german shepherd and pitbull puppies

For the complete list please see our German Shepherd Breeders listings by area page. It is important to remember that you get what you pay for, so be sure to do your research before purchasing a puppy from an unknown or unlicensed breeder. The best way to find a responsible German Shepherd breeder in Hawaii is to ask your friends and family members if they know of any good breeders in the area. You can also search online for clubs or organizations that specialize in this breed of dog. The breeder should be willing to provide you with a health certificate, registration papers, and a pedigree for the puppy. If you are unable to find a German Shepherd puppy for sale in Hawaii, please contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization. There may be adoptable dogs available in your area. The breeder should be more than happy to answer all of your questions and provide you with whatever information you need. Some good questions to ask include: How long have you been breeding German Shepherds? Do you have any health guarantees for the puppies? What type of training and socialization do you provide for the puppies? What is the temperament of the parents? Are the puppies registered with the AKC or any other breed registry? Can I see documentation that the parents have been health tested? What supplies will I need to bring my new puppy home? How much exercise do German Shepherds require? What type of food should I feed my puppy? Do you have any tips on potty training a German Shepherd? They should be more than happy to help you out. When you get your new German Shepherd puppy, make sure to take him or her to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up. Your Hawaii German Shepherd breeder should be able to recommend a good veterinarian in your area. Be sure to ask the breeder if they have any experience with the vet and whether or not they are happy with the care their puppies have received. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations or search online for reviews. Taking your new pet to the vet for an annual check-up is one of the most important things you can do to ensure his or her health. If you encounter one of these breeders, here are some signs to watch out for: The breeder is not willing to provide you with health certificates, registration papers, or a pedigree for the puppy. The parents of the puppies are not available for inspection. The puppies are kept in unhealthy or unsanitary conditions. The breeder is not willing to answer your questions or provide you with information about the puppies. The puppies are sold at a cheap price without any guarantee of quality. If you encounter a breeder who displays any of these warning signs, it is best not to do business with them. They are likely only interested in your money rather than providing you with a healthy puppy. Before you buy a puppy from any breeder, it is important to ask if the puppies have been health tested and what, if any, health problems they may have. Your breeder should be happy to provide you with information about the health of the puppies and their parents. If they are not willing to do this, it is best to find a different breeder. As soon as you bring your new German Shepherd puppy home, make an appointment to take him or her to the vet. This is an important step in making sure that your new pet is healthy and has received all of Ask You Hawaii German Shepherd Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers Before you purchase a puppy from any breeder, it is important to ask if you can meet some of their past customers. Meeting with other people who have purchased puppies from the breeder will give you more insight into whether or not they are conducting business ethically. Taking a few moments to read what other people have had to say about the breeder will help you get an idea of how reputable they are. When buying a puppy through a breeder, it is customary for them to remain their mother until they reach eight weeks of age. If you are not the one who will be taking care of the puppy, it is important to make sure that the breeder understands this and is willing to hold the puppy until you can take him or her home. How to Prepare Your Home for You German Shepherd Puppy Once you have found a reputable breeder and purchased a healthy German Shepherd puppy, it is time to start preparing your home for your new pet. Here are some tips on how to do this: Set up a special area for the puppy in your home where he or she can sleep, eat, and play. Make sure that the area is free of harmful items such as poisonous plants, small objects that can be swallowed, and electrical cords. Put up a fence in your yard to keep the puppy safe when he or she is outside. Purchase a crate for the puppy to sleep in and use it as a place to put the puppy when you are not able to watch him or her. Train the puppy to understand basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. This will help make him or her a well-behaved dog later on. Be Patient With Your German Shepherd Puppy When you first bring your German Shepherd home, he or she is going to be excited and confused about the new surroundings they are in. German Shepherds are very intelligent dogs with lots of energy that need time and patience when they first come into a new environment. Potty Training Your New German Shepherd Puppy No matter how well you are prepared for bringing home your German Shepherd puppy, there is always the possibility that they will have accidents when they first come into your home. This can be especially frustrating if you are paying a lot of money to purchase this dog from a reputable breeder in Hawaii The best way to potty train your new German Shepherd is through positive reinforcement along with giving them plenty of opportunities to go outside. If you catch the puppy having an accident in the house, make sure you show them where it is appropriate to use the bathroom at all times. Keep in mind that young puppies may not be able to hold their bladder for more than four hours at a time so take them out often. Socializing Your New German Shepherd Puppy Just like any other breed of dog, German Shepherds need to be socialized from a young age in order for them to grow up friendly and well-adjusted. Some good ways to socialize your new puppy include: Taking him or her on daily walks through crowded areas such as the beach or a park. This way they get used to all different types of people and animals. Playing with them around other pets in your home can familiarize them with having another member of the family around from an early age. This is why it is important to make sure your German Shepherd puppy gets enough exercise to keep his or her mind and body active. Taking them on regular walks through the neighborhood will give them a chance to explore while also giving their mind some stimulation. Playing games like fetch or catch outside with you are great ways for the both of you to bond while your German Shepherd puppy gets some exercise at the same time. Whether this new addition will be joining your pack, or if he or she will simply be staying in another home temporarily until they are old enough to leave their mother, it is always best to prepare yourself ahead of time before bringing a new dog into your life. Having a puppy can be very rewarding but it does come with a lot of responsibility. By following the tips above, you can help make the transition period go as smoothly as possible for both you and your new German Shepherd puppy. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Maui, HI Jess and her family are just amazing at what they do. I could go on forever about how great she is but if you're looking for a German shepherd puppy she is the best of the best. You will not regret your choice. Ashleigh K. We will definitely adopt another GS in the future from them. Wesley S. Engaged loving home for males and females, thoughtful combinations of adults for pups. Smart food and human contact. I asked Jess for a certain kind of female and she heard me and sent the perfect match to my farm on Big Island. Tika is very smart, beautiful with all the alert skepticism a young GSD should show. Very healthy and always happy. Great pack dog. Jess is a good conscious breeder. I will purchase another dog from her in the future. Linda M. Jess pours her heart and soul into her breeding program and it shows in her puppies. From selecting parents with the right temperament to giving the puppies early exposures to car rides and loud noises. These dogs are not only beautiful, but extremely trainable, loving and even tempered. You cannot go wrong with Oahu German Shepherds! Hint: Follow them on instagram for an inside look! Anne W. From day 1 10 days old Jess worked with us and our needs as well as letting us visit whenever we wanted. Amber S. Maui, HI An absolutely amazing experience to work with Jess to bring home our beautiful puppy. I highly recommend them for their ethical and well researched breeding practices that will ensure your puppy is a perfect fit for your family. John B. Our puppies grow up on our property with our young daughters with constant socialization. We prioritize temperament: instability, reactivity and aggression are not tolerated over here! Our puppies are ready to go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We believe that this is the optimal time for them to transition to their new families and begin their training and socialization. At this age, they have received their first round of vaccinations, have already been microchipped and have been regularly dewormed and vet checked. We provide our new puppy families with a puppy goodie bag and a book full of information on how to continue their care and training at home. How much is a Puppy? This deposit is fully refundable if you change your mind for any reason before the puppies are born. We understand that the cost of a German Shepherd puppy can be a significant investment, but we believe that the quality of our breeding program and the health and socialization of our puppies is well worth the investment. We put a lot of time, effort, and resources into ensuring that our breeding dogs are health tested, come from champion bloodlines, and are raised in a stimulating and nurturing environment. Additionally, our puppies are the only GSD puppies on Island that are raised following the Puppy Culture socialization program, which has been proven to produce confident and well-socialized puppies. Our puppies come with a health guarantee, first set of vaccinations, microchip, dewormed, an awesome go-home bag with lots of goodies and a puppy packet with information on how to care for your new puppy. What is the Process to Reserve a Puppy? You can submit a Puppy Application Here. Why shouldn't I buy a cheaper puppy from a Backyard Breeder? These issues can lead to costly vet bills, behavioral rehabilitation, and heartache for the families who adopt them. We truly believe that purchasing a German Shepherd puppy from a responsible breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs is a worthwhile investment that will bring you joy and companionship for years to come. What type of German Shepherds do you breed? We specialize in breeding West German Showline German Shepherds, which are widely recognized for their striking appearance, sound temperament, and reliable stability. Our dogs are bred to adhere to the highest standards of health, temperament, and conformation. We believe that by carefully selecting only the finest dogs from Germany, we can produce puppies that grow into amazing companions. West German Show Line German Shepherds are selectively bred for their physical appearance to meet the standards set by conformation shows, resulting in a more refined look and a calmer temperament. On the other hand, Working Line German Shepherds are bred for their working abilities, with a focus on high energy levels and a strong drive to perform tasks at all times. Often Working line German Shepherds require far too much exercise and engagement than a family can provide. Due to their calm and composed demeanor, Showline German Shepherds are a great match for home life as they have the ability to relax and unwind with their owners. Do you Ship to other Hawaiian Islands? Yes, we do offer shipping for our puppies to their new homes. We prefer to have our puppies picked up in person whenever possible. If shipping is necessary, we work with Hawaiian Airlines to ensure that your puppy arrives safely and comfortably. Additional fees will apply for shipping, including the cost of the flight, health certificate, crate, and transportation to the airport. We will provide all the necessary information and support to make the process as easy as possible for you and your new puppy. Personal delivery is an option for an additional fee. Antverpa and Lord v. Listed within is the foundation of our exclusive breeding program designed to produce dogs with working drives, sound nerves, correct structure, classic saddle back markings, as well as robust health and longevity. We have gone to great expense to bring together the stock capable of producing our ideal. Take a look and see, we are sure you will be as satisfied as we are! How to purchase a German Shepherd Puppy We make sure each dog has the health care and worming at the appropriate ages. Worming is done at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 7 weeks of age. We will also help to crate train the pups by establishing a morning routine for the pups. We let them on the grass to relieve themselves, feed them, let them have 30 minutes time outside to do their business again, then put them in individual crates to learn how to be relaxed and quiet in a crate alone. We start with a positive 30 minutes on the first day. Then increase the time till the pups can stay in their crate for up to 3 to 4 hours at one given time. If a puppy can hold in the kennel for 3 to 4 hours, this allows for the new owners to be able to have a head start on house training. We give them their first puppy booster shot at 7 weeks then monitor them in separate kennel runs, 5 x 15 feet, for 7 days prior to shipping them to their new homes at 8 weeks of age. This teaches the puppies basic manners and how to continue their routine in new surroundings. Mail to: Alpha K-9 Kennels, P. Box , Hakalau, HI .Venmo Laurel-Smithson-1 Deposits are active for a maximum of 2 years only. Price will be subject to change. Deposits will be forfieted after 2 years. Some clients pass on a puppy when they are contacted. Not intended for breeding. Pick of each puppy is determined by the order in which the deposits are received. You will be contacted once the litter is days of age. Obedience, watch dog, sport or just a good family companion. Pictures will be posted every 2 weeks or so. Deposit 1 will pick first at about 7 weeks of age. Then the rest will follow. Personalities do not show till about 6 weeks, so we need to be patient and let them develop so I can observe and test closer to 7 weeks of age. Complete payment is required by PayPal, Venmo, check or Money order 10 days prior to shipment of each pup. Puppy will have a new crate yours to keep and will be shipped on Hawaiian cargo. Stateside, Guam, Canada Shipping available. Puppies will be ready for shipping at weeks of age. Prior to this time we will contact you to arrange a flight date and time. You may also fly to Hilo to pick up your puppy. We will contact you days in advance to verify flight arrangements. A copy of their shot record 7 weeks ,3 worming dates. A sales contract will be e-mailed containing a guarantee on each pup for hips up to 1 year of age. It is recommended to take the puppy to the vet within 48 hours of arrival to approve the purchase. First name according to the litter letter may be selected by the owner. Limited AKC puppy registration application will be mailed weeks after pick up. If you need any additional information on our dogs, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail alphak9kennels gmail. Thank you again for your interest. Mahalo, Laurel Smithson Our Dogs. Search in content Post Type Selectors We are reader supported, we earn a small commission when you buy something using our retail links. They follow AKC guidelines and offer healthy pups. They are the first choice of many pet lovers. So you can find a lot of breeders breeding them. German Shepherds may be available at varying prices. However, prioritizing money over quality and opting for a backyard breeder can lead to many medical issues later. To help you out, we have listed only the reliable and verified German Shepherd breeder in Hawaii. They are AKC registered. They undertake careful measures to breed the healthiest and happiest puppies. Their dogs are well-socialized and healthy. These experienced breeders aim to produce healthy and sound dogs. Their dogs prove to be great companions. This breeder handles each puppy from birth, giving them all the love and care they need. They employ the Early Neutral Stimulation program. This gives their puppies a head start in life. They also follow the Puppy Culture program. This is a form of controlled exposure to all the stimuli they might come across in the future. These breeders treat their dogs and puppies like family. They do not keep the pups in kennels. They raise them at home. The pups play with children and dogs. They get used to household noises and other animals. They socialize their dogs from the start. This ensures you get a secure and confident German shepherd dog. Your puppy comes to you with : Puppy Vaccinations.

Australian Kelpie X Siberian Husky Temperament and Intelligence Australian Kelpies are alert, vigorous, independent, enthusiastic, highly intelligent, and exceptionally loyal and obedient with an eagerness to please, which make them a faithful companion. If the puppies are properly socialized, they are compatible with They, however, seem to be a smart breed, with their independent nature and high level of intellect making them quite difficult to thrive in an apartment life, especially if they have not much to do. If the puppies are properly socialized, they are compatible with children, and can be caring and protective when required. Although known to be unaggressive, their nipping ability helps them tackle more stubborn livestock. By instinct, the untrained young is able to work out the actions of experienced dogs. Care Exercise These high-stamina dogs get bored easily especially if confined to a crate or not given too much of physical or mental exercise, that may give rise to destructive behavior, even to the extent of harming themselves. The owners should take their Australian Kelpies for long walks, hikes, and jogs regularly to release physical and mental energy. Instinctively, the dog understands that the pack leader walks first, hence the owner should be alert that the dog is walking behind or beside them, and not in front. This highly energetic breed is not suitable for suburban or apartment life. Grooming Australian Kelpies can be easily groomed, as they need occasional brushing and combing, except during molting. Health Problems This sound breed has no particular health issues except common disorders like luxating patella, cerebellar abiotrophy, hip dysplasia, cryptorchidism, as also PRA, which might cause partial or complete blindness. Training These intelligent dogs need a firm owner who would manage it in a tactful manner, keeping a check on its independent and stubborn nature. These tireless working dogs can respond to the signals and gestures given by their owners, even from great distances. The handler must use fair training methods to train the dog firmly. Working Kelpies must learn basic obedience and then master the skills required to herd animals. Snacks can be used as incentive and recognition. Show Kelpies must be trained to increase its agility. This includes directing the dog through an obstacle course off the leash. Lure coursing is another important training exercise for this breed in which it pursues a mechanical lure. Feeding This breed should be fed with a balanced diet that consists of bones, fresh meat, dry foods and fresh vegetables and fruits. The owners may include a spoonful of fresh yogurt in their diet. These workaholic dogs can work throughout the day even in extreme heat and can cover acres of space to herd livestock. He was .I am shattered by my loss. He was a beautiful, gentle boy who was so loyal and loved me and I, him. My grief and guilt is overwhelming. He was the best dog in the world and I miss him terribly. Black, black and tan, red and tan, fawn and tan Activity level High; requires up to minutes of exercise daily Suitable for families Yes, for families that can meet the exercise and nutritional requirements Dietary needs High-protein diet; adults require high quality food depending on activity level Potential health issues Hip dysplasia, bloating, osteoarthritis, arthritis, allergies, and cataracts Australian Kelpie History Image Source: Gili Pup — pexels. The Australian Kelpie is a herding dog that was originally bred in Australia in the s. The German Shepherd is a working dog that was originally bred in Germany in the late s. These two breeds were mixed together in the early s in Australia. The Kelpie dog breed is known for being intelligent, loyal, and hardworking. They are also very active and need an abundance of exercise. German Shepherd Australian Kelpie Mix makes great family dogs and are good with children. Appearance of Kelpie Shepherd The Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix is a beautiful dog that is sure to turn heads when out on walks. They have a sleek, black coat with tan markings around the eyes and on the legs. This unique combination makes them stand out from other dogs and is sure to get you compliments from strangers. While they may be a bit of a handful, the Kelpie Shepherd mix is a loving and loyal dog that will be your best friend for life. They are great with children and other pets and will make a wonderful addition to any family. If you are looking for a new furry friend, be sure to consider the Australian German Shepherd mix. Size Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix are a large breed of dog, averaging between 20 and 24 inches in height at the shoulder. They can weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds. German Shepherd Kelpie Mix are medium to high energy dogs that need lots of exercise and activity to stay happy and healthy. Average weight of a Kelpie is around lbs. They are also very intelligent and can be trained to do many things. Kelpie Australian Mix are a great choice for a family dog. They are also good with children. It is good to know about Kelpie temperament before buying this dog. This mix is an excellent choice for families with children, as they are very loving and protective. When it comes to grooming, the Australian Kelpie mix is relatively easy to maintain. They only require occasional brushing and bathing. It is important to keep their nails trimmed and their ears clean to prevent infections. Australian Kelpies are known for being heavy shedders, so regular brushing is necessary to keep their coat looking its best. German Shepherds have a double coat that sheds seasonally. This mix is moderate shedders, so they will require more frequent brushing during shedding seasons. Overall, the Kelpie mix is a low-maintenance breed that is easy to groom. Feeding them the right amount will help keep them healthy and prevent obesity. When it comes to German Shepherd Kelpie Mix, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding. First, these dogs need a lot of protein to maintain their energy level. Exercise Kelpie Australian Shepherd mix are a great breed for those who want an active and intelligent dog. They excel in obedience and agility trials and make wonderful companion dogs. However, they are not the best choice for first-time dog owners as they can be headstrong and require firm training. Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix need lots of exercise and if left alone for too long, they can become destructive. If you are looking for a Kelpie Shepherd to add to your family, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder. They make wonderful companion dogs for active families. Training Aussie Kelpie Mix are highly intelligent and active, so training is a must. They need an experienced owner who can provide firm, consistent leadership. Training should be started as early as possible to prevent any unwanted behaviors from developing. Here are some tips on how to train your German Shepherd Australian Kelpie Mix: — Be consistent with your commands and rewards. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you will be able to successfully train your Kelpie Shepherd Mix. Soon you will have a well-behaved, obedient dog that is a joy to be around. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common among large breeds, and the Australian Kelpie cross German Shepherd is no exception. This can be a very painful condition, and it can lead to arthritis. This disease is a blood disorder that can cause excessive bleeding. Allergies are also common in German Shepherd cross Australian Kelpie. Many dogs in this breed are allergic to grass, pollen, and dust. If your dog is showing signs of allergies, it is important to take them to the vet so that they can get the proper treatment. While there are some health problems that are common among Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix, there are also many that are healthy and happy. This breed is a great choice for families who are looking for a loyal and loving companion. The answer is yes, this mix can make a great guard dog. They are loyal and protective of their family and home. They are also intelligent and easily trainable. However, they can be territorial and may not do well with other animals or children unless they are properly socialized from a young age. If you are looking for a guard dog that will also be a loving family member, then the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix may be the right dog for you. How much does a Kelpie German Shepherd Mix cost? They are medium to large-sized dogs that are very active and need plenty of space to run around. They are also very intelligent and trainable, making them great pets for families with children. Well, it depends on a few factors. Of course, like with any dog, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some pups may cost more or less depending on the individual circumstances. These dogs are highly trainable and make great family pets. However, they do require plenty of stimulation and may not be suitable for first-time dog owners. If you think you can provide a loving home for a Kelpie German Shepherd mix, then check out our list of rescue organizations below. Rescue Organizations:. German Shepherd history German Shepherds have been around since the late s, along with a handful of other working dogs in France and Italy. As a breed, it was found to be a relatively no-nonsense herding dog, with the demeanor almost of a stern nanny — it would protect its flock from outside predators, but sometimes seem like a brusque barking authoritarian. Proof that the value of the breed was highly appreciated is that during and after the Second World War, the German Shepherd disappeared for a while. The two names are still interchangeable today, although in the significantly post-war world, the name German Shepherd has lost the vast majority of its stigma. An intelligent and perhaps surprisingly good-natured breed, they are generally patient with children. Beware boredom in the Kelpie, though — either physical or mental. Bore a Kelpie and you can expect barking for attention and even the digging of random holes, simply by way of exercising the legs. Train an Australian Kelpie and it will pick up disciplines relatively easily and without too much fuss — some Australian Kelpies have been trained as rescue dogs because of their calm capability in most situations. Simple walks with plenty to see and smell will keep your Kelpie happy, as will some toys in the home environment. German Shepherd personality and temperament The temperament of the German Shepherd is mostly calm , intensely loyal to its clan or family, wary of strangers, either human or canine, and highly trainable. The breed was originally a herding animal but has proved adaptable to urban occupations, for instance with police departments, as sniffer dogs at airports, and in search and rescue operations. Exercise and stimulation will take the edge off your German Shepherd though, and let its loyalty and intelligence win through. The mix brings both the intelligence and trainability of its parent breeds forward, so you get a highly aware, hugely loyal dog that likes — in fact, that needs to have some sort of purpose to be best pleased with its life. Good with children, the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix has a protective streak that can be useful in a watchdog, but can also, without training, be preemptively defensive against strangers — both human and canine. Usefully though, the breed takes to training instinctively, the herding instinct of its forebears making it one of the easier breeds in which you can instill rules of behavior. German Shepherd size, height, and weight The German Shepherd is a dog to be reckoned with. It can stand anything from 1 foot 10 inches to 2 feet 2 inches at the shoulder, so a lap dog, this is not. Weight-wise, it dwarfs the Australian Kelpie, coming in healthily at anything from pounds. Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix size, height, and weight There is some fluctuation in the size, height, and weight of the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix, but it verges more on the lower end of the German Shepherd range than it does on the Australian Kelpie side. So you can expect a dog upward of 50 pounds, with lots of leg power, though nowhere usually near the height and ruggedness of the German Shepherd. If you leave an Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix alone long enough to get bored, both halves of its ancestry are likely to act up — there will be barking, perhaps even a whine or howl, and there may well be digging, vandalism, and destruction. The dog will want to do anything it can to escape — both in physical and mental terms — from the situation in which it has no purpose, no action to take, no stimulation to address. Perversely, though they really need exercising to take the edge of the torpor that is distinctly unnatural to them, Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mixed breeds are not especially high maintenance, physically speaking. Moderate but regular walking will help turn the potentially bored animal into a satisfied companion. Anywhere you can let them run without a leash will be extremely appreciated, but remember to always do this safely and only in designated areas. Prepare for molting come springtime, though — they may need extra brushing then, not only to keep them comfortable but also to save your furniture and carpets from extra clumps of Kelpie hair. Bathe as needed — which might be more often than you think, because they tend to be goal-oriented dogs. That can make them unwary of their environment, so a muddy puddle is an irrelevance in the moment of chasing a stick, say. Shedding is a definite issue with German Shepherds though. There are a handful of things to watch out for with the Australian Kelpie though. Cryptorchidism, dysplasia in the hips, cerebellar abiotrophy, and luxating patella are among the things that can slow your Australian Kelpie down, and as they get older, that slow-down might happen anyway. Perversely, it will be more noticeable in the Australian Kelpie than in many breeds, because for the majority of their lives, they present as being so capable and energetic, without boredom permitting being yappy, attention-seeking dogs. German Shepherd longevity and health issues The modern German Shepherd is something of a martyr to the early in-breeding that helped produce the breed we know today. Hip dysplasia can be a real problem for German Shepherds, and can also lead to arthritis as the dog ages. German Shepherds are also prone to osteoarthritis. As with the Australian Kelpie, you can expect at least a decade of active life out of your German Shepherd. They will slow down and lose a little interest after that first ten years but have been known to regularly live to the age of .Hip dysplasia is common in older dogs especially some that have been particularly bred to have distorted weight distribution towards the back , and both arthritis and osteoarthritis can be issues for this mixed breed. If you can give them that commitment though, the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix could well be a good, loyal, loving fit for you and your household.

Articles As a first-time pet owner, you definitely want a dog who is cute and adorable, a good companion, and at the same time, obedient and easy to train. If you are looking for such a dog, you should consider getting yourself the Black Pug. What exactly is a Black Pug? A Black Pug is a version of the popular Pug breed that comes with a shiny, black coat. While Pugs, in general, have been popular for over 2, years, the Black Pug was popularized by Queen Victoria, who owned several of them. If you are considering purchasing the Black Pug, it is crucial for you to know all the important information pertaining to this adorable little doggie. In this article, I am going to share all the important information about the Black Pug, including its health problems, its temperament, and how to care for the pooch. Appearance Like other Pugs, the Black Pug is a small, stocky pooch with a barrel-shaped body and short legs. The most distinguishing feature of the Black Pug is its round head and flat face coupled with a short snout that is covered in wrinkly skin. This is typical of brachycephalic dogs. The Black Pug also has large, bulging eyes, small ears, and a curled tail. Height And Weight The Black Pug is considered to be a toy dog breed because it is relatively small in size. A fully-grown adult Black Pug stands at a height of about 10 to 13 inches 25 — 33 cm tall, and weighs about 14 to 18 lbs 6. Generally, female Black Pugs are smaller than males. Sometimes, a Black Pug can weigh more than 18 lbs, since they tend to get overweight quickly if they are overfed. Keep track of their weight with a puppy weight growth chart. Color This is the main distinguishing factor between the Black Pug and the Fawn pug. As you can tell from the name, the Black Pug is black in color. In most cases, the Black Pug will have a shiny, jet-black coat from head to toe. Sometimes, however, a Black Pug might have some white markings on its chest, which are referred to as mismark. When looking for a Black Pug, it is important not to confuse brindle for black. Brindle is a coat coloring that is a combination of black and brown stripes. Pugs with a brindle coat do not fall under the Black Pug breed. Coat Most Black Pugs come with a single coat, though it is not uncommon for some Black Pugs to have a double coat. Black Pugs with a single coat shed less than those with a double coat. Compared to other Pug colors, the Black Pug is relatively rare. Actually, the black color of Black Pugs was originally thought to be a birth defect, and most pet owners avoided Black Pugs. However, this has since changed, and Black Pugs are now highly sought after. It is good to note that the Black Pug is not the rarest Pug. So, what is the rarest Pug color? While Black Pugs are not that rare, the fact that they are not as common as Fawn Pugs means that breeders will try to convince you that they are rare. As a result, they will usually charge you a higher price for them. The price will depend on where you are buying your Black Pug puppy, as well as your intended use for the puppy. If you are buying a show-quality Black Pug, you can expect to pay more than you would for a Black Pug puppy that you only intend to keep as a pet. The reason behind the high prices for Black Pug puppies is because they are born through C-section. However, it was later discovered that the only difference between Black Pugs and Fawn Pugs is their color. That said, Black Pugs experience the same health problems that affect other Pugs. These include: Breathing Problems While the flat, wrinkled and mushy face of the Black Pug makes them adorable, it sometimes causes obstructions in their airways, making it difficult for them to breathe. This condition is known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to various eye problems, such as corneal ulcers. Luxating Patella Pugs are prone to a condition known as luxating patella , which is characterized by a dislocated kneecap. This condition causes lots of pain and leads to walking difficulties. Screw Tails Pugs have a distinct, curvy tail referred to as a screw tail. While the tail looks cute, it is actually caused by a gene defect that causes the vertebrae in the tail to twist. Ordinarily, this is not a problem. Sometimes, however, the twisting of the vertebrae can start further up the spine, leading to a condition known as Hemivertebrae. Despite the health problems covered above, the lifespan of a Black Pug is about 12 to 15 years. Proper care is important if you want to keep your Black Pug healthy, strong, and happy. Here are some things to watch out for when it comes to caring for your four-legged friend. Feeding Requirements You should keep your Black Pug on a diet that is low in carbs and high in protein. As I mentioned, Pugs tend to gain weight easily, and therefore a high-carb diet can easily make your canine obese. I recommend feeding your Black Pug with dog food from Pet Plate. Their dog food is made from all natural ingredients, it is designed by a vet nutritionist, and is cooked in a USDA facility. In addition, it comes in different flavors and comes in pre-portioned containers. Exercise Requirements The Black Pug is a very playful dog, and therefore, you need to make sure your little pooch is getting enough playtime. Anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes of playtime per day is enough. When exercising your Black Pug, you should vary your route regularly to keep your furry friend stimulated. In addition, you should use a harness instead of a leash when walking your Black Pug, since leashes can easily put pressure on their throat. It is also recommended that you take your Black Pug for a walk in the mornings or evenings when it is cooler. Temperament Of A Black Pug One of the major concerns for people looking to get a Black Pug is their temperament, especially considering the popular belief that Black Pugs are very mischievous. So, are Black Pugs naughtier than other Pugs? There is no difference between the Black Pug and the Fawn Pug except their color, and therefore, the temperament of a Black Pug is similar to that of a Fawn Pug. They absolutely love it when you show them lots of love. Fortunately, they also know how to show love in return, and will want to spend time cuddling on your lap. They can also be a bit mischievous, though they are not any more mischievous than other Pugs. Due to their love for attention, they easily develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. When they get lonely, they will start chewing on your furniture, carpet, and shoes. Very Friendly Black Pugs are very friendly little doggies. They will get along well with just about anyone, from your kids and other pets to complete strangers. Intelligent But Stubborn Black Pugs are very intelligent dogs. They learn commands and tricks quickly and can easily read your emotions. However, they can also be a bit stubborn, which can make them difficult to train, especially if you do not know their likes and dislikes. Due to their intelligence, they also get bored quickly, so you need to mix things up for them when training them. Otherwise, they will stop paying attention. The Fawn gene is recessive. So, what happens if you breed a Fawn Pug with a Black Pug? In this case, the puppies will be either black or fawn, depending on whether the Black Pug is a dominant black or a hybrid black. The best Pug cross breed for you will ultimately depend on what you are looking for in a dog. That said, however, some Pug crossbreeds tend to be very popular. Save for their color differences, there is no other difference between different colored Pugs. Therefore, the best Pug color will depend on your likes and preferences. Provided that you take precautions to ensure you are getting a healthy Pug, you can go for whatever color pleases you. Their coats can be black, fawn or silver. Silver-coated pugs are extremely rare. Although black pugs possess the dominant color gene, breeding a black and a fawn pug does not guarantee any particular color. In fact, many experts and breeders recommend against the cross-breeding of black and fawn pugs because it can create many unusual colors that are not recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC. Obtain a black pug and a fawn pug if you want to breed them. The puppies will likely contain a mixture of colors that will not be recognized by the AKC. If you are not interested in show dogs, you can breed the two different color pugs and should not see any ill-effects from the breeding. Schedule a veterinarian appointment so that your pug can be examined to ensure she is in good health and able to breed. The veterinarian should check for parasites and update your pug on her shots at least two weeks prior to breeding. Introduce your male pug to your female pug two or three days after she begins her estrous cycle. The stud can be in the same pen as the female pug for a day or two so that they can pair. Visit your veterinarian shortly after your pug has been bred. Your veterinarian will let you know if your dog is pregnant and will suggest nutritional supplements if necessary. Construct or buy a whelping box for your pregnant pug. Allow plenty of time for your dog to become accustomed to the box. The whelping box should be roomy, about a foot longer than your pug lying on her side, with low sides so that you can reach in easily. Line the box with paper until the puppies are born. Some suggested whelping supplies to gather and keep in the room are scissors, clean towels, paper towels, iodine, unwaxed dental floss and a heating pad. Keep the room quiet, warm and away from other dogs. Look for signs of labor. She may stop eating and will look for a place to "nest" which will hopefully be the whelping box. Tips There is no way to ensure that the pug puppies will come out a certain color or multiple colors. If you breed a black pug with a fawn pug though, you will likely get some unusual colors and patterns. What Is a Fawn Pug? The fawn Pug is a common color variant of the Pug breed. This dog has a pale coat color that has soft cream or a faint tan shade. Fawn Pugs may also have lighter or darker fur in some areas of their body. Other than its color, the fawn Pug shares most of its traits with the rest of the Pug breed. When we chase back history, there are only a few details about the fawn color. However, it was noted that Pugs are considered an ancient breed, and it was through selective breeding wherein the fawn color was developed. These brachycephalic dog breeds were standardized by the 19th century, and the fawn fur color was generally used as a foundation in shows as it gained popularity during breeding processes globally. Generally, the fawn and black fur color of Pugs are recognized as standard by reputable kennel clubs worldwide. Fawn-colored Pugs are usually seen in dog shows and movies since they are more desired by pet lovers. These Pugs also come in different varieties, such as regular fawn Pugs, apricot fawn Pugs, and silver fawn Pugs. However, they are still the same dog breed. These color varieties are just simply to describe the tinge and fur shade. Are Fawn Pugs Rare? These non-black Pugs are the most common Pugs globally. Despite them carrying recessive genes, fawn Pug puppies are about two-thirds of the Pug population. However, a particular fawn Pug variety, the silver fawn Pug, is pretty rare. They are much lighter than the regular and apricot fawn Pugs. A fawn Pug is a small breed dog with a pale tan coat color or slightly yellowish and very light cream. They also exhibit a brachycephalic head, which means that they have flat faces. Fawn-colored Pugs have wrinkled faces, a short muzzle, big prominent eyes, round heads, and non-erect ears. Their bodies are usually compact with a curly tail at the back, and their legs are short. They have masks that typically cover the muzzle and chin and extend around the eyes. This marking is highly desirable in dog shows, especially darker ones. Moreover, they have a darker brown sheen or black hairs on their backs called trace. It predominantly starts at the back of the neck down to the base of the tail. However, the trace may fade away as the fawn puppy matures. In addition, there may be slight differences between male and female Pugs. However, both genders grow to about 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh between 13 and 20 pounds. Although fawn Pug puppies already came from a tiny breed, their size and weight should not be confused with teacup Pugs that are not pedigree dogs. As mentioned above, these Pugs have varieties that have silver or apricot tones. Some kennels consider them under fawn-colored dogs, while others separate them as apricot Pugs or silver Pugs since fawn is a broad term. Pugs with apricot fawn coats have a medium cream appearance that is darker than that of a regular fawn Pug. Silver fawn Pugs have the lightest shade, and they usually appear as extremely pale silver tinge coats. They may have markings such as masks on their faces, but each purebred Pug will have unique placements of these marks. Most Pugs are also not uniformly solid in color. Some may have lighter or dark coat hues. Other rare Pug colors that are not fawn are brindle Pugs, panda Pugs, and chocolate Pugs. However, we will discuss those in other articles. A Pug puppy gets one color gene from each of its parents. Combining these two color genes will determine the coat color of the litter. A reputable breeder usually does DNA testing to achieve the desired fur color. That means the parent should be both fawn Pugs, or the black Pug being bred to the fawn Pug should carry the recessive genes for fawn Pug litter to be produced. This happens because black is a dominant color, meaning you only need one black gene to produce black Pugs, despite being bred to a fawn Pug. In the case of a fawn-colored Pug puppy, they either lighten or darken, especially in their first year of existence. As puppies, they may appear with a dirt-like appearance due to the black hairs intermingled with their light colored-fur. These hairs are called smuttiness, and they often fade as the pup grows. The same goes with the trace. In contrast, the masks of non-black Pugs tend to darken as puppies mature into adults. They generally follow the guidelines set by the Pug Dog Club. However, Pugs with non-standard Pug colors such as silver fawn, those with brindle coats, and apricot Pugs can still be registered in AKC but cannot compete in show rings. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes three Pug colors — silver-fawn, fawn, or black. Aside from either fawn or black Pugs, the Kennel Club of the UK accepts four coat colors as a breed standard, including silver and apricot-colored dogs. For generations, the Pug breed has proven to be great companions and family pets. Fawn Pug puppies have docile, charming, playful, and affectionate personalities, making them loved by most dog lovers. An essential thing to consider is that a fawn Pug does not tolerate being left alone for long periods and is highly attached to its owners. So if you want a clingy buddy, a fawn Pug puppy is perfect for you. They are great with children and other pets, including cats. However, they still need to be socialized early to know how to behave appropriately. These fawn puppies are intelligent purebred Pugs that respond well to training and positive reinforcement. However, you may need to stand your ground at times since most Pugs are stubborn. Furthermore, they tend to be energetic, so as Pug owners, you should give them about 30 minutes of exercise to shake off stored energies and avoid destructive behavior. It is important to note that coat colors do not affect the temperament of your Pug. Female Pug: Which Is Better? The lifespan of a fawn Pug is between 11 and 14 years. They are a brachycephalic breed which makes them prone to several health problems. This makes them at risk of developing respiratory problems like laryngeal collapse and hypoplastic trachea. This can cause neurological issues, pain, weakness, and loss of bladder control. However, this can be managed by rest and anti-inflammatory medicines. Heat Stroke: Pug dogs are affected mainly by heat strokes due to their tight coats. They are sensitive to changes in temperature and do not do well in hot climates. Keeping them indoors during summer can help avoid this condition as it can be life-threatening. Many factors will surround the health of your puppies, such as acquiring them from a reputable breeder, diet, exercise, and genetics. Puppy Prices and Expenses Since the fawn color in Pugs is one of the standard colors, fawn Pugs are priced similarly to other Pugs. Adopting a fawn Pug puppy is a great option. This means you get to save money while giving a rescue pup a second chance at life. They will need essential items to transition and settle into a permanent home. Here is a list of initial expenses in owning a fawn Pug puppy: Type of Expense. Killah K pm, 14 June My puppy came from a fawn mother and a black dad.Just was curious on if other black pugs have come from the same combo.I would think that my little lucas would have been a wierd color mix.Let me know your thoughts?! My puppy came from a fawn mother and a black dad.Publish Preview bethanym. His fur is pretty dark with a brownish overcoat on his torso that's more apparent in the summer. I heard the weird color mixes bridle can only be achieved by breeding in another type of dog that has a bridle coat, so brindle pugs would not be technically considered purebred pugs. There had to be another breed mixed in there somewhere. Post Reply Jane Caruana 16 years ago My oldest black bitch had a fawn mother. When I mated her to a black dog, out of a litter of seven puppies there were two fawn dogs. The rest all had good black coats. There are mixed thoughts on the subject of cross breeding fawn and black, on the one hand it prevents too much inbreeding in the blacks, however, if overdone, it can give a brown tinge to the coat. I have heard it recommended that if you need to breed with fawn it shouldn't be done more than once every seven generations. Post Reply Killah K 16 years ago Yah, my black pug has some brown fur around his shoulders and at first I thought it was dirt, but that is the apparent blending of the 2 colors. He's still very black though. I guess I'll wait to see if he gets any other random patches of his fawn mother's hair. Post Reply. Black Pugs Overview Pugs are found in two basic colors, black and fawn, plus silver-fawn and apricot-fawn standard with clubs other than the AKC. Black is a very interesting coat color with the Pug; distinctive markings seen with fawns do not show on black Pugs, however, an all black Pug is extraordinarily beautiful. This article will dive into the details about black Pugs including popularity, variations, possible markings, photo examples, mistaking brindle for black, coat aspects, questions regarding behavior, and origin. Black Pugs in Kennel Club Breed Standards Though there are variances in regard to non-black Pugs with all major kennel clubs, there is agreement across the board regarding black Pugs. How Common Are Black Pugs If you've noticed that there are generally fewer photos of black Pugs than fawn Pugs or that you don't see black Pugs in person very often, this is because there really are fewer of them. To determine more precisely how many black Pugs there are, we presented the question of 'What color is your Pug? This polling suggests that a bit less than one-fourth of Pugs are black or in other words, 1 in 4 Pugs have black coats. Variations with Black Pugs In conformation show rings, all major kennel clubs expect black Pugs to be solid black. And, this is indeed what many black Pugs are, but there are some exceptions. Black Pugs can have small markings, sometimes referred to as a mismark, which can occasionally be seen with Pugs of all colors. If this occurs, it is often a small white or light patch on the chest. Aside from this, there can be larger markings, seen as faults in the show ring, which may include a larger area of white on the chest or a scattering of lighter hairs throughout the coat. This doesn't stop her from being active with her family, Jerry, Shelly and Taylor Koltz in Frisco, Texas Just like humans, dogs can develop gray hairs as they age. It does not happen to all Pugs, but to a majority of them to some extent. While this will not be very noticeable on fawn Pugs, gray hairs on black Pugs stand out quite a bit. In some cases, graying will only be seen around the face, but other seniors can grow gray hairs on any other areas of the body. The appearance of gray hairs with black Pugs may start as early as the 8-year mark, but is most commonly seen with those age 10 and up. Mistaking Brindle for Black Brindle is a pattern of interlocking striping colors and is not an accepted standard color for the Pug with any of the well-known kennel clubs. In fact, many wonder where this color came from or if it can even truly exist in the Pug bloodline. Other breeds were used to develop the Pug which is where the pattern most likely came from; however, since it is not a color called out for in breed standards, most breeders do not aim to produce this and it is only seen sporadically. As you can see with Luna here photo below who is a brindle, there is a lot of black in the coat. Yet, it is woven in with fawn as part of the brindle pattern. While she may have an overall appearance of a dark coat, this should not be confused with a true black coat. This may lead you to wonder why there are more fawn Pugs than black ones. The main reason is that breeders choose more often to produce fawns. If both colors were equally represented within all breeding programs, there would be many more litters of black Pug puppies than there currently are. Each pup's color is determined by a pair of color genes, one comes from the dam, the other from the sire. If both genes in the pair are black, the Pug will be black. If one gene is black and the other is fawn, the pup will be black since it is the dominant gene and overpowers the fawn. If both genes are fawn, the Pug will be fawn. Interestingly, despite their coloring, black Pugs carry the fawn gene, known as SS, though it is a recessive gene. The B gene produces the black coat color. Generally, it is not acceptable to breed a black Pug to a fawn. Crossing colors will not improve the coat or color of either type. Therefore, with no benefit to the pairing, most breeders will focus on one certain color. This said, due to recessive genes, a litter can consist of both fawn coats and black coats. In most cases, there will be more fawns, with a ratio. Size, body structure, ear set, bite set, tail shape , and eyes are all the same for all colors with this breed. While you may see black Pugs that are smaller than fawns, there are just as many that are larger. And while you may spot more fawns with double-curled tails, there are just as many black-coated Pugs with the double curl. Any physical differences that you may see are just a matter of those particular dogs. Non-black Pugs have black ears and a black mask black over the muzzle and around the eyes , and of course technically this is there with black Pugs but is part of the dog's overall coat. The toe nails on Pugs of all colors can be black or white, though black is preferred in conformation events. Differences - The one and only difference between the two colors is that some but not all black Pugs often have a single coat versus the double coat seen with most fawns. The double coat consists of both a soft and dense inner layer and a short, shiny outer layer. Black Pugs that have just the single layer will be missing the inner layer. While you may not notice much of a difference by eye, you can often feel the difference when petting a Pug and this does affect how much a Pug sheds. With double-coats, there will be more shedding since the inner layer rapidly cycles, especially in the fall and spring. There is generally more upkeep needed with grooming tools to remove the dead hairs. Personality Differences There is much debate on whether coat color determines a Pug's personality. Some may say that black Pugs are better behaved, are more relaxed, or are less vocal than fawns. Yet, just as many will say the opposite. The question of personality traits is one of nature versus nurture. Is behavior inbred or does a dog's environment and type of care received shape the personality? It has been our experience that while genetic traits regarding temperament can be passed down, it is how a Pug is raised, trained, and treated that will have the biggest impact on that dog's overall behavior. The Origin and Popularity Spread of Black Pugs Unlike many other breeds whose development was meticulously recorded and those documents are preserved as part of history, the Pug's early development is shrouded in mystery. General consensus is that the Pug originated in China thousands of year ago at least B. Chinese drawings, carvings, and statues depicted dogs that were, most likely, ancient ancestors of the Pug. But, unfortunately, documents covering the very early development of Pugs was essentially erased from history when some time around B. Yet, of course, moving further ahead in time, evidence and record-keeping started up again, including those connected to the appearance of black Pug dogs. Black Pugs are known to exist as early as the 's thanks to William Hogarth's painting of one in House of Cards .The artist was an owner of Pugs and portrayed many in his paintings so there is an exceptional visual record of this breed's appearance from over years ago. House of Cards, a painting by William Hogarth showing a small black Pug [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Note that this far back in the breed's development, the body was more slender and the face was not as flat. It was in that black Pugs first appeared in England which allowed them to eventually spread to other parts of the world including the United States. It is believed that Lady Annie Brassey, a Victorian author who traveled extensively, is responsible for this introduction. On one of her trips to China, she brought back a pair of black Pug puppies and decided to show them at the Maidstone Dog Show that was held that year. Due to her efforts, black Pugs where shown more and more and started gaining acceptance and popularity. Black Pugs actually became recognized as a separate variation of the Pug in by the Kennel Club in London. Do you have a Pug? This comprehensive care book guides you through every step of your Pug's life. Are you part of the PetPugDog family? Join us by becoming a free PetPugDog Member ; this will allow you to receive newsletters that announce new articles and help you stay up-to-date with care tips and other information. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Chinchilla Platinum These coat colors are usually not a pure-bred coat color but a mix of a few other breeds. Most of these breeders are breeding from the pure pug line. If you want a pure breed pug, keep in mind that these rare pug colors are usually not pure breeds. The short answer is YES. Mask and Ears Most fawn pugs have a black mask and ears. The mask will start under their chin and extend up over their eyes as well as covering their muzzle. These are the most common looks of a pug. The masks and black ears can be of different shades and varying amounts to give each Pug their unique look. Smuttiness Some pugs have what is called smuttiness. This is when your Pug has a lot of black hairs that are mixed with lighter colors in their coat. If your fawn-colored Pug has a few black hairs here and there, this is not considered smuttiness. Many times, a dog with smuttiness will have enough black hairs which looks like a mild haze to their color. Smuttiness is a fault and will cause your Pug to getting deductions in the show ring but will not be disqualified. The Trace A trace is a dark line on their back. A trace will usually begin at the scruff of their neck, going all the way straight now their back to the base of their tail. This line can be varying degrees of thickness and darkness. Sometimes the trace may not be apparent when your Pug is young and will slowly start to show up as they get older. The opposite is also true, your Pug may have a trace at birth, and this will slowly fade as your Pug starts to mature. Also be called a diamond due to the irregular or diamond shape of the mark. A thumbprint is present when your pug is born and puppies very rarely develop these as they get older. It may get bigger or darker as your dog ages but rarely does it appear or disappear as your puppy grows. These two traits are very highly wanted in pug breeds. In the AKC show ring, the darker black these spots, the better. White Paws While white paws are not common or wanted in a show ring. However, they can happen. White paws are usually due to the gene or mixed breed pugs. A pug with white paws will likely have white on their chest, body, or face too. It is normal for a dog to change color some as they get older. As previously mentioned, some of the black markings may fade or get darker as your Pug gets older. A fawn color pug may also get lighter or darker as they get older. Some of the apricot or silver colorings may not be present when your Pug is born but may start to show up as your puppy grows and develops. The amount of smuttiness can go away or even get darker as your Pug gets older. As your Pug reaches adulthood, the black mask and ears will usually become darker. As your Pug enters their senior years, they will also start to develop gray on the face and muzzle. Your Pug will not change from a fawn pug puppy to a black pug as an adult or from a black pug puppy to a fawn pug as an adult. The changes will be lightening and darkening the color they were as a puppy. FAQs 1. Will the color of my Pug affects their behavior? Some people do think that black pugs are more energetic and more personable than fawn pugs. There are no studies that show that personality is related to coat color. Most of the time, these differences in personality are how the dog was raised. Pugs can be very hard-headed, loving, and loyal dogs. These dogs are great with kids and very easy to train. Each dog will have its own personality based mostly on their lifestyle and training, giving you a wonderful companion for many years. Does a fawn Pug shed more than a black Pug? Shedding is based on the breed of the dog and not their coat color. Most Pugs have a double coat and will shed a pretty good bit. However, some black pugs shed less than the double-coated ones because of their single coat. The coat type has a much more effect on shedding than the color of their fur. Most pugs have black nails, no matter their coat color. Some pugs may have a few light-colored or brown-colored nails, which makes it easier to see quickly when trimming their nails. Final Thoughts I hope you find this article helpful about the different colors of Pugs. Check out this video below for the different Pug types you may want to know.

Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. With a name inspired by fighters in the ring, some people expect a Boxer to be aggressive or unfriendly. As is the case with many guard dog breeds , the owner must establish dominance early or their pup may try to take charge instead. For example, Boxer dogs need to be socialized and trained early to prevent aggression towards strangers or people they see as threats. It is advised to discipline gently but firmly and consistently. When it comes to their physical demands, Boxer puppies, as well as adults, are high-energy dogs that need some vigorous outdoor exercise every day. Lastly, Boxers are also jumpers, so you may need training to curb their instincts to leap up on you, your family, or your guests. The average lifespan for Boxer dogs ranges from 10 to 12 years. While this tends to be a healthy line, especially when you work with a trusted Boxer breeder, there are some special considerations. At Keystone Puppies, we only represent the best Boxer breeders. Our breeders not only offer a health guarantee but also provide exceptional homes for Boxer puppies that lead to healthy adult lives. As always, owners should keep their canine companions up-to-date on vaccinations and bring their pups in for regular checkups with their veterinarians. Caring for Boxer Coats The short, shiny coat is easy to maintain. Brush once a week to reduce shedding and to keep their coats bright. Before you buy a Boxer puppy, get familiar with their grooming routine. Their short coats are easy to maintain and look fantastic when you do. We recommend that owners generally brush their coats once per week to reduce shedding and to keep their coats attractive and healthy. In addition to that, cleaning out their ears once per week with a clean, damp cloth will reduce the risk of ear infections. We recommend you wipe out the wrinkles once a week to reduce the chance of skin infections. Meet Boxer Puppies for Sale. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Long Island New York? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Long Island for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. At New York Harbor, it begins approximately 0. The island comprises four counties, Kings and Queens counties the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, respectively and Nassau County share the western third of the island, while Suffolk County occupies the eastern two thirds. We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.

