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As we can see from the Australian Labradoodle size chart above, these Doodles come in three main size categories — Mini, Medium, and Standard. The smallest of the bunch is the Mini Australian Labradoodle. The Minis weigh around 15 to 30 pounds and stand about 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. The largest are the Standard Australian Labradoodles who weigh between 50 and 70 pounds and stand about 21 to 24 inches tall. The Medium Australian Labradoodle fits right between the Minis and Standard Australian Labradoodles, with a weight of 30 to 50 pounds, and a height of 17 to 20 inches. F1 vs F1b vs F2b Australian Labradoodle If you know a little bit about Doodles, you know that their generation can play a key role in determining their size. For example, Labradoodles have only Labrador Retriever and Poodle genes. They can be either F1, F1b, F2, F3, and so on. In contrast, the Australian Labradoodles are F5 or higher, and can have a total of up to six breeds in their lineage. As a result, the Australian Labradoodle generations are a lot more complicated. This usually translates to their first 6 months of life. After that, their growth will slow down, until it plateaus at their full adult weight roughly around 1 to 1. By their first birthday, the Australian Labradoodle has most likely reached their full adult height. But we can typically expect them to continue gaining some more weight and girth over the upcoming months. Generally, smaller dogs reach their full size earlier than larger pups. Between .Medium Australian Labradoodles typically reach half their adult weight between 3. They will then plateau at their full adult weight around 11 to 13 months old. Similarly, they will then plateau at their full adult weight between 11 and 13 months of age. However, Minis might reach their full adult size slightly earlier than the Medium Australian Labradoodles. Mini Australian Labradoodles weigh about 15 to 30 pounds and stand 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. Medium Australian Labradoodles weigh about 30 to 50 pounds with a height of 17 to 20 inches. The Standard Labradoodle, the largest of them, weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and stands 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. For example, a high quality diet is crucial for proper growth, development, and overall health. Make sure to check out our guides on the best dog food for Doodle puppies , and learn exactly how much you should feed your dog to keep them healthy and happy. They get along well with children and other pets, and love to please their humans more than anything. Hopefully we managed to answer all of your questions about the Australian Labradoodle size and growth patterns so you can be fully-prepared for a long and happy life with this beautiful, fluffy creature. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. How does the Labradoodle growth chart work? The following numbers are estimates based on the litter of a Labrador Retriever crossed with a standard Poodle. If your pup's Poodle parent is a toy size, then they are likely to be significantly smaller than these estimates. Their health is what matters most, so if you have questions or concerns about your puppy's development, reach out to your veterinarian. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? Labradoodles typically need 12 to 18 months to reach their full size, especially if their parents were on the heavier side of the average weight spectrum. Large breeds grow slower and take longer to reach their full size compared to small and medium-sized dog breeds, which usually reach maturity within nine to 11 months. How big should a 6-month-old Labradoodle be? A 6-month-old Labradoodle may weigh anywhere between 40 and 55 pounds. As a general rule, male Labradoodles weigh more than their female counterparts. In terms of height, a 6-month-old Labradoodle puppy will stand around 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders, but this varies based on their genetic makeup. Pro Tip: Download our new puppy checklist for tips on how to set up a vaccination schedule, essential pet care supplies, and more. How much bigger will my Labradoodle get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much more your Labradoodle may grow. Most Labradoodles need anywhere from 12 to 18 months to reach their full size. If your pup is younger than a year old, they are likely still growing. Refer to our Labradoodle weight chart to estimate how many more pounds they might put on as they mature into adulthood. If they look oversized compared to their limbs, then they're probably still filling out. Oversized paws are a classic puppy feature indicating that your pup still has more growth underway. Lastly, if you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you can contact them about your Labradoodle's weight. Alhough the breed varies greatly in size, knowing the weight of your puppy's parents and those of previous litters can help you predict your Labradoodle's adult size. What is the size of a full-grown Labradoodle? As a hybrid dog breed, Labradoodles vary significantly in size based on their geneology. Per Agape Labradoodles , adult Labradoodles typically weigh over 45 pounds, with some Labradoodles weighing as much as pounds. However, most Labradoodles will weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. In [terms of height], Labradoodles stand 21 to 24 inches tall when measured from paw to shoulder, or approximately two feet excluding their neck and crown of the head. How do I make sure my Labradoodle is healthy? Our Labradoodle puppies are important, cherished family members who we want the best for. One of the best ways to help your Labradoodle thrive is by taking them to regular veterinary appointments to have them routinely checked out and evaluated. Prevention is always better than treatment, and regular veterinary exams provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to screen your Labradoodle for disease. Your puppy will need to see the veterinarian several times in their first six months of life for core vaccinations against things like Rabies, and then at least once a year as an adult for annual health check-ups. Like their parents, Labradoodles are also more susceptible to hip dysplasia , a common orthopedic condition that occurs when the hip joint forms improperly. Hip dysplasia can lead to pain in their back legs, impaired mobility, and even lameness if not treated - fortunately, the condition is treatable with surgery. When over 20, pet parents were surveyed, only .As loving pet parents, it can be devastating to think that our four-legged friend could develop a painful disease that requires expensive treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Most pet parents opt for accident and illness pet insurance plans as they cover both injuries and most illnesses, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. Pet wellness plans can be added to your insurance coverage to help you pay for preventive veterinary care, like your regular vet exams, x-rays , dental cleanings , vaccinations, and more. Like humans, dogs are living longer, which creates an even bigger need for excellent veterinary care so that our dogs can live their happiest and healthiest lives. Pet insurance helps alleviate the financial strain that's often caused by vet visit costs. If your Labradoodle puppy gets sick or hurt, you and your veterinarian can work together to provide your pup with the best treatment plan - without worrying about how much it might cost. Key Takeaways Adult Labradoodles weigh pounds on average. The parent Poodle breed has toy and standard size variations that impact the size of the offspring, along with other genetic factors. Most Labradoodles grow until months of age. The breed is known for several congenital health disorders, and is especially prone to hip dysplasia. Pet insurance can protect your puppy and provide a financial safety net for vet costs throughout their life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Standard Australian Labradoodle .So while a mini or medium-sized Australian Labradoodle may take another 6 to 7 months to attain its adult weight and height, a standard-sized dog will take much longer. The growth rate in Australian Labradoodles is sex-dependent as well. Female dogs have a more gradual growth rate. Similarly, at maturity, their growth tails off gradually. Male dogs have more abrupt growth dynamics. They grow more rapidly, and their growth stops abruptly. And although you can see in the chart that differently sized Australian Labradoodles attain full growth at different ages, almost all of them will achieve their full height at around one year of age. Later, the development is mostly in terms of weight as the dog fills out and gains muscle. Australian Labradoodle The Poodle parentage can play a key role in determining the size of a crossbreed. However, the same is not applicable for an Australian Labradoodle, as it is a multigenerational Doodle, and the process is not as straightforward as with other Poodle crossbreeds. An Australian Labradoodle sits on a pastel purple couch. For other Doodle breeds, the generation may determine the Poodle percentage. However, the same does not apply to a Labradoodle. It has to be crossed for a minimum of 5 generations to qualify as a Labradoodle. Also, unlike other crossbreeds, a Labradoodle genetic makeup comes from more than two breeds. So, for a Doodle to classify as an Australian Labradoodle, it has to meet these two conditions: Crossbreeding has reached 5 generations. The Labradoodle must be continuously bred. Continuous breeding means both the crossed Labradoodles must have two Labradoodle parents as well. This must be repeated for 5 generations. Now, for the crossbreed to become an Australian Labradoodle, it has to fulfill just one more requirement—its pedigree must have one more breed. And although all of the above four breeds contribute, the Cocker Spaniel mostly American is preferred above other breeds. This is because breeders found that the Cocker Spaniel imparted more consistent traits than the other three. They are: Fleece-Textured: These are silky soft and can be either straight or wavy. Some also have spiral-shaped curls. The coat is usually curly with loose spirals that open readily. Hair-Coat Type: This type has a coarse feel and can be either straight or wavy. Australian Labradoodle puppies with different colors cuddle together. Australian Labradoodles come in various colors like white, red, black, parti, apricot, caramel, chocolate, merle, and more. The coat may either darken or fade, depending on the coat color. Grooming Your Australian Labradoodle The Australian Labradoodle has been developed continuously for the last 35 years. As a result, it is one of the least shedding dogs. However, this does not mean they have no grooming requirements. Dog brushes on a pink background. Below are some instructions on keeping your pup well groomed. Start brushing as soon as you bring a puppy home. If you have a young pup, brush its coat at least 4 times a week. Continue this till the time your pup develops an adult coat. This will be around 18 months. Use a brush and a dematting comb to remove all the tangles and to avoid the matting of the coat. Use rounded tip scissors to remove hair around the eyes. The adult coat starts developing at around 8 to 10 months. This time necessitates excessive brushing, that is, multiple times a week. It is also the best time to give your puppy its first trim, as it is difficult to maintain long coats that shed. The adult coat may be established by 12 to14 months. This is the coat the puppy will have for its adult life. An adult Australian Labradoodle has a low brushing requirement. It needs an hour of brushing every 2 weeks. If you have an active lifestyle and your dog joins you on regular outings, hikes, and so on, it will require more brushing to remove the debris and loosen clumped hair. Make sure your comb reaches the base of the hair. If necessary, invest in a metal greyhound comb. You can bathe your dog once a month or after a longer period if the coat is not visibly matted. Brush its teeth every month and trim his nails every 3 to 4 weeks. Australian Labradoodle Temperament Australian Labradoodles have fantastic personalities, and unlike first-generation Labradoodles who are hyperactive, Australian Labradoodles are calmer. They are intelligent, intuitive, balanced, loyal, sociable, and mature. They are widely used as service and therapy dogs; in fact, they were created for this sole purpose. Australian Labradoodles are a different breed than Labradoodles although similar! Labradoodles are great with kids and love being around humans and other pets. They are naturally playful, witty, and comical. However, children must be supervised around young pups and mini Doodles, as these dogs are fragile, and their susceptibility to injury is high. Australian Labradoodles adapt well to crates; however, they must not be left inside the crate for too long. Full Grown Australian Labradoodle Diet And Feeding Puppies have a higher calorie requirement than adults, as they are in a continuously growing phase and need enough nutrients to support the same. Also, as the dog comes in three different sizes, you need to understand that their daily feeding will depend on their size and provide accordingly. The owner pouring dog food in a bowl. Initially, the pup will need four daily meals along with snacking. As the puppy grows, it can be fed 3 meals, and as it reaches adulthood, 2 meals are sufficient. As the dog reaches adulthood, it no longer requires additional calories to support growth. They can be given an adjusted daily portion without changing diet plans. You can also start the dog on an adult diet with fewer calories. If you feel your dog is getting overweight, you can split its daily food requirement of 2 to 3 cups into 3 meals instead of 2. You can also put in on a low fat, high fiber diet. Also, replace regular treats with low-calorie treats or small pieces of fruits and veggies like carrots and apples. An Australian Labradoodle can become underweight if it does not consume the required amount of calories or burns off its intake with exercise. Also, if the dog is underweight, it could be due to some underlying health issue. Get your pet vet examined in this case. You can add an extra cup of dog food to its diet or switch to dog food for puppies as it has more calories and fat content. Exercise Requirement of An Australian Labradoodle If you are expecting the beautiful animal to be a couch potato, you are wrong. Australian Labradoodle is an active dog that needs daily exercise. It has a low-to-moderate energy level. An Australian Labradoodle enjoys playing outdoors. Also, as the animal is highly intelligent, it will also need mental stimulation. And although the Australian Labradoodle comes in three different sizes, their exercise requirements vary by small amounts, with the Standard or Large Labradoodle having the highest exercise requirement and the mini having the least. Also, an Australian Labradoodle loves the outdoors, making it a fantastic companion to take on hikes, the beach, swimming, jogging, and other physical activities. If you have a fenced backyard, it