golden retriever australian shepherd puppies

I've been breeding these dogs since , and I take my responsibilities very seriously. I strive to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all my pets. That's why the happiest days for me are when one of my puppies is adopted by loving and welcoming new puppy parents. It was a genuine love at first sight moment, and I quickly set about looking for my own puppy. In the meantime, I came across an older Australian Labradoodle for sale, Issac. We went to see him and of course brought him home. Isaac is a standard chocolate and white parti, and he has been trained to be a therapy dog. A few years later, another re-home came along. This time it was Eli, a black medium. Isaac and Eli are the best of friends, but we still didn't have a puppy. A year later, life took another twist, and I was made redundant from my job of 40 years. My daughter-in-law suggested that I have one of her puppies, and this would help me get on the path to the next chapter in my life. So along came Ottie. I then teamed up with Willows to buy Amos, and we share ownership of him. He's a fabulous asset to our breeding programs. I love to get to know the new puppy families and guide them along their new journey of dog ownership. I promise a lifetime of support. If you're interested in potentially becoming a new puppy parent to a gorgeous authentic Australian Labradoodle, please do not hesitate to contact me. Young always had an interest in dogs. When she saw a Labradoodle while walking in an RV park five years ago, she began breeding them as well and the rest of the story is now history. She is recognized for her four decades of experience in professional dog handling, which she brings to her position as the CEO of FernRidge Labradoodles, a dog breeder that provides Australian Labradoodles and obedience training. In her position, she is responsible for dog breeding and grooming, overseeing obedience instruction, charity work and advertising. Puppies are usually available for loving homes. Young took classes in public speaking, veterinary medicine and is a certified Master Groomer. Aside from her career, she enjoys traveling when time allows. About Worldwide Who's Who With over , members representing every major industry, Worldwide Who's Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Worldwide Who's Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune companies, making them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services. Worldwide Who's Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third-party endorsement of their accomplishments, and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships. Links to more info Together with my husband Peter we began over 35 years ago raising and training Morgan horses, Golden Retrievers, and Bichons near Elmira, Ontario. We enjoyed much success on all 3 ventures, and now retired our last home raised Morgan horse Max. He has become a trusted trail mount in Michigan after a successful career with me in endurance. For a few years we had rescue dogs for pets to make the trek back and forth to Florida, but after just loosing our last little rescue, we found there was this big old hole in our hearts that needed to be filled with another fur kid. I chose an Australian Labradoodle for my daughter a couple years back, from a Florida breeder, and she turned out to be the most lovable, amazing pet for her family. Falling in love with Sadie was so easy, we decided that was the breed for us. Please read on for more info about this wonderful breed if you are not familiar with it. We chose two beautiful females to start our breeding program of authentic, Australian, multi-gen puppies. Since then we have produced many beautiful companion pups for our clients. We welcome your inquiries!

Click the links above to jump straight to the answers. Or, keep reading to get a glimpse into the daily life of a one month old Labradoodle puppy. They will be playing with their littermates, running around to explore their home, and barking a lot more. During this week, and potentially from the week 3 mark, breeders will be introducing more solid foods to their puppies. And this means that potty training becomes more prominent in daily life. At 4 weeks, Labradoodle puppies still have a lot to learn from their mothers and from each other. But, remember that puppy coats at this stage are still very different to adult Labradoodle coats! Puppies that are 4 weeks old will still have a single layer coat that feels very fine and soft to the touch. This will eventually shed to reveal their adult coat. Other than their soft fur coats, they will have little wagging tails, floppy ears, and dark, loving eyes. And, they still have plenty of important behavioral lessons to learn from the mother and littermates. If they leave their mother at this stage, puppies can develop health issues. But, also, puppies removed from their mom too young go on to display more behavioral problems as adults. Bite inhibition is one of the most important things that a mother dog will teach her puppies, especially at 4 weeks when their teeth are really growing in. All puppies bite when teething, and whilst growing into their teenage selves. But, removing them from their mother early can make this experience a lot worse. So, wait until at least 8 weeks before bringing your Labradoodle puppy home. At 4 weeks, many breeders will be introducing their Labradoodle puppies to solid foods. In fact, some might start even earlier than 4 weeks! Most likely, they will be consuming a mix between solid foods and milk. As, they will still be feeding from their moms. Solid food will mostly come in the form of a puppy-specific, commercial food. But, in rare cases, some breeders may raw feed their puppies and dogs. Puppy food is higher in calories, to support the quick growth period that young puppies are going through. So, expect breeders to feed this rather than adult dog food. The Start of Potty Training Along with solid foods comes the need for potty training. But, instead, many breeders start using puppy pads, or an outdoor play pen, to get their brood used to the idea that their are right places and wrong places to pee. However, this is the time when most puppies receive another worming treatment. Veterinarians will only really be involved if there are any serious health issues with any of the puppies. Puppies that are 4 weeks old should not leave their mother and littermates. If a breeder tries to send you away with a 4 week puppy, walk away. It is a criminal offence to sell underage puppies in many regions, so you could also report them too the local authorities. Reputable breeders will often let you put down a deposit early on — perhaps even before the puppies are born. But, they will not let you take home Labradoodle puppies that are younger than 8 weeks old. Taking a puppy away from its mother and littermates before 4 weeks old can lead to health and behavioral problems. And, if a breeder tries to give you your puppy at 4 weeks old, this is a huge red flag. Paying for a puppy at 4 weeks old is fine, and perfectly normal. But, it can be fun to find out what your future puppy is experiencing before they come home. At four weeks old, your Labradoodle puppy will be looking like a real little dog! This is a big stage for your puppy, and a really fun one to observe if you get the chance! Watch Your Labradoodle Grow. And since Labradoodles are bred in three and sometimes four sizes depending on the breed line and generation, the growth rate for height and weight can vary greatly from one puppy to the next. For example, most mini and medium Labradoodles typically reach their full adult weight by the age of 12 months. Yet some standard Labradoodles may take two to three years to reach their full adult weight. A 3 month old Labradoodle may have already reached 50 to 90 percent of their full adult height. Mini and medium size Labradoodles will be closer to the 90 percent mark while standard Labradoodle puppies will be closer to the 50 percent mark at 3 months old. The Double Up size formula One way to guesstimate how much growing your 3 month old Labradoodle has left to do is to use the double up formula. Then multiply that number by two and add 10 more pounds. Take that number and multiply it by four to get an approximate adult weight. Size formulas for mini and medium Labradoodles If your 3 month old Labradoodle is a mini, take their weight at six weeks and multiply that by four to get their adult weight. And if your puppy is from a medium size breed line, take their weight at 14 weeks and multiply that by 2. Feeding a 3 Month Old Labradoodle Labradoodle puppies typically eat three times each day at least until the age of six months. For standard size Labradoodle puppies in particular, over-feeding can lead to too-fast growth which puts pressure on the bones, joints and ligaments. On the other hand, mini Labradoodles may need as many as four daily feedings until they are able to eat a sufficient amount at each meal to maintain stable blood sugar between meals. If you choose to feed your Labradoodle puppy dry kibble, you can refer to the guidance on the package to map out a daily puppy feeding schedule. This is why your 3 month old Labradoodle puppy needs daily training starting the first day they come home with you. There are the major skills your Labradoodle puppy will need to learn at the three month mark. The first skill is bite inhibition. Your puppy will be losing their baby teeth and growing in their adult teeth. You definitely want your Labradoodle to know what they can chew and what they cannot chew and to learn the command for drop it or leave it. Your second skill is recall. The third skill is part of the ongoing process of socialization. By exposing your Labradoodle puppy to lots of different people, animals and situations, you have a far greater chance of raising a calm, confident, friendly adult dog. Your fourth major skill a Labradoodle needs to begin mastering is leash and walk obedience. You should introduce commands like heel and sit and stay at this point. Grooming a 3 Month Old Labradoodle Your 3 month old Labradoodle puppy is still wearing their puppy coat and will be for some time yet to come. But that also makes this the right time to get your puppy accustomed to basic grooming, including brushing, combing and bathing. Have the groomer give your puppy a basic brush and trim. Use the puppy brush once a day or every other day to get your puppy used to being brushed. This is primarily because of teething. It can be very hard to stay patient with a puppy intent on chewing on anything and everything to relieve their discomfort! So take care to supervise your Labradoodle puppy around young kids including your own and other vulnerable family pets. This short period will pass and you can pass the time instilling appropriate obedience and socialization skills in your little pup. More About Labradoodle Puppies. Puppies Shake It Up are 3 weeks old These little ones are turning into real dogs now. With open eyes and ears they are interacting and vocalizing with each other and us. They have found their feet and their voices this week, so they are motoring around and starting to play. It is a lot of fun. Another big accomplishment this week, starting solid food! They are learning how to lick the goats milk, pablum and pumpkin out of the pan. They have even started managing to eat it first instead of wearing it and eating off of each other. They have discovered toys and the joy of a good crinkle or squeaker. Yellow The second biggest in the litter, she has beautiful phantom markings. Brown Last week he was the loudest, but not this week. He is however, the biggest. Orange One of the louder puppies in the group. Purple One of the black and white partis who also has phantom markings on her eyebrows. Pink A cutie little one, she still gets quite a bit of food on her. Peach The smallest and quietest puppy Dark Blue current weight, grams This little one has sable markings, similar to phantom but goes throughout the whole area not just the tan points. Red current weight, grams A little doll of a pup, his white dipped toes are covered in pablum these days. Grey One of the smaller puppies, also covered in food lately. Light Blue He is a gleaming ebony who is full of adventure and mischief. Quite the charmer. Van Isle Labradoodles.