Black Black and tan Once the breed becomes standardized, these coat colors may become official. But, for now, the goal is to create the blue version as much as possible. Blue Bay Shepherd Temperament Though Vicki was aiming for the lupin look with these dogs, she will sacrifice the look for the temperament. Her primary goal was to create a family pet though getting them to look like wolves was a close second. Regardless, she succeeded at both. Blue Bay Shepherds have a sweet, loving temperament without the aggression and aloofness of their wolf ancestors. But the dogs naturally tend to be sociable, gentle, affectionate, and playful. You can even trust them around livestock and other animals! Can you trust this dog that looks so much like a wolf with other pets? Owners report that their Blue Bay pups have done well with other dogs and cats. They should be properly socialized and raising them with other pets is best. However, this is common amongst dogs in general — not just ones that look like wolves. Their sweet, affectionate nature makes the Blue Bay Shepherd a great family pet. But they will do best in a specific type of home. They also tend to be huge. So a home with a large yard and lots of space to run is an ideal place for them. Are you looking for a simple way to keep track of your dog's daily activity? It has never been easier to monitor your dog with the Fi smart collar. With this slender, smart collar, you can count your pup's steps and set daily, weekly, and monthly goals. You can keep an eye on Fido's fitness routine with it, almost like a FitBit for your dog. Blue Bays can also be prone to separation anxiety, so an active family that will be spending lots of time with the pup is best. Homes with small children may not be the best choice for them purely because of their size. They are gentle, but they are still big and energetic which means they can accidentally harm tiny family members. Wondering if your home would be a good fit? The best way to find out is to ask Vicki herself. However, because the breed is so new, there are no established health patterns and no way to know if there are common problems. Dogs with wolf blood in general tend to be healthy and have a long life expectancy. However, counter this with the tiny gene pool. All Blue Bays come from the same place and the breeders at Southern Breeze Ranch have to be cautious to avoid inbreeding and the problems this can cause. Vicki specifically used the old-style German Shepherds to avoid the modern GSDs' sloped back and the hip dysplasia that commonly comes with it. Plus, the Shepherds she used may still pass down issues like epilepsy, degenerative myelopathy, pituitary dwarfism, and eye abnormalities. To help prevent this, avoid feeding within 30 minutes of exercise — either before or after. You may also consider using a slow feeder bowl if your dog tends to eat too fast. And wolf dogs are exactly the same. A Blue Bay Shepherd requires daily brushing during the worst seasons to keep this shedding under control. The rest of the year, you can get away with brushing them times a week. Regular brushing will also help keep their long hair free of tangles and give it that shine that makes them so beautiful. Regardless, brushing your dog is a great way to bond with him and helps him to feel safe and loved in your home. Since they are so active, Blue Bay Shepherds will generally wear down their own nails running around on hard ground. If not, you should have clippers on hand to keep them from overgrowing. Note that ear infections are common in German Shepherds. Since there are so few and the breed is still in development, there is commonly a one or two-year waiting list for these pups. The pups can also be quite pricey, though less than you might expect from an exclusive breeder. This innovative collar offers real-time GPS tracking, ensuring that you can easily locate your furry companion whenever needed. It goes beyond just tracking by providing valuable insights into their daily exercise levels and sleep patterns. With its sleek design and durable construction, the Fi Smart Collar seamlessly integrates into your dog's lifestyle. Prioritize your peace of mind and strengthen the bond with your Blue Bay Shepherd. Invest in the Fi GPS Smart Collar and the Fi app today and experience a new level of connectedness and care for your beloved furry friend. Final Thoughts Do you love the idea of adding a blue wolf German Shepherd-type dog to your family? The gorgeous Blue Bay Shepherd could be a great option for you. Plus, you would become part of the development of a new breed! Vicki keeps in contact with all the owners of her pups to monitor their development and behavior over time. She wants to create and maintain a standard with her new breed and well as make improvements with each new generation. If you become the lucky owner of one of these pups, you will join a new adventure that is more than just getting a new dog. Plus, you will be the lucky recipient of more love and loyalty than you might have bargained for! The link has been copied! You might also like. The German Shepherd resembles a wolf in appearance, to begin with, so you can count on the hybrid to be large, with a long face, thick coat and pointed ears. The coat of the Wolfshepherd can be gray, sable, white, black, or a mixture of these colors. It will most likely inherit the thick fur that is standard for both parents and is known to shed heavily. You can take a closer look at this Wolfdog mix in the video. Is a Wolf Shepherd dangerous? If a Wolfdog is uncomfortable, it can attack out of defense. This has earned them a reputation for being dangerous and they are banned in several US states. Wolves build dens and roam frequently. They also have a strong pack and predatory instincts. These traits translate into destructive behavior for the Wolfdog, such as digging holes in the garden and chewing up wooden furniture. They also may urinate more frequently than other dog breeds to mark their territory. It takes one who is passionate and willing to devote time and energy to a German Shepherd Wolf dog. Because of its unpredictable nature, it is advised that this crossbreed should not be left alone around other pets and especially children. Black German Shepherd Wolf mixes in particular, are known for being less tolerant towards children. They have been known to react by biting and shaking. This is a natural response of the Black GSD when correcting puppy behavior. With rigorous training, a Wolfdog makes a protective and loyal companion. They are strong, intelligent, playful, and affectionate towards family. Are Wolf German Shepherd Mix health issues common? As we mentioned above the life expectancy of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix is up to 14 or even .However, the German Shepherd breed is vulnerable to serious genetic diseases that can get passed down to this particular Wolfdog hybrid. Hip Dysplasia : A painful hip joint deformity that causes loss of mobility and lameness. Elbow Dysplasia: A joint deformity that affects the elbows and can cause pain and loss of mobility. Bloat: A build-up of gas in the stomach that can cause it to twist and lead to shock or even death. Cancer: Abnormal cell growth that can spread throughout the body. Feeding time Since the Wolfshepherd is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia , it is important to keep her on a strict feeding regime to avoid obesity. Aim for 2 to 3 cups of meat-based dog food divided between meals each day. Remember that every dog has different health needs. Exercise time The German Shepherd Wolf hybrid needs daily activity to thwart destructive behavior and keep physically fit. A house with a large fenced-in yard is the most suitable environment for this crossbreed. They need room to stretch their legs and roam. If you live in an apartment, you might want to consider a smaller dog breed or perhaps a dog that resembles a wolf. Not only is an apartment too small a space, but this mix prefers to spend time outdoors, like its Wolf parent. Playing fetch with a ball or tugging games can help get that chewing habit under control. Can you train a Wolf Shepherd? This is the only way to lessen the inclination towards aloofness, fear, and an unpredictable temperament. Training needs to start at the puppy stage to be effective. Be prepared, because Wolfdogs are not easy to train and require time, patience, and consistency. Dominance is one of the main German Shepherd Wolf mix characteristics that you will have to focus on. As the owner, you must be confident and assert that you are the leader of the pack. If attention wanes during a game or your Wolfdog decides to ignore commands, stay positive yet firm and above all — do not let them dominate you. Socialization is key to helping a Wolfdog accept other pets in the household. Walks around the park can help, but always keep your pup on a leash. Supervise them when other dogs are present. When searching for reputable German Shepherd Wolf mix breeders, look for someone that is open to you visiting and will provide health clearances. They should be able to answer questions about the parents, especially regarding medical history. This results in a high number of them being left at rescue shelters. Here are 3 Wolfdog rescues where you can look for a German Shepherd Wolf mix along with other Wolfdogs. As their name suggests, this mix is made up of a German Shepherd and a Wolf, these hybrids crossbreeds are often called Wolfdogs or Wolf-Shepherds. Whilst there are many types of German Shepherd Wolf mixes, the Saarloos Wolfhund is the most notable. They were created by Leendert Saarloos back in when he crossbred a German Shepherd with a Eurasian wolf. The aim of this cross-breeding was to bring back the natural traits the GSD had lost when domesticated. You should also keep in mind that they are illegal in several areas across the US, so do your research before keeping one. The German Shepherd already resembles a wolf, so this hybrid does not look hugely different. Due to the genetic diversity, there is no way to tell what a specific pup will look like when they mature. However, there could be a pup that will look more like their German Shepherd parent, rather than their Wolf parent, and vice-versa. Wolfdogs tend to have smaller skulls than the common wolf, they have pointed ears and brown almond-shaped eyes. Height and Weight A German Shepherd can weigh around lb male and lb female. Males stand at around inches and females between inches. So depending on age, sex, diet, and genetics, the German Shepherd Wolf mix can weigh anywhere from lbs. Colors Pups can be found in a number of colors as the classic German Shepherd has 11 different official colors, with the most common being black and tan. But they can also have colors such as sable, black, white, and gray. Wolves can be mottled gray in color, but occasionally can be nearly pure white, red, brown, or even black. Coat German Shepherds have a thick double coat that is medium length. They have a dense outer coat with straight hair that lies close to the body. They have short undercoats and long, coarse outer coats. The GSD and Wolves have very similar coats, so it is fairly likely that their mix will have a double coat and medium-length fur. They will also shed annually, getting rid of their winter coat when the days become warmer. It is safe to say that this crossbreed should not be kept in warmer climates. German Shepherd Wolf Mix Personality and Temperament Both German Shepherds and Wolves have very different personalities, so it can be difficult to predict what their mix will be like. But we will do our best below to explain some behaviors which should be expected. Wolves are pack animals, meaning they are very protective and loyal to their family — they will do anything to protect their kin. They are den-dwelling animals, meaning that your mix is likely to dig anywhere they want. Being wild animals, Wolves are reserved when it comes to unfamiliar surroundings, people, and inanimate objects. They may be very protective but will cower at the sight of strangers. It should be said that the German Shepherd Wolf will be unpredictable in social situations, they can become aggressive when fearful. This can be avoided by giving them lots of socialization as a young pup. They are also very curious and will try to escape whenever opportunity strikes, so make sure to keep your backyard securely fenced. This hybrid will have a strong prey drive, as the GSD was bred to herd livestock and the wolf is a natural predator, so your Wolfdog mix will chase anything and everything that moves. They are also prone to howling as this is how they communicate in a pack. This is not a dog that should be living with small children. This dog should be kept by experienced keepers who are firm and disciplined with their pooch. If they favor their German Shepherd parentage, they will be eager to please dog training will be easy. Either way, you should be training them with positive reinforcement. Give them rewards when they follow your command or when they stop unwanted behavior. Many people believe that dominance training is the way forward with this dog as wolves are pack animals, but studies show that this training method leads to further aggression and reduces the quality of your relationship with your doggy friend. This is a dog for someone who has experience training strong-willed dogs before — you need to be firm and consistent. Do not let them think they are the boss of you. Socializing a dog like this is very important as the wolf can be reserved and unpredictable. Make sure to socialize them with a range of people and different situations. Mental stimulation is very important if you do not want your Wolfdog to get bored and chew everything in sight. You can give them lots of toys and play with them, playtime can decrease their stress levels and make them more confident. Caring for a German Shepherd Wolf Mix Owning a German Shepherd Wolf mix is not something you should take lightly, there are specific laws on owning Wolfdogs, so you should check your state regulations. This cross breed needs an owner who is experienced in training difficult dogs that need lots of attention and care. You will also need a large backyard which has very secure fencing. You should not own a Wolfdog in heavily populated areas, as they have a habit of howling a lot. There are many other responsibilities that you will have when owning this hybrid so keep reading to learn more… Exercise Requirements This is a very energetic dog, as wolves can travel up to 30 miles a day. They will need around hours of exercise each day to keep fit and healthy. Not getting their exercise will result in them destroying your furniture and anything else they can bite. It is also recommended to let them roam around in a fenced backyard, so they can play, dig and explore. You should not take your Wolfdog to dog parks and make sure to keep them on a leash and harness. They will need regular brushing to avoid matting and tangles, and more when shedding season comes along. Do not bathe this dog too much as it can strip away the natural oils that make the coat healthy and shiny. As with every dog, dental hygiene is important so brush their teeth once a week. You should also cut their nails, to avoid overgrowth and splitting. Feeding and Diet Deciding what to feed your Wolfdog is not an exact science, but you should be feeding your dog a diet rich in protein. Avoid buying traditional store-bought dog food as these are rich in carbohydrates and artificial ingredients. You will need to do research into what type of meat-based diets you would prefer your dog to eat. Be mindful of how much you are feeding your dog, too much food can lead to obesity. Keep an eye on their weight by using a body condition score. Known Health Problems Wolfdogs are generally healthy animals, but they are still prone to certain health issues. Having pet insurance could save you from the headache of going to the vets with reimbursement for every vet bill from now on! Many places have laws against owning any sort of wolf mix, including a German Shepherd-Worf hybrid. This is because, unlike dogs, wolves are completely wild animals, and while they can be domesticated to a certain extent, that wild streak is likely to live on. It just means that in extreme circumstances, these dogs are likely to be less predictable than those without wolf DNA inside them. The appeal is undeniable, but you still need to do your homework before adding one to your pack. Most experts would contend that a wolf mix is one with a purebred wolf in its bloodline within four or five generations. They act just like canine puppies for the most part. However, once they start to grow up, the wolf-like tendencies begin to emerge. They can start slowly in adolescence before becoming extremely apparent in adulthood. Many people have fallen in love with a wolf mix puppy, thinking that it has the features of a wolf but the sweetness of a dog. That may be true in some cases, but in others, the animal grew up to be quite a fearsome pet indeed. They Can Be Quite Unpredictable You would think that a wolf mix would be proud and fearless, never backing down from anyone or anything. The fact of the matter is that while these dogs can certainly be ferocious, they also tend to be extremely shy and skittish. Wolves are scared of people and for good reason, sadly. That means that while your German Shepherd Wolf mix would readily sacrifice their own lives to protect their family, they usually also prefer to cower and hide when strangers arrive. That can lead to dangerous situations, especially with children. If you push these dogs past their breaking point, the wolf will eventually come out — and that can have tragic results. Some of these animals take after their canine parents, while others favor their wolf lineage. Generally speaking, though, you can expect your German Shepherd Wolf mix to be fiercely loyal and protective of their families yet wary of outsiders. Due to the wolf in them, these dogs tend to be more pack-driven than other pups. You may even want to give them a canine companion, although this can have its own set of challenges. That intelligence makes them capable escape artists, though. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Little ones will often push a pet too far, and you never know when the wolf will come out. If you do bring one of these animals into a home with little kids, never leave them unsupervised. You should also teach your kids how to deal with the dog, making sure they know not to mess with their food or toys or abuse them in any way. Older kids may be able to get along with them, though, so if your children are a little more mature, you might be able to bring one of these dogs home without issue. All of this assumes that you know how to handle one of these animals, of course. They get lonely easily and may become depressed if left alone for long periods of time. However, they may be prone to aggression with other dogs as well. Pack culture is a much bigger deal for wolves than for dogs, so your mix may be prone to dominance. Other pets, however, are likely a bad idea. Cats and smaller animals will most likely be seen as food rather than friends, so you should keep your German Shepherd Wolf mix as far away from them as possible. All of this also means that you need to be absolutely certain that your mix is kept on a secure leash and collar or harness during walks. You may not feel up to the task once you realize how much is involved with raising one of these animals. That will affect how much they eat, but you can expect them to have a healthy appetite regardless. These are energetic pups, so they need as much long-lasting energy as they can get. Avoid problematic ingredients like soy, wheat, corn, or animal by-products, as these can make your dog fat without giving them much in the way of nutrition. Many dogs have trouble processing these ingredients as well. In addition to feeding them a proper diet, you should exercise strict portion control and never allow them to free-feed. As a result, expect to provide your pet with plenty of exercises. They can easily destroy your entire lawn if not properly tuckered out. Long walks are a good idea, but you should also play fetch or something that requires more energy every day. Just be careful not to make them run and jump too much, as it puts quite a bit of strain on their spines. Mental stimulation is equally important. You can give them puzzle toys, play hide-and-seek, or put them through extensive training sessions. They respond best to positive reinforcement, so try to convince them to cooperate by offering them treats or affection. The problem with this is that eventually, those emotions will boil over. That could lead to unpleasant consequences for you. The shedding becomes extreme twice a year when the dogs blow their coats. You should only need to bathe them if they get visibly dirty, but you will need to brush their teeth and trim their claws regularly. Be sure to keep their ears clean as well, as they can be prone to infection. This reduces the risk of spinal issues later in life. Still, there are a few things to be aware of. Minor Conditions. Prone to shedding. Lifespan: 12 - 14 years. They can have several health issues including joint problems and cancer. No - definitely not recommended for families with young kids. Unpredictable temperaments. Although GSDs are easily trainable, wolves are wild animals. These hybrids should be reserved for very experienced dog owners. They need a ton of exercise, which is easier said than done. Once they reach a certain age and level of strength, walking your wolfdog in public can be difficult. In most places in the United States, it is illegal to own a wild animal like a wolf unless you have a special and expensive wildlife permit. GSD-wolf mixes walk a tightrope between being considered wild animals or domestic pets. Because of the wolf parent or grandparent, the law considers the resulting mix not reliably domesticated, and thus prone to acting dangerously. Therefore, if you want a wolf-dog mix, you may have to do a lot of research to even find a place in the world that will let you do so. Some proponents of wolf-dog mixes claim that some dog breeds have more grey wolf parent DNA than other dog breeds. If these breeds are allowed, then so should GSD and wolf mixes. According to Science Trends. These breeds include the Finnish Spitz, the Shar-Pei, the Siberian Husky another breed often crossed with wolves , and the Greenland dog. However, the ancestors of these breeds branched off from wolves thousands of years ago, and not simply one or two generations ago. Over one hundred years ago, German shepherds were popularly called Alsatian Wolf Dogs, since they were bred in the Alsace region of what is now France and looked like wolves. However, no wolves were actually involved in creating German Shepherd mixes. Other breeds mistakenly thought to have wolves in their recent ancestry include Siberian Huskies and the Alaskan Malamute. Although descended from wolves, the last wolf in their pedigree was thousands of years ago. Even puppies in the same litter can act in vastly different ways. Wolves tend to ignore people and do what they want. Any wolf-dog mix will be prone to unpredictable behavior at times, and will tend to act more like a wolf than a dog. Wolves are intensely territorial creatures. They attack any predator in their home range, including wolves not in their packs. This behavior has convinced some people that GSD-wolf mixes make better guard dogs than dogs. This, however, is a myth. According to the International Wolf Center, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to bark when intruders appear. Wolves on the other hand stay silent. This is because large dogs age faster than small dogs. Why this happens in dogs and not other species is not known. The future health of a wolf mix is harder to predict than the health of a purebred dog. After decades of study, it is now known what health problems certain breeds are prone to. Because German Shepherd — wolf hybrids are a genetic toss of the dice, you have no way of knowing what health problems these animals will be prone to. A wolf mix needs to be well-behaved in order to be treated for an illness, but the mix may even be too dangerous to treat. Never assume that all vets will be willing to take in a German shepherd wolf mix as a patient. All the vets in your area may refuse to work on such an animal, and this is not due to prejudice against wolves. Although all vets are trained to help domestic animals like dogs, very few are trained in the care of exotics. One problematic area for vets and exotic animal owners is that of vaccination. Rabies vaccines are crucial for dog owners. Because of the threat of rabies and the problems of the rabies vaccine working on wolf-dogs, any wolf-dog that shows signs of rabies or has been exposed to a rabid animal needs to be euthanized. The two most common medical problems with any wolf-dog mix are complications from being overweight and hip dysplasia. Being overweight can also contribute to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is very common in German shepherds and in most large dog breeds. Hip dysplasia symptoms like limping start when the dog is young, and gets worse over time if left untreated. This is a very painful and chronic condition that may require surgery to treat. Depending on the genetic roll of the dice, a GSD wolf puppy may be looking at a very short, unhealthy life. GSDs are also prone to a deadly and incurable condition called degenerative myelopathy that hits GSDs seven years of age and older. However, this can become quite complicated since wolf-dogs cannot be walked and played with like normal dogs. Puppies may be able to walk on a leash in the beginning. Sadly, a lot of wolf-dog hybrids wind up staying permanently in an outdoor pen because they cannot be walked or trained. Despite the endless unknowns surrounding a GSD wolf mix, their size is actually predictable. The smallest hybrids will be as small as a GSD — roughly 49 pounds. The largest will be about pounds, which is the size of a large male Mackenzie Valley wolf, the largest known wolf species. As is common in most wolf species and dog breeds, females tend to be smaller. GSDs are as tall as small wolves, but wolves can actually reach heights of 34 inches tall at the shoulders. GSD wolf mixes come in a wide variety of colors, but most have two or even three tones to their coats. Common two-toned colors include black and tan, grey and white, silver and white, brown and grey, and tan and grey. Puppies of dogs, wolf-dog mixes, and even wolves can be trained and easily handled. However, once the wolf-dog hybrid becomes physically and sexually mature, all bets are off. Just when a GSD wolf mix matures differs from puppy to puppy. Dogs mature a lot faster than wolves. A German shepherd wolf mix could mature as early as six months, when a GSD matures, or as late as four years old when a wolf typically matures. However, these are not wolves. However, if you want an animal that obeys commands all the time, why not just save yourself the time and money, and go with a dog? They also ask people for affection. They have to be taught to hunt by their older pack-mates. They grow accustomed to being given food at predictable times. All wolf hybrids, including GSD wolf mixes, have severely bitten or attacked people and pets in the United States. Wolf-hybrids often attack children more than adults because children make noises resembling small prey animals. More often, wolf-dog mixes will attack other pets than people. These are very territorial animals. If any other animal is perceived as being on their turf, a GSD wolf mix may not only attack but kill a dog, cat, or other animal. Not only will you have to pay restitution and possible court costs, but depending on your local laws, your GSD wolf mix may be confiscated and euthanized. Your chances of appeal are very small, and will involve significant legal expenses. The only known factors are that this is a large animal with the ability to inflict serious damage on pets, livestock, wildlife, and people, especially children. You may have to keep the animal in a pen for the rest of its life. You may never be able to find a vet willing to look after the GSD wolf mix. You may have laws banning the ownership of such an animal where you live. A GSD wolf mix puppy or adult costs thousands of dollars. You will need plenty of land, fencing, and legal advice in order to keep it. When it comes to any wolf-dog mix, leave it alone. Get one of the safer German Shepherd mixes instead. German Shepherd wolf mix breeds are one of the biggest dogs you can get, averaging to around 24 inches tall. In terms of weight, they average to around 60 lbs heavy when they are fully grown. While this is slightly smaller than the average German Shepherd, this is still large for a dog. Remember, their personality will make them seem even larger than they physically are. This mix breed is highly unpredictable. This means that while German Shepherds are generally bigger than the wolf mix breed, they are much more obedient. A larger and more obedient German Shepherd will seem much smaller than a GSD wolf mix that has an unpredictable and potentially dangerous temperament. Even though GSD wolf mix breeds might grow to be slightly smaller than a regular German Shepherd, the average lifespan of both is the same. They are both considered medium-large breeds, which means that they can come with a variety of health issues including joint problems and cancer. What percentage of German Shepherds are wolf? Technically speaking, every dog derives from wolves. They were never bred with wolves. It all depends on the genetics of the German Shepherd, as some might have come from a background that bred wolves into the family. Instead, German Shepherds descend from the Canidae biological family in the same way as other domestic dogs do. This biological family includes wolves, foxes, and dingoes. Other breeds of dogs like Siberian Huskies and Finnish Spitz are more closely related to wolves as their ancestors had been wolves for thousands of years. How can you tell if your German Shepherd is part wolf? German Shepherds were never bred with wolves when the breed was standardized in Germany in the s, which means that there is no element of wolf in their DNA. Still, they are part of the Canidae family in the same way as other domesticated dogs are. However, you can still commit to a genetic test to see if your German Shepherd has come from a family that attempted to breed a wolf into the genetic line. Also, when buying or adopting your GSD, the seller should make you aware of if the dog is part wolf. Wolf vs. While these are generic numbers, they can still give you a better understanding of the ideal size to expect. Of course, note that your German Shepherd has to be a purebred, and the mating needs professional intervention. Below is a photo of a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog , which was initially bred from working line German Shepherds and Carpathian grey wolves in .This hybrid has a special diet requirement. Look for high-quality dog food that contains real meat as the first ingredient, and avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Some options include: Dry kibble: This is the most common type of dog food and is convenient and easy to store. Look for brands that offer high-quality protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish. Wet food: This type of dog food is more palatable than dry kibble and can be a good option for picky eaters. Look for brands that use real meat and avoid fillers. Raw food: Some dog owners prefer to feed their GSD-Wolf Mix a raw food diet, which consists of uncooked meat, bones, and organs. But why do I stress it under the diet section? Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition that affects the hip joint and can cause pain and mobility issues. To help prevent hip dysplasia, make sure your dog maintains a healthy weight and gets regular exercise. To help prevent these issues, feed your dog a high-quality diet and avoid table scraps and other human foods. Joint problems: Because of their size and activity level, GSD-Wolf Mixes are also prone to joint problems like arthritis. Multivitamins: A multivitamin supplement can help ensure that your dog is getting all the essential vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. Here are some tips to help you keep your GSD-Wolf hybrid healthy and happy. Grooming Your German Shepherd-Wolf Mix has a thick, dense coat that requires regular grooming to keep it healthy and shiny. Here are some grooming tips to keep in mind: Brush their coat at least once a week to remove loose fur and prevent matting. Bathe them as needed, but not too often, as it can strip their coat of its natural oils. Trim their nails regularly to prevent them from getting too long and causing discomfort. Clean their ears regularly to prevent infections. These are only a few tips. Ideally, once you get a German Shepherd Wolf Mix, you may encounter new requirements based on their health conditions as well. Nevertheless, regular grooming is mandatory! Combining the power and strength of a German Shepherd and a wolf, this mix is inherently stronger. Here are some exercise tips to keep in mind: Aim for at least 2 hours of exercise per day, including walks, runs, and playtime. Provide plenty of mental stimulation, such as puzzle toys and training sessions. Consider enrolling your dog in agility classes or other activities to keep them engaged. Training Your GSD-Wolf Mix is a smart and independent breed that needs consistent training and socialization to thrive. In fact, they can understand and grasp commands faster than usual because of their mix. Here are some training tips to keep in mind: Start training and socialization early to prevent behavior issues. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behavior. Be patient and consistent in your training approach. Consider working with a professional trainer if you need help. Maintaining a German Shepherd Wolf Mix requires a bit more effort than other breeds, but with the right approach, you can keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. By providing them with plenty of exercise, training, and health care, you can enjoy a strong and rewarding bond with your unique and beautiful German Shepherd Wolf Mix. They have a natural instinct to protect their loved ones and can be fiercely loyal to those they trust. Your German Shepherd Wolf Mix is a smart and inquisitive breed that thrives on mental stimulation. They are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques. Similar to their parents, your GSD-Wolf hybrid is an independent breed that can be stubborn at times. They may not always follow commands or listen to their owners and may prefer to do things their own way. However, this hybrid needs early and consistent socialization to prevent behavior issues. They may be wary of strangers and other animals if they are not properly socialized from a young age. Your GSD-Wolf Mix has a strong prey drive and may be prone to chasing small animals like squirrels and rabbits. A German Shepherd Wolf Mix is safe for people professionally trained to handle wolf dogs but is not safe for ordinary pet owners, first-time dog owners, and families with children. Three primary reasons move people to interbreed wolves and German Shepherds, or any other dog breed: The desire to create the attractive wolf look in a wolfdog. The expectation is that breeding a German Shepherd and a wolf will produce an exceptionally hybrid pup with a balanced blend of the domestic and the wild traits in the two canines. The attempt to tame the wild in the wolf and create a fiercer guard dog than the purebred German Shepherd. Unfortunately, these expectations rarely materialize. Instead, German Shepherd Wolf hybrids can manifest extreme aggression and stubbornness for several reasons. Dogs sexually mature by 6 to 8 months, but they also have less aggressive hormonal changes and a more stable behavioral pattern in the years of sexual maturity. In contrast, wolves only mature sexually at around 1 to 4 years. The species-specific roles that come with sexual maturity, such as fighting their place in pack roles, can generate aggression and stubbornness and make their behavior patterns extremely unpredictable. Inheriting the unpredictable behavior of a wolf can make German Shepherd Wolf Mixes challenging to manage. And pruning out the wolf traits in the Wolf Shepherd can be tricky, even with training. That means having to deal with a difficult-to-manage pet. A Wild Prey Drive Prey drive is the instinctive tendency of carnivores to pursue and capture prey, also known as predatory behavior. Both the wolf and the German Shepherd have a strong prey drive , the first more than the second. This behavior can make your wolfdog threaten the safety of livestock and other animals when you walk with them or even try to escape to meet this instinctual hunting drive. Territoriality Wolves are a territorial species, a trait that German Shepherd Wolf Mixes can inherit. Wolfdogs often show territoriality through urine marking. But being territorial especially means that the wolfdog will be possessive of things and spaces in the home. As a result, the Wolf Shepherd will tend to be aggressive and defensive when other animals and people approach areas and things they consider to belong to them. Winter Wolf Syndrome Winter wolf syndrome, or seasonal aggression, is the aggression that characterizes wolves and wolfdogs around the mating season. The manifestation of the winter wolf syndrome can vary from wolf to wolf or wolfdog to wolfdog. Some wolves and wolf dogs may just show a bit of grumpiness, while others can show outright aggressiveness and extreme possessiveness. In German Shepherd Wolf hybrids and other wolfdogs, the extent of the winter wolf syndrome behaviors may vary with: Wolf content: The amount of wolf in a German Shepherd Dog. Sex: Males show protective behavior towards females, and females may show aggression towards their fellow females. In both cases, the wolfdogs can direct this aggression toward the owner or other persons. According to the Colorado Wolf Sanctuary , because of the natural element in the winter wolf syndrome, wolves and wolfdog owners should be aware that it is unsafe to interact directly with their pets in the five months or more around the mating season. The resulting question from the discovery that wolfdogs can be unsafe is whether governments allow people to own wolfdogs, even though they can turn violent. In some states, owning a wolfdog is illegal. Others regulate the ownership of wolfdogs with the same laws set for the ownership of wild animals, while others regulate wolfdogs in the same way as dogs. When owning a wolfdog is permitted by law, some states and local laws may specify the permissible wolf content in the wolfdog or require owners to get additional permits. A good number of states, including California, Montana, Idaho, and Florida, have both local and state restrictions on wolfdog ownership. Fewer states like Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, and Illinois completely outlaw wolfdogs. No state in the US is without restrictions on wolfdog ownership. As laws are constantly changing, please contact your city, county, and state governments before purchasing a wolf dog. In other countries like the UK, you require a license to own first-generation F1 wolf dogs, which are regulated by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act .However, it is legal to own a wolfdog as long as it is 3 generations F3 from the parent wolf. In other words, you can own a German Shepherd wolfdog if it is born of second-generation wolfdogs or a second-generation wolfdog and a German Shepherd. Going forward, you should check the safety and legality associated with the mix before you decide to get one. Even if you possess adequate knowledge in raising one, this hybrid is pretty challenging and can pose complexities on the go. Related Posts You May Like:. A German Shepherd Wolf Mix is exactly what it sounds like — it is a purebred German Shepherd dog mixed with a wild wolf. Also known as a Shepherd Wolf or simply a Wolf Dog , the German Shepherd Wolf Mix has been rising in popularity amongst animal lovers intrigued with the idea and aesthetic of a wolf-like companion. Unfortunately, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix often winds up being much more than most people bargain for. Sadly, many of these dogs wind up in shelters or sanctuaries within their first year or two of life, surrendered by overwhelmed owners who were unprepared for what this type of dog could bring to the table. Because the German Shepherd Wolf Mix is a mix between a domesticated dog and a wild animal, qualities like temperament, health, and even appearance are left up to chance. However, according to the average German Shepherd Wolf Mix, there is a standard we can go off of when it comes to giving you a brief overview. First, this hybrid tends to be beautiful and exotic-looking. Another reason the German Shepherd Wolf Mix is highly sought after is due to a few common myths and misconceptions. Sadly, these myths and misconceptions are commonly realized too late by owners, who in turn wind up surrendering their dogs. The German Shepherd Wolf Mix is inherently shy and skittish, especially around people he does not know. This, in turn, makes him a poor guard dog. In fact, these dogs can be very stubborn, standoffish, and sometimes even aloof with people. The German Shepherd Wolf Mix can still be prone to the same number of serious genetic health issues as both of his parents. Although a German Shepherd Wolf Mix may be aloof and independent, this is also a dog that is highly social by nature both on his wolf side and his domesticated dog side. Overwhelmed owners who resort to keeping their rambunctious or unmanageable wolf-dog outside for the majority of their lives are likely to wind up with a dog that is distressed, temperamental, and potentially aggressive. Wolf dogs like the German Shepherd Wolf mix are often turned over to shelters or sanctuaries due to being high maintenance or unpredictable. In fact, recent studies have shown that domesticated dogs are born with an innate understanding and desire to be near and develop a relationship with human beings. Wolf pups, even when born in captivity, possess a natural distrust for human beings and do not possess the same ability to read human body language or pick up on queues the same way their dog cousins do. So while dogs do come from wolves, a wolf-dog could be considered a step back in the evolutionary process of canine domestication. But where did wolf dogs come from and, more specifically, where did the German Shepherd Wolf Mix originate? It is likely that wolf-dog hybrids have been around for centuries, with the breeding of these two animals beginning around .Although one of the first recorded instances of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix being born was the Saarloos Wolfdog, also known as a Wolfshepherd. The goal of this was to create a dog that was larger, stronger, and more independent than most other purebreds. While many of these goals were met, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix also exhibited other traits as well. These included the traits of their wild parentage, such as a skittishness of man, an incredibly high prey drive, an incredible energy level, and potential aggression. Still, throughout the years the German Shepherd Wolf Mix has been growing in popularity. In fact, today the Wolfshepherd is considered one of the most popular wolf-dog hybrids in the United States. Are you considering a German Shepherd Wolf Mix? There are a few things you should know first. Raising a German Shepherd Wolf Mix could be an incredible and rewarding experience, but just because your friend found favor with a German Shepherd Wolf Mix does not mean you will. Remember, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix is a cross between a domesticated dog and a wild wolf. This means a number of his traits will be left up to chance, including temperament. For the most part, wolf dogs are considered to be shy, devoted, wary of strangers, energetic and overall high maintenance. Social by nature, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix requires plenty of attention from his owners. He will view them as his pack, and as such will deem them his family. Without consistent interaction, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix could become depressed, anxious, temperamental, and even aggressive. This is not the ideal dog for a home with children and smaller pets, though he can do well with other larger dogs. If you do have young children in the home, refrain from leaving them alone with your German Shepherd Wolf Mix. Work with youngsters , family members, and outside friends on basic canine body language, and be watchful of your German Shepherd Wolf Mix around children, pets and company. You should also note that the German Shepherd Wolf Mix is highly intelligent and independent. While this could make training exciting for the owner who enjoys a challenge, it also means that the German Shepherd Wolf Mix could become bored easily. He does best with lots of interaction, exercise, mental stimulation and attention to ensure he is happy and healthy throughout his life. Like a standard German Shepherd, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix will be a heavy shedder that sheds year-round and most heavily twice a year during shedding season. The shedding season occurs during spring and fall, and during this time it is suggested that you brush your German Shepherd Wolf Mix between two to three times a week to help remove loose hair. Outside of shedding season, we suggest brushing your German Shepherd Wolf Mix at least once a week. This is a quality deshedding comb that works to combat the buildup of debris and loose hair, pulling it from the undercoat. Not only can this reduce the amount of loose hair around your home and on your clothing, but it can also help reduce doggy odor as well as the potential build-up of yeast and bacteria in the fur. We like that this brush is a self-cleaning brush that allows you to remove the loose hair using a small button without ever having to stop brushing. We also recommend investing in a slicker comb and dematting comb for your German Shepherd Wolf Mix. Along with brushing, your German Shepherd Wolf Mix will also need other care regimens added to his grooming routine. These include bathing, dental care, ear cleanings, and nail trimming. In fact, overbathing this hybrid can lead to skin issues and sensitivities. Instead, try to keep to a routine and bathe your German Shepherd Wolf Mix once every six weeks or so, and only more frequently if needed. When you bathe your German Shepherd Wolf Mix, be sure to use a quality shampoo free of dyes, alcohol, or parabens that could strip your dog of the natural oils his skin produces that help to keep his coat healthy. Instead, stick with a shampoo that is specifically designed for use on dogs and that is made with high-quality ingredients. Just like people, dogs can develop serious dental disease and tooth decay, which can lead to other serious health issues down the road. You might also consider seeing your veterinarian annually for a routine dental cleaning to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup while also preventing dental disease. This can lead to infection down the road if not thoroughly dried. At least once every few weeks your German Shepherd Wolf Mix will need his nails trimmed or ground down to help keep them from cracking or splitting during play or exercise. As we did mention briefly above, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix can be unpredictable when it comes to a number of temperamental traits. Socialization will include introducing your dog to new environments, places, people, sounds, sights, smells, and animals as often as possible. Try and help your German Shepherd Wolf Mix see these experiences as positive, and refrain from forcing your dog to do something that is clearly frightening or stressful for him. This could only exasperate fears down the road and lead to worsened behavioral issues or fear-based aggression. Socialization should not stop when your German Shepherd Wolf Mix is an adult. He should be around his family as often as possible to help ensure he remains mentally and physically sound. In fact, German Shepherd Wolf Mix dogs are highly intelligent, and with the right motivation, they can build a strong bond with their owner and be eager to please them. This can lead to anxiety and stress for your dog, which in turn can lead to aggression down the road. Instead, stick with positive reinforcement techniques that utilize treats, praise, and patience. We like the above training treats by Innovet Pet because they are simply freeze-dried liver treats. They are rich in protein and can help ensure that your dog is not only paying attention to you but also staying healthy while training. The ideal owner of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix is going to be someone who is very educated on the crossbreed and who understands the importance of proper exercise, mental stimulation, socialization , and training. An ideal owner should also understand that the German Shepherd Wolf Dog may exhibit behaviors more akin to a wild wolf than a dog, and these behaviors will need to be worked with. This could include skittishness, shyness, wariness, and even aggression. As such, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix is not ideally suited for homes with children and smaller pets, as we discussed above. These dogs are very brainy and athletic, and they will need a good hour or so of dedicated exercise each and every day to ensure they are not only healthy and fit but also happy. Routine exercise could include long walks, hikes, jogs, or runs. Along with this dedicated exercise time, your German Shepherd Wolf Mix will also need some free playtime as well. The front clip harness is also ideal for teaching good walking manners and is more highly recommended for strong, athletic dogs with a tendency to pull than choke chains or prong collars. German Shepherd Wolf Mix dogs will also thrive in homes with lots of securely fenced land or a large yard in which they can run and play freely. An owner should also be able and willing to commit time to training, and an ideal owner may be one with a flexible schedule or an owner who works from home. Remember, the German Shepherd Wolf Mix may be part wolf, but this is not an outdoor-only dog. If left to his own devices in a backyard all day, you are sure to wind up with a hybrid that develops some very serious behavioral issues down the road and that may even become unmanageable. The German Shepherd Wolf Mix could be prone to destructive issues, depression, and anxiety if he becomes too bored day after day. You can reduce this behavior by ensuring your dog is not only properly exercised and socialized, but that he has plenty to do on those occasions when you are not there. Avoid going through backyard breeders, online sellers or those with a poor understanding of responsible breeding practices to obtain your German Shepherd Wolf Mix. If you are very concerned about obtaining a German Shepherd Wolf Mix with behavioral issues, we suggest investing in a dog that comes by way of an experienced wolf dog breeder and a dog that is at least a third or fourth generation wolf dog. Of course, do keep in mind that there are countless German Shepherd Wolf Dogs currently in shelters and sanctuaries due to overwhelmed owners. For this reason, you might consider rescuing a German Shepherd Wolf Mix from a shelter that specializes in these types of dogs instead of buying a puppy from a breeder. Many shelters will also have had their dogs undergo behavioral testing and some basic training before placing them with their new owner. If you prefer to go through a breeder, be sure to ask plenty of questions. To get a better understanding of your area and the legalities of owning a German Shepherd Wolf Mix, we recommend looking into Breed-Specific Legislation in the United States. Although the idea of owning a wolf dog can seem exciting on paper, in reality wolf dogs are not the ideal dog for most owners or households. Getting a German Shepherd Wolf Mix should be done carefully and the decision should be given plenty of forethought long before you commit. There are plenty of owners who have had wonderful experiences with their wolf dog hybrids. If you are put off by this information, there are other breeds you might consider that look like wolves, but are actually domesticated dogs with more predictable temperaments. Some dogs we suggest you take a look at include:. In the wild they are pack animals and at home this translates to a fierce loyalty and extreme protectiveness over their families, whom they consider their pack. The pack mentality that this mix has is dampened down by their German Shepherd parents, but they still maintain some of that natural wariness that wolves in the wild have of humans. There is a common misconception that breeding a German Shepherd with a wolf will make an even more ferocious guard dog, but this often backfires since wolves are shy and reserved when threatened. This can make these mixes shy and nervous. They have an inherent mistrust for anything out of the ordinary and thrive on routine in their day-to-day lives. To bring out the friendly German Shepherd side of the mix , they need plenty of early socialization to other dogs, new situations, and changes in their home. Both parents have strong prey drives, so expect them to want to chase everything. They also love to dig, with an instinct to dig burrows just like wild wolves. To provide an outlet for this energy they will need lots of space outdoors to roam, play, dig, and explore. This mix will not cope well with living indoors all the time. Overall, this mix is a tamed version of their wild wolf parent. They are unpredictable, aggressive, energetic, protective and shy. However, despite all of their similarities to the wolf, they are still part German Shepherd and will likely respond poorly to dominance training. You are much better off using positive reinforcement. These mixes are intelligent and loyal so they will be eager to please and therefore much more likely to follow your rules if you are kind but persistent and firm with instructions. As far as socialization you should start as early as possible. However, even when trained properly by an experienced owner, Wolfdogs are still unpredictable and therefore only suit the most knowledgeable of owners. Their hybrid vigor means that in general they tend to be healthier than both their parent breeds. Although they do not suffer from any known common health issues, there is a question over how well the rabies vaccine works in these dogs. The vaccine has not been tested in Wolfdogs and therefore it cannot be certain that it works or is even safe for them. This is relatively cheap given they are such a rare and legendary dog. However, they are cheap because they are not in high demand and they are banned in many states. In fact it is hard to find a breeder. These dogs are sometimes illegally bred and therefore do end up in rescues. Here are three specific Wolfdog rescues where some of the dogs are likely to be German Shepherd cross wolf amongst other wolf crosses. Saarloos Wolfhunds originated in the Netherlands in when a zoologist called Saarloos crossed a German Shepherd with a Siberian gray wolf. He believed they had become too domesticated and loved humans a little too much. This is because recent genetic research shows that this dog is more wolf than they are German Shepherd, making them more like their wild ancestors than the domesticated ones. Because of this the American Kennel Club does not recognize the breed as they are too wild and unpredictable. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, German Shepherds were crossed with Carpathian Gray wolves with the idea of creating a border patrol dog. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was slightly more successful than Saarloos because they wanted simply the physical characteristics of the wolf to enhance the German Shepherd, rather than their aggressive tendencies. With similar aims as in the Czech Republic, Russia become the third country to breed the German Shepherd with wolves. This time the Caspian Steppe wolf was used. These wolves are known for their unusually friendliness towards humans. They became known as the Volkonsoby Wolfdog, however they are not recognized by any Kennel Club internationally. Care Caring for these dogs comes down to three important tasks: feeding, grooming and exercise. German Shepherd Wolf Mixes have a much higher requirement for protein than standard domesticated dogs. Feeding kibble will not be enough to keep these huge dogs healthy. In the wild wolves spend a good part of their day hunting and eating whatever they catch. Providing your mix with a raw diet by hiding it around their outdoor space will encourage them to use up some of their endless energy and use that intelligent mind of theirs to sniff it out and eat it. Next up is exercise. Wolves can travel up to 50 miles a day so it is no surprise that this mix is full of energy. They need plenty of space to roam outdoors as they are not fond of being walked on a leash. However, they love to play games and will need at least 2 hours a day of vigorous exercise such as playing frisbee or tug-o-war. The final part of their care is grooming. As heavy shedders with a thick double coat they need grooming once a week. Like their German Shepherd parent, this can be done using a slicker brush. An important part of the weekly groom should be checking them for ticks and fleas. With the amount of time they spend outdoors they are particularly susceptible to picking up ticks and they are therefore at a higher risk of the diseases carried by them too. They need an owner who knows how to handle and train them well, as well as one with a large and well-secured yard for them to roam and play in. Wolfdogs will howl and it can be heard up to 10 miles away. They howl more when left alone or when bored but they will howl to some extent no matter what. Because of this these dogs are not suited to the city. Ultimately, these dogs take a lot of time, money, and effort to keep. Despite their mighty looks they should not be bought as status pets. They require an experienced, knowledgeable owner with good reason to own this breed. If you are looking for more a pet-friendlier dog then consider the Blue Bay Shepherd. These dogs grow to be some of the biggest out there They can weigh up to pounds and measure more than 30 inches tall. However, on average they are close to pounds and 25 inches tall. What would you feed a German Shepherd wolf mix? These mixes should be fed on a well-balanced raw feed diet with vitamin and mineral supplements. Is there any wolf in a German Shepherd? Just like all domestic dogs, the German Shepherd descended from the wolf. However, they are no more related to the wolf than a Frenchie or a Spaniel, given that the ancestors of all domestic dogs evolved around 30, years ago from the wolf. Wrapping Up Wolfdogs are any breed of domestic dog crossed with a wolf, but the most common and only recognized of these are German Shepherd cross wolves. Although they are protective and loyal, they are generally shy and nervous dogs especially when faced with strangers or new situations. Just remember that they are a half wild animal and are unpredictable. They need a lot of outdoor space to carry out all the normal activities their wolf parent would have done in the wild, including roaming, digging, hunting, howling, and playing. Do you think you could handle this mix as a pet? He has spent decades training working dogs and spends most of his spare time studying, reading and learning about their behavior and welfare. Outside of Marvelous Dogs, he enjoys trail running and agility work with his working Labrador Retriever. You May Also Like.