will suffice to meet the daily exercise requirement of your dog. For mental stimulation, provide your pet with toys and puzzles that will keep it intrigued and busy. If not, it may develop destructive behavior like chewing shoes and furniture. Australian Labradoodle Training The Australian Labradoodle is an intelligent breed, so training it is a breeze. However, you must initiate training as soon as the puppy comes to your home. Also, being an intelligent breed, the dog can outsmart the owner, so use gentle yet stern training tactics that make you the alpha of the pack. An Australian Labradoodle sits with a ball at the beach. Although the puppy is smart and picks up most things after 2 or 3 repetitions, it is still necessary to be patient with the pup and encourage it with positive reinforcement. Even though your dog will have completed obedience training by the time it is fully grown, there is a lot more training yet to be completed. You will need to continuously reinforce their behaviors to prevent the development of any negative behaviors. The temperament of the puppy also plays a vital role in its training. A well-socialized, healthy, and happy puppy will be easier to train and follow commands more readily. Also, puppies who are socialized early are less likely to develop behavioral problems later. It is a theory that hybrid dogs have fewer inherited disorders than parental breeds and are comparatively healthier. Australian Labradoodle wears a scarf feeling cold. However, this does not mean they are immune to all inheritable diseases. It could be allergic to an ingredient in its food. You will need to diagnose it early to tackle the allergy. Switch to hypoallergenic dog food if an allergy is what is troubling your dog. Conclusion Australian Labradoodle is a fantastic dog breed that is friendly, intelligent, and great with kids and other pets. They are a hybrid breed with gene pools that can come from 6 different parent breeds and come in three different sizes. And while the miniature and medium Australian Labradoodles are fully grown by 13 months, the Standard Australian Labradoodle may take around 16 months to attain full growth. The Doodle crossbreed has gained a lot of popularity ever since it was developed. If you, too, are interested in adopting one, we hope this article has answered most of your queries. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Some of these may be genetic, while others can be environmental. Here are some factors that affect labradoodle puppy growth. Genetics No matter what breed of dog it is, genetics plays a very important role in the growth of a puppy. Labradoodles are a mix between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. These dogs share genetic traits from both parents. The size of a labradoodle depends on its Poodle parent. For example, if the Poodle parent is a toy or miniature, you will get a mini and medium-sized labradoodle. However, if the Poodle parent is standard size, you will get a standard-sized labradoodle. Nutrition Selecting a nutritious diet for your Labradoodle puppy is essential to his well-being and development. Giving him all of the nutrients he needs to flourish and grow. Puppies are in a period of rapid growth, so they require more nutrients for bone and joint development than adult dogs. Puppies who receive adequate nutrition grows to their full potential. When feeding your pup, make sure the food contains all essential nutrients as well as the right levels of fat and protein. Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal food to provide them with. Physical Activity Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. If not given enough exercise, they could develop health issues such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. When your puppy is young, it is best to limit their exercise as excessive physical activity can cause joint damage that will impact their development later in life. Walking and jogging are two activities that puppies enjoy doing, but these should only be done in small amounts in order to protect their joints. Health The growth of Labradoodle puppies also depends on their overall health. Labradoodles may suffer from health conditions that hinder their growth, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions make it difficult for them to walk or lead an ordinary life. So, make sure you buy a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder and screen them for any health issues. It is also advisable to take them for regular vet visits. Many new pet parents often wonder what size their Labradoodle will be when they grow up. For Labradoodle puppies, puppyhood lasts from birth until about five or six months old. During this stage, you will see a massive growth spurt in Labradoodles. They will keep growing until they reach adulthood. However, this may not always be the case; some may need additional pounds to gain before reaching this milestone. Conclusion A Labradoodle is a designer hybrid dog created by crossing two breeds — Poodles and Labrador Retrievers. As such, these dogs possess high energy levels, are friendly, and are highly affectionate. If you are planning to get a Labradoodle puppy or already have one, it is essential to monitor their growth, as their size can be drastically affected by certain factors. With some simple formulas, these charts may even allow you to predict their future weights. 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. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Our puppy growth chart and calculator has your answer! Size is largely determined by genetics. Size is inherited in non-linear ways in dogs and other animals. Some puppies stay much smaller than both parents, some become much bigger, and some are in the middle. While size is already hard to predict in purebred dogs, it becomes even more erratic when two breeds are crossed such as in any Doodle mix litter. Labradors are large dogs. They can have a heavy build with deep chests and a wide rib cage. Poodles on the other hand are rather dainty, even though they are tall. Especially in the first generation of a Labradoodle litter that means a generation whose parents are a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador , there will be a greater variation of size. The smallest and the tallest puppy of the litter might be as much as 20 pounds apart in weight! That being said, most Labradoodles weigh somewhere between 45 and 65 pounds and are inches tall. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and have no breed standard that requires a certain size. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? As a large dog breed, Labradoodles grow past their first birthday. The smaller a dog, the sooner he is finished growing. Some very small breeds can stop growing around months. Since the Labradoodle is tall, expect him to continue growing until about months of age. At 12 months, most tall dogs are lanky teenagers! By the time your Labradoodle is 2 years old, he will definitely be done growing. How big is a 6 month old Labradoodle? At 6 months old, your Labradoodle will weigh about pounds. He is definitely not fully grown yet — expect him to become quite a bit taller and heavier in the coming months. As your Labradoodle puppy is growing up, his coat will become longer and thicker as well! Make sure you bathe and brush him regularly. Trimming his coat regularly with a good set of clippers will be very important as well! Ensuring healthy growth Here is what you can do to set your Labradoodle up for a healthy growth and solid adult weight: Nutrition and feeding Without the right nutrition, your pup cannot grow well. You need to feed your Labradoodle a high-quality food with a lot of protein. Protein is what our bodies are built of — your growing pup needs a lot in order to grow tall and strong. You can choose from a variety of different foods, such as: Dry food.

Share 0 Shares Golden Retrievers are known for their excellent temperaments and their love of people. These dogs make great family companions, and they are suitable for all kinds of obedience training as well as showing or even hunting. Most people will tell you that their Golden Retriever is the nicest dog that they have ever owned and a real joy to be around. However, there are some kinds of behavioral challenges that are common to this breed that can crop up from time to time. Puppies can show behavioral issues when they are learning about the way that you want them to behave, and older dogs might show new behavioral issues when something about their environment changes. If you have chosen to rescue a Golden Retriever, you might have to attend to behavioral problems related to abuse or maltreatment of the dog in question. The sooner that you can address behavioral challenges in your dog, the better for you and your pet. There are some common reasons that your dog might be showing behavioral issues at any age. The kinds of common solutions listed here can be easy to apply to nearly any behavioral issue and might be the solution that you have been looking for to make your dog a happy and well-behaved dog again. Be patient with your dog as you try to resolve these issues as well. Dogs can tell when you are unhappy with them and can be more reactive than they would be otherwise. Lack of Exercise Dogs need to be exercised. Only very old dogs will have a limited need for exercise and this might not even apply in all cases where a dog is elderly. Puppies, in particular, will need daily exercise and attention. When you are not giving your dog the time that it needs, it might start to show behavioral symptoms that are not ideal. You should always make sure that your dog is getting exercised enough before you assume that a behavioral activity that you do not like is something that needs training or attention specific. Change Change can be one of the biggest catalysts for behaviors that you do not like your dog displaying. Dogs can react negatively to added pets in the home, to changes in location, or even to changes in their diet. You will need to consider a major change of any kind as the opportunity for your dog to become flustered and show behavioral changes. Some dogs are more prone to feeling insecure than others. While Golden Retrievers are not often anything other than accommodating, some dogs can be impacted by even small changes to their routine in this way. Golden Retrievers are a very loving and happy dog breed, but older dogs might be suffering from discomforts or illnesses that make them feel less like doing the things that you want them to do. Be careful with old dogs that you are not disciplining them for an issue related to their health. If your older dog has been making messes in the house or seems grumpy all the time, make sure that you take your pet to see the vet before you assume that this is a behavioral issue. Puppies are just learning about how the world works and they will often try out all kinds of different behaviors to see if they are allowed. When we take puppies away from their mother, we become their parent and their pack. This means that we as humans need to give puppies all the guidance that the pack of other dogs would otherwise have given them. Golden Retrievers can exhibit a wide array of behaviors that you might not want them to display, but most of them are simple to deal with. Often all you need to do is show your dog the right way to do something and they will stop showing the negative behavior that you did not like. Adult dogs can display behavioral issues for a wide array of reasons, but most of the time, these behaviors are in response to changes in their environment. This might be a move to a new home, the addition of a new dog to the house, or even taking on an adult dog that you did not raise from the time it was a puppy. Adult Golden Retriever dogs are still very trainable, and you will usually have no problems getting your dog back on track. Making Messes in the House This is a very common puppy behavioral issue and it is easily remedied. The best way to teach your Golden Retriever not to make messes in the house is to crate train them. Make sure that you get the right size crate that is small enough that your puppy can just stand up and lay down comfortably inside of it. Dogs will not make messes in their dens where they sleep, so installing a crate in your home and making it the place where your dog spends unsupervised time is a great way to teach them that the crate and the house are your dens. When your puppy does make a mess in the house, you will want to simply press their nose to the puddle or mess and say firmly, no! You can then put your puppy outside to show them that this was where they should have made this mess. You will want to make sure that you are watching your puppy carefully when it is loose in the house and being certain that they are given time outside at least every half hour. If you have older dogs in the house, they will help show the puppy what the proper bathroom routine is. Chewing Things Up This can be a hard behavior to combat when dogs are young. This is often a teething behavior, and it will end when your puppy has all of its adult teeth. Some Golden Retrievers love to chew on things, but if you give them their own toys to chew on, they will typically make sure that they chew on their own possessions and not your shoes. Make sure to keep temptation at bay by putting your shoes and other items away from where your puppy can access them. Jumping Up on People Puppies have a wealth of energy, and they can sometimes display it in ways that are not ideal. If your puppy is jumping on people, you can work on teaching them not to do this by teaching them to sit. You can then ask them to sit down and wait when people walk up to them. Teaching them that the only way to get attention is to wait to be touched will show them how to ask for attention properly so that they stop jumping on people. This is a good thing to address when your puppy is young so that they do not continue to jump on people when they are fully grown. Digging Golden Retrievers can be prone to digging in the yard because they are driven to try to hunt for things to pick up and bring back to their owners. If you are dealing with an adult dog that is digging in your yard, make sure that you give them enough exercise and consider teaching them to fetch their own toys in your yard. This will teach them to think of the yard as a place where they play with their toys instead of digging. Marking in the House This is a common behavior for male puppies, but it is less common in adult dogs. If you have an intact male dog, this behavior can be hard to combat because their instincts will tell them to mark the house to protect it from other dogs that might challenge the safety of the house. When you have an adult dog that is marking in the house, you will want to take them to the vet to make sure that there is nothing medical that is causing this behavior. In housebroken dogs, suddenly marking in the house can be a sign of a variety of health concerns that you should not discipline your dog for. Golden Retrievers are big dogs, and you do not want them to be jumping over the fence and getting loose. You should also be sure your dog has enough toys, water, and comfort items in the yard to be content. Make Golden Retrievers are more likely to do this but Field Retrievers of both semesters can be prone to roaming. This is never a good idea since dogs can get into trouble, get hit by a car, or eat things that are bad for them while they are away from home. Being Aggressive With Other Pets in the House This behavior can happen when the dynamics of your pack of dogs or pets change. In some cases, an older dog might have been at the top of the pecking order and once it is gone, a younger dog will start to assert dominance that is not warranted. Intact males can display this behavior toward other young males, or an older female might also be dominant with other dogs as she ages. Another common issue that can happen is your Golden Retriever might choose to chase cats or smaller animals in the home. They are hunting dogs after all, and this can be a significant concern for smaller animals in the home. While your Golden Retriever is not likely to do anything more than pick up the animal and carry it places, it is still not an acceptable risk to let your Golden Retriever chase other animals in the house. When aggression is the issue that you are dealing with, sometimes calling in a dog trainer is the best way to solve the issue. Aggression can be complex to resolve, and you will find that many dogs that are displaying aggression will want to come back to this behavior over and over again. Sometimes you will need to feed the aggressive dog in another room or give them some hours outside alone each day to be calm and quiet. There are also some calming medications that can be used to help your dog to feel less intense toward the other dogs or pets in the home. Check out our articles in this series to learn how to deal with behavioral issues of Golden Retriever Puppies:. