how much should i pay for a french bulldog puppy

Our extensive collection features hundreds of stunning photos of these adorable canines in various poses, settings, and backgrounds. Type of Images Available Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images features a variety of different types of photos, including portraits, candid shots, outdoor and indoor images, and more. From close-ups of their expressive faces to action shots of them running and playing, our images capture the energy and character of this amazing breed. Our images can be used for a multitude of purposes, including websites, blog posts, advertisements, social media, books, magazines, and more. Whether you're sharing photos of your own German Shepherd puppy or you need images for a commercial project, our collection is a great resource. Tips for Choosing the Right Image Choosing the right image can make all the difference when it comes to creating a compelling design or message. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect image: Consider the mood you want to convey Think about the context in which the image will be used Look for images with high resolution and clarity Take into account the color scheme of your project and select images that complement it Choose images that have a clear focal point and aren't cluttered Why Choose Our Images? Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images offers a unique combination of quality, variety, and affordability. We pride ourselves in providing images that are visually stunning while still being accessible to a wide range of individuals and businesses. Plus, we offer flexible licensing options, including Royalty-free and Extended licenses, to fit your specific needs. With our images, you can create compelling projects that capture the essence of this beloved breed, no matter what your design or marketing goals may be. So why wait? Browse our collection today to discover the perfect German Shepherd puppy image for your next project! Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. Then you're in the right place! Because you can find loads of great German Shepherd pictures, of both puppies and adult dogs, all throughout this website. And the purpose of this page is even more specific. What do I mean? Well, because this page allows you, as a German Shepherd owner, to not only look at other adorable German Shepherd puppy pics, but also the chance to upload your own pictures of your own German Shepherd puppy and the ability to tell us all about your own little furry friend. Come on guys, now is your time to brag a little even about your own German Shepherd puppy. It's okay - we all do it. And we all understand how "our German Shepherd" is the best one on the planet. And now is the perfect time to let us all in on your own special secret. Plus you get the chance to have a whole web page dedicated to nothing but your very own German Shepherd puppy. And what German Shepherd owner wouldn't love that opportunity? So if you have a German Shepherd mix puppy or dog, we would love to hear about them too. Just use this page instead to tell us about your German Shepherd mix puppy or dog. So here's what you need to do next and it's pretty simple : Just fill out the form below, add your own German Shepherd puppy pictures, and click the Submit button when you're through. A new web page all about your German Shepherd puppy for the whole world to see. Be sure and tell your family and friends to come and visit. Plus they can leave comments too!

We have owned and bred American Bulldogs since .As a breeder, it has always been my dream to have and produce extremely large and bully monsters while maintaining the agile athleticism of a true working dog. So I hit the books and the internet to gain as much knowledge as I could. I discovered a dog with compact muscle, immense strength, agility, extreme bully looks, courage, loyalty and a brain that can fill their basket ball heads. The American Bulldog was the breed for me! The research didn't stop there. I had only scratched the surface. I now had an insane amount of styles of American Bulldogs in front of me. After years of researching bloodlines, I narrowed it down. What's in the works Are dogs are very important to use and apart of our family. We are Health testing all of our current stock and adding new blood that is also health tested to our lines. As you know we got big goals, adding new blood is tricky. We are currently in the process of combining show quality with huge bone and thick muscle! Maintaining show quality structure on the biggest thickest beast we can get it on is the goal. We love the shock and awe that DAKK'S dog already get no matter the crowd they are in but we want more. Who doesn't love an impressive dog that not only is built on quality but can move and even work. She may prefer to be an only dog. The American Bulldog was first bred as a powerful and athletic all-purpose working dog, used to catch hogs and cattle. They are typically gentle and loving family companions, but may not tolerate other dogs, especially those of the same sex. They require early training and socialization and have a high energy level. American Bulldogs are generally healthy with an average lifespan of years. Your American Bulldog's Health We at Newport Harbor Animal Hospital know that because you care so much about your dog , you want to take good care of her. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Bulldog. By knowing about health concerns specific to American Bulldogs, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in American Bulldogs to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for American Bulldogs. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your AmBull looking and feeling her best. And unfortunately, your American Bulldog is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. In fact, your American Bulldog's lifespan may be cut short by one to three years! Infections American Bulldogs are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in American Bulldogs. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Parasites All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your AmBull's body, inside and out. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Bulldog is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, this would be a good time. This is convenient for you and easy for your friend. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for American Bulldogs Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. Stiffness in your Bulldog's elbows or hips may become a problem for him, especially as he matures. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. Keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Clinical signs usually appear in younger dogs, between around one to three years of age. In the early stages, rear leg weakness and imbalance can occur. It can progress to weakness involving all four legs, and some dogs also lose vision. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease, but a genetic test is available. Dogs carrying the mutation should not be used for breeding, since it is readily passed to future generations. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually simple: replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Ichthyosis Dry, flaky, itchy skin is a common problem for many dogs, but AmBulls in particular are prone to a severe flaking skin condition called ichthyosis. Named for the large dry flakes that resemble fish scales, this problem usually arises very early in life, with most affected puppies born with abnormal skin. Several palliative treatment options like special shampoos and fish oils give variable levels of relief, but there is no definitive cure for this inherited disease. There is a genetic test available for many breeds that can determine whether he is clear, a carrier, or affected. This is important information if you are planning to use your friend for breeding, as it is not recommended to breed dogs who are affected or carriers; the goal is to prevent this debilitating disease in future generations. Eyelid Abnormality Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea surface of the eyeball. This is an extremely irritating and painful condition that can ultimately lead to blindness. It can happen in any dog breed; however, your Bulldog is especially at risk for this heritable disorder. Surgical correction is usually successful if performed early. Bladder or Kidney Stones There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and American Bulldogs are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us immediately! Taking Care of Your American Bulldog at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your AmBull live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. Very easy to groom, her short coat requires only occassional brushing. Clean her nasal folds at least weekly. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She's a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or she'll get bored. That's when the naughty stuff starts. She has a high prey drive, so she needs to be leash walked and a sturdy fence is a must. American Bulldogs love to be with their family and they are adaptable to many living situations as long as they are given adequate exercise. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your American Bulldog needs help. Office Calls Give us a call at for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs: Change in appetite or water consumption Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or broken teeth Itchy skin scratching, chewing or licking , hair loss Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes Dull coat, hair loss, sluggish, weight gain Dry, scaly, sometimes itchy hairless patches on face or paws Emergencies Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs: Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes General reluctance to run or play Loud breathing, tires easily at exercise Share this content. We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website.

Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in New York? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in New York? There are a lot of factors to take into account when you are looking for Boxer puppies for sale New York. Breeders will price their Boxers differently based on factors like gender, color, size, eye color, and more. Will I only find local Boxer pups here? No, you will find Boxers from all over the country. Our network of breeders and businesses is located all over the country, including New York Boxer breeders and those in other states. They are experienced at transporting pups safely and securely, so wherever you find your perfect pup, you can go and meet them at your nearest major airport. Do you screen and vet the breeders in the network? We are very strict when it comes to adding Boxer breeders New York to our network, and only the best are approved. We have a strict set of standards that must be met. We take ethics, cleanliness, legal compliance, and more into account, so you can search for Boxer puppies for sale in New York with complete peace of mind. You can search online for Boxer puppies New York, but be aware that what you are likely to find are the Boxer New York breeders that are just best at marketing. There is absolutely no guarantee they are the best. Puppy mills are sometimes chosen by people looking for the cheapest Boxer puppies in New York they can find. But puppy mills are best avoided. They are like factories for dogs where proper breeding practices are often not followed. And dogs who are not bred properly can be more prone to developing harmful behavioral problems and health issues. Are Boxer puppies available right now? Do you have something very specific in mind for your puppy when you begin searching for a Boxer for sale New York? Then search our network today to find exactly what you want. We have a huge number of businesses and breeders in our network, and they have lots of Boxer puppies to choose from, making it easier than ever to find your perfect puppy. Where exactly do Boxer dogs come from? Boxers were bred as guard dogs in the s from a mix of dogs including the Bulldog and the German Bullenbeisser. They quickly became popular for their mix of desirable characteristics including strength, loyalty, intelligence, and playfulness. What are Boxers like? Boxers are famously clownish in their behavior, and they just love goofing around. They are also very intelligent and incredibly loyal. If you find a New York Boxer for sale, they make great guard dogs and will take their job of looking after you and your family very seriously. How big are Boxers normally? Boxers are characterized as medium to large dogs. However, as with all dog breeds, some will be larger than others. On average, fully grown Boxers usually weigh between about 60 and 70 pounds. If I live in an apartment, can I still get a Boxer? As Boxers are dogs with a lot of energy, you may be wondering whether they are suitable for apartment living. The answer is yes! But just keep in mind when you look for Boxers for sale New York that they will need a lot of exercise. Daily exercise is essential, so make sure you take them out for a long walk or two. They are playful and loyal. Although Boxers were originally bred as working dogs, they make the perfect family pet. Boxers are different from each other but one trait that all Boxers have in common is their playfulness. Boxers, whether they're puppies or ones in their senior years, possess a youthful exuberance that is unmatched by any other breed of dog. Boxers have the natural ability to make their masters smile and fill a household with fun and laughter. Natural Born Entertainers Ask Boxer owners about what they think would be the most fitting profession or job for Boxer dogs and they'd likely tell you that Boxers make the perfect clowns. Boxers are natural entertainers wiggling, wagging and doing their funny antics. If you've ever been around a Boxer, you'll find it very hard to keep yourself from grinning. Put a Boxer in a room with someone in a bad mood and it will waste no time showing off its tricks to make a person laugh. One of the more familiar tricks Boxers are known for is kidney beaning, a dance they do whenever they are excited. No owner could resist smiling whenever he comes home after a hard day's work and sees his Boxer doing this dance. It isn't a bark although it is similar. Boxers are natural entertainers even when they are running. Don't be surprised to see a Boxer twist, jump and even do summersaults while it is out on a walk. However, Boxers aren't for everyone. If you're looking for a dog that will lie quietly at the foot of your bed or sleep most of the day, a Boxer is not the dog for you. Boxers are very energetic and they need plenty of attention. If a Boxer doesn't get adequate exercise every day, it can turn to doing destructive things or find ways to entertain itself like chewing on shoes. Boxers need to be walked or jogged twice a day at the minimum. In addition, they need mental stimulation. Email: mejwaldron yahoo. Check our comments section below to see if anyone has left a review of any of these breeders. Remember, we can't moderate the results we show, but they are hopefully a good starting