This is Denver who is actually a Scottie. His collar had become embedded in his neck, his body so infected that it stunk and pus excluded from all orifices. He was a stud dog from a puppy farm. He was lucky as he was handed over to a rescue - most aren't they are either shot or hit over the head. Daisy was 4. She lived her life as a tool to make money from. She never knew a home, a special family or a fireside. She had litter after litter, but when her weight dropped, her breathing was laboured, she could have no more pups, she was given to a rescue to home. It was decided immediately that she must see the vet. She sat in the waiting room for her turn to come and was cuddled, probably for the first time in her short life. She went into the vets' room, he listened to her heart, it was laboured, her belly swollen with fluid, all too far gone for help. She sat not able to stand any longer, the decision was made, she gave her paw while being cuddled. The vet nurse found the vein and the vet injected the yellow fluid to send her to sleep forever. Her living hell was over, we can only hope that a better place awaits her. For those people who paid hundreds of pounds for her puppies, they will probably have inherited the same heart condition from their mother and will live very short lives!! This one proved useless for breeding so was dispensed with. She would only crawl on her belly to start with, but now waggy and confident and so gentle. Rotty bitch gone past her sell by date so she was thrown out on the street by the breeder - thin, little coat and eyes that wept with pus. She has now had a successful eye operation that was done to restore her vision and stop the constant infection where her eyelashes grew in and rubbed relentlessly on her eyes. Her hair has grown back, and her loving nature is coming though. Worn out useless boxer unable to raise a litter as no desire to keep on living. This Labrador is just 18 months old though he looks .Poor dog didn't make the grade as a stud dog. He is blind in one eye because the breeders left an ulcer in his eye untreated which burst. He is with kind people who are trying to help him forget the last 18 mths but he is still very traumatised. Time may be a great healer but it won't give him his eyesight back. Some of the saddest dogs are the x puppy farm stud dogs. They have never known the kindness of a home or been for a walk, they do not even have the pleasure of the company of other dogs but live a life of isolation -scared of almost everything. This mastiff has had a rotten life and he will not be easy to rehome as he is so large. Breeding bitches, worn out bodies, no muscle tone and many with large mammary tumours. Living in dirty cells with up to 20 others, no human company or kindness, no playtime or long walks. Many have never seen the light of day. Puppies past their cute stage so dealers won't buy them - what will be their fate?!!!! If you buy a puppy from a dealer or a puppy farm, you may be making a very expensive mistake not to mention encouraging these people to breed more sick, unhealthy puppies. Think of the suffering of these poor helpless dogs. Ahh - the cute little puppy that was advertised for sale in the paper. The implications of not buying from a reputable breeder This is Minnie one of the hundreds of german shepherd puppies for sale in the UK who is just 10 months old and since just a few months old has suffered from severe hip dysplasia which has caused her pain, discomfort and disability. Although a little sweetheart, Minnie is not a great example of the German Shepherd breed being very small and underweight as well as having health problems. She has recently undergone surgery to correct problems with her left hip and at some point in the future, she may require total hip replacement on the right side. Puppies for sale! Think very carefully before deciding to buy that puppy. Why not consider taking a rescue dog instead, most rescues in the UK are full and desperate for kind loving homes. Hundreds of dogs are destroyed every week by the dog pounds because enough homes cannot be found for the increasing number of unwanted and unloved dogs. Much kinder for dogs than encouraging or lining the pockets of those who breed dogs for money with no thought to what they are breeding and little regard to the pain and suffering caused as a result of their greed. If there is no demand, the puppy farmers and irresponsible breeders will be put out of business. If you decide that you would prefer to buy a puppy please note that we are not prepared to recommend breeders but we would give the following advice. The kennel Club will give you a list of breeders on request. However this will not be an indication that these are reputable breeders, it will just be a list of breeders that register puppies with the KC. You should at least be able to see the mother of the puppies. Please note that the conditions in these puppy farms are horrendous with dogs kept in appalling conditions, some never seeing the light of day. Please do not encourage this trade. Parents of the puppies should be hip scored. Reputable breeders will breed with consideration not only for looks but also for good health but most importantly good temperament. When you get your puppy, remember that the German Shepherd is a working breed and will require training and socialisation. It will pay dividends later if you find a good training class for your new puppy. Insure your puppy, veterinary treatment is very expensive. German Shepherd Dog Breeders Think very carefully - the horrors of puppy farming!! We have some lovely older german shepherds looking for homes. Please don't be put off taking an older dog, they are more settled need less exercise and will be loyal companions. Many GSD's now live to 14 years. Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Please help support the rescue Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Thank you. They are very loyal, intelligent and love to be kept active, so can be easy to train. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. They are great dogs for owners with a lot of experience and time as, like most dogs, they can get bored easily. Unfortunately, German Shepherds do have a range of health issues due to the way they have been bred, which can end up being costly to owners and cause serious problems for the dog. Common health problems in German Shepherds German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips. There is a screening test for this. There is a screening test. Inherited eye diseases — including cataracts and multifocal retinal dysplasia. There are screening testing for these. Epilepsy — a brain disorder causing seizures. Pituitary dwarfism — a hormone deficiency which causes severe growth problems and reduces lifespan. Haemophilia A and B — bleeding disorders that stop blood from clotting and cause wounds to bleed more than they should. Screening tests are available. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to. German Shepherds and barking As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. Training and socialisation Regardless of the age of your German Shepherd when you adopt it, you need to have clear boundaries to help keep them safe and happy. As with all training — consistency is key! Everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and can be protective of their family. They can have a strong guarding instinct, so careful training and socialisation will be needed to prevent any guarding or aggressive behaviours. As with any dog, your German Shepherd will need to be well socialised with people, other animals and different objects and environments from a young age. Try to keep the time your German Shepherd is alone to an absolute minimum as they thrive on company and will worry about you if you leave them too long. You should never leave any dog alone for longer than four hours. Exercise Be prepared — German Shepherds are very active dogs! They need plenty of exercise to keep them happy and occupied. This will also stop them from barking out of boredom or having a nibble on the furniture. Your German Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. This should include walks and off-lead exercise in a safe area, with extra playtime and training on top to give them a good variety. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together online. Our vets recommend spreading exercise across the day rather than trying to do two hours all in one go. German Shepherds are a great breed if you enjoy long walks and spending loads of time exploring outside. If there are times when you are unable to give them the exercise they need, then arranging for a relative, friend or dog-walker to come and help would be essential. Grooming Be prepared for a lot of shedding because German Shepherds have such thick coats! Ideally, you should give your German Shepherd a brush or comb down a few times a week to keep their coat looking healthy, prevent matting and reduce the build-up of dead hair especially if they have a longer coat. You may want to take them to a professional for bath time because of their size. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate German Shepherds and children Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children. Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds and other pets To help them be calm and patient, it's best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. If you give your dog the occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily allowance. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave at a gap after eating and before exercising. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet high standards. Set up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around six months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. Fun facts The first guide dogs for visually impaired people were German Shepherds. They were originally bred to be herding dogs, an instinct which still remains strong in the breed. They need lots of exercise and plenty to do to stop getting bored. Make sure you have enough space and time to give them the exercise and attention they need to stay happy and healthy. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a German Shepherd. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in German Shepherds are also out there. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary screening tests, health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. His multifaceted nature makes him one of the most coveted and popular breeds in the world. If you are looking forward to adding a German Shepherd puppy to your family, here are the answers to the 8 most asked questions of the breed that will help you prepare for GSD ownership. You may also like: 15 Most Popular Dog Breeds 1. How much is a German Shepherd puppy? Note that some German Shepherd breeders offer partly and fully trained German Shepherd pups. If you are in search of a full-grown German Shepherd dog, expect to pay more too. GSDs that are specifically trained as protection dogs come at even higher prices. To find a less expensive German Shepherd puppy for sale, consider looking for one from an animal shelter, a rehoming centre, or a rescue organisation. Just note that some of these GSDs that are up for adoption are not Kennel Club-registered and full-pedigree dogs. Most of the time, it already covers the spaying or neutering , vaccination, and microchipping of your German Shepherd puppy. Where is the best place to buy German Shepherd puppies? The black and tan German Shepherd breed is often listed as one of the dog breeds with many health issues. He is highly vulnerable to many diseases. It can range from mild health issues such as allergies to deadly musculoskeletal disorders, including osteosarcoma. Thus, dog owners need to buy health-checked German Shepherd puppies from reputable breeders. These types of breeders are devoted to improving and preserving the breed. These German Shepherd breeders are focused on producing puppies that have undergone health checks. And they will not sell GSD puppies that are not yet ready to leave. Some German Shepherd breeders focus on developing a certain type of German Shepherd dog. Often, pups from this group have a high prey drive and may be too intense as family pets. They are more suited for farm work. Tip:German Shepherd dogs sporting Long-haired fur are observed to have a more amicable temperament than their short-haired counterparts. Other German Shepherd breeders are dedicated to creating show-line German Shepherd puppies. Since they mostly focus on appearance, the puppies produced often have an unstable temperament. They may be too shy, energetic, or jumpy. To find a German Shepherd puppy suited as a family pet, look for a reputable breeder that aims to produce an even-tempered and trainable dog. How fast do German Shepherd puppies grow? German Shepherd puppies will experience a rapid growth spurt when they are around 3—6 months of age. The growth in height for males may slow significantly once they are around 9 months old. For German Shepherd females, it takes around 8 months. They would be nearly as tall as full-grown GSDs around this time, measuring closely around 55—65 centimetres. By 36 months, both male and female German Shepherd pups would have reached their adult weight, which is around 34—43 kilos. It would take 2 years for the GSD puppies to become fully grown. Although fast growth is normal in German Shepherd puppies, overfeeding can lead to abnormal development in size. It is extremely dangerous for German Shepherd puppies as it can result in painful skeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis. How much should you feed a German Shepherd puppy? German Shepherd puppies are very playful and bursting with so much energy. Thus, their meals should have higher fat and protein contents as these are essential in replenishing their energy. Another thing to remember is that transitioning him from puppy food to adult dog food should start when he reaches 12 months of age. You may also like: Best Dog Food Ingredients 5. Do German Shepherd puppy ears stand up? It is undesirable for full-grown GSDs to sport drooping ears. However, for some, it may take about 8 months. Anytime beyond that is an indicator that something is wrong with your German Shepherd puppy. Drooping ears can be a result of poor breeding or trauma. Tip 2: Give your German Shepherd puppy a chew toy as it stimulates his head, jaw, and neck muscles. These are important areas that help perk up his droopy ears. Tip 3: Provide your German Shepherd puppy with high-quality puppy food. However, this is a big misconception as ears are made up of cartilage and not bones. Giving your puppy calcium supplements can result in the development of skeletal problems. Are German Shepherd puppies easy to train? Yes, German Shepherd puppies are highly trainable. They can learn a new command after only 5—10 repetitions. However, note that puppies have a short attention span. As they are easy to train, German Shepherd puppies are suitable for first-time dog owners. He was primarily bred to obey instructions and perform various tasks on farms. Today, German Shepherds evolved from simple herding dogs to guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue dogs, personal protection and police dogs, and bomb and drug detection dogs. You may also like: The Story of K9 Dogs 7. When will a German Shepherd puppy stop biting? The most common cause of this behaviour is teething. It usually starts when the pups are around 16 weeks old and will continue until they reach 24—32 weeks old. Ideally, after teething, their mouthiness will subside. However, this may not be the case for all German Shepherd puppies. Some may continue to nip or bite because of either playfulness or fear. Sometimes, it is simply because the GSD breed naturally possesses a high prey drive. Regardless, do not ignore this behaviour as it can progress into a bad habit. It is arguably true, but this should not be overlooked. Otherwise, they may end up inflicting injuries to their family, putting a strain on their bond. This is a great technique to use on German Shepherd pups that are afraid of hands. The hand-targeting method will teach them that hands are non-threatening. Start by extending your open palm to your German Shepherd puppy. Repeat until he continuously manages to control himself from mouthing your hand. Avoid moving your hand too fast when extending it towards your German Shepherd pup. Slowing down your movement will prevent your puppy from being excitable or nervous. It will also prevent him from viewing your hand as a toy or a threat. Tip 2: Provide your German Shepherd puppy with chew toys. If he is about to nip you, redirect his focus to a chew toy. By distracting your puppy with it, he will forget his intention of mouthing any parts of your body. German Shepherd puppies can be quite tenacious. Thus, nipping accidents may happen whilst in the process of inhibiting this behaviour. Then ignore his behaviour until he stops. Once he calms down, reward him with praise or a treat. Training your German Shepherd puppy to stop biting requires consistency and patience. You will need to repeat these techniques a handful of times before accomplishing good results. Just keep in mind to focus on positive reinforcement and avoid rough punishments to keep training enjoyable for your puppy. Please leave this field empty. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a breeder, so read on for tips on how to make the best decision for you and your dog. Research: The first step in choosing a German shepherd breeder is to do your research. Once you have a list of potential breeders, narrow it down by doing more research on each one. Find out how long they have been breeding German shepherds, what their breeding practices are, and whether they have any health concerns with their dogs. Health Screenings: A good German shepherd breeder will have their dogs health screened before breeding them. This means that the parents of your puppy will have been checked for common health problems that can affect German shepherds. This is important because it helps to ensure that your puppy will be healthy and free of these conditions. Temperament Testing: A good German shepherd breeder will also temperament test their dogs before breeding them. This means that they will evaluate the dogs to make sure that they are good candidates for breeding. They will check things like how the dog responds to strangers, whether they are aggressive, and how well they socialize with other dogs. This is important because it helps to ensure that you will get a puppy with a good temperament. Ask For Reviews: Once you have found a few potential German shepherd breeders, ask for reviews from people who have purchased puppies from them. This can be an excellent way to get first-hand information about the breeder and their dogs. Visit Breeder Permises: After you have done your research and asked for reviews, it is time to visit the breeders in person. It is also a good opportunity to ask the breeder any questions that you may have. These are just a few things to keep in mind when choosing a German shepherd breeder in the UK. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can find the perfect breeder for your new furry friend. If you know any great German Shepherd Breeders who live in UK, please let us know in the comments below. So we can add it to our list. What is the Breeder Name? Where are they located in UK? It really helps others who are looking for German Shepherd puppies in UK. And we believe there are many but we thoroughly review and close check the breeder before adding it to our list. If your friend and relative looking for a German Shepherd Puppies in the UK, you can share this post with them. Post navigation. Loves to chase his tail and pesky flies, he is a soft-at-heart pup who has a Big character. A change in our circumstances unfortunately means we are unable to keep him although we would most dearly love to. A loving home for him is needed. He's had a health check from the vet and comes from healthy and well-tempered parents. Absolutely loves his food so will be able to train fully. He understands pointing to indicate a direction for him. House trained, microchipped and wormed. He is good at being protective over guarding the household and is not in the slightest territorial over food or toys. He will allow you to take a bone or food off him with ease. He loves to play ball more than anything, and loves walks, long grass, new scents, chewing on moon bones and chicken. This lovely pup needs a sizeable garden and ideally, someone who is used to similar breeds and has time to train him fully. He has great potential. He would be ideal for flyball. He can jump up - he is only a puppy so can be trained - and will certainly grow up into a big, handsome dog. He has excellent parentage. He is a stunning boy and whenever we go out always attracts compliments. A good choice if you're looking for a good-natured furry friend that will be your loyal companion and protector for years to come, He is very loveable characterful boy with a great personality and a goofy soul who just wants to play. Replies to msgs after 7pm

Things to do with your English Bulldog Utah is a great place to live with an English bulldog. With its beautiful scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Utah is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including brine shrimp, gulls, and pelicans. Your English bulldog will love swimming in the lake and meeting new friends. Hike the Trails Utah is home to a number of beautiful hiking trails that are perfect for dogs. Your English bulldog will love exploring the woods and getting some exercise. Visit a Campground There are a number of dog-friendly campgrounds in Utah. Your English bulldog will love spending time outdoors and making new friends. The park is home to a variety of arches, including Delicate Arch, which is one of the most iconic arches in the world. Your English bulldog will love exploring the park and meeting new friends. So come on down and explore all that this great state has to offer with your English bulldog. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Utah? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Jimmy and I have been together for years. Jimmy and I have always been dog lovers but up until that point our experience with dogs had mainly involved toy breeds. However, growing up Jimmy had always wanted a Bulldog, so once we both realized we both liked the Bulldog breed the search was on to find a responsible and ethical breeder. After having discussions with our first breeder and observing handlers in the show ring at our local show we had decided to pursue our passion for showing. So, in we joined the Bulldog Club of America, and began showing. We are hooked! We enjoy being involved with our local club and actively participate in meetings and events held here in Salt Lake City. Our Mission Our desire is not only to present and showcase our bulldogs with you, but we also hope to help educate and inform those considering adopting or purchasing a bulldog. We also want to help with locating additional resources and clubs both nationally and locally as it is a great way to meet people. Please check out our page for some great info on bulldog health and care tips. Here is how the process works: Apply - Fill out the application once you close this window. Application Review - A volunteer will review your application and make sure all required information and documents are included. Make sure you fill in each field. Take the time to make sure phone numbers are accurate as vets will be called for references. If you buy online, include your receipts from at least 12 months of purchases. If you rent, include your lease agreement or landlord permission letter. Phone Interview - A volunteer will call you to speak to you and your family members about adoption and your knowledge of the breed. A home visit will be set up if all goes well in the phone interview. Make sure all of your family members are present so that we can get to know your family and learn what you expect from rescuing a bulldog. The English Bulldog is at an increased risk of drowning compared to other breeds. If you live in a single family home that backs up to water pond or lake your yard must be fenced to prevent an accidental drowning. Do not sit back and expect us to come to you. Show support for all the dedication and hard work FEBR does for this wonderful breed. Finding your Bulldog - Once your home is officially approved, we will take a look at the bulldogs we have available. If we feel we have a match for you we will contact you to discuss. If you agree on the potential match, we will set up a meet with the bulldog to see if our bully approves of you. Please be patient during this process as our goal is to find the right family for the bulldogs in our care. Getting your application in and on to the approved list is necessary as some bulldogs that come into our program go right into their matched homes prior to being posted on to our website. Many of our dogs end up around the world, including the great state of Utah. In Utah Olde English Bulldogges are a popular breed. We have also assisted in Old English Bulldog rescues in Utah. With affordable shipping, we can get you happy, healthy, and socialized Olde English Bulldog puppies in Utah. A premier breeder with unbeatable guarantees, customer service 2nd to none and of course our amazing quality bulldogges makes us the best spot for your Utah Olde English Bulldogge puppies. If you are looking for a perfect bulldogge, give us a call .For avid facebookers you will also be able to interact with siblings of your pup and watch how they grow! Look no further! Happy, Healthy and Socialized Bulldogge puppies come from One of a Kind Bulldogs Truth is, we have an epidemic of puppy mills and backyard breeders. Our customers have done the hard work and inspected our facility for you out of state clients. I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. One of a Kind is now actively helping save shelter Bulldogges in high risk of euthanization, this is our way of giving back! Check our rescue site www. We are helping the olde English Bulldogges that were relinquished to shelters and ironically clening up a lot of the mess irresponsible backyard breeders are making. We always have olde English Bulldogges needing a home, if you dont wanna buy a puppy, help save a shelter dog. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments.

Crash At what age do German Shepherds start having hip problems? There is no specific age for hip problems. The signs of hip issues can be seen as early as 4 months of age. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are often seen. The inflammatory signs of hip displacement are visible depending on the size, nutrition, and management of your dog. Hip dysplasia German Shepherd signs There are different signs and symptoms which can tell that German Shepherds have bad hips. They are listed as follows: Reduced movement Challenge or refusal to walk , climb stairs, etc. Idiocy at the back Grip the joint while moving Deterioration of bone mass of lower leg The shoulder muscles are noticeably enlarged by compensating for the back end Distress Tips to Make German Shepherd Back Legs Stronger 1. Proper weight management German Shepherds who are overweight are more prone to hip dysplasia. Weight management is the key tool to help avoid hip dysplasia. Being overweight results in overburdening of the hind legs resulting in displacement. Proper exercise Use the appropriate exercises to strengthen the hind legs. It also results in proper contraction and relaxation of muscles attached to the bone. It also helps in the management of weight. Proper diet plan Always provide a proper diet for your German Shepherd. A proper diet is required for the proper growth of bones. Always consult a veterinarian, a dietitian, or a nutritionist for the formulation of a diet plan. Always provide a high-quality feed. Supplementation Supplements are always useful in maintaining issues related to hip dysplasia. The injured joints can be helped with supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin sulfate, collagen, and glucosamine. Physiotherapy Regular massage Massaging leg muscles is very helpful. Seek the help of a physiotherapist for regular massage. It helps in the reduction of pain and displacement issues related to the hip. Muscle strengthening and stability Adopt the techniques that are helpful in the stability and strengthening of muscles. Reduce injury chances Always monitor your German Shepherd while exercising. Exercise may result in injury. Always monitor and rush to the nearest vet if your German Shepherd undergoes some injury. Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is a good strategy to fight the issues of hip dysplasia. It involves swimming. It is a safe method of exercise and the chances of injury are less. Distinct cushion A specific type of cushion is available for the support of hip joint and leg joints. It provides help against the stiffness and rigidity of muscles. It also helps against knee hygroma issues. Acupuncture Acupuncture is the latest technique in healing to avoid hip dysplasia and other joint issues. Different techniques are employed at different pressure points of the body. Surgical Intervention Always visit your veterinarian for surgical manipulation in case of displacement or any issue like that. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a disease that can impact the spinal cord of a German Shepherd. The initial signs of the disease are similar to canine arthritis or hip dysplasia, so it is often written off as a joint disease at first. However, the disease will eventually progress to knuckling of the back legs, severe lameness, and complete paralysis of the hind end. There is no treatment available for dogs with degenerative myelopathy, but strengthening the muscles in the hind legs is proven to slow the progression of the disease over time. This is why it is so important to keep your pup active over the years. Maintain A Healthy Weight Keeping your German Shepherd at a healthy weight is likely the most effective way to promote strength in their back legs. The extra pressure can lead to significant joint deterioration over time, especially if they are already experiencing the effects of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Obesity can even exacerbate these issues in dogs that may not have developed joint disease otherwise. When their joints are healthy, their back legs will naturally be stronger and more agile. The better your dog feels each day due to optimal nutrition, the easier it is for them to remain active. Keep Them Active Keeping your dog active is a wonderful way to help them build strength in their back end. Not only is a regular fitness routine essential in maintaining joint and muscle strength, but certain activities are known to improve back leg strength itself. Start Joint Supplements At 1 Year Due to how prone German Shepherds are to painful joint conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, starting joint supplements at 1 year of age can be extremely beneficial. Joint supplements are often most effective when they are used as a preventative measure rather than after joint disease has already developed, as they can help to promote joint strength as the years go by. One of the many symptoms of joint disease is weakness in the hind limbs, so preventing these conditions can ultimately promote back leg strength in the future. Joint disease can lead to significant deterioration of the joints when it is left untreated, so you will want to start a joint management plan from the moment they develop symptoms. By monitoring your German Shepherd for any signs of discomfort, you can establish a joint care plan early in the disease process. By doing so, you can hopefully prevent so much joint damage from coming. Popular Articles:. German Shepherds are very intelligent, loyal, and obedient. Originally bred for herding, modern-day German Shepherds work with police and search and rescue units across the world because they are task-oriented, curious, and creative. Like all dog breeds, German Shepherds are uniquely vulnerable to certain diseases. German Shepherds are more likely than dogs of other breeds to suffer from degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Over time, the weakness will get even worse. Your dog might struggle to get up, and, as the disease progresses, and your dog could lose bowel and urinary control. The dog might also struggle to get up because the disease causes muscles to atrophy. Dogs with degenerative myelopathy can become paralyzed by the disease. There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy. But if your dog has the disease, you can take a few steps to reduce their suffering. Kinesiology tape has been used successfully to help dogs with degenerative myelopathy. And, because your German Shepherd will be spending more time sitting and lying down, they are at greater risk for bedsores. Clean and trim them often. German Shepherds that become partially paralyzed by degenerative myelopathy are good candidates for wheelchairs. Custom made dog wheelchairs by K9 Carts can help your dog stay mobile and preserve their quality of life. If your German Shepherd suffers from hip dysplasia, they will eventually develop joint pain, damaged cartilage, and arthritis. Hip dysplasia starts when your dog is a puppy, but it might not be noticeable until the dog is well into maturity. Dogs with hip dysplasia will show a reluctance to exercise, move slowly, and might favor one leg over another. Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. Hip dysplasia in German Shepherds can be treated and managed. Your dog can experience better quality of life through physical therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs if their case is not severe. They could require surgery. In extreme cases, the dog may need a wheelchair. Dilated Cardiomyopathy in German Shepherds German Shepherds, like other large dog breeds, are vulnerable to dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart disease. A heart affected by dilated cardiomyopathy is inefficient at pumping blood, and oxygenated blood is not adequately distributed through the body. The heart becomes enlarged, and its ventricular walls get thinner. In some cases, changes in heart rhythm will also be a result of the thinned chamber walls. Also, dilated cardiomyopathy can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. If your dog has dilated cardiomyopathy, they might tire easily, have trouble breathing, cough often, struggle to exercise, or suffer fainting spells. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Dilated cardiomyopathy can be fatal. It can be mitigated with certain drugs, like ACE inhibitors, but it is a chronic disease. However, if dilated cardiomyopathy is detected early, and the dog is medicated and managed property, it can still live for some time with a good quality of life. It does give you an idea of diseases you may not have heard of that could develop. And remember—if your dog has any of these diseases, they should be treated by a veterinarian. Why does a German Shepherd drag his back legs? The condition is quote common among this breed of dog. One of the first warning signs is a German Shepherd that stands with his back paws together. This explains exactly why the German Shepherd I recently witnessed was struggling to get up. Although his paws were not dragging, he was dragging and still probably in the very early stages of DM. Dogs with DM may exhibit symptoms such as limping, dragging, and a loss of control in their back legs. Understanding these challenges can help owners provide appropriate care and support for their beloved German Shepherds. Challenges 1. Limping and Dragging Back Leg: One of the primary challenges seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is a noticeable limp in the back leg. As the disease progresses, the affected leg may drag while walking, causing difficulty in maintaining a normal gait. Loss of Mobility and Coordination: German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy may experience a gradual loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. This can make it challenging for them to stand, walk, or perform daily activities that were once effortless. Crossed Paws and Inability to Unlock Limbs: An observable behavior in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This occurs because they are unable to unlock their limbs properly, adding to the overall challenges they face. Development of Secondary Conditions: While degenerative myelopathy itself may not cause pain, it can lead to the development of secondary conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis can further contribute to discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. German Shepherds, being predisposed to degenerative myelopathy, are prone to experiencing various challenges related to their back legs. Owners may notice their German Shepherds limping or dragging one or both hind legs. This limping can be a clear indication of a problem in the affected leg, requiring attention and care. As degenerative myelopathy progresses, German Shepherds may suffer a loss of mobility and coordination in their back legs. Activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs may become increasingly difficult for them. In severe cases, complete paralysis of the back legs can occur. A distinctive behavior seen in German Shepherds with degenerative myelopathy is crossing their paws in the back when attempting to stand up. This is due to the impaired ability to unlock their limbs properly. The crossed paws further contribute to the challenges faced by these dogs, affecting their stability and balance. Additionally, the progression of degenerative myelopathy can lead to the development of secondary conditions, such as arthritis, in the affected back leg of a German Shepherd. Arthritis can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness, exacerbating the challenges already posed by the degenerative myelopathy. Understanding and recognizing these challenges is crucial for owners of German Shepherds with back leg problems. Seeking veterinary care and guidance, providing appropriate pain management, and considering supportive devices like harnesses or carts can help alleviate some of the difficulties faced by these dogs. Ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling life for German Shepherds with back leg problems requires attentive care and a proactive approach to their overall well-being. Knuckling in German Shepherds can be caused due to a variety of different factors, such as genetics, injury, or a neurological disorder. This condition can occur in both puppies and adult German Shepherds, however it is more commonly seen in puppies. If a German Shepherd puppy is born with their back legs close together and their feet turning out, this can be an indication of a genetic predisposition to knuckling. Injuries can also cause knuckling, such as a trauma to the spinal cord or a severe strain on the leg muscles. Lastly, neurological disorders can also be the cause of knuckling in German Shepherds. The symptoms of German Shepherds that drag their hind legs include the dragging of the hind legs behind the body and difficulty walking or running. The feet of the German Shepherd may also turn outwards, and the back legs may be held close together. Additionally, the German Shepherd may show signs of discomfort and pain when walking. If the knuckling is due to an injury, then rest and rehabilitation can help to reduce the symptoms. For neurological disorders, medication and physical therapy may be needed in order to reduce the discomfort associated with knuckling. If the knuckling is due to genetics, then surgery may be an option to correct the physical deformity. In conclusion, German Shepherds that drag their hind legs can be caused by a variety of different factors. If you notice your German Shepherd dragging their hind legs, it is important to seek veterinary advice in order to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, knuckling can often be managed effectively. What is degenerative myelopathy? A disease found in dogs, especially German Shepherds, that is very similar to ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Basically, there is a breakdown of Myelin a protective coat around the spinal cord. The prognosis for progression of degenerative myelopathy is approximately 6 months to 3 years, with no cure at this time. I have no doubt, being the owner of a dog who gets this diagnosis is undoubtedly heart-breaking. The disease will slowly or quickly progress. What causes degenerative myelopathy? At this time, the exact cause of degenerative myelopathy is not known. A gene mutation seems to be consistent in most cases, and tends to be specific to German Shepherds. Other breeds are effected too, including the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Chesapeake Bay retriever. According to Dr. There are several stages of degenerative myelopathy. Signs and symptoms can cross over each other through the different stages, but this table can be used as a general guide. This will gradually build their hind leg muscles. This forces your dog to put more strain on their back legs, helping to build muscle, and uneven surfaces help improve balance and exercise different muscles. This helps exercise their core muscles as well as their hind legs. This exercise helps to build hind leg muscles. Hydrotherapy is highly effective in building back leg muscles, and classes and facilities are available that specialize in this type of therapy for dogs with mobility issues. Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints and prevent injury. This popular joint supplement is often given to large dogs like German Shepherds. Green-Lipped Mussel: When combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, the green-lipped mussel can help reduce pain and maintain joint function in dogs with mobility issues. This supplement supports overall joint health and can help your German Shepherd feel more comfortable moving around. Fish Oil: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health. Vitamin E: Vitamin E can help improve muscle strength and reduce muscle damage. Last fall, Jedi was in bad shape. The two-year-old German Shepherd's health had waxed and waned for months. His owners and local veterinarian saw that Jedi was in pain and suffering from hind limb ataxia, meaning he was losing balance and coordination in his back legs. Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, mobility harnesses, and slings can provide support and improve mobility for German Shepherds with weak back legs. Recognizing Symptoms of Weak Hind Legs in German Shepherds German Shepherds are prone to hind leg weakness, which can be caused by various factors such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and spinal cord issues. Limping Or Favoring One Leg: Your German Shepherd might limp or put more weight on one leg to compensate for the weakness in the other leg. Difficulty Standing Or Sitting: Struggling to stand up or sit down can indicate discomfort or weakness in the hind legs. Decreased Activity Levels: A decrease in interest in playing, going for walks, or heading outside may signify discomfort or weakness in the back legs. Swelling Or Pain In Joints: Swollen hips, stiffness in joints and legs, or signs of pain in the back legs can be indicators of an underlying issue affecting hind leg strength. Here are some common causes: 1. Arthritis: This degenerative joint disease can affect German Shepherds as they age. It can cause pain and stiffness in the hind legs, making it difficult for them to move around. This genetic condition can cause the hip joints to develop abnormally, leading to arthritis and hind leg weakness. It can be diagnosed through X-rays. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy: This progressive neurological disease affects the spinal cord and can cause hind leg weakness and paralysis. It is usually seen in older dogs. Diabetes: Diabetes can affect the nerves in the hind legs, leading to weakness and loss of coordination. Fibrocartilaginous Embolism: This spinal cord injury can occur when a piece of cartilage breaks off and blocks blood flow to the spinal cord. It can cause hind leg weakness and paralysis. Limited Mobility: Dogs that are overweight, have poor muscle tone, or have been inactive for an extended period of time may experience hind leg weakness due to limited mobility. To maintain them, provide proper nutrition, exercise, weight management, joint supplements, physiotherapy, injury prevention, and care, and consider alternative therapies or assistive devices if necessary. Common causes of hind leg weakness are arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, diabetes, fibrocartilaginous embolism, and limited mobility. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect hind leg weakness. Some German Shepherds may begin showing signs of hip dysplasia as young as four months old, while others develop osteoarthritis as they age. However, in many cases, the signs of hip dysplasia become apparent once the dog is around two years old. To reduce the risk of hip dysplasia in offspring, ensure that only German Shepherds with healthy hips are bred. If you notice your German Shepherd whining when walking , limping, hesitating or showing reluctance when moving its back legs, it may have hip dysplasia. The first sign of pain in young dogs may appear as difficulty climbing stairs, jumping into a car, or exercising freely. If you suspect hip dysplasia, consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Yes, a German Shepherd can recover from hind leg weakness with proper treatment, exercise, and diet. Recovery depends on the underlying cause, and it is best to speak to a veterinarian for a plan of action. Justin Author Justin is a protection dog enthusiast. He has years of experience teaching and training dogs. Read More. It seems that the more highly bred a dog is, the more likely they are to come down with DM. Diseases like this normally are self-destructive, that is to say either it will not breed true, or kills its recipient, before it can be passed on. Degenerative Myelopathy unfortunately appears to breed true, and can be seen to have infected German Shepherds, and then passed across the breeds to other large dogs. This is only my theory, but I cannot see how any other diagnosis fits all the known facts. Breeders know of this genetic fault and even though genetic testing is available, they have not failed to stop it being passed on. Irresponsible breeders will deny any knowledge of the disease. And even though DM is becoming more prevalent, some vets do not appear to be interested, although some have even had their own dogs come down with it. If you want to see just how massive this infection is, just run a search using either the full name or the initials Degenerative Myelopathy and see what results you get. Support Groups are thriving all over the Web, all offering advice, but none being of any constructive help. If humans were dying this fast, it would be considered a catastrophe, but each owner, living in their own little piece of hell, believes that their pet is just another casualty, and are unable or unwilling to see the greater picture. First Signs of Degenerative Myelopathy The best thing you can do as a pet parent is educate yourself so you can advocate for your dog and make sure they get the treatment they need. Hind Leg Cross Over: where the nerves scramble the signals to the rear legs, and the dog thinks that he is moving one leg when he is actually moving the opposite leg. Tripping: when one leg catches behind the other as the dog walks. Toe Down: where the foot or feet are curled under, and the dog rests his weight on the top of that foot. An easy test is to manually curl the foot under and place the upper surface on the ground. If the dog resets that foot, to immediately place it down correctly, no current problem. However, if it remains standing, just as you placed the foot, without resetting; then Degenerative Myelopathy is entering its obstructive phase. This led me on a search around the world, via the Web, to try and gain some understanding of exactly what he had and why. We first noticed changes in his gait about 2 years previously, when I noticed that he was scraping his rear legs every now and again. I thought that it was only his laziness, and now wished to God that it had been just that. He started getting grazes on his back feet, and we would treat each scrape and cure it, but as soon as we removed his sock s he would reinjure his paws. He was still able to leap into the car, up on the bed, pretty much wherever he wanted. As it happened, even if we had managed to get an earlier diagnosis, it would not have mattered or helped one iota. A year and a half later, Shane starting to drag his right rear leg, not badly, but sufficiently to catch the top of his foot and break the skin. We took him to our local vet, who had looked after him since he was a puppy. He did x-rays, found lesions on his spine, between his ribs and his pelvis. Just a small white mark around his lower spine. His diagnosis was Degenerative Myelopathy. Here I must say that Shane was the nicest natured dog we had ever had. He had no vices, was friends with everybody and as clean as you could ever want. When once he was caught out in the office and had to go, he even cleaned it all up, and of course was ill for a week afterwards. I tell you this, so that you will have some idea how this wicked disease affected him. Improving Mobility for a German Shepherd with DM His walks that he loved, became shorter and shorter as he tired quickly, and dragged his back feet more and more. We should have thought of a dog wheelchair sooner, but the progression of the disease caught us off guard. He suffered no pain from DM, and only yelped one time when he had overstrained his chest muscles, trying to pull himself along on his front legs. A short course of mg coated aspirin two night and morning for a couple of days fixed the pain, until it went away naturally. By now, being a really intelligent dog, he worked out that inside it was easier to stick his nearly useless back legs out sideways, and slide along on his butt, pulling himself with his front legs. To get up onto his daybed our couch he would move himself, as above, and then wait for someone to raise him onto his rear legs. After he put his front feet onto the couch, he would wait