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Phone: Retriever Rescue of Colorado helps lots of dogs get adopted, not just retrievers. You can view all available dogs on their website to see when Poodles are available! They even have a Poodle filter to make it super simple. Animal Rescue of the Rockies Address: E. Mississippi Ave. A ludicrously happy Poodle puppy with a white coat They go beyond just helping you adopt because they help you incorporate your new dog into your family seamlessly, so everyone is comfortable and happy. They also offer training and transition support so you and your new Poodle can start a wonderful life together. They save and rehabilitate dogs who came from puppy mills or were discarded by breeders. This incredible rescue often has Poodles, but they get adopted quickly. So keep an eye on their website and wait for a fluffy Poodle to pop up! The more St Bernard genetics — the closer it will resemble that breed. You can use their search filter to see if they have Poodle mixes available to adopt, which they often do. Mile High Canine Rescue not only offers adoptions, but they also do some incredible community outreach for people in low-income neighborhoods. You can also call or email them inquiring about their adoptable breeds. However, they can get super busy on the weekends, so try to visit on weekdays if you can. A black and white Poodle playing in the grass. So keep an eye out. This is a foster-based rescue, so the dogs are typically well acclimated to households and know how to go potty outside. They have all kinds of dogs, from puppies to elderly dogs, and every breed you can imagine. A happy Goldendoodle with his tongue out looks at camera Friend of Jack Rescue. Vocality level 5 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament The Miniature Poodle is often lively, amiable, playful, eager to please, responsive, smart, and obedient—small wonder that they have remained one of the most popular varieties of dog for so long. They are often sensitive, tending to be devoted to one person, and initially reserved with strangers. They can be good with children, other pets, and dogs. Some tend to bark a lot. Upkeep All Poodles need a lot of interaction with people. They also need mental and physical exercise. Standard Poodles will need more exercise and may especially enjoy swimming. They should preferably be brushed every other day or weekly for shorter coats. Poodle hair, when shed, does not fall out but becomes caught in the surrounding hair, which can cause matting if not removed. Clipping their coat can be easier to maintain and can be done every four to six weeks. Health Major concerns: PRA, Legg—Perthes, patellar luxation, epilepsy Minor concerns: trichiasis, entropion, lacrimal duct atresia, cataract, glaucoma, distichiasis Occasionally seen: urinary stones, intervertebral disk degeneration Suggested tests: eye, knee, hip, DNA for PRA Life span: 13—15 years History Although the Poodle is most often identified with France, their earliest ancestors were probably curly-coated dogs from central Asia that assisted with herding and followed many routes into various parts of Europe. Interwoven in their ancestry are also several rough-coated water dogs. Perhaps the earliest incarnation of the Poodle was the Barbet, a curly-coated dog found in France, Russia, Hungary, and elsewhere. It is the German version, however, that exerted most influence on the modern Poodle. In France, they were known as caniche or chien canard, both referring to their duck-hunting abilities. The Poodle was also drawn into service as a military dog or guide dog. Their coat was shorn close to facilitate swimming, but left slightly longer on the chest for warmth in cold water. The Poodle found favor as an elegant companion for fashionable ladies. They became favored by French aristocracy and eventually became the national dog of France. Poodles began to find more popularity in the late s. Some of the early Poodles were shown in corded coats, in which the hair is allowed to mat in long thin tresses rather than be brushed out. While eye-catching, the upkeep was difficult, and the trend died out by the early s, being replaced by the bouffant styles. At the same time Poodle popularity in America waned, so that, by the late s, Poodles had almost died out in North America. In the s, the breed staged a comeback that eventually placed it as the most popular dog in America for decades. Related Content.

Prevalence: Common Bull terriers are extremely powerful dogs. They are stocky and muscular and come in two varieties: standard and miniature sizes. The standard version reaches about 22 inches in height and a maximum of about 60 pounds 27 kilograms. The miniature version is a maximum of about 14 inches high and weighs up to about 33 pounds 15 kilograms. The most distinctive physical feature of the Bull Terrier is its head, which is egg-shaped and flat on top. The eyes are small, dark, and close-set. The ears are pointy. The body is broad and the back short and strong. Bull Terriers have a medium-length tail. The Bull Terrier's coat is short and dense and is white, black, brindle, red, fawn or tri-colored. The dogs are considered average shedders. They live about 10 to 12 years. Personality: Bull terriers are gentle, affectionate and playful with family members. They also are loyal pets that will guard the family. As with any large or tough breed, proper precautions around strangers, children, and other animals is essential. If not given enough exercise and attention from the owners, Bull terriers can be destructive. Living With: Because the breed is powerful and some members may have aggressive tendencies, Bull Terriers must be obedience trained. They must also be carefully socialized from a young age. Socialization requires frequent supervised exposure to other people and pets in the neighborhood. With proper socialization and training, Bull Terriers make great family pets. However, they probably are not a good choice for novice dog owners, nor are they generally recommended for households with other pets or irresponsible children. Bull terriers must be exercised daily in a fenced-in yard or with walks on leash and should not be permitted to run free, even if trained and socialized. Because of their stocky build, care must be taken not to overfeed as they can easily become obese. History: Bull terriers were developed in England during the 19th century. Around , a cross between the old English terrier and the bulldog produced the Bull Terrier. Later crosses to the Spanish Pointer; even later, to the white English terrier and Dalmatian, produced a stylish, tough, white dog. In the mid s, the white version of the breed, known as "white cavaliers," became a favorite pet among gentry. Crosses to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier reintroduced color around .Today, Bull Terriers are gentler than their ancestors but are still strong, fearless dogs. They are primarily family pets, but are not suitable for many families. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Bull Terrier Overview If you remember the late s, you probably recall the Budweiser commercials featuring a Bull Terrier named Spuds Mackenzie, whose sly grin and on-screen antics turned the breed into a pop icon. Bull Terriers have larger-than-life personalities that range from intelligent and innovative to placid and loyal. Life with a Bull Terrier is always an experience. They do best with an active family who can provide them with plenty of energetic play. They also need someone who will consistently but kindly enforce the house rules. Like most terriers , Bull Terriers unneutered males in particular can be aggressive toward other animals, especially other dogs. To be well-behaved around other canines, they need early socialization : positive, supervised exposure to other dogs that begins in early puppyhood and continues throughout life. Cats and other furry animals who enter their territory should beware. Successfully training a Bull Terrier calls for patience, confident leadership, and consistency. Some cities and states have restrictions on Bull Terriers, and you should be aware of your local laws before you bring your Bull Terrier home. Bull Terrier Highlights Bull Terriers thrive in the company of their people, and should live indoors with their human family. Keep your Bull Terrier warm with a coat or sweater in winter. A weekly brushing and occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually all it takes to keep them clean, although they must be brushed more frequently during twice-yearly shedding periods. The Bull Terrier needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, play, and mental stimulation daily. The Bull Terrier is strong-willed and can be difficult to train. They are not recommended for timid or first-time dog parents. Bull Terrier History The Bull Terrier dates to approximately and was probably created by crossing a Bulldog with the now-extinct white English Terrier. They were known as gladiators for their prowess in the dogfighting ring. In , fanciers of the bull and terrier, in particular a man named James Hinks, set about creating an all-white dog. Twelve years later, in , the Bull Terrier Club of America formed. The colored Bull Terrier was made a separate variety in , and the Miniature Bull Terrier became a separate breed in .Beloved by tourists, she was photographed more often than Rin Tin Tin, and in she was named the official greeter of Juneau. A colored Bull Terrier made history in , when Ch. The only white Bull Terrier to win the prestigious event was Ch. Haymarket Faultless in .As of , Bull Terriers ranked 64th in popularity among the most popular dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club. Bull Terrier Size Bull Terriers come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from 50 to 70 pounds. They stand about 21 to 22 inches at the shoulder. Bull Terriers are described as courageous and full of fire. These are good traits, but they can veer into the disagreeable category if the Bull Terrier is allowed to become possessive or jealous. Without early training and socialization, they can be potentially aggressive toward other animals. With people, though, they have a sweet disposition. On the downside, they can be chewers , barkers , and tail chasers, and are often difficult to housetrain. Bull Terrier Health Bull terriers are generally healthy, but like any breed, they can have health issues. The following problems may occur in the breed: Hereditary Nephritis: This is a severe form of kidney disease found in Bull Terriers, often at an early age. Deafness: in one or both ears is common in white dogs, and some colored Bull Terriers can be deaf in one ear. All Bull Terrier puppies should undergo BAER brainstem auditory evoked response testing to ensure that their hearing is normal. Bull Terriers who are deaf in one ear can lead relatively normal lives, but puppies that are deaf in both ears require special training techniques and handling. Heart Disease : This condition is caused by defects in heart structure and function. It is occasionally found in Bull Terriers. Some cases are more serious than others and usually are indicated by the presence of a heart murmur. In some cases, a cardiac ultrasound echocardiogram may be necessary to diagnose the problem. Some Bull Terriers outgrow their murmurs, some live with them for years with no problem, and others develop heart failure. Skin Problems: Bull Terriers, especially white ones, have sensitive skin that can be prone to rashes, sores, and irritations. They may also be prone to contact or inhalant allergies, caused by a reaction to substances such as detergents or other chemicals or airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mildew. Provide soft, clean bedding in crates and other sleeping areas to prevent sores. Sometimes a change to a diet with few or no chemical additives can help. Other Bull Terriers need long-term treatment with antibiotics or steroids to keep skin problems under control. Spinning: This is an obsessive form of tail-chasing that usually begins at approximately 6 months of age. It can continue for hours and leave the dog with no interest in food or water. Spinning may be a type of seizure and is sometimes successfully treated with medications such as phenobarbitol, Anafranil, or Prozac. Treatment is often more successful in females than males. Lens Luxation : This is when the lens of the eye is displaced when the ligament holding it in place deteriorates. Bull Terrier Care Bull Terriers need someone at home during the day. Rawhide toys can be especially problematic. Dog-proof your home! A Bull Terrier needs half an hour to an hour of physical and mental exercise daily. Bull Terrier puppies are bouncy and into everything. These can all stress or injure the still-developing joints and ligaments. Early and consistent training is essential. You must be able to provide leadership without resorting to physical force or harsh words. B ull Terriers can be difficult to housetrain. Follow a housetraining program closely and crate-train your dog. A crate will also prevent your Bull Terrier from destroying your belongings or otherwise getting into trouble. Bull Terriers are suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive toward other animals especially dogs of the same sex and people. Take them to puppy socialization classes as early as possible, as well as to dog-friendly public places so they can get used to many different situations, people, and dogs. They should also learn to welcome visitors to your home. Bull Terrier Feeding Recommended daily amount: 4 cups of high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age , build, metabolism, and activity level. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog. Keep your Bull Terrier in good shape by measuring their food and feeding him twice a day rather than free feeding. First, look down at them. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard. Bull Terriers come in two color varieties: white and colored. White Bull Terriers are solid white, with or without colored markings on the head but nowhere else on the body. Colored Bull Terriers are any color other than white or any color with white markings. Bull Terriers are easy to groom ; they need only weekly brushing with a rubber mitt or curry brush. The exception is during their twice-yearly shedding season, when daily brushing will be necessary to keep all the hair under control. Daily is better. Trim their nails once or twice a month, or as needed. If the feet need to be tidied up with trimming, the best time to do it is when you are clipping the nails. Clean them as needed with a cotton ball and a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian. Handle their paws frequently dogs are touchy about their feet and look inside their mouth and ears. Always supervise play; as with any dog, never leave a dog alone with a child, and teach children how to approach and touch dogs. Bull Terriers, especially unneutered males, can be aggressive toward dogs of the same sex, but opposite genders usually get along well. Bull Terrier Rescue Groups People sometimes adopt Bull Terriers without clear understanding of what goes into parenting one. These dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. Presumed by many to be standoffish dogs thanks to their muscular build, the affectionate bull terrier actually thrives while spending time with and getting pats and scritches from bonded humans. They aren't super interested in pleasing their parents, although they are very sweet dogs. Bull terriers are busy dogs from the time they are puppies until middle age, earning the nickname "the kid in a dog suit. Bull terriers always keep life interesting for their owners. Appearance The bull terrier has a face like no other. Their heads are long and egg-shaped, sloping down into a Roman nose and topped by pointed ears. Fun fact: they're also the only registered breed to have triangle-shaped eyes. Some can be on the smaller side at just 35 pounds, but beefier males can bulk all the way up to be pound bullies. There are also miniature bull terriers , who were recognized as a separate breed in the s and weigh less than 30 pounds. Big-boned dogs, their gait shows off their strength and agility. Their coats are made up of short, flat hairs that appear shiny and feel hard to the touch. Bull terriers can either be white— even solid white —or colored with various markings, with more than 20 different combinations. Temperament While bull terriers may seem tough and intimidating thanks to their unique looks, they are a sweet and gentle breed. Bull terriers are goofballs, the class clown of the dog world, and owners delight in their funny personalities. They love to play and get into trouble in equal measure. These extroverted pups are always happy to see you and meet other people, often feisty and excited in their greetings. Because they are full of fire and spunk, their dominant personality can be a handful. They might become easily jealous if you're paying more attention to another animal or even a human! Talk to your veterinarian if you notice any of these behaviors becoming prevalent. If you socialize your bull terrier puppy when they're young, provide loving and consistent training , and make sure he gets lots of physical and mental exercise , you won't find a more loyal or entertaining pup. These dogs benefit from spending as much time as possible with you so they can thrive and might do best with an experienced dog owner. Their love of people even extends to strangers. They are very active dogs and need companionship