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is your golden retriever struggling with some behavior problems? Welcome to the life of a golden retriever parent! Have you ever been around a baby late at night? There are also physical and mental stimulation needs. Golden retrievers were originally bred to retrieve gunned down birds for their owners. They had to work all day running through fields, streams, and marshes… It required a lot of energy to do all of that work, so being full of energy and desiring a job to do is in their genes! Can you see how your golden might be bored and looking for an outlet for all of their energy? So the question is, how do you mentally and physically exercise your golden? Here are seven ways to do that: 1. Give them puzzle toys My golden retriever, Oliver, has a ton of energy, so we give him a lot of puzzle toys. We give him frozen kongs often, which is where we take some of his food , soak it in water for ten minutes, stuff it in a kong , then freeze it. It takes him anywhere from minutes to get all of the food out and he absolutely loves them. Plus, they use up a ton of mental energy. We have a rubber ball that we put his food in and he has to roll it around to get his meals out. Teach them to love chew toys Dogs naturally love to chew and it releases feel-good endorphins. If your golden is anxious or has a lot of pent-up energy, getting them to go to town on a chew toy will do wonders for them. You can play tug or fetch, or especially if you have a mouthy puppy you can use a flirt pole to play with them. Take them on walks Taking your golden retriever on a walk will allow them to sniff, which will help with the mental stimulation, as well as get a little physical exercise. Usually, with Oliver, we go on walks and sprinkle in some training throughout. Train them Challenging your golden retriever by teaching them new things and making them earn treats and praise is a great way to burn off some of their mental energy. Plus, when you challenge them and they overcome those challenges, that will help build confidence and give them a sense of satisfaction both of which will help decrease bad behaviors. Check out this article to learn how to train your golden retriever. Set up doggy play dates Most goldens love playing with other dogs, so if you have a friend who has a dog, or you meet some people in an online dog group, that could be a great way for them to get some exercise. We recently attended a local golden retriever meetup and Oliver absolutely loved playing with all of the other goldens. Take your golden to daycare A few times a month, Oliver goes to doggy daycare and he has a blast. Whenever we pull up to the building he realizes where we are and he gets so excited. One of the workers there even told me he has a girlfriend! Remove The Temptation One day, seemingly out of the blue, Oliver developed the bad habit of digging into the trash can in the office. He would grab Post-it notes, tissues, crumpled up paper, anything… Then he would run around the house and try to get us to chase him to get it back. Eventually, we got fed up with it, so we moved the trash can on top of the desk for a few weeks. He got out of the habit, and now we can use the trash can in peace again. Are there any temptations for your dog that you can remove, either temporarily or permanently? Can you put your shoes in the closet so your dog will stop chewing them? Can you not give them a certain toy that they become aggressive or possessive over? If your puppy is biting you, leave the room. This is called redirection. You give them pets and tell them how much you love them. They pull on the leash and you let them go up to the smelly smell, which makes them happy because they get to check it out. Are you accidentally rewarding and positively reinforcing this bad behavior? If you are, that could be adding to your problem. You have to kindly and patiently teach them what you want them to do. Puppies also love to have fun. Be sure to not give in to their games and accidentally reinforce bad behavior like stealing socks. Another thing is puppy biting. You can learn more about the golden retriever puppy timeline here. Common Golden Retriever Behavior Problems Here are several common golden retriever behavior problems: jumping on people. Check Price on Amazon Although young Golden Retriever puppies have short attention spans, the ideal time to start teaching basic commands is at 8 weeks old, as soon as you bring your pup home! Training sessions should only be up to five minutes long at this young age but can be repeated many times throughout the day. The second effective discipline moment is at the precise moment your puppy performs the unwanted behavior. When your Golden Retriever misbehaves, you should immediately communicate to him that his conduct is unacceptable. Expressing your disappointment and denying a reward immediately after an improper action is performed helps your puppy associate his poor behavior with the experience of no reward. If this message is given later, a disciplinary moment is lost. Because scolding your Golden Retriever long after any wrongdoing is crazy as dogs only have a 2-minute short-term memory. An excellent example of this is when your Golden Retriever will be excited when you walk through your door, even if you were with him 10 minutes earlier! However, dogs can recall your training commands through associative memory, meaning they form associations between commands, events, and behavior. Instead, your Golden Retriever is deliberately doing bad things, whether he knows it or not! It might even strengthen it! At least if he barks at you, he gets some attention from you! This is referred to as demand barking and is when dogs have learned that barking serves to get them what they want. Instead, ignore the bad behavior and reward him only when he has resumed the learned positive behavior. If we take our example of demand barking, ignore your Golden Retriever by not reacting to him or yelling at him. But as soon as he goes quiet, quickly reward him. Timing is vital as you must offer the reward, such as a tasty treat when he stops barking. And of course, find time to be with your dog! As a high-energy dog, an adult Golden Retriever needs around 2 hours of daily exercise. This can vary according to age, size, health, and genetics. Golden Retrievers are already one of the breeds sadly prone to obesity due to too many owners treating them like humans, unable to ignore their begging and puppy-dog eyes. A more recent study by the Morris Animal Foundation to understand juvenile obesity in Golden Retrievers is currently ongoing. Dogs with no outlet for energy will also engage in destructive behavior because they need to find a way to entertain themselves. Chewing, biting, barking, digging, jumping up on people, pacing, urinating at home and general hyperactivity are examples of destructive behavior. Rather than punish, find time to exercise your Golden Retriever. If you consistently chastise your dog and perhaps do so well after the event, you are missing the discipline moment. You will only cause confusion, fear, anxiety, distrust, and aggression in your dog. Suppose you come home after leaving your dog for an hour or two, and you see that he has misbehaved, such as chewing your table leg, and he is sitting there cowering, ears pinned back, and showing the whites of his eyes while looking up at you. Then quickly redirect the unwanted behavior to the desired one and always reward good conduct. The Behavior Was Not Mastered in the First Place If your dog is inadequately trained and the behavior is not perfected, your Golden Retriever will neglect good behavior. On your side, this will take patience and consistency. Similarly, if the training was left uncompleted, the dog may regress, which means starting all over again. This time, make sure to complete the learning process and avoid inefficient techniques, such as command nagging. Teach your Golden Retriever to respond to a single cue every time. Check out this video on how an experienced Golden Retriever mother teaches her excited puppies to calm down before feeding them! When puppies are removed too soon from their mother, they miss out on this vital learning. This video is incredible — it has over 77 million views! How an experienced dog mother teaches her 8 weeks old puppies to be calm. It means that he is stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious due to being separated from you. However, sometimes it can be caused by a former family member no longer being around. If you regularly leave your Golden in his crate for hours, he may also suffer from this distressing condition. Common behavior problems of dogs with separation anxiety include excessive barking, howling, whining, urinating, or defecating in the home despite being house-trained, digging, escaping, chewing, and destroying things. Your dog simply cannot cope with being alone. Use behavior modification techniques, counterconditioning, and desensitization to reduce separation anxiety. For example, you can condition your dog to look forward to being alone when he learns to associate the sound of your keys with getting a special treat. Another technique is desensitization. This is where you gradually teach your Golden Retriever to cope with being alone by leaving progressively. For example, you can start by making progressive departures of minutes and slowly increase. You might be wondering… How do you discipline your Golden Retriever without punishment? Find the solution to that in the next section. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Discipline is how dog owners communicate that some behavior is acceptable to their pet and others not. A dog must understand what actions his master likes and those he does not to succeed. Positive reinforcement, also known as reward-based training, means using a reward for desired behaviors. As the reward treats, attention, toys, praise, etc. Your puppy will quickly learn nice things happen when he does the right thing. In positive reinforcement, rewards include: Treats: These should be healthy and given in moderation. You can give small pieces of meat, such as chicken, turkey, or ham, or you can try safe fruits or vegetables. Expression of physical attention: Your Golden Retriever will enjoy a hug, a gentle pat, or a stroke behind the ears. Negative reinforcement means taking something away or removing the reward to increase the frequency of the behavior. Once he is lying down, you reward him by releasing the pressure. You have removed something the dog finds unpleasant the negative part to increase the desired behavior. If you keep doing this, the behavior is reinforced. Another example of negative reinforcement is if your Retriever is pulling on the leash, you may decide to stop walking. The straining on the leash is a negative feeling for your dog, but the negative feeling goes away when he stops pulling. On the contrary, it means reinforcing good behavior and deterring unbefitting behavior. In other words, you should not punish your Golden Retriever. It also includes other forms of punishment that would cause the dog physical harm, such as withdrawing food and water, and psychological punishment such as over-crating or tying him outside for days on end. Dogs do not have the logical ability to associate punishment with their action and, therefore, are unlikely to change. Instead, your dog will develop fear and aggression towards you, ultimately destroying your relationship, as he will no longer trust you. Animal abuse is also a crime that constitutes violent acts, neglect, and failure to provide general welfare. Yelling also causes fear and aggression in Golden Retrievers, making them rebel against you, possibly with a bite, or they may try to run away. Over time, dogs can take a kind of indifference to your yelling and learn to ignore it. You will not get anywhere with them in training and achieve very little. This scientific research showed that dogs trained using aversive-based methods experienced poorer welfare in both the short and long term than dogs trained using reward-based methods positive reinforcement. Specifically, they displayed more stress-related behaviors and body language during training and increased amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. Rather than shout at your Golden Retriever, you will achieve far greater results if you use a calm voice and make concise, consistent commands in a confident tone. And wrong! This is a misconception, and it will only teach your pup to fear you. You have to toilet-train him! Instead, if your Golden Retriever pees on your carpet, quickly correct his behavior and redirect him outside. Reward him when he finishes off by giving lots of verbal praise and a training treat. Most pet stores have tons of choices regarding chewing and teething toys, or you can always find a great selection on Amazon. While punishing will cause harm, disciplining is intended to teach and reinforce positive behavior. Correcting unwanted behaviors always works better than punishment. Use effective positive and negative reinforcement as these have proven to be the best training methods for your doggo. Adverse training techniques are counterproductive and will only harm the intense connection between you and your dog. In some cases, you could lose it forever, which would be pretty sad. Related Posts You May Like:. The bottom line As perfect as we would all like our retrievers to be, there are some factors you should consider regarding their temperament before choosing to adopt or buy one of your own. Getting