german shepherd puppy growing pains

Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Help your pup get her ball on with a sports hoodie fit for big dogs. I got the 7X based on other reviews and gotta say it's a bit big. Actually it's just long. It covers my dog well and I figured I should account for shrinkage. I have a 45 lb. Give your pup major dad-on-vacation vibes with a snazzy Hawaiian-print shirt. We got the XL and the fit was good. The sleeves were a little long, but that is a standard problem for bassets. The material is quality, sturdy fabric, which was a pleasant surprise for dog clothes. The shirt fastens with Velcro. Get a little variety with a 3-pack of novelty shirts for your adventurous dog. That's not to say that these cause itchiness—they don't. It's just that our dog has allergies causing him to get itchy and a coat calms him down. Dress him up for game day in a collegiate-look polo shirt. Popped collar is optional. I especially love the sleeves, as they fit well and are loose enough to be comfortable. So often the sleeves on these shirts make it hard for them to walk. Help your dog get all fancy- no pants with a tutu dress. Promising review: "This fits my lab perfectly! It's so cute. Side note, glitter is everywhere after she wears it, but easily vacuumed! Or keep it lighter with a tutu sundress perf for small dogs. Promising review: "This dress is so well made and it fits my dog perfectly. The lacy part is soft enough where my dog and I don't feel any discomfort. May the force of a dog Jedi robe be with you. Fortunately, I read the reviews and one person with two corgis posted about the sizing for his dogs. I would have absolutely ordered the medium instead of the large. I put it on Fitz as soon as it arrived! It's easy to put on, as it has Velcro on the shirt and belt. Play twins in the chilly temps with a shearling-style coat that'll match your old faithful. I did not have to size up or down. There is a long waist strap for the dog's girth so it will fit my smaller dog, too. There is ample room for the neck strap, too. Jacket is not a heavy fleece but it will work for weather that is around 32 degrees outside. Avoid a full-on bath from a downpour with a slick raincoat equipped with a self-adjusting belly strap. Size XL fits him quite well. The coat can cover his whole body when the hood is on his head. We both like this raincoat. Easily spot your dog in a plaid waterproof coat that'll become like her second skin. Promising review: "Super cute and cozy too! Easy to put on too. My dogs will love this for camping on cold nights. Love the plaid! Keep small dogs toasty in a zip-up puffy vest that won't get caught in their fur. It is extremely well constructed of totally washable and durable materials. The step in design makes this vest very easy to put on and take off, and having the secure D rings on the back is a great part of the design. Feel like it's summer year-round with a bright rainbow tank for your color-obsessed dog. My dog has a small frame but longish body. She usually wears a small in tops and medium in dresses, the medium in tops are usually too big for her in the shoulders and chest area but the length fits her fine. With this top, the length and the size for the chest fits her perfectly. Outfit your guard dog with a killer tee to match his ruff-and-tumble ways. At this colorful Indian wedding , stunning traditional attire was on full display. To ensure their pop was equally well-dressed, the bride and groom found a neckerchief made of a metallic silver material that was befitting of the day's festive vibe. For this elegant and traditional spring wedding , the couple had their florist create a custom collar of the bloom for their Border-Aussie puppy to wear during portraits and down the aisle. The good news? The look can be just as impactful, as evidenced by the accessory this pup wore for a wedding in Miami. At this Big Sur wedding , the couples' dog, Kea, served as the flower girl in a pretty blush and white floral wreath. It's a statement-making option that works best on dogs that regularly wear accessories and won't try to fight with the blooms. At this coastal wedding , the couple's dog, Piper, wore a more elevated version of her everyday bandana to befit the occasion while still remaining comfortable. You can't go wrong with a custom bandana. Tiny Spartacus got into the wedding theme at this Austin celebration by wearing a lightweight bandana made from the couples' special big-day fabric. If you're going similarly bold with your own big-day hues, make sure your pup dresses the part. A floral collar of deep, bold hues popped against his largely white fur. By Beth Satterfield Some dogs have fur made for cold weather, and others have fur made for warmer weather. Goldendoodles need winter coats for weather that is colder than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Goldendoodles should be put in a sweater or coat when they go outside during cold weather. Goldendoodles do not have undercoats , so they need an extra outside layer of warmth to protect them. Goldendoodles are a mix of Golden Retrievers and Poodles, therefore, they are not bred for cold weather. If you are going to bring your dog outside for a walk, it will be cold enough for your Goldendoodle to need something to keep them warm. Source You can find many coats online for your dog—all you need to know is their size. There are four different sizes of Goldendoodles, and that will help you determine what size coat they need. Source The Toy Goldendoodle is about pounds and grows to be 15 inches tall or less. For a dog this size, you should be looking at small coats that will fit your dog. If you have a Toy Goldendoodle, make sure the coat is lined with fleece or another soft material so they have some extra insulation. A great coat for Toy Goldendoodles can be found here. If you have a Mini Goldendoodle , they will be about pounds and inches tall. For this dog, you still want to look at small coats that have a fleece lining to help them fight off the cold weather. One dog coat that will do so can be found here. If you have a Medium Goldendoodle, then you will want a bigger coat than the ones above. This dog will grow up to pounds and inches tall. To get the right size coat for your dog, use the measurements included with the coat as a guide. They measure the neck and torso. This coat on Amazon is a great option for a mid-sized Goldendoodle. And lastly, the biggest Goldendoodle is a Standard sized one. These dogs grow up to be pounds and inches tall. These dogs need a large coat, and there are lots of great options on Amazon for coats that will fit this dog. It will be too cold for them to resist shivering, and they will want to get back inside your home as soon as possible. If it is 45 degrees or close to it, then you can let your dog help you judge if they can step outside and use the bathroom with or without needing a coat. Overall, it is better to put your Goldendoodle in a coat to keep them from getting cold rather than sending them out without a coat, as it can suffer from hypothermia. If you are going on a walk with your Goldendoodle, then you should put them in a coat. Your dog will want to be warm if they are going to be outside in cold weather for too long. Things like boots, full-body and leg coats, beanies, and healing balm for chapped noses are all great products that work well when the weather is cold. If you get snow in the winter, then you likely have salt on the sidewalks and streets to help melt ice. You might have lots of snow during the winter, and the more coverage in a coat, the better. Here is a link to a full-body coat on Amazon. They will shiver, wine, slow down, and curl up to try and get warm. If you are outside and want them to run in snow for a bit, make sure you have their coat handy so that after a couple of minutes you can put their coat on them to help them stay warm. Source If where you live gets cold during the winter, then get these products for your dog, as they will keep your Goldendoodle safe and protected against the harsh weather. References: Dog Clothes Sizing Chart I have covered all the breed sizes of dogs in this article it is majorly divided into five parts. To know more you can go through the information given below. The dog which belongs to small breeds is Chihuahua they are the smallest of the small and weigh only 6 to 8 pounds and 6 to 10 inches tall. If you have anyone of these dogs at home and want to the size of their clothing then check the list given below The neck is around five inches The back should be seven inches And, the chest size should be twelve inches 2. For Small size dogs The standard size of small breed size dogs is considered to usually weigh less than eleven lbs to twenty-five lbs weight or shorter than 16 inches. A few small breed size dogs are much lighter or shorter than this, and some of them are a bit heavier or taller. The dogs which belong to small breed size are Dachshund, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Pekingese, also known as lion dog. So, if you have small dogs like Shiba Inu, Brussels Griffon, Bichons Frises, or West Highland Terrier and want to get a dress for them the right size would be The neck size should be six inches The back size is nine inches The chest size is fifteen inches 3. For Medium size dogs The ideal size of medium size dogs belongs to those who have eighteen to twenty-two inches of height, and they weigh around twenty-six to forty pounds. Medium size dogs are the most popular breeds as they are not fragile like small dogs and have fewer orthopedic issues, unlike large breed dogs. Dog clothes sizing chart for a medium sized dog is: For the neck, it is eight inches The back is thirteen inches And, for the chest, it is nineteen inches. For Large size dogs The ideal weight of large size dogs is forty-one to seventy lbs and the height of these large breeds is around twenty-eight inches. So, if you are pet owners for dogs like Collle, American Staffordshire Terrier kind of large breed then you need to follow the given below size reference for his clothing. For the neck ten inches The back should be seventeen inches And, the chest should be twenty-four inches 5. For Extra Large size dogs The ideal size for the extra-large breed size of the dogs ranges between fifty-seven and a hundred plus lbs and the height of these extra-large dogs is above twenty-eight inches. So, if you are pet parents of dogs like Tibetan Mastiff, Airedale, Standard Poodle extra large breed dogs then the size of their clothing will be The neck is fourteen inches Back is twenty inches Furthermore, the chest is twenty-nine inches Dog Clothes Sizing Tips To measure your dog from clothes you should measure him in three parts. First, you have to measure the top line. You have to measure the back length from the base. Secondly, you have to measure his neck circumference Third, you have to measure his chest or the girth the broadest part of the chest By following this technique you can easily measure and get the right measurement of your dog. Now, you can easily shop for your pooch. Want more details of dog clothing? Then scroll down! FAQs How to determine dog size by breed? Predicting their size could be difficult. But, it is majorly divided broadly into five sections. Firstly, extra-small dogs who weigh between one and ten pounds and height up to six to nine inches, second the small breed size dogs who weigh less than eleven lbs to twenty-five lbs weight or shorter than 16 inches, third is the medium size dog breed who have eighteen to twenty-two inches of height, and they weigh around twenty-six to forty pounds. Fourth is the large breed size dogs forty-one to seventy lbs and the height is around twenty-eight inches. The last fifth extra large breed dogs come in the range of fifty-seven and a hundred plus lbs weight and the height is above twenty-eight inches. Should dogs wear clothes? It depends on the individual pet parent. Clothes of dogs add a layer of comfort and protection. It reduces contact with sting bites, flea bites. It also reduces the amount of loose hair around your house, which supports controlling allergies in both you and your pooch. What size of the shirt fits a dog? You can try the dog clothes sizing for the length of the t-shirts and tanks. The measurement should be taken from the collar to the base of his tail. For instance, small size will fit dogs with a body length of ten inches. How to check my dog is either small or medium? The dogs who have weight around twenty-five to thirty-five pounds can be categorized under medium and those who have weight one to ten pounds comes under small breed dogs. Can small breed size dogs wear baby clothes? You can Small dogs can wear baby clothes. So this gap can be filled, and your dog can look cute and adorable. You can also try making one at home simply just by following the dog clothes sizing chart. Summing it All Up! If you love to dress your dogs in cute dresses and shirts and whatnot but struggle to find the right dog clothes sizing chart then you can read the size chart guideline from this article. I hope I have answered all your doubts and confusion with this article. Now, you will not face the issue, while shopping for clothes for your dogs. Till then enjoy your pooch shopping! He quickly expanded to include all cat sizes and breeds. HeI combines fashion and function to create modern pieces that are comfortable and useful to your pet! About DogNeedsBest DogNeedsBest is a free resource for dog owners, providing reviews of various products that you shall offer to your pooch. It will surely increase their love for you. Affiliate Disclaimer DogNeedsBest. As an Amazon Associate We earn from qualifying purchases. Photo outfit ideas, wedding planning tips and more. All my best advice. I