how do you train a bulldog puppy

Based in the Los Angeles, California metro area, Sheri has over 20 years of dog training experience and also runs a general dog training practice specializing in rehabilitating dogs through positive reinforcement training techniques. This article has been viewed 73, times. You're looking to add a gorgeous, sweet, and super friendly golden retriever to your family. How exciting! You want to make sure your dog is as healthy, good natured, and happy as possible, but how can you know for sure? Choosing a trusted breeder or hobby breeder meaning, someone passionate about goldens who breeds the dog as a hobby is the way to go. Below, we'll walk you through your decision and offer some helpful tips for determining whether or not a breeder is the right pick. Read on to discover how you can buy a golden retriever puppy. Steps Section 1 of 5: Why should I get my puppy from a trusted breeder? All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. This means that if your puppy inherits an illness, the breeder will offer a refund. Your breeder will know their litters well. They'll advise you on your choice, depending on your needs and behavioral preferences. If something were to go wrong and you could no longer keep your puppy, it would likely have a safe home with its breeder. All in all, trustworthy breeders will have taken every necessary step to ensure each puppy is happy and healthy. Advertisement Section 2 of 5: Why should I avoid puppy mills, pet shops, and online posts? Puppy mills, pet shops, and online puppy sales often posted by puppy mills are motivated by money, not a genuine passion for breeding. Because of this, you can expect that each of these sources have cut corners. They won't have followed proper procedure that ensures your golden will be healthy, well-behaved, and standard in appearance. In addition to this, puppies from these sources are typically subjected to terrible, inhumane conditions at some point in the breeding process. Section 3 of 5: How can I find a trusted breeder? When hunting for a breeder on your own, it can be difficult to differentiate between scammers, irresponsible breeders, and genuine, high-quality breeders. The Golden Retriever Club of America has locations all over the country and is made up of golden retriever enthusiasts motivated by a love of the breed. Choose the club closest to you, get in touch with a GRCA volunteer via the contact information on the their website, and speak to a volunteer about the best, ethical breeders in your area. Advertisement Section 4 of 5: What questions should you ask a breeder? The answer to all three questions should be "yes. This refers to whether or not you will be compensated if the puppy falls ill. Do they belong to a breed club? This way, you can speak to their club as you would a reference. What have they been feeding the litter? It'll be crucial that you keep the puppy on the same diet for a few days after it's brought home. Do they offer support to the new owners of their puppies? It'll be helpful to know how much assistance your breeder offers with training and health concerns as the puppy grows up. Section 5 of 5: How can I avoid bad breeders? When looking out for responsible vs. A bad breeder may have many puppies at once. When done properly, breeding is time consuming. A good breeder will have only a few puppies at a time. Often, the reason this happened is because of irresponsible breeding. To increase your chances of having a happy, healthy, good-natured dog, you want to choose a reputable breeder. But how do you find one? Keep on reading to learn how! If you have two healthy parents as well as healthy grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, previous litters from these parents, etc. Temperament is inherited. Everything that was said about health also goes for temperament. Inbreeding is a major problem with golden retrievers where dogs that are too closely related can produce unhealthy puppies. Responsible breeders will know and take steps to prevent this. If anything were to go wrong, you would want a breeder with integrity to help navigate the problems, whether that ends up in a refund, a replacement puppy, etc. For a new and inexperienced puppy buyer, it can be hard to distinguish a good breeder from an irresponsible one. For one, the mom and dad will have received OFA clearances for their hips, elbows, and heart, as well as clearances for their eyes, which is a yearly exam. To help further decide on whether or not a breeder is reputable, the next section covers a big list of questions for you to ask a breeder. What Questions To Ask A Breeder This section is broken down into questions to ask about the breeder themselves, questions to ask about the sire and dam, and questions to ask about the puppies. Questions to ask about the breeder themselves Why did you choose to breed golden retrievers? You want a breeder that truly has a passion for the golden retriever breed. How long have you been breeding golden retrievers? At what age do you start to breed your dogs? Goldens must be two years old to receive final clearances on their hips and elbows, so if a breeder tells you they start to breed their dogs before two years old, watch out. Do you provide registration papers? They should provide AKC registration papers for you. Do you participate in any dog sport or activities? Most good breeders are involved in something other than just breeding. Their dogs participate in sports, shows, or are even therapy dogs. Is there a contract when I buy the puppy? There should be a contract that covers costs, refunds, responsibilities, etc. If they do require the pups to be spayed or neutered , this will be in the contract. What happens in case something goes wrong? This is also a good time to feel them out and see if this has ever happened before. Do you have any references I can talk to? Good breeders will have previous happy customers. Are you a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America or any local golden retriever clubs? Most breeders have a specific reason they were excited to breed two dogs together. How many litters has this mom had? And how old is she? Can you provide proof of the health clearances for these two dogs? Do these dogs have any titles? Can I meet the parents? The parents should be friendly and outgoing to you and any other dogs around. Questions to ask about the puppies How do you socialize the puppies? A good breeder will be able to talk to you about this. Where are the puppies born and raised? Are they raised in the home, or out back in the shed? Will they be examined by a vet before they go home? The answer should be yes. What are the puppies bred for? This may include being bred for companions pets , or show, sport, or hunting. They may ask you: Have you owned a dog before? Do you currently have a dog? What type of lifestyle are you expecting with your new golden? Why do you want a golden retriever? Do you have children? What kind of home do you live in? How much time will you be able to spend with the puppy? Is it because the breeder is inexperienced and just trying to get started? Is it because they come from champion bloodlines? Is the breeder is experienced and takes their time to properly care for the mother, socialize and stimulate the puppies, feed them the best food, and take them to the best veterinarian? Or is it because the breeder is a good salesman and can charge a premium for their puppies? Check out this article to learn more about how much golden retrievers cost. One of the best ways is to go to a local club check out this list of them by location , email or call them, and ask them to refer you to a good breeder. Another way is to ask your friends who have golden retrievers where they got them. This is how we found our golden, Oliver. A friend from church had a golden and we went over to their house and met him. We instantly fell in love and decided we needed to get his brother. You can also find breeders on Google, Facebook, or Instagram. To find a good breeder ask about health clearances, pedigree, temperament, ask to meet the parents and try to get a referral. Have any other questions about choosing a golden retriever breeder? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road. On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research. They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee , which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues. Since breeders are there from the day the puppies and their parents! And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust. No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address: Image Source Does the breeder give back to the breed? Breed preservation should be the primary goal of Golden Retriever breeders. They should participate in keeping the species alive through membership at a Golden Retriever breed dog club, a performance club, or an obedience club. What type of experience does the breeder have? Do they stay true to the pure genetic traits of the breed? Do they provide health screenings and health guarantees? Can you meet the puppies and parents in person? How many litters do the females have each year? Female Golden Retrievers can have up to two litters per year. However, breeders who follow ethical practices will only allow the females to have four to six litters in their lifetime. A female can breed between the ages of two and eight. Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home! One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder. When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase. Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age. Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood. With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy. Image Source 1 Why do you want a dog? This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions. Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog. Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home. No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak. Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders usually with generations of pure genetic proof! Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready. Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts. The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this. If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first. The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research. Buying A Golden Retriever From A Respectable, Professional Breeder Purchasing a Golden retriever Puppy from a respected, responsible professional breeder is by far the best option when it comes to getting yourself a good quality, healthy puppy given the best start in life. A responsible professional breeder: Cares greatly about the overall quality and welfare of the breed and selectively breeds for the betterment of the Golden Retriever population as a whole. Screen sire and dam for health issues in trying to breed puppies with the lowest possible chance of inherited disease. Will help you to select the right puppy for you from the many different personalities in their litter. Not all dogs are created equal! Some are more energetic, more headstrong, more confident, others less so. They will match you to the perfect puppy for your hopes and lifestyle. They handle, care for, and socialize puppies in such an expert way that the puppies have had the best possible start in life and the greatest chance of growing up a confident, happy dog of good temperament. They provide some of the best advice and support that can be given about how you should care for your new family member, from the moment you make the decision right through your Goldens entire life. So as you can see, there are many benefits to buying from a professional breeder. But surely there must be some cons you may be thinking? Well it depends how you look at it, but: A professional breeder will ask you many questions to be sure you are a good fit and have the right lifestyle that fits in with owning a Golden Retriever. You could have a long wait. Good breeders are popular and do not breed excessively, so you may have to wait a year or more before a puppy becomes available. But a benefit to this is that it weeds out the impulse buyers which cuts down on puppies that are given up after rushed decisions. Compared to some other options, you will pay quite a high price. I say a high price but what I mean is a fair price really. A fair price for a good quality, healthy puppy. But mostly backyard breeders are the unscrupulous types. You usually will not be able to see the premises on which the puppies are bred, they will not ask any questions of prospective owners and there will be no commitment or offer of help and advice for the future of the puppies they breed. This results in a poorer quality of life for the animals, and expensive vet bills for the owners. One positive of backyard breeders though is the price. Yes, they are considerably cheaper than professional breeders. And the savings you make up front are more than lost for extra vet bills down the road. So the risk is your puppy has a higher chance of inherited disease and behavior problems than the general population. There will be no true guarantee of pedigree. But if your friend has taken steps to get veterinary advice and care for the puppies, has looked after and socialized them well, maybe even knows the father of the puppies and can prove he is of good health and pedigree then this option may not be so bad. However they got into the situation, there are way too many homeless dogs in the world. Lack of space and insufficient funding inevitably means that many dogs each year are euthanized. Maybe you could give a second chance at life to such a dog? But you should also be aware that some rescued dogs will have behavioral issues, though the center staff will inform you of this. They may also have suffered some level of abuse and have psychological issues, phobias or anxieties that may not be evident until a certain situation arises. So there is some due diligence and this greatly increases the success rate of finding happy homes for dogs that suit their new human family. This is obviously a good thing for both the dogs and hopeful owners too! Buying From A Pet Store Or A Puppy Mill A large number of dogs bought from pet stores originate from puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, which are profit driven businesses that mass-produce dogs and sell through pet stores and classifieds. In puppy mills, dogs are bred in appalling conditions, kept in overcrowded small wire cages, given little exercise or socialization, enjoy no human contact and receive nothing in the way of veterinary care. The puppies are usually taken away from their mothers and litter-mates at such a young age that behavioral issues in the adult dog are extremely common. The dogs in puppy mills are no more than a commodity, a cash crop to be produced and harvested while spending as little as possible to maximize profits as far as possible. Yes, many people have been lucky enough to have purchased the most glorious of family pets from a pet store, but for each one a lot of suffering has occurred for countless more. I strongly advise that you do not support the puppy mill industry and never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. The risks of not getting a quality, healthy dog are too high, and the ethics of the industry are shocking with many dogs suffering at their hands. Everybody should work to eradicate the entire industry and the first step is by not supporting them financially. There are many places and options available to get a Golden Retriever puppy, some good, some bad, and puppy mills and pet stores just an appalling option to be avoided. In my opinion your 2 best options are to source a puppy from a professional breeder or to adopt from a rescue center. But there are other options available and I hope this article has given you some information to help you in your decision. Please let us know about your experiences of getting a GR from any of the sources above, or even one I may have forgotten. Thank you.