golden retriever puppy to dog
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These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Others Others Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. You can also visit your nearest rescue center and see if they have dogs for sale. If it has a short coat, you may brush your pet every other day. The maximum is around three times a week. If it has a longer coat, you should brush its fur more often to minimize tangling. You may also give it baths when needed. Use dog shampoo to keep its coat clean and fresh. This leads to several symptoms such as thinner than regular coats, weight gain but no appetite changes, and skin diseases. Your dog will also shed more excessively than usual. Upon detection of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet for proper treatment. Beagle Dwarfism: Beagle Poodles may inherit this from their Beagle parent. This is a condition wherein the dog is a lot smaller than usual. This causes serious issues, such as back and neck soreness, sensation concerns, decreased bowel control, and paralysis, at worst. When left unchecked, this will lead to arthritis and crippling lameness for your pet. Follow the recommended meal plan for your dog. Poodle Combined With Beagle Food Requirements Beagle Poodles are mildly energetic, meaning their tummies will be full, and their dietary needs met with any of the best dry dog food we found to best match the food requirements of most of the dogs. Invest in food specially formulated for small dogs so best dry dog food for small dogs would be a good start. Because of the size of your pooch, best large breed dry dog food may not be the best solution for a petite doggy. This is to avoid conditions such as hip dysplasia and obesity, which are precursors to more significant health problems. If you believe your dog has gained weight, you should consult the vet before trying to fix the problem using food supplements. It is made from natural ingredients, such as duck meat, natural carbohydrates, and vegetables. It provides your dog with enough nourishment without the use of grains, making this easier for your dogs to digest. Petcurean Go! It is also grain-free for better digestion. Purina Beneful IncrediBites: This is a special dog food formula made for small dogs. It contains real beef, healthy grains, and vegetables such as carrots and peas. Each bite is also appropriately sized for little mouths, making them easy to eat and chew. This gives them the energy they need for playtime, as well as 23 vitamins and minerals for a more nourished body and better digestion. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini: Since small dogs are at a higher risk for tartar build-up, we recommend giving them this brand of dog food. It also promotes a healthier coat and better nourishment for your dog by giving it the necessary levels of DHA and EPA. If your dog is a picky eater, this brand offers different flavors, such as beef, chicken, salmon, or lamb. It also contains probiotics and has no grains, which promote a healthier digestion system for your dogs. For small pups, these ingredients are found in best puppy food brands. Older furry pals should, on the other hand, switch to best senior dry dog food at a certain point in life. Doing so will better match their food requirements and help prevent obesity and other conditions that are triggered by it. Part of their playtime should be allowing them to run around and chase, due to their hunting traits. Aside from physical activity, Beagle Poodles also need mental stimulation to sharpen their innate intelligence. Thus, they need toys that will supply both of these needs. The toy is made of several chambers where dog treats can be placed. It has to figure out how to get the food in each container since not all can be opened the same way. Once the ball is thrown, the rubber material makes it bounce around more, allowing your dog to give chase. Also, it has a compartment where dog food can be placed, making your dog figure out how to get the treats from the inside. Poodle Beagle Mix Training Training the Beagle Poodle requires you to understand the intelligence and personality of both its parents. That way, you can better prepare yourself for the behavior of the mixed breed. Beagles may be loyal, but it still needs to be trained to recognize that it must follow commands from its owner. This is due to its tendency to become stubborn sometimes. It also gets easily distracted when something grabs its attention. It will run towards what it saw, completely ignoring you in the process. It must be trained to keep focused on the task at hand. Poodles are known to be one of the most intelligent breeds. Teaching a Poodle some tricks will come easy, provided that it is regularly exercised and mentally stimulated. They also bore easily, so constant activity and attention is needed. If everything goes well, a Poodle will be able to do tricks that not every dog can accomplish. You may follow the tips below: Learn how to keep their attention. When you want to begin training your dog, start by strengthening your bonds. Once you figure that out, you can quickly bring them back to you and make them focus on training. Reward their good behavior. Positive conditioning always helps a dog stay motivated. Once they learn to do a particular trick, give them rewards. You may use dog treats or give them more play time. The more they realize that their good behavior is met with rewards, the better they will perform during training and everyday life. Teach the dog to recognize you. Beagle Poodles need to be trained in obedience due to their highly distractable nature. Thus, you have to be able to establish that you are the alpha and they need to listen to you. Use dog clickers and whistles to grab their attention whenever they are straying so that you can focus more on honing their skills. Ensure regular exercise. An active dog is a more trainable dog. Allow your pet to roam around the place and make sure they get their daily dose of walks. They also love to socialize, so part of their exercise should be letting them play with other dogs and meet other people. Beagle Mixed With Poodle And Families Beagle Poodles are not only excellent pets for new owners, but they are also great companions for families. They exhibit the loyalty and serving attitudes of hunting breeds that your family will surely appreciate. They can watch over your household while you sleep and give your family love and affection during the daytime. After you and your wife get home from work, your dog will be there to relieve your stress. Their small size makes them good playmates for children as well. They love to run around and play, so if you have active kids, let them play with the dog. This allows you to give both your children and your dog their much-needed exercise. Once the dog is trained, kids can also give them commands, so that bonding times will be more fun between them and the dog. Taking care of your Beagle Poodle makes it happy, and a happy dog also means a happy household. Getting a pet that gives your family more joy is always a worthy investment. If all goes well, a Beagle Poodle will live out its lifespan not only as a loyal family dog but also as an everyday companion and best friend. Be extra cautious with online transactions! We encourage you to read these guidelines before buying or adopting a dog. Have you done your research? Carry out the research so you have the necessary knowledge of the pet you are getting. Since owning a dog is a big commitment, you should research about the breed fully to make sure it fits your current lifestyle and budget. Have you seen the puppy? Take time to visit the advertiser's home to confirm if they are genuine. Do not settle for online communications and photos. UK Pets does not verify the authenticity of all advertisers. The advertiser should allow you to personally see the puppies with the puppies' mother. If they keep on giving you excuses why you could not visit their home or the address stated in the advert is not the accurate and permanent location of the pet, consider this a red flag. Avoid online payment Never pay anything online through money transfer companies especially if you have not personally visited the advertiser and seen the puppy, this includes deposit and delivery cost for the puppy. There is also no means to recover your money if issues arise. Before closing a deal, you must have signed a well-defined contract. Responsible Advertiser The advertiser should only release the puppies when they are 8 weeks old or older. They should be responsible enough to know that separating the puppy from the mother earlier results in medical and behavioural issues. Read our Beagle Dog Breed Information. It is important to consider these facts to help you decide whether you are ready for long-term pet ownership.
Both adult and puppy Bernedoodles are known to be chewers, and chew up lots of different items. Because Bernedoodles are very smart however, it can be possible to identify the cause of the Bernedoodle chewing and redirect the behaviour. It just takes a little patience! Bernedoodles have a strong set of teeth and are incredibly intelligent. They also have a tendency to be a little strong willed and even stubborn. If a situation arises where a Bernedoodle develops a liking for chewing — it can be difficult to get them to stop. At what age will Bernedoodles chew? Bernedoodles are most likely to chew when they are a puppy. Specially around the time of teething. A Bernedoodle will have 28 puppy teeth that will fall out and be replaced with 42 adult dog teeth. During the teething time we need to be particularly careful about how much our Bernedoodle chews. Puppies that are teething are known to enjoy marathon chew sessions, and engage in fairly destructive chewing behaviours. The typical age for a Bernedoodle to lose its puppy teeth and likely develop a fondness for chewing is around month of age. Most puppy teeth are completely gone by the 7 month mark. If any baby teeth have NOT fallen out by then — it can be what is known as a retained tooth. The baby tooth will stay there and can trap food and risks fracturing. Many Bernedoodle owners who notice a retained puppy tooth have their Veterinarian extract the tooth to prevent problems. Tips for reducing destructive Bernedoodle chewing during teething It can be difficult almost impossible to eliminate chewing during Bernedoodle puppy teething. The puppy is young — and the process is uncomfortable! Giving a dog some appropriately sized frozen carrot , or an IceCube to chew on is a great solution A frozen treat like a Kong treat packed Kong-tail cocktail! A Kong or heavy duty chew is better than a rope toy or cheap chewing stick. Are Adult Bernedoodles Chewers? Yes, adult Bernedoodles are sometimes known for a fair tendency to chew things. All dogs chew, and much the time there are simple things we can do to stop the problem from becoming significant. Dogs use their mouths as a way to explore the world. They sniff, they lick, and they chew. The key to stopping an adult Bernedoodle from chewing everything is to correctly identify which causes are the trigger of the chew. They inherit the love for the cold form the Bernese Mountain Dog — a breed originating in the Swiss mountains. Photo Bernedoodle Dog [ CC BY-SA ] The most common core reasons that a Bernedoodle will chew are They are quite simply bored They are hungry There is separation anxiety They want attention They were not taught as a puppy what is okay to chew and what chewing is bad There are two extra chewing reasons to consider too — chewing as an expression of a medical problem, and chewing just because. Chewing due to a medical condition Sometimes a dog will chew to distract itself from pain or discomfort. The medical condition could manifest with sore teeth like gum disease or some kidney conditions or it could be a whole body illness. Dogs can chew aggressively when they feel unwell. They are trying to distract themselves! This is why any rapid onset of chewing behaviour that is very intense and has no other obvious cause — needs a trip to the Veterinarian. Better to be safe than sorry. Grooming a Bernedoodle? Check out the best brushes for the epic tri-color Bernedoodle coat. A bored Bernedoodle will chew Bernedoodles are both intelligent and also energetic. Sure some Bernedoodles like to lounge around and many sleep a great deal — but there will be bursts of activity from these dogs. It is important to exercise both the body AND mind of a Bernedoodle to help reduce the risk of them engaging in destructive behaviours. Problem barking in Bernedoodles is also commonly caused by the same situation. Too much extra mental or physical energy converting into furniture and clothing torn to shreds. Go up in small increment even as little as 5 minutes until you see a reduction in the destructive chewing behavior. The other tack to consider is that of entailing enriching and tiring the mind of your Bernedoodle. These dogs are whip smart and have plenty of mental energy. Giving them a challenge, puzzle or interaction helps tire them out. Simple brain games like a muffin tin game or scent work can burn a great deal of mental energy. The more tired the dog, the happier the dog and the less likely that destructive chewing will occur. Simple nosework or scent training tired dogs of all sizes out. And the get treats! Here is a list of 35 indoor dog games and activitie s that you could consider to help train the brain and tire your active Bernedoodle. Chewing due to hunger Sometimes a Bernedoodle will get hungry and chew. It will chew things that are not food, it will chew… pretty much anything it can get its hands on! We need to control the total daily intake of calories. Pet obesity carries significant health risks with it. A simple way around is to use a slow feeder, or freeze a stuffed Kong. Our favourite dry kibble slow feeder is below, or you could check out out list of the best stuffed frozen Kong recipes to drive your dog bonkers with excitement. Our Fun Feeder Slo Bowls both challenge and engage your dog during mealtime.These bowls are great for dry, wet, or raw food diets. Less work for you means more pup playtime after! We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Simple reducing the types of things a dog will chew and destroy in its environment is a no brainer. Bernedoodle chews towels? Bernedoodle chew cords! Very dangerous, cover them with tape or a heavy mat Bernedoodle chews socks? Put the washing away! I know this is very simple and sounds condescending — but we just gotta live simple and clean around a Bernedoodle. No Bernedoodle review is complete without paying homage to the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog parent breed. When you are home — we use short sharp LOUD noises to reprimand chewing in these areas. UH UH! The problem is… we are not always home. When we are away from home the only options we have are to isolate the Bernedoodle from the item they are destroying — OR coat it in a distasteful solution that makes them want to chew less. Some people use a vinegar or lemon juice solution — but many owners find their Bernedoodle develops almost a fondness for the taste. Not ideal! The majority of dogs will be less enthusiastic or even stop chewing completely when encountering the sour taste of bitter apple spray. Puppy Teething Explained Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home, or do you plan to include a furry addition in your family? But do puppies have baby teeth and adult teeth like humans do? When do puppies start to lose their teeth, and what should you know about their teething process? But one thing remains consistent across almost every dog: They have 28 baby teeth that eventually get replaced by 42 adult teeth. Which means the time it takes for puppies to stop teething can vary. For the first few weeks of life, a newborn puppy suckles milk from the mother or is fed by a bottle or a syringe. The incisors the front teeth used for cutting are usually the first teeth to appear, followed by the canine teeth the longer, fang-like teeth near the front of the mouth and premolars. Your dog will still be nursing at this stage. The permanent teeth start appearing as soon as the baby teeth start to fall out. Typically, the canines are the last to fall out, but this happens around six months of age. The adult teeth appear in the same order as the baby teeth — the incisors first, then the canine teeth, then the premolars, then the molars at the back of the mouth. Again, your adult dog should have 42 teeth in total. That pesky baby tooth might need to be removed before it causes trouble in the mouth. Caring for Your Teething Puppy The teething process is very natural and generally happens without you or your fur baby stepping in. As long as you let your veterinarian know if your puppy seems in pain or if you see something amiss in the mouth, your pup should get through this stage just fine. Make sure to: Provide Appropriate Chew Toys This lets your dog teethe on safe toys to relieve some of the discomfort associated with teething. Use caution, because a nipping puppy can hurt you with the remaining baby teeth. If you see an adult tooth coming in at the same spot as a baby tooth but not pushing the baby tooth out, tell your veterinarian. The teeth have long roots leading into the gums, and you could break those roots, causing bleeding and potential infection. Let the process happen naturally, and talk to your vet if you have concerns. Regular tooth brushing will help their teeth avoid plaque and tartar build-up, and it can prevent periodontal disease and other serious oral health problems. First, pick up a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste. A toothpaste made for humans is unsafe for Fido, because it may be made with xylitol and lead to vomiting, diarrhea , and other serious problems if your dog swallows too much. Allow your dog to get used to the taste and smell of the paste, and then dab a bit on your brush. Work your way around the entire mouth in stages, offering your dog treats as you go to keep them interested. You can also give your dog dental treats or dental chews designed to help your dog work away plaque and tartar on the tooth surfaces while chewing on them. Your puppy starts to lose those baby teeth around 12 to 16 weeks of age as the permanent teeth grow in and replace them. By the time your dog is about 6 months old, he or she should have all 48 adult teeth. Provide plenty of chew toys during the teething process, keep an eye on their mouth, and let your vet know if anything seems off. She is has become my sweetest little photo drop in, and with all the questions I receive, I decided it was time to give Penny the spotlight she deserves. I will talk about the good — and the bad — of owning a Berniedoodle, and will help you know exactly what you need to do to prepare adding a fur ball to your family. This post may contain affiliate links — shopping those links is at no cost to you, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support it gives me family. This post has been updated as of September .I know what you are thinking. What the heck is a Berniedoodle exactly? Bernedoodles are a Bernes Mountain Dog Poodle mix. Bernedoodles are not a purebred dog breed, but rather a mix breed of 2 purebred dogs. Bernedoodles have many perks of both breeds which make them enticing to so many including us to own. Berniedoodles boast non shedding hair, a loving temperament and the distinct coloring of a Bernese Mountain Dog all mixed into one! Bernedoodle Temperament I think most people know they are looking at a doodle for some of the perks that poodles offer. Shedding, for example is one such perk. But one thing you are probably curious about is the temperament of a Bernedoodle. Bernedoodles typically get much of the good from both breeds when it comes to their temperament. They tend to be affectionate and playful, yet highly intelligent and hard working, if trained correctly. All in all, Bernedoodles are wonderful family dogs who are great with children, and love to be around their owners. They are an incredibly loyal breed as well. We tend to say that Penny thinks she is a lapdog, although is not the size of one! She is roughly 45 lbs, which is very average for a full grown female Bernedoodle. Below is a good gauge of size for a Berniedoodle based on the size you get and the gender. Keep in mind that you can ask a breeder more about the anticipated size based on past litters or the size of the parents. Bernedoodles come in 4 different sizes: Tiny, Miniature, Medium and Standard. This is based on the size of the poodle that is the parent. For all size ranges the males tend to be larger. Standard Bernedoodle size 70 to 90 pounds Medium Bernedoodle size 50 to 70 pounds Miniature Bernedoodle size 25 to 49 pounds Tiny Bernedoodle size 10 to 24 pounds — mixed with a toy poodle One thing you will find when looking for Bernedoodles is discrepancies in the medium and standard sizes. Penny is standard, however she is only about 50 lbs. Bernedoodle Appearance When you are talking about a mix breed dog in general, you will typically get a bit of a range in terms of the appearance of the dog. Your breeder should have pictures of past litters from the parent dogs which will give you a good idea of the dogs coat. Some Bernedoodles have a more curly coat, while others are a bit more straight or wavy. The wavier hair is coming from the Bernese Mountain Dog parent and the curly hair comes from the Poodle parent. A Bernedoodle coat can also come in a variety of colors. A tri-color Bernedoodle has 3 different colors in their coat. However it should be advised that many times as the Bernedoodle grows that brown coloring will fade and go away. What It Is Really Like To Own A Bernedoodle You are likely reading this post because you want to hear from a real dog owner about what it is like to own a Bernedoodle, instead of reading all the stats. Maybe you are already getting your Bernedoodle, or trying to decide if it is the right breed for you. Either way, I hope this post is helpful for you! Penny is our 9 month old F1 Bernedoodle. This means that as a puppy she had three color markings that are seen on a Bernese Mountain Dog. She is fluffy, with a wavy coat. She has the biggest paws I have ever seen, and has quickly learned to rule our house! Penny is our