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November 16, Are you thinking of taking the next step in purchasing a French Bulldog from a reputable breeder? If so, then I can help you with some of the research because I understand how important it is to get a Frenchie from the right place. Frenchies are great pets to have, and they have a wonderful temperament that makes them great companions. However, they also have genetic health issues that any future Frenchie owner must consider. All Frenchies are at risk of these health issues, but working with a reputable breeder can reduce the risks of inheritance by running health tests on the parents. All of these breeders do just that, and they also ensure that their puppies are socialized and ready to go to the right home. All their puppies are vaccinated before you buy them and are dewormed too. In their home, the Frenchies grow accustomed to different animals, such as cats, other dogs, and small children. This ensures they have the perfect temperament for a family home. All puppies will arrive with their AKC registrations and are microchipped to ensure they can be found if lost. Upon receiving your puppy between ten and twelve weeks old, you will also be given food and a crate to start raising your puppy. Once you adopt a Frenchie from the Ethical Frenchie, the breeder is happy to work with you if you have any issues. They focus on ensuring you always get the answers you need and are delighted to work with you even when the puppies grow older. Not only are they focused on raising their Frenchies well, but they also update their blog regularly to ensure that any questions are answered. They will ensure that all puppies go to the right home, as they will conduct phone and text interviews and allow you to meet your puppy via video before you meet them in person. They begin training at three weeks and learn how to respond to snaps, whistles, and hand claps. If further training is required, they offer it for a small fee. All of the Frenchies are dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped. They follow the rule of seven alongside early Neurological Stimulation, which ensures that your puppies will boost confidence and behavior, making them easier to train and can handle any external stress. If you want a puppy from Francoeur Frenchies, you can make an appointment via phone or email. All of the Frenchies they breed are socialized from a young age. Marika Zoll, has a degree in animal behavioral psychology and is certified as a dog trainer. They have a health guarantee for one year and are both dewormed and vaccinated before being given to you. Melzano Frenchies are reputable breeders who treat their pets as members of the family and raise the puppies in a home with parrots, cats, and plenty of other people so that they can acclimatize to different environments. Once they have raised these puppies, Melzano will provide lifelong support to anyone who adopts from them and is happy to support the transition into your home. Not only are they conditioned for crate training, but Melzano offers a thirty-day insurance policy with each puppy and provides a written agreement and health guarantee for their Frenchies. When you purchase a Frenchie from Melzano, they will provide you with a puppy pack and a guide to raising French Bulldogs and are always happy to assist you regardless of the time of day. All puppies from Melzano are vaccinated, dewormed, and have temperament tests done. If you do want a puppy from Melzano Frenchies, they will conduct interviews to ensure that all Frenchies go to their perfect forever homes. All puppies are registered with the AKC and are health tested to ensure that all Frenchies are bred healthily. Royal Empire French Bulldogs are dedicated to ensuring that French Bulldogs are born healthily and are socialized with the rest of the family. To secure healthy puppies, they import European French Bulldogs from champion bloodlines to ensure that their pedigree will have only their most favorable characteristics. None of the puppies are bred for quality. Instead, the focus is on the quality of the breed. If you do want a puppy from Royal Empire French Bulldogs, you will have to wait a minimum of three months, and you can reserve your puppy for when a litter becomes available. All puppies come with a two-year health guarantee covering any genetic illnesses they may not have been able to eliminate. Health guarantees are put in place with the knowledge that health testing will reduce the chances, but otherwise, it may not always be successful. Final Thoughts These are without a doubt the best breeders that you can find in and around the Los Angeles area. This decision is not made lightly by us or by you. There is no changing your mind after committing to your puppy. Typically the day comes when the litter is ready to go. Sometimes people are not ready or the color they prefer is not available. By having made the effort to meet me this puts you in a way to the front of the line. If you are a good communicator you can then be first to choose a pup from the next litter. We are telling other buyers from this point that the puppy you chose is not available. In rare cases a person will need to decide to change gender due to temperament incompatibility with another dog and then the deposit could be transferable upon my choosing. Come visit our Puppy Palace in person by appointment. Screenshot your favorite puppy and text us for more info. Put a deposit and pick up within the week or take your baby home same day. If you are out of state, we can help you acquire everything you need to fly home with your new puppy. Breeding Program We are passionate about temperament and health. We socialize our puppies for up to 16 weeks. Pups are fully vaccinated when leaving. We sleep with them. Pups are socialized in this same way. The parents of the puppies are our like our children. How to buy a puppy Call us on the phone first .Learn More A french bulldog puppy at 10 days old. Breeding Program We are passionate about providing the consumer with a dog that is bred with integrity for health and beauty. Marika Zoll is a Ph. Simply talking to her you will learn what to watch out for. We sleep with them and eat with them. Well, nearly. The point is that we are not just Breeding dogs. We had the dogs first and then we fell in love with the breed. Is it part English Bulldog, or Pug or some Terrier? Little is noted in the development of its history no one knows exactly how the French bulldog came into being because very poor records were kept we know we know the most basic facts such as that there were Normandy immigrants coming from France to England that brought these dogs with them around the s. Those immigrants were lace workers that had been living in the farming communities of northern friends which is where they were a rich initially discovered but when those lace workers move to France they brought the dogs with them and had a tremendous reception of the French people because of their petite size versus other extremely strong almost big dog presents that is easily social and loyal with everybody and never disliking anyone. Variance in weight can be from pounds! This dog is active in sports which I might compare to a quarter horse. They envy a walk if possible 10 times a day, but that walk will only be bigger us for maybe 5 to 10 minutes. This difference determine the difference in pricing that you will see regardless of optimal specification they always weigh heavier on the scale than that they look because their bone structure is dense for their size. There about like years that stand to attention have become their trademark and their faces are somewhere between a pug and an English bulldog. The French bulldog can wait any were literally from 15 to 40 pounds but the breed average is from 22 to 28 pounds and standing about 1 foot tall. A fun aspect of the breed is a tremendous variation in color unlike other breeds that are more consistent. This Breed spends everything from white to Brindle to fun with spots and without and in varying shades in almost every color of the rainbow. Fad colors are including chocolate black and blue and tricolor and these have been frowned upon for years by classical breeders and registries and French Bulldogs LA clubs of America due to the in breeding that was necessary to create these colors. Overtime though we hope that because of ethics and patients that this fact will change. Brindle is the AKC definition of black but that color also varies as much is a black coffee to coffee with cream and should always include sprinkles of golden hairs. Note that eyes are meant to be dark brown and variations of this are due to fad colors which are most often reproduced in the past with in line breeding that exacerbates recessive traits and can reproduce like colored eyes again frowned upon by classical tradition traditional breeders but something that we hope to see changing in this near future. This means exactly that, it will not work for you but rather be a great companion happy to sit all day at your feet or on your lap. It is still small enough to be carried around or brought on board a plane. It loves walks albeit short ones and is sensitive to the heat so in the summertime I walk them only at night or early mornings. They cannot swim as easily as other breeds and need to be worked with in the beginning with the lifejacket as a puppy so that it can learn to swim. On occasion, some may howl like a coyote or periodically an actual true bark. But these are more rare instances. They would be a fun addition to any household, lighting up the room with their smile. Yes, they seem to smile! They are very social with all people never acting skittish, in fact the first to greet you. They behave well off the leash and it would be a common sight to see an owner walking a busy street with their dog freely at their side for they are very obedient and easy to train. They often snore though, so know this trait is common. Many doggy daycares will tell you the French bulldog is the boss dog of the pack. This may often be so but more and more French bulldogs are submissive. In fact, I, as a breeder, am breeding for this quality so as never to have a dog that you have to worry about fighting with another dog. Note that French Bulldogs do not drool unless extremely emotional and perhaps there is a dog in heat nearby otherwise primarily a dry mouth. What is a Bulldog? A Bulldog is of course nothing other than a Bulldog, but if you have not seen a Bulldog or a picture of one you may be surprised. People often confuse Bulldogs with other «Bull» breeds, particularly boxers, pit-bulls or bull terriers. The Bulldog is very distinct canine with a rich heritage that surpasses most other known breeds of dog. The Bulldog is a squat, thickset dog, with a large blocky head, short foreface and turned up jaw. If you have decided to get a small sleek-haired dog, strong and brawny, with self-respect and kindness in relation to people and especially to children, intellectual so, that it does not demand special training you will not be mistaken if will choose the French bulldog. If the English bulldog is a symbol of calmness and confidence of, the American bulldog is the furious security guard the French bulldog is a dog companion, cheerful, tender and surprisingly clever! The small, amusing, devoted friend, thus the brawny robust fellow in whom blood fighter ancestors and during the moment of fight or protection of the owner flows, quite often proves brightly enough. On the Native land of the French bulldog in France almost in all families live the French bulldogs. Solid addition and extraordinary appearance involves people of different age and each person wishes to have the reliable cheerful friend to the French bulldog. Emblem of last largest exhibition in France — Paris in became certainly the French bulldog! Our dogs all over in our house and grow with full of love! All of my family has raised french Bulldogs and still does. Many Familes all over the World have one or two of our pups,and are very happy. Our dogs the award many medals and diplomas. The line of blood of champions guarantees high quality of my puppies and long life a life more than years. All of our puppies have a vaccinations of 2 -3 Parvos distemper 1 Leptospirois 1 -2 hepatitis and also 2 vaccinations for skin problem before they reach their new owners. The puppies are dewormed 21 days after birth, and than dewormed again before first and second vaccination. If you will buy the puppy from us kennel that to you it will not be necessary to spend cent for the veterinary doctor, because all my puppies healthy, have strong and health heart, sharp mind, kind appeasable character. Our frenchie very well get on with cats, dogs of any breeds and small children. All our puppies come with AKC registration papers , microchip , shot record vaccinations and 3 times dewormed , health quarantee for one year for any genetic problem, list of recommendations, sample of the food and crate for free! Pictures of each puppy we post on web. California hot state, we do not have winter here, lots of viruses. If you looking to buy healthy puppy — call us. If you want to buy 8 weeks old puppy and take a chance — call somebody else! The earliest we let our puppies go to the new home weeks old 6 weeks old first shot 8 weeks old second shot 12 weeks old third shot 16 weeks old forth shot Puppy Vaccination Schedule Thank you for your understanding! Discover the art of nurturing your French Bulldog, whether a puppy or an adult, through our expert guidance. With an impressive 32 years of experience as French Bulldog specialists, we are uniquely positioned to provide invaluable insights. Our primary goal is to extend our assistance to you, irrespective of your decision to acquire a puppy from an alternative source. As accomplished veterinarians specializing in French and English Bulldogs, our knowledge spans three decades. We focus exclusively on these breeds, surpassing even the knowledge of general veterinarians. This specialization is vital as traditional veterinarians often cater to a diverse array of animals, which may hinder their ability to provide tailored guidance for a single breed. Numerous individuals remain unaware of optimal feeding practices for their Frenchies or English Bulldogs, both before and after the six-month mark. The intricacies of vitamin supplementation, appropriate shampoos, bathing techniques, and proper walking routines are often overlooked.

Temperament: Alert, protective and reliable. However, you will certainly get a tall dog with a very muscular build. To see one standing on the front porch and guarding its home is quite a sight. They have a large, broad muzzle and very strong jawbones. Their eyes are dark and its floppy ears can stand erect or fold over at the tips. Height and Weight Both male and females stand between inches tall however, females are usually a bit shorter. Females will weigh between pounds, will males weighing up to 95 pounds. Breed Colors and Coat Brown is the typical base fur color for this breed — it can be anything from chocolate brown to a light tan. Black can appear in large patches or as a mask over their face and muzzle. In some cases, you may see white or light grey patches. If they inherit a coat from the German Shepherd parent it will be a short, fluffy double coat. Whereas a coat from a Boxer will be smooth and closely cropped to the skin. Mixes will a double coat will shed moderately and those with single coats even less. They will need to be brushed once a week and daily during shedding season. Both parent breeds are commonly employed in this type of work. What makes the Boxer Shepherd so unique is its mischievous, playful attitude in addition to being a hard worker. Both German Shepherds and Boxers have an unfair reputation for being aggressive. In reality, a well trained Shepherd, Boxer, or mix is extremely even tempered and friendly. The Boxer is the 11th most popular dog breed in the United States, as of .The German Shepherd is the 2nd most popular breed. You can expect them to be a bit of a goofball as well as a loyal guard dog. These dogs are not aggressive by nature, but they will bite if they are provoked. Your relationship with them should be one of mutual respect and understanding. You need to keep in mind that working dogs always want something to do and will have high energy levels — so you will need to keep them as active as possible throughout the day. A well trained dog will be very quiet and only bark when something is wrong. However it will take time to train a puppy out of their natural suspicion of strangers. Expect a bit of barking here and there as your puppy learns who they can and cannot trust. Since these pups are so suspicious of other people, early socialization is a must. Even socialized puppies will remain distant to people outside of their home. Finally, you should know that this dog does not like to be left alone — so you should find a good dog sitter if you are away from home often. A German Shepherd Boxer Mix makes a great family dog for the right type of family. Apartments and urban areas do not make the best home for one. Your dog will need their own outdoor space to let out all of their energy. If you have ever owned a German Shepherd or a Boxer, a mix will not be too much more difficult to manage. Keeping this pup active and entertained is the biggest challenge for the breed. They are not for owners with inactive lifestyles. Exercise Requirements This very active dog will want to be on its feet for most of the day. If you are a born outdoorsman, your furry friend will be eager to join you on all of your adventures. They need at least 90 minutes of exercise each day. This could be with a 30 minute walk and then an hour of play. Your dog will be up for just about anything, but running is their very favorite thing to do. Try a game of tag with your pooch, or a game of hide and seek. You can also cater to their love of agility with an exciting backyard hurdle course. If you live on a farm then they will help you tend your livestock just like their Shepherd ancestors would do. Number of Walks Per Day: .Grooming and Shedding Their short coat makes grooming fairly easy. Once a week brushing is fine for most of the year, but you will have to brush them daily during these shedding seasons. As tempting as it may be to stick a dirty dog right in the tub, you should only bathe them once every 3 months. Too much bathing will wash out the oils in their skin. Also, make sure to get between those big floppy ears. Feeding and Diet When you have an energetic dog it is important to fuel their day the right way. This breed will do well with a raw or whole meat diet. Protein should make up most of their diet. Carbs and fats should be derived from natural sources such as fruits and veggies. The fillers in many commercial dog foods are nothing but empty calories. It is very common for large dogs and causes pain and impaired mobility. Physical therapy and pain medication can treat mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia, while surgery may be needed for more severe cases. EPI is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and dogs with EPI must be given enzyme supplements. With little planning ahead you could get reimbursed for every vet bill from now on! As always, you should meet the puppy before deciding whether to buy, and a reputable breeder will let you meet the parents and, potentially, any siblings. Familial traits can be passed from one dog to the next, although individual attributes are more important than breed attributes. Finding a Boxer Shepherd at a dog shelter might take some patience, but you can always ask for other mixed dog breeds that resemble the Boxer Shepherd. They were used as war dogs thanks to their power and bravery. Today, the most common breed of dog for use in explosives detection is the German Shepherd, which is also used as police dogs and service dogs, because they are known for being one of the easiest dogs to train. Boxers Are Great with Kids Boxers have a somewhat unfair reputation for being fighting dogs. They are lovers rather than fighters. Boxers are family orientated and they make especially good pets for children. They are patient and gentle with children, despite being headstrong and boisterous at other times. Boxer Shepherd Mixes tend to take on this attribute, so they are incredibly loving, but they do demand love in return. It was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club back in and even has its own motto — Utility and Intelligence. It was given the motto by breed champion Captain Max von Stephanitz. Stephanitz is widely credited with having introduced the modern German Shepherd breed and was responsible for setting the standards for the breed. Utility and intelligence are arguably the two words that best describe this heroic breed and the attributes that make it popular in a host of service roles. The German Shepherd is used as a guard dog, service dog, police dog, and in a range of other service roles. It is easy to train and can learn new commands quickly and easily. While the Boxer is said to share similar attributes, he can come across as being accident-prone and a bit dim. With constant training, the possibilities with this breed are almost endless. The German Shepherd can be shy and wary of strangers, which means that some Boxer Shepherds can adopt a similar outlook. Take them to puppy classes, enroll in a dog agility class, and take them down to the park where they can meet other puppies and their owners. Boxers can be a bit silly and your Boxer Shepherd Mix might have fits of boisterousness to contend with. While they will usually calm this activity around children, you might want to clear the decks for a five-minute charge. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are easy to train, constantly willing to take on new information and commands, and they crave the love and attention of their owners. Although they have adopted some of the rambunctiousness of the Boxer breed, they usually reserve this for when small children are out of the way. The German Shepherd Boxer Mix will require regular walks, at least once a day, but their high level of intelligence means that they will learn games to play with family members of all ages. They can become very close friends with children, and through socialization at an early age, they should be welcoming of new additions to the family. You should monitor activity around your children because the size of this breed means that they still pose a danger even if they are being friendly. They will enjoy spending time at the park playing, and they can also thrive with another dog in the house. This breed can live with cats and other pets, although this is always easier if you can introduce them at a young age, and the size and liveliness of the Boxer Shepherd Mix means that it can be intimidating for smaller animals like cats. They are bright and attentive with a fun and silly side, that can keep all family members entertained for hours on end. Below are some things to consider when you are thinking of adding one to your family. They are likely to be voracious eaters, gobbling up food you put down. The primary food source for the German Shepherd Boxer Mix should be meat protein such as is found in chicken, lamb, or beef. You can also introduce fish oil to aid in keeping a healthy and shiny coat, while carbohydrates and fat give your dog the energy they need to get through the day. They are also strong and intelligent. This combination means that you will benefit by giving your dog regular exercise. You should walk your dog at least once a day, ideally giving him two or more walks. To keep your Boxer Shepherd Mix entertained and switched on, you can enroll in agility classes or take them hiking or climbing with you. Both breeds and the subsequent crossbreed will enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors. Unless they receive appropriate mental stimulation throughout the day, they are more prone to destructive and unwanted behavior. German Shepherds are renowned for their ability to learn. This is why they are chosen as service dogs, and why they can make exceptional pets. Even when you think your dog has learned everything it possibly can, a Boxer Shepherd Mix will surprise you by picking up new habits. Training helps ensure that the habits they do pick up are desirable. With that said, you will need to assert dominance; otherwise, your dog will try to rule the roost. You will have to meet and overcome challenges from the German Shepherd dominant breed. Because they can easily become bored, you will also have to find new and innovative ways to mix up training and continue to provide a mental challenge. Dog agility is a great way to combine flexible training with physical exertion and socializing. Some have a long, German Shepherd style coat, but most tend to get the short coat of their Boxer ancestors. Those with short-haired Boxer Shepherds should only need to brush once a week, but if your cross has inherited the long-hair of the German Shepherd, you will need to groom two or three times a week , especially if your dog is active in fields or, worse still, ponds and lakes. Bathing may be necessary but should only be done when necessary. Brush teeth at least two or three times a week, ideally every day, and wipe their ears clean once a week to prevent ear infections. Boxers are prone to a number of health complaints including cancer, cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, bloat, and allergies. German Shepherds tend to suffer from bloat, myelopathy, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Both breeds suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. With that said, there is no guarantee that your dog will suffer from these conditions, but you should keep an eye out for any signs of them developing. Minor Conditions. It is a cross between the Boxer and the German Shepherd. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Full of life and always wanting attention, I never leave her behind. She is very sweet and a great cuddle buddy, but this goes without mentioning her evil side. She has a mind of her own but as long as you speak to her as an equal , she will never leave your side. Very friendly and plays great with other dogs big and small. He also plays great with our three cats. He loves rides in the car and truck. I found her over the internet and fell in love with her picture. I drove 30 miles to go get her. She's had her tail docked.But she still likes to chase her stub even though she can't reach it. I've seen her go after it for awhile though. And when she's excited her whole body shakes. She's a sweet puppy and her best friend is my one year old son. I noticed that Boxer-Shepherds aren't a popular hybrid, but I think I've come across one of the best breeds that will ever have existed. She's in great health. She's 4 years old in this picture. She loves to run around sometimes, but most of the time she lays around. She is .She has another dog friend named Biskit, which they get along okay but do fight lot. Nothing serious though. Your dog should have a healthy weight. Extra weight or being overweight is bad for dogs because this places additional pressure on its spine. Obesity can also lead to some medical conditions that can be fatal for your dog. One of the most common causes of obesity is giving your dog treats. Therefore, you should never give your dog food treats when training your dog. The following dog food brands are perfect for German Shepherd Boxer mix breeds 1. Blue Buffalo There are reasons why more pet owners trust Blue Buffalo. It is made from whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal to keep your dog satiated and to help sustain its energy all day long. Blue Buffalo helps maintain regular digestion. It is available for large breed dogs and small breed dogs. Halo also has low-carb options with ingredients like salmon, turkey, and flaxseeds. Iams Iams is a well-known dog food with a fantastic nutrient profile. The ingredients are naturally made from real meat and whole grains. This brand will help your dog maintain its ideal weight and energy levels. Never give your German Shepherd Boxer the following food. Keep in mind that not all human food is safe. Some dogs may also have allergies so be careful in giving your pet just any kind of food. Salty foods and junk food Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Chocolate, coffee, or tea Apart from the unconditional love that your pooch gets from you, you should know how important their nutrition is for their happy life. Your hairy friend is a descendant of two gorgeous parents, who can sometimes differ a lot from one another. This means that your pooch can develop a propensity for various food types and you can experiment with best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food , too. If you want to see your puppy strong, happy, and healthy, consider some of the best puppy food brands , while senior dog owners have the best senior dry dog food on their menu. Just make sure to consult with your vet first! You need to spend enough time daily to exercise and play with your dog; otherwise, it can become bored and develop destructive behavior. A tired dog is a good dog, so they say, and the only way to tire this dog is to give it a good run and to play active games. Activities, like running, jogging, swimming, Frisbee and fetch, are perfect for this breed. Playing with your dog is not just a way to exercise your dog but will also help you develop a strong bond with your pet. As much as possible play with your dog daily. Invest in durable toys for your dog. And most of all, this dental chew toy will make his breath smell better and protect his teeth. Baily is soft and cuddly and is also washable. The Chuckit! These are easy to clean too if only you can take this toy away from your dog! Training this mixed breed is easy, but you need to do it right. Here are a few tricks that you can use to train your dog. Offer Positive ReinforcementAvoid food treats. Provide positive reinforcement to support proper behavior. The moment it arrives home, teach it simple house rules. Show your dog where this will sleep and where it will find its food and water bowl. Be patient, and your puppy will surely understand where everything is at. One way is to use the clicker method. The clicker is a small device that gives an audible click, something that your dog will love to hear. The point of the clicker is to give a click if your dog follows your command. You can use the clicker for any trick. Just click the clicker after your dog follows your command and then click this again when you want your pet to repeat the behavior. Clickers are available in most pet stores. Avoid Confusing Your Dog Dogs can be easily distracted. Just a loud noise or strangers can distract them from learning new tricks. So at an early age, train your pup in a quiet environment with no distractions. Avoid confusing your dog at this stage so he can learn tricks fast. Start training your dog indoors and gradually introduce him to the outdoors. You will know that he is ready for outdoor training once he is less distracted to noise and other pets and people. A Boxer German Shepherd dog can be trained to become service dogs and guard dogs. You can ask a professional to train your dog so he can learn obedience training, protection training, attack training and so on. One, this dog will love to be with their masters and will do everything they can to please them. Next, this dog will defend his territory and will guard his family with his life. This dog will also be patient with other dogs and other pets at home. The Boxer German Shepherd should be allowed to socialize with other dogs and people as early as possible. If this is not done, the dog can develop anti-social behaviors and may become aggressive with people or other dogs. Your German Shepherd Boxer pup will grow up to be a well-behaved, loving, happy and healthy dog when you train it early and expose it to people and other animals in your home or community. Male and female Boxer Shepherds are usually around the same size and weight, although the females tend to be slightly shorter. You can expect the following: Males: 23 to 27 inches tall and up to 95 pounds Females: 21 to 25 inches tall and up to 75 pounds How to Feed a German Shepherd Boxer Mix Energetic dogs tend to eat more, and the same is true for the Boxer Shepherd mix. You can expect to feed them two or three times a day. The goal is to end up at 1, calories per day. These calories should be made up of raw or all-natural meat protein. They require some carbohydrates, too, which can be consumed in the form of fruits and veggies. Stay away from commercial dog foods that do not utilize real ingredients. These are empty calories that will not help your German Shepherd Boxer mix grow and remain healthy. The grooming requirements for a German Shepherd Boxer solely depends on what type of coat he inherits. Follow these general guidelines: If your dog has a short, thick coat from the Boxer parent, brushing one weekly is enough to keep the coat healthy. Bathing should take place every two to three weeks. Your Boxer Shepherd should also have his teeth brushed regularly and nails clipped. They are incredibly obedient and take commands well. With their high intelligence, they learn swiftly. However, the drawback to this mixed breed is that they also do not like being dominated. So how can you make sure you train your Boxer Shepherd successfully? Well, mutual respect is vital. Clickers tend to work really well with this mixed dog breed, too. Aside from training, socialization is necessary for this dog breed. Otherwise, they may end up feisty and aggressive. Start socializing your pup around people of all ages at a young age. Socialization classes are a great way to go. If you are struggling with training your Boxer Shepherd, the best thing to do is to have your dog professionally trained. You will need to be there for the classes so the trainer can show you how to be assertive without being dominant with your German Shepherd Boxer mix. The Boxer Shepherd is known for being a very active dog, as both parents are known for their high energy levels. As far as exercise needs are concerned, these mixed canines need at least one long walk per day, although two or more is ideal. They also require a large yard where they can run and play throughout the day. Provide them with stimulating toys and jobs to do, too, as these intelligent canines need plenty of stimulation to avoid destruction and mayhem. Boxer Shepherd Health One of the many great things about the German Shepherd Boxer mix is that they are relatively healthy. However, there are a few health issues that this breed may have, including: Hip dysplasia.