to know your retriever: the basics What falls under the normal behavioral categories for dogs may be a blur to some, especially for new dog owners. So, here are the fundamentals you need to know. Now, like all dogs, Goldens jump, bark as a form of expressing their emotions, such as being happy, or scared in specific scenarios, digging around, and loving to chase small animals like chipmunks or squirrels. All of which are natural and normal. Retrievers are also highly sociable and energetic dogs, as they are called retrievers, after all. These then develop into behaviors, which can either be good or bad. With that being said, read on to learn more about common behavioral issues in retrievers. People-jumping Golden retrievers naturally love everyone they meet, even if it happens to be someone they have not met before. But sometimes, they may get a little too friendly. One particular way retrievers typically greet people is by jumping on people to say hello. And yes, these breeds were meant to be hunters the good kind with the everflowing energy they have within. A primary reason this happens is a lack of physical and mental stimulation through exercises or activities such as puzzle toys or dispensing toys to meet their physical and mental needs. Because of this, they tend to find their own way to meet these needs, some of which may not be pleasant. These destructive means may include chewing up socks or the furniture and even sneaking to rob your food on the counter! It could be your long-sleeved clothing, your arm, or a random twig they found at the park. No matter how gentle your retriever may be, when they hold you with their mouths, it might develop into a rather irritating habit, and may even hurt someone, if left unaddressed. A joy that Golden retrievers are more than eager to pursue. When out and about, retrievers tend to go on tunnel vision on where they want to go, such as an empty and open field just a few feet away. In doing so, they may pull on your leash and can sometimes topple you over with that sudden sprint as you get pulled down. This may also lead to breaking free off the leash and may cause your dog to get injured or lost. Needy for attention Goldens are undoubtedly and naturally friendly. Because of it, this means wanting to be in the spotlight of attention and care. This is why retrievers are suitable for and found in many family homes. Some ways they demand your attention can be through barking, grabbing, and nudging your arm to establish their presence, to name a few. Though each retriever may vary individually, there may be instances where how they get attention becomes negative. Such as stealing off your gloves from the table when you want to go grocery shopping. Over-the-roof energy levels When you walk by any golden retriever you see, there seems to be an overflow of energy through their smile as they pant or their wagging tails as they walk. Though this sounds fun to be around outdoors, it is not the case when being indoors. With energy to spare, retrievers will find anything they can do to use that energy. In most cases, it may be unwanted things or activities. These include running around and knowing over objects in the living room, biting or chewing off pillows, and leaving feathers all over the house. Separation anxiety The fact that they are sociable, loving, and family-oriented dogs, also makes them prone to separation anxiety. This may be when you have to leave the house to watch the movies or do some groceries. In fact, Golden retrievers tend to suffer separation anxiety at a higher rate than other dog breeds. The severity of their separation anxiety may range from mild to severe, which may be indicated by distinct symptoms. For retrievers with mild separation anxiety, they may pace, whine, drool, walk around frantically, or any other distress-related behavior. When the anxiety becomes severe, this may cause them to engage in destructive behavior such as digging at windows or doors or anything to get them outside. In doing so, they may be susceptible to unwanted injuries, especially when they dig at windows. Puppy biting Like all breeds, it only comes naturally for puppies to bite anything they can get their paws on, and yes, that means retrievers do too. It is crucial at this stage to train and teach golden pups how to inhibit biting. If this progresses without interference, it may lead to harmful injuries such as biting through the skin. Digging Digging is innate in all dogs, no matter what breed, size, or shape. This may be an issue, especially when they start digging objects at homes such as window frames, doors, or the fridge, as they may cause damage over time. This may result from being deprived of exercise and mental stimulation, which causes them to turn to digging as their way to cope and fulfill their physical and mental requirements. A great way to handle this is by either turning their attention with a pet toy or a simple game of fetch. Alternatively, you can also provide a safe outlet for them to do their personal digging, such as a dog-friendly sandbox. There are several factors or reasons why this may be the case for the rare few that do have aggressive tendencies. They include physical punishment from their past, a poor breeder, or a lack of socialization with other dogs or humans. At this point, resolving them simply comes by avoiding these factors in the first place, by choosing a reputable breeder, never physically punishing them for bad behavior, and ensuring they get socialized and introduced to other family members they meet from time to time. The bottom line The Golden retriever is a great dog breed for anyone, including individuals, couples, and especially families. Like all social beings, retrievers, too, naturally develop their sets of behavior as they are a hunting breed are innately set to retrieve things in their mouth. These include lack of physical exercise, mental stimulation , socialization, bad breeders, and lack of training on the rights and wrongs. Some of the best ways to combat them are by addressing these factors, that is by finding a reputable breeder, ensuring they get introduced to other dogs and humans to get familiarized, giving them puzzle toys for mental stimulation, taking them out on dog walks for physical exercise, and teach them how to properly greet strangers without jumping on them without any physical punishment. More Behavior. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Golden retrievers are such great family dogs. And they tend to have some behavior problems because of their great characteristics. Most goldens want to be near their people. And they love to be petted and get attention. They may jump, grab our hand or arm, or engage in some destructive behaviors. Many of these are normal dog behaviors that can be modified through training and exercise. Normal Dog Behaviors Versus Abnormal Behaviors Dogs naturally dig, bark, express fear in certain situations, mark territory, chase small animals, and jump. They may steal food. Or want to be with us all the time. Goldens were bred to be sociable, high-energy dogs. My rescued golden Spencer almost always had to carry something in his mouth. So I made sure there were safe toys for him to happily tote around. Unfortunately, many dogs are given up to shelters because of behaviors that can be modified. To have a great companion takes a lot of work, patience, and time. And to meet those needs. These should be dealt with by behavior specialists who can evaluate the individual dog and determine the best behavior modification plan. These abnormal behaviors include aggression to those around the dog, obsessive-compulsive disorders, shutting down, and severe separation anxiety. Why Behavior Problems Develop There is no one reason why some behavior problems occur. Unfortunately, goldens are so popular—the third-popular breed ranked by the American Kennel Club—they are often poorly bred. There are too many back-yard and puppy mill dogs who are more likely to not be the examples of what the breed should be. Jumping on People Golden retrievers usually love everyone and never met a stranger. Goldens are the greeting committee of the dog world. Many dogs want to jump on people when greeting them. The golden can, of course, unintentionally injure someone, knocking them over in his exuberant greeting. Engaging in Destructive Behavior In addition to friendliness, goldens were bred to hunt. They have energy to spare. And they were bred to retrieve and have something in their mouths. They may dig up the garden. Or chew up our furniture. Or they may steal the food on the counter. And the food they eat may be toxic, such as chocolate or raisins. Or they may get a blockage from ingesting a towel or sock. A bored, under-exercised golden can get very creative in meeting his needs. They often need to have something in their mouths. That is, he may constantly try to hold our clothes, arm, or hand in his mouth. Biting is a natural canine behavior. But puppies should be taught bite-inhibition. And it can be dangerous. Someone can be badly bruised or even pulled down. Pulling on the Leash Goldens love to go places and greet all their new admirers. But they want to get there sooner rather than later. Many dogs pull on a leash, but not all are as friendly as goldens are known to be. And they can be lazer-focused on getting where they want to go. Being a rather large dog, a golden pulling on a leash can injure someone. An owner can be pulled down and get injured. Or the dog himself can get free and get lost or injured—or worse. Demanding Attention Because of their natural friendliness, goldens may want to be the center of attention. They are so family-oriented, they love to be with us. Some goldens may bark at you for attention. They may nudge you and grab your arm to be recognized. Some may even engage in unwanted behaviors like taking something off the table. Even negative attention is attention. Hyperactivity Some goldens seemingly bounce off the walls. They are like a hurricane passing through the living room. Tables are cleared of bric a brac. Pillows are shredded and on the floor. But your happy golden is furiously wagging his tail, looking for the next item he can use to help expel his excess energy. Separation Anxiety Because of their innate friendly, family-oriented behavior, goldens may suffer from separation anxiety at a higher rate than some other breeds. Their need to be with us can lead to some unwanted behaviors. Dogs with mild separation anxiety may drool, pace, whine, and generally behave in a distressed manner. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may become very destructive. They may try to get out of doors and windows, feverishly digging at door and window frames. They may even severely harm themselves in their attempts to get free. Dogs with separation anxiety may need professional behavioral help. We owe it to our goldens to do all that we can do to meet their natural needs. A bored, untrained, under-exercised, unsupervised golden is going to develop some problem behaviors. Some of the tips below will even help your golden from developing any of the potential problems cited above. I wrote the ways to help fix a problem separately from the problems because it will probably take more than one item to successfully change an unwanted behavior. All of the favorable interactions we have with our goldens also help further our bond with them. Physical Exercise Goldens were bred to hunt. They are highly-energetic dogs. Walks, fetching, jogging, agility, and swimming can all be great ways to physically exercise your golden. A vet check-up is advisable prior to starting any exercise program. Physical exercise can help decrease or eliminate the above-named problems. Of course, you want to exercise your dog enough but not over-tire them. Dogs who have been sufficiently exercised are less likely to jump or engage in destructive activities such as digging or chewing. Also, dogs who are exercised and calm before we leave are less likely to develop separation anxiety. Obedience Training Obedience training helps us communicate with our dogs and informs them what behaviors are desired. So we can teach them to sit before they receive attention. Or to lie down next to us and settle. And we can show him what toys he can put in his mouth rather than destroying items or turning us into his chew toy. Redirection works. And we can teach them to not pull on a leash and to walk on a loose leash. Part of the training should include how to leave your dog alone. This will help prevent separation anxiety from developing. Start with short sessions. Make leaving a happy opportunity—when great things appear. Leave a frozen, stuffed Extreme Kong with him as you leave. If your dog has already shown signs of separation distress, get the help of a qualified behavior specialists. As far as your golden inappropriately seeking attention is concerned, you can ignore your dog. Turn away or get up and leave. But do give him the attention he needs on your terms by calling him over to you occasionally. Pet him. Have him do a command or trick. Praise, pet, and treat. You should also play games with him. Teach him to tug a toy like a rope or long fleece to and give. You can have him play fetch. You can play hide-and-seek where you go and hide and call him to you. Make a big deal when he reaches you YES! Good boy! And not at all with a dog who has separation anxiety. But, to goldens, this is what they often enjoy most. Everyone is a potential friend. Goldens will thrive if they are fed the same times each day, are exercised as needed routinely, and receive attention from their people every day. No dog should be just put aside like a statue. Goldens especially need attention through positive daily interactions—play, training, exercise. If ignored, their sweet, golden personality will wilt. Final Thoughts Golden retrievers are such happy, affable, family dogs. But they are prone more than some breeds to certain problem behaviors because of their genetic purpose to retrieve and their desire to be with people. By doing so, their lives—as well as ours—will be full and happy. Does your golden engage in any unwanted behaviors? How have you handled them? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Related Article:. Going through life with a badly behaved dog can be very demanding and stressful, usually resulting in a lower quality of life for both dog and owner alike. The list of articles will be growing all the time to cover everything from understanding what natural personality characteristics of a Golden Retriever are, why they act the way do, what behavior issues are, how they can develop and how to solve common Golden Retriever behavior problems. I think every owner has a duty to learn what makes a dog tick. They have different instincts, drives and needs that fuel their temperament. The key to raising a well balanced and well obedient dog is first understanding what these different behavioral needs are, then finding acceptable ways to satisfy those needs. This opens up a whole new level of communication because you can then adjust how you behave toward your dog and what you ask of them depending on their state of mind. And this impacts every aspect of your lives together. These next few articles will help you to understand your Golden Retriever:.