first doodle. We knew we wanted a non shedding dog, and we will never go back after how much we love her! She is such a good dog even for her puppy age, and even with her down sides. Yes, they do exist! She has been a wonderful addition to our family. Of course everyone wants to know what type of dog is Penny? Once they find out she is a Bernedoodle, it generally leads to even more questions regarding her breed. Some of those questions are the same questions I personally wondered about when we were looking at getting a Bernedoodle puppy. What Makes A Bernedoodle Special? Bernedoodles are a designer breed. With several designer breeds becoming increasingly popular over the past decades, Poodle mixes are hight on that list. Poodle mixes are loved for their size, temperament, non-shedding abilities. Of course each mixed breed and dog is different, Penny boasts all of these qualities. People are willing to pay top dollar for doodles in general, and Bernedoodle puppies are no different. Most breeders charge a higher amount per color marking. In other words, a single color Bernedoodle puppy is less expensive than a tri-color Bernedoodle. Bernedoodle puppies are one of the most expensive of the doodle breeds due to the highly coveted color markings. Tri-color coated Bernedoodles are the most coveted and typically the most expensive. You need to be cautious and do your homework before you pick out a breeder. The high cost of a Bernedoodle puppy can lead people open to schemes, which is why it is crucial you find a reputable breeder. If the breeder has a list of references, this is even better. You should be able to talk to other families who have bought from the breeder before to ask questions. Tip 3: Meet The Parents If possible always try to meet the parents and visit the breeder in person. This way you can see the conditions of where the pets are living and how they are being treated. This will also give you time to ask plenty of questions. A common health problem known as hip dysplasia is a condition that is typically seen in Bernedoodles. I searched both online and Instagram. The wait times tend to be long, so you may have to get on a waitlist well before you are ready to bring a puppy home. We personally drove across several states to get our sweet Penny, and have friends that have traveled far as well. If you are interested in our breeder you can check them out here! We decided that the long wait was more painful than the long drive and we wanted a breeder we felt good with, so we knew we would get a healthy puppy. Training Bernedoodle Puppies Can I be honest? Bernedoodles are intelligent dogs. Bringing her home actually reminded me of bringing home a baby. Super sleepy and well behaved for a minute, then they turn into the needy baby. That meant teaching her to sleep in her kennel at night, and go in her kennel when we are gone. I was convinced we would be up all night from the start, but she slept through the night well from day one! When we first began, we opted to keep her crate farther away from the bedrooms so everyone would sleep well. She let us know when she was awake and did bark when she was first put to bed. We also opted to keep a sound machine in the room for white noise. This helped her not hear us in the even we had to get up with any kids. Picking The Right Crate Penny uses this crate, and has since being a puppy. As a new puppy we were able to put the divider in to make it feel smaller and more cozy. Now, she sleeps in it without the divider. When she was small we put towels down for her to sleep on so they were easy to clean. She treats towels like a baby blanket and drags it out to lay on, so we ended up giving her a blanket at about 7 months old. Buy the dog crate we love for Penny here! Now, she sleeps in our bed or her dog bed. Her dog bed is washable and is the perfect blend of cozy and stylish. Buy her dog bed here — I love how this looks, but it also washes well in the machine. Potty Training Bernedoodle Puppies Because puppies typically do a great job at not having accidents in their crate, that is a good step in getting them house broken. Then after another week or so, she became completely house broken. We were VERY careful not to allow her to be in any room unattended. When puppies are unattended, you can expect accidents. Following her cues was very helpful in establishing a schedule. Just like potty training a toddler, puppies too give off body signals to alert you that they need to go. Once we realized those cues and timing, potty training was set. Lastly, in the event of an accident, Penny is placed in her kennel instead of taking her outside once we knew she knew it was wrong. We attempted a 2 week, all day, training session. No Dogs On The Furniture? However, I lost that fight, fast. She loves to be on furniture and sometimes even tries to be on my lap. A Teething Bernedoodle Puppy A teething puppy can be rough. Puppies tend to nip and chew on anything they can sink their teeth into- even if that means a finger or two. The kids quickly learned not to play near her mouth. We keep these bully sticks on hand. Honestly, it is an investment because she goes through them really fast. It has been the best thing for keeping her from chewing on anything in our home or from nipping, which will lessen with time. How To Curb Jumping? Jumping has been our hardest behavior to curb for Penny. She is a big dog and is very strong. Jumping has been our biggest hurdle to work through and it is a continual work in progress. I think for most bigger dogs, this is a difficult behavior to address. Bernedoodles are especially prone to jumping due to their affectionate nature. They want to jump for love just to be in your space. These photos were at roughly 6 months old and in dire need of a grooming Barking Problems I am often asked if Penny barks a lot. From time to time, she will bark in her kennel for 10 seconds to remind us she wants out, but by no means is barking in excess. Bernedoodle Grooming Bernedoodles are considered a hypoallergenic breed of dog that does not shed. That said, they do shed SOME just like you do as a human. Penny by no means sheds on our clothes or our furniture. We from time to time do find a little fluff of hair against the baseboards, but for the most part have noticed no major shedding. Our oldest son is also allergic to dogs, and has done very well with Penny. Shedding dogs give him hives and Penny has not done that for Jack. Even with minimal shedding, Bernedoodles do have to be groomed. We take Penny to be groomed where we have them do the whole nine yards, including cutting her hair. Between the grooming sessions we also do a few things to take care of her at home. However, she still requires regular grooming appointments and brushing at home. The more often you brush your Bernedoodle, the more used to it they will get so they handle it better. Toy for cleaning teeth — We try to brush Pennys teeth, but also have opted to use this toy with toothpaste. Greenies Bones — We also give Penny Greenies bones every few days which helps keep her breath fresh and her teeth clean. Shampoo — Although we get Penny groomed it is great to bathe your Bernedoodle at home from time to time. Paw Cleaner — This has been one of my favorite purchases with Penny. You fill it with water and clean their paws when they come in when it is muddy. We keep it by the back door for stormy days and it has been so helpful! Bernedoodle Play and Socialization So how much attention does a Bernedoodle really need? Puppies will always need socialization and attention. Penny, however, is easy to please. Throwing a ball for her outside is a great way to entertain her. As with most big dog breeds one of the best ways to handle energy levels is to take them on a daily walk. Long walks take time for them to be ready for in terms of obedience, but overall we have found that slowly walking more has been the best way for her. She is much more well behaved when slightly worn out. Of course, if you need assistance in getting energy out, a puppy daycare is a great option for socialization and to fill those exercise needs. Penny loves other dogs and enjoys playing. We have 4 little ones at home and their safety is our biggest concern. That said we also have taught them to respect Penny in return. We allow Penny to eat on her own and although sometimes the kids do interrupt, we try to encourage them to leave her be. She is incredibly loving with the kids. While she can be somewhat rambunctious, overall, she is very sweet and gentle with our crew. Bernedoodles lean to the side of wild and goofy with their highly affectionate personality. You can expect that they will be very playful with the kids and a great addition to your family. Bernedoodles are a great choice for allergy sufferers Affectionate in nature Longer lifespan with most Bernedoodles living from 12 years old Cons At times overly affectionate and hyper Tendency to jump Chewing as a puppy that needs to be occupied with Bully sticks and toys Can have some separation anxiety High exercise needs — Bernedoodles are very active dogs that will be happier pets if you give them adequate excerise. Overall Bernedoodles are a healthy breed that makes a great family pet. They are beautiful dogs with big personalities and are an excellent choice if you are looking for a loyal dog for your family. We LOVE Penny and feel incredibly lucky that we chose a breed that has turned out to be such a great blessing for us. So if you are looking for a good choice of dog to be the perfect family dog then I think you will be beyond thrilled with a Bernedoodle. Milk teeth Puppy teeth Their first set of teeth includes twenty-eight teeth while their more permanent adult set of teeth will contain forty-two. All dogs are born without any visible teeth in their mouth. Around three weeks of age, most Bernedoodle puppies will start to show their first signs of teething with these puppy teeth erupting through the gums. By six weeks, all of the primary teeth should be fully erupted. In humans, adult teeth do not start erupting for several years. Puppies, on the other hand, go through the teething process relatively quickly. Three to four months into their life, most puppies will start to lose their baby teeth. The incisors are often the first ones to go and to be replaced with their permanent counterparts. Your puppy should have lost all of its deciduous teeth by the time it is six to seven months old. At this stage, your puppy is already developing the buds for its permanent teeth within the jaw. These developing buds press against the baby teeth and cause them to resorb into the jaw. This allows the crown of the tooth to fall out. Most of the time, your puppy will swallow them which is perfectly normal and okay. Because most puppies are bound to swallow their baby teeth, how will you know when they are teething? The good news is that there are a few telltale signs that your dog is going through this phase of his development. Unfortunately, they are not great side effects for you as a pet owner. The first symptom of teething is relatively benign. Your puppy may begin to drool more frequently or regularly as their adult teeth are coming in. If this is your only indicator that your puppy is teething, then you are quite lucky! Another sign that they may be experiencing some discomfort is if they decline to eat. They may still eat their meals, but they could take it slower than usual. If your dog typically inhales his food, a slower pace could be a sign that he is experiencing some pain in his gums. They may even be more irritable with you as a result of their discomfort. A happy-go-lucky dog may seem a bit off kilter when those adult teeth are coming through the gums. However, most people recognize that their puppy is teething based on the amount of chewing that they are doing. Most dogs who are teething will want to chew on hard objects for a long period of time. They will chew just about anything that you set in front of them, so it is essential that you give them something appropriate to chew on. Never allow them to chew on things that you will deem unacceptable later on such as shoes, clothing, towels, or furniture items. It can be confusing to your puppy if they are allowed to chew on something now but are forbidden from doing so in the future. Every puppy has their deciduous teeth, but some dogs have a hard time losing these primary teeth. If you see a permanent adult tooth growing in the same spot as a baby tooth, it might be time to have it evaluated by a veterinarian. At this point, it is known as a persistent tooth and it can cause major problems. If the baby tooth does not come out, it is taking the place where the adult tooth should be. This forces the permanent adult tooth to come in somewhere abnormal. This can lead to crowding issues as well as an irregular bite. Other issues include: Trapped food and debris between teeth Accumulation of food debris and plaque Tartar deposits Periodontitis Pain or infection Persistent puppy teeth are most commonly found in the upper canines and lower canines followed by the incisors. However, any deciduous teeth can indeed become persistent teeth that refuse to move out of the way for permanent teeth. Notify your veterinarian right away if you suspect that your Bernedoodle might have a persistent tooth. It will likely require extraction so that the adult tooth can move into its proper location in the mouth. If it is taken care of quickly, the adult tooth can still come in as usual, and many of the secondary problems can be resolved. Many new dog owners prefer to wait for the extraction until they decide to spay or neuter their pet. It is best to get this taken care of as quickly as possible. How to Reduce Destructive Chewing The truth is that your puppy is going to lose its baby teeth eventually. The best thing you can do as a dutiful owner is to prepare for this stage adequately. Understand that your new Bernedoodle is going to want something to chew on with those razor-sharp baby teeth. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to reduce the amount of destructive chewing that your dog engages in. Once you have accepted that this is just a normal stage of development, you can move on to more practical solutions. Finding appropriate things for your dog to chew on is of the utmost importance. You might have appropriate things that can help around your house already. Frozen treats are a great way to let your new puppy wear out those jaws. You can give them ice cubes straight from the freezer or frozen treats like carrots. Keep in mind that ice cubes can cause damage to the teeth, so these should be given sparingly. It is better to use some of the other types of toys available. If you have a Kong ball, you can pack it full of goodies and then pop it in the freezer for later. Toys like this are great to give your dog when you need them to have some independent time. They can be great to leave with your dog when they are home alone so that they have fewer temptations to chew up your furniture, shoes, and other personal items. Keep in mind that you want to give them treats that are going to stand up to their puppy teeth. Look for heavy duty items like those made by Kong. Alternatively, you can also look for heavy duty chews instead of the cheaper rawhides. Remember that feeding your dog bones is never a good idea. Even if they are cooked, it can lead to other major health issues. Chewing on bones can damage the teeth, but it can also be bad for their health. If they ingest the broken pieces as many puppies will do , bone shards can also cause intestinal damage. Related Questions When do Bernedoodles stop biting? Biting is a common behavior seen among puppies, particularly those who are teething. Most biting behavior calms down around the one-year mark for puppies. This is the time where your dog may start to settle down some and stop playing so roughly. At what age do Bernedoodles stop growing? Most dogs will lose their puppy teeth around the seven-month mark, but they are not done growing just yet. You can anticipate that your Bernedoodle will continue to grow until they are about one to two years old. They often reach their full height within a year, but it can take an additional year for them to fill out to reach their ideal adult weight. Are Bernedoodles Aggressive? Why do Dogs Chew? Dogs explore the world around them by using their mouths and this is an in-built instinct. Sometimes this instinct turns into something more destructive though. Puppies will chew to ease their teething pains, this may be on their own toys but they may also find other objects which help their teeth. A bored dog is likely to turn to chewing as a form of entertainment. Or it may be that you have an anxious dog, who struggles to be home alone. It may even be an indication of their diet lacking balance. Chewing often comes about as a reaction to their environment and certain triggers. It is very common for Poodle puppies to chew and mouth on any objects they can find. As puppies, the Bernese Mountain Dog will chew to help with the pain as their teeth come through. This breed of dog is renowned for its sociable nature so it is possible they will resort to chewing objects if left alone much. Bernedoodles and Teething Your Bernedoodle is very likely to chew as a young puppy, both as they explore the big world around them and as they begin teething. There are ways you can support your puppy through this stage making it a more positive and less stressful experience. Leave out accessible, age-appropriate teething toys for your puppy and remove anything you do not want to be used as one! You could freeze some carrots for your puppy — they will relish the coolness on their sore gums. Take away anything that could be harmful to your puppy while they are in this stage of development. Some foods are not safe for your Bernedoodle to chew. Apple seeds, avocados, garlic, grapes, and onions are just a few examples of food items that are poisonous to dogs. It is really important to make sure any food you give your dog is safe to do so. If you come home and worry your dog has eaten something harmful you need to ring your vets for advice immediately. Tips for your teething puppy Will Bernedoodles Chew as Adults? Bernedoodles are an active breed so if they do not get as much exercise as they need then they may turn to more destructive traits such as chewing. They also prefer to be in the company of others and may chew out of loneliness or anxiety when left alone. It may also be indicative of their food missing an important nutrient and this is well worth exploring further. Firstly, check your dog is on the right daily quantity of food for their weight and also choose a decent brand of dog food that contains all the nutrients they need to grow. It is important to research how much exercise your dog can have from puppyhood through to adult-hood. As well as physical exercise, mental exercise can be just as valuable. With a body and mind that is well stimulated your dog will not feel the urge to chew. Mental stimulation could include teaching them new tricks or learning new rules. For instance, take some plastic cups and place some cheese cubes under a few of them. Watch your dog sniff each one and learn to find what is underneath. Edible chews can be useful, but these should be supervised. Giving your dog household objects to play with will confuse them. It may be tempting to let them play with your old slipper, but then how do they know they cannot play with the newer ones? Dogs like humans need good clear rules to help them understand what is acceptable behavior. Confusing and mixed messages will lead to your dog not being clear on the rules and as a result breaking them. Exercise is so important Training at Home and Obedience Classes Every animal needs its safe space — a place that is theirs and provides them with reassurance. Bernedoodles can be anxious when they are left in the house on their own. Crate training your Bernedoodle from when they are a puppy can be so beneficial. When a dog grows up with a crate they will recognize this as theirs. During the teething stage, puppies can be put in these for short periods of time along with their chew toys so that they associate their crate with the chewing behavior. As they grow, their need for their safe space will intensify as they develop fears and anxieties. Obedience training classes can offer a more specialized approach to deterring chewing behavior in the home. Just a few lessons may be enough to give you the tools and confidence you need to tackle any chewing problems. When your dog is chewing successfully on the chew toy, give them lots of praise and affection. From this point on whenever you notice your Bernedoode choosing a chew toy, you should offer them praise. Moving forwards this will help them make better chewing choices. Anti Chew Products Available on the Market You can buy spray deterrents that are aimed at dogs that chew. I would always err on the side of caution in buying shop-bought products. Instead, why not use a homemade deterrent — that way you know exactly what it contains. A few products that are popular include vinegar, citrus smells, hot or spicy smells. It is important to ask your vet before using any deterrents and they may be able to recommend some. Both the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dogs are high energy so it is highly probable your Bernedoodle will be too. There will be varying degrees of energy levels that depend on the size of your Bernedoodle. Bernedoodles are not aggressive dogs but as always their temperament will depend on their environment. They are loyal, clever and sociable dogs and are great in a family environment. They are a popular choice of dog due to their loveable personalities. May 26, Table of Contents So you decided on a Bernedoodle for your family. They are really good dogs and amazing companions that like nothing more than to spend time with their family — whether it is being active or cuddling. As you are preparing for your Bernedoodle moving in, you should make sure to get enough chew articles though, because as you will find out before long: They can be rather destructive! Are Bernedoodles bad chewers? Yes, they are. Like all Doodle breeds, Bernedoodles high an extremely high chewing desire. There is nothing you can do to change this — the best and only! Chewing as a natural need Chewing is a natural, inborn