dogs, visiting dogs. There are water bowls and dog beds, large and small, under desks and tables. I told them it is important for science that I know. They came through. Gus especially likes the weekly all-in meeting. Gus may not have cultivated the ticktock fastidiousness his Swiss pedigree implies, but at heart he is an alpinist, like so many of his forebears, a climber searching for the high ground on whomever he encounters, as if each were one of the lofty mountain meadows he was born to roam. Gus is an exciting presence for his owners. He stirs up the workplace when he visits. The everyday dogs have a larger responsibility than the occasional ones or the visitors, and so they make a particularly improving contribution. Cameron has been stricken. Big, friendly, toy-toting, Bixby has needed surgery. Cameron describes Bixby as handsome, and says his most endearing feature is that he can hold two tennis balls in his mouth at once, or one ball and a stick, or a ball and a toy. He also crimps his ears. None of this has changed after surgery. He has only three legs, and manages very well, thank you. Mookie came with a bed that could fit three Mookies in it. He seems content to snooze there most of the day, occasionally stepping out to deal with pesky lunch crumbs that have fallen in the area. He seems to be a nearly perfect office dog, but I suppose time will tell. He spent lots of time in the office … When I was going through my cancer experience, I took him to work with me a lot, and often carried him around with me. Looking back, I see how incredibly comforting and helpful that was. Often people who come into the office seem thrilled to see the dogs. I suppose it can be slightly distracting at times … but overall it makes the workday infinitely more enjoyable. At first, perhaps because his depth perception was compromised and until his nose work stepped up to meet the new challenge, he moved around the office tentatively, and occasionally bumped into things. Watching him, one marvels at how he accepted the change, never seemed sorry for himself, figured out familiar surroundings and people that were suddenly less familiar, and carried on. Lily is a Cavalier King Charles who sometimes works with Kris, her owner. Kris is a designer. Lily is a small, long-lashed beauty who, despite her jaunty appearance, knows very well that life at work is stern and earnest. So when Kris needs her help, she sits on his lap and directs her attention to the designs that reveal themselves on the computer screen in front of them. She likes a sure thing, and make her desires clear. Her chief desire is that Bridget stay nearby. That shattering howl you may hear during your next trip to The Times will be Bella, letting Bridget know that she has violated first principles, and ought to get back to her desk on the double. She is smart, stubborn, picky, yet very gentle and sweet. She visits a couple of times a month. Her natural tendencies are, of course, loving obedience, but her youthful excitability required that she serve a calming internship at home before regular trips to the office got on the agenda. He shadows Brittany, craves attention, and may whine, howl, or bark if a passing someone snubs him. He leaves an impression. Also among the occasionals, there are the dogs that come with customers. They have an effect similar to strangers one meets on the ferry. They are friendly, curious, willing to be chummy if their advances are accepted. Each has a story, but before the bonding, there is the tentative exchange of pleasantries, dog to dogs, dog to staffer. Sniff, sniff. What a sweet dog. What kind of dog is she? How old? I think I have a treat in my desk drawer, just wait. Cameron says the more dogs at work, the better.

In fact, they only really surfaced in and when an Australian Shepherd breeder paired her Aussie male with three Golden Retriever females. Most Australian Retrievers that you come across will be first-generation pups. Australian Retriever Traits and Temperament Since Australian Retriever breeders are still in the beginning stages of developing the breed as a whole, these designer mixes have not been bred for any specific characteristics. These dogs can possibly act like an even combination of both parents, closer to the happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever, or more like a hard-working Australian Shepherd. Here, we will discuss the traits and temperaments of both breeds since your Australian retriever puppy could inherit any combination of them. Australian Shepherds are working dogs, bred to herd and in rare instances protect livestock. They live for the work. Rarely does an Aussie have an off-switch — they are constantly on the go and are extremely high-energy dogs. Their loyalty to their owners is unparalleled yet they tend to be suspicious of outsiders — human and animal. They may have a medium to high prey drive. Australian Shepherds are excessively intelligent and can be a poor choice for a family dog if there is little mental stimulation in the home. Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, are family dogs through and through. They were bred to retrieve game while their owner hunts but their prey drive was pretty much erased. While they are high energy and easily excitable, they are also content to lounge on the couch and cuddle with someone. However, when the doorbell rings, they will be off like a shot. An even mix would be an extremely smart dog who is energetic, loyal, and easy to train. These dogs tend to inherit the intelligence of the Australian Shepherd and require a stimulating environment. Understand that both parent breeds are high energy and if your household does not meet these criteria, this may not be the dog breed for your family. Australian Retriever Again, an Australian Retriever can get any physical trait from either parent. They could get the cow brown eyes of the golden retriever or the bright blue that some Aussies present with. They could have shorter fur or longer fur, though either way, it is going to be thick and require heavy brushing. They will typically have feathering at the paws and ears. These dogs will also shed excessively, especially if they take after their double-coated Aussie parent. One positive thing that these mixed breed designer dogs could inherit from their Australian Shepherd parent is their coat color. While Golden Retrievers typically come in that tell-tale gold, or occasionally red, Australian Shepherds come in all sorts of fun colors: black, white, brown, grey, blue merle, and red merle. Since the Australian Retriever is not currently undergoing selective breeding for any specific color, they can have any combination of these. The body type of an Australian Retriever is just as variable as the color of its coat. They could exhibit the athletic body of the Golden or the deep-chested frame of the Aussie. They could end up with little bits of both. The one physical characteristic that they all seem to share, however, is a rounded snout rather than the slim, pointed face of the purebred Australian Shepherd. They will all have silky ears and long tails attributed to both parent breeds as well. Expected Lifespan of an Aussie and Golden Mix Mixing these two breeds does have at least one benefit. While Golden Retrievers are large breed dogs and often live a shorter life about years , Australian Shepherds are considered medium breed dogs and have a longer lease on life years. The resulting crossbreed gets an extended life expectancy of years. This could be due to the fact that mixed-breed dogs tend to live longer than their purebred counterparts. Mixed breed dogs are known to have longer life spans, fewer physical issues, and a significantly lower chance of contracting diseases. Please note, that this does not negate the need for regular veterinary care or vaccines. Diet Requirements for an Australian Retriever In terms of the dietary needs of an Australian Retriever, the recommendation of your veterinarian is best. If the veterinarian has no preference, choose a well-balanced diet. A large breed-specific diet may be needed. Sometimes, large breed dogs like Golden Retrievers grow a little bit too quickly. Speaking of bones and joints, it is not a bad idea to start a joint supplement such as glucosamine chondroitin when the Australian Retriever is young. Both Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds are prone to early onset arthritis as well as more severe arthritis as they age. The joint supplement will not prevent this from happening but it will slow the process down and strengthen the joints. Another food suggestion for an Australian Retriever would be a weight control or maintenance diet. Both of the parent breeds are prone to obesity due to their incessant reward-motivation. Golden retrievers are known to just love food. Sometimes, they receive one too many training treats or they have an insatiable appetite. The amount of food that an Australian Retriever should receive is relative to the weight of the dog. All dog food bags have a feeding guide on the back that lists the amount per weight. A dog of this size group should not be having more than 1. Double check the bag for correct feeding instructions. Golden Retrievers are known for eating quickly and indiscriminately. It would be a safe bet that an Australian Retriever would be just as happy to gobble down food. A slow feeder bowl is a must-have for quick eaters as it allows the dog to slow down and keep them from regurgitating everything they just swallowed. Energy Level and Exercise Requirements These dogs, regardless of which parent breed they take after, are going to be the canine equivalent of an Energizer bunny. Golden Retrievers are known for their exuberant energy and Australian Shepherds seem to be inexhaustible. Add these together and you will have a dog who needs constant physical stimulation. Australian Retrievers will require walks per day and that does not mean a mere walk around the block. They will benefit from hikes, off-leash running at the park, and other various activities like swimming. These dogs may not have an off-switch and will need constant movement. If your family does not meet that level of physical activity, this is not the dog for you. They inherit the intelligence and task-driven nature of an Aussie while also taking on the reward-motivation of a Golden. Obedience training should be a breeze and these dogs would do very well as service animals for active individuals. There will be some possible pit-falls in training, though. Australian Shepherds are known for separation anxiety and resource guarding which they could potentially pass on to the Aussie and Golden mix. With early intervention and behavior-specific training, these two major issues can be avoided. In addition to separation anxiety, an Australian Retriever may exhibit general anxiety or suspicion around other people. While they will be extremely loyal to their owner like Velcro , they will typically not exhibit the over-the-top friendly nature of their Golden Retriever parent. If your family is highly social with many guests coming in and out, this crossbreed may not be the right choice for your next puppy. Resource guarding is nothing to scoff at either. Dogs who exhibit resource guarding can easily move from food or toy guarding to full aggression towards people or other animals. Once they start, resource guarding and aggression are very difficult to eradicate. If you have small animals or children, this may not be the dog for you. Since this is such a new mixed breed of dog, the breeders have not yet begun to breed healthier dogs. Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds each come with a plethora of health concerns and the resulting crossbreed could possibly be at risk of all of them. The first main concern is cancer. Golden Retrievers are known for their predisposition to cancerous lumps and bumps. They can seemingly come out of nowhere and can be terribly aggressive. A second life-threatening and scary health concern is epilepsy from the Australian Shepherd. This parent breed is prone to seizures which can start at any point in their life and can vary in severity. Epilepsy is very close to another health problem that could be inherited from the Aussie parent — the MDR1 gene. This stands for Multi-Drug Resistance and there are a significant amount of Australian Shepherds who inherit this. This is a genetic disorder that causes extreme reactions to different drugs and chemicals such as certain antibiotics, flea and tick preventions, and a few anti-inflammatory drugs. These extreme reactions can range from skin irritation to seizures to spontaneous death. Australian Shepherds could also contribute certain eye problems to their mixed breed progeny. Several of these can result in damage to the retina and most of them will cause partial or complete blindness with age. Not all of these eye issues will be evident at birth but some will, such as distichiasis eyelashes that grow incorrectly on the eyelid inwards toward the cornea. One last tally in the column of the Australian Shepherd parent is the potential for allergies. Goldens are not as likely to present with food or environmental allergies but, thanks to the Aussie parent, an Australian Retriever has a much higher chance of presenting with allergies. This may happen early or later in life but it can result in skin issues and stomach upset. Allergies are an obnoxiously expensive condition for your dog to have. Now, we have discussed health concerns that could come from only one parent. What about the issues that are present in both breeds? Neither of the parent breeds are known for impeccable health records. An issue that these two parent breeds could pass on together is hypothyroidism. This is an imbalance where the production of thyroid hormone is too low. This disease affects the entire body. A dog will present with clinical signs like weight gain without appetite increase, slowed heart rate, skin and fur issues, and lethargy. Both the Golden Retriever and the Australian Shepherd are prone to hip dysplasia, as well. This irregular growth of the hip socket is obvious from the very beginning of puppyhood. Very quickly, hip dysplasia results in a tell-tale bow-legged stance and an odd gait. After a lifetime of this malformation in the joint, the concern for arthritis pops up. However, even if an Australian Retriever is lucky and skips the hip dysplasia, they still have the possibility of early onset arthritis as they age. Arthritis is painful and also requires daily anti-inflammatory medication to relieve said pain. One health concern that is not gradual is an ACL tear. This is not a hereditary issue but, due to the high energy level of an Australian Retriever and the possibility of bad knees, this mixed breed has a high risk for this injury. An ACL tear occurs when a dog tears a ligament in their knee after running and stopping too hard or landing a jump incorrectly. This injury requires expensive surgery, and months of bed rest which would be next to impossible for an Australian Retriever , and often reoccurs in the opposite knee later on. Again, mixed-breed dogs tend to have a longer, healthier lifespan than their purebred counterparts. It is still too early to determine whether an Australian Retriever would escape from any of these health issues unscathed. To be honest, the first specimens of this new crossbreed only just died in the past years. This breed will typically be found in shelters due to accidental breeding versus breeders intentionally awaiting a crossbreed litter. You will be hard-pressed to find a legitimate breeder rather than a puppy mill. Your best bet is to look through a rescue that is specific to Australian Shepherds or Golden Retrievers. Other Golden Retrievers Mixes. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Australian Retriever Highlights Australian Retrievers are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Australian Shepherd or Golden Retriever parents. The main colors that the coat of the Australian Retriever comes in are black, brown, and white. Some can be more golden like their Retriever parent. The Australian Retriever is a highly energetic and active dog and will require around an hour of exercise every day. Ideally, this will be split up into two separate sessions. The Australian Retriever is a great fit with kids. You should still supervise all play time between kids and dogs. In general, Australian Retrievers are also fine around other household pets, although they can show herding instincts. Breeders continued to produce these mixed breed dogs as demand climbed. Turning attention to the parent breeds, the Golden Retriever was originally developed in Scotland, where they very quickly became in-demand pups due to their very high intelligence and impressive ability to carry out agility and obedience-based tasks. When it comes to the Australian Shepherd, this is a breed that was actually developed in the United States. Despite their unfortunate start as a designer breed, some Australian Retrievers end up in rescues and shelters. Look out for them and adopt if you decide this is the right dog for you. As is always the case with newer mixed dog breeds, exact size standards might vary. Most weigh in at 25 to 60 pounds and range in height from 19 to 23 inches. Female Australian Retrievers are sometimes smaller than their male counterparts. The dog will bond strongly and quickly with you and your children and will desire to be part of your daily life. This mixed breed requires a lot of energetic exercise and playtime, and will also benefit from regular training sessions to help stimulate their natural smarts. Australian Retriever Health Australian Retrievers are generally considered to be healthy dogs, although the breed can be predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever face. Some of the more common health problems Australian Retrievers suffer from include: Bloat Hip Dysplasia Australian Retriever Care The Australian Retriever is a highly energetic and active dog and will require around an hour of exercise every day. When out and about, your Australian Retriever will flourish in safe off-leash conditions, especially if they can break out into long runs or take a swim. Ideally, the dog will live in a situation that features a fenced-in yard. Also, adding fetch and retrieve games to the daily exercise routine is imperative with this mixed breed. Australian Retriever Feeding An ideal Australian Retriever diet should be formulated for a large dog with high energy. In terms of climate, the Australian Retriever is quite an adaptable dog that can live happily in most weather conditions. But remember to dress your pooch in a dog coat if it gets very cold outside, and always make sure adequate shade and fresh water is provided when the temperature spikes. So be sure the boundaries between the dog and existing household pets are laid down properly. Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this mixed breed. Make sure to reward your Australian Retriever for good behavior and adhere to a proper training regimen when you bring them home to your family. Australian Retriever Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Australian Retrievers because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Australian Shepherd or Golden Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. This dog is naturally healthy, and thus free from genetic-based illnesses. However, there are also reports of this kind of breed getting cancer, hyperthyroid, allergies, and many more. The best way to avoid these scenarios is by getting a breeder. With that, we recommend brushing it on a daily basis if you want to maintain its luscious and shiny coat. Otherwise, cleaning the coat at least once or twice a week will do. It is known to have moderate shedding periods as well, but there are two seasons where they drop more hair than usual. With that, you might also want to invest in a vacuum. Not only will this make your dog cleaner, but it will also save you the trouble of doubling your cleaning chore from time to time. In line with that, you need to create hygienic routines for the dog. As much as possible, give it a bath once a day. Not only that, but you also need to trim the nails, clean the ears, and brush its teeth on a daily basis. Ears that are in this position are more prone to acquiring infection due to the absorption of moisture. If not cleaned and treated properly your dog might be prone to ear mites and other infections. You can also rent grooming services. If you do this, you will only have to take your Golden Retriever with Australian Shepherd breed for a bath when it is visibly dirty. For more information regarding this, it would be best to discuss it with your dog breeder. This is due to the flexibility and genetic variety of this particular breed. Reports have shown that the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is also capable of acquiring diseases such as cancer, hyperthyroidism, deafness, allergies, and epilepsy. Aside from that, some dogs of this kind are also known to be sensitive to drugs. But among all the illnesses this dog is prone to having, the ones you need to watch out for are pigmentary uveitis, heart diseases, eye conditions, and hip dysplasia. Overall, however, you can expect your Golden Retriever crossbreed with Australian Shepherd to be a healthy and athletic dog. A Golden Retriever can live from years. An Australian Shepherd, on the other hand, has an average lifespan of years. With these numbers in mind, you can expect your Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever to live for about years. A dog nutritionist will tell you to engage your dog in routine meals on a daily basis. This will provide it with the standard amount of energy and nutrients to rejuvenate the ones that it lost running around and playing in your house. Meanwhile, here are our top suggestions for dog food. Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Seventy percent of this dog food is made out of meant nutrients, which can help build lean muscles. With this dog food, you can also be sure that your pup eats corn, soy, and wheat free. You might also be thrilled to know that the company is known to be a manufacturer of locally produced dog food, which crosses out the possibility of some ingredients coming from China. One of the best features of this dog food is its 34 percent crude protein paired with 16 percent crude fat. Its top ingredients are deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, potatoes, and peas. Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantage This is probably the best dog food for your Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever crossbreed while he is still in his puppy stage. Earthborn has been known to produce one of the best dog foods for adult dogs, but the company recently released one variety that was specially made for Golden Retriever with Australian Shepherd race puppies. This dog food aims to give your pup a healthy brain and good eye development. Your doggo deserves to have the best care and nutrition you can give them. If you come across some of the worst dry dog food in the market, just keep going. Puppies should get food that will give them enough proteins, which you can find among best puppy food brands. Dog-grandpas should get only the best senior dry dog food to make them feel young and strong. Also, if you stumble upon best dry dog food brands for Pugs give it a go these pups have refined taste buds and your doggo might, too. Your cutie carries the genes of super-unique and distinctive parents, so you can always opt for best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd Mix Exercise Requirements Many dog owners are disappointed with having dogs contribute to mischief around the house. Little do they know that this mischievousness is just a result of high energy levels. Such is the case with the Golden Retriever with Australian Shepherd race. The dog is quite energetic. In line with that, if they do not get sufficient amount of exercise, it will try to release their energy through other means. This is why some owners find their Mix of Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd chewing and biting their shirt, slippers, or socks. You can schedule a session where the dogs can socialize with each other. Despite being a crossbreed, this dog also needs to socialize with its kind because it has a natural desire to be part of a herd. Socializing with other dogs of its kind will teach your puppy how to play nice with other animals. Still, these two things are done separately. The first thing you need to do is let the dog become acquainted with the environment since these types of dogs have hunting instincts. If you have other pets at home, it would be best to let your Golden Retriever crossbreed with Australian Shepherd mingle with them. Let them play with each other. This will give the animals sufficient time to get to know each other. You might even want to walk your dog around the neighborhood. The reason for this is to familiarize your dog not only with the surroundings but also your neighbors so that when someone visits your home, your puppy will not think of them as trespassers. Once you have done that, you should invest your time in teaching these simple training tricks: Walk. Spotted Golden Retriever Aussie Mix Temperament There is no exact way of predicting the personality and temperament of any mixed-breed dog, and the same is true for Australian shepherds. Intelligent As soon as you bring an Australian shepherd and golden retriever mix home, you will notice they are an exceptionally intelligent dog. Needless to say, this mix is very easy to train and will pass potty training and obedience training with flying colors. Keep in mind that, as such an intelligent canine, your Australian shepherd golden retriever mix will probably outsmart you more than once. Highly Energetic The Golden Aussie is a highly energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise , playtime, and training sessions to stay on top of his game both mentally and physically. If you have a more active lifestyle, this mix will fit right in with your schedule and be a great jogging, hiking, or swimming companion. However, if you are more of a couch potato, your Golden Aussie will behave a bit like a drill sergeant with a goal to get you in shape! Your Aussie retriever mix will need at least an hour of exercise every day ideally spread out over several play sessions to stay physically and mentally stimulated. If not provided with an appropriate outlet for their energy, your golden retriever Aussie mix will use destructive chewing, barking, and digging to prevent boredom. The Australian shepherd and golden retriever mix bonds strongly with its family and seeks out human companionship at all hours of the day and night. This mixed breed loves to be close to its people and is always in the mood for cuddles or petting sessions. Your Golden Aussie will have a strong desire to be close by and involved in everything you are doing and might feel unwanted if ignored or left alone. Thus, consider how much time you have to spend cuddling and interacting with your dog before you bring your Golden Aussie home. Hard-Working Since both Australian shepherds and golden retrievers are working dogs, their offspring tend to inherit a strong work ethic and be the happiest when they have a job to do. Depending on how much your mix takes after its Aussie parent, they might try to herd and nip at your family members, children, and smaller pets. This sort of behavior will work in your favor if you live on a farm; otherwise, you should discourage it with training. You can use these working skills while training and exercising your mix, like having him or her fetch and retrieve balls and freebies. This way, your pooch will feel like they are doing important work and get a workout at the same time. However, this mix is prone to certain health problems that are often seen in Australian shepherds and golden retrievers. The most common health problems seen in this mix are: Hip dysplasia Cancer Bloat The best way to avoid these issues from arising is to get your Australian shepherd golden retriever mix from a reputable dog breeder. You should also meet both parents and ask the breeder to show you their hip, elbow, and eye scores, as well as any other tests that he has had done. Compared to other dogs of their size, Aussie retrievers have a fairly long life span and on average live from 12 to 15 years. Be prepared for a long-term commitment and at least a few vet bills down the road before you ultimately decide to bring this mix into your home. Feeding An Aussie Golden Mix The ideal diet for the Australian retriever is one that consists of a lot of protein, fat, healthy carbs, and all other essential vitamins and minerals. Your mix should primarily eat dog food formulated especially for large dogs with high energy. Since they are prone to bloat , you should feed your Australian retriever two equally spaced smaller meals, once at the beginning of the day and another in the evening, and avoid free-feeding your dog. As a puppy, your mix will need calorie-dense puppy food suitable for large breed dogs and have to eat four small, evenly spaced out meals per day. To start, you should continue using the same dog food the breeder was feeding them and wait a month to slowly transition your pup to a different formula. To stay on top of all of that loose hair, you should brush your mix two to three times a week. The coat will shed to some extent all year round, and your mix will go through a heavy shed every spring, at which time you might need to brush your dog every day, using a dog brush that fits its coat best. Bathing once every other month will suffice unless your mix likes to roll in the mud and has to be bathed more often. After reading through our complete description of the Aussie retriever, you might still be unsure whether this wonderful crossbreed is right for you and your lifestyle. We suggest that you ask the following questions to help you decide. These dogs are both large and energetic, which means they thrive when they have a bit of extra space to exercise. An apartment will feel both feel small and confining to them and be inconvenient for you when such a big dog is wandering around in it. Even a small outdoor area that they can play around in will make a big difference to their overall health and happiness. Aussie retrievers love companionship and always want to be in the thick of things. If they are left at home on their own for several hours a day, perhaps when everyone is at work, they are likely to develop anxiety and depression. Not only is this bad for them, but it also often manifests in destructive behaviors like chewing, scratching, and digging. These dogs do best in households when there is generally someone around most of the time. How Energetic Are You? These dogs need lots of exercise. As well as at least an hour a day, they thrive when taken on regular weekend adventures like hiking, camping, or swimming. In addition, their daily exercise needs to be more than just a casual walk. Australian shepherd golden retriever mixes have lots of energy that they will need to burn off daily to stay happy and healthy. Will this suit your lifestyle? Are you going to be able to keep up with this dog? If not, this particular breed might not be the right choice for you. Are You Experienced With Dogs? These lovely crossbreeds are highly trainable and very personable, so even first-time owners should be able to teach them the necessary commands. However, bear in mind that they are also large dogs, and they respond best to a strong alpha. How Old Are Your Children? If you have young children at home, you might want to wait until they are a bit older to bring home one of these dogs. Not only do Australian shepherd golden retriever mixes have a tendency to herd younger children, but their size and energy can also be overwhelming for smaller kids. They will want to play quite energetically and confidently with your kids, who might be too small to control the situation. Also, these dogs are quite a lot of work, and you might not want to be running around after one of them while also running around after a toddler. Older kids, however, will find it rewarding to help you care for this personable pup. As with most designer pups, their cost varies greatly depending on where you are in the country and the subsequent supply and demand. You may also find some of these desirable pups looking for homes in a local shelter, so be sure to call around these shelters as your first option. Can Australian retrievers be golden? Australian retrievers can inherit the gold coats of their golden retriever parent, but a pure golden coat is relatively rare, as they usually have a mix of color markings like their Australian shepherd parent. Wrapping Up… It should be no surprise that golden retriever Aussie mixes are quickly becoming very desirable dogs, as they combine two of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are a stable crossbreed, as their parents have similar temperaments. They are both friendly and intelligent, which means their offspring are sure to be the same, no matter how their characteristics mix. Overall, these dogs are: Best suited to having constant company around the house Highly intelligent and need plenty of mental stimulation The Golden Aussie is ideal for active families who have lots of time to spend with their pup and enjoy getting active with them. While they need lots of love and attention, the unconditional loyalty and affection that they offer in return make them well worth the investment. Do you have experience with Golden Aussie mixes? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. You May Also Like. Temperament: Energetic, affectionate, and intelligent. Australian Retriever Appearance Depending on which genes they inherit these pups can look more like either the Golden Retriever or Australian Shepherd. This will impact their size with those with more Golden Retriever being larger. Most of the time these dogs will be well-muscled with a bushy tail and friendly alert eyes. These dogs are one of the most popular breeds for a reason — they are not only friendly but stunning dogs. They have powerful and athletic builds that make them good for hunting, obedience, and guide dogs. Height and Weight These dogs are a medium to large breed that can weigh anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds. They should stand between 19 to 23 inches — which is the perfect height to pet them! Colors and Coat You can expect these dogs to come in a variety of colors including black, brown, white, and golden. They can also come in merle, speckled, and spotted variations of many different colors. Your pup will have a waterproof double coat that is flowing and wavy. Many Australian Shepherd and Golden Retrievers are used as guide dogs to help the visually impaired. These dogs make great watchdogs since they are protective over their people. These dogs would be great as farmhands and herding dogs because of their high herding and protective drive. Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix Personality and Temperament Since these are mixed breed dogs they tend to have personality traits from both parents. They are very even-tempered and loving dogs that truly want to please their owners. These dogs are best known for their gentle disposition — they are outgoing, confident, and trustworthy dogs that make a great addition to the family. The Australian Shepherd is known for their intelligence, determination, and energy. They are dogs that need a job and have a high impulse to herd and a strong work drive that will need attention. Australian Retrievers have personality traits from both of these breeds which means they should be loyal, affectionate, eager to please, and energetic. Since these are an intelligent breed they are going to need a lot of exercise and training to keep them motivated. They have high energy levels and remain puppy-like throughout their lives. If their energy is not directed in the correct ways or they are not stimulated enough they will find a way to keep themselves entertained. This means that they can have some destructive behavior if not properly trained. They can be protective over certain items in the house so they will need to be properly socialized. Overall they will want to be with their owner every part of the day and love to be loved. They are amazing dogs that are ready to do whatever you want especially if that means outdoor activities. Australian Retriever make great family dogs — they love children and form close bonds with their human family. These dogs need exercise, mental stimulation, and some grooming to keep them happy. Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mixes need to be socialized from a young age and like to be with their owners most of the day. They are an amazing addition to an adventurous and outgoing family that have the right amount of time and energy that these dogs need. Exercise Requirements This breed needs a lot of exercise. They are always ready and waiting for the next fun adventure to go on. Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mixes need at least an hour of exercise a day whether that is through long walks, a game of fetch, or running around outside. A great way to help these dogs get exercise would be a game of fetch or as a running partner. While running with your dog you could also have them heal next to you for some extra obedience training — this would be a good way to keep them mentally stimulated as well. They enjoy being outside as much as possible, so weekly hikes with your dog will help. Number of Walks Per Day: .During the seasonal changes they will need to be brushed daily. As these dogs love to be outside they will most likely come back in dirtier than they left. Giving baths once a month and brushing them to get excess dirt out of their fur will help to keep them clean. Checking their ears for dirt is a must as well. Make sure to also check their paws for damage that could have happened while playing outdoors. Feeding and Diet Looking for food that is specific for their size, stage in life, and exercise level is a must for these dogs. Their energy needs will change throughout their lives so finding food perfect for these different stages is important. Sticking to food that avoids fillers and concentrates more on high protein since these dogs can be prone to overeating and gaining some unwanted pounds. The high protein diet also helps to keep up their caloric intake for their high energy needs. They should be fed 2 times a day with equally weighted meals. Getting your dog from a reputable breeder that has checked their dogs for these traits is a good idea. The Golden Retriever is known for certain health issues such as cancer. This can also be a problem for the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix. The most common health problems include: Eye cataracts. Despite their name, they are not Australian but it is thought that they are called Australian Shepherds because of their association with the Basque Shepherd Dog. The Pyrenean Sheepdogs are also thought to be ancestors of the breed. Whilst they remain great working dogs, they are now becoming a popular domesticated breed too. As serious working dogs, they were once used for doing fieldwork and hunting. Due to their intelligence, this breed is a commonly recognized service dog that has impressive obedience and agility capabilities. Emerging as a fairly new designer dog, this hybrid was first registered in .This breed is often referred to as the Australian Retriever. The Temperament and Personality of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix Identifying the temperament of a mixed breed dog can be quite a challenge. As a breed, Australian Shepherds are known to be smart and determined with a natural instinct to herd. Aside from this, they are also affectionate, easy-going, and make great family pets. Golden retrievers are intelligent and confident dogs with a kind and friendly nature. Recognized for their gentle manner, they are even-tempered and devoted to their owners. Aside from this, they are excellent additions to active families and because of their intelligence, they are easy to train. Australian Retrievers have personality traits from both parents. As such, you should expect them to display loving behaviors and form strong bonds with their owners. Because both dogs are energetic breeds, you must make sure that they are exercised daily to keep them stimulated, though they will find ways of entertaining themselves if need be. This dog is also an obedient breed that is very sociable and thrives when surrounded by comfort and love. As the Australian Shepherd was originally bred for protective purposes , you may find that the mix still displays these tendencies. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you set boundaries to make sure that they behave appropriately. You should expect this breed to be easy to train and willing to do whatever you ask of it. The appearance of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix Golden Retrievers are sturdy dogs with a head and muzzle that are evenly proportioned. Usually, their eyes are brown and round. As implied by their name, they come in a few different golden-toned varieties, some of which are a lighter shade and others that are darker. When raised their tails are equally level with their head and they are also quite thick and bushy. This breed comes in many different color variations and this including merle, blue merle, red merle, black, and tricolor. The appearance of this mix will be influenced by the genes that it inherits from each of its parents. As such, it can be difficult to determine exactly what the dog is going to look like. For example, golden retrievers are larger so if the mix inherits more genes from this breed it is going to be bigger built. Generally, they are an equal mix of both dogs. Typically, they tend to have an athletic build with friendly bright eyes that are either blue, brown, or hazel. Aside from this, they also tend to have bushy tails with a merle coat and a large head. An Australian Retriever can also come in several colors. This includes brown, black, and golden, although there are now spotted varieties available too. Like the majority of breeds, the females are typically smaller than the males. On the whole, the height of the breed can fall anywhere between 19 to 23 inches. Weight of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix The majority of male Australian Shepherds weigh between 25 and 32kg whilst the females weigh around 16 to 25kg. Generally, Golden Retrievers weigh between 25 and 34 kg, of course, there are differences between the weights of male and female golden retrievers. As such, this mix will typically weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Training and Exercise Demands of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix It is important to make sure that you socialize your Australian Retriever from the early stages as this will help to make it more confident. Because this breed is so active, your dog will need plenty of exercise. As such, you will find that they are always eager to engage in an adventure. Separation anxiety is an issue that affects many Australian Retrievers. If you are likely to be leaving your dog home alone at any point during the day, you may feel more comfortable putting them in a crate. Positive reward training is also effective. When in the process of training your dog it is important to recognize good behavior so that they know to continue this in the future. If they are being rewarded by treats, you will find that they are more likely to pick up the tricks that you are teaching them sooner. As a breed, an Australian Shepherd is a fairly easy breed to train, however, you may still benefit from taking your dog to obedience classes to keep them stimulated. If possible, you should try and take your dog for at least two walks a day. They also enjoy burning off some energy by running outdoors. Ideally, you should bathe your dog around every 8 weeks. Their additional care demands are pretty much the same as any other breed. Alongside bathing and grooming your Australian Retriever, you will need to dedicate sufficient time to clean its eyes and ears, trimming its nails, and also brushing its teeth. Because this breed has a coarse coat , it is pretty adaptable to both warm and cold climates, however, if the temperatures drop quite significantly, you may choose to put a coat on your dog before taking it outdoors. The lifespan of an Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix You should expect your Australian shepherd to live for between 12 to 15 years. When compared to the lifespan of other breeds, this is fairly lengthy. Of course, the exact lifespan will depend on whether the dog has any health problems. Health Problems Many breeds are known to suffer from health problems. The most common issues that affect this mixed breed are hip or elbow dysplasia, however, on the whole, they are deemed to be fairly healthy dogs. It is worth noting that because the Australian Retriever is a mixed breed, there is an increased chance of it inheriting health problems that affect either of the parent breeds. Golden retrievers in particular are known to suffer from cancer. To minimize the risk of your dog suffering from any severe health problems, it is important to get your pet from a reputable breeder. Furthermore, it is also important to take your dog to the vet for wellness visits. Besides the health problems that we have mentioned above, both parent dogs are known to suffer from eye problems such as cataracts and retinal atrophy. This breed may also experience issues with bloating. If you suspect that your dog is ill or is showing visible signs that it is suffering from a health problem, you must act accordingly by taking it to a vet for professional advice. Dietary Requirements As an energetic breed, Golden retrievers have a ravenous appetite and are known to eat their food quite fast. Normally, this breed will eat around three to four cups of food a day. It will also depend on which parent it has inherited the most genes from. Remember that this mixed breed is typically full of energy so their diet must provide them with all of the nutrients that they need to fuel this. As they are prone to bloating, you should give them smaller meals and avoid overfeeding them or feeding them leftover scraps of food from your plate. Also, you should try and avoid foods that contain a lot of fillers. Base the amount that you feed your dog on the necessary factors that we have mentioned above. Make sure that you choose a food that is intended for larger dogs because it will be more effective in keeping your dog feeling fuller for longer. Now that you have a better understanding of the breed, it is time to determine whether it is right for you. Because the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is an active breed, they are best suited to energetic families who will be able to meet their exercise needs. Whilst they are excellent family dogs, they are great companion dogs too. This breed is friendly, affectionate, and good with other children and pets. Similar to many other breeds, the Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix is known to suffer from some health issues. Aside from this, they are also known to be enthusiastic eaters so you will need to ensure that their mealtimes are regulated as this will help to prevent them from overeating. Feeding them equal amounts at mealtime is also important.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Welcome to the Sergeant's Boxers website! Thank you for stopping by! We are Cassie and Luke! First off, Boxers are the absolute best family members imaginable. Luke and I gained our first boxer family member in .From the very beginning, we were hooked! We then gained our newest addition, Diva and boy does her name fit her well! We were overjoyed with our family fur-members and wanted to provide joy to other families. That is when we decided we wanted to breed Boxers and bring love and happiness to other families, just as our Boxers brought love and happiness into ours. Our family continued to grow, as did our happiness and joy! We now have 8 boxers and one spayed boxer mix. All are our fur-kids come first and foremost! Diva and Sergeant had their first litter in .Since then, we have learned so much about the breed and about producing healthy puppies. A lot of thought and research goes into each and every breeding. In the early part of , we started showing. This was such a new experience for us, but we enjoyed it so very much! Bailey was our first girl to show and she had a blast! Her face would light up when trotting around the ring. She obtained her International and National Champion Title that weekend and we were so very proud of her! Remington and Diva were a little hesitant at first, but ended up doing very well by the end of the weekend. By the 4th run, they were so excited to get out there and perform! They ran their hearts out and smiled while doing so. It also helped that daddy was there the second day and waiting at the finish line for them : Captain and Benelli went to their first show in June of .Benelli was just 3 months old and competed in the baby class. She did so very well! She gained great ratings that first day and caught the eyes of everyone there! Captain also did very well! He strutted around the ring and smiled the entire time! It was not hard to see that this was something he enjoyed so very much! We couldn't wait to get them back out there for the next show! In September of , we went to 2 shows! The first show was a UKC show. Captain and Bailey competed and had a blast. Captain obtained his UKC Champion. Bailey obtained all of the points needed and is now only waiting for her competition wins. We cant wait to call her a UKC Champion too! Captain gained his National, International and Honors Ch. At only 3 months old, Dawn made it to Best of Show during this show! It is the best feeling in the world to see the smiles on their faces and their eyes lighting up! They all had a blast! Captain obtained his Honors Bronze Champion Title. Both girls did well. They both won first in each of their classes and Dawn won Reserve Best of Breed in all four shows. We were unable to attend due to puppies being at home, but didnt want the girls to miss out on a great weekend of showing! Dawn got first in class for all three shows. Benelli got first in class all three shows. Benelli also got Reserve Best Female in two show and Best female in one show. For being at a show without mama and dad, the girls did so good! Im so proud of them and a special thanks to Angie for talking the girls! We look forward to the upcoming shows and we are so very excited!! Benelli gained another competition win and many points to add towards obtaining her UKC Champion Title! I have no doubt she will obtain the rest of the needed points and competition win needed to obtain her title soon! The girls did great, even with the judges all wearing masks! We can not wait until the next show!! This was Sergeant's first show and he surprised us all!! We had a blast! Results will be posted in each of their files. Sergeant, Harley, Captain and Dawn participated and did very well! Captain even made it to the Best of Show on Sunday! Dawn and Remi did absolutely wonderful! Harley struggled a bit. She wanted to catch the line instead of the lure! Anyways, they all had a great time and we will certainly be back for more! Harley and Captain got to attend the Norman show! Harley won Reserve Ch x3 shows. Captain and our friend Junior handler Alicia Hood won x1 best Junior class! They both did great! Can't wait until the next show! Remi also came out to the show for her very