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To prepare for your 8 wk old puppy we recommend the purchase of - An extra large metal crate, with lifetime benefit. A Cambridge Kuranda Series dog bed From therian. An order required for this non-stock item. Two D feeder troughs by IPetz. During this time your puppy should be safely exposed to other dogs vacced , random people, roads, traffic and machinery, without trauma. Care must be taken to restrict a puppies activity until the growth plates and joint structures are adequately formed at approx mths of age. The first indication that a girl is on heat is the observable blood spotting. And the timing of her heat can be delayed by as much as 8wks. Weather, health and general life dynamics will all influence the timing of the her next heat. Receipt of your Pawling labrador pup is 18wks away. Mother Nature has the final word. We weigh the puppies daily, every morning until release at 8 weeks of age. The litter is wormed fortnightly from 2 weeks of age. And from 4 weeks of age, the puppies have access to a controlled outdoor area to explore, smell and experience life. In conjunction with this, we begin temperament testing the puppies. These activities are part of the process of building confidence. We encourage problem solving. We are looking for experienced pawrents who understand the impawtance of exercise, nutrition, routine, mental stimulation as well as affection. You will also need to patiently introduce your older dog to his or her new surroundings whether it be rural, urban, the beach, a houseboat etc. If you are free to hang at home, enjoy a daily walk, can throw a ball and have access to a large body of water, you might be the perfect pawrent for a Pawling Labrador! In certain circumstances, we also enter into fostering arrangements with prospective owners. Please call us for more information and to register your interest. We own a house at the beach with a 2 metre high fence. Jemima is having coffee at Noosa, we recommend a gentle leader. Graduation day. Our dogs attend Puppy Pre School and attain level 4 Dog Obebience Training Samson's is our chocolate labrador sire and his great delight is to fetch, Samson loves to fetch. Every puppy and dog lover deserves the best All Our Cute Healthy Labrador Puppies are inspected, certified and with unique bloodlines All our puppies are raised in our home, with small children and other pets to socialise them. Our puppies will come up to date on vaccines. It is our goal to produce happy healthy puppies, that will provide joy and happiness to their new families. Come to visit us or talk to us, we help you choosing a new pup and ensure the puppy is perfect match for you. These dogs tend to be friendly, enthusiastic, and even-tempered. However, they can also be very energetic, bouncy, and require a lot of exercise, which is something all owners need to be prepared for. Having a dog is a great experience for kids as it can provide them with a lot of joy and teach responsibility. In most situations, a Labrador can be a great addition to any home with children. Robin .Are Labradors Good With Children? How to Prepare for Your Labrador While a Labrador is a great addition to your home, they do require work and preparation. There are several things in particular that you could do that could help to ensure that you are ready for when your new dog comes home for the first time. Equipment and Accessories To provide your new dog with a great life, you will need to invest in a variety of pieces of equipment and accessories. Some of the key items that you will need will include: New dog bed or crate Dog bowls.
Advanced turnkey What does is the fundamental awareness program? The fundamental awareness program starts when the puppy is 8 weeks old. A puppy from this program will generally be around 12 weeks old. They will be started on crate training and basic manners. This program includes the puppy, all vetting while in our care, boarding, and training for the duration of the program. What is the Intermediate program? The beginner program starts once they have finished the fundamental awareness program. A puppy from this program will have finished the fundamental awareness program, started on house training, and will walk on a lose lead. This price includes the puppy, all vetting while in our care, boarding, and training for the duration of the program. What is the Advance program? The advanced program starts after the puppy have finished both the fundamental awareness program and the intermediate program. They will have finished the fundamental awareness program, intermediate program, and started on off leash training. What is the turnkey program? These dogs have also been introduced to house training and sleep in their kennel throughout the night. Turnkey dogs have completed the fundamental awareness program, the intermediate program, and the advance program. What is the Advanced Turnkey program? A puppy that has finished the advanced turnkey program will be have finished the fundamental awareness program, the intermediate program, the advanced program, and the turnkey program. The advanced turnkey program is a customized program. Send me a message to learn more about him. Meet Our Dogs Our dogs are more than just pets — they are family! Our dogs grow up in a loving, family oriented environment and are socialized from a young age. All of our moms and dads have passed genetic testing specific to their breed. Nora is just a happy girl with a happy heart and she passes this on to her sweet puppies! She loves to be loved and gives it right back! Margot is a Bernese with a big heart! Ivy lives with friends who have been guardians for several of our girls. They describe her as sweet, quirky, and the biggest lap dog ever! Ivy insists on being close to her people, preferably touching! Bebe is goofy and affectionate, loving and silly, very much a Bernese. She is so engaged and careful with her babies, an adorable dog and Mama through and through! She is a talker like her Mama, loves the family bunny, and adores her family. Millie loves to learn and is proud of her accomplishments. Millie makes her guardian family laugh and the favorite part of her day is when the whole family is together! Pure sweetness with just a dash of mischief ; that would be Pumpkin! Rosey is such a good mix of love and affection, adventure and playfulness, with just a dash of mischievousness! He has a wonderful fleece coat with big waves. Flynn is a sweet and energetic little guy, he has no trouble keeping up with the big dogs! He has produced stunning traditional tricolor litters with some of the prettiest coats we've seen! Rocky is as sweet as he is mischievous! He also fancies himself a lap dog - which is a small problem at pounds! He is a lover with the most soulful eyes! He is playful, curious, and full of energy! Sully is a "moyan" poodle which is a small standard poodle. He weighs 27 pounds and when bred with a Bernese he will produce mini - medium tricolor bernedoodles! Full of love and cheer, he keeps us on our toes! Max is one of the happiest guys we know! Arlo Male tricolor standard poodle Arlo is the epitome of a standard poodle, goofy, goofy, goofy, and intelligent! He is truly a delight, fun-loving, and energetic. Arlo is the master of the head tilt and its so cute to see his babies following suit with impressive head tilts of their very own! Every one of these girls truly made the world a better place and we are so grateful to each and every one of them! As a full time Breeder, you have to have a lot of dogs. We usually breed our dogs when they are around 18 months old, and we will breed a maximum of 3 times. If you think about that, as soon as a Mama has her first litter you need to have a new puppy in the line up so she is ready for her first breeding as your 3 year old girl is retiring. As a result we quickly had a house full of retired dogs - not a good business plan! We buy the dog, pay for all testing and medical care, but she lives with another family. All of our guardians live very close to us and we give them all the support they need. When the girl is ready to have a litter, she comes to our house to have her pups and stays with us until the puppies are weaned, usually about six weeks. Of course their guardian families come to visit too! After 3 breedings, the dog is spayed and she officially becomes the guardian families forever dog! You did such a good job, we are so lucky we found you! We kept Mala from our first litter from Snow White. Thank you for making such sweet babies! Belle has such a fun loving spirit which she passed onto each of her beautiful pups! Thanks for all of your hard work Belle, you did a wonderful job! Ramona produced a pot-potpourri of stunning, colorful puppies. She had litters as big as her heart! Thank you Ramona, you did an amazing job! Shelby is fun loving and lively! We loved delivery days with Shelby as she always gave us beautiful and unique pups! You did a great job Shelby, thank you! Willow is a delightful Bernese, her personality encompasses the best of the breed. Willow, you made so many families happy, we thank you! We love her eyes and freckles! Koda, you left a wonderful legacy, thank you! Coco loves and lives life large! She always had big litters and handled them with grace and ease. Thank you Coco - you absolutely rocked it!! They allowed us to use Grisz to sire a few litters over the years. Thank you Snow, you made the world a better place! Love you. Beazus only produced one puppy and she was a loving and attentive mama! Her daughter, Ramona, is now having her grandchildren for us! Bella is a little girl who always had big, beautiful litters! She was so patient and loving with every single one of those pups! Thank you Bella! Chama is sister to Clarke and cousin to Snow White. She produced cuddly, adorable tricolors every time! Chama, you are wonderful, we love you! Zena is a stunning Bernese from Russia. Now her daughters will be having puppies! We love you! Sicily came from Italy. Thank you Sicily, we love you. She made gorgeous babies and loved them to pieces! Thank you Stella. Georgie is spunky and loving. She adored her puppies and was a fierce Mama! We owe a special thanks to Georgie for our Bernedoodle, Spicy Tuna!! Lily is the happiest of girls! She brought love, energy, and tail wags to every puppy. A loving Mama who is now loving life! Kahlu is from the first litter we had. Kahlu had such unique puppies, every litter brought new surprises! Sophie produced beautiful big litters everytime! She brought so much fun and love to every single puppy! Thank you, Sophie, you are special! Brooklyn Standard Poodle Retired Nov. Brooklyn is a beautiful tri-color standard poodle. She had big colorful litters every time! Thank you for bringing so much joy to the world Brooklyn! Clarke, you made a lot of families very happy! Thank you! She loved her puppies so much. Thank you Bailey, you did an awesome job! Gabi is so full of fun and adventure, love and affection! She surprised us with lots of colors, patterns, and unique pups! Gabi, you left your mark! Parker is our big Panda Bear! Parker always had small litters and a huge heart. You did good Parker, thank you! Several of her pups are service dogs. Zoli, you have made a difference in the world. Tragically we lost Cru, and my heart still hurts for her. Cru will forever be at the heart of Ranch House Bernedoodles. Meet the Family Over the years myself and our grown up kids have owned at least 6 doodles and they have all been exceptional. Now we hope to bless other families with the same quality of loving pets that we have enjoyed. We live in Montrose, CO and we are excited to breed bernedoodles. Our goals for our puppies are a great temperament, good health, loving and fun personalities, and high intelligence! We work hard to assure you are getting a wonderful new family member, not just a pet. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What IS a Bernedoodle? These are NOT mutts which implies a breeding between unknown breeds or not carefully planned. These are designer breeds that are bred for a specific purpose. We produce an incredible bernedoodle that displays the qualities of both our champion line Standard Poodles and the Bernese Mountain Dog pedigrees. The advantage of a carefully planned mixed breed is that you get the added advantage of a phenomenon called "hybrid vigor". This process shuffles new combinations of genes that helps to increase longevity and decrease the usual ailments that impact many purebred dogs such as various forms of inherited types of cancer not all cancers have a genetic basis such as small and large cell lymphoma which is usually a result from environmental exposure. The bernedoodles are super healthy and are not as prone to the same issues that Bernese mountain dogs and standard poodles are. As a result, you have a family member for a lot longer and that will live a vibrant and healthy life if properly cared for diet, exercise, and family integration are all important components toward helping the dog to live a long happy life with you.You can see the links above about the qualities of Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs as both are extraordinary breeds in their own right and for many, purebreds of these may be a great option as well. We prefer the Bernedoodle as they get the best of both breeds, incredibly loyal, goofy, smart, playful, intelligent, and has one of the best dog personalities we have seen in a family dog. The Premier F1 Standard Bernedoodle is a low- to mostly nonshedding we use standard poodles that do not carry the improper coat alleles and Bernese mountain dogs that have thick wavy curly coats.If you want a guarantee on non shedding, then you should try to select an F1b or F1bb bernedoodle. Both look amazingly similar to the F1 standard bernedoodles but maybe a little smaller. We will produce about 2 F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodle litters per year for those wanting a more curly coat in their bernedoodles. Premier Bernedoodles love to be with the family and do not do well in enviroments of isolation. Wherever the family is, that's right where they want to be. They are stunning dogs, and you'll likely get alot of attention and people asking you what kind of dog you have. They are beautiful and along with their incredibly gentle personalities, you will have an absolutely stunning dog. They are a perfect companion dog that love to go on walks through the city or hikes in the woods or mountains or a swim at the beach. They love it all and will be at your side the entire time. They don't tend to wander away as they prefer to be with you.They equally love just hanging out with you on the couch watching your favorite movie or watching you reading a book. They really love it all as long as you're a part of it. They are so loyal to the family. Bernedoodle puppies do have energy like most puppies, and this will continue thru about years of age at which time they really mellow out. They are not nervous nor hyper but will need some off leash time where they can really stretch their legs and run. The old motto "a tired puppy is a good puppy" always prevails! Just make sure they have a lot of fresh water and a cool spot to cool off afterward. Due to the the recombination and shuffling of new genetic variations, they do show some variation in their coloration however they also all have a common morphology that tells you it's a bernedoodle. Although we do take deposits on a first come, first pick basis, we will know the puppies well, their personalities, and can help select a puppy that best fits your lifestyle and what you are looking for. We only use Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs to produce our Premier Bernedoodles so that any dog we accept into our Premier Bernedoodle program have passed stringent health tests, display family oriented personalities, and exhibit the best of conformation so that our bernedoodles are absolutely beautiful. Be very cautious when purchasing a purebred or bernedoodle without doing your due diligence as the puppies will always be cute, but will exhibit the personalities of the bloodline used later in life.Therefore, use a reptutable breeder that has invested in the dogs they use for their breeding programs and that raise them as their own family members. They should be able to produce their pedigrees as well, and should have both parents on site so you can see how they react to you. We are very Type A when it comes to the quality of dogs which makes it more difficult to give referrals. We are always going to be biased and believe that the wait for a Premier Bernedoodle is worth it and you'll be very happy you did! Also you can visit your local humane society and help rescue a dog at the shelter.If you have young kids be sure to get a younger dog from the shelter that can adapt to your family. But if you're looking for a unique new family member, a Premier Bernedoodle will be a true delight. Colors and Fur Our Premier Bernedoodles will be traditional tri-color much like a Bernese Mountain Dog , abstract tricolor similar to a traditional tricolor with less white in the face , sable similar to a traditional tri-color but has more reddish-browns due to the poodle genetics we use , phantom, merle, merle tricolor, or bi-colored brown and white, black and white, or shades thereof. Our F1b's will consist of black and whites, traditional tricolors, abstract tricolors, and lots of variable brown and reddish brown and whites. Color never reflects temperament and personality so usually most people don't really care too much what color they are. They are all really beautiful. Although there's variation due to the hybrid vigor present as a result of the recombination of genes in many arrays, there is definitely a bernedoodle appearance that is fairly consistent. If you let the hair grow, they will look like big shaggy dogs that you can't help but to give a big hug to. And they enjoy every minute of it! Our Premier Bernedoodles will tend to have wavy curly coats due to the coat types we require in our bernese mountain dogs which helps to minimize or eliminate shedding.We do make sure that our standard poodles do not carry the genetic marker known as the "Improper Coat" allele or IC for short. Wavy curly coats do require a little more grooming as compared to straight, but many, straight coats shed more.Although they are considered to be large, they don't act like a large dog in the house. They are generally very careful and calm natured as adults however they do have some puppy-fun energy thru the puppyhood stages and thru 3 years of age. They love people and other pets! We do thorough genetic testing of our adults that we use in our breeding program to assure that you are purchasing the healthiest of bernedoodle puppies. Our Bernese mountain dogs come from very long-lived blood lines in Western Europe and these longer lifespans is one of the many reasons we obtain our Berners from several specific populations known for their longevity. Obviously we can't guarantee lifespan as there are many variables outside of our control not to mention, environment, stress, climate, food, etc. But track record seems to show a longer lifespan. What's the Difference? An F1b is an F1 standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle or could be a backcross to a Bernese mountain dog but we generally use the poodle as the backcross. An F1bb is an F1b standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle. Behaviorally they are all very similar with the F1b and F1bb's being slightly smaller than our F1 standards and tend to have slightly curlier coats to a tight wave. If you're looking for a smaller standard Bernedoodle these would be a great option. Pictures are posted below with the other pictures. We continue to get lots of praise from those that have purchased our F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodles. Is the Bernedoodle for Everybody? I would like to think so, but if you do not plan on being with your bernedoodle and keeping it with you, in your home, as part of your home, this is definitely not the dog for you. They thrive on being with the family and not isolated we believe this is the case for all dogs, and especially bernedoodles. Any of our puppies kept in a permanent kennel situation, on a tether, or the like, will violate the terms and conditions of our puppy contract and will have to render the puppy or dog back to Premier Doodles see puppy contract in link above. We definitely support crate training, but these dogs are not meant to live their life in a crate nor kennel! If you want a pet that prefers to be in isolation, you may want to consider a nonsocial pet perhaps a Betta fish! Yes we have done a lot of the hard work the first 8 weeks as we do extensive early neurological stimulation bio-sensor and Puppy Culture program, along with starting crate training and housebreaking, BUT, they are puppies and will need your undivided attention for the next weeks as they work towards being completely housebroken and earning more privileges. They have been communicating with their siblings for the past 8 weeks using their mouth. During their normal daily interactions, you will occasionally hear a loud "yelp" in response to one biting another too hard. This yelp usually ends the mouthing behavior. Now puppies have fur and people generally do not. When you bring your bernedoodle home, they will likely display some degree of mouthing behavior toward their human family. This will usually stop this behavior. We then redirect their desire to mouth to something more appropriate like a chew toy and after a few seconds of cooperating we praise them. The good news.We have a Puppy Guide under our tab "Puppy Central" on how to unpack this process so that you can have success. If you put them time in early, they will have this knocked out in a few days. The rule of thumb is to get them outside ALOT.Be sure to purchase two Midwest XL crates can get from our Puppy Store , one for the back door and one next to your bed. The power of meiosis specialized cell division event that occurs in the reproductive organs, ovaries for females and testes for males and crossing over assures that each offspring will be diverse and different and this difference will be noticeable in color and a little bit in behavior. All will be superior, but some will be more playful and others less so, some will mouth more than others, etc. Available Puppies.Check out our "Available Puppies" tab at the top to find out how to get onto our Master List for a future puppy! We have Mini Bernedoodle Puppies! My passion to become a dog breeder began as a young child, we always had a family dog and occasionally had the joy of welcoming a new litter of puppies. My dream came true at the age of 21 when I purchased my first female. For 10 years we raised Pomeranians and in added Pomskies to our breeding program which is a designer breed created by crossing a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian. Over the years of raising the Pomeranian and Pomsky puppies, we experienced a few families that were unable to adopt a puppy because of an allergic reaction they had while playing with them. Given common allergies among families, I wanted to be able to offer a low-to non-shedding breed for families who wanted pets. As an up-and-coming Bernedoodle breeder , these pups were becoming increasingly popular pets. After additional research, I knew it was the perfect breed to add to our experienced breeding program. Bernedoodles have an amazing personality and docile temperament, however, there is much more to raising a Bernedoodle puppy than breeding a Poodle to a Bernese Mountain Dog. Finding sires and dams with great conformation, according to the breed standard, and good personalities is the easy part of raising them since these two important factors are visible in the dogs. However, after doing research I found the need for the sires and dams to have perfect genetics, which is invisible to the eye, is the challenge. Why adopt a Bernedoodle Puppy? Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds At Bernedoodle Perfection we Embark DNA test our adult dogs in our breeding program to ensure our parents do not carry genetic issues that could be passed on to their offspring. With these genetic tests, we can also determine what color their puppies will be and the type of hair coat they will have. For example our F1 Bernedoodle puppies have the lowest level of shedding possible of Hypoallergenic Dogs in the F1 generation. Click here for more information! We follow his strict vaccine and dewormer protocol. Young puppies need lots of love, attention, and stimulation. Therefore, we start socializing them at a very young age. We free choice feed them Purina Pro Plan dog food. We also top dress our feed with both Nutra-Glo for Dogs and Vitalize which I personally think are some of the best supplement options available. By providing them with the proper nutrition we know that our puppies are healthy and sell each puppy with a one year Health guarantee. Transportation We prefer to meet all families that purchase our beautiful puppies but do understand that due to distance sometimes this is not an option. For families that cannot make the drive to our house, we do offer transportation for our puppies via flights through American Airlines or United Airlines, as well as ground transportation. I have shipped puppies all over North America, into Canada, and into Europe and have never had any issues with either airline. Contact me for shipping costs for an area outside of the lower 48 states. We'd love to hear from you. Please let us know if we can answer any questions you may have! You may contact us through the form below or call us at .We would love to hear from you! We keep all our puppies in our breeding facility for eight weeks from their birth. During this period, our pups receive all the necessary vaccinations and some basic training. We also socialize all pups during this time, ensuring they are mature, healthy, and happy as they reach their new homes. You can also always reach out to us with any questions regarding your pup. Also, remember that we reserve the right to extend that eight-week socialization and growing period if we deem your puppy unready to leave. How much do Bernedoodle puppies cost? How to reserve a puppy through Central Illinois Doodles? Our reservation process is hassle-free and straightforward. The first thing to do is research our available puppies for sale and reserve your chosen Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle pup. If there are currently no Bernedoodle puppies available in San Francisco, be sure to sign up for our notification service. Why should I trust CID? Central Illinois Doodles has years of experience in breeding Bernedoodles. As an experienced and family-owned breeder, we provide our pups with all the care and love they need to grow happily and healthily. All our litters derive from mixing purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, receive the necessary vaccinations and training, and go through a socialization process, ensuring they can become fully-fledged members of their new families from the start. What other areas do you serve? Browse through our available litters today, and become a San Francisco Bernedoodle owner. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. At Blackberry Farm Puppies, we are passionate and excited about sharing our love of dogs with you. When you decide to adopt a puppy, many questions can quickly arise. Let our friendly staff put your mind at ease as you shop for a new and loving member of the family. We take the important and necessary steps to ensure your new Bernedoodle puppy is happy, healthy, and ready to come home with you. Bring home an adorable new member of the family today when you decide to adopt a Bernedoodle with us. Thankfully, Bernedoodles make stellar companions with their loving and friendly nature. Bernedoodles are intelligent, loyal, and family-friendly. Additionally, Bernedoodles are low- to non-shedding dogs, which can free your home of bothersome allergies. When you decide to adopt a Bernedoodle through Blackberry Farm Puppies, you can have the confidence of knowing you are working with a family that is committed to the health and safety of our dogs. If you are ready to see our available Bernedoodle puppies and find the perfect match for you, read on to take a look at our beautiful dogs. Visit our about us page today. For any general questions about the adoption process, contact us through our home page.