need for all dogs. How badly a dog chews will depend on their breed and age. Some breeds, especially lap dogs, have a less intense chewing desire than others. Any kind of retrievers have a very high chewing urge. This includes Goldendoodles , Sheepadoodles , and — as a Poodle cross — also Bernedoodles. They were bred to work with their mouth. Any kind of chewing, retrieving or grabbing things feels inherently rewarding to them. This is a characteristic of your dog that you will not be able to change — just like his coat color! The only way to handle the chewing desire is to provide plenty of chewing options for your pup. Chewing serves as a way to release tension and pent-up energy, especially for puppies. Many Bernedoodles are heavy chewers for their whole life. Giving your dog enough to chew will be an integral part of your life with him — just like brushing or walking him. He will likely not stop chewing any time soon. Many owners make the mistake to think that once their dog has passed his first birthday, he is not a puppy anymore and chewing is no longer a problem. This is not true! Your Bernedoodle will most likely not reduce his chewing much if at all at this age. When your dog is stressed or upset, chances are he will need to chew even more than usual. Chewing will also help you keep your adult dog calm after surgeries, such as when you neuter or spay your Bernedoodle. Most dogs slow down on their chewing as they enter their senior years — before then, daily chewing is a must for Bernedooodles. Are Bernedoodles destructive? If you are not able to give your Bernedoodle enough chew items then yes — he will be very destructive. Bernedoodles are large dogs with powerful jaws. If they are bored, they will do some damage to your home. From my own dog training clients, here is a list of some of the items I have seen Bernedoodles destroy: an iPhone several pairs of prescription glasses rugs down parka quilt Needless to say, the owners are upset and frustrated when this happens. It is absolutely crucial that you provide your Bernedoodle with plenty of chew items. What should Bernedoodles chew? Sounds a lot? It is! It is extremely important that you do not allow your Bernedoodle to tear up and ingest stuffed animals or rubber toys. This could lead to dangerous bowel obstruction, which can be fatal. I highly recommend to get some kind of rubber chew toys that you can refill for your Bernedoodle. Here are some to try out: Soaked kibble. View All Articles in Training When to Start Training Your Pup While training may not be the first thing you think about when collecting your cute new bundle of floof from the breeder, it should certainly be up there on your priority list. Chances are, if you picked a good facility, your puppy will already have a leg up on the training ladder. Either way, the very best way to quickly make your new pet feel at home is to establish the boundaries of their behavior in a firm but fair manner. Take them outside to pee frequently and praise them when they do what you want them to do, but never punish any accidents. Every dog learns at their own speed, and training takes patience. Yet, the rules need to be in place from day one. If you let your pooch sleep on your bed one day but banish them from the bedroom the next, they are going to end up very confused. Routines that are established in these first few weeks will stick with your Berne. After all, these super-intelligent dogs learn fast. Compared with more excited, energetic Doodles, they can be a breeze to handle if you pick the right teaching method. Here are four of the best as recommended by canine experts: Positive Reinforcement Early ideas on dog training focused heavily on the owner asserting dominance over their pet through positive punishment shouting, hitting, and hurting. We have moved far away from these today. Such treatment often backfires, creating an anxious, aggressive dog that is liable to lash out when provoked. Now, most trainers make use of positive reinforcement methods. Instead of reacting to unwanted behaviors, they focus on rewarding the wanted ones. They do this through the use of attention, praise, toys, and treats. The idea is that if the dog associates a particular behavior with a reward, they are more likely to repeat that behavior. A potential issue with this technique is that sometimes bad behavior is its own reward. Say your dog likes to steal food from the counter or escape from the garden. In these instances, a negative punishment removing a favorite toy, treat, or simply your attention is recommended to let them know this is not acceptable. Clicker Training Based on the same principles as positive reinforcement, clicker training is the method most often utilized by doggy trainers. Secondly, it can be used at the exact moment your pup displays the wanted action. In this way, the positive behavior is very clearly marked. Of course, with this method, you first have to train your pal to associate the clicker with a future reward. Do this by encouraging them to obey a command they are already familiar with, using the clicker, and promptly feeding them a treat. With time a link will form between the two. Eventually, the clicker may even become the reward itself — the signal of a job well done for your dog. This desire to mimic as a way of pleasing the leader is a natural behavior among pack animals in the wild. They are given the freedom to engage in dog-like behaviors within reason. Training often occurs off the leash and focuses on promoting actions associated with hunting, defending, and retrieving. Socialization plays a crucial role in mirror training. Owners are encouraged to include their pooch in all aspects of their lives so as to build a strong bond with them. Getting out and about with other dogs is also vital. Pack-animal mentality means that positive behaviors are also acquired this way. Relationship-Based Training As the name suggests, relationship-based training is also highly focused on the bond between pet and owner. The idea is that any training built on a solid and trusting relationship is likely to be far more effective. You are looking to learn everything you can about your pup and their specific needs. The aim is to be in tune with their emotions, be able to accurately interpret their body language, and understand what motivates them. Positive reinforcement methods are then used to shape behavior. At the same time, the environment is closely controlled to set the dog up for success. So, for instance, you try not to leave temptation in their way if it can be avoided. This training takes a little longer than other kinds but can offer more success in the long run. Training Items You Absolutely Need for Your Doodle Depending on the method you opt for, you will need a few tools to guarantee success. For instance, with each one, you will require reward items such as treats and toys. Here are some toys that will work for Bernies. Aside from that, you will want a good quality collar or harness and leash for outside training. Opt for a harness if your puppy likes to pull. These are generally better for bigger, more powerful dogs such as Bernedoodles, anyway, as they give you a little more control. Many owners also choose to crate train their pup. This has a number of advantages, including giving your dog a place that is all theirs, a place where they can feel safe and secure. Check out our dedicated articles on leash training and crate training for more specific advice on each one. However, it also increases the likelihood of them snatching food from tables and counters if not closely supervised. When they obey, offer pets and praise, and they will soon get the hang of it. Avoid mixed messages by never feeding your pup from the table. Jumping While Bernedoodles tend to be cautious with strangers, the opposite is true with those they love. They may demonstrate their enthusiasm by jumping up to say hello — not ideal if your Bernie is on the larger side. It can be challenging for owners who appreciate all the loving to discourage such behavior, but not everyone enjoys being sent flying. While the natural response might be to push your pup down, they will likely view this as part of the game. Instead, the best thing to do is withdraw your attention. Turn away from your dog without a sound and cross your arms over your chest. If they keep jumping up, then simply turn around and leave the room. If you are having problems with a noisy hound, try to identify what might lie underneath the behavior rather than simply trying to control it. Barking can signal an array of issues — everything from boredom to anxiety. So, pay attention to when it occurs. Bernedoodles, being highly sociable dogs, are prone to separation anxiety, so if your pup is disturbing the neighbors when you are away from the house, this is likely the problem. Find out what you can do about separation anxiety here. Early and thorough socialization is the best preventative measure for this. Pulling on the Leash A common issue among most young pups, pulling on the leash can be a serious problem with Bernedoodles, though — especially when they are on the larger side. This behavior usually occurs simply because your pup is excited to be outside, and that enthusiasm translates to them wanting to get to the dog park as quickly as they can. Mastering walking on the leash mostly just takes practice. You need to be firm and not let them get away with doing it at any time. If your Berne starts to get ahead of you, simply stop, make them sit if you can, and begin to walk again only when they are a bit calmer. See here for more leash training tips and tricks. Digging Just like barking, digging tends to be a symptom of an underlying problem like boredom. The thing with Doodles is that incredible intelligence makes them less likely to be satisfied with merely hanging out in the yard all day. They need to be kept both physically and mentally stimulated. If they are not… bring on the destructive behaviors! Digging is a firm doggy favorite. The trick is to divert their attention to something else. If they are getting enough walks and plenty of affection, try throwing a few toys into the mix. Puzzle toys have been designed specifically to keep clever canines entertained for longer. Finally, try giving your dog a designated space in the garden to dig far away from the fence and your favorite plants and flowers. Biting and Mouthing While common in young pups, especially when teething, aggressive biting is not a Bernedoodle trait. Herding dogs such as Bernes might nip to get you to go where they want to go a behavior they can easily be trained out of. Still, if your pup is getting a little vicious for no reason, you could have a problem. If it is just puppy teething — not fun in any way when they are having at you with those needle-sharp teeth — consider investing in a high-quality teething toy such as one of these. They could be feeling particularly anxious about something — a new person or other kinds of changes in the household. Alternatively, they might be sick and in pain. If you are confident that they are getting enough nutrition for their weight and life stage, chances are your hound is just looking for something fun to chew on and taking it to the extreme. Again, chew toys are the best answer. They will keep your pet occupied and help them to fulfill their natural instinct for mouthing. This is what keeps their teeth clean and their jaws healthy, after all. The issue should resolve itself in no time at all. Especially because most breeders begin this process long before you pick your new puppy up. Just keep things consistent, and you will get there fairly quickly and painlessly. A few things you can do are: take your pup out to the place you want them to go on a regular basis. Designate a specific command and offer lots of love, hugs, and praise when they do what you ask of them. Never punish any accidents — this could actually set your dog back. Some owners recommend crate training for puppies who are having a slightly more difficult time getting the hang of it all. When To Get Professional Help If your pup starts or continues to display behavior issues such as aggression, food aggression, excessive barking, destructive chewing, mounting, or separation anxiety, it is likely that he will need special attention to address them. The best way to deal with Doodle behavior issues is to hire a trainer, or a behaviorist to come to your home for a one-on-one consult. Not only will you learn the skills you need to be successful, but your puppy will learn incredible manners and behaviors as well! See Also: Click the image Amy helps you set up your home, get your family all on the same page and teaches you exactly what to do the second your puppy arrives for optimal training success. You can also schedule LIVE! Office Hours for one-on-one help with Amy and participate in weekly online puppy classes right in your living room! Need help with training? We recommend this on top of group classes. By the way, the skills they teach works for any dog at any age. Bernedoodles, with their incredible intelligence and people-pleasing manner, are relatively easy to train compared to other dogs. Keep things light, fun, and interesting, and you should be able to teach your pal to do just about anything within reason. How do you train a Bernedoodle puppy? There are various training methods. The one you subscribe to will be the one that works best for you and your pup. How do you discipline a Bernedoodle? Discipline is a tricky business in the world of canines. Experts agree that shouting and hitting simply do not work in the long run. Bernedoodles are awesome dogs, and you will never regret adding one to your household. However, they do take a fair bit of looking after. View All Articles in Surviving Puppyhood Now, this is not to say that gentle mouthing as a form of play is totally out of the question. But any hard biting or overly enthusiastic play should be discouraged. Your goal as the owner is to make it so play biting is never initiated by your puppy, and that you are able to stop the biting on command. They are meant to cause pain to the victim, which provides feedback to the puppy to help him learn to soften his bite. For example, every now and then an infant puppy might bite his littermate too hard. The victim will yelp and usually stop playing after a painful bite. The biter is taken aback by the yelp and also stops playing for a moment. This is how puppies naturally learn to control the intensity of their bites so no one gets hurt and the game can continue. However, this training must continue with you, the owner. This is to say that if a puppy can learn how to be gentle with other puppies, he can learn the same lesson from you. As such, the first and most important goal is to help your puppy understand that people have very sensitive skin, so he must be very gentle when using his mouth. The first step in how to stop a puppy from biting is teaching bite inhibition. As a result, he may unknowingly bite too hard. This is another reason why it is extremely important to teach bite inhibition. Bite Inhibition Procedure Here are some steps to take to properly teach bite inhibition: When your puppy is calm, begin playing with him and let him put your hand in his mouth. Praise him when he bites softly or gently. The yelp should startle your puppy and cause him to stop biting you. Praise your puppy for stopping or for licking you. Resume playing. If your puppy bites you hard again, yelp again. Repeat these steps no more than three times within a minute period. Time-outs are often very effective in helping him understand gentle play, and thus very effective in how to stop a puppy from biting. Time-Out Procedure When your puppy bites too hard, yelp loudly. When he startles and releases the bite, remove your hand. Ignore him for 10 to 20 seconds. Or, if he starts biting you again, get up and walk away for 10 to 20 seconds. After this short time-out, encourage your puppy to play with you again. Play with your puppy until he bites hard again. When he does, repeat the procedure above. Alternatively: No Yelp Procedure Puppies put everything into their mouths the way that young babies do. But many professional dog trainers say that the worst thing you can do is to draw attention to this instinctive behavior by reacting to it in any way whatsoever. The way I teach bite inhibition is to instruct puppy owners to withdraw attention when the puppy bites too hard. Effective punishment, by definition, inhibits the behavior that is punished. Yelping to imitate littermates may actually stimulate some puppies and is not recommended by veterinary behavior experts. You can do this in the following ways: When your puppy tries to bite you, redirect his attention to a toy, bone, or chew toy. If petting your puppy triggers him to bite, distract him from biting by giving him treats from your other hand. This will help your puppy get used to being touched without biting. Encourage play in the form of games such as fetch and tug-of-war, instead of wrestling and rough play with your hands. Once your puppy understands these games, keep a tug rope or similar toy with you. If he starts to bite you, you can immediately substitute your hand with the toy. Over time, your puppy will start seeking toys when he feels like biting. Recommended Puppy Tug Toys and Chews Antlers, bully sticks, and rawhides are not recommended for young puppies as they can cause choking. Antlers in particular are also quite hard and can cause tooth damage, and can split into sharp shards and cause serious issues. Here are some safe highly-rated tug and chew toys we recommend for puppies: Best Chews for Puppies Another great option is to give your puppy a frozen wet rag, frozen carrots, or frozen bananas. The cold helps tremendously with teething pain, which is typically the cause of puppy biting and chewing. If your puppy bites at your feet and ankles, the same Redirect procedure applies. Carry his favorite tug toy with you at all times. Whenever he starts going for your feet, immediately stop walking or moving your feet. Once he stops, immediately praise him and get a toy to reward him. When he grabs the toy, you can start moving again. Repeat these steps until your puppy becomes used to your movements, and until he stops going for your feet or ankles. Lean toward him, make eye contact, and be dramatic. Say it loud enough to make him back away, but try not to frighten him. Repeat these steps, gradually increasing the time your puppy has to wait for his treat. Once he learns to back away from food by voice command, add in a hand gesture so he can begin to associate that with the command. Eventually, you will want to practice using only the hand gesture. You will also want to eventually repeat the exercise when your puppy is in a more excited mood. Work toward the goal of your puppy not taking food or touching your hand. Practice this exercise with your puppy every day to achieve this goal. Here are some methods to get him to that goal. But instead of yelping at just the hard bites, yelp and stop playing in response to moderately hard bites. Eventually, the moderately hard bites will stop, and then you can repeat the procedure for his next-hardest bites, and so on. Keep repeating this procedure until your puppy can play with your hands very gently, and can consciously control his bite force so that you feel little to no pressure. Further Your Time-Out Training Instead of giving your puppy time-outs for hard biting, start giving him time-outs every time his teeth touch you. Immediately walk away and ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If he follows you or continues to bite you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds. After the time-out, return to the room calmly and resume playing with your puppy. Before interacting with your puppy, spray the anti-chew spray on areas of your body that he likes to bite. You may spray it on clothing, as well. If he starts mouthing or biting you, stop moving and wait for him to react to the bad taste of the spray. Praise him when he releases his mouth from you. Apply the anti-chew spray to your body consistently for at least two weeks. He should quickly learn to stop biting you altogether after suffering the bitter taste every time he mouths you. Play builds a strong bond between a dog and his humans. The goal is to teach your puppy to play gently rather than not at all. Tip 2: Frequently provide your puppy with plenty of new and interesting toys. These will allow him to focus on those instead of focusing on his urge to bite you. Tip 3: Likewise, make sure your puppy has plenty of opportunities to play and socialize with other puppies and dogs. Tip 4: Always reward the desirable behavior. Tip 6: Avoid games like tug-of-war if your puppy becomes too excited, aggressive, or out of control. These types of games should only be allowed when you have initiated them, and when you can quickly stop the game on command. Tip 7: Avoid jerking your hands or feet away from your puppy when he bites. This will entice him to lunge and bite at you even more. Tip 8: If your puppy is constantly using biting as a demand for attention, or if he is becoming overly enthusiastic while he plays, then he is probably not getting enough stimulation. Consider giving him extra time to play, train, and exercise. Also give him more outlets for chewing. These will increase his stimulation and lessen his desire to bite for attention. Biting can be immediately stopped with a quick, gentle tug on the leash, with tension being released as soon as he settles down. Tip Hitting puppies for playful biting can have an opposite affect and can cause them to play and bite more aggressively. Physical punishment can also make your puppy afraid of you, and it can cause real, serious aggression. Tip Be patient and understanding. Playful biting is normal behavior for puppies. By the time puppies are around eight months old, they should have all of their adult teeth. At this time, teething should stop, although some dogs will continue to chew and bite until they are one year old. If you draw attention to it, the puppy becomes aware of it and it becomes a habit and a technique the puppy can use to get your attention — because even negative attention is better than none at all. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help , to locate one of these professionals in your area.