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. White Labradors are a very attractive and distinctive looking dog. But are White Labradors really Labradors? Are they healthy and happy pooches or does their pale color result in health problems? Read on to learn everything you need to know about these wonderful dogs and why most of them make excellent family pets or show pooches. He did have some qualities that I thought were different from the many Labs I raised over the years, but I would not consider it outside the norm for a Labrador Retriever. Different Types Of White Labradors On the most basic level, white Labradors are Labradors that have a coat that is white, or almost white, in color. But their coat takes on this unusual pigment for a Labrador for a number of different reasons. These dogs are the same as all other Labs; it is just that both of their parents had the right genes to give them a coat that approaches white. They will have the same black or brown nose and eyes as other Labs, as well as the same intelligence and temperament. They will also face the same health risks, but no additional ones due to the color of their coat. Yellow Labradors come in a range of colors, from fox red, to golden, to cream, and of course, white. White is just another natural variation within the spectrum. White Labrador dogs are usually specifically created by breeders, who have been broadening the color range of Yellow Labradors for decades in order to widen their market. White Labradors are more likely to be English Labradors than American Labradors because of the history of the breeding. This means they will also have the stockier, broader look of the English Lab. Albino Labradors Unlike Yellow Labradors with a white coat, which are healthy dogs that do not differ from their darker colored brothers and sisters, some White Labradors are the result of albinism. This is a genetic condition universal throughout the animal kingdom, but rare in dogs, affecting maybe one in every 20, The result is a pooch that has white hair and extremely pale skin. They are usually easily distinguishable from Yellow Labs that are white as they will also lack pigment in their eyes and nose. Their eyes are often a distinctive red color, though they can also be blue. Albino Labradors often develop health problems as a result of their lack of pigmentation. They are very susceptible to sun damage, which can easily result in tumors and skin cancer. Their eyes are also very sensitive to the sun and can easily become damaged. They are also often born blind or suffer from eye deformities. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish these pups from albino dogs, but they will have normal eye color. This condition is also relatively rare among Labradors, as it is a recessive trait. It can come with similar health concerns as the areas of the skin that lack pigment can also be easily damaged by the sun. But they are not at the same risk as far as the eyes are concerned. Silver Labrador White Labradors should also not be confused with Silver Labradors , which occurs as a result of the dilution of the darker pigment of black or brown dogs. They can be registered with the Kennel Club as Chocolate Labradors, but they are excluded from shows. But just like Yellow Labradors with a white coat, these Chocolate Labradors with a silver coat are natural within the color range of Labradors and they do not have different personality traits or health conditions as the result of the color of their coat. Considering this, and the fact that White Labradors are relatively rare among Yellow Labradors, they are not always easy to come across. To find a White Labrador, you will need to speak with a breeder that has chosen color as one of the traits for which they are controlling. However, it is not advisable to work with a breeder who is only or primarily controlling for color, as health and temperament are still more important features in a dog than color. Bear in mind that English Labs look different; they tend to be stockier and broader in the chest and face. They also have different personalities. They tend to be more playful and silly, but have less energy. They have become very popular dogs on the show circuit, while their silly and friendly personality makes them great family pets. It can be difficult to tell if a Lab will grow to be a true White Lab when they are a puppy, as lots of Yellow Labradors are born with a very pale coat, which gets darker as they age. Of course, while seeking out a white Yellow Labrador might be something you want, seeking out an Albino Lab or even a Leucistic Lab is not advisable because of the related health conditions. However, that is not to say there are not Albino Labs out there that need someone to adopt them and give them a loving home. American Or English Labrador? As seeking out a White Labrador probably means choosing between an American and an English Labrador , it is worth considering the differences between the two. Both dogs are friendly, good-natured, and companionable, and also intelligent and highly trainable. This is why they make excellent companion dogs and working dogs. But both were originally bred as retrievers. American Labs are those that have been bred for working, while English Labradors have been bred for conformation, which means they have been bred to more exactly align with the definition of the species, which is why they are an excellent choice for show dogs. They are called English Labradors because they are significantly more common in the UK. Meanwhile, you guessed it, the working-style Labrador is more common in the USA. But, while this is how the breeds are characterized, this is far from prescriptive, and you will often encounter English Labs as working dogs and American Labs competing in shows. So, these are not strict definitions but rather a useful guide to help you distinguish between the two extremes of the breed. They are all registered as Labrador Retrievers with the Kennel Club. That said, there are some key differences to look out for. American Labs are usually a bit taller, ranging from .This height difference results because American Labs tend to have longer legs, while English Labs are stockier. But American Labs are also heavier than their English brothers and sisters, ranging from 70 to pounds, while English Labs are usually between 60 and 85 pounds. The appearance of the two dogs is also different. English Labs tend to look heavier and more substantial, with a barrel chest. They also have a wider head and a fuller face with a shorter muzzle. The neck is thicker, and so is their coat so they also shed a bit more. American Labs also tend to have more energy than English Labs, and as a result, it is often thought a firmer hand is needed to keep American Labs under control. For this reason, they are often considered better as working dogs, and when they move into the home, they need a very active family. Because English Labs are considered calmer and quieter, they are more versatile as a family dog and also easier to train for shows. I would consider him an American Lab based on looks although his breeder said he had both American and English in his ancestry. His energy level was closer to that of an American Lab, but his goofy temperament more closely resembled an English Lab. Yes, White Labradors are very rare. Albinism is extremely rare in dogs, affecting maybe one in every 20, White Labradors that are pale Yellow Labradors are also rare. White Labs are at the extreme color range available for these pooches, and it is required that both parents have and pass on the genes that allow for this extremely light color. Exactly how big your Labrador will get depends on a lot of things, but color is not one of them. As a general rule, if your White Labrador is an American Labrador, you can expect them to weigh between 70 and pounds. English Labradors, while they look stockier, tend to be lighter, between 60 and 85 pounds, They also tend to be smaller than their American brothers and sisters. A healthy White Labrador will have the same life expectancy as the majority of Labrador Retrievers, so about 12 years. However, White Labradors that are Albino will have a significantly lower life expectancy, as they are much more likely to develop serious medical conditions, such as skin cancer and tumors. Are White Labradors Purebred? Yes, White Labradors are purebred dogs within the Yellow Labrador Retriever category, and they can be registered for shows and with the Kennel Association as Yellow Labradors. Do White Labradors Shed? All Labradors shed , and they tend to shed a lot. They have a double coat, which means they have a lot of hair to leave behind. It can be especially challenging in the shedding season, which is Spring and Fall. So, yes, you will be finding those beautiful white hairs all over your home. He definitely shed more than any other dog, Lab or otherwise that we had in our home. Do White Labradors Turn Yellow? Some of the hair of a White Labrador, especially around the tips of the ears, can turn yellow with sun exposure. In addition, many Yellow Labradors may appear white when they are born, but their hair will darken over the first few months of their life. So, you cannot always tell if a Labrador will be white during the first few months of their lives. Final Thoughts When breeders refer to a White Labrador, they are referring to a Yellow Labrador that has been specifically bred to have very pale fur. This is more common among English Labs than American Labs, but they are a naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs from the breeding process. These dogs share all the same wonderful traits as other Labradors. They are friendly and intelligent, and they make excellent family dogs, working dogs, and show dogs. However, these White Labs should not be confused with Albino Labs or Leucistic Labs, which are dogs with rare genetic conditions, meaning they lack pigment in their skin. These dogs can suffer from serious health issues as a result of sun exposure. While there are dogs out there of this variety that need a loving place to call home, it is not the same as adopting a White Labrador. They do need special care and attention. The first time Archer met his new companion was also the first time the little girl ever spoke. Do you have any experience with White Labradors? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. We specialize in breeding white labrador puppies that are socialized, free of hereditary health problems, well-exercised on 12 fenced acres, intelligent, and conform to the AKC Breed Standard. Our lab puppies are part of our family and live in a loving, inclusive, intellectually stimulating environment. All lab puppies are born in our home and remain there the eight weeks they are here at Bullis Lake. Our puppies are never caged. Their area is large and they can freely run and play with their littermates. His name is Luke! We just wanted to share a recent photo of our fifth family member. He is the most wonderful dog and continues to be incredibly healthy with no end of energy! People are shocked when they learn how old he is. He gives this family so much pleasure and joy! Bullis Lake Labradors guarantees all puppies with our Health Guarantee. Bullis Lake Labradors has veterinarians on call when the need arises. You are purchasing your next family member from a responsible, reputable breeder. We love to receive emails and pictures of our puppies as they grow. Many of our buyers become friends. Yellow Labradors have always come in a range of shades. This range has been deliberately broadened in recent years through selective breeding of more muted tones. But despite this, there are only three recognised colors of Labradors — black , chocolate and yellow. Yellow Labs can now be commonly seen ranging from darkest rich fox red, through shades of golden, pale yellow, cream and even white. White Labs and fox red Labs are both classified as yellow Labs. Even though the hues look very different, they are just variations of the same base color. Changes in Trends What is considered desirable or fashionable changes from one decade to the next. And certainly differs between the show and working communities of Labrador breeders. Currently, working or American Labradors prefer the darker shades of yellow, and English Labradors are often much paler. English Labs differ from American or Working bred Labs quite dramatically in terms of their shape and personalities. In general your white English Labrador will be fun loving, a little silly and very sociable with people and other dogs. He might take a little longer to mature than his working bred cousins and may have less of a hyped up drive to retrieve or run around all day. A white English Lab will also often have a broader chest and head, as well as slightly shorter legs. The Albino Labrador Albinism is an interesting trait that is found throughout the animal kingdom. It is caused by a gene which switches off coloring. Albino Labs will have white hair or fur, and pale skin. They may also have red eyes, although very pale blue eyes can also be seen in some albinos when some pigmentation remains. True albinism in dogs is rare, and it is not a desirable trait as unfortunately it comes with health problems. Albino Lab Health Albino Labs can suffer from sensitive skin. This is an issue that leaves them particularly vulnerable to sun and heat damage. Not only can an albino Lab be easily sunburnt, the