point to narrow down some of the Boxer breeders in New York. Facebook Groups Facebook is another great place to find honest reviews of Breeders. Click here to search Facebook groups that discuss Boxer breeders in New York. You can grab your free copy below. Boxer dogs are a great addition to any home, but you do have to make some considerations about your lifestyle. Whereabouts in New York were they based, what was the Breeders name? It really helps others who are searching for a Boxer Puppy in the New York area if they can read honest reviews from buyers like yourself. Are you a breeder of Boxers? Get in touch and we can add you to our directory. Please feel free to drop us a picture of your Boxer on Facebook or Twitter. And remember to check out our Boxer puppy buyers guide for lots of useful information. Recommended Posts:. The simple answer is that we rescue unwanted and abandoned purebred Boxers and place them in safe, responsible, loving, forever homes. The reality encompasses so much more than the simple answer. Boxers entering TBRO are often sick or injured, some are suffering from neglect or abuse. Some come from loving families that can no longer care for them. TBRO volunteers care for each and every one of these boxers. Upon entering TBRO, each boxer is vetted and brought current on shots, and heartworm and flea prevention. When necessary, they are treated for heartworms, parasites, and other illnesses and injuries. Needless to say, our vet bills can be very high. Yes, We Rescue Boxers! Some are healthy and up-to-date on shots and preventions, many need expensive medical care, like Champ. Champ's story has a happy ending, but it didn't start out very well for her. To help cover the medical expenses of Champ and others like him, please donate securely online through PayPal. We appreciate donations of any amount! Your donation is tax deductible. Our Next Event.This fun-filled family fundraiser, now in its 13th year, will feature a 1 mile walk through the beautiful Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. There will be plenty of food, and fun for pets and their human companions. All breeds are welcome! Can't come for the walk, come for the fest! Come Out And Join Us!!! You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Boxer, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Boxers". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Boxer from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon. If you can't find the perfect Boxer puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Boxers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos! Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! View fullsize Both our chocolate Labradoodle and our Poodle are beautiful dogs with excellent temperaments. They are our family pets. Because we begin with a Labradoodle and a Poodle, rather than a Lab and a Poodle, our puppies are much more likely to have the non-shedding Poodle coat. A F1b Labradoodle has been back-crossed to a poodle in an effort to insure a non-shedding coat. Even though most f1b Labradoodles shed very little or not all, it is impossible to guarantee that any dog even doodles or purebred poodles will not shed at all. Hypo- means less hypothermia is having a lower than normal body temperature. No dog can be said to be completely non-allergenic. Studies have shown that doodles are less likely to cause allergies, particularly f1b doodles. The ideal is to keep as much of the Lab head shape and super-friendly personality as possible while getting the non-shedding Poodle coat as well as the dignified, less vocal characteristics of the Poodle. Our Labradoodle methodology is quite simple. First, we get quality dogs. This is why we wanted to have pick of the litter for our Labradoodle and our Poodle and why we only obtained puppies from reputable breeders that we knew we could trust. Second, we try to treat our dogs Labradoodle and Poodle well. We feed our Labradoodle and Poodle high quality food with plenty of protein, and give them wonderful socialization and opportunities for exercise. We have 12 acres along the Enoree River with trails, additional property next to a Greenville state park, and property on Lake Hartwell giving us the opportunity to take the dogs kayaking. We recognize the importance of socializing young Labradoodle puppies so they will not be fearful as they mature. Our Labradoodle puppies have lots of opportunities to play with our children, and water games are definitely on top of the list. Labradoodles love the water and so do my kids, as you can see below. Third, we try to find appropriate families for our Chocolate Labradoodle puppies. To learn more about our process, check out this resource that gives a step-by-step guide between the application to receiving your puppy! A Chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle is not for everyone, and a puppy is not for everyone. If your family is not prepared for a Labradoodle puppy financially, time investment, etc. When can you get your puppy? Because we have only one Labradoodle mother and a couple guardian homes , puppies are available only occasionally. Contact us nathan crockettdoodles. We have a flexible waiting list and offer your deposit back if we do not have the ideal Labradoodle puppy for you within a certain window of time. Sometimes with mini Labradoodles we prefer to wait until they are a little older than 8 weeks because accidents tend to happen more easily with really small puppies. We will take several pictures of you with your Labradoodle puppy. We will send you the pictures for free place them on a USB thumb drive for you , and you will have full copyright privileges to all of the pictures to use at your discretion. You have the option of whether or not the photos appear here on the ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Although we never ship puppies, we will sometimes personally deliver puppies for a reasonable fee. Why should you consider getting a Chocolate Labradoodle from us? If a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy is right for your family, and if you are within driving distance of Greenville, SC, you may want to consider getting a chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle from us. If you read our Labradoodle puppy methodology and like what you read, you should consider adopting one of our puppies. We have a three-year health guarantee on each of our puppies if the forever home continues to feed TLC one year health guarantee on all others. How can you get a Chocolate Labradoodle or Labradoodle mini from us? If you think your family would be a good match for one of our Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppies, then start the conversation by emailing us at nathan crockettdoodles. You will have full access to all pictures and hold the copyright to make as many pictures as you desire. You keep all the pictures. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality collar. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality leash. We give you a bag of high quality dog food. We believe that you should give your new Labradoodle puppy or mini Labradoodle puppy the best food. Instructional materials about crate training and house training. Our goal is to do everything we can to assist in the house training and crate training process. A Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy or any puppy cannot be completely reliable in the house until the puppy is about 6 months old. The simple point is that no matter what some breeders tell you you will be partially involved in the house training process unless you buy an older Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle , but we want to help you with that process. A one-year health guarantee; extended to three years for all who continue to feed TLC. We are concerned with finding really good homes for our Labradoodle and mini Labradoodle puppies. Labradoodle Color To see a list of available colors, check out this page. At ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Ultimately we cannot completely control the color of puppies. Even though chocolate is the most desirable color, we sometimes have puppies of other colors even occasional merles. These puppies, will of course, also make excellent pets. These non-chocolate Labradoodle puppies are also available to great families, but we know that Chocolate Labradoodles are the most desirable. The Labrador Retriever has a short coat that sheds. By breeding the F1 Labradoodle back to an unrelated Poodle, the chances of getting the highly desirable non-shedding Poodle coat increase exponentially. Some F1B Labradoodles are bred back another time to a Poodle in an effort to guarantee a Poodle coat. If high quality dogs are chosen to breed that have the head shape of a Labrador Retriever it is possible to get a puppy that is very similar in many ways to a Labrador, but has the beautiful non-shedding Poodle coat. Both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, helping Labradoodles excel in smarts, train-ability, and a general desire to always please their owner. If you desire a family-friendly, kid loving, medium energy dog that is comfortable inside or outside, that loves the water and the land, you should definitely consider a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle. For more info about Labradoodle puppies or mini Labradoodle puppies, please email nathan crockettdoodles. Check out our sister site miniLabradoodlePuppies. We specialize in Chocolate Labradoodles and mini Labradoodles, but often we have other colors as well. Occasionally someone travels from Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh-Durham or Knoxville, but our proximity to North Carolina and the popularity of Labradoodles in North Carolina make Charlotte and Asheville our most serviced locations. We also have some who are interested from distant states, but we primarily serve the Southeast U. Marley is a curious puppy who loves adventures and seeking out new places to explore. She would love a home with lots of hikes and exploring new things. We are a premier breeder of Golden Retrievers and Golden Doodles, and all of them are raised by our family! Raised With Love Raised on the farm in Western Maryland, all our puppies are raised by our family since .Kid-friendly Your new puppy will be used to having children around. Our children actively help with feeding and socializing the puppies from the day they are born. Trusted Since We started raising puppies in , and have had many happy customers over the years. Including many repeat buyers. We Love Raising Puppies! It gives us a deep sense of satisfaction to see one of our pups grow into a friendly, sociable, and obedient companion. Our pursuit of a complete puppy breeding recipe from socialization to general habitual behavior will probably never end, but our pups are consistently bringing happiness to families abroad! High standards for both health and behavior have always been in the front of our minds, and we have built consistency in meeting those standards. We truly want your new family member to bring you happiness for years to come! Our Reviews Thanks Again! We wanted to update you on Milo formerly Glendon. He will be 2 years old the beginning of March. We moved from Maryland to Idaho this past June. Milo loves the winter and our loads of snow. He is over pounds and nothing but silly and love. He is very well behaved and smart. He loves hiking and swimming. We are blessed to have him. He and our lab Kodiak love each other to pieces. Thanks again! They are such a sweet family and they made the puppy adopting experience run very smooth. They let me sit there for almost 2 hours trying to figure out which pup I wanted and they helped me decide. The Alton family is very good about giving you all the knowledge you need to know about the first few weeks of the puppy life. We drove to Maryland right as quarantine started last March. We picked up Clooney formerly Konner and fell in love immediately! He has been the best boy for the past year and was truly a blessing in disguise during a crazy time. Albark did amazing taking care of him before we picked him up. Thank you Albark! Emma Edmondson. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Bel Air Maryland and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. We only breed Australian Labradoodles. We are intentionally small, exclusive, and family-owned. It is our focus to protect the health and future of this breed. Our carefully planned breeding program is dedicated to quality, not quantity. We have a limited number of litters a year and take great pride in breeding these outstanding family companions, for a therapy dog temperament and a teddy bear personality. They are intelligent, intuitive, allergy and asthma friendly, with non-shedding coats. They are affectionate, lovable and make devoted family members. Our puppies are born in our home, in a warm and loving environment with many hands to help. Puppies have started potty-training and crate training before they go to their new families to help with a smooth transition. Puppies are well socialized with children and other dogs, playing, romping and exposed to many different stimuli, so they are emotionally well adjusted. All puppies are vet checked, dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped. Puppies are placed with temperament testing to ensure the best match with each family. Our dogs live in our home or with our trusted guardian families, living their best lives. In addition, they also have their DNA profiles run for positive identification. All our dogs live in our home or with our trusted guardian families. They all achieve the Canine Good Citizen award by 18 months of age. They are our constant companions, well loved and living their best life as we think they should. These admirable qualities among many others make them perfect family pets. They are active, smart and desire to be engaged with the humans they love and live with. They are very eager to please, making them well suited as spoilt family members, therapy dogs and assistance dogs. They are very loving, smart and the make best friends ever. Their eagerness to please and soulful nature makes them ideal as a family pet or for therapy work. They are full of cuddles, fun and faithful. They display a keen intuition about the emotional state of family members. They are non-shedding and allergy-friendly. Coats can be wavy, straight or curly. Our Guardian Program Our breeding dogs are the heart and soul of what we do, and to ensure we are doing the best for them, we want all our dogs to live in wonderful happy homes as treasured members of the family. Our guardian program is a partnership between us and chosen families which allows our dogs to live freely in loving homes with their forever people. Sonali took the time to get to know our situation and make suggestions that ultimately turned out to be right on target. Our family received very personal attention so that our dream puppy could become a reality. We love that big fur ball so much! He has been really easy to train, listens well, and has adapted to our family very nicely. Our experience with Cornerstone was flawless. Olive is such an incredible puppy and we are so blessed to have her. The puppy preparation info and class were very helpful.

