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Reserve Goliath NOW! Goliath is mini chocolate tri that carries blue. He weighs 41 pounds and is 11 inches tall at the shoulders. He is one of the few mini bulldogs, with excellent structure, big rope, big bone, and huge head. An amazing producer, He has been producing outstanding puppies and we are proud to be able to offer him to the public. Goliath tends to "stamp his offspring" giving them that short and compact, big boned, low to the ground look. We can guaranty, you will be happy with the quality Goliath produces. We look forward to serving you. And yes, he is available for Stud Service. For Stud service.Puppies for Sale Morning Star Bullies is a responsible English bulldog breeder offering pet and show quality puppies to approved homes. We are passionate about our fur babies and treat them like family. All of our breedings are carefully planned to produce the most beautiful home raised, healthy puppies with the right temperament, and conformation. Our partners are lovers of English Bulldogs and take great care in raising our puppies so that they may continue to bring joy to others. Our puppies come pre-loved, with current shots and de-wormings, checked by licensed veterinarians, with health certificates, and a clean bill of health. Help Our Cause Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission. He is a gorgeous English Bulldog. And yes, he is available for stud service! English Bulldog Puppies English bulldogs are among the most well-known breeds of bulldogs in the United States and arguably the world. According to rankings by the American Kennel Club in , this breed is the number 2 in the option for families to buy amongst a selection of dog breeds. These bulldogs have a long history stemming from their original use for bull baiting in Britain. Many people still see these as an old English bulldog and a cultural icon, and it is one of the most popular dogs you will see in England. They do have fierce determination, persistence and an underrated strength, and these are part of why many people love them so much for a family companion. British bulldogs naturally have wide heads and shoulders, flat faces covered with skin folds and thick flaps, and a shorter and higher muzzle than many other dogs. Their thick facial skin folds are also present under their neck, and their pointed teeth and endless snorting constitute a significant factor in the fierce and sometimes scary look they have become known for. So why should you go for an English bulldog? What exactly makes them so special and wonderful anyway? Well, here are a few things we love about this breed of bulldogs. The first and most important benefit to us is that English bulldogs are very good guard dogs. Despite their relatively small size, these dogs are not to be underestimated. Their aggressive nature from their history of bull baiting has been passed down from generation to generation of bulldogs, making them mean fighters to intruders. These dogs do not hesitate to leap into action and defend their owners when there is a threat. Another big benefit is that they are family-friendly and safe to be around your children. Despite the strength and aggression they show to outsiders, you can be sure that your well-trained English bulldogs are perfect family friends that can be around your children with low chances of danger. This very tolerant breed loves to keep a quiet and watchful eye over its owners and is very good at informing you when they sense something wrong. Their short, stubby legs also make for some very funny moments, such as their clumsy efforts to climb onto surfaces, like your couch or their dramatic pouts and faces. English bulldogs have a natural pranking streak that makes you laugh effortlessly. Coming home to unwind and having an English bulldog waiting for you to home is a definite stress reliever and mood elevator. We need to rectify that, and we have the perfect English bulldog puppies for sale for you to make your pick from. With an English bulldog puppy, you can have that beautiful bully that your kids can grow up with, and that can be a perfect companion and guard for your home. All our English bulldogs are the healthiest and cutest selection of breeds that you will find in the country, and this is a fact. We have decades of veterinarian experience and expert knowledge in this breed that has helped us monitor and facilitate the best studs and breeders to produce these beautiful English bulldog puppies. We have male and female English bulldog puppies, and there are a variety of ages that you can pick from, whether you like an eight-week-old puppy, ten-week-old puppy, week old puppy, or even older. Frequently Asked Questions How much exercise do English bulldogs need? English bulldogs are a low-energy breed and do not require a lot of exercise. A daily walk or play session of minutes should meet their physical needs. However, due to their short snouts, English bulldogs are prone to overheating, so it's important to avoid strenuous exercise or exercise in hot weather. Indoor play, such as fetch or tug-of-war, can provide them with physical and mental stimulation. Regular exercise is vital for their overall health and well-being. How to train an English bulldog puppy? Train an English bulldog puppy with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Early socialization and obedience training are important. Avoid punishment-based training. Find a trainer who understands the breed and its unique needs. Consistency and patience are key to success in training an English bulldog puppy. What are the key features that make Bulldogs special? Bulldogs are notable for their unique physical appearance, friendly and affectionate nature, and loyalty. They are low-energy and good with children, making them popular family pets. Their wrinkly faces and undershot jaw give them a distinct look, while their muscular build and confident attitude make them recognizable and loved by all. Where can I buy an English bulldog? English bulldogs can be purchased from various sources, including breeders, pet stores, and animal rescue shelters. When buying from a breeder, it's important to find a reputable one that's committed, knowledgable, follows ethical breeding practices, provides information about the dog's health temperament, and offers a written guarantee.

We are a northern California breeder near Sacramento that prides itself on choosing our breeding dogs for top health, temperament, and beauty that conforms to the breed standard. Our dogs are selected from champion lines with health clearances. We will only breed dogs that pass all of these tests, so we can continue reaching to improve the breed through imposing high standards for our dogs. We breed dogs from these lines to continue a heritage of excellence in the breed. This standard is different from the AKC standard for golden retrievers, but both are accepted and licensed. The English type should have a blockier and fuller head, shorter muzzle, lower ear set, rounder eyes, stouter body structure, as well as a lighter color than the American type see comparison figure below. As an adult, it has been a pleasure to now show and selectively breed these beautiful English Golden Retrievers. Raising our English Golden Retrievers is a family endeavor that includes everyone from the youngest to the oldest. It is wonderful to make family memories with our dogs and children together. Our English Goldens are first and foremost pets who live and play among our family. Our children are involved from showing our dogs to whelping the puppies. Our puppies go home to their new families very loved and well socialized. In Northern California, we are located in Newcastle which is at the base of the Sierra Mountain foothills; close to Sacramento, and about miles from San Francisco or about miles from San Jose other cities near us are Roseville, Loomis, Folsom, Orangevale, Auburn, Lake Tahoe about an hour , and Reno about 2 hours. We can deliver our puppies to you if you are out of state, and personally travel with the puppy to bring your puppy to you. We cordially invite you to visit us and meet our beloved puppies and amazing dogs. We're located in the California Gold County just 25 miles east of Sacramento. Surrounded by golden foothills, we offer the perfect place to meet and enjoy the dogs. Expect to be greeted with wagging tails and wet noses during your visit, as our dogs are always excited to meet new people. Please let us know when you would like to visit by booking an appointment. The care and love you, Heather, and all at Classic Heritage devote to these pups is remarkable. The efforts taken to ensure pups are matched with their new happy forever home are excellent. Everyone I met was equally professional, educated, loving, kind, and a lot of fun. All of the dogs are beautiful and happy.We have had the best experience and have the most loving pup so anything we can do to help Classic Heritage we would. We have recommended you to everyone who has asked. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article. In spite of their size, they think they are lap dogs, and in spite of being dogs, they think they are also human, and nearly every human they meet is judged to have the potential to be a boon companion who might, at many moment, cry, "Let's go! I do not have a wait list. I have golden retriever puppies for sale perhaps once or twice a year. Because I breed infrequently, I can not guarantee I will have a puppy that meets your needs by any set time. I'd hate to have families waiting for a puppy and find I do not have one for them. After a litter arrives and I know what I have in terms of numbers and gender, then I can get serious about reviewing questionnaires submitted by interested families, and I contact people to discuss the specifics once the pups are a few weeks old. The pups require a great deal of time and attention, so it can take me a little while after a litter arrives to get to this part of the placement process. Please keep in mind that I breed golden retriever puppies in northern Virginia, and I do not ship puppies. Do I get to pick which pup I want? I place the pups based on the pups' individual characteristics and each family's specific requirements. I obviously take your preferences into consideration, but your puppy's personality should fit the lifestyle you'll have with him for the next 12 or so years. I raise the pups in my home. For their first few weeks the pups are in my family room with my family, other dogs, and cats, and, after they are old enough and need more room to move freely, the pups move to a large pen in my basement with access to an outdoor pen. All of my dogs are house dogs; the pups are not raised in a kennel. As the pups mature, I spend a great deal of time with them, getting to know their individual personalities. I also watch how they move and determine which have the best conformation. As they get older, they are exposed to many different sounds, textures, flooring and ground surfaces, environments, and people. During this socialization process, I learn which pups would be best suited to which types of homes, and I place them accordingly. Show, performance and working homes take priority, and homes who already have an Eta D'Oro dog generally also take priority. I get frequent inquiries regarding my pups, and I do save those questionnaires as they come in. However, I find most people are not willing to wait the several months, or longer, it may take before I actually have pups available to go to their homes. Accordingly, I do not have extensive contact with most potential buyers until I have pups that are several weeks old. I don't want to waste anyone's time until I know I have a puppy available. That being said, I like to get to know my puppy buyers as much as I can before they take their new puppy home. I often have folks come to visit the pups when they are old enough, and our initial phone conversation s often take a little time so you can learn about me and my dogs, and so I can learn as much as I can about the type of dog that fits into your family. A laid-back dog might be better suited to a less active family, and a higher energy dog would be better suited to an active family. Why health testing? All my dogs are health tested prior to breeding. Health testing means so much more than just a vet check. It's testing in specific areas by board certified veterinarians to ensure my breeding dogs meet the standards expected of breeders under the GRCA Code of Ethics, a standard designed to ensure the entire breed is as healthy as possible, and that buyers get the most healthy pups possible. By testing for things like eye, cardiac, and joint issues and by DNA testing for several common genetic conditions common to golden retrievers, I can ensure I am doing all I can to produce healthy puppies that grow into long-lived, healthy dogs. I test for all the things the GRCA wants its breeders to test for, and do additional testing, as well. For example, all my current breeding animals get heart clearances by echocardiogram, not only by auscultation. While there is no way to guarantee nothing bad will ever happen, I want to do everything I can to reduce or in some cases even eliminate the risk. How do you choose to do a particular breeding? My dogs are purposefully bred, versatile golden retrievers. I have kept or co-own at least one dog from almost every breeding I have done. One of my goals with all of my breedings is to produce pups I would want to keep for myself, and that I will be proud to have in the various competition venues representing my kennel. I also want them to be much loved companion golden retrievers. To meet those goals, I need to produce long-lived, healthy, correct, versatile dogs that can do all the things a golden is supposed to be able to do. I look for health and longevity when picking a sire, and I look for dogs that are physically correct meet the breed standard , have the correct golden disposition, and will be a good match for my girls. Many of the sires of my litters have produced well in the past, which is a good indicator of what they'll produce with my girls. For some breedings, I am looking for dogs with certain skills or capabilities prominent in the pedigrees. In others I am looking to improve upon what I have, to better some area I feel could be improved in my dogs on the whole. I am also careful not to lose the features I particularly like and that are correct in my dogs. I spend many, many hours reviewing pedigrees, observing dogs and talking to breeders and owners about their dogs, as well as others who may be familiar with their pedigrees from before I started watching those things. For the time being, you won't be able to meet both parents here at my home when you visit. My dogs are all related too closely to breed them to each other. In fact, I have done breedings with long deceased sires, choosing to use their frozen semen because they are very well known quantities; they have adult pups out there that help me evaluate what the sire will bring to a breeding, and I have life-long health and longevity information on both the sire and his other offspring. In other cases, I have had semen shipped from the far reaches of the country. This capability gives me the opportunity to expand the gene pool I use in my breedings, and I can search out the healthiest and best matches for my girls. I also have done local breedings by live cover, but it is a great benefit not to be limited by access to only local boys. What will our relationship be after one of your pups comes home with me? I usually set up closed Facebook groups for each litter so puppy buyers can stay in touch with each other, ask questions of me or each other, and so folks can share pictures, triumphs, and news. I have found it a great way to stay in touch, but not everyone is on Facebook, and those who are may not be frequent Facebook users. Be assured I am always accessible to answer your questions, and will always be happy to take your dog back and find him or her a great new home in the event you are no longer able to care for your pup due to health, personal, financial, or any other reasons. None of my dogs need ever become rescue dogs. I love these pups from a time before they are even born, and will always do what is best for them. I even have buyers that have put it in their wills that their dogs come back to me when the time comes, because they know I will put the dogs first. What are your requirements in terms of spay or neuter? For a good number of years, peer reviewed studies and vets and breeders whom I trust have agreed that early spay or neuter is very dangerous to the short- and long-term health of dogs. Everything from orthopedic issues, cancers, and fear of storms can be blamed in part on early spay and neuter. At the very least, I want my dogs to remain intact not spayed or neutered for long enough for the hormones to do their job getting the pups' bones and bodies to maturity. For girls, they should remain intact for at least two heat cycles, and for boys ideally until at least 2 years. I can tell you my boys do not reach full physical maturity until around three, so for their bones, joints, and skulls and other things less obvious to fully mature, I'd prefer they not be neutered ever, but at least not until they are three. Neutering a dog does not affect his instinct to mark. Training affects that. Neutering does not affect his instinct to mount other dogs as a dominance play. Training does. Neutering an aggressive dog does not alleviate his aggressiveness. Neutering a dog does greatly increase his risk of cancers common in goldens. You can often identify a dog spayed or neutered young by its disproportionately long, gangly legs. Those growth plates in the legs were still open when the hormones were removed from the dog, and growth no longer could continue in a balanced way. Buyers are often looking for good bone and big heads on their goldens, particularly the boys. Those things come with maturity while the hormones are intact. What is your guidance on vaccination? My general rule is to keep vaccinations to a minimum. I am not an antivaxer; vaccinations are vital to our dogs' health. For example, without vaccination, parvo kills puppies. I know breeders and dog owners who have lost puppies to parvo. These diseases we vaccinate against are serious. However, I believe in limiting vaccinations to the ones required, at the frequency required. My puppies will have their first round of puppy vaccinations before they go to their homes. After that, vaccinations need only be done if the dog needs additional protection. Titer testing will tell you if that is the case. My foundation bitch received puppy shots and then no further vaccinations other than periodic 3-year rabies as required by law where I live. At her senior physical at age 9, she was found by titer testing to still be fully protected against those things she was vaccinated against as a pup. Research what vaccinations are recommended where you live. Leptospirosis is common in some areas, very rare in others. The various dog influenza vaccines do not protect against all strains of flu, do not last long, and are not fully effective. Balancing the risk of infection essentially a contagious cough unless the infected dog has underlying conditions that make it hard to fight the infection against the effectiveness of the vaccine, consider if it is really worth putting those chemicals into your dog's body. Bordetella kennel cough vaccination is required by some boarding facilities, so you may feel forced to get that. However, it also does not protect against all strains, is not fully effective, and does not last long. I do not vaccinate for Bordetella. It is a cough that lasts several days, and can be treated if it is bacterial. In addition, I recommend vaccinating smartly - the fewer vaccinations given at a time, the less risk for complications. Vaccinating a dog weakened by some other condition or illness, for example an infection, can also lead to complications or reactions. Don't let a vet pressure you into doing anything unsafe for your dog. Your puppy can't advocate for him- or herself, and needs you to look out for him or her. It was originally developed in Scotland as a breed that could retrieve game both on land and in water. Today the Golden Retriever continues to be used as a working dog but is also a popular choice of family pet due to its good nature. The breed has a medium length wavy coat, which comes in a various light colours. The Golden Retriever is extremely loving and loyal, as well as being sociable and playful. These attributes mean the breed is especially good with children. It is quick to learn and always eager to please which means that training is not usually a problem. The Golden Retriever can be affected by some health problems so careful selection of a healthy family line is important. Golden Retriever Cons: The Golden requires lots of regular exercise coupled with frequent human interaction. It also proves a terrible security dog because of its fondness for friend and foe alike. Golden Retriever Pros: The Golden thrives alongside active lifestyles and is slow to have an enemy. Its kind expressions and sweet character make it a favorite family dog. Learn more about the Golden Retriever breed here. Related searches:.