all day long. Leaving a bull terrier on their own is a recipe for disaster—he can easily develop separation anxiety, resulting in undesirable behaviors. One thing to know about bull terriers: they eat anything. So your home should be bull terrier-proof to keep him from snacking on things he shouldn't and avoid emergency veterinary surgery. These energetic dogs can play rough, so adding a bull terrier to a family with children needs to be considered carefully. They can be good with cats if they are socialized with them at a young age. Brushing once a week with a soft-bristle brush helps to remove dirt and loose hairs. Those signature ears do need to be regularly checked and cleaned as needed. Bull terrier nails should be kept short so they aren't uncomfortable when walking. They don't need frequent bathing —unless they've gotten into a stinky mess—and can be washed with either dry shampoo or wiped with a damp cloth. Keep in mind: their coat doesn't keep them warm in colder weather, but they don't mind donning a cute sweater or coat when the weather's a bit chilly. They will be more comfortable in warmer weather, but never leave them outside unsupervised for extended periods of time. Like all dogs, bull terriers don't sweat like humans do and need plenty of water, shady spots, and AC to keep cool. But you can skip the ice cubes! Their strength and dexterity means they are also skilled at obedience training, tracking, and agility courses—which are all great ways to challenge their energy. But go easy with puppies who are especially bouncy; high-impact activities—such as jumping on furniture, long jogs , or playing Frisbee—can damage their developing joints. They need to exercise their mind along with their body, and love the challenge of interactive toys. Because of their terrier 'tude, they put a bigger emphasis on play than work ethic. So when it comes time for any training, ensure it's fun for your bully. They respond well to positive reinforcement , so bring on the treats and toys! Independent thinkers that they are, Wooten says bull terriers can be a challenge to train, so be consistent— especially when house-training. Bull terriers do well with crate training , which helps keep them out of trouble when you can't be home with them. Health The typical bull terrier lifespan is 12—14 years, and, as with all dog breeds, there are a few health issues they can develop, according to the Bull Terrier Club of America. Hereditary nephritis is a severe form of kidney disease that can be found in bull terriers even from an early age. The disease causes the kidneys to malfunction, and often a dog suffering from this affliction will not live to be older than three. Because they have a piebald coat , bull terriers can have hearing issues ranging from partial to total deafness. They can still lead relatively normal lives with special training and handling. Their unique coat, especially for all-white bull terriers, can also lead to contact allergies and other skin issues such as rashes, sores, and irritations. Bull terriers may also suffer from heart disease , which is typically indicated by a heart murmur. Their distinctive eyes are also prone to lens luxation , which may be treatable with medication or surgery, but may also lead to eye removal. As mentioned, bull terriers are likely to deal with obsessive compulsive behaviors that manifest as spinning, pacing, or chasing their tail for hours on end if left unchecked. It may be treatable with medications such as phenobarbitol, anafranil, or Prozac for extreme cases—or, for milder cases, by simply eliminating boredom. They were considered gladiators in the dog-fighting ring, prized for their strength and tenacity. The "New Bull Terrier" first appeared at a dog show in and was shown by James Hinks, who is credited as the original bull terrier breeder. They earned the nickname "White Cavalier" thanks to their courageousness, their courtliness towards people, and their sweet disposition. The miniature bull terrier became a separate breed in .There are many notable bull terrier owners, including General George S. Perhaps the most famous bull terrier is Patsy Ann , the official greeter of Juneau, Alaska. Patsy Ann sat on the docks in Juneau during the s greeting sailors and taking photos with tourists. Her spirit lives on in Juneau thanks to a commemorative statue commissioned in .Fun Facts Spuds Mackenzie , the sly-grinning bull terrier used in Budweiser commercials in the late s, helped increase the popularity of the breed. Target decided to use a bull terrier as their official spokesdog, too. They introduced Bullsye in with the Target logo appearing as a spot on his eye—thanks to non-toxic dye. Bull terriers have also been popular in books and on the big screen. As for movies, bull terriers have appeared in Toy Story , Frankenweenie , and Next Friday to name a few. Was this page helpful? The Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. There is also a miniature version of this breed which is officially known as the Miniature Bull Terrier. Appearance A brindle Bull Terrier showing head profile, triangular eyes, robust and very muscular body The Bull Terrier's most recognizable feature is its head, described as 'egg-shaped head', when viewed from the front; the top of the skull is almost flat. The profile curves gently downwards from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose, which is black and bent downwards at the tip, with well-developed nostrils. The lower jaw is deep and strong. The unique triangular eyes are small, dark, and deep-set. The body is full and round, with strong, muscular shoulders. The tail is carried horizontally. They are either white, red, fawn, black, brindle, or a combination of these. A Bull Terrier has an even temperament and is amenable to discipline. Although obstinate, the breed is described by the Bull Terrier Club as particularly good with people. Although the breed has been a target of breed-specific legislation , a study in Germany did not find that Bull Terriers had any significant temperament difference from Golden Retrievers in overall temperament researches. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies. A UK breed survey puts their median lifespan at 10 years and their mean at 9 years 1 s. The bull and terriers were based on the Old English Bulldog now extinct and Old English Terriers with possible other terriers. This new breed combined the speed and dexterity of lightly built terriers with the dour tenacity of the Bulldog, which was a poor performer in most combat situations, having been bred almost exclusively for fighting bulls and bears tied to a post. Many breeders began to breed bulldogs with terriers, arguing that such a mixture enhances the quality of fighting. Despite the fact that a cross between a bulldog and a terrier was of high value, very little or nothing was done to preserve the breed in its original form. Due to the lack of breed standards—breeding was for performance, not appearance—the "bull and terrier" eventually divided into the ancestors of "Bull Terriers" and " Staffordshire Bull Terriers ", both smaller and easier to handle than the progenitor. Originally, these dogs did not yet have the now-familiar "egg face", but kept the stop in the skull profile. Hinks wanted his dogs white, and bred specifically for this. The first modern Bull Terrier is now recognized as "Lord Gladiator", from , being the first dog with no stop at all. Brindle is the preferred color, but other colors are welcome. Pete received plenty of contemporary press, having bitten a naval clerk as well as chased and bitten the French ambassador. Patton owned a Bull Terrier named Willie. When it got into a fight with Dwight D. Eisenhower 's dog, Patton apologized, saying that Willie was outranked and would be confined to quarters. Spuds MacKenzie is a fictional character used for an extensive advertising campaign marketing Bud Light beer in the late s, portrayed by a bull terrier named Honey Tree Evil Eye. The novel Hell Hound by Ken Greenhall centers around a homicidal white bull terrier named Baxter. It was adapted as the French film Baxter , in which the titular character was played by a bull terrier named Chimbot and voiced by Maxime Leroux. See also. Less - The Bull Terrier is the cavalier gladiator — a good-looking tough character. It is strongly built and muscular, longer than it is tall. Its muscle mass combined with its relatively low center of gravity make it difficult for opponents to knock it off its feet. Its distinctive head not only shows off its keen and determined expression, but also its great jaw strength. Its gait is smooth and easy. Its skin is tight, and its coat short, flat and harsh. Exuberant, comical, playful, assertive and very mischievous describes the bull terrier. It is an imaginative breed that often sees things its own way and is stubborn to the end. It needs daily physical and mental exercise lest it exercise its powerful jaws on your home. For all its tough bravado, this is an extremely sweet-natured, affectionate and devoted breed. It can be aggressive with other dogs and small animals. Later they crossed the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier, mixed with some Spanish Pointer to increase its size, which produced the Bull Terrier breed. After dog fighting was abolished, Bull Terriers were bred with the Dalmatian to produce a white colored strain, then again with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to reintroduce color. Both the white and colored types increased in popularity as pets, and both strains remain today.

First and foremost, they are big dogs, but not too big. If you would like to have a guardian dog that is big enough to protect you, but not as big as a Cane Corso or a Mastiff, Boxers might be of perfect size. The Boxer is also the perfect dog if you want all eyes to turn to you in the dog park. They have a distinguishable appearance, and can hardly be mistaken for any other dog breed. Finally, Boxer puppies are entirely adorable when young, but royal-looking once older. They are among the cutest puppies out there. Just remember to pick the right dog from the litter. Yes, choosing the right puppy is important. Both of these behaviors can indicate that there will be some temperamental issues later on. Shy dogs can be insecure or skittish, and this can result in aggressive behaviors. On the other hand, dogs that push or bully other puppies in the litter or always want to be in the center of attention can be too stubborn or territorial, and as a result, they can end up being quite a handful once they are older. You should look for alert and attentive dogs that are friendly, yet not pushy. This type of puppy will usually grow up to be a well-rounded adult dog. Still, there are some traits most reputable breeders will have. This includes allowing you to meet the mother dog, and sometimes even the sire. No good breeder will ever keep you from asking as many questions as possible about your new dog. Many will even issue a health guarantee. Northwoods Boxers. This is one of the most reputable Boxer breeders in Maine. This allows them to shower their pups with love and affection all day long, giving them the sweetest temperaments. As such, their dogs are used to new people, children, and other pets, as the family owns a Maltese, as well. All of their Boxers are dewormed, free of any pest, and treated for heartworms. They are fed premium dog food that can give these large dogs enough energy. They also breed European Boxers that come from Schutzhund lines, so you can find both varieties. Most dogs come in fawn color, but sometimes they have litters in rarer colors , such as brindle. Website: Northwood Boxers Email: [email protected] 2. Codman Hill Boxers. They focus on brindle dogs of both American and European types. All of their dogs have been thoroughly checked by the vet for any health condition, and they come with all the necessary paperwork. Codman Hill used to sell both working dog and show dog lines, so you can find a puppy for any purpose, whether that be for guarding your home and family members or for conformation shows. However, as he still provides stud services, he occasionally does have a few Boxer pups available. Email: [email protected] 3. Martrav Boxers. All of their dogs are chosen based on their temperament, health, and conformation, but also on their good looks. This helps them produce well-rounded dogs no matter what it is you are looking for in canines. Their pups will arrive to you with up-to-date vaccinations, microchipped, and free of any genetic health condition. Website: Martrav Boxers Email: [email protected] 4. The Wagging Boxers. The Wagging Boxers is one of the greatest Boxer breeders in Maine. They pride in their dogs, and strive to produce perfect Boxers with gorgeous faces, a nice structure, proper coats, and loving, stable temperaments. They focus on raising healthy, well-socialized puppies that can make amazing family pets. While they do sell some show-quality dogs, they focus on breeding family companions, allowing you to enjoy the time you spend with your pooch. All of their dogs are provided with leash training, potty training, and crate training, so they can come to their new home fully prepared. This helps keep them properly socialized, and also allows them to develop properly. If you pass, the breeder will contact you for a phone interview. If you pass the interview, you can pay the deposit and choose your puppy from the litter. Email: [email protected] 5. Highover Boxers. This is yet another amazing Boxer breeder in Maine. They specialize in brindle and white puppies, but occasionally have litters of other colors as well. They are very selective about the dogs they breed as they want to ensure that they have perfect puppies in all litters. All of their breeding dogs are health tested and inspected by the vet. Other than breeding, they also offer some additional services, such as consulting and education, boarding, crate training, and providing all new owners with professional referrals. Website: Highover Boxers 6. Jawboxen European Boxers. This breeder focuses on producing the healthiest dogs possible. In fact, they are so certain of the quality of their pups that they offer you a three-year health guarantee. If during these three years, your puppy develops some hereditary health condition, you can return him or agree on a refund. All of their breeding dogs are imported from Europe, and they are very careful about the studs they choose. They want to produce dogs that make great family pets, guardian dogs, working dogs, and also show dogs. In their words, they want to return the Boxer breed to its roots by creating an intelligent, driven, easily trainable, non-hyper family pet that is capable of doing almost any task. Also, your new puppy will have undergone the beginning steps of dog training. Email: [email protected] 7. Kaiserliche Kennels. They are not afraid to tackle these two large dog breeds, and are willing to help everyone become the best dog owner possible. As can be expected of a breeder with such experience, they also offer dog protection services, and they can help you train your Boxer to become the best guard dog possible. Their dogs are bred based on their health, temperament, physique, and personality. They try to produce versatile dogs that can do it all — especially when it comes to ensuring that their families are safe. As they are a fairly small kennel, they only have a few litters every year, and their waiting list can be long. It might be a good idea to contact them in advance so you can reserve your puppy on time. Many reputable breeders can also be found on various websites that work with verified breeders. These websites are a great thing for aspiring dog owners who cannot find a dog breeder near their area, or who cannot deal with a long waiting list. If you want to be sure your breeder is approved by the AKC, this is the place to go to. There, you can also find various listings of dogs that are given for adoption, and they also work in Canada and Mexico. Are Boxers Aggressive? Most of the time, Boxers are no more aggressive than any other dog. However, their history does give them an aggressive streak, so some precaution is necessary. As they were bred to be hunting and fighting dogs, they do have the capacity to be aggressive inside their DNA. However, whether or not this aggression will be displayed depends on many factors, such as dog training, health status, and breeding. This is truly up to the owner and not the dog itself. Socialization is the key to having a well-behaved dog. While you can find Boxer puppies in many locations, not everyone will sell quality puppies. This is because they care about socializing their dogs before they go to their new home. The first few weeks are essential to getting the best Boxer pup possible. A good breeder will never let their puppies behave in a bad way. By doing this, they help the betterment of the breed and improve the overall health status of all the dogs they are selling. You should never underestimate the importance of good Boxer breeders in Maine. While they might be expensive, they are the best option in the long run. In the end, nothing should be more important than the safety and the well-being of your pooch! You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Boxer, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Boxers". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Boxer from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon. If you can't find the perfect Boxer puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Boxers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