This is why it is crucial that you understand how much to feed an English Bulldog puppy for proper health and longevity. These puppies need the same attention, particularly when it comes to eating, which is essential for good growth and development. If you have an English Bulldog puppy or are thinking about obtaining one, you will find our English Bulldog feeding chart invaluable. Puppies of all breeds, including the English Bulldog, need a diet tailored to their specific needs as they grow. Puppies under 3 months of age need more frequent feedings three to four per day , whereas pups aged 3 to 6 months only need three meals per day. They should be fed twice a day once they reach 6 months of age. You should also provide clean water for your dog at all times. They should be fed a high-quality puppy chow that has been moistened with water if they have begun eating solid food. An English Bulldog puppy of 6 weeks old should be energetic and sociable. Kids may start to act independently and exhibit their own unique identities. Take care not to leave any little things lying about that they may accidentally ingest. Give them a lot of things to chew on since teething may be uncomfortable for them. An English Bulldog puppy of 8 weeks old will likely be full of life and activity. They might be resistant, therefore your training efforts will need some time. Keep an eye out for symptoms of separation anxiety and work on establishing a routine. An English Bulldog puppy of 10 weeks will likely still be a lot of fun. Control their food consumption based on their weight. This may be given to the dog in two or three smaller meals. By the time they are 16 weeks old, English Bulldog puppies usually have a lot of excess energy and need to spend a lot of time playing and being active. Although signs of increased autonomy are encouraging, further training is still essential. Keep an eye on their eating habits and make any necessary adjustments to curb obesity. In some cases, you can feed them 4 cups but this is only if they are highly active. To avoid obesity, it is crucial to keep an eye on their weight and make dietary adjustments as required. Avoid overfeeding your English Bulldog since doing so might lead to obesity and health issues. It would be necessary to increase this till maturity. Puppies need a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients in addition to the macronutrients protein, fat, and carbs they consume. There should be a healthy equilibrium between calcium and phosphorus to avoid orthopedic issues, since both are crucial for bone formation. Avoiding obesity and its associated health risks requires careful nutrition and weight monitoring. To meet their energy demands and encourage healthy development, English Bulldog pups should be given many short meals throughout the day. Puppies should be fed three to four times a day until they are six months old, however, this may vary according to their age. They may reduce their intake to twice a day after six months. Overfeeding and free-feeding may cause obesity and other health issues. Kibble is practical since it can be stored easily and because it aids in the maintenance of healthy teeth. Wet food is a better alternative for fussy eaters or dogs with digestive concerns since it is often more appealing and may be simpler to digest. It has a shorter shelf life and may be more costly than kibble. The best option is ultimately determined by the specific requirements and preferences of each dog. Between 12 and 18 months of age, most experts advise making the transition to regular table fare. If you want to save your English Bulldog any stomach trouble, make the transfer to a new meal slowly over the course of a week to ten days. The best way to introduce a new meal to a pet is to incorporate it into their regular diet slowly at first. Selecting a premium adult dog food that is tailored to the specific dietary requirements of English Bulldogs is essential. Talk to your vet about when and what kind of food is best for your dog. Puppies have distinct nutritional demands that need feeding them at certain times and in precise quantities of food. Maintaining a healthy weight in your puppy may be achieved by regular feeding on a schedule and careful monitoring of food consumption. The Bulldog-shaped kibble is simple to pick up and chew, and the high-quality proteins and prebiotics support good digestion and stool quality. Given that they are experts in the field of animal health and welfare, they will know the best meal schedule for your dog. This is one of the simplest methods to keep your Bulldog happy and healthy. Therefore, by choosing the best food for your beloved buddy to eat, you could extend its life span! Some examples of dry dog food are dog biscuits, kibble, and flaked cereals. Before serving dry dog foods to Bulldogs, warm water or broth is frequently added to this to improve the texture and enhance the flavor. Canned Wet Food: Canned wet food is sometimes preferable to dry food because it has a lot more moisture and thus will keep your dog hydrated. Moreover, wet dog food is also more likely to be appreciated by your English Bulldog puppy because it is usually more flavorful. However, wet food may increase the likelihood of dental issues. Homemade Diet: Homemade diets can help you save money. This diet also allows you to have more control over the macronutrients your dog consumes. As a result, with a homemade diet, you can rest assured that your dog is only consuming the best ingredients. Raw Diet: Raw dog food can be purchased as a frozen log, or it can simply be prepared at home. However, keep in mind that it should be prepared using quality meat and healthy fats. When it comes to choosing the right food for a Bulldog puppy, you need to be sure that it has high-quality protein to allow its body to function properly. If you accidentally drop something on the floor, these canines will gobble it up. However, some foods are incredibly toxic and dangerous for English Bulldogs to consume, even in small amounts. Here are some foods that you should avoid feeding your Bulldogs: Chocolate: This delectable human food includes theobromine , a poison that impairs the kidney, heart, and other important organ functions of a Bulldog puppy. If consumed in large amounts, xylitol can cause severe liver damage to your Bulldog. Raw Bread Dough: This is extremely poisonous. Milk and Other Dairy Products: Providing milk and other dairy products could lead to puppy diarrhea and other digestive system problems. These human foods may also set off food allergies, which may result in crusty scabs around the mouth of your dog. Grapes and Raisins: These may be enticing to dogs as treats or snacks, but they could also contain mold and fungus, which can result in gastrointestinal discomfort, seizures , lethargy, or kidney failure. Tomatoes: These contain tomatine , a poisonous alkaloid that can cause muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of coordination, and seizures. Avocado: This tasty human food contains persin, which takes dogs some time to digest. It may cause severe stomach pain, breathing problems, and a buildup of fluid in the chest. Mushrooms: If your English Bulldog puppy consumes wild mushrooms, you should treat it as an emergency because it can result in neurological symptoms, kidney and liver failure, and even death. Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts: These delicious Hawaiian treats rank among the most hazardous human foods for dogs. These nuts can cause hind legs to become paralyzed for anywhere between 12 and 24 hours after consumption. Aside from the listed foods, there are other foods that your Bulldog puppy should stay away from. Therefore, when your dog transitions from a puppy to an adult dog and also when they get closer to seniority, it makes sense to switch to a different diet. It could take some trial and error to find the best food for them. You can use the following transition chart as a guide for your English Bulldog puppy: Day. At this point in life, puppies should be with their parent, the English Bulldog mother, which is breastfeeding them on demand. Of course, if such a thing occurs, you should seek advice from a vet on what steps to take next. English Bulldog Puppy Feeding Chart 4 to 6 weeks Although puppies at this stage are still extremely close to their mother, they are slowly starting to explore the world around them. At four weeks of life, puppies might not yet be ready to try any other food. However, they will start teething at this point, so the mother might begin the weaning process. At around six weeks of life, puppies should already have an almost full set of baby teeth, which will make nursing a very painful experience. The best way to switch from nursing to solid foods is to separate the English Bulldog mom from her puppies for an hour, two or three times a day. You should introduce puppy food to the doggies before you completely cut off breastfeeding in order to ease the process of transition. English Bulldog Puppy Feeding Chart 8 to 10 weeks A two-month English Bulldog puppy is completely ready to eat puppy food, and will need to continue to be raised by the owner. Your pup might not eat much during the first few weeks of being on solid food, so one, to one and a half cups will be more than enough divided into three meals during the day. If you notice that your pup is eating everything from its bowl shortly after you give it food, it might be time to check its weight. The average weight during this stage should be somewhere between 12 and 15 lbs. If your pup has less or more pounds, you should consult with a vet for further feeding instructions. The amount of food your pup needs will depend on the level of its activity. However, this period is very challenging for both puppies and their owner. Remember that pups are just like people when it comes to food. You can expect your pet to eat between 1 and 1. Some pups might even eat 2 cups as they get closer to their tenth month, but only if the vet recommends it. The amount of food varies on the individual development of each pup. Food is essential for the healthy development of your puppy. However, as you might notice, your big pup requires more food because it serves as the energy that enables him to enjoy his activities, and helps him develop in a healthy way. To be honest, the answer is both yes and no. I know this sounds confusing, but essentially, your adult canine can eat puppy food without any great consequences. Puppy meals are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies. As soon as your pup becomes a full-grown canine, the food they had when they were little will not be of any particular use. If you feed your dog puppy food occasionally, without turning it into a regular habit, nothing wrong will happen. Unfortunately, English Bulldogs are quite similar to French Bulldogs when it comes to risks of certain conditions and diseases, including obesity. If your puppy consumes an excessive amount of food, it runs the danger of gaining extra weight, which could have a negative impact on its growth and development. In order to determine the precise amount of calories that your puppy needs each day, you will first need to take into account its weight. Feeding Your English Bulldog Kibbles And Wet Food Wet and dry dog food are two of the most common types of meals that are used by almost every pet-friendly household, not only in the United States, but also in the rest of the world. Both of these types are commercial, which means that they can be found in almost every market in the United States. There are many brands available on the market that differ not only because of their package, but also the ingredients that each of them contain. However, although this type of food has plenty of benefits, there are certain things you should pay attention to. Also, not every type of dry food is good for your English Bulldog, so make sure to read the nutrition label and the ingredients list before you make the purchase. Make sure the dry food you buy for your English Bulldog is made particularly for growing pups as well as medium and big breeds when you go to the store to get it. However, there are owners who will put that aside once they see that their pups are getting more animal protein as it contains more meat. Wet food is also a great way to keep your pet hydrated, especially if it is in both the physical and mental development processes. However, after it has been opened, it must be stored in the refrigerator in order to prevent spoilage. Raw Food The number of canine owners who are switching their pets to raw feeding has been increasing during the last few decades, especially since it has been claimed that raw food has plenty of health benefits. Find companies that put money into research, preferably ones that do it through non-traditional veterinary organizations. Also, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to give your puppy a raw-food diet, and get their recommendations on how to do it. However, it should be taken in small amounts as it contains mercury, which might be detrimental to their health. Also, coconut helps its fur look even more beautiful and shiny. Many Bulldog owners use cashews as an occasional treat because it contains fibers, proteins, and healthy fats. Healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins contribute to the overall health of your pet and increase its energy levels. That is because turkey contains nutrients that are essential for the development of canines, including proteins and phosphorus. The second reason is the inability of canines to digest almonds, which might cause stomach issues. The amount of fat can also lead to some serious conditions, including pancreatitis. Any type of added sugar sweets, cakes, etc. If your English Bulldog puppy is healthy, it can start with adult food at 12 months of age, but under certain conditions. The transition should be made gradually, meaning that you should begin by adding only around 25 percent of adult food during the first week of transition, increasing it to 50 percent for the next few days, and continuing with 75 percent for another few days until the puppy food is completely gone from its plate bowl. I agree that this takes some patience and hard work, but just remember that your pup will greatly benefit from this change. Food for puppies is generally based on calories as it needs to accommodate the growth of the canine. However, once your pup reaches its final size height , puppy food will no longer be necessary, and it might just increase the weight of the dog without offering enough nutrients. Since English Bulldogs have such a propensity to be overweight, you really do not want to keep them on puppy food any longer than is absolutely necessary. These canines might show signs of hunger even shortly after they eat, which is why most owners give in and offer more food. Canines are then stuck in a loop of believing that they can obtain as much food as they want without an understanding of how this might impact their health. Because of this, you are unintentionally teaching your dog to be perpetually hungry, which is not in either of your best interests. Canines can have a difficult time digesting grains because it is not a natural meal for them. However, if the vet finds a relation between a medical issue and the constant hunger of your pet, you should strictly follow their instructions rather than general recommendations. Plenty of dog lovers go to great lengths to discover the optimal dog food for their Bulldog puppies. Should Bulldog puppies be fed a raw food diet or wet and dry food? How can I optimize English Bulldog puppy feeding to promote a healthy immune system for my pup? Is commercial food bad for my Bulldog puppy? If you have ever owned an English Bulldog puppy, you have surely sought the answers to these questions. Some sources promote dry and wet foods, while others advocate for feeding an English Bulldog puppy raw food for high-quality protein. So, is one choice better than another? What sort of puppy food is best for your English Bulldog puppy? Before you seek answers to these questions online, consider that no one knows your English Bulldog puppy better than you do. Do you really want to take English Bulldog feeding advice from random individuals online? Have confidence in your abilities to choose a puppy food that is best for your pooch. You can try feeding them wet dog food, commercial dog food, dry dog food, or a raw food diet. There is no option that is inherently better than another. If it seems like your dog enjoys what they eat, then be consistent and routinely offer them the food that they enjoy. Healthy eating habits can easily be established from a young age for your tiny pooch. English Bulldog puppies can be brought to their forever home when they are around 2 months old. As a dog owner, there is no time more exciting than bringing your new English Bulldog puppy home. Why is my English Bulldog puppy neglecting to eat its food? Luckily, it is perfectly normal for young English Bulldogs to lack an appetite during their first day or two in their forever home. Why, you ask? Well, this is because the process of a puppy being uprooted from its dog family to go live with its human family can be frightening initially. An English Bulldog puppy may scarcely know its new owners when it gets adopted and brought home, and the new environment in which it is living can be unfamiliar and unsettling. This means that your English Bulldog puppy may—understandably—lack an appetite during its first couple of days at home. After a day or two, your puppy should begin eating like normal and beginning its rapid transformation into becoming an adult. These dogs will be plenty tiny at this point, but they will grow into sizable adult Bulldogs before you know it. To support the growth of your petite pup, how much food should they receive every day? English Bulldog puppies that are around two months of food should be offered 2 cups of food every day during their first week or two at home. As your pup gets used to living in its new home, its appetite may begin to increase. Young English Bulldog pups need to eat a sufficient amount of food. Feeding A Three-Month-Old Bulldog Now that your English Bulldog puppy is undoubtedly larger than it was when you first brought it home, you will need to increase the amount of food that you give to your precious pooch. By the time your English Bulldog is three months old, it should be consuming at least 2. English Bulldog puppies on the large end of the spectrum can eat anywhere from 2. This may seem like a lot of food for a puppy, but remember that these dogs grow rapidly. Therefore, though eating 3 cups of food every day would be a lot for puppies of most other breeds, it is a good amount of food for a three-month-old Bulldog. A typical four-month-old English Bulldog puppy should eat at least 3 cups of food every day. As they age, they will be able to eat closer to 3. Five-month-old Bulldog pups should consume more than 3 cups of food daily. In fact, this is about the time that English Bulldogs consume their peak daily quantities of food. As an English Bulldog puppy grows older than five months old, the amount of food that it requires every day will begin to trend downward. Proper English Bulldog puppy feeding is crucial during this pivotal time of growth. Five-month-old Bulldog pups can eat up to 3. A six-month-old English Bulldog can still eat a bit of food, so plan on feeding these dogs around 3. If you notice that your pooch is developing a bigger belly than expected, try to cut back on the amount of food that you give your dog. As your English Bulldog puppy reaches seven months old and beyond, you can begin to offer it less food since it will be finished with the teenage stage in its life. Seven to eight-month-old Bulldogs should be consuming about 3. Owners should pay attention to the weight and body size of their pooches during this time. Dogs on the heavy or lightweight ends of the spectrum should have their diets adjusted. By the time an English Bulldog puppy is nine months old, its food should again be decreased. Feed nine-month-old Bulldog puppies around 2. Feeding A Ten To Twelve-Month-Old Bulldog Around 10 to 12 months old is the time in which many puppies eat the most food during their lifetimes, but this is not the case for English Bulldogs. Ten to twelve-month-old English Bullies hardly look like the puppy that you brought home when they were 2 months old. Now, your precious pooch will look like an adult dog. This means that they should be eating like adults. Feed your ten-month-old English Bulldog pup around 2. As they approach twelve months old, continue to decrease their food. Twelve-month-old Bullies should eat around 2. This may be hard for you to believe that your furry friend is all grown up, but you can now consider your canine companion to be an adult. So, what does adult dog food have that puppy food does not? The two foods tend to have similar ingredients, but adult food usually has more protein and fats while possessing fewer calories. These ingredients are better suited to look after the nutritional needs of an adult dog. Adult food may be dry dog food, wet food, or other types of food. Again, you can feel confident with feeding your dog wet food, dry food, or raw food. Each type of dog food has pros and cons, and none are inherently better than the other options. Given that adult dogs are no longer growing, they do not need to consume nearly as much food as puppies. However, adult English Bulldogs still consume a considerable amount of food. Plan to feed an adult English Bulldog anywhere from 2 to 2. The exact amount of food that you should feed your English Bully will depend on its size, sex, and activity levels. Small adult Bulldogs will only need to eat 2 cups of food every day, while large adults should be eating closer to 2. Since adult Bulldogs are no longer growing, they may be prone to gaining weight. Though 2 to 2. Pregnant or Lactating Bulldogs Pregnant or lactating English Bulldog mothers need to consume an enormous amount of calories every day to ensure that they and their puppies are getting enough nourishment. The energy required to simply move around while carrying their developing pups is immense. Pregnant or lactating Bulldog mothers should eat well over 3 cups of food every day. Around 3. If it seems as though your mother Bulldog is still hungry after eating her daily food quota, be sure that you offer additional food to her. This is a time in which owners should not be concerned with the amount of food that their English Bulldog eats. Especially Active Bulldogs Pet lovers who own especially active Bulldogs will need to offer these dogs more food than a typical adult English Bulldog would consume. Bulldogs are not known as an activity or athletic breed of dog, so plenty of active dogs will need to be offered enough food to meet their energy requirements. Providing anywhere from 2. There are plenty of dry dog food options for senior dogs that are available in pet stores, but you may instead prefer to feed your dog wet food that is easier for them to chew than dry food. Ultimately, senior English Bulldogs will be perfectly content with wet food, dry food, or another option. No matter what food you select, it will be slightly different than adult dog foods in that it will prioritize healthy fats and proteins to maintain immune system health. Moreover, a senior dog food will have less of an emphasis on caloric intake. Being fed an amount of food over two cups every day would probably be too much food for your senior pooch. Instead, owners should aim to provide their seniors with anywhere between 1. If you are unsure of how many calories your senior dog needs or what type of food to provide your Bulldog, you can consult with your veterinarian. Many Bulldog owners wish to know if they can use free feeding to ensure that their Bulldog receives enough food. Unsurprisingly, having an unlimited amount of food at its disposal can lead to unhealthy weight gain for your furry friend. Owners searching for a simple way to go about English Bulldog feeding will find this method attractive, but free feeding makes it difficult for a Bulldog to maintain a healthy weight. Now that you know how much an English Bulldog should be eating based on its age, you are doubtlessly wondering about how many meals your Bulldog should consume every day. The amount of times a Bulldog will need to eat every day is directly correlated to the age of a dog, with young dogs requiring more food than adults. Bulldogs aged two to five months should eat high-protein puppy food at least three times every day, with some puppies consuming four daily meals. You may find that feeding a morning, late-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening meal is a great feeding schedule for you and your English Bulldog puppy. Bulldogs that are six to twelve months old do not need to eat quite as frequently as they did when they were younger since their metabolisms have slowed since that age. Still, Bulldogs at this age should be eating at least two meals every day. Some English Bulldogs at this age may prefer to eat three meals daily. Adult Bulldogs need to eat even less frequently than puppies since they are finished growing. Some dogs may continue eating two meals every day, while others will be content with a single meal. Senior Bulldogs should be on a feeding schedule similar to that of adults. Being fed high-quality protein food once or twice a day will be ideal for these dogs. So, how many cups of food should an overweight English Bulldog be eating every day? First, be sure that you are not overfeeding your dog. Refer to our recommendations in this article to discover the perfect amount of food for your Bulldog. If your dog is eating more food than recommended, reduce how many cups of food it is fed every day. If you are feeding your Bulldog a good amount of dog food, consider the other foods that it ingests. It is certainly not wise to feed English Bulldogs human foods like raw bread dough and most other human foods, as this can lead to health issues. If your Bulldog is eating a good amount and not consuming too many treats, perhaps they simply need to receive more exercise. Dog obesity is a serious issue. Food aggression is a behavior in which a dog becomes hostile while in the presence of food. This behavior is dangerous for both a Bulldog and a human. If your dog seems aggressive while presented with food, you should work to correct the behavior. Consult A Veterinarian Talking to a trusted veterinarian will reveal a wealth of information about English Bulldog puppy feeding for new pet owners. A vet may have recommendations about dry food options or food alternatives for your dog, and they will also describe how many calories your Bully should consume based on its size. You can always search for answers online, but a vet is able to physically evaluate your pooch to determine the perfect amount of food for English Bulldog puppies and adult English Bulldogs alike. English Bulldogs eat an assortment of different food amounts based on age, but an English Bulldog feeding chart will provide accurate estimates of the amount of food that would be optimal for your pooch. A Bulldog puppy feeding chart or adult feeding chart may also feature a certain take on the best dog foods for a Bulldog. An English Bulldog feeding chart may also assess the pros and cons of dry food, wet food, or other kinds of dog food. An adult or puppy feeding chart is an easily-accessible way to quickly find the information that you seek. Different sizes and breeds of dog, naturally, need different amounts of food. But how much should you be feeding your English bulldog or puppy per day? How many cups of food should I feed my English Bulldog? How much you need to feed your English Bulldog will depend on their age and weight. It can vary between half a cup to 2 cups of food a day. Adult dogs are fed twice, puppies should be fed 3 times. English Bulldog puppies are still developing and will burn through calories quicker, meaning their feeding schedule should be 3 times a day. English Bulldog feeding chart and guide Below you can see an English Bulldog feeding chart which gives you a great overview of how many cups of food you should feed an English Bulldog puppy or adult. This is how many cups of food you should feed an English Bulldog puppy or adult according to the Royal Canin pet food company. How many cups of food should I feed my English Bulldog puppy? English Bulldog puppy at 2 months: 1 third of a cup, 3 times daily English Bulldog puppy at 3 months: 1 third of a cup, 3 times daily English Bulldog puppy at 4 months: 1 third of a cup, 3 times daily English Bulldog puppy at 5 months: Half a cup, twice a day English Bulldog puppy at 6 months: Half a cup, twice a day English Bulldog puppy at 7 to 12 months: Half a cup, twice a day This English Bulldog puppy feeding schedule should continue until they are 12 months old. After that point your English Bulldog is an adult and should switch to the recommended feeding guidelines shown on the feeding chart. What vets say about English Bulldog feeding amounts When you first get your English Bulldog, your vet should be able to recommend you an amount of food and how many times a day to feed them. Puppies need less food than an adult dog, and as the dog gets older you will gradually have to increase the amount of food you give them. There are several different types of food available for dogs, each having its own pros and cons, and with each