golden retriever puppies in illinois

One look and an instant calm will probably wash over you. Stress simply melts away. Because Golden Retrievers are notoriously loyal and obedient. They can look silly with their big goofy grins. Or they can look stoic and wise beyond their years with their striking, deep brown eyes. CutenessOverload Everything they do is adorable Just watching your pup go from an adorable average of 10 pounds right when you get them at 8 weeks old to a sizable 70 pounds at the year mark is cuter than anything you can imagine. Or falling asleep in your lap. Or busting your pup discreetly chewing on your brand new pair of sneakers in their new closet lair is the cutest. There are too many cute things! Everything will be adorable and glee-inducing if done by a Golden Retriever pup — even the behaviors that, by all logic, should annoy you to no end. This is a good thing because a puppy this adorable is definitely going to be a popular one. Golden Retriever puppies make friends with kids , adults, and other animals while keeping their trademark smiles on their faces. They are so friendly, in fact, that they may not be the best bet when looking for guard dogs. A Golden will usually greet any stranger, including during a break-in, with a welcoming smile on their face. But they will love you best Again, the loyalty of a Golden Retriever pup cannot be stressed enough; it is strong. At the end of the day, your athletic, big-pawed, adventurous, silly, and loving Golden pup will only have eyes for you. Remember, you can find just about any breed of dog you are looking for at a shelter or rescue. Christina Donnelly is a small animal expert focusing on dogs and writer with over 12 years of experience in animal welfare. In fact, golden retrievers have snagged the third spot for most popular dogs in the United States for the last several years! These pooches are on the larger side females range between 55 and 70 pounds, while males weigh in between 65 and 75 pounds and require lots of exercise, which may make some families shy away. But don't let their size—or high energy—deter you. Golden retrievers are highly intelligent, easy to train compared to other breeds of dogs , and incredibly friendly. Whether you're already a golden puppy parent or considering adding one to the family, read on to learn some fun facts and see some seriously cute photos! One even surmises that goldens are descendants of Russian circus dogs! These alternate theories were debunked, however, when the personal records of Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland were made public. Lord Tweedmouth was an avid waterfowl hunter who wanted to breed a dog with some serious bird retrieving skills. So, in , he bred a yellow retriever named Nous with a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The result? A pack of puppies with the exact hunting skills he was looking for, which he dubbed golden retrievers. Golden retrievers were later brought to North America—sometime during the s—where they became hugely popular for their beautiful looks and sweet personalities. Then, in , they were officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. Continue to 2 of 9 below. They can range from a very light, snowy white, to a yellow-gold, to a dark, coppery red. No matter the color of their coat, however, it's important to never cut your golden retriever's hair—doing so can put her at risk of skin cancer, among other health issues. Their coats are made up of two layers—the long, silky, waterproof outercoat and soft, warming undercoat—and act as insulators against all types of weather. So, if you think to trim your golden's coat in the summer to keep it cool, think again! It'll be much cooler and its skin will be protected from the sun with its coat intact. Continue to 3 of 9 below. Bred to fetch waterfowl, golden retrievers love a good swim session but would be just as happy with long walks, games of fetch, or even agility games. Aim for about one hour of exercise each day, but keep your dog's age and activity levels in mind—you may have to adjust accordingly. Continue to 4 of 9 below. If taken to a rescue site, for example, they can quickly learn how to perform search and rescues to help those in need. In addition to their smarts, golden retrievers' downright sweet demeanors make them the perfect pick for therapy dogs. They can bring a lot of comforts—and joy—to people who have experienced traumatic events, are living in hospitals, or are stressed out during college exams. Continue to 5 of 9 below. Their love of food can cause health problems like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease , so it's important to feed your golden the right amount of food for her weight, age, and activity level. Not sure how much is right for your dog? Talk to your vet about a healthy diet. And take it easy on the treats! It's true that goldens love to eat, but they like to carry non-food items in their mouths, too. Their mouthy nature makes everyday stuff such as sticks, shoes, or even the remote control a highly prized possession. Because golden retrievers have very gentle mouths, challenges such as the golden retriever egg challenge—in which a golden is tasked with holding an uncooked egg in its mouth without breaking it—have popped up all over the web. Continue to 6 of 9 below. Tons of major movies, such as the "Air Bud" series, "Homeward Bound," "A Dog's Purpose," and even thrillers such as "Poltergeist" and "Friday the 13th" have goldens in the credit roll. What's more? There are a few golden retrievers in presidential history, too. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford had goldens during their presidencies. Golden retrievers are often considered the all-American dogs, so it makes sense, right? Continue to 7 of 9 below. Todd, the sweet golden pictured here, is one of those puppy heroes. During their hike, Paula nearly stepped on a rattlesnake—and when the snake lunged at her, Todd jumped in front of her to protect her. Although Todd was bitten on the nose and had severe swelling in his face, he's expected to make a full recovery. Because of his heroic deed, the internet has hailed Todd as a very, very good boy. And believe it or not, Todd has found a way to be an even better boy: He has a GoFundMe page to help other heroic doggies who have suffered from the same injuries. Continue to 8 of 9 below. Even in their senior years, it's not uncommon for older goldens to keep up with their puppy counterparts. Continue to 9 of 9 below. And for good reason! Not only are they adorable, but they prove goldens are some of the sweetest puppers around, too. They're one of the most popular dog breeds in America, and there's no surprise why. Besides being smart, active dogs, they're also gorgeous and oh so photogenic. It's no wonder goldens are some of the biggest pet influencers filling our feeds! Gus He's a runner, he's a track star! No seriously, Gus crushes the competition in agility courses. He especially loves dock diving and has even earned his Dock Elite title. What a good boy. Hinckley Parks It seriously can't get any cuter than this. Hinckley Parks' baby brother Teddy loves to snuggle in all his soft golden fur, and we can't blame him. It's no wonder golden retrievers are one of the best family pets in America: they're great with kids! But this one with Jaxson and Sawyer actually turned out adorable! The only thing that seems to be missing from the party are some birthday treats.Margo Who doesn't love splashing around in the water on a hot summer day? Swimming is one of the best ways for dogs to get exercise, and golden retrievers are natural at it. Plus, Margo's coat is absolutely glowing in the sunshine—how photogenic! Maggie Maggie's glasses make her look to be one smart cookie—because she probably is! Golden retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds. She's serving sophistication, and we're here for it. Arrowood Family What's better than a golden? Five goldens! Sage, Waverly, Tori, Jimmie, and baby Presley are the definition of family goals. I mean, how often can you get five pups to look at the camera? Thor As long as the camera's off, the boss won't suspect a thing, right? After watching us all struggle through WFH life for a year, our dogs are sure going to miss us when we return to the office. Or maybe they'll be like Thor the golden retriever and replace us altogether. Louie Talk about lifegoals! Nothing feels better than a car ride with the windows down and the wind blowing through your hair fur. Krembo Uh, hello, tongue! Krembo's letting it all hang out and we can't blame him. If only we could reach through the screen and boop that nose. And also have us craving some snacks. We could all use a little frolic through a flower field some days, but we'll have to live vicariously through Lola for now. Henry Golden retrievers make wonderful service animals , and Henry proves that they can look good while doing so. He deserves all the pets in the world—but only once he's off the clock. Drake Cue the "awwwws" because this is one of the cutest dogs we've ever seen. His smile tells us all we need to know: he's definitely one of the happiest golden retrievers in the world. Was this page helpful? I've photographed many families along with their beloved dog, often a Golden. I've had numerous Golden Retrievers in my training classes over the years, whether they be reds, English Cremes or the beautiful blonde that we so typically think of when we think of a Golden Retriever. Goldens hail from Scotland originally and are known as a hard-working breed, often employed as service animals and therapy dogs. They're also known for their voracious appetites, young-at-heart personalities and their penchant for carrying things in their mouths particularly when excited. Goldens are intelligent, athletic dogs, and are exceptional competitors in dog sports like obedience, agility, dock diving and more. Golden Retrievers gorgeous coats and perennially smiling face make them a dream to photograph, especially during their little butterball puppy stage. When Moana's that's "mow-ah-nah" dog mom contacted me for cute little puppy pics, of course I said "Yes" right after I squealed with delight and we quickly secured a session on the calendar before she got any bigger! The sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom and Moana romped and played and we caught it all. At the viewing and ordering appointment, Brenda had a hard time narrowing down her favorites because Moana's just that cute, but we eventually got there. She decided on ordering two plush blankets one for her and one for Moana's bed along with a digital negative package which is presented in a handmade reclaimed barn wood box with a metal print on the cover and a 5x7 print of each image inside along with a USB drive with all the high resolution digital image files. Doggy Daddy: Tucker I was recently contacted by the Creed family to take their family portraits and they requested that I take a few pet portraits of their very special family member, Tucker. It was only later when Moana's mom shared her Christmas mini session photo of Moana with them see below , that the Creeds asked if those were taken by Penny Whistle Photography. Brenda contacted me afterward to say "You just photographed Moana's daddy". Small world indeed and now I know where Moana gets her good looks! Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2, photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Tracy offers special services to local Dallas - Fort Worth dog and cat breeders, creating unique images for their websites, social media and marketing purposes. Contact her to find out more about this offering. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This was the first time we had a chance to chart puppies from birth until 8 weeks old. We tried to take as many pictures as possible so we could have a journal of our Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week. When raising guide and service dog puppies we usually bring home our puppies at around weeks old. On occasion we are allowed to see puppies before 8 weeks of age, but they need to stay with their mother and siblings during those important early weeks to get milk and antibodies from mama and learn how to interact properly with siblings, learning important behaviors like bite inhibition. During our days as a foster we raised two litters of puppies , but both were already weeks old by the time we got them home. We actually own the Puppy Culture DVD and Workbook which includes charts, lists, worksheets and other great information for raising your litter. Keep your eyes and ears open and absorb it all like a sponge! Birth To 1 Week Old Guess what? This was the first litter we ever whelped!? We got a lot of advise, but we were largely on our own. Large Puppy Dish — great for feeding the puppies when they moved to solid food. Whelping Mats — we ordered 2 of these mats and washed them several times a day. Whelping Box — We have a homemade whelping box built by my father-in-law, but if we continue raising litters I plan on purchasing an EZWhelp Whelping Box. Our homemade box lasted three litters. We ended up purchasing the Magnabox which was hellu expensive but if you plan on raising multiple litters we highly recommend it. We recently put together a whelping checklist with all the supplies we gathered together to help out with our second litter of Golden Retriever puppies. Check out our whelping supplies checklist here. However, none were overly huge and none were extra small. No runts and no beasts. It was my understanding that when the cord was chewed down to the base of the belly it was sometimes difficult to get it to stop bleeding. I took the hemostat and pinched the umbilical cord about 2 inches from the base of the pups belly then cut the cord rather than let Raven chew it off. I kept the hemostat on the cord for about 2 minutes to let it clout. The umbilical cord dries up quickly and then within a day or 2 it falls off. Raven was a good mama and took care of her poops. Puppy eyes and ears are closed at this stage and puppies army crawl around the whelping box looking for a teat to suckle. We did everything we could to make sure our pups stayed warm by adding a watt heat lamp to the whelping box and portable heating unit in the puppy room. As I mentioned Raven stayed in the whelping box most of week 1 and of course… the puppy piles! One thing I learned is if I had a puppy on my lap then do not let Raven lick those areas or be prepared for a little accident on your lap. While caring for Raven and her litter Raven was really blowing out her coat that first week, but as time went on it slowed down. I heard from other friends this is common and that Raven blew out her coat much less than other mama dogs. We got Probiotics for Raven before her first litter, but forgot to order them for her second litter. After an upset stomach for the first week or so we realized our mistake, got Probiotics, and no more upset tummy. Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. Have you ever had a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Tell us about your experiences with puppies in the comment section below. Are you about to raise a litter of puppies? Not raising a litter, but getting ready to bring home your first Golden Retriever puppy? Puppies for Dummies will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