Helpful tips for caring for your puppy About the Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada in the 19th century and is now a world-wide beloved dog breed. These dogs are medium-sized dogs, females have a height of .Their average weight as an adult is pounds for females and pounds for males. They have a life expectancy of years. When it comes to their temperament, Labrador retrievers are very loyal, friendly and affectionate companion dogs. They are known for being very social towards strangers and other dogs. Labrador retrievers also come in three colours : black, brown or yellow. These dogs are very active as they need plenty of walks, play time and affection. They are great with children and make a great companion dog. If you're thinking of adopting a Labrador retriever puppy, keep reading as we go through how to care for them! Learn more about the Labrador Retriever in our breed sheet. When to collect your Labrador puppy You can adopt and collect your Labrador puppy once they are 8 weeks old. This way, you make sure that they have had enough time to socialize with their family, mother and siblings. It also makes sure that they have developed good bite moderation before being adopted to their new family. Other advantages are that they have had time to drink their mother's milk and properly wean off. They will also feel more independent and will transition better to their new home after being 8 weeks old. We also encourage you to check out your local animal shelter before buying from a breeder. Where your puppy should sleep the first night When it comes to sleeping at night, your puppy will have some difficulties. This may be due to the new environment and new people. They may feel unprotected and disoriented. For this reason, it's normal to hear them cry as they may be calling their mother for guidance and company. Now that you've adopted this puppy, this is your job as their human companion. When they call out, try to be there for them as they are scared and lonely. Be understanding as your puppy learns to adapt to their new home. As a puppy is very dependent and on their first night they will feel scared and disoriented, it's best they sleep near you on their first night. Remember that puppies tend to sleep with their siblings and their mother. Being alone in a new place for the first time will be difficult for them. The best option for your new puppy is to sleep in their own bed inside your room, near you. So that if they feel scared or lost and cry, you can let them know that you are there with them. Once they feel more oriented and safe in their new home, you can move their bed to another location where they can sleep. Learn more in our article where we elaborate on how to prepare for your puppy's first night in their new home. What to feed your Labrador retriever puppy When feeding your Labrador retriever puppy, you will need to provide them with a rich and balanced diet. Keep in mind that puppies begin weaning when they are around weeks old. This means that they will slowly transition from their mother's milk to a solid food canine diet. A natural canine diet mainly consists in essential fatty acids and meat-based protein. The protein should have two or three types of protein from meat. For example: whole chicken, lamb, beef and fish. For fat sources, you can opt for chicken fat. Good fat sources can solute some of the most important vitamins a dog needs. When it comes to carbs, it should be kept in a low amount as dogs thrive on meat. If you are cooking for your dog, then we recommend to include low amounts of whole carbs, such as sweet potatoes. Lastly, you can offer some fruits and vegetables that provide good vitamins and minerals to help your dog's over-all health. Training your Labrador retriever puppy Labrador Retrievers are very active and intelligent dogs. Other than daily exercise, they will need basic dog training. Yes, even as a puppy! You can begin training your dog with paper training. Learn more about that in our article about paper training for puppies. You can then begin to teach them basic commands, such as to sit, stay, or even to play fetch. Remember to always train them for short amounts of time each day, not exceeding 15min, and always through positive reinforcement. This way, training will be enjoyable for them and will help you create a greater bond with them. To learn more, read our article about when to start training your puppy. Exercising your Labrador retriever puppy Your Labrador retriever puppy will needs plenty of exercise. Due to their small size as a puppy, this will mostly be at home. They will begin by playing with their siblings and walking or running around the house. Then, after their first round of vaccinations, usually around the age of 7 weeks old, puppies will begin to go outside. This is a very important part of their puppyhood as they will learn to go out on walks with their caregivers and will begin their socialization period. During this period, they will meet and interact with new people and other dogs. They will also explore new places. It's very important that during this period they have good interactions and don't get traumatized. When a puppy is well socialized from a young age, they will have a balanced temperament as adult dogs. Learn more in our article about socializing puppies. Hygiene care Next, we're going to talk about maintaining our puppy's hygiene. As Labrador puppies haven't grown their full coat, they won't need to be brushed regularly just yet. A bath is only necessary when they get very dirty on their outdoor walks. Dental hygiene is also important when it comes to caring for a puppy. You can opt for a dog tooth paste or a dental canine treat. Talk to your veterinarian to see which would be best for you puppy, and learn more in our article about dental hygiene for dogs. Other than that, we must make sure that their everyday environment is also clean and that we refresh their water bowl everyday. This way, our puppy will have great personal hygiene and we can help them prevent certain health issues from a young age. Health care Lastly, we're going to talk about your Labrador retriever's health. The Labrador Retriever is a relatively healthy and long-living dog, especially if they stay in shape. However, the lack of genetic diversity resulting from breeding programs makes them prone to certain hereditary diseases and conditions , which are usually manifested as the dog grows old. For instance, Labradors tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. When your Lab is a puppy, you must ensure they get the necessary vaccines, and you must follow their vaccination schedule during the rest of their lives. This will prevent them from suffering very serious diseases that tend to affect dogs. If you want your dog to stay as healthy as possible, go to the vet for check-ups every 6 months. You can prevent the development of common diseases by watching your Lab for symptoms and caring for them as best as you can. Labrador Retrievers are prone to obesity - they love treats, and if they don't get enough exercise they will soon become overweight, with the related muscular and joint problems. Helpful tips for caring for your puppy We hope that this article has given you great insight when it comes to caring for a Labrador Retriever puppy. Here are some other helpful articles for caregivers that are adopting puppies:. When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Well-bred Labradors are relatively low maintenance, fit and healthy dogs. But your Labradors continuing health and well-being does depend entirely on you. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, grooming, preventive measures and regular visits to the vet are the real key to maintaining a high level of wellness and good health. All these actions are your responsibility and solely under your control. Daily routines will be diet control, exercise and physical inspections. Weekly routines will be grooming, ears, eyes, teeth and nail care. Quarterly routines could be shared between visits to the vet, a canine dentist and bathing. And the annual routine will be vaccinations. Just remember that prevention is always better than cure, so doing your best to prevent any illness and catching problems at the earliest possible stage is the goal to aim for. The following are all areas where you only need a little knowledge to effectively take care of your Labrador well. And if you cannot dedicate this time and effort, then in the nicest possible way, you might be better suited to a pet with less demanding care requirements such as goldfish. Making Safe Your Home and Garden Labradors are a lively and inquisitive breed, especially during their first three years so you need to keep dangerous household items out of their reach. Conceal electrical wiring…we all know of their infamous love for chewing. Sharp teeth and electricity do not mix! A Labrador can easily choke on wrappings or trash that may be swallowed along with edible scraps. Labs are smart and opening cupboards and drawers soon becomes easy for them. Be mindful of the toxicity of certain plants — Over plants have been identified as toxic to dogs , so be sure to research any plant before bringing it into your home. Fence of any ponds or pools in your yard. These are just a few points to consider around your home and garden, there are many more. Just try to put yourself in your Labradors shoes and take a good look at his environment as he would see it. Try to see how he could get into trouble and take measures to prevent it. Click here for a more detailed guide on puppy-proofing your home and garden. Brushing also helps to shake loose dirt out of and spread the natural oils throughout their coat for that desirable, healthy glossy look we know and love. Related article: The Best vacuums for removing pet hair from your home. Frequent baths will strip their oils, leaving them prone to wet and cold in winter, causing dry skin and making their coat look dull and not shiny. Keeping Nails Trim Most Labradors will need a nail trim every 2 to 3 months, although some may never need it. Regularly walking your dog on hard ground, especially sidewalks and roads, will have a natural filing effect and keep your dogs claws in order. This can make them sore and bleed. Ear Care What with a Labradors slightly drooping ears and their love of water, the inside of their ears can sometimes retain too much moisture, causing bacteria to build up and infections to form. I shall be writing an article on this very soon. Just some of the problems a Labrador may have with its teeth are gum disease, loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth, root abscesses and a build up of tartar. These can be very uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to further problems if neglected. Therefore, you need to inspect their teeth regularly, take measures to clean their teeth and even visit a professional canine dentist every 6 months or annually for a thorough check up and any necessary treatments. Treat their teeth like you would your own. Dealing with Parasites Controlling fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential for keeping your Labrador healthy. Immediate problems include extreme irritation and skin sores, but extreme infestations can lead to more dangerous problems including Lyme disease and tape worms. If you stick to a regular grooming schedule as you should! Simply brush your hand against the lie of your Labradors fur and watch for any small moving dots and check for any clearly visible ticks. There are many safe and effective over-the-counter flea control products , many of which contain formulations to prevent ticks at the same time. Finally, depending on where you live in the world, you may need to put your Labrador on medication for heartworm. Where mosquitoes are a problem, they can pass on heartworm and this can be fatal. Even the medicine for heartworm makes your dog very ill so prevention is definitely better than cure! Diseases such as distemper, rabies, hepatitis and parvoviros to name just a few. Your puppy will have had his first shots at five or six weeks before you got to take him home, and he will need a few further shots over a period of up to 18 weeks. A rabies shot usually follows at 6 months of age or so. After this, your adult Labrador will need just a single booster each year to stay protected. For many facts on vaccinations and the schedule you should follow when vaccinating your puppy, please click here. Dogs need a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins different to that of a human and feeding them on human leftovers can lead to malnutrition, as can a diet based on cheap filler packed dog food. You should perform a little research to find and use a recognized healthy brand of dog food that will cater to your Labradors needs. To help with this, please see our articles that list 4 of the best foods for Labrador puppies opens in new window or the best dog foods for adult Labradors opens in new window …yours really will thrive on these handpicked, quality foods! Additionally, the best thing you can do is set up a feeding schedule for your dog, twice per day being the recommended, and be mindful of any extra treats. Your Lab should always be well fed but not over-fed. I shall discuss this more in a later article. An Important Note On Drastic Changes In Eating And Drinking Habits If your dog is off their food, drinks way too much or way too little for a period of time more than 36 hours, you should call your vet as this is almost surely a sign of an underlying problem. They are voracious eaters and will eat just because they can, not because they need it. Excess weight can lead to all sorts of issues including arthritis and heart problems. To prevent this, control their diet and give them plenty of exercise for them to burn off those calories. They really do need very little exercise of just a few short minutes a couple of times per day. Too much exercise for a puppy can cause skeletal formation issues and plays a large part in joint problems. Take it easy until your puppy is at least a year old. Bedding and Shelter A Labrador should always have a soft surface to lay upon. To prevent this you should get your Lab a large sized dog bed or line a crate to offer a soft and comfortable place to rest. If your Lab spends any amount of time outside, you must provide shelter to offer an escape from the sun in summer, and preferably the shelter should have a raised floor so the wet and cold is kept away in winter. If your Lab puppy gets used to sleeping in a bed of yours or your children, it will be a hard habit to break and will more than likely end in separation anxiety and night-time whining. You want your Labrador to be comfortable alone for periods of time and should start forming this habit ASAP. Training The importance of training your Labrador cannot be overstated. A dog is a dog and not a human. You need to teach your dog how to behave and what your instructions are asking them to do. Before a puppy can become a trusted, well-behaved dog they have a lot of learning to do…and you a lot of teaching! To learn from the written word, I am part way through building the ultimate resource in the form of this site. Routines for feeding, exercise, grooming and visits to the vet are all easily managed with a little knowledge and by planning a schedule in advance and sticking to it. Spending quality time with your Lab is also key, especially regular grooming sessions. You should also attempt to learn your dogs normal living habits, how much he eats, drinks and sleeps. Anything To Add? As always, if you have any questions, would like to offer feedback, suggestions or further advice on the subject, please do so in the comments section below. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Puppies Labrador puppies are a ball of fun. They are playful, cute, and always enjoy the company of children and adults. Labradors are not demanding dogs. They make ideal pets that are are amazing companion dogs that are always ready to follow their owner everywhere. If you are bringing a labrador puppy home this article is for you. Where do labradors originate from? The labrador breed of dog is originally from Newfoundland. They were later bred in the UK as hunting gun dogs. They are bred for their ability to retrieve, their friendly nature, and their ability to dominate field trials. A fully grown labrador is a large dog that lives for 12 to 13 years. Labradors are heavy dogs and weigh 80 pounds when fully grown. Female labradors weigh about 20 kilos less. Labradors come in three main colors I. Labradors have thick tails that are flat at the base and tapering at the edge. Labradors have a short dense coat. In this article, we will prepare you for when you bring a labrador puppy home. Nutritional needs and how to feed a labrador Labradors have a varying diet depending on the age of the puppy. At 2 to 6 months Labrador puppies are able to eat started dry food. Choose a brand of puppy food that is rich in the nutrition that puppies need. At months your dog will start to eat like an adult. You can also feed your dog thin strips of raw red meat or cooked chicken boneless with veggies. What alternative food can you feed your puppy other than kibble? There are a number of types of healthy dog food that you can feed your dog other than kibble. These foods can be meats, veg, and cooked food. Cooked chicken with the bones removed is healthy and tasty food for dogs. Dogs love the taste of eggs and it makes an ideal puppy food. Feed your dogs scrambled as they are rich in protein and are easy to digest for your puppy. Oatmeal for dogs is rich in fiber and helps your dog have a regular bowel movement. What are the concerns of feeding a puppy raw food? Raw food can be a risky proposition when feeding your dogs. Raw foods may contain bacteria that are a health risk to both humans and your puppy. An unbalanced diet of raw food can affect the health of your dog. It is for this reason that vets recommend kibble or feeding your dog cooked meats like chicken. How to choose the right food for your dog The correct food for your puppy should take up all its nutritional needs and ensure the health of your pet. Look out for good quality food that has the nutritional benefits for your dog printed on it. Such food should also contain proteins and minerals. Feeding your puppy in his crate The crate is the home for your puppy in the first few months of its life. Your puppy plays and grows older in its crate. Feeding your puppy in its crate increases its attachment to its living space. When feeding your puppy in its crate ensure that you have put the food all the way to the back of the crate. Choosing the proper food and water bowls Choose a food and water bowl for your puppy that is heavy and does not move around. Ensure that your puppy has separate bowls for food and water. Plastic bowls are an inexpensive option for your puppy bowl. Stainless steel bowls are also good as they do not break and are easy to rinse. Keeping your puppy at the proper weight Labrador puppies love to eat and for this reason, may become overweight quite easily. Ensure that you feed your puppy only twice a day with nutritious meals that are rich in all the various nutrients. Do not overfeed your puppy. A puppy needs only grams of food per sitting. Do not feed your puppy if it is asking for food between meals. Labrador puppies are known to be voracious eaters. Washing Your Labrador retriever Labrador puppies do not need a bath very often as they may fall sick. It is ideal to wash your puppy only once every 2 months. Use a mild dog shampoo when washing your puppy. So not use human shampoo as this may dry the skin of your puppy. A puppy has natural oils in its coat and this gets washed away when you shampoo your puppy. So, be aware of the specific bathing needs of your puppy. It protects its health and lets it grow up to be a big and strong dog. Taking care of a Labrador so that he is happy Labradors are jolly dogs that often wag their tail and like to be happy. In order to keep your labrador dog happy ensure that it gets a lot of fresh air and exercise. Taking care of Labrador so that he is happy Take your dog out for a walk once a day for at least an hour. You can play fetch with your puppy or have it follow you around. You can also teach your dog how to respond to its name and come when called. Buy your pet fun toys to play with when at home or outside. Labrador puppies love toys that they can play with. Praise your puppy often and give it a lot of love and attention. Take your puppy for walks and carry puppy snacks with you for when your puppy does a good deed. Remember, lots of love creates a happy labrador. Vaccinations It is extremely important to vaccinate your puppy after bringing her home from the pet store. There are a number of illnesses that may affect your dog if you do not vaccinate it on time. The vaccinations that your dog will need to prepare its health are as follows: Canine Parvovirus. Canine Distemper. The ideal weight for a labrador puppy at 3 months is 25 lbs and at 6 months that weight will be 50 Lbs. On average a Labrador puppy will gain two pounds of each week of weight. If your puppy is picking up weight to fast try and cut down its below meals snack and ensure that you are feeding your dog the ideal amount of food. Daily Exercise A puppy that has daily exercise is a happy puppy. Your puppy should exercise at least once a day with a walk that is nearly an hour long. Having not enough exercise may cause your dog health issues like joint problems, weight gain, and other health issues. Exercising your dog not just keeps it healthy but also helps you develop a bond with your pet. Training your labrador puppy Owing to the size of the labrador breed training your dog later in life can be daunting as they are large and excitable dogs. Instead start training your dog at an early age. You can start training your dog from 6 to 12 weeks old. Training sessions should be fun. You can start toilet training your dog at this age. You can also start with simple commands such as getting your dog to follow when you call it and teaching your dogs commands such as sit and fetch. Reward behavior that you want to encourage in your dog. Dealing with parasites No matter how much you take care of your dog it may get parasites like fleas, ticks, and tapeworms. If this is the case you should give your dog a bath using medicated shampoos to care for your dog. You can also give your dog a deworming pill to get rid of any internal parasites. Visit a vet at least once every two months. Take him or her to the vet immediately so that it may get the proper medical care it needs.