See Available Puppies French Bulldogs are the most awesome family dogs around. Everyone will naturally fall in love with them! Still have questions about French Bulldog breeders and puppies? Want to know more about Florida Puppies? How much are Frenchie puppies? French Bulldog breeders in Florida, businesses and companies sell French Bulldog puppies for sale Florida at a range of different prices. The reason for this is that Frenchies come with different colored coats with different patterns, different pedigrees, and gender matters too! As there is a wide spectrum of prices, there will be one to fit your pocket! What sets a French Bulldog apart from other breeds? French Bulldog puppies Florida look really different from other dogs. They look like pugs, just a little bit bigger with pointed ears, and just a bit smaller than their English Bulldog cousins. In fact frenchbulldogsofinstagram have almost 4 million posts! What Makes French Bulldogs so expensive? This is because they have really narrow hips which makes natural reproduction an extremely difficult task. Because of this, not only does a French Bulldog for sale in Florida have to be artificially inseminated, but C-sections need to be performed as well! All of this makes them more expensive than the average breed. Can I only connect with French Bulldog breeders in my area? You may not be able to find French Bulldog puppies for sale in Florida or anywhere close by. Luckily, Florida Puppies has a widespread network, all over the country. All you need to do is connect with a French Bulldog breeder Florida, business or company, and any necessary travel arrangements will be organised! Florida Puppies is so careful when screening French Bulldog breeders Florida, businesses and companies as we know how many bad breeders and schemers there are out there. We look at everything - breeding facilities, legal compliance, health care, and more! Why is Florida Puppies the best place to find French Bulldogs? We really care about all the puppies, breeders and businesses and families involved! Are French Bulldogs treated very badly in puppy mills? French Bulldog puppies Florida breeders, businesses and companies who run puppy mills treat their French Bulldog puppies in Florida very poorly. Unfortunately this is taken away from them in puppy mills. They often suffer from health issues. What health issues do French Bulldogs suffer from? A French bulldog for sale Florida suffers from certain health issues that are multiplied if it comes from a puppy mill. Frenchies may have trouble breathing at times. Can I currently find French Bulldog litters? You just need to look through what Florida Puppies has on offer, find the Frenchie pup of your dreams, and connect with its breeder, business or company. Your heart will soon be filled with French Bulldog butterfly kisses! The French Bulldog Florida actually hails from England. During the industrial revolution, many of the female artisan workers wanted little furry friends to keep them company, and make their lives brighter. They looked to the dwarf English Bulldog, then crossed that with the terrier and the pug, and voila! Frenchies Available! Producing Top Quality French Bulldogs Welcome to snubnub frenchies First and foremost, thank you for choosing to visit us here at SnubNub Frenchies on your journey to finding a quality French Bulldog puppy. We are located in the beautiful sunshine state of Florida in Ocala. We plan to continue breeding quality french bulldogs for many years to come. Therefore, we are able to continue building strong lines in our breeding program. In addition to our productions here at home, we have also imported some amazing French Bulldogs of great quality and structure from foreign countries including Hungary, China, Croatia, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Serbia. However, that is not an option so therefore, our promise is to give you a piece of us…our heart and our passion in what we do to BETTER the French Bulldog breed. Paula Johnson June 5, .She is very knowledgeable and passionate about the breed. Elyssa always takes time to return calls and texts and keeps you posted through the whole process, from the pregnancy to the birth and the follow ups after you take your puppy home. Elyssa is a pleasure to work with. Now for this puppy!! She is Gorgeous and has a wonderful temperament. She loves all people and dogs. If you are looking for a good quality French Bulldog breeder look no further!! Snubnub Frenchies is the way to go!! This is my second baby from Snubdub frenchies. Absolutely love these people and would recommend to anyone. Elyssa has been there for all questions I have had. Her love and support for these babies is genuine, even after they leave. Glad to be part of the Snubdub family! Carolyn Trayer May 14, .I can not express enough how wonderful and caring this family is with their frenchies! Extremely knowledgeable and so dedicated to the breed! Extremely clean! After we took our little boy home every day reaches out to make sure he's happy. She is not just an amazing breeder she has become a sweet friend Sara Carpenter May 8, .What an amazing experience we have had with snubhub frenchies! We recently moved to a new area and being new breeders we were very concerned about where we would find good reproduction services and lucky for us we did. I reached out to Elyssa on instagram and she got back to me right away. We had a female go into heat and we went there for progesterone test and got way more than just numbers, she took the time to explain how to recognize signs for when they are ready, we than went back to do the breeding and it was such a professional experience. She made us feel like family right away and you can tell she loves this breed and is extremely knowledgeable and will help answer any questions you have. Fast forward a week and another one of our females goes into heat and back we were. In just a few text messages and talking while there for breeding a few times I have learned so much about whelping as well. We feel extremely lucky to have met her and are excited to continue our relationship with snubhub Frenchies. Thank you so much! Tera Riedl May 8, .I highly recommend SnubNub frenchies. They are incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated to breeding only the best! Elyssa is incredibly talented. I took my dogs to a top veterinary in Tampa for progesterone testing and artificial insemination and they would only get pregnant every third time. Since I have gone to Elyssa my dams have gotten pregnant every time we try. She is absolutely amazing at what she does! Lisa Juliano Excellent place to purchase a Frenchie. Shasta Wagner April 24, .I have done business with Elyssa many times over the years and she is always professional, kind, and willing to accommodate. I have watched her yard grow and change over the years and I can honestly say she has some of the best dogs out there! She loves her dogs and it shows! DBC April 20, .SnubNub is IT!! I am so glad I found them. Great personality, temperament and health! What more could you ask for!? Elyssa is an amazing breeder. Her dogs are very well taken care of, structurally correct and meet the breed standards. She puts so much time in making sure she is producing quality puppies and that those puppies are loved! I have 2 frenchies from her and they are perfect. Highly recommend!!! Natasha Medina April 19, .Elyssa at Snubnubs is honest and transparent. Super easy to work with and professional. She has a passion for her dogs and kennel and that makes such a big difference in this line of business. Her dogs and puppies are top of the line in structure and quality and exactly what French Bulldogs should look like. Google rating score: 5 of 5, based on 66 reviews All of our reviews can be found on our SnubNub Frenchies Google Business Page We have made true on our promise with plenty of our puppy families in the past and you can read how much they appreciated it here on our.

They cherish the company of children and are quite comfortable with other animals and pets, especially if you have trained them to grow up together. These dogs are fond of people and love to be around them, and hence, it is tough for them to cope with solitude. They need the company of the owners, and in return, expect their care and attention. With all these graces and goodness, they are perfect for first-time dog owners. This large breed is comfortable living in apartments, provided you help them meet their regular exercise needs. Care Exercise These active dogs have a high level of energy, which they can burn down by sufficient amount of exercise. They also love swimming. But be present with them when they do. Take your GL out for a long brisk walk or a jog at least once a day, for a minimum of 30 min. This should not merely keep it mentally sound and physically fit, but would also strengthen the bond between you and your companion dog. Your dog would also appreciate if you indulge it in some everyday games. If you have an open yard, it can simply roam around freely, which should also add to its fitness activities. But make sure your yard is fenced and safe where you can easily free it from the leash. Grooming Use a rubber curry brush to groom it. If your dog has already started losing hair, we recommend that, you brush it daily. Otherwise, only a weekly session sounds good. This should remove all its dead and loose hairs. To avoid ear infections, do not forget to rinse the inside of their ears when they come out of the water. Also, take care of their teeth by brushing them every week to keep away possible plaque buildups. Because of their hefty built and other associated genetic factors, they are prone to a few issues like elbow and hip dysplasias, PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy , diabetes, cataracts, and certain skin conditions that are especially prevalent amongst yellow labs including allergies, hotspots, dry skin, sun burns etc. Train it to socialize from a very young age, right after adoption. Let them know people and mingle with your children and other pets at home, and practice obedience. This should work. They would grow up to a happy dog without much anxiety and concern of its surroundings. Teach them tricks like retrieving, and enthuse them in agility games like flyball, Frisbee, etc. Do take the lead and let your dog follow you. But insist on sober and gentle training methods. Praise them as they succeed, give them treats, toys and gifts. However, if you choose dry dog foods, do stick to high-quality foods only, and those that are meant for the dogs of its size and energy. But divide the food into two equal meals. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. Breed Title Goldador Puppies Temperament Goldadors are an amazing combination of the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador and the friendly, gentle personality of the Golden Retriever. With their outgoing, friendly character and sweet disposition, Goldadors make excellent family pets around children and other animals as they have a great aptitude for understanding people. In terms of temperament, these beloved pups are highly sociable but not overly boisterous or hyper; they enjoy playing fetch but rest just as happily on your lap or at your feet while you work. Golden Labrador Retriever Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Goldadors for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Golden Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Finding a Golden Labrador puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Depending on the climate they live in, Goldadors may need regular baths — however omitting shampoo once or twice a year will ensure their coat retains its natural oils. Finally it is recommended to check the ears regularly and trim nails as needed. Adopted Golden Labrador Retriever Puppies. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance. Shedding and Grooming Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding. Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home! With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole. If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. Generally, the Goldador will get on well with children and other pets. Socialization Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Training Tips The Goldador has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs. Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! Energy Levels Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim. Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble. As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners. Exercise is especially important for the health of your Goldador since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems. Health and Care All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding COI. The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds Labrador and Golden Retriever. Labrador Health Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNKP. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It can be tough to decide which is the better dog for you when it comes to Labradors vs. Golden Retrievers. For starters, Golden Retrievers and Labradors are fairly similar in size, and they are both highly intelligent and love to be around humans. However, there are some key differences between the two breeds that make them better suited to certain homes and lifestyles. Read on to find out what makes a Labrador Retriever different from a Golden Retriever and which is the best dog for you! Main Differences Between Golden Retrievers vs. Labradors The main differences between Golden Retrievers and Labradors are: Golden Retrievers are originally from Scotland, whereas Labradors are originally from Canada. Golden Retrievers are fairly light for their size, whereas Labradors are much heavier. Golden Retrievers have a slimmer ribcage, whereas Labradors have a much broader chest. Golden Retrievers have a long, feathery outer coat, whereas Labradors have a short, oily outer coat. Golden Retrievers range in color from light cream to fox-red , whereas Labradors come in a variety of colors. Golden Retrievers are very clingy and dependent on their owners, whereas Labradors are more independent. Golden Retrievers love competition, whereas Labradors prefer not to be in competition with others. Golden Retrievers are more cautious in new situations, whereas Labradors tend to go full-throttle into any new situation. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers suit different kinds of owners and living situations. They both require a lot of love and attention and will bring you plenty of joy! Golden Retrievers vs. Labradors: Introduction Golden Retrievers and Labradors are two of the most well-loved breeds of dogs in the world! In fact, the Labrador ranks as the number-one favorite breed, and the Golden Retriever comes in at third place just behind the German Shepherd in second place according to surveys conducted by the AKC for .These dogs are both loveable, can fit into big and small families, do well with other animals and small children, and are full of personality. However, as I touched on earlier, there are some key differences between the two breeds to keep in mind. Labradors: Origins Dogs have been selectively bred for various reasons by humans for millennia. The Golden Retriever and the Labrador are no different—each breed was originally developed for a specific purpose. These dogs were bred as gun dogs. More specifically, they were bred to have very large yet soft and gentle mouths to carefully retrieve prey their owner had shot. This makes them very useful for duck hunting, quail hunting, rabbit hunting, and fox hunting! Labrador Labradors were originally bred in Canada in the mids by fishermen and hunters who took to the rivers and lakes to hunt birds, fish, or other small mammals. Similar to the Golden Retriever, Labradors were also bred to have large, soft mouths so they would not damage the prey they retrieved for their owners. For many years, Labradors were mainly bred as water gun dogs. They are strong swimmers and were often used to dive into lakes, rivers, or marshes to retrieve prey from the water. However, due to the way each dog has been bred over the years, they have slightly different average weights. Golden Retriever Goldens typically weigh in at 55 to 75 pounds on average. They were bred to be lightweight and agile in order to move faster and chase after prey their owners shot down on hunting trips. Labrador Labradors typically weigh in at 55 to 80 pounds on average. This is because they have been bred to have denser bones that make them heavier. Labradors: Build Goldens and Labradors look fairly similar in height. However, Goldens are typically described as being more graceful and slimmer-looking than Labradors. This is because the two breeds have a slightly different bone structure in their chests. Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers have slim, narrow chests. They were bred to have this slim chest because the underbrush in the Scottish Highlands is very dense and can be difficult to run through. Their narrow, thinner build allowed them to cut through the dense underbrush and chase after fallen prey quickly. Labrador Labradors, on the other hand, were bred to chase after prey in the water. They have much broader chests compared to Goldens, which makes them look quite stocky. This is not purely an aesthetic difference! One is long-haired, and the other short-haired. This is not a mistake in their breeding. These dogs were selectively bred for their long and short coats as they perform specific functions! Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers have a dense undercoat to protect them against the freezing weather of the Scottish Highland winters. Interestingly, though, their long outer coats have very little to do with keeping them warm. Labrador Labradors also have a dense undercoat to protect them from the freezing Canadian winters and icy cold water. On top of their undercoat is a thick, short outer coat of fur that is slightly oily to the touch. This oily outer coat acts as a barrier against water. Labradors: Coloration There tends to be a lot of confusion over the coloration of Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Some people believe the breeds are so similar that they come in the same colors. In reality, though, the two breeds each have their own distinct range of coat colors. Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers have a small color range with no visible markings in their coat. There are no black, gray, brindled, or spotted purebred Golden Retrievers. As Goldens get older, their coat color gradually deepens into a darker golden or fox-red color, and they do not go gray! Labrador Purebred Labradors only come in three different colors. They can be a light creamy yellow color, brown which is also known as chocolate , or black. Labradors do not have any visible patches, spots, stripes, or markings in their coats. The coat color they are born with is generally the color they will stay. However, they will develop gray hairs that are focused around the muzzle and eyes as they grow older. Some dogs are incredibly needy by nature and will need you to be home a lot, while other breeds are much more laid-back and independent. They need their humans to be around often, and they are happiest when they get regular physical attention in the form of cuddles, games, walks, and puzzles. Unfortunately, this also means Goldens are prone to developing separation anxiety if they are not trained carefully or their routine is interrupted and they suffer some kind of trauma. Keep in mind, too, that these dogs are incredibly intelligent, and they can become equally destructive if they feel abandoned or are allowed to become bored. Labrador Labradors are far more independent dogs compared to Golden Retrievers. They are happy to make their own fun and games, run outside by themselves, and generally will not develop separation anxiety as easily as Goldens or other similarly clingy breeds. However, they are also highly intelligent and can still become destructive if they are allowed to become bored and are not exercised regularly. Labradors: Trainability And Competitiveness Both breeds of dogs were bred to be very active and intelligent and to perform specific jobs for their human companions. As a result, both breeds are highly trainable and task-oriented. However, the way each breed tends to go about completing these tasks, especially when met with competition, is very different from one another. Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are highly competitive by nature and love a challenge. They are people pleasers and will constantly try to find ways to gain your approval. This means they will try to out-compete other dogs for your affection and attention, especially if you have given them a task to do. Fortunately, this is all in good fun, as they are happy pack animals and do not display aggression in more competitive settings. Labrador Labradors, on the other hand, do not like competition and can become fairly grouchy and upset if they constantly have to compete with other dogs for your affection, attention, or task completion. Unlike Goldens, these dogs prefer to work alone when they have been given a job to do and will eagerly demand their praise whether you have time for it or not. Labradors: Overall Temperament Before deciding on which breed you want to bring into your home, one of the most important things you need to decide on is which breed matches your lifestyle the best. Golden Retrievers and Labradors have very different personalities and fit better into certain homes and family structures. Golden Retriever Goldens have very cautious temperaments. They do not run head-first into a situation before carefully thinking about and trying to solve the problem in their heads. While their Golden Retrievers are weighing up the pros and cons of a situation, some less patient owners often get tired of waiting and force their dogs into a position where they have not decided if they are comfortable or not. This can make Goldens more anxious and unnecessarily cautious over time. They will enthusiastically run into just about any situation before deciding whether it is safe, scary, or appropriate to do so. This works wonderfully if you live an active life and will be taking your Labrador on all your adventures. This is something they are instinctively happy to do! If you have a more reserved and laid-back personality, though, this behavior can be exhausting. Labradors Do Labradors and Golden Retrievers shed the same amount? Both Labradors and Golden Retrievers shed roughly the same amount of hair. Both breeds shed lightly throughout the year and will have a serious shedding season during spring as they lose their very heavy winter undercoat. Both breeds will need to be brushed two to three times a week to prevent their undercoats from becoming matted and compacted, which can quickly become very painful for the dog. Depending on the color of your dog and your decor you may see more or less fur in your home. For instance, my first dog was a black Lab mix and I had black interior in my car. I noticed very little fur in the car but lots of fur at home. Which breed is easier to train, Labradors or Golden Retrievers? Goldens and Labs are both very intelligent dogs, which makes them easy to train. Both breeds are used as working dogs as well as service animals , as they are easy to train and will stick to their training. Can you mix Labradors and Golden Retrievers? Labradors and Golden Retrievers have been bred with one another for decades. A mixture of a Golden and Lab will give you a Goldador! These dogs combine the best of both species into one package. To read more about this hybrid dog, check out my dedicated article on the Golden Retriever Lab mix! A lot of service dog schools are mixing Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers to try and get the best traits of both dogs for the perfect working service dog. They are both very intelligent, energetic, trainable, and love their families fiercely. There are several key differences between the two breeds you can refer to when determining which one better suits your own lifestyle and preferences. To recap, the differences are: Their origins. They can have a range of different fur colors too, including yellow, chocolate, or black. These dogs are pretty cool, but you may not see them very often. So, you may be wondering — what exactly is a golden Labrador, and how are these stunning creatures any different from their fellow non-golden Labrador counterparts? Are these Labradors like some rare, special kind? To make things easier to understand, it is first best to describe these two different dog breeds. The Golden Retriever This dog is often mistaken for a golden Labrador. They are both different, however. The Golden Retriever is a large gun dog that has previously been used to bring waterfowl that have been shot to its owners when people have gone hunting. This is not their only purpose, though, Golden Retrievers often will be used as sniffer dogs, hearing dogs, guide dogs and sometimes are even used for things like search and rescue missions. They are the ideal family dog, and the Golden Retriever is actually known as the third most popular dog breed for families in the United States. They are fairly new dog breeds that have only been around for about a decade. They combine many of the characteristics of both Golden Retrievers and Labradors. These dogs are highly intelligent and are sometimes used in anti-narcotic work and bomb detection squads. Have a look at a chocolate Labrador and a yellow Labrador side by side. Again, look at the differences between a fox red Lab and a black Lab. You will find that the same can be said of the golden Labrador. Basically, a golden Labrador is like a yellow labrador that has a slightly golden tint to its coat. If you have a look at some yellow Labs, you will see that they can come in a range of different shades. Some of them can be fox red, pale yellow, light cream, white , and of course, golden. With that in mind, the golden Labrador is basically a yellow Lab that has a golden shaded coat. A quick search of the AKC website will tell you that you can find Labrador Retrievers in three different colors. That is yellow, black and chocolate. Basically, the golden color is somewhere in this spectrum of yellows. Seems logical! There is a very clear difference between the yellow Labrador and the golden Labrador since the golden shade of the coat really stands out. The coat shade is the only real thing distinguishing a golden lab from any other Labrador. They are the same in terms of temperament, size, and health problems. You will more than likely find a yellow shade Labrador, but golden ones in specific are much smaller in quantity. The pale yellow ones have been more popular since the s. They have double coats much like Labrador Retrievers. Much like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, these dogs are friendly, loving, loyal, and energetic, but they can also be somewhat stubborn! They are slightly lower maintenance than golden retrievers in many respects. The Golden Labrador, Golden Retriever, and the Goldador are quite intelligent, meaning that training them should be fairly easy and a lot of fun. Labradors usually have much shorter hair than Golden Retrievers, though they are still going to need brushing on a regular basis to ensure that their coat is healthy. These dogs also differ in terms of the shape of their muzzle. You will find a narrow and lean jaw on a Golden Retriever, whereas a Labrador Retriever has a wider nose. Frequently Asked Questions Do golden Labradors have a good temperament? Golden Labradors have a great temperament, just like other kinds of Labradors. They are happy dogs that are very affectionate and loving. They are fond of people and are fantastic both as family dogs and working dogs. Which Labradors are the smartest? Do golden Labs shed a lot? Golden labs do shed quite a lot, much like other Labradors. You will notice that they are shedding much more when they blow their coat, which happens approximately twice per year. Hopefully, you have a good vacuum cleaner! Do You Love Labs? We love the Labrador breed so much because they make an exceptional companion in the great outdoors. Here are some other interesting articles about Labradors you may want to read:.

Aggression is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. A professional will be able to assess the situation and help you come up with a plan to address the aggression. Other Considerations To Keep In Mind With proper training and socialization, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting behavior and will be a well-mannered companion for years to come. However, the key is to start early and be consistent with your training. If you allow your dog to mouth and nip sometimes but not others, they will be confused about what is acceptable behavior. In addition to that, dogs are much more likely to pick up on good habits if you teach them from a young age. Finally, be patient! Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need time to learn what is expected of them. With a little time and effort, you can help your Goldendoodle learn to keep their teeth to themselves. Of course, it also includes lots of tutorials and resources on how to tackle excessive Goldendoodle puppy biting. Do not scream or hit your dog, as this will only make them more likely to bite again in the future. This will help your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. If your Goldendoodle continues to bite, you may need to seek professional help. When Do Goldendoodles Stop Biting? So, when do Goldendoodles stop biting? This is a common question among Doodle owners, and unfortunately, there is no single answer. One of the most common questions new Goldendoodle owners ask is when their puppy will outgrow the biting phase. Typically, Goldendoodles grow out of their biting phase once they get all of their adult teeth. Until your pup has grown into all of its adult teeth, there are a few things you can do to help discourage your pup from nipping. For starters, never play rough games with your Goldendoodle that involve hitting or wrestling. These games only encourage them to bite. You can also provide them with plenty of chew toys to help satisfy their need to gnaw. Early socialization is also vital, as this will teach your puppy how to appropriately interact with you, other people, and other pets. With a little time and effort, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting impulses and become a well-mannered companion. If your Goldendoodle is older than a year old and still biting, there may be an underlying issue, such as anxiety or boredom. The good news is that you can easily fix the boredom issue by giving your pup plenty of attention, playtime, and exercise. With the help of a professional, you can develop a training plan that will help your Goldendoodle learn to curb their biting impulses. Goldendoodle Biting: Final Thoughts Goldendoodles are wonderful, loving companions. However, like all dogs, they need to be properly trained and socialized in order to become well-mannered members of the family. While Goldendoodles are generally friendly dogs, they can sometimes bite due to excitement, boredom, stress, or fear. If your Goldendoodle is biting, there are a few things you can do to discourage this behavior, including providing chew toys, increasing mental and physical stimulation, and desensitizing them to their triggers. If the problem persists, seek professional help from a certified trainer or behaviorist. With some patience and training, you should be able to stop your Goldendoodle from biting for good. Reasons why your Goldendoodle might be biting Goldendoodles have the generous heart of a golden retriever and the intelligence of a poodle, yet sometimes even these hybrid fur-babies can, unfortunately, turn to biting. Consult your local vet or professional dog behaviorist who will be able to better guide you on how to fix this problem. How to stop your Goldendoodle from biting Goldendoodles , characterized by their intelligence, energy and loyal nature, can undoubtedly be a joy to have around. Unfortunately, their rambunctiousness can lead to biting if they are not taught how to behave. The good news is that there are plenty of constructive ways to prevent your Goldendoodle from biting. Lastly, keeping your pup engaged with playtime, taking your goldendoodle for a run , and mental stimulation will help stop them from getting bored which can turn into bad behaviors such as biting. Tips for training your Goldendoodle not to bite Goldendoodles are renowned for their intelligence, good nature and sense of playfulness. This can make training a goldendoodle not to bite a challenging but rewarding experience. To begin, it is important to be consistent with commands. Make sure that your goldendoodle understands what you want it to do and that it is aware of any changes in its routine to ensure effective training. Try rewarding positive behavior with treats or toys, or a calming bath , as this will reinforce the desired behavior and discourage your goldendoodle from biting out of frustration. Finally, remember to give lots of love and attention when the dog succeeds so that you can successfully teach them not to bite! Although Goldendoodles are typically gentle and loving family dogs , they may bite for a number of reasons. Training your Goldendoodle not to bite can be a challenge, but with patience and consistency you can get through to them. By following these tips and working on positive reinforcement training, you can help your dog develop into a well-behaved member of your family. Related posts:. Goldendoodle puppies are adorable and playful creatures. But like with any puppy playtime can quickly turn into a nipping, chewing free for all that can leave you feeling like a chew toy. Goldendoodles puppies usually bite because of teething and as a form of play. Older dogs may bite due to aggression or habit. Biting and chewing should be discouraged at an early age to prevent unwanted behavior. The key to stopping this unwanted behavior is understanding why Goldendoodles bite and how to discourage, and if possible, inhibit them from doing so without being harsh. Earlier on, it might just nip playfully at you, which comes across as rather cute and ticklish. However, the nipping soon turns into full-fledged bites, which could hurt and are not so pleasant anymore. Both parents — the poodle and the Golden Retriever — excelled at retrieving things from the water or anywhere else, so it is simple to comprehend why Doodles like to use their mouth as often as they do. Whether it is a human or any other animal, nipping and biting form an integral part of the game and should be taken sportingly. In the process, if the Doodle gets hurt, it will most likely yelp and expect to be persuaded. How would you react? An eruption of new teeth is often accompanied by an itching sensation in the gums, which the pup tries to relieve by biting. Constant itching can be quite irritating, so it would be unfair to blame