how much to feed my labrador puppy

The transition period can be a little intimidating once you get over the cuteness overload and realize that your new puppy has no training whatsoever and it's up to you how things will progress from there. We'll try to make it easier for you with this short list of things to do the first 2 weeks after bringing your new puppy home. Your puppy is in a brand new place and it's their first time being away from their mom and siblings. I know you want to bring the puppy with you everywhere, play all day and show him or her off to all of your friends and family. But take it slow at first so that your new puppy can get settled and relax. Hang out at home. Become a professional treat dispenser. And begin the foundation of building your bond with your pup. Crate training is the best way to house train. Introduce your puppy to the crate early on by making it a positive experience. Toss a high value treat inside and let them explore and go inside on their own volition. Place a chew toy that can hold treats into the crate and close the door. Make sure the puppy sees you do this. When the puppy tries to paw and get inside the crate, open the door and let them in. When they start chewing on the toy, close the door for a few seconds before opening. And remember to reward your puppy when it's playing quietly inside the crate and to ignore any whining. Also remember the rules of potty training using the crate. If the pup just ate or drank, let them outside. If the pup is coming out of the crate for any extended time, let them outside. If your pup is so much as sniffing the ground a little too much, you guessed it, let them outside. The fewer accidents inside the house, the less likely it is for the puppy to get into the habit of going inside the house. Start immediately with potty training and socialization. Puppies aren't fully protected until their final vaccination at weeks, so openly socializing in public isn't the best idea. But you can have friends and family come over to meet your puppy, as well as their fully vaccinated, well behaved dogs and puppies. You can also begin the foundation of basic obedience commands. All that's necessary later on is getting consistency and working around distractions. Unless of course you want to compete in obedience or a sport that requires obedience. Competition makes things a little more complicated than that. This step is often overlooked and it's arguably the most important step for a new puppy. Puppies love a routine. It's comforting knowing what's going to happen. Wake up in the morning, outside to potty. A little training with treats, breakfast, outside to potty again. A little play time etc. If you have to go to work, make sure you have a friend, relative, dog walker or dog sitter to let the puppy outside if you can't make it home during your break to let the puppy use the potty. They have a tiny bladder and can't hold it for a full workday. When you have a routine that works, things will go smoothly. If you stray from that routine or never establish one, you'll have more accidents, a confused puppy, and quite possibly a headache. Consistency is key, and make sure you throw in several short training sessions. Most places require these. It may sound silly that you're probably legally required to get a license for your dog, but.But rules are rules. Better safe than fined! A vet who has fair prices for your area, yet is also professional and competent is a must. You will see your vet often enough that they will eventually know your name without having to check the paperwork. So your best bet is to find a good one! Routine checkups, vaccinations, and minor or even major health issues will happen. So build a relationship with a local vet as soon as possible. Also, if you have a German Shepherd or any other large breed and ever intend to breed, you should try to find either an orthopedic vet or a vet who is experienced in taking and sending in hip and elbow x-rays to the OFA to be graded. This may not be your primary veterinarian, but it's good to plan ahead. Even if you don't intend to breed, most breeders state in their contract that they will cover hips and elbows, but only if you get preliminary x-rays or have x-rays graded within a certain amount of time usually 2 years. As a bonus, taking hip and elbow x-rays at 2 years old can help extend the quality of life for your dog if they do end up having dysplasia. You'll know to dial down exercise that is hard on the joints, and that can mean the difference between a dog with pain at 5, and a dog who lives its whole life without pain. It'll also give you a head start on a medication and treatment plan. There are dogs with moderate hip dysplasia that live a very comfortable, long life without the need for surgery thanks to their owner taking that extra step of getting x-rays done. The advanced notice gives their owner a head start on supplements and getting into therapy programs, like swimming, to strengthen the muscle around the joint before they're ever in pain. So this may not be a necessary step if you don't care about your breeder's guarantee, but it can help ease your mind or give you a heads up before a problem even