dog having their own preferences. Dry food: including kibble and flaked cereals, has very low moisture content, meaning that they will have a higher appetite. Dry food is also often made into dog treats and dog biscuits, which can be a great occasional in-between meal snack to keep your dog occupied or to reward them for good behaviour. Wet food: is far better for keeping your dog hydrated, cooked at high temperatures and being incredibly fresh. Unfortunately, they have a short shelf life when opened and can be a messy option for over-eager dogs. Semi-moist: has a combination of the chewiness of dry food with the hydration of wet food. Coming in sachets, they are a popular alternative for those who are unsure if wet or dry food is the best option for their dog. How much food should I feed my English Bulldog puppy? Feeding a puppy is rather different to feeding an adult dog, needing smaller amounts of food more often throughout the day, with their eating habits changing as they grow older. Your vet should be able to recommend an amount per day to feed your new bulldog puppy if you are unsure about how to understand the puppy feeding chart shown earlier. English Bulldog puppies are typically fed three times a day, with around a handful of kibble each time around a third of a cup per portion until they are around 6 months old. However, your vet may recommend a larger amount if they do not think they are getting enough. English Bulldog puppy feeding schedules will differ, with 3 times a day being recommended. When feeding English Bulldog puppies, make sure that the food is easily accessible, and that the food bowl or tray is not set too high that they struggle to eat it. English Bulldogs have naturally short muzzles and can sometimes struggle to lift their heads up high, so setting it lower down will make it easier for them to swallow. If your puppy is turning its nose up at its food, make sure it is fully hydrated and well before trying out a mixture of dry and wet foods; every dog has different preferences to food, so finding out what your puppy likes can really help make dinner time easier and less stressful for you both. Handy Hint: Your English Bully can throw up after eating too much food, but the vomit could also mean something else. Here are the top reasons why this breed throws up so much. What food is best for English Bulldogs? With so many different dog foods on the market, it can be difficult to choose what the best kind of dog food for your bulldog is. It contains Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health, as well as other antioxidants and vitamins. Made in the USA, it contains no fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or added sugar. Natural Balance — Ultra Premium Wet Dog Food: made with real beef, this wet dog food comes in many different flavors such as Beef, Chicken, Lamb and Liver, all mixed with brown rice, carrots and potatoes. What human food can bulldogs eat? Sometimes you want to share your food with your English Bulldog, but you do have to be careful as many foods we eat every day can prove harmful if not fatal to our furry companions. Aside from meat, some other human foods that dogs can freely eat are: White and brown rice: with many dog foods containing some form of rice as an ingredient. Dairy products: in small quantities, this does not include lactose intolerant dogs, who should not eat dairy products at all. Peanut Butter: this is a favourite for many dogs, make sure that it is natural, unsalted peanut butter with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs. Fruit: such as blueberries, goji berries, bananas, cucumbers and watermelon are all suitable for dogs to eat. Make sure any watermelon has been deseeded before allowing your dog to eat it. Vegetables: everyone needs their five a day, and English Bulldogs do too. Green beans, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, cauliflower and broccoli are all safe for your dog to eat, with many already included in dog food. Related questions Now you know how many cups of food your English Bulldog should eat, the types of food they can eat, and what the best feeding schedule is see chart , you might want some extra information. What can English Bulldogs not eat? There are certain foods that English Bulldogs should never be allowed to eat. This is due to differences in their digestion and immune system that means that harmless human food such as chocolate is fatal to dogs. English Bulldogs will often eat whatever they can find, most dogs do, but what should you keep away from them? Chocolate: the best-known no-go treat. Dog-friendly chocolates are available, but human chocolate can cause major issues for dogs. Grapes: unlike other fruit, grapes can cause everything from nausea to kidney failure in dogs. Mushrooms: wild mushrooms are especially toxic to dogs, as they are humans. Other vegetables that dogs should avoid include asparagus and onions. Bacon: while the meat itself is fine, fatty and crispy bacon can cause your dog digestion and pancreatic issues, slowly losing its functionality over time. Macadamia nuts: these have only been recently discovered to be bad for dogs, although nearly all other animal species do not suffer the same issue. How many calories should an English Bulldog eat? While amounts of food per day are usually measured in cups for English Bulldogs, there are recommended guidelines about how many calories a bulldog should be eating, depending on its age. While your vet will be able to recommend a more personalised eating regimen, once your dog has grown out of its puppy stage, young, energetic adult dogs eat around 1, calories a day, while less active adults only need around 1, calories per day. A lot of this depends on how active your English Bulldog is on a day to day basis, dictating how many calories they burn off and how much needs to be replaced. Most packets, cans and bags of dog food contain a recommended serving size for certain types of dogs, so check the packaging for more information. Handy Hint: English Bulldogs need daily exercise. Conclusion Now that you know how many cups of food you need to feed your English Bulldog; I would also recommend implementing a decent exercise regime. Without it, your furry friend could develop a lot of health issues including diabetes. Especially if they start eating more cups of food that is recommended in the English Bulldog feeding guide. Vets say English Bulldogs should have at least 20 minutes of exercise each day. You might also like….

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. He loves people, kids and other dogs. His mom travels for work often, and though it's sad to part with him, it's not fair for him to be left alone so much. He needs a good home. Wasnt meaning to have a litter. But here we are. Vet checked and 1st shots. Both parents are AKC. We have 1 Brindle girl left. Please contact me for further info or links to their heritage. Pictures of Parents below. Two males and one female. Ears are starting to stand. Theyre weaned and eating solid foods. They were born May 31 and are ready for their fur-ever homes now. Theyve had three deworming, 1st shots and a complete exam. Champion bloodlines on sire and dams side. Can produce multiple Frenchie and Boston colors. They are CKC registered. Call for additional questions and pictures. Please contact Debbie xxx xxx-xxx2. Crate training, house breaking and pee pad training is going very well. I can do a zoom video call of FaceTime if youd like to see them or you can come over and meet them in person. I have 2 females and 3 males still available. Will be dewormed, Vet check and 1st shots. Will accept deposit. Please email onedsfrierson if interested or to make an offer. If you want some of the best Frenchie's on the market with the added bonus of stacked pedigrees and quality, short and compact, Lilac and Tan carrying testable and fluffy. These puppies have been fetched up in a family environment, well socialized and are full of character. No Expense Spared on these puppies. Can send videos and pictures. French bulldog female carrying. Here I have my beautiful girl dottie who i sadly have to rehome due to no fault of her own but to my current situation. She is absolutely brilliant with other dogs and children, she is such a loving girl and just loves to play. She is fully house trained and she knows basic commands sit, down, paw etc. Microchip, vet card and akc papers to hand. They are now 10 weeks old and are still looking for their forever homes. They are chunky solid dogs and love their walks and are great with other pets and kids. Fully toilet trained, vaccinated and KC registered. All paperwork and shots up to date. Bought from Petland so he has a chip. He is lovable and great with kids. He is potty trained to go in yard. Contact me if you are interested. Come with papers has a chip up to date will all shots. And not fixed. Perfect dog for kids! Lovable and playful! View Detail Fawn female French bulldog for sale Looking to rehome my female frenchie her birthday is march 19th she active and very friendly to kids and other animals. She has had her shots but i do know she is past due on some i have had her tested so i do have proof she is percent french bulldog. When she gets to excited she will have a little part of her eye at the bottom pop up like a bulge but is goes away on its own. She was born with umbilical cord hernia but vet said it will probably go away on its own also she ie not fixed. Also i did get her chipped so if lost you can easily find her. Im moving next year from a house to an apartment so i cant afford to take her with me. She will use the bathroom outside and also on pee pads she is good with cages to i use a playpen type of cage for her if interested dont hesitate to reach out the price is not firm but i will not take low ball offers so please dont try it. Also i will not ship my dog to noone you must pick up thanks. .Pet home only. Utd on shots. Very energetic. She is to much for me to handle at this time. Super sweet. Would be great with children. She is non aggressive. Working on potty training. She is crate trained. Text only. Cincinnati Ohio area. Home raised, Vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, health guarantee, socialized with the upmost care for the best startin life. View Detail Charming French x Bulldogs ready now adorable and a very very faithful friend. Please come meet us in person- You can come to our home to have a puppy play date. We have a little frenchie named Dexter. French Bulldog Puppies. Although spaying or neutering is not compulsory, it is highly advisable to spay your French Bulldog. This will help to decrease its chances of getting certain kinds of cancer. It also prevents the risk of unwanted breeding between your French Bulldog and any nearby dog. Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? French Bulldogs have the potential to be aggressive. However, they are not usually aggressive unless they are trained that way. It is important to note that they may show aggression towards other dogs or smaller animals. Owners should watch out for signs of aggression and nip them in the bud. What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog? With a proper diet and nutrition, French Bulldogs can live for up to eleven or thirteen years. Can French Bulldogs eat raw meat? French Bulldogs can eat raw meat such as chicken, liver or kidney. They could also eat canned, dry food. What is the difference between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog? French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are quite similar but different at the same time. English bulldogs are bigger while the French Bulldog is considerably smaller. French Bulldogs also have upright pointy ears whereas the English breed has folded ears. Do I have to worry about fleas with French Bulldogs? Just like all other breeds, French Bulldogs can get fleas. If they do get fleas, this can be solved by getting flea medicine or using a flea comb to get rid of the fleas. How do you deal with separation anxiety in French Bulldogs? French Bulldogs are very prone to separation anxiety. To curb this, owners can crate train their dogs or provide them with chew toys. What is the best way to train your French Bulldog? Crate training is one of the best ways to train your French Bulldog. It helps to create good and positive behavior in your Frenchie and could be a fun place for it to rest. Are French Bulldogs children-friendly? French Bulldogs are not the best option for kids. However, if they grow up surrounded by children, the risk could be lessened. They should not be left unsupervised around kids. How big are French Bulldogs? The French Bulldog is about 11 or 12 inches tall and weighs an average of pounds. Are you interested in purchasing a French Bulldog? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Lifespan Sociability The Shepherd Inu is a hybrid breed that combines two purebreds. This is usually done to bestow at least some of the beneficial traits of one breed onto the other, to create a dog that is even better suited to a particular application. Because they are not purebred, you may also find them in a local shelter. Adoption costs vary by shelter but are usually a low adoption fee. The Shiba Inu can be prone to aggression, having been used as a personal protection dog in Japan and having been bred to hunt. The German Shepherd has also been used as a protection dog so you need to take precautions to try and ensure that your puppy will be suited to family life. Because the breed is not recognized by Kennel Clubs, it can be difficult to find breeders. Ask other owners and speak to breeders of either parent breed. Look for breed groups on social media and dog forums. It was first reared as a hunting breed in around B. C although its ancestors date back to as early as B. It was bred to hunt birds and small game, flushing them out from their hiding place so that their handlers could better hunt them. Their history means that the brave and energetic dog has a strong prey drive, and this can translate into aggression. A post shared by Robert L. Mickles micks 2. During World War II, heavy bombing attacks wiped many of the dogs out, with many of those remaining falling foul of distemper, which is a viral infection. Extensive breeding programs have helped rescue the breed from the brink of extinction and the modern breed most closely resembles that of the Shinshu variety. Following the war, many people shunned items that were associated with Germany, and because the breed bore the name German Shepherd, it fell out of favor. In some countries, breeders changed its name to Alsatian. It is now one of the most popular breeds in the world and is ranked as the second most popular breed in the USA. Max von Stephanitz took some of the most successful and intelligent herding dogs and bred them to create what he described as the ultimate herding dog, in the late 19th Century. It gained official recognition in .It is still used as a working dog , although you are more likely to see a German Shepherd as a police dog or working with armed forces around the world. They are also used privately as personal protection and guard dogs. The temperament of your dog depends on which parent breed is dominant, but it also depends on socialization, training, and the temperament of the individual, as well as other factors. They can make excellent family pets, superb working dogs, and great all-around companions, depending on what you are looking for. It should be noted that this hybrid is not recommended for novice owners. The German Shepherd has long been utilized as a guard dog, while the Shiba Inu is regarded as being prone to aggression. Experienced handlers may be able to get the best from the breed but novice trainers can struggle. Are Shepherd Inus Good for Families? As such, it is not recommended to have one around young children. Although your dog may never pose a threat to your children, they can be wary of strangers. They can also be very protective of their family, which means that they can become alarmed when children are playing with others and the games get particularly loud or boisterous. If you do get a Shepherd Inu and have a family, ensure that it is well socialized from a young age and that you have a firm grasp on training. Do not use aggressive training techniques, but you will need to be assertive and masterful. Puppy and training classes are considered beneficial because they teach owners how to train the dog and encourage good behavior. They also allow socialization in an environment with other dog owners. As a guard dog, this breed is always alert. They are constantly watching and listening for signs of possible danger. This means that they may not be best suited to life in an apartment because they are likely to bark a warning whenever they hear neighbors passing or your neighbors opening their doors. The cross can be territorial and may be protective over items, people, and even areas that they believe belong to them. They may get along with another dog if they are introduced when young, but you should be very wary when introducing them to smaller animals including cats. However, it is a lively and energetic dog that does well as a working dog and performs admirably at canine sports including agility. While it might not be the best dog for all potential owners, it could make a loving dog for you. Read on to see what is required if you do take on this impressive hybrid. The exact amount you need to feed depends on age, activity level, and the current and target weight of your dog but you should expect to feed approximately two cups of good quality dry food per day. Follow manufacturer instructions when feeding wet food, and if you feed a combination diet then make sure that you adjust the levels of dry and wet food accordingly. Obesity and dehydration are potentially very dangerous for dogs, just as they are for people, so you should monitor their weight and look for symptoms of dehydration if you are concerned. You will need to provide between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise every day. Some of this can take the form of a decent walk, but you should also look for ways to let your hybrid run around. German Shepherds, in particular, are known for their prowess in canine sports and agility. In fact, they have a canine sport that was created specifically for them. Schutzhund is designed to test everything from agility to strength and the bond between the dog and handler. Because Schutzhund has been opened up and allows dogs of any breed to enter, you can enroll your Shepherd Inu mix to take part. On the one hand, you have the responsive, alert, and typically obedient German Shepherd. On the other, you have the somewhat stubborn and headstrong Shiba Inu. Depending on which your puppy takes after, you could have a dog that is difficult to train or one that picks up commands quickly and listens when you issue a command. The German Shepherd is ranked as the third most intelligent dog breed, behind the Border Collie and the Poodle. It is this responsiveness and intelligence that has seen it employed in so many service roles. Be assertive and masterful when training. It will need brushing at least twice a week throughout the year and will suffer from serious bouts of shedding at least once a year. Regular brushing removes dead hairs and can detangle knots, reducing the amount of shed hair left on sofas and clothes, but there will always be some hairs to deal with. Because your dog cannot brush its own teeth, you will also have to help ensure good dental hygiene. Brush teeth at least three times a week, ideally starting when your dog is a puppy to get it used to the process. This will usually need doing every two or three months, depending on how much time they spend walking and running on hard surfaces. If you struggle to cut nails, you can ask a professional groomer or even your vet to assist with this. Proponents of hybrid breeding claim that hybrid vigor reduces the chances of a hybrid from developing the hereditary conditions of either parent, while opponents claim that the hybrid has an increased chance of developing the hereditary diseases of both parent breeds. German Shepherds are somewhat prone to arthritis, which can be painful and debilitating. As a large breed, they are also more likely to develop joint dysplasia. Shiba Inus are more likely to suffer allergies and eye complaints like glaucoma and cataracts. Look for symptoms of the following conditions and speak to a vet if you are concerned. Minor Conditions. If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In case your Fido tests positive for any of the inheritable diseases, you can be vigilant of the initial symptoms and hopefully, save you a lot of veterinary expenses through early medical detection and intervention. Hip Dysplasia Quite common among German Shepherds, hip dysplasia is a condition wherein the ball and the socket in the hip area did not grow in sync, thereby causing lameness and muscle atrophy in dogs. Elbow Dysplasia Large dogs like a German Shepherd are more prone to suffer from this condition. Same as hip dysplasia, the 3 bones in the elbow joint failed to sync together resulting in improper weight distribution in joint areas. The signs to look for are hesitance to go for a walk and a stiff elbow joint. As a result, gas accumulates in the stomach which can cause stomach twisting. Increased thirst and urination are some of the signs you need to be vigilant about. Cataracts An inherited eye disorder happens when thin and grayish to cloudy film appear on the eye lens. Aside from genetics, diabetes can also cause this disease. Hemophilia A blood clotting disorder that is commonly seen among German Shepherds, it happens when a wound fails to heal normally, causing excessive bleeding. The signs you need to be vigilant for are spontaneous bleeding and skin hematoma. If you see your Fido having a hard time urinating, take him to the vet right away. It Is quite difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but, if left untreated, skin allergies can cause hair loss and ear infections. Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix breeder A healthy puppy all begins with the dedication of a breeder that is ethical , responsible, and reputable. By this, it means that the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix breeder will not just crossbreed two purebred dogs without considering the health factors. An ethical dog breeder, in his effort to take care of the breed, will also conduct a DNA test to check for gene-specific diseases. Not only that but a reputable breeder would give the female dog the much-needed time to rest in between her heat cycles to produce healthier puppies. What else are the qualities of a responsible dog breeder? Check out the list below: Welcomes buyers to his or her kennel. Puppies can freely roam around instead of being locked up in small cages. Puppies are clean and odor-free. Shows the health cards of the parents and the pups. Knowledgeable about the dog breed. Provides buyers with puppy insurance. Having said that, we do not recommend that you get the German Shepherd Shiba Inu puppy from a puppy store where puppies are placed in small cages, unable to move well which is contrary to a professional dog breeding facility where pups can freely run and play around. We highly recommend that you always get your puppy from a responsible breeder. Shelters and rescue centers are also places to consider. Before you bring home your German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix puppy, you have to keep in mind that your new pup has some basic needs like a good resting place. We also recommended that you begin socializing your German Shepherd Shiba Inu puppy as soon as possible. Also, it is natural for puppies to explore their surroundings. They sniff, chew, and munch on anything that catches their interest. As additional preparation, puppy-proofing your home goes a long way in preventing accidents to happen. To find these puppies, we suggest that you talk to either German Shepherd or Shiba Inu dog breeders who can give you recommendations on where to find these mixed puppies. The breeder may know of someone who crossbreeds Shiba Inus with German Shepherds. Regardless of your location, the puppy of your choice can be shipped to you. It does not mean that they are unhealthy, rather the demand for pups is higher. You can try Greenfield Puppies greenfieldpuppies. What about Buckeye Puppies buckeyepuppies. They have a number of German Shepherd Mixes for sale. They have an eye-catching appearance. They mix the proud nature inherent to the Shiba Inu with the fearlessness that comes with the German shepherd breed. They are relatively reserved and alert. This mix is a new designer breed. The Shepherd Inu is a bold cross with unique physical traits. They are not very easy to train, but they make excellent family companions when properly trained and socialized. Shepherd Inus retain a robust prey drive that is inherent to Shiba Inus. They also borrow the ruggedness that the German Shepherd is famed for. This cross needs a lot of exercise being an energetic breed. The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix needs significant grooming as they shed a lot. This is an exciting dog breed to have. Being a relatively new dog mix, there is understandably so much you will be eager to learn about the Shiba Inu German shepherd mix. What is their life expectancy? What unique physical traits do they have? How about the temperament of your Shepherd Inus? Also, how should you feed them? These questions and many more we will carefully address in this guide. Typically, your German Shepherd is a large dog with a height situated between 22 to 26 inches in height. Also, the Shiba Inu has a standing height of about inches. When these two breeds are brought together, we have a Shepherd Inu that can grow up more than 22 inches in height. This is almost certain if that particular Shepherd Inu cross has more predominant German Shepherd features. Otherwise, your Shepherd Inu can have a height in the region of 19 inches. The face blends that of the Shiba Inu with a German Shepherd. Also, the dog cross will not have that particularly striking fox-like look, as you will see from a Shiba Inu. They also take the long slender appearance which German Shepherds are known for. This dog mix has a sturdy built. Yes, they borrow the muscular built you typically see in your German Shepherd. The Shepherd Inu has dark brown eyes. How about the shape? The eyes are most times shaped in the form of medium almonds. They have high ears, which are mostly erect. For a Shepherd Inu mix, the coat ranges from long to medium, depending on which features between the Shiba Inu and the German Shepherd are predominant in the dog. Nevertheless, this dog mix has thick furs. They have two layers of coat, which give them enviable resilience to cold living conditions. This coat can combine two or more colors. Commonly, you will see your Shepherd Inu having a black color, which is a mixture of cream, silver, tan, and red. You can also see Shepherd Inu having liver-colored coats, sable coats, or blue mixes. Behind the back of the Shepherd Inu is a reasonably long curling tail. The regular Shepherd Inu mix could weigh anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds. Lifespan Normally, Shiba Inus live up to 15 years or 12 years at the lower end. On the other hand, you can expect your German Shepherd to live up to years. Combining these two dogs, you have a Shepherd Inu that can live up 15 years if adequately catered for — or 7 years, at least, in natural death conditions. After living upward of 10 years, you can start expecting health issues from your Shepherd Inu, after which it will die. Grooming Needs Sorry, Shepherd Inus shed a lot. This means once, in a while, you will exert significant effort in grooming your Shepherd Inu. This high volume shedding is mostly because of its German fur. Temperament The Shepherd Inu is a highly enthusiastic dog, which makes it very active. As characteristic of Shiba Inus, the Shepherd Inu is a bold dog with a reasonable level of self-dependence. This is a high energy breed that is not suited to being left aloof or disengaged — they need a high level of exercise. Shepherd Inus are protective and can be quite territorial. At intervals, they can pose problems related to aggression. However, once you have established your superiority over your Shepherd Inu, it will readily accept your authority and follow your directives. When a Shepherd Inu bonds with you, it becomes very loyal to you and your immediate family. Nonetheless, just like Shiba Inus, they will not seek a lot of attention as they fare off better on their own. A shepherd Inu will not easily bond with a stranger as this cross is relatively reserved. Shepherd Inus have a fierce prey drive — being similarly instinctive hunters like the Shiba Inu. You could need a leash when training them to accept commands. Admittedly, a proneness to self-authority or independence on the part of your Shepherd Inu makes them harder to train. This explains why this dog cross is not best suited to new pet owners as these dogs need more experience to train. Such training is more effective when consistently applied from a very young age. Exercise Needs Shepherd Inus have high energy levels. They will need significant amounts of exercise across the day. These hybrids are enthusiastic and will require at least one hour 15 minutes of exercise every day. This will keep them from