These sweet-natured dogs are always patient with children and are tolerant towards their family as well as strangers. The Beagos are calm and docile dogs with an eagerness to please. They are neither hostile towards other pets nor are they timid or nervous. They make great family dogs that hate spending hours alone. Being light-hearted and lively, these dogs love working with people. They remain focused on their task until they become tired. They may also show some of the retrieving behavior of their Golden Retriever parents, such as fetching the newspaper, or waking up their family members. When intruders come around, they will bark to alert their owners. Care Exercise The beagle retriever mix is an active breed of dog that needs an hour of vigorous exercises regularly. It loves outdoor activities, which means it would be more than happy to go for a walk or a jog. Playing sessions involving a game of fetch in the backyard is also needed to keep your pet mellow and mentally satiated. You should provide your Beago with plenty of soft toys so that it can keep itself busy inside the house. Remember, a Beago is happiest when it has something to play with. Grooming Caring for this dog requires nothing extraordinary. Regular brushing is needed to remove the loose hairs from its coat, keeping them from settling all over the house. An occasional bath is necessary to keep it looking clean and smelling good. Its long, fold-over ears need to be frequently cleaned to prevent ear infections. To clean its outer ear, apply a pH-balanced ear cleaner using a cotton ball. Trimming its nails once a month as well as brushing its teeth times a week will help in keeping your pet in good condition. Health Problems Like most crossbred dogs, the beagle retriever mix is prone to some of the breed-specific health issues affecting its parents. Therefore, you should be aware of dog ailments such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, cancer, and heart diseases. Training These are highly trainable pets with the ability to learn quickly. The golden retriever and beagle mix dogs need exposure to new people as well as other pets when they are young. This will help them become a sociable and well-rounded pet. You can enroll your Beago puppy in obedience classes that will help your pet learn some of the rules of living in a family. Feeding When it comes to feeding your Beago, you may consider giving it commercial dry food garnished with a little bit of canned food, cottage cheese, or meat to add flavor. You may also give a healthy raw-food diet or a home-cooked diet, but make sure that the nutritional balance is correct. The daily amount of dry food required by an adult Beago is 1. The Beagle was originally bred in England during the 16th century, where well-to-do Englishmen owned smaller hounds beagles which were used for hunting small prey like rabbits. While the Golden Retriever was first bred in by Lord Tweedmouth when he mated a yellow wavy-coated retriever with a water spaniel and then crossed their offspring with bloodhounds, Irish Setters, and other Retrievers. So, considering how long both of their parental breeds have been around, the Beago Retriever is considered to be a relatively new crossbreed created in the s in the United States. This dog breed has participated in several dog sports, like competitive obedience and agility. Because of their high intelligence level and keen sense of smell, they have been widely used for search and rescue operations and the detection of narcotics. It is not uncommon for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Therefore, it is not easy to say which breed your dog will take after more, the Golden or the Beagle. But what can be said is that this breed will surely be one awesome, great dog to add to your family! Golden Retriever Beagle Mix Appearance Because this breed is mixed, it is difficult to predict precisely what the puppy will look like. Just like with humans, all the children in the family can look different based on how many genes come from the mother versus the father. Same with puppies! If the puppy takes after the Golden Retriever parent more, then the puppy will be bigger in size and weight. The hybrid breed could be between 21 and 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 75 pounds. Male dogs tend to be on the higher side, while females are on the lower side. If the puppy takes after the Beagle parent more, then the puppy will be a bit smaller in size and weight. Then it will probably be between 13 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 20 to 75 pounds. Again, the male leans toward the heavier end and the female toward the lighter end. When it comes to the coat texture of the dog, it could be sleek and shiny like that of the beagle parent or long and thick like that of the Golden parent. With the coat texture, you usually get the middle ground and can expect medium-length hair. This mixed breed is generally more hypoallergenic than the parental breeds. If you are allergic to other dogs, this could be the breed for you. However, the Golden Retriever Beagle is known to be a medium to heavy shedder. Now color is a whole different story. The color can range from black, brown, white, red, fawn, or cream, brindle usually implies some striping , to pied means light-colored skin with several dark patches. So, the golden retriever beagle can be a single color to a mix with some striping or dark patches!! But no matter the color, they all are adorable! Golden Retriever Beagle Mix Temperament The disposition of this mixed breed is the best you could want from a pet! This particular breed loves people of all ages and loves to be with other pets in the family as well. Because of this, they make the best family pet addition. One of the most likable characteristics of the Beago is how friendly they are. This breed is very affectionate. They have a huge desire to be petted and to lick you. They want to be close to their family, whether to play or just lay beside you while you are resting. They are not the type of dog that will stay quietly in a crate for an extended period of time alone. They love to be in social interactions and especially at the center of attention. Beagos are extremely smart, and they understand the social situations they may be in and their human expectations of them. While Beagos are high-energy dogs, they are usually calmer than their parental breeds. Be prepared though, because Beagos are high-energy dogs and crave attention, they do not like to be left home alone all day. If you leave your Beago alone to their own defenses too often, they could become quite destructive because of their boredom. They can also become quite anxious whenever they know you are leaving the house without them. As mentioned before, the Beago is a highly active breed. At a minimum, they will require 45 to 60 minutes of running around time daily. That means rainy days, snowy days, and sunny days! This breed acts like a puppy even in their senior years when you are talking about their energy level! And because of their high intelligence level, you must also include mental activities. It is a plus to have a fenced-in yard for your Beago. Having a nice-sized fenced-in yard will allow them some run-around playtime on their own throughout the day. Taking them for two minute daily walks is also a good idea. Some other ideas for physical activity could be taking them to a doggie park to run around and socialize with other people and dogs. If you jog, hike, or run, take your Beago with you. Play ball or frisbee with your Beago. Of if you have children, let your Beago play with your children. But please, never leave any dog unattended with a young child. Some ideas for mental stimulation for your Beago include: playing hide and seek, using food puzzles, creating obstacle courses for your Beago, and teaching them dog tricks, to name a few. After mental stimulation play time, put their toys away. You might even want to teach your Beago to put their own toys away. They love to please you, so make sure you praise and treat them with special snacks when they listen! Training Your Golden Retriever Beagle In view of the fact that this breed is very intelligent, it should go without saying that they are easily trainable. However, as with most breeds, it is essential that training is started when the pups are young, and it is consistent. The Beago lives to please their owners. So, make sure you give plenty of positive reinforcement and yummy treats when training. Never yell or use harsh corrections when training unless it is to avoid serious harm to your pup. Beagos are very sensitive. Yelling or hitting your pup when they do not listen will not work well when training. This kind of behavior will alienate your pet and cause the opposite effect. Instead, redirect and reward them immediately when they follow instructions. However, as with the parental breeds, the Beagos are prone to obesity. So, while giving yummy treats is almost necessary during training, ensure you follow up all those treats with some extra exercise. Make sure you teach your pup all the usual commands, such as sit, stay, come, wait, and leave it. And you can teach them cool tricks like roll over, give me a paw or shake, play dead, and walk on their hind legs. Part of your training should include socialization around new people and other pets. It should also include outdoor social interactions. Introduce your pup to new people and pets early, and take them to outdoor pet-friendly restaurants and pet-friendly stores so they learn what is expected from them at a young age. To keep your Beago engaged and wanting to learn more, you will need to make training exciting and fun to keep their desire to learn what you are teaching ongoing. Remember, they live to please you, their owner. Grooming and Care of the Golden Retriever Beago The grooming of your Beago will depend on which parental breed it takes after the most. However, they will require more maintenance if they resemble the Golden Retriever parent with a longer coat. Beagles only need to be brushed about once a week, while Goldens require a minimum of every other day. It is wise to start nail care early on. If you do not like using nail clippers on your pet, try introducing them to a Dremel early on. A Dremel is less traumatic to your pet than nail clippers. To properly introduce your pup to the Dremel, just touch it to their paws. If they are ok with that, praise them and treat them. Next, follow this by rubbing the Dremel against their nails, still with the Dremel off. Again, praise and treat. Let your pet smell it while you are praising and treating them. They will associate the Dremel as being good and them getting treats. Next, offer peanut butter on a toy sometimes this is best done with two people , then turn the Dremel on. Let them get used to the noise and then rub it against their nails. Next thing you know, you will be filing down their nails like a pro — all the while, your Beago loves it because you are praising and treating, and they love to make you happy! You will want to trim their nails before they get too long. Long nails become painful for your dog, and they tend to break off. Depending on how the nail breaks, it can create an opening that leads to infection. Plus, using a Dremel on shorter nails is much easier for you and your Beago. You will want to bathe your Beago probably once a month. More if they are super active and get into a lot of dirt or mud. Bathing too frequently leads to dry skin. And always use shampoos made for dogs. Since they have floppy ears, they tend to be prone to yeast infections in their ears. Clean their ears weekly to prevent this. Again, use toothpaste that is meant for dogs. Giving your dog a dental cleaning treat such as Greenies daily is also a good idea; Greenies will keep plaque buildup to a minimum and keep their breath smelling fresh. Lastly, proper feeding is crucial to the health of your Beago. In addition, you can add a bit of canned dog food, cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, or some cooked or raw egg to mix into the dry dog food to add some exciting flavor to the kibble to keep your dog happy. You might prefer to feed your dog a raw diet or homemade food, which is fine. You might have to add some supplements to this kind of diet and adjust the amount of food given. Health Issues of the Golden Retriever Beagle Mix One of the main reasons breeders crossbreed dogs is to avoid the health concerns that the parental breeds are susceptible to. Also, if you get your Beago from a breeder, you should ask for the health certificate of the parents so you can be aware if the parents had any of these conditions and alert your vet to the fact. But that said, do not leave toddlers unattended with your Beago. Beagos can be stubborn as puppies, especially when you are training them. They are extremely friendly, so do not depend on them to be a watchdog. While their barking will alert you to strangers, their barking is more of a request to be petted by the stranger than an attempt to scare the visitor away. While the Beago is a high-energy dog, Beagos tend to be calmer than either of their parental breeds. Beagos can have large, almost pleading adorable eyes. You can almost tell what your pet is thinking by looking at their expressive eyebrows. And you swear, when they look at you, they are looking deep into your soul. They will learn very quickly how to melt your heart and get their way — remember they are very smart! Beagos can be nosier than most dogs. However, because they are so easy to train, you can quickly teach them not to bark so much. Just be consistent in your training. Both parental breeds were hunters and retrievers. Beagos have tons of energy because their parents were trained to hunt all day. They are known to be funny and, at times, maybe a little eccentric. The Golden Retriever Beagle Mix is very curious, and this natural curiosity can, at times, get them into trouble. But this curious, adventurous nature makes them perfect for families with children, especially when they live in a nice size fenced-in yard that leads to many opportunities for safe exploration. The Golden Retriever Beagle Mix is a people-person dog. They want to be with family. Do not get this particular breed if you do not plan on bringing them everywhere you go. They want to be with their loved ones, not at home alone. Since this particular crossbreed has very few health problems, it is one of the least costly breeds to own. And since they could live to be seventeen years old, they are a long-term commitment, not to be taken lightly. This dog breed is a loving sweet-natured dog whose main goal in their life is to please their owner, to love and be loved. What better dog could you want for your family? Other Golden Retrievers Mixes. As with any mixed breed, they can take on the traits of one of the parent breeds or any combination of both of them. With a Golden Retriever Mix, the goal is to get the highly-trainable, super-friendly, and sweet nature of the Golden Retriever and the best traits of the other dog in the cross. Because there can be variation in the puppies, you will want to ask the breeder about the other dog in the cross. This will give you an idea of what other traits you could be dealing with in a Golden Retriever Mix puppy. A Golden Retriever is known as the quintessential friendly dog with a happy-go-lucky personality. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They also tend to be good with strangers as they are more interested in making friends. The other dog breed in the cross could provide some other traits and variations to this, but your Golden Retriever Mix puppy should have a similar disposition to the Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever Mixes tend to be highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in larger homes with room to run and can adapt well to apartment living. As long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection, they tend to be quite happy wherever they live. Golden Retrievers do well in most climates and are sensitive to heat, as with most dog breeds. Your Golden Retriever Mix should be about the same. A mixed breed can take on potential health concerns related to one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. Overall, a Golden Retriever Mix should be a relatively healthy dog breed. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing on genetic conditions to puppies. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results. Golden Retrievers are famously easy to train, which makes them a great fit for owners of all experience levels. Depending on the other parent breed, there may be a chance that your Golden Retriever Mix could have an independent or stubborn streak. In this case, you will want to be prepared for puppy training and obedience classes in case you want a little help in dealing with stubbornness. Classes are a great idea either way because they help strengthen the bond you have with your puppy and are also a great opportunity to socialize your puppy. Golden Retrievers tend to have a medium-length coat that sheds moderately year-round and requires brushing a few times a week. Bathing is usually on an as-needed basis. This may be the same for your Golden Retriever Mix or their coat could require more or less grooming depending on the other parent breed. Monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to keep them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks and careful cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs. Your Golden Retriever Mix will likely be the same. Even if the other parent breed is a low or moderate-energy dog, you will need to be prepared to deal with a high-energy dog. Daily walks, playtime, plus extra activity are a must for dogs with a lot of energy. Be prepared to try a lot of different activities to find your favorites. Teach your dog to play frisbee , go for a swim, go running together, try taking a few hikes, go on trips to the dog park, and more. A Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog breed that stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Your Golden Retriever Mix could be the same or they could take after the other parent breed. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the other breed in the mix and meet the mother dog. This can give you a good idea of what size to expect as your Golden Retriever Mix puppy grows. Golden Retrievers generally live years. Unless the life span of the other parent breed varies largely from this range, you should be able to expect something similar from your Golden Retriever Mix. Featured Golden Retriever Mix Article. Both parent breeds are renowned for their loyalty and intelligence, though both are also susceptible to a myriad of health concerns, which are less common in their Beago offspring. These dogs display many of the best traits of both parent breeds, making them excellent pets and hunters that are sure to continue growing in popularity. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Those that are intended for showing or hunting could cost substantially more. Adopting a dog from a shelter can save you a substantial amount of money while giving a lucky pup a second chance at a great life. See what their reputation is like and read any testimonials or reviews you can find. When you go to look at the puppies, look around the facilities and see what kind of conditions the puppies are kept in. This makes them incredibly easy to get along with. Naturally, with both sets of genes, Beagos can be expected to turn out equally friendly. These dogs tend to be quite affectionate and will take love from just about everyone. If you leave your Beago alone too much, it could become destructive out of boredom and anxiety. Are These Dogs Good for Families? With hunting deep in their genes, it can be hard for a Beago to turn off its prey drive. As such, smaller animals like cats and even small dogs can often set a Beago off, resulting in a chase. Naturally, this can be quite dangerous for other little critters. Granted, if you properly socialize your Beago often from an early age, you might be able to avoid such behaviors, but a strong prey drive is inherent in this breed. They have tons of energy thanks to their hunter parents. Both Golden Retrievers and Beagles are known for their outstanding endurance, and the Beago inherits this trait from them. All that energy is going to need an outlet, so you should expect to spend a good minutes exercising your Beago every day. If you skip this, your Beago could get bored and start displaying destructive behaviors that can be difficult to untrain. Luckily, their Beago offspring also display this affinity for training. Beagles have very short coats that need little upkeep while Golden Retrievers have much longer coats that require a bit more maintenance. If your dog takes after the Beagle side more, then it will probably only need its coat brushed once per week. For Beagos that have more of a Golden Retriever coat, brushing up to three times each week might be necessary. Keep them clean and make sure to always inspect for buildup, redness, mites, and any other signs of poor ear health. Minor Conditions. Another tip to keep in mind when it comes to Golden Retriever puppies for sale is that they often need a lot of grooming. Golden Retriever Beagle Mix Puppies For Sale A beagle golden retriever mix for sale is something that you may want to consider if you have a beagle that is either young or old. This type of beagle will be the perfect family pet that you can take with you on trips and you will enjoy having it in your home for years to come. Having a beagle is not a good idea because of the many different things that a beagle can be allergic to. If you are thinking about getting a beagle, you need to be sure that you do not get an allergic reaction. An allergy can come from dog food that is not good for your pet, a dog shampoo that is not the right one for your dog and so much more. A beagle is a great dog to have but they do need special attention. They need to know that they are needed. A beagle will be the perfect family pet and will be able to live alone when it is not being around people. You will find that it does not need any special toys or food to get to relax. A beagle is a great family pet because it is very friendly and loves to please its owners. It does not have a bad temper or act out when it is not being trained properly, so if you do not have a dog then you may want to consider getting one for your family. A beagle is a wonderful pet that will be loyal to its master. Beagles are not known for being very sociable and will be a lot happier if it is with one owner. This makes them a great choice for any family. When looking for a dog, be sure to make a decision quickly because you do not want to rush into anything. A beagle golden retriever mix for sale can make a wonderful family pet for you. A beagle is a very intelligent dog and can become a great companion to the elderly or young children. Because of its high intelligence, you can train this dog easily and they will learn a new trick just by watching you. Because a beagle will get along well with other dogs, you can take them out as a pet for other family members. You will enjoy their company and everyone will benefit because of the bond that they create. When looking for a beagle golden retriever mix for sale, there are plenty of dog breeders out there to choose from. Before you make a decision, make sure that you research so that you can find a good breeder for your golden retriever. If you are looking for a dog to add to your family then one of your best choices is to consider Golden Retriever beagle mix puppies for sale. This will be a highly energetic and loving dog. The golden retriever beagle mix puppy for sale will have the same high energy and loving personality as a beagle. They are very affectionate towards children and make great family pets. This breed of dog will do just about anything you ask them to do with no problems at all. You may also have some trouble buying a beagle mix. Golden Retriever beagle mix puppies for sale can be found in most cities. Many of them are in good breeding programs. You should check into those first before getting your dog because some are just bad quality. Make sure you look into the training methods and what kind of dog is being shown so you can make an educated decision on what breed to buy. Golden retriever beagle mix puppies for sale should be house trained quickly. They can learn to sit, come, heel, down, and stay when they are trained correctly. They are very active dogs but need a good amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. They love to run and play so you can take them out and go for long walks. One of the best things about these beagle mix puppies for sale is that they have a large fan base. They are very loyal to their family and they want to be treated like royalty. So when they are young they have a large following of people following them around the neighborhood. If you want to be the alpha male or female in your family then this is the breed for you. These are very intelligent and love to learn. Once they are older they can hold their own in almost any household. You can find many different breeds of beagle mix puppies for sale all over the world. They are easy to train and maintain so if you are willing to give them a good home and lots of love, then you will be able to give a very loyal and happy dog to your family. These golden retriever beagle mix puppies for sale are very social animals. They enjoy being around people and being a part of family activities. Their personalities are very loving and caring and they love to please their family. Golden retriever beagle mix puppies for sale can be a lot of fun to have as pets. It is easy to train them to follow basic commands and you can make them your little part of the family. Make sure you get them from a reputable breeder that has been around this breed for a while. Find out if there are any known health problems and make sure they are up to date on vaccinations. Some people may have heard about possible problems with these dogs but the truth is there have never been any reported issues with these puppies or any other breeds of beagle mix. There are many reputable breeders out there that are willing to help you with the proper care and training of the beagle mix puppies for sale. They will be there to answer any questions that you have about how to care for your dog and make them comfortable and safe. They are great pets that you will love to share your home with. Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale — Advice for Buying Golden Retrievers Many people look for Golden Retriever puppies for sale these days because the breed has become a popular pet among people of many different ages. The Golden Retriever is also known as the American Shepherd, and they are very popular around the country as service or herd dogs. These dogs were originally bred to assist in herding sheep. But in more recent years, the popularity of the Golden Retriever has soared because of the great attributes they possess. These dogs have been bred to be intelligent, friendly, and to be beautiful. Many people who love the Golden Retriever want them to have a family, but getting Golden Retriever puppies for sale can be expensive. It is common for breeders to offer puppies at very low costs, especially when they have gotten them from unknown or illegal sources. The puppies could have been sold from animal shelters, puppy mills, or even from convicted pet criminals. Puppies bred from legal purebreds are known to have strong, healthy coats, good temperament, and wonderful families. A Golden Retriever mixed with a Beagle will usually have shorter, more tightly curled coats. This is not always the case, though, and you can often find Beagles and Golden Retrievers living alongside each other in loving families. Get as much information as possible about the dogs being offered to you. Talk to the breeder and see what kind of history they have. You should also look online to learn more about purebred Golden Retriever puppies for sale. Some Golden Retriever rescue organizations help you locate dogs who have been mistreated or who may have been abused. You might also look in the classifieds of your local newspaper, but you should be careful here because many ads for puppies might not be real. Ask your vet if you can find out more about any potential dogs and get their opinions on purebred Golden Retriever puppies for sale. One thing that you should be aware of, however, is that even legitimate breeders can sometimes mistreat the dogs that come to them for breeding. Rather, find another breeder. If you do buy a puppy from someone else, that person might not be as considerate as you would like. Even if you do like the look of a Beagle mix puppy, you still might not want to buy one because the person may mistreat the animal. There are several reasons why this might be the case, and you should consider this before buying any Beagle mix puppies. One last tip to keep in mind when it comes to Beagle mix puppies for sale is that they do need a lot of love and attention. You should also be careful about showing off your new dog to friends and family members. Your family and friends will also need to know about this because they may need to keep an eye on the Beagle and tell you when he or she is getting too aggressive or when they are hurt. Share this:.