Google News An adorable video of a mother dog saving her puppy from the owner is gaining attention on social media. This clip has been shared on Instagram by an account with the name giosi. As can be seen in the clip, the puppy has damaged the wire of the electrical equipment. The owner is scolding him and both dogs have a look of distress on their faces. He keeps pointing his fingers at the puppy and then picks up his slippers to hit him. The mother dog immediately intervenes and stops the owner from doing this with her paw. She then hugs her child. The owner again tries to hit the puppy but the mother dog protects him. Some were left horrified to see this heartless act from the owner and others got emotional seeing the act of the mother dog. Another commented that if animals could talk, the stories they would narrate would make the whole world cry for eternity. A user also wrote that there can be other ways to discipline a pet but slippers should not be used. A similar clip of a mother giraffe protecting her baby from a lioness had gone viral on February 4. It was shared on Instagram by the handle animal. He also failed to escape from the attack and gave up. Some of the social media users were terrified and thought that the lioness would eat the animal. But the tables turned as the mother giraffe arrived in time to save the baby. The lioness was terrified and ran away. Archie, Oakley, and Winston can be seen barking at someone in the living room, but when the camera zooms in, the terrifying intruder is revealed to be a plush toy dog, sitting there, "menacingly. Having four dogs under one roof is the perfect guarantee for constant joy and entertainment. There is never a dull moment in our house, nor is it ever spotless! However, the amount of love they provide makes me not care about the fur balls and muddy paw prints. We visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, corporate offices, and a variety of other venues. It is truly amazing to see how many lives they touch on a daily basis. All four of them get along great with each other. They spend about 90 percent of the day snuggling with each other and the other 10 percent of the time they are either chasing squirrels out in the backyard or wrestling over a toy in the living room. They truly are best friends! Even though they are similar in many ways, they each have their distinct personalities, as described below. His 6th birthday [was on Saturday]. He is the most protective one in the house and is always right by my side. He is also an opportunist when it comes to food. Watch out when you eat pizza around Archie, as he has been known to steal a piece from guests who aren't paying attention. As soon as someone walks in the door, he will start singing or crying very prominently due to his excitement. Winston is 18 months old and is definitely the goofball of the trio. He is obsessed with squirrels, sticks, and stuffies. A trio of golden retrievers protecting their owners from a "terrifying intruder" has melted hearts online. So, golden retrievers typically do not make great guard dogs, but they can be good watchdogs. Watchdogs simply alert their humans of possible intruders and suspicious activities, while guard dogs do more than just that. The video quickly gained popularity on social media, attracting animal lovers from across the platform. It has so far received over , views and more than 67, likes. In adorable footage posted to Youtube Friday, a dog can be seen hovering over his baby hound while a woman is heard speaking in the background. It seems something suspicious may have happened - as the dog parent quickly covers the puppy's face so it can not see its surroundings. Scroll down for video A Golden Retriever was captured protecting his puppy from the 'real world' The dog is seen hovering over the baby hound while a woman speaks in the backgeound It seems something suspicious may have happened, as the parent is seen shielding the pup Shortly after, the protective parent looks up at the woman nervously, then down again - and shields the precious pup with both of its paws. Eventually, the dog seems to take matters to a new extreme as he is shown jumping above the pup. The puppy keeps casual and composed throughout the entire clip - while it continues living in a carefree world for the time being. At one point, the dog is shown covering the baby's eyes with both of its paws The adorable pup keeps casual and composed throughout the entire clip Toward the end, the dog seemingly takes matters to the next level by jumping above the puppy Share or comment on this article: Adorable video shows dog protect puppy from 'real world'.

Reviewed by Petal Smart Petal Smart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been an editor in the veterinary and medical sciences since .She has edited more than assignments, including research studies published in various academic journals, continuing medical education materials, and articles on pet health. Canine hip dysplasia is most often seen in large breeds like German Shepherd dogs , Saint Bernards , and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs , but a dog of any size and both male and female dogs may be affected. The cause of canine hip dysplasia isn't known. The condition is thought to have a genetic link, and dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Puppies from parents that have hip dysplasia will be more likely to develop the condition than puppies born to parents with normal hips. However, even dogs with normal parents can develop hip dysplasia. What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia? The pelvis cradles the head of the femur thigh bone in a cup-like socket of bone that forms the hip. Puppies typically are born normal, but as the puppy matures, the hip joint alignment becomes progressively worse. This places abnormal stress and wear on the bones when they rub together, and causes further joint degeneration and pain. Bones respond to stress by growing thicker, which makes the fit even worse. As the dog matures, this damage predisposes to arthritic changes and painful joints. Signs and Symptoms Severe hip dysplasia may become noticeable as early as four months of age, but is more typically seen in pups aged 9 months to 1 year. The painful condition causes limping , favoring of limbs, and difficulty rising, running, or jumping. Dysplastic pups may exhibit an odd wobbly gait when walking and "bunny hop" when running or climbing stairs, which may help to ease joint stress. Stairs can prove a particular challenge for these dogs, and sore hips and pain may prompt aggression , causing the pup to snap or flinch when touched. However, there are degrees of severity. Some pups may show few to no signs at all, and mild cases may go undiagnosed until the dog reaches middle age or older. How quickly, or to what extent degeneration occurs is in part determined by the pup's activity level. While healthy, normal hips probably won't be adversely affected by hard work or exuberant play, the dog with mild to moderate hip dysplasia develops more noticeable signs more quickly when excessive stress is placed on these joints. Fortunately, only a relatively small percentage of pets suffer the severest, most crippling form of the condition. The condition may also be influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, body weight, and activity level. The puppy is placed on its back and the veterinarian looks for the typical arthritic changes and subluxation laxity of the joint. Some changes may not become evident until the pup reaches 2 years old, and experts say there may be considerable changes from 6 to 9 months up to 1 year. The OFA provides a consulting service for purebred dog owners and breeders, through which it reviews hip X-rays provided by an owner to evaluate the dog's conformation and, when normal, certifies that fact. The PennHip testing method, developed by Dr. Reputable breeders have dog parents tested prior to breeding to make sure they do not have hip dysplasia and reduce the chance of the condition in puppies. Dogs can be certified free of hip dysplasia by sending appropriate X-rays to either the OFA registry or the PennHip registry. This is evaluated by three radiologists who score the hips fair, good, or excellent. PennHip evaluation uses computer analysis to compare the X-rays to all the other dogs of that breed in the registry. Management of Hip Dysplasia There is no cure for hip dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function. How well treatment works depends on the severity of the problem. Often, mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia can be managed with gentle exercise, a healthy diet, and oral pain relievers like buffered aspirin or Rimadyl as prescribed by the veterinarian. Moderate exercise helps maintain and improve the puppy's muscle tone, which alleviates painful wear and tear on the joint. Encourage your dysplastic puppy to take short walks with you. Swimming is an ideal exercise, but jumping and prolonged running should be discouraged. Keep your puppy lean; obesity increases joint strain and can make the condition worse. Massage can also help the dog feel better. Severe cases of hip dysplasia may benefit from surgery that rebuilds or removes bone or alters the muscles and tendons to reduce pain. More from The Spruce Pets. March 24, Bulldogs are dependable, loyal and obedient. They have remarkable patience and tolerance and get along very well with other dogs and young children. One would assume that a breed of dog with such short legs would never be susceptible to hip dysplasia or arthritis. The truth is that hip dysplasia in Bulldogs is one of the most common health issues this breed is prone to. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition, which can affect any dog. Although the causes may vary, the effects are always the same: loss of mobility, increasing pain, impaired gait, and even behavioral and mood changes in your dog including snappishness and depression. Dysplasia is simply the dislocation of a bone from its proper place. Hip dysplasia or displacement is one of the best-known types of dysplasia in dogs. The degenerative process of hip dysplasia is gradual. The onset of symptoms, specifically pain, is also somewhat gradual taking place over the course of years. In simple terms, the two bones of the hip joint shift out of alignment. Perhaps because they are such hand-working structures, the ball and socket joints are prone to disease, and simple mechanical wear and damage over time. The muscles and joints become lax, and the joint capsule, a strong band of connective tissue which circled the bones for added stability, loses its elastic strength. As this happens, the articular working surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The bones slowly separate as the soft tissues around the joint degenerate. The disease may affect one or both right and left hips. With the loss of protective scaffolding between the bone surfaces, the nerves in the bone endings themselves become exposed. When bone touches bone, there is acute pain. In addition, the loss of tensile strength of the supporting tendons, muscle, and cartilage means that other structures in the hip and leg must compensate in terms of weight-bearing and movement. This unnatural compensation may cause fatigue and pain. It may even cause the dog to injure itself—running to catch a Frisbee, or climbing stairs, for instance. What Causes Hip Dysplasia? Experts disagree as to the source of hip dysplasia in dogs. Too much food One theory is that feeding a young, growing dog too many calories early in its development contributes to the disorder. Too much exercise Another theory is that too much exercise, or the wrong kind of exercise, or simply too much high-impact exercise, such as fetching, jumping, and catching a ball or Frisbee on concrete, contributes to hip dysplasia. A factual observation about this condition is that hip dysplasia tends to affect large breeds more so than smaller dogs. This, too, is relative—it is possible for small dogs to become affected by hip dysplasia, too. However, we correctly associate the condition most frequently with big breeds. These breeds do carry a genetic predisposition toward the condition. It is also true that purebreds, especially large dogs, are most likely to become vulnerable to hip dysplasia, therefore calling upon informed and responsible breeding practices. Sometimes our decision-making process is clouded by emotion—guilt, fear, even panic when we see our beloved canine companion suffering. These are also common in dogs, attacking the cartilage, muscles, and membrane linings of cartilage and joints. These may offer your dog safe alternatives: calming inflammation as an immediate solution and helping to rebuild joint integrity as a long-range treatment. These trusted products can slow or even stop the degeneration of the hip joint. In many cases, hip replacement surgery which is the last resort may be prevented altogether. An X-ray examination will be recommended as a first step. If your dog becomes less active, weight gain may become a challenge. Eliminate treats, and if possible, offer your dog low-impact exercises like stretching and swimming. We Can Help. Does your dog have trouble walking, standing, or getting up? There is an excellent chance we can help your dog. Diagnosis Your veterinarian will likely start by gathering a detailed medical history, including when you first noticed symptoms and if your pup has suffered any accidents or injuries. To