Intelligent, protective, shy, loyal, aggressive, and elusive Shedding Moderate to high; requires moderate grooming Common coat colors Black, brown, white, sable, gray, tan Activity level High; requires up to minutes of exercise daily Suitable for families Yes, for families that can meet the exercise requirements. Not recommended for families with small kids Dietary needs High-protein diet; adults require cups per day depending on activity level Potential health issues Hip dysplasia, bloating, arthritis, and cataracts About Coyote Image Source: Chris LeBoutillier — pexels. The species include the eastern coyote, which is found in the Eastern United States and Canada, and the western coyote, which is found in the western United States and Mexico. Coyotes are smaller than wolves but larger than foxes, and they typically weigh between 20 and 50 pounds. Coyotes were once found only in North America, but they have since been introduced to other continents. In the early s, coyotes were brought to Europe and Asia for fur farming. They escaped from captivity and established populations in those regions. Coyotes have also been introduced to South America, where they are considered invasive species. Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable animals, which has helped them survive in a changing world. They are opportunistic eaters and will hunt small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish. In urban areas, coyotes have been known to eat garbage and pet food. The breed was created by crossing the existing sheepherding dogs with other herding and hunting dogs, resulting in a versatile all-purpose worker. The GSD is the third most popular dog breed in America and is also common in many other countries. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, having been developed in the late 19th century. They quickly became popular for its intelligence, loyalty, and obedience. Appearance The Coyote Shepherd Mix is a striking dog, with the head and body of a German Shepherd and the legs and tail of a coyote. They are medium to large dogs, with males reaching up to pounds and females up to 90 pounds. Their coats are thick and dense, ranging in color from light brown to black. They have pointed ears and a long, bushy tail. Coyote and Shepherd mix are intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs. They make excellent family pets and guard dogs. Coyote domestic dog mix are not for everyone, however. They require a lot of physical activity and training. Size German Shepherd Coyote cross are typically medium to large in size, and they have a reputation for being loyal and protective. They can grow up to inches and weigh between 65 and lbs. If you are thinking about adding a Coyote and Shepherd mix to your family, be sure to do your research first. They are great with children and make excellent family pets. They are however, very suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive if not properly socialized. This breed needs firm, consistent training and plenty of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Half Coyote half dog make great guard dogs and are excellent watchdogs. They are very intelligent and easily trained. This breed is not for everyone, but if you are looking for a loyal, protective dog, the German Shepherd Coyote mix may be the right breed for you. Grooming Coydog German Shepherd grooming can be a bit of a challenge. They are double-coated dogs, which means they have an outer coat and an undercoat. The outer coat is made up of longer guard hairs, while the undercoat is shorter and softer. This combination can make half German Shepherd half Coyote susceptible to matting and tangles, especially if they are not brushed regularly. They also shed — a lot. Their double coats mean that they shed year-round, and during shedding season, they can shed even more. German Shepherd Coyote Mix will need to be brushed at least once a week — more often during shedding season — to help reduce shedding and keep their coats healthy and free of mats and tangles. Coyote mix with German Shepherd also need to be bathed regularly — at least once a month — to help keep their skin and coat healthy. Image Source: patrice schoefolt — pexels. These dogs are shy, loving, and make great family pets. They are also known to be very protective of their families. German Shepherd Coyote mix typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. They are a relatively new breed of dog, so not much is known about their health and lifespan. However, German Shepherds and coyotes are both relatively healthy animals with long lifespans, so it is likely that their mix will also have long lifespans. Exercise Coyote Shepherd Mix are great for people looking for a high-energy dog. They are also very intelligent, so they require mental stimulation as well as physical activity. Feeding Coyote mix with German Shepherd are very active and need a lot of exercise, but they also need a good diet to stay healthy. These dogs are not picky eaters, but they do need a balanced diet. German Shepherd Coyote Mix should eat two to three cups of food per day, split into two meals. Coydog German Shepherd can eat both dry and wet food, but it is important to make sure that they are getting enough of the right nutrients. They need a lot of protein and fat in their diet to stay healthy. Coydog mix also needs a good amount of vitamins and minerals in their diet. Training Coyote German Shepherd Mix training is not difficult, but it does require consistency and patience. Like all dogs, they need plenty of exercise, but they also need mental stimulation. German Shepherd x Coyote are intelligent dogs that can become bored easily, so it is important to keep their minds active with training. They are also very active dogs, so a good exercise routine is essential. GSD Coyote Mix are not difficult to train, but they do require consistency and patience. Coyote Shepherd Mix are versatile dogs that can excel in a variety of activities. German Shepherd Coyote Mix make great hiking and camping companions, and they are also excellent at obedience and agility training. Coydog German Shepherd are loyal and protective dogs that make great family pets. Do Coyotes mate with dogs? Can coyotes and dogs breed? It is indeed possible that a coyote can breed with dogs like German Shepherd. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, and eye problems. Coyote dog mix are also prone to anxiety and separation anxiety. German Shepherd Coyote Mix are definitely worth the effort! Are Coyote Shepherd good guard dogs? The German Shepherd and Coyote mix is a relatively new hybrid that has become popular among dog lovers in recent years. This mixed breed is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and protective instincts. German Shepherds are often used as working dogs in various roles such as police work, search and rescue, and disability assistance. Coyotes, on the other hand, are known for their cunning and resourcefulness. So, what happens when you mix these two breeds together? You get a dog that is loyal, smart, protective, and resourceful! German Shepherd Coyote mix make great guard dogs because they are always on the lookout for potential threats. They will bark to warn you of any danger and will also protect you if they sense that you are in danger. If you are looking for a guard dog that is loyal, confident, and resourceful, then a Coydog German Shepherd is the perfect breed for you! How much does a German Shepherd Coyote Mix puppy cost? There are a number of reasons why you might be interested in getting a Coyote dog. Coyote German Shepherd are not cheap dogs. This is because they are a very popular breed, and there is high demand for them. One option is to find a breeder who is willing to sell you an older dog. These dogs are often cheaper, as they are not in high demand. Another option is to look for a rescue that specializes in this breed. This can be a great way to find a German Shepherd Coyote Mix at a fraction of the cost. No matter what route you decide to go, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money on your new dog. Is German Shepherd Coyote Mix right for you? This breed is a mix of the German Shepherd and the coyote, so it has the best of both worlds. The German Shepherd is known for being a smart and strong breed, while the coyote is known for being energetic and playful. This mix is perfect for families with children, as they will have plenty of energy to play with the kids. Despite their reputation as being high-maintenance, German Shepherd Coyote Mix actually requires relatively little grooming. They are an active breed, however, and need a lot of exercises. German Shepherd and Coyote Mix make great family pets and are loyal companions. Conclusion Coyote cross German Shepherd are also great guard dogs, as they are very protective of their family. Sergey Uhanov, a certified veterinarian, has authored all of the content here. With over 20 years of experience in dog care and breeding three dogs of his own, he has a deep passion for these furry friends. Sergey owns a pet clinic in Israel where he provides care and treatment to dogs. He enjoys sharing his expertise and knowledge to assist others in caring for their dogs. All content on this site is written by Sergey Uhanov who is an experienced veterinarian. For more information about Sergey, click here. As Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Lifespan Sociability It can be difficult to find a breeder that keeps Coyotes and can create the breed, so you may need to get on a waiting list or pay quite a lot of money. Besides finding the breeder and purchasing the puppy, there are also other expenses you will need to consider. Your new puppy will likely need to be spayed or neutered, and it will require a series of vaccinations to protect it from serious diseases like rabies. Many owners also choose to purchase a professional trainer because the German Shepherd Coyote Mix can be challenging for someone without experience. You will also need to purchase food , treats, toys, and other items to keep your dog healthy and happy. The Coyote parent is native to the United States, and you can find it throughout the mainland and much of Canada. The German Shepherd parent is one of the smartest dog breeds and often works with the military to find bombs, missing people, drugs, and more. However, you can expect your pet to be highly intelligent and extremely protective. It will also likely be calm, alert, and observant. Most dogs look like large coyotes, and many people that see them for the first-time comment on their wolf-like appearance. Your German Shepherd Coyote Mix will have the intelligence to learn complex tasks, but its wild side will often have it pursuing its own interests. It can get quite crafty when it wants something, setting traps and hatching elaborate plans, usually to get out of the house. It can also learn how to open doors and navigate barriers. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It usually forms a strong bond with one family member and can become extremely protective. However, it makes a good watchdog and is affectionate and loving towards family members it accepts and can make a great companion for an active owner. It will also likely chase and kill any rabbits it finds sneaking through your yard. The physical features of these canine hybrids widely vary. While some will adopt the more docile appearance of their domestic dog parent — the German Shepherd, others will inherit the wilder look of the Coyote. That said, there are still some telltale features that are present on most German Shepherd Coyote mixes. The first one is a lean, athletic, and rectangular-shaped body. The body of this hybrid canine should have well-defined muscles covered by a double shaggy coat. Their possible coat colors are black , brown, white, sable , or a combination of these. These hybrids will also have a bushy tail that rests downward when stationary. Their muzzles are always long and well-defined. Additionally, they will have pointy ears and their eyes are always dark shades of brown. In terms of size, Coyote Shepherds are medium-to-large canines. When fully grown, this hybrid will be about the same height as a standard GSD. However, they are typically leaner than German Shepherd Dogs. The full-grown size of a German Shepherd Coyote mix is 21 to 25 inches in height and 60 to pounds in weight. On average, such hybrid canids are about the same height as Coyotes, if not slightly taller. One thing to know regarding the size of Coyote Shepherds is that it is not typically linked to gender. It is possible for female Coyote Shepherds to outgrow their male counterparts. A good way to approximate the full-grown size of these hybrids is by looking at the size of their parents. Unpredictable is the best word to describe the temperament of Coyote German Shepherd mixes. While some will exhibit similar behavior to their German Shepherd parent, others will surely show the wild nature of the adult Coyote. Some Coyote Shepherd owners claim that their pets are just as easily trainable as any other dog breed. On the other hand, some owners are certain that Coydogs are not for the faint of heart. All of these mean one thing, that the temperament of Coyote Shepherds is indeed a mixed bag. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell whether a particular German Shepherd Coyote dog breed will be as docile as other dogs. Otherwise, expect its temperament to be unpredictable. All things considered, the temperament of a German Shepherd Coyote mix is the main reason it is not recommended for new pet owners. However, if you have years of experience in training dogs, then taming a Coyote Shepherd will be an exciting challenge for you! This is about the same as the life expectancy of a German Shepherd dog. However, this is a few years shorter compared to the average lifespan of a Coyote in captivity — 14 years. Coyote dog mixes are not known for their health just like other dogs that were crossed with wild animals. In fact, their health is average at best. These hybrids will be at risk of a few health conditions that are also common to their parent animals throughout their life. Most of these conditions are inherited from both the German Shepherd and Coyote. Here are the common health issues in Coyote German Shepherd mixes: Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a health issue characterized by the misalignment of the ball and socket joint. Similar to German Shepherds, Coyote Shepherds are also prone to this health issue. When left untreated, hip dysplasia in Coydogs will worsen and may cause inactivity. Heartworm: Heartworm is a serious health condition that is caused by a parasitic worm known as Dirofilaria. This parasite is commonly transmitted through a mosquito bite. Unfortunately, there is no approved prevention medicine for heartworms in Coydogs. However, many Coydogs owners use heartworm medicine for dogs. Mange: Sarcoptic mange in dogs is a contagious skin condition. In fact, it can be transmitted from canines to humans or vice versa. Treatment for mange in Coydogs comes in the form of dips and topical creams. A Coydog diagnosed with mange will experience extreme itch on different parts of its body. Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Autoimmune thyroiditis occurs when the immune system of a canine attacks the thyroid gland. Since many German Shepherds are affected by this disease, unfortunately, there is a decent chance it can also occur in Coydogs. Some symptoms of this condition include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, increased appetite, and heart murmurs. The German Shepherd Coyote mix can be unpredictable when it comes to their health. The only surefire way to keep it in its best shape is by giving it the right kind of food, exercising it frequently, and taking it on regular vet checkups. Advantages and Disadvantages of Breeding Coyotes and German Shepherds Together There are plenty of reasons why interspecific hybrids are bred. Some breeders may be looking for domestic dogs with specific sets of characters. On the other hand, some breeders may just be pushing the boundaries of breeding. That said, the goal varies from one breeder to another. However, regardless of why Coyote Shepherds are bred, it is useful to know the advantages and disadvantages of cross-breeding. This is a good thing if you are looking for a pet with a unique appearance. Possibility for Better Health: In many cases, crossbred puppies exhibit fewer congenital issues and fewer genetic conditions. Crossbreeding is known to minimize or eliminate inheritable diseases from parent canines. High Work Drive: Coydogs typically have a higher work drive than the average dog. This makes them better suited for some types of work such as hunting. And here are some disadvantages of breeding Coyotes and German Shepherds together: Unpredictable Temperament: Coydogs can be very unpredictable when it comes to their temperament. While others will be docile or great guard dogs, some will be naturally stubborn. Hard to Predict Their Size: If you are looking for a particular size in a pet, Coydogs may not be the best option. Crossbreeding Coyotes and GSDs often results in unique-looking canines that vary widely in size. The important takeaway here is that breeding Coyotes and German Shepherds is safe and ethical. After all, this mix has been around for ages. However, whether or not you should get a Coyote Shepherd depends entirely on what you need in a pet. It is important to realize that most of your experience in caring for a Coyote Shepherd will be unique. You will need to experiment a bit from time to time, especially when it comes to their nutrition and exercise. Feeding and Diet The feeding instructions on the backside of dog food packs are designed for every popular dog breed and not for Coydogs. Since they are more active than most dogs, Coydogs will often require more food intake compared to the average dog. So what should the diet of Coyote Shepherds look like? While it is safe to give dog food to your Coyote Shepherd, it may not have the complete nutrition they need. One way to supplement their food is by putting them on a raw meat diet and giving them vegetables every now and then. This will provide them the extra calories they need. Cleaning and Grooming Coyote Shepherds are fairly easy to groom. Their hair is usually straight and manageable, so brushing once every two days will often do the trick. However, when they are shedding heavily, you should brush their hair daily to minimize cluttered hair fall. In terms of bathing, it is recommended to bathe your Coyote Shepherd at least once every month. You can also use an organic shampoo with a pleasant scent to keep your dog smelling fresh! One thing to watch out for is their nails. Coydogs are prone to skin irritations due to their sharp nails. Make sure to check their nail length from time to time and trim as often as necessary. Training and Exercise Due to their high work drive and energy level attributed to their wild animal DNA, a Coyote German Shepherd mix will need at least two to three hours of physical activities per day. These activities can range in intensity since they are medium to large dogs. Low-intensity exercises can consist of walking and doing a bit of dog training. On the other hand, high-intensity exercises can consist of sprinting, playing catch, hiking, and swimming. You should throw in a few variations of these common exercises to keep your Coydog in tip-top shape! Apart from all these, it would be better to start crate training when they are already a few weeks old. This will prevent them from soiling your furniture and other house items. Coydogs such as Coyote German Shepherd mixes are relatively rare pooches. Aside from the price of a Coydog Shepherd itself, you should also prepare for a few other expenses. These are things like a crate, toys, feeding bowls, and more. White Shedding Both German Shepherds and coyotes have thick double coats that shed a lot, so their mix will be the same. Coyote Shepherds shed all year round and blow their coat twice a year during spring and fall at which time they will shed obscene amounts of hair. Temperament Being a mix of a domestic dog and a wild animal, coyote Shepherds are often