As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions. Image Source: Canva How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be? A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds. According to Care. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more! How much bigger will my Boxer get? There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow. If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out! What is the size of a full-grown Boxer? According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards , a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about .A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds. As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home. One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home. Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer. Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat. When surveyed, .The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are overexercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy. Boxer puppies grow into strong and sturdy adults that make fun-loving, often silly companions, and fierce protectors. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. Courage and loyalty are attributes the Boxer is usually described with. With a good work ethic, playful demeanor, and a goofy face, this dog breed ranks among the top 10 in the USA for a while now. Their nobility and elegance came to focus after the originally working breed Boxer became unemployed during the early 19th century. The breed name derives from the way they defend themselves with their paws while playing. It really appears as the dog spars with the front paws. There is no doubt one might be tempted to get bring home one of these loving fellas. The growth in dogs has much to say about their health and potential — but how? While growing up dogs that suffer from some diseases might stagnate more than others. Boxers are a medium to large dog breed and are pretty safe from the usual bone and muscle disorders in larger dogs. However, hip dysplasia remains one of the most common issues. Reputable breeders will let you meet the parents and give you contacts from owners of puppies born in previous litters. Most Boxer puppies will correspond just fine to the ranges mentioned for their age. It is super important to not rush the growing process. Dogs that are overweight can experience problems later on in life that might have been avoided by maintaining an appropriate body condition. Moreover, the veterinarian can have the pup checked for possible health conditions causing the slow growth. Photo by otsphoto on Shutterstock Even with late bloomers, there is no reason to worry. Some dogs experience growing episodes sooner than others. The same rules apply to puppies that grow too fast. Damage due to wrong feeding can be avoided by using high-quality premium food and sticking to the recommendations according to weight and age on the labels. Never miss out on consulting your vet on the topic first — they will be glad to guide you through it! Boxer Growth Stages Until they reach adulthood, Boxers go through 3 growth stages. The general difference between the growth stages is how fast the puppy grows during the period and how they appear in posture and body condition. The first stage is from birth until they are 2 weeks of age. After the second week, the growth rate slows down. Most breeders wean the puppies off around the 4th-5th week. At 18 months of age, you can probably introduce your companion as a fully developed, curious, and independent adult Boxer. Boxer puppies have somewhere between 2. At the end of the first stage, they can reach around 4. At 1 month of age, their stuffed muscle figure comes at about 5. By the time they are 16 weeks old, males weigh lbs .Male Boxers are expected to have approximately lbs .In the next six months, the growth slows down to about lbs 0. Male Boxers should weigh around lbs kg by the time they reach 6 months of age. Female boxer puppies are expected to have lbs kg when they are half a year old. Since the Boxer qualifies as a medium to large breed, it takes longer for them to reach their full-sized version compared to other smaller breeds. There are exceptions when Boxers complete the growth at 20, even 24 months. Female Boxers that are done growing up weigh approximately lbs kg and stand .Their male counterparts have between 60 and 70 lbs kg and are 23 to 25 inches cm tall. In the meantime provide quality food, regular exercise, and maintain regular veterinary check-ups to ensure their well-being. As with all other dog breeds, some adult Boxers will be smaller than the standard dimensions of the breed. On the other hand, there is a handful of those that are larger than the standard too. Genetics is the most probable cause for this. Rarely do Boxers end up being smaller than the rest due to low production of the growth hormone. Luckily growth hormone problems in Boxers are very rare and other breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher, Spitz, or Karelian Bear Dog are more prone to the condition. Growth defects in dogs can appear due to Dwarfism Achondroplasia. Minor deformities can be surgically corrected, but again with a dubious prognosis. In Conclusion Understanding the growth chart will help you understand what role nutrition, diet, and exercise plays and adjust accordingly. Getting rid of excess weight or ruling out health issues is something you and your vet can work on together. Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. You will notice that there is a range in both height and weight. Use the lighter weights for female Boxers and the heavier weights for male Boxers. This principle also applies to the variations in heights. Females tend to weigh less and be smaller in size than males. Between 6 — 12 months of age, Boxers are no longer considered puppies since they start to reach sexual maturity. Boxers are considered adolescents between 6 months to 24 months, and at 2 years old Boxers reach adulthood. They will continue to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. How long does it take for a Boxer to be fully grown? As a medium-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to reach their full size and weight than smaller dog breeds. On average, Boxers will grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. At 2 years old, Boxers are full-grown, reaching their full height and weight. As with all other dog breeds, some adult Boxers will be smaller than the breed standards. If your Boxer is less than two years old, he or she is likely still growing. Insider Tip: To estimate how big and heavy your Boxer will get, you can contact the breeder. Puppies rarely exceed their parents weight and height. Boxers above this average may be classed over-weight. Check with your vet to get an accurate diagnosis since more athletic dogs will have bigger muscles and will weigh more. It is important to recognize if your Boxer adds extra weight so that you can adjust his or her lifestyle. After, you just need to deduct your weight to find out how the weight of your Boxer. However, the bigger they get, the trickier it gets for them to stand still on such a small scale. Measure at the withers shoulder whilst standing. Try it out below:. This will be the age when Boxer newborn is fully weaned and ready to go to his new home. His world expands at this time. Some have a difficult adjustment leaving littermates and dam and transitioning to their new family. A planned introduction to the home will set a good foundation for introduction to other situations. Housebreaking should begin at this age. With an excellent plan and follow-through, expect it to take 4 to 6 weeks for your Boxer to be doing well in this regard. Command training simple commands can be worked in with housebreaking and other daily activities. For example a 2 month old Boxer puppy can learn to sit while his harness and leash is being put on and then learn that walking over to the designated chosen area equals a trip to the bathroom. Sleep may be erratic at this time and a Boxer puppy can sleep as little as 9 hours per day rare or up to 18 hours. Most will take quite a few naps during the day and then wake up 1 to 2 times per night. We've seen 2 month old little ones sleep right through the night, but it is rare - in these cases, the dog is able to enter deep REM sleep quickly and stay there, keeping the number of nap times to a minimum. This is the minimum age a dog must be in order to enter a dog show event. Many clubs, such as the AKC require a dog to be 6 months old; however if you truly want to show your Boxer, you may do so at 3 months with many other dog clubs. By this age, the pup has a good idea of his home environment and since the rounds of puppy shots are almost done, owners should plan on how they will proceed in regard to introduction to the world. To a dog, his world is as big as the owners choose. For some, it is just the neighborhood, for others it is the entire town! The reason that we say "plan" is because how a pup is introduced to other dogs, people and new environments affect how the dog reacts and responds. A planned transition to new elements is a huge part of Socialization Training. During this stage, some owners become a bit concerned if their Boxer is not barking ; however this is not a super vocal breed he makes lots of noises like groans and even some purrs, but doesn't typically bark at every little thing. A quiet puppy will often outgrown this and find their voice as they mature. It is at that time that a Boxer will bark when someone comes to the house, etc. By 1 year, if owners follow through, the Boxer is well trained, for both commands simple and complex and house training. Still, the dog has learned the basic workings of the world. He has been trained to know where his belongings are, who you consider to be friend or foe and is very used to his daily schedule. This is a great Boxer age, the dog looks young, still has the mentality of a puppy with playfulness, etc. You'll have a 40 to 55 pound 20 to 25 kg size puppy jumping on you and acting silly. Females will be on the lower end, males on the higher end. The body structure is slim, the chest is still relatively narrow. Over the course of this year, from the beginning of year 1 to the beginning of year 2, most will gain an additional 15 to 20 pounds 6. Height will increase. The most noticeable physical change will be the widening of the chest, a sure tell sign of a 2 year old adult. It is not uncommon for a Boxer dog to seem too skinny during a quick, temporary phase around this mark. Generally from 14 to 22 months old, a Boxer may have some visible ribs and appear too slim as he struggles to catch up to a quick growth spurt. For most, this is nothing to be concerned about. This is a huge milestone. At 2 years old, a Boxer is considered to be an adult. The dog will be at his adult weight and height. If you are offering commercial food, now is the time to switch to an adult formula. Temperament will gradually change. That playful puppy temperament will slowly turn more serious, but even older adults can have a sense of humor. That puppy that used to leap after butterflies in the field may change into the adult that stands proud and strong, scanning the yard for trespassers. The Boxer will now begin to age at a more steady rate. Still active, yet fully trained, this is a wonderful stage. By this age, status in the house if full established. Other family members may have come and gone kids off to college, a new roommate moves in, etc. However, if the dog was properly trained, he knew, throughout any changes, that his place was as Beta to his Alpha human leader. A Boxer dog is considered to be a senior at the age of 7 or 8 years old. Since there is no official age, it is the veterinarian who makes this declaration. Though, even if it has not been declared, with this breed typically living to a range of 9 to 12 years, 9 years is about as long as you can extend this before you dub your Boxer a senior. It is important to recognize this transition, so that geriatric care needs can be met. Regular visits will normally increase from 1 time per year to twice a year. Changes will happen once again to the diet, moving over to one that is a bit lower in fat, yet higher in fiber. This helps a less active dog maintain weight and fiber is one element that aids in digestion. A geriatric screening will check for kidney function. A Boxer dog with decreased kidney function should be fed a lower protein diet. The vitamin and mineral supplement will now switch to a senior formula as well. Don't let the senior age label fool you, Boxers at this age should still be taken for a daily walk for exercise , will enjoy outings to the beach, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that an older dog will sometimes have less tolerance for puppies and young children. It is a good idea to have a designated area for your senior Boxer to retreat to, should he desire.Older dogs still like to see the family and be aware of comings and goings, but will often want to retreat when youngsters or puppies are at play. Each dog has his own tolerance for the loud noises and commotion that accompanies younger humans and dogs. The average life span of a Boxer is years old. At this age, a senior dog most likely has lived through some health issues. A dog of this age will most likely have some arthritis. Movement may become difficult, it is suggested to have steps and ramps for the dog if he or she is used to climbing up onto your bed or the couch. The dog bed should be evaluated for comfort and support. An orthopedic bed is highly recommended. Any time after this age that your dog is still with you is a blessing. Some Boxers live late into their teens; however you should prepare yourself that your dog is nearing the end of his life cycle. Related: Oldest Boxer Dogs in the World - Though this breed generally lives 9 to 12 years, some Boxers have reached into their teens. Puppies Boxer puppies are just adorable. Having a new boxer puppy at home is just overwhelming. But have you ever thought about the responsibilities you will have to handle and take care of? Besides, its not only about responsibility and taking care of your Boxer puppies, it about understanding their behavior in each development stages. Well, this article will help you in every way about Boxer puppies. The newborn puppies will only move to regulate their body temperature or when they are hungry. Newborn Boxer Puppy. Image Source — Blogspot. Newborn Boxers will not be able to hear, see or sense anything. Their eyes and ears will be closed until the end of week two. They will be unable to sense the human stimuli until they can see or hear. Neonatal stage is a very delicate stage for the puppies. Therefore, keep a close eye on Boxer puppies, whether they have been abandoned by its mother or littermates. If any puppy is abandoned, bottle feed them and keep them in a warm place. Or, it will die. Transitional Stage — 2 to 4 Weeks The transitional stage is a serious development stage. You can see your Boxer puppies opening their eyes and trying to wag their tails for the first time. Your Boxer puppies will also start walking a bit between two to three weeks. Image Source — Instagram. Baby Boxer will now want to explore the surroundings and will run around littermates jumping and growling. Socialization Stage — 4 to 12 Weeks Boxer puppies will start playing and running around the house with their littermates. They will be mischievous and may want your attention too. From the third and fourth weeks of their development, Boxer puppies will control their bowel movement as they move away from their whelping box. Many puppies will start having worms at this stage. And the mother Boxer may lose interest in cleaning her puppies excretion, having said that, you will have to take a step forward to clean the surroundings. This is the high time you socialize your puppy and give some basic training. By the eighth week, Boxer puppies will start being familiar with the surroundings and the people in the house as well. You should socialize the puppy with other animals as well as people around your neighborhood. A well-socialized puppy always defines a well-behaved dog. Otherwise, the Boxer puppies will try to dominate you. You should teach them the meaning of submission and dominance. From the starting of three months, your Boxer puppies will start feeling the independence and confidence in them. You should keep the training consistent as this is the very fragile time your Boxer puppy needs to learn. Furthermore, when they reach the age of four months old, you can send them to advance training classes. Adolescence — 6 to 18 Months Now your Boxer puppies are not puppies anymore, adolescence has now hit them. Your Boxer will now lose their puppy face completely and are now adult versions of themselves. Boxers will now lose their baby teeth and their second teething phase is likely to get started. During these months, your Boxers will grow stronger and more energetic. You should increase the training session according to their diet. Not a Puppy Anymore. The medium-sized breed tends to grow fast physically but their mind will still be a puppy until the end of the month. You should take care of their diet as well as their behavior. A well-trained puppy only grows as a well-behaved dog. Vaccination Chart For Boxers.