diagnose hip dysplasia, your veterinarian will give your dog a fluid workup consisting of a blood chemical profile, blood count, electrolyte panel test, and urinalysis. Your furry friend will probably also require light sedation so your veterinarian can take X-rays and perform special hip palpation tests. The earlier your buddy is diagnosed, the better. This is because certain surgical options are only viable for puppies. In many cases, veterinarians can diagnose puppies as young as 10 weeks with abnormal joint laxity. Treatment As a degenerative disease, hip dysplasia has no cure. However, your veterinarian can work with you to help give your furry friend the best quality of life possible. Hip dysplasia surgery options include: Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis JPS — Only appropriate for puppies less than six months, JPS fuses the pelvis to improve stability. Triple pelvic osteotomy TPO — For dogs less than 1-year-old, this procedure rotates the sockets. Total hip replacement THR — Reserved for senior dogs with advanced osteoarthritis, THR replaces the ball and socket with artificial implants. Femoral head osteotomy FHO — Best for pooches weighing less than 60 pounds and with good musculature, FHO removes the ball and enables the surrounding muscles to form a false joint. If surgery is not an option, drug therapies like steroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and joint supplements can help your pal manage pain. Physical therapy can work wonders, too, especially swimming since it gets the joints and muscles moving without any undue strain. If your pal is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, you cannot stop the condition from developing. However, you can tackle the lifestyle and environmental factors at play. In general, a high-quality, low-protein dry food diet is a good starting point. Though it may be tempting to let your sore pal rest on the couch all day, regular exercise can actually help strengthen the muscles surrounding the hip joints, which will ultimately help relieve pain. Let your dog take the lead on this, so you can get a sense for when they tire and what they struggle with. Start with two short walks a day, and avoid rough terrain or anything that requires jumping or running. In terms of environment, try to keep your doggie out of cold, damp weather, and make sure they have a dry place to sleep that is free from drafts. Slippery floors can be tricky for pups with hip pain, so opt for area rugs and mats when possible. If your dog goes up and down stairs frequently, you may want to consider a carpeted ramp. Scheduling regular follow-up visits with your veterinarian is also a key component of prevention. Is your canine companion covered? Get a free quote today! From to , it detected hip dysplasia in .Genetics and joint malformations are known to contribute to the prevalence of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. To better understand Bulldog hip dysplasia, you must understand the function of the hip joint first. The hip joint is just like a ball fixed into a socket. In normal hip joints, the femoral head can rotate smoothly and freely within the socket. A strong ligament holds the joint together. In most cases, Bulldogs who develop hip dysplasia are born with normal hips. But because of genetic factors, the soft tissues around their hip joints do not develop normally and remains loose. When the hip joints and the tissues surrounding are too loose, the femoral head can get displaced on the edge of the socket instead of moving smoothly inside. This results in changes in size and shape of the articular surfaces — causing pain and possible formation of calcium deposits in the hip joints. This can affect either the left or right hip, or both. Bulldog hip dysplasia can be debilitating and painful. If you are able to detect the early signs of hip dysplasia in your Bulldog, appropriate measures can be taken before the disease progresses and results in partial or complete dislocation of the hip joint, arthritis, or bone degeneration. Here are some early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. You may notice your Bulldog taking longer to stand up from a laid-down position, especially if the surface he rests on is slippery. He may do this to avoid feeling too much pain in the hip joint area. This behavior is a very common sign of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 2: Pain and Sensitivity in the Hip Area Hip dysplasia often causes damage or the breakdown of the cartilage in the hip joint. When this happens, the contact between the pelvic bone and the femur causes friction, which later results in joint inflammation and pain. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia may whine or bark when the hip area is touched. Some dogs may even show aggressive behaviors. Hip dysplasia can make your pet refuse to move, jump, climb, or descend the stairs in an attempt to avoid feeling pain. Affected dogs often lose enthusiasm in doing things they used to enjoy. Is your Bulldog hopping like a bunny when he walks? Bunny-hopping is one of the early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. To avoid pain, your Bulldog may try to lift either of his hind legs when he has to walk or move to another location. Dogs with hip dysplasia do bunny-hop to avoid putting on weight on their painful limb. Because your Bulldog will most likely avoid using his hips and thighs, as the muscles in these areas generally shrink atrophy. As your Bulldog relies on his front body to move him from one place to another, the muscles on his shoulders and front limbs may grow large hypertrophy. If your Bulldog suffers from this problem, he may experience problems when he goes potty. Squatting and even lifting legs can be difficult for dogs with hip dysplasia. If you see your Bulldog straining, whining, or having a hard time when he pees or poops, consider having him checked for hip dysplasia. Some of them can manage to move or walk despite the pain. But they often find themselves falling over because they try to balance their weight to prevent their hip area from getting hurt. Sometimes, they slip or fall on the floor due to weakness in the hip joint. If your Bulldog has this problem, consider placing rugs or carpets on the floor. Toe grips may also help prevent him from slipping. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 8: Frog Sit Bulldog hip dysplasia can make it hard for your pet to sit in a normal position. Dogs with hip dysplasia often slouch or sit like a frog when they rest. The position allows them to rest without straining or putting much weight on their hips. Leave a Reply: Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. It can also help to know what types of health conditions your dog may be most vulnerable to. These are some of the health issues that English Bulldogs are more prone to and could experience in their lifetime: Cherry eye You may not know it, but your dog has a third eyelid tucked inside its lower eyelid which provides further protection for the eye. Cherry eye is a condition in which the third eyelid protrudes, making it very noticeable. Elbow and hip dysplasia Large breed dogs such as English bulldogs can be prone to hip dysplasia, a condition in which the ball and socket of the joint do not fit together the way that they are supposed to. As a result, the joint degenerates, causing the dog pain and making it difficult to walk. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition in which the elbow joint does not develop normally, leading to chronic pain and lameness. Bone cancer While bone cancer can potentially develop in any breed of dog, larger breeds are most vulnerable to it. In some cases, it can develop after a traumatic bone injury. The most common type of bone cancer in dogs is a tumor known as osteosarcoma. Common symptoms are apparent lameness, reluctance to eat, and joint inflammation. If you notice that your English bulldog is having difficulty walking or have other sudden changes in behavior, schedule an appointment at your vet clinic right away. It is a good idea to discuss health conditions that a particular breed is more prone to with your vet so they can help you become more aware in better recognizing symptoms that could be concerning for your pet. What is hip dysplasia? To understand hip dysplasia we must have a basic understanding of the joint that is being affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur while the socket acetabulum is located on the pelvis. In a normal joint the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement the bones are shaped to perfectly match each other; with the socket surrounding the ball. To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a strong ligament. The ligament attaches the femoral head directly to the acetabulum. Also, the joint capsule, which is a very strong band of connective tissue, encircles the two bones adding further stability. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In addition, the joint contains a highly viscous fluid that lubricates the articular surfaces. In a dog with normal hips, all of these factors work together to cause the joint to function smoothly and with stability. Hip dysplasia is associated with abnormal joint structure and a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that would normally support the joint. As joint laxity develops, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. This separation of the two bones within the joint is called a subluxation, and this causes a drastic change in the size and shape of the articular surfaces. Most dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips but due to their genetic make-up and possibly other factors the soft tissues that surround the joint develop abnormally causing the subluxation. It is this subluxation and the remodeling of the hip that leads to the symptoms we associate with this disease. What are the symptoms of hip dysplasia? Dogs of all ages are subject to hip dysplasia and the resultant osteoarthritis. In severe cases, puppies as young as five months will begin to show pain and discomfort during and after exercise. The condition will worsen until even normal daily activities are painful. Without intervention, these dogs may eventually be unable to walk. The symptoms are similar to those seen with other causes of arthritis in the hip. Dogs often walk or run with an altered gait. They may resist movements that require full extension or flexion of the rear legs. They will show stiffness and pain in the rear legs after exercise or first thing in the morning. They may also have difficulty climbing stairs. In milder cases dogs will warm-up out of the stiffness with movement and exercise. Some dogs will limp and many will become less willing to participate in normal daily activities. Many owners attribute the changes to normal aging but after treatment is initiated, they are surprised to see a more normal and pain-free gait return. As the condition progresses, most dogs will lose muscle tone and may even need assistance in getting up. Who gets hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia can be found in dogs, cats, and humans, but for this article we are concentrating only on dogs. In dogs, it is primarily a disease of large and giant breeds. German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Saint Bernards appear to have a higher incidence, however, these are all very popular breeds and may be over represented because of their popularity. On the other hand, sighthounds such as the Greyhound or the Borzoi have a very low incidence of the disease. This disease can occur in medium-sized breeds and rarely in small breeds. It is primarily a disease of purebreds although it can happen in mixed breeds, particularly if it is a cross of two dogs that are prone to developing the disease. What are the risk factors for the development of hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is caused by a subluxation in the hip joint. This creates abnormal wear and erosion of the joint and as a result arthritis and pain develop. The disease process is fairly straightforward; the controversy starts when we try to determine what predisposes animals to contracting the disease. Genetics: Researchers agree that hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. If there are genetic carriers, then he may contract the disease. We can greatly reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia through selective breeding. We can also increase the incidence through selectively breeding. We cannot, however, completely reproduce the disease through selective breeding. In other words, if you breed two dysplastic dogs, the offspring are much more likely to develop the disease but the offspring will not all have the same level of symptoms or even necessarily show any symptoms. The offspring from these dogs will, however, be carriers and the disease will most likely show up in their offspring in later generations. This is why it can be challenging to eradicate the disease from a breed or specific breeding line. Experimentally, it has been shown that obesity can increase the severity of the disease in genetically susceptible animals. It stands to reason that carrying around extra weight will exacerbate the degeneration of the joints in a dog; including the hip. Dogs that may have been born genetically prone to hip dysplasia and are overweight are therefore at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis. Another factor that may increase the incidence of hip