unpredictable and as such not suited for newbie owners. First-generation coyote Shepherds tend to be less cooperative and more aggressive compared to other dog breeds so training and early socialization are a must! When properly trained and socialized these hybrids can be affectionate pets and companions. Being a German Shepherd mix, this hybrid is wary of strangers and needs time to warm up to new people. Due to this trait, this mix makes a fantastic guard dog that will watch over you and your property. Shepherd coyotes tend to pick their favorite person and will form strong bonds with their owner. However, with proper socialization, they will get along and even be affectionate with the rest of the family. Pet Friendly A properly socialized German Shepherd coyote mix can get along with other dogs especially if they were raised together. However, some may inherit health issues that affect coyotes and German Shepherds. The most common health problems seen in this mix are: Hip and elbow dysplasia Arthritis Bloat The German Shepherd Coyote mix has an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years, but they can live longer when properly cared for. Grooming Their thick and double medium-length coats are shed all year round and need to be brushed regularly to remove loose hairs and prevent mats from forming. Brush your mix at least four times a week to keep their coat nice and clean. During the shedding season, you may need to brush your dog once a day to control the shedding and prevent the undercoat from getting embedded in your clothes and furniture. Bathe your mix once every three or four months or as necessary using a de-shedding dog shampoo. Inspect their ears for dirt and waxy buildup once a week and clean as necessary. Food or Diet Having a wild coyote as one parent, this mix will thrive on raw diets and will enjoy eating fresh meat and bones. When feeding a raw diet, talk with your vet or canine nutritionist as they can create a complete and balanced meal plan for your dog. Training and Exercise Shepherd coyotes are highly energetic dogs that need around two hours of vigorous activity every single day! Hiking, jogging, running, cycling, and agility are a few ways you can keep your mix exercised and help them burn excess energy. Besides regular exercise, this hybrid needs to be mentally stimulated so invest in puzzles and interactive toys and play with your dog every day. Keeping your dog entertained and occupied will prevent them from getting bored, frustrated, and destructive. Shepherd coyotes are highly intelligent hybrids, but they are also wild which can make training a challenge. Luckily these dogs are food motivated, so reward-based training and tasty treats can help a lot in training. Due to their wild and unpredictable natures, you should continue training your mix for the rest of their lives. All dogs must be properly socialized, but coyote Shepherds even more so. Expose your puppy to lots of different people, children, animals, places, situations, noises, smells, and sounds to build up their confidence and help them grow into a well-adjusted and friendly dog. This hybrid is better off living in rural homes that have fenced yards and a lot of space for this dog to run around and play. The coyote German Shepherd mix is a rare designer hybrid so you may have trouble locating a reputable breeder or finding a puppy at a shelter. German Shepherd Coyote Mix Breeders Before you start researching different breeders, know that owning a coydog is illegal in most states without special permits and licensing. The exact price will depend on the breeder, location, and supply and demand. Even if you do, you will need extensive paperwork and permits to adopt and take this hybrid home. Conclusion The German Shepherd coyote mix is a rare and unusual designer hybrid. This mix needs an experienced owner that is familiar with training and knows how to assert themselves as a pack leader. Related Articles:. As the name suggests, this blend is due to the development of a German shepherd along with a coyote. The mixture of such a dog, a German Shepherd and a coyote, is called a coydog. When it comes to mixing Coyotes and Shepherds, many people will say that the pairing sounds quite unusual. If you want an intelligent and loyal companion, then it may be worth looking into this breed. The Coyote German Shepherd Mix is an active and wild breed of dog. They require a fenced-in yard to thrive, as they are known for running away if left on their own too long or Unleashed i. Those who live in warmer climates will need access to swimming spots because these pups love the water! The best way to deal with this type of dog for individuals who want them around their kids or other animals needs strong leadership because they can get aggressive sometimes if someone does not have enough confidence in themselves as the alpha males. As we look at some basic facts about German Shepherd Coyote Mix: — Coyotes are predators like wolves or foxes; their prey is anything smaller than themselves in general. Coyotes are one of the most persecuted mammals in North America. Coyotes are proving to be intriguing problem-solver. Coyotes have proven themselves to really thrive when they reside together with individuals just like any other animal does! They can hunt down prey by smell or sight- whichever works best for them at the time with all these different abilities. German Shepherd Coyote Mix DNA tests show that despite having many similarities such as: 1 Lapping up water with their tongues by dipping it into streams or ponds. Coydog hybrids have been known to be loyal friends at heart too; some say it takes one brave soul that can handle an unpredictable mix like this is worth his weight in gold or even more. The following five points can be helpful for you if you are willing to adopt this breed: 1-German Shepherd Coyote Mix cannot happen by nature. The German Shepherd Coyote Mix is a unique dog in many ways. For starters, they are the product of artificial breeding even though they belong to the same canine family! If you are thinking about getting this breed, it is important to know the different breeds of dogs and their compatibility. If you have a dog and want to breed, then this should be an easy process. You can produce offspring with other Coyotes or dogs just as easily! The German Shepherd Coyote Mix is an energetic and highly active animal. As such, it requires more intense exercise than a standard German Shepherd dog to maintain its physical condition. This means that if you are not already physically fit or have the time for frequent walks with your pup then owning one can be difficult at first due to their high energy levels. Despite their active nature, coyote shepherds are not recommended for first-time dog owners. One of the most active dogs, the German Shepherd Coyote Mix, is always on their feet. This means that they need a lot more energy to keep up with everything going around them — especially during an exercise session. For those of you wanting to get an unusual pet, Coydogs offer different coat colors. German Shepherd Coyote Mix comes in brown, white, or black with sable being the most popular option for these unique dogs! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a dog that has multiple colors? You may think this sounds intriguing, but the truth of the matter is there are many different breeds out in Coydog dogs. They come in black coats and browns as well! A typical color for coyotes or American Bobtails can range from sable pups all over their bodies down to white paws on occasion too; while some individuals will possess one dominant color throughout most everything about themselves such at solid gold furring up top around the head area plus back again lower torso region. Coyotes and shepherds share a common ancestry, but the latter is rare due to several reasons. The primary reason for the German Shepherd Coyote Mix rarity can be attributed in part to its difficult training which many breed owners do not bother with given they cannot predict how their pup will react. At any moment during playtime or while traveling through areas where other Coyotes may live; additionally, coyotes seem aloof when compared to land mammals such as dogs who often get excited over little things like food bowls that would never faze them one bit! Scientists are excited about the prospect of cross-breeding dogs with Coyotes because they believe it could help us better understand this elusive creature. They also hope that more information on coydog genealogy will be available in order to study both wild populations and domestic canines who share similar ancestry. In this passage about dog breeds, I have been talking mainly about how different breeds can present differently based on their traits but in some cases, there are similarities between them too. When it comes to appearance, coyote German Shepherd mixes have a wide range of actual characteristics that vary greatly. One dog parent will lend more tame characteristics while another takes on the wilder side from its ancestor roots. Height and Weight: Coyotes are cute, furry creatures that can grow up to be as big and strong as Golden Retrievers. They weigh anywhere from 20 pounds for males or 50 pounds max! On average, they can range from years old but some individuals have been documented with up to year life spans under captivity conditions. German Shepherd Coyote Mix can vary in appearance. Some will take on a more docile look from their domestic dog parent — the german shepherds, while others inherit the wilder side of coyotes and have an exterior that is much rougher or bark-like with longer hair than what you would expect for such a small animal. The first thing you will notice about these dogs is their eyes. The second feature of this hybrid canine is its lean muscular body covered with long hair; well-defined muscles surrounded by a shaggy coat make up most other characteristics of German Shepherd Coyotes. This German Shepherd Mix is one of the best qualities of both parent breeds. From the look of it, you might think that a hybrid between Coyotes and German Shepherds would be skinnier than your average breed. But in reality, they can have just as much mass. German Shepherd Coyote Mix can range from the size of a small dog to larger than average. Some owners claim that they can easily train any other dog breed just like yours is doing now — slowly adapting its nature into something domesticated without losing what makes him special in between those times when he behaves more typically. A German Shepherd Coyote Mix has unpredictable behavior because of its wild parentage but a manageable temperament when trained properly by someone who understands this animal type well enough. German Shepherd Coyotes are known for their loyalty and protectiveness. If you have an experienced trainer, your new pup may be able to behave in ways that would surprise even the most perceptive pet owner. They love to play and will require plenty of socialization as well. German Shepherd Coyote Mix is one of the most intelligent breeds out there, which means they have an incredible amount of energy to burn. The key is that this breed mix often has a natural intelligence and can learn quickly. The temperament trait is difficult to forecast because the parent dogs have an effect on their offspring. Proper socialization will help shape your pup into an intelligent dog with great utility skills at his disposal for whatever you need him to do from hunting wildlife or protecting livestock alike. A coyote German shepherd mix is a high-energy, wild animal. The physical activity can range anywhere from walking around the block with you or doing some dog training exercises which are low intensity but will keep them happy. One of the most important aspects of keeping your dog healthy and happy is exercise. High-intensity exercises can include jogging, playing catch, or hitchhiking while low-intensity workout routines should be focused on long walks with plenty of time for sniffing along the way! Training the German Shepherd Coyote Mix sounds like a rewarding experience. The best way to succeed is by being patient and understanding what your dog needs from you in order to succeed, which will ultimately lead them back into their loyal position as protectors. Effective boosting makes coaching exercises productive. This makes both parents dogs happy and less likely to get into trouble in future interactions with their pup siblings which saves time on correcting them during playtime too. The best way to keep your dog safe is by keeping them on a leash. A German Shepherd Coyote Mix may be one of the most energetic dogs out there. Expect this pup to need hours worth of playtime each day. Coyotes are usually straight and manageable — brushing once every two days will often do the trick. But when German Shepherd Coyote Mix experiences major shedding during this time of year there may be some tangles in close trimming or handling, if this happens make sure not only your fingers feel clean before touching another section of fur, but also that all tools used for grooming purposes have been cleaned with hot water between different areas on an individual basis as well. The longer the hair, the worse it becomes at collecting all that extra luscious fur in clumps and tangles so daily brushing is optimal for minimizing this problem. Bathing your Coyote Shepherd is an important part of keeping him clean and healthy. You should bathe them once a month, or use organic shampoo with a pleasant scent that will help you keep the smell great! They are usually more active than other breeds and require a bit more calories in their diets compared with an average poochie who likes sitting down after lunchtime snack time. A way to give your dog some extra nutrients is by putting them on a fresh foodstuff and giving them the occasional vegetable. Commercial foods are not always the best option for your dog. Make sure you check out some of these commercial food brands and read reviews from fellow pet parents before purchasing one of their products, as they may have had experience with this particular brand themselves. A coyote-dog mix is not a healthy animal. In fact, the health of these hybrids will likely suffer from conditions common in both parent animals throughout their lifetime. Remember that your dog needs to be vaccinated for rabies, kennel cough, and other diseases. Make sure they are up-to-date with all the necessary shots every year or risk infection. If you need high energy, this dog may be the perfect fit for you. However, consider evaluating whether or not quenching all needs in an active way with just one purebred can satisfy them completely. Consider checking out other moderate breeds before deciding on adding another mixed breed into household life if they are already full of different types. If you need high energy, this might be the breed for you. Post navigation. These animals are highly active, very smart, but cannot be trusted around small children. The person that suits the coyote shepherd is highly active, patient, and knowledgeable. These wild pets are not suitable for first-time dog owners. Are You Active Enough? Both of these animals are extremely athletic, and to keep the coydog from getting destructive, it will need a lot of exercise. Long runs, mental stimulation, and a spacious yard with a high fence are all necessities with this mix and will make for a happy and secure coydog. Not only are coydogs extremely active, but they are also challenging animals to control. You should be well versed in animal body language, training, and handling. You need to know how to recognize the signals of both dogs and coyotes. Going into owning one of these dogs without the requisite knowledge is simply asking for trouble. German Shepherd and Coyote Basic Facts German Shepherd coyote mixes are not extremely common, and as such, suit a very unique owner. Someone who is prepared for an intelligent and extremely active dog will stand the best chance of successfully raising one of these peculiar mixes. They are part of the herding group , which makes them naturally inclined to try and control other animals. They were used in Germany to herd sheep, guiding them through the fields, and protecting them from predators, like foxes, wolves, and yes, coyotes. German Shepherds are a medium to large-sized dog, with the females weighing in between pounds and the males being pounds. Some German Shepherds can be bigger than this, though, and the larger dogs are quite intimidating. This breed found its way over to the US in the early 20th century. They were first exhibited in in Philadelphia and Newcastle, where they were entered in the open class. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and take well to training. The German army used the dogs heavily in World War 1, and word of their loyalty and courage spread. Americans have looked to German shepherds as guardians of their property and families for decades, with there being many stories of these dogs saving the lives of their humans. These dogs are easily recognized by their tall, pointy ears, long snouts, and shaggy coat. They tend to shed a lot , and mud sticks well to their fur. For more on German Shepherd shedding and training, be sure to check out these two excellent articles linked below: German Shepherd Training Guide: All You Need to Know Coyote Basic Facts Coyotes are part of the canine family, but unlike dogs, the coyote is a wild animal whose traits reflect that. These mammals are extremely smart, like their cousins: foxes, wolves, and jackals. They use many forms of communication to speak with other members of their pack, though they mostly travel alone. Throughout much of North America, you can hear the mournful howl of a coyote at night. They often howl at the moon, and their yips and calls echo throughout canyons and mountainsides. This trademark sound is often passed on to the coydog offspring. Coyotes are smaller than German Shepherds, but only slightly. They usually weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, which lands them in between foxes and wolves for size. Coyotes can be white, tan, brown, or grey, with the warmer colors being found down south. These canines are highly adaptable to different living situations, which is why they have been established so successfully in so many different climates. From desert plain to deciduous forests and even urban sprawls, coyotes can reside and survive. When it comes to their young, both male and female coyotes are involved in caretaking. Males fetch food and bring it to the females who guard the babies. The gestation period for females is similar to that of dogs; around 60 days. While the animals are together, they are quite affectionate with one another. What to Expect With the Coyote German Shepherd Mix Now that we know what these animals are like on their own, we can begin to see how the characteristics would influence each other as they mix. Active German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise every day, while coyotes travel about 14 miles 24 kilometers every day. You can count on putting in hours of work to exercise your coydog seven days a week. Be sure that this is something you can commit to before getting a coyote shepherd. Loving Even though coyotes are wild animals, they are highly affectionate. A coydog is usually very fond of affection and will want to be near you all the time. If you let a coydog, they would happily sit on the couch or sleep in your bed. While your coydog might seem to ignore you and want to roam around outdoors, they will be very affectionate at home. Coat With both parents having similar fur, coyote shepherds are a thick-furred pet that can withstand very low temperatures. They are a good choice for someone who lives in the northern US and wants their dog to be comfortable in the winter. These dogs do shed a lot, though, so you may want to invest in a new vacuum before you bring your fur baby home. As far as color goes, the coyote shepherd can have almost any variation in color or markings. Some of these dogs could have a lighter colored chest or a mask around the face as a result of this peculiar mix of genes. Health Concerns As with any dog, there are some health concerns that are specific to this breed. Coyote shepherds are unique in that they are a cross-species animal, which can potentially make them a hardier mix. Hip Dysplasia The top issue when it comes to German shepherds is hip dysplasia. Like elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia is a congenital disorder where the joints are too loose, and the movement of the bones causes damage. To understand all about hip dysplasia and other joint problems in German Shepherds, make sure that you read the article linked below to give you an idea of what you may be dealing with if you choose this mixed breed: German Shepherd Joint Problems: All You Need to Know Elbow Dysplasia This is a hereditary disease that affects the front legs of many large breeds of dogs. Overweight dogs, over-exercised dogs, and injured dogs are at risk of developing this faster than other pups in their litter. With a coydog, you are unlikely to over exercise it, but you could easily overfeed it. Make sure you feed your coydog a lean, nutritional diet full of protein and vitamins. Arthritis The result of hip or elbow dysplasia is arthritis. Just like with humans, arthritis is an inflammation of the joint, which causes a loss of cartilage. As the joint is used and the cartilage wears away, movement becomes painful and stiff. Coydogs who are affected with dysplasia will get this eventually, though sometimes arthritis comes separately. Make sure that you read 10 Caring Ways to Help a German Shepherd With Arthritis to get a better idea what a diagnosis of arthritis really means to your dog. Bloat Another health risk passed down to coydogs from their dog parents is bloat. Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus is a condition that happens in many large dogs. It usually occurs when a dog is not very active and gulps its food down at high speeds. This fast-eating can allow an excess amount of air to enter the stomach, and the stomach twists on itself, restricting blood flow to the organs. If bloat occurs, a coydog must be rushed to a vet immediately. You can reduce the chance of bloat by feeding your dog two or three smaller meals per day instead of one. Heartworms Some breeds of dogs are more prone to heartworms than others, and coydogs are one of them. This disease is exactly how it sounds: worms infect the heart and restrict blood flow. Oral medication can be given regularly to diminish the likelihood of heartworm infection in coydogs. We also find it very convenient that you only need to apply it once every 30 days. Trainability To properly train a coyote shepherd, you will need a lot of patience, knowledge, and a firm tone. These animals are extremely clever, and therefore can learn many commands, but they are also wild. These wild dogs are food motivated, so a combination of treats and clicker training will be effective. Even with a well-trained coydog, you are never going to be guaranteed that they will choose to listen to you rather than their instincts, though. You should never leave a coyote shepherd unattended with a child and never let them off-leash in an area where they could get into trouble. Your coydog will love to run around in the woods, so make sure you instill them with good recall; otherwise, they may run farther than you could ever catch them. These dogs are also very observant. They will stand on alert, constantly watching for prey and potential dangers. Coyote shepherds will be quick to react if something good or bad happens, so sudden movements around these dogs should be kept to a minimum in case they get spooked or snap. Since these dogs are half of a wild animal, they will have unpredictable tendencies. You will need to take your coydog puppy everywhere with you to get them used to all sorts of people and places. Keep your puppy on a leash, but encourage them to explore and meet strangers. They are made with real chicken and whole food berries, so they are quite nutritious. At home, your coydog will be very cuddly. They love to nest and would appreciate a warm bed with a blanket. Your coyote shepherd will enjoy getting pets from you, though they may be a bit standoffish with strangers. They should get along well with other dogs, as long as you have socialized them sufficiently as a puppy. Other canines might not enjoy this, though, so keep an eye out when meeting new dogs. Nutritional Requirements A German Shepherd coyote mix would benefit greatly from a high protein diet. Coyotes are not picky eaters, but they do need a lot of meat, and your coydog will too. Prepare to take up hiking or running as part of your daily routine. You should aim for two to three hours of physical exercise per day for your coydog. For example, check out the iCrate from Midwest Homes. This will give you a blueprint on just how much money, time, and effort will be required for the coydog. Final Thoughts A coyote shepherd is a unique dog that would be a good fit for a very experienced and active owner. The ideal dog of this breed will be intelligent, loyal, and adventurous. But a less than ideal coydog can be unruly, unpredictable, and sensitive. You should expect to work hard with your dog and open to getting a trainer at the first sign of aggression. Keep these pointers in mind should you choose to pursue getting one of these mixes. These dogs require a lot of work — training, exercise, and proper nutrition are a must. Rather, this unique canine has inherited genes from all three species. However, the exact percentages can vary quite a bit based on where the hybrid canine lives geographically. All domestic dogs are now thought to be descended from wild wolves. This means that all dogs, including the German Shepherd dog breed, already share a genetic link to their wild cousins. But what is the connection that dogs and wolves share with coyotes? As Scholastic researchers explain, coyotes and wolves also share a great deal of DNA. This means that, in addition to the coydog, the coywolf is actually a similar but separate crossbreeding. What is most important to remember here is that the coyote, the wild wolf, and the domestic dog are all closely related from a genetic basis. This means that all three can potentially crossbreed with each other to produce viable offspring. Recall the coywolf example from the introduction — biologists determined it contains genetic influence from wild wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. But for technical purposes, the terms coydog and coywolf are used to describe two different cross breeding outcomes as follows: Coydog: Coyote German Shepherd mix dog breed. Coywolf: Coyote wild wolf mix breed. This simply means that the dog has received genetic influence from different canid canine species. The best way to start learning about these unique hybrid dog breeds is to examine the history of each parent species. Coyotes have a signature howling call and a history of near-continual persecution. The coyote has a cartoon character, Wile E. Coyote, to thank for the grudging public support it has since received. In direct contrast to how settlers have traditionally viewed coyotes, much of Native American culture sees coyotes as a positive force and even a deity. Coyotes are related quite closely to another canid species, the golden jackal. The golden jackal hails from Africa and the two species began to evolve separately as recently as 80, years ago. Today, coyotes have proven they can thrive in both their natural wild setting and in urban areas while living alongside people. The German Shepherd dog: a brief history The German Shepherd, in contrast, is one of the most popular pet dogs in America — the second most popular to be exact. The GSD, as fans often nickname this dog breed, has a long and distinguished history that dates back to the 19th century. These dogs are famous for serving as herding and livestock guarding dogs. These dogs can do it all — run, jump, swim, track, hunt, herd, and, of course, protect, and guard. What does this tell us about the Coyote German Shepherd mix? It tells us that this canine is going to be smart, resilient, athletic, tireless, and strong. For that information, we need to dig deeper into aspects like personality and temperament, trainability, and exercise needs. Even if the breeding itself happens without your knowledge, it may still be illegal to keep such hybrid canids in captive settings as companion canines or pets. If you wish to live with a hybrid canid, you should check with your local city, county, and state regulations regarding wild animals before making this commitment. As well, be aware that no ethical dog breeder should enter into a hybrid breeding program where one canine parent is a wild species. Any breeder advertising the sale of coywolfdogs or similar hybrid canid puppies should be dealt with cautiously. Coyote German Shepherd Mix: Personality and Temperament As with any hybrid canid, whether a fully domestic dog or mix-species, it can be challenging to correctly predict adult temperament in advance. This is just the nature of the hybrid breeding process. The earliest generations F1 of crossbred puppies will each inherit an unpredictable mix of genes from each parent canine. Coyotes are mostly solitary in the wild, according to Live Science. Packs form and hunt in relay teams so they can outlast fleet prey like deer. A coyote will mark their territory by urinating. Their trademark vocalization, a haunting howl, helps solitary coyotes communicate with one another over very long distances. German Shepherds really need and want to be with their human families. They have no concept of training or life as human pets. In rare cases, coyote kits babies have been hand-reared and tamed by humans. They may even be a danger to their human caregivers and domestic animal species. What does this mean for a coyote German Shepherd mix living in captivity? Coyote German Shepherd Mix: Size, Height, and Weight Of the two canids, the German Shepherd domestic dog is always going to have the advantage in size, height, and weight. However, what the coyote lacks in size this canid will more than make up for in energy and prey drive. An adult coyote can weigh anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds. The California Wolf Center states that an adult coyote typically stands anywhere from 21 to 24 inches from paw pads to shoulders. As with many domestic dog breeds, wild coyotes will often differ in size, height, and weight in adulthood. Adult males will weigh more and stand slightly taller than adult females. The German Shepherd dog in adulthood may stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches paw pads to shoulders and weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds. Typically the adult male German Shepherd dog will stand up to four inches taller and weigh 15 to 20 pounds more than the adult female GSD. The coyote is sized more like a medium domestic dog. In contrast, the German Shepherd dog is clearly in the large dog category for both height and weight. A coyote German shepherd mix will most likely weigh between 30 and 70 pounds, but this will depend to a great degree on the size, height, and weight of each canine parent. A small coyote and a small GSD will produce much smaller kits puppies than would the pairing of a large coyote and a large German Shepherd. These are both very active, energetic canids. However, where there is a marked difference is when it comes to active hours. The German Shepherd has been bred to be highly attuned to and protective of both people and livestock. In contrast, the coyote is known to be largely nocturnal — hunting, patrolling their territory and moving about at night, and sleeping during the day. A full-grown adult coyote can easily run up to 30 miles per hour. However, there are cases where hand-reared coyote kits pups have been trained to some degree by human carers. German Shepherds have an abnormally strong herding and guarding drive. Due to this, they benefit greatly from early and ongoing socialization — around both strange people and new animals. This early and ongoing training will ensure the adult GSD is able to adjust well to living in a family and community. GSDs are bred to work tirelessly and with single-minded intensity and focus. A bored German Shepherd is very likely to become a destructive dog. For pet GSDs, getting involved in agility or services can be a great outlet for their energy. This can cause GSDs pain in bones and ligaments, and even lead to skeletal injury in some cases. A coyote German Shepherd mix is guaranteed to be extremely high energy, driven, and athletic. Although it may not be feasible given personal situations, training will be most productive for this mixed breed dog in puppyhood. Coyote German Shepherd Mix: Shedding, Coat, and Grooming Needs Both coyotes and German Shepherds have protective coats that consist of two layers: a water-resistant, thick outer layer and a soft, downy insulating underlayer. You can expect an adult coyote German shepherd dog hybrid to need at least weekly brushing and the occasional bath to stay healthy. Coyote German Shepherd Mix: Longevity and Health Issues Coyote longevity and health A wild coyote has a life expectancy in the teens, but the average lifespan of wild coyotes is only around three years. Life in the wild can be very hard! In captivity, a coyote may live up to 14 years. Coyotes can be susceptible to a wide range of health issues and diseases, including some that are zoonotic transmissible to humans. The Urban Coyote Research Project cites these particular health issues that coyotes are known to develop: Heartworm Rabies German Shepherd longevity and health As with many large dog breeds, the German Shepherd has a shorter overall life expectancy than their smaller breed peers. The typical GSD life expectancy ranges from seven to 10 years. German Shepherds can inherit certain serious health conditions that may be life-limiting. They fall under the herding group, which means they are naturally inclined to herd or control livestock and other animals. They were commonly used in Germany for herding sheep, controlling them in the fields and protecting them from foxes, wolves and coyotes yes, you read that right! German Shepherds are medium-to-large-sized dogs, with males weighing around 65 to 90 pounds and females being 50 to 70 pounds. However, some of these dogs can be larger than this. The breed made its way to the United States in the early 20th century. German Shepherds are very intelligent and easy to train. The German army relied heavily on these dogs during the First World War, thanks to their loyalty and courage. Americans have kept German Shepherds as guard dogs for decades. German Shepherds are recognized by their shaggy coat, long muzzles and pointy ears. These dogs shed heavily and mud tends to stick well to their hair. So, what about the Coyote? Coyotes are considered to be canines, but unlike dogs, coyotes are wild animals with traits that reflect that. They are very clever, just like their cousins: jackals, foxes and wolves. They use several forms of communication to talk to other pack members, though they tend to travel separately. They usually howl at the moon. Their trademark howl is usually passed on to their offspring. The coyote is slightly smaller than a German Shepherd. They generally weigh around 20 to 50 pounds, putting them in between wolves and foxes when it comes to size. Both are noticeably similar to wolves in terms of appearance. In fact, the German Shepherd is said to be the closest breed of dogs to coyotes when it comes to appearance. So, what does a German Shepherd and coyote mix look like? Generally, the most recognizable feature of a German Shepherd Coyote Mix is a face mask, which is usually white in color. They also have a downward-bent shaggy tail, piercing eyes and long, triangular ears. Coyote German Shepherd Mix Size. Height and Weight The Coyote German Shepherd Mix is generally a medium to large dog that weighs around 60 to pounds. The height of a full grown Coydog also varies, with most of these dogs being around inches tall. Coat and Coat Colors German Shepherd coyote mixes are thick-coated dogs that can tolerate very cold conditions. This makes them a good choice for anyone who lives in northern America and wants their pet to be comfortable during the winter. Coyote Shepherds will have different color variations. Some Coyote Shepherds can have a light-colored chest or a face mask due to this strange combination of genes. This trait is often passed on to the Coydog, and the coyote Shepherd is often unpredictable. These dogs have unpredictable behaviors because they are half German Shepherd and half coyote, a wild animal. Therefore, owners should know that the personality traits of this breed will vary even within the same litter. Their unpredictable tendencies also make them unsuitable for first time owners. Coyote Shepherds tend to be more aggressive and less cooperative compared to other dog breeds. With German Shepherds being generally even-tempered, however, chances are your coyote Shepherd will be calm most of the time. These pups are also very alert. They are always observant, constantly looking for potential threats. Coyote Shepherds also tend to react very quickly, so quick movements around them should be avoided. Coyote Shepherds tend to be one-person dogs, since they crave attention. If socialized and trained early , however, they can become calm and loving family pets. Anyone interested in owning this dog must be a confident, firm and a patient pack leader. They should do well with other dogs provided they have been sufficiently socialized as puppies. However, their interactions with kids, cats and other pets should be supervised because of their size and wild instincts. Want to train your dog without spending hundreds of dollars? Click Here to check out the brain training for Dogs course now! Living Conditions The coyote German Shepherd is not suitable for apartment living. These dogs require a fenced-in yard to play and exercise. Coydogs generally tend to be territorial and aggressive. Their wild instincts can cause them to wander. This makes them dangerous in urban areas or apartments. Rural homes are best suited to these dogs. Training Your German Shepherd coyote mix will require proper training from puppyhood to get them used to people, children and other pets. Socialization is a must at a young age since these dogs are sometimes shy and quite aggressive towards unfamiliar people or other family pets. You should be firm yet patient when training these dogs since coydogs are some of the most difficult dogs to train and control. If you intend to adopt a coyote Shepherd, be sure to set the rules first and use positive training methods. Avoid leaving a German Shepherd coyote mix unattended with small kids and avoid leaving them off leash in places where they could cause trouble or get themselves into trouble. Exercise Needs Both parent animals are agile, and to prevent your coyote Shepherd from becoming destructive, he needs plenty of exercise. To be compatible with your coyote Shepherd dog, you need to be someone who jogs or runs for at least 2 hours each day. Physical activity, mental stimulation and a fenced-in yard are also necessary for this crossbreed to be a happy and healthy dog. Shedding and Grooming Needs Both parent animals have a thick coat and they shed a lot. A coyote Shepherd should be brushed like other pups of the same size and coat type. You should also trim their nails at least once a month. They tend to do well on dry kibble, but do better on a raw diet comprising a lot of raw meat. Therefore, you should choose a dog food brand with meat as one of its main ingredients. Or you can consider feeding them a raw meat diet. You should feed them two to three times each day, with easy access to raw bones throughout the day. You should also offer them fresh water throughout the day. Proper care and attention can help prolong their life span. Health Issues Coydogs are very hardy dogs, just like their wild counterparts, strong and fit enough to do well in the wilderness. Therefore, there are a few health problems that can affect these dogs. The German Shepherd coyote mix is unique because it is a cross-species creature, which might make this a sturdier hybrid. Some of the health issues that are specific to the coyote Shepherd include: Hip Dysplasia.