spent hours reading about the best treats, toys, gear for puppies so that we had everything for our little guy before he arrived. As we are gearing up for my sister-in-law and aunt to bring home their new goldendoodle puppies, I thought a little blog post about my favorite things would be helpful to all the puppy parents and the soon-to-be puppy parents out there. Here is my must-have list for your goldendoodle puppy! We kept Clifton in here at night and when we would leave the house. This one fits perfectly with the crate. We used these to create a safe little area for Clifton once we stopped crate training him to be in. This clips right into the seat belt and on to any harness. This spray helps prevent your dog from chewing on things like your furniture, shoes, etc. You will be using this spray every time there is an accident in the house those first few weeks. We still use this spray 5 years later. Harness : We recently purchased this harness , and we LOVE this one and would recommend this to anyone with a pup as this harness is a little trickier to wiggle out of. Clifton has a medium he weighs about 30 pounds. Collar : We have a bunch of different collars that we switch between, but I love this cognac leather collar for every day. We have this one , and as soon as we switched to this, Clifton walked so much better and stopped pulling. Some of my current favorites are this modern set which is great because it includes a stand. Did You Feed the Dog? I love the smell of it. John Paul Pet Lavender Mint Detangling Spray : Doodles get matted super easily, so we add this detangling spray into our grooming routine to help with the matting. Andis Pet Steel Comb : If you can keep your furbaby mat-free this comb is great for combing him or her out. Safari Dematting Comb : You are going to need a de-matting comb to helpwith matting especially as your puppy gets older. It is the best thing we have bought, and we use it all the time. Start doing this when they are little. We love this little set that includes the toothpaste, brush and finger brush. Towel : We keep two of these pet towels in the bathroom where we give Clifton a bath. They are great at absorbing the water after a bath. We also pack these when we take him to the dog beach or Florida. Mushers Secret Paw Wax : If your pup lives in a cold climate, this is perfect for their dry, cracked paws that will come in winter. Shopping for toys was one of my favorite parts when I first started shopping for Clifton. My advice is not to buy too many toys at first like I did. Your puppy is going to destroy those cute, stuffed animals quickly. Grab a few because they make for some cute photos and toys around the house, but also stock up on things that will help when they need to chew. One thing to keep in mind when getting toys is to avoid any rope toys. Pups can eat the strings and have them wrap around their intestines — which is NOT good. So just skip them altogether. It is supposed to help transition them because it has a battery heartbeat and a pouch to make it warm. If you can, ask the breeder to rub it on his mom or the other puppies so it smells like them. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You envisioned that your new puppy, Max, would walk calmly next to you in heel position. So you wonder what you should do to preserve your wardrobe and how to stop a puppy from tugging on clothing. Why Puppies Tug on Clothing Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Anything is fair game. Pulling on our clothing is very enticing to them and fun. And it may be cute in the beginning. And, as a puppy grows stronger and has adult teeth, this behavior can become dangerous. It can turn into biting as he gets his adult teeth. And he may even knock or pull someone down when he tugs. The following are some reasons why your puppy may be pulling on your clothes: 1. They are little land sharks with needle-like teeth. So the cloth on your new jeans is fair game as far as your puppy is concerned. He may chew on the furniture, have potty accidents, and even see you as a living chew toy and tug on your clothing. And he will probably pull on your clothes. Your puppy may be bored Your puppy may just be looking for something to do. Unfortunately, you and your clothes can be what he literally latches onto. Shelties, Aussies, and corgis will engage in these behaviors. They want to control your motion just as they would a flock of sheep. This is especially true when someone walks by quickly or noisily. When my many shelties were puppies, they would try to grab the bottom of my pants leg and tug. So I worked with the issue using some of the techniques I describe below. A retriever sometimes has a need to have something in his mouth. And that something could be the clothes you wear if nothing else is handy. My rescued golden retriever Spencer always had to have something in his mouth. So, instead of it being the shirt on my arm or my pant leg, I made sure that he had an assortment of toys he liked to carry around with him. Your puppy may want to play It may be as simple as your puppy needs to play. Puppies are usually very playful and will grab whatever—or whoever—is nearby. Play biting is a common puppy behavior. So the pup turns tugging on our clothing into a fun for him game. Your puppy may want attention You may be busy working on your computer. All of a sudden, you feel a tug on your clothes. So he explores the world with his mouth. And your clothing is easy to reach. This can also occur while on walks, where a puppy may see many things that excite him such as squirrels, dogs passing by, or someone mowing the lawn. You may have unintentionally encouraged him to tug on clothes You may have inadvertently rewarded the behavior. Your puppy may have the zoomies Sometimes puppies tug our clothing because they need to release energy. And you can also use certain methods to break the pattern. Play biting is a normal puppy behavior. Luckily, most puppies outgrow it. But, in the meantime, you need to work through the issue. He starts ferociously tugging with all his might instead of grabbing the rope toy in your hand. Afterward, redirect him to another activity or obedience cue. Then, use some of the other techniques below. Make sure that your puppy has enough physical and mental exercise The amount of physical exercise your puppy needs for his physical and mental well-being will vary depending on his age and breed s. Generally, working, herding, and sporting breeds and terriers require more exercise than toy breeds do. And young puppies often require more naps than older puppies and adult dogs do. So have puzzle toys ready. A flirt pole can exercise and redirect your pup to another activity. And teach your puppy obedience commands and tricks. Teach obedience commands Certain training cues are especially important to help stop a puppy from tugging at your clothes. Of course, teach your puppy to pay attention and look up at your face when you say his name. Then, you can tell him to leave anything and not pick it up or put it in his mouth—including you and your clothing. Teach your puppy to heel alongside you. Of course your puppy should also learn to come to you and sit and lay down on cue. Teach impulse control exercises The more that your puppy can control his own behaviors, all of his actions will be better regulated. Teach him to go a place and settle there. But by the time a pup reaches five or six months old, he should be able to sit and down on your verbal cue and hand signal. This training lesson teaches a puppy to control his natural impulses and drives. Place a small treat in your hand, palm up, and close your fist. Have another reward treat ready in your other hand. If your pup mouths or paws at your hand, ignore it. Do this exercise a few times. End on a successful note. Put your fist behind your back and walk away. Next time you train him, set him up to succeed. You can give a small tidbit of a treat. Or you can give him a safe chew or frozen stuffed Kong so that he will remain lying down and calm. Licking the stuffing out of a Kong is actually calming to a dog. Use an interrupter This can help teach your puppy to remove his teeth from your clothes. Or, if he knows how to sit on cue, have him sit, then release him and reward with a favorite toy. Have a favorite toy of his ready and have him fetch it. Or have a safe chew or stuffed frozen Kong ready. Give him a nap If your puppy is overly tired, he may act out much as a small toddler would. So what he needs is a nap. So you can first have him perform an obedience cue and reward him. Then have him enter his crate with a safe reward such as an appropriately-sized stuffed frozen Kong. Give your puppy a time-out Sometimes when a puppy is overstimulated, he needs a place to chill out. So when I give a puppy a short minute maximum time-out, I use a different, safe, puppy-proofed area. It can be a laundry room or bathroom. If this method is to work, you must just leave the puppy for a short time until he calms down minutes at most. Then, release him from the place and have him perform an obedience cue or redirect him to an acceptable game. Puppies and children can be a great combination. But all interactions should be monitored and directed. And teach your puppy to ignore such distractions and redirect him to other acceptable activities. But also instruct children and rambunctious adults to be calm around the pup. No rough-housing or wrestling with the pup. Clothing, especially those with our scent, are very inviting to most puppies. Place a chew deterrent on your clothes If your puppy goes after the bottom of your pants leg, you can spray a chew deterrent such as Bitter Yuck there before your pup approaches. You can then spray the bottoms with Bitter Yuck immediately prior to wearing them. Use calming aids If you need additional help calming your puppy down, there are many things that you can use. You can get your puppy used to wearing a ThunderShirt. It comes in a plug-in, collar, and spray. Get professional help if needed If all else fails, get professional help if you need it. A positive reinforcement trainer who has experience with puppy behaviors can set you and your puppy on the right track. And save your wardrobe. I know that this is easier said than done. But try the above-listed methods instead. And they can be abusive. Doing so may even teach him to fear you and become hand shy. And he may even become aggressive when you attempt to handle him. But, if you get too excited and scream at him, your puppy will probably become over-stimulated and his behavior of yanking on your clothes will escalate. Or some puppies will even become afraid of you. And you may even create other behavior problems. This includes no wrestling games or waving arms round. And no tug of war for now. So use other safe toys made for dogs instead. FAQs My puppy tugs on my clothes and has already ruined a few pairs of pants. Should I push him away? And teach him obedience commands such as paying attention, leave it, sit, heel, and down. And have something ready such as a favorite to or chew to redirect him before his teeth are on your clothes. My family gives my puppy old socks as toys and now he always wants to pull the socks off my feet. What should I do? First of all, stop giving your puppy clothing as toys. Instead, have safe toys and chews available for him to play with. My puppy gets very excited when my two toddlers are playing. He grabs their clothes and pulls them over, which scares them. And he gets even more excited when they cry. Never leave your puppy alone with your children. Accidents can happen. Have them interact only when supervised and after your puppy has a sufficient amount of exercise for his age and breed. Teach your toddlers to be calm around your puppy. Reward them for being calm. Positive reinforcement works for people too! And teach your puppy obedience commands and impulse control exercises. Final Thoughts Puppies explore the world with their mouths. There are many reasons why they love to tug at our clothes. Then you can take the measures necessary to avoid and correct that behavior. Have you had a puppy who tugs on your clothes? What have you done about it? Did it work? Please tell us about it in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation.

We have developed a breeding program to produce all around sound American Bulldogs. Our American Bulldogs are show quality for working or as a great family pet. Our dogs are family raised and great with children. Bull Pulls American Bulldogs are consistent in type and health. He has lots of energy and needs lots of attention. He can be a bit reserved around some new people but will be fine with them quickly after getting to sniff around a bit and treats given by strangers. Obie does have some leash aggressive towards some of the other big dogs in my neighborhood. He goes to day care once or twice a week and he is loved by all the staff there. He gets along with the other dogs. He loves to run around and go on long walks. He loves being outside, long walks, dog parks, or just laying out on the patio in the evening. He will try to chase squirrels, cats, or the fox that roams around but he leaves the geese and ducks alone. He has never been around children, so I am unsure how he would react around them; but he is a big boy and gets excited and jumpy at times. He loves going on car rides, he rides with me on the 8 hour drive to visit my family in Kentucky where he is very attached to my mom and sister. They have a pitty mix that he plays very well with. He also loves to pull when walking! Please reach out directly to the owner Shawn Martin for more information. Shawn Martin. Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article. We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website.