dysplasia is rapid growth in puppies during the ages from three to ten months. Experimentally, the incidence has been increased in genetically susceptible dogs when they are given free choice food. Feeding a diet that has too much or too little calcium or other minerals can also have a detrimental effect on the development of the hip joint. The practice of feeding home-made dog foods is popular with some dog owners. These diets must be carefully monitored for proper nutritional balance; not only for calcium and the other essential minerals but for all nutrients. Exercise: Exercise may be another risk factor. It appears that dogs that are genetically susceptible to the disease may have an increased incidence of disease if they over-exercised at a young age. But at the same time, we know that dogs with large and prominent leg muscle mass are less likely to contract the disease than dogs with small muscle mass. So, exercising and maintaining good muscle mass may actually decrease the incidence of the disease. Moderate exercise that strengthens the gluteal muscles, such as running and swimming, is probably a good idea. Whereas, activities that apply a lot of force to the joint are contraindicated. An example would be jumping activities such as playing Frisbee. How is hip dysplasia diagnosed? The diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia is typically made by combining: clinical signs of arthritis and pain, a complete physical exam, and radiographs x-rays. If a dog is showing outward signs of arthritis, there are usually easily recognized changes in the joint that can be seen on radiographs. In addition, the veterinarian may even be able to feel looseness in the joint or may be able to elicit pain through extension and flexion of the rear leg. Regardless, the results are straightforward and usually not difficult to interpret. However, about half of the animals that come in for a determination on the health of their hip joints are not showing physical signs, but are intended to be used for breeding. The breeder wants to ensure that the animal is not at great risk for transmitting the disease to his or her offspring. At Grand Future Kennel, based on personal observations as well as documentation provided by the veterinarian Reid Shufer D. We are yet to meet a veterinarian that believes OFA hip testing results are reliable. This is why at our kennel we only use the PennHip method in the United States. The OFA maintains a database of hip evaluations for hundreds of thousands of dogs. Since the accuracy of radiological diagnosis of hip dysplasia using the OFA technique increases after 24 months of age, the OFA requires that the dog be at least two years of age at the time the radiographs are taken. Because some female dogs experience additional hip subluxation when they are in heat, pregnant or nursing the OFA recommends that the evaluation should not be performed during these times. To get the correct presentation and ensure that the muscles are relaxed, the OFA recommends that the dog be anesthetized for the radiographs. OFA radiologists evaluate the hip joints for congruity, subluxation, the condition of the acetabulum, and the size, shape, and architecture of the femoral head and femoral neck. The OFA then places the evaluated dogs into one of seven categories. Normal hips are graded as: excellent, good or fair. If the consensus is unclear the dog is graded as borderline dysplastic. And dogs with obvious radiographic signs of hip dysplasia are graded as: mild, moderate, severely dysplastic. Dogs with hips scored as borderline or dysplastic mild, moderate, severe are not eligible to receive OFA breeding numbers. The OFA will also provide preliminary evaluations performed by one OFA radiologist of dogs younger than 24 months of age to help breeders choose breeding stock. This program was conceived in and became a usable system by .To assure quality and repeatability among diagnostic centers using the PennHIP technique, veterinarians must take a special training course to become certified. Radiographs of the hips are taken with the dog under heavy sedation. These radiographs can be taken on a dog as young as 16 weeks. Two views are obtained with the hind limbs in neutral position to maximize joint laxity. These are known as the distraction and compression radiographic views. Weights and an external device are used to help push the head of the femur further into or away from the acetabulum. The amount of femoral head displacement joint laxity is quantified using a distraction index or DI. The DI ranges from 0 to over 1 and is calculated by measuring the distance the center of the femoral head moves laterally from the center of the acetabulum and dividing it by the radius of the femoral head. A DI of 0 indicates a very tight joint. A DI of 1 indicates complete luxation with little or no coverage of the femoral head. A hip with a distraction index of 0. A third radiographic view is taken using the same positioning as the OFA. Hip laxity as measured by the DI is strongly correlated with the future development of osteoarthritis. Hips with a DI below 0. Although hips with a DI above 0. It is known that some hips with radiographically apparent laxity do not develop osteoarthritis. A means of differentiating lax hips that develop osteoarthritis from those that will not is important in developing a prognosis and making treatment or breeding recommendations. In one study, the DI obtained from dogs at four months of age was a good predictor of later osteoarthritis, though the 6 and month indices were more accurate. The PennHIP method has gained popularity and more and more veterinarians are becoming certified. Article produced for educational purposes. The average PennHip score for the American Bulldog breed is 0. Please note that this average score is derived only from dogs that have been tested via the PennHip method, which is naturally only a small fraction of all American Bulldog breeders, and higher quality breeders would be significantly over-represented in the sample. Therefore, we can assume that the actual average score within the breed is significantly higher worse. Given the relatively small cost and vital importance of this test, it is naive to assume that a given dog is not predisposed for Hip Dysplasia if the breeder went through the trouble of doing other tests except for this one. The more likely possibility is that the non-ideal test result is being withheld or the breeder has a hunch that the test would produce undesirable results. Search this website.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. After switching it out for both filtered water and bottled water to no avail, I started researching what else Labrador puppies could drink. By 7 weeks old, most Labs should be weaned from milk and primarily drink water. A good rule of thumb is an ounce of water per pound in weight each day. Occasionally, small amounts of chicken broth can be added for flavor. Raising a Lab puppy will be full of trial and error, but when it comes to what your dog drinks, you need to be sure. According to PubMed , dog milk contains 7. Puppies need the nutrients and calories to grow and develop. Canines have a hard time with dairy milk digestion so they could suffer an upset stomach and even diarrhea. If you must feed your Lab puppy any milk-like product, make it a puppy milk formula like PetLac or Esbilac from PetAg. The mother may not quit nursing entirely, and that can be true even beyond the point when the puppy eats solid foods. However, she will feed her puppies less and less milk as the weeks continue. They should have been eating solid food since about the four-week mark, maybe four and a half weeks. This is where their nutrition comes from now. This should be their drink of choice for the rest of their lives! Puppies already have to pee a lot since they have tiny bladders. Offering them too much water will only increase the number of times you need to take them out…or the number of accidents you have to clean. How much water should you give your Lab puppy? Each day, they should drink an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Your dog should drink at least 8 ounces of water. Using the example from above, an 8-pound puppy should drink 4 ounces of water a day if they consume 0. On some occasions, your Labrador will drink more than even 8 ounces of water a day. Cut off all eating and drinking no later than two hours before you and your Lab go to bed. During the day, please let your Lab drink what they need to. Puppies can become dehydrated much more easily compared to adult dogs. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Goats milk and dogs Milk is a good source of nutrients like protein and calcium, as well as important vitamins like D and B.But your dog gets these from his regular food anyway. When it comes to milk, moderation is key, as with any treats. Adult dogs need to drink plenty of water as a priority. You can give your dog a half cup of milk in their drink bowl once a week, or mix that half cup in with their kibble as a special treat. Just keep an eye on their poops and make sure that they are a normal consistency afterwards. Can Dogs Have Almond Milk? Almond milk is one of the most popular plant-based milks. Although almonds are not as harmful to dogs as some other nuts, they are hard to digest and high in fat. What About Soy Milk? Soy milk is a plant based substitute that contains proteins called isoflavones. Some of these proteins are known as phytoestrogens, which are estrogens or female hormones found in plants. Dogs can digest soy milk and it is not poisonous to them, so you can give them a half cup once a week as a treat. Anecdotal evidence suggests soy protein can help dogs with urinary incontinence, but firm scientific studies are as yet to back this up. Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk? Oat milk is safe for dogs provided the other ingredients are also canine friendly. Can Dogs Drink Coconut Milk? Coconut milk is particularly popular for lactose-intolerant humans. Raw goats milk is nutritionally different to cows milk. Goat milk is higher in some nutrients like calcium and potassium, but lower in vitamin B12 and folate. You are planning to adopt a Labrador puppy, or already are a proud pet parent of one, you must be anxious about how best to assure optimum growth and health to your pup. This piece of writing is an attempt to give you some useful information about the kind of food which you can feed and also about how best you can feed it. In earlier times, the breed was mostly utilized and appreciated for being a versatile hunter. It can hunt on land as well as water; besides, this intelligent dog is a possessor of a gentle temperament, which makes it easily fit into the role of a friendly family dog. Types of Dog food Broadly speaking, the food for your pet is available in three forms — Wet, Dry and Raw. Wet food is the commercially manufactured food which offers chunks of meat, with or without gravy, with added vitamins, minerals and other important elements to make it nutritionally complete and balanced. Dry food consists of pellets called kibbles of food, which are easy to store and convenient to serve. The ready-made food bits meant for puppies consist of nutrients in the right proportions to support a healthy growth. Raw diet consists of raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. There are benefits and risks involved in administering a raw diet, which one should be aware of before adopting a fully raw diet. You may go for dry, wet or raw diet, or a combination of them. You may also consult your vet to guide in case you are confused about your choices. Labradors are always hungry and that is because of their huge appetites. As a pet owner you need to monitor the amount of food they eat, as their greed for food can easily drive them towards obesity, and consequently towards various diseases. Commercially made food Many companies categorize their foods on the basis of life stage puppy, adult, senior , breed large, medium or small , or may offer pet food specifically targeting a particular breed like Royal Canin Labrador Junior , which seeks to take care of a Labrador dog up to 15 months of age. The formulation of diets like this are based on the assumption that all pure breed dogs have their unique needs, which if addressed would bring the dog to an optimum level of health. Information from the breeders If you have brought the puppy from a breeder, then he would supply you a diet routine which needs to be followed, some food or may be some information regarding feeding. Follow it religiously for some days to give some sort of familiar touch to the puppy that is undergoing the stress of being separated from its mother and siblings. In absence of any information from the breeder, best thing would be to consult a vet. Milk for the puppy? Beware of confusing food labels Learn how to read a food label. The food label is given in decreasing order, making the first ingredient the biggest element in the food. That is why it is very important to know what the first two or three ingredients of the food are. Ideally, the first element of any dog food should be a specific kind of meat like chicken, duck, beef ; meat-by-product, meat or animal should not be mentioned on the package as they present an ambiguous picture. Leftover of slaughter houses can find its way to your dog food, something which cannot be classed in the category of healthy and complete food. So if you care for your dog, be aware and make the right selection. Water