Jimmy and I have been together for years. Jimmy and I have always been dog lovers but up until that point our experience with dogs had mainly involved toy breeds. However, growing up Jimmy had always wanted a Bulldog, so once we both realized we both liked the Bulldog breed the search was on to find a responsible and ethical breeder. After having discussions with our first breeder and observing handlers in the show ring at our local show we had decided to pursue our passion for showing. So, in we joined the Bulldog Club of America, and began showing. We are hooked! We enjoy being involved with our local club and actively participate in meetings and events held here in Salt Lake City. Our Mission Our desire is not only to present and showcase our bulldogs with you, but we also hope to help educate and inform those considering adopting or purchasing a bulldog. We also want to help with locating additional resources and clubs both nationally and locally as it is a great way to meet people. Please check out our page for some great info on bulldog health and care tips. Things to do with your English Bulldog Utah is a great place to live with an English bulldog. With its beautiful scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Utah is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including brine shrimp, gulls, and pelicans. Your English bulldog will love swimming in the lake and meeting new friends. Hike the Trails Utah is home to a number of beautiful hiking trails that are perfect for dogs. Your English bulldog will love exploring the woods and getting some exercise. Visit a Campground There are a number of dog-friendly campgrounds in Utah. Your English bulldog will love spending time outdoors and making new friends. The park is home to a variety of arches, including Delicate Arch, which is one of the most iconic arches in the world. Your English bulldog will love exploring the park and meeting new friends. So come on down and explore all that this great state has to offer with your English bulldog. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Utah? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Welcome to the Utah state page on TrustedPuppies. Renowned for its stunning national parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, and family-friendly atmosphere, Utah is a fantastic place to find and raise your new English Bulldog companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional English Bulldog breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable Utah breeders who specialize in raising amazing healthy puppies. Our UT breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new puppy. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Utah, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of English Bulldog canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. With an estimated thousand dogs residing in the state, Utah ranks 36th in the nation for dog ownership. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable English Bulldog breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Utah. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your English Bulldog puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect English Bulldog puppy on TrustedPuppies.

At first, the foster homes are the houses of the volunteers. Now, they have their own shelter for all dog and cat rescued in Dallas and Austin. Operation Kindness has a mission of rescuing abandoned and abused pets in TX area. They use all their resources for this cause. They take in all dog breed regardless of age and physical conditions. All cats and dogs with medical condition problems are vetted. They will also be showered and potty trained prior to adoption. Are you ready to adopt a kitten or puppy? Visit their website to fill out an adoption agreement form. Her inspiration is when she rescued a 7-week kitten for another company. This group started in in rescuing different dogs and cats. They rescue stray pugs and kittens. Place them in foster homes where they get treated for any medical condition. These pet friends deserve a second chance of finding their permanent homes. If you have unwanted pets, you can turn them over to them. They accept all kinds of breed for their animal rescue. They rescue unwanted pugs and other dog breeds. They also save cats and kittens. All their members have the passion of finding the loving sanctuary of their pug rescue. During the adoption process, they determine the right adopter for each pet. Their adoption coordinator manage the screening process. Before placing any pet and puppies for adoption, they will be spayed, vetted, and showered. You can visit their Facebook or website to see their list. They rescue unwanted pets from Austin and Dallas. Mini Mutts is also a known pug rescue group. Pugs have an adorable nature making them ideal for pets. They have several fundraising upcoming events that you can support. You can donate via PayPal. All donations are tax deductible. You can go to their website to fill out an agreement for pet adoption. Adopting pugs is the best way for you to have new dogs in your family. SPCA of Texas is also one of the popular pug rescues in the area. They have clinics in Ellies, Dallas, and Colin counties. Their staff sends their rescued animals to clinics to be treated and vaccinated. They take in different ages and the health of pugs. All these pets are examined and vetted before placing them for adoption. Do you want to help SPCA? You can support them by either donating or adopting a pet. You can visit their website links to learn more about it. Rescue Row. View more available dogs Pug Rescue of Austin typically has more than fifty available dogs at any given time. Not all available dogs are listed on our website and new dogs come in often. Once you have been approved to adopt, an adoption coordinator will review all available dogs with you to help you find the best new addition to your family. We Save Lives Our goal is to never say no to a pug or pug mix in need. Most of the pugs we rescue have been in abusive, neglectful situations. Here are some of their stories: Aug 22, Help Cole Heal Aug 22, Cole, a survivor of a car accident, needs your help to recover. He's facing major pelvic fractures and requires surgery. With feeling in his lower extremities and continence, Cole's determined to walk again. Join us in supporting his journey to healing. She was found starved, covered in infections, infested with parasites, and suffering from various health issues. We are providing her with intensive care at Westlake Animal Hospital, but her recovery will be a long and slow process. We need your support to give Pillsbury the chance to heal and live a pain-free life. Jun 26, .Adopt Testimonials We had an amazing experience with Pughearts! The process was thorough which I appreciated. The volunteers and organization are extremely passionate about their rescue dogs and their well being. We are so grateful for our fur babies and for Pughearts! We live out of state and Pug Hearts went above and beyond to come and inspect our home. Every step of the way all the volunteers I worked with were kind and quick to answer all my many questions through the adoption process. When I flew to Houston to meet the pug we were hoping to adopt, my flight was significantly delayed and our pug's foster mom took the next day off just so I could come meet with her! Our pug came to us in great health, fully checked by the Pug Hearts vet team, with detailed vet records for her continued care. We continue to stay in touch with the volunteers and our Pug's foster mom sending updates and sharing stories, Not only did we add the sweetest pug girl to our family, we feel like we came away with new friends! We will always adopt from Pug Hearts from now on and highly recommend them for your family too! Everyone we spoke with and worked with was very nice and answered all of our questions quickly. Ann was awesome about coming to do the home visit for us since we live in a remote location in Colorado. Karen was awesome about giving us all the information we needed and making sure our pup was all set to travel back from Houston. We would recommend Pug Hearts for anyone looking to help find a pug a forever home! I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this rescue! Our pug had been found wandering the streets , was underweight and had severe behavioral issues. His foster mother worked with him for 4 months to get him ready to come home with us. Not only did we get a new family member but I made a great friend as well. They take in pugs of any age with any medical problem and provide them with not only the medical care they need but the love they deserve. No pug is left behind. They are extremely thorough in the application process and truly care about the well-being of every single animal that they help. The organization has a wonderful group of volunteers, donors, and Fosters. The intake coordinator and the Director are absolutely wonderful to communicate with. They are very knowledgeable and caring. I have adopted three pugs from them and anytime I have questions or concerns they are quick to reply with a solution. Hands-down the best rescue in the entire world!!

If you are based in Alberta, you will likely have encountered a German Shepherd while strolling the streets and may be intrigued to learn of German Shepherd breeders in Alberta. We recommend doing plenty of research when seeking to find a reputable German Shepherd breeder. Reputable breeders will provide you with full registration and certification papers, a full medical history and information on the bloodline. This article will provide you with information about the 9 best German Shepherd Breeders in Alberta, to help you select the best breeder to suit your needs. We will provide some basic information about the breeder as well as contact details for you to follow up. Identifying the good from the bad can be a challenge, especially for first-timers. Luckily for you, there are plenty of great breeders in Alberta which we are happy to connect you with. Firstly, some tips on finding quality breeders. Normally, good quality breeders exhibit the following characteristics: They are very knowledgeable about the German Shepherd breed and can answer a range of questions. They do due diligence on you as a prospective adopter by asking you questions. Good breeders are transparent about their breeding practices and can provide a full medical history. They have approaches that encourage puppy socialization before adoption. They will provide you with a contract to sign. They will follow up with you during the adoption to ensure all is well. It is useful to consider these traits in mind when undergoing research on breeders. You can easily call, email or visit breeders to get a sense of their setup and breeding approaches. Explore the breeders below. They have well-bred, nicely built, and healthy German Shepherds. These dogs also have wonderful personalities and excellent temperaments. The Homestead German Shepherds are not show-line dogs. The breeding priority of these animals is the exterior. Most of the show-line dogs in North America have been bred because of a fad of over-angulation. This is desirable in the show ring, but poor working confirmation can lead to many health concerns. Therefore, the look of these German shepherds is not true to the standards of the original breed. The Homestead German shepherds are working line dogs and as well come from proven lines. They do not have extreme working dogs but instead have amazing dogs with the highest respect for the time they invest in growing such dogs. The German shepherds are bred selectively to have intense prey drives, great energy, and fearlessness. They are great for police, military, and detection roles, and the ones that lifestyle complement their lifestyle such as German Shepherds. They will not work well for the average family or person. The goal of the Homestead German Shepherd is to breed a dog that has the positive attributes of a well-bred dog. Courageous spirits, solid temperaments, intelligence, minds, good health, and beautiful bodies. They bred dogs from East Germany, European and Czech. These countries have dogs with excellent health. You might be wondering if you should adopt a rescue dog or buy a puppy. Puppies: No one can deny that raising a puppy is not an easy task, just like raising children. There are many of these centers in Alberta, but not all of them are created equal. So how do you choose the right one for you and your furry friend? Here are some tips when it comes to finding a reputable Dog rescue center in Alberta. Research: Do some research online and ask other people in the area about their experience with different rescues. This will give you an idea of what kind of services they provide and how responsive they are when contacted. Reviews: Check out reviews before making any donations or signing agreements with them — even if they seem like the perfect match! Rescues often go through financial hardships so be sure to check their website often to see if there has been any change in contact information or hours of operation. Dogs Safe for Rehoming: Rescue dogs are amazing, but they come with some challenges. It can be hard to find a good re-homing center that tests the temperament of their animals before letting them go into homes or foster care. Reputable centers work hard to ensure that all of the prospective pets they receive have been temperament tested before adoption, providing you with detailed information about each dog as to how it will affect your home environment if you adopt them in as well as any specific requirements needed from owners who adopt these dogs. Home Checking: All reputable rescue centers will perform a home check before they let you take on any dog. Most rescue centers will expect potential adopters like you who live inside with at least one securely enclosed outdoor area where pets can play without running off too far every day. The difference between buying a puppy and adopting one is different, so before jumping into anything make sure before that, you should be fully prepared and research the rescue center from which you want to adopt your new dog. The dogs rescued from shelters are generally older and have dealt with a lot in their lives. Being prepared for any situation is the most effective way to make sure that you are able to handle it effectively. The most important thing is that you should know that most rescue dogs have been mistreated by their previous owners. They might have come from puppy mills where they were mistreated or not properly cared. Some dogs have been abused or neglected by their former owners, but luckily there are caring people out there to save them! Do you know of any great dog rescues in Alberta? If so, please let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you. We want to make sure that our list is as comprehensive as possible, it really helps others who are looking to adopt a Dog or puppies in Alberta. Conclusion for Dog Rescues in Alberta: We hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful in finding a good dog rescue in British Alberta. If you know a friend or relative who is looking for a good rescue center, please share this post with them. Their search will be a lot easier. Post navigation. Great Guardian, Companion and Service Dogs. King Shepherds are Hybrid bred for use as Family dogs, with a.She is a sweet little pup that is six months old and shows promise in many ways. She listens well, sits, stays, and shakes a paw. She needs indepenendance in order to proceed with her.Born July 2nd. First 5-way shots and dewormed. Well socialized, affectionate and brave. He was raised at first on a farm.Dad Bernese mountain. First 3 pics are female next 4 are male. For more questions please text or send message over kijjij also can.They are beyond intelligent and owning one truly is a lifestyle. There is a reason why.We have two 3wk. The mom "Sheba" is a German Shepherd. FREE delivery anywhere in central and southern Alberta. Text or call .Puppies are vet checked and.Super lovey, eager to please, vet checked and first shots. Mother working line, King Shilo shepherd, with siblings in the Calgary police force! We are offering purebred German.All pure GSD but not registered Serious dogs for serious owners Dewormed twice, vaccinations, vet health check, socialization ongoing, weaned and eating