Rabies Vaccine Rabies is a viral infection caused by a virus secreted in the saliva. According to the Humane Society , because the infection affects the nervous system, most rabid animals behave abnormally. When should puppies get rabies shots? Generally speaking, puppies should get their first rabies shot around 16 weeks of age and again between years old. Rabies Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks Booster: every 3 years Non-core Vaccines Non-core vaccines are important, but they are considered optional for dogs with less risk of infection. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle and where you live or travel. Bordetella Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium associated with respiratory disease in dogs and is known to cause the most severe form of kennel cough. Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, congestion, etc. Some veterinarians may recommend Bordetella as a core vaccine for puppies based on their living environment, especially for social dogs who spend time in areas where they might come into contact with the bacteria like the dog park, boarding facilities, or doggy daycare. The vaccination can be given orally, intranasally, or by injection. Bordetella Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks Booster: every year Leptospira Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by infection of the genus Leptospira, which are found in water and soil. The zoonotic disease spreads easily from animals to humans and is more common in warm climate areas with high annual rainfall; the Leptospira vaccine may be considered core in these areas. Signs of leptospirosis may include shivering, fever, muscle tenderness, increased thirst, dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, jaundice, kidney failure, liver failure, etc. Leptospira Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks 3rd shot: 1 year Booster: every year There is also a 5-way vaccine known as DHLPP, which is a combination vaccine of distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvo. Lyme disease Lyme disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. The most common symptoms in dogs include loss of appetite, lameness, joint swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. More serious cases can also develop kidney complications. The Lyme disease vaccine is highly recommended for dogs that live in or frequently travel to areas known for Lyme disease, as well as those living in areas with a high risk of tick exposure. Lyme Vaccination Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks 2nd shot: weeks later Booster: every year Canine Influenza Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting dogs. The virus is spread through aerosols or droplets containing respiratory secretions from barking, sneezing, and coughing. Dogs in close contact with infected dogs in places like daycare facilities, groomers, and kennels are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. CIV causes an acute respiratory infection in dogs, with the most common clinical sign being a cough that persists for up to 21 days. Vaccines are available for both H3N2 and H3N8 canine influenza. A bivalent vaccine offering protection against both strains is available as well. Dogs become infected when they swallow the parasite that may be present in water or other substances that have been soiled with feces leading to the disease Giardiasis. Giardia in dogs usually causes diarrhea, weight loss, or even death. Giardia is an available vaccine for puppies 8 weeks of age and older for 6 months of immunity against giardiasis. Most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Young dogs are at a high risk of contracting the disease, so the vaccine is highly recommended for puppies under eight weeks. Rattlesnake vaccine A rattlesnake vaccine can help dogs build antibodies to rattlesnake venom from bites that are often deadly and severely painful to dogs. The antibodies work to neutralize the venom, thereby significantly extending the window of time you have to take your dog to the emergency room , increasing their odds of survival. Protect yourself from heartbreak without breaking the bank. Compare quotes to find the best deal for your budget. After that, puppies should receive a series of vaccines every two to four weeks until actual protein can be achieved between the ages of 6 and 20 weeks old. Your vet will determine a safe vaccine schedule for your puppy based on their weight, health, age, etc. Some pet parents prefer getting multiple puppy shots in one vet visit to minimize stress on their pet, whereas others prefer to spread the shots out to reduce possible side effects and soreness — talk to your vet to create a safe vaccine schedule that works for you and your puppy. Rabies depends on local laws but is usually given by the time your dog reaches 3 to 6 months old. When should puppies have all their shots by? Most vets prefer giving the final DHPP shot at 16 weeks or later; however, new recommendations suggest up to 20 weeks out. When do puppies need booster shots? Abstaining from booster shots can put your puppy at risk. However, not all vaccines require yearly boosters. DHPP vaccine booster: every two weeks for a total of three sets, then every three years Lepto, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine booster: one month after the initial series, then annually Bordetella booster: 1 year or every 6 months where there is a concern Rabies booster: every 1 to 3 years after the initial round, depending on state laws Puppy Vaccine Schedule There are several types of puppy shots your pet might get in their first year. In addition to a deworming schedule, your vet will suggest a vaccination schedule for puppies based on their age, environment, and medical history. Most vets recommend this general timeline for first-year puppy shots: weeks of age Between 6- and 8-weeks-old, puppies get their first shot of the DHPP distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus vaccine. They might also receive their first round of vaccinations for Bordetella and Lyme disease. Leptospira Lepto is a common puppy vaccination administered around this time frame. They'll also get their first rabies vaccine depending on state-mandated vaccine schedules for puppies, as well as a second shot of the Lepto vaccine if applicable. Boosters Every Years Puppies will need a booster shot for all vaccines at age 1. Dogs need booster vaccinations for Bordetella, Lepto, Lyme, and Giardia annually receiving their first immunization as an adult. The vaccination schedule for DHPP and rabies is every 3 years, but check your local laws and defer to your veterinarian's advice to ensure your pet stays free of disease. How much are puppy shots? Non-essential vaccines your vet may recommend will also increase the price. Note that puppy shots cost more or less depending on several different factors, including your location. For instance, vets in crowded urban areas tend to charge more than vets in smaller towns and rural areas. Also keep in mind that you'll need to budget for booster shots in one- or three-year intervals to ensure your pet stays protected from disease. Fortunately, vaccines for dogs are less expensive than first-year puppy shots because boosters are administered in one dose every few years, as opposed to multiple doses every few weeks. All puppies need to get the core vaccines, i. Your veterinarian will consider the risk factors and advise you on which vaccines are best for your puppy during the first vet visit. No, but both vaccines for puppies are often combined in one shot. Distemper and parvovirus are two different illnesses that are potentially fatal if not treated quickly. What is the 5-in-1 shot for puppies? Do puppies need 3 or 4 sets of shots? It depends on their age; vets may recommend a shorter puppy vaccination schedule for dogs over 16 weeks old and not yet fully vaccinated. How many shots do puppies need before going outside? A titer test is a blood test showing whether your puppy has antibodies for a particular illness. The test can be used to determine the effectiveness of a vaccine and help determine if or which booster vaccines your dog needs. Most doggy daycares and boarding facilities do not accept a titer test in lieu of a puppy vaccination record. When should puppies get dewormed? Because worms are very common in puppies, veterinarians recommend deworming them for the first time when they're two to three weeks old. Is there a heartworm vaccine for puppies? Preventatives can either be administered as monthly medication or every six months by injection. How can you save money on puppy shots? One way to save money on puppy vaccines is by visiting a low-cost vaccination clinic. These clinics typically offer packages that combine a bundle of vaccinations into a lower price point, but also offer individual options if your dog is due for a specific vaccine. Another way to save money on puppy shots is by purchasing a pet wellness plan through a pet insurance provider. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Titers measure antibody levels in the blood through laboratory analysis or by in-clinic antibody test kits. The results come in the form of positive there are protective levels of the antibody against the virus or negative there are not protective levels of antibody against the virus in the blood. The memory cells file away the information from the virus, so it can respond so subsequent exposure before symptoms appear. Lack of distinction between the two kinds of responses may be why some practitioners think titers can suddenly disappear. A positive titer test result in an unvaccinated, but healthy dog or cat suggests prior exposure to and recovery from infection. And it means that the dog or cat now has protective immunity. A positive titer test result in a previously vaccinated dog or cat correlates well with protective immunity. A negative titer test result in a previously vaccinated dog or cat must be interpreted on the basis of age and prior vaccination history. It can mean the animal is protected with the help of memory cells, or it can mean he or she is susceptible to infection. If your dog has had a previous positive titer, then this is a good indication that there are protective memory cells present. Full laboratory titer testing is often costly and might take several days for results. Fortunately, two companies now offer in-clinic antibody titer test kits to veterinarians that are much more affordable and super quick — you can get results in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. TiterCHEK , manufactured by Synbiotics Corporation, offers testing for canine distemper and canine parvovirus with results shown as positive or negative. VacciCheck , manufactured by Biogal Galed Laboratories, offers testing for canine adenovirus, canine distemper, canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus FCV , feline herpesvirus FHV and feline parvovirus with results shown as negative, low positive, significant positive or high positive. Keep in mind that these test kits have been correlated through gold standard lab tests such as virus neutralization VN or hemagglutination inhibition HI , or challenge testing results. Animal vaccines are licensed based on challenge — considered the only true test of protective immunity — where unvaccinated animals are infected with a virus to manifest clinical illness and vaccinated animals remain healthy. This correlation is done in order to be able to accurately represent a defined threshold of antibody. Today, in-clinic titer test kits for canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus and feline parvovirus correlate well with gold standard tests. So when these in-clinic tests are performed properly, it means that a positive test result demonstrates the dog or cat does have protective levels of antibody against the virus. To date, a rabies virus antibody titer cannot be interpreted as an index of immunity in lieu of revaccination. Some dogs do not need every vaccine. This decision is between you and your veterinarian. Always discuss puppy vaccinations at your regularly scheduled appointments. That said, here is a generally accepted guideline of the puppy vaccination schedule for the first year. You also need to learn more about vaccines before deciding what is best for your baby. Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder. Adenovirus type 1 canine hepatitis Adenovirus type 2 kennel cough Lyme disease Bordetella Leptospirosis, and Parainfluenza. While a young puppy or French Bulldog is still small and has not completed the core vaccinations, it would be best to keep them away from kennels, dog parks, or spaces and places where they could contract various illnesses that they have not yet formed any immunity to. At what age should my French Bulldog be vaccinated? The age at which you should get your French Bulldog vaccinated will vary depending on which vaccine it is and may come in doses rather than a single shot. A puppy as young as six weeks can begin a series of shots for distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus type 1 for hepatitis, adenovirus type 2 for kennel cough, parainfluenza, and Bordetella optional. At 16 weeks or three months, your French Bulldog should receive its first rabies shot, although some may vaccinate for rabies as early as 12 weeks. The rabies vaccination can be done in a single shot or dose and is often regulated by the state the age at which your French Bulldog should be vaccinated. If you choose to vaccinate your French Bulldog for Lyme disease, this can be done at week nine and require two doses to complete, two to four weeks apart. At eight weeks old, you may choose to vaccinate your puppy for Leptospirosis. The Leptospirosis vaccine must also be completed in two doses two to four weeks apart. A vaccine is available for Canine Influenza and can be administered at weeks, and is also completed in two doses two to four weeks apart. What is the purpose of the main vaccinations? These vaccines are crucial barriers to protecting your French Bulldog from very serious diseases and infections that could endanger their lives and other dogs or wildlife. While many are aware of rabies and its destructive nature to dogs due to the lack of a cure, familiarity with the other core vaccines and their purpose is not as common. Distemper is a serious, extremely contagious, and often fatal disease in dogs that is very much like rabies. The disease can cause coughing, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite in your French Bulldog. Seizures are common, and a common initial symptom is a puss-like discharge in their eyes. Adenovirus type 1 protects your dog from infectious canine hepatitis, which is not unlike human hepatitis, a disease that attacks the liver. Adenovirus type 2 helps prevent kennel cough, an acute respiratory infection in dogs that causes coughing and sneezing, much like a cold in humans. Parvovirus in canines is an extremely contagious infection that causes vomiting, fever, nausea, and bloody diarrhea. Parainfluenza is another highly contagious infection that acts as respiratory disease, causing cough and canine cough. Much like a human virus, parainfluenza can cause a cough, sneezing, a fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Kennel Cough are often accompanied by some bacterial infections such as Bordetella. For this reason, many dog owners choose to vaccinate their dogs for Bordetella along with the core vaccines. The most common side effect of vaccination in your French Bulldog or puppy will likely be feeling sore or lethargic. Most puppies and dogs are back to normal energy and behavior within a couple of days. Sometimes small lumps or bumps that may be sensitive to touch can be found at the injection site of vaccination. New ways to implement vaccines, such as the Bordetella spray vaccine, were developed to create immunities in the first place where a dog might develop or be prone to infection from the disease, may have the adverse effect of causing your French Bulldog to have the sniffles or sneeze. Very serious reactions, such as anaphylaxis or infections and abscesses at the site of vaccine infection, are exceedingly rare. Adverse reactions of this degree often occur within hours of vaccination, and your veterinarian should be contacted and seen immediately to treat these issues. What should I expect from the veterinarian? The veterinarian will do a full-scale physical examination of your puppy, checking weight, temperature, and lymph nodes, then do a brief behavioral observation allowing your pup to walk around the room. Your veterinarian should explain the vaccination schedule for your puppy, appropriate to its age and any previous vaccination history. Then the veterinarian will administer the shots as necessary in a relatively quick and mostly painless process. Vaccinations for your French Bulldog or French Bulldog puppy will vary depending upon what veterinarian services your dog. If you got your French Bulldog or French Bulldog puppy from a shelter, it is more than likely that the shelter has already paid for and administered the necessary vaccines for your dog. Should I vaccinate my French Bulldog every year? Most vaccine schedules propose that dog owners bring their pets and dogs in for a booster shot at least once a year. The core vaccination shots for distemper, adenovirus types 1 and 2, parvovirus, and parainfluenza should be taken one year after initial series completion. Once the vaccination has been administered in this timeline, the best practice is to administer a booster once every three years. After the first year of a successful Rabies shot administration, most dogs are eligible to get the three-year rabies shot, a dosage that will only require a booster every three years. Non-core vaccinations are optional but are often recommended boosters of one year if dog owners choose to get them. Your local veterinarian or canine care provider will be able to walk you through the process, ensuring the best practices are followed for your French Bulldog. Vaccinations are a key component of canine health for your beloved French Bulldog and will help your French Bulldog or puppy live their healthiest, longest, and most enjoyable life. While there are some mild reactions and side effects to dog and puppy vaccination, more likely than not, these issues will resolve in a short period and will be well worth the initial discomfort your French Bulldog might feel. However, there are recommended guidelines you need to consider around what point your puppy is with their vaccinations and injections. When can a puppy go outside for walks? The first lot of vaccinations should be done around the 6-week mark, with the second injections happening at around 12 weeks of age. Puppies can go outside for walks 2 weeks after their final set of vaccinations. The second injection typically occurs at 12 weeks old, meaning your puppy can go outside when they are around 16 weeks of age. Can puppies go out in the garden before injections? Puppies can go in the garden before their vaccination injections. Un-vaccinated dogs pose a health risk to puppies who have yet to have their injections. Having your young puppy go out in the garden before injections is good for their development. It