Make sure that water is available to the puppies at all times of the day, except for one hour before sleeping time. Divide the daily diet The daily dietary requirement of your Labrador pup should be properly divided into portions of meal to be fed at regular intervals. This would help in managing digestion and for keeping its overall health at a good level. You can begin by feeding four meals a day to your 8 to 12 weeks old puppy, and have a time marked for each. Have a gap of at least 3 hours in between each meal so that the little doggie is able to digest it well. Two meals a day is also something which most dog owners continue to feed even after the dog grows up. Feeding your dog once a day after 12 months of age can work as long as you feed it raw meat. The dry kibbles tend to swell once the dog drinks water, and this may cause bloating and also damage its stomach, hence is strictly not recommended. Teach the dog to eat at meal times Your dog would learn to eat the food when it is offered to it if you take back the bowl after a specific interval of time, say 15 to 20 minutes. Household scraps Avoid giving leftovers from your own meals to your puppy, unless you have enough knowledge and experience in dealing with the nutritional requirements of a growing canine. The nutritional needs of your puppy are different than that of humans; also it may differ from one breed of dog to another. The growing pup needs complete and balanced diet to achieve its potential growth, otherwise lifelong disabilities or problems can find easy entry into its life. As, your heartfelt, but nutritionally lacking edible additions might unbalance the diet of your dog. How much to feed? How much food to feed your dog each day is something no one can precisely tell. But the guidelines on the package of the food you are feeding, along with your observation of how the dog is doing with the quantity fed, would help you decide an adequate quantity. The important thing to remember is that the dog should neither be too fat or too slim. Following some instructions related to diet, regular appointments with vet, observing the puppy and showering it with lots and lots of love would give such environment to the little canine in which it would thrive. About Petsworld Team The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research. More like this. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing 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, you can 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 a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still 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 at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador 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, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 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, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors 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 may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large 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. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador 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 Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab 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.

Though it is still getting used to the world it lives in, it is socializing and making new friends, getting to know its owner You better. Also, 6 weeks is the age at which you should eliminate bad habits, and teach a German Shepherd bite inhibition. Though it is gained at a very high rate, as a trade-off, the dog needs a lot of food to keep up that energy. On average, a 1. And the weight will be around 3. Also, at the age of 6 weeks, your German Shepherd will grow at the fastest rate in his early life. Be cautious and never forget! To give it more than enough food and your adult GSD will be very strong and athletic. Bite Inhibition As well as everything above, during this young age, the puppy has to understand some things about biting. In particular, the biting inhibition. Without proper training, the pup may and probably will bite uncontrollably, for any possible reason, in the future. And you surely understand what that means. But how do you train it: Firstly, at that young age, any dog will get distracted and probably will stop any action including biting if it hears a loud noise. As such, you may as well emit this voice any time a dog comes to bite you or somebody else. Otherwise, you can let the dog play with you and train its teeth. They would be very helpful in the future as well, if you plan on continuing the training. Hence you will also need to care for the said puppy with more effort. For example, sometimes the babies may get ill due to their immunity wearing down because of growth and age. And that means that sometimes the puppy will need medical attention. Take it to a medical clinic etc. The German Shepherd is still too young for that. Also, never leave the dog inside a closed house for too long. Let them breathe with fresh outside air from time to time. Probably the mother will walk and guide her puppies on such walks. Conclusion In the end, caring for the puppy in the age of 6 weeks is about the same, as if the dog was 5 weeks old. Though there are some differences, including the bite inhibition training, increased amount of care, as well as the effort to help your puppy develop into a strong and representative adult German Shepherd. So good luck with making them the best as well. And thank you for reading. This is vitally important for early socialization and training purposes since the mother dog and littermates will naturally help the puppy to develop certain important canine etiquette and social skills they will use for the rest of their life. Any reputable German Shepherd breeder will not release a puppy to their new forever home before the age of eight weeks at the earliest. In such a short space of time, a tiny puppy is replaced by a nearly full-grown adult dog! Considering that the AKC currently has breeds registered, this is a pretty amazing ranking! In fact, these dogs were developed by a former German cavalry captain named Max von Stephanitz. His goal was to create the perfect herding dog. Captain von Stephanitz founded the breed club and kept a watchful eye over the development of the breed for decades until his death in .But in , UK breeders changed the name back to the German Shepherd. Everywhere else around the world, the name that is most commonly used is simply the German Shepherd. People love the German Shepherd for their loyalty , strength, intelligence, athleticism, playfulness, beauty, and bravery. German Shepherds are arguably the most in-demand dogs for K-9 work in the military, police force, private security , and personal protection. Birth Birth, or whelping as it is called for canines, is a big process for a puppy to go through and an even bigger job for the mother dog, as Kennels von Lotta German Shepherds breeder points out. Most German Shepherd dog moms give birth naturally. If all goes well, the mother dog whelps each puppy, removes them from the placental sack, and licks them clean. This process continues until all the puppies are born. As soon as the puppies are born, the mother has to nurse them. When that is done, she has to lick them to get them to pee and poop. And after that, she has to cuddle with them to keep them warm while they sleep. German Shepherd puppies are born blind and deaf. Their only active senses are touch and smell. One week old By the age of one week seven days , a German Shepherd puppy will have doubled in weight. More excitingly, their eyes and ears will have begun to open, according to VomGeliebtenHaus German Shepherds breeder. Regardless of what their coat coloration and eye color will be in adulthood, all German Shepherd puppies typically are born with all-black coats and blue eyes. Interestingly, experienced German Shepherd breeders say that it is easy to see individual personality traits starting even at one week of age. The incisors are typically the first teeth to show up and they are tiny and sharp. The puppies are starting to explore a bit more and gain a little bit of control over their own elimination function. However, they are still very reliant on their mom. Three weeks old Three weeks is when it starts to get exciting to be a German Shepherd puppy. They start to look less like marionette puppets and more like dogs, walking with at least a semblance of coordination and jumping around and playing with their littermates. They can hear well and see much more clearly. This is usually when breeders begin active socialization with people so the puppies will be comfortable with being handled and played with. Four weeks old By the age of four weeks old, the puppies are starting to engage in serious play, including mock fighting and games. They begin to look a lot more like the adult dogs they are yet to become and gain greater independence from the mother dog. Speaking of fearless, week four is when puppies have their full set of puppy teeth and their little puppy claws on top of that. So it is not surprising the mother dog gets more forceful about establishing boundaries with the puppies this week. Those little claws and teeth are razor-sharp! Five weeks old German Shepherd dogs can easily produce litters of up to eight puppies, which is so cute and precious when the puppies are young. But once those puppies start to get bigger and stronger and begin to eat more and eliminate more, this can mean a whole lot of cleanup for the mother dog and the breeder! This is why five weeks old is the age that most breeders begin to introduce the concept of outdoor potty breaks. Six weeks old By the age of six weeks old, the puppies are finally old enough to start eating more solid foods and to get the first of their important vaccination treatments, distemper and parvovirus and, optionally, Bordetella. Six weeks old is also an important time for introducing strange people so the puppies get used to meeting and interacting with potential new owners. The puppies are bigger and stronger now and are very curious and playful. After all, your puppy is eating solid food, has all their puppy teeth and claws, is able to hear and see clearly, is playful and curious, and has been exposed to different people and socialized by their mom and littermates. What could possibly go wrong? But for general purposes, canine researchers believe the most critical period happens between the age of six weeks and the age of 10 weeks, with specific fears taking shape around weeks eight through .This is the time period when puppies begin to intensively socialize and interact with their littermates, human carers, and others, forming bonds or aversions as each situation or interaction may warrant. As Dr. This is one key reason why it is smart to work only with a GSD breeder that will not release puppies until after the tenth week. This way, the puppy is able to move through the fear period in very familiar and trusted surroundings with the mom and littermates. However, this is not to say that if you brought your German Shepherd puppy home when they were younger than 10 weeks old that you will have any problems. Some puppies make it through the fear period just fine without any trauma. How to Manage the Fear Period for a Six Week Old German Shepherd Puppy If you are preparing to welcome your new German Shepherd puppy into your family, you may be feeling justifiably worried about managing the fear period effectively. So is there anything you need to know or do to make sure your young puppy feels safe, secure, and loved right from day one of their new life with you? As a matter of fact, there are some things you can do to set your puppy up for success right away. You will especially want to supervise young children to make sure they handle your puppy with appropriate sensitivity and gentleness. A German Shepherd puppy that is properly socialized to the youngest family members will grow up to be a staunch guardian and protector to all. Establish a consistent daily routine For a young puppy, in particular, a consistent routine is key to comfort and feelings of safety. Begin socialization and training immediately While it can feel tempting to go easy for the first few days and just let your new puppy get settled in, this can actually be counterproductive to building your bond together. A better strategy is to start every aspect of training from potty training to crate training to sleep training right away. Your puppy will have come to you from a structured environment established by the mother dog and the breeder. The more closely you can match and maintain that structure, making gradual adjustments as needed for your own daily life schedule, the more easily and quickly your puppy will adjust to life away from the litter and their mother. Your German Shepherd breeder likely required you to take your new puppy for a veterinary checkup right away, and this will give you an excellent baseline against which to compare growth and development in the coming weeks. Get into the habit of weighing and measuring your puppy each week and paying close attention to food and water intake, exercise and playtime, and sleep cycles. This is also the best way to quickly identify if there are any emerging health issues that need your attention. This is why people love this breed so much. Luckily, there is lots of help available. People who love the GSD breed are usually delighted to provide a new owner with assistance.