This will be the age when Boxer newborn is fully weaned and ready to go to his new home. His world expands at this time. Some have a difficult adjustment leaving littermates and dam and transitioning to their new family. A planned introduction to the home will set a good foundation for introduction to other situations. Housebreaking should begin at this age. With an excellent plan and follow-through, expect it to take 4 to 6 weeks for your Boxer to be doing well in this regard. Command training simple commands can be worked in with housebreaking and other daily activities. For example a 2 month old Boxer puppy can learn to sit while his harness and leash is being put on and then learn that walking over to the designated chosen area equals a trip to the bathroom. Sleep may be erratic at this time and a Boxer puppy can sleep as little as 9 hours per day rare or up to 18 hours. Most will take quite a few naps during the day and then wake up 1 to 2 times per night. We've seen 2 month old little ones sleep right through the night, but it is rare - in these cases, the dog is able to enter deep REM sleep quickly and stay there, keeping the number of nap times to a minimum. This is the minimum age a dog must be in order to enter a dog show event. Many clubs, such as the AKC require a dog to be 6 months old; however if you truly want to show your Boxer, you may do so at 3 months with many other dog clubs. By this age, the pup has a good idea of his home environment and since the rounds of puppy shots are almost done, owners should plan on how they will proceed in regard to introduction to the world. To a dog, his world is as big as the owners choose. For some, it is just the neighborhood, for others it is the entire town! The reason that we say "plan" is because how a pup is introduced to other dogs, people and new environments affect how the dog reacts and responds. A planned transition to new elements is a huge part of Socialization Training. During this stage, some owners become a bit concerned if their Boxer is not barking ; however this is not a super vocal breed he makes lots of noises like groans and even some purrs, but doesn't typically bark at every little thing. A quiet puppy will often outgrown this and find their voice as they mature. It is at that time that a Boxer will bark when someone comes to the house, etc. By 1 year, if owners follow through, the Boxer is well trained, for both commands simple and complex and house training. Still, the dog has learned the basic workings of the world. He has been trained to know where his belongings are, who you consider to be friend or foe and is very used to his daily schedule. This is a great Boxer age, the dog looks young, still has the mentality of a puppy with playfulness, etc. You'll have a 40 to 55 pound 20 to 25 kg size puppy jumping on you and acting silly. Females will be on the lower end, males on the higher end. The body structure is slim, the chest is still relatively narrow. Over the course of this year, from the beginning of year 1 to the beginning of year 2, most will gain an additional 15 to 20 pounds 6. Height will increase. The most noticeable physical change will be the widening of the chest, a sure tell sign of a 2 year old adult. It is not uncommon for a Boxer dog to seem too skinny during a quick, temporary phase around this mark. Generally from 14 to 22 months old, a Boxer may have some visible ribs and appear too slim as he struggles to catch up to a quick growth spurt. For most, this is nothing to be concerned about. This is a huge milestone. At 2 years old, a Boxer is considered to be an adult. The dog will be at his adult weight and height. If you are offering commercial food, now is the time to switch to an adult formula. Temperament will gradually change. That playful puppy temperament will slowly turn more serious, but even older adults can have a sense of humor. That puppy that used to leap after butterflies in the field may change into the adult that stands proud and strong, scanning the yard for trespassers. The Boxer will now begin to age at a more steady rate. Still active, yet fully trained, this is a wonderful stage. By this age, status in the house if full established. Other family members may have come and gone kids off to college, a new roommate moves in, etc. However, if the dog was properly trained, he knew, throughout any changes, that his place was as Beta to his Alpha human leader. A Boxer dog is considered to be a senior at the age of 7 or 8 years old. Since there is no official age, it is the veterinarian who makes this declaration. Though, even if it has not been declared, with this breed typically living to a range of 9 to 12 years, 9 years is about as long as you can extend this before you dub your Boxer a senior. It is important to recognize this transition, so that geriatric care needs can be met. Regular visits will normally increase from 1 time per year to twice a year. Changes will happen once again to the diet, moving over to one that is a bit lower in fat, yet higher in fiber. This helps a less active dog maintain weight and fiber is one element that aids in digestion. A geriatric screening will check for kidney function. A Boxer dog with decreased kidney function should be fed a lower protein diet. The vitamin and mineral supplement will now switch to a senior formula as well. Don't let the senior age label fool you, Boxers at this age should still be taken for a daily walk for exercise , will enjoy outings to the beach, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that an older dog will sometimes have less tolerance for puppies and young children. It is a good idea to have a designated area for your senior Boxer to retreat to, should he desire.Older dogs still like to see the family and be aware of comings and goings, but will often want to retreat when youngsters or puppies are at play. Each dog has his own tolerance for the loud noises and commotion that accompanies younger humans and dogs. The average life span of a Boxer is years old. At this age, a senior dog most likely has lived through some health issues. A dog of this age will most likely have some arthritis. Movement may become difficult, it is suggested to have steps and ramps for the dog if he or she is used to climbing up onto your bed or the couch. The dog bed should be evaluated for comfort and support. An orthopedic bed is highly recommended. Any time after this age that your dog is still with you is a blessing. Some Boxers live late into their teens; however you should prepare yourself that your dog is nearing the end of his life cycle. Related: Oldest Boxer Dogs in the World - Though this breed generally lives 9 to 12 years, some Boxers have reached into their teens. Bruno's first week—7 weeks old, 12 pounds, 10 inches from the ground to the highest point of the shoulders the withers. We adopted Bruno when he was 7 weeks old. We had to wait until he was ready to leave the breeder before we could pick him up and bring him home. The breeder's policy was not to let the pups go until they are 8 weeks old, however Bruno's mother had died at birth and therefore he was not going to get that extra week with her and because of a schedule conflict on our end she made an exception. We decided to crate train our new puppy. Most puppies will cry all night in the beginning days because they miss their mother and their littermates. I placed Bruno's crate in the kitchen since it has a floor that can easily be cleaned in case of an accident. Dreading the sound of a crying puppy all night, and knowing this was the first night away from his litter I told two of my children to set up camp on the kitchen floor next to the crate. I did not want to bring the pup into our bed since we do not plan on allowing him on the beds when he is older. It worked, Bruno slept in his crate and didn't yip all night because he was not alone. Allie, our adult Boxer and two of our children were next to his crate. This allowed Bruno to learn what the crate was for, yet not be left alone. Bruno was exhausted from his three-hour car ride home and all of the attention he was receiving. Amazingly enough, he slept until a. I jumped out of bed and ran down to take him out to pee. It was then time for breakfast, another trip outside and playtime. I was up for the day because when he woke up, he needed to be taken right outside to pee and poop. Then he was hungry. After he ate he needed to be taken immediately outside once again to go to the bathroom. After a puppy eats, it stimulates them and the vast majority of time, they need to eliminate, it's a rule of thumb with a puppy. Then he wanted to play. After all, he just woke up! No time like the present to get hyper and want to play. He had three accidents in the last two days, which is very good for a brand new puppy. If Bruno is out of his crate, he needs to be watched constantly. I don't mean watched from across the room, I mean watched as in "hovering over him watched" to ensure he does not pee, poop or chew anything he is not supposed to inside the house. During the day we try not to crate him. He's either being held, hovered over or outside. We are lucky enough to have a very large fenced yard for him. If we did not, he'd have to be walked on a leash to go to the bathroom, which would be much more time-consuming. We have to teach Bruno not to bite our hands and feet. Yes, it is cute now and kind of funny, but when he is pounds it will not be so cute anymore. Rule of thumb with a puppy: if you do not want him doing it when he is full grown, do not allow him to do it when he is a puppy. This includes sitting with him on the furniture. Another thing we must break him from is chasing our cats. Again, it's cute and funny now, but this tiny little Boxer puppy will not be tiny for long and our cats would not appreciate an adult dog chasing them around. Cats are smart, if we allow this to go on they may even decide to take up residence elsewhere. Allie the Boxer meets her new brother. Adult dogs usually do not attack puppies and Allie rather liked the little guy. She did have to put him in his place a few times, which is normal dog behavior. An adult dog will often growl at a puppy to let it know its behavior is not acceptable. For example, when Bruno wanted to play and Allie did not, she let out a small growl and stomped at the pup to tell him enough was enough. Bruno took the hint and backed off his play and started chewing on Allie's collar and dog tags instead. Allie didn't seem to mind getting her tags chewed. She realizes Bruno is just a baby. I am lucky enough to be home with the puppy. If I had to leave for work things would be much more complicated. Bruno is young and he can only hold his pee and poop for a certain amount of time. The point of crate training a dog is you put the dog in a small enough crate so there is only room to comfortably sleep. Dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep. However, if you leave a young puppy in a crate for too long, they cannot physically hold it in and they must go, even on their bedding. If you allow this to happen, you are going backwards in your housebreaking. If you are going to be gone for many hours a day, longer than the puppy can physically hold it, it is better to pen the dog in an area such as the kitchen where the floors are easy to clean up and place some pee pads down. It is not fair to crate a puppy or dog longer then they can comfortably hold in their waste. It is much harder to housebreak a dog if you are not home. This can really give the puppy a bad start in life and will be no fault of its own when they do not understand the concept of housebreaking. Keep in mind, you cannot yell at a dog for something after the fact, you must catch it in the act. If you do not catch it in the act, your yelling is pointless and confusing to the dog. I am writing this at a. However, he will be up bright and early wanting to eliminate, eat and play.It's now a. Bruno had to go to the bathroom. I walked him outside to the spot where I prefer him to do his business. He peed and I decided to give him some time to see if he had to poop as well; he is still outside and I must go and check on my adorable bundle of a puppy.Bruno is back in his crate. Bruno is yipping. I instinctively go and see him. Goodnight, Bruno, you have a lot to learn my young puppy. Sshhhh, lets only hope he does not keep me up all night because I will have to put up with his yipping in order to teach him what nighttime means. As I type this he is yipping from his crate. I am off to shower and go to bed. I decide to let Bruno get a drink and put him outside with Allie one last time before I go to bed to ensure he does not have to go when I ignore his plea to come out of his crate. When I turned off the shower water I could hear Bruno yipping up a storm. It woke my 9 year old who was almost sleepwalking when she opened his crate to put him outside to pee. I did her the favor of taking the pup out and told her to go back to bed. I put Bruno outside. He stayed out for a few minutes then wanted back in. It is only his third night away from his littermates and he's a tiny pup. After getting the usual puppy kisses all over my neck yeah, nice after my shower, huh? I will give him a few minutes to get good and sleepy then place him back in his crate and hope for the best. Even with all of this work, I look at him like I did my newborn babies; I just love this little puppy! The next morning: 7 weeks and 3 days old a. Bruno's up, hungry and ready to play! Bruno is tired and ready to go back to sleep. But first, his head smells like pee; he must have rolled in it. Time to clean him up and then put him back to sleep. He's taken outside to go to the bathroom and to play. He is now awake for the day but will take numerous naps as puppies need a lot of sleep. We will try not to allow his naps to last for hours on end, as those long sleep periods should be adjusted to the middle of the night hours. This size crate is the perfect size for this puppy. There needs to be room to sleep, stretch out and stand, but not enough room for him to pee in one section and still have a dry place to sleep. It's Bruno's fourth day with us and he has already picked up on the concept that his crate is the place to sleep without being disturbed. We are not being extra quiet as it is the middle of the day and he must get used to noises. Also most of his quiet sleep should be adjusted for the middle of the night. He'll soon wake to eat his lunch, go to the bathroom and play. He'll be awake for a few hours and then need another nap. This crate may be perfect for now, but very soon he'll outgrow it and we'll have to get him a larger one. I let Bruno sleep for two hours and decided it was time to wake him. As soon as he turns his hours around and is sleeping through the night I will no longer worry about the length of his daytime naps. I know he can sleep through the night; he did it the first two nights, but not the third. Bruno's 4th night: 7weeks and 4days old Bruno woke up at a. I came downstairs and put him outside. He peed and pooped. I carried him back to his crate and closed it. He laid down, then a few minutes later he started crying again. I walked back to the kitchen and was about to tell him to be quiet and give him a bone to chew when some motherly instinct inside me opened the crate door. Bruno walked out of his crate and over to my feet then sat down, leaning on my leg. I picked up the little fellow, he put his head on my shoulder and started to go back to sleep. My typical advice would be to put the puppy back in the crate if you are sure he no longer has to go to the bathroom, however I walked over to the rocking chair and rocked him back to sleep. I then put him back in his crate and he woke back up in the process, but this time he went to sleep and stayed asleep until a. He is just like a newborn baby and he's sweet as can be. Bruno's 5th night: 7 weeks and 5 days old Bruno woke up at a. I came down and took him outside and he went to the bathroom. I held him for just a bit until he calmed back down, then put him back in his crate and he fell back to sleep by a. Bruno woke up again. He was ready to play and eat his breakfast. I was beat, so at a. I tried putting him back in his crate to see if he would go back to sleep. It seemed like it just might work. I headed back to bed. At he started yipping just as I lay down. I went back to his crate and held a bone up to him to chew on and talked quietly to him. His eyes started drooping as he half chewed his bone still inside his crate. I waited there for just a bit until his eyes stayed closed for a minute or two, then I went back to bed for an hour. Housebreaking Bruno is now 7 weeks and 5 days old. He seemed to be doing so well with housebreaking. He was either inside being watched, in his crate or outside. As soon as he woke we put him outside to pee. He is not in his crate unless he's sleeping. Bruno was falling asleep so I decided to put him in his crate for a nap. As I leaned down to put him in his crate I smelled something. I felt his blankets and sure enough they were damp. Bruno had been peeing in his crate and sleeping in it! I changed his bedding and he seemed quite pleased. Now I have to figure out how to stop him when he's not doing it in front of me. The crate is not too large, which would have been my first advice to someone, to check the crate size. He is only 7 weeks. Maybe I am not always hearing him wake up in the middle of the night. At this age, puppies can only physically hold it for so long before they have to go, no matter what. Baby monitor??? Bruno smells like pee from sleeping in his crate. Time for a bath. Bruno's 6th night: 7 weeks and 6 days old Bruno was up at a. I let him out to pee. He went back to sleep shortly after and re-awoke at a. Bruno peed in his crate again, in the very back corner. I had to throw his bedding in the wash again and replace it with new bedding. His crate is not too large. I believe I need to watch how much he drinks right before bedtime. Puppies at this age have small bladders and cannot physically hold it in for too long. Bruno asked to come back inside the house and wanted to curl up in my lap, which means he's ready to go back to sleep. I put him back in his crate with the fresh bedding. Allie and Bruno sharing the dog bed. Yes, I do believe they like one another. Why Bruno.Bruno peed on his dog bed, the bed we keep on the porch for him. I had to hose his bed off and prop it up to dry. This is him asking mommy why she got his bed all wet with the hose. Actually, it is him discovering some new and interesting smells the moisture is bringing out from the bed!