Little boy reverse brindle with a black mask and white stripe on nose. Comet Found his forever home Home: Gallery Just a few of the wonderful families who love our puppies. We had a boxer that we bought from a breeder in our area but they were no longer breeding. We wanted to make sure that our puppy would be healthy and not inbred. There were many boxers available in our area, but they were not from recommended breeders. We were one of the first people to call about the puppies and they were only a couple days old. Shannon was a big help in picking out our little girl, Kaiyah. We had to decide mainly from pictures since we live 3 hours away. We went to see her and put our deposit down a week later. Shannon was able to answer any questions we had and the puppies were very well cared for. The Mother and Father were both there for us to meet and were well mannered. When we got her home and took her to the vet, he was very pleased. He raves about her every time she is there and tells us what a beautiful boxer she is. He wanted to know where we got her and told us that the breeders did a very good job. The Duncan family I have been a Boxer lover for 24 years. Needless to say, it took awhile to think about getting another addition to our family. My other boxer girl was so lonely we decided to start looking for a brother for her. My husband came across Shannon's name in the paper, so we checked out her website. I immediately fell in love with a male, by the time I called he was already picked by another gentleman. So with careful thought we took the ride to see the other male, to our delight we got to meet Shannon, Jack and Tesla and Reyes, what beautiful dogs, when we met our male it was destiny, he high fived my husband, we were sold. Another reason I knew we were taking Jaxson is Shannon was very knowledgeable about this wonderful breed, and she had both parents and puppies on organic food, that was very important to me, as knowing the breed the way I do, I know they thrive on the better foods. So time will tell. Thank you Shannon for keeping this wonderful breed alive, we will keep in touch forever. I wanted a puppy that came from a loving home where the parents were family pets. I found lots of puppies that appealed to me in looks, but for 1 reason or another, did not feel comfortable with the breeder. When we arrived for our visit, we met the parents of the puppies; both were beautiful, friendly, well cared for, family dogs. She is absolutely the best dog! From the moment we left with her, she never cried or whined at being separated from her Mom or littermates. I think she knew she was with her family! She loves nothing more than being where we are. Shelby is a happy, healthy, funny, beautiful, energetic girl who brings joy to our lives every day. Orchard Park is 3 hours away, but was well worth the trip! I would definitely contact Shannon again when we are ready for another boxer baby! Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Frequently Asked Questions Are Boxers good family pets? Yes, boxers are particularly fond of their family members especially when goodly trained. Are Boxers trainable? Though the boxers can be a little headstrong, they are very intelligent and with a proper training environment, they respond well. Are Boxers friendly with kids? They are very fond of children and they love playing games with them. Are Boxers friendly with other animals? Boxers are naturally patient with puppies, pooches and small animals but a bit unaccommodating of adult dogs and other animals. Are Boxers good apartment dogs? They can live anywhere you make as a home all you need is to provide it with enough space for exercise. How is Boxers shedding? Given the shortness of their coat, they shed minimally and occasionally, you can also regulate the shedding by frequent brushing of their coat. Are Boxers good for first-time owners? Not quite, as their exercise needs are way too high for their inexperienced hands. Are Boxers loud barkers? But growling is a thing they do most. Are Boxers tolerable to heat and cold? All they need is moderate exposure to heat and cold because of their thin fur body. How long can Boxers live? The average life-span of boxers is 10 years Are you interested in purchasing a Boxer? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Following the Labrador feeding chart by age will give you a rough idea of how much to feed your puppy. Labradors are known for their playfulness, and sweet disposition, and are good at fetch which is why you should provide them with the best nutrition to support their growth. Ensure that the food contains the right amounts of protein, carbs, fat, and vitamins. You should avoid feeding your Labrador puppy too much food as they are prone to joint issues, but also avoid feeding them less food as they will be malnourished and not reach their growth milestones. Continue reading to understand how much to feed a Labrador puppy. The amount of food that your Labrador puppy should eat depends on a combination of certain factors such as activity level, weight, type, and brand of food. Heavier and bigger puppies need to eat more food than smaller puppies, and dogs that have active lives will need more calories than those living sedentary life. Fortunately, all dog food contains a feeding guideline on the packaging to get you started. It is important that you create and maintain a feeding schedule for your puppy so that they can maintain a healthy weight and develop good habits. Consult your pet nutritionist or vet, to learn more about how much food you should give your specific Labrador. Labrador Feeding Chart By Age A Labrador can be fed between one and six cups of food depending on their level of activity, age, and type of food. The amount will differ from one puppy to the other as every puppy has there own requirements. Therefore, you should follow a feeding guideline that is indicated in the dog food brands or the one designed by your vet. As a Labrador owner, it is important to understand that the nutritional requirements of your puppy are different at each stage as they grow. Therefore, adult and puppy dogs should be trained to eat the correct amount at the right schedule. Ensure that you keep a Labrador puppy feeding chart with you. Calculating the Resting Energy Requirement RER of your puppy and doubling it can help you get the right number of calories to feed them. Feed your puppy a little amount, in the beginning, to ensure that they are ready to eat. If they are not ready, do not force the food on them. Be patient with your puppy and they will be on puppy food soon. The puppy will be relying less on the milk. When your puppy starts eating all the food you offer them, you can reduce the amount of water and increase the food amount. The puppy will start becoming active and start exploring away from the mother as they no longer rely on the mother. By the end of the week into week seven, the puppy will be able to eat just puppy food. Ensure that you feed them dry food that is full of healthy protein. They should be eating three to four times per day and need about 2 cups of food. Avoid free feeding the puppy as it may be hard to know exactly how much they are eating. Create a feeding schedule as early as possible and this will help them develop good habits in the future. Put the food out for only 10 to 15 minutes and take the bowl away if they do not finish. This can be tricky if you are working but it is important that you maintain their feeding schedule as this is a developmental stage. Three meals per day will help your growing puppy develop their digestive system and ensure that they are getting their nutrition. This is also the beginning of the teething stage and they will be biting a lot of things including hard dog food and chew toys. They should eat about two cups of food distributed over three meals. But you should still maintain feeding them two cups of food but can reduce the mealtimes to twice per day. Watch out for the amount of food your puppy eats to avoid them gaining weight. Also, ensure that they are getting enough exercise to burn off the food. So, you should transition them to adult food. Ensure that the switching process is done slowly to avoid causing vomiting and diarrhea to your puppy. Your Labrador can be fed once per day now and the amount reduced to about two cups of food. Understanding Labrador Puppy Nutritional Needs If you stick to feeding your Labrador high-quality food, be assured that they are getting all the necessary nutrients. However, it is useful to know the types of nutrients that they need and the ingredients to watch out for. Carbohydrates — healthy carbs are necessary for providing energy for your puppy. Sources like barley, rice, and oatmeal are great. Healthy carbs can also be found in veggies such as sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils. Fiber — it helps regulate the digestive system of your puppy and helps the stool become healthier and firm. Sources include spinach, chicory root, and beet pulp. Sources include fish oils, fish, canola oils, and fish. Vitamins and Minerals — are needed for improving the immune system which helps in protecting your puppy from diseases. Veggies and real fruits like cranberries and blueberries are great sources. The frequency of feeding your Labrador depends mostly on their age. Puppies need to eat three to four times per day while senior and adult Labradors can eat one to two times per day. Labrador is a breed that is motivated by food, meaning that the chance of them turning down food is low. Given their nature, it can be difficult to figure out whether they are really hungry or just food obsessed. Since they cannot regulate their eating habits, it is important that you develop a feeding schedule to prevent them from gaining weight. Both types of food provide your dog with the best nutrition they need to grow and develop. Also, check the label on the packaging and make sure that it contains the perfect balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Kibble is cheaper than wet foods and stores easily as it does not require refrigeration. It also helps clean the teeth by removing tartar and buildup when your puppy chews it. Wet food also provides balanced and complete nutrition for your Labrador. It provides more hydration to your puppy as it contains high moisture content. However, wet food needs to be put in the fridge once opened otherwise it will go bad. Some dog owners mix wet food and kibble to give their dogs the best of both worlds. Therefore, most premium dog food brands have different specially formulated puppy food. Puppies can be fed with puppy food until they are about 12 to 15 months old then transition to adult dog food. When transitioning your dog from puppy food to adult dog food remember to introduce the feed gradually for about seven to ten days by mixing small amounts of the adult dog food with the puppy food. Decrease the puppy food gradually every day with a simultaneous increase in adult dog food. This will helps the pup o adjust to the new meal easily. Experienced Labrador Retriever owners will tell you that not all puppies eat a lot. Studies also have indicated that puppies eat more when fed with other puppies or in a group. When the puppy gets to a new home, they might go off the food for the first few days. They might eat a few kibbles and then leave it. Your puppy may also prefer to eat from your hand and not the bowl. However, call your vet if your puppy refuses to eat for more than four hours. Call immediately if your puppy looks unwell. There are a few reasons you need to keep an eye on because they indicate serious problems: Your pup neither drink nor eat Diarrhea. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. Although I am not a veterinarian myself, I have been a lab owner for 11 years and been in the pet food industry for the last 6 years. However, if this is not the case for your pupper, no need to worry. Be sure not to feed normal cerelac or cow milk as that will result in loose motion as well as stunted growth. At this tender age, you need to feed your lab pup via feeding bottle like you would feed a human baby of age 2 months. Milk is the only food apart from purified water which your dog is gonna need till 1. After this age, till 3 months you have two options. You can either continue with milk or look at starter food options like Royal Canin Maxi starter , Drools starter, Farmina Puppy Starter, Canine Creek Starter , Orijen puppy and plenty of other brands which are available in the market. The kibble for starter food is small and most probably, your puppy will be able to chew it. Certain dry food can be extremely hard to chew, so depending on the toughness of the kibble you might have to break i. Puppies of age 1. You should be following this diet of starter food till 3 months age at least. Also, make sure you are vaccinating as well as deworming your pup at the right intervals. So, a proper nutritious diet is essential to achieve good growth. You can either go for Royal Canin Maxi Junior or Royal Canin Labrador Junior or puppy variants of other brands like drools, canine creek, Orijen Puppy and Junior Recommended , Acana large breed puppy, pedigree not recommended at this age. If you are giving a good diet like Royal Canin, farmina or even home-made food, growth should be good. For those who can extend their budget, you can go for something even more premium like Acana, Orijen, Arden Grange and the likes. No need to add additional supplements. If you are feeding home-made food like boiled chicken which itself is a very good food option, consider adding some fish oils like Beaphar Salmon Oil. However, a good diet is recommended to ensure a good life span above 12 years and muscle development. Homemade food can be a healthy option as well. Feeding guide amount to feed in grams depends on dog weight and varies from brand to brand. You will find the recommended portion for your brand based on the calories it carries on the packet you will buy. At other times, you can give chews or treats but whole meal should be fed not more than twice a day. Do not keep food available in front of the dog except during his eating time. However, you can keep water available in a bowl all the time. Sticking to schedule regularly is recommended. Wait, till now we have been speaking about commercial dry food. Yes, this happens to many dogs. While some dogs like pugs are voracious eaters, labs or goldens can be extremely choosy. They will eat whatever liquid you put in the feeding bottle at this age. However, once puppies mature and learn to eat themselves, they may not like dry food, rarely touch it. In these cases, the best option is to first add a home-made additive with the dry food. You may add many things dog like in small quantities of chicken stalk, chicken pieces boneless for puppies , curd, egg and others to the dry food. Changing or trying out another brand helps as well. I have seen many dogs who hate Drools but like Canine Creek although they are manufactured by same company. Every dog has a mind of his own. Most common diseases of Indian bred dogs like canine hyp dysplasia, ear infections, bent hind legs can happen to any dog. Take your dog to a registered veterinary practitioner in case such situations arise. Lack of appetite is also observed during this age at times. For not-so-severe cases, you may administer Himalaya Liv52 syrup or tabs or other appetite stimulants of various brands twice a day for days. In case, your dog has gastrointestinal disorders, referring to a prescription diet under the guidance of a veterinarian can be immensely helpful. This entry was posted in Pet Blog. Bookmark the permalink. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