for me to lift his back end, as he moved forward to lay on his blanket. To go out, I bought a sling that went under his stomach, and he walked on his front legs with us lifting the back ones off the ground. At first when he reached his preferred spot, we could remove the sling and he would do his own thing, sometimes with my wife guiding him with his magnificent, but now almost useless tail. Finally, as winter approached, we had to support him with this tail, as the sling he being a male dog would be in the way. Dog Wheelchairs and Degenerative Myelopathy My wife and I had decided months before, that as long as his insides continued to be under his control, and he was happy being with us, we would continue to do everything we could to assist him in living. To this point he continued to have that control, and so we looked for a dog wheelchair to give him the exercise he lacked. The dog wheelchair arrived, and I assembled it. This part was easy, but the minor adjustments, to fit him comfortably took a week or so. We found that making small adjustments was the way to go, as some made things worse, and had to be immediately undone. Having finally found the correct height, length etc. In the end we found that we had to strike a happy medium. Even when correctly adjusted, pooping had to be accomplished by holding the top rear rail, and pulling back slightly, so as to draw his rear legs forward, and allow his rear end to face slightly downwards. Finally putting his tail over that rear bar, allowed him to poop cleanly and not soil himself. At first we found that the saddle tended to rub the inside of his crotch, but adding a piece of soft cotton sheeting, over the saddle and securing it in place by catching the four corners and pinning them together below, seemed to work fine. Any red spots could then be treated with talc and diaper cream, so allowing him to go for exercise every other day. I adjusted the dog wheelchair to place his rear feet flat on the ground, fitted them with boots to stop any damage from dragging. At first, each time it would take him a couple of steps before the rear legs started to work again, but once started they continued to do so for each walk period. I can still see him from behind galloping at full tilt, with his tail moving in circles. Stopping was another thing, but he managed to do so, by ceasing all leg movement and coming to a grinding halt. Not once did he manage to turn the dog wheelchair over, and had to be told when it was time to go home. Nothing was quite long enough. For those of you that are wondering about a dog wheelchair, I can tell you with no reservations that it was worth the price, even if only for a short while. The happiness that the wheelchair brought, far outweighed its cost. Normally, if allowed to continue to its final state, it moves forward to take either the front legs, lungs and heart to the brain. Most dogs or their owners do not let it proceed that far. And then came the day, he finally lost control of his bowels. We thought this over carefully and considered this an unfortunate mistake and moved on. However, we did note that when trying to poop, it became irregular, and that he would move forward whilst doing so. The Vet informed us that this was a sign that he could not feel how he was doing, and to expect a worsening in the coming weeks. Of course, it happened to him again, this time on his couch. Even though we reassured him, he looked depressed. Perhaps if he had been a less than sanitary dog, it might not have affected him that much. But my wife and I knew that finally he was really unhappy and prepared to make that decision. As I had done in the past, she remained with him, until he was finally asleep. My wife says she imagines them all running like the wind, through a field of long grass. Perhaps they will be there to meet us, finally when our time comes. We have decided that because of the prevalence of DM, we will not have any further dogs, Shepherds in particular but we are happily left with Sable II, an Australian Female Kelpie that came in from the cold, as a stray, almost 6 years ago. She did so because she fell in love with Shane, and has stayed with us ever since, but that again is a whole other story. Their back legs have much more of a bend to them. This puts a little extra on the back and a lot more than the usual strain on the back legs. As a result, many years down the line, the strain on the back legs can develop into more serious issues. Studies have shown, in fact, that one side-effect of this is that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop hip dysplasia than many of the other large breeds, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers. If you have an older dog, the leg weakness is likely something that has progressed over the years, but there may be other causes, such as diabetes. Your vet can run some tests to give you a conclusive diagnosis. Symptoms of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds As there are different causes for back leg weakness in German Shepherds, there are a number of different symptoms to consider. If you see one of the symptoms which we have listed below, a vet checkup is a good idea so that the root cause may be determined and treatment initiated as soon as possible. Lethargy Lethargy is a common first symptom, as your dog knows that their back legs are weaker and simply prefers to stay sitting or laying down. Watch to see if this occurs with a reluctance to rise or a wobbly gait — however brief — to see if this energy loss may be an early sign of back leg weakness. Poor Coordination Poor coordination is a definite red flag that your dog may be suffering from back leg weakness. Veterinarian Tammy Hunter, DVM, advises that dogs in this condition are prone to fall over easily when gently pushed from the side. Slipping on the floor quite often is another common way that this manifests and a definite warning sign. Decreased Motion Range Another early warning sign, a decreased range of motion may be indicative of developing back leg weakness, though this will sometimes manifest as well if your dog has simply strained their back muscles while playing frisbee or other games where they must jump and twist. Urinary and Bowel issues In the later stages of degenerative myelopathy, leg paralysis often occurs along with a loss of control of urination and the bowels. While this is more common in Shepherds over the age of 8, it can occasionally occur in younger Shepherds as well. Reduced Muscle mass Reduced muscle mass is a common symptom, which may be degenerative myelopathy or Osteoarthritis. It is a slow process and sometimes manageable by means of a harness or an exercise regimen which may be proscribed by your vet. They may walk a little more slowly or simply creep along with their bodies closer to the ground so that they have better control over their legs and where they are going. Leg Paralysis Leg paralysis is common towards the end of degenerative myelopathy and may possibly occur within 6 months to 2 years following a diagnosis of this condition. Shepherds were bred to have a degree bend in their back legs, and while this provides agility enhancement, it also makes them more vulnerable to certain conditions. The most common causes of back leg weakness have been listed below. Genetics Shepherds are prone to a number of medical conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. Due to this, many prospective owners will ask their breeder for copies of the health history of the dam and the sire, along with X-rays of the hips and elbows of the parents and the puppy to determine the likelihood of certain conditions. Hip Dysplasia With hip dysplasia, the ball portion of the upper thighbone is not fully covered by the hip socket. This means that the hip joint may occasionally become dislocated either partially or, in some cases, completely, and as the ball of the hip joint meets the socket, it causes pain for the dog when moving. While this sometimes affects smaller dogs, it is much more common in larger breeds such as the German Shepherd. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a neural condition which some German Shepherds are prone to, and it manifests as the dog slowly losing control of their hind legs. Of note, veterinarians Ernest Ward and Tammy Hunter advise that a genetic mutation known as SOD-1 has been identified to be a major risk factor in developing Degenerative Myelopathy, but research is still continuing on this condition. As it is very hard to detect, Shepherd owners are advised to have regular vet checkups in order to increase the chances of detecting and managing conditions such as this early on. Subluxation Subluxation is a condition where one or more of the vertebrae in the spine have become misaligned. This often results in pain, along with a reduced range of motion, a wobbly gait, and similar conditions. While this is not genetic, some dogs are going to be more likely to develop this than others simply because the bone structure is inherited from the parents. Lumbosacral Stenosis Lumbosacral stenosis is a disease that sometimes afflicts German Shepherds, and it affects both the spinal cord and the nerves which are present where the pelvis and the spinal column meet. This is something that a dog may be born with, or it may develop, and it manifests with symptoms such as hind leg and tail weakness, incontinence, and pain. Treatment is available, typically in the form of medication or in more severe cases, in corrective surgery, Diabetes Diabetes is another common culprit when it comes to back leg weakness in many dogs, and one of the symptoms is weakened leg joints. Diagnosis of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds If you have noticed symptoms such as lethargy, weakness of the back limbs, or a poor lack of coordination, then you will want to make a list of the symptoms which you are seeing in your German Shepherd and schedule a vet appointment right away. Once you arrive, your vet is going to run a series of tests, both physical and neurological, to assess the root cause of the issue. Finally, imaging technology is employed to see if methods such as ultrasound or X-rays can locate any telltale abnormalities. At this point, your vet should have a full diagnosis so that treatment may be proscribed. Treatment of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds There are various treatments for back leg weakness in German Shepherds, depending on the root cause of the issue. The most common treatments for back leg weakness in German Shepherds are listed below. Chiropractic Care Chiropractic care may help to improve the quality of your Shepherds life and is often used in conjunction with medications for pain, along with joint supplements and other condition-specific pharmaceuticals designed to treat the root cause of the back leg weakness. Insulin In cases where the back leg weakness is caused by diabetes, then insulin may be administered to help to get diabetes in control, while medications are provided to help in pain management, and an exercise regimen is followed to return muscle mass and control to the hind legs of the dog. In this case, the dog has a very good chance of regaining full control of their hind legs, but your vet will be able to best advise what you should expect. Support Harness Along with pain management and chiropractic care, a support harness is commonly proscribed for German Shepherds suffering from back leg weakness to give them better control of their mobility and help exercise the atrophied muscles if their specific condition is conducive to this. In severe cases where full paralysis of the back legs occurs, then a wheelchair may be used in place of the support harness to allow the dog limited mobility when exercise and a support harness is not an option. Cold Laser Therapy With conditions such as subluxation, newer treatments such as cold laser therapy may be an option. In a specific case, a 7-year-old German Shepherd suffering from subluxation was able to have the condition corrected through a combination of regular chiropractic care used in conjunction with cold laser therapy. Many veterinary clinics have started to offer this innovative treatment, but you will need to check with your vet to see if this is a viable option based on the root cause of the back leg weakness. To this effect, a veterinarian can customize a pain regimen that can help your dog remain more comfortable if further treatment is simply not an option. Surgery Some conditions, such as Lumbosacral Stenosis, may be treated by means of corrective surgery, but this is one specific condition where corrective surgery may be an option. Most commonly, this type of surgery is only going to be employed in the most difficult cases where medication is an insufficient means of managing the issue. As this condition is severe, in either case, the dog will need to be confined for periods of 4 to 10 weeks for monitoring and treatment. Recovery of Back Leg Weakness in German Shepherds Recovery options for a German Shepherd showing signs of back leg weakness will vary, but generally, they will include pain management along with treatments such as chiropractic care, use of a support harness to help to rebuild atrophied muscles, or with diabetes, it could be insulin and a custom exercise regimen designed to rebuild muscle mass. In cases like degenerative myelopathy, a cure is not an option, and treatment will be more geared towards making your dog more comfortable as the condition worsens. Not all back leg weakness will be DM, however, and conditions such as lumbosacral stenosis are treatable with medication and surgery during an isolation period of 4 to 10 weeks. With conditions like Osteoarthritis, joint supplements and pain medication can help your dog live a more normal life with their condition. New treatments such as cold laser therapy are also available and may be proscribed. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Website such as veterinary network TPLO advises that regular walks, in addition to a healthy diet and joint supplements, can help in the treatment and prevention of back leg weakness in older dogs. A large part of this is genetic, as Shepherds were bred to have a more pronounced bend in their back legs, and over time, this leads to additional strain on the back and the legs. Shepherds are prone to conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, Osteoarthritis, and more, so it is vital that you ensure that your Shepherd has a healthy diet, along with plenty of exercise and joint supplements are also a good idea. Finally, be sure to bring your dog in for regular checkups, as conditions like Osteoarthritis can be difficult to spot without veterinary assistance — early diagnosis is always best and offers the best chances of treatment and proper management. Related Posts:. This is because German Shepherds are intentionally bred to have a steeper angulation to the hind legs. The AKC breed standards for the breed, require German Shepherds to have as close to a degree bend as possible in their hind legs. Unfortunately, this steep angle in the back leg makes German Shepherds more susceptible to back pain and hind leg problems. After years of wear and tear, this makes them prone to serious leg problems as they age. For instance, studies have shown that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop dysplasia as compared to Labradors, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers. A brief overview of these medical conditions: Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy DM is a neurological disease that makes German Shepherds slowly lose control of their hind legs. In the end, the dog may lose control of the urinary and bowel functions, and paralysis is a serious possibility. DM typically occurs in older dogs of about eight years or older, although it may also occur at a younger age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. However, there are ways to reduce the suffering of your GSD because the condition progresses gradually. Therefore, treatment options for DM are geared towards ensuring a better quality of life rather than curing it. Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy will lose the function of their hind legs within six months to two years of diagnosis. Although there is no cure, regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life for dogs with DM. As a result, the ball of the hip joint causes pain as it glides roughly against the socket. Signs of hip dysplasia include a wobbly gait, lameness, limping, a decreased range of motion, and pain while walking. The most common causes of hip dysplasia include genetics, leg trauma, and environmental factors. In extreme cases of hip dysplasia, the dog may lose the function of their back legs and require a wheelchair. Arthritis may also occur due to the pressure exerted on the hip joint by hip dysplasia. Since GSDs are prone to hind leg weakness, they are at an increased risk for severe arthritis. Dogs with bad hips and arthritic joints may change their gait and walk lower to the ground, causing German Shepherd legs to appear even more bent. Signs of arthritis in German Shepherds include lethargy, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, reluctance to run, jump, or go up a flight of stairs, and stiffness in the hind legs. Prevention of osteoarthritis through proper dieting, exercising, and joint supplements helps to reduce the onset of osteoarthritis. Once osteoarthritis begins, the treatment is geared towards pain reduction, reducing inflammation, and improving the quality of life. Since osteoarthritis is difficult to detect in symptoms until the affected joints are badly affected, it is crucial to keep up with regular wellness visits with your vet. The best way to prevent these diseases is through genetic testing and following good breeding standards. This is possible by checking with your breeder for the hip score regarding hip dysplasia and proper parent matching to avoid degenerative myelopathy. Diet It works wonders for humans, and it will work for your best friend too. Since this breed is already a large-sized breed and the effects of breeding may be unpredictable, maintaining an optimal weight and observing a healthy, balanced diet is a wise precautionary measure. Some of the important dietary options to provide include ample proteins, vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You should also ensure that the dog food you buy for your German Shepherd is well-suited, with enough calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Your vet may also prescribe bone and joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and collagen if they are required. An obese or overweight will experience increased mobility challenges. Second, regular exercise, especially walking and swimming, is important. Lastly, consult your vet on supplements or medications that may slow down the progression of DM. In any case, for these medical conditions , keep an eye out for changes in movement and contact your vet if there are any concerns. Some common symptoms that your German Shepherd may show include a wobbly walk, slipping on the floor, sitting crooked, hips giving way, swelling, lesser muscle mass in the back legs, and having a shorter stride on the hind legs. Remember that most dogs will not express pain or discomfort at first, so it is up to you to spot the symptoms if they do appear — This is especially important for degenerative conditions because when it comes to treatment, the earlier, the better! Regular exercise Regular exercising does two important things for your German Shepherd. One, it strengthens the hind and front leg muscles, and two, it helps you spot changes in the performance of the hind legs. This is the sit-to-stand routine. In this routine, you start with your dog sitting in front of you. Then, you move back a bit and call the dog to you. When he follows, give a treat to keep his interest and, once again, sit him down. Repeat as many times as needed. Taking your dog on daily walks up and down a hill especially or having swimming sessions will also strengthen the leg muscles and help in managing the weight. Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for dogs dealing with mobility issues. Canine massage relieves fatigue and tension in the hind leg muscles and helps to spot any unrelated pain that may be a sign of something to watch out for. How to massage your dog: Compress the muscle against the bone with your flat hand using both your palms and fingers. Glide your hand along his spine, following the lay of the fur. Apply semi-circular strokes on the muscular areas of the back legs. Using a support harness Sometimes, it is crucial to moderate the pressure that your shepherd applies to the back legs when he moves about. This is where the support harness comes in. A harness helps to remove some of the stress that the dog may be feeling when taking walks, for instance, until the muscles of the back legs are strong enough to take it. The use of the harness reduces the pressure placed on the bad back legs and makes it easier for your dog to walk. Keep them at a healthy weight and ensure they get plenty of exercise. Even if your GSD is battling a degenerative illness affecting his mobility, you can explore treatment and supportive methods that will enable a good quality of life. German shepherds are known as a very resilient and strong breed. Your dog will match and appreciate any effort you put into ensuring his good quality of life. Related Articles:. If one breaks down the name of the disease it describes what happens with the disease. Degeneration refers to a breaking down or deterioration of something. In this case the spinal cord. Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating condition for which there is no cure but only the potential to slow down the progress. The occurs typically in older German Shepherd Dogs. The average age at which clinical signs start and progress is from 8 to 12 years of age. This is not a condition with rapid onset but instead is slowly progressive with clinical signs worsening with time. Degenerative myelopathy starts out as a very slowly progressive hind limb weakness and loss of function of the back legs called paresis. It is commonly confused with hip pain because the symptoms can mimic hip dysplasia, another debilitating condition with a high incidence in German Shepherds. The condition is the result of a demyelination loss of protective cover and nerve degeneration of the spinal cord in the region of the mid to hind back. This degeneration is something referred to as an ascending lesion meaning that it starts at the tail end of the spinal cord and works its way towards the head. The underlying cause of the disease is thought to be a genetic mutation change of the SOD1 gene. This gene is responsible for the protection of cells against certain particles that damage the DNA of cells. The name given to the damaging particles are free radicles. Under normal circumstances the SOD1 gene produces a free radicle scavenger i. The way in which the defect is inherited determines whether a particular dog is at a high risk of getting the disease or if they are a carrier of the genetic mutation without showing clinical signs. An individual dog has to carry 2 copies of the mutation in the genes of the cells of their bodies for it to cause the disease. There is no sex predilection, so male or female dogs may be affected equally. What is interesting about the disease is that even if an individual dog has both copies of the mutated gene and they are at very high risk of developing the disease, there are still other factors that influence whether or not they do contract the disease and to what extent they do. As mentioned previously this a slowly progressive condition that has a time frame of about 3 years before severe debilitating disease sets in. The clinical signs noticed in dogs include the following: After 6 to 12 months of contracting the disease, you will notice weakness and partial loss of function of the back legs. Your dog may seem weak and wobbly on the back legs and they may struggle to get up or be slower to get up that what they used to be. When they run, their back legs may sway abnormally. After 9 to 18 months on contracting the disease, the back legs start to get even weaker and collapse under the dog from time to time. If one assesses the reflexes in the back legs like the patella reflex, you will find that they are abnormal and weakened. After 12 to 24 months of contracting the disease, the front legs start to become affected and you may notice that your dog starts losing their normal co-ordination and function. By this point, the hind legs are very weak and your dog may struggle to stand and use their legs correctly. Unfortunately, the nerve degeneration also influences bladder and bowel control and they will start to urinate and defecate involuntarily. This is known as urine and faecal incontinence. After 24 to 36 month of contracting the disease, and if the dog was able to come this far and still cope with the disease, they develop tetraplegia or quadriplegia which is a paralysis that causes partial or total loss of use of all their limbs and body. The loss is usually sensory and motor, which means that both sensation and control are lost, or put a different way, the dog does not know where its legs are and even if they did, they do not have the ability to correct it. Clearly a very unhappy situation. The way in which this condition is diagnosed by the vet is through a number of tests as well as the typical clinical signs and also the breed of your dog. These, together with the thorough history of the condition, should provide the veterinarian with some very important clues to what is going on with your dog. The important diseases or differential diagnoses to rule out are spinal disc disease like a slipped disc and conditions affecting the lower part of the spine where the hips meet the spine, like hip dysplasia or joint disease. The biggest difference with degenerative myelopathy and the other conditions is that degenerative myelopathy is painless because it is the loss of sensation and function which underlies this disease. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment available. Certain supplements can be used in an attempt to slow down the condition, such as vitamin E and aminocaproic acid. The vitamin E is an essential vitamin which helps various systems in the body to protect it from these damaging free radicles. The aminocaproic acid is an agent used to prevent the breakdown of clots in the bloodstream. Antibodies in the bloodstream attach to the foreign material within the bloodstream forming complexes and these stimulate a response from the immune system. These complexes are usually removed by the liver and spleen. Sometimes they can stick to the walls of blood vessels, damage the walls and stimulate the formation of blood clots. The breakdown of these clots are associated with inflammation and this may result in damage to the surrounding tissues, so-called collateral damage. If this happens in the sensitive tissues of the spinal cord, the damage is devastating because the nervous tissue is not able to regenerate and repair itself. The thinking behind using aminocaproic acid is to inhibit clot breakdown in these delicate tissues. Lastly and most importantly, the most effective treatment for this condition and the only one proven to actually slow down the progress is the use of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Another key factor is, the sooner the dog is diagnosed and treatment started, the better the progress of the disease can be slowed, and the more time the vet can give you with your dog. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that eventually, the disease will lead to complete paralysis and eventually, in most cases, euthanasia. Genetic disorders like degenerative myelopathy can only be prevented by not breeding with animals where there is a family history of the disease. Make sure if you buy a puppy, that you get references on a breeder before you buy.

Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. Reesie came into the care due to being discarded from a local puppy mill. Reesie is very active, happy, and a loveable puppy. She will bring much love into the household. Reesie is exactly what you would expect from a Goldendoodle puppy, she is adorably goofy, friendly, super playful, and so sweet. Reesie has three modes: asleep, awake but cute and cuddly, and pure playful puppy! Doodles are mixed breed dogs and therefore exhibit a spectrum of behaviours that are present in the breeds of their parents, however there are some behavioural characteristics that are very common that people should make note of. First, Doodles have a tendency to be very social dogs that do much better with their people around and engaged with them more than not. A Doodle that is left alone for long periods of time regularly can develop depression, anxiety, become obsessive about certain activities and these can result in other destructive behaviours. Doodles also have a tendency to be high energy dogs that need an abundance of mental and physical exercise, especially as they are growing into adulthood. These are not couch potato dogs that are content with a few short walks a day. If you have a more laid back lifestyle and are a homebody, a Doodle will NOT likely be a great match for you. They are very intelligent dogs who like to work, so taking them beyond basic training is highly recommended to help them live their best life. They like to push boundaries and challenge you and many Doodle owners have claimed their dogs are always two to three steps ahead of them! I would like to make very clear here that Reesie is NOT hypoallergenic. If you are allergic to dogs and expecting to do this without sneezing you are out of luck! She will not be a suitable dog for allergy sufferers, sorry! Reesie also requires regular brushing as his fur will easily mat up if not kept up. Regular trips to the groomer to keep her nicely trimmed will also be required. There is quite a bit of upkeep with this coat type and it can become a huge mess quickly so the time and energy to keep up this type of coat will have to be taken into consideration as well. This is quite the undertaking and not something everyone wants to take on or has the time or desire to do. If you have the time and will to take on a big commitment, then Reesie just might be the right girl for you. Reesie is a very smart dog and a quick learner, she is doing a fantastic job with house training, sleeping in her crate at night and has the basic commands under her. Though she is very young she has caught on to going to the door when she needs to go potty. She loves knowing she will get a treat after. Her new humans will need to stay on top of her housetraining so she can continue with her progress. She is not very happy with her crate time during the daytime, we work on this daily and are finding that a routine is the way to go with her. Her picking up on training is going very well, she knows the commands, come, sit, down, paw. Consistent work is need on commands, so her new humans will need to dedicate time for this many times throughout the day. She can be left alone for short periods, as she does have separation anxiety. We are working with her on this daily so that when she is ready to leave to go to her forever home she will be better. She does have, and likes her night routine, getting some quite cuddle time before hand. She can sleep 6 hours through the night, as long as she does her duty right before bed. You will need to be patience with her not wanting to be in a crate especially during the day. She just wants to be with her people so much and with her energy level for her to have to hold that in for long is just not fair to her. With the energy Reesie has and the amounts she runs around now as a pup, a large yard would be important. I can see playing fetch will be a big part of her life and she would love to be able to do this in her own yard. As well will be a great helper with any yard work, or just lazing around with a toy or bone. If she does not get outside enough she will be like a toddler in the house and grab anything just to keep busy, will definitely keep you on your toes. If you try to be stern with her she looks at you with those big loving eyes that melt your heart, so you will need to be a strong leader. You will realize very quickly why the proper exercise will be a must. Reesie will require her people to be very active and athletic as she is going to need a good amount of fast paced exercise as she matures into an adult dog. She is not a dog that will be content with simple walks, this is a dog that requires running, hiking, dog sports etc in order to be sated. She needs this daily outlet of physical activity in order to be a happy, well-adjusted dog. Reesie could happily go to a home with children age 8 or older. That being said Reesie would make a fantastic companion for a family with older children as she is lots of fun and has a wonderful playful energy. Reesie is in a home with two foster siblings, that she is smitten with. She would do well in a home that has another playful dog that is male. She is a very confident female pup and will not enjoy sharing her home space with another female dog; there can only be one queen in the palace!! She is still learning her boundaries and is growing fast so a dog that will be a larger dog like her when she is fully grown is best, one that can handle a spunky pup bothering them. Her forever family will need to be confident with a large adult goofball of a dog. Reesie LOVES making her humans happy and loves being praised, will sit in front of you with a hug smile. She has conquered the come, sit, lay down commands. While working on her