Source: Pexels With a loveable pudgy body and a cute cartoonish face, the French Bulldog has been popular since it was first introduced. A clear celebrity favourite, the affectionately named 'Frenchie' is fast on its way to becoming the most popular breed in the UK. These pups thrive on human contact, love to play with anyone and everything, and are incredibly easy-going — it's no wonder they've stolen so many hearts! To keep your dog happy and healthy, it's important that you feed them a well-balanced diet suited to their needs. As French Bulldogs are unfortunately prone to numerous health complications later in life, this is a priority for this breed. To make things a little easier, we've gathered everything you need to know into one simple, user-friendly guide. Bred to be toy-sized bulldogs that could be carried easily, they accompanied their owners to France during the Industrial Revolution. These adorable pups caused quite the stir in Paris due to their unusual appearance, and quickly became a national favourite. Source: Wikimedia Commons By the late nineteenth century, many wealthy French households had acquired a French Bulldog. Visitors from the US were also fascinated by the breed and many took home puppies of their own. After an acclaimed dog show in , in which the French Bulldog was presented as the most stylish pooch of the season, the breed went on to dominate the high society market and became a staple show-dog by .French Bulldog Size and Life Expectancy These personable pups grow to around 30cm tall and should weigh 8 to 13kg. They are small or medium-sized dogs with short, smooth coats and a solid, muscular body that looks particularly compact. French Bulldogs have an average lifespan on 10 to 12 years, though they can live longer — this is dependent on the debilitating health issues that the breed is likely to develop later in life. Source: Unsplash Celebrity French Bulldogs This breed's playful personality and adorable appearance has made it particularly popular with celebrities, making it a firm favourite with fans. Experts have forecasted that this rising star may be next year's favourite dog. Instagram and other social media sites have been flooded over the last couple of years with photographs featuring loveable French Bulldogs. A French Bulldog Diet Source: Wikimedia Commons Preferred Food for French Bulldogs Feeding your French Bulldog doesn't differ too much from feeding your other dogs — your Frenchie needs a high quality, hypoallergenic diet that's filled with lots of vitamins and nutrients. We recommend trying a grain-free diet first as wheat and grain may cause excessive flatulence in this breed. Make sure to include lots of complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes rather than single grains, as these can be a problem for already health-problematical pups. Most importantly, be sure to feed your dog a well-balanced diet from a brand that you can trust. Preferred Food for French Bulldog Seniors While you can continue to feed French Bulldogs the same diet for most of their lives, there are some small changes that you can make for your senior dog. In later life stages, French Bulldogs need high quality food that is easy to digest; wet food will keep them well-fed and hydrated. We recommend that you purchase specialised senior dog food , as this will contain fewer calories to match their low energy, and be richer in essential vitamins and nutrients. This will keep their teeth and coat in excellent shape. Preferred Food for French Bulldog Puppies Source: Wikimedia Commons It can be difficult to know what to feed your new French Bulldog puppy, as the food you choose will have long-term ramifications over your Frenchie's health. Puppy food is specially curated to support your playful and energetic pup, with bonus nutrients to aid in teeth and bone growth. As puppies tend to grow in small bursts, it's important that you feed them frequently. Puppies need three high-quality, well-balanced, measured meals a day. These should be made from natural ingredients, and low in processed foods and sugars. Help your puppy adjust to its new home by following the same routine as its previous owner and purchasing the same brand of dog food, slowly introducing your preferred pick. If you feed your puppy high-quality food at the same time every day, your pooch will grow up happy and healthy. French Bulldog Feeding Guide Depending on their size and level of activity, how much your French Bulldog should be fed changes. This chart will help you to figure out how much you should be feeding your dog to maintain a healthy weight. To avoid this, if your pup walks on the lead or is likely only to be active for up to one hour per day, start at the lowest activity level and adjust from there. French Bulldog Feeding Guide Source: Pexels With a loveable pudgy body and a cute cartoonish face, the French Bulldog has been popular since it was first introduced. Celebrity French Bulldogs This breed's playful personality and adorable appearance has made it particularly popular with celebrities, making it a firm favourite with fans. A French Bulldog Diet Preferred Food for French Bulldogs Feeding your French Bulldog doesn't differ too much from feeding your other dogs — your Frenchie needs a high quality, hypoallergenic diet that's filled with lots of vitamins and nutrients. Here is the link to the US metrics feeding chart for your four-legged friends across the pond: US French Bulldog Feeding Guide Most dog food packaging will have a specialised feeding chart similar to this one — always read the branded guide on the back for optimal calculations. If your dog is overweight or underweight, use their ideal weight as your guide. We recommend that you break this advised portion into two feedings, every morning and evening. Try not to feed your Frenchie too late in the day though, in order to make room for a walk before bedtime. Make sure to feed your puppy three to four smaller meals a day so as not to overwhelm their tiny tummies. Their last meal should be around two or three hours before their last walk, to give them enough time to digest their food and avoid any house-training mishaps. Some dogs develop faster than others and may need to move onto adult dog food more quickly, but this is something you should discuss with your vet when the time comes. French Bulldog Allergies Just like their owners, dogs are equally susceptible to allergies. These can unfortunately be particularly difficult to diagnose, being both dietary and environmental. Symptoms include itching or watery eyes, sore patches on the skin, and incidents of diarrhoea or vomiting. To prevent allergic reactions, make sure to use only pet-friendly cleaning products in your home and be prepared to alter your dog's diet. Hypoallergenic dog foods are perfect for your French Bulldog as they've been specially formulated to counter dietary allergies. Also, try not to give your Frenchie too many table scraps — even some vegetables do more harm than good. French Bulldog Obesity French Bulldogs are not a highly-active breed, though they'll certainly eat like one if given the chance. It's your job to make sure that they stay adorably pump and don't gain too much weight. Your French Bulldog should have a solid structure supported by an athletic build. You should be able to feel its ribs, and your dog shouldn't have any breathing issues on a short walk unless it's a hot day in which case, take them inside. Overweight pups are more likely to develop severe heart problems and other health disorders, so it's important to keep your Frenchie on the right track. Following these suggestions to give your pup a high-quality, hypoallergenic diet will make certain to provide all the essential nutrients and vitamins. No matter what dog food you choose, be sure to introduce small amounts into their regular food a little at a time. We hope that this guide has helped you to make informed choices about how to feed your pup — remember, you can always contact us with any questions too! Happy feeding! Three to four times a day 4 — 5 months 6 months and above Two times a day Pregnant or breastfeeding French Bulldogs may eat up to three times a day within eight hours. Meanwhile, puppies require more frequent feedings than adult dogs due to their rapid metabolism. In general, a French Bulldog puppy should be fed three times daily between two and six months. Once the French Bulldog puppy reaches the age of six months, the feeding frequency can be reduced to two meals each day. As developing puppies, your Frenchie requires a consistent daily feeding plan. The feeding plan should incorporate at least three measured meals per day. Its dinner schedule is vital, as it allows ample time to digest the food and go pee or potty before bedtime. Between 14 and 18 weeks, you can begin accustoming your French Bulldog puppy to two meals each day. If your veterinarian advises you to keep your French Bulldog on a three-meals-a-day diet, this must be properly followed. Senior dogs can be fed on the same schedule when given three meals a day. Since elderly dogs do not move as much, they may develop too much weight. Consequently, you should ensure that the food contains fewer calories, more fiber, and an appropriate balance of fat and protein. Your veterinarian should have a recommended amount of treats you should give your dog. Again, it will vary according to its weight and level of activity. If you must frequently use treats for training, use tiny bits or give them a licking mat. Best Dog Foods for French Bulldog A feeding guide for Frenchie dog lovers would be incomplete without the information on the best dog food for their furry companion. There are numerous food options available for French Bulldogs. The best pet food varies from one Frenchie to another. Perhaps your French Bulldog is a fussy eater or suffers from food allergies. It is feasible to provide a balanced diet for your French Bulldogs if you use the best store-bought or homemade dog food that contains all the nutrition needed by your dog and as prescribed by your veterinarian. The list below shows the best dog food options you can provide your French Bulldog: Dry Food: Dry dog food is commercially available kibble. This can be an excellent alternative for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomachs. French Bulldog puppies require high-quality dry food that is high in animal protein to aid in growth and muscular development. Wet Food: Wet food is contained in a can; it is primarily composed of water and is considered highly mushy food. However, wet food expires more quickly than dry food, making it the least practical alternative. Home-Cooked Diet: A home-cooked, protein-rich diet like a chicken meal is excellent for French Bulldogs. Unlike ordinary kibble, it contains no additives or preservatives. It supports healthy digestion and may help avoid various problems related to a bad diet, including obesity, dry skin and coat, pancreatitis, diabetes, and a low immune system. French Bulldogs are prone to developing a variety of joint and back issues. Along with other joint problems, they may develop luxating patella or hip dysplasia. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are critical components of a high-quality French Bulldog dog diet. These essential vitamins assist your French in developing the connective tissue necessary for healthy joints and spine support. Omega-3 fatty acids can assist your Frenchie to keep muscle mass and strength by reducing inflammation and soreness. Also, this can promote healthy skin by preventing itchy and flaky skin. Whether wet and dry food, raw food, or a homemade diet, each dog food offers several benefits and drawbacks. Consult a veterinarian before deciding to know exactly what food option suits your Frenchie. Any French Bulldog owner will attest that vomiting is far more common in this breed than in other dogs. While it cannot be totally prevented, you should know what human foods are toxic to French Bulldogs. Some of the foods to avoid are not only bad for Frenchie; many of them can be fatal. They may result in poisoning and, in the worst-case scenario, death. This section enumerates some of the most dangerous foods for French Bulldogs. I will discuss why these foods are poisonous and when you should contact a veterinarian. The first and most prevalent is chocolate. It contains a toxin called theobromine , which can cause a variety of health problems when consumed in large amounts. This can cause irregular heartbeats, seizures, and sudden death. Garlic and onions should also never be included in the diet of your Frenchie puppy or adult dog. Even a trace of these vegetables can result in anemia and red blood cell failure in your pup. Poisoning symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, vomiting, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate. However, remember that you may not immediately notice poisoning symptoms because the toxic consequences may take a few days to manifest. Additionally, grapes are one of the most toxic foods for your Frenchie. A dog that has consumed grapes may exhibit stomach bloating and diarrhea. They need to be taken to a veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, gastric lavage is the best course of action. Candy, artificial sweeteners, corn on the cob, roasted bones, avocado, raisins, almonds, cherry, peach, plum, coconut oil, mustard seeds, alcohol, coffee, blue cheese, and tomatoes are also regarded to be unsafe for French Bulldogs. Furthermore, there are certain foods that you should avoid giving your Pitbull owing to the negative side effects they may cause. While they are not considered dangerous, they can cause nausea, diarrhea, and weight gain. Numerous dogs wind up at veterinarian clinics due to improper food intake. While prevention is always the best course of action, it is critical to understand emergency care and medication expenses. Read our article on French Bulldog costs to learn more about the medical expenditures associated with a French Bulldog. These adjustments should ideally take place over 5 to 7 days. Consult a veterinarian in this scenario, especially if you intend to switch to a raw or homemade diet. Feeding an Overweight French Bulldog French Bulldogs can quickly gain weight, resulting in various health problems. Thus, dog owners need to notice when their Frenchie gets overweight to assist the dog in maintaining a healthy weight and living a healthy life. Average adult French Bulldogs should have a body weight between 19 and 29 pounds for males, while 18 to 28 pounds for females. The most common indications that your Frenchie is overweight include lack of muscle definition and difficulty breathing during brief exercises. In terms of visual indicators, a Frenchie within their healthy weight will have a thin layer of fat covering their ribs. Meanwhile, those with excess fat have noticeable deposits in the chest and stomach area. Also, you should be able to see and feel their spine as they bend and curl into a sleeping position. Furthermore, Frenchies have an hourglass form, with a visible waistline that is smaller than their chest when they are not overweight. Regardless of these symptoms, it is always advisable to seek confirmation from a professional veterinarian. Feeding an obese Frenchie means maintaining a consistent food plan throughout the day to aid in weight loss. Additionally, this stops your dog from eating more than it requires. Apart from planned feeding times, serving the correct meal proportions is essential. If your Frenchie is overweight, owners should focus on how much food is offered to them. Reducing their daily kibble intake by half a cup can help them significantly reduce weight. Moreover, you should offer them foods with fewer calories, more fiber, and more protein. As a result, your Frenchie will burn more calories and lose weight more quickly. It is preferable to give your dog treats that contain only one ingredient, are low in calories, and contain no added sugar, such as sweet potato and blueberry bites. Alternatively, you can treat your dog with items that are already in your refrigerator, such as tiny portions of sweet potatoes, apples, and bananas. Regularly weigh your dog, monitor how many calories they intake, and establish a target body weight for them. Also, pain can make a Frenchie nervous and unable to eat, so keep an eye out for evident signs of injury. Another common reason for your French Bulldog not to eat is discomfort in the mouth caused by dental issues. Furthermore, gastrointestinal conditions, certain medicines, vaccination, overfeeding, or other serious health problems can cause a French Bulldog not to eat. As a result, you must keep an eye on your Frenchie and contact your veterinarian if the condition persists for weeks. Do French Bulldogs Eat a Lot? French Bulldogs are opportunistic feeders by nature. Thus, they will continue to eat as long as you provide pet food. They may begin to require more than is necessary to fulfill their appetite due to this behavior. Also, when a French Bulldog is agitated, it may begin to overeat. The most effective strategy to combat stress-related overeating is to thrive in a calm environment. At times, your dog may become bored and eat more than usual to keep itself occupied somehow. Thus, you must keep a watch on any of these factors. Can French Bulldogs Eat Bones? Dogs should not consume cooked bones of any kind. The bones may splinter, resulting in deadly shards that might cause injury due to choking hazards. Thus, if you wish to offer your Frenchie a bone, vets recommend raw meat bones, preferably from farm-raised chicken. These are best given after a meal to prevent them from eating too much. Remove it after around ten minutes and store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for tomorrow. To avoid bacterial contamination, it is recommended to discard it after a few days and keep it separate from other raw meat and food. Can French Bulldogs Be Vegetarians? Each Frenchie is one-of-a-kind. Simply because your French Bulldog likes veggies does not mean it can go full-on vegetarian. Also, bear in mind that many veggies are dangerous and toxic to your French Bulldog. Certain vegetables are acceptable to be fed to a French Bulldog, but only in small portions. Final Thoughts French Bulldogs are, without a doubt, playful, intelligent, and compassionate dogs. On the other hand, Frenchies are greedy eaters, and food serves as their primary motivator. Thus, a critical component of owning this breed is understanding how much, how frequently, and what food to feed a French Bulldog. You can supply dry food, wet food, raw food diets, or a homemade diet for your pet. Since Frenchie pups and adults may have food sensitivities, providing or making the best dog food for their age and nutritional requirements is critical. By doing so, you can help your Frenchie prevent undesirable health problems. This can help guarantee that your Frenchie receives the safest and healthiest diet as much as possible. Let us know in the comments below about your experience with feeding your French Bulldog! My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Pin64 71 Shares When we first brought Claude home, we had no idea on how much food we should be giving him. We spoke to our vet, and this is what he told us about how much you should feed a French bulldog puppy. A French bulldog puppy should be fed 3 times a day whilst there are still 2 to 6 months old. Once the French bulldog puppy reaches 6 months, you can reduce the feeding schedule down to 2 meals a day. But now having been a French bulldog owner for 3 years, I can now look back and give you some more detail on exactly what our French bulldog puppy feeding schedule was like and how it worked for us and him. French bulldog puppy feeding chart Below you can see a French bulldog puppy feeding guide I put together. It contains some rough guidance on how you should schedule and plan his feeds, and what other factors you might need to take into account. Please do print it out and put on your fridge. How many cups of food should I feed my French Bulldog? Before you look at the French Bulldog feeding chart below, you might want the quick answer to how many cups of food to feed your French Bulldog. As a general rule of thumb, you should feed a French Bulldog puppy aged 8 to 12 weeks around 1 and a half cups of food a day, in 3 separate meals. As your Frenchie gets older, the number of cups of food you should feed them will change. You can see the cup amounts and frequencies in the French Bulldog feeding chart graphic below. This French bulldog puppy feeding chart tells you how much you should feed them Source: Canin The French bulldog puppy feeding chart shown above is taken from the Royal Canin dog food range. This is exactly what we fed Claude as he was growing up. They range a specific French bulldog puppy food, and on the packaging you will see a version of the chart above, including how best to feed your own puppy. Handy Hint: To stop your Frenchie from bloating and possibly choking you should use a suitable feeding bowl. Here are the best French Bulldog food bowls that vets recommend. When you take your puppy to his new home, he should already be used to eating puppy food. As I mentioned earlier, you should be feeding your French bulldog puppy 3 times a day. They need that regularity as they are growing and burning a lot of calories. You know how energetic they are! How much you feed them at each mealtime will typically be half a cup of their dry puppy food. Across the day, that will equate 1. However, their weight and health will then determine how much you feed them as they get older. Calories matter, but are hard to count As French bulldogs get older, you should try to feed them according to their weight. For every pound, they should be fed between 25 and 30 calories. However, for the rest of this French bulldog puppy feeding guide, I am just going to talk in cups. Puppy weight How can weigh your puppy at the vets or, and this is can be a more interesting and fun way if your puppy already knows how to sit, have them sit on a scale at home. It will not be as accurate as a scale at the vet, but it could be a cheap and fun experience for you and your pet. Because of this, your puppy may be a little stubborn about eating dry and wet food if they were only just recently weaned. Here is where the math gets a little more detailed, but not too complicated. When they are between 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppy should be fed about 1. This food should be high in calories since they need extra nutrients that they are no longer getting from their mother. This kind of follows the main rule when it comes to spreading out the meals to 3 times a day. But for younger pups, many owners will split the 1. Because feeding them 0. Once they are between 6 and 9 months old, they should be used to their eating routine. That is when the main rule is applied because by then, the pup will be maturing into its adult size and should weigh between 20 and 25 pounds. What about older dogs? Also, if you are wondering how much they should be fed once they start hitting their senior years, they should be fed a little less as long only if they are not as active. Make sure you still stretch out the meals to 3 to 4 times like when they were puppies because it is not uncommon for their stomachs to weaken with old age. Overweight or underweight? French bulldog puppies usually weight between 8. Once they reach 6 to 9 months, they are just at or are closer to reaching their adult weight, .If the puppy is underweight, then add very small increments to each meal every day until they are no longer underweight. It is important to not add too much food because of the possibility of them getting a twisted stomach. If the puppy is overweight, you can either slightly reduce the size of their meal until they lose weight, or you can give them more exercise. Many people prefer the later since it helps the pup to get stronger and adds more bonding time. The same methods apply to grown French bulldogs as well. Handy Hint: Read this guide which explains how to check if you have a fat French Bulldog who needs to lose weight, with tips on how to get the pounds down. If the dog does not appear to be gaining weight when they are underweight or vice versa if they are overweight, you might want to take them to the vet since it could be a sign that something is affecting their health. Health conditions Since not every animal is the same, ask your vet the next time your pup has a check-up what a French bulldog of their size and age should weigh. Health factors like diabetes yes, dogs can have diabetes , can make your pup need a more strict diet or feeding routine. Here are some different diets and feeding routines. Raw food vs. Many dog lovers say that there are too many preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and protein in dry and wet food. While the raw food diet can be more natural, especially if it is organic, you also have to make sure your pup would be getting more foods with vitamins and minerals mixed in with the raw food that your pup would need. Raw food diets can be more expensive, require more storage room for the meats and veggies, and take longer to prepare. However, you would be personally ensuring that your little French bulldog pup is getting their full daily nutrition without harmful by-products and additives. Is there a good dry food diet? Possibly the biggest questions out of all of them: is there any good dry dog food out there and how do I find them? The answer is yes, there can be some healthy dry dog food products, but it takes some time to look for. The key is to look for dog food that does not contain any preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and too much protein. Fillers basically do not provide any nutritional value and can even harm your dog since most of the ingredients they use as fillers are common allergies for dogs that can cause skin conditions, bowel issues, and more. Wheat and corn are included since they are also a popular allergen for dogs. Too much protein is even more dangerous for them since it can put more pressure on the organs, throw off nutritional balance, increase the likelihood of diabetes, and can harm dogs that already have diabetes. To see the safe and dangerous fruits list, click here. Another two meat choices would be duck and turkey, but these are a little less common to find, especially if you are looking for a French bulldog specific dog food. Your dog eats his food too quickly Another common problem is how do you control how fast your French bulldog puppy eats. French bulldogs love to eat their food and eat it fast, which is one of the primary causes of GDV. Frenchies will stop eating for a number of reasons, some more serious that others. Conclusion So there you have it, your guide to how much you should feed your French bulldog puppy. Everything in this feeding schedule and the French bulldog feeding chart you see is based on personal experience. Once in the morning, and once in the early evening. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Frenchies will stay as healthy as ours has! We recommend talking to your vet for more information on puppy weight so that they can advise on food and nutrition. They should be in a safe place with little to no disturbance, especially during nursing time, to help keep them calm while getting their nourishment. By 3 weeks of age, your puppy should have at least twice the weight they had at birth. Also, during their third week, if your vet recommends it already, have your puppy dewormed to avoid onsets of digestive problems, sickness, and the like. One common mistake of most beginner breeders and pet owners is forgetting to deworm their little ones, but this is crucial since puppies can be prone to sickness. A French bulldog puppy that is 4 weeks of age can begin the solid food introduction. This makes them far earlier in terms of weaning as compared to other breeds. Try offering your puppy kibble portioned with water to make it easier to digest for them. You can also feed them with bits of raw food, as long as your vet agrees to it and if you prepared the raw food properly. However, kibble is the most standard way of feeding your French bulldog puppy, especially if you are on a limited budget and if you have a plethora of puppies to take care of. Just make sure to take your time into offering them, as weaning is not an instant process that happens overnight. Remove any uneaten food immediately after 20 minutes of not being touched to avoid spoilage or give to the other puppies. During the sixth week of your French bulldog puppy, they should somehow already eat solid food, even in little amounts, because it will help with their overall physical development. Consider serving high-quality food that is not made with too many filler ingredients. Look for French bulldog puppy food that is filled with a lot of protein to help them gain muscle mass and energy throughout the day. This is especially the case for puppies that are often active. Likewise, the 6th week is also the time when your puppy has their first milk teeth so they need comfort food. Ask your vet about whether your French bulldog puppy is ready to get vaccinations and other supplements by this time. You can choose the time of day that you want to feed them, but keep them spaced just fine to avoid bouts of hunger and overeating. Full raw feeding is also okay by this stage if your French bulldog puppy is fully weaned. Make sure that you calculate your raw food nutrients and calories carefully to avoid a lack of nutrition, or simply ask your vet or breeder about it. Puppies that are 8 weeks old will also need to be socialized more often. By doing this, you are training their body clock to eat at certain times. Some breeders already slowly transition from puppy to adult food during this time. Get advice from your vet as to when your pup should switch to adult formulas since it might disrupt their tummy and overall health. If you must feed them with treats due to training, make sure to include it in their list of calories consumed the entire day, and talk to your vet about it. Your vet could even offer treats that are low in calories but are healthy and tasty for your pup as an alternative. Recommended Food French bulldogs are known to be prone to diarrhea, skin problems, cherry eye, and hip dysplasia. Therefore, they will need a good amount of nutrients for their food during puppyhood. Glucosamine foods Glucosamine is a type of nutrient found in most chicken, fish, and seafood. You can also talk to your vet about glucosamine supplements although they might only recommend it when needed, such as due to genetic history of joint problems. Omega fatty acids Omega fatty acids come from fish oil, which can help improve their coat appearance and resist skin allergies. Generally, French bulldogs are known to be very sensitive when it comes to getting skin diseases so having omega fatty acids in their diet is a must. Your veterinarian might also recommend supplements to help improve their coat appearance. However, of course, a healthy coat and skin still largely depend on proper grooming habits, such as bathing, brushing, and clipping as needed. Quality meat sources Typical protein sources, such as fish, chicken, lamb, and beef, are a staple for most puppies — French bulldogs included. The trick is to look for a brand that has a certain animal as their first ingredient and not merely a random mixture of meat that you might find suspicious. Carrots Vitamin A is found in carrots, which can help lessen the likelihood of cherry eye and similar eye problems in your French bulldog when they get older. They mostly contain poisonous ingredients that are not suitable for French bulldogs and all canines, anyway. Keep in mind to stay away from these veggies and fruits as they are only for human consumption. Choking hazards Foods that are considered choking hazards for a French bulldog puppy include asparagus, avocadoes, and cherries. Asparagus is usually okay for French bulldogs, but if you need to feed it to them, make sure to cut them into very small pieces. Cooked bones are also quite tricky and usually not recommended for French bulldogs due to their threat of being a choking hazard. When the bones split after being cracked and chewed, they could injure your puppy — even when they turn into adults later on. Fillers like corn and wheat We did mention that French bulldog puppies have sensitive tummies, right? Look for high-quality content in your puppy food, such as little to no corn or wheat, and more of healthier carbohydrate sources, such as sweet potatoes, and meats like chicken, fish, beef, and turkey. FAQs on Feeding a French Bulldog Puppy If you want to know more about how to feed a French bulldog properly, here are some additional information on their feeding habits and other tips: How many calories are suitable for my French Bulldog puppy? The average calories for a French bulldog puppy should be around 12 calories per pound and you can increase that up to 30 if they are highly active. However, more factors will come into play, such as the type of food and their genetics. When should I switch my French bulldog puppy to adult food? We recommend waiting for your puppy to grow at least 1 year old for them to switch properly to adult food. A French bulldog should be switched from puppy to adult food gradually. Next, wait for a couple of meals and transition every few days by giving them more of the new food than the old formula. Eventually, after about a few weeks or so, your puppy should already eat only the new food. What this slow food adjustment does is eliminate the likelihood of stomach upsets. As we mentioned above, French bulldog puppies are prone to digestive issues, which is why you need to be mindful of what they eat. First, if your French bulldog puppy just moved in from an old breeder, they might feel uneasy and might not eat well. Be sure to make the change slowly to avoid ruining their digestive system. Feeding your puppy is all about trial and error because every pup has a different taste preference, after all, just like humans. It could be an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed. Raw feeding a French Bulldog puppy Raw feeding a French bulldog puppy is possible, as long as you get proper advice from your vet. It is quite a complicated process since it involves calculating the amount of protein and nutrients from organ meat, vegetables, fruits, supplements, and others. On the flip side, it is quite a daunting task to prepare raw food for them to ensure that everything is balanced in terms of nutrients. If food sanitation is a problem in your area and you live in highly-humid coastal areas, it will be more difficult for you to handle raw meat. Conclusion As a whole, French bulldogs are sensitive as puppies and adults. This is why feeding them properly is a must. French bulldogs, like other breeds, need specific nutrients and also a strict schedule to maintain their weight properly. We hope that this guide on feeding a French bulldog puppy helped you out in raising your companion to be a healthy and happy dog! We do not claim to be veterinarians. French Bulldogs can easily become overweight or underweight , especially the lazy ones. Some french bulldogs are hyperactive while others are couch potatoes. It is also critical that you maintain a consistent feeding schedule and never slack off on feeding your French Bulldog. Even more important than that is feeding your Frenchie the proper amount of food daily. Young Frenchies have high caloric and nutrient needs. French Bulldogs aged anywhere from weeks of age need a total of 1. Spreading out the meals minimizes the peaks of energy your French Bulldog will experience due to dramatic rises and decreases in blood sugar levels between meals. Feeding only twice daily can sometimes lead to gastric dilatation volvulus. By this stage, your French Bulldog is ready to get into an eating routine that they will continue on for the rest of their happy, little chubby lives, barring no serious medical ailments later on in life. From around 6 months to 1 year of age, you can start feeding your French Bulldog a very high quality adult doggy food. It is important to maintain a strict routine for your French Bulldog. You can always supplement a few treats in between. Wink wink. A half a cup at a time will make sure your Frenchie is pleasantly tubby and happy. Some days, it seems like a French Bulldog can never get enough food. This seemingly natural hunger is relative to the breed and you should be weary of overfeeding your French Bulldog. Monitor your Frenchie as she eats and make sure she only eats her own food, especially if you feed your French Bulldog near other pets. Note that non-neutered males may grow into the low 30lb range. Always consult a vet. Ideally, 2. This sort of consult is always quick and cheap sometimes free and you owe it to your companion to get the opinion of an expert veterinarian. Overweight Frenchies can suffer from some very severe health problems, including heart disease just like humans , labored breathing, and lack of physical exercise. Never take a French Bulldog out to play in sweltering heat, they can die. Generally, older French Bulldogs will require slightly less food than their young counterparts. However, do not restrict food from your French Bulldog if they appear to be underweight or hungry. A reader pointed out in the comments below that these calculations would put french bulldogs in the 40lbs range somewhere around calories per day. This is obviously an outlier situation and no french bulldog needs that many calories. This means feeding your french bulldog less food as they age. If they look thinner than usual, you can move up by 5 calories per pound of weight until you find a magic number. No french bulldog is identical and our suggestions are based on average weights computed to a mean average calorie intake suggestion. Read: I use this calculator and a pad of paper. See this guide in order to determine the appropriate weight for your Frenchie. Subject: How much should I feed my French Bulldog?
Testimonials "We wanted a sister for our 6 year old GSD, Katja, she had just lost her favorite kitty Tattoo, who was 33 years old. I then started researching GSD Breeders in our area. I researched them thoroughly. From the moment Bobbi and I spoke on the phone I knew this was the perfect fit, she sent us pics of her mom n dad and pics of Zasha. All of the parents history, health records, vet checks, AKC certification and verification. We called a handful breeders and met with a couple and were saddened and discouraged. She cared, she asked tons of questions, wanted us on speaker phone to get a feel of our family. You could tell her dogs and puppies were her family just as much as any human. Bobbie encouraged us to talk it over, call her back with any questions and we were welcome anytime for a visit. We did call back with questions and planned a visit the next Saturday as they live 3 hours from us. I have never been greeted into a strangers home so warmly. All her dogs are amazing, loving, smart, beautiful and tested. Justin brought his girl Kimber home and we remained in touch by sending photos, messages and her checking in. Fast forward 1. He said to me "Mom, come on - it's Bobbie! If she's home, I bet she'd love it" so I sent a quick message and immediately she said "yes! It was intended as a short visit but we were having a nice time and Kimber and our lab were having so much fun playing with her dogs that we took much of their afternoon. She had a 5 month old puppy that we all feel in love with for her goofiness and loving manner. Sounded as though all would be fine in time but Bobbie wouldn't take that chance in case she needed extra medical care in her future etc so she gave the person who had a deposit on this girl her pick of the litter instead. Over the next 4 months she was monitored and vet checked and released with a clean bill of health. We are a busy house with 2 of Bobbie's German Shepherds, a lab and a yorkie but always try to take moments to send Bobbie updates of their antics and spoiling. I can tell you in our hunt we did not come across anyone as dedicated, responsible, committed or loving with her dogs than Bobbie and we can't leave her children or Mike out - they too were there every visit and very engaged and supportive with the dogs. Much love, " - Michelle Evjen-Freed and family Bobbie is wonderful lady, who deeply cares about her dogs. All her dogs is absolutely stunning, well behaved. I'm mom of her 2 gorgeous German Shepherds. Bobbie is very honest and responsible breeder. I love Bobbie and highly recommend her!! Julia Goudie. We have answers. Am I limited to Portland German Shepherd puppies for sale? Looking for your dream German Shepherd, Portland? If you're looking for a dog, but can't find the right one in your area, don't worry! We work with breeders and businesses throughout the United States to get your pup flown in to meet you. These partners are total professionals when it comes to transportation, and most families who choose Uptown Puppies will have their pup picked up at a local airport. How do you screen breeders with German Shepherd puppies for sale in Portland, Oregon? German Shepherd puppies for sale? Portland has the best! We're all about responsible, humane breeding. When we screen breeders who wish to join our network, we're looking for a track record of exemplary practices in animal care and customer service. Breeders must adhere to our Breeder Pledge and have no connection to puppy mills. Are German Shepherds trainable for novice owners? What about the best German Shepherd puppies Portland has to offer? German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They make great pets and can be very obedient. However, they may not be the best choice for people who don't have a lot of experience training dogs. We have created a puppy finder network where families like yours can search for their dream dog without being bombarded by bad breeders. We only allow qualified breeders to join our network, and we make it easy for you to find the perfect pup. What is a puppy mill? Do they have cheap Portland German Shepherds for sale? Puppy mills are not always terrible places where dogs are treated poorly. Sometimes, these puppies can be bought from reputable mills that follow good breeding practices and provide a loving home for the pup. However, there are also many puppy mills that treat their dogs poorly and use them only for the purpose of producing puppies. These "affordable" pups often have serious health issues later in life due to their lack of care early on. Are German Shepherds for sale in Portland, Oregon good for apartments? Fact: German Shepherds need regular exercise and room to roam in order to stay healthy. Some people may tell you that it's okay to keep your German Shepherd cooped up, but the truth is that this breed needs plenty of physical activity in order to be happy and healthy. If your dog isn't getting enough exercise, they're more likely to become destructive and reclusive. Are there any German Shepherd puppies for sale near Portland? If you're looking for a German Shepherd puppy, be sure to check out Uptown Puppies. They have a wide variety of puppies to choose from, and they always have new litters coming in. With so many puppies available, it's important to act fast if you want one. Are German Shepherd puppies near Portland right for me? Well, that depends! Do you desire a loyal dog who is intelligent and hard working? If so, the German Shepherd may be the perfect pooch for you! They are protective but also very friendly towards their families. Join the club if you're looking for a loyal pet that will always have your back. Are German Shepherds good family dogs? German Shepherds may have a reputation for being fierce and intimidating, but this is not always the case. They are actually very loving dogs towards those that they care for, including children in the family. They are also quite protective of their families and will remain friendly with people they know if properly socialized from a young age. Where do German Shepherds come from? Are they only available from German Shepherd breeders near Portland? The German Shepherd is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. In fact, evidence suggests that this breed may have originated in Germany as early as the late s. At first, these dogs were solely used to herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. However, over the years their intelligence, obedience and temperament has made them some of the most popular dogs around. Whether you're looking for a loyal companion or a powerful hunting dog, the German Shepherd is definitely worth considering. Are German Shepherds smart? German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world. They're considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds, and because of this they require a lot of training. If you don't provide your German Shepherd with the appropriate training, he may start to outsmart you instead of obeying your commands. How fast can German Shepherds run? Where can I find the best German Shepherd for sale Portland has to offer? German Shepherds are some of the fastest dogs in the world. They can sprint briefly at a top speed of up to 30 miles per hour or run at a sustained speed of up to 15 miles per hour, sometimes for an hour or longer. Whether they're herding, working, or playing, that's pretty darn fast.
The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. 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. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.
Phone lines open everyday from 8. We're a happy, friendly team and would love you to come and visit us at the centre to see our fantastic facilities and all the waggy tails of our doggy guests. We can care for up to 85 dogs in our 67 kennels, and we make sure our residents get plenty of enrichment in our on-site training barn. By public transport: Nearest rail stations are Prescot and Whiston , which are each a five-minute drive away from the centre. By road: M62 junction 6 or M57 junction 1 or 2, then B.Parking available on site. Local supporter relations If you are interested in donating In Memory, have questions about our Canine Care Card service, leaving a Legacy or if you would like to book a guest speaker for your Community Group, then please get in touch with your local Supporter Relations Officer Kate Ankers or call on .Supporting us Donate your pre-loved items. Signage outside will make it clear where you can drop off your donations. We rely on your kind support to continue our vital work, please donate today. How rehoming works. Joined: Sun Dec 26, pm Location: wirral Post by MrsMoby » Thu Dec 30, pm Mica wrote: If your daughter has allergies it might be best to let her mix with adult dogs as she may not react to the puppy but when their adult coat comes in she could react to that. Both my partner and I have asthma, my partner in particular reacts to dogs. However, we spent two hours with two adult doods Sienna and Mia and 12 puppies and he didn't have a reaction - I did, but only to the saliva, and I still do - I go red and blotchy and slightly itchy if I have prolonged contact like when throwing his ball for ages! Isobel now has Artex who was a puppy from Marley's litter so you would be able to see if your daughter had any reaction to mum and son as well as aunty mia. You could also contact the Labradoodle Trust who have lots of adult dogs for rehoming, I'm sure they would provide lots of further advice on the allergy myth that surrounds doodles too. Unfortunately, many are bought because the breeder sells them as "allergy friendly" and that is just not true so they end up being sold on or given over to the Trust when family members turn out to be allergic to the adult coats. Just to say also, Marley is an F3. I like the scruffy fleece coat look rather than smooth hence I like the F1b's or F2 and 3s etc. Will try my daughter with the adults and also getting her allergy tested as we dont know if its dogs or the environment shes allergic to as she reacts to some but not others but it isnt breed specific MrsMoby and my dood Zuko.