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. This breed is prized for its intelligence and its trainable nature. Dutch Shepherds make excellent family dogs that are great with kids and other pets, though they need an active environment that will keep them mentally and physically stimulated, or they may get bored and destructive. They are capable of apartment living, so long as they get at least one long walk and several play sessions during the day. Early socialization will help them keep calm around new pets and people. Dutch Shepherd Highlights The Dutch Shepherd comes in three coats—short hair, long hair, and wire hair. Short haired Dutch Shepherds are the most commonly used for police work, and wire haired Dutch Shepherds are quite rare in general. All three breeds have gained more distinguishing features and breed standards since then. Dutch Shepherds were almost pushed to the brink of extinction after World War II when breeding in the Netherlands was stopped and many dogs were taken for service in the German military. Unlike other shepherd dogs, Dutch Shepherds have relatively few health problems. The Dutch Shepherd is an excellent watchdog and very loyal to their families. They are not known to be overly vocal, but they will bark if a stranger enters their territory. The coat of the Dutch Shepherd is brindle with colors that range from sandy gold to red chestnut. Too much black or white in the fur is seen as a fault. Dutch Shepherds were used for all kinds of tasks on farms in the Dutch countryside. Not only were they capable of herding sheep and other livestock, but they also kept chickens out of the gardens, pulled carts, and acted as watchdogs. Originally, there was very little to distinguish Dutch Shepherds from German Shepherds or Belgian Shepherds other than coat color, although the breeds have diverged a bit more in the past years and have their own breed standards. The Dutch Shepherd has become more rare in modern times. The development of modern farming techniques made these dogs unnecessary for herding and other farm work, and during World War II, breeding in the Netherlands stopped. Many dogs died of starvation, and some were taken by the German military because they were highly trainable for work in the armed forces. After the war, breeders continued the effort of breeding Dutch Shepherds and mixed in dogs of unknown origin. Though the breed is still rare today, Dutch Shepherds are used for police work, search and rescue, and as guide dogs because they are so highly trainable. They also compete in dog sports and have retained their herding abilities from their days on the farms. Dutch Shepherd Size Male Dutch Shepherds are slightly larger on average than females, standing at 22 to 25 inches, while females come in at around 21 to 24 inches. The breed tends to grow to about 50 to 70 pounds in weight. While these are considered standard sizes, some individuals in the breed may be larger or smaller. Dutch Shepherd Personality Dutch Shepherds are known for their intelligence and all-around competency in just about everything, including agility, acting as watchdogs, search and rescue, herding, field training, police work, guide dog duty, and just being a family companion. They are highly trainable and eager to please, soaking up new commands like a sponge. This breed requires a confident trainer who can set boundaries, keep dogs interested in learning, and build a trusting relationship. Early socialization training is important and will help them stay calm around new people and pets. The Dutch Shepherd is an excellent watchdog and usually barks when a stranger enters their territory. This can be beneficial, but it is also important for dogs to learn to interact with guests appropriately. Dutch Shepherds are great with family, even children and other pets, and they are very affectionate and obedient. They will, however, need plenty of exercise, both mentally and physically, to keep from becoming bored and destructive. Dutch Shepherd Health Dutch Shepherds are generally a very healthy breed. There are some instances of Dutch Shepherds developing hip dysplasia, but these instances are more rare than in similar breeds, such as German Shepherds. Dutch Shepherd Care As with all dogs, you should take your Dutch Shepherd for regular veterinary check-ups and keep up with any at-home care recommended by your veterinarian. Their ears should also be checked at least weekly and cleared of any debris or wax buildup, as this can lead to infection. The teeth should also be brushed regularly. Ask your veterinarian for tips on how to perform these care basics for your dog. If they are not mentally and physically stimulated, they may become bored, anxious, and destructive. You should ask your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for advice on which foods and portions are best for your individual dog. You should also discuss adding fish oil supplements to their diet, as this can help keep their coat shiny and their skin healthy. The short hair has a woolly undercoat. Wire hair also has a woolly undercoat and is very dense and course. The long hair is straight and a bit harsh to the touch. All of these coats keep the Dutch Shepherd comfortable in most types of weather. They are generally brindle with various shades of gold and silver. Some can be a light, sandy color while others can be a shade of red. Too much black or white in the coat is usually seen as a fault. When it comes to grooming, the short and long haired coats need regular brushing to remove loose or dead hairs, especially from the undercoat. The wire haired coat should be groomed by a professional twice a year and should not be brushed, though it can be combed from time to time. They tend to love humans that they are familiar with and will only bark or act standoffish to strangers, which makes them excellent watchdogs. Children should also be trained on how to handle animals properly to avoid incident. Dutch Shepherds are also usually fine with other dogs and pets. You can also check a local shelter near you or check out our adoption page where you can search for adoptable dogs by breed and location. More Info For You. Other Traits cold weather tolerant, easy to train, good hiking companion, strong loyalty tendencies Once nearly driven to extinction, the Dutch shepherd is a rare breed of dog from the Netherlands. At first glance, the Dutch shepherd is easy to confuse with his German cousin, but there are distinct differences between the two breeds, both physically and in temperament. Originally used for keeping watch over sheep and cattle, the Dutch shepherd is a dog that is highly intelligent, incredibly loyal , and remarkably self-reliant. Whether you need a farmhand or loving family companion, these smart, athletic, highly trainable dogs are eager to please. Appearance The easiest way to tell the difference between Dutch shepherds and German shepherds is by the coat: The brindle coloration is exclusive to the Dutch shepherd. Just as well-muscled as German shepherds, Dutch shepherds have a slightly stockier appearance with a head that can appear more boxy. The brindle pattern can appear in a variety of colors. In fact, in their original breed standard guidelines, the coat is specified as "appearing in any color. The coat is also noteworthy for coming in three different hair types: short, long, and rough. The short-hair coat is close fitting across the dog's entire body and is paired with a wooly undercoat. The long-hair coat is made up of straight, thick hair that can be harsher to the touch and the same wooly undercoat. The rough-hair coat is a dense, harsh, tousled coat with a wooly, dense undercoat all over the body except for the head. While the different coats function the same way in terms of keeping the Dutch shepherd warm and dry, they all provide distinctly different visual appearances and require different grooming regimens as well. Temperament If you're looking for a dog to teach, you've found a great contender. The Dutch shepherd is an incredibly intelligent dog that can learn tricks easily and participate in agility or flyball competitions. Because of their high intelligence, you'll be best served training your Dutch shepherd in short bursts with little repetition. Keep your training sessions varied and fun, and these dogs will keep coming back for more. They thrive on mental stimulation, so once you get past the obedience basics , you'll find them getting more excited about training as your cues get more complicated. If these naturally independent dogs aren't trained properly to obey commands, they're apt to develop independent streaks and be a handful. Dutch shepherds who have completed certified training through the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association are highly sought after by police forces around the globe for their intelligence and trainability, as well as their naturally high drive. Living Needs Dutch shepherds need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Although you can have a Dutch shepherd in an apartment so long as he can get lots of regular exercise time every day , a farm or house with a fenced-in yard is ideal. Dutch shepherds will happily run or hike with their owners , and they have the strength and stamina to go all day long. They are athletic enough for agility and flyball competitions, while being large and strong enough to do tracking, herding, and weight-pulling as well. But keep in mind that without something to keep them active and interested every day, they're likely to start finding their own interests and become aloof to your cues. They may not cuddle up to cats, but their relatively low prey drive means they aren't likely to find them very fun to chase either, especially if they're trained and socialized early. The Dutch shepherd is a deeply loyal, eager to please breed, so most family groups will work for these dogs, including households with children. But, Singler says, puppy playtime always needs to be supervised. Care How you take care of your Dutch shepherd is going to depend largely on what kind of coat he has. Dogs with short hair require a simple brushing every week and a half or so. Dutch shepherds with long hair, on the other hand, need to be brushed weekly. Both types will need additional brushings in spring and fall when their undercoat sheds , as well as occasional baths. During the shedding seasons , because their coats are so thick and textured, regular brushing won't cut it; you'll need to maintain their undercoat with hand stripping, a process where hairs are removed at the root. Along with grooming, exercising your Dutch shepherd is an important part of his care. These are dogs that won't be satisfied with a daily walk —they need much more heart-pumping activity. This can come in the form of play where they have to problem-solve, an activity such as agility training, or even a job such as herding livestock on a farm. However, Ruple says Dutch shepherds are more likely to have skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and skin allergies than their Belgian and German cousins. In the 19th century, Dutch breeders began enhancing the breed with outside genes to build upon the dog's strength, speed, and agility, while not losing any of the inherent intelligence and independence. The first breed standard, created in , made mention of the dogs appearing in "any color" but by Dutch shepherds had been uniformly brindle as a way of differentiating them from their German and Belgian cousins. As their use declined, so did the breed's popularity. This, combined with dog breeding coming to a virtual halt in the Netherlands during World War II, drove the Dutch shepherd nearly to extinction by the s. In the latter half of the 20th century, the dog began to make a comeback not only as a family pet but also developed a second calling as a service dog. Today, though still a rare breed, Dutch shepherds are familiar faces as search and rescue dogs, police K-9 units, and as seeing-eye dogs. They will also herd sheep. Fun Facts Dutch shepherds nearly became extinct in the s. In the latter half of the 20th century, Dutch shepherds found a new calling as service dogs. Was this page helpful? He has tremendous ball drive, is an outstanding elite level dock jumper and a strong and powerful protection dog. Cheryl feels this breeding will produce physically stunning and graceful dogs with excellent working ability for agility, dock jumping, nosework, obedience, rally and perhaps biting sports too! Lowell Road, St. Johns Michigan All rights reserved. Click here for detailed copyright notice. We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. By clicking Accept you consent to our use of cookies. Read about how we use cookies. Cookie settings Accept Your Cookie Settings We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. Cookie Categories Essential On These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our websites. You cannot refuse these cookies without impacting how our websites function. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings, as described under the heading "Managing cookies" in the Privacy and Cookies Policy. Analytics Off These cookies collect information that is used in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are. Save settings. Life Span Did You Know? The Dutch Shepherd is a herding dog that originated in the Netherlands in the s. The Dutch Shepherd was a versatile, intelligent, and independent working dog commonly used by farmers and shepherds to guard flocks of sheep, herd them, and keep them away from crops. They were also known to be a reliable farmhand that would herd the cows for milking and pull milk carts. The Dutch Shepherd would also alert farm owners when strangers came onto the property and even kept the chickens away from the garden kept for use in the kitchen. These dogs were bred to be sturdy in order to adapt to herding over harsh rural regions and so that they had few demands in a sparse environment. The first breed standard in the Netherlands was developed in .The AKC currently recognizes the Dutch Shepherd a part of the Miscellaneous Class, which means the breed does not yet have full recognition. But, they have been given the Herding Group designation. Although they have maintained their herding and farm dog skills, the Dutch Shepherd is also a good fit for work as a police dog, search and rescue dog, tracking dog, and even a guide dog! A Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, affectionate companion and a highly intelligent dog breed. They make a great addition to a family as they get along well with children and other animals. These dogs are also active, alert, and watchful, which makes them a good watchdog. Because they were bred to be guard dogs and herding dogs, they may be suspicious or wary of strangers. As with any dog, socialization early and often results in a well-rounded dog that is confident in a variety of situations and with different people. Because the Dutch Shepherd is a high energy working dog, they are generally not a good fit for apartments. These dogs thrive in larger homes with yards where they can run or on a farm or ranch where they can roam and work. They tend to be a good fit for most climates. As with many dog breeds, they can be sensitive to extreme heat or cold. The Dutch Shepherd is a generally healthy dog breed. As with any dog breed, there are some health conditions to be aware of including hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid issues , and goniodysplasia. Goniodysplasia is an eye defect that can result in small drainage openings, which can prevent eye fluid from outflowing normally. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of both of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns you may have. High intelligence and an intuitive nature make the Dutch Sheperd highly trainable. This dog breed is able to work alongside their owners or deal independently with their tasks. But, obedience training is necessary to keep this dog mentally stimulated and to let them know what they are expected to do. This dog breed has independence and a strong character that can be a challenge for first-time dog owners when it comes to training, which can result in an obstinate dog that makes its own decisions. Dutch Shepherds tend to be a better fit for active owners and families who have experience with dogs. First-time owners can do well with this dog, but enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer or enrolling in training classes is recommended for effective obedience training. Common coat colors are gold brindle or silver brindle, but the rough-haired coat type can sometimes be so curly that it loses its brindle look. Each coat type has its own grooming needs. The short-haired coat type requires brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during the heavier shedding sessions twice a year. The long-haired coat type only requires brushing about once a week. The rough-haired coat type tends to be quite curly and only needs to be brushed once a month. During seasonal changes twice a year, their coat also needs to be hand-stripped to help keep them comfortable. For all coat types, bathing is on an as-needed basis. Checking in on their nails monthly and trimming as needed is usually sufficient. You want to make sure their ears are dry, free of wax buildup, clean, and clear of debris. This can help prevent ear infections. Dental care for dogs is often overlooked, which is why dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. You can also use vet-approved dental hygiene chews or treats, or even a specially-formulated dental care diet, to help supplement your efforts. By getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience, you can help make grooming a much easier process for both you and your dog throughout their life. It may even become a bonding time that your dog looks forward to! This dog breed is a working dog with a lot of energy, so they need more than just a few walks every day. The Dutch Shepherd is known for being a competent working dog, which means they need a job to do to be happy. That, paired with their trainability and high energy, make them a good fit for dog sports. Generally, Dutch Shepherds are a good fit for herding trials, tracking events, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Dutch Shepherd usually stands between inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Dutch Shepherd generally lives years. They were often tasked with herding the sheep to pasture in the morning and bringing them back to the barn in the evening and expected to do so on their own without prodding or guidance. Featured Dutch Shepherd Article. Appearance[ edit ] Short-haired Dutch Shepherd The Dutch Shepherd on average weigh between 50—70 pounds 23—32 kg and the height varies between 55—63 cm approximately 22 to 25 inches tall at the withers. Depending on the coat, the breed can be distinguished as short-haired, long-haired, or rough-haired. Ruff, breeches and tail plume are clearly visible. Long-haired: All over the body, long, straight, well-fitting, harsh to the touch, without curls or waves and with a woolly undercoat. Distinct ruff and breeches. Tail abundantly coated. Head, ears and feet and also the hind legs below the hocks are short and densely coated. The backsides of the forelegs show a strongly developed coat, shortening in length towards the feet, the so-called feathering. No fringes at the ears. Rough-haired Dutch Shepherd Rough-haired: Dense, harsh tousled coat and a woolly, dense undercoat all over the body except for the head. Upper and lower lip should be well-covered with hair, the whiskers and beard, and two well-defined, coarse rough eyebrows that are distinct but not exaggerated. Furnishings are not soft. The hair on the skull and on the cheeks is less strongly developed. In profile it seems as if the head has a more square appearance. Strongly developed breeches are desirable. Tail is covered all round with hair. The brindle colour may be less pronounced because of the tousled coat. A "true silver brindle" is very rare, because having too much white is considered a fault. The brindle is clearly present all over the body, in the ruff, breeches, and tail. Too much black is undesirable. A black mask is preferable. Heavy white markings on the chest or feet are not desirable. Obedience and discipline can be achieved with remarkable results. Gifted with a true shepherding temperament, they can work willingly together with their owners and can deal independently with any task they are assigned, being neither aggressive nor shy. They have a strong character and independence passed down from their herding ancestry. Most genetic health problems occur at a low rate in this breed. Confirmed genetic diseases diagnosed in Dutch Shepherds include allergies atopy , masticatory myositis , pannus , cryptorchidism and inflammatory bowel disease. Within the rough-haired variety care should be taken to screen for goniodysplasia before breeding. This is a condition where the outflow of fluid from the eye is restricted and under certain circumstances can cause blindness. The link between genetics and goniodysplasia is uncertain. Two dogs who have a risk of goniodysplasia can still have puppies who are not at risk. The disease causes progressive, painful inflammation of skeletal muscle tissue. Wroblewski orchestrated a nationwide collaboration of veterinary professionals, breeders and Dutch Shepherd fanciers resulting in the description of this new condition, discovery of the causative mutated gene, definition of the mode of inheritance autosomal recessive , and now, availability of a new DNA screening test available through University of Minnesota. The UMN College of Veterinary Medicine has updated their Canine Genetic Testing webpage to include submission forms and instructions for submitting samples for Dutch Shepherd Inflammatory Myopathy testing to identify carriers of the disease. Both parents must be carriers to produce affected offspring, but as long as one of the two parents is IM clear, affected offspring will NOT be produced. The long-haired variety needs to be groomed about once a week, or more frequently depending on work and environment. The rough-hair variety needs to be thoroughly brushed once a week, and twice a year the dead hair will need to be hand stripped. They compete in dog agility , obedience , rally obedience , flyball , dock jumping , disc dog , tracking , search and rescue , nosework , and weight pulling , along with protection sports such as Schutzhund , French Ring, Belgian Ring, mondioring, PSA, and others. In the Netherlands, they are still employed as herders and this instinct is still strong in the breed. Dutch Shepherds with KNPV titles are sought-after candidates throughout the world for police and military use, as well as sport competitors and personal-protection dogs. The FCI itself is not a registry and does not issue pedigrees; instead, the FCI has 90 members and contract partners one member per country that each issues its own pedigrees and trains its own judges. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the breed standards that are used as reference for judges at shows held in FCI member countries. Some member countries have an open studbook by which dogs can be registered based on appearance, and other FCI member countries have closed studbooks. The Dutch studbooks were closed on 1 February .Established in , the United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed, performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 U.
Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Crash At what age do German Shepherds start having hip problems? There is no specific age for hip problems. The signs of hip issues can be seen as early as 4 months of age. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are often seen. The inflammatory signs of hip displacement are visible depending on the size, nutrition, and management of your dog. Hip dysplasia German Shepherd signs There are different signs and symptoms which can tell that German Shepherds have bad hips. They are listed as follows: Reduced movement Challenge or refusal to walk , climb stairs, etc. Idiocy at the back Grip the joint while moving Deterioration of bone mass of lower leg The shoulder muscles are noticeably enlarged by compensating for the back end Distress Tips to Make German Shepherd Back Legs Stronger 1. Proper weight management German Shepherds who are overweight are more prone to hip dysplasia. Weight management is the key tool to help avoid hip dysplasia. Being overweight results in overburdening of the hind legs resulting in displacement. Proper exercise Use the appropriate exercises to strengthen the hind legs. It also results in proper contraction and relaxation of muscles attached to the bone. It also helps in the management of weight. Proper diet plan Always provide a proper diet for your German Shepherd. A proper diet is required for the proper growth of bones. Always consult a veterinarian, a dietitian, or a nutritionist for the formulation of a diet plan. Always provide a high-quality feed. Supplementation Supplements are always useful in maintaining issues related to hip dysplasia. The injured joints can be helped with supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin sulfate, collagen, and glucosamine. Physiotherapy Regular massage Massaging leg muscles is very helpful. Seek the help of a physiotherapist for regular massage. It helps in the reduction of pain and displacement issues related to the hip. Muscle strengthening and stability Adopt the techniques that are helpful in the stability and strengthening of muscles. Reduce injury chances Always monitor your German Shepherd while exercising. Exercise may result in injury. Always monitor and rush to the nearest vet if your German Shepherd undergoes some injury. Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is a good strategy to fight the issues of hip dysplasia. It involves swimming. It is a safe method of exercise and the chances of injury are less. Distinct cushion A specific type of cushion is available for the support of hip joint and leg joints. It provides help against the stiffness and rigidity of muscles. It also helps against knee hygroma issues. Acupuncture Acupuncture is the latest technique in healing to avoid hip dysplasia and other joint issues. Different techniques are employed at different pressure points of the body. Surgical Intervention Always visit your veterinarian for surgical manipulation in case of displacement or any issue like that. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a disease that can impact the spinal cord of a German Shepherd. The initial signs of the disease are similar to canine arthritis or hip dysplasia, so it is often written off as a joint disease at first. However, the disease will eventually progress to knuckling of the back legs, severe lameness, and complete paralysis of the hind end. There is no treatment available for dogs with degenerative myelopathy, but strengthening the muscles in the hind legs is proven to slow the progression of the disease over time. This is why it is so important to keep your pup active over the years. Maintain A Healthy Weight Keeping your German Shepherd at a healthy weight is likely the most effective way to promote strength in their back legs. The extra pressure can lead to significant joint deterioration over time, especially if they are already experiencing the effects of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Obesity can even exacerbate these issues in dogs that may not have developed joint disease otherwise. When their joints are healthy, their back legs will naturally be stronger and more agile. The better your dog feels each day due to optimal nutrition, the easier it is for them to remain active. Keep Them Active Keeping your dog active is a wonderful way to help them build strength in their back end. Not only is a regular fitness routine essential in maintaining joint and muscle strength, but certain activities are known to improve back leg strength itself. Start Joint Supplements At 1 Year Due to how prone German Shepherds are to painful joint conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, starting joint supplements at 1 year of age can be extremely beneficial. Joint supplements are often most effective when they are used as a preventative measure rather than after joint disease has already developed, as they can help to promote joint strength as the years go by. One of the many symptoms of joint disease is weakness in the hind limbs, so preventing these conditions can ultimately promote back leg strength in the future. Joint disease can lead to significant deterioration of the joints when it is left untreated, so you will want to start a joint management plan from the moment they develop symptoms. By monitoring your German Shepherd for any signs of discomfort, you can establish a joint care plan early in the disease process. By doing so, you can hopefully prevent so much joint damage from coming. Popular Articles:. This is because German Shepherds are intentionally bred to have a steeper angulation to the hind legs. The AKC breed standards for the breed, require German Shepherds to have as close to a degree bend as possible in their hind legs. Unfortunately, this steep angle in the back leg makes German Shepherds more susceptible to back pain and hind leg problems. After years of wear and tear, this makes them prone to serious leg problems as they age. For instance, studies have shown that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop dysplasia as compared to Labradors, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers. A brief overview of these medical conditions: Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy DM is a neurological disease that makes German Shepherds slowly lose control of their hind legs. In the end, the dog may lose control of the urinary and bowel functions, and paralysis is a serious possibility. DM typically occurs in older dogs of about eight years or older, although it may also occur at a younger age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. However, there are ways to reduce the suffering of your GSD because the condition progresses gradually. Therefore, treatment options for DM are geared towards ensuring a better quality of life rather than curing it. Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy will lose the function of their hind legs within six months to two years of diagnosis. Although there is no cure, regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life for dogs with DM. As a result, the ball of the hip joint causes pain as it glides roughly against the socket. Signs of hip dysplasia include a wobbly gait, lameness, limping, a decreased range of motion, and pain while walking. The most common causes of hip dysplasia include genetics, leg trauma, and environmental factors. In extreme cases of hip dysplasia, the dog may lose the function of their back legs and require a wheelchair. Arthritis may also occur due to the pressure exerted on the hip joint by hip dysplasia. Since GSDs are prone to hind leg weakness, they are at an increased risk for severe arthritis. Dogs with bad hips and arthritic joints may change their gait and walk lower to the ground, causing German Shepherd legs to appear even more bent. Signs of arthritis in German Shepherds include lethargy, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, reluctance to run, jump, or go up a flight of stairs, and stiffness in the hind legs. Prevention of osteoarthritis through proper dieting, exercising, and joint supplements helps to reduce the onset of osteoarthritis. Once osteoarthritis begins, the treatment is geared towards pain reduction, reducing inflammation, and improving the quality of life. Since osteoarthritis is difficult to detect in symptoms until the affected joints are badly affected, it is crucial to keep up with regular wellness visits with your vet. The best way to prevent these diseases is through genetic testing and following good breeding standards. This is possible by checking with your breeder for the hip score regarding hip dysplasia and proper parent matching to avoid degenerative myelopathy. Diet It works wonders for humans, and it will work for your best friend too. Since this breed is already a large-sized breed and the effects of breeding may be unpredictable, maintaining an optimal weight and observing a healthy, balanced diet is a wise precautionary measure. Some of the important dietary options to provide include ample proteins, vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You should also ensure that the dog food you buy for your German Shepherd is well-suited, with enough calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Your vet may also prescribe bone and joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and collagen if they are required. An obese or overweight will experience increased mobility challenges. Second, regular exercise, especially walking and swimming, is important. Lastly, consult your vet on supplements or medications that may slow down the progression of DM. In any case, for these medical conditions , keep an eye out for changes in movement and contact your vet if there are any concerns. Some common symptoms that your German Shepherd may show include a wobbly walk, slipping on the floor, sitting crooked, hips giving way, swelling, lesser muscle mass in the back legs, and having a shorter stride on the hind legs. Remember that most dogs will not express pain or discomfort at first, so it is up to you to spot the symptoms if they do appear — This is especially important for degenerative conditions because when it comes to treatment, the earlier, the better! Regular exercise Regular exercising does two important things for your German Shepherd. One, it strengthens the hind and front leg muscles, and two, it helps you spot changes in the performance of the hind legs. This is the sit-to-stand routine. In this routine, you start with your dog sitting in front of you. Then, you move back a bit and call the dog to you. When he follows, give a treat to keep his interest and, once again, sit him down. Repeat as many times as needed. Taking your dog on daily walks up and down a hill especially or having swimming sessions will also strengthen the leg muscles and help in managing the weight. Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for dogs dealing with mobility issues. Canine massage relieves fatigue and tension in the hind leg muscles and helps to spot any unrelated pain that may be a sign of something to watch out for. How to massage your dog: Compress the muscle against the bone with your flat hand using both your palms and fingers. Glide your hand along his spine, following the lay of the fur. Apply semi-circular strokes on the muscular areas of the back legs. Using a support harness Sometimes, it is crucial to moderate the pressure that your shepherd applies to the back legs when he moves about. This is where the support harness comes in. A harness helps to remove some of the stress that the dog may be feeling when taking walks, for instance, until the muscles of the back legs are strong enough to take it. The use of the harness reduces the pressure placed on the bad back legs and makes it easier for your dog to walk. Keep them at a healthy weight and ensure they get plenty of exercise. Even if your GSD is battling a degenerative illness affecting his mobility, you can explore treatment and supportive methods that will enable a good quality of life. German shepherds are known as a very resilient and strong breed. Your dog will match and appreciate any effort you put into ensuring his good quality of life. Related Articles:. Why is that? While your own GSD may not be a shining example of the breed, why does it seem as though the show dogs have such bent back legs? The simple answer is, of course, breeding. Sometimes it gets taken too far. The listing is fairly detailed, so we will just focus on the one portion that pertains to this article — the hindquarters. A typical kennel club breeding guideline for the modern-day German Shepherd Dog. Photo: Taiwan Kennel Association Health Problems There are other reasons for German Shepherds to have bent legs, and the health problems listed below may be contributing factors. Hip or Elbow Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. While the actual leg length may not be affected, the gait of the dog is changed because it is difficult for him or her to climb stairs or perform much physical activity. Some warning signs of hip dysplasia include unwillingness to jump or stand on hind legs, not wanting to use stairs or steps, difficulty standing up or even seeming lame. This disease can present as early as 2 years old — so if you feel that something is not right, see your vet. Elbow dysplasia can be another contributing factor. Elbow dysplasia is a complex condition caused by abnormal bone growth of the elbow. While it does affect many places in the body, German Shepherds traditionally have hip weakness, and the hindquarters certainly are vulnerable to this disease. One of the biggest signs of myasthenia gravis is the rapid depletion of energy. Your pup will get up and start moving about but tire quickly. Arthritis Arthritis could cause inflammation in the hind legs as well. People get arthritis and so do pets, and just like in people the disease has varying degrees of impact on the body. Simple pain in the hips can cause your German Shepherd to change gait and walk lower, making the legs appear more bent. German Shepherds generally have a history of hip and hindquarter weakness and are susceptible to diseases prevalent to those areas. German Shepherds are highly resilient, wonderful dogs who can adapt to almost anything, so do remember that a diagnosis of disease is not often the tolling of the doom bell. As always, a little dedication and a lot of love go a long way. This pet health content was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian, Dr. It was last reviewed and updated Dec. Why does a German Shepherd drag his back legs? The condition is quote common among this breed of dog. One of the first warning signs is a German Shepherd that stands with his back paws together. This explains exactly why the German Shepherd I recently witnessed was struggling to get up. Although his paws were not dragging, he was dragging and still probably in the very early stages of DM. Dogs with DM may exhibit symptoms such as limping, dragging, and a loss of control in their back legs. Understanding these challenges can help owners provide appropriate care and support for their beloved German Shepherds. Challenges 1. Limping and Dragging Back Leg: One of the primary challenges seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is a noticeable limp in the back leg. As the disease progresses, the affected leg may drag while walking, causing difficulty in maintaining a normal gait. Loss of Mobility and Coordination: German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy may experience a gradual loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. This can make it challenging for them to stand, walk, or perform daily activities that were once effortless. Crossed Paws and Inability to Unlock Limbs: An observable behavior in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This occurs because they are unable to unlock their limbs properly, adding to the overall challenges they face. Development of Secondary Conditions: While degenerative myelopathy itself may not cause pain, it can lead to the development of secondary conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis can further contribute to discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. German Shepherds, being predisposed to degenerative myelopathy, are prone to experiencing various challenges related to their back legs. Owners may notice their German Shepherds limping or dragging one or both hind legs. This limping can be a clear indication of a problem in the affected leg, requiring attention and care. As degenerative myelopathy progresses, German Shepherds may suffer a loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. Activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs may become increasingly difficult for them. In severe cases, complete paralysis of the back legs can occur. A distinctive behavior seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This is due to the impaired ability to unlock their limbs properly. The crossed paws further contribute to the challenges faced by these dogs, affecting their stability and balance. Additionally, the progression of degenerative myelopathy can lead to the development of secondary conditions, such as arthritis, in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. Arthritis can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness, exacerbating the challenges already posed by the degenerative myelopathy. Understanding and recognizing these challenges is crucial for owners of German Shepherds with back leg problems. Seeking veterinary care and guidance, providing appropriate pain management, and considering supportive devices like harnesses or carts can help alleviate some of the difficulties faced by these dogs. Ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling life for German Shepherds with back leg problems requires attentive care and a proactive approach to their overall well-being. Knuckling in German Shepherds can be caused due to a variety of different factors, such as genetics, injury, or a neurological disorder. This condition can occur in both puppies and adult German Shepherds, however it is more commonly seen in puppies. If a German Shepherd puppy is born with their back legs close together and their feet turning out, this can be an indication of a genetic predisposition to knuckling. Injuries can also cause knuckling, such as a trauma to the spinal cord or a severe strain on the leg muscles. Lastly, neurological disorders can also be the cause of knuckling in German Shepherds. The symptoms of German Shepherds that drag their hind legs include the dragging of the hind legs behind the body and difficulty walking or running. The feet of the German Shepherd may also turn outwards, and the back legs may be held close together. Additionally, the German Shepherd may show signs of discomfort and pain when walking. If the knuckling is due to an injury, then rest and rehabilitation can help to reduce the symptoms. For neurological disorders, medication and physical therapy may be needed in order to reduce the discomfort associated with knuckling. If the knuckling is due to genetics, then surgery may be an option to correct the physical deformity. In conclusion, German Shepherds that drag their hind legs can be caused by a variety of different factors. If you notice your German Shepherd dragging their hind legs, it is important to seek veterinary advice in order to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, knuckling can often be managed effectively. What is degenerative myelopathy? A disease found in dogs, especially German Shepherds, that is very similar to ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Basically, there is a breakdown of Myelin a protective coat around the spinal cord. The prognosis for progression of degenerative myelopathy is approximately 6 months to 3 years, with no cure at this time. I have no doubt, being the owner of a dog who gets this diagnosis is undoubtedly heart-breaking. The disease will slowly or quickly progress. What causes degenerative myelopathy? At this time, the exact cause of degenerative myelopathy is not known. A gene mutation seems to be consistent in most cases, and tends to be specific to German Shepherds. Other breeds are effected too, including the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Chesapeake Bay retriever. According to Dr. There are several stages of degenerative myelopathy. Signs and symptoms can cross over each other through the different stages, but this table can be used as a general guide.