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Due to the hectic lifestyles that many of us lead today, German Shepherds might spend many hours alone at home every day. Here are some of my favorite ideas. Give them the King of toys — the Kong. Kong toys not only help calm your dog but, when frozen, can keep your German Shepherd busy for a long time. Kongs are great for hiding treats or serving their daily meal and keeping them busy. Stuff the Kong with natural peanut butter, their favorite dog-safe foods, special treats, or even fill with a mixture of all. Most German Shepherds will stay happily busy working for their food. And, a properly stuffed and frozen Kong could take a lot of time for your dog to release all their tasty reward. Is it summertime and you need to help them beat the heat? Kong to the rescue for busy-time and summer fun! Not only can the Kong toy itself be filled and frozen, but for an extra treat fill a freezer-safe plastic container with low-sodium broth and water and drop your food-filled Kong inside the mixture. Leave it to freeze overnight. Then, take the toy and your dog to a safe spot where they can enjoy licking and chewing their giant-size pupsicle! Do you have a teething German Shepherd puppy to keep busy? Place their soaked kibble in the Kong and freeze for them to soothe their inflamed gums and aching jaws while they chew and squeeze away the pain. Want to know the right size Kong for your dog and how to use the toy to help solve and prevent behavior problems? Then read all about Kong toys for German Shepherds. Show them interesting sights and sounds. Some Shepherds enjoy watching the sights and sounds of the world going by. Others will bark at leaves falling. Here are a few stations that dogs generally enjoy: Animal Planet Discovery Channel National Geographic There are even YouTube channels that cater especially to dogs at home that need some visual and auditory stimulation. While watching these videos your German Shepherd can see squirrels, cats, birds, other dogs, and nature scenes — all while hearing the sounds of the animals along with calming music. If you know your dog gets upset hearing other dogs or animals, then look for calming music channels that play soothing sounds and tunes to comfort anxious dogs. Provide a search and sniff scavenger hunt. Did you know that sniffing helps to calm dogs and provides needed mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied source? Encourage your dog to hunt for her meals by hiding small piles of her kibble around your house in safe, easy-to-reach areas so she has to use her nose to find them. Scatter a couple of handfuls of kibble in the places where your dog hangs out during the day before you leave for the day or when you want to keep her entertained. You determine how easy or difficult you want the game to be depending on where you decide to hide the treats. At first, you might need to leave the food in more open areas as your dog learns to play and sniff for their treasure. Easy Scavenger Hunt larger groups of kibble placed in the open smaller groups of food placed under safe items groups of treats together next to items, but not hidden a kibble trail that leads your dog on a sniffari indoors You can make the Scavenger Hunt more difficult as your dog learns the game. You can also hide one of her meals in her Kong puzzle toy right before you leave home. This prompts her to associate you leaving for the day with a positive — as opposed to a negative — emotion and can help lessen the fear of being alone for her. Play a classic game of tug-of-war. Tug can help build confidence in German Shepherds when played correctly. All you need for this old-school game is a tough rope toy and some space to move around safely. To entice your German Shepherd to grab the rope, wiggle it like a snake, let her take hold of it, and gently begin tugging the rope. While your dog sinks their teeth and puts her bodyweight into the pull you get a bit of an upper-body and cardio workout. Plus, did you know that cotton tug ropes provide your German Shepherd the opportunity to easily help clean their teeth? In fact, research shows that playing tug with your dog is much more complex. In one study dogs handicapped themselves i. Tug, when played correctly and with rules, can build confidence in German Shepherds and help teach them more about your owner-dow relationship. Teach your dog a new trick. When was the last time you taught your German Shepherd a fun trick? I bet your brilliant German Shepherd would love to keep entertained by learning a new trick or obedience command. You can pick a hard trick that takes a while to learn or an easy trick that your dog might quickly pick up on. Or aim higher by working on naming all of her toys in her toy box so she can get them by name when you ask. Either way… Your German Shepherd is capable of learning almost anything that you take the time and patience to train. Remember, your German Shepherd is so smart for a reason. Whether you have a German Shepherd puppy or a full-grown dog, this is super fun to try! Even better… 6. Include plenty of play with their friends. Having doggie friends is essential for German Shepherds, especially puppies. Sometimes your German Shepherd just needs to play with other dogs and socialize. You can schedule playdates with other well-behaved dogs with your friends and family for some puppy entertainment. Many doggy daycares will provide discounts if you purchase multiple play days to keep the price reasonable and provide your German Shepherd with more opportunities for entertainment. There are separate play sections for puppies and larger, adult dogs, so your dog is matched to their appropriate playgroup. Never underestimate the value of a healthy play session to keep your German Shepherd entertained. Sneak in a new toy. Sneaking in a new toy for your German Shepherd can keep them entertained as they enjoy the surprise. Do you have a dog that loves to play with toys? Then help keep them busy by sneaking in a new toy to spark their interest and keep their self-directed play fun. Just think of how excited your German Shepherd will get when they sniff out their new toy! Also, rotate her toys every week or so to heighten the excitement of playing with her toys. Simply put away a few of the usual toys and sneak in another to replace the missing old toys. Then, rotate them again for a fresh perspective! Teach them how to stay calm. Even busy German Shepherds need to calm down to recharge and relax. Teaching a German Shepherd how to calm themselves and channel their energy into resting and relaxing is actually difficult. If your German Shepherd becomes nervous, anxious, or overactive when you leave home, try these ideas to help comfort them, especially puppies. Give a treat designed to encourage rest and relaxation, like these calming chicken and hemp chews. Use a dog pheromone diffuser. Use a dog-appeasing pheromone diffuser if you think your absence causes anxiety in your German Shepherd. Adaptil makes a calming dog diffuser for this specific purpose that is shown to lessen anxiety symptoms and promote calm. The pheromone released by the diffuser is similar to the one that lactating mother dogs emit to calm their newborn puppies when feeding. So, the pheromone is familiar to your German Shepherd and creates a sense of relaxation and calm. Place the diffuser in a room your dog generally uses or spends most of her time in. These calming tools are especially helpful to German Shepherd puppies who might be overwhelmed in their new home and miss their littermates and mother. Include a mid-day walk. Dog walking services are provided in many cities and towns to help you. The typical dog walking schedule for many working owners is in the morning and evening. But the German Shepherd Dog is a high-energy breed and will benefit from a mid-day walk to add some entertainment to their day. Many reputable pet care facilities include a dog walking service and will walk your German Shepherd with other dogs that are similar in personality if you like. I highly recommend that you also get a GPS tracker for your German Shepherd if you have a dog walker. Give remote surprise check-ins. Checking in on your mischievous German Shepherd puppy has never been easier with remote cameras. With all the modern pet technology today you might be overlooking how to keep a German Shepherd busy remotely. Remote cameras are a great way to keep your German Shepherd occupied and surprised. How amazing is that for modern pet technology? Each puzzle takes a combination of reasoning, persistence, and paw dexterity to work out. The very act of leaving a German Shepherd alone for 8 hours or more a day and then being too tired to spend time with them in productive ways is the reason for most of the behavioral problems they develop. How would you feel if you were left at home all day, every day, with no one to talk to, no television to watch, no books to enjoy, no work to do, and no opportunity to exercise? It would be awful! Read this post on how to exhaust a German Shepherd to reduce boredom to learn more about what you can do to help keep boredom at bay. Playing with your German Shepherd enriches your relationship with her on a unique level. Together, the two of you will have a distinctive interaction during your play sessions. This is vital information because play helps build a strong relationship foundation. While some people believe that German Shepherds are rough, tough, working breeds they genuinely have a playful nature and seek out the companionship of play with their special person. German Shepherds seek out play with those they feel close to and are comfortable with. Although there are many different ideas to entertain your dog, every dog is unique and has certain preferences. They tend to develop behavior issues when secluded from their family and can become depressed, act out for attention, and develop other health conditions due to the stress of spending too much time alone. When you understand how to keep a German Shepherd busy and entertained both of your days will go by more smoothly. Remember… The time you put into your German Shepherd creates an unbreakable bond. Catherine Krasavin, BS Hons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Being energetic and intelligent animals, this breed does need to be entertained while you are away. Here is your guide to managing this. This breed bonds to its humans easily and can feel lonely when they are away. Some German Shepherds even develop separation anxiety. In case you have no choice but to be away from your dog for long, you may want to think about leaving them with a friend or relative. This will allow your German Shepherd to be a healthier and happier dog. German Shepherds are prone to boredom, which is why you should try to keep things interesting for them. To do this, alternate between the toys you leave out for them. Lock the rest up. The next day, switch these toys out for other ones and continue this for the workweek. It will keep things interesting for them without you constantly having to buy new toys. You may do more harm than good if you try to take it away. Should You Leave the Curtains Open? There is plenty of stimulation outside your home from neighbors and other dogs to the occasional squirrel. Leaving your curtains open is a great way to make sure that your German Shepherd keeps itself entertained. You can ensure that all the curtains are open in the house so that your dog can bound from one window to the next and keep the view interesting. Some dogs love being able to stare out of a window, while it can prove to be too much stimulation for others. How to Hide Treats Around the House? Your dog can then walk throughout the space and discover a little bite of goodness. This is a great mental exercise for them. You may want to avoid hiding the treats under couch cushions or anything else that your pup will need to upturn to get to. If you come home to find that the treats are untouched, your pup may need a little help. Hide the treats when you are around and urge them to find them. Once they get the hang of this game, they will be able to do it on their own. There are now more interactive toys to choose from than ever before. Some of them involve treats while others rely on squeakers or other features. You may want to try out a few ahead of time to find out what your dog responds best to. When it comes to puzzle toys, start with the easy ones and slowly use increasingly difficult ones as they get the hang of it. A toy that is too complex may cause them to become frustrated and give up. It can be a great way for your dog to occupy themselves. If your TV can be set on a timer, do this. You can make sure that the TV will only be on for a short time. In case your pup has a favorite show, you can program the TV to turn on at this point. This is another activity you should test out while you are at home. Find out how your dog reacts to having the TV on. Does it interest them, do they ignore it, or are they upset by it? Can an Interactive Camera Help? There are pet cameras that allow you to see and talk to your German Shepherd at various times throughout the day. Some even allow you to deposit treats. Give this camera a whirl when you are first gone for a short time. This will give you a better idea of how your pup may react. While some dogs love being able to hear their owners, others can become confused or frustrated by this. A test run will show you which way your pup leans. German Shepherds are a high-energy breed and the more exercise they get, the happier they are. This is a great option to consider if it is affordable. As many dog walkers will often walk several dogs at once, it is a great way for your dog to interact with other animals as well. An alternative to hiring a dog walker is to plan pet playdates. If there are other dogs that your German Shepherd likes and gets along with, take turns with the owners to host pet playdates. This gives your dog the chance to hang out with humans and dogs. It can also break up the monotony until you get home. Use these tactics when necessary and you can have peace of mind knowing that your pup is taken care of while you are away. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Near a cafe At a dog-friendly store Keep training upbeat and fun and spread out the training sessions into only 2 to 3-minute bursts, 3 to 4 times a day. Practice frequently by integrating your training into your routine, such as: Lying down before their dinner Coming to you and sitting for their leash to be clipped Sitting before you open the door As long as you keep training exciting for them your German Shepherd is happy to participate! Create an indoor obstacle course Begin agility training indoors with the right creative thinking. With their natural desire to herd and move through obstacles, an indoor agility course is just what you need. Get creative using what you already have around the house: Empty cardboard boxes of varying sizes for your dog to go around Chairs or tables for your puppy to crawl under A sheet or towel draped over two stools for a make-shift tunnel Look around and use what you already own to start creating your indoor obstacle course. As long as you keep your dog safe from any falling objects and work within their health needs No jumping for puppies or GSDs with hip and joint issues! An even simpler solution is to buy a piece of agility equipment that you can use both indoors and out. Try this lightweight dog agility kit that sets up in minutes and is customizable for a variety of exercises. With hands closed into a light fist, place them in front of your dog to guess where the treat is. Let your dog sniff both of your hands. When they look bored, call them over to you and engage them in the game. You can even try this game outdoors to work on them interacting with you with distractions. This game is actually an amazing way to introduce scent games or scent tricks with your GSD, especially for puppies who are easily distracted. You work hard to provide the best you can for your dog, but they just gobble and wolf down their food without a care in the world. Why not give them a slow-feeder bowl to regulate their eating and make meals last longer. With its swirled pattern your dog places their tongue along the groove tracks to move their kibble along — until they reach a side where they can push their food into their mouths. Play hide and seek with them German Shepherd puppies love to play Hide and Seek with their owners. Appealing to their prey drive, finding the toy also gives your dog a sense of confidence as they accomplish their tracking goal. Good hiding spots include behind open doors, in corners, under couches, and beneath tables. Walk around with them searching for the toy. When they find it, congratulate them with praise and play a quick game with them and the toy Some ideas are a ball for fetch, a tug toy for tug-of-war, or any other toy and game they love. As your dog begins to consistently find the