Gold Cream. Pugapoos are good house pets, and they tend to be easy to handle. This dog is a good family dog and handles children well, as they are playful. They are affectionate and loyal to their owners. The Pugapoo is a gentle, social, and intelligent dog with hints of whimsy in its character. This makes them a lot of fun but difficult to train. They are friendly to strangers and can get along well with other dogs, cats, and pets. They have some degree of separation anxiety as they enjoy being around people and other animals. Otherwise, they are relatively quiet. Seeing as they are playful and energetic, they can be difficult to train at first. The owner must exercise positive reinforcement when training to yield the best results. They are also easily potty trained. The Pugapoo has unique traits that are formed from being a hybrid of two different breeds. Give them some exercise, proper grooming, and a healthy diet, and you are good to go. They are also able to live in any type of environment. Just be careful of increased heat or cold temperatures and look out for panting, which is typically an indication of overheating. Exercising your Pugapoo The little bodies of the Pugapoo can store a lot of energy, which means the dog can be lively and active. Exercise is a good way to get some of that excess energy out of their bodies. A lengthy walk once a day would be an ideal amount of exercise. Playtime with their owners is also a great activity. Grooming: Are Pugapoos hypoallergenic? The difference in coats means that some Pugadoos can be quite hypoallergenic if they have a bit more fur like the poodle coat. However, Pugapoos with short fur are not known to be hypoallergenic. The various kinds of coats from Pugappoos mean that their grooming needs also vary. The Pugapoos might have to visit the parlor every six weeks at most, depending on their coat type. But they do require their teeth to be brushed at least once a day to prevent gum recession and wobbly teeth. Feeding a Pugapoo: What is their food consumption? Make sure that the food you are giving your Pugapoo is high-quality and that it is meant for dogs of the same size and level of energy. You can feed them twice a day with controlled portions as not to overfeed the dog. Instead, Pugapoo puppies should be eating food made for their growing bodies, which requires a lot of nutrients. What health problems does the Pug and Poodle Mix have? All dog breeds are susceptible to different health issues. Still, mix-breeds like a Pugapoo or a Goldendoodle are less likely to develop congenital conditions because of the larger gene pool than purebred dogs. Pugapoos do, however, still have the potential to develop some health conditions. Some signs that your Pugadoo has Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are a worsening limp, stiffness in one or both rear limbs, licking or chewing at the hip area, muscle atrophy, and restlessness and aggression. Other health conditions Pugapoos are susceptible to are: Eye problems — mostly inherited. They were very spoiled, as they were the dogs of emperors. They were even guarded by soldiers! Some believe they are related to the Tibetan Mastiff ancestor of the Mastidoodle , but this has not been confirmed. During the s and early s, China began trading with European countries, and therefore Pugs were introduced to Europeans. They instantly became a big hit. They were common in royal households. William, Prince of Orange, even claims his beloved Pug saved his life by barking to signal the approach of the Spaniards. Pugs peaked in Europe during the Victorian era. After the Civil War, they were introduced to America. This breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in .Additionally, the Pug Dog Club of American was founded in .Poodle Breed History: While commonly associated with the French, the Poodle actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany over years ago. Eventually, Poodles made their way from the lake to the life of luxury as they were the breed of choice by French nobles, and eventually royalty across all of Europe. To this day, the Poodle is still the national dog of France. The Toy Poodle started in the United States in the early 20th century to be a city-dwelling companion dog. However, in the United States between the s and the s, there was a significant increase in breeding Poodles with other dogs. Pugapoos are not large dogs. On average, males are between inches in height and females are between inches in height. Males weigh between pounds and females weigh slightly less, between pounds. If the coat is more similar to the Pug, it will be lower maintenance and require less frequent brushing. The type of coat also dictates how often they should be bathed. If the Pugapoo has the longer, curly, Poodle-like coat, they should be bathed every three to six weeks. Are Pugapoos Hypoallergenic? Do Pugapoos Shed? Pugs are pretty heavy shedders, although Poodles are hypoallergenic and generally non-shedding. When mixed together, the shedding may be better controlled. However, when a mixed breed has only one hypoallergenic parent, it is impossible to guarantee that the offspring will be hypoallergenic. The only way to guarantee a hypoallergenic offspring is if both of the parents are hypoallergenic. The Pug Poodle mix averages about a year lifespan. Pugapoo Dog Breed Common Health Concerns: Although mixing breeds often minimizes health problems, there is still the potential for health problems to arise. Pugapoos have some potential health problems that you should be aware of. Some other potential concerns that warrant your attention include allergies, epilepsy, and brachycephalic syndrome. Due to the cost of treating these common health concerns, we highly encourage all dog owners invest in pet insurance. We recommend getting a free online quote from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. These dogs are considered highly intelligent, and adequate amounts of mental stimulation are important for them. This keeps them entertained and decreases the chances of them participating in destructive behavior. This dog may be slightly wary of new visitors, and will you give a bark or two to alert you to their presence. This friendly dog is usually great with children, although older children are preferable. Pugapoo Dog Breed Activity Requirements: Pugs are not considered very active dogs requiring much activity. Poodles, on the other hand, do require a significant amount of exercise due to their working past. Estimate dedicating around 45 minutes of your day to giving a Pug Poodle Mix a proper amount of exercise. This can be in the form of walks and trips to the dog park where they can romp with other dogs. As a puppy, a Pugpoo may require more exercise than just 45 minutes. Something to be cautious about with this breed is their bradycephalic condition. Their flat snout contributes to this and can have adverse effects on ability of the Poodle Pug mix to breathe properly, especially after physically exerting themselves. Additionally, be careful that the Pugapoo does not become overheated. Keep water nearby and always encourage frequent breaks. Photo courtesy of maya. Alternative Breeds to the Pug Poodle Mix. Lifespan Sociability One big draw of the Pugapoo is their relatively low cost compared to either parent. Both the Pug and the Poodle are fully pedigreed breeds, accepted by the major canine organizations. This means that their puppies can get very expensive. Pugapoos, however, are a designer breed. As an alternative, you can check around at local shelters and see if there are any Pugapoo puppies available for adoption. Some Pugapoos Are Hypoallergenic One of the multitude of desirable traits displayed by the Poodle is their hypoallergenic fur. Allergies are a major deterrent that prevents many people from experiencing the joy and companionship of a lovely canine companion. Not all Pugapoos are hypoallergenic because offspring only inherit some traits from each parent. Their genetics may heavily favor one parent or the other, or they could possibly get nearly equal traits from both. They can be almost any color, usually a mixture of several. Moreover, they can range drastically in size, weight, and even temperament. You can have a litter of Pugapoos where each pup looks completely unique. This is actually quite common, with each puppy taking apparently random genetic cues from each parent. You could take two siblings from a litter that look like entirely different breeds of dog! They Prefer to Stay Indoors Some dogs are perfectly happy spending the majority of their time outside. In fact, some dogs are happier this way! But not the Pugapoo. This is an indoor dog through and through. Your dog will be very unhappy and will openly display its displeasure to let you know. Pugapoo pups tend to follow suit, generally displaying above-average levels of intelligence. These are also very playful and affectionate dogs. They want to be close to their person, playing together or cuddling up all the time. Are These Dogs Good for Families? A Pugapoo that has been around kids and other pets since it was young is going to be a very social dog that gets along well with just about everyone. Their weight may continue to increase until they are 18 months old as they fill out their chests and put on more muscle. They range in height from 12 to 15 inches at the shoulders upon maturity. They are produced by either one or both of the parents being the runt of the litter. A Pug typically stands between 10 and 11 inches, while the Toy Poodle is between 9. Toy Poodle Pug Mix typically reaches its full-grown size earlier than their first birthday. Pug Poodle coat colors and types Pug crossed with Poodle can either have a short, smooth coat or much longer and curlier hair. Coat color can be fawn or gray with a black mask, or have a solid color throughout such as tan, cream, white, black, or gray. Pug Doodle temperament and personality Pug x Poodle inherited the intelligence of the Poodle and the clownish temperament of the Pug. You can expect them to have a playful sense of humor that loves to be the center of attention of the family. They are mostly indoor dogs that prefer the company of their family that like to follow their every move. For this reason, Pug x Poodle is not suitable to be left alone for long hours. They may feel distressed and possibly develop destructive behaviors around your house, such as chewing objects or furniture and inappropriate soiling in some areas. Is Pug Mixed with Poodle a good family dog? Yes, the Poodle and a Pug Mix is a good addition to any family. They are very sociable and get along well with children, but should be adult supervised to avoid any accidents during rough playing due to their small size. The mixed breed can also get along pretty well with other pets, especially those they grew up with. Socializing them early on will enhance their friendliness and will make them more at ease with different people and animals. Poodle and Pug Mix hardly show any aggressive behavior but may have a tendency to bark or be talkative whenever they are excited or triggered by a loud noise, which they inherited from the Poodle. Poodle and Pug Mix ideal living conditions Because the Poodle Mixed with a Pug is a small to medium-sized dog, they can adapt well to any type of dwelling whether it is a large house or a small apartment. They also prefer being indoors rather than being left outdoors for long periods. Doodle Pug training Poodle Pug Mix dog is fairly intelligent and can be trained adequately because they are observant and a quick learner. They have a tendency to be stubborn though due to their Pug heritage, but this can be corrected through early socialization and the use of positive reinforcements. Leaving them untrained can make them overly excited by jumping on people or getting noisy around strangers or guests. Socialization should begin as early as they are 7 to 8 weeks old right after they have received their first round of vaccines. Later at 16 weeks of age, Pug and Poodle Mix puppies can be taught basic commands such as sit , down, and come. Giving them rewards and praises will go a long way in keeping them motivated to follow your commands. Daily walks or light jogging are great exercises that would quickly burn down their energy level. When walking your Pug Poodle Mix, make sure you are using a retractable dog leash and your pup is wearing a harness. You can also incorporate fun games such as fetching or tug-of-war that would not only stimulate them physically but mentally as well. For a growing Pug Poodle Mix puppy, the amount of exercise they need can be calculated by multiplying their age in months by 5 minutes. So, a 4-month-old puppy can exercise for a total of 20 minutes each day. It should also be pointed out that Pugapoos with shorter muzzles must not be exerted with too much exercise for this might cause breathing difficulties. The coats of her parents are two poles apart, so to speak, with the Poodle having a single layer and non-shedding coat while most Pugs have a double layered coat that sheds all year round. That said, the grooming needs of a Pug Poodle Mix dog vary depending on the type of coat she inherited. Bathing Regardless of coat type, a Poodle Pug does not need to be bathed often to avoid skin from drying out and the coat from looking dull. Use a shampoo that is specially made for dogs. These shampoos are devoid of harsh ingredients but are very effective in removing dirt and debris. Avoid using dog shampoo that is heavily scented; instead, choose ones made with organic ingredients such as rosemary and argan oil. If your pooch gets dirty in between bathing sessions, you can wipe her coat with doggy wipes or you may also use dry dog shampoo in-between baths. Pugpoo Description The Pugapoo is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Pug and the Poodle. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. She has a wonderful personality, was easy to train and is very loveable. She likes to sleep under the blankets like a human. She definitely does not have the Poodle fur at all. Jasmine's fur can been seen on the couch, carpet and on our shirts when we hold her, but it's fine, small hairs that we see, not big clumps like some dogs would leave behind. Notice how some of the puppies have Poodle-type coats which will not shed and some have Pug-type coats which may or may not shed. The pups with the Poodle coats you will have to take to the groomer to get clipped. The pups with the Pug coats may stay short and you may not have to get them clipped. However, this will not be certain until the pups grow up. Update: This is a picture of Rosco, one of the Pug-looking pups shown above, all grown up at about a year old. His owners say, "He is very unique. He doesn't have to be groomed, but when he is, his hair is vastly different. It is softer, lighter and doesn't shed. This is the top recommended dog food for different types of small dog breeds. It contains 28 percent of protein, 16 percent of fat, 4 percent of fiber, and Omega-3 and Omega.It consists of small and bite-sized kibbles specifically for pugs, and it is made up of chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, and corn. The shape of the kibbles is designed to aid the pugs with picking up the food since this dog has a short muzzle, making it difficult to eat. Orijen Adult Dog Food. This dog food is free of grain. It is made up of chicken, fish, turkey, and avocado, or approximately 80 percent of meat and 20 percent of vegetables and fruits. Avoderm Small Breed. This dog food is formulated for dogs that are 20 pounds and below only. It has percent of crude protein and 16 percent of crude fat, beef, and avocado. Small dogs that are obese should consider eating this dog food. It has no byproducts, no corn, wheat, and soy, and contains chicken meal. Whichever brand you settle on, you want to be sure it makes only the best dry dog food. Those formulas are not ridden with additives, by-products, preservatives, and artificial colorings that are typical of the worst dry dog food. Puppies have special nutritional requirements, so if you have one at home, make sure you only get them the best puppy food brands. Old dogs are also not excluded from special treatment. Give your loyal, elderly pup the best kind of chow for their age by following our best senior dry dog food guide. Feeding your Pug Poodle mix should have a balanced diet just like any other dog. You should consult with your veterinarian about these dog foods and devise a holistic dietary plan. Too much protein is too much calorie for the dog and may result in too much weight. It may not be the most energetic dog, but it can adapt to the lifestyle of the family. You should make at least 30 minutes to 45 minutes of playtime and mental stimulation for the dog. Below are some activities for the dog: Walking or Jogging. This activity is encouraged since it would quickly burn down the energy level of your dog. Playing fetch. This is another alternative to walking or jogging outside. It also encourages mental stimulation since it would eventually learn new commands and react to it. This is an effective method of molding the attitude of your dog into a pet-friendly animal. Not only does it learn how to socialize with other dogs, but also learn how to play with children. Trick training. There are various exercises that incorporate both physical and mental stimulation that is applied when teaching your dog to climb over an obstacle or jump over a fence. Pug Poodle Crossbreed Training Pug Poodle mixes are easily trainable once you get past its quite stubborn personality. If the dog is left untrained, it would have the tendency to jump up to people while being excited. Other times, the dog may become noisy and difficult to handle around strangers or guests at home. Here are some approaches to addressing these issues: Socialization. The Pug Poodle mix is a dog with a small pinch of attitude. The dog will eventually learn new social skills and make the necessary behavioral adjustments to please its owner. Positive Reinforcement. Rewarding your dog while teaching it commands can come a long way to its relationship with you. You give your dog a reward such as a treat or a toy whenever it successfully responds to your command but gives it nothing until it learns how to react correctly to your call. Puppy Training. The most important part of training the dog as a puppy is giving it your time and company. This should teach your dog the value of your bond with it and will soon acknowledge you as its alpha. Let it play with toys that you give so that it learns that being with you is a rewarding experience. Poodle Pugs and Families Pug Poodle mixes make one of the best family dogs out there. This is an adorable dog that loves nothing more than being at the center of attention. It needs constant attention and engagement with members of the family because it is eager to please. The Pug Poodle mix is very intelligent. Like its Poodle parent dog side, the dog can be taught several dog tricks and follow new commands with ease. Children would enjoy learning how to train the Pug Poodle puppy and appreciate its presence at home. This dog is also an ideal companion for people living in smaller spaces such as dorms and apartments. And because the dog should have constant companionship, it makes for ideal dogs for senior citizens or retirees who spend most of their days at home. Additionally, the Pug Poodle mix could adapt to different climates or temperatures. The Pug Poodle mix loves to fool around and play in its own way with its owner, so expect it to be noisy when it plays with you. The dog does well with other dogs and animals because of its social disposition. A Pug Poodle mix has a loving personality that makes it more than qualify as a special member of the family. This might be a cute mix, but is this pup the right pet for you? A designer mix has parents that are two different purebreds. Purebreds are dogs that have a known ancestry, or pedigree. Designer mixed breeds are different from traditional mutts. Because most mutts have two or more breeds with unknown ancestry in their background. The idea of designer crossbreeds is to combine the best qualities of two different breeds in the offspring. Many people also think that mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebred dogs. It is true that purebred dogs can suffer from health conditions caused by a lack of diversity in their genetic lines. Outcrossing can lead to more robust health in the mixed breed offspring—a concept called hybrid vigor. The Poodle breed originated with the Standard, which was then bred down to the Miniature. Toy Poodles came into being in the early 20th century, when it was created as a companion animal for sophisticated city dwellers! They are smart and confident little dogs. The cute little Pug is also classified as a Toy breed. The Pug is an ancient companion dog breed of the Far East. The first Pugs came to the West in the s, and quickly became popular pets. The Pug is known for its playful, loving, and happy personality, traits that have made it a favorite family pet for years. What are the origins of the Pug Poodle mix? Designer mixed breeds are a relatively recent development in the history of dogs. Most came into fashion just a few decades ago. What does a Pugapoo look like? As a mixed breed dog, the size and coat type can vary quite a bit. They are generally between 10 and 12 inches tall at the shoulder. The Pug has a short, smooth coat. Coat color is fawn or black. Fawn Pugs have distinctive dark masks. The coat does shed, but overall grooming requirements are minimal. Once a week brushing is usually fine for Pugs. The Toy Poodle has a more elegant appearance than the Pug. Toy Poodles weigh between 6 and 9 pounds. They stand 10 inches or less at the shoulder. The coat is dense and curly. Poodle coats can come in a wide range of solid colors. Popular colors include black, white, silver, apricot, and cream. Many owners take their Poodles to professional groomers. However, they are low shedders and can be a good choice for people with allergies. Generally, the Pug cross Toy Poodle is a small dog, ranging between 10 to 20 pounds in weight and 8 to 12 inches in height. Is the Pug Poodle mix hypoallergenic? The Pugapoo coat can favor one parent breed over the other. Their coat can be straight, curly, or somewhere in between. Coat length can be short, medium, or long. The Poodle comes in a wider range of coat colors than the Pug. Your Pugapoo can be black, white, or any shade in between. Some Pugapoos have the dark muzzle of a Pug, while others have a solid coat. Pugapoos generally have a lower-maintenance coat that a purebred Poodle, but they can require more grooming than the Pug. Shedding can also vary from minimal to normal. Pugapoo Personality The Pug was bred as a lap dog. Poodles were working dogs, which in the smaller varieties have been bred to become pets over the years. They both have traits that make the Pugapoo an appealing family pet. The Poodle is known for its intelligence, energy, and loyalty to its family. The Pug is famously cheerful, charming, and mischievous. While mixed breed dogs can inherit the temperament traits of either parent breed in any combination, the Pugapoo is generally a loving and social dog. They require a moderate amount of exercise and are very trainable. Be sure to start socializing your puppy from an early age and use only positive reinforcement training techniques. Pug health Pugs are not healthy dogs. The Pug is a brachycephalic flat-muzzled breed. These health problems include difficulty breathing. Due to blocked airways, collapsed larynx, gastrointestinal issues, heart failure, and difficulty regulating body temperature in hot weather. The Pug can also suffer from multiple eye problems because the flattened face causes the eyes to protrude. This is called brachycephalic ocular syndrome. Another health problem related to the inherent structure of the Pug is hemivertebrae , which is a painful spinal deformity seen in breeds with screw tails. Poodles can suffer from joint problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which causes disintegration of the hip joint. Because both parent breeds are prone to some serious health conditions, your Pugapoo can inherit these health problems as well. Pug Poodle Mix Puppies Responsible Pugapoo breeders will health test their Pug and Poodle breeding stock for inherited health conditions. Genetic tests are available for many of the inherited health problems of the parent breeds. Your breeder can also have their veterinarian test for certain joint and eye conditions and have the results certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Reputable breeders will share all relevant test results with potential buyers. Remember that brachycephalic breeds like the Pug can suffer from serious health issues. In addition to reviewing test results and the facial structure of the Pug parent, be sure to visit your breeder in person. Observe the living conditions of the home or kennel area. Choose a puppy that is lively and not overly shy. Is a Pugapoo the Right Dog for You? The Pugapoo mixes the healthy Poodle with the unhealthy Pug. The risks of their taking after the Pug parent facially are too high. However there are some other great Poodle mixes you might like to consider. References and Further Reading Beuchat, C. The Institute of Canine Biology, .American Kennel Club.