destructive habits like depression, unhealthy weight gain, or aggression. For Shiba Inus, the severe conditions include glaucoma allergies, cataracts, glaucoma allergies, and hip dysplasia. Take note that hip dysplasia is not prevalent. Of late, there has been increasing conspicuousness of sloping backs in German Shepherds. Such sloping back inhibits their efficiency as working dogs. However, this is not common with the original German Shepherd. Being that German Shepherds and Shiba Inus are healthy breeds, significant health complications are not expected of this cross. Feeding Feeding is a critical aspect of raising a Shepherd Inu. This hybrid is athletic and energetic. They have a substantial appetite for exercise as for a huge chunk of your day, you will notice high activity levels from your Shepherd Inu. With this in mind, it is unsurprising that your Shepherd Inu needs a diet packed with power. Giving it such meals contributes significantly to its health — keeping them strong as well. Of course, protein constitutes a huge chunk of this diet. This can be damaging to the health of your Shepherd Inu. Our preference is that you buy high-quality proteins pure protein. Aside from protein, it also helps if you include fat in your Shepherd Inu diet. Fats enhance the tastiness of the meals you feed this hybrid. As always, moderation is key to all. It is highly unadvised to feed your Shepherd Inu with fatty foods excessively. In some cases, they can even trigger skin problems for your dog. It is essential to point out that a typical Shepherd Inu meal varies with age. The ideal meal for a matured Shepherd Inu may not be appropriate for a puppy. All things being equal, you can feed your Shepherd Inu times per day. These meals should be smaller rations. You can alternatively feed them two large meals. When fed excessively, your puppy can start vomiting. By the time your Shepherd Inu gets to about 6 months, you can slash their meal regime to two meals per day — or just one large meal. Yes, Shepherd Inu crosses are relatively protective. They can be a bit territorial as well. They are not best at sharing and can be very particular about their toys or properties they designate as theirs. A Shepherd Inu is not very adventurous. It will keep within its limits most times and will not readily explore new environments or build new relationships. However, this can change from impulsive drives. Being that they have high prey drive, Shepherds Inus are pretty unpredictable outdoors and can go far in a chase after prey. Shepherd Inus are new dog hybrids and are not very common. They have a wide range of applications — making them expensive, given their relative rareness. The cost is also affected by the priciness of the parent breed. Certainly, you will agree that pure German Shepherds and Shiba Inus cost quite a premium. No doubt, a Shepherd Inu is a beautiful hybrid to own. It is exciting and energetic. However, it is vital to emphasize that Shepherd Inus are not suitable for everyone. To be specific, if you are a novice dog owner, it is not recommended to go for Shepherd Inus as your first pet dog. Why you may ask? Shepherd Inus are not the easiest dog breeds to cater for. You may see them as stubborn. This is because of the pertinent sense of independence or self-care which you can say this hybrid inherits from the parent Shiba Inu. You have to also factor in the inevitable need for exercise from your Shepherd Inu. Being working dogs, this hybrid needs to be perpetually engaged. This is because this dog is not very disposed to displaying affection — unless they have tightly bonded with you. The American Kennel Club AKC advises that while the Shepherd Inu is an excellent cross, it better suits experienced dog handlers who have the intelligence, tolerance, and empathy to train them appropriately. Also, you have to take into consideration that since Shepherd Inu is a new breed, you may not have sufficient resources or information to handle its possible health complications. We pointed all this out for you to know what it takes to nurture and train a Shepherd Inu. In the face of all this, if you meet these requirements, you can think sure of an exciting, fun-filled life with your Shepherd Inu. Their parents the German Shepherd and the Shiba Inu are famed for their toughness and resilience in ruggedness. Shepherd Inus will have no problem living in cold, temperate or tropical climates. While most dog breeds struggle with cold weather, the Shepherd Inu excels. This dog hybrid is equipped with two coats. Their fur is considerably dense and gives them good buffering or resistance to the cold. It tends to take care of itself. They are very clean and will not pester you for affection like the other dog breeds that crave large displays of attention or love from you. At its heavy shedding periods, you would be there to groom it. Compatibility with Kids Shepherd Inus may not be very compatible with kids. This is because they need a reasonable handling experience. Your kid may not be able to establish your dominance over this relatively stubborn dog breed. Remember, we said that Shepherd Inus are not the most affectionate dogs. Nonetheless, your Shepherd can bond with your family, which includes your kid. In that case, the Shepherd Inu can get seriously emotionally attached and loyal to that kid. Compatibility with Other Animals Shepherd Inus are not very social animals. Bear in mind that they are very territorial with a high prey drive. A typical Shepherd Inu will not easily mix with another animal. I hope you found it helpful as you raise your pet. For dogs, flea and tick infestation is deadly and may cause severe diseases if not treated regularly. Free Shipping on all orders at discounted prices. Click here to join risk-free. Low cost plans, risk free guarantee. You Might Also Like:. Friendliness: Friendly with kids and other domestic pets. Nature: Loving and devoted. Shepherd Inus are attentive and protective, with a gentle but firm demeanor. They flourish in active roles that allow them to work out each day; without enough physical activity, they may become bored or destructive toward their home environment. These dogs love being around family owners because of how considerate they can be when it matters most — which makes Shepherd owners adore this breed even more! The Shepherd Inu is an excellent family dog, with the ability to recognize people who come around frequently. They are not lapping dogs or attention seekers; however, they do require some time to spend alone every day in order for their minds and spirit to be at peace! The face is usually somewhere between the two in terms of shape and muzzle length, but there are some pups where you can clearly see their German Shepherd parentage from behind those large ears or droopy tail that trails after them as they go about doing what dogs do best — hunting! There are some pups who inherit traits from both parents while others can be much clearer in terms of their inherited dispositions. This dog has an air of elegance about them with their long body and compact shape! Facial Look: The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix has a fox-like face that would be preferable to have if you are an admirer of this dog breed. Is it red and white? Or just black with some light patches on it that may or may not be what they seem to be at first glance. They have an intense loyalty to their family and people that borders on obsession but can be trained out if need be to behave otherwise. As intelligent as they are energetic, these dogs require plenty of exercises to maintain both physically healthy sides — going for walks or runs with you each day will do wonders! If you want the best care possible for this furry friend then make sure their coat is well maintained through the bathing season! You should keep this breed of dog away from toddlers who may be too rough or inconsiderate when they play. Friendly with other Pets: A Shiba Inu GSD Mix has a natural instinct to chase after small animals without hesitation, so it would be best not to mix your new pup with cats. However, you can attempt at an early year if possible. Well, this is an exception that proves the rule because these particular dogs seem to be getting on pretty good terms here! However, they can be territorial and will warn you if another dog comes near them first-time or frequently enough to warrant attention from their owner. Despite this negativity surrounding the breed in general society has branded them as aggressive — which is rare for these animals! Exercise: These little bundles of energy are the perfect companion for anyone who needs an active, enthusiastic friend. Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix will keep you on track with their love and lots of playtimes! And while most people think that all hybrid animals need at least 75 minutes of exercise per day just like any other animal would need more than its own kind in order to stay healthy. Because of their German Shepherd ancestry, these pups have a natural inclination to get safeguarding of ones who own them. They were originally bred to be watch-trained, but make great guards as well! Food Requirements: You may be wondering what the importance of choosing good dog food for your dog is. Your pup needs qualified advice to grow and develop properly. The basic health issues of this breed are as follows: Glaucoma. Characteristics of Shiba Inus and German Shepherds When it comes to cross-bred dogs or designer dogs , they are typically bred for specific desired traits that will come from mixing two or more breeds. Shiba Inus are relatively small but strong dogs with strong senses of sight and smell, which has historically made them keen hunters. This breed is moderately energetic and requires regular exercise, but these dogs are not often the destructive type. The most common coloring for Shiba Inus is black and tan, cream, red, or red sesame, all with white markings. Additionally, their coats do not typically mat, so regular brushing is not necessary, though it will minimize the amount of fur that gets spread around your house as they shed. In terms of training, they require little guidance when it comes to housebreaking. This, however, should not overshadow the fact that Shibas are not to be trusted off-leash, regardless of training level. They should never be considered safe in an open, unconfined area. You should even be careful about leaving a door or gate open for a moment too long. Overall, Shiba Inus are quite healthy dogs. Though this does not mean they are always in perfect health, as they are less prone to a wide range of health issues. Characteristics of German Shepherds German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds around, ranking second in popularity with the AKC. Standing between 22 to 26 inches 56 to 66 centimeters tall and weighing in at an average of 50 to 90 pounds .A Detailed Guide While they are known and named for their herding abilities, German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent dogs. They are also loyal, muscular, courageous dogs. German Shepherds are such loyal animals that they will willingly put their life on the line for the ones they love. While it may take them a while to come around to new friendships, once they have deemed you worthy of their trust and loyalty, it will never waiver. The grooming needs of a German Shepherd are a bit more involved than that of a Shiba Inu. The medium-length double coat of his breed requires a brief brushing a couple of times a week. An extensive period of shedding will occur once or twice annually in which regular brushing will help prevent fur from ending up all over the house. All You Need to Know This breed is very active, which means German Shepherds require lots of daily exercise to keep them happy. If they are not given opportunities to be active enough, they will begin to act out. To keep your pup satisfied and your living room intact, take advantage of the fact that these dogs love swimming, agility, tracking, and even frisbee! The mental stimulation that is associated with these activities is necessary for dogs with their degree of intellect. Just check out this informative and well-illustrated article: Tackling obedience training and socialization at a young age will make your job as a dog owner much easier in the long run. German Shepherds will show tremendous results when trained consistently and in a positive manner. They do not respond well to negative-enforcement or punishment-based training. For most dogs German Shepherds, the biggest health concern is a case of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus GDV , also referred to as bloat or twisted stomach. This is a sudden, life-threatening veterinary emergency. Shepherds should also be screened regularly for their hip and elbow health. To understand more completely about the joint issues that all German Shepherds may likely face at some point in their lives, especially during their older years, be sure to read the article linked below: German Shepherd Joint Problems: All You Need to Know Characteristics of Shiba Inu German Shepherds Shiba Inu German Shepherds are highly athletic to optimize endurance and power. They are considered medium to large dogs. Depending on how much they lean towards Shiba Inu genetics or German Shepherd ones, these dogs can stand upwards of 22 inches 56 centimeters and weigh around 40 to 60 pounds .However, their faces resemble that of a fox — a trait distinct to Shiba Inus — with almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown. Shiba Inu German Shepherd mixes also bear pointed ears, a characteristic found in both individual breeds. However, beware if anyone in your household has allergies as these dogs are definitely going to shed! Although they can be found in virtually all color combinations, mixes of tan and red are the most common. So, you can expect to be vacuuming up a variety of different fur colors! You should also be prepared to deal with any negative health outcomes that this breed is prone to before bringing one home. Temperament Get ready to get some steps in! Shiba Inu German Shepherds are highly athletic dogs who require ample exercise every day. This mixed breed dog will need to get at least 75 minutes of active moment on a daily basis. This might look like taking your pup to the off-leash fenced-in dog park, bringing them along for a run while you cycle, or letting them go for a swim in the lake. Like all active dogs, make sure you take their athletic needs seriously. If they do not have a chance to release their energy, you might come home to a moody dog chewing up your furniture and acting out on you. They are also a highly intelligent breed, so they will need lots of mental stimulation. Also, leaving your Shiba Shepherd alone for extended periods will cause them to be very unhappy. A great way to provide any highly intelligent dog with adequate mental stimulation is by providing them with a puzzle toy. A great example of one such toy is this one made by Outward Hound. This toy is a full mind and body exercise for you pup, as it requires their mind to think of the solution and their paws and muzzle to unlock the tasty treat reward! Keeping your pup occupied with an interactive toy like this will also give them a sense of accomplishment, and they will love the praise that you shower on them when they succeed! While they do not require excessive amounts of attention, they do best when given a task to do, as both GSDs and Shiba Inus were originally bred as working dogs as we have previously discussed. Be sure to dedicate sufficient time to training your dog since merely letting them run around in the yard will not be satisfying enough for them. Luckily, Shiba Inu German Shepherd hybrids are not very vocal dogs. They usually will be relatively quiet unless they find barking necessary. These crosses are excellent watchdogs and loyal to their families. No harm will ever be done to you if they have a say in it! Care Keeping Shiba Inu German Shepherds regularly stimulated and active is arguably the most important aspect of their care. Having them well trained to curb their aggression and territorial nature is also necessary. Socialization at a young age will help avoid unfriendly encounters with strangers. They should also have their nails trimmed monthly to avoid pain or structural issues. This can be done at home using a professional tool like the Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder. This helps keep your dog calm during nail maintenance, which can be a highly stressful experience for a lot of dogs. If you are uncomfortable doing this by yourself, you can always take your pup to the groomers. As with all dogs, you should always take them to regular veterinary visits in order to ensure that your dog is in optimal health and to catch any potential illness that German Shepherd mixes are prone to as soon as possible. Though Shiba Inus are typically quite healthy dogs, poorly-bred German Shepherds are prone to a long list of adverse health outcomes. These include, but are not limited to:. So new, that there is no official name to this cross, though some refer to this mix as "Shepherd Inus". Designer dogs are two purebred dogs of different breeds mixed together. Some designer dog advocates claim that mixing two purebred dogs together improves "hybrid vigor". Opponents of designer dogs claim that unscrupulous breeders can easily breed together two low quality purebreds and still demand outrageous prices. This article will help to inform you of what you can expect from a Shiba Inu German Shepherd cross. You will also learn more about the pros and cons of designers dogs. In the wrong hands, these two breeds can be difficult to control and train. Germans Shepherds and Shiba Inus are beautifully striking dogs that are intelligent and loyal. They also are dogs that have a high prey drive and are prone to issues with aggression. This type of dog needs a confident handler that is familiar with the needs of this type of working breed. They are not working dogs and are actually somewhat difficult to train due to their stubbornness. Crossing an independent and stubborn Shiba Inu with a German Shepherd which is a high energy, working breed can understandably produce a dog that may not be easy to handle and train. Shepherd Inus will not do well in a backyard with nothing to do - they need regular exercise and work. This does NOT mean that owner should use excessive force or punishment. A Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix will typically be a loyal, protective, and loving member of the immediate family. However, Shepherd Inus can tend to be independent dogs that do not crave too much affection. However, Shepherd Inus are usually not friendly with strangers. Proper socialization at an early age is an absolute must with this dog. Shepherd Inus are dogs with a high prey drive. Care must be taken to ensure that these dogs are safe when they are off leash. Obedience training should be done very early. Commands such as heel, come, and stay should be the main focus of training until the dog is compliant with the commands. Both dogs have pointed, erect triangular ears and long snouts - with the German Shepherd's snout being longer. These two dog breeds also have similar coat colors. The Shiba Inu coat colors include red, black and tan, sesame, and cream. All black, white, sable, and blue are also German Shepherd coat colors but are less common and desired. A Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix typically weighs between 40 - 60 pounds with the males being heavier. In terms of height, Shepherd Inus are roughly between 19" to 22" tall. Shepherd Inus are strong and agile dogs. They have well-muscled bodies that are built for both power and endurance. These types of dogs need daily exercise and work for optimal health. Shepherd Inus have short to medium length double coats. The outer coat is straight and coarse while the undercoat is thick and plush. Normally, Shepherd Inus will fully blow their undercoats once or twice a year. Moderate brushing is required for this dog. The most serious of these issues include cataracts, glaucoma allergies, patellar luxation and occasionally hip dysplasia. Recently, much controversy has centered around the noticeably sloping backs of German Shepherd dogs entered in dogs shows. The originally bred German Shepherds did not have this curved back feature because it would hinder them from being efficient working dogs. This sloping back feature is not a desired norm of the breed and should not be tolerated. Petitions against sloping GSD backs have been successfully filed, and the Crufts competition will include stricter standards that penalize this feature. Because Shiba Inu German Shepherd mixes are new and relatively uncommon, long term health issues are not known at this point in time. The life expectancy of a Shepherd Inus is between 12 - 14 years. Because of this, anybody can breed designer dogs without any prior experience. Typical AKC pedigree breeders, on the other hand, must answer to breed clubs, breed standards, and do rigorous genetic testings and health screenings. Because of the popularity of certain designer breeds in the celebrity world, many breeders begin producing designer dogs simply for monetary gain, resulting in puppy mill like conditions for a lot of dogs. Read more about designer dog issues here. Shiba Inu fanciers and admirers typically do not endorse mixing the Shiba Inu with any other breed, period. These fanciers believe that the Shiba Inus already possess a nearly flawless natural body that is designed for optimal functioning in the wild. Proponents For Breeding Hybrid Dogs Those that endorse designer dogs believe that breeding two different purebreds will increase "hybrid vigor" or heterosis. These designer dog supporters also make claims that they can produce the "perfect" dog by choosing two breeds that best match the potential owners needs. These claims are largely unsubstantiated. While crossing two purebreds does have the potential of bringing out the best traits of both breeds, it can also, instead, bring out the worst traits of both breeds. Should I Get a Shepherd Inu? The decision to chose a dog breed is a highly personal choice that should be made with careful consideration into the consequences of your decisions. We here at My First Shiba Inu do not advocate for the breeding of designer dogs in general. Instead, we use our platform to provide as much information as possible about the issue and let you as an individual make an informed choice. Furthermore, there are many instances when our readers already have a designer dog mix and would benefit from the information we can provide about the particular hybrid being that the mixes we write about all involve Shiba Inus. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. This post may contain links to products that I may receive compensation for at no additional cost to you. View my affiliate disclosure here. German Shepherds GSDs are known for their protective and loyal nature, making them excellent guard dogs. Additionally, GSDs love to work , whether competing in agility competitions or sniffing out bombs while on duty with the military. Notably, GSDs are brilliant and quick to learn basic tricks if taught correctly. Also, GSDs are known to excel in various domestication qualities such as agility and obedience. GSDs are a large breed and can live anywhere from years. Therefore, owners can be assured to have them around for a long time unless they develop health conditions that could lead to their ultimate death. Furthermore, German Shepherds GSDs possess a thick double coat that needs excellent care through routine brushing and bathing. They can do anything to be close to their masters. Ooh, did we also mention GSDs love attention? GSDs come in a variety of colors but the most commonly recognized is tan with a black saddle. What are Shiba Inus known for? Shiba Inu is a medium-sized dog with short erect ears and a curled tail. They vary in height, with a fully grown breed measuring approximately 13 to 16 inches. Additionally, they have potent legs and sturdy bodies and weigh between pounds. Shiba Inus are known for their aloof personality. The Shiba Inu is a very independent breed of dog. You can quickly tell their characters through their dismissive interactions with other dogs or pets. Even though they can be stubborn and sometimes hard to train, Shiba Inus possess great alertness. They do little to no barking. This could be concerning if you're looking for a protective pet in the Shiba Inu. But their silence makes them a wonderful apartment dog. Shiba Inus can live anywhere from years and spend little time begging for attention. Additionally, their coat could be red, black, or tan and shed very little. This makes them suitable for people with asthma or other allergies. Launched in , Dogecoins initially termed memecoins were a considered a joke cryptocurrency based upon the Shiba Inu meme that was very popular on the internet at the time. Since it's inception in , Dogecoin has occasionally been taken seriously as a form of payment. There was a point where Elon Musk was willing to take Dogecoin payments to purchase his Tesla model vehicles. Elon Musk had such an influence on Dogecoin that it rallied in the cryptocurrency market creating some millionaires along the way as it was "shooting for the moon"! What can you expect with a German Shepherd Shiba Inu hybrid? A German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix may vary in size depending on the size of their parents. They weigh between pounds and are easily trained due to their sharpness. This hybrid is known to inherit their combined parents' personality traits. They tend to adopt the courageous, independent, and watchful nature of a German Shepherd GSD and the alertness, aloofness, and assertiveness of a Shiba Inu breed. The hybrid GSD Shiba Inui dogs may also have various body markings, such as black, red or white in their coat color. However, it could be tough to predict the exact color of a German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix, especially when they are puppies. Notably, their coat tends to change as they grow older. Temperament and Domestication characteristics The German Shepherds Shiba Inu hybrid has a great personality combined from both its parents. These dogs can be very playful yet loyal to their owners. Furthermore, a German Shepherd Shiba Inu hybrid can be great with the family and children but may portray their protective traits, especially on any potential threat. A German Shepherd Shiba Inu hybrid may inherit some of their parent's characteristics, such as aggressiveness, so if possible get to know the parents temperments. This makes it easy to train them. Moreover, these dogs are great at learning and enjoy pleasing their owners. But you should expect a price variation depending on the breeder, color, location, and size. A fully grown dog can roughly weigh up to pounds. However, the mixed breed's weight may also differ depending on the size of their parents. If their parents were small-sized, then the breed mix would also be small-sized. A German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix is known to grow up to an approximate height range of inches. Health and lifespans The German Shepherd Shiba Inu hybrid's lifespan is usually between 10 to 14 years old. However, this may vary depending on their parent's health conditions. For example, if one of the parents had a weak immune system or was prone to illnesses, the exact condition could quickly be passed to the breed mix. Ensure you give the dog maximum care early enough to mitigate the underlying conditions. The Common health problems - including the breed, symptoms, and treatment German Shepherd Shiba Inu hybrid may face a few health conditions. However, the most prevalent disease is problems on the eyes. They are prone to eye lens luxation, leading to glaucoma and cataracts. Also, these dogs may be inclined to other diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, hip dysplasia , cardiac and heart problems. Additionally, the GSD Inu hybrid is known to inherit some of their parent's genetic health issues. Luckily, with proper care from the owner and regular visits to the vet, you can quickly treat these diseases depending on the diagnosis. Therefore, whenever you notice sickly behavior from your dog, ensure you visit the vet for a quick check-up and treatment. What is the ideal home environment for this mixed breed? German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix is a friendly dog who loves to live with the family. However, these dogs may not be suitable for people living alone. Also, these dog breeds can be very protective and territorial towards their home, property, and family. Therefore, owning this mixed breed requires extensive training time to keep them in line. Furthermore, these dogs are best suited to live in a house with a large yard. They can be highly active indoors and outdoors, so the home must have enough space for their exercise needs. Besides, they cherish playing within your home with you and the family. Conclusion The German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix breed is an excellent breed for those looking for a medium to large dog that is playful and loyal. This breed can be great with children while being protective at the same time. A German Shepherd Shiba Inu mix will be a wonderful addition to your family, whether you live in an apartment or even in a farmhouse. Welcome to the Pack!