toy, move the toy to different locations to keep the game fun and fresh. If weather permits and you have a secure yard, why not try this game outdoors in a larger area to keep your dog from getting too bored with the indoor game. Provide a long-lasting chew Short of time? Offer your dog a long-lasting chew for entertainment. It takes only seconds to offer your dog a long-lasting chew for them to enjoy. Look for chews that take a while to eat so they last. Not sure what else your German Shepherd will enjoy chewing? Then use this guide to find the best chew toys for bored German Shepherds Always supervise your dog with any toy or chew to avoid any accidents, as well as considering their weight and dietary needs. Your smart dog needs to stay busy and loves to learn new tricks. Think of them as simply an extension of their obedience training. And many tricks have other practical purposes. More importantly, training your dog to perform tricks: Engages their minds Teaches them a new skill Helps prevent training burnout for both of you Can get them to learn to focus and concentrate Is fun and a great bonding activity There are so many tricks that you could teach your German Shepherd to help keep them from becoming bored. Have you taught them to: Shake. Everyone knows the basics to avoid boredom. Long walks, exercise, training etc. But what can you do between these activities to keep particularly high-octane dogs occupied? In this article we'll dive into some out of the box ideas and even a few gadgets and toys that can make life easier for you, and more enjoyable for your pooch. Ice Blocks: Dogs love to crunch on ice cubes. But they're gone in a matter of seconds. A good solution is to fill an ice cream container or something similar with water. Throw in a few toys , treats, or even a meal and your dog will be occupied for hours. Kongs And Similar Hollow Toys: Toys of this type are designed to be stuffed with treats or peanut butter. But if you've used these before, you know that it doesn't take long before a dog cleans them out. But did you know that these toys can be used 4 different kinds of ways? But for dogs with lower prey drive, or dogs who simply don't find such toys interesting, keep reading! But again, the problem with this is that it doesn't take long before they're emptied out. For a longer lasting solution, see 3! Freezing makes the peanut butter harder to get out and will last many times longer. But if that's not good enough, see 4. A frozen, stuffed, hollow toy that is frozen in a block of ice! Stuff the toy as usual, place the toy in your ice cream tub of water and freeze. Now your dog has to get through the ice to get to the toy to get to the frozen contents! Go crazy with it if you want. Add other treats and toys. Use a slice of melon to sit the stuffed hollow toy on top of so that it freezes in the center. Put a couple of cut up hot dogs inside. Make it a meal if you want. Your dog will be entertained for hours. Robots: Robots? Yes, you read correctly! It's as this article is being written. And technology has come a long way. Robots like the Varram Pet Fitness Robot move and dispense treats automatically. It has such features as treat tossing, the capability to schedule automatic drives around the house or room, a manual play via app mode where you can control the robot from your phone by connecting to blue tooth, and even activity tracking to keep you informed. They come with a protective case to increase durability, but they're not designed to be chewed on, so be careful. But if you like cool gadgets, have a few extra pennies in your piggy bank and want to keep your dog entertained, this is a great option. Puzzle Toys: There are a lot of high-quality puzzle toys on the market these days. Toys that your dog has to interact with to get treats or food from inside. I personally used Bob-A-Lot toys. They're hollow, plastic balls that can be filled with treats or kibble and must be knocked around to get the food to fall out of a spill hole. The best part is that the spill hole has an adjustable door for different sized treats. The door also can be used to control how many treats fall out when the toy is unsettled enough to dispense the goodies inside. But you don't have to settle for technology that I used a decade ago. There are many new products on the market that are just as good or better. Instead of you hiding and letting your dog find you, put your dog somewhere he or she can't see you and hide treats. Make your German Shepherd move around and use its greatest gift: it's aircraft-carrier-long snout! This is a game that all dogs will enjoy and allows you to not feel so bad about giving them snacks because they'll have to work for it. Pro Tip: Use a pencil and paper to write down the locations where you hide treats to make sure you don't find a random piece of kibble or a biscuit under your couch cushion 3 years from now. A Professional Pro's Tip: Use your cell phone to take photos of the locations and delete them after the game has ended so that you don't waste storage space on your phone. Moreover, you need to take time out to exercise your dog daily. Many GSDs get anxious when left alone, making it difficult, but not impossible, to work full-time while being the owner of a German Shepherd. But, in a nutshell, you should not leave your adult dog alone for longer than 4 hours, and considerably less for young pups. If you leave a dog alone for longer than four hours, you risk them engaging in destructive behavior due to boredom or separation anxiety. Nonetheless, the following contexts make it easier to work full-time while owning a German Shepherd: You have family nearby — If you have family or close friends nearby who can keep your dog company, he might not even notice that you are gone. You can leave your pet at a daycare — Doggy daycares can be expensive but are among the best solutions for full-time working professionals. You can take your dog to work — Very few professions allow bringing pets to work. You might not get any work done, though, unless you work in the Police K9 unit! You can go to work at a regular 9 to 5 if you have a German Shepherd as long as you know how to keep your dog busy in your absence. You should keep your German Shepherd busy with toys, treats, distractions, or other humans while you are at work. He is still delighted to see you, but not because he spends the entire day feeling abandoned. Here are a few ways to keep your German Shepherd engaged in your absence. Calm content or even an animated series can keep your dog distracted. I think she can relate to her breeding purpose! Otherwise, it might get knocked over if your dog feels threatened by the content, especially if he has a high prey drive and a program about squirrels comes on! In any case, this would be all part of socializing your pup. A puzzle toy can be a lot more engaging than idle observation. While most dog puzzles can have this effect, I like Outward Hound a lot because it is specifically designed for big dogs with separation anxiety and keeps your dog engaged. It is a pretty fun toy for your dog, regardless of whether you are around or not, and with almost , positive reviews, many other dog owners think so too. This could mean replaying TV shows you think will be safe and fun for your dog or actually recording yourself waving at your dog and giving him commands. I know it can seem weird, but it works wonders. Dogs have been proven to react positively upon seeing their owners on screen. I love this gadget as it has everything from being able to hear and speak with your doggo to tossing him a treat every now and again. A window can keep your dog pleasantly distracted in your absence. You just need to arrange a safe way for your dog to peer through the window. If you own an expensive breed — While GSDs are usually deterrents that stop intruders and prevent break-ins, if they are expensive enough, they might encourage people to get into your house. If your dog might be perceived to be in danger — If your GSD looks helpless and desperate, people might assume that he needs to be saved. Usually, people break car windows to rescue overheating pets. But someone might break your house window out of similar good intentions, even without significant danger. Drop him off at a doggy daycare. This is by far the best option but is not very accessible for some. The first barrier to entry is the cost of enrolling your dog. The second is the availability of doggy daycares and daycare spots. Families that own and love dogs can happily take yours in for the day. Such toys are easy to load, and you can teach your dog to fetch and load a ball. My article on training a GSD covers using positive stimuli to get your dog to learn commands faster. The treats better not be too sugary, though. The calories can add up. I recommend using pieces of kibble for this game. That said, your dog might not be very keen on a kibble hunt — unless he is hungry, of course! Put a food item your dog loves inside a bowl, fill it with water, and put it in the freezer. Once the ice forms around the food item, you can leave it for your dog while you are away. It will give your dog plenty of time to play and salivate. However, there is one drawback: the ice turns into water. Professional dog walkers charge about the same as entry-level professionals in the region. Still, the cost can add up if you get dog-sitting services. Every hour you make money at your job, you have to pay someone to take care of your dog. Adopt Another Dog Finally, you can try the good old, have a kid to raise a kid method. By adopting another dog, you can make your current dog less lonely. The cost of this depends on the dog food prices and the medical expenses in your area. It is a high-risk tactic as it is possible that your dogs hate each other, and you end up needing extra supervision. Make sure to learn how to introduce your dog to another pet and choose a pet of the opposite sex to reduce same-gender aggression. But if you have no option but to leave your dog alone while you go to work, at least make sure he has regular company throughout the day. GSDs must be trained to entertain themselves, so you must start this process early. Related Posts You May Like:. As a human, you can leave the house and seek exciting new adventures all on your own when boredom rears its ugly head. However, your dog is probably stuck at home when you have to leave for work or school. While it might be fine to take a nap or two each day while he waits for you to come back, there are still many hours left in the day where a bored GSD can get himself into some mischief. Sometimes that mischief can result in expensive damage to your home and belongings! He needs to feel useful, helpful, and appreciated. German Shepherds are also one of the most intelligent and most social dog breeds you can own. With a little forethought and some simple additions to your household or routine, you can keep your pup or older dog happy, healthy, and out of trouble until you get home. As social animals, dogs can be prone to separation anxiety. What does that mean? Separation anxiety is fairly common in German Shepherds. When a German Shepherd, or any other dog, suffers separation anxiety, they become sad, scared, or otherwise upset about the absence of their human companions. This can result in behavior problems such as barking, howling, and crying for hours, which can be disturbing to neighbors. Separation anxiety can also cause a dog to begin tearing up and chewing your belongings—shoes, clothes, and even your furniture, for example. It can also be so stressful for a GSD that he begins to have accidents in the house. The pups get used to this royal treatment and showers of love and affection. The sad truth is that some never do. They may see the separation as punishment, or they may become overly worried about you. After all, the German Shepherd takes great pride and enjoyment in being your companion and protector. Keeping your German Shepherd active and busy can help relieve a lot of anxiety all on its own. But they are also great ways to help anxious dogs feel safer and more in control while you are away. And that is exactly what GSDs love most: working! Some involve a little extra effort on your part and some may require new toys or special equipment. Not every suggestion will work for every dog or household, so be ready to try different approaches to find the perfect mix for your German Shepherd. There are many ways to do this, but here are some suggestions to get you started. Crate train your GSD early. Crate training helps dogs learn that the crate is their safe space. Do not use the crate for punishment. Always make crate time fun with toys, treats, soft bedding, and praise. As den animals, GSDs appreciate having a private, safe space such as a crate to help relax and reduce stress. Section off a part of your house for alone time. Your GSD should be taught that certain areas of your home are safe. This is a lot like the crate suggestion above, but it allows for more space to play and stretch out. This can be a bathroom, laundry room, or bedroom, for example. Start by using a baby gate, not shutting the door. Start slowly, leaving your GSD alone in a crate or safe zone for just a few minutes. Leave a treat or new toy with her, some food, water, and soft bedding, then walk away for 3 — 5 minutes. Do this several times in a row, piling on the praise and love when you return. After a few days, extend the time you leave your GSD alone, but always come back and give tons of love. When you leave toys, food, water, and soft bedding with your German Shepherd in his safe area, you are teaching him which objects are his, too. This can be a long walk or job, a rousing game of fetch, or a few rounds on an agility course. Whatever it is that your German Shepherd likes to do for fun with you, do that before you need to leave for work or school. Begin this routine well before you have to start leaving your GSD alone every day. Since dogs are pack animals, they can sense your stress level and your anxiety. Try to remain calm. Instead of being dramatic about it, just give your dog a normal amount of affection, put him in his safe zone or crate, and then leave. Do not look back, do not open the door to check on him; just go. The calmer you are during departure, the less likely it will be that your dog will become anxious. If you followed some of the suggestions above, you should be well on your way to achieving dog parent nirvana. It can be as simple as a box of toys in the closet that gets switched out every week or month. Simply pick up the old toys and put them in a box, then bring the new box down. In another month, you can do the switch again. Keep it interesting by adding a brand-new toy every week or so, just to keep Spot on his toes. If your German Shepherd is attached to one or two specific toys, keep them out of the rotation. Those are the perfect comfort objects and should always be available and within reach. Some common favorite toys include rope toys, stuffed animals, and refillable treat toys. Just keep an eye on your dog and see which toys she gravitates to during sleepy, relaxed times. Time for Television If your dog is used to hearing the television going or a computer running videos all day and night, this is likely a comforting sound to her. Some dogs like exciting shows with lots of noise, while others prefer relaxing shows with calm human voices or sounds of nature. Believe it or not, some dogs actually enjoy watching television, not just listening. If they still seem to enjoy the background noise, try the radio instead. You can either turn on regular radio stations, use online stations with specially created playlists, or you can queue up your own playlist on your computer or other device using songs your dog is used to hearing you listen to. The options are limitless, and the familiarity will help soothe an upset or lonely dog. Take a look at this article I wrote about German Shepherd depression — it expands on the benefits of playing music for your German Shepherd, and how different types of music affect your dog. Hide Surprises Many German Shepherds love hide and seek games with their humans. Too difficult of a puzzle and your GSD could get frustrated and unhappy. Interactive Toys There are a ton of great interactive toys on the market these days. The hardest part is letting your dog have a turn with them! These kinds of toys keep intelligent GSDs alert and happy. For example, you can use interactive puzzle toys like this series from Outward Hound. There are 4 different toys in this series, and 4 levels of difficulty — easy, intermediate, advanced, and expert. Take a look for yourself what all the fuss is about! Level 1: Easy.