the puppy for seeking relief, even though it implies biting everything in sight. To help your pup, provide it with plenty of chewable toys, stuffed or otherwise. Teethers full of water are also good options as the Doodle can keep biting at it and experience satisfaction and relief. You can even improvise by filling a sock full of stuff and letting your Doodle have a go at it. Alternatively, give them an empty bottle that rolls around and can be chewed at without suffering any significant damage. Biting Can Be an Aggressive Behavior By nature, Goldendoodles are not aggressive unless indicated by you as the pet owner that they can get away with it. Given that dogs are pack animals, aggression is an innate trait. However, the good news is that it can just as easily be controlled through early training and positive reinforcement. To this effect, aggressive biting can be maintained at the puppy stage or even later through firm and consistent training. Goldendoodles do have all their teeth by this time, and if they are still biting, it is probably out of habit. Since this implies that the Doodle is biting out of habitual compulsion rather than any specific objective, it needs to be stopped. From your end, discourage the behavior by distracting it from a biting session and getting involved in other activities. With all this talk of biting you may feel concerned about having a Goldendoodle around kids. In my article, Are Goldendoodles good with kids , I explain all the reasons why they are great to have around children. Discouraging Goldendoodles From Bitting or Chewing Biting can turn into an unpleasant scenario for you, especially when the Doodle grows older. Not only could it impact your relationship with an otherwise adorable and intelligent pet, but it also transforms into destructive chewing if not controlled or rectified in time. Teach how to Smart-Chew — Praise and reward your pup every time he latches on to a chewable toy or a bone that is meant for the purpose. At the same time, please do not ignore that it might be chewing your slippers because the Doodle might take it as an affirmation and experiment with all the other footwear at home. If it refuses to let go, keep your slippers out of reach till it gives up on them and finds something else to do. Firm and Consistent Training — Suppose you catch your Doodle in the act, do not be harsh physically or mentally while reprimanding. Instead, draw it away from the object, praise it on letting go and explain gently not to repeat the behavior. Final Thoughts Remember that it is normal for Goldendoodles to bite while playing, and a simple act on your part of hitting on its face or waving your fingers and toes in front of It will only encourage this behavior. Lastly, do not stop playing with your Doodle just because it may have bitten or nipped once. Instead, address the issue and teach and train that playing can be just as fun without biting or nipping. Diane is a lifelong owner of Labs, Retrievers, a Poodle, Labradoodle, and, more recently, a Goldendoodle. She loves dogs and enjoy's taking her Goldendoodle Nala for walks in the woods with her daughters. Recent Posts. Frozen veggies and fruit Exploring Their Surroundings Dogs have an acute sense of smell. Their heightened scent receptors drive them to explore things around them, including household items and even your fingers. Moyen Goldendoodles are smaller than Standard Goldendoodles, and larger than Miniatures. Curiosity is a healthy habit for Goldendoodles, but biting should not be part of the process. However, if your new best friend is doing damage while exploring its surroundings, you must puppy-proof your home until they learn proper manners. Playing Dogs will instinctively bite and nip when they play with littermates as puppies. If this behavior is left unaddressed, mature dogs will continue to bite during playtime. Playful biting is not always harmful, but it can be if it gets out of control as your Goldendoodle matures. A Goldendoodle getting a belly rub from his owner. The Resolution When Goldendoodles bite during playtime, you must correct the behavior immediately. Give your pet a stern no command, and offer them an alternative to biting and chewing. Some dogs respond well when owners stop playing with them after biting and leave the room. This breed is intelligent and will quickly learn that biting is not welcome. Boredom Goldendoodles are smart dogs requiring adequate mental stimulation and physical exercise. If your pet is not receiving enough engagement throughout the day, it will become bored and chew or bite. Some animals may even bite at your hands and feet to get your attention when bored. Goldendoodle with fresh haircut on a white background. Although boredom can be prevalent in the first couple years of your Goldendoodles life, it can still be a concern for some mature dogs. In addition, try offering your pet toys to help stimulate their mind, like treat puzzles and snuffle mats. These products will provide the mental exercise they need and keep them from being bored at home. We'll do everything we can to make sure you and your dog are happy We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Unfortunately, some dog breeds, like the Goldendoodle, are prone to separation anxiety. Goldendoodle puppy is not feeling well. This hybrid dog enjoys the company of its humans and can show anxious traits if you leave them home alone all day. The Resolution If your Goldendoodle is biting you before you leave or when you return, they may have anxiety issues. Proper kennel training and routine exercise with mental stimulation can help calm your pet down when you need to leave them alone for an extended time. Lack of Training Goldendoodle puppies are adorable, and many dog owners will let some typical puppy behaviors, like biting, slide. A boy trains a Goldendoodle at the park. This hybrid dog breed is extremely energetic and needs proper training to follow your commands. The Resolution For Goldendoodle biting that happens due to a lack of training, you can still turn it around, even with adult dogs. This crossbreed is extremely intelligent and loves to please its owners. Always remember to use a stern no command when they bite, offer alternatives, and reward them when they act appropriately. Soon, your Goldendoodle will have the proper training and better manners you want in a pet. Scared or Fearful Some Goldendoodles bite when they are scared or fearful of something. For example, if your pet is afraid of loud noises or certain people, they may lash out by biting. Behaved Goldendoodle carried by her owner. This fearful behavior can get out of control and inflict harm to people or animals without proper coaching as your dog matures. The Resolution Dogs who feel safe are less likely to bite when a frightening situation occurs. Owners of Goldendoodles that bite can use various methods to help eliminate this behavior, depending on the reason for their fright. Some ways to help your pet are: Scared of thunderstorms — use a thunder jacket. Frightened about meeting new people or animals — use slow, short introductions. Afraid of loud noises — offer a crate as a safe space with treats and positive attention. If you are not satisfied for any reason, simply return within the Amazon return window for a refund of your purchase price We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Therefore, a dog who suddenly bites its owner may have underlying health issues. Animals will do this to scare people away from handling them where it hurts the most. If your Goldendoodle bites when you try to pet it or handle it, it could be dealing with pain from an illness or significant injury. The Resolution If you have ruled out other causes for your Goldendoodle biting behaviors, the next step is heading to your local veterinarian. You want to ensure your pet does not have a health condition that is causing them pain. Your vet may conduct x-rays or other diagnostic tests to rule out physical fractures or serious illnesses that may produce pain for your dog. Final Thoughts Of course, everyone loves a well-behaved Goldendoodle, but sometimes your pet needs a little extra training and support to learn good manners. Once you can pinpoint the reason for the behavior, you can use these successful methods to keep it from happening. You may need professional help from a trainer or veterinarian, but once your Goldendoodle knows how to behave, you will have a terrific and loyal friend. 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. Often though, this joyful time is marred by painful nips and bandaged hands. A biting phase is all too common in puppies, but it should not be what defines your relationship. How do I get my Goldendoodle puppy to stop biting? Provide the puppy with a variety of teething aids to help soothe sore gums. Consistent bite inhibition training will teach your puppy that biting people is unacceptable, as will refusing to interact with or give attention to an actively biting puppy. Most of all, remember to be patient as your puppy gets through this frustrating and painful time. When they bite, divert their attention with a chew toy. If biting continues, walk away and ignore. Everything you need to get started and help your dog reach his full potential. Temperament, sizes, generations, and coat types. Necessary supplies and feeding guidelines. Reward-based training. Exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization. Common behavioral issues and possible health concerns. Grooming and total body care. And much, much more! Eliminate the guesswork and pick up your copy today! Unfortunately, gnawing on fingers and toes is completely normal puppy behavior. All puppies, not just Goldendoodles, go through a biting stage, but thankfully, it does not last very long. So, what causes the urge to bite and chew on everything in sight, including your poor fingers and toes? While there is likely no pain when the puppy teeth are lost, there is probably a lot of discomfort as the adult teeth push through the surface of the gums. Puppies often seek relief by chewing on anything and everything within reach, including you. Exploring Puppies explore much of the world around them with their mouths. They learn about different tastes, textures, and sizes by putting items in their mouth. They discover which items are fun to chew on slippers — delightful! Puppies naturally learn bite inhibition controlling the intensity of their bites from their littermates and their mother. This is one reason why a puppy should stay with the breeder as long as possible. When a puppy bites too hard while playing with a sibling, the other pup will yelp and stop playing. The puppy quickly learns that the fun ceases when he bites too hard. If he makes the same mistake with his mother, the puppy will receive a firm correction from her, and he will likely not do it again. Seeking Attention Puppies love all types of attention. Some quickly learn that biting leads to attention, even though it is often negative and in the form of discipline. This is called unintentional negative reinforcement. Genetic Makeup Both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, used to create the beloved Goldendoodle, were bred to be outstanding water dogs, skilled at retrieving waterfowl. You can learn more about the beautiful Golden Retriever here. The desire to have things in their mouths was intentionally bred into them. This trait is also commonly seen in Goldendoodles, particularly puppies. As is the case with most retrieving breeds, the intense need to chew and carry things in their mouth sometimes equates to excessive mouthiness in young puppies who are still learning what is acceptable and what is not. Providing your Goldendoodle with sufficient daily exercise is a key component in eliminating unwanted behaviors, like biting. How much is recommended? Check out this article. For most puppies, the biting begins to taper off as teething come to an end, usually around 7 — 8 months of age. By this age, almost all of the permanent teeth have erupted, and the chewing, biting, and nipping urges greatly diminish. By the time your puppy has finished teething, more maturity should be evident as he nears adulthood. When do Goldendoodles typically stop growing and transition to adulthood? Find the answer here. Many puppy behaviors, such as whining, submissive urination, and biting begin to disappear by this age. Get Your Copy Today! Try offering frozen pieces of carrot, banana, or strawberry to soothe sore gums. Frozen blueberries are great too. Many puppy teething oils see on Amazon are available to numb tender mouths. Provide a wide variety of puppy chew toys multipack on Amazon of different shapes and textures. A puppy Kong can be packed with a treat like peanut butter and frozen. The natural rubber satisfies the chewing urge, the cold numbs the gums, and working to access the treats inside provides mental stimulation. Goldendoodle puppy teeth can be painful, and puppies tend to explore the world by putting things in their mouths. Goldendoodle puppies usually stop biting when they are months old when their adult teeth have grown. Goldendoodles are bred to retrieve things, and their mouthy tendencies need bite inhibition training. Bite inhibition training should involve the same method that puppies learn with their littermates. It involves a loud squeal, stopping the play, and ignoring the puppy for up to a minute. Play dates with other puppies can also help teach bite inhibition. Giving puppies frozen fruits, teething toys, bully sticks, and engaging them with chew toys can help deter biting related to teething. Having new teeth pushing through your gums is uncomfortable, and chewing on things can help reduce that discomfort. Tasting things is also another way that puppies explore the world. Without hands or opposable thumbs, their mouth is the best way to determine the texture and firmness of an object. Additionally, Goldendoodles are the product of two breeds that were bred to retrieve things from the water. Golden Retrievers and Poodles were both bred to collect birds that hunters had shot. That means a tendency to hold items in their mouth was actually bred into them. Goldendoodles tend to be inherently mouthy, so you will have to teach your puppy to have better bite inhibition reducing how much force they bite down with during play. The younger your puppy was when you brought them home, the more difficulty your Goldendoodle may have with bite inhibition. Teaching Bite Inhibition When left with their littermates long enough, puppies learn that biting a playmate too hard causes the fun to stop. To teach your puppy bite inhibition, you have to do what their littermates would have done. Anything else — yelling, bopping the puppy on the nose, continuing to play — reinforces the biting behavior. So next time your Goldendoodle puppy bites you, think like a puppy yourself. Squeal, stop, and ignore. Play Dates Playing with other puppies is also an excellent way for your Goldendoodle puppy to learn bite inhibition. When they bite another puppy too hard, that puppy will let them know. Make sure all puppies are up to date on their age-appropriate vaccinations before letting them play together. More Ways to Stop Biting Not all biting is related to a lack of bite inhibition. Teething is a significant factor that causes puppies to want to bite and chew on anything possible. Provide plenty of chew toys in different textures and shapes. Teething oil or gel can help soothe sore gums. Play tug of war with your puppy gently. Fill a Puppy Kong with peanut butter, then throw it in the freezer. The cold will soothe their gums while they chew on the rubber, and working on getting out the peanut butter keeps their brain engaged. Give your Goldendoodle bully sticks to chew on while you are around to supervise. Bully sticks are a healthy alternative to dangerous rawhide, but puppies may swallow large pieces if left unsupervised. You need to use different techniques to manage this type of biting compared to teething or play biting. Continue doing whatever it was you were doing before the puppy started to bite you. Continue brushing your puppy while they struggle. Try to get the puppy to bite the brush rather than your hands, but still try to keep brushing. Once your puppy stops fighting and biting, reward them with praise and a treat. If you stop brushing your puppy every time they bite you, your Goldendoodle learns that biting makes bad things stop. Play provides crucial bonding between a Goldendoodle and their people. The goal is to teach them to play nicely, not to discourage playing with you at all. These things are likely to encourage your puppy to bite your hands and feet. Hitting a puppy for playful mouthing can make them bite harder. It can trigger your puppy to play even more aggressively. It can also make your puppy fear you or create real aggression. Avoid all punishments that might hurt or scare your puppy. That encourages your puppy to jump after the hand or foot and resembles play. If your puppy likes to bite your feet when you walk, you can try spraying your feet with a bite-deterrent spray like this one. Eventually, they should learn to turn that urge to bite toward their toys instead of your skin or clothing. Encourage non-contact forms of play like fetch and tug of war. Rough play with your hands tends to entice your puppy to bite. Luckily, though, there are many things you can do to discourage various types of puppy biting. With a little bit of time and consistent training, puppy bites should be a thing of the past by the time your Goldendoodle is 7 to 8 months old. Do Goldendoodles Chew Furniture?