first time! Dawn and Harley also attended and both did well. Captain, of course, tagged along too! Results will be posted once they are posted on UKC site, as I completely forgot to write down results while at the show! Such an exciting sport. Watching them be so excited to chase the lure is absolutely fun times!! We traveled all of the way there to be a part of this amazing show! We earned a total of 9 titles in both Dock Jumping and Precision Coursing! Harley showed in a couple of shows there, but did not place she was too busy worrying about diving and Captain got to strut around in the TOP 10 Boxer ring! Huge Congratulations to these girls!! Information to come! This means that for every litter, Sergeants Boxers will go down the list and offer puppies to the families in order of deposits received. The family may choose a puppy from the current litter or may pass to wait for a later litter. Even if the family initially expressed the desire for a puppy from a future litter early in the conversation, they will still be asked if they would like to select a puppy when the current litter selections start. Selections start at each litter's 6 weeks of age mark. This allows the families to not only pick from color, but also from personality. Please know that these can change at any time and are only listed for reference. This is non-negotiable. For the complete list please see our Breeder Listings page. The price of a Boxer puppy varies depending on the breeder and where you are located. Boxer puppies usually go fast because this is such a popular breed of dog, so make sure you act quickly once you find one that interests you. The price of Boxer puppies in Texas might vary because of where you live and the reputation of the breeder. There are certain things you should consider when looking for a breeder like their location, reputation, and costs. The best way to research your breeder is by asking around for recommendations from other pet owners in the area. Word of mouth is often the most effective way to find a good breeder. Make sure you ask about costs and any guarantees or warranties that they offer. Visit Your Texas Boxer Breeder in Person Whether you physically searched for a Boxer puppy in Texas or found a breeder online, once you find one that interests you, the most important thing to do is visit them in person. It will also let you see their facilities first hand which can give you a better idea of what your puppy will be like. If possible, ask if they can let your future pup run around with other young boxers while you wait. This dog-to-dog interaction will help socialize him and make sure he grows up healthy and happy. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Texas If you feel comfortable with your boxer breeder in Texas, ask to see references from other people who have purchased their puppies. If they are reluctant to give you any names or contact details of other customers, this might be a sign that there is something fishy going on. If previous customers had any issues with the company or their puppies, you should probably find another breeder. These people could also give you lots of helpful advice about your specific dog and what kind of personality he might have based on his parents and genetics. Meeting past customers will also give you the chance to ask them questions about their experience with your breeder. If they had any problems, this is your chance to find out all about it. Remember, even one bad review should be enough for you to walk away from a breeder. Even if your Texas Boxer Breeder has nothing to hide, they should still have a good veterinarian that they use regularly. The best way for you to find out is to ask them what type of veterinary care their dogs receive and who your puppy will be seeing. The general rule of thumb is that the longer the warranty period, the better the policy will be for you and your pet. The minimum amount of time usually given by breeders is 1 year but reputable breeders like those listed here at PuppySpot offer 2 to 3 years. Some lifetime warranties against certain genetic diseases. First of all, if the prices seem too good to be true…they probably are. Often times they just want your cash without caring about whether or not their breeding practices result in healthy, happy pets which could lead to expensive health problems down the road. Unethical breeders will also try to make you feel like they are doing you a favor by selling you their puppies, but this is just another tactic used to put pressure on the consumer. Finally, if the breeder says that only cash is accepted as payment…move on. Any refusal of credit cards should be an immediate red flag. Most reputable breeders will be honest with you and tell you if there are any issues or history of disease in either the parents or other relatives. The truth is that no one is perfect and every dog has some sort of health concern or another. Reputable breeders will know about these issues before they sell their puppies to you which means they will provide documentation for proof. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy Before you actually bring your new boxer home, the first thing that you should do is make sure to set up a safe and comfortable area for them. First of all, you will need to find a way to confine your boxer while you are away at work or school. The good news is that there are many different options available for everyone whether they live in an apartment or have acres of land. You also want to make sure that the bathroom has been properly puppy-proofed before your boxer comes home. This will typically involve covering up anything sharp, electrical or poisonous items that could pose a problem for your new pet. Finally, if you have any valuable items on hand such as a TV or laptop, make sure to put them out of reach. In addition, whenever you bring them back inside from playing around in the backyard make sure to immediately put them on a leash so that you can quickly grab them if they need to go to the bathroom. Once again, this will be a lot easier if you have a fenced-in area for outdoor playtime but it can still be accomplished using an electronic fence if necessary. Boxers are incredibly intelligent dogs which means that most of them pick up on things very quickly. In fact, many boxer puppies learn how to properly eliminate outside all on their own within just a few days of being home with you. If they have any accidents inside, never scold them because this will only lead to confusion and mistrust. Instead, always use positive reinforcement by either praising them when they do something good or by giving them a treat whenever they go potty out in the yard. Continue doing this until they understand that going outside is the only acceptable place to have a bowel movement. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter.

Three cheers for that! The Flat-Coated Retriever breed is very family-oriented, highly social and not known to be aggressive. They are the epitome of the social butterfly and love meeting new people. Their family comes first, though—they bond strongly to their people and get along well with kids, dogs and cats. This high-energy breed is happiest outside where they can run and romp. Bred to be sporting dogs, the Flat-Coated Retriever will be happy to retrieve game for you, but the breed is also well-suited for sports like agility, tracking and scentwork. The Flat-Coated Retriever breed has a longer flat coat, and they need to be brushed once a week at a minimum. Then, follow with a metal comb to ensure you got all the tangles out. While your brushing your pup, check their ears for debris or wax build-up, and clean them as needed. If your Flat-Coated Retrievers loves to swim or participates in hunting activities, be sure to clean them after every outing. If you notice signs of infection redness, swelling or foul odor , contact your vet. Plan to give your dog a bath every three to four weeks at a minimum. If your pup has been swimming or especially active, you may need to give them a bath more frequently. Start by introducing teeth brushing when your dog is a puppy. Flat-Coated Retrievers will also need regular nail trims about once a month to keep their nails at an appropriate length. Training Flat-Coated Retriever dogs are friendly and enthusiastic, and they can grow to be quite large. Starting with positive reinforcement training aka rewarding good behavior with treats, toys or praise and focusing on leash manners and how to politely greet people when your dog is a puppy will be helpful as your dog grows. Flat-Coated Retrievers also tend to mature slowly, which means some puppy-like behaviors may carry on well into their adulthood. Training can help with this, and enrichment and exercise like food puzzles and nosework games can keep your dog engaged and entertained. Instead, work with a trainer who specializes in positive reinforcement and who can set your dog up for success. Take them on walks and let them meet new people and other dogs. Puppy school is a great way to start socializing your pup. Flat-Coated Retrievers are people-lovers at their core, but they can sometimes express that love in undesirable ways. For example, they have a tendency to jump on people when greeting them, which is well-intentioned but not ideal, given their larger size and height. Training can help curb their enthusiasm and teach them to greet new friends in a more socially acceptable way—perhaps a paw-shake and a vigorous tail-wag? Highly active dogs, like many Flat-Coated Retrievers, will benefit from a high-protein diet. If your dog loves to run and play, they may need this higher protein content. Consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right high-quality dog food for your dog based on their individual needs. Exercise To keep them happy and healthy, Flat-Coated Retrievers need at least 90 minutes of exercise a day. Time to put them to good use. Because this breed has a high energy level, getting them started in dog sports can give them another way to burn off energy. Their sensitive noses are perfect for scentwork and tracking. Your dog might also love obedience and rally sports—anything that keeps their paws and nose active! Ideal Environment Their high energy and larger size means that Flat-Coated Retrievers do best in larger homes or even a farm, where there is space to run and roam with an active pet parent. They can fit into smaller homes and apartments as long as there is a fenced-in yard or other outlet that provides them plenty of exercise. Thanks to their friendly and eager-to-please nature, the Flat-Coated Retriever tends to form strong bonds with their pet parents and loves to be surrounded by family. They get along great with kids, other dogs and, yes, even cats when properly trained and socialized. This breed loves people, and most Flat-Coated Retrievers will happily meet your guests at the door with an enthusiastic tail wag. The Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is slow to mature, and their puppylike behaviors may continue for years. For that reason, this breed is best-suited for experienced pet parents with a sense of humor. While this breed tends to be fairly healthy, there are some health issues you should be aware of. Knowing about these issues can help you to avoid or quickly recognize them, keeping your dog healthy and happy. This can get worse as your dog ages and can make it difficult for them to run and play. If your dog does develop hip dysplasia, there are many treatment options, including pain medications and surgery. This can be painful, and your dog may limp on and off as the kneecap shifts, then returns to its correct position. Surgery can help to correct this issue. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires surgery. Gastric dilatation often affects dogs who have deep and narrow chests, so the Flat-Coated Retriever can be at risk. You can also help prevent bloat by feeding your dog more frequent meals throughout the day using a slow feeding bowl. If they progress, some cataracts can cause blindness. Cataracts can be hereditary, and they can be surgically removed. Ear Infections: Flat-Coated Retrievers love to play in the water, which can increase their chances of an ear infection. If you notice your dog shaking their head frequently, scratching at their ear, ear discharge or ear flap redness, these are all symptoms of a potential ear infection. Your vet can diagnose, and most ear infections can be treated with medicine. The breed was heavily influenced by the St. Flat-Coated Retrievers were bred to be easily trainable and to be physically suited to the hunt field. They accompanied hunters while duck hunting, swimming out to fetch the ducks that had been shot. These dogs were initially highly popular. They did well in dog shows and field trials. Initially, the black-coated dogs were valued more highly, but the liver-colored dogs became more popular in the s. However, the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever were also recognized as separate breeds, and these breeds gradually surpassed the Flat-Coated Retriever in popularity. After the World Wars, breeders turned their attention to preserving the breed and their history, which they did successfully. Since then, selective breeding has helped to restore this unique breed, and today, the Flat-Coated Retriever is popular as both a hunting and family dog. You can also reach out to local shelters to see if there is a Flat-Coated Retriever to adopt. Yes, Flat-Coated Retrievers shed significantly, so things can get hairy when you have one or more of these dogs in your home! Frequent grooming will help minimize the amount of fur that ends up on you, but be prepared to put in some extra time keeping your house and car hair-free. How long do Flat-Coated Retrievers live? The average Flat-Coated Retriever life expectancy is between 8 and 10 years. Are Flat-Coated Retrievers rare or extinct? These dogs are highly intelligent and active, and they tend to retain their puppy-like behaviors even well into adulthood. What are the most common Flat-Coated Retriever mixes? Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Flat-Coated Retriever Overview At first glance, you might think the Flat-Coated Retriever resembles a black or brown Golden Retriever , but no such thing. They generally mature more slowly than other dogs and maintain their puppylike exuberance for years. This playful energy makes them a wonderful and entertaining companion, but it also means extra time and patience when training them. A harsh correction will cause him to shut down until you make amends. Tolerant and friendly, Flat-Coats love everyone, including children and other dogs. They are great friends for active older children but may be too energetic for toddlers, knocking them down with a swish of their frequently wagging tail. He retains his hunting skills and should live in an environment where his talents can be used—or at least one that gives him the opportunity to run and swim. Expect to give him a couple of minute walks, runs, or other activity daily to satisfy his exercise needs. He prefers to be with his people whenever possible. Many breeders and enthusiasts are the first to admit that Flat-Coated Retrievers are not for everyone, but there are a lucky few for whom this affectionate and good-looking retriever is a perfect match. Flat-Coats only come in solid black or solid liver. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a high-energy dog who requires about 90 minutes of exercise a day. He makes an excellent jogging companion once he reaches physical maturity. Flat-Coated Retrievers mature at a slower rate than some other breeds and you will find that you are in possession of a rather large puppy for several years. This timeless puppy can be both a joy and a frustration. If you want a dog that is quieter and less puppy-like as an adult, you should look for another breed. Flat-Coated Retrievers enjoy human contact and will become destructive if they are left alone for too long. Routines help establish what the dog can expect and reduce their stress level. Flat-Coated Retrievers are not recommended for apartments. Training is a must with this breed as Flat-Coats are both joyous jumpers and, like all retrievers, orally fixated—that means they like to chew. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards. Keep training fun, interesting, and kind. With harsh verbal or physical treatment, Flat-Coats can become stubborn or stop responding altogether. They are unaware of their strength and can hurt people with their exuberant jumping and roughhousing. Flat-Coated Retrievers will bark an alarm, but they are not a guard or watchdog in any way. They are more likely to greet intruders warmly, happily licking their hands and face, than they are to deter them. Flat-Coated Retrievers may eat their own poop, a habit known as coprophagy. Flat-Coated Retrievers are considered to be a healthy breed in relation to other breeds but they do have a high rate of cancers. To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Old Bounce, and her daughter, Young Bounce—natch! They were members of a working strain of retrievers owned by gamekeeper J. Hull in .Shirley, who helped mold them into a stable type. Also contributing to their advancement was H. Cooke, whose Riverside Kennel produced many fine field and show Flat-Coats. His numbers became dangerously low, and he flirted with extinction a time or two. Fortunately, his fans were able to bring him back from the brink by the mids. The Flat-Coat never regained his early popularity, but breeders count that as a plus. It has helped them to preserve his natural working ability, intelligence, and sweetly goofy nature. He is still a rare breed, ranking th among the breeds and varieties registered by the American Kennel Club. If you want a Flat-Coat, expect to spend a year or more on a waiting list, not to mention undergoing the third-degree from a protective breeder who wants to make sure you will provide just the right home for one of his or her puppies. The average weight of a Flat-Coated Retriever is 55 to 70 pounds. He may react by becoming stubborn or simply refusing to do anything you ask until you soothe his hurt feelings. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Socialization helps ensure that your Flat-Coat puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Hip dysplasia is considered to be hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. It originates in the histiocytes, white blood cells found in the skin and loose connective tissue in the body. Malignant histiocytosis is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but the prognosis is usually poor. Lymphosarcoma: This is one of the most common cancers seen in dogs and can be found in various parts of the body such as the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, liver, and bone marrow. The cancer can be treated with chemotherapy. Hemangiosarcoma: This form of malignant cancer is found in the lining of blood vessels as well as the spleen. It can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, but the prognosis is poor. Osteosarcoma: Generally affecting large and giant breeds, osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer. The first sign of osteosarcoma is lameness, but the dog will need x-rays to determine if the cause is cancer. Osteosarcoma is treated aggressively, usually with the amputation of the limb and chemotherapy. With treatment, dogs can live nine months to two years or more. The rubbing caused by patellar luxation can lead to arthritis which is a degenerative joint disease. Patellar luxation can be mild or severe. Dogs with severe cases may require surgery. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid himself of the excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these signs, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. He has a moderately high energy level and is best suited to a home where he has many opportunities to run and swim. Expect to exercise him about 90 minutes a day, or two minute walks, runs, or other vigorous activity such as playing fetch or training for agility or flyball. Flat-Coated Retrievers make wonderful jogging companions when they are trained properly and have reached maturity. Go easy on puppies. They need approximately 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age per day. So if your Flat-Coat puppy is 4 months old, he needs about 20 minutes of exercise per day. Too much exercise can stress his still-growing joints. The only foolproof way to avoid this is to pick up his stool and dispose of it immediately. Start training your Flat-Coat as soon as you bring him home. Be kind and consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards. Flat-Coated Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Flat-Coat in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Flat-Coat, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. On the neck, especially in males, is a mane of longer, heavier coat. The coat comes in solid black or solid liver, a deep reddish-brown color. Flat-Coated Retrievers are relatively easy to maintain and require only weekly brushing unless the dog is shedding. You can trim the ears, feet, belly, and tail tip for neatness. Bathe as needed. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Trim nails once or twice a month. Short, neatly trimmed nails keep the feet in good condition and protect your shins from getting scratched when your Flat-Coat enthusiastically jumps up to greet you. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. They can be overwhelming for toddlers, however, accidentally knocking them over with one whack of that ever-wagging tail. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child. They might be a little too fond of pet birds, if you know what we mean. Flat-Coated Retriever Rescue Groups Flat-Coats are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Flat-Coats in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament The Flat-Coated Retriever is a sweet, exuberant, lively dog that loves to play and retrieve. They are on the go outdoors, but quiet indoors. This breed is among the most devoted and companionable of dogs, a true family dog. They need regular exercise to be on their best behavior, however. They are a sensitive breed and very responsive to training. Their hallmark is their wagging tail. Upkeep This active dog needs daily exercise and fun, and especially enjoys the chance to hike or swim. This is a family-oriented dog that does best when allowed to live inside and play outside. The coat needs only weekly brushing and little, if any, minor trimming occasionally. Health Minor concerns: CHD, glaucoma, patellar luxation, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, gastric torsion, fibrosarcoma Occasionally seen: seizures, diabetes Suggested tests: eye, hip, knee Life span: 8 years History One of the earliest uses of retrieving dogs was to help fishermen retrieve fish and objects from the water. In the nineteenth century, such retrieving dogs were especially popular with the cod fisheries around Newfoundland. Of these dogs, the most popular breeds were the Labrador not to be confused with the present Labrador Retriever and several sizes of Newfoundlands. In fact, it was among the earliest breeds to be shown at English dog shows. Near the end of the s, crosses with a straighter-haired breed were made because the wavy coat was thought to be less water repellant. Crosses to setters and collies of the time may also have been made. The resulting Flat-Coated Retrievers became tremendously popular. The breed was not recognized by the AKC until , by which time it had already begun to drop in popularity. By the end of the Second World War, the number of Flat-Coats had dwindled to the point that the breed was threatened with extinction. Concerted efforts to bring the breed back slowly succeeded, and the Flat-Coat now enjoys modest popularity as a companion and show dog, but has not regained its field presence. Related Content. To be sure, his similarities to other Retrievers are obvious; however, make no mistake about it: the Flat-coat is his own, unique breed. Gun dogs, as they were called, included any number of setters, spaniels, mixes, and what today we call Labrador Retrievers. By the middle of the 19th century, distinct types of Retrievers were established. The Wavy-coats were bred for intelligence, scenting ability, a soft mouth, obedience, bravery, and a gentle spirit with a desire to please. For practical reasons, size was factored in, as it was clear to many that the larger Newfoundland-type dogs were more difficult to transport and required considerably more food. The early Wavy-coated Retrievers were bred with black Retrievers in an effort to flatten out the coat and soften it from its original, more wiry texture. There was some resistance to this. Hunters argued that while the soft, flowing coat looked pretty in the show ring, the wavy, coarse coats were actually more resistant to water and brush. They succeeded, however, in managing both, creating over time a working breed that can transition from the show ring to the field in no time flat. That soft, luxurious coat was a show-stopper—and for whatever reason in those early days, it was the black variety Wavy-coats that caught the eyes of dog show judges. As a result, the black-and-tan or more golden versions of the breed were bred out over time. Black and liver-coloured Flat-coats are all that remain today. The answer is multi-fold. On top of this loss of public interest, both World Wars had a devastating impact. As with so many breeds, the Flat-coated Retriever emerged from World War II close to extinct, and it came down to the concerted efforts of a handful of dedicated fanciers who worked diligently to preserve and advance the breed. In conformation, excess weight is a no-no. These dogs should weigh 55 to 8o pounds, with the males on the higher end of the scale. This is a dog that should be able to leave the show ring and head straight to the fields—and he does. The head of this breed is distinctive. There is nothing unnatural or exaggerated in his head, which is set back into a relatively long neck. Having spent a lot of time with a lot of puppies, I must admit a bias. I have gotten lost in those soft, soulful eyes a few times. And temperament? A dream. But outshining all of those traits is this: his sweetness. These dogs are smart and obedient, loyal and brave—but they are sensitive and loving, too. Classic people-pleasers, they thrive on praise, positive reinforcement, and affection. They crave time with their people. There is more than a little bit of the goofball in every Flat-coat—a sense of puppy-like wonder and joy to be found in, well, pretty much everything. From my experience, this seems to last with them through the years. The Flat-coat is an up-for-anything breed, game to try new things. With his smarts and obedient nature, he can master any number of activities that you throw at him. Speaking of which, basic obedience training is advised for this and every other dog. As far as activity level goes, he needs long, brisk daily walks at a minimum. Play-time with this fun-loving breed is also important. And water? Hearty and athletic though he may be, bear in mind this is a family dog. The breed is slow to mature, and his puppy-like exuberance and general goofballery never entirely go away. Health-wise, the Flat-coated Retriever is a hearty breed, but as with all purebreds some inherited genetic conditions could crop up. Technically, this is a rather rare breed. In , the Flat-coated Retriever ranked 91 out of registered breeds. His cousin, the Labrador Retriever? Number one! So, there you have it. Sensitive and loving, this one is a bit of a Velcro dog—wherever you go, there he is. And lucky you are to be in the company of this sweet soul. Show your breed love with this beautiful solid gold pendant necklace from Siberian Art Jewelry.

Now in Indianapolis area, Indiana! We have Top European bloodline German Shepherd puppies from titled and health tested parents raised in our home to yours! We breed West German showlines and West German working lines. Phone: Email: [email protected] Our fall litter is here! Ready to go home in October we have 3 beautiful males available! Training dogs professionally since and breeding German shepherd puppies since , we have relocated to give an even better life for our beloved dog family and to be closer to our training club to better title our dogs! Located in the Indianapolis Indiana metropolitan area we are nestled on a beautiful plot of 10 acres in the quiet country. The dogs absolutely love it here and so do we! Here at Aus Gerstbrei German shepherds, our dogs happiness and well being is very important to us and we love beautiful, healthy, stable temperament dogs. We only breed from health tested and titled parents to ensure that our families get the absolute best puppies we can provide for them. We also keep from our own program and train ourselves so we know what we are breeding and what their strengths and weaknesses are so we can choose appropriate mating partners to make our dogs even better. Improving the breed is very important to us. .We fly all over the world to the best studs that we may find the best suitable partners for our girls. We breed black and red West German Showlines and sometimes will use some West German working lines in our program. I grew up with dogs and was always fascinated with things you could teach them and how much love an animal could offer to a human. In my adult life I originally started working with rescue dogs out of college, and helping foster and rehabilitating them which was a very rewarding experience and taught me a lot, especially patience! As I worked my career as an artist I also became fascinated with the sport of IGP to bring a dog to its highest point of drive and have control and such a trusting obedience relationship with them. I had started hunting for my first IGP dog and had a very hard time coming up with dogs with good health and good temperament from breeders. I had a dog but he lacked the qualities to get beyond a BH which we worked hard for and developed many health issues. I had then decided to get exactly what I wanted in a dog I would pursue breeding my own and start my own bloodline. Families are my biggest client so the need for a stable dog that can settle is very important when breeding future generations. I am still a huge supporter of rescue and I do still accept board and train clients from time to time when we are not preparing for trials or raising a litter. Our prices reflect on the hard work, training, and expensive titling and health testing we do. If you can not pay for a well bred dog from tested and titled parents we highly recommend checking out your local reputable German Shepherd rescue. Some great dogs can sometimes find their way into rescue at no fault of their own. We are located about one hour from Indianapolis, Indiana and also about two hours from Louisville, Kentucky. Please call or email to inquire about trained dogs, German shepherd puppy litters, or about our board and train program. We are German Shepherd breeders and trainers in Indiana. We have answers. All you need to do is to check out the available puppies, and send through a message to the breeder of any who catch your eye. What makes Uptown different from other places with German Shepherd puppies in Indianapolis? Are there any Indianapolis German Shepherd puppies for sale right now? This is a very important point for us. Do you have the cheapest German Shepherds for sale Indianapolis? Breeding healthy puppies in an ethical way takes a lot of dedication and time. Not to mention money! Sadly, the cheapest puppies will often come from puppy mills or backyard breeders. We love shelter dogs, and know that the decision whether or not to rehome a shelter dog, or find your puppy from one of our breeders, is a decision that only you and your family can make. As long as you do your research and choose a reputable organization, then either option is totally the right decision for you! How do I know that my German Shepherd for sale in Indianapolis will be healthy? We know they take incredible care of their puppies, and they all get regular health checks. Is it enough to walk German Shepherd puppies Indianapolis, or do they need more exercise? German Shepherds are an incredibly active and athletic breed, so they definitely do best when given the opportunity to spend plenty of time outside. Almost as important for this clever breed is the chance to stretch their brains too. Regular training sessions, games, and food puzzles will all give your dog the opportunity to show how smart they are! How big will a German Shepherd for sale Indianapolis grow? German Shepherds are muscular and noble large dogs, with males usually maturing to be a little larger than females. Their height can vary from 22 - 26 inches tall, and a healthy weight range would be from 65 - 90 pounds. Whichever end of the scale your dog ends up on, they will always make an impression on whoever sees them. What will an Indianapolis German Shepherd for sale be like to train? The German Shepherd breed is well-known for their intelligence, so you can be sure that training sessions will be rewarding for you both. These dogs love the chance to learn, and enjoy the challenge of regular training. Signing up for puppy training classes is a great way to learn how to get the best from your clever dog. We Are Dedicated! We simply love German Shepherds! As one of the premier reputable German Shepherd breeders indiana has, we focus on healthy GSD puppies for sale that are exceptional quality. From their amazing working dog traits to their loving and compassionate companion dog personality, we love German Shepherds and have dedicated our lives to the betterment of the breed. Full blooded, sable, solid black, silver, no matter what we love this breed! We are also passionate about training in a variety of working areas including obedience, puppy training and basic training. You have many choices when it comes to who you adopt your new German Shepherd puppy from! We are honored to know that so many people choose us because we believe in healthy, happy and beautiful GSD puppies. From our health clearances to our excellent pedigrees, we take pride to knowing our German Shepherds are top of the line! So no matter if you are searching for a German Shepherd Breeder in Indiana, Michigan or Ohio, we hope to earn your business through honesty, integrity and ethical breeding practices! Puppy Links.