sun can also damage his eyes. This vulnerability can make these dogs prone to tumors and skin cancer. Many Albino dogs are born blind, or suffer from eye deformities. Fortunately, a white Lab is almost always not actually an albino Lab. It is actually just a very pale version of a yellow Labrador. White Labrador Retrievers will have pigmented noses and dark eyes, as well as distinctive white fur. Their fur will almost always contain touches of cream or yellow, especially around the ears. A white Lab puppy will often have yellow ears. Finding a White Labrador Puppy White Lab puppies will come from parents who have the genes for yellow coat color, and who have been selectively bred to have the palest version of this color. In a litter of puppies the shades of color can range just as dramatically as they do in adulthood. Some pups can look far more orange and others will be at the paler end. Puppy coats will also change color as they grow. So white Lab puppies may appear more or less pale when they mature. Even if you love white Labradors, remember that the most important thing about a puppy is their personality and their health. As with any puppy search, the way to find a white Lab puppy is to look for a litter of Labradors bred in a way that is appropriate for the breed. White Labrador Retriever Breeders If white Lab puppies appeal to you, then make sure that the breeder has not focused on color to the detriment of health or temperament. Color should always be a secondary consideration when breeding a litter or choosing your puppy. First make sure that all of the other boxes are ticked, and that you are happy with your breeder. Make sure both parents are fully health tested. For Labradors this will mean low hip and elbow scores, and clear eye tests as a minimum. Think of the Type of Labrador If you want a pup to show in the ring, then go to an established show breeder who will be able to help you select the best pup for your purpose. If you are looking for a family pet, make sure both parents are treasured members of the family too. When buying any Labrador puppy, making sure the breeder is a good breeder is key. Here is some more information on how to find a good breeder, for any color of Labrador. The main ones which Labrador owners deal with are regarding potty training and biting. You can find lots of information on dealing with both of these common issues in our extensive Puppies Section. Bringing a new puppy home is a big decision. If you have any doubts about whether you are ready for a Labrador check out this article to help make the right choice. Now taking deposits for Puppies. Contact us to learn more, meet our parents, and reserve your puppy! Your Labrador Breeder in Arizona with a focus on Service Service Our puppy program provides a great foundation to puppies destined for service work. Many of our puppies have gone on to become excellent service dogs. We treat all of our puppies as though they are training for therapy work. This makes a great puppy for any use! I would love to introduce you to my dogs and our special puppy program! Please contact me for more information. Even if your family does not have a special need for Therapy or Service work, the preparation we provide all of our puppies makes for an excellent family pet. Working We have prepared many puppies that went on to work-life. Not every puppy succeeds at work-life training, but our puppies are given the best chance starting life in our Puppy Program. Service Our puppy program provides a great foundation to puppies destined for service work. Family Dog Our puppies make excellent family dogs. Working We have prepared many puppies for work-life. Our puppies are well prepared for their future careers. Labs are intelligent dogs and they love to have a purpose. This makes them ideal for many types of work. Thank you for trusting me and for the kind words… What an amazing experience! Sandy has developed a wonderful program that allowed our family to bond with and work with our puppy prior to bringing him home. The education and training we received has been invaluable. She genuinely cares about her pups and the product is well behaved, well adjusted, healthy and happy puppies… Our Nash is gorgeous, smart, and healthy. We cannot give a higher praise to Sandy and her entire process of placing these beautiful pups. My Lab Puppies is a breeder we recommend to all our family and friends. We have 2, Momo is a male we brought home in February .He is now 14 months old. They are now inseparable. Extremely intelligent, lovable, trainable, and kind. Not to mention beautiful. Even my old rescue terrier loves them…Sandy is a pro. No bones about it. Jane Glenn Outstanding experience! My wife researched many dog breeders before deciding this was the breeder of choice. He is turning out to be such a smart and sweet boy—he wins friends every where he goes. Sandy has been great with support and training help. You can tell she cares about breeding for temperament and with the temperament of the parents both therapy pets working with special needs children , what a great guy he is turning out to be! Wendy Holland.

Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Gearing up for the holidays is a family affair. And given that our furry friends are as much a part of the family as anyone else, they deserve to get in on the holiday spirit, too. With a dog Advent calendar , your pup will be counting down the days until Christmas right there with you—or at the very least, begging for their daily treat. Here are eight of the most popular and unique Advent calendars for pets, in pup-friendly designs stocked with treats, toys and more. Tackle your holiday shopping early with deals and expert advice delivered straight to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the deal-hunting team at Reviewed. This gourmet dog cookie calendar Who stole the cookie from the Advent calendar? Your dog! Each of the 25 slots includes a different handmade gourmet cookie for your pup to enjoy, like peanut butter and pumpkin biscuits decorated with grain-free tapioca and yogurt frosting. This personalized Advent calendar Make your dog feel like absolute royalty with an Advent calendar emblazoned with their name. This has totally exceeded my expectations. This puppy treat calendar Treat your dog to a tree of their own that comes with or without treats, and in your choice of festive hues like hunter green and snow white. I would definitely purchase it again, I love it so much. Each treat is made with only two ingredients and comprised of 95 percent meat like duck fillet, chicken burger and turkey in the shape of little stars. It was a favorite last year and a hit this year again, too! The Wondershop Advent calendar is stacked with 12 different holiday-themed toys, like a spiked ring for soft chewers, a tennis ball for a game of catch, knotted ropes for a competitive game of tug of war and plush toys that squeak to stimulate multiple senses. I like that I can see the toys on one side and the numbered doors are on the other side. This reusable Advent calendar is a great way to limit your single-use plastic consumption while treating your dog to foods and toys you know they already love. Each drawer measures one by one inch and it contains 25 slots. This way I can fill it with treats I know won't make her sick. Each of the 25 slots is filled with a bone-shaped cookie in one of three colors. On the final day of the Advent calendar, your dog will find a larger cookie in the shape of a paw. We will definitely be purchasing again next fall. Each bite, from jerky strips to liver sticks, is coated in sustainably harvested honey for a sweet and savory flavor. Stella gets up every morning and sits in the middle of the floor until someone gives her a treat. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get the product reviews, deals and holiday gift guides you need to start shopping now. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. French Bulldogs have had a remarkable rise. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years. The British Veterinary Association has urged people not to buy flat-faced breeds, such as Frenchies. She has treated French bulldogs with breathing difficulties, and she stresses that would-be owners need to research breeders and health testing and to recognize that problems can be expensive to treat. She owns two and has conditioned them to run agility courses and take hilly hikes. The stats are based on nearly , puppies and other dogs newly registered last year — about 1 in every 7 of them a Frenchie. Registration is voluntary. The most rarely owned? English foxhounds. With roots in England and then France, French bulldogs became chic among American elites around the turn of the 20th century, then faded from favor. That changed, rapidly , in this century. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave the dogs fresh exposure. Still more came last year, when U. Last year, about , newly registered French bulldogs surpassed Labs by over 21, As a longtime breeder and a veterinarian, Dr. The Westlake , Ohio-based vet has seen plenty of Frenchies with problems but rejects arguments that the breed is inherently unhealthy. Some of her own do canine performance sports. Some other breeds are prone to ailments ranging from hip dysplasia to cancers, and mixed-breed dogs also can get sick. Lori Teller says. To animal rights and welfare activists, the French bulldog frenzy puts a snorting, panting face on problems with dog breeding in general. A new breathing test made its U. Sign up today. Most popular in Success articles. December Social Calendar Looking to freshen up your social media profile with help from some hashtag holidays? Look no further! We have put together 12 months of social media greatness — simply browse the social media holiday calendars below to perfect your social marketing strategy. But while finding the inspiration for posts can be tricky, the benefits that come from staying active and relevant make it all worth it. This is where social media holidays come in. Social media holidays give your business — or personal profile — an amazing opportunity to raise awareness and start a conversation. How To Utilise National Days As An Ecommerce If a certain national holiday is relatable to your brand, there will always be an opportunity to link it back to your ecommerce. Whether creating informative posts to inspire readers and drive engagement or offering discounts to celebrate particular holidays, there are many ways to get involved. Great tactics include: Tailoring your ad copy to relate to the holiday and improving click-through rates Sending out relevant emails to drive brand awareness and customer lifetime value Posting relatable content on social media to drive engagement Writing informative blog posts to drive traffic and conversions Downloadable holidays calendar January social media holidays The year is starting strong, with plenty of social media holidays to take advantage of. Whole Month:. Puppies, of course. And puppies in a uniform? We have to have it. By Maddie Topliff Maddie Topliff is a Daily Paws intern and a senior at Drake University studying public relations, Spanish and advertising, but perhaps most importantly, she is sister to her human brother Ben and her two fur baby brothers Chip the cockapoo and Doug the pug. Maddie also works as an intern at Principal Financial Corporation and has a year of ad agency experience under her belt, too. Writing for Daily Paws has been absolutely paw-some, and Maddie feels lucky to be a contributor! But they're not the only ones working to keep travelers safe. More than 1, canine teams are also deployed to detect explosive materials in and around airports, and they look cute doing it! Dogs Have Been Trained to Sniff Out Coronavirus at Finland Airport Because it would be hard to meet them all in person no matter how many frequent flier credits you have racked up there's this: the TSA Canine Calendar, featuring 12 hardworking dogs that are stationed all across the country—from California to Florida. According to the calendar, when she's not on duty with her handler, she loves going on hikes and chewing on rawhides—her favorite treat! At Miami International Airport, Jung the German shorthaired pointer is besties with the pilots because the calendar tells us being a pilot is his dream job! When he's off the clock, Jung loves enjoying the best of both worlds: long, leisurely walks, and running around, playing fetch! You can find more fun facts not to mention the cutest pictures about Rea, Jung, and 10 other furry friends in this year's Canine Calendar, which is available to download for free on the TSA's website. So, what are you waiting for? Brighten up your year with these photos of career-oriented puppies! Was this page helpful? Sitemap Lca Bulldogs Calendar Lca bulldogs calendar - Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogsfb Early rooms for the elementary and elc will open at am. Posted on august 10, by glen whittington. Web liberty christian academy exists to support parents and guardians in their biblical responsibility to nurture and train their. Web this is the official face book page for the liberty christian academy baseball team. Web lca bulldogs alumni page. Web the lca school calendar name will now be displayed along with your personal calendar on the left hand column. Web bulldog calendar square this fantastic bulldog calendar has 13 wonderful bulldog images. Traffic flow, bus route, and parking; Web lca bulldogs alumni page. Bulldogs Deluxe Wall Calendar Web lca bulldogs alumni page. Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogsfb Posted on august 10, by glen whittington. Web explore the events on offer for you and your dog. Web download full golf tournament information packet. Pin on Dogs AG Early rooms for the elementary and elc will open at am. Bulldogs Calendar Bulldog, Dog breeds, Dogs Web this is the official face book page for the liberty christian academy baseball team. Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogsfb Browse our calendar of exciting events. Bulldog Calendar Bulldog Dog Breed Calendar Bulldogs Premium Web this is the official face book page for the liberty christian academy baseball team. Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogsfb Web liberty christian academy exists to support parents and guardians in their biblical responsibility to nurture and train their. Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogsfb Web bulldog calendar square this fantastic bulldog calendar has 13 wonderful bulldog images. Browse our calendar of exciting events. Traffic flow, bus route, and parking; Early rooms for the elementary and elc will open at am. Web the latest tweets from lcabulldogs Web lca bulldogs alumni page.