Golden Retrievers are usually excellent mothers, have easy births and take great care of their puppies. They are also usually comfortable when their owners handle and care for the puppies. So this can be a very enjoyable time; however, there is a lot of work involved and a multitude of things that can go wrong. Preparation is key. Wash your hands thoroughly every time before handling the puppies or their mother. There are few things more adorable than newborn Golden Retriever puppies. Remove your street shoes before entering the puppy room. Shoes are a common source of germs or parasites that can infect the puppies. If you have been around other animals or sick people, change your clothing before entering the puppy room. Remove the sac from each puppy as it is born, allowing the mother to sniff, clean and chew the umbilical cord. The puppy can't breathe until the sac is removed. Pull it away quickly and then suction out the nose and mouth with the syringe. Swab the stump of the umbilical cord with the iodine. Allow Mom to investigate and clean her pup, and then weigh the puppy and record its birth time, weight, sex and colour of its collar. Put a coloured puppy collar on the pup loosely. Ensure the collar is not too tight or loose enough for another pup to become entangled in it. Keep in mind that the puppies grow at a very fast rate so be sure to check the collars daily. Allow each puppy to nurse after weighing it. If the mother is already delivering again, put the puppy in the plastic box under the heat lamp. It's OK to keep the puppies in the plastic box through most of the birthing; however, each puppy should be allowed to nurse within the first few minutes of birth, to receive colostrum. It is very important that the puppy receive the colostrum. The heat lamp should not be too close to the puppy. Once all of the puppies are born, place the puppies with the mother to nurse. Move the heat lamp towards the whelping box, but aim it so that the puppies can crawl back and forth as they get too warm or too cold. A puppy cannot regulate its own body temperature for the first few weeks. Make a bed for the family, if the mother gave birth in some place other than a whelping box. For a Golden Retriever mother and puppies, a box that is 4 feet by 4 feet with sides about 12 inches high is good. A plastic moulded kiddie pool will work fine too. Weigh each puppy twice daily for the first week and record the weights and times. Swab iodine on the umbilical stump twice a day until it dries up. Infections can lead quickly to septicaemia in such small bodies. If a puppy loses weight after the first 24 hours it should be watched carefully for problems and supplemented with a bottle feeding. If it continues to lose weight, take it to the veterinarian, along with the recorded weights since birth. Weigh daily after the first week, until about 4 weeks of age. Assist the puppies as needed when they nurse. Some will have more trouble than others, so help the weaker nursers and be sure all puppies get enough milk. Smaller or weaker puppies may need some private time with mom or a bottle of puppy formula, one or more times a day. Notice any signs of trouble, such as lethargy, coldness, failing to nurse. If any puppy seems at all "off" to you call the veterinarian. Small things turn fatal very fast with newborn puppies. Handle each puppy daily, holding it securely but changing it to different positions, such as turning it on its back, and then back to its tummy. This is mildly stressful and helps the pups develop well while also preparing them for being pets when they are older. Do not allow small children or strangers to handle the puppies. Change the newspapers and other bedding in the box every day or as needed. As the pups get bigger the papers and towels will need to be changed a few times each day. Introduce the puppies to semi-solid foods at around four weeks of age. This should be a gruel made of dry puppy food soaked in puppy formula until it is mushy. It's normal for them to make a huge mess with their food; they are learning. Clean them up with a warm, damp wash cloth. Deworm and vaccinate the puppies according to your veterinarian's instructions. Do not give them over the counter worm medicine, as these may not all be safe. Deworming starts around three weeks of age and vaccinations at about 6 weeks, but consult with your veterinarian as there are times when changes to the schedule are needed. TIP Mom's health is crucial to the welfare of the puppies, so make sure you feed her a good quality dog food. She needs much more food while nursing puppies. If several hours go by and there are no more puppies, take the mom to the veterinarian for an exam and X-ray to be sure there are no more puppies. If the puppy does not start breathing after clearing the mucous and sac away and using suction, you can try to revive it with brisk but gentle towel massage. Also, wrap the pup in a towel, face down, and with the towel and both of your hands fully supporting the head, neck, and body, briskly swing your raised arms downward to help dislodge any mucous. The puppy must be fully supported or this will break its neck. Here's what you need to know about taking care of your newborn pups after they are born. Approach the Puppies With Caution Although you may want to pet and hold the puppies constantly, it is important not to intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives, as they are very susceptible to disease, and it can be stressful for the mother and puppies. Use caution when approaching the puppies, as some mothers may show aggression to humans or other household pets if they perceive a threat. As the puppies get older and more active, your dog will want more and more time to get away and sleep, exercise, or socialize with members of the household. So give your dog space to get away from the puppies, but make sure that she is often returning to check on them. Provide A Warm Environment Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. Therefore, for the first 4 weeks of their lives, you should provide a warm, clean box or bedding for the mother and puppies to share. To keep the puppies warm, position a heating lamp above it. Ensure there are unheated areas, as the puppies will need to move away from the heat source if they become too warm. Monitor the puppies' temperature. If puppies are too cold, they cannot process milk and it may curdle in their stomach. Do not use heating pads, as the puppies may be cold and stay on the heating pad too much. If it is too hot, it can cause burns. Start Socializing the Puppies If the mother dog allows it, you can get the puppies used to your presence. Socializing them early can help ensure that they fit nicely into a household. Puppies should initially be weighed twice a day for the first week or two, then daily. Puppies should never lose weight or even maintain weight—either of these is cause for supplementation and concern. If you notice that one of your puppies is smaller, not gaining weight, or has less energy than the others, consult your veterinarian. Puppies should not be taken away from their mother and sent to their new homes too quickly, as they learn important social rules and behavior from their mother and siblings. Puppies should not be separated from their mother if they are younger than 8 weeks old, and it may be illegal before this in many states. Waiting until they are 10 weeks old will give the maximum benefit of social interaction with their mother and littermates. Feeding and Weaning Newborn puppies should nurse at least every 2 hours for the first week or two of life. After this, they can stretch the feeding times to hours, as long as they are still gaining weight and doing well. Once the puppies are 3 to 4 weeks old, you can begin the weaning process by giving them access to puppy food. You can mix a high-quality commercial puppy food with water or canned puppy food to make it easier for them to eat. It is important that the food is softened at first. They should still have constant access to the mother, as she will continue to nurse them. Over the next few weeks, they will rely more and more on puppy food rather than nursing. Most dogs will wean their puppies by 5 to 6 weeks of age. Puppies have sharp teeth at this point, so nursing may be painful to the mother dog. Continue to be vigilant and monitor her for signs of mastitis. Contact Your Vet Just After the Puppies Are Born Contact your veterinarian to ask for their recommendation regarding when the puppies should first be examined. They may want to see them right away to evaluate for cleft palates , umbilical hernias , and other health concerns, or they may advise you to wait until they are a bit older. Most veterinarians recommend deworming at regular 2-week intervals starting at 2 weeks old. Lauren Jones graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in , after receiving her bachelor's degree.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Shop All Cat Food Few things are more delightful than a litter of newborn puppies, but the prospect of caring for all of these brand new little lives can be daunting. But don't worry. Check out this guide to newborn puppy care to tell you what need to know to raise a healthy, happy litter. A Clean Environment Newborn puppies will spend their first few weeks in the box or pen in which they were born, so it's important to choose wisely when preparing for their arrival. The space should offer enough room for the mother to lie down and stretch out comfortably without crushing the puppies, and she should be able to come and go freely while keeping the puppies contained. It should also be easy to access so that you can change out the bedding each day. In these early days, Mom will clean up her pups' waste, but if it's a large litter she may need help keeping up. Around the end of the second week or the beginning of the third week, the puppies will open their eyes and become more active. Once they start to toddle about, you can move them to a larger pen with room to play, and bathroom cleanup will require more of your attention. Although the puppies will snuggle up with their mom and each other for warmth, it's best to use a heat lamp during their first month of life. The lamp should be placed high enough above the box to prevent any risk of burning the mother or her pups, and there should also be a cooler corner that the pups can crawl to if they get too warm. For the first five days, the temperature inside the pen should be kept at about 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. From days five through ten, gradually dial back the heat to 80 degrees, and then continue to reduce the heat little by little until it reaches 75 degrees by the end of their fourth week, suggests PetPlace. Nursing and Nutrition During their first few weeks, puppies rely exclusively on their mother for their nutritional needs. Although she may be less active during this time, nursing uses up a lot of the mother's energy and her daily caloric requirements will be higher than normal, says the AKC. To ensure both mother and puppies receive adequate nutrition throughout the nursing stage, the mother should be fed several servings of a quality puppy food throughout the day. Your veterinarian can recommend the type and amount of food to feed your nursing mother. It's important to keep an eye on the puppies' weight during this time. If you notice any of the puppies being underfed, you may need to keep an eye on them when it's time to nurse and make sure the smaller puppies latch onto the fullest nipples for feeding, says The Nest. Puppies who cry or whimper frequently may also be hungry and need more attention during feeding. If the smaller puppies still don't show signs of healthy growth or weight gain, talk to your vet. It might be necessary to take over and bottle-feed them. It's also important to watch the mother for signs of mastitis, says Wag! Signs of mastitis include red and swollen nipples and reluctance to nurse. The mother may even snap at the puppies when they try to eat. If you notice these signs, contact your vet right away. By the fourth or fifth week, the puppies will start getting their teeth and the weaning process will begin as the mother's milk production slows. Once you notice the puppies starting to sample Mom's food, it's time to provide them with their own dish of puppy food. Health Young puppies are susceptible to disease and infection, so you'll need to keep a close eye on them. Newborn puppy care should include regular inspections to watch for signs of infection or poor health. Report anything unusual such as vomiting, diarrhea or a puppy who won't stand or eat to your vet. Little puppies are also especially vulnerable to fleas and other parasites, says The Spruce Pets , so talk to your vet about appropriate parasite control. Although antibodies they receive from nursing will help protect them from illness in the early weeks, these antibodies wear off around six to eight weeks, which is when they will need to receive their first round of vaccinations. Make sure you and all family members thoroughly wash your hands before interacting with these puppies to help reduce the risk of getting them sick from any bacteria that might be lying in wait on your hands. Socialization By the fourth week the puppies are ready to begin socializing with humans and other dogs. Weeks four through twelve are a critical window during which puppies need to learn about the world they'll inhabit so they'll become well-adjusted, happy dogs, says The Spruce Pets. Poorly socialized puppies tend to grow into anxious dogs who may have behavioral problems, so whether you plan to keep the puppies or send them to good homes, it's important to cuddle and play with them, allow them to explore and play and expose them to as many new experiences as possible. Newborn puppy care entails a lot of work, but these first several weeks go by in a flash. If your puppies end up being adopted, you'll be saying goodbye to them in no time, an event that is often bittersweet. Enjoy the pups while you have them, and when it's time to let go, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you gave them the best possible beginning. Contributor Bio Jean Marie Bauhaus Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies. Newborn puppy care can be chaotic, so you may want to get a head start and keep a list! Recommended Videos Learning how to take care of a puppy can be fun and oh so rewarding, but what, exactly, does it entail? Many pet parents use kiddie pools, large boxes, or pens as whelping spaces—all of which work if Mom can come and go as she pleases. Warmth for puppies There are many ways to keep newborn puppies warm, but making sure that their mom and siblings are around to share body heat can be especially helpful for several reasons. In most cases, a heated blanket or warming lamp will do the trick. After a week, you can lower the temperature to about 80 degrees, then to 75 degrees at the end of the second week. Image used with permission by copyright holder 3. Puppy socialization It may seem odd to picture newborn pups socializing, but it just looks a little different than what we typically think of as socialization. Instead of meeting other dogs and people, these new additions socialize by learning to interact with their mother and with one another. In their first few weeks of life, notes VCA Hospitals, puppies will eat and sleep most of the time, so there may not be much to supervise during this period. A restless or noisy puppy, however, can be a sign that something is amiss. They should be gaining weight daily a digital scale will come in handy for monitoring weight and have visibly distended tummies. Crying and acting anxious are signs of a malnourished pup, VCA Hospitals also points out. Smaller pups, or those who are pushed off the teat by their siblings, can be placed on one of the back nipples for top-quality feeding. Since these teats produce the most milk, they are ideal for pups who need more nutrition. Bottle feeding is always an option too. Your veterinarian can provide you with all the instructions and supplies you need in order to keep the pups healthy, so you should always keep up with postnatal checkups for mom and babies. Image used with permission by copyright holder 5. Keeping newborn puppies healthy Even the most skilled puppy caretakers need the watchful eye of a doctor as well, so your veterinarian should be part of this process from beginning to end. They can not only keep Mom healthy throughout pregnancy but also make sure that the puppies are developing as they should be. Vets will give you the chance to get all puppies and Mom up to date on vaccinations to boot. Editors' Recommendations. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:. It is after birth that you might need to help keep her clean and comfortable. The lactating dog needs to eat a high quality puppy food that is high in protein and calcium. This will allow her to produce substantial amounts of milk. She should eat puppy food until the puppies are weaned. Let her eat as much as she wants, which can often be four times her non-pregnant intake. You cannot overfeed her during this period, as making milk for puppies requires a lot of calories. Be aware that the first hours after giving birth, she is likely not going to eat much of anything at all. Getting too much calcium can set her up for milk fever later on. Milk fever is caused by a significant drop in blood calcium levels and typically occurs weeks into lactation. This can lead to seizures because the calcium levels in the blood are too low. If you suspect milk fever, seek immediate veterinary attention. During the first weeks, the new mom will be very busy keeping track and taking care of the puppies. It will be important for her to have access to them to keep the puppies warm and fed and clean. Take her out for short bathroom breaks for only minutes. While she is outside and away from her puppies is a good time to change her bedding, keep her bed clean from soil at all times. A groomer or your veterinarian can do this procedure if you do not feel comfortable or do not have the equipment. Mammary gland infections mastitis do occur and can get very serious very quickly. If you see mammary glands that are very red or purple , hard, hot or painful, there is a problem. In some cases, mastitis has the potential to kill the nursing mother dog. If you suspect mastitis, take the dog immediately to your veterinarian. Even if you have to take her to an emergency veterinary hospital, it must happen immediately. It is normal for you to see vaginal discharge from the momma dog for a few weeks up to 8 weeks after birth. This discharge can look brownish red and look stringy. Occasionally a mild odor will be noticed. If you see yellow, green or gray material, or notice a foul odor, take your dog to your veterinarian. She may have an infection in her uterus. Unless she is filthy, wait a few weeks to give her a bath with a mild oatmeal shampoo formulated for dogs. Otherwise until then just wipe her down with a clean, warm, damp cloth to remove any blood, placental fluid or fecal matter. They should eat every hours at minimum. Happy puppies are sleeping puppies; if they are crying a lot, they may not be getting enough nutrition. Check for fat little bellies and clean coats to signal that they are well cared for. Try weighing the puppies on a digital scale to make sure that they are gaining weight every day. Puppies should double their weight in the first week. Do not disregard a puppy looking skinnier or less active than the other puppies. Take him to your veterinarian right away. He may require supplemental feeding or other help. If after the first few days, you see the rest of the puppies growing and one that is still small and skinny, this may be a sign of insufficient feeding or another problem. It should be a solid surface without any holes into the sinuses. Consult your veterinarian if there are any concerns. Take the puppy to a vet right away for an exam immediately. Newborn puppies, like newborn humans, can get sick and dehydrated quickly. As the puppies get older and more mobile, the confined area will get messier. Cleaning up after the puppies at least times per day will be needed to keep the whelping box sanitary. Puppies need healthy socialization to their new world, including introductions to people. Hold each puppy several times per day. Get the puppies accustomed to being touched everywhere on their bodies so that it will not seem strange when they are older. Mom might get protective and be a bit aggressive toward humans, this is normal, so prevent children from bothering the puppies. Socialization starts in earnest at two to three weeks of age. It is important to handle the pups several times a day at this age, and start introducing strangers and children so they get used to different voices and appearances. Do this and you are laying a great foundation for their future. If you are selling or giving away the puppies, wait until they are 8 weeks old before handing them over to the new owners. In some states, like California, it is illegal to sell or give away puppies before 8 weeks of age. Puppies should be fully weaned and eating dog food on their own before they leave for a new home. Starting a deworming and vaccination program is often recommended before the pup leaves.