Cosmo, a telepathic Soviet space dog , is the security chief of the space station Knowhere and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. He was launched into Earth's orbit by the Soviet space program as part of an experiment but was lost in space, arriving in Knowhere and at some point being mutated by cosmic rays. Now a telepath, he eventually came to serve as the station's security chief. Cosmo met a distraught Nova shortly after he witnessed Suspensor turn into a zombie. He tells Nova that he's on Knowhere, a city located within the severed head of a giant Celestial. Beings from all over the galaxy come to Knowhere waiting for the end of the universe. When the Luminals bring something in a large box, the city's population has to go into hiding. The Xandarian Worldmind then informs Rider that he had deciphered the writing on the wall, which is a countdown to a timer. Unable to fight the three aliens, he retreats and discovers a talking dog. Cosmo brought Nova up to speed on when the events started, and the Xandarian Worldmind added any data he had at his disposal. Cosmo was mainly concerned with the safety of the remaining citizens of Knowhere who were safely hidden away in a dimensional envelope he wore on his collar. It was not long before Cosmo and Nova were ambushed by more zombies including the surviving members of Suspensor's former team; the Luminals, and determined that the creature known as Abyss was behind the mayhem. Together, they fought off the attacks, and sealed Abyss inside his prison. Then, alarms were triggered when a murderous Gamora and Drax the Destroyer now under the control of the Phalanx slaughtered many residents in search of Nova. Cosmo arrived too late to stop them before they could follow the same path as Nova through the Continuum Cortex. During one such adventure, Cosmo and the Guardians bounce around the time stream in an attempt to stop The Fault, a tear in the universe, from eliminating all of reality. During this adventure, Cosmo is de-aged into a puppy. But before he died, Starlord left Cosmo with the task of trying to collect the greatest heroes in the universe to form a band of Annihilators, the team Starlord believed was what the Guardians of the Galaxy should have been. Using the Nova Force, the young Nova tried to push the poison out of his body. In the process, he found the foreign body inside of the psychic dog that disrupted his powers and thus, saved Cosmo's life. They assist him in capturing a violence-loving gangster called Yotat. He has shown to be capable of creating defensive shields strong enough to deflect energy blasts, as well as project mind blasts of tremendous force. His exact power levels are unknown, but he has shown to be strong enough to take on a being such as Adam Warlock by himself, and powerful enough to unleash a telekinetic blast able to disable two separate teams of super-humans. In addition to these abilities, Cosmo seems to have a considerably extended lifespan as well — especially for a dog since he has been around since the time of the Soviet Union. Marvel Cinematic Universe[ edit ] Cosmo the Spacedog appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , physically portrayed by dog actors Fred and Slate and voiced and motion-captured by Maria Bakalova. Like her original inspiration Laika, this version is female, though her history of being a test animal selected to take part in a Soviet space program experiment who drifted off into space and eventually ended up at Knowhere remains intact. In the live-action film, Guardians of the Galaxy , she is introduced as a prisoner of the Collector who witnesses the eponymous team arrive before being freed following an explosion caused by the Power Stone. T'Challa Became a Star-Lord? After the Collector's slave, Carina, frees his captives, Cosmo joins the Ravagers in traveling to Earth. As of the live-action special, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special , [16] Cosmo has exhibited psionic powers, become a member of the Guardians, and befriended Rocket. She then joins Rocket's new iteration of the Guardians. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. But Cosmo the Spacedog, perfectly voiced by Maria Bakalova, provides some rare and appreciated moments of levity. Who exactly is Cosmo, and what are her Marvel Comics origins? Let's take a tail-wagging trip back to the beginnings of this high-flying superhero canine who totally steals the show! Warning: Possible spoilery territory ahead! Who is Cosmo the Spacedog? Cosmo the Spacedog in the comics. Image credit: Marvel Comics Essentially, Cosmo is a superpowered telepathic remnant of the Soviet space program. This exotic home base was created from a makeshift settlement and mining refinery inside a Celestial's ginormous, hollowed-out head. In "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Cosmo is a loving nod to Laika , the real-life female canine test subject found on the streets of Moscow during the Cold War who became the first animal in orbit. Laika launched on the Sputnik 2 mission on Nov. It didn't end well for the poor pup: she perished four hours into the experimental mission, apparently due to stress and overheating. Somewhere in its wayward journey, Cosmo was mutated by cosmic radiation which gave him incredible psionic powers. The talking superpowered space dog was picked up by the outer-rim denizens of Knowhere, which became his home. He eventually acquired a job there as head of security. What are Cosmo's powers? Cosmo on display in 's "Guardians of the Galaxy. Telepathy is one of Cosmo's prime skills in the comics that's not specifically shown in the film. These telepathic abilities can take the form of mindreading and thought manipulation of intelligent beings and higher animals, or masking powers that prevent other telepaths from entering her mind. Another extension of Cosmos' psionic weaponry includes the manifestation of realistic illusions, the ability to erase certain memories or cause total amnesia, and emitting devastating psychic blasts. Cosmo appears in extended scenes in 's " Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special ," voiced and motion-captured by Bakalova, begging for delicious treats and rebuilding Knowhere! Director James Gunn defended his gender-swap from the comics as returning to Laika's female roots , and we believe that was a fine creative choice. PS4 Deals. The babies are nursing with the new mom, but one puppy is clearly different from the rest. A male pup with a pistachio green hue can be seen atop the pile, with the owner zooming in to give viewers a closer look. A stock photo shows golden retriever puppies. A TikTok video of nursing golden retrievers reveals that one of them is colored green, a rare occurrence. They may sound made-up, but green golden retrievers are real, although the reason they exist is pretty gross. The green coloring is caused by biliverdin, a chemical that creates bile, according to Rover. When a dog is pregnant, the hormones can cause changes in her bodily functions. This can include her poo, which can turn green because of extra biliverdin. When puppies are born, they usually pass their "meconium"—aka their first poo—within 48 hours. Occasionally, they do this while still inside the womb. If the mom dog has high levels of biliverdin and the developing puppy passes the meconium early, this can lead to high levels of bile in the birth sac. If the puppy has light-colored fur, the pigment of the bile can stain its coat, turning the animal green. This process isn't harmful to the dog, just extremely uncommon. The phenomenon is not unique to golden retrievers and can occur with any breed if the pup has light-toned fur. In Vol. And yes, Cosmo is a good girl, yes she is! Cosmo is a pretty new comic-book character as far as these things go. An homage to Laika and the other Soviet space dogs, Cosmo was sent into space and mutated by cosmic rays before eventually ending up on Knowhere. The Guardians — who, at this point in the comics, were a much more obscure group of characters before the film elevated them to A-listers — had frequent run-ins with Cosmo, who served as the security chief of Knowhere, the space station and floating Celestial head where the Guardians based their operations. She makes another, even smaller appearance in one of Vol. The only important implications for Vol. She does come back in the climax, when her psychic powers play an important role, however, and the first post-credit scene reveals that Cosmo will have plenty of future adventures as a core member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Not a bad outcome for Cosmo, especially considering that all of the real Soviet space dogs died horribly in space. Laika actually died well before she was expected to, just hours after takeoff, because she overheated due to a malfunction with the rocket. This is a bummer. More on The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

We take great pride in raising stunning red standard poodles that are intelligent, elegant, and incredibly affectionate. With a meticulous selection process and rigorous health testing, we aspire to provide the healthiest quality offspring. Experience the joy and elegance of a curly, red-haired four-legged companion by welcoming one into your life from Sunset Maple Poodles today. Explore our Available Puppies page and find your perfect Red Standard companion today. We have carefully created a go-to resource to answer your questions about our poodles and puppies. Discover valuable insights and essential puppy care tips. Learn what to expect when bringing a Red Standard Poodle into your home. Delve into our thorough procedures and protocols designed to ensure the health and well-being of our beloved puppies. Visit our puppy page today and find a trove of information to help you determine if our Standard Poodle puppies are suitable for you and tips and educational material on best caring for your new puppy. Our passion stems from the incredible personalities, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty that these dogs possess. And as a result we take great pride in our careful selection of breeding pairs, prioritizing lineage that promotes the health and well-being of our puppies. By diligently considering their genetic background and lineage, we strive to ensure the continued vitality and robustness of our beloved Red Standard Poodle breed so that the breed may be enjoyed by many for generations to come. Our utmost delight comes from witnessing the growth and development of our puppies, as they bring happiness and love to countless families. To learn more about our backstory and how we came to love the breed visit our About Us page. Sign up here for our monthly emails about upcoming litters, available puppies and more! Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL. No two Poodle puppies cost the same and there is good reason for that. Prices vary according to many very different things like size and color, as well as how experienced the breeder is. With Uptown you will find a prince or a princess of a Poodle at a price you can afford! Do your breeders arrange travel for Chicago Poodles out of state? The professional breeders, businesses and companies that we work with are really used to transporting their gorgeous Poodle puppies all over the country. No matter where you are, you will get your puppy - even if lands by plane! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Chicago? Since we have a very reputable name in the business, many businesses, companies and breeders contact us on a daily basis. They all want to be part of the Uptown network. Fortunately, we only take the top ten percent that we feel are the best at what they do. They then have to take our Breeder Pledge. What makes Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Chicago? Uptown works differently because our main aim is to connect honest Poodle breeders, companies and businesses with loving families, so that beautiful Poodles find happy homes to live in. There are many dishonest breeders out there on the internet, as well as puppy mills, looking to make a quick buck! What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Chicago? Imagine being stuck in a small jail cell all your life and the only purpose you have in that small jail cell is to give birth to baby, after baby, after baby. Puppies that come from there are usually separated from their mothers at too young an age, are usually sick and die way too early. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Chicago for sale now? Of course there are Poodle puppies for sale right now! Remember, Poodles are one of the most popular dogs in the world and there are a lot of Poodle breeders, businesses and companies out there that want to connect with you. Just begin your search below and we will help you find your new best friend! What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Chicago? Poodles are a breed that originate from both France, as well as Germany. They are mischievous, smart, kind, loving, as well as loyal all wrapped into one fluffy ball of enthusiasm. They love to have family around them at all times and love running around. They look and feel their best when sent to a grooming parlor at least every 8 weeks. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Chicago? We have fantastic reviews that are open to the public to read and you will be able to see what others have to say about us. We truly care about the breeders, dog lovers and dogs most of all!

When the best time to spay or neuter your puppy can be a tricky decision, complicated by new research, old veterinary traditions and recommendations, and your own personal situation. For these reasons, we at Eromit do not require you to spay or neuter your puppy at any particular age but do make strong recommendations based on our experience and study of the subject. There are also incentives offered for following these recommendations although as long as the puppy is not allowed to breed, we do offer the new owners leeway in making the decision. Here are some of the factors you want to consider: Preventing Accidental Litters— This does need to be a major consideration. We know that none of our puppy owners want to have their dog bred indiscriminately and contribute to the scores of mixed breed or unplanned puppies that are born each year. The main deterrent for most people however, is that no one wants to be responsible for many unplanned puppies for their entire life if it can be avoided. Owners of female puppies should consider that Labs can come into season as early as 6 months of age although months is more common in our line and that strict containment is required for 30 days from the start of the heat cycle. This means- no boarding kennels, no visits to the dog park, no unsupervised time in your own backyard since stray males are extremely motivated and able to break in! Owners of male dogs should consider the lure of intact females in the neighborhood and how that will affect their ability to be contained or controlled. Plan ahead so that you know what you will do when your puppy comes into season. Containing your dog and preventing a breeding can be done rather easily if you are prepared we do it here all the time, ask for tips if you need them! Health Considerations — When you talk to your vet, most will cite two main advantages to having your dog spayed or neutered at a young age. These are: 1 the prevention of mammary cancer in female dogs and 2 the prevention of prostate cancer and testicular cancer in male dogs. Both of these are true although to a much lower degree than you might realize. A dog who is spayed after her first heat cycle has double the risk of mammary cancer from a dog who is spayed before her heat cycle. What is often not mentioned is that the risk goes from 0. New studies coming out show many benefits to waiting until your dog is completely done growing in order to spay or neuter them. On a logical level, this makes sense because we all know that sex hormones are removed during spay or neuter surgeries, and that sex hormones are involved in the normal maturation process of any animal. For example, what makes a young human boy look and act like an adult man? Puberty- which requires testosterone! Newer studies are showing that dogs who are spayed or neutered before maturity are more at risk of bone and heart cancer, ruptured cruciate ligaments a serious debilitating knee injury that is very expensive to fix , hip dysplasia, allergies, and much more. At the bottom of this page are links so that you can see these studies for yourself — PLEASE read them and print them off to discuss further with your vet. From a performance perspective, you definitely do not want to spay or neuter your pet before they are done growing. Dogs who are altered too soon will grow longer and more disproportionately than if they were left intact. This altered growth pattern is precisely what contributes to the increase bone and joint problems and makes for a less physically stable dog and often noticeably taller, especially in the rear end than he was genetically programmed to be. Behavior and Training— Many sources will indicate that in order to remove the possibility of behavior problems like marking, humping, or aggressive behaviors, you should have your puppy neutered or spayed at a young age. Again, new research is proving this old wives tail to be false. You can teach an intact male to be polite and clean in the house as easily as any other type of dog. You can socialize your intact male or female to play politely or ignore other dogs of the same or opposite sex. Humping is as much a play behavior as a sexual behavior and you can teach your dog other ways to interact with people, toys, and other animals. If you want to see real life examples of this, you need only to meet our dogs, intact males and females interacting which each other and our older retired spayed females. Practical Reasons— If you travel a lot, such that your dog must board in the care of others; or if you utilize services like dog walkers, doggy daycare, etc, if there are other intact opposite gender dogs in your household or an abundance of stray dogs in your area- those are major reasons why you should consider spaying or neutering your dog. However, we still urge you to wait until AFTER your dog is physically mature to do this, which may mean that you need to consider alternate boarding or care arrangements until sterilization is complete. Links for further reading. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You have a new Labrador retriever puppy. There are various theories regarding when—and if—he should be neutered. Most have been fixed, but many have not. Labs are such friendly, intelligent, energetic dogs. The technical term is gonadectomy, which is the surgical removal of the testes in males or ovaries in females. Neutering is considered to be a simpler, less-invasive surgery than spaying. But both are safe if performed by an experienced, licensed veterinarian. Traditionally, people have had their puppies fixed for various reasons, some of which are behavioral or medical. Some physical problems have been found in larger numbers in neutered and spayed Labrador retrievers than in intact Labs. And numerous behavioral problems have been found to increase in the neutered and spayed population as compared to their intact counterparts. Researchers have discovered that even amongst similar breeds and sizes of dogs, there are very different medical outcomes for some breeds when they are spayed or neutered. Researchers Benjamin and Lynette Hart of the University of California, Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found that vulnerability to certain diseases varies greatly depending upon breed. Their study was set forth in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. They learned that there is no one-size-fits-all decision regarding the medical effects of spaying and neutering on various breeds. And their data showed very specific findings with regard to the 35 breeds studied, including Labrador retrievers. In their study of Labrador retrievers, there were intact males, neutered males, intact females, and spayed females. This equals 1, Labs in total. Joint Disorders in Labrador Retrievers A significant increase was found regarding joint disorders in fixed dogs than occurred in intact ones. One or more joint disorders were reported in six percent of intact male and female Labrador retrievers. However, the risk of joint disorders increased by about percent in desexed Labs. In male Labs neutered before six months old, 13 percent were found to suffer from joint disorders. In female Labradors spayed before six months old and between six and 12 months old, the risk of joint disorders was found to be between 11 and 12 percent. Cancers in Labrador Retrievers As far as cancers were concerned, there was a six percent risk for intact males and an eight percent risk for intact females. Neutering was not associated with any evident increased risk of cancer at any age studied. However, Mast Cell tumors were found in one percent of intact females and two percent of females who were spayed between two and eight years of age. Other Physical Concerns in Labrador Retrievers Two percent of intact female Labs were found to have pyometra as compared to none in their spayed counterparts. Urinary incontinence was reported in two to three percent of females who were spayed through one year old. Conclusions Regarding Age To Spay or Neuter for Medical Reasons The Harts concluded that the guidelines suggested that males should be neutered if at all after they are six months old because of the much higher rate of problems suffered by male Labrador retrievers fixed before that age. They found that the guidelines suggest spaying female Labs if at all after one year old because of the increase of joint disorders when spayed prior to 11 months old. Current Behavioral Theories on Neutering and Spaying Dogs There have been long-held beliefs that spaying and neutering help prevent or end certain undesirable behaviors such as those in the bulleted list above. But many of those anecdotal thoughts have been disproven by current scientific studies. This standardized behavioral evaluation test was developed and validated by Yuying and James Serpell in at the University of Pennsylvania. Since , the public has been able to access the study and fill in numerical scores for 14 different categories of dog behavior. The current database contains detailed behavioral evaluations for about 50, pet dogs consisting of more than different breeds and cross breeds. With regard to many of the behavioral studies, generally the earlier that a dog was fixed, the more negative effects were seen regarding behavior. In the studies, female dogs who were spayed later in life were less likely to show an increase in aggression than females spayed at a young age. And neutered male dogs were found to be more likely to be aggressive toward intact males than other intact males were. So how are all behaviors affected by neutering or spaying? Preventing a Male Dog from Roaming and Seeking out a Female Dog in Heat Current studies confirm that neutered males are less likely than their intact counterparts to roam and seek female dogs in heat. Having a calmer puppy Modern studies show that fixed dogs are about eight percent more excitable than intact ones. A significant increase in fear and anxiety was seen in neutered dogs regardless of the age of neutering. Stopping or Preventing Urine Marking The studies showed that neutered dogs are less likely to leave urine marks indoors. Stopping or Preventing Excessive Barking More anxious and fearful behaviors as well as more excitability were seen in desexed male and female dogs. And excessive barking when alarmed or excited was seen more often in neutered dogs. However, neutered dogs were found to be less likely to howl when left alone. Stopping or Preventing Aggression This was one of the most surprising results in the studies. Contrary to popular belief, more aggressive behaviors were seen in fixed dogs than in intact ones. Specifically, neutered dogs were more likely show an increase in certain aggressive behaviors when: Delivery workers approached the home Strangers walked past their home Joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers passed by They were approached directly by an unfamiliar female dog An unfamiliar person approached the owner or another family member or even just visited the home Small animals such as cats or squirrels entered the yard The significantly higher aggression score seen in neutered males as compared to intact dogs was seen regardless of the age that the dogs were neutered. In spayed females, there was a significant increase in aggression scores when they were spayed at 12 months old or earlier as compared with their intact counterparts. Fear-Related Behaviors Neutered dogs demonstrated more fear-related behaviors than their intact counterparts. The younger the dog was neutered, the more severe the fear-related effects were. In fact, a 31 percent increase in fearfulness was seen in spayed females and neutered males. These included : Responses to loud noises When they are first exposed to unfamiliar situations When approached directly by an unfamiliar child When barked at or growled at by an unfamiliar dog When approached by an unfamiliar dog who is of similar size or larger When encountering strange or unfamiliar objects on or near the sidewalk When encountering windblown objects When being examined by a veterinarian When having nails clipped 7. The Trainability of the Puppy Whereas it has been believed that a desexed puppy is more trainable, current research has demonstrated that this is not the case. In fact, the evidence showed that spayed and neutered dogs are less trainable and less responsive to cues overall. The only positive behavior noted with regard to obedience was that desexed dogs were more likely to return to their owners when off-leash and more likely to reliably retrieve tossed items. Separation and Attention-Seeking Behavior Neutered and spayed dogs were found to have more separation-related behaviors. And they also had more attachment and attention-seeking behavior than their intact counterparts. Touch Sensitivity A 33 percent increase in touch sensitivity was seen in spayed and neutered dogs. This can potentially affect how receptive a dog is to grooming. Other Behavioral Problems Seen in Neutered Dogs Additional unwanted behaviors were also seen more often in neutered dogs than in intact ones. Or to deal with a female dog in heat. Or to find homes for a litter of puppies. In the s, the animal overpopulation problem led to the regular spaying and neutering of puppies, often around six months of age. Over time, many shelters and rescue groups performed surgeries to fix dogs at an even earlier age, such as eight weeks old. Female dogs go into heat approximately every six months for about 18 days each time. Personally, all of my dogs have been spayed or neutered. The rescues came to me fixed, and I chose to desex the others. One of my dogs was a Belgian tervuren named Jenny who I purchased from a breeder. It was many years ago, and I wanted to show a dog in conformation competition. The theory is that the best representatives of each breed should continue to reproduce to protect its heritage. Even though my male dogs were fixed, they all were attracted to her when she was in heat. So I had to carefully monitor all of them and manage the situation so that there were no disputes. And she wore a doggy panty with a disposable pad when she was in heat. After she obtained her Championship, I had her spayed. I chose not to breed her because there were too many dogs in the world without homes. Life was much calmer and easier after Jenny was spayed. Of course, this can also help reduce the risk of having unwanted puppies. And it helps keep your male Lab puppy safe because a dog who escapes can become lost or injured. This led to the organization supporting early-age sterilization in order to prevent the accidental breeding of young cats and dogs. There are too many puppies and dogs who need homes. And not enough loving homes. However, this long-held belief has been disproven. Spaying and Neutering for Reduced Overall Costs Although neutering or spaying your beloved Labrador retriever has initial costs, the amount is miniscule in comparison to properly raising a litter of puppies. Vet care for a litter of puppies and for the pregnant mother is very expensive. And feeding and caring for them is costly too! Many shelters and rescue groups have low-cost or free spay and neuter clinics. First of all, the breeding parents should have many different health clearances. Breeding without the required tests is irresponsible. And potentially dangerous to both the breeding female and to the offspring. Keep in mind too that the tests, vet care, food, puppy raising, and other necessities cost money and take a lot of time. Spaying and Neutering To Be Socially Conscious In addition to helping prevent the overpopulation problem, spaying or neutering your Labrador retriever puppy will often be better for your community. Dogs from unwanted litters are often abandoned, thereafter suffering from illness and untimely death. They can also pose a danger to other dogs by spreading diseases. And, because they may not be properly trained and socialized, they may become aggressive to people and dogs. Abandoned dogs may also pose risks of accidents and destruction to property. Instead, you can teach your child through books or videos about childbirth. FAQs Are spayed or neutered dogs more likely to become overweight than unfixed dogs? Dogs who are overfed and under-exercised gain weight. Does spaying or neutering prevent or stop a dog from becoming aggressive? Scientific data actually shows that spaying or neutering may increase aggression towards people and other dogs. Should I spay or neuter my Labrador retriever puppy? There are certain benefits to fixing your dog such as not dealing with a female dog in heat or a male dog who tends to roam seeking female dogs in heat. Summary of Information Behavioral data shows an increase in many unwanted behaviors in neutered and spayed dogs, including aggression, fearfulness, less trainability, excitability, excessive barking, separation-related issues, and touch sensitivity. And male Labs neutered prior to six months old and female Labs spayed before a year old tended to have more joint disorders. Of course, these are just two factors of many to consider when deciding whether—and, if so, when—to fix your Labrador retriever. Neutering does help prevent male dogs from roaming and from urine marking. Final Thoughts So, should you spay or neuter your Labrador retriever puppy and, if so, when? Health, behavior, and other considerations need to be analyzed. Have you spayed or neutered your Labrador retriever puppy? At what age? What determined your decision? Please tell us about it in the comments. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Spaying your Labrador at the right time can make a big difference in healing from surgery and adapting to changing hormones. You should spay your Lab just prior to her first heat cycle, which is around 6 months, and about 45 pounds. Many first-time pet owners are worried about the time window of spaying or neutering their dogs. What happens if you spay a yellow Labrador too late or early? Will it impact them for the rest of their lives? This is typically around 6 months old. Your pup should weigh at least 45 pounds to help with the healing process. If your dog is too lightweight, it might be malnourished and could experience trouble recovering from the surgery. They could develop tumors, infections, or extreme fatigue since their bodies deliver all of their resources to heal the wound. Talk to your vet for a precise timeframe since all yellow Labs go through puberty at a different rate. Rather than ball-parking it and fitting a surgery somewhere within the previously mentioned timeline, I highly recommend seeking professional medical advice. Care Animal Hospital shows your dog is technically never too old to spay. The healing process will take longer, but there are several benefits of spaying a dog that make it more than worth it. Professional approval provides peace of mind and much-needed safety for your Labrador. This time period is characterized by bleeding, discomfort, and a natural cycle of life. Find out everything you need to know below. This time period includes cycles that make them bleed and prepare their body for having a litter of puppies. It can make them uncomfortable, too. Learn more about spaying or neutering your dog too late or early if you want to keep your pup in good, healthy condition. Most Owner Spay Before Heat for Many Reasons Dealing with a yellow Lab in heat requires lots of cleaning, understanding of potential mood cycles, and more. Your dog will be on track to a healthy, quick recovery, even if they go through their first heat cycle. Your dog will feel uncomfortable and possibly act irritable or worried. When an animal is trying to mate, they often have other things on their mind. Many pet owners mistake spaying their dog as the cure for too much energy. Most dogs calm down after a couple of years, regardless of surgery. This short-term fatigue will fade away once they recover. Conclusion Spay your yellow Lab properly as it can play a significant role in their recovery and the way they adapt to this new lifestyle. Comfort your Labrador and ensure they weigh enough and are old enough to handle the procedure. Controls Population Experts believe that a Labrador should be spayed between the age of 9 and 15 months. You should never rush the process and spay your pooch too early because it can lead to many health problems. Similarly, leaving your dog intact for too long can give way to several complications. Once a female Lab has gone through her first heat, she becomes highly vulnerable to these tumors. Spaying your Labrador puppy is a major surgery and will require substantial aftercare. The vet will give you detailed instructions, and you must follow them strictly to ensure a smooth recovery. A Labrador puppy that has undergone spaying might be completely inactive for the first days. After that, they might start to move around but the wound will need a rest of several weeks to heal completely. During this period, the owners should be extremely vigilant and make sure that their pooch stays safe. Labs are known for being curious and can get themselves into trouble if you are not super alert. Different breeds require different amounts of sleep, but how much sleep do Labradors need? Click here to learn more. Yes, it does. The behavioral issues of the dog are one of the primary reasons why owners decide to spay their Labradors. If your pup is showing aggression and indulging in inappropriate urination, spaying can be quite helpful in solving the problem. Although male Labs are more likely to exhibit this behavior, some female Labs can also create these issues. Other Benefits of Spaying Labradors Managing behavioral issues is not the only objective of spaying Labradors. It can also solve some other issues that can be quite troublesome for the dog and owner. The following are a couple of other reasons that can urge you to spay your Labrador. Reduces Health Risks Many experts regard spaying as an effective remedy to maintain the good health of your pup. Not only will it keep your dog healthy, but it can also increase the lifespan of your Labrador. According to an estimate , spaying can increase the lifespan of male Labs by .Spaying reduces the risk of several types of cancers, like testicular, mammary, and uterine cancers. Similarly, it reduces the probability of many dangerous medical conditions, like Pyometra. This life-threatening uterine infection is specific to Labs and can be quite uncomfortable for your canine friend. A female Labrador can have up to 70 puppies during their lifetime. A female Lab can have up to 12 pups in a litter. This means that taking care of newborn puppies and their mother can be an extremely challenging task. Even if you are planning to have some puppies, you should make a proper plan with your vet and stick to it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. By Tom Massey Dec 09, When you become the owner of a puppy, there are several things you should do to encourage its overall wellness, like making sure it gets plenty of exercise, feeding it high-quality food, attending frequent vet checkups, and scheduling a spay or neuter appointment at the appropriate age. Spaying or neutering your lab—or having a gonadectomy performed—is one of the best ways that you can ensure a happy and healthy life with your puppy. This procedure has proven to help reduce major health risks like cancer, eliminate unwanted pregnancy, and even assist with undesired behaviors in males. Spaying, or ovariohysterectomy, is a procedure specific to females that refers to removing her reproductive organs, including her ovaries and uterus. Neutering, or orchiectomy, is the procedure specific to males that refers to removing both testicles so that he is unable to reproduce anymore. Neutering helps control reproductive urges and suppress unwanted behaviors like aggression. Some veterinarians believe that six months old is a good time to spay or neuter, but one study found that doing so this early could increase the likeliness of joint disorders and certain cancers in adulthood. This is typically when he or she is more than 45 pounds and between 9 to 15 months old. Before you set the appointment, be sure to speak with your vet about the right