Before you start training your Boxer puppy—or, even better, before you get the puppy—read up on what kind of training is ideal for your breed. Check online, local libraries and local organizations. You can also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more knowledgeable you are, the better you know how to react under different circumstances. Make sure as well that you have what you need to effectively train your dog. If you're planning to clicker train, get a clicker. If you're planning to crate train, get the right-sized crate. Also be sure to pick up an appropriate collar and leash for general training. A leash should be no more than five to six feet in length. The best leashes for training are leather. Always check your equipment to make sure it is in good order and not liable to snap or break. Training works best when you dedicate a couple of short sessions 10 to 15 minutes twice a day to it. Try to train at times when the dog is not tired, but also not bursting with pent-up energy. Karen Pryor. Publisher: Ringpress Books Consider expending your Boxer's energy before training sessions by allowing him 20 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity. This will enable him to better focus on training. Try to train the dog in a place where there are few distractions, so that your Boxer puppy can focus his attention on you. This means avoiding places with other animals or people. Always begin training in your home or yard and build up to environments with more distractions e. Your commands need to be simple, short, clear and consistent. Don't lecture your dog; they're not human so they don't process language in the same way. Phrases like "I've told you not to do that" or "Please stop chewing on the table" will not work as they are too complicated. John Bradshaw. Publisher: Penguin Experts believe that a given dog registers the first part of the word as the most important, so longer commands such as "Sit Fido if you want a treat" are liable to confuse him. Just say the word "Sit" instead. In general, shouting at any dog is ineffective. This is especially true for Boxers who are hyper breed by nature. Use a firm but pleasant and upbeat voice when instructing your dog; don't yell or lose control. Dogs are very intuitive and will be able to sense your frustration and may react in kind. The tone of voice matters, especially since, again, dogs don't process language in the same way that humans do. So how you say something may mean as much if not more than what you say. Publisher: Penguin Boxers are playful by nature, and a light, breezy tone will not suffice; he will think you are just playing with him if you are not firm enough. Try using hand gestures at the same time as you issue verbal commands. For example, raise your hand at the same time as saying "Sit". Dog behaviorists believe that dogs look for multiple clues as to what we want them to do, which includes the command word, tone of voice, and body language. Admonishing a Boxer puppy too long after the incident is ineffective. If you need to admonish or correct your dog, it needs to be done during or within a few seconds of the act. Dogs will have forgotten the event within seconds of its occurrence, so it's key to address the behavior immediately in order to facilitate the retraining process. Boxers are notoriously stubborn and steadfast, so you may have to correct your puppy numerous times. Always be consistent in your commands and desires of the dog. This helps your dog to understand what is expected. Don't forget to enforce training when you are out and about, so that your dog doesn't just thinking that "Sit" and "Stay" are things he has to do in the yard or house. By enforcing commands in public places it helps your Boxers to understand he must obey under all circumstances. Leave no room for doubt about what is acceptable behavior for your Boxer puppy. If he is not allowed on the furniture, be consistent. Boxers won't understand the concept of "sometimes"; they are either permitted to lie on the couch or they are not. If you live with other people, make sure that everyone in the house is on board with the training program. Using different words for the same action will confuse the dog, disrupt the training already done, and ultimately delay progress. But at the moment, they need your guidance. For now, this includes sleeping next to you for the first few weeks, maybe even longer. Just have their crate or bed close to wherever you sleep. Our articles on sleeping through the night and establishing a nighttime routine will give you extra tips on getting through this phase. A puzzle toy or Kong will work great at making them feel like you leaving them is actually something quite fun. Potty training All new puppy parents expect potty training to be on the cards. It will help to remember your Boxer pup is a bit of a goofball. For now, we definitely want to let your pup get used to you and settle into their new home. Teach your puppy about surfaces — Different surfaces can feel strange to pups. Use surfaces like grass, moss, paving and sand. Basically, make their tail wag and we bet yours will too. Teach your Boxer their name. Teach your Boxer puppy to sit. Remember what we said about Boxers and their jumping? Recall — Trust us. Preventing resource guarding Resource guarding is where your dog fiercely protects something they have and will do everything they can to keep hold of it. Dogs can resource guard food, a toy, even a person. You can do this by teaching them that hands and touch can be a good thing. As always, back up your soft touches with some treats. Remember that consent is also a thing with dogs! Never force your Boxer to be handled or pick them up against their wishes. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. Love Boxer Dogs? Boxer Dogs are great family pets. They can often be referred to as the clown of dogs because of their joyful personality and clumsy behaviour, which can be very entertaining! They are a loyal companion and make great guard dogs, alerting their owners of anyone who approaches the property. Also, they tend to love affection from people they meet, including children, and enjoy an energetic run around with other dogs they come across! However, as with all breeds of dogs, Boxer Dog training from a young age is important. Boxer Dogs are a clever breed and can be quite trainable once you find the right reward to motivate them. The pros of this breed could go on forever. They really are amazing dogs. However, one of the main things people need to consider with this breed is their high energy levels! If you do not have a particularly active lifestyle then the Boxer Dog may not be the right breed for you. Boxers are highly energetic and require lots of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. If you are unable to dedicate time to put into exercising your Boxer Dog or finding ways to give mental stimulation, then you will find it exceedingly difficult to train and get along well with your dog. They also hold a reputation for being stubborn. This can cause problems for when you are trying to get them to do something. You need to have a lot of patience and persistence for Boxer puppy training. They are quick learners but you have to get through that stubbornness first in order to train them really well. Boxer Dogs are really energetic! Many people worry that training their new dog is going to be hard. Here are our top 10 tips for training Boxer Dogs to help you along your way… Make sure to exercise before training Boxers are an energetic breed and can become distracted easily. To help focus their attention on to you, exercise them before a training session. Discover what your dog likes When starting your Boxer puppy training, rewards are crucial. Every Boxer Dog is different and, as a result, they will all be motivated by different rewards. For example, some prefer treats and some prefer toys. You need to find out what your dog prefers and use that as a reward. If your dog likes treats, find their favourite treat. If your dog likes toys, find their favourite game. You can use these as rewards for good behaviour, which will make training sessions far easier! Reward Accordingly Depending on the exercise you and your dog are doing, you need to reward accordingly when it comes to Boxer Dog training. For example, if you are training your dog to walk to heel down the road, it may not be a good idea to reward your dog with a game of fetch. Focus on the good stuff Even though your Boxer may exhibit unwanted behaviour sometimes, you still need to focus on the good behaviour. As we said before, Boxer Dogs are stubborn, so reward their good behaviour and you will motivate them to do it more. The more you reward the good behaviour, the more likely it is that it will happen again. Motivation This is a similar point when it comes to Boxer Dog training. Boxers are known to be stubborn, but if we motivate them then they are more likely to do what we ask them to do. Using their favourite treats and other rewards is the best way to do this. So, we need to structure regular play times in for them. Dogs naturally want to play in the evening after their meal. You may notice that at some point in the evening they get a surge of energy and bounce around and want to play. This is a good time to play with them. One, two, three, and go Boxers are a very sociable breed and often get caught up with wanting to play with other dogs. To help with Boxer Dog training and for them to understand that they do not have to stay and play with every dog, you can teach them the 3-second rule. The rule is they can only meet for three seconds and then they are called away. This allows them a brief amount of time to say hello and then come back to you. If you do this enough, you will condition your dog to say hello and then walk on, making your walks a lot less hassle! Change Direction Boxers can be quite excitable when taking them out for walks and they may pull on the lead. To help combat this, you can change direction every time your Boxer Dog walks in front of you. This key point in Boxer dog training will teach them to follow you. And, if you reward them when they are well behaved and next to you, they will learn that they will get treats when they are beside you. Consistency is key It is very important to be consistent with the rules you are setting in place when it comes to Boxer puppy training. If you do not want your dog on the sofa but someone else allows it, then you will confuse your dog. Everyone in the household has to be reading off the same page in order for your dog to understand what it is you want from them. Set clear rules, and make sure everyone sticks to them! Learning to settle Teaching your dog to settle and relax is important for them so that not only can they unwind and relax, but they also understand how they should behave when you have visitors. This is when your dog lays down but rocks their hips over to one side. When your dog is in this position you can reward them and pair it with the word settle. If you wanted to take it a step further you can teach them to do this in their bed. Taking the time to teach them this key skill will really help the harmony in your home! What can good Boxer Dog training look like? Here at Royvon, we absolutely love working with Boxer Dogs to help them reach their full potential and thrive with their owners! Have a look at the video below to find out more! Meet Pippa! Pippa came to Royvon with obedience issues and problems with keeping her focus on her owner. She worked with our trainer Anna to help improve her behaviour! Anna and Pippa made great progress using positive reinforcement to reward her for ignoring possible distractions. Great work Pippa and Anna! Here at Royvon, we love working with dogs of all breeds, not just Boxers! With options to suit everyone from group puppy classes to intensive one-to-one residential training, we can cater for all needs! Whether your pup just needs to learn some basic manners, or they have issues such as aggression and anxiety, our progressive and science-based training methods are here to help! Want to find out more about what we can do to help you and your dog? Bookmark Boxers are the sixth most popular breed of dog in the United States. Training should be started as soon as possible with Boxer pups. Among the wide range of dog breeds, Boxers are known to be one of the most trustworthy and intelligent. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs. Because of their sturdiness and robust personality, they have been employed occasionally on police and military operations. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, and therapy dogs. These canines have interesting traits, in spite of their menacing appearance, that make them easy to take care of and a wonderful family favorite. It is essential to make yourself aware of the type of dog that you are going to handle, as well as the right time to start training your puppy. Ideally, Boxer training is not initiated until the Boxer pup turns three weeks old. During this period, he is able to learn how to obey simple commands which will make the upcoming training more effective. Furthermore, Boxer owners must know the various characteristics that this type of canine possesses. The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands great attention. Boxers are renowned for their great love and faithfulness to their master and households. They are harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers; bright and friendly at play, but brave and determined when aroused. The Boxer's intelligence and willing tractability, its modesty, and cleanliness make it a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. This breed is extremely loyal, and is never mean or treacherous even in its old age. However, you must keep an eye on the precipitating factors for his anguish when it does appear and find out the reason for his unpleasant behavior right away, so that his frustration does not become part of his personality. TIP 2: Socialization is vital. Boxer dogs need interaction during the entire training process. Boxer puppies, in general, love to fool around, be with other human beings, and need some form of recreation. If integrated into the training environment, your dog will grow up more responsible. Boxers do not like being loners. They need to socialize with others just like humans. If not properly socialized or interacted with on a regular basis, Boxer aggression problems such as biting, chasing and barking loudly might arise unexpectedly and be difficult to correct. TIP 3: Providing regular exercise is absolutely essential. Boxer training should also include having your dog perform exercises. It can be a kind of sport or any outdoor activity. The key is to keep him active and agile, which helps him manage his energy levels when indoors. This exercise can be anything from a nice afternoon walk to playing a sport with him such as tossing a ball or frisbee. Boxers enjoy moving around, frolicking, and playing for hours. More movement means more strength and vigor for your dog. TIP 4: You are the alpha dog! During Boxer training you get to assume the role of a leader. It is imperative that your dog always treat you as his master and have no control over you. Make yourself the Alpha dog, especially during leash training. Leaders should be strict and dominant especially when setting rules. You must have the power over him and not allow him to overtake you. Adhering to this strict regimen until your dog fully learns and understands what behavior is acceptable and required will be worthwhile when taking him for a walk or to a dog park for exercise. Want to learn how to save on veterinary care? Click here TIP 5: Use a reward system. If your Boxer has been conforming well to the rules you have taught him during training, praise him often. Positive reinforcement is also an important element in Boxer leash training. You may give him his favorite bite-sized treat for being a good dog. Foods, toys, and telling him "Good job! Just as important as praise is remembering that if he misbehaves, you should just correct him and not punish. Punishing him violently or excessively may trigger Boxer aggression problems in the form of biting and scratching. The whole idea here is to repay him for his excellence and to reprimand in a firm but friendly manner. TIP 6: Whenever possible, spend extra time with your Boxer, beyond the training sessions. Some owners who do Boxer training might not appreciate the significance of the amount of time shared with their dogs. Insure that you allot time for your pup beyond the training to reassure him you love him and that he is your friend and companion and member of the family. Keeping your dog company is one way to bring your relationship with him to the next level, as well as increasing the success of the training. Avoid letting him feel unwanted or neglected. TIP 7: Teach your Boxer basic tricks. In Boxer training, teaching your dog a new skill is also important. As he learns a trick or two, it will not only impress friends and family, but also helps to increase your dog's mental development and obtain his trust easier. Sit, stand, roll, and kneel are a few examples of basic tricks you can teach your canine. These tricks just need patience and perseverance and he will grow into a very clever dog. TIP 8: Visit your veterinarian for help when needed. Certain problems may come up while training your Boxer. In this case, seek help from your vet for experts in your area familiar with this particular breed. Some of the issues such as proper crate training, ways to prevent Boxer anxiety and how to keep him from jumping on other people might require some extra help. The greatest tip for training your Boxer will be to approach him with patience, persistence and lots of love. Your Boxer will become a remarkably well trained dog, and a wonderful member of your family. Ready to start saving money on pet wellness care? Then take a look at Mint Wellness, the pet wellness plan that provides fast reimbursement on routine pet care. Save on vaccinations, wellness exams, preventatives, dental, and more! WhatsApp If you own a pet dog, one of your key priorities should be training it. It has also been noted that the earlier you start training your dog, the easier it would be to do so. You can train your dog a number of commands when it is quite young. Furthermore, every breed is different and they all have varying personality traits. Today, we will be talking about dog training the popular Boxer dog breed. Boxer Dog A medium-sized guard dog that originally came from Germany, the Boxer is one of the most popular choices as pets today. This breed has a box-shaped face, with a squarish jaw and muscular body which makes it quite good-looking. But they are not only friendly companions. They are also extremely intelligent, intuitive, alert, and patient; all traits making them a very popular breed. In addition to being family dogs, they can be raised as guard dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, and will also help owners in many other activities- if trained to do so. Are Boxer Puppies Easy to Train? They are intelligent dogs, who are extremely willing to learn provided that the training process begins at the right time and in the correct manner. Make sure that you do not neglect training your boxer puppy because this breed has a high-energy level. Without learning the commands, your boxer puppy might develop bad habits or become overly hyper, aggressive, or even fearful. However, there are some tips that will greatly help dog owners in achieving success while training. Training the Boxer Early On When it comes to Boxer puppies, it is best to begin the training sessions within the first 20 weeks of their life. You have to start defining boundaries, setting rules, and assigning them their role in the initial stages of life. So, start with basic commands as soon as you can. This does not mean you can start professional training when the boxer puppy is only a few weeks old. Different obedience training should be started at different stages. While some of them are advised super early, others can be started when the pup is around 6 months old. However, Boxers learn best and quickest when they are taught early in life. This should be started as soon as possible for Boxers. However, remember that the boxer puppy is still young and scared, so you have to be extremely soft and never scold him. Start training by taking it to the potty spot around mins after a meal and stand and wait there till the puppy eliminates. You have to start building a regular potty training schedule and overtime, you will see how your boxer dog follows a consistent routine themselves. You can also teach them voice commands from the start as the dog can easily pick these too. So, potty train your dog as a start and then slowly add more commands. Proper crate training is also important for teaching responsibility and good behavior to them. When the boxer is three to four months old, you can start teaching your dog these commands. Remember to use food treats as a way of rewarding them every time they understand your voice cues. The best training method is giving your dog lots of praise and reinforce good behavior with a reward system. Leash Training Boxer Dogs All dog breeds must be taught how to stay on the leash and get used to it. You will be taking your dog for walks regularly, and using the leash is the only way to control them while they are out. Boxer dog training cannot be complete without this important lesson. Make sure that you have a suitable and comfortable collar and leash for your boxer. Again, keep a tasty treat with you when you are on a walk and offer it whenever the dog stays by your side. Remember, these sessions should be kept short and positive. You should constantly lure it towards yourself so it learns to walk with you. When it starts to act like a devil and keeps pulling away, then ignore it. When your dog comes back to you, reward it. Always troubleshoot related leash behavior problems by sticking to this strategy. Crate Training For Boxers Your dog must know how to stay in a crate happily. You can teach them to do so by providing them a large and comfortable crate. When you start to crate train your Boxer, you can expect some crying and whining initially. Puppies tend to cry a lot in the first few nights. But you must stay strong and pull yourself through no matter how your pup reacts. So the golden rule is, you are not to allow the puppy out of the crate until it stops crying on its own. Keep practicing this and soon, your doggo will be totally fine. When you finally open the crate, keep a treat ready so your dog knows it did a good job. Importance of Proper Socialization In successful boxer dog training, socialization also plays a key role. Boxers need to be given the opportunity to interact and get along with other human beings. Simply spending time with their dog trainer or owner is not adequate for them. This will help to prevent aggression issues like biting or chasing as well as barking loudly. This should be integrated with puppy training early on as it is much harder to correct such problems later on when you have an adult dog. Who is the Alpha dog? Before you begin puppy training, you must know that dogs have a pack mentality. This means that there is only one alpha, who is their leader. And this alpha leader should always be you, the owner! Dominance training is an important approach that is often recommended while training the boxer breed. No matter what you are training, let your puppy know what is acceptable and what is not. You will be the rewarding giver and the commander at all times. Make sure to always exude confidence and control with your demeanor and voice, because dogs can easily pick these cues. This entire approach is very effective in training your dog well. Spend time with your Boxer Dog Although it is important to be the alpha, you also need to take on the role of a loving owner. Boxers love attention and time, so it is important that you also have separate fun, playtime with them-apart from training sessions. This allows your dog to see you in a different light as well. It helps you bond with them better, and as these dogs are so loyal and affectionate, it will also help achieve more training success. After all, boxers are known to be obedient and faithful to their owner, especially when they have developed a deep connection with them. We recommend you to always visit the veterinarian if your Boxer is facing behavioral issues that stand out as odd to you or if you are having too much trouble training it. This is to ensure that your doggo is fine and not facing any other issues you may be unaware of. Boxers are a family favorite and a highly recommended canine companion for everyone. Using our tips, you can train it to be an excellent partner who will be forever obedient and extremely well-behaved. We hope this guide was helpful to you. Enjoy training your Boxer pup!