About Us Experienced Breeders We have been successfully breeding quality labs since .It all began as a hobby for my oldest son that has grown to a small family business. Happy, Healthy Bloodline We live on a acre farm with 3 large ponds. This picture to the right is Samson. He was our first Charcoal Lab that produced several beautiful puppies. Our number one concern is producing great family pets. We have also produced some great hunting stock as well as service dogs in the past. A Furever Friend Labrador Retrievers are the best big dogs for the average family. This is a past silver puppy. This is Roxy's first litter. More info coming soon.See Available Puppies page for more info 6. See Available Puppies page for more info 5. See Available Puppies page 5. See Available puppies page 3. See Available puppies for more info 2. See Available puppies for more info 1. They were both born the first week of Jan .See Available Puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 4. Pics coming soon 2. Pics coming soon.See Available Adults page for more info 2. See Upcoming litters for more info 1. See Upcoming Litters for more info 1. See Available puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litter for more info .See Available puppies for mor info .See Available Puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litters for more info .See Upcoming Litters for mere info .See Available Adults for more info .This will be a chocolate litter .See Upcoming Litters for more info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info 8. See Upcoming Litters for more info 6. See Available Puppies for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters for more info 4. This has been in the works for a few years now 2. More info to come soon.See Available Puppies for the latest info .Her name is Layla pics coming soon .See Upcoming Litters for the latest info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info.See available puppies for the latest info.He is just a puppy now, but he will grow fast! See Available Puppies for more info. We tragically lost Hercules. See Available puppies page for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters page 6. See Upcoming Litters page 4. See Available puppies page for more info. Hoping to replace her in .See available puppies page. We are seeing awesome results! Please let us know what you think! See Upcoming Litters for more info. These breedings didn't take! She had one yellow puppy. She will be having a litter of puppies in November. Sign Up For Updates Be the first to hear about new litters, availability, and helpful pet advice. Email Address. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Here, we highlighted six of the best Labrador Retriever breeders in the state. Keep in mind that before purchasing a puppy, you need to do your homework and visit the breeder. But this list should get you on the right track! The 6 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Kentucky 1. The breeder also offers breeding rights for an additional fee. They have multiple breeding couples, giving customers a wide array of color options to choose from. High-quality purebred Labrador Retrievers are exactly what you get with Kentucky Labs. Just keep in mind that you should still visit the breeder in person before sending any money! Lincoln Park Labs also offers a month guarantee for hip dysplasia. All their Labs are AKC registered and get health clearances before breeding. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. Labrador Retrievers For Sale in Kentucky Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the great state of Kentucky. Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we have delivered more than 8, world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in the state of Kentucky. For details, Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .They were born less than one hundred miles and one year apart. State Flower: Goldenrod. Come and join our family! Our experience in raising and breeding these dogs is extensive and dedicated, as we always work to ensure that each and every puppy is shown the care they deserve from birth. Our Purpose Lincoln Park Labs is committed to providing families throughout the Kentucky area with an excellent, top-quality Lab of their choosing. In truth, however, we are only able to accomplish such a feat because Lincoln Park Labs focuses on breeding responsibly and paying the utmost attention to the health and temperament of our Lab puppies. This is because Lincoln Park Labs makes it a point to care about the disposition of our puppies before anything else. Ultimately, Lincoln Park Labs strives to ensure that all of our puppies are placed in good, loving homes. With that being said, we reserve the right to only provide white English Lab puppies to committed and responsible dog owners. Our conscience is clear when knowing our puppies are safe and happy with families that love them-yours being one of them. Thank you. Send us a message. Davis Lakeside Labradors is the best Labrador Breeder in the Paducah locale known for the care they take in selecting top purebred bloodlines. Their farm is located on the border of Lake Barley in western Kentucky. Davis Lakeside Labradors have temperature-controlled kennels and a acre play or training area including a swimming pool. The latest litter includes silver, charcoal black, and chocolate labs, registered with the AKC, vet checked, and guaranteed for long-term genetic health. Like most qualified breeders, Davis ensures that the lab puppies for sale have been raised as per the AKC guidelines and given appropriate claw treatment, vaccinations, and other medical therapies to create strong puppies that are fit for hunting journeys. West KY is a massive labrador enterprise with a acre farm and over 15 years of experience as a breeder. It is one of the few breeding services that offer chocolate, champagne, silver, charcoal black, white, and fox red lab puppies in Kentucky. Some breeders engage in malpractice in order to get the best colors. However, West KY Labs is a dedicated quality breeder that only sources new colors from pure, natural, and certified bloodlines. All the puppies are AKC-certified, vaccinated, and come with both a health guarantee and continued support from the breeder for all matters. All the puppies sold are registered with the AKC at no additional charge. Your puppy undergoes vaccination, deworming, microchipping, and potty-training before you take it home. According to customer testimonials, they have produced some of the most beautiful-looking, well-socialized healthy Labs and safely delivered them all across America. In addition to high-quality Lab puppies, Grandview also offers stud services if you want to breed your female Labrador with a healthy, top-of-the-line male.

We recommend that you keep your pet in ideal body condition and not allow them to become overweight. The amount of food your pet needs can vary based on age, activity level or other food and treats given, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate weight for your pet, and to make any necessary adjustments to their feeding. Information Ingredients Guaranteed Analysis Royal Canin knows what makes your Pug puppy magnificent is in the details. With their flat muzzles, wrinkled faces, and curly-Q tails, Pugs are happy little dogs that can play or sleep all day. They can benefit from the right growth formula for immune system support, skin and coat health, and digestive care during the puppy stage. Royal Canin Pug dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your purebred Pug puppy. This exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Pug puppy, with the specific nutrients to help them thrive. An exclusive mix of antioxidants including vitamin E supports their developing immune systems and keeps their bodies growing strong. And high-quality proteins and prebiotics promote healthy digestion and optimal stool quality. Once your Pug is over 10 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Pug Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet.

Benefits of a French Bulldog Raw Diet While a raw diet might not be right for every French Bulldog , there are a number of reasons many Frenchie owners prefer to feed dogs raw rather than turning to traditional commercial dog foods. Joint health — French Bulldogs are prone to conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, which can especially happen as they get older. Some Frenchies that eat raw will experience fewer joint issues and a reduced risk of developing degenerative bone and joint conditions. Allergy relief — Some French Bulldog s are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies which cause itching and inflammation. Dental health — Many older French Bulldog s will experience dental disease, especially if they are eating dog food high in starch and carbohydrates. We Feed Raw also features two very important ingredients, especially for the French Bulldog: calcium iodate and niacin. We Feed Raw carries six varieties of high-quality raw pet food, including beef, chicken, venison, and duck. Take a look at some of the most common queries from dog lovers like you. Can I make my own raw food diet for my dog? It is possible to make homemade raw dog food , but it can be quite difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Can dogs eat raw eggs? Just be sure to remove the eggs from their shells to make sure your Frenchie is getting the full benefit of their eggs. What is the best raw meat for French Bulldog? French Bulldog can thrive on a wide range of animal proteins including beef , chicken, turkey , pork, salmon, venison , duck , lamb, and so on. Is a raw diet suitable for French Bulldogs? Yes, a raw diet can be suitable for French Bulldogs. Many French Bulldog owners choose to feed their pets a raw diet, which consists of uncooked meat, bones, organs, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. Proponents of raw diets claim that they can lead to healthier skin and coat, improved digestion, increased energy, and better dental health. Additionally, some French Bulldogs with allergies or food sensitivities might find relief on a raw diet. Can I prepare a raw diet at home for my French Bulldog? Yes, you can prepare a raw diet at home for your French Bulldog. This can be challenging, so consulting a veterinary nutritionist is recommended to create a well-balanced meal plan. Are there any risks associated with a raw diet for French Bulldogs? While raw diets can offer benefits, there are potential risks involved. These include bacterial contamination, nutritional imbalances, and the possibility of broken teeth or choking on bones. Proper handling, hygiene, and supervision are essential when feeding raw. Should I feed my French Bulldog only raw meat and bones? A balanced raw diet for French Bulldogs should consist of more than just meat and bones. It should include a variety of proteins, organs, and, if desired, small amounts of fruits and vegetables to provide essential vitamins and minerals. Can I mix raw and commercial dog food for my French Bulldog? Are there any special considerations when feeding a raw diet to French Bulldog puppies? Yes, puppies have specific dietary requirements for proper growth and development. Feeding a raw diet to French Bulldog puppies requires extra attention to ensure they receive the right balance of nutrients. Working closely with a veterinarian is crucial during this stage to provide adequate nutrition for healthy development. Are you planning to bring home a French Bulldog puppy soon? Nutritional requirements of a French Bulldog What exactly should the diet of a French Bulldog consist of for optimal health? Protein from quality meat sources 2. Essential Fatty acids and omegas 3. Natural vitamins and minerals from bone and plant sources 5. Hydration — high moisture foods and drinking water 1. Protein When selecting what to feed your French Bulldog, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish. As such, protein impacts canine health in many ways, including: Providing consistent energy Forms new skin, hair, nails, and other tissue. Keeps the immune system healthy. Makes hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Properly balanced fats are essential for optimal health, and also provide energy. Dietary fat we generally refer to as a triglyceride. There are two types of triglyceride, saturated and unsaturated fat. In balance, they promote a healthy coat, skin, eyes, nervous system, control hormones, fuel brain and learning, and reduce inflammation. Carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits, provide fibre, prebiotics food for beneficial bacteria , and antioxidants that are lacking in meat alone. Dogs are carnivores, but they can benefit from some vegetation in their diets for optimal health. Natural vitamins and minerals A raw food diet aims to replicate what dogs evolved to eat in the wild. As such, meat, bone, offal and a small amount of plant ingredients are all important ingredients in the diet of a French Bulldog, each adding highly beneficial vitamins and minerals to meal times. Incorporating ground bone in meals or providing recreational bones for enrichment add nutrients that will support digestion, skin and bone health, and mobility. As such, water is a vital nutrient for all cells, systems and functions, including: The regulation of body temperature Maintaining healthy organ function. The digestion and absorption of nutrients. Detoxification; water helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body. Preventing dehydration which can lead to serious health problems, including kidney damage and heat stroke. Lubrication and cushioning of joints, thereby supporting ease of movement. Discover more about a raw food diet for dogs in our complete. French Bulldog raw feeding guide Whilst you could create homemade raw food meals for your French Bulldog, dog owners new to raw feeding can often find making their own raw dog food meals complicated. Formulating meals with the appropriate ratios of key ingredients is essential to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrients, so going it alone can seem daunting. The good news is there is a much simpler approach. By choosing a reputable supplier of pre-prepared raw dog food supplier, you can stock your freezer with quality raw food meals at the click of a button. French Bulldog Feeding Chart. Elimination of tear stains in French Bulldogs. Elimination of bloat and gas in Frenchies and other brachy breeds. You can introduce fresh and healthy ingredients to your pets kibble slowly: add egg and organic coconut oil. You can feed the shell unbleached for extra calcium as well. Remember to feed a little less kibble than usual since you're adding to your dog's meal. If your dog has allergies, quail and duck eggs are best. Introduce coconut oil 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of dog weight. Introduce raw food slowly each day, you should not make the raw food switch all at once. Primal Pooch Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian, talks about her favorite topic: raw food diet for pets. Raw food for your French Bulldog meal idea 1 Turkey neck, ground beef lung, green tripe, egg and shell, turmeric paste, local honey, salmon oil, , vit E, and special k-cube. Dog raw food for your Frenchie suggestion 2 Thread herring, duck wings, green tripe, ground beef lung, ground beef organs, coconut oil, salmon oil, apple cider vinegar, vit e, and special k-cube. How much raw should I feed my Frenchie dog? Make adjustments according to your dog's age and activity. Each dog is different and it is important to consult with a dog nutritionist. Does your French Bulldog hate turmeric paste? A small amount of natural peanut butter will mask the taste and become more palatable. Any dog on kibble, wet food, or any form of raw food can benefit from turmeric paste, especially those with joint issues. Raw dog food meal idea 3 Thread herring, duck neck, beef heart, green tripe, turmeric paste, bone broth cube, acv, coconut oil, vit E, and super cube. Quail eggs have almost 3 times as much Vitamin B1 as chicken eggs, 5 times more potassium and iron, and have over twice the amount of Vitamin A and B2. Quail eggs also decrease inflammation in a dogs body whereas chicken eggs increase inflammation. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian, talks about the biggest myths and truths in raw food diet for pets. Raw French Bulldog meal idea 5 Salmon, turkey neck, green tripe, pork, super Cube, turmeric paste, vit e, and krill oil. Raw food for your Frenchie 6 Green tripe, duck neck, pork, monster mash organ blend , turmeric paste, raw goat milk cube, green lipped mussel, quail egg, vit e, d, and sardine oil. Should I give my dog Raw Goats Milk? Raw Goats Milk is a digestive aid filled with probiotics that can help with the following: malnutrition, pets on antibiotics, transitioning from kibble to raw, digestion Irritable Bowel Disease and diarrhea , allergies, and other forms of inflammation in the body. You can feed this to pets that eat kibble, canned, or raw food for digestive benefits. Pro tip: Freeze in ice cube for the perfect healthy treat for your dog. Raw food for your dog idea 7 Local duck grinds, monster mash organ blend , whitefish, quail eggs, turmeric paste, raw goats milk cube, bone broth, Super Cube, green lipped mussel, sardine oil, and vitamin E and D supplement. French Bulldog raw Food 8 Rabbit, duck neck, salmon, liver cube, and supplements Raw Food for your French Bulldog Meal Idea 9 Monster mash, thread herring, duck neck, raw goats milk, turmeric paste, green lipped mussel, vitamin E supplement Raw Food for your French Bulldog Meal Idea 10 Rabbit with bone, pork, beef liver cube, turmeric paste, raw goats milk, and vitamin E Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian, discusses why raw pet foods get a bad rap nowadays. Idea 12 Raw feeding your Frenchie Pork, green tripe, beef heart, duck neck, heirloom blue egg, turmeric paste, coconut oil, glucosamine and controiten supplement, and primalpetfoods raw goats milk Raw meal 13 Sardines, duck neck, beef heart, green tripe, organ cube, quail egg, coconut oil, and vitamin E supplement Raw dog food 14 green tripe, beef heart, emu neck, beef kidney, quail eggs, and raw goats milk. How can I include Spirulina in my Frenchies diet? Spirulina is an ingredient with many health benefits and that is why it is referred to as "superfood". Mix Spirulina with coconut oil and freeze. Benefits of coconut oil and spirulina: - Boosts the immune system. Steve has a very interesting background that led to his passion for creating raw diets for dogs. Raw feeding your bulldog meal suggestion 17 Sardines, green tripe, beef heart, beef kidney, duck head, organic coconut oil with spirulina Raw dog meal 18 Thread herring, green tripe, beef heart, beef liver cube, duck neck and quail egg DIY Bone Broth cubes for your Frenchie dog Dogs benefit from bone broth the most if they are: kibble fed, malnourished, have a leaky gut, dehydrated, picky eaters, have poor joint health, and dogs with a loss of appetite. Raw feed your frenchie 19 Rabbit with bone, boneless pork shoulder, duck feet, quail eggs, and beef kidney 20 raw feeding meal idea for your French Bulldog Rabbit, beef heart, green tripe, duck feet, beef kidney cube, and turmeric paste. Feeding your Bulldog raw food 23 Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Ideas for supplements and benefits: -Spirulina Powder: Improves digestion, removes toxins from the body, helps alleviate inflammation and allergies, reduces the chances of diseases such as cancer, and strengthens the immune system. Both of these vitamins improve cognitive function in senior dogs. Spinach also contains Vitamin E. These also replenish red blood cells for anemic dogs. Raspberries should be fed in minimal amounts as shown here. This also helps fight off viruses, harmful bacteria, and parasites. A lot of dogs lack Vitamin E in their diets whether kibble or raw fed. Raw feeding your dog meal 25 Rabbit with bone, mackerel, beef kidney, quail eggs, turmeric paste, bone broth, coconut oil with spirulina powder Raw dog food meal 26 Sardine, green tripe, beef heart, duck head, beef liver, and coconut oil with spirulina, and vitamin E Anneka explains what the BARF RAW FOOD diet is and why it is so beneficial to both dogs and wolfdogs - Follow Anneka's handy guide and demonstration of several recipes you can make at home as she makes some dishes for her Czechoslovakian wolfdog Kumi to enjoy. Feeding your dog raw meal 31 Goat chunks, rabbit with bone, green tripe, beef kidney, turmeric paste, raw goats milk, and bone broth. Raw dog feeding meal 32 Ground lamb, smelt, duck feet, beef liver, vitamin e, turmeric paste, and green lipped mussel powder Raw Dog Food Recipe, K9 Nutrition, Barf Diet Following natures plan for a species specific and biologically appropriate diet for your dog. What are the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids? Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for cognitive function, brain memory and performance according to the University of Maryland. Fish, or properly sourced fish oils, contain omega-3 fatty acids. Flax, chia, and hemp seeds also contain fatty acids. Dogs need DHA to balance the abundance of omega-6 fatty acids in pet food , which reduces inflammation. Turkey and duck meat raw dog food meal idea 35 Turkey and duck meat with bone included. Raw dog meal idea 36 Quail, green tripe, smelt, duck feet, beef kidney, turmeric paste, spirulina and wheatgrass supplement, and Vitamin E Raw turkey hearts meal for your Frenchie idea 37 Turkey hearts, pork shoulder boneless, duck feet, beef kidney, quail eggs, bone broth cube, and VitaBoost supplement. Raw dog meal turkey hearts idea 38 Pork shoulder, turkey hearts, duck feet, duck egg, beef kidney, turmeric paste, and kefir. Raw bulldog food plate 39 Ground beef, pork shoulder, duck feet, rabbit foot, duck egg, VitaBoost, and bone broth cube. Raw food for your Frenchie dog idea 41 Ground rabbit with bone, sardines, duck neck, ground beef liver with ACV and blueberries , turmeric paste, spirulina wheatgrass supplement, and Vitamin E. Dog raw food meal 45 Ground beef, beef heart, turkey neck, quail eggs, bone broth, green lipped mussel powder, and super cube. Raw food for your Bulldog 46 Rabbit with bone, pork kidney, turmeric paste, kefir, blueberry and cranberry supplement and the Super Cube herbs and vegetables. Adding fish to your French Bulldog's diet Fish can be fed to both kibble and raw fed dogs. The fish listed are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids and are the cleanest to feed because: 1. They are small and less likely to have mercury contamination and other toxins compared to larger fish. Examples of fish to avoid are flounder, eels, haddock, bass, grouper, snapper, and some catfish. Also that is when bones splinter, causing a choking hazard to your Frenchie. Sourcing wild caught fish is preferred. However, avoid feeding salmon from the Pacific Ocean between California and Alaska because there is a parasite found in some salmon along that region. Recipe for raw dog food 49 Ground beef, beef heart, ground rabbit with bone, duck feet, Super Cube, green lipped mussel, and myoglobin. Do it yourself Myoglobin Cubes Myoglobin carries and stores oxygen in muscle cells. Myoglobin is deeply pigmented, which is why the more myoglobin a meat contains, the darker or redder the meat will be. Myoglobin is a great source of dietary iron so feeding myoglobin to your Frenchie is very beneficial to them. Raw dog food for dogs 56 Raw meat, bone, and organ: Duck frame, ground beef, beef lung, and beef spleen. Raw dog food feeding guide 57 Frozen turkey neck, pork shoulder, smelt, duck egg, Super Cube, Vitamin E supplement, and myoglobin cube. How to feed raw dog food to puppies get meat and bone grinds that are found locally. Add organ and supplements to the grinds. Grinds are much easier to feed a puppy. Raw puppy dog meal ingredients: Ground beef, raw goats milk, puppy gold supplement, and water. Feed 2 ounces per 20lbs of pet weight. Benefits: Helps digestion and decreases inflammation throughout the body. Cinnamon is antibacterial, anti fungal, and helps with joint inflammation. Turmeric is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifier. Turmeric in larger amounts also helps with joint health. Ginger aids in digestion and is an antioxidant as well. Goats milk contains less lactose than cows milk, therefore making it a better option for any pets with lactose sensitivities. Raw goats milk is digested at a faster rate as well. Pasteurized milk kills the live enzymes and nutrients needed to help digestion. Raw goats milk is a better alternative to pumpkin when aiding in digestion. How to make raw dog food at home recipe 61 Turkey hearts, ground beef, pork shoulder, duck neck, duck feet, beef kidney, and Vitaboost supplement. This supplement can help with yeasty ears and skin, digestion and leaky gut, inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body. Another benefit is boosted energy. F diet for French Bulldogs As part of our commitment to always giving the best quality food to the TomKings puppies, we regularly review the available options and test the most modern trends. Talking to a panel of experts and the experienced puppy parents in the Tomkings Frenchie Family, we have revised our food policy. Read about the details below and our recommendations about the B. Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods diet. This has an optimal mix of premium ingredients to make sure our babies get the highest quality nutrition and vitamins after breastfeeding and are not likely to develop food allergies. When our puppies find their forever loving families, we always tell the parents what we have fed them with and what we recommend. Currently, our recommendations are Orijen and Acana, both are biologically appropriate premium-quality dog food with high meat inclusions from superior quality meat, poultry, and produce. The same applies to adding fresh food into their diets: change one meal first, and see how they react, and then slowly change the rest of the meals. An overview of the B. F diet and why we recommend it B. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email Why is B. They are anatomically carnivores, so they are basically flesh-eaters with powerful digestive juices which kill bacteria in raw food. From their short intestines to their teeth designed to rip and eat flesh, this is the best way to keep them healthy and well-fed. What the daily B. It can include a mixture of muscle meat, saturated fat, and muscular organs such as heart muscle meat. This provides them with the protein, energy, amino acids, and water-soluble vitamins they need. Despite some common misbeliefs, Frenchies do need raw meaty bones. Other organs, like kidney, give your puppy the essential water-soluble vitamins. The benefits of the B. What they said was in line with the benefits generally associated with raw meat diet: Cleaner teeth and fresh breath Better weight control Shinier, healthier skin and coat Reduction of allergy symptoms Harder, smaller, less smelly stools Increased mobility in older animals More energy and stamina. Faster nutrient absorption Weight management A BARF diet ensures dogs eat fresh, wholesome, and allergen-free foods, as no chemicals, additives, or fillers are used in raw diets. Raw Dog Diet Research Increased lifespan. Generally, raw-fed dogs are so much healthier. The changes are profound. A study on feeding practices in the United States and Australia indicated that .Lisa M. Freeman Freeman, a nutrition professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, tells WebMD many benefits attributed to a raw food diet for dogs, such as a shinier coat, are the result of the high-fat composition of the typical raw diet. Ingredient contamination. Raw ingredients pose a higher risk of contamination with potentially harmful pathogens i. Coli that can sicken your pet and possibly be transmitted to humans. Feeding whole bones to dogs presents a risk of choking, broken teeth, intestinal obstruction, or internal punctures. Nutritionally unbalanced. Raw allergies. Dogs might be allergic to raw ingredients. Wash all meats, organs, and other raw ingredients. Buy raw products from reputable grocery stores or butchers with high sanitary standards. Raw bones. Avoid big bones and feed only raw bones that are small or ground bones. Never feed cooked bones. They become softer after cooking and are more likely to splinter when chewed. Speak with a vet nutritionist. They can provide nutritional guidance to formulate the best Frenchy raw diet or recommend a raw food delivery service. However, after two weeks of storage, most samples declined compared to salmonellae. We also analyzed the price for the most popular meats. According to the U. It might be cheaper. Conversely, buying commercial raw-meat food over traditional kibble is a tad more expensive, but we think the health benefits and convenience are worth the price. Read our feeding raw dog food on a budget guide for tips on how to feed raw for cheap. Choose lean cuts. Raw meat is the main source of protein. Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. Ground bones are the safest choice. Avoid heavy or big bones - They can break teeth or get stuck in the digestive tract. Provide essential calcium, phosphorous, and other essential nutrients. Great source of high-quality protein; vitamins A, B12, B6; folic acid; iron; zinc; and essential amino acids. Organs are a great source of vitamins and minerals. The more organs you add to the diet of your dog, the better the mix of nutrients your dog will receive. Fruit such as apples, cranberries, and blueberries. Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, and oregano. Never feed toxic fruits or veggies Fruit provide antioxidants while vegetables have carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants, and many other phytochemicals that are beneficial to immune function and health dogs. It states every dog meal should have six indispensable nutrients to create a balanced meal that supports life and proper function in dogs. These include protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. No fruits or veggies. Always consult with your vet. Adding a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews ensures your French Bulldog gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals. Do you have a busy lifestyle with little cooking time for your pup? This company is the pioneer of raw dog food. They deliver Biologically Appropriate Raw Food straight to your door. Their formula is a balanced blend of raw meat, fruits, vegetables, organs, and bones. All of their ingredients are USDA-sourced. Their formulas are developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist to meet the nutritional guidelines AAFCO sets. The body weight percentage method is the most straightforward alternative to many raw feeders new and experienced. Please consider his metabolism, activity level, lifestyle, health, and other factors to determine the perfect amount. French Bulldogs Raw Feeding Chart You have four scenarios to choose from to determine how much to feed your dog. Senior, less active, or overweight dogs weight loss : Feed 1. For a French Bulldog that weighs 25 pounds, here is how much raw food you would need to feed him daily. Pin15 15 Shares Raw feeding is growing in popularity as a lifestyle plan many people have chosen for their dogs. It involves giving your French Bulldog raw meat and fish instead of processed dog food or leftovers. But not just meat… also fruit and vegetables. If you are interested in finding out the pros and cons of feeding your Frenchie a raw diet, read on. I go into some depth about whether raw food is good for a French Bulldog, how much to feed them, a plan, and some basic recipes. To date there has not been any scientific study on the risks or benefits, so I prefer to be on the safe side. However, I wanted to give you as much of an overview as I possibly can, so please read on. Is raw dog food good for French Bulldogs? There can be many benefits to a raw food diet. However, there are also some risks, including food poisoning, unbalanced diets and even difficulties in chewing and digesting certain raw foods. Is raw feeding better for dogs? Raw feeding is often lauded as the best option for your dog, but there seem to be just as many drawbacks as there are benefits, with you having to weigh them up depending on your individual dog and your own lifestyle. Plus… your own research! What a raw diet actually means Raw feeding often requires more care and attention given to the meal than simply opening a can, and raw diets can easily become unbalanced, lacking the nutrients found in shop-bought food if they do not contain the right amount of vegetables, supplements and organ meat. Handy Hint: I published a guide explaining what vegetables Frenchies can eat. It contains a huge list of veggies, some of which are safe, some of which could be potentially poisonous. Because of this, raw diets are best recommended to pet owners who are properly able to spend the time to properly figure out a balanced diet for their French Bulldog. Many people think it just means feeding your French Bulldog raw meat. You will need to get the 37 essential nutrients your Frenchie needs into the food, plus be able to balance out how much iron and zinc they need in their system to stay healthy. Proponents for raw feeding often cite raw feeding as the natural way, being that dogs were domesticated from wolves. However, dogs and wolves are not the same animal as they were thousands of years ago, with dogs having evolved through their domestication to adapt to what humans were feeding them. French Bulldogs, much like people, need a balanced diet to properly function. Handy Hint: If you are considering starting to put your Frenchie on a raw diet, please speak to your vet for more information. They will be able to properly recommend a raw diet plan and talk you through the pros and cons of the diet specific to your own pet. Do French bulldogs eat raw meat? Yes, French Bulldogs can eat raw meat. As many pet owners are aware, French Bulldogs will eat pretty much anything they can get their paws on. Like all dogs, you could put your French Bulldog on a raw meat diet and might even see benefits due to the lack of allergens that can arise from commercial food. But like all dogs on a raw meat diet, French Bulldogs need an equally balanced diet of meat, vegetables and other plant-based material to properly get the full range of nutrients needed for their body to healthily function. We occasionally let Claude eat a raw food diet, but most of the time his basic daily food will be kibble weighed out. French Bulldog raw diet plan So, what kind of food should you feed your French Bulldog on a raw diet? What are the benefits? And are there any drawbacks or dangers with cutting out ready-made dog food entirely? Unfortunately nobody is yet to create a French Bulldog raw diet calculator… so, as with all dogs, to ensure that your Frenchie is eating well on a raw diet you will need to make sure that you are feeding them the correct amount and with the correct ratio of meats to grains and vegetables. If your Frenchie has particular allergies to common dog food ingredients or additives, feeding them a raw diet can skirt around the worry of them eating a processed meal that contains allergens. Additionally, certain health issues can also benefit from having a raw diet read more on WebMD. You need to understand your dog and nutrition When putting your French Bulldog on a raw diet, setting out a diet plan can be very important. Different dog breeds all come in different shapes and sizes, meaning that different sizes and types of meat need to be chosen so that your Frenchie is able to eat well without any issues. French Bulldogs, because of their unfortunate history of overbreeding, can suffer from breathing and joint problems, and also are known for having numerous gastrointestinal issues and allergies. For a full list of all their health problems, click here. Because of this, extra care may have to be taken when feeding your Frenchie, catering to any allergies that they may have. Raw feeding, therefore, can actually be quite beneficial as it cuts out any additives or extra ingredients added to the recipe during manufacture that may cause an allergic reaction in your Frenchie. Raw meat, grains, vegetables and supplements are a great combination to create a fully balanced diet that provides them with all of the nutrients that they need. When feeding your French Bulldog a raw meat diet, most recommend feeding them out of a stainless-steel bowl. Stainless steel is a sterile material, meaning that bacteria cannot be easily transferred, and they are very easy to clean between meals. Your French Bulldog raw diet plan should also include elements such as fruit and vegetables. Many raw diet recipes are available online, but what is most important is that you get the right ratio of meat to grains, vegetables and other supplements. Meat: dogs can happily eat any kind of raw meat, as long as you remove the fat, the larger bones and the skin from any poultry, which can be unhealthy and even pose a choking hazard to your dog. The heart, lungs, stomach, muscle meat and intestines can all be fed to your dog. Organ meat is classified as the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain and pancreas. Vegetables: dogs are actually omnivorous, and a pure meat diet alone can cause negatives effects on their health. Vegetables that are raw to feed to your dog raw include carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, green beans and asparagus. Celery and spinach can also be included but in smaller amounts. While some dogs do suffer from grain allergies, most can eat them without a problem. Add cooked rice, pasta or other grains to their meal. Never feed your dog uncooked rice, and while some dogs do enjoy chewing on uncooked pasta be sure to keep an eye on them in case they start choking. Fruit: as well as vegetables, fruit can provide a great source of vitamins and also taste great. Fruits French Bulldogs can eat include blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, oranges , mangos, melon, bananas and apricots. Your dogs can eat apple but be sure to remove the core first as this can be toxic to dogs click here for the full list. Raw food to avoid While everyone knows that chocolate is toxic to dogs , there are in fact many different human-friendly foods that can be majorly harmful to dogs, especially when given to them raw. Fruit and veg such as avocados, grapes , onions, garlic, chives and raw potatoes are all toxic to dogs potatoes can be fed to them, but they must be baked or boiled first. Also, while dogs do love chewing on bones, they can post a choking hazard and sharp shards can cause internal injuries when swallowed. This is why I suggest you never you let your Frenchie chew on rawhide. This percentage of meat depends heavily on the age, size and energy level of your dog. It includes an easy to understand feeding chart. To figure out the portion size for your dog, speak to your vet for a good recommendation, as they will also be able to provide a good estimate for how much raw meat to feed them and inform you about the benefits and negatives of a raw food diet. What do you feed a puppy on a raw diet? Have you recently got a new French Bulldog puppy and want to get them on the same raw diet as your other dogs? Or do you simply want to see whether they will be happier and healthier on that kind of diet? Feeding a puppy a raw diet can be trickier than for adult dogs, as they have different eating habits. French bulldog raw diet benefits have still not been scientifically studied. Frenchie puppies typically need to be fed around three to four times a day, while an adult dog only needs to have two meals a day. These meals are smaller, adjusting the amount fed as they grow larger and need more energy for the amount they are burning off. If your puppy has previously been eating processed, shop-bought dog food, it is important that you transition them slowly, replacing one of their meals with a raw alternative over the course of a few days, until all of the meals they are eating are raw. This is because their digestive system needs to adapt to the new kind of food. When they are fully introduced to a raw diet, Frenchie puppies can begin to be given small, softer chews to begin to strengthen their jaw muscles to help them eat tougher meat and bones. However, as with all dogs, care should be taken as bones can pose a choking hazard. If you are interested in introducing your French Bulldog puppy to a raw diet, please speak to your vet who will be able to properly guide you through the transitioning process and suggest a tailored diet plan to your particular dog. The pros and cons of a raw food diet Health benefits of a raw diet 1. You know exactly what is in the food Commercial and processed pet food can contain additional sugars, filler ingredients, preservatives, colours and flavours that may either pose a risk to your dog or simply offer no additional benefits. Also, a French Bulldog raw diet of freshly sourced ingredients may be better in quality to that used in commercial dog food, as will not contain any additional additives to extend its shelf-life. Possible additional benefits Whilst there is no scientific evidence, fans of raw dog food diets say it can lead to healthier coats, cleaner teeth, better skin, higher levels of energy, and even smaller stools. Risks of a raw diet 1. Bacterial infections for your dog and you Untreated and raw meat can be infected with salmonella and other bacteria that can cause food poisoning in both humans and animals. Harmful bacteria from the raw meat can be released into their faeces, and people with weak immune systems can get infections even with microscopic trace contact. Choking hazards Bones can cause dogs to choke, break teeth or cause internal injuries from sharp shards inside the intestines. Unbalanced diet When people say that dogs are carnivores, many assume this means that they live off meat alone. It is important that you feed your French Bulldog a balance of meat, grains and vegetables, with an overly meat-based diet causing dogs to even get gout and uric acid stones. While a French Bulldog raw diet does consist of meat, it also needs to include fruit and vegetables, with some dairy such as raw eggs and yoghurt added in. Yes, we do let him have some raw food occasionally, but honestly, I would rather cook it first. There are pathogens in raw food that can lead to vomiting. Frenchies are renowned for being sick a lot anyway, and have very delicate stomachs. Whilst many owners will say that raw feeding is the more natural option and lauded as superior to feeding your dog human-manufactured pet foods, I am not in that camp. Unless you completely understand the basics of nutrition and understand what supplements your Frenchie needs, only feed raw food in moderation.