Categories Dog Fun , Dog Training Boxers, like any other active dog breed, needs their fair share of daily exercise. Swimming may seem like a great option for a sunny day. However, Boxers are heavy-boned dogs with a wide frame. So, can Boxers swim or will they sink? Boxers can and often do enjoy swimming, however, they are at risk while swimming in bodies of water. For this reason, safety precautions are necessary. Plenty of Boxers have successfully become good swimmers. But before you throw your Boxer in the deep end, there are things you should know. Some breeds, such as the Golden Retriever or Chesapeake Retriever, were actually bred to swim. Needless to say, this is not the case with Boxers. And while plenty of Boxers regularly swim, they have clear disadvantages in the water that all owners need to know about before putting them in the pool. In fact, I think the adorable faces are the best part of the Boxer. Specifically, it makes it more difficult for Boxers to breath while treading in water. Dog breeds with these facial characteristics are called Brachycephalic dogs. All of which, should be carefully monitored when put into large bodies of water. However, when these dogs have to tilt their heads upwards while in water, the restriction can be much greater. The unnatural position while dog paddling puts your Boxer at a huge disadvantage while swimming. So, the best way to help them in the water is to provide a life jacket to give them a more natural posture in the water. Weighing in at around 60 pounds and standing roughly 22 inches tall, Boxers are a fairly typical medium dog. Combine that with the difficulty of breathing and you could potentially have a real big problem on your hands. Once again, the best way to counter this problem is to provide them with a life jacket. As you may have guessed, Boxers are not one of them. In fact, they were not purposely bred to be anywhere near water. On the contrary, Boxers were specifically bred for bull-baiting now, an illegal blood sport and later on, as multi-purpose farm dogs. The most successful working Boxers most likely never even played in the nearby lakes! In addition, they pulled carriages for butchers to the slaughterhouses, among many other farm jobs. Can Your Boxer Swim? Whether a Boxer is good at swimming depends on the individual dog. Even whether a Boxer will enjoy a swim will greatly vary. With that said, we surveyed real Boxer owners to ask the question: can your Boxer swim? Responses are collected from various dog forums, including the popular Boxer Subreddit. Real Owner Answers: 1. She knew she loved water the moment we first visited a lake. It was love at first sight for her. My girl will only go as far as getting her toes wet, but will avoid getting her chest wet. My dog will sink and walk along the bottom. She will claw at me when I attempt to teach her how to swim. Still a big improvement from before. I spent a couple hours in the water with him trying to help him keep his front paws under water while paddling. In water, he goes nearly vertical even with a life vest on. Before you start, remember that you should never force your Boxer into the water. After all, Boxers are brachycephalic dog breeds. Anxiety, fear and panic, combined with their unique facial structures will make it even harder to breath while swimming. Here are the steps to getting your Boxer to swim with you in no time! Boxers Need a Life Vest Important! And by equipment, I really only mean a life vest. Even the AKC recommends the use of life vests. Not only will a life vest give your Boxer a nice boost of confidence but it also gives you, the owner, some peace of mind. Unless your dog is already super experienced, I never recommend going without a life vest. A big reason why we recommend a life vest is because novice dog swimmers will only paddle their front feet as the bottom feet looks for the ground. It looks very comfortable for the dog, which is crucial in the beginning stages. Plus, the bright colors makes your dog highly visible. Next, you can fill a portable kid pool or bathroom tub with water and let them literally get their feet wet. Keep in mind, the second step should take a while. Spend multiple days playing in a tub of water prior to the day planned for swimming. Whether a pool or lake, let your dog sniff the water and get used to the sight of the body of water. Start Shallow This seems obvious, but apparently not to every dog owner. Always start with the shallow end first. The quickest way to freak out your Boxer is by throwing the dog into the deep end for the first time. Before getting into the shallow end, make sure the life vest is on at this point. Instead, try bribing them with some delicious treats make sure to only bring the best. As they get closer into the water, or deeper in, make sure to give positive praises along the way. Boxers thrive on positive reinforcement. So, it really helps their confidence by doing so. If your dog has a favorite toy, make sure to bring that with you too. Try throwing their toy into the water. Once your Boxer gets into the water, slowly bribe them to go deeper and deeper. Here are some extra tips from the professionals. PetMD suggests that you always start with a dog leash in addition to the life vest on your Boxer. Not only will it keep your dog from swimming too far out, but it will give both you and your dog an extra sense of security. The best way to get your dog into the water is by getting into the water with them. Dogs learn a lot from their owners. And if your Boxer has a dog-friend that already knows and loves to swim, bring that friend too! Dogs are also great at learning from each other. Tell us in the comments section below, does your Boxer swim? Is your dog good or bad at swimming? Posts you may like:. End results -- your Boxer will learn to have fun and gain confidence! Swimming, whether in a pool or a lake can be very enjoyable form of exercise for both you and your Boxer. It is an excellent way to condition your dog for the show ring, weight loss or for physical therapy in dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy. As with any new physical activity, make sure your dog has a thorough check-up with your veterinarian before starting. Precautions must be taken to ensure your dog's safety. Being deep-chested and tailless, our Boxers need plenty of instruction learning to turn and maneuver in the water. Boxer's do not have the benefit of a rudder tail to help them steer, for example. Invest in a good quality canine life jacket. Fitted properly, the life jacket should fit snugly, which prevents the dog from slipping out of the jacket. I prefer the longer type, as they help to keep the dog's hindquarters afloat. A buckle collar is important so that you can lend guidance and support to your dog, as well as for your use in the event of an emergency. As you will be in the water with your dog, teaching and assisting, I recommend that YOU wear protective clothing, such as jeans and a long sleeved shirt, to prevent being clawed or bruised. To get started, socialize young pups 6 to 8 weeks of age to a running water hose. This will stimulate curiosity and offer a new tactile experience. Small baby pools and shallow lake banks are great places to work with younger dogs in helping them to become comfortable with having their feet and legs submerged. Do not expect your dog to be a "natural". Starting to swim will require your patience and encouragement. It takes more than a few times in the pool or the lake before your Boxer starts to really enjoy himself. If your dog is strongly motivated by toys, use one that floats to coax him into the water. Teaching your dog to safely enter and exit the water is critical. If teaching in a pool, use the stairs to lower your dog into the water each time and as the exit as well. Some suggest that you use a large cone marker or bicycle flag to help visually mark the stair or shoreline exit for your dog. The first time you and your Boxer enter the water, try to make it a positive and pleasant experience. Support the dog's body with your arms underneath his chest and lower him into the water one step at a time. Some dogs will splash wildly around when they first start. This is normal and will soon subside as your dog starts to relax and learn to effectively propel himself through the water. The transitional step, when your Boxer's feet no longer touch the bottom, being totally suspended in the water, is most critical. Float him in front of you as walk around in the water, lending your support with your arm under his belly. Helping your Boxer to keep his front feet under the water will minimize splashing. You may need to repeat this a number of times depending how quickly his level of confidence increases. Once your dog feels, at ease in the water with your assistance, it is s time to let him start on his own. With your support, swim him out into the water or to the center of the pool and point him in the direction of his exit or the shoreline. Guide him to the steps or shoreline and praise heavily. Repeat as many times as needed to build his confidence. Next, encourage him to swim toward you, rather than to the exit or shoreline. Swimming is well known to slow progression, strengthening leg muscles, giving your older Boxer a therapeutic workout. Again, your Boxer should have a thorough check-up by his veterinarian before starting this type of exercise. Chances are, if you are just now introducing your older Boxer to swim, extra patience will be needed, as older dogs wiII not acclimate to the water as easily as the youngsters will. While he is swimming, you will need to lend extra support to his hindquarters. Using the longer type of canine life jacket will help in keeping his back end buoyant. Swimming sessions should be short, but gradually lengthened each time. Some dogs may need to start out for only one minute. Swimming Tips: Never leave your dog unattended around the pool. Teach him the entry and exit. Use a canine life jacket at all times. Swimming is hard work, so keep sessions short and do not overtire your Boxer. Use your dog's favorite floating toy or ball to help motivate him to get in the water. Try to let your Boxer swim with other accomplished swimming dogs. He will learn from them as well. Boxer's will ingest a lot of water while swimming. It is a good idea to allow your dog ample opportunities to relieve himself, long after he has left the pool or lake. By: Tracy L.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.Growth and weight The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs. When Your Puppy Comes Home Although they look pretty sturdy at eight weeks old, German Shepherd puppies are vulnerable to tummy upsets when they arrive at a new home. To help them settle in stick with the food their breeder was giving them for the first two weeks minimum. You can then gradually swap over by increasing proportions over the course of a couple of days. However, if they are doing well on their original food, considering sticking with it for longer. To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the breeder, the feed manufacturer or by your veterinarian. This will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated. Your puppy should be fed four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. However, the more often you feed your pup the stronger your bond will grow. Simple sits and recalls, puppy tricks, they all make a big difference to how your dog behaves towards you and feels about you as they grow. What to Feed A German Shepherd Puppy You will find there are a lot of different opinions about what kind of food is best. Kibble and wet food are the most popular, but you do also have the option of raw or homemade meals. Puppy Kibble Great quality, high meat content kibble is my go-to for feeding larger puppy breeds. At the beginning of the day I measure out their daily food amount, then separate it into little pots. Some as meals, and the remainder to use throughout the day to reward good behavior or get off on the right foot with positive reinforcement. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains. The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs. Canned Dog Food For picky eaters canned food can be more appealing. It smells stronger, and debatably tastes nicer. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. However, it may be more difficult to regulate a BARF diet to ensure a slow and steady growth rate in young puppies. If you find this option intriguing, you can check out our article on feeding your dog a raw diet. Homemade Diets Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies. There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing. As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy. Is My Puppy the Right Weight? You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range. However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy. Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later. Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel but not simple to see. My Puppy Is Still Hungry If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats. Keeping a health puppy active and occupied will help prevent them from becoming overly focused on anticipating their next meal. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

It is now common to find many locals taking short morning or evening walks while holding their dogs. That is enough proof that pet ownership in Kenya has turned into a status symbol. Unlike before, when nobody paid attention to specific dog breeds in Kenya, the most expensive dogs today and the most in-demand will set you back thousands of shillings. Labrador retriever dogs looking at camera while they are chewing a rope toy in backyard. While many Kenyans are buying dogs for companionship, others are buying them for security. It is one of the reasons why many locals constantly look for Kenya Police dogs for sale at auctions because they know they will get elite guards and sniffer dogs. But how much do different dog types in Kenya cost? Dog breeds in Kenya Which is the best dog in Kenya? Arguably, the German Shepherd is the best dog in Kenya. But people will also tell you the Chihuahua because of its personality, ranging from aggressive and outgoing to shy. Here are more details about the dogs that different people in Kenya may consider the best, including their prices. The Boerboel — Kshs 10, to, Two beautiful Boerboel puppies relaxing on the grass at the park, both are looking off camera. Photo: AfricaImages Source: Getty Images If you want a dog breed that is protective of its human children and is an excellent guardian, the Boerboel is what you need. Although the dog can be overprotective and aggressive, it is also great at socialisation. Another advantage of the dog is that it has minimal grooming needs and does not suffer from constant health concerns. But the Boerboel does not come cheap. You are likely to spend as high as Kshs , to buy the dog, with the lowest price being around Kshs 10, Its looks and temperament can deter unwanted visitors. Furthermore, bulldogs tend to be incredibly strong, especially if you have the English Bulldog. If you are looking for bulldogs for sale in Kenya, expect to pay anywhere between Kshs 25, and Kshs , The Chihuahua — Kshs 8, to 40, 5 pound long haired chihuahua pure breed outside on a tree trunk. The Chihuahua can learn a lot from the owner. For example, you can teach it to obey your commands. Furthermore, the dog can learn a lot from early socialisation and training. When you expose it to many people, places, and things, the Chihuahua builds its confidence. You can buy a month-old mixed-breed Chihuahua from as low as Kshs 8, Purebred Chihuahuas do not go beyond KES 40, The Dachshund — Kshs 20, Young dachshund hunting in the forest. It is a dog breed that loves to snuggle under the covers if you allow them. Furthermore, it loves being around its owner and will often follow you and become your loyal companion. Prices for the Dachshund differ significantly depending on whether you want a mixed breed or purebred. However, expect to pay at least Kshs 20, for the dog. Photo: Tara Gregg Source: Getty Images The Doberman may not be the ideal dog for you if you do not have enough time to spend with the dog daily. Furthermore, the breed may be challenging to hold if it is your first time owning a dog. The advantage is that the Doberman is a great companion, and you are likely to have a whole lot of fun with it. Most breeders who have dogs for sale in Nairobi price the Doberman at between Kshs 20, and Kshs , It is playful, energetic, well-behaved, loves to be involved in family activities, and is a great companion for children. However, since it requires lots of outdoor activities, inadequate exercise may render the dog nervous. The German Shepherd — Kshs 5, to, German shepherd resting on grass. The breed is often used as a working-class dog for the police and armed forces. But homeowners can benefit from its loyalty, intelligence, and love if kept active. Their courageous and protective personality makes them an excellent breed for a guard dog. Prices for the German Shepherd tend to be high, with a one-month mixed breed dog going for Kshs 5, and a purebred going for as high as Kshs , The Japanese Spitz — Kshs 10, Headshot of a Japanese spitz puppy sitting on a white backdrop looking at the camera. The dog breed is also intelligent, easy to train, and great with children. However, it requires constant exercise and good grooming because of its white fur. As one of the best dog breeds in Kenya, the Japanese Spitz costs around Kshs 10, The Labrador Retriever — Kshs 5, to 70, Horizontal image of a yellow labrador retriever dog sitting in grass with a stick in her mouth. And like other breeds, the Labrador Retriever requires plenty of physical stimulation and social interaction, without which it will bark more than usual, possibly to excess, because of its pent-up energy. As one of the best local dogs in Kenya, the Labrador costs from Kshs 5, to over Kshs 70, The Maltese Terrier — Kshs 8, An adorable portrait of a havanese maltese puppy on green grass in a vibrant summer backyard. Its size makes it easier for you to pick it up and carry it around. Furthermore, it is a lively, funny, playful, and affectionate dog that loves warm and sunny weather. However, the Maltese Terrier tends to bark excessively if left alone for hours. You can buy it from Kenyan dog breeders for around Kshs 8, The Rottweiler — Kshs 7, to, Portrait of Rottweiler puppy lying on table at park. It is the best dog for homeowners that can give it attention, affection, and lots of exercises. Furthermore, the dog needs a firm and dominant owner who is unafraid of taking on the challenges of having a large dog breed. The Rottweiler price in Kenya stars from Kshs 7, for a purebred to Kshs , The Samoyed — Kshs 10, Portrait of samoyed standing on road amidst trees in forest. But apart from the physical, the Samoyed is gentle and dependable. It is also a playful dog breed that enjoys vigorous outdoor exercise. Another reason to own the Samoyed is that it is an excellent dog for first-time pet owners as long as you have the time to satisfy its regular exercise, socialisation, and grooming needs. The Samoyed price in Kenya starts from Kshs 10, But these dogs are not cheap, with the minimum amount you are likely to spend being around Kshs 5, However, you will be getting a dog that can be your companion or guard at home. The most expensive cars in Kenya belong to wealthy politicians and entrepreneurs who have managed to build a multi-million empire. Whenever fancy cars are discussed, names of renowned personalities such as Chris Kirubi, Mike Sonkoo, and Evans Kidero pop up. To own the most expensive cars in Kenya you should be prepared to dig deep into your pockets. Getting one and driving it on Kenyan roads means you will be among the elite people in society, making statements with pricey machines. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news Hot:. Ready looking for their home now , 12 weeks old, They three boys. Mum and dad are both full pedigree and both here to view with pups. My puppies are straight back and short haired. Puppies are fled and wormed to date, microchipped, come with a scented from mum and a small bag of food. All of my puppies have great temperaments and have been raised with our loving family Naivasha german shepherd Kenya German Shepherd Puppies german shepherd Naivasha, Kenya German Shepherd Puppies We have a stunning mixed litter of German shepherd puppies waiting for forever loving homes. Only 1 boy and 1 girl available, well socialised brought up in a family with children and other pets. All have been wormed from 2 weeks. All will be Microchipped and first vaccine given before they leave. On our online store you can have a range of Showline german shepherd puppies for sale available and you can choose from there the best puppy according to your demand and liking. We breed our puppies in the best ethical conditions to meet the standard level. Ready for loving homes by Will have shots. Vet checked Please Contact me back by Email: sandrinemayer39 gmail. Akc registration papers, 2 puppies vaccinations, health records, and health guarantee. This breed thrives on companionship as well, and they will form extremely close bonds with their family. Naivasha german shepherd Kenya.