means that they get some fresh air and get used to the outdoors, which will make their first walk a lot less intimidating for them once that time comes. Only let your puppy socialise with dogs you already know have been vaccinated and in the safety of your backyard or garden. Once your puppy has had their initial lot of vaccinations, it is important to not skip the second set. This will help avoid them from catching any illnesses or diseases in the future. Most dogs will need booster vaccinations once a year following these two initial vaccines, although your vet will tell you if another treatment plan is more appropriate. Can my puppy go out in the garden before the second vaccination? The second lot of vaccinations can be administered once the dog is at least twelve weeks or three months old. So, in most cases, this would be 4 weeks after you bring your puppy home for the first time. Can puppies go in the garden before the second injection? Never expose your puppy to unknown dogs before they have completed all vaccinations. Once your puppy has received their second vaccinations, it is safe for them to go beyond the garden and to be taken on walks. Puppies can go out in the garden before their second vaccination, but with some caveats. What age can puppies go to kennels? If your puppy is likely to spend time at kennels in the near future, they will need an additional vaccination to protect them against kennel cough, which they can catch from other dogs. Puppies can go to kennels once they reach 12 weeks old. By this time, they will have had all of their injections and will be fully vaccinated against a range of health problems including kennel cough. It is possible to have your puppy vaccinated against kennel cough from 6 weeks old. However, kennel owners will still insist that the dog has had its full range of injections including the second set which typically occurs after 12 weeks. Can I take my dog out before vaccinations? You can take your dog out before vaccinations, but it needs to be in a controlled environment such as your own garden or backyard. What are the injections for? The vaccinations protect your puppy from a range of dangerous diseases and viruses including canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus. What are the risks if I take my puppy outside too early? If you take your puppy outside before they have had both injections, they will be exposed to some or all of the serious diseases cited above, giving them an increased chance of becoming infected and unwell, especially since their immune system is more vulnerable than older dogs who have missed a booster. They could catch it from interacting with an unvaccinated dog, walking in an area inhabited by certain diseases or even directly licking dangerous things outside that could not only carry a serious disease, but also be poisonous in itself. This could lead to them developing an anxious and skittish disposition during a very formative period in their lives. Behavior like this can be hard to undo and reverse. Finally, if you take your puppy on walks too early, you risk over-exercising them, which can lead to injuries and joint problems like early-onset arthritis in the future. Puppies can go outside in your garden at 12 weeks old providing they have had their injections. If you want to get your pup used to the outside world without overwhelming them or exposing them to harmful diseases, you can carry them as opposed to walking them on a lead or letting them roam of their own accord — this has the dual effect of keeping them away from harm and making them feel more safe and secure. The bottom line is this; to be completely on the safe side, puppies can go out in the garden before their injections as you have complete control over this situation. An 8-week-old puppy go out in my garden as can a week-old. You should take your new puppy to the vets anyway, for a general health check. How much should they walk after injections? Once your puppy has had their second lot of vaccinations, it is usually safe around the 14 to week mark to take them out on their first walk. However, make sure you are attuned to how much exercise your pup can manage and be careful to not overexert them. For a dog under 6 months, a ten minute walk a couple times a day is usually more than enough. A good rule of thumb to gradually increase their stamina and exercise as they grow bigger and older is to extend your walks by five minutes every month. If you have difficulties controlling your dog off-the-lead, you should contact a professional dog-trainer. Conclusion When you bring home an adorable bundle of fluff full of boundless energy and excitement, it can be tempting to launch straight into a fun and active lifestyle, with long walks and play sessions in the great outdoors. Finding the right balance between integrating your puppy into everyday life and protecting them against harmful diseases and other dangers can be especially difficult at first, but you will be able to find a way that works for both you and your pup as time goes by and you both get to know each other better. Go with your gut to find the right balance, but if you have any further doubts you can speak to your vet or a trainer to find the best way to navigate this process of introducing your puppy to the world. It is a daunting but ultimately very rewarding task! Handy Hint: Please now read my guide to walking French Bulldogs. It includes notes on walking distances, regularity, and best practices to keep things safe. You might also like…. Email Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. Then give them a treat. Sign up for product updates, offers, and learn more about The Wildest, and other Mars Petcare brands. Must be over 16 years to sign up. I'm In See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights. The process of scheduling more than a handful of puppy shots can be dizzying. Your vet can personalize a vaccination protocol to your dog based on their age, lifestyle, and risk of contracting various diseases in the places where they spend time. Core vaccines are named as such because they prevent the most common and dangerous diseases, and if all dogs get them as they should , it can lead to herd immunity; an example of a core vaccine for dogs is the rabies vaccine. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs. Non-Core Vaccines Non-core vaccines are not recommended for all dogs. They protect against diseases that are less common or that are only a risk for dogs that are exposed to certain environments or activities. Despite being a potent cocktail, this one requires a couple of boosters, spaced out a month apart. Non-Core Vaccines Leptospirosis This infection is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted through the urine of an infected animal usually rats , either by direct contact or contact with contaminated soil or water. Bordetella The Bordetella pathogen is the most common cause of kennel cough , which is super contagious. In fact, most kennels require it if your pup will be boarding there day or night. This one runs its course in six months, so stay up-to-date with the boosters. Similar to Bordetella above, canine flu is recommended for pups with healthy social lives dog park, daycare, etc. While less of a threat in an urban area, Lyme disease is pretty rampant in rural, wooded environments. If you live in such an area, your vet will highly recommend it. Knowing what vaccines are out there is only the beginning; you also need to know when to vaccinate puppies. How much do puppy shots cost? Some veterinarians offer vaccination packages, which lower the cost-per-shot. Related article It covers your pet so you can get that broken leg fixed — while keeping your wallet happy. Alternately, you can opt for a Titer , a blood test that measures antibodies and determines if your dog is already immune. What are the adverse reactions caused by vaccines in dogs? Pain or Swelling at the Injection Site Pain and swelling at the injection site is very common. Avoid applying pressure to the area where your pup got their shot, and let them rest up as much as they can. Firm swelling under the injection site may last longer than a few days; you should contact your veterinarian if it lasts longer than three weeks or is growing larger. Related article When the bills rack up, these resources have your back. Mild Fever Your pup also may have a mild fever. Dogs run warmer than humans; a fever for a dog is any temperature above degrees Fahrenheit. Lethargy Lethargy, including a decreased appetite, is another common symptom. Your pup may get a few more naps in that usual , have a decreased appetite , or seem depressed. What should I do if my dog misses a vaccine? If your dog misses a vaccine booster, you should contact your veterinarian right away. They can help you determine the best way to get on track. If your pup is only a few weeks late, they may be able to get the booster without a problem. If months or years have passed, your pup will likely have to restart the vaccination course to be sure they are fully protected. That said, before you leash up your pup, you should avoid taking your dog to dog parks or other areas where they may be exposed to other dogs for a few days after vaccination. Keep your dog away from other animals, such as cats and rodents, too. Contact your veterinarian right away; they can help you determine the best way to get on track. Depending on how much time has passed between vaccinations, your pup may have to restart their vaccination schedule or continue with boosters as planned. Dogs can experience pain or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, or lethargy. Puppies need three rounds of vaccines in their first year. They can then be boosted on an annual schedule. What do I need to know about immunizations for my Frenchie puppy? This information will all be in the packet you will receive when you obtain your puppy. Zoetis is a modified live virus for vaccination of healthy dogs 6 weeks of age or older as an aid in preventing canine distemper caused by canine distemper CD virus, infectious canine hepatitis ICH caused by canine adenovirus type 1 CAV-1 , respiratory disease caused by canine adenovirus type 2 CAV-2 , canine parainfluenza caused by canine parainfluenza CPI virus, and canine parvoviral enteritis caused by canine parvovirus CPV. The first vaccination that we give at 6 weeks also includes a protection against corona virus. We keep all of our puppies up-to-date on all of their immunizations and we now give them to our puppies at 6 and 9 weeks, and they should receive their 3rd DAPP vaccination at 12 weeks. Most of you will receive your new puppy at approximately 9 weeks of age and it is important that you take your Frenchie to your vet to receive the rest of the immunizations per schedule. This is only one of the reasons why it is critical to establish a good relationship with a qualified vet as soon as possible. It should be noted that there are many well renown experts in the field who feel that a yearly booster for dogs is excessive since the protection provided by the vaccination lasts several years in many cases and they feel that unnecessary vaccinations can do more harm than good, yet another good reason to establish a positive veterinary relationship. Have More Questions?

Call Today! We breed from only the best quality bloodlines in the world adhering to the strict German SV standard. Our dogs are health tested hips, elbows, back and DM and are titled from both showline and working lines, raised in the house and already started before they go home! What else separates us from other Michigan German Shepherd Breeders? Von Buchmann German Shepherds, aka Michigan German Shepherds, is not a kennel but we are a home where our handful of dogs, bred to the strict German standard, stay inside with us and are a part of our family. They are family members to us. We stay small so every dog can get the attention and time they deserve, and our puppies can be raised in a family situation. Our puppies are not only born in the house, but they stay in the house. Our German Shepherd puppies go from our whelping box right to crate training and house breaking introduction. We get several comments from families they are very easy to finish housetraining. Phoenix von Buchmann IGP3 ang a normal hips and elbows dm clear, queen of the house and grandma to all of our showline babies Preserving the breed is at the utmost importance to us so our dogs are bred to uphold German SV standards. We breed to the German SV standard to ensure we have the most stable and healthy dogs for your family. I, Peggy Buchman, grew up with German Shepherd dogs and have loved them my entire life. My daughter started training German Shepherd Puppies and dogs in IGP, service work, and pet training and it has brought back all of my favorite memories of them. What a wonderful experience this has been, breeding and raising German Shepherd puppies. Watching the development of them as they grow with their new families, feedback has been amazing. Many families have come back for a second and third German Shepherd Puppy. We have dogs in sport homes, service homes, and mostly family companion homes where comes our most important focus, temperament! Since we raise our own dogs and keep from our own stock we have a great understanding what is behind your puppy and his or her pedigree. Raising and training our own dogs to the German standard takes a lot of commitment, time, expense, and is never easy. Please scroll down and slide left to scroll through our many Testimonials. We are hands on in all aspects of our German Shepherds. Training and Handling our own dogs for Titling, Showing and Breed Surveys Even down time is exciting with our acreage to take leisurely runs, even going on family travels Up North "I take pride in the German Shepherds I am producing here at von Buchmann German Shepherds" - Peggy Contact Us Today Real Testimonials Mia is such a little love at about 40 pounds now with beautiful markings! She has been easy to train since she is so food motivated. She has a great personality and temperament. We just love her so much and thank you for a great bloodline!! Susan S. He is an amazingly sweet, loving, playful and handsome little guy. Donnie D. Hank is doing great! His color is fantastic and his listening skills are superb!!! He very much enjoys our outings and meeting new people still!! And does very well with it! Simon E. My puppy, which I name Kimber has been nothing short of amazing. She is a very beautiful GSD, healthy, and very willing to learn new things. I have actually train Kimber to be a diabetic alert service dog for myself, which she picked up very well and is happy to work. Peggy was more than willing to help evaluate which puppy of the litter would have the best attitude for my life being around several young children. We interviewed other breeders but you could immediately tell that Peggy truly cared about her dogs and took care to ensure we would get a puppy that was a good fit for us. She answered all of our questions and continued to do so long after the actual adoption. Our dog has been a wonderful addition to our family and our next German Shepherd will be from Von Buchmann! High quality German Shepherds and a breeder who cares, you really can ask for more. Denise B. We purchased our first puppy from Von Buchmann German Shepherds in .Since then, we have been back to get two more puppies. Peggy is a very knowledgeable breeder and her dogs are beautiful and well trained with great temperaments. We are very pleased with Von Buchmann German Shepherds. April R. Besides his physical beauty, he has a protective yet loving temperament, listens and responds to all commands, was well socialized and mannered, and only barks when alerting me to perceived danger. You will not be disappointed. Susan H. We bought our first German Shepherd from this breeder and have been over the moon impressed with how this pup fits perfectly in to our family. Peggy did a great job of recommending the perfect puppy based on drive and temperament for our family with three young boys. Our pup is currently 11mo old and such a joy. Ever the professional, Peggy answered all of my possibly annoying first time dog owner questions with care and grace. She has been a resource for us months after our purchase and I would not hesitate to contact her with questions in the future. I highly recommend this breeder without reservation. Kelli S. Their temperament, physique, coats and general health are outstanding. Jodi H. I give Von Buchmann German Shepherds a 5 star! I have a beautiful 18 month girl from Phoenix. Peggy Buchmann matched the perfect pup with what our family wanted in a Shepherd. Our pup was used to a household environment, family life, and well socialized for her age when we got her. The follow up with Peggy has been amazing. She is quick to answer questions and offer support and suggestions. Peggy takes her breeding seriously and strives for great temperment, good health, and beauty with her pups. Tammy S. Very knowledgeable, caring and responsible breeder that is always responsive to concerns or questions! Our second male from her is now 7mos and is incredible! Mark M. We have had our beautiful Luca with us for nearly 10 years. We will not hesitate to look to Von Buchmann for our next family member. Thank you for such excellence. Kristen R. We uphold a strong belief that German Shepherds are the most versatile breed of dogs. As one of the highest quality German Shepherd kennels in Michigan , our standards for breeding are essential for maintaining the superiority of our bloodlines, which are a result of careful consideration and research. Each Vom Dinaburg German Shepherd puppy receives the love and tenderness of a family home, with the socialization needed for superior attitude, perfection in temperament, ease of trainability, and a stellar personality. This combined with their large bone, incredible black and red color, beautiful structure and breed type makes them the highest quality of German Shepherd. We believe these components are essential for dogs — whether owned as family companions, or used in more complex training. Our dogs often used for military or police training, Search and Rescue, Guide dogs, or Therapy dogs, or devoted and affectionate family pets. Vom Dinaburg German Shepherds are excellent companions. Our dogs are bred with SV standards as one of the most important criteria. When you own a Vom Dinaburg shepherd, you have one of the highest bloodlines in the United States. Vom Dinaburg Shepherds are able to complement their owners; they enjoy recreation, sports, and are constantly striving to further develop their skills for shows, protection, or Schutzhund competitions. Our puppies come from established bloodlines with a long history of positive people pleasing personalities, making them an essential aspect of any home. A Vom Dinaburg shepherd will quickly assume a primary spot in your home and in your heart. We provide dog training up to your specifications and needs. Private lessons are available in your house or in ours. We help with solving any behavioral problems in any breed of dogs. Our training methods are based mostly on positive reinforcement. Good handling in the show ring is very important and may result in a much higher placing