We take our time to understand your needs regarding your future furbaby, and its here waiting to go home with you. French Bulldog Puppies for sale in Chicago, IL We are breeders of Frenchie Puppies in Chicago We are re-defining the pet store, with transparency and a focus on socialization, health, and temperament. Just as people want to know where their food comes from, so should they know exactly where that Blue french bulldog puppy for sale near you came from as well. By fostering proper socialization, we reduce transitional shock and encourage stability, ensuring your new Frenchie becomes a loving, well-adjusted companion. .So we offer the strongest Health Gaurantee in the industry. To read more about where why you should never chose a frenchie from a faceless entity. If this decision is important to you, then stick around and learn more about our French Bulldog program and the various colors and personalities we produce. Also check out our Education blog before taking home your puppy to ensure that you are well prepared. We have answers. Experienced breeders and businesses usually charge higher fees because of their expertise. When you search through Uptown, you can be matched to puppies that fit your budget. What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? Designed in the s to be a lapdog, Frenchies resemble their bigger cousin, the English Bulldog, but are smaller and sweeter in demeanor. They have large heads, expressive eyes, and perky ears which make them very memorable. Today, the French Bulldog maintains its reputation as a great apartment dog and is a favorite among city dwellers. Why are Chicago French Bulldogs so expensive? Due to the way their bodies are built, French Bulldogs find it difficult to breed on their own. Their narrow hips make natural conception and birth almost impossible. They need to be artificially inseminated and to deliver the puppies, a C-section is required. The medical assistance and expertise needed for breeding Frenchies are the reason for its high price tag. Can I only find a match with French Bulldog breeders in Chicago? You are free to search the entire Uptown Puppies network to find the best French Bulldog puppy for you! Experienced breeders and businesses will know how to best deliver the puppies to their new homes. You can arrange for pick up at the nearest major airport, or pick up your new puppy from their kennels and get the chance to meet the parents! How do you screen French Bulldog breeders in Chicago? There a lot of Chicago-based breeders and businesses that contact us on a daily basis, wanting to join our network. Once they are in, they take our legally binding Breeder Pledge. Our goal is not to just to sell -- we want to connect families with ethical businesses so they are guaranteed a healthy French Bulldog puppy. These irresponsible businesses also tend to ruin the breed by not following the standards. What is a puppy mill like for French Bulldog puppies in Chicago? These illegal businesses spend very little in canine healthcare to maximize their profit. Puppies from puppy mills often have very short lifespans or suffer from health and behavioral issues that are very difficult to treat. Are there any French Bulldog puppies in Chicago right now? Uptown Puppies will help you find the perfect French Bulldog puppy within your area, price range, and availability.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.However, it is still advised to ask for a senior-specific diet from your vet or pet nutritionist just to be safe. If you choose to give your German Shepherd dog homemade foods in all of its life stages, you may need to self-calculate and monitor its daily calorie consumption. Feeding German Shepherds has numerous factors to consider. How much you are providing them is crucial, but knowing how often you need to feed them is essential, too. Initially, feeding German Shepherd puppies begins with four puppy food meals daily. Then gradually, it should be transitioned into three equally proportioned meals a day at two months old. This gradual change should go on until they are 12 months old. After that, they should eat twice a day naturally during adulthood. Young puppies have a faster metabolism compared to adult dogs. In general, the last meal of your puppy for the day should be hours before its bedtime, so they have enough time to digest the food before they go to sleep. As for transitioning puppies to adult German Shepherds, the three meals should be given in the morning, noon, and nighttime, so they may be provided with a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is crucial for their growth, especially if they are active and working dogs. Having a feeding schedule can also help monitor their food intake to avoid weight-related issues. The optimal feeding time for adult and senior German Shepherds would be during the morning and night for their two meals daily. Lastly, as owners, we must seldom give treats to our German Shepherds, preferably only during training. Too much of anything may be bad for your dog. Moreover, it should provide the sufficient nutrients needed for growth and development. There are many commercial dog foods in the market, but you can also offer your GSD puppy homemade dog food or a raw diet. Consulting a vet is strongly advised to give your German Shepherd the best diet suited for its lifestyle. To help you in this dilemma, the list below has dog food options you may want to consider offering to your GSD puppy: Dry Food: Dry food or kibble is a commercial food widely available in pet stores and dog food manufacturers. A number of dry foods are formulated to provide a balanced diet for dogs, but checking their nutritional guidelines and value is crucial since a German Shepherd puppy may need high carb foods. It can be mixed with their dry kibble to add water or moisture to their diet. These kinds of commercial foods are expensive and can spoil quickly, and they may not be enough if fed alone to your puppy. BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a type of diet that consists of raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. Raw feeding is given as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. We know a German Shepherd is a large breed dog. However, males tend to grow bigger and heavier than females, needing more food consumption. A German Shepherd puppy may need to eat at frequent schedules with smaller meals, while adult ones may not need to be fed much often but will need more significant meal portions each time. They tend to eat whatever falls from the dinner table or even whatever food they set their sights on. As we talk about food diets, we must not forget those foods you must avoid feeding your German Shepherd puppy. Generally, they may not be too sensitive to dog foods or ingredients, but other foods may be fatal to them. Coffee is one of the most toxic foods to dogs. They contain caffeine , which causes cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, vomiting, tremors, and seizures. Another toxic food German Shepherd owners should not feed their dog is chocolate. As yummy as this is, chocolates contain theobromine. All dog breeds cannot metabolize this substance. Gums, peanut butter, and candies that contain xylitol are also toxic to dogs. It causes disorientation, hypoglycemia, seizures, and collapse. This is much more threatening than coffee and chocolate, so you need to be extra careful with this. Aside from those mentioned above, there are many other toxic foods you should avoid feeding German Shepherds. They may not be fatal, but they can cause discomfort and progress to severe diseases. If you doubt certain foods or ingredients, you may consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian just to be sure. Many large breed dogs visit vet clinics due to unmonitored food intake. It only fits a week-old German Shepherd. You may need to mix dry and wet foods at a certain age for your pup, or maybe you want to incorporate raw foods in their adult diet just like many dog owners do. You just have to make sure you know how to do it correctly, and you provide the most nutritious dry dog food or wet food. You should give enough time for your dog to adjust to a new food gradually. Like other shepherd breeds, you should allow a 7-day transition period from feeding German Shepherds their old food to their new diet. If there is discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may opt to slow down the process even more or consult your vet directly. Feeding an Overweight German Shepherd If you free-feed a German Shepherd, it may likely cause excessive weight gain or obesity. Furthermore, it can easily cause heavy or labored breathing during sleep and irregular movements, such as climbing stairs. Aside from dog food or canned food, a few more factors that can cause an overweight dog breed are table scraps, treats, and not enough exercise. There are a lot of alternatives for treats bought from pet stores, such as fruits and vegetables. These are easier to digest, lighter, and healthier. Eliminate table scraps and leftovers in their diet as they are unnecessary to these large breed puppies. Following a specific schedule with specific amounts of puppy food can significantly help lose weight. Implementing control in their daily meals can help reduce unnecessary food consumption. It is essential to understand that having an overweight dog is more likely caused by the lifestyle owners expose their dogs to. Also, inform family members about the diet plan, so your German Shepherd will not be too spoiled with food. There are a lot of factors why your GSD is not eating. It could be triggered by illness, dental problems , and environmental stress. But it can also be because of adverse reactions to medicines, sudden changes in food, increased body temperature, or your dog just being a picky eater. Do German Shepherds Eat a Lot? As a large breed dog, you can expect a German Shepherd to have a huge appetite. They are always eager to eat, may it be dry food, raw, or canned food. However, it is crucial to know when or how much to feed a German Shepherd to avoid weight problems and severe diseases. Can German Shepherds Eat Bones? German Shepherds can eat bones as it is a great source of minerals. However, there are cons to consider, too. According to AKC, if you want to consider giving them bones, there are certain rules you have to follow, such as giving them raw meat bones and throwing them out after three to four days. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Generally, German Shepherds can thrive and survive on a vegetarian diet, provided that they are supplied with enough nutrients, proteins, fats, and calories on a daily basis. Since German Shepherds are energetic dogs with huge appetites, we must put extra effort into planning out their diet. Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. Free feeding them or giving too many treats can lead to severe health problems. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some foods are toxic. However, aside from research, we need to consult their vet to ensure that we provide them with essential nutrients for growth, good health, and development in all stages of their life, especially for giant German Shepherds , If you have other tips in feeding a German Shepherd, make sure to share them in the comments below. 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. Nutritious food for your puppy goes hand in hand with how much you give to the pup. Puppy food quality translates to the inclusion of the recommended nutritional requirements. Like adult German Shepherds, puppies need their food with the right nutritional requirements. Differently, however, puppies need higher nutritional content in their food than adults. Fat and fatty acids — 8. Minerals — The recommended quantities for all 12 mineral requirements. Once you wean your puppy, leaving a bowl of water around is allowed. Feeding your German Shepherd with solid food begins after a transitional weaning period. As such, it is important to revisit a few points on weaning your German Shepherd puppy. Weaning Your German Shepherd Puppy If you wonder how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy, it only means your pup is ready to wean and transition to solid food. You should introduce your German Shepherd puppy to weaning once its tiny teeth appear, around weeks of age. At this age, the mother is more reluctant to feed the pups because their teeth make suckling uncomfortable. Besides, feeding a litter of growing pups can also be energetically draining for the mother. Away from that, however, your puppy needs to start building a strong immune system with proper nourishment. So, at weeks, you can leave around a bowl of a puppy milk replacer so your GSD puppy can start licking and drinking it gradually. They have added proteins, fat, minerals, vitamins, probiotics, and prebiotics to enhance immunity, gut health, and better digestion. When you use puppy milk replacers, go for brands with proven quality and ensure proper handling. Talking to your vet first is always ideal. Once your puppy is eating more of the milk replacer, you can add a bit of canned puppy food to the milk. You should then decrease the milk amount gradually until the puppy can eat the canned food without the milk. That should be about the sixth week. By now, you can begin introducing your puppy gradually to dry kibble by mixing a bit of kibble with moist canned food. Your German Shepherd puppy should be okay eating dry food by the time he is 8 weeks old. This is the age most puppies go to their new homes. Once your puppy is fully weaned, you must adopt a regular weaning schedule to prevent weight issues. Having a planned German Shepherd puppy feeding schedule means we can now talk about how much to feed your puppy. How Much to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy Veterinarians recommend feeding your puppy with quality commercial puppy food. To help you out, good puppy food manufacturers include a feeding guide with details on how much to feed your puppy and how many times daily. From their projected adult weight, a German Shepherd puppy will grow to around 50lblb .So, the amounts on a German Shepherd feeding chart are distributed based on that weight range. You should give the recommended amount for your puppy divided into 4, 3, and 2 portions as your puppy ages. To give you an idea, I picked two of my favorite puppy food brands. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site s , as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Both brands meet the minimum content recommendation for protein and fat nutrients, which are essential for proper puppy growth. Estimated Adult Weight. So, how many times a day should you feed your German Shepherd? German Shepherds should be fed at least twice a day. Vets recommend two smaller meals instead of one large meal for healthy digestion and energy. For puppies, feed 4 meals a day up to three months old, then 3 meals a day up to six months old, before finally reducing to 2 meals a day. It is essential to stick to food schedules that are consistent for the long-term health of your German Shepherd, especially as the breed is prone to the life-threatening condition, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus GDV , commonly known as bloat. This article will cover how often to feed a German Shepherd whether puppy or adult and how much to give your dog to keep him healthy and happy. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. My German Shepherd Willow eating her meal Hey! As a working breed raised to herd and protect sheep, they are typically energetic, enjoy physical activity, and love having a job to do. Due to their dynamic character, they demand a high-energy diet. However, as large, deep-chested dogs, they are one of the breeds prone to bloat GDV , and vets advise against feeding one large meal a day. Twice per day is the standard, with a good few hours in between, as it allows your GSD to eat and digest his food properly. German Shepherds, like most dogs, work well when fed on a schedule. I absolutely agree with this, especially as the German Shepherd is susceptible to a sensitive stomach and is known to have more digestive problems than other breeds. However, if you have any concerns, you should speak to your vet. If you have a high-energy or working German Shepherd, such as a guard dog, assistance dog, or Police or Military dog that gets a lot of exercise, you may consider feeding little and often to prevent hunger. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule German Shepherd puppies will require more frequent feedings as they expend far more energy and have smaller stomachs to hold their food. You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals a day between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks should have three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice per day. Age of Puppy. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? As larger dogs, Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to reach their full weight. Most Golden Retrievers will be close to their adult height and weight around a year of age but may need one more year to fill out their chest fully. A six-month-old male Golden Retriever will weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, while their female counterpart will weigh around 30 to 35 pounds at the same age. As for their height, most Golden Retrievers will still need another three to six months to reach their adult height. At this age, they will likely be a few inches away from their adult height, which ranges from .Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on bonding with your pet, puppy-proofing your home, training, microchips, and more! How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines. What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever? As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur. Golden Retrievers are stunning, sunny dogs that easily steal our hearts. Unfortunately, as a purebred dog breed, they are more susceptible to genetic diseases, which can compromise their lifespan and quality of life. However, many genetic disorders can be treated or prevented with regular veterinary care. Remember that prevention is almost always easier and less expensive than treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend a large-breed growth food to your Golden Retriever puppy to support their growth rate which can help prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood. According to the Veterinary Centers of America , Golden Retrievers are also more prone to gaining excess weight. Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to various genetic health disorders, such as oral tumors and aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is most commonly found in large, purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, and occurs when the aortic valves to the heart narrow. Aortic stenosis causes the body to struggle to pump blood through the valve, creating additional stress on the body. If untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to muscle failure and even fatality. However, veterinarians can treat many genetic diseases like aortic stenosis and oral tumors through surgery and medication. Even with proper prevention and wellness care, necessary veterinary visits can be expensive, with many treatments costing thousands of dollars. Out of over 20, pet parents surveyed , only .The last thing you should be focused on when the worst happens is how to finance a needed surgery or treatment for your beloved pet. This is where pet insurance comes in. Just like people, dogs are living longer lives and will need additional veterinary care to maintain a happy quality of life. Let pet insurance help you with these costs should the worst happen to your dog. Wellness plans are also available as an add-on to help with the ongoing costs of regular veterinary care , like x-rays and exams. Act now and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your Golden Retriever is covered should anything happen. Compare top Golden Retriever pet insurance plans side-by-side with Pawlicy Advisor today! Key Takeaways On average, male Golden Retrievers weigh pounds and females weigh pounds. At full height, Goldens stand between .Although puppies groww extremely fast, the Golden Retriever breed can take as long as 2 years to reach full maturity. Owners should keep an eye on their Golden Retriever's diet because they are very prone to obesity. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care necessary to give your Goldie a happy, healthy life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. This can lead to depression, among other problems for your dog. Therefore you must keep track of your golden retriever to prevent them from growing obese. Effectively monitoring their weight will ensure that your golden retriever can live a long and happy life. On top of this, veterinary treatment for serious health issues is costly without insurance. You can pay tens of thousands of dollars on vet bills if your dog becomes seriously ill. Ailments such as diabetes can be particularly expensive as the dog will require regular medication that comes at a high price. If you believe that your golden retriever is overweight, there are a few things that you can do. While you are there, ask the vet about dietary needs and how much exercise your golden retriever needs to get and stay healthy. One of the quickest ways for dogs to gain weight is by eating treats. Treats are like junk food for canines, so overindulging them can result in dog weight gain. This can be particularly difficult with a golden retriever as the breed is intelligent and will happily beg for treats. Overeating is another common cause of golden retriever weight gain. Often dog food producers will overestimate how much food your dog needs in a day. If you are following the guidelines on the bag and your dog has gained weight, slightly reduce how much food you give them each meal. Related: Find out how much to feed your golden retriever at every stage of life The last way to help your golden retriever lose weight is to exercise. Golden retrievers are active dogs that require regular exercise every day. You should exercise your golden retriever for minutes every day. Exercising your dog can consist of a brisk walk, a run, or a swim. You might want to play active games such as fetch to keep your dog enthusiastic about exercising. Weight loss is a slow process for golden retrievers. It can take weeks or even months before you see progress. However, if you are not overfeeding the dog and providing it with regular exercise, its weight should decrease. Therefore a thin golden retriever may be showing signs of problems. If your golden retriever has rapidly lost weight, you should bring them to a vet as soon as possible, as rapid weight loss is an indicator of a medical issue. Weight loss can be caused by minor issues like a toothache or a severe problem like cancer. Therefore any quick weight loss should be treated as serious until you have been told otherwise by an expert. If your golden retriever has not lost weight quickly but is just skinny, it may not be eating enough food. To prevent this, ensure that you provide the dog with enough food every day to make sure the dog eats the food. Some dogs are picky eaters, so you may need to mix up the food they are given or add water if you are feeding your dog dry food. You can also add small amounts of human food mixed with their dog food. This can entice your dog to eat more. See how a golden retriever grows from being a puppy to two years of age. Many dogs are perfectly healthy at above or below the average weight for their breed. However, a puppy growing too quickly or slowly can be exposed to various serious health problems as they get older. Puppies that become heavy at an early age can suffer from physical deformation and development issues with their hips and elbows. If they remain overweight, they will also become at risk of numerous severe health conditions like diabetes or cancer. If your young golden retriever could lose some weight, the best way to do this is by reducing how much you are feeding them. As a general rule, a golden retriever should get 1 cup of food for every 30 lbs .However, more miniature puppies may require more food to help them grow. If you are feeding your golden retriever multiple times per day, you can reduce it to one meal in the morning or evening, which reduces the total amount of food that your puppy is getting per day. If your puppy is severely overweight, you should consult a vet about a weight loss program. When a golden retriever puppy is underweight, it can indicate various severe and mild health issues. Your puppy may have a stomach bug, or it could be serious. If your puppy has not eaten for more than 24hours, then you should seek assistance. Usually, when a sizable hungry breed like a golden retriever is not eating, there is a reason. Your pup may stop eating if they have an issue with their digestive system. A loss of appetite and weight can also be an indication of a virus or infection. If this is the case, your puppy will require immediate medical care. An underweight golden retriever puppy can also be showing signs of malnutrition. Puppies can become malnourished if they eat the wrong food or if they lack nutrients in their diet. Malnutrition can result in severe health and developmental problems for your dog as they grow up. If your puppy is significantly below the average weight for their age, they may be lacking nutrition in their diet. As a result, they will require veterinary treatment. You should monitor the situation and try to feed the dog more, but as mentioned earlier, young golden retrievers vary significantly in weight and can gain weight very quickly. Golden Retriever Growth and Weight Chart — Final Thoughts Golden retrievers are lovable, caring, kind, and the perfect companion for anyone. However, golden retrievers are large dogs that grow quickly. They start out in the neonatal stage at less than 5 lbs 2. Golden retrievers are prone to obesity, so you must keep track of their weight. To ensure that your dog remains happy and healthy, feed it appropriate amounts of food and provide regular exercise. Playing active games with your golden retriever is also a fantastic way to keep them healthy! The first vaccination for your Golden takes place between 6 to 8 weeks. Since everything is new to your pup, he might be timid and get easily scared. Golden puppies just left their source of security and are away from their littermates and mother for the first time. Bring your pup out to relieve him after every meal. Divide it into four small meals throughout the day. This is also the recommended age to start training. Housebreaking is especially important to avoid bad habits from developing. If you want him to be friendly to all, socialization at this age is also essential. This will help him grow familiar with strange sights, smells, and sounds. For the diet, stick to feeding him four small meals a day with the same amount mentioned for 7-week Goldens. After the vaccines, keep your Golden pup away from other pets for at least two weeks. Golden Retriever at 3 months This allows them to have full immunity, especially against the fatal parvovirus. They are becoming more curious, and you might have a problem with biting. Stay calm and teach him gently but firmly that he is not allowed to chew on you or anything else, except his chew toy. You can also acclimate him to grooming. Get him used to being combed and his paws handled. Introduce him to the blowdryer and praise him when he stays calm. You can start to be more serious about training. Spread 2 cups of kibble over the day, and cut one meal out by the end of the week. He should also be picking up basic commands. If your pup is quick to learn, kick it up a notch by teaching him a few tricks. Golden Retriever at 5 months Offer some chew toys that you can cool in the fridge to alleviate him discomfort. You may also start exercising him for 20 minutes a day, as this is the stage where he should show excitement for the outdoors. Swimming, fetch, and walking are great to start things off. Some Goldens are potty-trained around the 4-month mark, although accidents might still occur. He will have the body of an adult, but the legs and tail of a puppy. Golden Retriever at 6 months Also, his nose and ears will grow faster, so you end up with a goofy-looking pup. You need to be careful with him for the next six months because this is when they are most vulnerable to developing hip dysplasia. Avoid long walks, going down the stairs, and stopping suddenly while running. The pressure from those activities might cause joints to deform. Your Golden may also start to display signs of sexual maturity in the next few months, if not neutered or spayed. Some of them never grow out of it and will stay young at heart into their old age. To be sure he is free from hip dysplasia, have him checked by the vet when he is two years old. When do Golden Retrievers stop growing? Golden Retrievers grow the fastest between 3 to 6 months of age. Around the six-month mark, their growth starts to taper off. This will prevent him from reaching his full potential. If left untreated, it can cause lasting damage to their bones, muscles, immune system, skin, and digestive system. Being ill for an extended period might also affect his development. Your puppy may be stunted due to malnutrition. Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth Some people prefer bigger Goldens, but some like them small, like Mini Golden Retrievers. This might lead to under or over-feeding, neither of which is ideal. Accelerated growth can cause hip or elbow dysplasia. It can also be responsible for bone disease and arthritis. Stunted Golden puppies, whether by illness or under-feeding, are generally weaker, and make them susceptible to falling sick. What is the best age to spay or neuter your pup? You can spay Golden Retriever puppies as early as 8 weeks old, but any time before they reach sexual maturity is preferred, which is around one year old. This will prevent undesirable behaviors such as marking, territorial behavior, or a fixation with toys. All of which are hard to correct when they manifest. For breeds that are predisposed to hip dysplasia, vets recommend spaying around the 6-month mark. Will neutering or spaying your Golden pup affect his or her growth? Yes, fixing a Golden before they reach sexual maturity generally causes your dog to grow bigger. This is because sex hormones suppress growth hormones. Without growth inhibition, your Golden will continue to grow. Aside from joint problems, there are also a few issues connected to spaying or neutering. They can become more prone to some forms of cancer. Some dogs also experience a change in behavior after the operation. The lack of estrogen can make female dogs more aggressive. Male dogs may also experience an increase in fearfulness. Sexual maturity usually occurs in Golden around 8 to 12 months. This gives you ample time to decide whether to sterilize or not. How heavy is a newborn Golden Retriever puppy? But, puppies as small as 10 oz at birth have been recorded. They usually leave their mom at 10 lbs. Also, bigger litters generally have smaller puppies, but they should all catch up by their 8th week. How to identify an overweight Golden Retriever? Use your eyes and hands to assess if your Golden is overweight or not. A survey in showed that .While it might look cute or funny, overweight dogs actually have shorter lifespans. Being excessively chubby shaves off two years and causes health issues. Do Golden Retriever types have different growth rates? Show dogs are often heavier than working dogs. Aside from other factors we mentioned, a nutritious diet and an active lifestyle will help keep your Golden healthy and happy. Remember, their final size will vary from one another, depending on variation and pedigree. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! When is a Golden Retriever Full Grown? Goldens are a large breed, and like other such breeds, Golden Retrievers grow until they reach their full height and weight. This process typically occurs between the ages of one to two years old, or 18 to 24 months; however, there is some variation in how fast each dog grows during this period due to both genetic factors and environmental ones, like diet or exercise level. Use our weight chart to help keep an eye on how your Golden puppy develops as she grows. Is Your Golden Retriever Healthy? Golden Retrievers are beautiful, friendly dogs that will steal your heart with their cute antics. That said, many disorders that adult Golden Retrievers have are treatable or preventable through regular vet care. Preventative care, along with a pet insurance policy, is an ideal combination to give your Golden a long, happy life. Some of the most common medical conditions that Golden Retrievers are susceptible to developing are: Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia Golden Retrievers are prone to develop hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which are common orthopedic issues seen in many other large dog breeds. The canine hip and elbow rotate smoothly within its socket joint, which holds them together with powerful ligaments. When these areas degrade due to wear and tear caused by poor alignment or injury, excessive stress and uneven bone wear are placed on the attached ligaments, leading to lameness, stiffness, arthritis, and pain. When your dog suffers from dysplasia, simple tasks like jumping into the car or climbing stairs can be difficult. A vet can assess the severity with imaging technology and prescribe relief for any present symptoms, allowing the dog to return to activities as usual. Skin allergies and conditions Golden Retrievers are at risk for various skin problems, including allergic reactions and parasites. They also require more care than other breeds to keep their coats clean due to the deep undercoat that insulates against cold weather. Keep an eye out for any allergies your pup might have towards certain items in their environment, as well as molds and dust, which could trigger reactions on contact-sensitive areas like ears or paws. This breed is also prone to various skin conditions, including granulomas a type of non-cancerous tumor , sebaceous cysts, and lipomas. Cancer The cancer rate among Golden Retrievers is sadly all too common. Golden Retrievers are also often diagnosed with other cancers, including lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and mastocytoma. Heart disease and respiratory issues Golden Retrievers are at risk for various conditions that affect the heart, lungs, and circulation. This disease has severe effects, including death if not treated immediately. If you notice any signs like lethargy or weakness along with difficulty breathing, then see a veterinarian right away as your dog might be suffering from issues caused by SAS. Protect your Golden retriever puppy with pet insurance. You might not be able to control the genes passed down to your Golden Retriever puppy from generation to generation. What if your dog develops cancer or heart issues? The veterinary costs can add up pretty quickly without proper pet insurance coverage. A quality policy will cover a significant portion of all emergency procedures and medication costs. Get Quotes for Your Cat Charitable Giving With every pet insurance policy we generate, we do our bit to help less fortunate animals across Canada and the U. Popular Articles. Golden Retriever Male Puppy Growth Chart lb and kg Keep in mind that minor differences are not a cause for alarm: it is not compulsory for your pup to weigh the listed amount. However, if your puppy has a very low weight, you will know that you should check with your veterinarian. As a new owner of Golden Retriever Puppy, you will be surprised to know that handling of puppies can boost their growth. Not only does it promote proper weight gain, but it can also affect development in other areas. Introduction In Comparing the puppies who were handled with those who did not show that the puppies that were being held opened their eyes and ears and had their hair grow faster and they even had better motor development. You may want to know how your puppy compares to another Golden Retriever. Or are you worried that your dog growth is not on the right path? In studying Golden Retriever growth charts, it is clear that most pups gain weight between 5 and 10 percent per week. Keep in mind that a lot of factors can affect the growth rate of a puppy. One size doesn't fit all Not all puppies will follow the growth chart at an exact speed. There can be a lot of diverse reasons for this. The growth chart can alert you should there be significant differences. However, even good owners can have skinny dogs. The Golden Retriever growth charts can alert you to the common causes of slow growth. Occasionally it comes down to a change in the dog diet. Ensure your dog likes his food and that he eats frequently. Request your veterinarian to rule out worms or any other condition. In the meantime, rest assured knowing that most puppies do well when they are raised by a loving and caring owner who has a good relationship with a trusted veterinarian and spends a lot of pleasant time with the puppy. To ascertain if your puppy is large, small, or average-sized for his or her age, you will first find the correct chart based on the sex of your puppy. Scroll down until you locate your puppy's age on the left side of the table. Then compare your dog weight with each column subsequently to that age. To predict the future heights and weights of your dog growth for a period of time. If your dog weight is always in the average range, you can scroll down the average column to estimate how large your puppies maybe as an adult. The same applies to other columns too. Remember, this is just an estimate. By Tom Massey Mar 02, Adopting a golden retriever is one of the best decisions you can make. These loving dogs are constantly praised for their gentle and calm, yet playful nature, making them perfect dogs for all walks of life and types of families. So when you do finally bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, you want to do everything you can to give them a long and healthy life for years to come. This is a wide range, so keep in mind that the weight of your Retriever will vary depending on genetic factors and sex. For example, female Golden Retrievers will weigh closer to 55 pounds while Golden Retriever males are heavier and will weigh closer to 75 pounds. Females also typically reach their full size by their first birthday, while males may continue growing through their second year. You can usually tell the size males and females will be based on what their parents look like, which is why Snowy Pines encourages meeting the parents or browsing through their photos and biographies online. Then, calculate 1. What to Expect: This age is crucial for mother-puppy bonding since he will depend on his mother for food, cleaning, and socialization. Image Source Weeks months Golden Retriever Male Weight: Between 8 to 12 weeks, your male puppy will average between 10 to 22 pounds. Golden Retriever Female Weight: Although females will grow to be smaller than males, they are typically around the same weight at this age group. The puppies become very playful, curious, and discover their voices little by little. Introductory training like house training is essential. Socialization is also important, which is why Snowy Pines ensures that all puppies stay with their littermates until adoption. For female puppies, 6 months is a little over the halfway point to their full-size, and males are essentially smaller versions of their adult bodies. Remember, at this age, you can multiply by two to determine their adult weight! What to Expect: Socialization is still crucial at this age, and more intense training can also begin. The puppy should also be kept in happy and safe environments, as any exposure to something fearful at this age may impact him long-term. This is entirely normal: Think of your puppy as a teenager who is going through adolescence and waiting for the rest of his body to catch up. They may get territorial and challenge you and other pets for dominance. Most Golden Retrievers will be fully grown by 24 months old, although this varies. Golden Retriever Female Weight: In most cases, females are finished growing before 16 to 24 months. Whatever their nature is like at the to month mark is likely what it will be throughout their adult life. They are loyal, friendly, and calm, making them the perfect companion for small and large families alike. However, Goldens are susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases that are common in bigger breeds that are typically caused by overfeeding, stunted or accelerated growth, and genetic issues. One of the most common diseases that goldens experience is Osteochondritis dissecans OCD. OCD is a developmental disease that affects large-breed dogs because of the accelerated growth they experience. It is an inflammatory condition that causes abnormal cartilage development on the end of a bone in the joint. This can lead to joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia which commonly appears in the elbow, hip, and knee. Image Source The good news is that, although larger breeds like golden retrievers are prone to joint issues like this, you may be able to help prevent it through proper practice. OCD is a specific disease that is more common in dogs that receive too much energy and calcium in their diets. Other common factors are genetics, rapid growth, and hormonal factors. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and all that extra weight can leave your puppy with skeletal abnormalities that put too much weight on joints. Another way to avoid accidentally stunted or accelerated growth is to ensure your golden retriever puppy is getting fed appropriately and receiving the right amount of calories. Image Source Months Between 2 and 4 months old, your puppy should eat 4 times per day with 2 ounces per meal. This will add up to 7 to 9 ounces per day, depending on how much he willingly eats. Keep him on puppy food through his first year before switching to young adult food. They must receive regular exercise every day. However, this depends on their age. As previously covered, the more your puppy grows, the more susceptible to common diseases like joint problems. Breeders with years of experience, like the team at Snowy Pines, work hard to keep pure bloodlines so that all of the parents and their litters are as healthy as they can be, which helps guarantee a lifetime full of happiness without any issue. Share on. Not all goldens will grow to the same size and at the same rate. The size of the parents is always a good indicator of whether your dog will be above or below average in size. However, while natural variation is nothing to worry about, stunted growth or accelerated growth is. If a golden retriever puppy is malnourished or suffering from an unidentified medical condition usually hookworm or ringworm , their natural growth can be compromised. This can lead to serious medical issues in later life, as it can leave them with weak bones, weak muscles, and a weak immune system, as well as a tendency to develop both skin and digestive issues. Growing too quickly, largely as a result of overfeeding, can also pose a major health risk. As well as leading to obesity, carrying too much weight at the development stage can leave your golden retriever with skeletal abnormalities, hip dysplasia, and osteochondrosis , a condition that affects the joints. With these tips, you will help fight off those genetic health disorders as well. Appropriate Diet Start off by speaking to your vet for guidance on foods to use for the different life stages. At the very least, you will need a nutritionally complete and balanced diet made for large breeds. Good food will help your pup gain the right amount of weight, look healthy, and have enough energy. Proper exercise will build their muscle and bone strength, prevent obesity, increase their agility, stop destructive behavior, and help them release pent-up energy. Vaccines will help to prevent infectious diseases such as hepatitis, parvovirus, rabies, and distemper, all of which could affect the growth and overall health of your puppy. This will be a plus for her overall health. It would also be great to have your vet do routine health checks on your puppy. This way, no issue will go unnoticed, and treatment can be administered early for better outcomes. A shiny coat and bright eyes are a plus. Alternatively, if you notice rapid weight gain or loss, unusual bumps and lumps on their skin, digestive issues, changes in behavior, and visual or hearing complications, take your dog to the vet right away. Compared to other breeds, Golden Retrievers, especially females, grow pretty quickly. Males could take up to 18 months to achieve the same milestone. However, both will still need an additional year to fill out the chest fully. Adult height, on the other hand, will be reached between 9 and 12 months. As always, females will get there a bit faster than males. You can get a rough idea of how big your golden retriever will grow by first studying the parents. Take note of the size that both of the parents and previous litters have had. Rarely will a puppy grow larger than its parents, so the measurements you gather will give you a better idea of how tall and heavy your golden retriever will get. Full-grown, healthy, male golden retrievers have a height of between 22 and 24 inches while the females are 20 to 22 inches tall. In terms of height and body structure, the Canadian golden retriever has no rival. Spaying and neutering specifically affect the development of bones and also ligament and tendon strength. In fact, some studies report higher incidences of cranial cruciate ligament tears and hip dysplasia among golden retrievers that went through this procedure. Therefore, consult your vet when deciding if and when to spay or neuter your dog. The weight of your golden retriever is a good indication of their healthy development. While male and female Goldens will have different weights and show goldens tend to be heavier than working goldens, overall, they should be hitting the weights listed in the growth and weight chart above. If your dog is not hitting these milestones, consult your vet about malnutrition, possibly caused by worms, and excessive golden retriever growth, which is often the result of overfeeding. If you feel like your pooch is missing any of them, again, it is time to consult your vet. In general, good nutrition and a loving home is a recipe for a happy and healthy golden retriever. If you want to know more about your golden retriever, you can do a DNA test, too. You can choose one of the tests below:.