About Labradoodles What is special about Alpen Ridge and why get your puppy here? Alpen Ridge has always been based on a guardian program where the breeding dogs live with families not in kennels or overcrowded situations. This allows them to be the companions they were bred to be and have their life long families. My focus is quality puppies that are reared in a home environment. You become part of the Alpen Ridge Family, not just a customer. Here are some helpful tips to understand what a breeder means when they are using these phrases. The original multi-gen Australian Labradoodle, which is the original Labradoodle, has a foundation stock including 6 different parent breeds. This was a breed that was developed with goals in mind for a low shedding service dog, not a designer dog. The multi-gen Labradoodle has only poodle and lab in its heritage. It does not include the other parent breeds that were originally used by the creators of the breed. These dogs tend to shed their coat since they are more closely related to the Labrador and often have a wire hair or feathered look to them. F2 would be two F1 bred together and there can be quite a variation in coats. These dogs have not had the multiple generations of Labradoodle mated with another Labradoodle nor the addition of Australian Labradoodle foundation stock or multiple parent breeds. They are often developed to bring new bloodlines into the breed and bred into the mulit-gen lines. Welcome to the home of Jajaca Australian Labradoodles. They are incredibly fun loving, loyal and intelligent with a brilliant temperament to match. These attributes make for the perfect family companion! I have owned dogs all my life, but ran into many dramas with allergies and health concerns with my then young family. After researching the Australian Labradoodle and what the breed represents, I realised that the Australian Labradoodle was everything I was looking for. Fast forward 15 years, my daughter Cassidy, my adopted sister Nicola and I feel nothing but gratitude to be able to provide our families with the quality Labradoodles I was searching for many years ago. I am so fortunate to have been given encouragement and total support from all members of the ALA, who share their knowledge and wisdom for the betterment of the breed. All these years later and I am still totally hooked, assisting to mentor new ALA Breeders, and finding I am more in love with this breed than I ever thought possible. We are and will remain a dedicated breeder bringing up our babies in our family environment free of kennels. All our girls and boys live with loving families locally and nearby, where they are raised with rules, boundaries and discipline and loved unconditionally by their families. Our breeding girls and boys family has grown wonderfully in the last 17 years. We currently have some stunning girls and boys we are very proud of and some youngsters waiting to mature who will continue Jajaca into the forseeable future. Please visit their photo albums to check them and their breeding statistics out. They were precious, valued members of our family, the girls that started Jajaca and though we miss them everyday, their memory reminds us of why we do what we do, to share the joy they brought us with other families. Blaise beauty, Harper and Jajaca Jaycee are all now additions to our family group. Our focus as a breeder has been and will continue to be to offer quality, sound, healthy dogs as genuine family companions and never compromise the wonderful qualities of the breed. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any enquiries regarding this truly magnificent breed or ask about our upcoming litters. We hope that you enjoy browsing our site! Like both their parents, these dogs are smart, friendly and fairly active. Can we meet in person? Have they been socialised? They are highly intelligent, super friendly and easy to train. We have a perfect litter of 5 Labradoodle pups. Both parents have been DNA tested and cleared of any genetic diseases. Mum is our much loved family dog. Dad is a handsome stud red moyen poodle. They will be low shedding and roughly labrador height or smaller. They have been raised in a country family environment in the beautiful Macedon Ranges. They are also crate trained and have started toilet training. The have grown up with children playing with them, 3 adult dogs and already use a doggy door. Our puppies are lovingly raised by our family as well as their mums up to the day they leave for their new forever homes. Puppies will be vet health checked, vaccinated and microchipped at 6 weeks of age. They have been wormed regularly. We can also assist with interstate travel arrangement if required. Will not reply to generic messages. Don't message me wanting me to email you. Mature kilos. References available. Video calls welcomed. Pictures of pups, siblings. Microchipped and vaccinated. She's such a pleasure and has brought me so much joy so far. I've had smart dogs b4 like a Belgian shephard and a border collie, but she is the most intelligent dog by far. You did such a fantastic job and have her the best start in life and it really shows how much time and love you put into your puppies. So thank you for that. I'm so grateful for her. She loves to play indoor soccer and dance with me that's with two legs! He loves to fetch, find and jump. They are my pets. Both DNA tested and cleared of genetic diseases by Orivet. Results are available. Puppies are wormed at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks, and then monthly. They are raised indoor. They will grow up to be large dogs between kg, cm tall. They are playful, affectionate, friendly, loyal, and intelligent. Crate and potty mat training commenced at 3 weeks old. At 7 weeks old, they have learnt to sit and wait for me to say "eat". They receive daily hugs and kisses, and physical and mental stimulations. Fed Advance or Black Hawk kibble. Fleece coat with low shedding. Coat colour may change as they age. Each come with a toy, blanket, and a bag of kibble. Please call only. Happy to do Facetime, Google Meet, or Zoom. Hau Labradoodle puppies for sale I have seven F1 Labradoodle puppies looking for their forever homes. Labradoodle puppies are a great option for those who suffer from allergies as they shed much less hair than most other dogs. DOB: 16th June puppies will be ready to go to new homes from 12th August, Both parents have had full breed specific DNA testing through Orivet and are cleared for passing on any congenital conditions. Reports are avaliable upon request. Dad, a Standard Poodle weighs approx. Puppies are expected to reach somewhere in between once fully grown. Girls will be on the smaller side. Mum and Dad are family pets and are available for viewing upon request. Happy to assist with pet transport interstate if required additional charges apply Please contact me to arrange a time to come and meet these beautiful treasures. I am a member of the Responsible Pet Breeders Australia-my membership number is .Our puppies have non shedding and allergy friendly coats that are easy care for. Please phone send me a message or email discholl icloud. We are happy ,playful healthy dogs,we are family dogs ,very friendly and easy to train due to blood line of Labrador in the breed. I want to make sure these puppies are going to good family home where they will be treated like family member. For more information please contact me and we can organise to inspect the dogs. Both parents are Orivet-tested F1 Labradoodles clear of genetic diseases - affectionate, intelligent, loyal and active family pets both looove playing fetch and weigh just under 18kg. They also share life with a 10yo Rhodesian Ridgeback. The pups are well socialised already and accustomed to all the usual happenings around the home mowing, blower, etc and other dogs. Non-shedding, sweet and playful! Mother is a Labradoodle, father is a Groodle. Standard size between kg. Both male and female pups are still available. Bred in our family home, lots of love, cuddles, and playtime. All puppies will have had de-worming, microchipping, and vaccinations up to date. Looking for loving families, price negotiable to a suitable home. Laura Cooper Gojo I was gifted a this puppy but due to how busy I am, I would like to find him a new home that will care for him and give him the attention he deserves. I will provide the toys, lead and collar I have already brought him Sebastian Brown Double Doodle Groodle x Labradoodle pups 8 weeks Boho Oodles has 2 beautiful Double Doodle Groodle x Labradoodle female puppies ready for their fur-ever homes. They can be collected from Brisbane or transported interstate additional cost. She is very sweet and affectionate and would be great for a family with small children or someone looking for a companion. She will be ready for her home mid Sept after she has completed 28 days of puppy training. Please enquire if you'd like more information on what it means to be a Boho Guardian family. Looking for forever home. Fun loving family pet great with kids. Minimum shedding. They have been microchipped and vet checked. Vaccinated and wormed every 2 weeks since birth. Will grow to aprox 15kg. Looking for family home with lots of cuddles. Great loyal companion dogs. Mum is a pure chocolate Labrador and Dad is a pure black standard poodle. Well socialised at home with children, being handled daily. Toileting on puppy pads. They are all vet checked and are in good health. Located in Burpengary, also happy to help with transport. Unlike a multigen, F1 Is the initial cross between a purebred labrador and purebred poodle. F1 labradoodles are usually a low shedding dog. Our dogs: Mabel, our beautiful Dam, is a purebred golden labrador with a loyal, loving and gentle temperament. He boasts gorgeous parti colouring and a sweet and beautiful temperament. Puppies will be medium sized dogs. Available puppies: 1. Black boy 3. Chocolate boy 5. Black boy 7. Black boy Inclusions: Microchipped, wormed, vaccinated. Soft toy, Australian made collar by Native Collars, natural fibre blanket. Puppy growth history and vet report, puppy rearing information. Meet and greet from 4 weeks of age. Mable is a special part of our family and these puppies are handled daily, well socialised and loved. They will be weaned and ready for their new homes on Friday 7th July. Meet and greet available from 8th June. Our puppies will not be desexed. We choose not to desex until 9 months of age due to the important role that hormone production plays in the long term health of a dog. It is our recommendation that you consult your vet to discuss appropriate timing. We are looking for loving, forever homes for these precious pups, matching the puppies personality to you, as they will become part of your family. Please send us a message telling us about yourself and we will be happy to answer any questions. Mum has also been hip and elbow scored. Available in the litter are : 1 x chocolate female, 1 x black male3 x black females. Our puppies are well socialised and handled extensively every day to ensure they make great family members. Pups will be microchipped and vaccinated, as well as flea and worm treated. They will come with a Puppy food pack as well as 6 weeks free Pet Insurance. Ready to go from 17 June. Pickup is in Mudgee NSW, puppies can be transported across Australia through jet pets or I can meet in a surrounding suburb close to Mudgee. Litter of seven large medium to standard size black Cobberdog Labradoodle puppies, as per photos. Remaining pups are ready to go NOW! They were microchipped, vaccinated and health checked including full physical by our vet on .If you believe you can provide a wonderful forever home for one of these beautiful puppies, please message with your email contact details and we'll send you an application form. Application forms need to be completed in full in order for you to be considered. Mum and Dad are our forever pets; we are not in the dog breeding industry. Dad has since been desexed and Mum will be as soon as pups are fully weaned, therefore this is a one and only opportunity to share your home with one of these stunning babies. The pups are being sold as pets only and a desexing contract will be required. They are expected to have fleece coats and mature around 8 - 15kg. Mum is a black labrador and dad is a 5kg black and white parti poodle who carries the dominant curly coat gene which he passes to his pups. We've sourced our dogs from all over Australia, tested their DNA and conduct regular vet testing. We take breeding healthy pups really seriously and spend all our time making sure both pups and parents have the best environment possible. You are welcome to visit and meet the pups or they can be delivered to Canberra airport for interstate travel if required airflight to be organised by buyer. We are an experienced breeder with over 15 yrs of breeding experience. We are also a vet audited member of RPBA which means we have passed very strict and comprehensive criteria for the care of our animals. Our dogs are part of our family. There are lots of pictures on their to show what these pups' siblings have looked like when grown up - We are very proud grandparents! We have medium and small second generation girls and boys. Colours available are red, black and two-toned phantom. Puppies coats will be fleece or wool. Minimal shedding and hypoallergenic. They will go to their new homes vet checked, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and with a puppy pack. We are located in Port Stephens which is 30 minutes from Newcastle or 90 minutes from Sydney. Please contact us to arrange a visit or FaceTime for interstate buyers. They will be toilet trained on artificial grass. Labradoodles are great for living indoors or outdoors and are very low shedding. They come with a puppy pack including toys, puppy food, blanket with mums scent on it for an easier transition into its new home etc. Will also been socialised with people and other pets to help them with social skills and playtime. We live on 5 acres and have lots of room for parents and puppies to run around and play I can help with organising interstate transport and we do video calls to help you find your perfect furbaby. We are looking for loving homes for our gorgeous puppies where they will get the attention, love and training they need. Please feel free to call or message me for more information, or if you would like addition pictures. We take great pride in producing and providing high quality puppies for families looking for their new furbaby. We are situated on 5 acres and have lots of room for our dogs and puppies to run around amd grow up in. Puppies are all socialised with people and our other pets and different noises to help them adapt to this new world they live in. We offer 6 weeks free Pet Insurance, desexing voucher and a 12 months genetic health guarantee. These puppies will be medium size with very low shedding, this makes them great for any family and also great for indoors. They suit any type of family, older families and even families with younger children. The great thing about Bordoodles is that they can be out and about walking and exercising with you or they are happy to chill out at home. They are the perfect family member. They will be toilet trained on artificial grass and they will come with a puppy pack including toys, food, blanket with mums scent on it for an easier transition into their new loving homes and other goodies. We are happy to do personal viewings or video calls and for interstate buyers we can also help you organise transport with our breeders discount. Viewings for prospective forever homes will be conducted at our home when puppies are 4 weeks old. Puppies will be vet checked , vaccinated , wormed and microchipped before going to their new homes. Pups will be weaned onto Blackhawk premium puppy food. They are bought up in our home around humans, cats and general household noises. Pups are wormed, vaccinated and microchipped and will come with a puppy pack. Book your appointment for a visit now.

The Yorkshire Terrier is an intelligent, lively terrier who can sometimes forget they are a small dog! Constantly on the go, they will want to be a part of everything their owner does. The Poodle is a lively, sociable, outgoing and affectionate dog who is both intelligent and amusing, and makes a wonderful and fun companion. They love to be included in all family pursuits and can be good watch dogs, announcing visitors loudly! Both the Toy and the Miniature Poodles are very clever, trainable dogs and enjoy learning new skills, games and tricks. The resulting Yorkipoo will usually inherit these traits. So you can expect a small companion dog who will enjoy training and games, especially terrier-type tugging, ripping and possibly digging games. The personality of a Yorkipoo seems to be more consistent when they are first crosses F1. As a line is successively bred, they can be either bred back to one of the original breeds and so strengthen either the terrier or the Poodle personalities or be bred to another Yorkipoo - in which case there is less predictability in temperament and in-breeding becomes more of a potential issue. Responsible breeders should be prioritising behaviour as highly as health and so it is important to find a good breeder. A well-bred Yorkipoo should be outgoing and confident, not nervous, shy or aggressive. To understand more about the origin of the breed requires an understanding of the two breeds that go into the formation of the Yorkipoo. These 'Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers,' interbred with local small terriers to provide a Northern ratter working dog who quickly become popular as a very effective factory and mining vermin-killer. After further breeds were used to perfect this terrier such as the Manchester Terrier or the Maltese , it was first shown as the Scotch Terrier in , before it became known as Yorkshire Terrier and recognised by the Kennel Club in .While the breed was a working ratter, the Yorkshire Terrier soon became popular with wealthy ladies as a companion and this popularity led to selective breeding to make them even smaller. Interestingly while the dog got smaller, their coat length stayed virtually the same - hence the long coats that can still be seen on show dogs. These smaller Poodles quickly became popular and many found work in circuses thanks to their ability to learn new tricks. The Yorkipoo can have any combination of the two breeds in their appearance, behaviour and temperament. Ideal Owner The Yorkipoo would suit an owner or a family with older sensible children. They can be noisy dogs as both Poodles and Yorkies have a lot to say for themselves. They do not like to be left alone and so would need an owner who is either at home most of the time or can take their dog with them wherever they go. Health and Common Issues Crossbreeds aim to dilute or eliminate any inherited health issues that may exist within one or other of the breeds. This dilution or elimination is likely in two cases: if only one parent is the carrier of any particular condition and where this is a first cross F1. Separation related behaviour problems are common in the Yorkipoo, but thankfully they are small enough to pretty much go anywhere with their owner. The Yorkipoo can be a bit of a barker - especially if bored or if left alone. Without this exercise they can get bored, noisy and possibly destructive. Cross breeding for Spoodles helps to reduce the probability of the health problems associated with each parent breed. We now only breed using the Miniature poodle as have noticed too many health and temperament issues when using the Toy poodle, they were too yappy and more prone to dental problems and luxating patellas. The Standard Poodle cross was just too big to suit most families. The characteristics of these breeds produce a temperament perfectly suited to families and individuals. Our parent dogs have superior dispositions, and are good with children. Pups are socialized at a young age and with your loving care and positive reinforcement training; will become wonderful adults also. I own all my adult breeding dogs, they are our family and enjoy a full and happy farm life. All of my adult dogs are registered and annually vet checked and eye tested. Only happy healthy dogs that are kid friendly are ever bred. We are privileged to have some wonderful pedigree lines in our parent dogs, all have been well researched before becoming part of the Hallmark clan. The Spoodle have a keen intelligence, a wonderful disposition, and, as long as taken care of properly, will live a long life of 15 to 20 years. They have little to no dander or shedding, and are thus sought after for their hypoallergenic traits. Health Checks All pups are vaccinated and vet checked by our Vet, and together with a seven day health guarantee from us. You will get a puppy pack to help you and your puppy settle into your new lifestyle on the right foot. We offer a lifetime support to all pups that leave here, we are happy to discuss any issues with you on an ongoing basis for the future wellbeing of your puppy. Transport Prices for all pups are available on request and we are happy to discuss with you options for ensuring you can secure the puppy of your choice. If you have any queries about any information given above, please contact us. A huge part of the oodle appeal is the fact they are lowshedding and therefore less allergenic than other dogs. The Spinoff spoke to half a dozen oodle owners, several of whom chose their beloved oodles for their allergy-friendly coats, commonly fleece or wool. And he doesn't drop hair, so we can have a pet but we don't have to deal with hair everywhere. The non-shedding was really important to me. The trade-off is that oodles come with high-maintenance grooming needs. Maltese are anti-allergenic. Poodles are anti-allergenic. Bichons are anti-allergenic. She picks up the phone after a busy morning — she has just farewelled one of her puppies to a delighted family, and the feeling is bittersweet. Still, she has plenty to keep her busy — Lomas has 21 labradoodle puppies in her care in Christchurch, and every single one is set to go to a new home across Aotearoa in the next few days. Lomas first encountered the labradoodle when she adopted one of her own, back in Australia in .Enlisting a mentor back in Australia — who, incidentally, wrote the code of ethics for the Australian Labradoodle Association — Lomas began to learn the nuances of breeding from the experts and started her business Labradoodle Lovers. That includes performing a series of rigorous tests on every breeding dog, including DNA profiles to identify any underlying genetic disorders that may be passed on, hip and elbow x-rays to check for dysplasia, and temperament assessment by an independent vet. Lomas works closely with a reproductive specialist in Christchurch, and gets together with a group of labradoodle breeders on Zoom once a month. It's a lot of work, but she loves it. I love breeding healthy puppies and seeing the happiness on the families' faces. The soaring price tag on oodle cross-breeds has led to a rise in "backyard breeders" — people who play fast and loose with both genes and breeding conditions. Anderson has seen the worst of it — cross-breeds that are heavily pregnant and heavily matted, some with gnarled feet turned the wrong way, and others suffering debilitating skin problems because of genetic factors. These problems can arise with pure-breds as well, but if you've got proper testing then they should be identified early. Lomas is similarly worried about backyard breeders, and says the lack of breeding regulation has created a "scary situation" for consumers and animals alike. Organisations like Dogs NZ have a strict breeder code of conduct, but only allow pedigree breeders on their books, which means that cross-breeders are not held to any sort of industry standard. Dogs NZ's Steven Thompson says the only two options that currently exist for people with concerns are the Animal Welfare Act, which imposes standards on the treatment of animals, and the Dog Control Act, which local government operates under. Anderson says she used to get regular phone calls from people asking about particular breeds and their grooming needs before they brought a dog into their family. Ideally, before you make a purchase decision, you want to develop a relationship with a breeder. Talk to the breeder, ask to be put in touch with other puppy owners from that breeder — if they won't match you up, that's suspicious. Whether you are looking at a cavoodle, a spoodle or a groodle, the same research applies. Those are the three essentials. The mixed-breed oodle has become the dog of the pandemic. An Australian pet insurer said more policies were taken out for cavoodles than any other breed last year and the year before. Several of the people spoken to for this story got their oodles just before the beginning of the pandemic, if not during it. Another saw the closed borders as a chance to finally bring an oodle home. A cavoodle owner in her 60s says they are the perfect size — "not too small and yappy, but not too big and muscly that they could run off with you. You must have got that around '. Animates' purpose is to make our world a better place through the love of pets. It's your one-stop shop for all your pet's needs, including vet services, grooming, DIY dog washes and catteries. Click here to learn more. They come on bush walks, kayaks, beach fun, river splashes, town visits and cafe trips. Our beautiful dogs are our close family friends, given love and encouragement every day which gives them sound mental health and confident qualities for breeding perfect puppies. Well socialised parents of pups make a huge difference to the confidence and mind health of your future furbaby. I have raised the parents of your puppies, from a puppy themselves. In some rare cases, I have chosen a stud for my girl which I would intend to keep a puppy from. Raising the parents of your puppy in a positive environment plays a huge part in the trust and confidence your puppy has; setting them up with a lifelong skill of trust in human companionship. At Bellawai Dogs we understand that it is a huge commitment to breed happy, healthy dogs. Your puppy is born inside our home in a comfortable room right next to our bedroom and lounge. For the first two weeks hubby and I take turns sleeping in with the Mummy dog and the puppies. Taking four-hourly sleepless shifts so we are awake and on-hand for help and support to our girl and your puppy 24 hours a day. Just like a nurse and midwife I call it a midwoof! Because of Simon and my interaction, along with our young adults, teen and four year old children; your puppy is confident with men, women and children when they come to you. We get to know each fluffy furbaby personally from the moment they are born as I assist with delivery. Whelping support to the puppies and our girl for up to 10 hours as each precious bundle is born. I am able to put the time and effort into starting each puppy on the right foot by your fluffy friend being handled from the moment it is born. Assisting he or she with their first breaths and supporting them to breastfeed from their Mummy straight away. This greatly reduces the stress hormones of your puppy and forms an immediate trust bond with humans, which gives a wonderful start to life with people. We only breed one litter at a time with due dates far apart so none of our girls have the pressure of their time shared with us in this important head start for your furbaby. All Bellawai, Goldendoodle puppies are started with open crate training at 3 weeks old so they feel safe with a den. This makes following on with closed crate training easier for you as a crate space is familiar. Clicker and voice training begins at 6 weeks old. Your puppy learns to sit and recall-follow. Each of our clients receives three training videos of myself and puppies from previous litters. These videos will be made available to you prior to receiving your puppy so you have time to watch and learn techniques they have already learned. To help with your bonding you will find loads of progress photos on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We encourage you to stay in touch with us for the life of your dog we have bred so we are able to offer further help and ongoing support. Goldendoodles have a long history of smarts and loyalty. In Monika Dickens great granddaughter of Charles Dickens crossed a Golden Retriever with a Standard Poodle to gain a family focused dog with the gentle nature of the Golden Retriever and the clever smarts of the Poodle. Goldendoodles also called Retradoodles, Groodles have amazing qualities of wanting to be with you and give you love and companionship. They adore humans and are regularly used as assistance dogs because of their giant hearts and loyalty that is inherent in both very clever breeds. My first Goldendoodle, Polly was fun and clever with a nature as golden as the sun. I am happy to help you choose a breed match for your family. My breeding program is boutique in size, so we only have several litters a year in total. This means there are not puppies available all the time. I always know when my girls are expecting their next litter and with which dog is their stud. I breed first and second generation Goldendoodles. This parentage gives a wool curly coat rather than the traditional wavy surfy look with a beard and moustache. We do this initially online, followed by a chat via video or phone call. This way you can order your puppy ahead of time, depending on the fur type you require. To find out more please contact me. She is so clever, your toilet training and commands have been so helpful. He has the most gentle temperament and has been really easy to train. A lot of this can be attributed to Maria and the work she does with her pups before they go to their forever homes. If you are looking to add a new addition to the family then Bellawai Dogs should be your top pick. Beautiful natured dogs and stunning too!