Video of a Basset Hound Mixed with German Shepherd Temperament and Personality Obedient, intelligent, affectionate, and loyal like both its parents, they excel as amazing house pets. In some of them, you could also see the clownish instincts of the Basset Hound, keeping everyone in the house fully entertained. The Basset Hound German Shepherd mix is famed for its guarding skills and watchdog instincts all because of its alert, brave and courageous nature. This trait, therefore, makes them wary of strangers, compelling them to intimate their masters the moment they see any intruder trespassing into their domain or territory. They also have a good rapport with kids, though parental supervision is needed with the little ones. It gets along well with other dogs and cats, especially when brought up with them. Care Exercise Being a result of two of the most energetic dog breeds, the Basset requires a lot of activities like a long walk and sufficient playtime in a fenced yard on a regular basis to be mentally and physically energized. Grooming They too might shed heavily just as their parents and thus need a bi-weekly brushing using a rubber curry brush. Bathe it when it gets dirty and do not forget to trim its nails, brush its teeth, as well as clean its ears and eyes on a routine basis. Health Problems Some of the common health problems it suffers from include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems cherry eye and cataract and cervical vertebral instability. Training Though its intelligence is a boon for training, it could at times be difficult to handle and show the stubbornness and strong-willed nature of its parents. Giving the German Shepherd Basset Hound mix socialization training would help it distinguish between the good and the bad since an early age and also develop a good rapport with friendly people and all dogs. Obedience training and teaching of commands would help it to remain disciplined and well-behaved since its puppy days. Feeding Good quality dry dog food is essential to keep it in good health. If you are adding homemade food to its diet, make sure you consult the vet regarding the same. November 2, at pm We adopted a basset shepherd about 9 years ago. They estimated him at about 6 years old. That would put him at about 15 years old now, but he still acts like a puppy all the time. He is amazing with my kids. He never bites, but if they get to rough he will bark at them and we remind them that he did not like what they were doing and not to do it again. I do believe he is very sensitive around his hind legs, and seems to be going blind very slowly. This really is an amazing breed. I wish we would have had him since he was a puppy. This mix is a descendant of two of the most intelligent and loyal breeds. The German Shepherd Basset Hound mix comes from two hard-working dog breeds. Both parents have hunting instincts, so one can expect this breed to be full of energy and eager for physical activities. On the other hand, the Coonhound Shepherd mix is another German Shepherd mix. Just like other hound dogs, they are very active and affectionate. With the right supervision and training, both crossbreeds can prove to be excellent family companions. German Shepherd Hound Mix Origin and History The Shepherd Hound mix has existed for less than 20 years, but there is still little knowledge about its history. However, most of its background can be traced back to its parent breeds. The German Shepherd Hound dog mix comes from a breed of hunters and farm dogs. Their Hound ancestors were originally bred to hunt live animals, especially rabbits. Meanwhile, the German Shepherd breed was originally trained to herd sheep. As years passed, they were also tasked to help with search-and-rescue operations and were known to be excellent guide dogs. That is why one can expect that a German Shepherd Hound mix puppy will be very active and need regular physical and mental exercises. They are also very likely to have a strong sense of smell. Typically, a Shepherd Hound mix has a long body with short legs. Its muzzle is long and square. The coat may be black, brown, or white, while others have beautiful patterns and combinations of these different colors. Aside from these, a Shepherd Hound mix may exhibit traits from other varieties of German Shepherds. Instead of the typical brown and black color, some may have solid black or solid brown like the liver German Shepherd. The Coonhound Shepherd mix or the German Shepherd Basset Hound mix puppy may also have short or long hair, depending again on the variety of their German Shepherd parent. Some may have a double coat, while others have a single coat. This will protect them from cold or extreme heat. A Shepherd Hound mix may also have a wooly, dense, and slightly wavy coat. The ears of this crossbreed are also large and pointing downwards, just like that of a Basset Hound. Their eyes are bright and alert, and their tails are quite long. Meanwhile, a Coonhound Shepherd mix can weigh anywhere from 45 to 80 pounds in weight and between 23 and 27 inches in height. Hence, you can expect your dog can grow from a medium to large-sized pooch once they are fully grown. Usually, GSD Hound mixes stop growing between 12 and 18 months. However, others may continue to grow until 24 months old. You must also consider the genetics and variant of your German Shepherd Hound mix puppy. Its weight and height may slightly differ from the others if the parents come from the giant or dwarf German Shepherd lineage. Moreover, there are four variants of the Coonhound. This may also affect the size of your hybrid dog. It will not hesitate to put its life on the line to protect its owner. This hybrid also makes a good family dog because of its affectionate nature. The male German Shepherd Basset Hound mix can be more protective than its female counterpart, but they are also friendlier. But this behavior may differ based on the variety of their parents. This mix is patient with children and other dogs. However, they need supervision whenever they are around small kids because of their playfulness. The German Shepherd and Hound mix also has innate curiosity. This goes back to their history of being bred as hunters. Their intelligence and alertness make them not only good companions but also excellent guard dogs. Socialization at an early age is important to avoid problems in the future. One benefit of having this mix is it is not prone to many serious diseases unless they come from unhealthy parents. One of the most common problems with a German Shepherd Hound dog mix is obesity. Unlike other dogs, this breed will eat their hearts out if left with food and treats. Other health problems that are usually seen with German Shepherd Hound mixes are the following: Degenerative Myelopathy: This is also called chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy CDRM. It is a condition where the spinal cord of the dog is affected, leading to its inability to walk and control urination and bowel movements. According to studies, this condition arises when a dog has a mutated gene or when it inherits it from its parents. This condition is hereditary but common for large breeds and overweight dogs. The pain is due to the ball and socket joints in the hips, which become loose. Continuous abnormal movement of the hip joint causes it to lose cartilage and eventually form scars and bone spurs. Eye Issues: One of the most common eye problems seen in the Shepherd Hound mix is the cherry eye. It is called cherry eye because it appears as a bright red, swollen gland in the eyes. Although this is not very painful, the condition may worsen if the dog scratches it. The best way to prevent these conditions is to bring your Shepherd Hound mix to the veterinarian for health checks. Providing them with nutritious food and suitable exercise is also beneficial. If you are planning to get a Shepherd Hound mix, it is important that you have sufficient knowledge on how to take care of your pooch. This guide will teach you how to feed, groom, and train your dog. Food and Diet A Shepherd Hound mix needs a balanced diet in order to keep it healthy and live a longer life. Proteins, fats, fibers, vitamins, and minerals are all important to keep your German Shepherd Hound dog mix in optimal health condition. Proteins are essential to their diet because this will help them develop a splendid physique. The right amount of fats is important because this will provide your dog the energy that it needs for its daily activities since its parents are both very energetic breeds. A German Shepherd Hound mix requires two well-proportioned meals in a day. Avoid overfeeding them because this mix is prone to obesity, which may eventually lead to hip and joint problems in the future. A bowl with clean water must also always be available to keep your dogs hydrated. You may add some ice cubes to their bowl if the weather gets too hot for them in the summer. It also has a thick overcoat which is why they shed a lot during the spring and summer seasons. Regular brushing is essential to prevent it from matting and to keep the natural oils on its coat. A Shepherd Hound mix may bathe once a month or every 2 to 3 months. Regular brushing also removes the dust trapped on its coat. However, your dog needs a bath if it accidentally rolls on its poop or plays in the mud. During flea and tick season, bathe your German Shepherd Hound mix with a medicated shampoo. Some common skin problems are eczema, hot spots, and other fungal infections. Training and Exercise Although this cross is highly trainable, a German Shepherd Hound mix puppy needs training in basic obedience, potty training, walking, and socialization at an early age. This mix can be stubborn and may sometimes not pay attention to your lessons. But given proper training and patience, your dog will learn your commands easily. Therefore, regular exercises, both physical and mental, are important to them. They may destroy things at home if they get bored, so aside from regular walks, toys that are mentally stimulating will be helpful in keeping them busy. You also need an initial budget for food, vet visits, and basic essentials. If you already have some of these, this budget may be reduced. The table below will give you an overview of the budget you need in case you want to get a German Shepherd Hound mix puppy: Type of Expense. German Shepherd Bloodhound Mixes require a diet that will meet the needs of large dogs. This also means they will likely eat a large amount at each meal. A high-quality, protein-packed kibble is a sufficient food for your dog. They also need fats, vitamins, minerals, fruits, and vegetables to stay in the best shape. Their perfect food will depend on their weight, age, and any health conditions that they may have. Overall, a well-balanced food that does not contain fillers or additives is a healthy choice for them. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Given the slobbery nature of this dog, their bowl may have to be changed several times a day. Digging, excessive barking, and destruction in the house can be avoided with proper exercise. At a minimum, this mix needs at least an hour a day of good physical activity. Not only will it keep them healthy, but it will also keep them out of trouble. While this makes the dog easy to train , the stubbornness of the Bloodhound can sneak out sometimes. Luckily, the desire that this dog has to perform a task and do it well outweighs most of the stubbornness. They are eager to do their jobs. As a product of two working dogs, this mix is happiest when they have a job to do. With their high energy levels, they may also benefit from agility training. Then, they shed some more. The coat can take on the texture of either parent and daily brushing can help keep the shedding under control. You can invite them into the tub when they get dirty or start to smell. A moisturizing oatmeal shampoo will keep their skin healthy and soft. Regular nail trims to avoid paw injuries are required. The most important part of grooming this dog is ear care. If your mix inherited Bloodhound ears, they will be long, heavy, and droopy. Moisture, dirt, and bacteria can get trapped in the ear. After baths or any time your dog gets wet, be sure to thoroughly dry the ear canals with a soft towel. Check regularly for any signs of infection, like redness, swelling, discharge, incessant ear scratching, or a foul odor coming from the canal. These dogs should be seen by a vet regularly to detect and possibly avoid any health problems. Ear infections — The buildup of bacteria leads to soreness, swelling, pain, and itchiness. Osteoarthritis — This is the depletion of cartilage in the joints, increasing inflammation and causing pain. Bloat — The stomach fills with gas and twists, trapping the air and requiring surgery to repair. Male vs Female Choosing whether to get a male or female German Shepherd Bloodhound Mix will come down to a matter of personal preference. The personality of each dog is unique to that individual, but generalizations have been made about the different sexes. Females are thought to be gentler and more passive, while males want to dominate situations and take control. Males are also reported to be more possessive and protective than females. The only documented difference between the two is size. Females are typically smaller than males, though both can grow to be quite large. This dog is a combination of desired characteristics that make them great family companions. You can find a mix online through breeders or people looking to unload accidental litters, but checking with your local animal shelters and rescues