We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Long Island New York and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. They have puppies that come from very good bloodlines and they focus mostly on Australian Labradoodles, Multi-Generational Labradoodles F3 , Goldendoodles, and double doodles. Johnson raises them like their own within their own home and they teach them basics from a young age until they go home. They socialize the puppies with people and other dogs so they are ready to go to their forever homes. Tips for New Puppy Owners Congratulations on your new puppy! That tip is to take the time to prepare your puppy for his first visit to the grooming salon! Most puppies have their first grooming experience at around 11 or 12 weeks of age when their course of vaccinations is complete. Daily Brushing First of all, you must get into the routine of combing and brushing your Doodle pup every day. After a few days of wriggling and attempting to steal the grooming tools, Raffles has now gotten used to the whole rigmarole and accepts it without too much protest. Blow Dry Many dogs find the sound and sensation of a blow dryer quite alarming, so I started to introduce my puppy to that from day one. When I dried my hair, I simply put Raffles on the bed next to me, set the dryer onto its lowest, coolest setting, and gently allowed the air to pass over him. Here is a Labradoodle puppy checklist to help your puppy settle in during their first month in your home: Make sure you have a safe place for your puppy to sleep. This could be a crate or an exercise pen with a soft bed inside. Puppies need to eat three to four times a day, so make sure you have a regular feeding schedule of good quality pet food for the healthiest puppy possible. Puppies should be taken outside frequently to go to the bathroom. They may not hold it for long at first, so be prepared for accidents. Happy puppies need a lot of exercise, so make sure you have time for long walks or play sessions every day. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and be consistent with your rewards and corrections. Remember to be patient! Enjoy this time and create lots of happy memories with your new furry friend. Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations that churn out puppies for profit without regard to the welfare of the animals. The puppies are often raised in horrible conditions and may not receive proper vet care or socialization. The breeder seems more interested in making a sale than answering your questions or getting to know you. The breeder has multiple breeds of puppies available. The breeder has puppies that are very young less than eight weeks old. We made a list of ethical Labradoodle breeders from nearby states, so you will not fall into the hands of these puppy mills. Check these out:. We have answers. What is a Labradoodle, exactly? The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid breed. Hybrid breeds are sort of like mixed breeds, except in this case the parent breeds are chosen on purpose to pass down specific traits to their offspring. Can I only pick local Labradoodle puppies for sale near Nassau County? Businesses and breeders listed at Uptown Puppies can arrange travel accommodations for your pup to whichever major airport is most convenient, meaning your options are nearly unlimited. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Nassau County? The pledge covers all aspects of animal care, health, breeder standards, legal compliance, and much more—take a look for yourself and see just what goes into becoming a Labradoodle superstar. How is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodle puppies for sale in Nassau County? You might be shocked to discover that bad or dishonest breeders are all over the place online. The truth is that almost anyone can show up online with the right marketing selling Labradoodle puppies for sale in Levittown. What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are basically dog factories for Labradoodle puppies for sale in Freeport. At mills, unscrupulous Australian Labradoodle breeders try to sell as many dogs as possible for as cheap as possible. However, these Labradoodle puppies for sale in Hicksville, NY are often sickly, mistreated, and poorly bred—leading to a higher risk of genetic illness and heartbreak for their families down the line. Where do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Valley Stream come from? The Labradoodle is a modern hybrid breed that until recently was relatively unknown. These dogs were first bred to be the ultimate companion dogs—meaning allergy-friendly, gentle, adorable, and people-loving. The world is catching on to Labradoodle mania, and these dogs are now some of the most popular in the world. Just look at how many people are searching for Labradoodle puppies for sale in East Meadow and Labradoodle puppies for sale in Elmont, New York! See Labradoodle puppies that you love, or want to contact one of our recommended breeders? Last step? Are Labradoodle puppies for sale in Oceanside hypoallergenic? Labradoodle puppies for sale in Glen Cove can be just as hypoallergenic as their Poodle parents. Many people who suffer from pet allergies report that their symptoms are lessened or disappear entirely when around their Labradoodle. While everyone experiences allergies to varying degrees of severity, Labradoodle puppies for sale in Plainview are indeed an allergy-friendly breed. Do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Baldwin shed? All dogs shed to varying degrees. What types of coats do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Massapequa have? Labradoodle coats can come in three main varieties—straight, wavy, and curly. Straight haired Labradoodle puppies for sale in Merrick, New York shed the most, wavy-coated Doodles shed a little, and curly-coated Labradoodles shed the least. The three types of coats are also referred to as hair straight , fleece wavy and wool curly.

Our experienced dog nutritionists will learn about your dog and guide you towards a customized fresh dog box. We handmake different treats and chews every 4 weeks. We use roughly lbs of quality fresh meat and seafood. At one low price, you get everything in the Treat And Chew Box. Do you need a few mins? Let us keep them busy. Every month we send 8 to 10 freshly air-dried chews of different strength levels. Our treats come in every shape and size to break into whatever size you need. We air-dry lbs of fresh meat and fish for days to make one of these boxes. Make that a healthy snack!! That is why we have the Mini Treat and Chew Box, it has 2 different types of treats and a bag of chews. No seafood or heavy chews. Let us help you save your shoes with our Super Chews. Add as many Super Chews as you want to any box or as a standalone subscription! Just like our treats, we make a fresh new Super Chew every 4 weeks. You decide how many shoes you want to save! Made with approx. They are air-dried just like all of our treats and chews and made with lean muscle meats, poultry bone, organ meats, seafood and fur for fiber. Secreting organs may include spleen or kidney. Proteins vary every box cycle! Contributor Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted editors have conducted extensive research on pet products, including many articles specifically dedicated to sleuthing out the best dog food on the market. For this piece, we tapped several additional experts, including veterinary nutritionists. Furthermore, we refresh this story regularly to be sure that our picks are still top-of-the-line and in stock; this page was last updated in August .How We Chose The Best Pet Food Delivery Services Many factors went into narrowing down the best dog food delivery services including popularity, convenience, variety and overall value. We considered advice from veterinary nutritionists, made sure each service offered AAFCO-compliant options and—most importantly—analyzed each service through the lens of pup parents. Finally, we made sure to take budget into account, highlighting a wide range of prices, and evaluated each of the accompanying websites for ease of use and plan customizability. Ahead, find recommendations of what to look for when scanning different services: Budget This is arguably the most important factor to consider when selecting a dog food delivery service. Word to the wise: Be sure to factor in the number of shipments offered within each price bracket. Take a cue from Dr. Third, the food should be cooked at a low temperature to ensure all the nutrients remain intact. Customizable Plans Personalized meal plans for your dog can sometimes be more costly, but that sort of customization might be worth it to you. Before you hit the checkout button, make sure to look for an AAFCO statement on the back of the dog food bag, box or can. Additionally, the service should use whole, fresh ingredients that are minimally processed and packed with dog-friendly nutrients. Finally, check whether the service has veterinarians and nutritionists on staff. If you have the budget and storage space available, yes. Dog food subscriptions can make life for both you and your dog easier in a number of ways. You get peace of mind with fresh high-quality ingredients vetted by veterinarians and nutritionists as well as plenty of variety to choose from. That said, again, you have to take your budget and storage space into account. Dog food subscriptions are expensive and often demand extra room in your freezer or refrigerator, as most meals need to be kept frozen. Fresh dog food and raw food are not the same, no. Some raw foods are also in the form of kibble and would not be considered fresh. More Pet Stories To Shop. Quantity Add to Basket Every Puppy deserves the best start to life. That's why our puppy trial box offers them a variety of our multi-award winning natural dog food, optimised by vets to make sure they get the healthiest diet to help them enjoy a happy and healthy life. Included in this trial box is some of the finest hand cooked food suitable for puppies. Bursting in flavour with all the nourishment a growing puppy needs, so you can be sure your puppy will thrive in life. Pick up to two meat types to help your puppy transition onto Different Dog easier decreasing the risk of upset tummies. Storing Different Dog All of our packs arrive frozen and then are stored in your freezer. Simply defrost in your fridge and serve. Once defrosted Different Dog lasts for up to five days and is kept in the fridge. Why feed Different Dog? Each of our recipes are as unique as your dog, lovingly hand cooked, using fresh locally sourced ingredients straight out the earth. No Grain, Legumes or nasties, just simply droolworthy real food that lives in the Fridge and Freezer. We recommend sticking to one protein for this period of transitioning. Why not help the transition with Animotics Probiotic Paste? Being in a new environment with new stresses or transitioning onto a new food can unbalance the gut causing sensitive tummies. Animotics helps reseed the gut with 4 different strains of probiotic bacteria and 22 million CFU. Use either with our food or pop directly into their month to help heal or prevent upset tummies. Get in touch and we can help at or feedme differentdog.