We pride ourselves on the way we raise our Puppies. We treat the Labradoodle puppies with care and give them lots of love so that they will be fun and social pets. Our goal is to make it easy to transition them from our loving home to yours. Thanks for visiting Southern Doodles. We currently have available spots on our puppy list!! Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are known for their gentle, social and affectionate nature which makes them wonderful family and therapy dogs. We have several of our breeding dogs with therapist guardians, we also have a veterinarian with one of our guardian dogs. We strive for social happy dogs! Here at Southerndoodlin we start their training right after they are born with sensory training. We also have various noises so your puppy will not be afraid of normal home sounds. We also have a gun range nearby, trains and farm equipment sounds and airplanes too. Australian labradoodles have been created for their temperament, coat and conformation. This has been shown over and over again by so many who use the Australian Labradoodle for therapy dogs. They just have a special ability to know their owners emotonal needs. They are intuitive, smart, athletic, easy to train love bugs! Australian labradoodles have been very carefully genetic tested to give you the best. At Southern Doodlin' we are deciding to slow down our business after many years of providing loving puppies for homes acress the country. Apply for a Puppy Sunset Hills welcomes you! You will find available some of the most beautiful allergy and asthma friendly Australian Labradoodles for sale as family companion pets and breeding stock. Our Family Care Home Program Our breeding centre is dedicated to the development and breeding of the multi-generation Australian Labradoodle. The majority of our breeding dogs live with our carefully selected care homes as their family pets here in South Australia. This is one of the many ways we ensure our puppies come from the best possible sires and dams who have already proven their success living as adored family pets themselves. Temperament and trainability are a very important consideration with our family. You will find in your research of the breed that our breeding stock is some of the best Australian Labradoodles to be found in the world. Assurance of Quality Sunset Hills goal has been and continued on in providing beautiful, well figured, healthy, genetically sound, well rounded, excellent temperament, allergy and asthma friendly dogs to families and breeders throughout Australia and around the world. We have strong confidence about our investment of genetically sound, and healthy lines to the Australian Labradoodle breed and its future health. Thank you for visiting Sunset Hills website. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us at any time. Full Name.

They save dogs and cats of all breeds in the city. Animal Friends value the strong relationship between man and his best friend. They provide affordable services to treat and rehome pets in need. Animal Friends is dedicated to creating a community that protects animal rights. Pet owners must be aware of the best ways to care for the health of their fur buddies regardless of breed. This is part of their support for those aspiring pet owners and breeders in Pittsburgh. This group has volunteer based foster homes that take care of their rescued pugs and other dogs. All their pets receive medical care for any diseases from their partner veterinarian. Grooming and vaccinations are also given to help restore their vigor. Once a pug or pet is ready for adoption, it will be up on their website. You can search a list of their adoptable pets online and then apply for adoption. They also serve other states in the US, and so they keep their communications open. You can contact them through their website, Facebook page, or telephone. They also rely on volunteers who are willing to be foster homes for all rescues. This group also has vet center partners that provide medical treatments and vet care for all dog breeds that they will rescue. All pug rescue will receive medical attention like vaccination, spaying, heartworm tests, microchip, and behavioral evaluation. They are doing this to restore the good health of all their pugs and other dog breeds. Before putting a pug for adoption placement, they will evaluate their personality. Not all pugs are nice, some are temperamental, so they need to be tamed. To do that, they employ the Force Free method. They use positive reinforcements to train pugs and other dogs. No harsh physical disciplinary actions are given to all their pug rescue. Do you have questions about the Force Free methods? You can e mail them at info pawsacrosspittsburgh. Do you want to get involved and help them with their goals? There are several ways for you to do that: Volunteer as a foster home Volunteer for any of their operations Cash donations Donating items for cats and dogs Petland Robinson. It is located in the rural mountainous area of Northeast Pennsylvania. They have been in this business since .Before that, they raised chickens, ducks, geese, cats, rescued dogs, rabbits, honey bees, etc. They aspire to share the joy of owning Pugs with you. The owners make sure the puppies are ACA registered, dewormed, and have their shots taken before sending them to your home. They will also provide a puppy package along with the fur baby. Visit their website first. You will get information about the parents of the pups. You will get to see their beautiful faces too. Although according to their website they currently do not have any puppies available, I would still suggest you contact them for confirmation. You can contact Janice Bellum at their given telephone or email address. Bloomsburg, PA Telephone: Email: foundus01 aol. It is located in Bangor, Pennsylvania. Barbara has the experience of raising other dog breeds as well. However, she loves Pugs the most right before Pit Bulls. The Chinese Pugs are brought up indoors in a family environment with other dogs and cats. As a result, they get to be well-socialized. Barbara is proud to provide the best family pets. She strives to provide you with the healthiest and most well-rounded puppies. Once the dogs turn 8 to 10 weeks old, they are prepared to be adopted. Before that, you need to fill out their puppy application form. All the doggies are full-bred AKC registered. If you purchase from her, you will get yourself a Pug that is chipped, dewormed, vaccinated, and housetrained. She also provides a lifetime guarantee and a puppy kit to fur babies. Visit their website as I believe you will find all the answers to your questions from there. To know if they have any upcoming litter, call or email Barbara. If you are choosing a Pug as a family companion or even for show, a wise decision would always be to avoid the puppy mills and backyard breeders. Puppy mills are industrial breeding operations that produce pups at a widespread amount for sale in pet shops, online, or in commercials. Animals die of malnutrition or hunger as a result of inadequate or contaminated food and water. Furthermore, kittens and puppies are removed from their parents at such an early point in their lives that many of them have severe behavioral problems as a consequence. Besides, the sick or dying animals get little or no veterinary attention. Money is also an incentive for backyard breeders. Backyard breeders might qualify for your nice next-door neighbor. In many cases, they might be just ignorant and possess less knowledge in this field. Which part of Pennsylvania State are you from? Have I mentioned your city? If you happen to know any reputable Chinese Pug breeder in Pennsylvania that I have not included in the list, do let me know. I appreciate suggestions and will take them into account at any time. Please leave your useful comments. Best wishes to you and your family in your search for the right Pug breeder. Related Topics:. Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article.