commands daily, we will also introduce a new command every second day, she is now working on shake and pretty sit. Out of all the puppies we have fostered I have not seen one react so fast and be so proud as Reesie when she is called. Even though she learns fast we want to remind potential adopters that she is very new to the world and so she needs guidance and support. She is a good puppy, but a puppy none the less and puppies are tiring and need constant support while they grow and navigate the world. Having previous puppy experience, or experience with a high energy dog would be a great asset for a potential adopter. Reesie likes going on walks with her foster siblings by her side and alone, but she is not fond of the leash attached to any of them. Periodically she will jump up and try to pull it. Her zig zagging is still going strong. We love taking out our puppy fosters on big adventures, so they are introduced to many things in the environment, like noises and objects. Once Reesie is older she will need a few long walks a day. She is fantastic on fetch, brings it right back to you for her next throw. If she gets the needed amount of exercise physical and mental she will be an outstanding girl. If she plays hard she will crash hard, which will be one of your favourite times with her as she loves to snuggle and cuddle. She will lay right on your lap, belly up and rubs will put her right to sleep. She is loving, goofy, and super sweet. She is clingy and curious and a companion animal through and through. We cannot wait to see Reesie in her forever home so that she can continue to give her whole heart to her people. Call The temperament of the Golden Retriever is a hallmark of the breed, and is described in the standard as "kindly, friendly and confident". Golden Retrievers make good family pets, particularly as they are patient with children. They are not "one-man dogs" and are generally equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them. Their trusting, gentle disposition makes them a poor guard dog. Any form of unprovoked aggression or hostility towards either people, dogs or other animals, whether in the show ring or community, is considered unacceptable in a Golden Retriever and is not in keeping with the character of the breed, nor should a Golden Retriever be unduly timid or nervous. The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent and biddable, and with an exceptional eagerness to please. Golden Retrievers are also noted for their intelligence. The breed ranks fourth in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs — following the Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd — as one of the brightest dogs ranked by obedience-command trainability. Typical Golden Retrievers are active and fun-loving animals with the exceptionally patient demeanour befitting a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Adult Goldens love to work, and have a keen ability to focus on a given task. They will work until they collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them. The average lifespan for a Golden Retriever is about 11 to 12 years. They are susceptible to specific ailments, so should be taken to a veterinarian for yearly checkups. Golden Retrievers are known to have genetic disorders and other diseases. Hip dysplasia is common in the breed; when buying a puppy, the pedigree should be known and be examined by the OFA or by PennHIP for hip disease. Obesity is also common in the breed because Golden Retrievers love to eat. Puppies should eat about three cups of food a day and adults three to five cups, depending on the food and how active the dog is. Our customers can visit the dog kennel and meet the Breeders and puppy parents and adopt golden retriever puppies. Why buy golden retriever puppies or dog when you can adopt all breeds, sizes, and ages. Yes, we at Dogs Paradise advocate the Adoption of golden retriever puppies dogs instead of buying a purebred. Find golden retriever puppies Dogs available for Adoption and Foster at our site. Please feel free to contact as with any queries you have regarding Adoption. This one is for Golden retriever lovers who would love to learn facts about their adored one. Just like its name, Golden retriever was bred from Scotland in the midth century. They are popular for dense, lustrous coat of gold from where this breed got its names. With a trait of high-intelligence, affectionate behavior and playful nature, you would love to take this adorable pet to your home. They have exceptional hunting abilities, which is why they are called gun dogs. Lord Tweedmouth was responsible for the breeding of these dogs in Guisachan in Scottish Highlands. The idea to multiply this breed was to produce a retriever that can be easily trained for hunting activities. They are found in different colors at different lands like a British Retriever is generally lighter in color and the American one wears a darker coat with lankier appearance. A Canadian breed is generally tall and thin than other types and Indian Retrievers are the descendants of British dogs. Today, in India, they are considered to be the top breeds. During 20th century, this breed stepped into India and embraced by royal families. The Maharaja of Patiala was the first one to accept this affectionate member as a part of family. This perfect family pet has all the abilities to please you for taking him home. It is friendly, affectionate, caring, calm, intelligent and compliant. Golden retriever males are cm tall and weigh about kg whereas females are about cm tall and weigh about kg. The sizes of golden retriever puppies are tend to be small and weigh less than 5 pounds. With a strong and broad head, they move with their feathery tail whilst keeping an eye everywhere to find a reason to get some attention from their owners. The ears are not very long but perfectly sit below the jaw line. The chest is deep covered with water-repellent coat. They are tempered, intelligent, loving and live about years of their total life span. Goldens are good swimmer and fetcher, however they lack guard instincts. Despite of not being a barker, they have a nice history of being called as a service dog and proved to be really helpful for blind or disabled people. They are average shedders as brushing them once weekly will be enough. Did you just have the flashback of images and videos of Goldens while playing with their owners? Pet owners trust us to look after the needs of their beloved companions. Contact info.

Updated on 11 February White German Shepherds are rare dogs with a striking coat. However, White GSDs can have some subtle differences. White German Shepherds have been recongised by the UKC since — and the organization have created a breed standard for this particular variety of GSD. While they were banned from registration in their native Germany in , North America proved something of a hotbed for these dogs and a breed club was formed for White German Shepherds in .Ash, who owns a White GSD called Ghost, warned prospective owners to be prepared for their dog to be confused for another popular dog breed! You will constantly be asked if your dog is a Husky white fur that is so noticeable, needs a lot of attention, lots of energy. They can become very attached to their dog owners and members of the family. This can translate to them being excellent family dogs! Alyssa highlighted this loyal trait, having firsthand experience with Lumi. White Shepherds are incredibly loyal and great family dogs. They love their families and will do anything to protect them. Because of this, they typically are a bit skeptical of strangers but this can be worked through with proper socialization and training. While German Shepherds can often be incorrectly stereotyped as aggressive dogs, the White GSD tend to have more mellow personalities. Only the Border Collie and the Poodle are considered more intelligent! They should be quick to learn new commands and can be highly obedient dogs. Having said that, sometimes smart dogs can have a stubborn or mischievous streak. Alyssa explained that consistency is key where training White GSD is concerned. White Shepherds are incredibly smart. Just keep at it and make sure to give lots of praise when they exhibit the correct behaviors. With high energy compared to other breeds, they may not be suited to all pet parents. As mentioned before they need a solid amount of exercise and mental stimulation or they can become bored and destructive. You should be prepared for lots of white fur on your clothes, on your furniture and on the floor. Alyssa shed further light on White GSD shedding! If you have issues with shedding, White Shepherds are not for you. White GSDs require regular daily exercise to stretch their legs. Aylssa provided her insight on White German Shepherd exercise. Exercise all depends on the drive and energy level of your dog. German Shepherds on average White Shepherds included need quite a bit of exercise. They can get bored very easily so its important to keep their mind busy. Training sessions also do a great job of keeping them mentally stimulated. They need regular brushing to remove shedded hair and debris from their coat to maintain their overall coat health. Ash underlined the importance of regularly grooming a White GSD. Sometimes the fur can grow back, other times the elbow becomes a little bald patch which can scab if it gets hurt. Hiding treats for your dog to find. Obedience training Grooming The White German Shepherd is a heavy-shedding dog with a double white coat and requires regular brushing. Ideally, a White Shepherd should be groomed every other day, possibly daily, during the peak shedding season. Male vs. Female While for many animal species, the female is larger, with the German Shepherd, it is the males that are larger. While German Shepherds are all loyal and loving family dogs, it is often noted that females are more docile than males. This makes a female Shepherd a better choice for homes with young children. A female White Shepherd reaches sexual maturity at two years of age and has a litter of between five to ten puppies. They have an intelligent and fearless personality and are eager to learn and please. These traits make them wonderful family pets. A determined personality also makes shepherds adept at being working dogs. The White German Shepherd is a loyal and loving dog that quickly forms an unshakable bond with its family and is fiercely protective of them. It is vital for all dog owners to understand that training is important. Any German Shepherd breed needs to be trained and socialized correctly. Failing to do so leads to problems with jealousy and distrust of strangers. White German Shepherd Health and Care All dogs come with their own potential health problems and care requirements. For the White German Shepherd, there are several critical quality-of-life considerations to make. While both White and regular German Shepherds suffer from a lot of the same health issues, there are some with a higher prevalence in white breeds. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health issues faced by White German Shepherd dogs. Caused by a misformation of the hip joint, dysplasia is a painful condition resulting from bone-on-bone grinding. While it can be seen in White German Shepherd puppies as young as four months, it is more common in older dogs. It can be treated with the help of CBD Oil for hip dysplasia. Sadly, this painful condition is very prominent in German shepherds. This is largely due to their combined size and energy levels. Unfortunately, arthritis is a progressive condition that cannot be cured. In the White GSD, arthritis is more common in their hind legs than in their front. Gastric Bloat Gastric bloat is the common name for a serious medical complaint known as gastric dilatation volvulus GDV. Bloat commonly occurs in larger dogs, particularly German Shepherd breeds. There is no time to waste with this condition. If a dog is showing signs of bloat, they need immediate medical attention, as it could quickly become fatal. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy CDM Canine degenerative myelopathy is a degenerative disease that affects the spinal column. German Shepherds are one of the most commonly affected breeds. The result of CDM is commonly rear-leg paralysis. Middle-aged dogs between 4 and 14 years are more likely to be diagnosed with CDM. Pay attention to any limping or signs of motion impingement. Other Diseases Deafness is another disease that is more common for the White German Shepherd than other breeds. As a general rule, deafness is a common health concern for white-coated dogs and other animals. Some of the core allergies that affect this breed are related to chicken, wheat, and dairy. Dental decay is also a serious problem that is frequently observed in German Shepherds. More so with them than many other breeds. Using dental chews in combination with a healthy diet is a great way to promote healthy teeth and gums. They love to be challenged, while their loyalty sees them eager to please. While Shepherds make great pets, it is important to train them from a young age. Below are five training tips for White German Shepherds. Be consistent: White and other German Shepherds all respond better to training when there is consistency to things. Everything from your manner to the commands you use needs to be consistent from one training session to another. Layer your training in easy-to-iterate steps. Master one of two commands before introducing something else. Be a leader: It is important to remember that dogs are looking for you to be a leader and not a dominator. You must be prepared to take charge rather than use aggression as a training tactic. Communicate properly: Dogs do not communicate the same way humans do. It is important to understand the right way to communicate with your White Shepherd. Short and clear commands yield the best results. Also, avoid using similar-sounding commands, as these are likely to confuse your dog. Practice positive reinforcement: Never punish a dog for not doing well in training or for struggling to recognize a command. Instead, positive reinforcement is the recommended training practice. Reward your furry friend for every good deed. However, the exact costs will vary depending on where you are and the size of the litter. The price also relates to buying White Shepherd puppies from a recognized breeder and not from a puppy farm or through shelter adoption. White German Shepherds are different from other German Shepherd dogs in so far as they have a white coat rather than the traditional tan and brown. However, genetically, there is no difference between White Shepherds and other shepherds. The difference between them is that the White German Shepherd carries a recessive white gene that changes its fur color. This is the same way some humans are born with blond hair. Conclusion The White German Shepherd is the rare form of one of the most easily recognized dogs in the world. Wonderful family dogs. German Shepherds love to be part of the family. They struggle when home alone for long periods. Luckily, this breed is very good with children. The same as any other dog, White Shepherds need to be trained. Exercise is also crucial for this breed, as they can become destructive if they do not get enough physical and mental stimulation. If you work from home or have a family member at home a lot of the day, then a White German Shepherd is an ideal dog. Just make sure ahead of time that you understand the amount of work it takes to train a shepherd puppy from a young age. Whether you are a new or experienced dog owner, the White Shepherd is a great choice for your house. All dogs need love and affection, but the hyper-intelligent German Shepherd needs more than most in order for them to truly feel settled in their home. Luckily, the effort you put in is returned multiple folds in the affection your dog shows. Related Guide:. White German Shepherd puppies They do best in experienced homes with trainers that have lots of time to devote to positive reinforcement training and exercise. The white German Shepherd Dog has endured a long and difficult battle to earn its place as a purebred dog breed worldwide. It takes a deliberate and consistent breeding strategy to reliably produce all white German Shepherd puppies. Historically, white puppies would sometimes pop up amongst a litter of puppies bearing the more common black and earth tones. White German Shepherd Genetics Our understanding of the genes which control canine coat color is increasing all the time. But even as we unravel the unique DNA of other famously white dogs think of the Dalmatian, and the white English Bulldog , the white German Shepherd remains stubbornly mysterious. There was a time when all white German Shepherds were thought of as albinos. Nor do they carry the extreme white piebald gene which gives Dalmatians their white