time for your puppy based on its health, gender, and size. Benefits to Spaying or Neutering There are several health benefits to spaying or neutering your Labrador puppy. But even if you plan on keeping a litter or two, females can have up to 12 puppies per litter—so it can get hectic and expensive keeping up with all of their behaviors, attention needs, and health requirements. This is to help prevent overpopulation, unsafe breeding practices, and unwanted puppies in the future. Benefit 2: Reduces Health Risks Did you know that getting your Labrador spayed or neutered increases its longevity? Pyometra is one of the most prevalent, potentially life-threatening uterine infections that are specific to labs. The good news is that spaying or neutering ultimately reduces the risk of contracting this infection! Males will also have a decreased risk for testicular cancer, and females are less likely to get mammary, uterine, ovarian, or cervical tumors. Benefit 3: Assists with Behavior Issues When a male lab enters adulthood, he might begin exhibiting some unwanted behaviors that come with puberty, such as: Mounting Urine marking Aggression towards other dogs and human family members Neutering is the most effective way to reduce these habits. Additionally, females will stop going into heat throughout the year, which will eliminate howling and bleeding during her reproductive seasons. Conclusion Spaying or neutering is one of the most common pet surgeries in the world. Not only does it help reduce unwanted pregnancies, but it also has been proven to aid with behavioral issues and lesson significant health risks well into adulthood. The best time to spay or neuter your lab would be once it hits puberty, which is usually between 9 and 15 months old. At Snowy Pines, all puppies are treated like family—so that they are ready to join yours the day you take them home. Contact Snowy Pines today! Share on. When should I neuter my dog? This traditionally involved an operation to remove the testicles in a male dog or the uterus and ovaries in a female dog. Spaying in the traditional manner is a major surgical procedure. Nowadays there are more options available to us than in years gone by. Female dogs can be spayed using a laproscopic procedure which enables the uterus to be left intact and which is a less invasive method than the traditional. Attitudes towards neutering are changing in the light of recent research and opinions vary widely from one country to another. Neutering in different countries In some countries most dogs are neutered at a very early age and you are considered totally irresponsible if you fail to neuter your dog. Neutering is routinely practised in some parts of the world, Australia for example, and the USA where a widespread spay and neuter campaign has been in operation for some decades In some regions, neutering your pets is obligatory. In Los Angeles County for example, most dogs and cats are required to be sterilised before they are four months old! At the other end of the scale in some countries, neutering is considered offensive. In Norway for example, it is considered unacceptable to neuter a dog without valid medical reasons, and birth control is not one of them. Over in the UK neutering is not universally practised. And though many Labradors are neutered, many are also left entire. In our modern digital world where it is easy to talk to people from all over the world, these differences can cause confusion and even argument. Neutering vs leaving entire There are now groups on Facebook set up to oppose the routine neutering of dogs, and strong feelings about neutering from both sides of the argument. In fact there is no need for argument. This should really be a fact based issue. And facts are what you will find on this page and in the resources I link to. Why Neuter Your Dog? There are lots of reasons why people neuter their dogs, and those reasons are based on beliefs that people hold about the outcome of neutering and how it will affect their dog. In general, apart from birth control, people tend to neuter male dogs for behavioral reasons, and to neuter female dogs for reasons of convenience Birth control Some people think that it is their duty to neuter their dog in order to prevent more puppies being brought into the world. In practical terms, there are other simple ways to ensure that dogs do not reproduce during their lifetimes for those that choose not to neuter. But there is no doubt that neutering is a complete and permanent way to avoid your dog producing any offspring. Does Neutering Change Behavior? Many people for example think that neutering will calm their male Labrador down. Some think it will stop him humping things. This is not necessarily the case. Others think that male dogs will become aggressive if not neutered. Many top pet websites still promote this idea. But along with some other assumptions about neutering, it is now known to be incorrect. In fact recent studies found more behavioral problems in neutered dogs than in entire ones. The truth is, that behavioural effects vary and are not what we once believed. But in short, the evidence now point to behavioral problems being more common in neutered dogs, not the other way around. For these reasons, many people will choose to neuter a female dog so that she never comes into season again Neutering for health Neutering female dogs confers a couple of important health benefits. Including protection from mammary cancer if carried out early, and protection from pyometra. Unfortunately, we now know that neutering also comes packaged with some serious health risks. In male dogs, these health risks to neutering almost certainly outweigh any health benefits. In females, balancing these up is not easy. Getting at the facts — an objective view The truth is, that there are both benefits and disadvantages to neutering, and we look at each of these in more detail in our articles on male and female dogs. Recent research has highlighted some serious long term health risks to neutering including increased risks of cancer, dementia, and some common joint problems. And you need to know about these. Some of the reasons people neuter their dogs, are based on beliefs that are not supported by evidence. And some of the reasons that people neuter their dogs, could be better achieved by other means. Most information about neutering seems to be presented from one angle or the other. What we have tried to do here, is to present the information about neutering in a factual and objective way, so that you can decide for yourself what is best for your family and your dog. Different methods of neutering In the past, neutering was always a surgical procedure. Nowadays there are a few more options available to us than there used to be Castrating male dogs Traditionally, male dogs were neutered by a small and simple surgical procedure during which the testicles are removed through a small incision in the scrotum. This is still a common procedure. Recovery time is quite rapid and the dog becomes infertile within a couple of months as no more sperm are produced. Apart from infertility, the effects of surgical castration can be variable depending on the dog, that too is covered in the link above Chemical castration Chemical castration is an option now available to pet owners in some regions. Chemical castration does not have exactly the same effects as surgical castration, there is some testosterone remaining for example, but it gives you some idea of how permanent castration might affect your dog. Some people might find it helpful to have a trial run of castrating their dog using the chemical option before going for a permanent solution Like surgical castration the affects can be variable. There are also some possible side effects to chemical castration which you will need to discuss with your vet. These may vary from dog to dog and are most likely to occur during the first few days after the injection. Spaying a female dog Traditional methods of spaying female dogs involve major abdominal surgery. Recovery time is at least two week. There is however, now an alternative Laparoscopic spay With a laparoscopic spay, two tiny incisions are made and only the ovaries are removed. The laparoscopic spay is a much simpler procedure. The effects of neutering in dogs Apart from rendering your dog infertile, neutering or de-sexing, has other effects. Differences in physical appearance between neutered and un-neutered dogs will depend on the age at which the dog was neutered Neutered dogs look different A neutered male will have no testicles, which can be very apparent in shortcoated dogs. These are known as neuticles! A male dog neutered before he reaches sexual maturity will look less masculine than an entire adult dog. Dogs of both sexes will usually grow a little taller than they would have done if they had not been neutered. And female dogs neutered later in life may develop a rather coarse, scruffy coat. However, most of the changes that result from neutering are less obvious. They involve the behavior and long term health of your dog. Behavioral changes after neutering Changes in behavior after neutering are not always predictable. What people think will happen to their dog, is not always what happens at all. Especially where dogs are neutered later in life. The behavioral changes of neutering neutering a male dog are limited. Although roaming behavior can be. The Risks Some people are surprised to discover that there are risks to neutering a dog. Risks that go beyond the basic risk of surgery and anesthesia. In several breeds of dog these risks have been shown to include an increased rate of certain cancers. And an increased susceptibility to some serious joint problems. Life is more complicated than that. This leaves owners in something of a dilemma. Especially if their veterinary professional is not up to date with the latest research or has formed different conclusions as to its implications. Therefore you will need to weigh up the pros and cons carefully and consider the evidence available. Deciding whether or not to neuter your dog For many people, there is no doubt that a neutered pet is simply more convenient. If you need to go out to work and your dog needs a place in doggy day care, he may need to be neutered. Many day care centres simply will not accept an entire dog. Caring for some females in season can be a somewhat messy business. And not being able to take your dog out for several weeks can be annoying. And these exist for both male and female dogs. There are also some health benefits to neutering a female dog. These are clearly explained in the articles linked to in this article. The important thing is to make an active choice based on information. My personal view is that neutering a dog for convenience is the right decision for some families. But I do think it is important that you are aware that this is what you are doing. I increasingly meet dog owners that have had their pets neutered purely for health reasons. Or to prevent their male dog becoming aggressive. Only to find out that this was not only unnecessary, but may actually have disadvantaged their dog. This is very upsetting to discover after irreversible surgery has taken place When to Neuter a Labrador If you decide to have your pet neutered, you will also need to decide what is the right age to have the procedure carried out. In the USA there is a tendency to carry out pediatric neutering neutering before sexual maturity. In the UK, vets normally recommend that female dogs are allowed to have one season before being spayed to allow her to mature physically. The advantages of pediatric neutering are from a birth control standpoint. There are no advantages to the individual dog to be neutered at less than six months old. And there is some evidence that the health risks of neutering will be exacerbated by neutering your Labrador at a very early age. Remember, unless you are required by law to neuter your pet by the time he is a few months old, it is your decision to make. If you decide to delay neutering, or even put it off altogether, you will need to take responsibility. Ensuring that no unwanted puppies are brought into the world. Do talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you may have. A good vet will not simply state that all dogs should be neutered but should be aware of the latest research. They will also prepared to discuss this with you and help you come to best decision for your family. Just drop your address into the box below. These varying opinions are a result of the many different reasons you should fix a male dog and a female dog. Some reasons can be to best care for the health of your dog while other reasons for fixing could be to eliminate risk of having an accidental mating resulting in unwanted puppies who may end up in shelters or homes where they are not cared for properly. There are different reasons to spay and neuter a Labrador if you are considering health first. However, fixing your dog at the wrong time could increase the risk of many health issues for your Labrador that could otherwise be avoided. First off you will want to keep your Lab away from other dogs who you do not know if they are fixed or not. Female dogs emit a strong scent that males can smell from miles away. So if your female is not yet fixed be sure to keep her inside or on a leash and supervised while outside. All it takes is thirty seconds of her not being watched and suddenly you could have an intact male jump your fence or dig under resulting in a lock between the two. So having your dog neutered early and spayed early is important to do your part to keep the unwanted pet population down. However, it is important that the females are spayed earlier than the males for health reasons. It is generally accepted practice to spay the female Lab early, and by early I mean before their first heat. It is also accepted that male Labs be neutered a little bit later once they are fully grown. The recommendation is to spay before their first heat which helps eliminates unwanted dogs in shelters AND eliminates some big cancer and other medical risks for her. However, spaying your female this early could contribute to joint issues such as hip dysplasia because their hormones are being altered before they are fully grown. One problem that arises if she is not spayed prior to her first heat is the risk of Pyometra. In intact females the effect of sex hormones can result in over stimulation of cells in the uterus which eventually may result in a severe E coli infection and a pus infection in the uterus. Signs of Pyometra can include lethargy, increased thirst, increased urination, not eating, a foul odor coming from their behind, draining of Pus from the vulva, excess licking of the vulva, collapse or fever related to signs of shock. If you observe any of these symptoms in your Lab after her heat cycle take her to the Vet right away as Pyometra could result in death for her if her uterus ruptures and causes a severe infection bacterial infection in the blood stream and abdomen. Other issues that present themselves if you leave your female Labrador to have a heat while in tact are cancer related. On average a female Lab will have her first heat around six months of age so spaying her in advance of this will help avoid most issues related to cancer such as mammary tumors. The statistic available at the time of writing this is that Labradors who are spayed prior to their first heat only have a 0. Risks for other cancers such as uterine also decrease when they are spayed prior to their first heat. It is important to point out that not all mammary tumors are cancerous and actually most of them are not cancerous, but there is no reason to encourage these tumors simply because they are not cancerous. The down side to spaying before your girl is fully grown is that her hormonal balance will be altered. In order for her to grow naturally she needs the hormones available to her naturally. Altering this natural balance could result in development problems with her joints and result in hip dysplasia or other joint issues or tendon ruptures. The same study goes on to identify that hemangiosarcoma cases in late-spayed females was 4 times more than females spayed early. One final point to mention is that spayed females may also develop a weakened bladder known as spay incontinence or urinary incontinence. So, to sum this all up for female Labradors, at present it appears that fixing them early can greatly reduce the risk of certain types of cancer while increasing the risk of joint-related problems. So how do you decide? We recommend becoming as informed as possible, consulting with your Veterinarian, and then prioritizing your reasons for spaying. On the male Labrador side, if you neuter your pet you can still have a happy pet and often more healthy! Generally you neuter a male after they are fully grown because they require their hormones to thicken up and develop as a male dog would normally. Fully grown is at different times for different breeds of dogs. Generally the larger your dog is the longer it takes them to mature. Large breeds could take up to two years to fully grow and medium breeds are closer to one year. Neutering your Lab will also pretty much eliminate the risk of prostate disease including cysts, abscesses and prostate enlargement. Perineal hernias can also be mostly avoided as they are primarily seen in intact males. A Perineal hernia is when organs from the belly slip through the weakened muscles of the pelvis resulting in a bulge on one or both sides of the anus. As well, neutering your Labrador removes the risk of testicular cancer which is mostly seen in intact male dogs. There are some behavioral issues related to neutering that are worth mentioning. There are however some behavioral issues that are related to male hormones. These can be things such as roaming, mounting other dogs, attraction to female dogs, urine marking and even aggression. Good Labrador Retriever breeders would do this in their breeding programs, however, I have never seen an aggressive Labrador who has been trained and cared for properly. Normally an aggressive dog will be neglected or abused which ends up training them to act that way. Neutering may help to dampen or eliminate any behaviors that are related to the hormones. So there are many points that require your consideration, advice from your breeder and advice from your Veterinarian. In the world we live in today we are all trying to do the absolute best we can for our pets. We cannot, however play God. So once you have enough information sit with your family and have a brief discussion. Weigh the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and then make your decision. Then, forget about it. Once your decision has been made return to enjoying your Lab puppy for the time you have with them.