You will receive a pound of food when you pick up your puppy so that you can transition to whatever food you choose. The most important things to keep in mind are choosing a kind labeled "Puppy Food" so that it has the nutrients your puppy needs to grow well. Also check to see if the first ingredient is meat-based or plant-based. Dogs digest meat-based foods more easily than plant-based. We recommend feeding your puppy 3 times per day. This helps the puppy maintain a steady metabolism as he grows rapidly. Smaller, more frequent meals also help with house training, since dogs naturally want to relieve themselves after eating. Once your puppy is about 6 months old, you can cut back to 2 feedings per day. Sometimes a puppy may not eat much the first week because of his new environment. This is normal. Give him time and his appetite will return. Vet Appointment: We recommend scheduling an appointment with your local vet within 1 week after your puppy arrives. We will give you a copy of your puppy's vaccination and deworming schedule to take to your vet. Your vet will be able to tell you which vaccines the puppy needs next and set up a monthly deworming schedule. Check them out on Amazon here. To learn more about what to feed your golden retriever puppy, check out this article here. Brush Golden retrievers are obviously very fluffy and need to be brushed often. Check this brush out on Amazon here. Check it out on Amazon here. Chew Toy Check it out on Chewy here he had the size small. Plush Toy This is a plush, squeaky toy that will keep your puppy busy for hours. Interactive Toy Interactive toys allow you to play and bond with your puppy, and are great for teaching or reinforcing commands like drop it, sit and stay. Bonus Items The above list is for the bare necessities of what your puppy will need to get started. Below are some extra things that, although are not necessary, have come in pretty handy. Food Storage Container This is great for keeping food fresh and in a convenient place. Since we get the pound bag of food, we get this container that holds 42 pounds of food. Note that this container does not come with a scooper, so we recommend one like this that has measurements on it. Check out the storage container on Amazon here. Exercise Pen Exercise pens are great for confining your puppy to a smaller area while giving them more space to run around in than a crate. Using a combination of baby gates, exercise pens, and the crate will help you keep them safe while also keeping them from chewing up the house. Get this baby gate from Amazon here. Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook Getting everything you need will help you physically prepare for your puppy, but you also need to mentally prepare for your puppy. This book will help you know exactly what to do before you bring your puppy home, how to handle the first month which is the toughest month! Get the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook here. That means get their crate set up, have their food and water bowls in their designated places, and have a few welcome home toys set out to help your new pup have a great experience in your home right away. Find a veterinarian. Locate the nearest emergency animal hospital. Find both the nearest hospital, and the nearest 24 hour hospital. Find a puppy kindergarten class. If you ask any trainer, breeder, or veterinarian how to have a well-behaved pup, nearly all of them will recommend joining a puppy kindergarten class. The socialization aspect alone is worth it. Puppy-proof your house and yard. Get down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy will be seeing remember this: whatever can be chewed will be chewed , and make sure there are no puppy-sized holes that they could escape through in your backyard. For more tips on how to raise your new golden retriever puppy, check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Life With Your Golden Retriever Puppy Although this might seem like a pretty big list, if you have it all when you bring your puppy home with you, it will make the transition time that much easier. Take lots of pictures and videos! Have a question about any of these items? Let us know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is getting a puppy and needs to see this list, please share this with them! Related articles:. Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. By Susan B. Barnes Susan B. Barnes is a lifestyle, food and travel journalist who is as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and sampling fermented shark in Iceland as she is taking her dog on miles-long walks and hanging out at the dog park. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on January 28, We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Though she's happy to snuggle and cuddle up with you, she's also an active dog who enjoys being outside, be that going on walks or hikes , to the dog park , or playing fetch in a fenced-in backyard. As a good dog parent, you want to be prepared for whatever adventures await the two of you, but taking a look at all of the products out there for dogs can be overwhelming. From the right collar, leash and harness setup to grooming needs, food bowls, road trip necessities, toys to burn off all that energy, plus a few goodies for the humans, this list has everything you need to take care of the most golden part of your life. Featuring a collar, leash, and waste bag dispenser, you'll be prepared for your walks and your golden will love all the compliments on how handsome she looks. This harness, with its padded chest and belly, is fully adjustable for a perfect fit with leash clips in the front and back. It comes in a variety of colors to coordinate with your dog's leash and collar, too. The adjustable height means the serving tray can grow with your golden, and the pads on the bottom prevent slipping while she eats and drinks. Place a mat under the bowls to catch any water droplets. The stainless steel bowls can be removed and popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Not only will she have to slow down to find the food, but she'll essentially work out a puzzle which keeps her mentally stimulated, too. Choose to purchase just the cover and fill it yourself with old pillows, towels, sheets, or clothes, or you can opt to purchase their eco-friendly fill made from plastic bottles or their memory foam insert. The extra-large size is recommended for full-grown goldens. Not only does the shampoo leave your pup fresh and clean, but it moisturizes and conditions so that after-bath brushings are tangle-free. It's terrific for dogs with sensitive skin, too. With a dense outer coat and thick undercoat, it can take some time to brush out all the layers, but this undercoat rake makes quick work of their luscious locks. One Chewy reviewer wrote that the medium-tooth rake was "so wonderful to get my two golden retrievers' undercoat combed out. Also, the gel grip is quite easy to hold on to. The non-slip handle works for both right- and left-handed users, and ensures you maintain control to avoid any mishaps. One reviewer says: "I stumbled across these supplements while trying to find some joint relief for my golden, Sandy. After only a week I already saw some improvement in her movement and she had an easier time getting up into and out of the car, which was becoming a struggle. Her coat is also looking healthier and she seems to be less itchy. Not only does this fleece-lined coat fit snugly for maximum warmth, but it's waterproof and has reflective strips to stay safe during nighttime walks and winter hikes. They can also help older dogs find traction on slippery floors. Tip: use the printable sizing guide to measure your dog's feet before ordering to ensure a perfect fit. And send us videos of your dog trying them for the first time! This seat cover is not only comfortable for your pup, but waterproof, too. When it's time to go, simply lay the cover over the seat, loop straps around the head rests, push the anchors in, and voila—you're ready to hit the road! One way to do that is to use a harness that doubles as a seat belt: simply attach the harness to the seatbelt using a carabiner, and you'll both be on your way safely and comfortably. Fill the bottle, twist on the top that doubles as a bowl, and when your golden's ready for a drink, squeeze the bottle and water will fill the bowl. Release, and the water disappears back into the bottle. Pop some treats in the holes, cover them up, and watch your pup work her magic to figure out the puzzle and find those tasty rewards. Just like a ball you use to play fetch , this one flies through the air but when she retrieves it, she'll spend some time figuring out how to get to her favorite treats inside. When your pup drops the ball into the top of the launcher, it'll throw it 10, 25, or 40 feet; choose the "random" setting to keep her guessing. Buy Now Change up your game of fetch with this fun Frisbee alternative. This flying squirrel is made of a double canvas material that is durable enough to withstand rough play, yet still agile to spin and tumble in the air, keeping your golden guessing and enticed in play. Shop now: Chuckit! The sturdy sole ensures you'll stay on your feet, and the bone-printed liner is a fun and unexpected treat. Embroidered on percent cotton canvas, and if it gets a little dirty, simply pop it into the washing machine, air dry, and it'll be back on your furniture in no time. The rubber backing prevents slipping when your guests wipe their paws before stepping inside. It's hilarious enough to be a favorite gift for any golden lover on your list, too! Perfect for the dog park, running errands, around the house, or really anywhere you please! The design can also be used on totes, hats, and more. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! Read the full disclosure here. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials, plus some added extras. Food: Every dog needs food! See our puppy food guide for recommendations. Bowls: Your puppy is going to need something to eat that food from. Something to think about. Bedding: Your pup will need a comfortable bed to call their own. You can decide whether to choose a puppy-sized one or one that they can grown into. To avoid buying more than one crate, you can get one big enough to fit your adult golden and make it puppy-sized using dividers. Brushes: Get your puppy some brushes suitable for a longer-coated dog. The sooner you get pup used to being brushed, the easier it will be in the future. Toothbrush and toothpaste: These are daily essentials in your grooming routine. Be sure to choose a dog-specific toothpaste as the human stuff can be dangerous to canines. Treats: Essential for training. Pick high-value treats for when you really want to motivate your pup. Chew toys are essential to help direct chewing away from your belongings. Tug toys, balls to play fetch and treat-dispensing toys are also nice to have. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. These are the main things you need to think about when puppy proofing your home. Put them up high or away in their proper place. Not only will it leave you out of pocket if your pup chews something expensive, many such items are also choking hazards. Be careful of plants: Make sure you remove any plants that are poisonous to dogs , both in your house and your garden. Common offenders include foxglove, wisteria and yew. Secure medicines and cleaning products: Both medicines and cleaning products can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Hide electrical cords: If a puppy sinks their teeth into an electrical cord, it can prove fatal. Try not to have electrical cords running across the room or out in the open where your puppy can get to them. If needs be, you can get cord concealers, cord wraps or even pvc pipes to secure them. Planning Appropriate Puppy Socialization Socialization, with both humans and other dogs plus other animals, if your new puppy is going to be around them , is one of the most important things to think about with your new puppy. A well-socialized puppy should turn into an adult dog who interacts well with all dogs and people, which makes your life so much easier as a dog-owner. It might sound a bit over the top, but it will stop your pup from getting confused or overstimulated and it sets some ground rules for the humans involved, too. Pick out regular meal times for your puppy and try to stick to them as closely as possible. Also take your puppy out into the garden on a schedule, as this will really help with toilet training. You can also schedule in training sessions, play sessions and, when your puppy is old enough, their daily walks. Learning How To Train Your Puppy You might think that training your new dog will be intuitive when you get them home, but dog training is a skill you learn, not one you just pick up as you go along. Once your puppy is old enough, group puppy training classes are an excellent idea. Not only will you learn more about training your pup, your dog will also get to socialize with other young canines. The ideal option is to have the puppy in the back seat in a car harness and have a passenger sit next to them, who can hold, pet and comfort them on the journey home. Some people forgo the harness altogether and have a passenger simply hold the puppy, wrapped in a blanket or towel. However, before you even get your puppy into the car, you should try to get them to relieve themself first , to avoid any toilet-based accidents on the journey home. Once you get your precious pup home, all that effort and preparation will have been worth it to give your new four-legged friend the best start in life. 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golden retriever puppy to dog - Click here to see us on our page! We raise mainly Australian Multigenerational Labradoodles, but also have added Multigen English Goldendoodles as well as Multigen Cockapoos in limited breedings. Our Breeding stock comes from only the finest lines, that have been thoroughly tested for health and screened for temperament. That said, I am a "normal" mom with "normal" kids, - whatever that means - now, with the added love of DOGS! As I began this search for the perfect puppy for my "near perfect" children, I needed our prospective pup to be allergy friendly and non-shedding to accommodate my children and my lack of wanting to vacuum , as well as intelligent and mild mannered. After extensive research, I ended up with our first two Australian Labradoodles, and the rest is history. Because of their temperament and intelligence, well bred and nurtured Doodles are increasingly being trained formally as Therapeutic Companions. Because I left my "professional world" to stay home with my children, and only after seeing the benefits this breed has had for us, I decided to take it a step further and involve our children and other families in this latest endeavor. I soon decided to add Cockapoos as well, as they possess many of the same traits that we so desire. Trained formally or not, these dogs are just plain wonderful! Much time is devoted to each dog and puppy, always raised in homes as pets, therefore developing the finest of the Breeds! If nothing else, you may get a smile if not a laugh at our pix! Hello and Thank you for visiting Brookside! We breed puppies for Excellence, with Wonderful Temperaments and Superior Health being our top priorities! All our puppies are born and expertly raised inside our home. We are a small family in home breeder of Australian Labradoodles in Sacramento California. We have a passion for our puppies! Our Australian Labradoodle puppies are from parents that have been tested to the highest level for superior temperament, health and structure. We are very proud of our allergy-friendly, non-shedding Labradoodle puppies that make wonderful family companions! We strive for and specialize in puppies with Therapy Quality Temperaments. Our Mama dogs come to our home to deliver and raise their puppies until the weaning process is appropriately completed. Your puppy will come with a 2 year health warranty, pedigree, Veterinarian exam, shot record and will be micro-chipped. In addition, we provide a lifetime of support for all our Brookside Labradoodle puppy Families. Labradoodle puppies for sale in California and Nation Wide. We are proud of each and every one of our Health tested Labradoodles! We no longer have visiting days and because we have to always be very cautious about parvo accidentally being brought into our home, we must limit your visit to when you pick up your puppy to bring home at 8 weeks old. We have newborn puppies year round whom are very vulnerable to infection or disease; we do not want to take any chances with our puppies health by having the traffic of non-vital frequent visitors. We even have to be very cautious with our friends and family visiting. On the day of your visit please do not have any contact with other puppies or unvaccinated dogs before you visit our home. Thank you for understanding and respecting our policy and we look forward to meeting you! Buyer Beware It is very concerning and heartbreaking to find so many puppymills on the internet now. Please be aware that there are pet stores and websites advertising each breed of dog claiming to be a 'breeder directory' but they are actually puppymills. Just because a website has a lot of pictures does not mean that those pictures were not stolen from other breeders!! Puppymills are massive breeding facilities that only view dogs as commodities. Breeding dogs are housed in shockingly poor conditions and bred until they can no longer produce, with very little human contact and suffer from neglect, poor health, parasitic infestations, and horrific wounds because they are forced to live on their feces confined to small filthy cages. So many people own dogs that have come from puppymills and dont even realize it. Unfortunately puppymills are thriving on the internet because buyers are not aware that such cruelty exists. Making such a purchase does not "rescue" the puppy- it in fact condemns puppymill dogs to a life of torture. It is estimated that there are over 4 million dogs being bred in puppymills every single year! And this number is growing.The current laws are insufficient in protecting dogs and puppies from neglect and exploitation. We have been awarded. We breed, show and sell Australian Labradoodles , Goldendoodles and Poodles. Valencia Poodles specializes in breeding healthy, beautiful, happy and smart puppies. At Valencia Poodles , we work with a small group of breeders that home raise their puppies to produce puppies that are well socialized, that are bred for temperament, and conform to the breed standard. We specialize in Australian Labradoodles, Goldendoodles and Poodles. We offer a one year health guarantee. We are devoted to our puppies and we treat each and every one as if they were going to be ours for life. Because of our dedication to our babies, you can be confident that you will go home with a beautiful puppy that is right for you. Valencia Poodles has been breeding and loving Australian Labradoodle puppies since .As a top-rated Labradoodle breeder, the Labradoodle dogs live in our home or with a guardian and are part of our family. Australian Labradoodles are funny, intelligent, loving, playful, eager to learn, and fun. They love people and are good with children of all ages. Our Labradoodles are available to people who love to have new puppies. Contact us today to learn more about our wonderful Australian Labradoodles. Standing around 15 and 19 inches tall and around 25 to 30 pounds, they are a perfect size for any size family. You will find their temperament to be gentle, loyal and very sociable. We consider them to great family dogs since they are not known as an aggressive breed. They are natural quick learners and relatively easy to train. Most owners are extremely happy with their Australian Labradoodles since they are known to be on to low shedders. Past Australian Labradoodles Litter Submit Application About Australian Labradoodles Australian Labradoodles naturally have the traits that make them the perfect breed for a high-quality, loving family companion. Our Labradoodles are as smart as poodles, and are able to learn and remember many words and they have fantastic looking coats that are non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Sacramento CA? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Sacramento CA. Australian Labradoodles are different from American Labradoodles because they have six parent breeds instead of two. How can I find a Labradoodle for sale in Sacramento at Uptown? Then get ready because you could be meeting your adorable new puppy very soon! If I search for Labradoodle puppies in Sacramento now, will I find any? The Sacramento Labradoodle breeders and companies in our network have a lot of litters to choose from. Do the Labradoodle breeders in Sacramento here provide puppies in good health? All the Labradoodle breeders Sacramento here ensure that you know what you are getting with your new puppy. Does a Labradoodle need more than one walk a day? A walk of about half an hour or so is normally fine, and these dogs do not have huge exercise requirements like some other breeds. If that sounds like what you want, start looking for Labradoodle puppies Sacramento and find your new dog today! Why should I use Uptown to find Labradoodle puppies for sale in Sacramento? What is the best food to give my Labradoodle? You may need to try a few different types of dog food when you get your Labradoodle until you find one that he or she likes. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the food you give to your dog should be healthy and nutritious. Ask your vet about dog food and find out if they have a recommendation. Do purebred dogs differ much from mixed breed dogs? Yes, purebred dogs are bred to meet very specific standards and have a documented pedigree. Mixed-breed dogs, on the other hand, have more than one parent breed. Neither is better or worse than the other, and it all depends on what you want. If you want to find a Labradoodle for sale Sacramento, start here today! Do Sacramento Labradoodles for sale shed at all? This is true of Australian Labradoodles rather than American Labradoodles. They have been bred over a number of decades for this trait, and it makes them particularly suitable for people with allergies. Can I get a Labradoodle if I live in a small apartment? There is no problem with getting a Labradoodle if you live in a small home, and they are happy wherever they are near their owners. They have perfect personalities for apartments.
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golden retriever puppy to dog - Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content.