of your German Shepherd Dog. Show handeling and conditioning are available upon request by experienced handlers. Helping with showing in the breed surveys. We offer world-class imported German Shepherd puppies for sale Please feel free to call us with any questions you might have regarding purchasing new pup or a young adult, Stud Service, and Dog Training. Please visit soon, as we have new information updates frequently. German Shepherds for sale in Michigan Regis Regal Specializes in providing world class German Shepherd puppies and trained adult dogs Serving Michigan with german shepherds since With over 30 years experience in the breeding and training of world-class German Shepherds from some of the top bloodlines out of Germany, here at Regis Regal German Shepherds we've been very proud to have sold our puppies and adult dogs to the residents of Michigan. We're a small family run operation with our main training and breeding facilities based in Spring Grove, Illinois. Because of the quality and pedigree of our German Shepherds there's been a demand for our dogs all over the world. The owner, Cynthia Kelly, has a lifetime of experience in creating the perfect family companion, service dog or therapy dog. Because of the lack of top quality German Shepherd breeders in some parts of the United States, we've carefully set ourselves up so that we can send our dogs direct to your home by use of a private courier service. German Shepherd Breeders in Michigan There are a number of great German Shepherd breeders in Michigan, from Detroit to Flint, but have you considered looking further afield for the perfect puppy? At Regis Regal German Shepherds we produce a select number of puppies at any one time, and take the utmost care when raising and training them ready for ownership. You should not forget that when it comes to buying a puppy you also need to be mindful of other costs outside of the purchase or adoption fee. Included within the cost of our puppies are: Lifetime health guarantee contingent on meeting criteria stated in the contract. Send us a message or give us a ring on .Emotional support dogs are suited for both children and adults and have the ability to work with their owners in all types of locations. We have placed many dogs with children and teenagers in MI that suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and manic disorders. Service dogs provide a physical service to their owners. We have been incredibly successful in providing service dogs to children afflicted with Autism and Asbergers, as our dogs can help to enhance the verbal skills of non-verbal Autistic children and support their overall way of communicating. Some of our previous placements our dog courier service - we ship to your door in MI! You might find this a bit hard to believe but we actually ship right to your door, wherever you are based in the US! Such is the demand for one of our dogs we decided it would make things a lot easier for our customers if we could hand-deliver them right to you. For those people in need of a top class GSD, and who can't get to our premises, this is a bit of a lifesaver. We make use of a private courier service whereby they come to us and pickup the dog in their vehicle before making the journey to your home. Our driver is well trained in the handling and care of your dog on the trip, and due to their temperament our dogs always enjoy the journey! On rare occasions our dogs have flown out to their destination, again accommpanied by one of the Regis Regal team to ensure for a very smooth and calm trip. We also go through a very thorough process to make sure our dogs are going to the right kind of owner - at the end of the day it's really important that we can rest easy at night knowing they'll be going to someone that's going to love them as much as we do. Because of COVID we've held plenty of online meetings where you can ask us any questions about our dogs, and you can even get to meet-and-greet them virtually! Reviews from Customers based in MI We like to think we've made a lot of people in Michigan happy over the years that we've been in business. Take a look below at some of the feedback we've received to date. You can find more reviews of ours here too. She answered almost all our questions before bringing him home. She gave us guidance with how to raise the puppy correctly. We are looking forward to the training that comes with all of her puppies as well! Cindy loves all her dogs and truly cares for the families she works with. As you can imagine this can change quite regularly - so please send us a message below, or give us a call on .We look forward to hearing from you! Your name. Our German Shepherd Kennels are located in Southwest Michigan and we offer to ship nationwide, and delivery services. We created this German Shepherd Kennel for the serious German Shepherd enthusiast who is committed to maintaining these world-class pedigrees, and working heritage set forth over a century ago carried on through the Verein Fur Deutche Schaeferhunde Club. Our commitment is only matched by our love for the breed and its extraordinary capabilities. In Germany, Purebred German Shepherd Breeders would be required to show their dogs at the German Sieger Shows to obtain breeding titles, which would continue to improve the breed. VA4 Taifun vom St. DM stands for Degenerative Myelopathy. There has only been a few stud dogs in the history of the breed that have ever produced a vise world sieger and Uran is one of them. Kolenda Kennels is a German Shepherd Breeder that is a personalized kennel and dedicated to improving the breed, located at th Ave Dorr, Michigan , located in Grand Rapids Michigan area. When buying a puppy it is a good ideal to visit the kennel. You should be able to interact with their dogs, especially the mom and dad of the puppy you are considering. This is the only way to check the temperament of their breeding dogs. By visiting the kennel you can inspect the cleanliness of the facility, and how the puppies are being taken care of. You can interact with the puppies and also, check the temperament of the puppies themselves and over all health. By visiting the kennel you will also be able to see the over all looks and structure of the breeding dogs. By doing these things this would help improve the German Shepherd Breed itself. It would make it difficult to breed and sell inferior puppies, which would help keep the breed from deteriorating. When my wife and I decided to make being German Shepherd Dog Breeders our full-time career we decided to put together a German Shepherd Kennel that is dedicated to breeding the best Imported German Shepherds. This way, we could offer this beautiful, outstanding tempered dog to the public. German Shepherd Tips and Resources If you are looking for a German Shepherd then you are looking for a protective, loveable, and brave companion. This breed is by far one of the most versatile breeds that are great family dogs, solid show dogs, or powerful sport and working dogs. No doubt no matter what life your pup is destined for there will be no shortcomings in their hyper and family-oriented personalities. Getting a German Shepherd Puppy is no quick choice but in this blog, you will find a list of reputable breeders who has that special pup waiting for your family. Here there are the top 10 most reputable German Shepherd Breeders in Michigan. This list is to help you determine a responsive breeder you would like to talk to or go through but remember to always talk to them and make sure you know what you want from the breeder, the dogs, and the bloodline. They have been dedicated to producing some of the highest quality German Shepherd puppies in the state. All their breeding dogs come from the finest bloodlines, and all their puppies are raised with the utmost care and attention. Their primary focus is the health of all dogs in their care. All their dogs must pass rigorous health testing before they can be bred. They also provide a health guarantee for up to two years of age for all their puppies, ensuring that you get the very best of what German Shepherds have to offer. Their puppies are known for being intelligent, loyal, and obedient with great personalities. They are perfect for families who want a loyal companion or protection dog, as they are very protective of their owners and have the intelligence to learn commands quickly and go any route their family wants to train them for. With their commitment to the health and quality of their dogs, they make sure every breeding dog is held to the SV standards and passes testing for genetic health issues and hip dysplasia. Not only do they put so much work into making sure that these puppies are healthy, but they make sure that these puppies will live up to your expectations and need for any future they may have. And if any new puppy owner needs it they also have training available at their facility to help with a variety of disciplines. With most of their training being positive reinforcement to help build the canine-handler bond it is sure to help any owner. But if you have a show dog stud services are also available to approved matches.

Begin by drawing the dog's face. Use two curved lines to sketch each eye. Then, shade a circle within each eye to form the pupils. Draw an irregular rounded shape for the nose , and use curved lines to draw the snout around it. Connect the nose to the front of the snout with a short line. Next, draw the sides of the dog's head, complete with tufts of fur. Use long and short lines that meet at jagged points. Use a curved line for the lower jaw, and contour the nose with another curved line. Shade two small circles on the nose to indicate the nostrils. Draw the shepherd's triangular ears. Use long curved lines. Note the furry texture at the base of the ears, created using a series of curved lines that meet at jagged points. Connect the ears at the top of the head using a curved line. Then, use thick, overlapping curved lines to draw the eyebrows. Contour each ear with a long curved line and a series of short "U" shaped lines. Then, begin drawing the dog's furry chest. Outline each side using a series of long and short curved lines that meet at jagged points. Draw the dog's leg and paw using a series of curved lines. Note the jagged furry pattern at the elbow and the overlapping lines that form the toes. Then, extend a curved line on each side of the paw. This will become the pup's chew toy or dog bone. Draw the remaining leg and paw using a series of overlapping curved lines. Contour the chest with jagged series of curved lines. Draw the rear leg using a series of curved lines. Notice the furry texture on the front of the leg. Don't forget the short line between the front and rear legs that encloses the belly. Draw a long, curved line from the shoulder to outline the back and the top of the tail. Then, use a series of short curved lines that meet at jagged points to indicate the furry underside of the tail and finish enclosing the figure. Give the German shepherd a furry texture. Use a series of lines around the eyes and across the chest, side, leg, and tail. Most German shepherds are black and tan. Some are solid black or solid white. Others have patches of white, blonde, or reddish-brown. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step drawings below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to draw next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and draw at your own pace. Written step-by-step video tutorial: For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin. Step 1: Draw two small ovals for the cartoon German shepherd puppy's eyes. Sketch lightly at first to get the shapes right. Space out the eyes. Don't draw them too close together. Shade in the ovals but leave a couple of circles blank inside each oval to represent glare. The eye on the right should be a tiny bit smaller than the eye on the left. Step 2: Below the eye on the right, draw a small sideways oval for the nose. Make the bottom edge of the nose a bit pointy instead of curved. Shade in the dog's nose but leave a thin strip blank at the top for shine. Step 3: Draw a curved line on the right side for the muzzle. The German shepherd's muzzle starts to the right of the nose, then curves down and to the left. Draw a short, curved line for the mouth near the bottom of the muzzle. Step 4: To the right of the eyes, draw a line that curves up and to the left for the front of the puppy's head. The top edge of the head should be high above the eyes. Use jagged lines at the top for fur. Step 5: On the top, left side of the head, draw a big, triangle-like shape for the German shepherd puppy's first ear. Within the ear, on the right, draw a long line for structure. At the bottom, draw some jagged lines for fur. Written step-by-step video tutorial: For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin. Step 1: Draw a circle near the top, left side of the paper as a guide for the German shepherd puppy's head. First draw four small marks to indicate the height and width of the circle, then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make mistake. But the circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. If you're having a hard time drawing the circle, trace the outer rim of a glass, a lid or any other object with a circular edge. Step 2: Draw a curved horizontal line across the head. This construction line will help you place the puppy's facial features later. Add a curved vertical line on the top left side of the head for another construction line. Step 3: Draw a small circle on the lower left side of the head as a guide for the muzzle. Pay attention to the size and placement of this small circle in relation to the rest of the puppy's head. Step 4: On top of the head, draw two small, triangle- like shapes as guides for the ears. A lot of German shepherd puppies have ears that flop down, so feel free to adjust your drawing if you'd like. Step 5: Draw a big circle under the head, on the right, as a guide for the front part of the body. This will be a puppy, so don't draw the circle too big. It should only be a bit bigger than the head. The top, left part of this circle should be behind the head, so don't overlap the lines. This dog typically has long, pointed ears and a medium-length, bi-colored fur coat. German Shepherd dogs are particularly known for their intelligence, courage, and loyalty to their owners. Because of their gorgeous physical features, they are an extremely appealing subject to draw. Thus, it has created a huge demand for a free German Shepherd drawing tutorial. Finally, we present to you—a step-by-step tutorial on how to draw a German Shepherd in a nutshell. This tutorial consists of 9 easy and simple steps that come with visual illustrations. Have fun putting your imaginary pet dog into paper! Step 1 Starting on the upper left portion of your paper, draw a sideways oval shape to outline the head of your German Shepherd. In order to make sure that your German Shepherd will be drawn proportionally, create reference lines by drawing an intersecting horizontal and vertical line across your paper. These lines should divide your paper into four square spaces. The one on the upper left is where you should draw the oval shape. You can structure the body any way you want, and make it as thick or as thin as you want. Afterwards, get rid of the lines overlapping in the legs using an eraser to keep your drawing neat and tidy. Create the hind legs of your dog by drawing a curved line with a folded leg right underneath at the bottom of its body. Bear in mind that since the dog is facing sideways, only one leg is going to be visible. We think a furry tail looks best when drawing a German Shepherd, but feel free to draw the tail any way you like! The standing pointed ears, as seen in the illustration, is actually one of the most distinctive features of a German Shepherd. You can absolutely draw folded ears, droopy ears, or any form of ears you like! Step 8 — Add Patterns and Marks All Over its Coat German Shepherd dogs typically have more than one color, so we will be drawing lines all over its body to help us in coloring its coat later on. Draw another line across the body and the tail, as shown in the illustration. Step 9 — Finish Off by Drawing the Facial Features Finalize your German Shepherd artwork by drawing its eyes, nose, as well as the outline of its inner ear. Next, draw a pair of eyes right below its forehead. Now, complete its facial features by drawing a half upside down triangular shape on its snout to form the nose. This is the part where you can show off your artistic skills and your ability to mix and match various colors. German Shepherd dogs are generally black, grey, or sable in color. There are also some with a combination of the colors black and tan, red and black, and black and silver. This gives you a lot of color options when coloring your drawing. Enjoy coloring your German Shepherd and watch as your drawing ultimately comes to life! Do this to take your German Shepherd drawing to the next level Find out how to make this German shepherd drawing even more amazing! The cartoon style of this German shepherd sketch is really cute! If you want to really challenge yourself, you could try to draw a more realistic rendition. To do this, try looking up some photos of German shepherds, and then use these photos to help you with the details. The ears, paws, facial details and body shape would be the most important aspects to change. If you know someone who has a German shepherd, that would be even better! Whether you stay with this style or make it more realistic, we think this cute dog deserves some toys. You could draw all kinds of fun dog toys beside it for it to interact with. Maybe you could draw a ball, a small rope toy or maybe a squeaky toy. Instead of toys, drawing objects like a food bowl or a water bowl would also be options. Any of these would add some more details to admire in this German shepherd drawing. They would also give you the chance to add lots of color! If you have more favorite dog breeds, we think it would be cute to add them to this drawing of a German shepherd. For example, maybe you love poodles! By looking up some pictures or using a real one, you could draw one done in a similar style to the German shepherd. What are some breeds you would add to this image? Lastly, we would recommend drawing a background for this one. There are so many places a German shepherd could be, from a backyard to a fun dog park. These are some more conventional ideas, but you could also get more creative with it. Maybe the German shepherd could be at a dog party with those other breeds you may have added in the previous tip! What are some fun background ideas you have for this drawing? Your German Shepherd Drawing is Complete! We hope you enjoy this step-by-step German Shepherd drawing tutorial. This guide is designed for beginners and experts alike who want to learn how to draw an adorable German Shepherd dog. This is definitely an enjoyable activity for anyone who loves dogs or animals in general. We are regularly uploading brand-new drawing tutorials, so make sure you keep re-visiting our website so you can keep learning how to draw something new. Make sure to show off your work of art by sharing it on our Facebook page and Pinterest.