A friendly dog by nature, it strives for human attention and likes to remain close to its family members. It is patient with children and does well with other pets too. However, its athletic and exuberant disposition calls for careful observation when around younger children, otherwise they could be knocked over and get hurt. This sociable and pack-oriented pet is always happy to help its owner in family activities. Like its Weimaraner parent, it suffers from separation anxiety when left alone for hours. Although it does not bark at everything, it will certainly alert its owner about the presence of an intruder. This makes it suitable for watching and guarding activities. Care Exercise Being highly energetic and lively, labmaraners need plenty of daily activities to burn off their energy. Thus, homes with enough room to play and run are suitable for raising these dogs. They should be taken out for walks every day, which does not mean strolling around the neighborhood will satisfy their exercise requirements. To be fit, they need vigorous activities like hiking, running, and playing. Since these obedient dogs like to stay close to their owners, they do not always have to be taken out on leashes. Grooming The short and smooth-haired labmaraner does not require extensive maintenance. Combing once in every alternate week keeps its coat glossy. While bathing your pet with mild soap is recommended only when needed, occasional dry shampooing prevents the accumulation of dirt. Health Problems Like most crossbreeds , it is also prone to hereditary health issues. It may inherit some health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion, obesity, and bloating from its parent breeds. Also, check for some general dog health concerns including diarrhea, worms, fleas, and ear infections. Training Even though training them is easy, their occasional stubbornness is something that inexperienced owners might find difficult to manage. Employ a firm and assertive training method, but do not be harsh in your approach. Make the puppies familiar to their cage or crate so that they accept it as their safe dwelling place. Start socialization and obedience training early to prevent them from becoming over-dependent. This will also restrain some of their destructive behaviors like chewing small household items and digging holes in the yards. Feeding Your labmaraner dog needs a nutritious diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support its high activity levels. Instead of providing one or two heavy meals, you should divide it through the day. Interesting Facts These are multitalented dogs and could be used for retrieving, jogging, agility, and performing tricks. They are good swimmers and do not shy away from the water. The breed was a great success. Labrador retrievers are considered among the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds. This is why they are often used as working dogs. Labs are also naturally playful and affectionate. They love their people, and they are friendly with strangers and other animals. This makes them great family pets but terrible guard dogs. This is why they are usually rated among the top three dog breeds in most countries. The main complaint that people have about a Lab is that it has a high-shedding coat , which can be difficult to manage. Yes, we have Labs at home and I assume we eat our fair share of dog fur throughout the year, especially during the high shedding seasons. Meanwhile, Weimaraners are large dogs that were bred in Germany for hunting in the early 19th century. They are large enough to use when hunting animals such as boars, bears, and deer and were favored by royalty when hunting was still a popular aristocratic pastime. The history of the Weimaraner Lab mix is less well known, but it most likely originated in the s when many of the Lab mixes emerged. While breeders agree the mix results in an excellent dog, Weimaraner Labs are still relatively rare due to their large size and high-shedding coats unlike many other Lab mixes. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Appearance Both parent breeds are medium-to-large dogs, so you can expect the same from their mixed offspring. Weimaraners are fairly large dogs typically measuring 22 to 28 inches in height. They have athletic bodies, so they typically only weigh between 55 and 88 pounds. Labs are a bit smaller, measuring 21 to 22 inches, but they can weigh between 55 and 80 pounds with their sturdier frame. A Weimador will usually measure between 21 and 24 inches and can weigh anywhere from 60 to pounds depending on whether they get the athletic figure of the Weimaraner or the stockier build of the Lab. They usually have the barrel-chested appearance of the Weimaraner but with a bit more heavy muscle on their frame. Labs have high-shedding double coats that are quite long and can be black, chocolate, or yellow. They will have light amber, gray, or blue gray eyes. Their skin under their coat is a pinkish color rather than white or black. While their coat can be short or long and is a single layer, they still tend to shed quite a bit. They do shed, so they need to be brushed regularly to keep their coat under control. While their appearance can vary significantly, as is true with most mixed breeds, you can expect them to have a relatively long and square muzzle with long ears that flop down. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Temperament Labrador retrievers are among the most intelligent and naturally friendly dogs, which is why they are popular for mixed breeds. Weimaraners are intelligent, but not on the same level as a lab, so mixing them with a lab improves their intelligence and trainability. Weimaraners also have a very strong prey drive. The trainability that the Lab brings to the Weimador mix is important for teaching your dog what not to do and controlling their natural instincts. Weimaraner Labrador mixes need to be properly socialized from a young age to learn appropriate behavior. However, due to their large size, they should always be supervised when around smaller children. Labradors are very social animals that love being around their people all the time. Weimaraners take this to the next level! They are not independent and prefer to be glued to the side of their person. As a result, you can expect their mixed breed offspring might be a little needy. While their large size means they need outdoor space, they also need to be allowed inside the family home to be close to you. This unique mixed breed can develop fairly severe separation anxiety if they are left on their own for extended periods of time on a regular basis. You can expect whining, digging, and destructive behavior as a response. These dogs do best with families when there is usually someone around the house or when they can accompany someone to work. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Energy Levels Both Labrador retrievers and Weimaraners are high-energy dogs, so you can expect their mixed breed offspring to be a big ball of energy. They should have plenty of outdoor space available to blow off steam whenever needed. Just make sure your yard is well-fenced! Their prey drive can see them overcome some pretty impressive obstacles to catch smaller animals. A Weimaraner Lab mix needs at least an hour of exercise a day, preferably broken into two or three sessions. These should be active sessions that include running and games such as fetch and pull. They will enjoy accompanying the family on outdoor activities such as hikes and swims. Both their parent breeds love the water, and the Weimaraner even has webbed feet that it may pass on to its offspring. When they are at home, these dogs need quite a bit of mental stimulation. Interactive puzzles and toys that release treats are a good choice for them. A slow feeder is also a good investment as they tend to gobble down their food. This will stimulate them and improve their digestion. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Health Care Weimaraners are actually considered among the healthiest purebred dogs, and this is something their mixed breed offspring benefit from. They have a good lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which is about average for a dog of this size. Smaller dogs tend to live for longer. Unlike many large dog breeds, hip and elbow dysplasia rates are low in Weimaraners and their mixed offspring, too. It is still worth being careful about this due to the prevalence of the condition in Labs. One of the best things you can do is not over exercise them as a puppy, as this can exacerbate the problem. They should only have five minutes of exercise per month of life until they work up to an hour a day at the age of one. Eye conditions are a common problem for both parent breeds and can show up in their puppies. They probably will develop some kind of sight loss as they enter their senior years. Another problem for Weimanders is bloat or gastric torsion. This is when the stomach twists itself, pinching off blood vessels and blocking the route of food traveling in and out. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to death fairly swiftly. Constipation and a swollen stomach are among the first symptoms. This can be avoided by feeding them smaller meals more often and avoiding rigorous exercise for an hour before eating, as well as for about an hour after eating. However, they do sometimes show up in shelters. Their neediness means they often prove to be too much for unprepared owners and therefore might find themselves in need of a new home. There are a few breed-specific rescues where you might be more likely to find these dogs. Labrador Weimaraner mixes have a friendly and playful personality and are full of energy. They are quite clingy and love to be around their people all the time. They will want to join you on hikes and in bed, and they can develop anxiety if left alone too much. Is a Weimaraner a good family dog? Weimaraners love their families and will thrive in an active family that has lots of time to spend with them! While they love children, it can be difficult to socialize them to live alongside smaller animals, such as cats, due to their high prey drive. Do Weimaraners like to cuddle? Yes, a Weimaraner will love to get up on the couch with you for a cuddle. They are also fans of standing hugs and will probably greet you with one every time you walk through the door. Weimaraner Lab mix dogs are friendly and playful dogs that are fun to be around, but they are also a pretty big commitment! Their size and energy levels mean you need a pretty big space for them and have to commit to regular exercise. They also need good training structure to keep their prey drive under control. These dogs can only be described as clingy, and they will want to be around you all the time. They will not cope well if left alone at home for hours at a time while everyone is out and about. They are ideal for someone who wants constant canine companionship. Weimaraner Lab mix puppies Due to their high energy and potentially anxious nature, this is not a breed that will do well with an owner who works full time and is not at home much. They also like a lot of space, so apartment-dwellers might think twice about this breed. That said, Weimaraner Lab mix dogs make fantastic family pets. They are great with kids and adults alike and a social breed happy in multi-dog households. The breed slowly made its way to the Americas, but their popularity exploded after many Weimaraner pups were brought back from Germany after the end of World War II. The Labrador breed are descended from the St. Labradors were favored by wealthy aristocrats in their early days, before becoming one of the most popular breeds in the modern age. Weimaraner Lab Characteristics The Weimaraner Labrador mix will take on the characteristics of its parent breeds — but as with any mix, the results may vary. Looking at the Weimaraner, the height span is inches, with weight between 55 and 90 lbs. The Labrador is a bit smaller, with a height of .You could assume that a Weimaraner Black Lab mix would fall in a similar weight and height class based on these figures. However, in reality they could be at the Lab minimum or Weimaraner maximum. As for appearance, the Labmaraner is a beautiful dog. It has long legs, a glossy coat, and a strong, muscular frame. The Lab Weimaraner mix tends to have a short, single-layered coat. Longer coats are possible, but are rare. Grooming Since Weimaraner and Lab mix dogs have relatively short coats, their grooming requirements are fairly light. Brushing once a week or so should be sufficient. However, Labradors are prolific shedders, and can molt a great deal. Although Weimaraners shed less, their mix could go either way. So be prepared for either eventuality. Weimaraner Lab Mix Temperament Labrador Weimaraner mixes are very active dogs that tend to have a lot of energy. Since both parent breeds are fairly high-energy, you can count on your Labmaraner having an active personality. These dogs tend to be very loyal and loving, as you would expect from the origin breeds. They are great with kids, and generally make excellent family pets. Their friendly temperament means that although they are likely to bark to alert their owners of an intruder — before running over to get their belly rubbed by said intruder. Labs are also often friendly to the point of being quite pushy, a characteristic that you are less likely to see in a Weimaraner. Weimaraner and Labrador Health Any mixed breed dog will be susceptible to inheriting the health issues of the parent breeds. On the Weimaraner side, potential health problems include hypertrophic osteodystrophy a bone disease , spinal dysraphism a spinal deformity that can lead to neurological abnormalities , hyperuricosuria a condition that can lead to bladder and kidney stones , and hypomyelination a condition that can lead to tremors in puppies. For Labradors, health problems typically include eye problems, joint problems, obesity, and cancer. While generally healthy pups, one of the most common issues with Labs include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Labradors may also be prone to obesity and related concerns, including diabetes and arthritis. These factors can typically be controlled by proper feeding habits and regular exercise. The Weimaraner parent should also have good hip scores and have had their eyes checked by a vet. Your pup might be prone to the health issues of either parent, and it may take on more or less of the characteristics of either parent. Socialization and Training Lab Weimaraner mixes are typically happy, social dogs, but they need to be socialized early for best results. The ideal socialization window for young dogs is typically between 8 and 16 weeks of age. This is the period where your pup will be most open to new experiences. And less fearful of larger dogs and unfamiliar humans. Keep in mind that socialization needs to happen with other dogs, and with other people. As for training, Labradors are generally eager to please. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training with treats. Weimaraners are a bit more strong-willed than labradors, which can make training a bit more difficult. Lab Weimaraners should be trained early and often for best results. As they are both sporting dog breeds with the potential for prey drive, recall training from a young age is essential. And thus, the Weimaraner Lab cross is actually rather uncommon. Finding one in a rescue situation will be quite difficult. When choosing a breeder, make sure to do your research. You want to identify a reputable breeder that is knowledgeable and kind to their pups. Ask if the breeder conducted any health testing on the parents, as the results of those tests could sway your decision. Cream, silver, yellow, black, chocolate Suitable for: Active lifestyles, homes with land Temperament: Energetic, loyal, intense, action-oriented So, what exactly happens when you cross these two structurally similar dogs? You get an agile, lean muscular dog that is capable of taking on the world at large. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Labmaraner dogs are energetic and loyal animals. Find the right food for your dog, and give them tons of love to keep them happy and healthy. They have fun-loving personalities and make terrific playmates. The Weimaraner is an incredibly intense dog that loves nothing more than a job to do. When you cross the Labrador Retriever and the Weimaraner, you get a very high-energy breed that needs lots of space to run. Their mental and physical stimulation is equally important, as this dog is fiercely intelligent and very active. This breed would fare best in situations with lots of room to run and explore. If you have a lot of acreage or a huge fenced-in area, they can work quite well in your living situation. This breed is a bit hyper, taking a very long time to mature. Because of their overabundance of energy, they work best with people who have a highly active lifestyle. These dogs can be highly affectionate with their owners and family members. But primarily, they are bred for work. However, a well-trained cross can be incredibly devoted, loyal, and faithful to their humans. These dogs do not do well with apartment living. So, if you and your family live somewhere that makes it complicated for outdoor activities, you might want to think about getting another breed. Because of their exuberant energy, these dogs work best for children ages 6 and older. Also, the Weimaraner is known for exhibiting a bit of aggression at times. They have too much intensity for younger children and might knock down or hurt a younger child. Even though a Lab is a super exciting, fun breed, the Weimaraner DNA might throw a wrench in the mix when it comes to being a family pet. However, because of the possibility of same-sex or territorial aggression, you should socialize them as early as possible. They have high chasing instincts.