June 2, Samantha Johnson Newborn Puppy Care Week by Week If you're raising puppies, it doesn't get more exciting than the moments after delivery when you finally get a chance to meet the new litter. How many puppies are there? What colors are they? How many males or females? It's a heartwarming time as the mother dog forms a bond with her new puppies. Even if you have a healthy mother dog that loves her litter, you'll still be involved with newborn puppy care week by week. Here's a rundown of some things you want to keep in mind. Raising puppies is hard work, but thankfully you don't have to do it alone! The mother dog is your partner in this task, and your role this week will be an "overseer" and someone to contribute in areas the mother can't manage, like weighing the puppies and deworming them. Are the puppies nursing? Newborn puppies receive all of their nutrition from their mother's milk, so it's very important to make sure each puppy is nursing properly. Another key factor is the colostrum the puppies receive from the milk, which contains important antibodies to protect the puppies during these early stages of life. In this instance, the mother dog will take care of deciding when to feed the puppies. In the event of a serious problem, you'll need to take over bottle feeding the puppies with the aid of a newborn puppy feeding chart. Weigh the puppies. Keep an eye on your puppies' weight gain by weighing them every day. You should see a steady increase each day and you can expect each puppy to double its birth weight by the time they are seven to 10 days old. Keep the puppies warm! Newborn puppies are still developing and aren't able to regulate their body temperatures effectively. They receive some protection from their mother's body heat, but it's possible your new mother dog doesn't spend all her time with the puppies in the whelping box. After all, she's used to life with her family, and she may not want to have her daily routine entirely disrupted by her puppies. This is fine, except the puppies may need a heat source when she isn't around. Once the puppies are older after their eyes are open and they can move around easily you can fill that need by providing the puppies with a puppy-safe heated pad designed to provide warmth without getting too hot. Heat lamps are also sometimes used to heat the general puppy area, but talk to your veterinarian first. Keep the whelping box clean. You want to regularly change the bedding and absorbent pads and frequently clean the whelping box over the next several weeks. Get a vet check. You may wish to have your veterinarian evaluate your puppies and their mother shortly after birth to ensure everyone is doing well. Keep an eye on their eyes. Puppies generally start to open their eyes at about this time. If they don't, you probably should have a veterinarian take a look and possibly help assist the puppies by manually opening their eyes. At all times, be on the lookout for any kind of eye discharge or other signs of infection. Watch their weight. Continue to weigh the puppies each day during week two to ensure everyone is steadily gaining weight. Start deworming. Under your veterinarian's guidance, the puppies should receive their first deworming treatment at about two weeks of age. By about three weeks of age, you can—and should! Once the puppies have their eyes open, you can try carefully picking them up, holding them for a bit, and placing them back in the box. It's just a tiny, early step towards socializing them with people. Watch them grow strong. Always keep an eye on the puppies' health and physical growth progression. By three weeks, they might try to explore more of their environment. Continue to monitor their weight by weighing the puppies every three to seven days. Lower the heat again. The puppies' ability to regulate their body temperature is improving. Offer water. Your three-week-old puppies might begin to show an interest in a water dish. Place a shallow, puppy-safe bowl in the whelping box and see if they experiment with it. Some experts recommend trying a mixture of water and puppy formula in the water bowl. Always keep a close eye on your litter's physical growth and behavior. Are they advancing properly? Are they starting to walk? The puppies are growing up fast; you can lower the whelping box temperature down to a normal room temperature. Bring on the solid food. Well, not too solid at first, but more substantial than their mother's milk. Introduce soft foods slowly, then transition to solid foods. Pups are really starting to be on the move now. They might start to venture a little further away from their littermates and think they're pretty independent. Introduce more solid foods. The puppies will gradually eat more solid food as the mother dog naturally slows the frequency of nursing. When your puppies are six to eight weeks old, it's time for their first vaccinations. The specific vaccines given at each visit may vary slightly depending on your region and the specifics of your puppies' lifestyle. Additional vaccinations will be needed after ten weeks and in the coming months. Register the puppies. If your puppies are purebred, now's the time to register them. They'll be so impressed with their papers! Not those papers! Wean the puppies. By this time, the weaning process that began around week four will be completed. Have a heart! You can help ease the transition away from the mother and littermates by offering each puppy a pillow that mimics the sounds of their mother's heartbeat. It's a reassuring sound that will help them feel relaxed in their new home. You can also mimic the warmth of their mother's body heat with a heated heartbeat puppy bed or give them that same warm coziness with a heated heartbeat crate pad. Say goodbye. After eight weeks, members of the litter often leave home to join their new families. The week-by-week care of newborn puppies is a lot of work, but there is a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment in the process as well. Aaron, Marc. Williams, Krista. VCA Hospitals. Jamieson, Amy. Whelping means the process where a female dog gives birth to puppies. And a whelping box is a container or box designed to keep the puppies safe and warm. Having a whelping box makes it convenient for the mother to give birth comfortably. Female dogs are very protective of their puppies. Hence the nesting box offers a sense of security. Female dogs need assistance and a safe place to give birth. Hence, a whelping pen would be of great help. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to get a box or make it yourself. For a small dog like Pomeranian, you can convert a large card box into a whelping pen. You can put your creativity into the process and make a nesting box for your dog. If your dog is big, she might probably give birth to a large number of puppies. Hence, the size of the box should be large enough to fit the puppies and the mother. Furthermore, you can get the box from a pet store if creativity and DIY are not your forte. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider: The sides of the pen should be high enough that can keep the puppies safe for three weeks. Also, make sure that the mother can move to and fro freely. The size of the pen should be spacious enough for your dog and puppies. It should have enough space where the mother can feed her pups comfortably. In addition, it should allow them to move freely. It will help to keep the pups warm when the mom is not around. These are the factors that you need to consider while getting a nesting box. It helps the mother and the pups in the long run. You would notice the growth within the first few weeks. They can move and stand up over the sides of the whelping pen. By three weeks, they become mobile and able to move towards the edge of the nesting box. However, before it reaches that stage, you should take care of it diligently. Some pups would go astray and get lost. Hence, getting a box with proper height is essential. Sometimes the mother has to go out of the box for a nature call or food. The box offers a sense of security both to the dog owner and the mother. When the puppies are born, they have no control over their body temperature. So, while the mom is out, the box will keep them warm. However, you have to make sure that the bottom of the box is covered with a soft blanket. By three weeks, they will start moving, and some puppies might even get out of the box. So, the real chaos begins when they reach three weeks. It would be best if you were more careful than ever. How to Keep the Nesting Box Clean? Taking care of puppies can be quite tiring. Once the puppies are born safely in the box, it would be better to change the sheet or the beddings. The mother will take care of it. However, from the second to the third week, the real work starts. It will help if you make sure that the box is clean. While cleaning the box, you can keep the pups temporarily in a warm blanket. You need to replace the sheet or newspaper at least twice or thrice per day. However, keeping the box clean prevents the puppies from possible bacterial infections. It also helps to keep the puppies clean. You should see that the nesting box is clean and dry. So, like a responsible dog owner , make sure that the box is clean and warm. Changing the Whelping Box to Other Areas Once the puppies have passed the first week, you place the box in other areas. It will help them to get used to the new smell and sounds. However, make sure that the place is quiet and warm. Some kids would like to hold the pups, which would be too early and maybe dangerous. During the first two weeks, puppies are pretty delicate. So, it would be best to keep far away from children. The first three weeks are a crucial moment for you and the pups. The puppies are in their developing stage, and they need a quiet and calm environment to grow. So, you should make sure that puppies are kept safe and warm. They would be too young to take the regular food and would cause indigestion. But you can keep water for the mother. They get very thirsty while taking care of the puppies. She requires good protein and energy to keep the pups fed through her milk. You can place the food in the water once they can move or walk. However, make sure that the food is easily digestible. Also, puppies tend to eat food without a limit. So, you should give the food moderately. Overeating can cause indigestion and vomiting. Hence, it would help if you were careful not to overfeed them. It offers a sense of security to the mother and the dog owners as well. Having a nesting box helps to keep the puppies from going astray. The first three weeks are crucial for the puppies to grow and develop healthily. Having the right size of the whelping box can help both the puppies and the mother move freely. It allows the mother to breastfeed the puppies comfortably. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to arrange a whelping box. It offers safety and assurance to both the mother and puppies. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. A whelping box is an important item to have when puppies are about to be born. You can construct something yourself or buy a specifically designed boxes from pet stores. When can puppies leave the whelping box? Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old. At this age, puppies can move out of the whelping box as they become more mobile. Puppies can stand up and even climb out of the whelping box nest. At this age, puppies start to explore outside of their nest, to find out more about the wide and exciting world around them. Well, I can tell you that a whelping box will help you and the mother cope better with a horde of tiny puppies in their first few weeks. What is a whelping box? Also known as a nest or whelping pen, the whelping box is a container designed to keep the newborn litter in one safe and cozy place. The mother also likes to have a place where she can give birth to her puppies in comfort while having a sense of security. Whelping means to give birth hence the name of the box. It should be placed in a quiet part of the house and set up a couple of weeks before your dog gives birth. This gives her time to get familiar with the box. Image via Pixabay. What can I use as a whelping box? If your dog is a little girl, you could convert a large, sturdy cardboard box into a nesting box. You can make your own if carpentry is your hobby or you could go to the local pet store and buy a whelping box. What to look out for when picking a whelping box You need to make sure you pick a whelping box that takes into consideration the following factors: The sides are high enough to keep the puppies safely contained in their first 3 weeks but low enough for the mother to move in and out freely. The size is big enough to accommodate all the puppies being born. The bottom of the box may come with whelping pads or you can simply line it with newspapers and a soft blanket. Some breeders will use wood shavings to cover the floor of the box. Some whelping boxes come with an extension which is great for more active puppies who are still too young to leave the pen but are moving around quite a bit. Picking the right whelping box goes a long way to keeping mum and pups comfortable and secure. When is the right age for puppies to leave the whelping box? Puppies develop and mature very quickly in their first few weeks. A whelping box is designed to keep the newborn puppies safe, warm, and comfortable. Keeping the puppies in one place and even using a heat lamp will help keep them warm. And, when the mother needs time out, she can leave the box and get some space knowing her pups are all safe in one spot. A whelping box gives you peace of mind your puppies are well-protected, staying warm, and not disappearing once they start crawling. But be ready for the exodus once they reach 3 weeks old and might start walking! How do I keep the whelping box clean? If your dog gave birth to the puppies in the whelping box, you would need to change the bedding once all the puppies are safely delivered. Keep them warm with a blanket. Use a non-chemical cleaning detergent and warm water to wash out the box. Remove any dirty bedding and replace with clean blankets, newspapers or wood shavings. Some breeders do put in a litter box for puppies once they start crawling. This could be the first step to house training your pups. Do regular inspections throughout the day to make sure the whelping box is always dry and clean. Can I move the whelping box to other areas? Once your puppies have passed their first week, you could consider moving them to different areas in the house. But remember, you need to keep them warm so make sure there are no draughts and the puppies are not too intimidated by the new environment. Be careful also with handling newborn puppies when moving them. For the first 3 weeks, the puppies are small, developing, and can be easily disturbed by too much activity around them. Do I need to put food and water in the whelping box? The puppies will be drinking milk from their mother for the first 3 to 4 weeks, before moving onto water. For the first 3 weeks, you could keep a bowl of water in the box for the mother. She will be very thirsty while nurturing her puppies. However, once the puppies start becoming mobile keep both the water and food outside the box. Conclusion Get ready for a whole lot of fun, but also stress. She will take them no doubt but being able to help just a little with whelping boxes, nesting, and more will make it so much easier for you. You might also like…. During that first three weeks we weigh the puppies daily, trim their toenails every days, and put new collars on them every days as their growth is so rapid. The standard puppies are weighed on a regular digital scale and should gain an ounce a day at first and then up to ounces daily, whereas miniature puppies gain in a tenth of an ounce to start with and then an ounce or two a day. Jenny with litter at birth in 4' x 4' whelping box with lots of absorbent padding. Tasy in her "birthing bed" with the first three pups of the TS5 litter "Tasy" moves into her "doll crib" after the puppies are born - shown here at 3 weeks of age. We find it essential that the dam have food and water inside her whelping box the first week, however once she is willing to leave the box for short periods of time it can be set just outside the box, otherwise she will not eat and drink enough to provide all the milk needed for the puppies well being, and if you are not supplementing with goats milk, your puppies can suffer from dehydration. The standard dam has to produce almost two gallons of milk a day by the time a litter of puppies is two weeks of age. That's twice the amount a good dairy goat gives, who is at least double the dam's body weight. We find that goat milk, canned or fresh, is a much better supplement than the commercial formulas, as we have better weight gains and hardly ever have diarrhea in our puppies. If you have more than 8 puppies it is also essential that the dam's tail area and vulva be washed each time she goes out to go, as since there are not enough teats to go around there will always be a puppy trying to latch onto the vulva. The puppies can pick up bacteria and worm eggs, and a one celled organism called coccidiosis in this way which can lead to diarrhea. Mandy with AM3 Litter x Sterling at 1 week old. We practice what we call "giving the puppies an opportunity to learn" as a puppy raising method. We whelp the puppies in one corner of the living room where we have easy access to the box. We have found that moving the whelping box or puppy pen set-up on a weekly basis exposes the puppies to new scents and air currents and increases their adaptability and development by about two weeks, especially compared to puppies who are raised in the same corner until they go to their new homes. This is the first stage of their house breaking. Within hours the smartest puppies of the litter, barely able to crawl, will crawl out to use the paper and then crawl back into the whelping box. Within a few days the entire litter will usually be using the paper. Supplementing the puppies these first weeks gives us a good chance to play with the puppies feet, and get them used to their faces being handled for grooming, however even when we don't supplement we take time daily to handle every puppy and get them used to different textures, smells, and having their feet, faces, ears and tails handled. At three weeks of age when the ears open we start their cereal feeding, and use a soft clap with a "come, babies" command each time they are fed. This leads to the next step in the transition of removing the second box and the addition of a paper lined exercise pen to the whelping box at four weeks of age. At this time we start walking the puppies outside about every two hours from AM to PM. During this time ,the 4th-5th week, we teach them some basic commands - "in", "out", "potty outside", "walk", "watch", and continuing with their "come" command. Once they have understanding of these basic commands we then take them out to an outside play yard, regardless of the weather. It's really important to have this set-up close to an outside door if possible, or to use sections of an exercise pen to make an aisleway directly outdoors. Puppies can be carried outdoors, however their "potty outside" is learned much faster if they walk out the door in tune to the "out" command and the "potty outside" command at the same time. Usually within two days my standard puppies have quit having messes on the paper and are actually asking to go "out" - often at AM at this stage, and I do get up to accommodate them as this speeds their training amazingly, and I have a lot less mess to deal with - and less dirty crates when that time comes along. You can see that I do sleep within hearing of the puppies - usually until those we are continuing training with for their new families are weeks old. TS5 Miniature Litter - 2nd day of cereal feeding and 1st trip outside to the "big" world. We also start the grooming training at 4 weeks of age - starting with a bath with a soft water spray in a utility tub, and using a soft flow warm air dryer and a slicker brush - brushing the coat up the body toward the head, and up the legs toward the back as it dries. We always groom on a table, or the washer or dryer, or a counter - this is essential in getting the puppies used to being groomed on a grooming table and getting over any tendency toward the fear of heights. We cuddle them in our arms on the table to help them feel loved and secure, and to build their confidence level. We try to take pictures at birth, day old individual pictures, then every week thereafter for their new families, and for our albums. We also try to take litter shots as well at the various stages. I find that special touches add a lot of enjoyment, both for us raising the puppies, and for our families who are kept in the "link" of their puppy growing from infancy to toddler weeks. A Tasy x Promise Puppy before his first grooming and after his first grooming. My, oh my, what a difference!! We also start the worming program at four weeks of age - and this is really essential if you occasionally have a puppy that coughs after feeding, or vomits back up milk or cereal. Round worms are the one type of worm that the puppies can get in utero, and they grow as fast as the puppies. A heavy case of worms can often mimic other serious conditions in young puppies. It is also essential to use a low dosage of wormer in cases of heavy infestation, and at times give the puppy a few drops of oil by mouth, and possibly even an enema with a few drops of oil to help pass the worms. We use pyrantel pamoate for our first series of wormings. It is essential to worm every days until no worms are seen - these worms look like spaghetti - and once you see a litter of puppies pass them you never forget them. The wormer works in about six hours and is very effective. We have a computer generated health record that we complete on each puppy, and note all the worming's on it and on the litter weight records as well. Once the worming has been done, and if the teeth are coming in on the entire litter we start adding softened and mashed with potato masher kibble to the puppies cereal mixture - gradually reducing the rice baby cereal. During the next two weeks we gradually start adding cooked rice, cooked oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, ground apple and carrot, and a supplement Green Vibrance which has microbials in it to their soft feed. As soon as the puppies are able to eat dry kibble well and not just play with it we gradually reduce the soft feedings to AM and PM. The puppies often prefer dry kibble during times of heavy teething, however dry kibble no matter how well promoted does not meet all of their nutritional needs. Also the more organically chemical, steroid, and low grade antibiotic free a puppy can be fed, the better for its health and longevity. We keep our puppies on microbials their whole life as this keeps their intestinal system in optimal health - they absorb more nutrients, they produce less fecal material, they are less prone to other bacterial infections, they don't have smelly gas, they are less prone to bloat typical in a number of large breeds , they have better pigmentation as a result of absorbing more nutrients. We have also found that since taking this approach to diet that puppy and show coats on adults are more luxurious. As you can see their fourth week involves a lot of changes for the puppies. At six weeks of age we start the weaning process - although most "mothers" have already started it. A poodle "mom" is the most devoted creature ever the first week or two, but after that usually reclaims part of her own life to be with her human family. She will return to the whelping box every few hours to take care of her puppies needs, but other than that spends her time on a blanket or pad outside the box. Using a higher powered water spray, a higher powered table dryer, and if the coat is still thin enough a palm pro clipper again to clip the face, feet, tummy and tail. At this time Mishelle also adds standing the puppy properly on the table and does the first scissoring around the tail head and up the rump - as much to get the puppy used to the sound and feel of the scissors as because there is that much coat to scissor off. This is also when we try to take the first pictures of the puppies in a nice stance to send to everyone. This also helps to train the puppy for standing on the table which benefits when we do the conformation evaluations at 8 weeks of age. Puppies fearful on the table are very difficult to assess. This is also essential for miniature puppies that are going to be shown. It's very sad when a miniature is put on a table in the show ring for the judges inspection, and is fearful. Just minutes a day on a table, being encouraged to stand and be touched, can make a remarkable difference in just a week. A Maddy x Calvin puppy at 6 weeks of age after her 2nd grooming Six weeks is also when we remove the whelping box, as the mother now just gets in with the puppies about 4 times a day and either sits or stands to nurse them. She also starts to regurgitate her feedings for the puppies at this stage. The teeth are starting to come all the way in at this time, and the puppies will start sparring, and at times will really yelp. They learn at this stage not to bite each other too hard, and this is the first step to them learning not to bite humans too hard. We often have families who want to get their poodle puppies at this age, especially if they are going to training in agility. We do not allow any puppies to go to their new homes until they are weeks of age, as we feel that they need the "sibling rivalry" stage to learn aggressive and defensive behavior - which is learned by their interplay with each other. Many of our poodles go to homes with runners, and I can't tell you how many times they have had to defend their owners from aggressive dogs of other breeds, and always successfully. You never know when your poodle may have to come to your defense, and the maneuvers they learn as puppies at this age are the foundation for their defensive techniques, increase their alertness, and the speed of their thinking and their reactivity time. I love watching the puppies develop their skills during playtime at this stage. It is their transition from infancy to toddlers. It is also at six weeks that we remove the whelping box replacing it with two small crates without the gates on. Our favorite crates are the Furrari's, as they just snap together, and the gates can be opened from either side and simply lifted off for this stage of training. The first night all the puppies will crowd into one small crate - then I will hear them in the middle of the night groaning and grumbling, and in the morning the puppies will be divided between the two crates. That day we add a third small crate, and go through the same process - which we repeat until there are two puppies per crate. We never put the gates on at this stage, just allow the puppies the freedom to sleep in or out of the crates, and to play with them. We estimate that a poodle puppy develops 21 years in it's first year. From infancy to toddler, to preschool, to kindergarten, to pre-adolescent, to adolescent, to pre-teen, to teenager, to post teen, and early twenties. Their intelligence is equivalent to that of many humans, and the learning of human vocabulary in a standard poodle is amazing. They are a joy to work with and to train, many almost training themselves. At this point we start giving the puppies rawhide chew bones to help with their teeth cutting, the cardboard rolls from toilet paper, paper towels, tape rolls, and small boxes that they can pack around, tear up and destroy. Much like a toddler builds a stack of bricks and then knocks it down destructive stage so also does a puppy need to go through this stage. So we give them things that don't cost anything, that are light weight, and the right size around for a puppy jaw to pick up. They love it. We also start giving the puppies soft and hard toys to play with, and also try to observe which puppies in the litter are water lovers - they play in the water and empty the container almost as fast as we can fill it. We often get asked for puppies that like water by families that boat, or live on rivers or lakes, or on house boats. We start watching closely for the different types of personalities that the puppies have, how they relate to each other, to new situations, to new people, to other animals they come in contact with. Those that are more adventuresome, more curious, more courageous, etc. We are also watching for activity levels and how they move. It is also at weeks that we take the puppies to the back yard to play - as they are then big enough to be taught to go up and down steps. We have closed back steps, and open backed steps like condos and the steps at the air cargo depots for them to learn on. This can be quite a challenge to some, and we usually have to delay this training with the miniatures for a couple of more weeks when they are a bit bigger. They are so proud of themselves when they achieve success in going up and down the steps, even though it is just three steps - and will run up and down just for the joy of it. In the back yard they also learn to drink from an automatic waterer, so that they don't fear the hissing sound as it refills. Having nice clean feet, faces, and tail head and rump helps us to evaluate the puppies much better, and they will score better when all can be seen and evaluated. We do not give the puppies any treats prior to testing, nor do we do any actual crate training in closed crates. At this age the puppies get their first bath in the grooming tub with a harder spray of water instead of in the utility tub. The Force dryer is used for the first time, and the Andis or Oster clippers. This is also the clipping that helps us to determine the color that the puppies might end up as - blues and silvers are born black, silver beige and cafe-au-lait can be born very dark brown, light apricots that are going to cream out - we study the nose, feet, heels, and under the tail and neck for signs of color change. Tasy x Promise Pup - Black - at 8 weeks! A Mandy x Sterling Pup - Silver - at 8 weeks. Silvers and blues are born black and change gradually - starting with the muzzle and feet We try to schedule temperament testing 16 tests and conformation evaluations a three page form using AKC breed requirements, International breed requirements, and Puppy Puzzle testing at 8 weeks minus or plus three days, as this is the most accurate time for assessing conformation before the puppy starts its rapid growth spurts. This is at times a little early for temperament