Standard colors for Labs are yellow, black and chocolate. Shedding Labs are moderate to heavy shedders. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat shiny. Many Labs will overeat if given the opportunity, so watch their food intake closely. A complete and balanced diet and daily exercise can help prevent weight gain. Other health conditions that may affect Labs include hip and elbow dysplasia, myopathy and heart disorders. Labs may also have a higher risk for certain eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy. As with other large breed dogs , Labrador Retrievers are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening condition. Labrador Retriever puppies will thrive on a puppy food specially formulated to meet their unique needs during their first year of life. For information on how much or when to feed your Labrador dog or puppy, explore our feeding articles here. History The Labrador Retriever gets his name from Labrador, Canada, though the breed was developed in 19th-century Newfoundland as a water dog. Originally called St. Early Labs may have been bred with Newfoundlands and other water dogs before a breed standard was formed. Around , Labs were imported to England, where they served as hunting retrievers. The breed disappeared from Newfoundland entirely after government restrictions and various tax laws took effect. The breed was nearly extinct by the late 19th century. The Malmesburys and other English fans who imported the dogs saved the breed from extinction. Explore breeds like the Labrador Retriever. All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. Dog domestic dog The Labrador Retriever, or simply Labrador, is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from fishing dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland now a province of Canada , and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the European world. The Labrador is friendly, energetic, and playful. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog , or for rescue or therapy work. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury , who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland , with Charles St. John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer , more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland. John's breed of these dogs [6] [7] in the fifth edition of his book Introductions to Young Sportsman, published in .Black Chocolate There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred bench-bred lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard. Size: Labradors are a medium-large breed. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. The AKC standard includes an ideal weight for dogs of 25—36 kg 55—80 lb and for bitches as 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. The coat is water-resistant, so the dog does not get cold when taking to the water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow, and chocolate. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and be set slightly above the eyes. Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back. Body: The body should have a powerful and muscular build. The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC. If a dog carried wild type alleles at all three loci, the dog will have a yellow coat. If a dog has a loss-of-function mutation at MC1R, it will also have a yellow coat, regardless of their genotype at the other two loci. Within the breed, this trait is not visible. Show and field lines[ edit ] Head and muzzle appearance: field left , and show right , showing the shorter muzzle length, more solid appearance head, and "pronounced" stop of the latter As a result of specialised breeding, there are significant differences between field and trial-bred and show-bred lines of Labradors. In the United States, the former are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "American" and the latter as "English", in fact, both field and show types are bred in both countries and all Labrador Retrievers are descended from British lines. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a soft mouth , a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it. It continues in that role today, along with the Leonberger , Newfoundland and Golden Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard. During the Vietnam War they were used as scout dogs to track down dead or wounded soldiers or enemy positions. Notable issues related to health and well-being include inherited disorders and obesity most are missing all or parts of the appetite-regulating POMC gene. As of , it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content.

Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Find more Pug puppies for sale in closest states: Illinois , Ohio , Kentucky , Michigan , Tennessee , Iowa If you have never owned a Pug before, or are interested in reading more information, check out our Pug Dog Breed Information page. Latest Dog Articles Most common digestion puppy's diseases We don't like to think of our new puppy falling sick with puppy disease. But youngsters get sick quicker and take longer to get well than adults. It's vital to recognize sick puppy behavior, signs and symptoms of puppy illness, and how to know when you ca How to Defend Yourself against a Mad Dog According to World Health Organization about citizens require emergency care treatment on a daily basis for dog bite injury. Also, about 4. Now, those are insanely alarming statistics. But they are tru Dog Care Tips Few things in life are more fun and rewarding than bringing a dog into your family. Your dog will offer your family years of love and loyalty — as long as you provide him with food, shelter, responsible care, and love in return. Learn more about available delivery options. Only with Next Day Pets, you receive a pet insurance policy with no waiting period included for immediate accident or illness coverage. Litter Information Litter Information Paisley is one of 2 Pug puppies whelped and available for sale in her litter. The puppies in the litter were born on Tuesday, January 24, .Her breeder has carefully selected to feed them Joy Dog Food, dry food. Their favorite food formulation is puppy food. Her breeder has started potty training Paisley and her littermates. Review the breeder's selected potty training methods below. The puppies in the litter have been socialized to develop positive behavior characteristics. Socializing a puppy at an early age may make them more confident, relaxed, compassionate pets. Review how the litter has been socialized below. As part of ensuring the growth and development of Paisley and her littermates, their breeder has introduced a variety of neurological stimulations to each puppy at an early age. Review the stimulations introduced below. Potty Training Method.

So Many Options! Where To Get a Labrador? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Except, you remember hearing you should only buy from professional breeders?! But that puppy in the pet store was so achingly cute! This article discusses the things you should consider before making that life changing decision. From dedicated experts who breed pedigree dogs to work or for show, to those who breed too many puppies, litter after litter purely for sale without love nor care for the health of the mother or quality of the litter. For how to recognize who the good breeders are, read our article: Labrador breeders — How to find the good ones! Buying from a good, responsible breeder is without doubt the best source for a quality, healthy Labrador puppy. They care about the overall welfare of the breed, as well as the health of the mother, quality of the litter and giving the puppies the best start in life. Responsible breeders: Guarantee a purebred and pedigree Labrador. Screen the parents for health problems before breeding , so puppies will be as free as possible from inherited diseases. Selectively breed aiming for conformance to the breed standard, so your lab has the most chance of looking like the perfect lab. Carefully socialize puppies from birth so they are well-adjusted and confident before sending them to a new home. Help buyers to select the right puppy from the litter to suit their personality, hopes and expectations. Helping you to get the puppy of your dreams. Provide expert help and advice on caring for the dog from puppyhood right through to adulthood. When you go to a good breeder you should expect lots of questions. They will also help to match you to the perfect puppy that suits your personality, preventing you from getting the wrong dog on impulse. You know the cute but feisty one that got your attention by barging through his litter mates to run up to you and be the first to say hello? Well, he may very likely become a dominant and strong-willed dog! You May Need Patience You should note that many breeders will have a long waiting list for their Labrador puppies. Then this may not be the right way for you. But this is a good thing! And nobody should buy a puppy on impulse, it must be a well thought out and reasoned decision. Maybe you would like to give a lucky Labrador a second chance at life and happiness? Adopting an Older Labrador From a Rescue Kennel Can Have Many Benefits: They will have been house trained already — No getting up in the middle of the night to relieve your puppy…or cleaning your floor after the inevitable mishaps. An adult Labrador will already show signs of any underlying problems so you can avoid this. Many will have received a decent amount of training already — Saving you lots of time and work. Having said all that… There are Some Obvious Risks! Or perhaps due to health problems that developed. Some may have faced abuse and neglect leaving them with psychological scars. Behavioral problems are sometimes well hidden, and aggression may only surface in very particular situations only. But if you are patient, understanding and can inject some routine and love into one of these dogs lives, they can become absolutely wonderful pets. There are also different types of rescue center and animal shelters. You will be able to get a feel for the level of the center when you visit and how professional they are and the staff to dog ratios. The Process When rescuing a lab, a good, well staffed shelter will ask you to visit and spend time with your potential pet. They will have assessed the dog and will tell you all they know about the dogs history and temperament. They will ask you lots of questions to find out whether you and your lifestyle are a good fit for a Labrador. They will want to meet you and your whole family. They will want to see how the people the Labrador is to live with interact with it and how the lab interacts with them. And that your choice of dog is well suited to you and interacts well with you on visits will they eventually allow you to adopt. Rescuing a Labrador can be a very good choice as long as due care is taken to pick the right one. And you will earn many karma points for doing a very good deed. It is a massive risk to take a puppy from a litter like this. These dogs have more than the average number of inherited diseases and behavioral problems. So although you will be saving a bit of money compared to paying out to a professional Labrador breeder. Or you might even be saving a dog from being given to a rescue center and possibly eventually being put down. You just might be letting yourself in for some expensive surprises in the way of vets bills or behavioral specialists later. But having said that, of course many of these puppies do become very good pets indeed. In fact a few places in the world have now banned the sale of puppies from pet stores. In these places, dogs are often bred in poor conditions, sometimes kept in small wire cages and given very little chance to socialize and little if any personal contact with humans. Have you had any good or bad experiences of getting a Labrador from any of the places listed above? Is there anything you would like to add about the pros and cons of the various places you can get yourself a Lab? Please let us know in the comments section below and you just might help people reading this article to make the right decision! Related Article:. They are also very high energy. Labs are intelligent and well-tempered for becoming service dogs. You may have seen a Lab working as a guide dog or alongside a police officer. Labradors come in three distinct colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. There is no real difference between these sub-breeds aside from color. However, chocolate Labs and yellow Labs do tend to be favored as show dogs, while a black Lab is more likely to be raised as a hunting dog than a chocolate or yellow one. Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly and companionable to both humans and other dogs. This makes the Labrador an ideal breed to keep as a family dog. There are factors, however, which need to be considered before choosing a Labrador puppy. Bringing home a beautiful black Lab puppy? Check out hundreds of great black dog names here! The amount of maternal care a pup receives prior to adoption influences the adult temperament of your Labrador. A responsible breeder will not remove your puppy from its mother before it is ready. In the study, Labs belonging to extroverted owners had better social skills than those belonging to introverted owners. You may also look through your local classifieds for unregistered litters, although we do not recommend it. Even though Labradors are a generally healthy breed, it is important that both parents get screened for any health issues prior to breeding. Adopting from unregistered litters will also significantly increase your chances of encountering a puppy mill. No matter where you adopt from, it is essential that you meet both parents and access a history of good health for each parent before adopting a puppy from the facility. In other parts of the world, use the puppy search tool on the website of your regional kennel club or equivalent authority. You may also ask a local veterinarian for a reference to a quality breeder. Another option is to keep an eye out for someone with a purebred Labrador and request information on where they adopted from. Registered breeders use only top-of-the-line animals as parents. Puppies from responsible and registered breeders are given the appropriate amount of maternal care and not released to a new home until they are physically and mentally mature enough to do so. This lays the foundation for an affectionate and even temperament in adulthood. The cons of adopting from a breeder are higher costs and often longer wait times. Responsible breeders require a pre-adoption home check to ensure that their puppies are appropriately homed. You may also need to travel some distance to find the right breeder. Registered breeders usually breed a maximum of only twice per year. This maintains parental health and allows sufficient time for the puppies to progress. These breeders often have waitlists for upcoming litters before they are born, sometimes before the parents are even bred. While these practices maintain value, they also mean the puppies will cost a little more and take longer to bring home. Private Ads Private ads for puppies can be found in online classifieds or in your local newspaper. You may also spot them on the bulletin boards of various local businesses. The benefits of sourcing a puppy from a private ad is that the breeder is likely be located nearby, and the puppies will be available relatively quickly, if not immediately. The cons of taking this route is that you do not have pedigree parents to your puppy, and the risk of health complications down the road is much higher. Puppy farms will often advertise through private ads. For these reasons, we do not recommend sourcing a puppy through a private ad. Pet Shops We do not endorse purchasing puppies from pet shops, because the credentials of both parents and breeder cannot be provided. Parents of pet shop puppies may have been overbred, mistreated, or in less than optimal health. It is impossible to know without verified records. The puppies themselves could have experienced conditions and trauma that will negatively impact their behavior in adulthood, such as being separated from their mothers too soon or physical abuse. Avoiding Puppy Farms Puppy farms are unregistered breeding establishments that mass produce puppies in order to generate the highest amount of revenue. These farms, or mills, severely mistreat their animals and often produce puppies with little socialization skills and significantly increased health risks. To steer clear of these facilities, avoid pet stores, which often source stock from puppy farms because of the low cost. Also avoid any online advertisements for puppies at a low cost. If you do source a puppy from an online ad, call the breeder in advance and ask questions about the puppies, parents, and establishment to screen for any inconsistencies with industry standards. When you visit the breeder, if it comes to that, ask to have a look around and meet both parents in person. Is the space open? Do the parents look healthy? How many other dogs and puppies are there on the premises? Health Tests While Labs are generally healthy overall, it is important to confirm the parental health prior to breeding. If the breeder cannot show you certificates of health for both parents, adopting a puppy from those parents poses a risk for complications later on. The American Kennel Club recommends Labrador Retrievers get screened for: any hip and elbow defects that could indicate dysplasia heart disorders out of ordinary muscle weakness degenerative eye conditions. Make sure that the breeder can demonstrate certified health in each of these areas for each parent. The initial cost of requiring this level of screening for your puppy may be higher, but it will save you on veterinary bills down the road. Choosing Your Puppy Labrador Retrievers are friendly by nature and tend to get along well with other dogs. This breed very rarely shows aggression and must be provoked to do so. When it comes to children and other pets, a Labrador puppy would be a valuable family addition. Labs are companionable and socialize well. The Labrador Retriever is a high-energy breed and will need enough time and space each day to receive sufficient exercise. These exercise needs will continue to grow as your puppy matures. A Labrador is not designed to be an inside-only dog. This breed needs lots of activity to stay mentally and physically fit. Consider that your fully grown Lab will be between .We recommend that you take your Lab out for daily outdoor activities such as swimming and fetch. A Labrador that does not receive enough exercise time may rebel by engaging in destructive behaviors within the household. However, remember that the best-quality Labradors come from responsible breeders that produce only one or two litters per year. These breeders often have waiting lists due to high quality puppies and infrequent production. If you want the best which you should! Labradors are wonderful family dogs with lots of love for humans and other dogs. They are one of the lowest risk for health complications when properly screened, making them ideal as a long-term energy-filled companion. Considerations before jumping into the adoption of a Labrador puppy are how big your puppy will be when it reaches adulthood and the daily rigorous outdoor exercise it will require to keep it in peak physical and mental condition. Read more about Labradors here in our guide to Labrador lifespan! References and Resources Bray, E. University of Pennsylvania .Graham, L. Temperament and Personality in Working Dogs. CRC Press .Kuroshima, H. Kyoto University .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. Labrador Retrievers are consistently among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, due in large part to their cheerful personalities and obedient natures. If you live in California and want to expand your pack with a new Labrador Retriever puppy, the breeders on this list should be the first places that you check. The 8 Labrador Retriever Breeders in California 1. However, they emphasize preparing their pups to be working dogs, ready to help you with your next hunt. For an additional fee, you can have your new dog taught basic obedience and advanced gun dog training. Summerland Labradors Visit Their Website Phelan, CA Summerland Labradors is a small operation, producing only two to three litters per year, so you need to be on the ball if you want to adopt from them. Kenya Labradors Visit Their Website Santa Margarita, CA The biggest downside in buying a dog from Kenya Labradors is that the animals are raised on a gorgeous, acre plot overlooking the California coast, so the dog might be a bit disappointed when they get to your house. Still, all that room enables these dogs to get plenty of exercise and socialization before they join your pack. This kennel breeds well-pedigreed dogs, and your pup will come with more paperwork than the average new car. Your dog will be accustomed to living like you do long before you pick them up, which should cut down their adjustment time significantly. All their dogs are AKC-registered, and each one has many generations of champions in their heritage. They go to great lengths to try to match each pooch up with the perfect home for them, so your dog will be chosen based on how their temperament fits in with your existing lifestyle. They also guarantee that their dogs will be free of genetic defects up to 1 year of age or your money back. Your new pup will be thoroughly vetted, registered with the AKC, and microchipped before being handed over to you. They also have an extensive blog that answers just about any question that you might have about raising your new family member. You may also be interested in:. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content. Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article.