To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed , times. You're interested in drawing? If you love dogs, this will be great practice. From the flat face and curly tail to the wrinkles throughout his blocky body, you will find this pug irresistible! So, what are you waiting for? Erase the top half. Curve the sides out and put a straight line at the top of the curves. Round the edges. This will be the head, so make it large. Draw two rounded intersecting lines as the top wrinkles. Erase the tops so they don't touch. There should now be two curves facing the top. Do two more curvy lines, facing the opposite direction. You should have a wavy diamond-like shape, but with no lines touching. Put two more curvy lines next to the diamond bottom, above the curves you just drew but a little shorter. None of the curves should touch the sides of the head. Do two curvy lines don't worry, these are your last ones! They should look like two candy canes facing opposite each other, curving up just a little bit. There should be a space in between. Put a short line halfway in between. Put some circles in between. Put a circle inside the circle, taking up most of the space, and a circle inside the circle you just drew. Broaden the mustache lines on the right side of the shoe-shape. Draw an upside down rainbow directly under the rounded mustache and then a curve sticking out. Draw a line where the curve cuts in half. How to draw a Pug March 25, Have you ever wanted to capture the irresistible look of a Pug on paper? Pencils at the ready? Sketch the posture first Before drawing your Pug , have a think about how you want your finished pooch to be positioned. Are they sitting, lying down, crouching down, on their back? The best way to do this is to sketch a rough outline of their shape on your piece of drawing paper using light circles and rectangles corresponding to the key body parts of the dog use a 2H or HB lead pencil for this so the lines can easily be rubbed out or drawn over. For example, draw a small circle for the head, a larger circle for the body, four rectangles for the legs and a final circle for the tail. First, sketch two small circles or dots to define the location of the pupils. Then draw a slightly larger one around each to create the eyes. Think about where the eyes are located in terms of the distance between the top of the head and the chin, as well as from the temples to the non-visible centered vertical line. Locate the middle point between the two eyes and move your pencil straight down to position the nose. Draw a small oval to define the small black snout. Just above the snout you will want to begin drawing the lines of the muzzle. These lines form an arc around the nose that stretch down towards the mouth. Roughly sketch this circle, and then extend these lines inwards to form the mouth. This is usually squared in shape with rounded edges. Next, draw in the ears. These are triangular in shape and can either fold flat down or half over themselves. How to draw a Pug: the body As you know, Pugs are known for their characteristic skin folds. To recreate this look, first identify where they are likely to exist i. Simply draw two or three lines that fan out slightly from the same point. Working with the small circle you drew at the beginning to identify the tail, begin to define the lines to create a worm or scroll-like shape. You might like to use a darker coloured lead pencil here such as a 2B. Draw the front legs in line with the head; the width of the head corresponds to the spacing of the legs. Curved lines usually do the trick! Next draw the tail rolled up on itself, in the shape of a corkscrew or scroll. Finally, draw the small details of your Pug to bring it to life and give it character e. This should be about twice the width of the head with the head sitting in line with one side of the oval. Arrange your rectangles for the legs, however keep in mind the fourth paw may not be seen depending on the position of your Pug. Now begin to define the features of the legs such as adding small bumps for the joints and paws, including lines in between the toes. Next draw the corkscrew tail in line with the hind legs. This usually looks cutest sitting atop the body, in a corkscrew shape you see on most Pugs. Finish by adding in the final features and details, including lines for joints, folds, whiskers and white reflections in the eyes. Feel free to add color to bring it to life! It almost looks like a smaller version of a bulldog! They may be mischievous and stubborn, but they can also be affectionate and loving. Because of its adorable and distinct physical features , the pug is not only one of the top choices when choosing a pet dog, it is also an appealing subject to draw. We created a step-by-step process on how to draw a pug, made easier with 9 basic steps and simple illustrations. Have fun drawing a charming and playful pug! Emphasize the chubby cheeks of the pug by making it a bit wider than the rest of the face, as shown in the illustration. Avoid pressing down too hard with your pencil when drawing the outline. It is crucial to draw with a light hand so you can easily erase any lines from the outline that you no longer need later on. Remember, when drawing a rough sketch or outline, draw with light strokes. Simply draw an uneven shape with a tapered top and wide bottom to form the right ear that is fully visible. Then, draw a similar shape halfway through on the opposite side to create the left ear. Step 3 — Then, Outline the Body of the Pug Draw an elongated shape with a round bottom right underneath the head to create the body. As you can see in the illustration, the body of the pug is relatively smaller than its head. This forms both front legs of the pug. This creates the appearance of a folded hind leg. Afterwards, draw the foot with three paws at the bottom of the hind leg. Since the pug is facing sideways, only its left hind leg is visible. In the illustration shown above, the tail is simply raised upwards. However, you can also draw it in a spiral form if you like! Create the snout by drawing a sideways oval shape at the bottom middle inside the face of the pug. This is where you will be drawing the nose and the mouth of the pug later in the following steps. Starting from the top to the bottom, proceed by drawing a curved eyebrow above each eye. Then, draw a sideways oval shape with a slightly pointed bottom paired with a W-shaped curved line inside the snout. It all depends on the glimmer of the eyes. Inside the outline of the eyes, draw a circle shape on either side depending on which direction you want the pug to be looking at. In this case, we drew the pupil on the right side. Afterwards, draw a smaller circle inside the pupil to create the iris. Then, draw two more tiny circles inside the iris. Now, shade the entire iris except for the two tiny circles. In this step, we will now be adding colors on our drawing—so exciting! Pugs come in four primary colors: black, fawn, silver fawn, and apricot. Any other color is a variation of any of these or a combination of two. Have fun playing with colors until the pug ultimately comes to life! For this pug drawing, we created such a cute cartoon version of this famous dog breed. We love the style it is drawn in, but if you want to create your own take then you could change the design a bit. You might want to make the pug look a little more realistic or maybe even simplify the design even more! Everyone knows that pugs are super cute. The only thing cuter than a pug is more pugs! You know how to do it after finishing this guide, so it should be easy enough to do. You could create all kinds of fun and cute scenarios for the pugs to be involved in, too! What kinds of pug adventures would you like to create. Some people like to dress up their cute pups in clothing. This can help keep them warm in cold weather or just make them look even cuter. We think it would look so adorable if you added some clothing to this pug sketch! Maybe it could be wearing a fluffy beanie or even a nice sweater. These are just a few ideas, but you could create any kind of doggy outfit you like! How would you like to dress up a cute pug? Once you have chosen which of these tips you would like to try out, you can finish it all off with a background. If you were to do this, you could create any kind of setting you can imagine! It could be as simple as having the pug sitting in a living room next to a fire. Or you could create a pug party with lots of treats and balloons! What kind of setting would you like for this pug drawing? Your Pug Drawing is Complete! Which dog breed would you like to learn how to draw next? Take a picture of your artwork and flaunt it on various social media channels. Focus on the shape of the head, the position of the ears, the length of the legs, and the overall body structure. Follow the steps illustrated in the below collage, and soon you will be able to draw a realistic pug. Step 1: Draw the Body of Your Dog Drawing Begin your easy dog drawing by drawing a tilted oval shape to represent the main body of the dog. Step 2: Draw the Head Attached to the main body, draw a circle to represent the head of the pug. Step 3: Add the Ears Attached to either side of the head, draw the overlapping oval shapes to represent the ears. Within the center of the head, draw a narrow oval shape to represent the nostrils. Step 4: Draw the Legs of Your Easy Dog Drawing Again, overlapping the body, draw two narrow vertical oval shapes to represent the front legs. Continue to draw a larger oval shape to represent the rear leg of your dog drawing. Step 5: Add the Paws Beneath the previously drawn leg shapes, draw the construction lines of the paws underneath each leg. These can be represented by small ovals. Continue to draw two horizontal lines across the center line and an additional two shorter horizontal lines at the bottom of the center line. Between the two horizontal center guidelines, draw a circle on each end to represent the eyes of the pug. Use the previously drawn construction lines to aid you in outlining the top and bottom neckline of the pug leading onto the oval shape of the body. Step Outline the Paws of Your Easy Dog Drawing Begin to outline a more realistic paw shape for each leg, using the previously drawn ovals in step five. Step Continue to Outline Your Simple Dog Drawing In this step, you are going to outline more realistic-looking dog ears in your simple dog drawing. Continue the step by drawing the connecting line between both ears which represents the top of the head. Finish this step by drawing the final bottom neckline. Step Outline the Eyes Use the previously drawn circles to aid you in outlining more curved and realistically shaped eyes. Within each eye, draw a half-moon shape to represent the iris. Once you have completed this step, you can erase any construction lines that are still visible. Step Draw the Mouth and Nostrils Within the face, draw the triangular-shaped mouth on the bottom area of the center guideline. Finish the step by drawing the curving nostril shape on the center axis. Make sure these lines curve around the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Once you have completed this step, you may now erase the visible guidelines. Step Apply the First Color Coat Select a regular brush and light brown paint, and evenly coat the pug, however, leave the ears blank. Step Continue to Color Your Simple Dog Drawing With a fine, sharp brush and dark gray paint, paint the ears, eyes, and the bottom area of each paw. Step Highlight the Body Begin by lightening the first color coat throughout the body and face area of the pug, using a soft brush and white paint. Repeat using a fine, sharp brush for finer and sharper highlight lines. Switch to a blending brush to spread and fade the white paint over the first color coat. Step Contour Your Dog Drawing With a soft brush and dark bronze paint, begin to enhance the first color coat. To do this, simply follow or trace the guidelines added in step .Switch to a blending brush to soften and fade the contouring. Step Shade Your Easy Dog Drawing In this step, add shading around the facial and body contouring lines with a soft brush and black paint. Use a blending brush to soften and spread the shading between the existing color coats. Complete the step with a fine, sharp brush and black paint, and add fine brushstrokes along the bottom neckline area. Step Texture Your Simple Dog Drawing Select a fine, sharp brush and a combination of black, white, and bronze paint, and add fine brushstrokes creating a furry texture along the body of your pug. Step Continue to Texture Your Drawing Continue onto the nostril and mouth area, using a thin brush and a combination of black and white paint, and create a furry texture. Surround the eye patches with fine brushstrokes. Follow this by tracing the structure lines on the face and head with fine brushstrokes and black paint. Finish this off using white paint to enhance the fur coat. Continue onto the ears, and add fine brushstrokes using a thin brush and black paint. Repeat once more using white paint to add a fine highlighted coat within each ear. Step Color the Eyes With a fine, sharp brush and black paint, fill in both eyes. Continue onto the iris and outline it using brown paint. Finish off using white paint, and add fine brushstrokes within each paw. Step Highlight the Eyes Continue with the eyes by adding a subtle highlight within each iris using a thin brush and white paint. Complete the step using white paint to add fine whiskers to your dog drawing. Step Add a Furry Outline In this step, extend the fur coat beyond the solid outline of your dog drawing, using a fine, sharp brush and the corresponding colors. Step Apply a Ground Shadow Add shading underneath each of the paws with a small, soft brush and black paint. Switch to a blending brush to spread and soften the ground shadow. Step Finalize Our How to Draw a Dog Tutorial To achieve a realistic final result of a pug drawing, select a fine, sharp brush and matching colors and trace any harsh outlines. Congratulations on learning how to draw a dog step-by-step! Try drawing dogs in action, like running or jumping, to bring your drawings to life. Experiment with different textures and shading techniques to give your drawings depth and dimension. Remember, each artist has their unique style, and your dog drawings are a reflection of your creativity and imagination.
We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Clarksville Tennessee and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Clarksville, TN? We have answers. What's the most interesting thing about Labradoodle puppies for sale near Clarksville? Labradoodles are a unique and intriguing breed of dog specifically bred for their intelligence, affability, and hypoallergenic qualities. What's most interesting about them is that they were selectively bred in an attempt to combine qualities of both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles to create a breed with the best traits of both. They can be incredibly smart and trainable due to the intelligence of both parent breeds, but also retain a playful demeanor and loyalty of Retrievers. Will Labradoodle puppies for sale in Clarksville cause me to have allergies? Labradoodles typically do not cause significant problems for those who are allergies, as they are considered to have a low to non-shedding quality that makes them ideal for those who experience allergies. That being said, there is no guarantee that individuals with allergies will not experience any allergic reactions when exposed to Labradoodles, as everyone's allergies are different and can depend on many factors. It is important to conduct tests to determine the severity of an individual's allergies before considering a Labradoodle. What should I not feed Clarksville Labradoodle puppies for sale? Labradoodles should not be fed foods that contain large amounts of fat, sugar, or salt, as these can cause obesity and other health problems. Some family members may be tempted to give their Labradoodle table scraps as a special treat, but this can cause digestive issues. Additionally, like any other dog, Labradoodles should not be fed chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, certain nuts, or foods containing caffeine, as these can be extremely toxic. Do Labradoodle puppies in Clarksville have any kind of special requirements? Labradoodles are a fun and active breed of dog that requires some important special requirements. They need to be groomed regularly and should also have daily exercise. Proper socialization is important to help Labradoodles become well balanced and comfortable around other animals and people. Regular vet visits and an appropriate diet for their age and activity level should also be considered. If you are fully prepared to provide all of these requirements for a Labradoodle, then they will make a great pet. Labradoodles are a loyal and loving companion and can provide great amounts of joy to their family. What sizes do Labradoodles for sale in Clarksville come in? Labradoodles come in a wide variety of sizes due to their hybrid nature. Generally, they come as miniature, medium, or standard sizes. Do Labradoodle puppies near Clarksville like to swim? Labradoodles certainly appear to enjoy swimming, as they boast an impressive water-resistant coat and athletic body. However, swimming isn't just a fun activity for these pups, but can also be an important part of a healthy lifestyle, as it helps to support their physical and mental wellbeing. Most Labradoodles are intelligent and eager to please dogs, so they typically take to the water quite quickly. Swimming gives them a great opportunity to practice their natural retrieving drives and use their energy in an enriching, beneficial way. Are Labradoodles in Clarksville good for first-time owners? Labradoodles can be great pets for first-time owners depending on the dog's individual characteristics and the owner's lifestyle. Labradoodles are typically intelligent, loyal and friendly dogs, which makes them relatively easy to train. Their moderate size and high energy levels require daily exercise and give them a strong ability to bond with their owners in activities such as running and playing. Since Labradoodles are highly intelligent, training and socializing should be a top priority for any new pet owner, as it helps teach them good manners and canine obedience. How do I train my Clarksville Labradoodles for sale? Training your Labradoodle can be a rewarding, yet challenging, experience. Establishing yourself as the leader and setting clear boundaries is important for successful training. To get your pup used to your voice and commands, aim to praise and reward behavior you would like repeated. Try calming hand gestures along with verbal cues. Positive reinforcement is key; remember to give ample treats or verbal rewards when your pup performs a desired behavior. It is equally important to remember to remain consistent with all commands and teachings. Every day is an opportunity to learn new commands.