Crate training will have many benefits for your bulldog, including protecting him from household hazards and reducing his separation anxiety. It should be either 24 x 30 inches 61 x 76 cm or 24 x 36 inches 61 x 91 cm for a French bulldog, and either 42 x 30 inches x 76 cm or 42 x 36 inches x 91 cm for an American bulldog. This will allow you to increase the crate space as your puppy grows into an adult. The crate should be a place of safety and comfort for your bulldog. Place his favorite blanket and toys in the crate. You can also place a quilt or sheet over the crate to make it feel like a cozy den. A bowl would preferable, since he wouldn't be able to pull it out of the crate very easily. Leave the door open during the early stages of crate training so he can explore the crate at his leisure. Once your bulldog is comfortable entering the crate on his own, work on closing its door behind him. Start with closing the door for only a few seconds and then letting him out. If he starts whining or crying, wait until he calms down before opening the door. When he can handle a few seconds, close the door, leave the room, and return after random lengths of time e. Remember that puppies cannot hold their bladders for very long, so you should not leave your puppy bulldog in the crate for long time periods. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source When you are home, spend time with your bulldog while he is in the crate. Bulldogs are friendly and sociable dogs; interacting with your bulldog will keep him from getting lonely. Always remember that the crate is a place of safety and comfort, not punishment. Your bulldog should always have a positive association with the crate. But when you first welcome them into your family, it would be a good idea to train your puppy. Crate training means teaching your puppy to remain in its crate for periods. Most of the steps are the same for any dog, but you must do what is best for your American Bulldog puppy. Pick an appropriate crate for your puppy. Create a cozy environment in the crate. Take your puppy to the bathroom before putting them in the crate. Place your puppy in the create for 20 minutes and leave the house. Come back and take your puppy outside for a little playtime and a small treat. Repeat the process everyday, adding 10 minutes each time, until you can leave the house for a few hours at a time. Crate training can be an integral part of any dog to be comfortable being left home alone. Crate training can also help with any separation anxiety your dog may have. Read our article here on American bulldogs with separation anxiety. There are many different types of crates, and each has its benefits, but you want to make sure it is the right size for your puppy. There are a couple of different criteria you need to look for when picking out the crate: The puppy needs to sit up, stand, turn around, and lie down in the crate. Your dog should have 6 inches on either side and above them when they stand. Make sure it is a smaller crate or has a partition. American Bulldogs will grow quite large, but if you get a crate with a partition, you can block off part of the crate to make it warm and cozy. Dogs like being in small den-like spaces so that a large crate could frighten the puppy. This creates a sense of security for them. Different Types of Dog Crates There are a couple of different types of dog crates that you can use for your American Bulldog puppy. Each one has positives and negatives and can help your puppy feel comfortable in their crate. Soft-sided crates are lightweight and contain a mesh-like fabric. These crates are comfortable for the dogs but can be hard to clean and easy for the dogs to chew. Plastic dog crates create privacy for your dog and are difficult for your puppy to destroy. They can have poor ventilation and can absorb smells easily. Metal wire crates are robust and offer great visibility for your dog. They are missing the coziness that is created in other crates. You can solve this by placing it in a corner, or laying a light sheet over the top. Wood crates are decorative and allow you to have some choice in how they look. They can be hard to clean and can be heavy to lift. All of these choices can be great for your American Bulldog puppy. But because your dog might not be trained well, a plastic or metal wire crate will be easiest to clean. Make The Crate Welcoming After choosing the crate that you think is best for your dog, you need to make it homey and welcoming for your new American Bulldog puppy. Dogs are known for liking dark den-like spaces to sleep in. If your crate is not naturally dark, you can use a blanket over the crate, and it will create a dark space for your American Bulldog puppy. Puppies also like soft, comfortable spaces. Place a thin, soft dog bed on the bottom, or a small blanket. These will be comfy and cozy for your American Bulldog puppy. You can even add a squishy cuddly toy for your puppy to cuddle up with. By adding these things to your crate, your American Bulldog puppy will feel more comfortable. They may still be anxious, but the environment should feel somewhat familiar and comfortable to them. Also making sure there are toys for the dog to chew on to keep their attention. This will help them focus on the toy rather than being confined in the crate. By giving them toys, they may cause minor damage to the crate. This will also teach them what is okay to chew on because you are giving it to them. If your puppy is not potty trained, place a towel on the bottom of the crate or potty training pad instead of the bed. Exploring the Risks and Benefits This will keep the bed clean for future use. If you are using a metal wire crate, take the collar off your puppy to not get caught in the cage. Leave your American Bulldog puppy in the crate for twenty minutes and leave the house. The puppy may whine and cry , but your job is to ignore it. This will get your puppy to feel comfortable over time being left alone in the crate. Take Your Puppy Outside After your American Bulldog puppy has spent the twenty minutes in their crate, take them outside, play with them, and allow them to go to the bathroom. This will show them that you will always come back for them. Take your puppy to the same spot to go to the bathroom. They will get used to one spot and know that this is the place they have to go. While you are outside, give your puppy rewards after going to the bathroom and allow them to feel close to you. That will help them feel more comfortable in their environment. Praise Your Puppy It is essential when your puppy comes out of their crate and they have gone to the bathroom that you praise them. This can help them know they are doing the right thing and create an expectation for the puppy. You can also give them a treat and help them make a physical connection between food and doing the right thing. Bring Your Puppy Back Inside After your puppy has gone to the bathroom, bring them back inside and play with the puppy inside. This will acclimate your puppy to the routine of going to the bathroom outside and helping them get used to the process. Crate training and potty training go hand in hand. Check out our American bulldog potty training guide. At first, keep with the twenty-minute time frame. Your puppy will slowly get used to the amount of time, and you will be able to gradually increase the amount of time your American Bulldog puppy is in the crate. There is a slight chance that your puppy will go to the bathroom in their crate. If they feel comfortable and like it is their place, they will not want to go to the bathroom when they are in their crate. If they do go, do not scold your puppy because they will not understand why. They also might not be able to hold it for the entire twenty minutes in the beginning. Your American Bulldog puppy will get comfortable with being on their own and learn the routine of going outside right after being in their crate. This will help get them potty trained and feel more comfortable in their environment. Repeat The Process You then need to keep repeating the process. If you do this every day, your puppy will become used to the crate and the process of being left alone in their crate. By increasing the time frame by 10 minutes for each crate training time, your American bulldog will become used to being alone and holding their bladder until they are let out of their crate. If you slowly increase this amount of time, you should be able to leave your puppy for up to two to three hours. Every time you place your puppy in the crate, you must take them outside before after. This will get them used to have to go out after being in their crate. This can be confusing to a young puppy. Over time your American bulldog will get the hang of it and it and taking a nap in their crate will be totally normal and expected. Post Views: .Crate training a Bulldog is an easy task, this wonderful dog is known for being sweet, devoted, and easygoing. The crate training process should start as soon as the dog is home, and the younger the puppy the better, old dogs tend to have acquired old habits that need to be changed. Should bulldogs be crate trained? But before you put a leash on your bulldog and head to the pet store, there are a few important things you need to know to make the right choices. Choosing the right crate There are various types of crates that you can get, not all dogs are the same and each crate is made for a specific job. The most popular crates are plastic and wire crates, and there are also soft-sided and heavy-duty crates for extremely aggressive dogs. What size crate for a bulldog? Choosing a perfectly sized crate for your bulldog will make the crate training process easier, so what makes a crate the perfect size: The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up, lay down and turn around comfortably with a few extra inches on each side. The crate should have a divider to adjust its size as the puppy grows not to change crates every couple of months. Most new dog owners think that crate training is cruel and try to compensate for that with the largest crate they can get their hands on. According to the AKC standards, bulldogs are inches in height and weigh around 50 pounds, for a dog this big the perfect crate is 36 inches. We strongly recommend the Midwest Ultima Pro Metal Crate check price at Amazon , it comes with a divider and has a double doors feature which makes exploring it easy for the dog in the early stages of the training. Preparing training treats Training treats are a very important tool that will make crate training easier and much faster, doing it without treats is very stressful but doable if you must. Treats are used as lures to get the dog in the crate and rewards to enforce good behavior, so you must get some ready before you introduce your dog to his crate. They are also prone to Cardiac and patella issues, so using just enough treats is safer for their health, read the Official Breed Club Health Statement. A dog that is low on energy and just had a good playtime is more willing to just relax in his crate. Dogs should only have access to interactive toys when you are there to play with them, they are the ultimate reward especially for a dog like a bulldog that is eager to please. So what makes a good crate placement? The crate should not be placed next to engines or heaters or anything that makes loud noises because it will disturb your dog. It should not be directly exposed to the sun, nor placed in a windy spot. The crate should not be in a dark spot that does not get some sunlight during the day. At night the crate should be close to your bedroom so you can hear your puppy if he needs to go for a potty break or is whining in there. We found that is very convenient to have two crates for your dog, one in the living area and another in the bedroom, or you can just use one and move it around from room to room. Following these steps will make the process easier for you, so make sure each step is valid and the dog is clearly on board before moving on to the next. Introducing your bulldog to his crate Crate training is basically creating a relationship between the dog and his crate, like any relationship the first impression is always important. Once your dog is in the crate you want to reward and praise him heavily to enforce being in the crate as good behavior that pleases you. Bulldogs are smart enough dogs and they also love treats, so your dog will soon figure out that being in the crate means having treats and will offer to get in on his own to get the treat. This is a great way to tell that your dog is getting used to his crate and is already associating it with some happy experiences with all the treats, the verbal praise, and the rubbing he gets in there. Make sure when the dog is getting into the crate that the doors are well secured to avoid any incidents that might scare the dog and set you back in training. Making the crate great At this point of the crate training process, your bulldog should be getting in the crate willingly and already has a good thing going on with the treats and praise, all you need to do is keep it going. Food will keep your dog distracted but you should not rush it, once your bulldog has finished his meal you can open the door and let him out if he wants. Interacting with your bulldog while in the crate is key to keeping him the longest inside, dogs generally associate happy memories with places, this will make the crate a great place for your dog. Once your dog is used to spending time in his crate after the meals, you can start to move away slowly from the crate, a few minutes at a time. The goal is for your bulldog to feel safe spending time alone in the crate with you not around, start slow and begin with simply moving around the room walking in and out of the room for a few minutes while gradually increasing the time. Home alone At this point, your dog should be able to spend time alone in the crate with no one around without any objections, which is what crate training is all about. Most people will make a scene out of leaving and say goodbye to their dog then leave, this is a bad idea and all it does is associate being left alone with the crate. Crate training a bulldog puppy at night Crate training a puppy at night can be intimidating especially the first night , most dogs will reject the crate and start whining, and young puppies will have to wake up for a potty break. However, if you prepare well for the night and do a good job with the introduction phase, your bulldog will be more willing to spend the night there. Make sure your dog feeds and goes for a walk just before he has to get into the crate for the night, this way you can limit the number of times you need to wake up to let him out for his business. The most important thing you should keep in mind is that you should not let the puppy out of the crate when he starts whining at night, try to distract him and get his attention by talking or gently tapping on the crate. How long can a bulldog stay in the crate? Younger puppies can not spend more than one hour in the crate at a time, but they can of course spend two to three sessions a day in the crate. Active breeds also have a hard time staying in the crate for too long especially if left alone with no distractions. A dog that has plenty of exercise and playtime before going in the crate is able to spend more time in there. Bulldogs are not very active dogs and do not need a lot of activities so adults can go for long periods at a time but at most four hours, but they can not go back for the rest of the day and should have a good walk and some attention after the crate time. Is it hard to crate train a bulldog puppy? Bulldogs are also known to be easygoing dogs that are eager to please their owner, so they are less likely to make a scene especially at night. All in all, bulldogs are one of the easier breeds to crate train, all you have to do is follow the steps and do not rush things up. Related Posts. Contact Us How to house train a English bulldog puppy the right way The easiest way to go about house training your new bulldog puppy is by utilizing a crate. Dogs are and always have been den and pack animals, they naturally and instinctively prefer the shelter of a den. Therefore most dogs will not urinate or defecate in their crate, which is why it is such an invaluable tool for housebreaking. The first thing to understand, though, is the need for repetition and consistency. Begin by purchasing the appropriate size crate. Think den not condo! It should be small with just enough room for your bulldog to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. It is not an exercise pen. The use of too large a crate will encourage your bulldog puppy to use a small portion of it for a bed and the rest of it as a place to potty. We use the Midwest Life Stages crates. Leave the crate door open and allow your bulldog puppy to come and go as he pleases. Keep his favorite treats handy that you only use for the crate. It gives the puppy a nice reason to go in and creates a positive experience. At mealtimes, feed your bulldog in the crate with the door closed. At night, just before bedtime take your bulldog puppy out to potty. Put your puppy in his crate and shut the door. For the first 3 nights set your alarm for 3 hours. Set him down and wait. When he goes potty, praise him and put him back in his crate. Set your alarm for 3 more hours and repeat. After three days, if it has been successful and there have been no accidents, move to 4-hour intervals. After three more nights, you have hopefully taught your puppy that you will be there to take him outside when he has to go. If there have been no accidents you can then start going to bed and waiting until your puppy wakes you up to potty. It is important to respond and take him out immediately if he wakes during the night. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, immediately take your puppy out. By house time, I mean freedom to move about but always in the same room as you so that you can keep a constant eye on him. We use baby gates to block off access to other rooms. During the day repeat the above process and continue to take the puppy out every hour. If he does not do his business put him back in his crate and try again in 15 minutes. NEVER let a bulldog puppy in training out of your site. Use the crate as you would a playpen for a human child. Even if you leave the room for a minute, either take the puppy with you or put him in the crate. If you turn your back for 60 seconds and your puppy has an accident, then you messed up and made a mistake and have missed the opportunity to make a correction and teach the puppy. Do not rub his nose in it and do not use any physical correction! When he goes outside give him lots of praise. Use an odor neutralizer. When an accident occurs it is important to completely remove the odor, otherwise your puppy will gravitate back to the area to relieve himself again. You can buy the neutralizers from most any pet store. Do not use household cleaners, most contain ammonia which will attract him back to the same spot. A Few Tips to Help You Succeed Puppies will need to go potty first thing in the morning, after every meal, as soon as they wake up from naps and just before bedtime. A few hours before bedtime take up his water, this will help buy you a litter more time between potty breaks at night. If you see him smelling a particular spot or circling around, pick him up and take him outside. Keep your puppy on a regular feeding schedule and take away his food between meals. Puppies may not initially like the crate. Some will cry, whine, bark and drive you crazy the first couple of days. Doing so will teach your puppy that if he barks or whines long enough he will get rewarded and this will only encourage the behavior. Training an English bulldog puppy takes time, consistency and patience. Dogs function best with structure, routine, and clear expectations. Share this post. Crating Philosophy When considering the natural habitation of a canine, often its home is a den, cave, or similar close-quartered shelter. They used this space as their home, to sleep, escape from danger, and raise their young. Obviously, your bulldog would not appreciate roughing it out in the wild. However, they still find comfort resting in a similar space. On some days, it feels like our bulldogs have decided to claim the entire house as their den. But, we know they find comfort and in their crate as an escape from the clamor of a busy house. Certainly, the crate can be a great tool and outlet for your bulldog IF used properly. As useful as crates can be they are often one of the most abused resources an adopter. There is much, unneeded controversy on using them that has stemmed from irresponsible dog owners abusing their purpose. As concerned bulldog breeders, we make sure to take the time to explain to our adopters the proper and improper uses of a crate. What a crate is to be used for… 1. For a further in-depth explanation of this process please read this previous article we wrote on the matter. We like to use the 4-hour rule at our house for an adult bulldog and the 2 hour limit for our puppies. Any time past these limits, we would seriously consider arranging someone dropping by the house to let them out and move around. Transporting your bully in the car A crate provides a safe place for your bully to travel with you in the car especially long trips. We have found they love to snooze in their crate when road-tripping with us. Sleeping Once your bully is completely potty trained it is ok to sleep outside the crate, but we have found they often prefer their crate as a place of comfort as they grow older. Escaping from too much commotion The crate should be a place that your bulldog voluntarily goes into; they should feel that the crate is their home! Crates are an escape haven for your bulldog when the house is busy and there is just too much commotion.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Nylon, leather or made from metal? How wide and what size? Will one collar do for all occasions? Or should you buy a selection of collars for different situations? And how about harnesses and head halters? What are they for and should you consider them? What is a Dog Collar Actually For? First and foremost, a collar is for safety. It gives you the ability to restrain your Labrador. For instance when walking beside or crossing a busy street, to keep your Lab safely by your side a collar is essential to attach a line or leash. Without a collar, you cannot enforce control and your dog is free to wander off into danger. For identification purposes. In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order requires that any dog in a public place must have an ID tag with the name of their owner and address engraved on it so the owner can always be identified. This law applies to many other countries too and in some places, you should also attach your license and rabies tags. For use as a punishment during training, mostly for pulling on the leash. Some types of collar pinch, choke and prong collars are especially made for this purpose. There are electric shock collars, ultrasonic collars that emit a loud sound, others that vibrate and others still that spray a nasty scent. All types are activated any time a dog wearing such a collar barks, interrupting them and helping to stop the behavior. For control of parasites. Learn more about flea collars here. And the final reason for a collar… To make your Labrador look as cool or as cute as possible! There are many different colors, looks, and patterns to choose from, so you can have some fun :- How To Choose a Collar For Everyday Use There are literally thousands of fantastic looking, functional and good value collars you could choose for everyday use. Flat Or Round Collar? Personally, I think a classic flat style of collar looks best on the classic looking Labrador. So I recommend flat leather or Nylon webbing collars, with ID attached and a quick-release fastening for everyday use. These collars are designed to force open during a struggle if your Labrador should ever get their collar snagged and are a real life saver in these situations. English Labradors are larger than American Labradors, males are larger than females, genetics play a part and some labs carry more weight than others. But you need to know what width of collar best suits a Labrador, and then measure their neck to know the correct size. The width of a collar has a direct relationship to the amount of pressure the collar puts on your Labradors neck. But of course, a wider collar is heavier and can be uncomfortably rigid so you have to strike a balance. Also, very wide collars can look a bit silly on all but the very largest of dogs. My recommendation? A good 1. As a general rule of thumb, this means you want to measure the circumference of your Labs neck with a measuring tape and then add 2 inches. For example:You measure your Labradors neck to be 18 inches. Add 2 inches for a correct fit making the collar you need 20 inches. So for our example, we want to buy a collar with 20 inches in the center of what the collar says it fits. We should buy for instance, a collar to fit necks from 18 to 22 inches as 20 is in the middle and gives room for adjustment each way. To see a selection of the best collars, pre-selected as suitable for Labradors, all very highly rated by previous buyers, please click here. This creates a scenario where pulling causes a punishment and will decrease the behavior over time. Using them incorrectly and especially if ill-fitting, these collars can cause considerable harm and are considered by nearly all to be inhumane and should be avoided. However, there are some old-school, traditional trainers who swear by them in extreme cases, for strong and stubborn hard pullers when all other training avenues have failed. Having said that though, like most people, we do not condone them, believe they are inhumane and will not promote their use on this site. For a somewhat detailed discussion on the use of prong collars, please click here. This collar can be very dangerous to use with the potential to cause permanent damage to your Labrador if used incorrectly. So extreme caution and education is needed before anybody ever considers using this collar. However, like the prong collar, we do not condone them and believe they should never be used and will not be promoted here. How to Use Training Collars If anybody does ever decide to use a prong or choke collar, please have a professional trainer show you how first. The idea is definitely not to asphyxiate the dog into submission! Luckily there are now many methods to train a Labrador to walk nicely beside you without the use of such collars. Therefore I will rarely discuss their use on this site and certainly do not recommend their purchase or use. No exceptions please, always remove these collars when not training! There are also slip leads, harnesses, and halters to consider that are more suitable for use in specific situations. These are often used by working dog owners who want to avoid a traditional collar as they can be a choking hazard on a dog that spends time running through undergrowth. If yours is the type of dog who spends a lot of time off leash in bushes and undergrowth, then I can certainly recommend the use of a slip lead. To see the slip leads we highly recommend at Labrador Training HQ, please click here. The harnesses I would recommend are front clipped no pull solution dog harnesses that are a good choice for those with Labs that are determined pullers. This contrasts with a back clip harness where a dog can really put his whole weight and strength into pulling, such as the harnesses you see on a husky! Head Halters A halter for a dog looks much like a halter for a horse and has the same use. With a halter, when you or your Labrador pulls on the leash their head is pulled downwards or off to the side. This makes it very hard for the dog to pull forward as this would cause their head to be pulled even further down or to the side. This results in the dog stopping and over time teaches them that pulling only leads to stopping so they soon learn not to pull. So a halter is a useful training aid for walking a Labrador that pulls obsessively. But paths, fields and parks are mostly unlit and this is a dangerous situation for your Labrador to be in. Wearing a high visibility or even LED collar eliminates this danger and allows everybody to see where your Labrador is in the dark. You can see and read more about our pick of the two best high vis, LED lit collars by clicking here. The last thing you want is it to break when on a walk so you cannot restrain your Lab. During this check, also make sure the collar is adjusted to fit well as your dogs weight and coat thickness may fluctuate between seasons. A Few Final Tips! Bacteria can grow under a sweaty damp collar, taking it off regularly will help decrease this and the associated, very unwanted smell! This raises less suspicion than if they had the wrong name and makes it easier for them to sell the dog on. Collars Recommended By Us So which collar should you buy? I actually recommend the purchase of 3 different collars for 3 different uses. For everyday use, I recommend a flat collar with a quick release or buckle fastener, made from leather or synthetic fibers. For when you take your lab out swimming or hiking, I recommend a quick release collar no belt style buckle or rope slip-lead, removing the possibility of a collar snagging and becoming a choke risk. Finally, I recommend a high visibility collar for wearing in the dark, so you and others can more easily see your dog which can help prevent accidents on dark country roads and paths, whilst helping you not to lose sight of him and worry all the time. You need to attach ID tags to collars while out in public in the UK and many other countries. Prong collars, choke-chains, halters and harnesses I would never buy or recommend. For a hand-picked list of excellent quality, highly rated collars recommended by us, please click here. This has absolutely no effect on the eventual price that you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Intended use of this Labrador Collar: Helps to correct your dog's behavior in more humane way Perfectly fits to any areas of dog training, as well as in everyday life Looks even better then ordinary stainless steel collar Sizes available: Material: Chrome plated steel Choke Collar also called Slip Collar, Slip Chain or Choke Chain is a length of chain with two rings on both ends. So that the collar can form a loop around animal's neck. It should be worn high on the dog's neck, right under dog's chin and behind his ears. This collar is meant for Labradors that have problems with behavior and it should be used only for training purposes. This collar was processed with the help of a new technique called Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome. It is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a basic metal. Products that undergo this process, usually look more attractive, than ordinary stainless steel. The chromed layer will provide rust resistance for your item as well as easy cleaning procedures. These collars will serve you and your dog for a very long time. How to size your dog for the Choke Collar: Please measure the length of your dog's neck circumference and add from 2 to 3 inches to determine an appropriate collar length. Please, be advised that it is very important to observe sizing chart. The weight of this Choke Collar depends on its size and differs from 3. Warnings about Choke Collars: Never leave your dog alone with choke collar Please note, if you have a growing puppy, you should order Dog Choke Collar that will perfectly suit him. It shouldn't be bigger, because it will slip off his head and will be probably lost Do not ever use a Choke Collar on very young puppies Sizes available. It is all rather bewildering, but there is no need to worry! This is where you can find the answers to those questions, and get some ideas and inspiration too. Collars are a great way to identify similar Lab puppies in a litter Labrador Dog Collars and the Law In many parts of the world, dogs must legally wear a collar when out in public. This is usually a disk attached to the collar, with your phone number and name on it. Collars can display IDs in a number of different ways. Some collars come with a brass or stainless steel plate attached to the surface, others have a metal ring for you to attach a tag onto. Others will embroider the ID into fabric or tool it into leather. Are Personalized Dog Collars Safe? But others feel that this is a dangerous thing to do. But most dogs are always supervised when outdoors, and many dogs are also microchipped so proof of ownership is more easily accomplished. Unless your dog is very friendly and spends time outdoors on his own, having his name on his collar is unlikely to put him at risk. Collars as a Fashion Statement A collar is the traditional way of attaching a restraint to a dog, for the purposes of keeping him safe. Before harnesses were invented this was an essential feature of life in a modern world, where cars and other hazards are everywhere. But in many homes and families, a collar has become something of a fashion statement too. A whole industry has arisen to meet the demand for different fabrics and styles. Training Collars for Labs Many people look on a collar, as an aid to training their dog how to walk on a leash. A way to get their dog to tread along nicely next to them, without dragging or pulling them along. They want to choose a collar that will best help them in this goal. Prong collars and pinch collars have been designed that are uncomfortable and even painful when a dog leans into them. The problem of course, is that pulling is often very rewarding for a dog he gets nearer to the destination he likes. So collars usually have to be quite painful if they are to successfully stop the pulling. Collars that can be used to pinch and choke dogs, are becoming less popular, as more and more dog owners want to train without using unpleasant aversives. And fortunately there are now excellent ways of teaching a dog to walk nicely without using collars at all. And in the meantime you might find it helpful to have a strong pulling dog fitted with a body harness that will give you more control without damaging his neck. Before you set off on a Labrador collar shopping expedition, you will need to think about sizes. And to know your Labrador neck size. Labrador Collar Size Not all collars are made in sizes large enough for an adult Lab. And one adult Lab will not have the same neck size as another. So you do need to whip out your tape measure in order to avoid disappointment Both my Labs have an 18 inch neck. They are medium build slim Labradors. But it really is best to measure. If you find it difficult to keep your dog still, just get someone to dip their fingers in some butter and let the dog lick it off while you take his measurements! Collars for adult Labs are usually about an inch wide — this allows enough space for a small ID plaque if desired. What Size Collar for a Lab Puppy? If you buy a puppy collar two or three inches longer than this it will last him a few weeks. Puppy collars are usually narrower than adult collars, half an inch is fine. And they come in some very cute designs. We have put together a collection of our favorite puppy collars to inspire you! So what kind of collar should you buy? Which Labrador Collar Style? We recommend that you buy your Labrador a flat collar with a buckle fastener. You can choose one to suit your taste and wallet. Especially if your Lab likes to swim. You can buy waterproof collars made from synthetic polyurethane type materials. Waterproof collars tend to resist odor and are easy to clean. They often come in striking bright colors — we love them and think they look cool! But not so loose that he can back out of it. You should be able to fit two or three fingers under it quite easily, but not much more. A collar that is too loose can be slipped by a lively dog very easily. It is also worth considering alternative forms of restraint. Especially for puppies and lively young dogs that can get very sore necks if leashed to a collar. Buying a Harness The breadth of choice in body harnesses for dogs has burgeoned in the last couple of years as people discover how great they are. A body harness is an excellent way to restrain a young dog that has not been taught to walk to heel. It has several advantages over a collar. It is almost impossible for the dog to slip out of. And most importantly, a puppy that wears a harness is not learning to lean into or pull, on his collar. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. The critical difference is the degree of dressing up required. This is a moment of personal reflection: do you have a tough time getting out of the house to take your Labrador for a walk? Minimizing the effort required to take your dog walking will ensure that you actually take him out. If your Labrador pulls on his lead, the pressure can quickly start producing irreversible damage. Can Trouble Dogs Even the most humane collars can bother some Labradors. Most new puppies might have trouble accepting a heavy collar. Starting with a light collar at an early age can offset this disadvantage. Some dog trainers can lead-train dogs with collars by building on a foundation of familiarity set by owners who get their dogs to accept light collars early on. This means both products need to be able to cater to different sizes. Most harnesses can house a range of body sizes. But when it comes to collars, your Labrador might start choking on the collar without you realizing it. Adjustable collars can offset this problem. In my opinion, even if you have compassionately trained your Labrador to accept his collar and even go on long walks with the lead attached to the said collar, what happens when your dog gets over-excited? It is quite literally impossible to hold him in position without choking him. Verdict on Dog Collars Dog collars are great to indicate ownership and protect your Labrador from being assumed and treated as a stray. Apart from that, I see no advantage in collars, especially when walking on a lead. So a nuanced approach would be to use a light collar and use a harness whenever you use a lead so that you can sidestep the dangers of lead walking a puppy with a collar. More importantly, your Labrador can pull the lead without hurting himself. More Room for Error If your Labrador puppy wears a collar, you need to follow his growth closely lest the collar begins choking him. Above all, it is more noticeable when your puppy outgrows his harness compared to when he outgrows his collar. In the worst-case scenario, you get to hold back your Lab with sheer force without hurting him as much. Tugging on a collar when your Labrador is trying his best to get away is heartless. That said, you should note that dogs give in more easily when their collar is tugged compared to holding back a harness. The ease, however, is mutually exclusive with kindness in this instance as a submission comes through the pain with a collar. In other words, a harness is something you would want on your pup only on walks. Most well-trained Labradors can go without a harness for short walks, and the harness is left for lead walks. Your Dog Will Take Time to Get Used to It This is a size-driven disadvantage that seems like a logical tradeoff when compared to the burden it offsets. I believe removing cruelty from the equation is well worth the relatively long waiting period. Starting with a light harness with a young Lab puppy is a perfect way to normalize it. Both collars and harnesses are uncomfortable initially, and in the long run, your dog can get used to both. While some trainers make arguments for collars, they are almost exclusively positioned as okay for larger dogs with stronger necks. This makes a harness your only option when out walking. Should a Labrador Wear a Harness? We have already established that harnesses are gentler than collars on Labradors. So, this may have you wondering, should Labradors wear a harness? A Labrador should wear a harness so that you can control him when he gets over-excited on a walk. A harness also allows your dog to keeps his neck safe when you have him on a tight leash. Doing the same with a collar could cause choking, damage to the trachea, or nerve damage. Harness vs. Collar For a Labrador Puppy Harness Advantages Prevents injuries to the neck Allows a lost dog to be identified from a tag Allows more control Easier to wear for tracking Allows room for growth. As the most popular registered dog since , the Lab represents the essential qualities of all that we love in dogs — loyalty, athleticism, intelligence, courage, ability to work, and most of all affection and friendliness. The love for Labs runs deep, and Lab owners will adore this darling puppy pendant. It is fancy enough to wear with a dressier outfit or to work, but playful enough for athletic wear too. Just like the Lab, it fits in anywhere. Product Features The dark puppy eyes of this Labrador pendant will melt your heart. Genuine Black Spinel gemstones capture the glimmering Lab eyes and its adorable nose, while Champagne Cubic Zirconia accents add shimmer to the rest of the puppy. Dog bone backplate design adds yet another cute doggie detail. Wear this pendant necklace anywhere to capture both attention and hearts. Lab puppy pendant measures 0. Please contact sc scamperandco. We offer a one-year warranty for all manufacturer defects. You can check our warranty policy Here. Please contact us at cs scamperandco. Please note that we only ship to the contiguous United States. What are the shipping costs? We offer free standard shipping on all orders! Click Here to check our return policy. Can I return engraved items? Engraved items are not eligible for returns.

Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Website: snugglepugs. They make sure that when they post about pug puppies in Michigan, the perfect puppy is ready to be released to their new owners. This means that they make sure the puppies are in good health, had their first shots, and are vet checked. They cater and serve to all locations in the vicinity of Michigan, Check them out for pug puppies for sale. Here is their contact information: Marshall, MI Email: sfjmercado yahoo. Breeders have a major responsibility to build from the healthiest dogs on their family pedigree. They should focus on the breeding quality not on quantity if they wish to be in business for a long time. They have to take into account the various health problems and genetic medical condition traits to ensure that the puppy lives a long life. Always do your diligent research on breeders and find those who value pet parents and dog owners who are responsible. Filter your leads to those who are more likely certified pugs for sale Michigan listers. Pug Puppies for Sale: How much does a baby pug cost in Michigan? High prices will come from popular breeders or other reputed breeders. This is the reason why one needs to check if the current finances are able to support another pet family member. Tell me the average price of Pug Puppies in Michigan? Conclusion Pug puppies are among the most adorable pups out there. They are energetic in their early years and they love to play. However, as they grow older, they tend to spend most of their sleeping in comfy spots at home. It is always the best choice to purchase pug puppies from breeders, adoption houses, rescue organizations, and other pet shops that have earned a good, solid reputation in the local community and would provide a health guarantee. You also need to consider the needs of the pugs before actually bringing them to your home. Aside from making your home puppy proof, make sure that you have the time to provide the attention they need. They also need to be constantly groomed. Keep an eye on the areas between the folds on their faces and always check its unique pug tail. Brush their coat at least once a week to control their shedding. You should try which shampoo helps with the shedding as well. Take light walks outside on the cooler parts of the day. This will help them cool down easier. Responsible Dog breeders are a gem. Here are some of the other topics we have created to help you search pugs for sale by location. Our staff are avid fans and dedicated owners of Pugs. We hope to answer all the questions you have about Pugs. Just read and enjoy. Feel free to share if you find it valuable to others! Best regards,

Tweet on Twitter A six week old puppy is an adorable bundle of fun. He looks pretty sturdy and independent too and you may wonder if its okay to bring him home to live with you right now. How much should a 6 week old puppy Lab weigh? How much a puppy weighs at six weeks old will depend on a number of factors. If his parents were bigger than average, then he probably will be too. The chances are, he will weigh in at somewhere between 10 and 15lbs. If his parents were small, he might weigh less. Labradors from working lines are often lighter than their show or pet bred cousins. Hop over to our guide to puppy growth to find out more about this fascinating topic. How many teeth do 6 week old puppies have Your six week old puppy probably has a full set of baby teeth — if not, he will have a full set within the next week or two. We have a great guide to puppy teething where you can find out more. Are 6 week old puppies weaned? Many puppies are fully weaned onto solid food by about six weeks old. They may still be suckling occasionally from their mother, but are no longer dependent on her for milk. This has to be divided into small portions fed at intervals throughout the day. You can find out more about what puppies eat in our popular puppy feeding guide. At six weeks old your puppy will need very frequent meals How many meals does a 6 week old puppy need Your breeder may be feeding your puppy and her brothers and sisters up to six times a day. There needs to be an adult present throughout the day to cope with the constant feeding and de-pooping. By the time she is ready to collect at 8 weeks, your pup will be down to four slightly bigger meals a day. Do 6 week old puppies play? Six week old puppies play a lot. They play with their mother, and most of all with their brothers and sisters. This play is very important as it teaches the puppies to be more gentle with their teeth and to get used to being jostled and bumped about by other living things. Why do 6 week old puppies sleep so much? At six weeks, a puppy is still very much a baby and needs lots of deep sleep. At least 18 hours a day. Your puppy sleeps best in a big heap with all her brothers and sisters, or snuggled up against her mother. She uses that sleeping time to grow, mature, and develop her immunity. Are six week old puppies potty trained By six weeks puppies are able to leave the nest or whelping box for bathroom purposes and know how to keep their sleeping quarters nice and clean. Can 6 week old puppies leave their mother At six weeks, a puppy needs his mother for play, contact and reassurance. Is it okay to bring a puppy home at 6 weeks? But supposing there are exceptional circumstances? Is it okay to bring a puppy home at six weeks if you really need to? Even more importantly than his need for his mother, a six week old pup needs his litter mates. So even if his mother were to tragically die, your puppy should still remain with his brothers and sisters for a short while longer. This helps him to develop bite inhibition and social skills. Bite inhibition The process of learning bite inhibition is a long one. It begins whilst puppies are quite small and first learning to play with one another and with their mother. And it carries on until they are several months old. By the time you bring a puppy home at eight weeks, however needle sharp you think his teeth are, he has already learned a lot of bite inhibition from his mum and siblings. Although you have to continue this process, some of the hard work has already been done. At nine weeks, my own young pup could crush the bone in a chicken wing in seconds, yet never actually even drew blood when biting my fingers. This is not easy and has to be done in stages. You cannot just punish the dog for all biting or it will not learn the vital skill of bite inhibition. You can read more about bite inhibition here. Bite inhibition problems are more likely with puppies that have been removed from their mother too early, and can be very difficult to manage if you have small children. Touch tolerance A puppy in the nest is being jostled constantly. This puppy still needs his littermates to help him learn to play nicely. Labrador puppies that are removed from this jostling experience too young may dislike being touched or bumped in certain parts of their bodies. There is a potential for this to lead to behavioral problems, including aggression, later in life. And that can be a challenge. Resist the temptation If a breeder asks you to take a puppy home at five to six weeks of age, be very suspicious. Only in the most dire circumstances should a breeder let puppies go this young. Bear in mind that some disreputable breeders will make up excuses to get rid of puppies when they get to this age. This is the point at which the puppies are becoming both time consuming, messy, and expensive to care for. It is a full time job keeping them fed and clean for the next couple of weeks. But a responsible breeder will have prepared for that. Short of a personal disaster, no reputable breeder will normally request or permit a puppy to leave her premises before eight weeks. Even more concerning is the practice of selling puppies at four or five weeks old, or in some cases, younger. So perhaps breeding standards are rising. But I do want to address one argument put to me recently. I received a letter from a reader in India who felt I did not understand the situation there. He told me that in many cases, breeders were so awful that puppies were most likely to survive if removed from them at the earliest possible opportunity. The problem with this argument is exactly the same as the argument here in the UK or in the USA against buying puppies from puppy mills or pet stores, or out of the back of a van. And in may cases to an early death. The breeder is only in it for money, so every puppy they sell, they will replace with another. Short of dramatic changes in the law which are not going to happen any time soon, the only way to stop this horrible trade is to dry up the demand for poorly bred puppies. And that is really down to you, the puppy buyer. The outlook for the adult female dogs used to produce those puppies is even worse, so please spare a thought for them too. Buying a puppy from the wrong breeder just perpetuates bad breeding practices. The answer is to walk away and find someone that is breeding dogs responsibly. Your two week wait! So what can you do between the time your puppy is six weeks old and the day he is ready to come home? You can be busy getting your home and yard puppy proof, and buying essential puppy supplies, toys and bedding. Dip into our Puppy Essentials list for ideas! Either way, this is not the person you want to be responsible for giving your puppy the best start in life Again, please, do think hard before bringing a young puppy home before he or she is eight weeks old. She helps you avoid puppy mills and other pitfalls along the way. Choosing The Perfect Puppy takes all the strain out of making this important decision and is available worldwide. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.