base. At the time of writing, in , the most widely accepted theory is that German Shepherds all have one spot in their genetic code which acts like a switch for white and non-white. But if they inherit the white gene for from both mom and dad, then all else in their genetic code is forgotten, and they are white. Because they need to inherit the white gene from both parents, it is described as a recessive trait. Only a pair of white German Shepherds are certain to have a litter of all white puppies. A careful breeder who understands German Shepherd coat color genetics can reliably produce a litter of white puppies by mating two white German Shepherd dogs. A solid white German Shepherd adult dog can range in weight from 60 to 85 pounds, with adult males outweighing adult females. As adults, the white GSD will stand anywhere from 22 inches to 26 inches high at the shoulder. Like the rest of their pedigree, the most common eye color for a white Shepherd is dark brown. However, coloration can range from a lighter amber to a dark mahogany color. Every so often, a pure white German Shepherd with blue eyes will be born. However, this is a rare trait attributed to expression of a recessive gene for eye color. A long haired one is even rarer! Long haired German Shepherds of every color owe their coats to a recessive gene for long hair. Historically, long haired GSDs were considered a genetic fault. Long haired dogs lack a waterproof, insulating undercoat, so they were unsuitable for working. But they are famously good-tempered and devoted, so modern long haired German Shepherds of every color are gaining popularity as pets and companion dogs. A German Shepherd with short hair has the same insulating undercoat as any German Shepherd, regardless of coat color. These dogs make for hard-working dogs who excel in guarding, herding, service, search and rescue, police, military and protection jobs. Their white coat helps to distinguish flock guard dogs from darker-haired predators such as coyotes and wolves. Grooming a White Shepherd In terms of coat care, the short haired white German Shepherd has the same basic grooming and coat maintenance needs as any short haired German Shepherd. All German Shepherds shed a lot, but white hair has a special talent for showing up against floors and furniture. They also shed out their short undercoat during the warm season. Frequent brushing and grooming can help keep shedding localized and manageable. The long haired German Shepherd will need more detailed and frequent grooming. You will need to pay special attention to cleaning and grooming their ears. Bathing should always be done sparingly to avoid removing necessary coat oils. Excessive washing can cause skin dryness that could lead to irritation or illness, so invest in a gentle shampoo. As with any working purebred dog breed, it is important to realize right away that these dogs are not bred to be lap dogs. They demand high level of work and interaction, or they will become bored and destructive. Are White German Shepherds Aggressive? In the past, many people trained GSDs to be wary of strangers, and aggressive towards trespassers. Most German Shepherds today are still wary of new people, and take a while to warm up to them. Early, daily, consistent and continuous socialization as a puppy will give them the confidence to greet new faces and situations calmly and confidently. From 8 to 14 weeks old, have visitors around every day, and take your puppy to plenty of busy locations. These include hip and elbow dysplasia — bone malformation at the joint, which causes painful arthritis and lameness. However, there is one condition that white German Shepherds might be more predisposed to. But further research is needed to see if this is correct. Are White German Shepherds Deaf? Has anyone ever told you that white dogs are more likely to be deaf? Dogs like Dalmatians, who owe their white coat to the extreme piebald gene, are more likely to have hearing loss. Dogs with the piebald or extreme piebald genes lack these cells, so they are white, and they may have hearing loss. But remember that white GSDs inherit their white coat, by a different, special gene? That means their coat is white, but their skin is still normally pigmented, and their hearing is unaffected! How Long Do They Live? The average German Shepherd Dog lives to 11 years old. There is no evidence that this would be any longer or shorter for a white GSD. Overall, ensuring your White German Shepherd puppy enjoys a lifetime of good health rests on choosing a breeder who invests in health screening for their sire and dam. But their striking looks are gaining legions of fans among a new generation of GSD lovers. But for unscrupulous breeders, this is exactly the way to get the litter they want, without travelling to reach a breeding partner who is unrelated enough. Good breeders will: Provide the results of hip and elbow dysplasia exams, and well as other health tests. Show you the full family tree of their puppies, and their co-efficient of inbreeding. Invite you to meet mom with her puppies, and dad if possible. White German Shepherd price can fluctuate depending on demand, breeder reputation, appearance, coat and eye color and gender. The top priority for a responsible breeder is raising a litter of happy, well-socialised puppies, and settling them into good homes. A white German Shepherd Dog can be a fabulous canine companion. Meeting the parent dogs and making sure a vet has conducted appropriate genetic tests on both parents. Your puppy will also need lots of time and interaction with you and plenty of physical activity daily. Socialization and ongoing training, as well as a whole lot of exercise, are also essential. All GSDs need a home where someone is around during the week as well as at weekends, to prevent them becoming bored and destructive. If you can provide these essential needs, then a white German Shepherd may be a fun and rewarding pet dog choice for you!

Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Email: rockvalepuppies gmail. Rockvale Puppies are specialists in rare color, purebred Pugs. Puppies are cared for and played with every day by Todd, his wife Alicia, and their two young boys. The family is passionate about providing new owners with the greatest pet possible. Sandra has been breeding since .All puppies get a neo-parvo shot at 5 weeks old, their first booster vaccination at 7-weeks old, and are kept on a deworming schedule. Pugs R Us by T. Stahlstown, PA Phone: Website: www. Tabitha breeds AKC Pugs and has puppies available throughout the year. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

Silver Valley Labradors is a family owned kennel that is proud to offer top quality silver, charcoal, and champagne labrador retrievers. We pride ourselves on being a top quality kennel and the breeder of your new best friend and family member. All of our dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club. Please note that the light silver color is considered to be a shade of chocolate and charcoal is considered a shade of black. Therefore, silver labs are registered with the AKC as chocolate and charcoal labs are registered as black. We are located in Stanley, Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Our dogs are very athletic and LOVE to swim. They are wonderful with children and love to play catch and retrieve games. Their kind, outgoing temperament make them excellent family dogs. We have spent a great deal of time researching the pedigrees and temperaments of our dogs to ensure that we have a top quality breeding program. All puppies have been wormed and received their 6 week vaccinations before going to their forever homes. Please explore this site to learn more about our dams, sires, and puppies. Feel free to call or email us. Thank you for visiting our site. As one of the most energetic breeds, your Silver Lab puppy will always be down for exercise, play, swimming or any other outdoor activity. Playful and excitable, be prepared to remove any knick-knacks from coffee tables or end tables — this breed is notorious for knocking these over with an almost constantly wagging tail! Widely considered the sweetest tempered dog breed, your Silver Lab puppy will light up every time you walk in the room — greeting you with kisses and affection when you come home after a long day at work. Highly intelligent, these dogs can easily be trained to respond to a variety of commands — and their alert nature makes them natural guard dogs. As one of the most lovable dog breeds, your Silver Lab puppy is sure to get along with everyone — from other dogs to small children and the elderly — making the breed a perfect fit for almost anyone who has the stamina to keep up with it! Many of these conditions affect dogs in later life, though some can occur during adolescents and early adulthood. To learn more about our commitment to ethical breeding practices , read about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! This hunting breed has a water-resistant or water-repellent coat that is slightly dry and oily. Unlike many short-haired breeds, Labs are outdoor dogs. They are usually able to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, straight coats that shed seasonally. They have a double coat — with thick, dense hair — which helps keep them warm during winter months. Their heavy coats also offer additional insulation when swimming — a favorite pastime of Labradors, Silver Labs included. With a low-maintenance coat, the Silver Labrador Retriever only needs brushed once or twice a week. Meet Silver Lab Puppies for Sale. At Happy Lab Kennels, we specialize in healthy, happy silver Labrador puppies, a variation of a chocolate lab with a gene mutation that creates their distinctive gray coat. Explore more about silver Labrador puppies for sale in NC and learn about the other great Labrador puppies we offer, including black, yellow and chocolate. The reason for this record is simple. Labs are great dogs. They have a wonderful temperament and are filled with Love to share. They seem to have one goal in mind, making Life long friends and memories. Labs are the perfect example of unconditional Love. While they do thrive on Love and attention, they require little maintenance. No long hair and curls to worry about and shedding is minimal. At Happy Lab Kennels, we focus on producing dogs that are healthy, friendly, gentle and full of love! While our dogs are mainly loving companions, they do come from hunting stock. With proper training, they would make a great hunting partner. About Happy Lab Kennels Our love for dogs has been growing for over 30 years We both grew up with a family dog, and knew we would always have a dog or two when we were older. Well, our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Our dogs are a big part of our family. We have them spend time with us indoors, as well as, outdoors. We have them sleep inside when the weather is cold and to take a break on those very hot days. In our dog journeys, we have taken our dogs to field trials and have been active members of a K-9 Search and Rescue Team. What is A Silver Labrador? Loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities Silver Labrador Puppies for Sale NC Silver labs were first created by a breeder in the early 80s and were officially recognized as a subset of the chocolate lab breed by the AKC in .While some think the unusual color comes from outside the breed, these dogs are verified by the AKC as percent Labrador retriever. Male labs grow to an average of .Our silver labrador puppies are bred as loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities that have long made labs one of the most popular family dogs. These rare purebred, pedigreed pups are registered with the American Kennel Club. The Silver Labradors are registered as chocolates. Like other lab variations, silver labradors need lots of exercise. Get ready to play endless games of catch and take long walks around your neighborhood, where your pet is sure to make friends with other dogs and humans alike. These dogs respond well to training and easily adapt to new environments. They also tend to be great with children, although younger labs can be quite boisterous and may be excitable around those younger than 5. Our Other Labrador Retriever Colors Silver, chocolate, yellow, and black Labradors available for sale Black Labrador Puppies Black labs are sometimes considered the original Labrador puppies, brought to Newfoundland in the s. Because black is the dominant color gene for these dogs, they are more common than yellow, silver and chocolate labs. We offer an impressive selection of purebred chocolate labrador puppies for sale. This chocolate color comes from a gene variation on the classic black lab. Their golden hue occurs when both parents carry the gene for yellow fur rather than the dominant gene for black. Our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Labrador Litters. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they come in many colors. Silver Labrador Retrievers, or Silver Labs, are relatively new compared to the other Lab coat colors. Contrary to their Yellow, Chocolate, and Black Lab cousins, which have recorded sightings from and before, Silver Labs have only cropped up since .There was some heated debate over their authenticity, as many breeders believed the silver tint appeared from outside the breed. A diluting factor in coat color dominance traits is responsible for the silver hue — something that is also present in Charcoal and Champagne Labs as well. At any rate, Silver Labrador Retrievers are regal, loyal, and friendly Labradors that have a lot of energy and a lot of love to give! Silver Labs are curious and playful dogs. Their curiosity will often get the better of them and they may wander off in search of adventure if they are off-leash. Labrador Retrievers are known for their gentle, friendly dispositions and good natures. Well-socialized Labs tend to get along with children, other dogs, and even other pets and strangers. Because of this they make the ideal family dog and are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Despite being one of the most active dog breeds , Silver Labrador Retrievers are highly adaptable. They prefer bigger spaces to stretch their legs and explore. As one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures , they will often take an outside adventure over an inside one any day. But, they will also just be happy to be spending time with you. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Silver Labs are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are happiest when they are spending time with their favorite humans, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Silver Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, hereditary myopathy, heart disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition called exercise-induced collapse EIC has a genetic link and can occur in young adult Labradors. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Silver Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Silver Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk for bloat. Silver Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. Despite their energy and getting bored easily, they are still a great fit for dog owners of any experience level. Labrador Retrievers are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, water-resistant fur in two layers. Because of this dense double coat that protects them from the cold, and being one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , they may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. They shed year-round and more heavily twice a year when seasons change. Plus, your Lab will love spending the time with you. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Regularly checking ears and cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, is important to prevent the tartar buildup that causes painful dental diseases later in life. Silver Labrador Retrievers need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Although they are high-energy dogs, Silver Labs will tend to mellow out a little bit as they get older. Labrador Retrievers tend to have an extended puppyhood and maintain that puppy-like energy until they are around years old. Swimming is a great low-impact activity. Once your Lab puppy is cleared for more intense activity, you can try a lot of different activities with them. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Labs are also athletic and versatile dogs that tend to be a good fit for a wide range of activities. Fully-grown Silver Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Silver Labs generally live for years on average. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also commonly found working as police or military dogs. They are even one of the best dog breeds for farms! Featured Silver Labrador Retriever Article.