Adult goldens naturally do well in the water, but what about puppies? Can Golden Retriever puppies swim? Golden retriever puppies have a natural instinct that makes them good swimmers. Many Golden Retriever puppies can hit the water for the first time and learn how to swim very quickly. It is best to take precautions and stick near your puppy when they first start swimming to make sure they stay safe. While swimming is a natural instinct for a golden, it still takes a bit of learning and practice for a puppy to figure out how to swim. Many take naturally to the water and will learn to swim with very little encouragement. In fact, a golden is a natural swimmer because they were bred to retrieve birds and other game in the water during hunts. In the past, Golden Retrievers were bred to help retrieve waterfowl that was downed during a hunt. To do this, they would need to have strong swimming muscles to get out into the water, get the animal, and bring it back to their owners. Thanks to this breeding, most Golden Retrievers are just naturally strong swimmers. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! When take your puppy out to the water to swim, you can enjoy some peace of mind compared to other animals. There are a lot of genetics at play that help your dog to be a good swimmer, including strong legs, the ability to keep their energy up, and an inherent instinct for swimming. If you have a new golden retriever puppy, you may first want to know how old they should be before introducing them to the water? At this point they have developed enough to begin to be able to handle the water. Then you can take the time to help them adjust to the water and teach them how to swim and be safe. You may find that just a few times on the water is all your puppy needs to take off and want to spend all afternoon swimming. Other times your puppy may need a little more guidance and help. He took to swimming like…well, like a Golden Retriever! How to Keep Your Golden Retriever Safe on the Water Even if your dog does know how to swim, there are a few things that you can do to help keep them safe. Remember the Sunscreen Humans and dogs are quite similar when it comes to sun exposure. While we can agree, there are big differences between the species, there is one similarity in that the sun can be as harmful to the skin of your dog as it is to your own. This will make it easier to swim in the water as they are learning, and will keep them afloat if they get tired. They are not used to this new activity and may not have the endurance to spend that long in the water. If you let them overexert themselves or swim for too long, they can get overly tired. This increases the risk of drowning. Short little spurts into the water are best. This allows your dog to get used to the water and swim a bit, building up her endurance, so she can swim for longer and longer as time goes by. So cute! Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! Short swims also allow your golden retriever puppy to develop a sense of their own level of endurance. They will begin to learn just how much effort it will take to swim a specific distance. A young puppy will learn the same thing over time. These steps include: Take your puppy to a small, calm lake or swimming pool. You and someone else should go into the water in case something goes wrong. Gently guide your puppy into the water. Let the puppy feel the water a bit before turning back towards the other person you brought with you. Keep them close to the shore or steps of the pool. The best way to do this is to have one of your hands on the stomach and the other at the base of the tail. This is a good time to talk gently to your puppy and be positive and upbeat. Once their legs are under, you should notice that even while holding them, your dog is moving their legs and paddling. This is the time for praise and positive reinforcement to let the dog know they are doing well. The other person on the shore should call for your dog to come to them. You can release the dog a bit, adding a bit of balance as necessary. When you feel they are comfortable and ready, release completely and let them swim the rest of the way. Continue with this. Take them back out into the water and let them swim back to the person on the other shore for as many times as it takes. Conclusion Your Golden Retriever puppy is sure to love spending time on the water with you and the rest of the family. There are a few simple precautions you can take to make sure that your puppy will be safe when they bounce into the water. But if you learn how to watch them, protect them from getting too tired or too burnt, and you teach them how to swim, your puppy will have the time of their lives. Tub and Blue, have left the internet in stitches after a video of them playing in the pool while wearing goggles went viral on social media last week. The pair, one of them wearing goggles, look quizzically at each other as they try to figure out how to retrieve a green tennis ball that has sunk to the pool floor. The hilarious post, which has been reshared almost , times, comes with a caption that says: "Dog goggles for the win. A golden retriever playing in the pool wearing goggles has melted hearts online. Getty Images According to pet wellbeing experts, PetKeen , most golden retrievers have an inherited love of water and will try to get in it whenever they can. Some goldens even enjoy bath time. But while there's a high chance that your golden retriever likes water , not all of them do, because, like people, dogs also have their own unique personalities and taste. This doesn't mean something is wrong with these dogs. It just means they don't like water as much as their breed suggests. Some Golden puppies dislike water when they're young and grow to love it as they get older. Sometimes, it just takes time for them to learn what they like," its website says. The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over

Conclusions for when Goldendoodles calm down At what age do Goldendoodles calm down? There is light at the end of the tunnel for a worried Goldendoodle owner. There are three stages of Goldendoodle energy level to pass through. Although you should always expect an energetic and upbeat dog — the overall excitement level will lessen as they age and progress. Expect a Goldendoodle to calm down around months of age. They will be past the puppy stage and into adulthood. Expect energetic and sometimes crazy behavior until they transition into the adult phase. This can be delayed an entire year or more for some dogs also. The craziest level of energy and frantic personality will occur in the first puppy stage of development. A Hyperactive Goldendoodle puppy Most Goldendoodles are going to be more than a little energetic. Expect exciting behavior, zoomies, plenty of licking , and boundless curiosity. It is this curiosity that can lead even the gentlest and kindest Goldendoodle into becoming a bit naughty. Even if your Goldendoodle is a standard or larger size — they will still mentally be a puppy for a long time. Even if they are so tall that they can stretch upright and be taller than you! Larger sized Goldendoodles sometimes give their owners slightly more hassle with the frenetic energy. This is not because larger sized Goldendoodle is more likely to be crazy — it is because their antics and power are more destructive because of their size. We just need to expect Goldendoodle puppies to be frantic, overexcited, and sometimes to get so wound up they forget their manners. Positive reinforcement and food as a motivating treat ned to be used form early on to start the glacially slow training process for a crazy Goldendoodle. So when should you expect change? The transition from Puppy into Adult Goldendoodle in terms of behavior will occur anywhere from months. It should be noted that transitioning into the adult phase is not a magic bean solution to a hyperactive Goldendoodle expect some of the behavior to continue! But now you are through the woods if you are consistent and the training is positive — you can expect less NEW destructive or hyper behaviors to occur. Can Goldendoodles swim? Do they like pools and beaches? Tips for dealing with a hyper Goldendoodle puppy Usually, during the puppy phase, most CRAZY Goldendoodle behavior can be attributed to a single cause. The primary issue is one of over excitement. Goldendoodles have a zeal for life and an outgoing personality to match. This is one of the reasons they are so popular as a dog for families with children. Reprimanding will often not achieve the desired result. At this early stage up to the 18 months , diversion AND prevention are typically a better approach to minimize over excitement. Use Nose work to Calm Down a Crazy Goldendoodle The inability to focus and lack of concentration are primary aspects of crazy Goldendoodle behavior. There are easy things you can do with your dog at home to engage their attention and promote calmness. Got an over excited puppy? Try out nose work! It is simple and fun to get started. You can DIY it at home! For more dog videos check out our Oodle Life YouTube channel Nose work scent training is a simple and easy pastime for Goldendoodles that wears them out mentally and physically — and can easily be performed indoors. A great way to distract your crazy Goldendoodle AND get them to concentrate is to start with some nose work or sniff training. As you can see in this video of a Labradoodle puppy beginning scent training, it can initially be a straightforward scenario. Primarily you play hide and seek with the desired food treat. Dried liver snacks, boiled chicken, even capsicum or grated cheese can be used as hides Reward each find with an extra set of treats Progressively make the hides more difficult as the days and weeks progress Examples include getting the dog to reach its nose into a box Place the hides in a plastic container or something that has noise Reduce the total number of hides but put our more places to search Although Goldendoodle rarely lack confidence, the gradual increase in difficulty will help boost self-assuredness The act of sniffing is both mentally and physically tiring for a Goldendoodle. So cute! When an older Goldendoodle Acts Crazy or Hyper Once a Goldendoodle transitions into the adult phase of its life, it often sees a reduction in the total intensity of the crazy or manic behavior. Do not expect it to completely disappear, though! Goldendoodles are brimming with energy and have a zeal for life that lasts for… life. If there are learned behaviors not redirected as a puppy — you can expect these to continue later. This is why problem chewing needs to be deal with early. Another common issue is that of excessive barking. Goldendoodles can have a booming bark. Loud even for the dog of their size! All size Goldendoodles from teacup right through the bigger standard Goldendoodles or sturdily built English Goldendoodles can have a loud and alarming bark. Barking is a natural behavior, and it is not reasonable to expect a Goldendoodle to never bark. Problem barking, however, is a behavioral issue that can be addressed. If left unchecked, it will annoy neighbors and just be a general nuisance! Our Goldendoodles may be smart — but sometimes we have to baby them and play tricks like warning the postman OR blocking out windows to stop excessive barking. These are soft non harming nips that do not hurt the owner or pierce the skin. If this transitions into biting OR continues after 12 months of age — you need to quickly implement at-home training or seek advice from a professional. Play biting should drop off significantly once the puppy teeth have been replaced. This occurs by around 8 months of age. Do not tolerate biting that causes harm at any age. If the biting habit persists and it not addressed — you will have a lifetime of troubles with the dog. The ramifications to yourself, your family, — and the issues taking the dog in public will further compound into making your crazy Goldendoodle act our even more. A beautiful black Goldendoodle puppy! The conventional wisdom for a Goldendoodle is that any hyper or crazy behavior should have plateaued by three years of age. Consider 2. If you are still experiencing crazy or boisterous behavior by 2. If it is upsetting the family dynamic, you may need to consider more intense obedience training or the help of an in-home dog trainer to overcome the issues. I asked two Goldendoodle owners with older dogs. They have commented in the past their thoughts on when Goldendoodles become entirely calm. She also barked at everything and would pine whenever we left her alone. We were so worried she was a bit of a handful in those times. Thank goodness the biting and chewing stopped after she lost her baby teeth at 6 months. The rest of the crazy only really reduced at around age 2. Marlie is still very active and cheerful, but we love her, and it is very manageable. We keep him extremely active and tire him out daily to reduce the craziness. He never has been hyper too much — but was naughty till around age 3. He tested us! We had to wait so long for him to mature. Luckily there are ingenious dog toys that will distract our Goldendoodles and reduce the amount of hyper crazy moments we have. Our Oodle Life recipe for a delicious Kong treat Kong-tail You can tire your dog out with a bunch of different toys, but nothing really beats the good old fashioned Kong. A puzzle toy that then gives treats later turns into a sweet-smelling for your Goldendoodle chew toy once the frozen goodies are gone. Learn how to best stuff a Kong and make a Kong-tail in our detailed guide. The smaller ones often live for over fifteen years. Find out how long you should expect your particular type of Goldendoodle to live here. In their old age — expect a degree of calmness from your dog that might be a touch of surprise. After all — this calm comes only once the Goldendoodle turns ten years of age. After a decade of exuberant excitement — it would be nice to have a serene and calm final run with your beloved dog. Pamper them! Conclusions for when Goldendoodles calm down A hyper or crazy acting Goldendoodle can be a severe problem to address. The solution is going to be a combination of time, training, and patience. Redirecting problem behaviors and positive reinforcement are key. Working through each problem e. Solve each issue, and one by one, you will improve the calmness of your Goldendoodle. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Many puppy owners are shocked, surprised or downright freaked out about the way that their cute little puppy is behaving. Check out which stage your puppy is in, and it will help explain a lot like he isn't crazy! Behaviors can be accounted for with these stages, but a lot of these behaviors are also not acceptable and you must train and lead the way. The mother of your puppy will start the process by building the foundation. This responsibility will then be turned over to you. It can not be expressed enough times how important it is for you to train and lead your puppy so that he will be a happy well adjusted member of your family for life. Puppy Toddlers Period 3 - 8 Weeks "Mom teaches dog manners" During the Toddler period, the doodle puppies emerge on their own from the litter. They venture into the surrounding environment. Puppies removed too early tend to be nervous, tend to bark a lot, tend to bite simply because these lessons a mother and littermates usually provides were missed. Training problems and long-term behavior problems can often be attributed to a puppy removed from the litter much too soon. Beginning at 5 weeks of age, what is going on: Vocalization and tempered activities dog manners usually are learned at approximately 5 weeks of age. What the Puppy's mother will do: The mother will growl, snarl and snap to communicate. With a few very clear signals and repetitions, the young puppy will learn quickly. At that point a mothers glare or low growl is all that is needed to keep a young pup in line. Littermates also learn clear signals of communication to each other. Socialization Period 7 - 12 Weeks and First Fear Imprint Period Weeks "Lasting impact, rapid learning" Dogs that are denied socialization during this critical Socialization period often become unpredictable because they are fearful or aggressive. It is during this time, that your dog needs to have positive experiences. They need to be introduced to new things and begin the groundwork to a happy, well-adjusted dog. Seniority Classification Period Weeks "You're not the boss of me! He has been watching you and the family very closely. He is picking up on human behaviors and reactions. He is learning the pecking order of the pack. As he observes and learns, he will then attempt to figure out where exactly he stands in the pack order, and to also see if moving up in the pack will work. After all, he knows who the "weak links" are and will start at the bottom and try to move right up the pack. How could such a cute little pup be such a pistol? Flight Instinct Period 4 - 8 Months "Fly like an Eagle, into the wind" Your cute little puppy has been following you around for weeks now. He has been aware of where you are and would stay pretty close. During this period that same cute little puppy will decide that he is ready to go solo and take off running quicker than lightening. During this time, teaching the puppy that he must stay close by or come when called is critical. The failure to do this will result in a dog that will not be reliable to come or to stay close by as an adult and very well could lead the dog into a life or death situation. Yes this is redundant to the above, so it must be pretty important for us to say it twice. Adolescence Period 7 - 10 months "Welcome to the Teenage Years - Enjoy the Ride" This is one of the most difficult times for pet owners. They are so surprised when their puppy turns into "devil dog" or "cujo". This often is a time when many families start to worry that maybe they made a bad decision in getting a dog. Remember: you get what you put into it. You take the time right now to teach good habits, you will have the dog you always dreamed of for many years. This work will payoff. It will help. What's up with that? But then, BAM, he refuses to walk down some stairs, he is shaking in the car, or he jumps at the sound of the neighbor's music. This is normal, but you must help your dog figure out how to deal with his fears or concerns. The skills of learning how to "shake it off and keep going" will be valuable to him for the rest of his life. It will also reduce the chances that the things he fears will not be permanently imprinted for life. He will begin to fill out a bit and develop more muscle tone. But, mentally, the dog is still working out some last details of his life and what it means to him. He IS a member of a pack and now begins to find that his turf is worthy of monitoring and protecting. Sort of sounds nice to have your dog be protective, but don't fall for it. You do not want you dog to take over these responsibilities because in no time you too will be under the rule of the King Dog. Which can lead to aggressive behaviors, protective to the point of creating fear or actually harming someone or another animal as he protects. This is bad news, and often a reason a dog is taken out of the home or destroyed. So, don't allow your dog to be the King of the Castle, assign him the role of court jester - he will be happier and so will your family. Also, check out our Goldendoodle puppy weight calculator — a tool that gives you an idea of how big your puppy may get based on a few factors. About the F1 Goldendoodle The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed that only recently captured the hearts of dog lovers. Both the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle are a medium- to large-size breed, thereby creating a medium- to large-size breed in the Standard Goldendoodle. In comparison, F2 Goldendoodles have two F1 parents. Either way, this designer breed is active, a good companion, intelligent, social, easily trainable, and can also make a good guide or therapy dog. Our veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates, emphasizes the importance of keeping puppies lean. The abdomen and waist should show a noticeable tuck when viewed from the side and top of the dog. Work with your veterinarian to figure out the best size for your Goldendoodle as she grows into adulthood. Using roughly 50, healthy dogs as a reference, the Waltham puppy charts show the target range for a healthy growing puppy. Moving lower on the chart could be associated with unhealthy weight loss. What Age do Goldendoodles Stop Growing? A Goldendoodle puppy goes through a typical puppyhood, consisting of multiple developmental stages. Those stages make up the first to second year of life. For instance, a Standard Goldendoodle puppy will, on average, grow at about the same rate as other medium to large dogs like the German Shepherd and Collie. A Medium Goldendoodle may take a couple of more months to reach most of his adult size. A Standard Goldendoodle is a large-size dog and typically takes just over a year to become fully grown. But this is an average and some dogs can take up to 2 years to become full-grown adult dogs. The AKC estimates a large dog who weighs anywhere from 51 to pounds reaches full size at around 18 months old. How big your puppy gets depends on which type of Goldendoodle you have or are going to get — mini, medium, or standard. Across the three types, adult dogs can weigh anywhere from 15 to 90 pounds. Even then, knowing how big your Goldendoodle will get is not exact. For a guide, check out our Goldendoodle weight chart, which breaks down the weight range for each type of Goldendoodle puppy, from 8 weeks old to fully grown. The Miniature Goldendoodle weighs approximately 15 to 30 pounds in adulthood. He stands about 13 to 15 inches high at the shoulders. The Medium Goldendoodle weighs around 30 to 45 pounds in adulthood and stands roughly 15 to 20 inches at the shoulder. The Standard Goldendoodle weighs approximately 45 to 90 pounds in adulthood, and measures about 20 to 24 inches at the shoulders. Coates, advises the numbers are a general gauge. Goldendoodle Puppy Size and Weight Calculator Goldendoodle puppies sport a variety of coat types and colors, never mind sizes. If you want to keep your furniture dog-hair free, check special pet hair removal tools to keep your home tidy. No matter which Goldendoodle graces your life, or might soon, your new puppy is sure to bring you lots of smiles. Take care of your puppy, monitor her growth, and keep close tabs on her health. Refer to our Goldendoodle puppy growth chart to see the average growth rate for puppies 8 weeks old and up. Beginning with the Mini Goldendoodle growth chart and ending with the Standard Goldendoodle growth chart, we provide you with the average weight ranges per month across the three different-size Goldendoodles, for males and females. For instance, a 3-month-old Miniature Goldendoodle puppy typically weighs between 6 and 12 pounds, while a 3-month-old Medium Goldendoodle puppy weighs between 12 and 18 pounds. Also included in the chart is the average height for the full-size Miniature, Medium, and Standard Goldendoodle. You can also use our puppy size predictor to find out how big your Goldendoodle might get as an adult. By Kern Campbell Is there anything cuter than a Goldendoodle puppy? Not much. How long do Goldendoodles stay puppies? Puppies need different levels of nutrients than adult dogs. This is especially true for Standard Goldendoodles since large breed dogs are more prone to developing bone and joint issues if they grow too quickly or without the right nutrients. When in doubt, ask your vet. Just remember to transition your Goldendoodle from puppy food to adult food slowly to avoid an upset stomach. How Big Do Goldendoodles Get? Your Goldendoodle puppy may be cute and tiny now, but how big will they grow to be? That depends on how big their parents were. Standard Goldendoodles are usually pounds when fully grown. They will typically weigh between 35 and 50 pounds when fully grown. Toy Goldendoodles are usually a cross between a Mini Goldendoodle and a Toy Poodle and weigh less than 35 pounds. Ask the breeder how much each parent dog weighs to get an idea of what to expect. Lexie, A 5 year-old fully grown F2 Mini Goldendoodle. Do Goldendoodles Have Growth Spurts? Goldendoodle puppies do a ton of growing for the first 6 months to a year of their lives. All that growth can definitely happen in spurts. Growth spurts are more noticeable in Standard Goldendoodle because they have more growing to do than Mini or Toy Goldendoodles. One reason that puppies sleep so much hours per day! Stage 1: Birth to 3 Weeks Goldendoodle puppies are born blind, deaf, and toothless. Their entire existence is basically just eating, sleeping, and growing. Puppies open their eyes around 2 weeks old. Their ears open and teeth start growing around 3 weeks. At 3 weeks, your Goldendoodle puppy was finally aware of and interacting with the world. They were learning to crawl, bark, and play with their littermates. Stage 2: 3 to 7 Weeks During this period, your puppy was growing stronger and interacting with the world more. This stage is crucial for learning bite inhibition. When a puppy bites one of their littermates too hard, the other puppy will yelp and stop playing. By the end of stage 2, Goldendoodle puppies can eat puppy food , bark, run, wag their tail, and be left alone for a little while. Stage 3: 7 to 12 Weeks Stage 3 is a crucial stage for learning. Your puppy will learn more than you could expect. However, they will also start to develop fear at some point in this stage. Puppy classes, socialization, and training basic commands are all crucial during this stage. Stage 4: 12 to 16 Weeks During this stage, Goldendoodle puppies start teething and pushing boundaries. Just remember to be gentle — harsh words or punishments can cause your puppy to fear you. Stage 5: 16 to 40 Weeks During this stage, your Goldendoodle puppy will continue to grow and may test your limits. This is a critical time for training and socialization. This may also be a good time to get your Goldendoodle puppy spayed or neutered — talk to your vet about their recommendation. Stage 6: 40 Weeks to 1 Year Smaller Goldendoodle puppies will stop growing in this period. Standard Goldendoodles may stop growing in height but will still fill out for a few more months. This stage is like the teenage years — your Goldendoodle will have the body of an adult with the attitude and energy of a puppy. During this stage, your Goldendoodle may try to assert dominance over you and the rest of your family. You must gently remind them that you are the boss while using plenty of positive reinforcement. Shouting, hitting, or otherwise punishing your Goldendoodle may cause fear aggression. Stage 7: 1 Year and Up Your Goldendoodle should reach full developmental and sexual maturity between 1 and 2 years of age. Once your Goldendoodle is fully grown, you can switch them to adult food and increase the intensity of their exercise with less risk of damaging growing bones and joints. Goldendoodle puppies have LOTS of energy. So, what can you do? As a puppy, the best way to help your Goldendoodle burn energy is to play with them. This has the added bonus of being great bonding for you and your puppy. Puzzle toys are a great way to help your puppy burn energy while using their mind. Lexie, our Goldendoodle using her dog treat puzzle toy! How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? On average, Goldendoodles live around years. As your Goldendoodle reaches their senior years, you will want to switch them from adult dog food to senior dog food. Predicting the mature size of a puppy is by no means an exact science, especially with a hybrid breed like the goldendoodle. How big will my goldendoodle puppy be? From birth until the gotchya day, puppies have fluctuated back and forth in terms of who weighs the most. Even though adult weight is a bit of a guess for a young puppy, expect mini goldendoodles to weigh 4lbs-9lbs at 8 weeks of age. A medium puppy and standard puppy may both weigh 9lbs at 8 weeks old, but the standard puppy with gain weight at a quicker rate than the medium. Like most dog breeds, goldendoodles generally do the majority of their growing in the first six months of life. In fact, many mini goldendoodle puppies reach half of their adult weight by four months. Standard goldendoodles may take a month or so longer to reach that halfway mark. The larger the dog, the longer growing takes. For mini goldendoodles, expect the weight to start leveling off between months of age. Standard goldendoodles, like other large dog breeds, will grow for a longer period of time. While this rule may work for many standards, it is not accurate with smaller-sized goldendoodles who finish growing at a younger age. When will my goldendoodle stop growing? Dogs can finish growing anywhere between years of age, but generally reach their maximum height by a year of age and spend the remaining months filling out. This means your dog might hit a growth spurt right after her first birthday — she might not get any taller but she could thicken up. Golden retrievers grow at a slower rate in terms of height than standard poodles, but fill out more quickly. Golden retrievers tend to finish growing and filling out between months while standard poodles can take up to 2 years to accomplish the same. Established breeds generally reproduce naturally, whereas first-generation mini goldendoodles require artificial insemination. Subsequent generations of hybrid breeds i. F1b, F2b, etc. F1b goldendoodles can potentially have a slightly more predictable size range if the parents are similar sizes. Our 19lb F1 goldendoodle and 24lb poodle produce F1b mini goldendoodle puppies ranging in weight from lbs as adults. Embark is a canine genetic testing company that offers a variety of canine disease and trait tests in their panel. Order an Embark testing kit off Amazon , send in that quick cheek swab, and Embark will happily send you the results. Check out our goldendoodle puppy time lapses to watch various goldendoodles grow up right before your eyes! If you would like to submit data, please complete our quick survey or email goldendoodles timberidgefarms. Growth patterns vary from dog to dog but there are some generalities you may find helpful. Remember, this is a guide only, not a guarantee! Thank you for your support! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share this:. We start Puppy Culture when the pups are only three days old - holding them in different positions and offering other tactile stimulation such as tickling toes. During this time one of the most important developments is the introduction to people and other dogs. Beginning at five weeks, puppies begin enjoying playtime and become aware of their surroundings and positive interaction with people will play a large part in how they continue to relate with humans. Establishing positive experiences and relationships with humans will help their continued development in the future. In the meantime, the eight weeks spent with their littermates are crucial for developing bonding, playing skills and other dog socialization cues. As previously mentioned, at JLDD we utilize the Puppy Culture development program during the first 8 weeks which includes among other things: LOTS of exposure to new stimulation every day, animal sounds on YouTube, introduction to other dogs, introduction to water pool day , individual time away from littermates, obstacle courses, introduction to household noises and even people wearing alternate clothing items sunglasses, hats, dangly earrings, etc. Not to worry…this short period can be helped by positive, encouraging training and your puppy will grow out of it! If a new experience such as using a blow dryer after a bath seems particularly frightening to your pup, introduce it again more gradually and reward with treats! They still need frequent naps and very frequent potty breaks potty training begins during the latter stages of our puppy culture program. Overall, they are quite manageable as they are still so snuggly and sleepy. Beginning structured training at this juncture is crucial - a stable schedule and consistent boundaries are helpful for the pup navigating the fear period and setting the framework for future obedience training. It is also when we start to hear from a lot of owners complaining about biting. Remember that this is developmentally normal and does not mean your pup is aggressive. Dogs are very wired to use their mouth—chewing and play-biting are ingrained in their DNA, especially at this age when a pup is losing his baby teeth and growing new permanent teeth. We have three words of encouragement here: patience, patience, patience! This phase will pass in a couple months! Sound familiar, parents? This behavior is actually very similar to a crawling human baby putting everything in their mouth. The good news is that just like baby humans, they will grow out of it. In the meantime, do your best to discourage it by disengaging and redirecting. Then you can re-engage and redirect with a toy. In other words, be all kinds of excited when she is chewing on a toy, but immediately end play and be a total stick in the mud when she bites you. Some pups enter a secondary fear period at this age—again, consistent positive socialization experiences will help him navigate this period and come out more confident than before. For parents of teenagers, this might feel familiar! In conclusion, remember that doodles are a fairly active breed so the puppy phase is not for the faint of heart. We recommend consistent discipline and exercise mental and physical stimulation will definitely keep your pup more settled in the house. The age a Goldendoodle is fully grown depends on their size. Teacup Goldendoodles finish growing first between 7 and 9 months of age while Standard Goldendoodles take a lot longer, finishing growing between 12 and 16 months of age. All Goldendoodle sizes have reached their full adult height and weight by 16 months of age. Teacup Goldendoodles are fully grown between 7 and 9 months of age. They reach their full adult size and weight very young as they are such as small dog breed. Toy Goldendoodles are fully grown between 8 and 11 months of age. They reach their full adult size and weight very relatively young as smaller dog breeds typically stop growing earlier than larger breeds, within their first year of life. At three and a half months of age Toy Goldendoodles are roughly half of their adult size. Mini Goldendoodles are fully grown between 11 and 13 months of age when they reach their full adult weight. Around 4 months of age Mini Goldendoodle puppies are approximately half their adult weight. Medium Goldendoodles are fully grown between 11 and 13 months of age. This is the same growth rate as a Mini Goldendoodle. Around 4 to 5 months of age a Medium Goldendoodle reaches half their adult weight. Standard Goldendoodle are fully grown between 12 and 16 months of age. The larger your Standard Goldendoodle, the longer it will take them to reach their full adult size. Goldendoodle via jalebi. The size of a full grown Goldendoodle depends on the size of Poodle the Golden Retriever was originally crossed with. Teacup Goldendoodles are between 8 and 13 inches tall, Toy Goldendoodles are between 10 and 16 inches tall, Mini Goldendoodles are between 15 and 17 inches tall, Medium Goldendoodles are between 17 and 20 inches tall and Standard Goldendoodles are between 20 and 26 inches tall. You can read about all of these sizes in depth in our Goldendoodle size guide here. They are the smallest Goldendoodle size. They are the second smallest Goldendoodle size. They are the middle Goldendoodle size. The two larger sizes are the Medium and Standard Goldendoodle and the two smaller sizes are the Teacup and Toy Goldendoodle. They are the second biggest Goldendoodle size. Medium Goldendoodles are one size smaller than Standard Goldendoodles. They are the tallest and heaviest Goldendoodle size. Teacup Goldendoodles are the lightest and Standard Goldendoodles are the heaviest. Teacup Goldendoodles weigh 7 to 10 pounds 3. Toy Goldendoodles weigh 10 and 25 pounds 4. Mini Goldendoodles weigh 15 and 35 pounds 6. Medium Goldendoodles weigh 35 to 50 pounds .Standard Goldendoodles weigh 50 to 90 pounds .If you find out the weight of the parents of your Goldendoodle you will get a good idea of how much your puppy will weigh as an adult. As a mixed breed, there can be a lot of variation in Goldendoodle weight so your dog may be slightly heavier or lighter than these ranges. There are no official weight ranges for Goldendoodle as they are a cross-breed.

Top Picks For Our Dogs Use Both Low-Value and High-Value Treats In general, owners should aim for a good mix of low-value and high-value treats: low-value treats to use often for average responses and high-value treats for when you need a stronger lure or when your dog responds particularly well and you want to give a BIG reward! A good variety of treats will also make sure your dog stays interested in their training. Some owners may prefer to opt for homemade treats such as biscuits and patties. Convenience — The treat should be easy to carry in your pocket or bait bag and definitely not greasy or crumbly. Delicious — Obviously, this is more subjective but your treats must excite your dog otherwise they will not work as a training tool. Whether you pick a treat with crunch, sweetness or a meaty texture is completely up to you — just make sure that your dog loves it! Treats are healthier for your dog than table scraps due to the herbs, spices, salt and so on that we add to our food. These are the no. Made of natural whole food ingredients sourced from right here in the US and even supplemented with added antioxidants, these small-sized treats are just 3. They also come in a resealable ziplock bag to guarantee their continued freshness. Flavors available include beef and turkey; chicken and lamb; chicken and venison; turkey and duck; and lamb and salmon. Boasting credentials of percent wheat free with no added corn, soy or artificial colors and flavors, these treats would be ideal for dogs suffering from allergies. The Wellness WellBites would certainly be an easy addition to your training arsenal as they are soft and chewy. Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs The bacony flavor of these small yet nutritious treats are guaranteed to make any dog want to work for them. I mean, have you ever seen a dog turn their nose up to bacon? Made in the USA with pork liver as the number 1 ingredient, with real bacon added for irresistible flavor, these soft aromatic treats your dog is sure to love. They are a perfectly small size and low calorie for frequent and repetitive rewards during training. There are no artificial preservatives, no BHT, BHA or soy but instead the treats are full of vegetables and include flax-seed and salmon oil. They really are tasty and nutritious. So what are you paying for? All-American made with no wheat, corn, soy or gluten, these jerky treats are smoked for 15 hours before they make it into their packaging. Although the treats themselves are 7 inches long, they are soft in texture so are easy to divide into smaller, treat-sized portions. As always with their products, quality, taste and flavor are paramount, hence the slightly higher price tag. Being such quality and so tasty, you should use these sparingly during training as a high value reward. Made in the USA from a single ingredient, these are guaranteed to be gluten and grain free with no fillers. Quite simply healthy and delicious. As you can expect with such high-quality treats as these, they are delivered to you freeze dried in an air tight bag to guarantee their freshness and flavor. Your dog will love them! Treat pouches are indispensable if using treats during training with your pooch. Excellent for carrying the recommended duo of low-value and high-value treats. It features a removable and adjustable belt, or can simply clip on to your existing belt with the caribiner clip provided my preferred way of using. It also has elastic loops for securing other items and you can attach your keys, or training whistle, with the caribiner. It can be hand washed or placed into a machine washer on cool, so keeping it clean and hygienic is no problem at all. Available in red, black or blue. Kurgo Go Stuff-It Dog Treat Bag This treat bag is made from nylon, with a drawstring to close the bag and secure the treats when not in use. Like the Petsafe above, it does have a second compartment for you to carry other items you need while on your training adventures. It comes supplied with a caribiner to attach the bag to your belt, but unlike the PetSafe above, no belt supplied. Not a problem as I always prefer my own belts :- All in all, this a good-sized, versatile bag that does what you need from a treat pouch: Keeps the treats secure, your pockets clean and your hands free so you can concentrate on the task in hand. To avoid this, learn to reward and treat during training correctly in the following article: How to use Dog Treats Correctly During Training Final Thoughts… Hopefully this article has given you some useful information and options for the best dog treats for training your dog or puppy. Just keep in mind that not all dogs will respond to the same treats in the same way. It might take a little experimentation before you find the ones your dog will work hard to earn. This has no effect on the eventual price you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. No bake pumpkin balls for puppies. Puppies are growing bundles of energy, so they need lots of food. However, be careful not to over-do the portion size. Large breed puppies will obviously require more food than small breed puppies. If you think your puppy is gaining too much weight, or not enough, talk to your vet about modifying their diet. These include chocolate, grapes, macadamia nuts, and raisins. Puppies Love Treats All dog owners know their pups live for treats. And nothing makes a tail wag faster than a delicious snack! Furthermore, treats are also great for positive reinforcement training or giving a puppy energy between meals. While conventional, store-bought treats look good, they can sometimes hide undesirable ingredients. To make sure your pup is getting a nutritious, healthy and all-natural snack why not bake them yourself at home? The other added bonus is that you can save some money, too. If, like some of us, you have lots of big breed dogs, the bill for treats can soon add up! Read on to discover why you should consider making your own healthy puppy treats, what ingredients you should include. For example, do you have a puppy with fussy tastebuds? Of course, you can also add some of the flavours that she absolutely loves. Are Homemade Puppy Treats Healthy? So, are puppy treat recipes healthy? And they can also be cheaper than store-bought treats. If you buy your ingredients in bulk, you can make your dollar stretch further. Simply make a large batch and freeze some for later use. There are plenty of easy homemade puppy treats recipes available. A list of tasty, nutritious recipes that you can try out on your puppies. However, be warned — large adult dogs love these just as much! Peanut butter and honey are two things guaranteed to drive most puppies wild. We have to watch those calories! Photo Credit — The Scrumptious Pumpkin. Click here to check out the recipe. The Novice Chef makes dainty and delicious peanut butter snack sandwiches. Photo Credit — The Novice Chef. Click here for the recipe. However, these are high-calorie treats so be sure to serve them in moderation. These cute flourless donuts have pink frosting and veggie sprinkles. If they taste as good as they look, your pup will be very happy. Made for Calvin the Beagle, these treats contain only six ingredients and take about 10 minutes to make. My pup was very happy to road-test peanut butter, banana and parsley treats from Margaritas in the Rain. They are easy to assemble and, judging by how quickly they disappeared, passed the taste test with flying colors. Our puppies love bananas, which are safe to give in moderation. For a savoury option, try these all natural puppy treats from The Kitchn, which contain bacon fat. Photo Credit — The Kitchn. Click here to view the full recipe. Plus, they have delicious bacon fat that had all our dogs hovering around the kitchen while these were baking! Healthy Homemade Puppy Treats Food allergies and food sensitivities can make life very difficult for both puppies and their owners. They can show up in a number of ways, including skin problems, digestive upsets, and chronic infections. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what foods are causing the problem, but eggs, corn, wheat, soy, and milk are common offenders. Since these are often found in store-bought treats, a great way to prevent a breakout is to make your own hypoallergenic treats. Mint and Buckwheat Homemade Puppy Treats Lola the Pitty has a great mint and buckwheat homemade puppy treats recipe that is wheat and dairy-free. Photo Credit — Lola the Pitty. Check out the recipe here. Photo Credit — Bitter Sweet. These biscuits are packed with superfoods like spinach and flaxseeds, so they contain plenty of fibre, antioxidants, and a whole lot of love. Hence, if you want to keep your puppy in trim shape, consider treats with low-calorie sweeteners such as apple and carrot. Homemade Puppy Cookies My Baking Addiction has a recipe for apple carrot homemade puppy treats that contains just four ingredients. Photo Credit — My Baking Addiction. These small, round cookies take just minutes to assemble and are made from ingredients you probably already have to hand. If you are a novice baker, they are a great place to start because it is difficult to go wrong. Pumpkin Puppy Treats Another very simple recipe comes from Kol the Puggle with his no-bake pumpkin balls. Coconut flour, pumpkin and peanut butter are combined to make a snack that the human members of the household can enjoy as well. Here are some ideas for making DIY puppy treats. If you want to go one step further, try your DIY skills on crafting frosted cookies, doggie donuts, or sweet sandwiches. To give your treats an extra edge, consider buying dog cookie cutters. These come in a range of shapes from bones and pawprints, to dogs and kennels. These look great and puppies will absolutely wolf them down. Click here to check them out. Natural Puppy Treats Fruit and vegetables can make great and easy snacks that are healthy and nutritious. Although you should watch the calories and keep in mind that some fruits, such as cherries , are not safe. Like making things yourself? Then why not create a cute replica of your very own puppy! These strong-smelling treats are a good option for overweight dogs as they contain less than 3 calories per treat. However, they are quite pricey. The best treats for your dog are nutritious ones, and these contain peas and sweet potatoes, which are high in iron, fiber, taurine, vitamins, and omegas. Firstly, you have to give your Lab the right type of treats according to their life stage and health issues. Some treats that are suitable for adult Labs may not be suitable for Lab puppies or senior Labs with dental issues. There is a variety of dog treats on the market, but some of them serve different purposes. Have a look at the different types of treats and their purposes. Examples are biscuits, cookies, kibbles, and bars. They can be used for overweight dogs because you can portion out how much you break off and give them. If you have a food dehydrator, you can make these treats for your dog yourself. Never give your dog these treats in their full form, as they can be a choking hazard, but chopping them up into bite-sized pieces should be safe to chew. Apples, cucumber, carrots, plain popcorn, and blueberries are some of the human food treats your dog can enjoy in moderation. Make sure that the treat you give your dog is safe to eat because some human food is poisonous to dogs while others are high in sodium, sugar, and calories which could upset their stomachs. However, a healthy Labrador Retriever can eat any of the treat types listed above due to their large size and strong teeth. In fact, the crunchy treats that might be too hard for puppies and senior Labs are a great option for adult Labs because the harder texture breaks down plaque on their teeth as they chew. However, never give your Lab a treat that is so hard that it hurts if you tap it against your elbow or knee because those are potential choking hazards. What Ingredients Are in Dog Treats? Even in treat form, you should aim to give your dog high-quality ingredients that will benefit them nutritionally. Avoid treats with fillers, lots of preservatives, and synthetic ingredients and instead, get treats that have a shorter list of uncomplicated whole-food ingredients on the packaging. Examples of good ingredients are real fruits, vegetables, and meat. We love our dogs, and you may feel like you should express your feelings about them by giving them treat after treat. Treats are great for rewarding good behavior and training, but dogs do get all the nutrients they require from their meals. If your dog is overweight, it might be better to lay off the treats for a while. Treats are given to dogs as positive reinforcement for good behavior, which means that they should never be given for bad behavior. Avoid treat giving when your dog is jumping, barking, or being disobedient. Instead, give them lots of water. She has grown up with a range of pets, volunteered at countless pet shelters, and is highly passionate about pet care. With so much information out there, Keri-Beth has made it her mission to make pet care as easy and straightforward as possible for anyone in the world. In her spare time, Keri-Beth enjoys camping, photography, and spending time with her husband, who is a professional drummer.Read more Advertisement. Written by Dr. The average Labrador is very food motivated. What are some of the best treats for Labrador Retrievers and how do you know which ones to pick for your furry best friend? Healthy Treats and Finding a Balance Dog treats not only strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners, they can also come with some great health benefits. Knowing what to look for in a treat can be extremely important. Treats can also contain some of the ingredients commonly found in joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. Be Cautious There are many commercially available treats on the market, and it can be difficult to know which is the healthiest for your dog. Even the lowest-calorie treats can cause weight gain if they are given in excess. It is a good idea to offer treats no more than two or three times a day. If he gains too much weight, it could be detrimental to his health! They can be commercially produced dog treats or can be as simple as the fruits and veggies in your kitchen! Here are some examples of healthy treats for your canine companion. Natural Dog Treats: Fruits and Vegetables Many of the fruits and vegetables that humans eat are healthy and safe to give to your dog. Below are just a few safe options to share with your dog. They can be served at room temperature or even frozen for a nice treat on a hot summer day, and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. Bananas Peeled bananas are also a sweet antioxidizing treat but have more natural sugars in them, so give these infrequently. Apples Apples are an excellent fiber source and can be given in small cut-up pieces, making sure to avoid the core and seeds. Important Be sure to avoid grapes and raisins which are toxic for dogs. The cause is unknown, but just one to three grapes can cause kidney failure in a dog. Vegetables Vegetables like greens beans and carrots are safe for dogs and are a great source of fiber. Leafy greens like kale are good sources of calcium, iron, and vitamins like A and C. These can be served chopped or steamed. Peas and cooked sweet potatoes are also great dog treats and are common components of most commercial dog foods. Important Dog owners should avoid mushrooms because some are toxic, and vegetables from the Allium family like onions, chives, and garlic can cause severe health problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Veterinary Dog Treats Some dog treats can be purchased from your veterinarian, and most of these have a dual purpose because they are often recommended for health reasons. Dental Chews.

The U-EL license is applied only for the staff of the organization that holds the account. Maximum number of electronic items is unlimited applies as a total of each type of usage. This is an additional license to the rights included within the regular Royalty-Free license. Note that the other restrictions still apply. Time Limited Exclusivity This license represents an exclusive right to use the downloaded media, but such exclusivity will only last for a limited period of time. Dreamstime will disable the image immediately after the buyer acquired this license. The Contributor will be required to disable the file permanently from all other places where he or she may sell it, as soon as possible after the sale occured, but no longer than 72 hours. The Contributor acknowledges and agrees to provide the buyer with the exclusive right to use the file retrieved using the SR-EL1 or SR-EL3 licenses, for the duration of the selected exclusivity period. The length of time for the exclusivity period depends on which license is selected. SR-EL1 will grant an exclusive right to use the media for one year. Similarly, SR-EL3 will grant an exclusive right to use the image for three years. The print run for both licenses is unlimited and continues after the exclusivity expired. After the end of the exclusivity period, the Contributor will also be free to offer the media for download from other places where the Contributor sells his or her media. Sell the rights This license represents a full ownership of the downloaded media. The buyer can use it exclusively exclusivity applies from the moment that the file was downloaded using this license; buyer must take into account potential past downloads made for media and choose it accordingly or investigate further via support , and include it in any type of design with just a few restrictions: sensitive subjects may still apply and the buyer may not claim that the file was created by him nor resell it as his work. The agency will disable the media immediately after the buyer acquired this license. The Contributor is required to disable the file permanently from all other places where he may sell it, as soon as possible after the sale occurred, but no longer than 72 hours. This license grants the buyer exclusivity so the Contributor needs to keep in mind that exclusive media is represented by concepts, models, wardrobe, and subject matter which provide a unique creative message and small variations in the image variations in camera angle, model posture or gesture, for example do not enable other files as being different. All such variations rendering the media very similar in concept and message to the one sold under SR-EL should be removed from sale as well. The photographer acknowledge and agrees to provide the buyer with full ownership for the file retrieved using the SR-EL license. More similar stock images. Our acrylic shatterproof mirrors are laser cut and made from 3mm thick acrylic, they are lightweight and shatterproof, so no drilling, hammering, nailing or screwing is required when fixing them to a surface. Just peel the protective film from the front of your mirror and fix away. The backs of the mirrors are flat and so will give a 'flush' look to any flat surface. There are no wall attachments on the back of our mirrors unless otherwise specified. Please read 'Mounting acrylic Mirrors' below. All sizes are given for the mirrors widest points, imagine a box drawn around the design to help with measuring ideas. All measurements are given in centimetres cm not 'mm' or 'inches', so please check the size you need before ordering to save you having to return you mirror for an alternative size later on. All secondary sizes are approximate as these can change to make the design look as it should do but the main first size given will always be correct. Unless otherwise specified within the description all mirrors are silver. All colours in full or part are simply a reflection within the mirror usually flowers. The walls, boards or doors behind the shape of the mirrors do not come with the mirror, these are usually white, purple, red or beige and in most cases pretty impossible to ship anyway. Mounting Acrylic Mirrors There are various ways to mount your acrylic mirror from PVA glue, wood glue or household sealant, double sided sticky tape or foam pads can also be used and using a good quality brand will ensure your mirrors stay in place. Regrettably we no longer supply double sided sticky foam pads with our mirrors but these can or course be purchased from many high street stores, supermarkets or craft stores. You will need to purchase a grout that is suitable for acrylic surfaces and does not scratch acrylic specifically. Please also make sure the mirror is put up on a completely flat surface and away from any heat source i. Please ensure that you have inspected your mirror BEFORE mounting it as any problems after mounting we will not be able to help you with. IF you mirror falls down after you have mounted it please remember that we did NOT supply the glue, sticky pads or anything else, just the mirror which was undamaged before it was mounted and so we can not be held accountable for damages AFTER mounting. Surface preparation The surface where you are going to place your mirror must be clean, grease free, dust free and not textured bumpy. If a mirror is being placed on freshly painted surface please leave let the paint dry thoroughly and wait for 3 to 4 weeks before mounting. Acrylic mirrors must not be placed above any heat source such as fires or radiators as this to can cause distortion. Where can I put my Acrylic mirrors? You can attach your acrylic mirrors anywhere in or outside of your property. Make sure surfaces are clean, dust free and dry before attaching any foam pads or tape as well. .Please note: Certain areas may need further adhesion and sealing I. We suggest in these circumstances using a non-acetone, non-toxic and of course suitable for acrylic PVA adhesive - we would recommend either 'No More Nails'. We cannot guarantee non marking of the mirrors if any other adhesive is used. To avoid moisture penetration it may be advisable to put a clear silicone sealer around the edges. This can be purchased from most DIY stores. It is important to allow 24 hours for the glue to dry before allowing your bathroom or wet room to steam up with condensation How do I care for my Mirror? Shatterproof acrylic mirrors should be cleaned using a very soft cloth such as a micro-fibre cloth. You can use mild soap and water or an anti-static polish for example Pledge or Mr Sheen. You are advised not to use glass or window cleaning products or any abrasive cloths. Please ensure mirrors you receive are not damaged BEFORE mounting them as any damage that occurs after mounting we can not be held responsible for. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Prevalence: Common Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful. Males grow to about 25 inches and weigh from about 65 to 80 pounds 30 to 36 kilograms ; females grow from about 21 to 25 inches and weigh from about 50 to 65 pounds 22 to 30 kilograms. Boxers have regal, distinctly shaped square heads. Their jaw is undershot and the muzzle blunt. They have a broad, deep chest and a relatively short, strong back. Boxer's ears fold over naturally, but traditionally, their ears have been cropped to stand erect. Their tails generally are docked and carried high. Their feet are compact and the toes are arched. The boxer's coat is short and sheds moderately. Some boxers are a rich, fawn color and others are brindle. Their face or mask is usually black, but many have white face markings and white on the chest and paws. Personality: Boxers are intelligent, high-energy, playful dogs that like to stay busy. Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers. Few boxers bark excessively. If a boxer barks, chances are there is a good reason. Many boxers are vocal, however, and make a growling noise that's really just the dog's way of talking. Living With: The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone. They can do well on a country estate or in a city apartment as long as they have the opportunity to romp and expel energy. If you live in an urban area, regular walks are necessary. Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated. They also need protection from the cold since they are short-coated. Their coats, however, are very easy to care for and will be shiny and bright as long as they have a good diet, are bathed occasionally, and are given regular rub-downs with a grooming mitt or brushings with a rubber curry. Some boxers drool excessively, and some snort and snore. Like other larger dogs, boxers are not particularly long-lived. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years. History: Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation. Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. After the breed rose to become among the most popular in America. Boxers are considered working dogs. They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children. Related Pet Care Articles. This gives the owner an opportunity to see their dog at such a young age and then watch them quickly grown into strong and large adults. If you are purchasing a Boxer puppy, the dog should be at least 8 weeks old. In many regions it is illegal to have a puppy at a younger age. Up until 8 weeks, the puppy will need to be nourished by its mother. We're Home! That Boxer newborn puppy that you picked out has rapidly matured into an 8 week old and it's time for your new family member to join the household. Bringing a puppy home should be well planned in advance. If you have a large family, other members must be told to keep the environment calm and peaceful until your Boxer puppy has a chance to gain their bearings and become used to its new home. Have everything you need so that you do not need to suddenly run out to the store for a forgotten item. Do not allow the puppy to be rushed at by many people wishing to hug, pat and smother him or her with kisses. That can come a bit later. Your new Boxer must be approached gently and with warm voices. Puppies are a good, robust size but are still fragile. It is very sad when a puppy is stepped on accidentally; this can cause great harm. From birth to the 1 year mark, trauma is the leading cause of fatalities with this breed. Children must understand how to gently treat a pup. Very young children should be watched during interaction. All members of the home must be very aware of what may be underfoot. Your Boxer puppy should be given a tour of the home. Do not expect your new pup to know where everything is! Show him or her where they can find their water, where to expect their meals to be served, their dog bed and their toys. A puppy needs the security of knowing where to find what they need. Puppies will need quite a bit of care from you. This includes: Feeding - A puppy should be fed times per day. More feeding information can be found in our Feeding section. Only high quality puppy food must be given. This will be a time of rapid growth and your Boxer puppy needs the right dog food for optimal health. Vaccinations - All puppies will need the full schedule of vaccinations. This is absolutely vital to the health of the pup. If the budget is tight, your dog's veterinarian should be able to provide a discount or recommended animal clinics which provide shots for a very minimal fee. This includes that absolutely necessary Heart worm prevention medication, as well. Comfort and safety - Boxer puppies are rambunctious. They will jump, bounce and play. They will need loving attention and interaction with their owner or owners. Plenty of room to play, lots of toys and acts of love are crucial to the physical and emotional growth of a pup. A puppy is just learning about its world; yelling or hitting is never called for. Through love, patience and understanding a puppy will learn what is expected. Negative reactions from its owner will simply teach the puppy to be afraid. Housebreaking - This should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Read more in our housebreaking section. When started early and with consistency, your Boxer puppy will soon learn where it is appropriate to eliminate. A schedule - Puppies know nothing about the world except for what you show them. It is important to keep a puppy on a schedule that they can depend on. Normal times for baths, exercise , walks, feedings, grooming , play time and sleep time are recommended. Some Things to Expect The first year will be full of changing behaviors and a change in physical appearance. Here's what you can expect: A Boxer puppy will whine if he is hungry, wants attention or once he is learning house training, if he has a bathroom need The time to instill training for barking and other behavior is now - before habits can form Puppies are super hyper , but will also sleep quite a bit - Anywhere from 15 to 18 hours per day including night time and daytime naps The first year is one of rapid growth, but do expect starts and stops. As your Boxer reaches adolescence, there is sometimes a brief period of stalled weight gain at which time a Boxer may appear too skinny. This typically only lasts a few months before that final gain happens that allows him to fill out. Puppyhoood is the time to do socialization training - You'll want to introduce your puppy to as many people, other dogs, events and situations as possible so that he learns control and gains self-confidence. Health Check A Boxer puppy should be checked over every day to check for certain issues. Eyes- The eyes should be clear and bright. Any excessive discharge is a reason to go to the veterinarian Ears and nose - These areas should be cleaned each day with a damp, soft washcloth. Discharge of any color is a reason for a checkup with the vet Breathing - A puppy's breathing should always be clear and easy. Forced breathing, wheezing, coughing or other strange sounds must be taken care of immediately through the dog's veterinarian or closest animal hospital Limping - Puppies may be a bit clumsy or wobbling when very young. However limping is never normal. This must be brought to a vet's attention ASAP Tank - 9 months old Photo courtesy of owner: Jaymie Conner Skin - It is normal for a Boxer puppy to have some loose skin around the neck area and there will be some facial folds. These areas can hold in moisture which can lead to a fungal or bacterial infection. Moisture can accumulate when the pup drinks or when he drools. Keep the area nice and dry to prevent any problems. Written by Lens And Leash Boxers are an incredibly popular breed and for good reason. Instead, they are loving, loyal and have a heart of gold which makes them an excellent choice for someone looking to adopt a new family member. This breed will easily become much more than just your pet. Boxers have a way of becoming a friend and companion that can always be counted on, but there are some things you should be aware of before committing to an adoption. Consider These 10 Things Before Adopting 1. Boxers Are A Large Breed 2. Grooming Is A Breeze 3. Their Name Fits Them 4. Boxers Prefer To Be Warm 5. Possible Health Issues 6. Companionship Is A Must 8. Boxers Can Be Stubborn 9. You can expect male Boxers to reach a weight between pounds. Their average weight in adulthood ranges between pounds. Prepare yourself to have one big lap dog. Their short coats are to thank for this. These fur babies hardly shed, especially when they are brushed once a week. This makes them the perfect fit for someone looking for a new BFF that requires little maintenance or a family with pet allergies. Their Name Fits Them Watching your new buddy play is sure to put a smile on your face. Their stance also makes their name fit them perfectly as well as their barrel-shaped chest. However, unlike the boxers you see in a fight on TV, your furry little friend just wants to play and please you. Their short coat offers little protection from low temperatures. For this reason, Boxers are a lot more comfortable in a warmer climate. Just make sure you do what you can to keep them comfortable. A great place to start is a jacket that will give them some extra protection and keep them warm. One important thing to keep in mind is that a Boxer should never be kept outside in the cold, especially when there is snow and ice on the ground. Possible Health Issues Boxers usually live long and healthy lives. However, there are some possible health concerns you should be aware of. For starters, this breed can be prone to an issue called Colitis which is a bowel disease. Luckily, this issue can usually be spotted within the first two years of their life. Another thing to keep your eye out for is mobility issues later in their life. In fact, Boxers are excellent with children. The affection they show toward children is remarkable and the patience they exhibit is hard to find in other breeds. Companionship Is A Must Boxers are incredibly loyal, and they crave attention from their humans. This is not the breed for someone who will have little to no time to spend around their furry friend. When left alone for too long, Boxers can quickly develop separation anxiety which needless to say comes with an abundance of negative outcomes. However, this is an issue that can be worked through with enough time and patience. In the greater scheme of things, this issue is rather small when compared to all of the benefits this awesome breed has to offer. Just remember that training will require fresh ideas that are entertaining as well as rewarding for your furball. The last thing any of us want is to come home and find our couch, coffee table or whatever else happens to be within their reach torn into pieces. Luckily, there is an easy fix for this. Make sure your buddy has plenty of toys to chew on. You may want to consider purchasing a food cube or a treat ball. Slobber will be no stranger in your house. In reality, this is a rather small inconvenience. In fact, it can be pretty funny at times. They were never bred to be aggressive. In fact, they truly are the exact opposite and they would make a great addition to any home. The biggest thing you have to worry about is some minor messes. Will you give them the home they undoubtedly deserve? Frequently Asked Questions Is a Boxer a good first dog? A Boxer could be a good fit for a first time dog owner as long as they will be able to provide the dog with the exercise, attention, and affection they need to stay happy. Can a Boxer dog turn on its owner? Boxers tend to be very loyal and protective of their family. The chances of this breed turning on its owner without being mistreated are slim to none. However, since they are so protective of their pack, there is a possibility that they can become aggressive toward other people or animals if they feel that their family is in danger. How do Boxers show affection? True to their name, Boxers love to use their hands and dance around. They will commonly stand on their hind legs, bob and weave, and tap you with their paws in an attempt to play with you. Are Boxers good with kids? There was once a time where people believed that Boxers are aggressive and dangerous to have around children. Boxers are great dogs to have around children. They love to play and they are incredibly gentle, kind, and protective of kids. What is the lifespan of a Boxer? A healthy Boxer typically has a lifespan of between years. You should be aware that they can become prone to certain health issues in their later years such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, cancer, and heart conditions. How often should Boxer dogs be bathed? In fact, your fur baby will only need a bath every couple of months. Overbathing your furry friend can have negative consequences such as dry skin and itchiness. If they get dirty between bath times, simply wipe them down with a wet cloth. Can Boxers be left alone all day? Boxers thrive with love and attention. On the other hand, they tend to not do well when left alone inside all day or in a yard. Their loving nature makes them want to be close to their family. Extended periods of time alone can lead to loneliness, boredom, undesired behaviors, and even destructiveness. Are male or female Boxers easier to train? Being an intelligent breed, both male and female Boxers are fairly easy to train. Females tend to be more obedient and less stubborn making them slightly easier to train. Do Boxers like water? However, with some coaxing and plenty of treats, you might be able to warm your furry friend up to the idea of an occasional swim. How big do Boxers get? A full-grown male Boxer will typically be around inches tall and weigh somewhere between pounds. Females are much smaller, but they are still muscular dogs with a large build. Do Boxers get cold easily? Boxers have short coats which leave them vulnerable to the cold. They can tolerate the cold, but they definitely enjoy warmer weather. With a distinct build and highly recognizable face, the breed is a hard one to forget. Even though many people fall in love with Boxers for their wrinkly faces and droopy jowls, their personalities make it nearly impossible not to be impressed by a Boxer dog. Playful and clever, Boxers are patient with children and protective of their loved ones, making them a popular choice for families. Breed History Bred for hunting and working, the Boxer is a distinct breed that originated in Germany in the late 19th century. These characteristics were most likely seen in the now extinct breed known as Bullenbeissers, which were used to bring down large game and to keep an eye on the livestock. The Boxer breed that we are most familiar with began with a man named George Alt. Living in Munich, Alt imported a Bullenbeisser from France. The breed name, Boxer, has two possible origins. While no definitive history of the name exists, the former, while not as fun, is more likely than the latter explanation. Attributes While the breed is barrel-chested and athletic looking, perhaps the most distinguishing feature is the shape of their head. With a snout about half the length of the skull, coupled with some wrinkly jowls, the head of the Boxer served them well when hunting — mainly to breathe while holding on to prey until their owners arrived. Boxers have a sturdy build and muscular body, weighing anywhere from pounds and standing inches tall, with the female members of the breed being significantly smaller than their male counterparts. Boxers come in several colors, including brindle, tan, black, and even white. However, like most white-coated animals, white Boxers do run a higher risk for deafness. There are no indications, other than the increased risk of deafness, that white Boxers are more prone to other types of health concerns or temperament issues. Giving a Boxer the exercise and energy outlets they need can go a long way toward having a well-behaved pooch. Conversely, a Boxer with high energy but no outlet can go from clownish to destructive. This, of course, can be avoided with plenty of stimulation and activity — which are also great ways to form a bond with these playful pups. Boxers, like most dogs, also need regular nail trims, teeth brushing , and an occasional ear cleaning. Your veterinarian can recommend an ear cleaning solution. And, remember: use a cotton ball to wipe the ear clean and never go down deeper than your first knuckle. Also, avoid using cotton swabs. They can actually push dirt and debris further down into the ear. And those wrinkles — make sure to clean them out with a damp towel to help avoid any possible infections. Have you been thinking about getting health coverage for your pet?