More VaGolden Retrievers Hello, I hope you enjoyed my website, and have taken the time to review all my pages , from text,photos and videos. You can find answers to most of your questions on my site. Placing you and one of my puppies together is something I take very seriously. Knowing you are happy and that one of my puppies has made that happen, means a lot to me. I do hope each family takes the time to get to know me and the line of adult Golden's I have. This is my line. A strong line of Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers make perfect family pets. They always enjoy being part of the family's company and show love and devotion to all members of the family. They crave love and affection. Companionship is their top priority and they are totally devoted to their human family. Puppies For Sale If you're interested in my coming litter,, please call I have litters arriving thought out the year. Once they arrive, I will have videos of the puppies on this website. It's always best to plan taking a puppy home and contacting me in advance is always best. He has been the most amazing dog and are so blessed to have him in our life. He is going to turn 10 months old and looks so much like his Mom and Dad. Thank you Grayland for such an amazing dog! We named him Hook because we are a Disney family and he is the Captain of our new home. We will definitely recommend you to future Golden owners. Hello, it's been 3 weeks since our Penny came home. I just wanted to thank you for this precious pup. We love her very much and she's become an integral part of the family. She's doing great with house training and is even using door bells to let us know when she needs to go out. She can sit, lay down, and shake. Penny has an awesome personality and loves everyone even our cat! She just had her 10 week check up and our veterinarian said "she's perfect in every way. She's exactly what a golden should be. So thank you so very much. We are so thankful to have our little Piper. She is quite a gem that has added that extra spunk to our Golden family. We now have 4 and plan on adding to our brood with just one more from VA Golden Retrievers. We have had such a positive experience. You can definitely see that Mr. Nelson loves his Goldens. They are friendly, energetic and well bred. Thank you for sharing a part of your family with us. We purchased our golden back in April and we named him Theodore. We are so happy with him! Theo has the sweetest disposition and learns quickly. He does well on the leash, sits, stays sometimes! Our girls absolutely love him I just wanted to let you know what a blessing our puppy has been to us! Hello Mr. We meet before back in .Bailey is such a blessing to our family. First off he is the most loving and sweetest dog in the whole world! We could Not imagine life without him he has truly given our family so much happiness! I just wanted to thank you so much for our sweet boy! We brought Beamer home in December and he has been such a blessing to our little family. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Virginia Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Virginia? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Virginia? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. In spite of their size, they think they are lap dogs, and in spite of being dogs, they think they are also human, and nearly every human they meet is judged to have the potential to be a boon companion who might, at many moment, cry, "Let's go! I do not have a wait list. I have golden retriever puppies for sale perhaps once or twice a year. Because I breed infrequently, I can not guarantee I will have a puppy that meets your needs by any set time. I'd hate to have families waiting for a puppy and find I do not have one for them. After a litter arrives and I know what I have in terms of numbers and gender, then I can get serious about reviewing questionnaires submitted by interested families, and I contact people to discuss the specifics once the pups are a few weeks old. The pups require a great deal of time and attention, so it can take me a little while after a litter arrives to get to this part of the placement process. Please keep in mind that I breed golden retriever puppies in northern Virginia, and I do not ship puppies. Do I get to pick which pup I want? I place the pups based on the pups' individual characteristics and each family's specific requirements. I obviously take your preferences into consideration, but your puppy's personality should fit the lifestyle you'll have with him for the next 12 or so years. I raise the pups in my home. For their first few weeks the pups are in my family room with my family, other dogs, and cats, and, after they are old enough and need more room to move freely, the pups move to a large pen in my basement with access to an outdoor pen. All of my dogs are house dogs; the pups are not raised in a kennel. As the pups mature, I spend a great deal of time with them, getting to know their individual personalities. I also watch how they move and determine which have the best conformation. As they get older, they are exposed to many different sounds, textures, flooring and ground surfaces, environments, and people. During this socialization process, I learn which pups would be best suited to which types of homes, and I place them accordingly. Show, performance and working homes take priority, and homes who already have an Eta D'Oro dog generally also take priority. I get frequent inquiries regarding my pups, and I do save those questionnaires as they come in. However, I find most people are not willing to wait the several months, or longer, it may take before I actually have pups available to go to their homes. Accordingly, I do not have extensive contact with most potential buyers until I have pups that are several weeks old. I don't want to waste anyone's time until I know I have a puppy available. That being said, I like to get to know my puppy buyers as much as I can before they take their new puppy home. I often have folks come to visit the pups when they are old enough, and our initial phone conversation s often take a little time so you can learn about me and my dogs, and so I can learn as much as I can about the type of dog that fits into your family. A laid-back dog might be better suited to a less active family, and a higher energy dog would be better suited to an active family. Why health testing? All my dogs are health tested prior to breeding. Health testing means so much more than just a vet check. It's testing in specific areas by board certified veterinarians to ensure my breeding dogs meet the standards expected of breeders under the GRCA Code of Ethics, a standard designed to ensure the entire breed is as healthy as possible, and that buyers get the most healthy pups possible. By testing for things like eye, cardiac, and joint issues and by DNA testing for several common genetic conditions common to golden retrievers, I can ensure I am doing all I can to produce healthy puppies that grow into long-lived, healthy dogs. I test for all the things the GRCA wants its breeders to test for, and do additional testing, as well. For example, all my current breeding animals get heart clearances by echocardiogram, not only by auscultation. While there is no way to guarantee nothing bad will ever happen, I want to do everything I can to reduce or in some cases even eliminate the risk. How do you choose to do a particular breeding? My dogs are purposefully bred, versatile golden retrievers. I have kept or co-own at least one dog from almost every breeding I have done. One of my goals with all of my breedings is to produce pups I would want to keep for myself, and that I will be proud to have in the various competition venues representing my kennel. I also want them to be much loved companion golden retrievers. To meet those goals, I need to produce long-lived, healthy, correct, versatile dogs that can do all the things a golden is supposed to be able to do. I look for health and longevity when picking a sire, and I look for dogs that are physically correct meet the breed standard , have the correct golden disposition, and will be a good match for my girls. Many of the sires of my litters have produced well in the past, which is a good indicator of what they'll produce with my girls. For some breedings, I am looking for dogs with certain skills or capabilities prominent in the pedigrees. In others I am looking to improve upon what I have, to better some area I feel could be improved in my dogs on the whole. I am also careful not to lose the features I particularly like and that are correct in my dogs. I spend many, many hours reviewing pedigrees, observing dogs and talking to breeders and owners about their dogs, as well as others who may be familiar with their pedigrees from before I started watching those things. For the time being, you won't be able to meet both parents here at my home when you visit. My dogs are all related too closely to breed them to each other. In fact, I have done breedings with long deceased sires, choosing to use their frozen semen because they are very well known quantities; they have adult pups out there that help me evaluate what the sire will bring to a breeding, and I have life-long health and longevity information on both the sire and his other offspring. In other cases, I have had semen shipped from the far reaches of the country. This capability gives me the opportunity to expand the gene pool I use in my breedings, and I can search out the healthiest and best matches for my girls. I also have done local breedings by live cover, but it is a great benefit not to be limited by access to only local boys. What will our relationship be after one of your pups comes home with me? I usually set up closed Facebook groups for each litter so puppy buyers can stay in touch with each other, ask questions of me or each other, and so folks can share pictures, triumphs, and news. I have found it a great way to stay in touch, but not everyone is on Facebook, and those who are may not be frequent Facebook users. Be assured I am always accessible to answer your questions, and will always be happy to take your dog back and find him or her a great new home in the event you are no longer able to care for your pup due to health, personal, financial, or any other reasons. None of my dogs need ever become rescue dogs. I love these pups from a time before they are even born, and will always do what is best for them. I even have buyers that have put it in their wills that their dogs come back to me when the time comes, because they know I will put the dogs first. What are your requirements in terms of spay or neuter? For a good number of years, peer reviewed studies and vets and breeders whom I trust have agreed that early spay or neuter is very dangerous to the short- and long-term health of dogs. Everything from orthopedic issues, cancers, and fear of storms can be blamed in part on early spay and neuter. At the very least, I want my dogs to remain intact not spayed or neutered for long enough for the hormones to do their job getting the pups' bones and bodies to maturity. For girls, they should remain intact for at least two heat cycles, and for boys ideally until at least 2 years. I can tell you my boys do not reach full physical maturity until around three, so for their bones, joints, and skulls and other things less obvious to fully mature, I'd prefer they not be neutered ever, but at least not until they are three. Neutering a dog does not affect his instinct to mark. Training affects that. Neutering does not affect his instinct to mount other dogs as a dominance play. Training does. Neutering an aggressive dog does not alleviate his aggressiveness. Neutering a dog does greatly increase his risk of cancers common in goldens. You can often identify a dog spayed or neutered young by its disproportionately long, gangly legs. Those growth plates in the legs were still open when the hormones were removed from the dog, and growth no longer could continue in a balanced way. Buyers are often looking for good bone and big heads on their goldens, particularly the boys. Those things come with maturity while the hormones are intact. What is your guidance on vaccination? My general rule is to keep vaccinations to a minimum. I am not an antivaxer; vaccinations are vital to our dogs' health. For example, without vaccination, parvo kills puppies. I know breeders and dog owners who have lost puppies to parvo. These diseases we vaccinate against are serious. However, I believe in limiting vaccinations to the ones required, at the frequency required. My puppies will have their first round of puppy vaccinations before they go to their homes. After that, vaccinations need only be done if the dog needs additional protection. Titer testing will tell you if that is the case. My foundation bitch received puppy shots and then no further vaccinations other than periodic 3-year rabies as required by law where I live. At her senior physical at age 9, she was found by titer testing to still be fully protected against those things she was vaccinated against as a pup. Research what vaccinations are recommended where you live. Leptospirosis is common in some areas, very rare in others. The various dog influenza vaccines do not protect against all strains of flu, do not last long, and are not fully effective. Balancing the risk of infection essentially a contagious cough unless the infected dog has underlying conditions that make it hard to fight the infection against the effectiveness of the vaccine, consider if it is really worth putting those chemicals into your dog's body. Bordetella kennel cough vaccination is required by some boarding facilities, so you may feel forced to get that. However, it also does not protect against all strains, is not fully effective, and does not last long. I do not vaccinate for Bordetella. It is a cough that lasts several days, and can be treated if it is bacterial. In addition, I recommend vaccinating smartly - the fewer vaccinations given at a time, the less risk for complications. Vaccinating a dog weakened by some other condition or illness, for example an infection, can also lead to complications or reactions. Don't let a vet pressure you into doing anything unsafe for your dog. Your puppy can't advocate for him- or herself, and needs you to look out for him or her.