testing, however as so many families want their puppies at 8 weeks of age, it is necessary to do this before the litter starts to go to new homes. Often our entire litters are reserved before they are even born, or at least by the time they are 6 weeks of age, and this helps us to match puppies and their capabilities and personalities and temperament to the homes they are going into, especially the puppies that are shipped across the United States. This also means asking our prospective families for lots of details about their home style, their activities, other pets or animals in or around their homes, and what they want to do with their puppy as an adult. We also help families at this point to decide the best age of puppy to suit their lifestyle, as many families in todays age have difficulty getting the time those first weeks to house train a young puppy. The weekly cost covers food, treats, training, vaccinations and wormings. Temperament testing is beneficial, although there are those that disagree. It is done in a strange place by a strange person. It's purpose is to note the natural instincts and adaptability of the young puppies, and our families have found our assessments to be pretty accurate as their puppies have developed. The disadvantage of testing at 8 weeks versus 12 weeks, is that puppies can be conceived over a ten day period. The gestation period is days, with all of the body development being in the first 50 days, and the weight gain being in the last days. If the bitch whelps according to the first puppy conceived, then the last puppy or puppies conceived may not have had much weight gain - however due to genetics it will not always be the smallest puppies. When we do temperament testing we also try to be aware of which puppies opened eyes first and last, which had teeth coming in first and last - as these can be indicative of which puppies in the litter are the oldest and the youngest - as the psychological development can also be different, with the thinking processes of the youngest not being quite as developed as the thinking processes of the gestationally oldest puppies. In temperament testing we are looking at social skills, inanimate object retrieving instincts, sensitivity testing, chase response, bird retrieving instincts, perseverance and motivation. These help to determine which puppies might be best suited as companions, service and therapy candidates, agility and obedience prospects, those with "bird" instincts, and very important today those with good search and rescue and tracking instincts. Conformation evaluations are where we literally take a puppies body structure apart and put it back together again - all on paper. We are looking for the few puppies in a litter that are the most correct by breed specifications in bone structure. As companions for runners, horse back riders, hikers, bikers, etc. Most of our standard puppies, after 10 years of breeding are quite structurally correct - however we try to match structural correctness, temperament and personality to the needs of a family. To be a pick of the litter puppy it must score high in all three areas. At times a structurally correct puppy may not have the best temperament for competitive events, and a senior family doesn't need a puppy with a high working drive. When we complete the testing we vaccinate each of the puppies and tattoo them with their individual identification number - that designates their dam, her litter number, and the number of puppy within the litter - in their left ear. This tattoo must be read and entered in the medical records of the puppy by the families veterinarian at the time of the "well puppy check" within 10 days of receiving the puppy for our 2 year from date of birth guarantee to go into effect. As soon as the testing is completed we start crate training the puppies. The first night two puppies are put into a crate with the gate on, and given 3 small treats. They are cuddled before being put into the crate, and we use the "in" command which they are used to. When they are taken out in the morning they are hugged and cuddled again, and given their "go potty outside" command as we take them "out" the front door. The second night they are crated individually, and are also crated during the day for short periods of time, to get them used to taking "naps" in their crates. They are always given three tiny biscuits when we want them in their crates, and usually within three days they compete to see who can get in the crates first and turn around for their treats. Usually at this age the puppies will crate from approximately PM to about AM without having accidents in their crates, however I do get up in the middle of the night and let them out if someone gets really fussy. In hot summer weather they at times need out during the night to get a drink just as much as they need out to go potty. We always make their last soft feeding of the day by PM, so that they have plenty of time to evacuate before bedtime. Remember poodle puppies are very smart, and if they get me up several nights in a row - I watch very carefully to see if they really needed to go - and if not they have just decided to get me out of bed for some extra attention and playtime - remember the pre-adolescent who wants another drink of water, etc. They will test their new families in the same way, and if they win they are ruling the family instead of the family ruling them. At this point the puppies are ready to go to their new homes to families living locally, or those driving from other states to get their puppies. If they are flying we keep them for two more weeks - and ship when they are approximately 10 - 12 weeks old. This allows us to start travel training and leash training of the puppies, and allow them to develop better holding capacity for daytime crating before shipping. Also it gives us time to receive family t-shirts worn until sweaty and placed in ziploc bags to give to the puppies in their crates three days before shipping. Having items of clothing which we tie into knots for a pillow or toy allows the puppy to get used to it's new families scents, and helps it to adapt and bond much more quickly. It also gives us time to ship their puppy pack to them, before the puppy is shipped. We follow up on our puppies for years, and encourage our families to keep in touch with us and contact us with any questions regarding nutrition, training problems or needs. We also board our own puppies back, which is wonderful as then we get to assess their development and personalities as adults. We have families now who purposefully plan their vacations for the Oregon Coast just so they can leave their much loved poodles with us - they come from as far away as Montana, Idaho, north eastern Washington, California, Utah, and of course the closer regions of Oregon and Washington. Unless we are expecting a litter imminently they get to come back and live in the house with us, and always enjoy playing with so many other poodles in our huge back yard, and side yard play areas. We also continue any training that is in progress on the younger puppies. A Mandy boy at 15 weeks! A Lucy daughter at 1 year - sent by her family in Idaho Many of our families also return with their puppies to take the one-on-one grooming classes with us - with Mishelle now being the primary instructor. Many of our families are now doing all of their own grooming, and even if they aren't have found the class very beneficial as they have learned what to expect from a good groomer. Many have returned for second and even third classes to learn advanced scissoring techniques, and several are now learning show grooming and handling from us as well. It's biblical that the older are to teach the younger - and we feel very strongly about this after not finding anyone willing to assist us when we first started out. We want those who have a true desire to become breeders of the poodles to start in the right way, learning to do the proper testing and research, taking part in genetic research projects, learn to groom their poodles properly, and to breed properly, caring for their whelping bitches and puppies correctly. Mishelle should have been in the picture with "Eve" but was in the Show Ring with her instead. She groomed 14 standards and 2 miniatures for this show. The poodle is a wonderful and unique breed - sharing life with it's family. Stages of Puppy Development Birth to 3 weeks The first 20 days of a pups life it is not capable of much learning. The mental capacity is about nil. The pup will react when it is in need of food, sleep, warmth and its mother. During the first 3 weeks it is VERY important to look after the dam as well. She will in turn, look after the puppies. Once or twice a day the puppies should be handled by a human and they should be weighed daily. During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away. No matter what the breed, this is the time when the dormant senses wake up. From day 21 to 28 puppies are in need of their mom more than any other time as their brains and nervous systems begin to develop and they become aware of their surroundings. As mom jumps out of the box, they suddenly watch her wondering where she went. Pups may start climbing out of the whelping box at this age, so it is time to expand their home. At this stage we add a small potty area beside the whelp box. If a puppy were to loose his mom at this stage it would greatly affect his emotional wellbeing. Emotional growth is just blossoming as the puppy realizes it is alive. It is also at this age that characteristics can develop like shyness and fear. Any negative characteristics that develop at this stage in life are often permanent personality traits. The puppies sleep 20 or more hours a day. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home. This is not the age to be in the back bedroom, garage or barn. During this time, a puppy will learn to respond to voices, sounds and recognize different people. The puppies in their group will establish a 'pecking order', some will want to lead and some will want to follow. The dominant ones will eat first and the omega ones will wait. The dominant ones can become bullies and hog all the toys. This is an important stage to watch to learn the temperaments of each puppy and should be used for placing puppies into the proper homes. Some scientific studies prove that if there is a bully in a litter that is making others cower and be shy it can set in traits that are very hard to turn around, but it is also important to leave puppies in a social group long enough to be adventurous and for the puppy to acquire some social competitive skills. On the same note, a puppy should never be allowed to get too pushy. While shyer puppies have to learn to handle themselves in social groups, a dominant puppy needs to learn it is not acceptable to be a bully. Different breeds need to be separated at different ages. Often if the bully is adopted out first the remaining puppies will loose some of their shyness. Puppies at this age sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. By 7 weeks, a pup is considered emotionally developed and ready to learn, but the pup does not possess an adult brain yet. At 7 weeks old the breeder of the pups can start crate training for an hour or two a day with 2 pups in a crate. This helps with separation anxiety. By 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to go in a crate alone for a nap, and it is almost ready for its new home. A puppy should never be taken away from it's mother before weeks of age. The mother dog teaches the puppies in the litter manners, respect, social skills, and proper etiquette, along with many other valuable lessons. When a puppy misses this stage it can cause the pup to have future behavior issues as most humans do not understand natural dog behavior enough to teach the pup these things. What a puppy learns now will be retained and become part of who the dog becomes and his personality. Most dams stop caring for their pups by 7 weeks, as they have teeth and she pushes them away. If a pup is left with the dam during this period it's emotional development can be altered, as it remains dependent on her. The same can happen if littermates are placed together. They rely on each other instead of the new owner and they often do not find adequate security in their mom or littermate. They need their new owner to take over the role and it is important that the humans understand natural dog behavior in order to fulfill the puppies instincts and needs. First shots should be done at 7. When a puppy stays with his litter after 8 to 9 weeks of age without adequate human contact it doesn't adjust as well to a human social life. The optimum time to take a new puppy is from 8 to 9 weeks of age. It is always best to have a pup do his learning from his new owner and in his new home. Puppies are often adopted out at 8, 9, 10 or 11 weeks. Older puppies can do just fine if the breeder has spent a lot of time socializing them away from their littermates. Ideally 9 weeks seems to be the perfect age for most breeds to go to new homes. What the dog learns from 8 to 12 weeks will be with him forever. At this time the puppy must be introduced to other people and go for walks on the pavement street avoiding dirt or grass until it has had its 2nd shots. If the first shots are done at 8 weeks and second are done at 12 weeks it is a good idea to enroll in puppy kindergarten that starts right at 12 weeks. At this age on up to several months old, puppies will sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, give or take depending on the puppies energy level and the activity around them. Sleeping more during rapid growth sprurts. The sleep is broken up between night time sleep and naps during the day. It is common for a puppy to play hard, running around with bounds of energy, then suddenly crashing into a deep sleep. It is important to keep in mind that all puppies by this time have formed a general personality. Some are natural born leaders, some are middle of the road and could go either way and some are very submissive and really prefer not to lead anything. All puppies have an instinct to have a leader who can provide structure, because in their minds without it the pack cannot survive. Therefore even the most naturally born submissive dog may feel the need to take over as an alpha should they feel everyone else around them is too weak to care for the pack. These dogs are often very stressed out about their role because they really do not want it, but feel the need to lead just the same. After all, to them it's a matter of life or death. One of the biggest questions new owners call about is that the pup is an angel for the first couple weeks and then it starts to nip in an attempt to control things around it. This happens when a puppy does not see the humans as natural born leaders to which it can respect and it attempts to get the pack in order. If this happens it does not necessarily mean you got a bad puppy, but often means you are not being a good canine owner. Owners must be calm but firm and follow through. Set the rules of the home and stick to them. Teach basic obedience and how to heel on a leash. Do not let the puppy bolt out the door. Stay calm and confident and remember that dogs can feel your emotions. If you have emotional problems your dog knows and will see you as a weak being. Always remember to a dog anger is a weakness, so take a deep breath and control yourself. Should the puppy feel it is stronger minded than the humans it will not want to be at the bottom. Puppy owners should be prepared that the pup may attempt to establish itself as the dominant one in the family. This is where you need to understand a dog's natural instincts and learn their language so you can read them. It may see whether it can physically strike out at his owner like some teens and could nip or growl. Should this happen be prepared to stop the behavior immediately. It is kind of like kids wanting dessert before dinner or to stay up later. You just have to say NO. Each dog is different, just as kids are, therefore you need to figure out what works for you and your situation. If it is being aggressive one method is to pin it on its back and hold him there with a firm NO. If a pup is allowed to get away with bad behavior it will lose respect for the owner and learn that rebelling gets him his own way. The key is for the humans to be calm, confident and firm all at the same time. If you find yourself yelling or angry you as the human are out of control and need to learn how to portray yourself as someone your dog can look up to and respect. Dogs do not listen to unstable humans and anything but calm, confident and firm, to them is unstable. There should be zero tolerance for aggressiveness. Heaps of love and understanding will not stop bad behavior. A pup must be shown fast and firmly that you are the one in charge. If you have a good breeder who understands the dog even returning him for a few days can help as the breeder gets the dog back under control and you assess your own behavior and understanding of this animal you are trying to live with. Sending a dog away to be trained without training yourself never works, as the way your dog is acting often has more to do with the humans it is living with. This goes for any dog of any age. Learn how to groom your dog. Teach it to lie still for grooming and nail trimming. If you are having trouble call the breeder or a behaviorist for help. It is best to have earned a dog's respect and trust in regards to grooming by 16 weeks of age. A pups natural instinct will be to periodically try to test the order in the pack. Especially if there are children. If the owner is submissive, quiet and week, thus making the dog feel the need to lead the home, its respect for its owner will weaken and the owner will become inferior in the dogs eyes. In these cases the owner is destined to be owned by the dog and you will surely see behavior problems emerge. A puppy should have a good start on crate training when it leaves a breeder's home. Help your puppy feel secure by giving it its own bed and crate in a place where it can be alone when it needs some quiet time. It should be crated for one or two naps per day, especially when making and eating dinner and crated at night. It should not ever have the run of the house till after 6 months of age or housebreaking and training can become very difficult. A puppy should start formal obedience by 6 months of age, preferably sooner. Remember when you choose to adopt a dog you are choosing to take an animal into your home. The animal is not a human baby and humans are not born with canine instincts. Take some time to learn about the canine and be prepared to change your way of life to accommodate the new member of the family. The puppies have arrived. They have been weighed and identified; they have nursed and are now sleeping quietly except for the normal twitching. Now what? Your job is not over yet, in fact, it's really just beginning. Nutrition and Feeding The mother will be ready for some food and water. Bring the dishes to the whelping box, as she will not want to leave the newborn puppies. Do not leave the dishes on the floor in the whelping box, as the puppies could crawl into them. Hang the dishes from the side of the whelping box or offer her food and water at least every hours to start. She should be taken outside on a frequent and regular basis to relieve herself. Within days, the mother's appetite will dramatically increase to times her pre-pregnancy intake. She will need a near constant supply of a high quality puppy food do NOT use large breed puppy formulas, which are generally lower in protein, fat, and minerals and water to maintain her weight and health while feeding the puppies. She should not look gaunt or thin if her weight is maintained. Ideally, she should weigh the same at the time of weaning, as she did when she was bred. A healthy puppy is firm, plump, and vigorous. Puppies should nurse every 2 hours or so. If they nurse until their stomachs appear round and they sleep quietly, they are eating enough. If they are crying and moving a lot, they are not eating enough. They may be swallowing air, which makes the stomach appear larger. As they become weaker, they will lay still and not cry. Their weight should double in the first days. Before, during, and after nursing, the mother will lick the stomach and perineal area to stimulate urination and defecation. She will continue to do this for weeks. Weigh the puppy daily for the first 2 weeks, then weigh at least weekly. A food scale typically works well for weighing the puppies. Failure to gain weight is often the first sign of illness in puppies. At about 3 weeks of age, the puppies will begin to imitate the mother's eating and drinking. A secure shallow water dish should now be available at least part of the day. Prepare the puppy mush by placing 2 cups of high quality dry puppy food in a blender with .This should be blended until the consistency of human infant cereal. This feeds puppies of a medium-sized breed. The puppies should receive meals a day of this to start. Once the puppies have checked it out, walked in it, and have eaten some, the mother can be allowed to finish it and clean the puppies off. Each week, increase the amount of food, decrease the amount of the milk replacer and water that is added and the time of blending, so by 7 weeks of age, the puppies are eating dry food. Once they are on dry food, it may be left in with the puppies when the mother is out of the box or the meal times can continue. As the puppies eat more solid food, the mother may be let away from the puppies for an ever longer period of time. If the weaning is not rushed, she will naturally start decreasing milk production, as the puppies increase their intake of solid food. As the puppies begin eating the puppy mush at 4 weeks of age, start changing the mother's diet back to adult food to also help her decrease milk production. Keep increasing the adult food and decreasing the puppy food until by the 7th week postpartum she is eating only adult food. Hopefully she has been fed well during pregnancy and lactation so she weighs the same at weaning as she did before pregnancy. Want to learn how to save on your dog's veterinary care? Click here Sanitation and Housebreaking During and after whelping, the mother should be allowed to go outside to urinate and defecate. Take her out on a leash bring a flashlight if it is dark , and watch her closely, as she could have another puppy. The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper. The blanket should be large enough to fit under all 4 sides of the box. If the box was made so the sides set into the floor, the sides are picked up, the blanket stretched, and the sides set down to hold the blanket in place. Puppies can become lost under blankets or under wrinkles in blankets. When cleaning, check the consistency and color of the puppy stool. It should be brown and formed, but not overly firm. Any deviations and the veterinarian should be contacted. To facilitate housebreaking, the puppies should be given definite feeding, playing, sleeping, and elimination areas. Once the puppies are mobile, they will use one area for elimination. Cover this area with a layer of newspapers with cedar or pine shavings on top. The new owners then place a small amount of cedar or pine shavings in the preferred location of their yard to aid in housebreaking. Keep the elimination area clean and dry. Puppies head toward the heat source to nurse so do not have the heat source warmer than the mother. Hanging a household thermometer on the inside of the whelping box will help you know the temperature in the box. Puppies typically lay side by side or on top of each other to share warmth. If the puppies are scattered throughout the whelping box and away from the heat lamp, the temperature is too warm. If they are all piled on top of each other, it may be too cold. Puppies need the extra heat, as they are unable to regulate their body temperature until several weeks old. Health of the Mother Each mammary gland and nipple should be checked at least once a day for redness, hardness, discharge, or streaking color. If mastitis develops, the veterinarian should be notified immediately. If caught early, milking out the affected gland and applying hot compresses will help prevent a spread of the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary. If she gets multiple glands with mastitis, the puppies will need to be bottle fed. The puppies' nails should be trimmed weekly starting within days of birth. This will help prevent some of the scratches on the mother's mammary glands. The deciduous teeth start coming in around day .Check the mammary glands of the mother daily for bite marks. The mother will have a bloody discharge from her vulva which may be quite heavy for several days. It should decrease in amount and become darker and be almost gone within weeks. The mother's hair may have become very thick and luxurious during the pregnancy. Around the time of weaning, the mother starts to shed. This extreme loss of hair coat is natural and it should be back to normal in about another months. This shedding is more extreme than a normal shed cycle and some mothers become quite bald. This is often called 'blowing a coat. Click here Puppy Healthcare Puppies who are not thriving should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian to check for birth defects. Some defects, such as a cleft palate are not compatible with life. These puppies should be humanely euthanized. Dewclaws are removed and tails docked at days of age. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for these procedures to be done. Check your breed's standard, as some breeds need to have dewclaws left intact in order to show. Tail length changes, so again, the current breed standard should be consulted. When the puppies are at the clinic and having these procedures done, the mother should be taken for a walk around the block until the puppies are done. She should not be close enough to the clinic to hear the puppies crying. Once they are put back with the mother, the puppies normally nurse and then sleep. Vaccinations are started at weeks of age. Some breeders give a parvo virus vaccine at 5 weeks of age, if the puppies are at a high-risk. Ask your veterinarian if your puppies should be vaccinated early for parvo virus. They recommend puppy deworming for roundworms and hookworms start at 2 weeks of age and be repeated at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Thereafter, use a heart worm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies obtain the deworming history of their new pup and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed. The mother should be dewormed at the same time as the puppies. A health check done by a veterinarian at weeks of age before the puppies head for new homes should include checks for heart murmurs, hernias, cryptorchidism, demodectic mange, other parasites, eye disorders, etc. Normal puppy development The umbilical cord normally falls off within days of birth. Infections of the umbilicus are rare in clean, well-managed kennels. Puppies normally twitch and jerk while sleeping. This helps with the development of their nerves and muscles. The puppies crawl well by days, walk at 16 days, and have a normal gait at 21 days. They need to be on footing that offers traction. By 4 weeks of age, the puppies follow each other and carry toys in their mouths. They will play-fight with each other and learn how to inhibit their bites. If a puppy bites a littermate too hard, the littermate will yelp and stop playing with him. If the puppy is allowed to bite humans, he will not learn to inhibit his bite. It may be cute as a 7-week old, but it will not be as a 7-year old. Puppies are born without teeth. The deciduous baby teeth start to erupt at weeks of age. All of the deciduous teeth are usually present by 8 weeks of age. The puppies' eyes will open around days of age. The retina matures around 21 days of age. Puppies should see clearly by 4 weeks of age. Do not pry open the lids for any reason, as the immature eye is not yet ready to handle light. If the eyes appear swollen before they open, take the puppy to a veterinarian immediately as an eye infection may be present that needs to be treated to prevent loss of vision. Some puppies will take a day to open the eyes while others will take days. The eyes will have a bluish color to them at first and then change to their adult color over time. If the eyes appear white or solid blue, take the puppy to the veterinarian right away. The ears open at days of age. They should hear clearly by 4 weeks of age. Deafness may not be noticeable while the puppies are together and first noticed when the puppy is in her new home. Interactions Between the Mother and Puppies By the time the puppies are weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available. The box at this point should be big enough to be divided between eating, sleeping, playing, and eliminating rooms. At this stage, a crate with the door removed and lined with sheepskin or a dog bed can be given to the puppies for sleeping quarters and to familiarize them with crates. Puppy Socialization Early socialization of the puppies will help them become confident and develop fewer behavior problems. The puppies should be exposed to everything possible from metal food dishes dropping, to vacuums, garage doors opening and closing, thunderstorms, sirens, garbage trucks going past, cats, and other pets, etc. Do not try to keep the area quiet during the day. The puppies need to get used to normal household noises. Children should be allowed to play outside the whelping box supervised so they do not enter the box or drop toys in , as children behave differently than adults. Everything the puppy is exposed to now, will help her become a well-socialized, unafraid adult. The puppies should be handled several times a day. They can be picked up, their teeth looked at, ears checked, toes played with nails will need a weekly trimming , and have anything that may be done as an adult started slowly now. Play helps to develop the puppy's mind, as he needs to find solutions to problems he encounters. If the puppies are not in new homes by 10 weeks of age, they should be separated from each other for a large part of the day and given one-on-one time with humans. They can have play times during the day, but they should eat, sleep, and be handled separately. Being in a kennel group situation beyond weeks of age decreases trainability. Ready to start saving money on pet wellness care? Then take a look at Mint Wellness, the pet wellness plan that provides fast reimbursement on routine pet care. Save on vaccinations, wellness exams, preventatives, dental, and more!