Newfiedoodle Newfypoo Puppies for Sale Our goal is to provide outstanding Newfiedoodles aka Newfypoos of excellent health, temperament, and looks to loving forever homes. Newfoundlands are perhaps the greatest gentle giants of the dog world. Legendary for their docile nature, lumbering loyalty, and wonderful ability with children, Newfoundlands are beloved dogs. To own a Newfie is to fall in love with Newfies. So why would anyone get a Newfiedoodle instead of a purebred Newfoundland? Newfiedoodles bring the added advantage of typically having better health because of hybrid vigor , greater intelligence and trainability because of the standard poodle's incredible intelligence and low-to-non-shedding coats for those who have allergic reactions to Newfoundlands, or don't want to clean tons of dog hair. We've tried several top quality foods and landed on TLC puppy and dog food. TLC is a fabulous choice for quality, value, and service they ship fresh food for free to your door. You'd be hard pressed to find a better large breed doodle than a Newfypoo Newfiedoodle. For someone looking for a moderate to low energy, non-shedding gentle giant, a Newfiedoodle Newfypoo should be a top choice. We never ship puppies as we think it provides a terrible start. We have people from all over the U. Newfiedoodles are low-to-non-shedding, hypoallergenic Gentle Giants. Life Span Did You Know? The Newfypoo is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States and is a cross between a Newfoundland and a Poodle. As with many crosses with Poodles, the goal is the get all of the great traits of both breeds plus a low-shedding coat. This is not always guaranteed with a cross-breed because the puppies can take on any combination of traits from one or both parents. Regardless of their coat, a Newfypoo tends to have a friendly and loving disposition that makes a great family pet. Although the Newfypoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations like the International Designer Canine Registry, International Canine Association, and more. Although the Newfypoo grows up to be a big dog, they are notoriously gentle giants. They have a kind, loving, and friendly disposition with a playful, energetic personality. They are loyal and affectionate. Newfypoos also tend to be even-tempered and patient. They get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, and other pets. They also often take on the role of family protector and make good watchdogs. The Newfypoo is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Because of their large size, they do not tend to be a good fit for apartment living. They are better suited to larger homes and will love running around a yard. Because these big dogs tend to be fluffy, they tend to do better in moderate and cooler climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time because they bond closely with their families. Since the Newfypoo is a mixed-breed, they can inherit the potential health issues common to one, both, or neither of their parent breeds. For this designer dog breed, potential health issues to be aware of include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid problems, bone problems, a heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis, and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye. Responsible breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing potential issues on to puppies. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results. Both of the parent breeds of the Newfypoo are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable. The same should be true for the Newfypoo. They tend to pick up on things quickly and tend to be a good fit for dog owners of all experience levels. They respond best to positive training methods focused on reward and praise. Because a mixed-breed can take on any combination of characteristics from the parents, your Newfypoo could end up with a Newfoundland coat, a Poodle coat, or some combination of both of them. As such, you need to be prepared for coat care regardless of coat type. Should your Newfypoo have a Newfoundland coat, they will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year. Brushing weekly or a few times a week is usually sufficient, but it may be a good idea to move to daily brushing during heavier shedding sessions. Bathing is on an as-needed basis. Should your Newfypoo inherit the Poodle coat, they will be low-shedding, but not low-maintenance. Professional grooming needs to happen every weeks. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Keeping it a positive experience and getting them used to it early on makes basic grooming and maintenance much easier as your puppy grows into a large dog. The Newfypoo has a moderate activity level. They do need daily vigorous activity to stay happy and healthy, but they take time to relax as well. Daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity are usually sufficient for this dog. Their large frame and joints do not make them a good fit for long-distance running, but your Newfypoo may enjoy running around with you briefly, going on hikes, taking trips to the dog park, and more. A fully-grown Newfypoo usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. A Newfypoo generally lives years. Although Newfypoo is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes called a Newdle, Newfydoodle, Newfoundlandoodle, Newfoundlandpoo, Poofoundland, or simply a Newfoundland Poodle Mix. Featured Newfypoo Article. Before that I raised various other breeds, including Newfoundlands and Standard Poodles. Once I discovered how absolutely fabulous the cross between these two breeds was, I changed my focus to raising the very best Newdles I could. Newfypoos are sweet, calm, hypo-allergenic, and get along well with other dogs, children, and other pets. When you have a Newdle in your house, happiness and love reign. Even better, no-shed and no-drool is the rule. If you love Newfoundlands, the drool is something you live with. Their laid-back personality and easy going nature is what you value. Poodle lovers appreciate the no-shed coat and understand how easy it is to train a poodle. You put these two together and you get a Newdle, the best dog you will ever have! I typically have puppies available throughout the year, but they do go fast. You can also call to see what puppies I may have available for their forever homes. For more information, call Lonny — or Jackie — Life With A Newfypoo Temperament The Newfypoo is a wonderful, alert, friendly, playful, intelligent, loyal and loving dog. They make wonderful family dogs and are great with children. In the last few years, many Newfypoos have been trained and successfully serve as personal assistance dogs. Grooming and Maintenance Newfypoos are low to no shed dogs. Lucky Day Ranch Newypoos are typically no shed. They have a fine, wavy coat that needs regular attention and trimming. In particular, the hair around their eyes can get in the way and needs to be trimmed often, as well as their prominent beard that needs regular cleaning. Training and Exercise These happy, intelligent dogs need daily walks, or at least regular times where they can feel challenged and active. They need plenty of room to run and are surprisingly quick and agile for their size. Choko 5 years old Lonny is a wonderful man. He truly cares about his dogs and the breed he is working to create. He takes not only health but temperament into account when breeding. We loved working with him. We were on his waiting list for just under a year and when the puppies were born he was wonderful with communication until we were able to bring her home. We decided to have her flown to us from his ranch in Colorado. He took transportation very seriously and she arrived happy and in great health. She is everything he said she would be. A beautiful, bright, happy, minimal shedding, no drooling and intelligent pup! Very trainable! She was potty trained at 7 months, has grown with our young 6 month old when they met babies, and is very loving to our cats and other dogs. She is everything I ever dreamed of in a dog. Loyal, protective, intelligent, calm, and gentle are all words used to describe this amazing breed. Size Newfypoos are large, beautiful dogs. An adult Newfypoo can stand 24 to 32 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 70 to pounds. Ultimately, the size will depend on the size of each parent and is unpredictable. Coat The Newfypoo typically has a thick, curly, oily, and water-resistant coat. Most common colors are black, brown, and golden with the occasions multicolor coming through with some breedings. Time Requirements Highly inteligent and fairly active, Newfypoos are not the easiest of breeds to raise. They need at least an hour of activity a day and can experience separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches of time. Having an owner with time to spend with their pup is ideal for this breed. Health Concerns As with any mixed-breed dog, you can expect fewer genetic problems than with either parent breeds. With that said, however, you should also anticipate a tendency towards any disease common in those same breeds. Would you like a puppy who will grow up to be a gentle giant and lifelong companion? Then consider the Newfiedoodle, a cross between a Newfoundland and a Poodle. Intelligent, calm, hypoallergenic, and energetic, Newfiedoodles, also called Newfydoos, are quick to capture hearts with their sweet faces and kind demeanors. The spirited yet good-natured Newfiedoodle makes for a wonderful pup for active families with children or pup parents who want a loyal dog who is part of their everyday lives. If that seems too much Newfypoo for you, then the Mini Newfiedoodle may be more your style. With all the same traits as a standard Newfiedoodle, the Mini Newfypoo is a lively spark in a tiny package. Perfect for small dog fans or small living spaces, the Mini Newfiedoodle makes an adorable addition to any family. Top 5 Advantages of Newfiedoodles And Mini Newfypoo Puppies Newfiedoodles are hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they are a low-shedding breed ideal for people allergic to pet dander. The Newfiedoodle is a smart dog originating from two intelligent dog breeds, the Poodle and the Newfoundland. That means the Newfiedoodle is bright, eager, willing to please, and easy to train. Families with young children are a perfect fit for the Newfiedoodle as this breed is well known for its fondness for children. Newfiedoodles are a popular designer breed due to their characteristically calm and gentle traits. The Newfiedoodle is on the quiet side and rarely barks. Not a fan of dog drool? Newfiedoodles have smaller mandibles than purebred Newfoundlands; thus, Newfiedoodles drool considerably less than other breeds. These adorable dogs are a cross between a Newfoundland and a Poodle, and they make great pets. Newfypoos puppies are generally friendly and good-natured, and they love to play. They are also very smart and easy to train. Newfypoos require plenty of exercise, so be sure to take your dog for walks or runs every day. Newfypoos also need regular veterinary checkups. 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These will be truly gorgeous holding black and reds in size from 45 - 65? Never a guarantee on size, yet larger standards is the focus. Janis's background read more on her website "About" page and why TI sees her ready and able to grow A Perfect World line to a high professional standard for you. She started out: Janis Prothro: Throughout the years spanning both my careers and college, all while raising a family, there were few hours left in the day for anything else. My children are in college now. In , I began to study and search for a breeder who is responsible, educated in the field, caring and reputable, with excellent references. She has been breeding Standard Poodles since .The wealth of information on her web pages, the university symposiums she travels to for continuing education, the studies of canine health and nutrition she has been part of - all together made up my mind that I had found the right breeder. In I put down a deposit for a pup. In I brought home Marvels of A Perfect World with the goal of creating a great poodle line of my own. So how does my life and work experience qualify me as a breeder for Large Standard Poodles Idaho, in Boise? Growing up: 17 years with poodles. I love the breed. I know about how to care for them. I know their unique qualities and I am familiar with many poodle specific health issues. Scarlet, age 2 joined the family in September. I co-own her with Tes Ingebritson. Quality Assurance background NASA : Instilled in me the importance of building from a solid foundation: following the rules, industry specifications, careful deliberation, analysis, testing, corrective measures, maintaining a clean and ordered work environment are instilled in my work ethic. I am dedicated to quality and the highest standards in everything I do. It lead to my success in college and my next career. College: Bachelor of Science Business Management. Cum Laude. I can set a goal and achieve it with excellence. I know how to run a business ethically and efficiently. A fiduciary is legally obliged to act in your best interest. I take this very seriously. I treat each puppy your asset as if he or she were my own. Testing the parents to confirm that they will produce healthy offspring with a stable temperament. Training and preparing the pups with proven methods to be the most ideal representatives of the breed. This is what I would want in a puppy. As a breeder I understand, respect and follow the laws governing me. I take my responsibility to you and the pups as a fiduciary would. I learned about breeder protocols in the whelping and care of newborn pups and record keeping. I traveled to Texas 5 weeks later to complete my training hands-on. I learned and participated in microchipping, vaccination protocols, nutrition for weening the pups, grooming, cleaning and also breeding. Marvels and Scarlet were paired and we are looking forward to their litter expected in November at Large Standard Poodles Idaho. I look forward to talking with you soon! Janis Prothro. Check with the breeder for up-to-date information on puppy availability. Let Us Help You Find Your Poodle Puppy Buying the wrong puppy will cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary bills and incalculable emotional stress. But it could be time-consuming to find breeders of healthy, well-behaved Poodle puppies from good lines. However, we can save you time and from the trouble of finding a reputable Poodle breeder. Leverage our experience and expertise for your peace of mind. She will discuss with you what to expect when expecting a Poodle and prep you for Poodle parenthood. To get started, email your name and zip code to FindMeAPuppy bestpoodle. However, when looking for a puppy from a breeder, we recommend that you do your due diligence. Do not just jump into buying a puppy from a breeder. Take your time to research the breeder. Note that in addition to the price you pay for a poodle puppy, owning a poodle comes with the cost of taking care of a poodle. And owning a poodle can be expensive because poodles require frequent grooming because of the nature of their coats. Learn about how much it costs to own and keep a poodle here. We wish you the best of luck as you are about to embark on the beautiful journey of owning a Poodle! I am a small breeder of beautiful red and black standard poodles located in Boise Idaho, an all-round nice place to be! I breed for health, temperament, structure and size. Everyone loves the larger poodles! I also focus on keeping those remarkable dark red and inky black colors that everyone loves! Boise, ID Large Standard Poodles: Parents An extensive amount of research, testing, assessment and time have gone into finding and testing my poodles. Scarlet is a beautiful deep, dark holding red standard poodle. Both sire and dam are fully health tested, including Embark DNA, and evaluated for sound structure and solid temperament. I adhere to the highest quality breeding standards. My poodles are lovingly cared for. They are never kenneled and live inside with the family. I believe these are responsible protocols, and the best assurance that you will have - not only a nice poodle - but an exceptional poodle! In growing Large Standard Poodles my focus is to build the confidence of the puppies by exposing them to new people, noises, surfaces, and environments. At 6 weeks old, puppies will begin taking trips in their wagon to schools, malls, hardware stores, nursing homes, police and fire stations. This is how they get extensive socialization to become the best they can be. I welcome your questions with enthusiasm because I love the breed and want to ensure that every pup from Marvels develops as they should. They will be ideal companions you can be proud of; and that is the ultimate goal of what I do as a breeder. Please read more about my poodles and complete the Large Standard Poodles Contact Form if you are interested in reserving a puppy. Introducing our new boy Ch. However, we strive for high quality toy poodles and only once in awhile we will have tiny toy poodles or teacup poodles available. We specialize in the dark chocolate brown toy poodle puppies but also breed for dark red, apricot and blacks in color. Each will have a five-generation pedigree. Some years ago I received a little black female Toy Poodle for Christmas. We named her "Precious" and she was the first poodle I had ever owned. Well, that was the beginning of a forever relationship with the most wonderful little God given creature I had ever known. Our kennel name "Azizi" means "Precious Little Treasure" in Swahili and that is truly what our little girl is to us. In my previous life before poodles , I had raised and showed Chows and Samoyeds in the conformation show ring. During that time, I owned and operated a boarding kennel and grooming parlor. We successfully bred our "Precious" to a black champion. From this litter, I was awarded my beautiful little "Ebony" who is pictured within the 'Girls" tab. That experience was the beginning of a love affair with this sweet little breed. I now am a small hobby breeder of loving companion and show prospect puppies. I love the Chocolate Brown Poodle personality. They are loving and are also little comedians. The Red toy poodles are a little demanding but are also love bugs. Having had 35 years plus of raising several different breeds, my goal is to breed for the healthiest, happiest, sound of mind and body toy poodles that I possibly can. I will always bear in mind to aim for the AKC standards. All of our puppies are raised in our home with us and are pre-spoiled. Each puppy is well socialized and experiences potty training from an early age. I am extremely conscientious about the long-term health conditions of all of our poodles. Therefore, I only will be breeding sound of mind and body poodles, trying to eliminate any potential problems. Being able to improve the quality of life by placing one of our puppies gives us a huge blessing. For that reason, our emphasis and goal will be to provide as many service animals as our breeding program will create. Unfortunately, a few of our puppies simply do not possess the innate qualities needed to fill that category. In that case, we make them available as a pet. They do not live in kennels and never will.Thanks for visiting my website. Please come back soon or feel free to call me at Judy Stewart In case of any unforeseen disagreement, I maintain the right to refuse the sale of any puppy to anyone. I could tell from the beginning that Angie is a breeder who really does love and care for all of her puppies deeply. I could also tell very quickly when we got our puppy how hard Angie worked to socialize our puppy to feel comfortable with many sounds, people, kids, environments, objects, etc. Our pup is not startled by anything, he sleeps amazing and is so well tempered. I was shocked to see that he just naturally would go lay in his crate and take a nap on his own. There is a lot of work that goes into raising a pup and socializing them to feel comfortable in our world and Angie did an amazing job. It is so worth the money to pay a good breeder like Angie who socializes her puppies so well. In the long run it has made my life a lot easier with training and just enjoying time with our new pup. Highly recommend! August 19 Susan Freisinger If you are looking for a well adjusted poodle with a sweet temperment, great conformation and health tested Angie is your Breeder. We have 2 of her babies and also transported 2 additional babies cross-country. These babies traveled well and got many compliments. When we get another baby it will definately be from Angie. Angie has also been very patient and answered all of our questions and is willing to assist with learning to groom. Not only does she breed for superb conformation, temperament and health, her puppies have such a great start in life with her puppy culture methods. We've added the most well adjusted puppy with a huge head start on training to our family. I did an extensive search for a reputable breeder and when I found Easterbrook Moyen Poodles, I knew this was exactly what I was looking for. Angie chose the puppy for us that would best fit with our family and lifestyle and it couldn't have turned out more perfect. Thank you for breeding such amazing and joyful pups! We can't wait to get another. August 23 Tisa Stafford Our experience with Angie was one of the best experiences I have had with any breeder. She is patient, answered all our questions and breeds the most beautiful well adjusted poodles. August 22 Susanne Morris Very nice professional breeder. By Friday she was wrestling with my other dogs and trying to take the place over. This puppy was given a good start at home! Great temperament, very confident and wants to be cuddled ALL the time. She has already stole my heart! Her confirmation, temperament and beautiful color definitely steps my program up a notch. Hard to find a pup with the whole package. Thank you Angie for an amazing puppy. August 8 Steve Sparks What a wonderful 5 star experience working with Easterbrook. Angie chose the best puppy for us. Communication was easy and informative. I can't say enough good things. Thank you! December 31