first is a great way to find a beautiful dog and save a life. See also:. Coat The coats of the German Shepherd and the Coonhound are vastly different. The GSD is a double-coated breed with a medium-length outer coat. In contrast, the Black and Tan Coonhound has a short but dense coat. The coat of their offspring would depend on which parent it takes after. It will shed throughout the year but will do so more heavily twice a year to blow its coat. This is generally managed with occasional bathing and weekly brushing more frequently during shedding season. In contrast, a German Shepherd Coonhound cross that takes its coat from the Coonhound parent will be much easier to groom because of its short coat. However, it will still shed regularly and have the tendency to develop a strong, undesirable odor. For such dogs, frequent bathing and regular brushing are ideal. Ear maintenance is also a concern for a mutt that takes its ears from its Coonhound parent. Coonhounds have long, droopy ears that make them more prone to ear infections. It is critical to dry their ears thoroughly after every bath and to check them regularly for any signs of infection. Strength The physiques of both the German Shepherd and the Coonhound will undoubtedly result in a solidly built dog. Their bodies will be suitable for various types of demanding work, although much care should be given to support their bones and joints. These dogs are also expected to have the ability to work incessantly due to their incredible work ethic. As for bite strength, if the mix takes more after the German Shepherd, it could have a bite force somewhere around psi. Speed Although the Black and Tan Coonhound is best known for its nose, its roots as a hunter of raccoons and other small, scurrying game have also built it up for high speeds. They are also incredibly agile. Similarly, German Shepherds have been known to reach top speeds of 30 minutes per hour. With proper conditioning, they are also excellent endurance runners. They will thrive and be on their best behavior when they are given ample opportunities for physical exertion on a daily basis. This might be in the form of long walks or even some active playtime in a yard. Training for and participating in canine sports like agility and flyball is also a good way to exercise a GSD-Coonhound cross. Ultimately, this will lead to a well-rounded and well-behaved dog. Trainability One trait that the German Shepherd Coonhound Mix can inherit from both parents is a remarkable eagerness to please. That makes them highly trainable. However, their intelligence will depend greatly on which parent they take after. Black and Tan Coonhounds are considered working dogs of average intelligence. They may require up to 40 repetitions before they can master a trick, and will follow a command at least 5 out of 10 times. They only need fewer than 5 exposures to master a trick, and will obey at least 9 out of 10 times. In any instance, a Coonhound German Shepherd mix will be a very trainable dog that is eager to work and please you. Temperament With proper socialization and training, the German Shepherd Coonhound Mix should be an excellent breed, both as a working dog as well as a companion dog. They will inherit loyalty , confidence, and eagerness to please from both parents. They are also likely to be warm and affectionate towards their family members. However, they will need strong leadership and plenty of exercise to keep them from developing unwanted or destructive behaviors. Health As the Coonhound-German Shepherd cross will undoubtedly be a large dog, it would be prudent to monitor it for hip and elbow dysplasia. Ideally, both parents would be screened for these conditions before allowing them to breed. Other health issues that this mutt can take from the German Shepherd parent is the tendency for digestive problems, including the life-threatening condition of bloat. From the Coonhound parent, it can inherit a higher risk for ear infections, thyroid issues, and cataracts. To lengthen their life expectancy, feed them with high-quality dog food, stay up-to-date with their vaccinations and parasite prevention treatments, and give them plenty of opportunities to exercise. This enables mixed breeds to participate in a wide variety of canine sports and work towards titles. They would be unable to participate in conformation events, which require dogs to be judged against a purebred standard. GSD-Coonhound crosses can excel in various canine events. How popular is the German Shepherd Coonhound Mix? Finding German Shepherd-Coonhound puppies is no easy feat as each of these dogs is much more valuable as purebreds. Therefore, breeders have little incentive to cross them together. Bernard , or the Jack Russell. History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix can weigh anywhere from lbs. German Shepherds usually weigh between 66 and 88 pounds and Coonhounds can weigh anywhere from 45 to 80 pounds. This means you should expect to have a medium to large-sized dog when your puppy is full-grown. There are four popular Coonhound variants. This is a fair question, considering that German Shepherds can require a lot of grooming. Keep in mind that mixes with more Shepherd-like coats will require more grooming than Coonhound dominant crossbreed. Long walks and park visits can be a great way to help your dog work off extra energy. Training and teaching your dog tricks can help with mental stimulation. Not everyone can take their dog outside as much as they would like to. Luckily, hound mixes can do well indoors in some situations. Coonhound energy levels can vary greatly. If your dog will be confined indoors often, Cesar Millan offers some great tips on exercising your dog inside of your home! Small children should be taught to respect and understand any dog. Socialization is also always key for dogs owned by families with children of any age. These intelligent and eager to please dogs sometimes can require lots of training. However, every dog is different, and some dogs are much easier to train than others. Puppies start learning how to behave from the moment you bring them home. Be consistent, patient, and practice dedication. This dog makes a great family companion, hunting partner, and even can be trained for law enforcement! Be sure to avoid puppy mills and unreputable sources, as this could land you with an unhealthy and poorly socialized puppy. Frequently Asked Questions Do coonhounds like to cuddle? If you have a coonhound you may already be aware of how affectionate and downright soppy they can be sometimes. They have a really good temperament and are known to be sweet-natured. They are also pretty easy going and love being around humans. They also have what is known as the puppy piling instinct. This is where pups sleep in little piles among their siblings and parent dogs. As such, this behavior can remain when the dog has matured and may result in them wanting to sleep close to you and lay their head on your lap. Just like humans, all dogs have personalities. This means that some coonhounds may love cuddles whereas others might prefer their own space. Are coonhounds good house dogs? Whether a coonhound makes a good house dog will depend on what you mean by house dog! Coonhounds tend to need lots of exercise. This means you should probably not get one if you have no room at home or in your garden for them to exercise. They may not always be the best choice if, for whatever reason, you are unable to take them out for adequate exercise. That being said, if you have a small house but can walk them each day, it should be fine. In terms of their behavior and suitability to live at home with you and your family, coonhounds are the perfect furry companion! They are very friendly and enjoy being around people. They tend to get along well with pets and children, and will love relaxing on the sofa each night! Are coonhounds hard to train? Coonhounds can be a little harder to train than other breeds. The reason for this is that they were bred for the purpose of hunting raccoons. This means they are very determined and have a high prey drive. They can also be quite stubborn and have loud barks. With patience and persistence, you will be able to succeed in training them. Do shepherd mixes bark a lot? Your shepherd mix will likely bark a lot. The reason for this is because anything mixed with a German shepherd will have some characteristics and attitude traits from them. German shepherds are not known for their silence. They like to chat, and of course, they do this by barking. With this in mind, any offspring of a German shepherd parent, whether that be purebred or mixed will likely be the same. This is nothing to be alarmed about of course. It is just their way of communicating. You can train them to be less barky, but to some extent, you will have to accept that this is how they are! If you are concerned that your shepherd mix is barking a little too much then it may be worth taking them to the vet to be checked out, just in case. This is especially important if they seem to have developed a new barking habit out of nowhere. Wrapping Things Up Every mixed breed is unique and full of surprises! Dog expert Simon Foden offers an in-depth look at exactly how special crossbreed pups are. Remember, no matter what breed your dog might be, learning as much as you can on how to provide them with great care is a great idea.

Medium: Black Ink and Scraperboard Dimensions: 52 cm x 63 cm Please click on the picture to see a larger version. About the Artist Shooting with his father in his early teens provided Keith Sykes with the initial inspiration to draw and paint. His early pictures were an attempt to capture the excitement and atmosphere of coastal wildfowling for which he had a passion, and were strongly influenced by the work of Sir Peter Scott. Although extremely time consuming, scraperboard is an ideal medium for depicting fur and feather. By using only black ink on a white background he relies purely on light and shade to capture the unique character of the animal or bird he is portraying. Delivery Information We aim to dispatch within 5 working days of receiving your order. Delivery usually takes working days. For larger, bulkier items, please call us on the phone number provided in the item description to arrange delivery. International Deliveries Unfortunately, we cannot ship Gallery items directly through our website. Please contact the Gallery on or by email at [email protected] to discuss international delivery options. The email address is not valid, please try again. Keith weighs 55 pounds and Mickey weighs 51 pounds, and both dogs are up to date on shots. Bonded pair needs to be adopted together. Needs placement in a single family home, no fence required. These dogs are approved for homes with children ages 10 and up. Mickey and Keith are very confused right now. Two of our previously adopted boys are back with Lab Rescue after their adopter passed away. But we promised them that everything will be okay! The boys are a bit older now at 8 Keith and 9 Mickey years, but they still have plenty of love to share. They are a handsome pair, and on the smaller side for Labs, but perfect all the same! Both guys promise to give their new family all the love. We're getting to know them again, to see how their personalities grew while they were away, but promise more updates soon. Both boys are good with other dogs, not good with cats. If you're looking for double the fun in your life, come meet Mickey and Keith today! Adopters must travel to Maryland, or Virginia with their family - human and canine - to meet the dog they want to adopt. Lab Rescue LRCP has more than 60 dogs available for adoption from foster homes across Maryland and Virginia, and at monthly adoption events. The adoption event dates and locations are listed at www. If you are interested in adopting, please visit www. After you submit an application, you will hear from an Adoption Coordinator who will guide you through the adoption process. An adoption fee is charged to help cover the cost of veterinary care, and a reference check and a home visit is required. Considering this pet for adoption? Baby Girl has the lighter coat. We understood that there was a chance of a smaller litter with a surgical implant of frozen semen. Happy Girl! How could we go wrong? So we went ahead with it! On March 21, Lizzie had 2 beautiful, big, healthy puppies. Of course, we were hoping for a few more, but are so grateful for these two and their healthy, happy Mama! Check back weekly, as I will be posting updates and pictures as they grow. Both puppies are spoken for already. Five hours after their birth. Lizzie should be kicking into Mother Mode soon. Lizzie is listening for those pesty Border Terrier girls that want to get in the box and help! Everybody around here loves puppy time and are more than happy to assist the new Mama! He should have a nice black nose! Baby Girl at 4. If you look close, you can see that her Left ear is wet. Big brother loves to suck on her ear! The story of Jack and Jill continues. Both puppies are thriving, content, and gaining weight! Lovely babies! Lizzie is a very happy Mama and now is keeping her babes clean and well fed. Jack at 1 week old Jill at 1 week old We added a neck pillow to the whelping box. It has become a favorite for climbing on and sleeping comfortably. Well, we knew it would happen…Journey snuck in the box and wants to feed the babies… The Rushwind girls always share responsibility of a new litter. Everything is good. April 10, Jack and Jill are almost 3 weeks old…the time is flying by, but we are enjoying these babes!

Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article. They are bouncy, tail wagging, cuddle bugs, the cutest things ever! Uncle Al lives in our "apartment", the walkout basement downstairs. We help Uncle Al with his Pugs. They are wonderful caring moms! When our moms retire we have them spayed and offer them to pet only homes for about half the cost of a puppy. They will be on the retired parent page at that time. Diva will be available this late winter or spring .See the other pages: "About our puppies," "what comes with your puppy", and " is a puppy really right for you. Or maybe adopt a rescued adult Pug. Rescue is always the best! Do your homework, since a rescued dog needs a home appropriate for their needs as much as a puppy! A puppy is a very serious decision. Please do not get a puppy or a dog if you have any hesitation about long term responsibility of a furry best friend. We love our puppies and dogs and only want them in a home where they will be a part of the family! If interested in a puppy please email or call. Remainder due on pick up. Pugs are heat and cold sensitive. Not at all a 'hiking in all weather' type of dog. Some are amazingly agile, fast, and athletic and do tolerate a wider range of temperature. Others are at risk of collapsing if overheated when simply out on a warm day and playing. Many make terrific therapy dogs. They are very tolerant of children. Puppies available now! All puppies are kept current on vaccinations, dewormed several times, microchipped, and well socialized. Puppies are microchipped and current on vaccinations. Nikki black and Boris fawn had puppies 1 white female available, updated .Photos taken , at 4. They have grown so much but look the same, update, they are 14 week old. Email: betsneal yahoo. They occasionally have Pug pups available so keep updated on their Facebook page for new information. Kings Creek has been breeding Pugs since .Kings Creek is passionate about quality puppies and is more than happy to offer prospective owners references from prior purchasers and their veterinarians. All pups come with a health check, vaccines, and deworming, as well as a two-year genetic health guarantee. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

We feel blessed and grateful to have had the opportunity to experience first hand all that is involved in the process. Our deep understanding of acknowledging the importance of responsibility in selecting pure, clean and compatible bloodlines in order to preserve best breed attributes, the proper and meticulous care and nutrition of an animal, preparation and screening of healthy mothers and fathers before breeding, during gestation and postpartum, all account for a top, best quality healthy, happy puppy. As we started our extensive search for pure bloodlines in the breed here in the USA, we soon found there was no regulation in America to persevere purity of the European Boxer Bloodlines; in fact, we found no boxer breeder that met the requirements to deliver a pure bloodline. Our first European Boxers from Europe were handpicked straight from the most reputable and renowned breeders of European Boxers across selected parts of Europe, specialists, judges and connossiours of the boxer breed. Our selection consisted of superior quality European boxers, with best features and superior characteristics of well balanced proportions, correct built, with harmonious and well-balanced temperament, of high class and excellent posture. Our dogs are healthy, happy, beautiful and very much loved by our family. All Rights Reserved. Apart from complete medical records, their Boxer package comes with: Three-year guarantee against genetic defects AKC reunite microchip with prepaid lifetime registration AKC litter birth certificate, day pet health insurance, and AKC limited registration Continental Kennel Club registration and birth certificate Puppy kit including a dog bed, treats, teething bone, and chew toys Blanket their mother has slept on All photos taken from birth given to you on a flash drive Currently, they have three females and one male of breeding age. The order of deposit is followed in choosing from the litter. Convenient, right? They give discounts for military personnel, veterans, law enforcement, emergency workers, and school teachers. All the Boxer breeders included on our list passed our standards. However, if you want to verify their legitimacy, read our ultimate puppy buying guide for some proven tips on how to safely find a breeder online or how to find a puppy for sale while avoiding scams. You can easily see the availability of puppies which can cut down your searching time. There are two ways to find breeders through this organization — you can either contact their Breeder Referral Chairman for recommendations or you can contact or visit their registered members within your state. Good Dog — This is an online community whose mission is to connect dog lovers to reputable breeders. Another awesome thing about this platform is that dog lovers can get tons of tips about canine health and care through the guides they have published. PuppyFinder — This is a puppy search engine with over 1, breeds available for purchase. There are many considerations when it comes to this pricing such as lineage, breeder reputation, appearance, etc. Meanwhile, Boxers for shows are also more expensive than companion pets at home. Even though buying a Boxer puppy from professional breeders comes with a steep cost, this can actually give you peace of mind. How so? These reputable breeders only charge higher due to their AKC credentials, pre-testing for genetic conditions, administered vaccinations, health guarantees, and other add-ons to their service. Unlike backyard breeders and puppy mills that charge less due to the poor quality of their dogs, you are more assured of the quality of expensive Boxers bought from these professionals. When choosing your Boxer breeder, consider transport costs. The average initial cost of owning a Boxer puppy is summarized in the table below: Type of Expense. Buying A Boxer Puppy? Finding Your Puppy -- Buying From the Breeder The conscientious breeder plans a breeding to reproduce the best characteristics of an outstanding sire or dam. His guide is the official AKC Standard of the breedthe written "blueprint" that helps keep the breed uniform for generations to come. You can find the breed standard, revised in , at the American Boxer Club website: www. The more common disappointments for pet purchasers come from commercial sources--especially pet shops that often buy puppies from the infamous "puppy mills" that take little notice of the quality or health they are producing. The pet store or dog broker will sell you a puppy with a breeder's name attached to the paperwork--but this puppy may easily have been born in a puppy mill. The reputable breeder, on the other hand, will not only be able to demonstrate the pedigree and registration papers, but will also show you either the sire or dam themselves, or pictures of the parent who may be owned elsewhere. Though the mere presence of "papers" does not guarantee good health, conformation, or temperament, you will most often find these attributes in the puppy who has been raised with loving care in the home or kennel of a conscientious hobby breeder. The serious breeder often strives to produce a potential "champion. Sometimes the distribution of white markings alone may make the difference between the so-called "pet" and show-potential puppy. The pet puppy will have benefited from the same proven bloodlines, nutrition, and medical care as its "champion" littermate. His breeder will have health tested the parents and done the best he can to insure good temperament, soundness, and longevity. Here is your best buy. Boxer magazines publish ads from breeders. The American Boxer Club web site www. Usually any time after weeks. Many states have regulations regarding minimum age. However, your individual circumstances must be considered. Do you have the time to spend with a very young puppy? Will someone be home to housebreak him? Would an exuberant 6-month old puppy overwhelm a tiny child? Or would he be better matched with a 6-year-old youngster? Remember too that the puppy under 3 months needs lots of time to rest. Don't forget that adult dogs, already trained, also make ideal pets. While much can be told at six to eight weeks about the puppy's eventual looks, if you are seeking a show prospect you might be better off waiting until the pup is six to eight months of age. At that time, be prepared to pay a higher price for all the additional time and effort that the breeder has spent raising the show potential Boxer. Male or Female? This choice is a matter of personal preference. Both males and females make admirable pets. Breeding is a serious committment of time, energy, and money, and not to be taken lightly. If breeding is not anticipated, it may be appropriate to spay or neuter your dog. This procedure is best done as your Boxer approaches adolescence. Please be aware that these surgeries should be discussed with your veterinarian as to safety of anesthesia and any long term effects other than sterilization. Spayed and neutered animals are not eligible to compete in the conformation ring but may be shown in performance events. Check this list! Tails should have been docked within a few days of birth. Optional removal of front dewclaws fifth toes is done at the same time. The Boxer has no rear dewclaws. Ear cropping is customary and appropriate but not required--it is a matter of personal preference. Uncropped ears are permitted under the breed standard. If cropped, this procedure is done under general anesthesia, usually between six and nine weeks of age. If the puppy is taken before cropping, the breeder usually makes arrangements. The breeder also advises regarding aftercare and taping if ears are not already standing. Sometimes this is a lengthy process. In the male, both testicles should be descended into the scrotum. They should be in place by two to three months of age. A dog with undescended testicles may still make a fine pet, though he would be ineligible to compete in the conformation show ring. Consult your veterinarian for advice. Avoid the unusually quiet, inactive puppy, or the one that might shy away from you. This might mean a fault in temperament or even ill health. Papers the Seller Should Furnish: a. A three or four generation pedigree signed by the seller. There should be no extra charge for this. The pedigree preferably gives the color of the sire and dam, and the AKC registration numbers of each. The registration from the AKC, which is an official document identifying your puppy's individual registration number, sex, birth date, sire and dam, and name of the breeder s. There are two ways to register puppies for the first time: 1 Limited Registration If the puppy is not to be bred, and is being purchased only as a companion pet, the breeder may check off the Limited Registration option. This does register the puppy with the AKC. However, it does not allow any registration of offspring from the mature dog. The breeder and only the breeder can cancel the limited registration should the puppy at maturity be considered of breeding quality. Records the Breeder Should Furnish: a. Date and type of vaccines given. Depending on the type of vaccination program started, your veterinarian will advise you on following through. Vaccination protocols are evolving even among the medical professionals. Date and agent used for worming, if done. Do not worm your puppy without consulting your veterinarian. Avoid store-bought preparations which can be dangerous. Diet your puppy has been receiving. It is well to maintain the regimen begun by the breeder, especially while the puppy is adjusting to his new home. If changes are to be made. When he is an adult it will be wise to maintain your Boxer on two smaller meals a day. Unscrupulous sellers may look legitimate and sound convincing, using sites like Facebook and Craigslist to post pictures of cute pups. These pups are sometimes even listed as being free, with just the shipping costs to pay. Thousands of unsuspecting people have parted with their cash, but the pup never arrived. Unsurprisingly, it then becomes impossible to contact the seller. Even when the pups are real, it is highly likely that they will be the product of a puppy mill. These are despicable places run by people who are only interested in profit. The dogs are often kept in filthy, overcrowded kennels, and fed sub-standard food in order to keep the costs down. You will have no idea of what the parent dogs were like, and no clue as to how the pup has been treated. Unscrupulous breeders just want the cash and they want it as soon as possible. Caring for a litter of pups costs money, so they want them off their hands. Sources indicate that there are as many as 10, puppy mills in the U. You can do your bit to help shut them down by using reputable breeders. For the most part, Boxer breeders are trustworthy and respected. But, as a buyer, how can you tell the good from the bad? Anyone can register a dog with the AKC, and this does not guarantee that the pup is healthy or is a top-quality dog. You can also do your own research, check testimonials and reviews online, and get word-of-mouth recommendations. Once you have narrowed your list down to a handful of possible Boxer breeders, you should arrange a visit to the kennels. Genuine, reputable breeders will welcome this, and they will be happy to show you around their facility. They will answer your questions, and will be keen to know more about you and your lifestyle. They might want to know why you want this particular breed, where you live, what kind of house you have, whether you plan to leave the dog alone for many hours at a time, and whether you have a secure yard. This is important as it shows that they care about the welfare of their pups! Try to build a rapport with the breeder as they will be a valuable source of help and advice later on. Check how the adult dogs interact with them. Do they seem happy or are they nervous? Are the dogs comfortable with you being there? Are the kennels clean, and do the dogs look healthy and well kept? As mentioned earlier, good breeders keep the pups with the mother dog for up to twelve weeks after birth. Some will allow the pups to leave as early as six weeks, but they should ideally never be parted from their mother before this time. Obviously, most people like to have a pup when it is tiny, cute, and cuddly. Reputable Boxer breeders will use this time to ensure that the pups are socialized and exposed to a wide range of experiences in order to prepare them for what might lie ahead. This makes your life easier as your pup will settle into your home more easily and will be less likely to react badly to different scenarios and circumstances. Do you have pets in the home? Then, your puppy will be happy to meet them! Good dog breeders will handle deworming, vaccinations, microchipping, and socialization. One final note on Boxer breeders is that some will sell them as family dogs while others will be geared more towards show-quality or working dogs. One thing is for sure: they will all be purebred Boxers. So, where do you find the best Boxer Breeders? Read on to find out! You will probably come to regret this decision sooner or later. As we already said, you may find Boxer dogs for sale on Facebook, in your local newspaper, or on sites such as Craigslist. They might be close by, but it is never worth choosing this option over a reputable breeder. Properly run breeding programs allow plenty of time for the mother dogs known as dams, while the males are sires to recover fully. Boxer Breeders In Wisconsin With more than twenty years of experience as Boxer breeders, the husband and wife team, known as Boxnen Boxers, have built a healthy reputation. In this time, Minna and Chris have used their expertise to produce the highest quality working dogs, companions, and show dogs. Each pup is extensively socialized and exposed to different experiences such as camping, elevators, tunnels, rivers, etc. They are also introduced to a range of surfaces and textures to make them familiar with the feel. The pups start life in a cozy home setting, along with other pups and animals, which prepares them for transition into your home when they are ready to leave. The potty training or housebreaking process will practically be done for you. Every dog is health tested for elbow and hip dysplasia joint problems as well as for degenerative myelopathy relating to the spine and cardiomyopathy heart problems. While this might be a problem for those who prefer to stick to the traditional breed standards, docking is rapidly becoming a thing of the past as it is deemed cruel and unnecessary. Many countries have banned the practice, and it is restricted in others as it serves no practical purpose and is purely cosmetic. Chris and Minna are clearly devoted to their dogs, and they are certified Reiki animal healers!