free german shepherd puppies in chattanooga tn - Temperament: Loyal, energetic and confident. Rottweiler Lab Mix Appearance Because this is a mixed breed, their physical appearance will vary depending on which parent breed the puppy takes after more. In general Labradors are thinner than Rottweiler, so Rottweiler Lab mixes will fall somewhere in the middle of these two breeds. Both breeds are broad-shouldered with a slight tuck and a large head. The first thing that you should notice with the Rottweiler Lab mix is how athletic they are. They should look muscular and give off a commanding presence. Their body usually resembles a Rottweiler, but their head and longer muzzle has more resemblance to the Labrador. Size The typical size of one of these dogs is anywhere between inches in height, with a weight of around pounds. Remember those pups with more Labrador will be on the smaller side, whilst those with more Rottweiler are on the heavier side. Coat and Colors These dogs come in a handful of darker colors including brown, black, gray or black and tan. A black and tan coat like that of a Rottweiler is the most common. The short to medium length coat of a Rottweiler Lab mix should be smooth to the touch. Because they have a double coat, these dogs shed quite a bit. To keep up with their shedding you should expect to brush your dog every other day or at the very least, weekly to keep the coat healthy. They are one of the largest hybrid dogs around. Despite the short coat these dogs are not hypoallergenic. This is a very adaptable dog and is suitable for most households. Rottweiler Lab Mix Personality and Temperament Rottweilers and Labradors vary quite a bit in their personalities, so it can be difficult to predict exactly how your mix will behave when fully grown. One thing you can know for sure is they love to be with their family. They will follow you all over the house and are happiest when they can be by your side. Because of this they are often prone to separation anxiety, so please be ready to work through this with your new dog. These dogs tend to be very playful and love nothing more than to play a game of fetch or tug with their owner or other dogs. And like working Labs they have boundless amounts of energy meaning that they will play for hours. Rottweiler and Lab mixes are a protective breed but are not typically aggressive — still caution is needed when letting your dog interact with strangers. Proper socialization when they are young can help to curb this but they will most likely never be very welcoming of strangers. Both Rottweilers and Labradors make great family dogs so expect this mix to be no different. They are more than willing to participate in any antics that their kids get up to. Just remember these mixes are protective by nature and will often view other children as a threat to their own kids. Caring for a Rottweiler Lab Mix The Rottweiler Lab mix is a highly active, very strong breed that needs discipline and a strong owner. They require obedience training from day one to make sure that you can keep control of them when they grow bigger and stronger. Other than that they do great in almost any household. They are a very adaptable dog that do not bark much. The biggest issue with this breed is the huge amount of physical exercise they need. Exercise Requirements Both the Labrador and the Rottweiler are high energy and athletic breeds, so your mix will be the same. These dogs like to go and need a lot of daily exercise. At least one hour walk a day with another hour of playtime is the bare minimum required for these dogs. Hiking or even swimming are great ways to tire out your dog physically. So make sure that you have the time to take them for an extra-hard hike at least once a week. You can also do dog sports with your Rottweiler Labrador mix, such as agility and rally. If these dogs do not receive the proper amount of physical stimulation they can become destructive. Number of Walks Per Day: 2. Grooming and Shedding Because of their short coat these dogs do not require regular trips to the groomers or daily brushing. However they do need to be brushed every other day or so. Regular bathing is also not necessary for these dogs. You can give them a bath just when they smell or look like they need it. Too many baths can dry out their fur and cause skin irritation. To remove dead hair and skin you can also use a wet washcloth and wipe it over their body. Feeding and Diet A high protein food specialized for large breed dogs is best for your mix. You should speak with your vet to establish the protein content your pooch needs it differs depending on how active your dog is. Because the Rottweiler Lab mix is prone to bloat it is best to feed this dog in smaller portions throughout the day. Giving them a cup of food three times a day is best. Never leave food out freely for this breed — they are prone to being overweight. Having pet insurance could save you from the headaches of going to the vets with reimbursement for every vet bill from now on! A Rottweiler crossed with a Lab is a large dog and will require at least 1, calories a day. The only way to achieve that is to go for recipes developed particularly for giant pups, such as these best large breed dry dog food brands. You may also serve them the overall best dry dog food , but remember to increase the portions. This crossbreed will have an insatiable appetite from their first months, so only give them the absolute best puppy food brands or even the best dry dog food for small dogs. Old goggies will still want to munch a ton, but the food needs to be appropriate for their age. The best senior dry dog food will have adequate ingredients for this age group and it will be softer so they can eat it with ease. This lessens the amount of food they will have per meal and reduces the risk of bloating, something that typically afflicts large breeds. Low-quality meals are also detrimental to their health, so keep your pooch away from the worst dry dog food out there. There are several good dry dog food for large breeds like the Rottweiler Lab cross. It also uses deboned chicken as its primary ingredient and eschews corn, soy or wheat. It reportedly also alleviates allergies and poor digestion. It also has flaxseed, which is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids. Nutra Thrive dog food supplement : Although not food per se, supplements are essential for the necessary intake of vitamins and minerals that your pup may need if they are particularly active or muscular like a Rott Lab mix. It also has glucosamine to improve joint health. You should expect their offspring to inherit that trait as well. A Lab crossed with a Rottweiler needs to be taken on long walks daily, with each trip lasting about 30 to 60 minutes long. The question here is whether you have the energy and stamina to match your dog. Lack of activity and eating too much can cause your dog to put on weight. Being overweight or obese can lead to diabetes and other health problems. A Lab crossed with Rottweiler also needs a lot of attention. It needs company and puzzles and toys that will keep it engaged. Otherwise, it will become bored and develop separation anxiety. These can manifest into some pretty destructive behavior, like incessant barking, chewing, biting, and digging. The right toys can give your dog an outlet for their energy. It also helps sharpen its mind and reflexes. Here are the top toys for a large breed like the Rottodor. This KONG dog toy has been bringing joy to countless dogs for years now. The toy is designed to be filled with treats to keep your pet occupied for hours as it tries to get to the goodies. Nylabone Big Chew: This toy has a distinct shape and is made from extra-strong nylon. A lot of dog owners claim that it takes years for their dog to wear down this toy. Kick Fetch Toy Ball: Another great toy for large and active dogs, the Chuckit allows you to play fetch with your dog. But instead of throwing the ball, you kick it like a soccer ball. The grooves on the ball make it easier for your pet to carry it back to you. Rottweiler Lab Training Training the Rottweiler Lab can be easy, especially if you already have experience with dogs. Having two intelligent parents, Rottador is also smart and quick to learn. Its instinctual need to please its human gives it the motivation to work hard and learn new tricks. Like other breeds, a Rottweiler Lab mix will respond to positive reinforcement better than through punishment or other harsh strategies. However, you should tap the services of an experienced dog trainer to help train your dog. Expose your puppy to other dogs and people by bringing it to a dog park. You might have to keep it on a leash initially until it learns to interact peacefully with others. Even if your Lab Rottweiler mix is socialized, you should not let it play with very young children. Training and socialization will be a lifetime process. Punishment-based training never works. Studies have also shown that using this technique raises less obedient dogs that are more likely to attack strangers and even their owners. Have a lot of visitors over while your dog is still a puppy. Puppies are very confident, so this is the best time to introduce them to new situations. They should not become afraid of other people as fear is what makes dogs attack. Correct nibbling behavior immediately. A quick tap or a spray of a citrusy mix will put a stop to it. Redirect their gnawing tendency towards an appropriate chew toy. This strong dog has an equally strong will and drive. It needs someone who knows how to handle powerful, intelligent canines and who can step up and be firm with it. In short, it needs a no-nonsense Alpha. The Labweiler also needs a family who has an active lifestyle since it needs to be exercised regularly. This dog has boundless energy so it needs a place to romp around. It will not do well in small apartments or with owners that are more inclined towards a sedentary lifestyle. This can lead to very destructive behavior. You could come home to a ruined couch or to complaints of excessive barking. Families with young children should also choose another dog. The Rottweiler Lab mix can be the greatest canine companion for the right person. This lovable giant needs a confident and experienced dog owner who leads an active lifestyle. Rottador Highlights Rottadors are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Rottweiler or Labrador Retriever parents. The main colors of Rottador coats are black, brown, and grey. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job. When around children, especially young ones, they should be supervised because they are so big and strong. When Rottadors are raised with other dogs and cats, they generally get along well with them. They are highly trainable, and thrive on positive reinforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. They can easily become board, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors. Rottadors are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one hour-long walk per day. Rottador History The Rottador dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing Rottweilers and Labradors in North America, likely in the s. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate family companion and watchdog. They continued to create Rottadors as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though Rottadors got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up Rottador rescues, or check with breed specific Rottweiler and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. However, as a mix between Rottweiler and Labrador parents, you can expect the Rottador to be on the large side. Most weigh in at 70 to pounds and range in height from 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger. Rottador Personality Rottadors make affectionate family companions and watchdogs. Protective in nature, they will alert when strangers approach. However, once they befriend you, you have a friend for life. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their Rottweiler parents regularly work as police or guard dogs or cattle herding, while their Labrador Retriever parents have jobs as hunting or guide dogs. They make excellent family companions. Just make sure you have a lot of time and attention to devote to them. Rottador Health The Rottador mixed breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever also face. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Fetch and other adventurous activities are also recommended. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth three times a week minimum, or daily is even better. Crate and kennel training should start in puppyhood. Rottador Feeding An ideal Rottador diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. Limit their amount of treats, as well. They usually have medium-to-short, dense coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended every few months with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. Have you tried robot vacuums? See if the Eufy RoboVac is right for you! Their double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they are indoor dogs and need to live indoors. Because of their cattle-driving heritage, they have a tendency to lean and push and can accidentally topple a toddler with a nudge. 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 may have issues with strange dogs or adult dogs that are introduced into the home, being intolerant of same-sex dogs. With your training and guidance, however, they should accept new animals peaceably. Keep your Rottador on leash in public to prevent aggression or belligerence toward other dogs. Rottador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Rottadors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Rottweiler or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. These devoted and docile animals are often seen following their owner and always trying to please their family with a clownish behavior. They might become destructive if you keep them separated for long periods. The Labrotties are not known to welcome strangers or other unfamiliar pets due to their territorial instincts. This makes it necessary to expose them to different people as well as sights and sounds. These pets get along fine with kids if raised with them. Care Exercise Since it has a working heritage, the breed requires a fair amount of regular activity to keep it happy. Even though it remains somewhat inactive indoors, it will appreciate a minute walk or a romp in a fenced yard. It also enjoys one or two sessions of interactive games including retrieving a ball, which it will happily carry in its mouth. Do not over-exercise your pet as its double coat could cause its body to become excessively hot. Grooming When it comes to grooming, your Labrottie needs a weekly brushing using a firm-bristled brush. This will help in not only removing the loose hairs but also distributing the skin oils much more evenly. To keep it looking clean as well as smelling good, you need to bathe your Rottweiler-Labrador mix once or twice every two months. If its nails do not wear down naturally, trim them down once a month. Health Problems Like all big dogs with a deep chest, the Labrotties are susceptible to bloat or torsion. Therefore, do not feed your dog a single large meal, neither encourage it to eat rapidly nor make it exercise vigorously after a meal. Moreover, this breed is sometimes affected by hip and elbow dysplasia, bone cancer, PRA, canine cataracts, and allergies. Training This breed is not suitable for those owners who lack confidence or do not have the time to supervise and train their dogs. Obedience Training: Keep the commands short, one or two words at the most. You may use clicker training that is based on positive reinforcement, consistency, and cooperation to curb its natural aggressive behavior. Socialization: Carefully introduce your Labrottie to other dogs, which will help it to learn to coexist with its new companion. Feeding Apart from feeding your dog on canned food and dry kibble, you could provide it with bones and raw meat. Feed your pet a quality dog food that has at least 30 percent protein, 20 percent crude fat, and less than 4 percent fiber. The appearance of this crossbreed dog will depend on the parent mix, but the Labrottie is likely to inherit a solid and sturdy body like the Rottweiler, a broad head like the Labrador and a short to medium length, shiny double coat. A Rottweiler Lab mix is one of the largest hybrid dogs around. It may look like a fearsome large dog but it can be very friendly, loyal, and loving. The Lab Rottie is a very energetic and muscular dog whose exercise needs should not be underestimated by any potential dog owner. Early behavioral and socialization training will help this Rottweiler mix show its affectionate and positive protective nature. A Labrottie puppy is an adorable crossbreed dog. A brief history of this mixed-breed dog A Rottweiler Lab mix is a cross between a purebred Rottweiler dog and a purebred Labrador Retriever dog. When two different dog breeds are deliberately mixed, the crossbreed is known as a designer dog ; this Rottweiler and Labrador hybrid dog is sometimes nicknamed a Rottador. This breed is very confident and determined and is regarded as the No1 guard dog. Rottweiler dogs were as used to herd and guard cattle for Roman soldiers as they traveled around in their quest to conquer Europe; these cattle were the primary food source. Their alertness, discipline, and endurance made them an ideal guard dog. Fact: The Rottweiler is probably the oldest known herding dog breed with its origins traceable back to Roman times. The Rottweiler dog breed is believed to have descended from Roman drover dogs: a mastiff-like dog. Their intelligence, strength, and energy levels meant that these large dogs were used during the World Wars as guard dogs and for messenger or ambulance duties. They are still used today for this type of support and search and rescue activity. So what color is a Rottweiler dog? Parent 2: History of the Labrador Retriever — a purebred dog The Labrador Retriever is the best-loved and most popular dog breed in the world! It has a solid double coat in one of 3 colors; pure black, chocolate brown, or yellow. Whatever the coat color this is just an attractive and loveable dog breed for any level of dog owner or as an adorable and friendly family dog. The Labrador Retriever dog is from Newfoundland, Canada, and was used by fishermen to retrieve their fish from nets and catch any that escaped back into the sea. They are good swimmers and have a gentle mouth grip that will not further destroy any prey they are ordered to retrieve. The Newfoundland and Labrador Province, in Canada, provided this hunting and retrieving dog with its name — the Labrador Retriever or Lab to its friends! The Newfoundland Labrador Retriever dog breed came to Great Britain around , to be used as gun dogs for retrieving waterfowl from land and water, during the shooting season, in Scotland and England. Ongoing breeding is believed to have continued the pure Newfoundland lab bloodline in our Labrador Retriever breed today. The lab is gentle, fun-loving and loyal with an easy-going temperament. A Labrador Puppy, when trained and socialized it can be trusted and protective around anyone. Meet the offspring: The hybrid offspring of these two purebred dogs is the Rottweiler Labrador mix — the Labrottie puppy. Designer dogs gained popularity in the United States during the s and this increased demand and popularity for cross-breeds such as the Labrador Rottweiler mix. The Labrottie puppy is a hybrid dog breed and is therefore not recognized as a breed in its own right, by the American Kennel Club; nor can it be awarded pedigree papers. Any other colors may be due to a gene mutation and are rare. What are the main characteristics of a Labrottie? Any crossbred dog, like the Labrador Rottweiler mix, could inherit the characteristics and the health problems of either parent or from both; or perhaps they could get the best of both and be stronger and inherit fewer health problems than their parent breeds. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. With any mixed breed dog, you just have to wait and see how it turns out. Labrottie puppies tend to have more of the classic appearance and sturdy build of the Rottweiler but with the friendlier facial features and floppy ears of a Labrador. This mix is likely to be courageous, confident and smart and also loving and affectionate. They will show devoted loyalty to their dog owner and family. They will be fairly active and enjoy having lots of company. Reputation: Any Rottweiler mix dog could be thought of as a fierce guard dog. The Rottweiler is a confident breed that looks fiercer than its behavior displays. When a Rottweiler is mixed with a Labrador Retriever, the perception changes, as the Labrador is considered a highly friendly, soft-natured, and docile family pet. When mixed the Labrottie will be loving, loyal, and protective of its loved ones, but wary of strangers, with a big bark. This mix is not recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC as it is not a purebred dog, but this will not affect this attractive dog being in demand. Trainability: Any Rottweiler mix puppy needs to be trained and socialized as early as possible. This Rottweiler Labrador mix puppy will be a powerful and muscular large-dog breed that needs to learn control and discipline early. They are intelligent and determined so training should be fairly easy, but this powerful dog is not recommended for an inexperienced dog owner or anyone who cannot provide it with lots of exercise and long walks. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are recommended for this large dog breed as is very confident, and strong-willed, so it will need to build trust with its owner. Rottweiler mix puppies should be trained slowly and never negatively punished, challenged directly, hit, or locked up for misbehavior. Always reinforce change gradually and praise good behavior and learning. Clicker training would work well with this puppy. This powerful mixed breed dog is no more likely to bite than any other dog breed however with their muscular build they could be very physical in their attempts to play; therefore they should be supervised at all times around young children and smaller animals. The Labweiler is fairly energetic, so a Labrador Rottweiler puppy will need at least one hour of daily exercise and playtime, building up hours a day in adulthood. Power and intelligence: Labrotties are smart, very powerful with a protective nature. They are fast learners but can be stubborn and aloof, so they will need to be trained and handled properly to be able to socialize in public with other dogs and children. They will love to keep active and play games with their family in a way that keeps them challenged; catch the ball or frisbee, puzzles or interactive toys are popular with this breed. Socialization: Early socialization dog training and discipline are strongly recommended for any Rottweiler mix dog. This type of hybrid dog has two highly active parents and one is a powerful guard dog. This mixed breed dog will need to learn to control its strength and have discipline training early to become well—behaved and trusted with other dogs and children. It will thrive in an outdoor environment. Purpose: A Rottweiler Labrador mix will be observant and have herding and retrieving instincts and want to be kept busy. The Labradors have a soft bite that is delicate and careful when retrieving anything and the Rottweiler is determined and forceful. Over time both have used their skills for good activities such as search and rescue, as both can follow orders and commands. A Labrottie can be a disciplined and protective family pet or a good service dog. Behavior: A Rottweiler Lab mix can be strong-willed, occasionally stubborn, and physically powerful, therefore it needs to be trained early as it can become destructive, bark, or chews things if under-stimulated. Physical Characteristics of the Labrottie Size: The Rottweiler Lab mix is considered a large-sized dog breed that has a solid and muscular build, with the build of a fearsome guard dog but the face of a loveable Lab. Weight: You can expect both male and female to reach between 70lblb kg in adulthood. You can expect a Labrottie to live between years, and to spawn a litter size of between pups on average. Temperament: The Rottweiler Lab mix can be strong-willed and stubborn. This Rottador has a very high energy level and can be destructive and bark if not occupied. With careful training and socialization they can be affectionate, pleasant and kind and protective How should you train a Rottweiler Labrador mix dog? The Rottweiler breed has had a reputation for being aggressive and dangerous if not trained properly. The boundaries need to be set early for this mixed breed dog. Fun and positive reinforcement and reward-based training work best. Never hit or raise your voice to this breed during training as it may challenge this Labweiler to rebel and refuse to cooperate. Types of training required: obedience, discipline, agility, and socialization. So, if you are not going to use a professional dog trainer: 1 Develop basic command words: Stop, Sit, Down, etc. This hybrid dog will try to dominate and this must be controlled early in training. This will eventually become its nest and it will sleep there. Eventually, the puppy with your help will learn where and where not to go. They will eventually become creatures of habit and regulate their need and place to use. Health problems and health issues What health problems can a Rottweiler Lab mix suffer from? Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia — common in many large breeds of dog. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, where the ball at the top of the leg does not fit properly into the socket and the ligaments attaching it are weak. This allows excess movement of the fitting which can eventually lead to stiffness and pain for the dog. Early warning signs are visual stiffness then walking, a reluctance to get up when prompted, and a difference in walking style; limp or caution. Bloat — any large dog that eats quickly or drinks a lot before exercising can suffer from bloat. This dangerous excessive gas build-up can cause the stomach to twist and damage other organs. Other health issues include ear infections, bone cancer, heart problems, skin conditions and allergies, epilepsy, and cold tail. How do you care for a Labrottie dog? Exercise needs A Labrottie is outgoing, athletic, and energetic so it will need lots of mixed exercises that blend fun and challenges. They need outdoor space to run around and burn off their excess energy, long walks, and activities that involve exercising around 2 hours a day as an adult. Feeding Feed as a large-sized dog, around 3 cups of Kibble dry formulated food per day. They should be fed twice a day and slowly to prevent bloat. Grooming This mixed breed dog inherits a short to medium length, shiny, dense double coat. Bathing This shortish-haired, water-resistant coated dog does not need regular bathing, only when required. Certain dog formulated shampoos have a double effect of cleaning the coat and protecting it against fleas and insect bites. Cleaning teeth, nails and ears As with all dogs, their teeth need to be cleaned regularly to prevent a build-up of plaque. Chewing breaks down plaque, so use doggie chew-toys, bare-bones and soft toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Nails grow quickly and need trimming regularly, say monthly, and ears need to be checked for debris that could cause infection. Lifestyle This breed is very confident, intelligent, and highly energetic. It will try to be dominant unless controlled and needs to be kept occupied otherwise it can become destructive. They can be stubborn and aggressive until trained. They will chew things if bored or left alone for long periods of time, so keep stimulated and busy. Chew toys can help with boredom. They need your company and outdoor space to run. This breed is a natural watchdog that will act on instinct to be very protective of its family. Positives and Negatives of ownership Positives A Family dog and loyal companion Intelligent and affectionate. Do Rottweiler Lab mixes have health concerns? Labrador Retrievers got their start when they were imported from Newfoundland to England in the s. They were hunting and fishing dogs. Rottweilers are of German descent. They have been traditionally used as guarding, herding, and hunting dogs. The Rottweiler Lab mix was perhaps inevitable with two such high demand parents. One of the best things about crossed breeds is the wide range of potential shapes and personalities your dog could grow to have. But this can have its downside as well. In the case of the Labrottie, there are several different possibilities for both appearance and personality. Labradors and Rottweilers are different sizes, and your puppy may fall anywhere between. Rottweilers generally weigh up to pounds, while Labradors are significantly less heavy set at pounds. Rottweiler height can be up to 27 inches at the shoulder, whereas Labs only grow to a maximum of .Both breeds can vary in size within themselves, so it stands to reason that larger Labrador and Rottweiler parents will have a larger Labrottie pup. Most, however, should fall somewhere in the middle. Labrador Rottweiler Mix Coat Rottweilers are well known for their classic black and tan coloring. They have short, low-maintenance coats. Labs come in different colors. Yellow, chocolate, black — they could pass down their coloring to your Labrottie puppy, resulting in a unique coloration. All you can bank on is the range from both parents. Labrador Rottweiler Mix Shedding Labradors have a double coat that protects them from the cold in winter or while swimming in cold water. This is especially true during certain times of the year, as their winter coat starts to come loose. The Labrottie has the benefit of two parent breeds with generally low-maintenance coats. Both Labradors and Rottweilers have short, easily groomed coats. Rottweiler Lab mix pups will definitely have the same length coat. Then they may need a little more. Rottweiler Lab Mix Temperament Labradors have a proud history as faithful retriever dogs, whereas Rottweilers have an equally proud history as guard dogs. Labradors are generally friendly, and are bred specifically for the task of returning hunted game to their owners. A dog bred for this purpose needed to be comfortable around all sorts of people. Rottweilers, in their guarding capacity, have been bred in a way that a fearful and distrusting attitude toward strangers. But how does this combination affect your pup? Labrottie Personality First generation mixes are kind of like rolling a dice. Or you might end up with a protective guard dog that looks exactly like the Labrador. Rottie Lab Mix Aggression As a breed, Rottweilers are responsible for a disproportionate amount of dog attacks. They certainly appear to be among the more aggression-prone breeds. This should be seriously considered by people with kids. Guarding dogs are generally good with their families, but families have friends. Kids bring over other kids, and a family pet needs to be accepting of this. One is by meeting the Rottie parent and making sure they are totally at ease in the presence of you and your family. Socialization is vital for any breed, but especially for a breed like the Rottweiler. Rottweiler Lab Mix Socialization The idea of using traditional training techniques on your Rottweiler mix may be a daunting task for some owners. Fortunately, nowadays we have better and safer methods for training dogs. The first step is always socialization. Introduce your dog to lots of other dogs and people at a very young age to help desensitize them to strangers. You want them to happily accept people coming and going in their home as nothing to be afraid of. Your Rottweiler Lab mix puppy must meet new visitors every day. Make sure a large proportion of them are children. In the wild they would be under the protection of their family, so fear would be unnecessary. Therefore, this is the best time to throw them into all sorts of new situations. Training And Exercising Your Rottweiler Lab Mix Positive training techniques also play a vital role in crafting the obedience and temperament of a dog. For anyone still considering punishment-based training, I would strongly advise against it. Studies have shown that dogs trained in this manner are less obedient, and more likely to attack both their owners and strangers. Rottweiler Lab Puppy Training Like any puppy, your Rottador will require specialized training when they are young, in addition to socialization. Rottweiler Lab Mix Exercise All dogs require a good amount of exercise to keep them in shape. This is especially true with physically capable breeds like the Rottweiler and Lab. Given a good amount of space to run around in, your Labrottie will thrive. Lack of exercise combined with poor diet can unfortunately be deadly. Obesity in dogs, as in humans, leads to diabetes and other complications. Breeding two dogs that are genetically dissimilar results in a phenomena called hybrid vigor, whereby outbreeding undoes a lot of the harm done by inbreeding. These dogs can still carry on genetic diseases from either of their parents given the right circumstances. Labrador Health Both Labradors and Rottweilers suffer regularly from hip dysplasia, meaning their hips are improperly formed. One nasty complication of hip dysplasia is a disease called degenerative joint disorder. One of the more commonly reported concerns in Labradors is exercise induced collapse. This strange condition means that Labradors in the full swing of physical activity may suddenly be unable to hold themselves up. It has actually been linked to a gene, so it is doubtless inherited from dog to dog. Other problems commonly seen in Labradors include elbow dysplasia, PRA, obesity, ear problems, and skin allergies. Hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as PRA, can be tested for. Health testing is an important part of the process of taking care of our pets. Rottweiler Health Elbow dysplasia is also a very common condition in Rottweilers. A study of German Rottweilers found more than half suffered from this ailment. Rottweilers also appear to be susceptible to a few nasty neurological disorders, namely nueroaxonal dystrophy and leukoencephalomalacia. Both of these diseases are degenerative, meaning they gradually get worse and worse. Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for either, and they sadly can be fatal. For more information on health tests and screens that should be done for Rottweilers, visit the British Veterinary Association and this panel from UC Davis Veterinary Medicine. Although he is potentially less likely to suffer from any of these diseases than a purebred dog, the risk is not removed. Health testing is still a vital part of good breeding practice, even for mixes. Rottweilers have a shorter span of years. Your Rottweiler and Labrador mix could fall anywhere in that range, depending on the health of the dog. What makes a pet good depends on the person, and also the individual pet. Your Lab Rott mix could look like a Labrador, but with the guarding instincts and characteristic wariness of the Rottweiler. Equally, your dog could look much more Rottweiler-ish and have the gentle, easily trainable personality of a Labrador. The likelihood is it will be somewhere in between. Socialization and training go a long way to producing a happy and friendly dog. But genetics play an important role. The Labrador Rottweiler mix is best suited to an active adult home, where the family is around for much of the day and is committed to positive reinforcement training methods. But they will need a lot of work in terms of socialization and training, to make sure you reduce the possibility of bad behavior later on. Both parents should be friendly, healthy and confident. This is by no means a guarantee, but stacks more of the odds in your favor. Please avoid buying from puppy mills or pet stores, as these have no real concern for the health of their animals. Rottweiler Lab puppies are now deliberately bred, but they have existed for quite a while by accident. You need to avoid backyard breeders by only going to someone who has mixed a beloved pet due to their excellent health and wonderful temperament. Good breeders ask lots of questions, and are happy to answer them in return. Both the Lab and Rottie parent of your puppy must have excellent hip and elbow scores. The breeder should provide you proof of this. They must also be clear for PRA and have recent unaffected eye tests from their vet. Rottweiler Lab Mix The 3 most important traits to give your dog are: Exercise: Dogs, like people, need exercise for a balanced state of being. This is especially true for high-energy dog breeds. Training: The time you spend early in training your dog will save much more time and anguish down the road in trying to correct them. Remember the key to effective training—tireless and patient consistency and persistence in insisting upon your dog follow your commands. Socialization — Expose your pooch to different people and environments every opportunity you get. Whether it is taking the trash can out or taking a package to the post office. This last part of the article is split up into five different sections, all of which are very important if you wish to own a Labrador Rottweiler mix. The Training of your Rottweiler Lab Mix The training of your Lab Rottweiler mix puppy is crucial, not because this is their formative years, but because they are part Rottweiler. Rottweilers are an alpha dog breed, and if they sense any weakness from a pack leader. They will push their way into being the leader of the pack, over you and the rest of the family. So train your Lab Rottweiler mix from an early age, the sooner you get the little puppy to realize that you are the pack leader the better life you will have. Bo the Labrottie Image by Jackie Myers Constant training is the key to keeping the Lab Rottweiler mix happy and content in its place throughout its lifespan. In training, always have the puppy complete the instruction no matter how many times it takes. Exercise For The Rottweiler Lab Mix The exercise needs of the Rottweiler Lab are at least 30 to 45 minutes daily, they need regular exercise otherwise, they can become obese and depressed if their exercise needs are not given to them. Other than that they would be happy to join you on the couch until something or someone catches their attention. They do tend to love to play out in the yard with a ball, toy, or rope with you or a family member. If they do not receive their daily needs of exercise they will start to do destructive behavior throughout the house and yard. You will find clothing torn, tables, chairs, trees, shrubs, basically anything they can get their mouths on will be chewed up and pooped out. Until they get the right amount of attention and exercise. Socialization of The Rottweiler Lab Mix All animals, including ourselves, need proper socialization skills to navigate through life, an ill-socialized dog is spelled for disaster. Invite friends and neighbors over to your home regularly to get the puppy used to people coming and going from your home. Take him out with you when you go out for coffee, to the post office, or just anywhere you can bring a dog, such as your local pet store. Socialization teaches your dog that other humans and animals outside of the immediate pack are friendly as well. Zeus the Rottweiler Lab Mix We think and we have good evidence that Zeus and his fellow litter mates suffered abuse because he fears: men plaid shirts Zeus my Labrottie We had several very nice leashes, that I carelessly left lying about, and Zeus discovered them and destroyed them in no time flat. So my dad bought a chain leash, and when it arrived Zeus completely freaked out! Running off and began rolling over when he ran out of space to run away. Another time one cool winter morning I came downstairs wearing a plaid shirt he growled and started barking ferociously at me. Needless to say, it took him a while to calm down. During those few instances, his flight or fight side of the brain took over. But, I consistently reinforced good actions, and he steadily grew accustomed to chains, plaid shirts, and men. Today, in Zeus does not fear men or much of anything actually, and is quite a lovable, very protective, happy go lucky Rottweiler Lab mix. If you wish to read more about Zeus the Rottweiler lab mix , just click the link. Zeus my Labrottie The Health Issues of the Rottweiler Lab Mixed Breed Cold tail — Cold tail happens to sport dogs, they gradually lose the loss of their tail, this is quite painful for it is at the base of the butt. Bloat — Bloat happens when a dog has just eaten and is taken out and is run about for a while. This is a deadly condition if not take to the vet immediately. There the Veterinarians will cut into the stomach and untwist the stomach. Bone cancer — Sadly the Rottie has one of the highest rates of bone cancer. Obesity — The Labrador is prone to overeat and they can become obese. Hip and Elbow dysplasia — Happens to any dog breed that gets overbred without healthy standers. Conclusion of the Lab Rottweilers Mixed Breed. Due to their ability to be a multi-use dog and still be the families friendly pet with proper training at an early age. All in all the Rottweiler Labrador Mix is an awesome dog for anyone experienced with a large dog! All that owner has to do is give the Rottweiler Labrador Mix the proper amount of exercise, socialization, and positive reinforcement training. To make them an outstanding dog! A Labrador Rottweiler mix or any dog without any of these most important qualities, a dog will become unstable and unresponsive to you or anybody else. That any dog should get no matter what is happening, training, socialization, and exercise if you nail down those three qualities in your dog. You most likely will not have any behavior problems because you are keeping your dog mentally balanced, and also actively balanced. But if your dog does start showing a different behavior look back and see if you have slipped up in the three most important things to give your dog over their lifespan! This video is shortly after Zeus the Rottweiler Labrador Retriever arriving at my doorstep, enjoy! For those of you who have or are going to get a new puppy! We have several dog name article just for you. Should a Rottweiler Mix take after their Rottweiler parent, they will be a larger and strong dog breed that has a sweet, lovable personality and a protective instinct. Rotties tend to be calm and aloof. They also love their families and are lovable, playful, and affectionate with them. As long as they have been properly socialized, a Rottweiler will still be alert and protective of their families, but they will also be open and friendly to new people, especially once they have been introduced. The other parent breed will introduce some traits that could affect this in a Rottweiler Mix, so you want to make sure you ask about them. You can also meet the mother dog in-person to see what her temperament is like and the manners she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should have started training and socialization, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Rottweilers are moderately adaptable dogs that are better suited to homes with fenced yards. They are more sensitive to heat and do not tolerate extreme temperatures very well. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce the potential for a Rottweiler Mix to be more or less adaptable. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit all of them or any combination of them. From the Rottweiler side, potential health conditions to be aware of in a Rottweiler Mix include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteosarcoma. The other parent breed will introduce its own set of conditions and you want to be aware of them. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to ensure they are not passing issues on to puppies. So, you should be asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents anyway. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Although the Rottweiler is a highly trainable dog breed that picks up on things quickly and is eager to please, they can be a challenge for first-time dog owners. They need structure and consistency in training and a confident leader to train them. As such, puppy training classes are recommended. The other parent breed could make a Rottweiler Mix easier or more difficult to train, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They help reinforce training, strengthen the bond you have with your puppy, and also offer socialization opportunities. A Rottweiler Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. If they inherit the Rottie coat, they will shed a bit year-round and heavier as the seasons change. Due to a lack of good dental care for dogs , gum disease is one of the most common health issues for them. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. A Rottweiler is a working dog breed with moderate exercise requirements. They need a job to do in addition to daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity. If the other parent breed also sits in the moderate range, then you can expect something similar from a Rottweiler Mix. But, if the other parent breed is a high-energy breed, then you will need to be prepared for the possibility of a high-energy dog. Fully-grown Rottweilers usually stand inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. So, make sure you ask the breeder about them. Although it is not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother dog in-person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Rottweiler Mix. Rotties generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should still be able to expect a similar life span in a Rottweiler Mix. Featured Rottweiler Mix Article.
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free german shepherd puppies in chattanooga tn - History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.