surfaces. But it'll be much less stressful if you have a plan in advance and stick with these 6 tips. If you have any other tips or tricks, leave them down in the comments below and be sure to leave a like and share! How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. Blankets, pillows, and towels. The mother GSD and her litter need a quiet place to stay. It should be spacious, clean, and comfortable. If money is not an issue, you may purchase a commercial whelping box and a washable vet bed. But if you want to be thrifty, you can just make use of a clean cardboard box. Just make sure that the box is big enough for your GSD to stretch out comfortably. You may also buy a heat pad. It will provide warmth to the litter. Instead, put the heat pad under the whelping box, with one end on top of the box. Cover it with a towel to avoid overheating. The whelping box should be close enough to an electrical outlet so you can easily plug in the heat pad once you need more warmth for your Litter. Make sure they stay warm by providing a heating pad and lamp. You may add blankets, pillows, towels, or even old newspapers and a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Be careful though because puppies might get entangled and suffocate if the blanket, pillows, and towels are not taut. Puppy milk replacer, baby bottle, or feeding syringe If the litter is abandoned or orphaned, ask your vet to prescribe milk formulated for German shepherd puppies. Purchase a baby bottle or syringe for feeding. If you leave newborn German shepherd puppies with their mother, give her the first two days to bond with her litter and feed them. Once you see that your GSD has accepted her litter and is feeding them, you can put the puppies in a box beside their mother. She will take care of cleaning and nurturing her pups while continuing to feed them with her milk. But if she still refuses to take care of her pups, you must take matters into your own hands. To do this, place a clean towel or a washable vet bed inside a cardboard box. Keep the box beside your GSD but make sure that she cannot get in touch with her pups. Plug the pad into an electrical outlet and adjust the heat to maintain its temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pups can get hypothermia if their body heat drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit. See also How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick and when to take the bully stick away? Now, put your German shepherd puppies under the warmth of the heating pad at 95 degrees F and wait for them to feed. Only put three puppies per towel or one puppy per section of the vet bed for ease in feeding and monitoring. A mother GSD can produce about 4 to 5 cc of milk every hour. This means that she will need someone to feed her pups every 2 or 3 hours. To correctly use the eyedropper, put your puppy on its stomach and tickle its throat to induce swallowing. Repeat this process until you see that the pup has emptied the eyedropper. Pups will probably fall asleep after feeding. To avoid suffocation, place rolled-up newspapers in their box the pups can use them as pillows when they sleep. These are only temporary until the mother GSD starts to take care of them by licking them clean and keeping them warm with her presence. Weighing scale To make sure if the German shepherd puppies are gaining enough weight, monitor their weight by using a weighing scale at least 4 times a week. If the puppies are not gaining enough weight, they may not be getting enough milk or nourishment so consult your vet right away. Use a wet cotton ball or washcloth to massage or rub gently the anal region. A mother GSD can give birth to 4 to 9 puppies in one litter, 6 as the average. Newborn German Shepherd Puppies Newborns especially 1 to 3-day old German shepherd puppies are vulnerable so before you do anything, consult with your vet especially if you are inexperienced. Right after your GSD gives birth, check the 1-day old German shepherd puppies if they are breathing. If you notice a puppy having breathing difficulties, use a suction bulb syringe to suck out the blockage and clear its airways. Most of the time, they just sleep or eat. They usually eat every two hours during their first week of life. If the puppies are orphaned, you may wash them gently using a warm and moist cloth. Avoid over-bathing the pups because it can cause dehydration. You will notice some of them wagging their tails as well which is adorable to look at. The puppies will gradually open their eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. They will be curious so expect them to move around to inspect their surroundings. Instead of crawling, they attempt to use their legs even though their legs may shake. Check their weight to see if they are gaining well and continue keeping them warm and clean. Their ears will open so they can hear the sounds around them. Though their legs still shake when they attempt to walk, they can finally stand on their own. They will begin to socialize and explore their surroundings more so you should not separate the puppies from each other. They will start teething so they tend to bite everything. They will also be interested in eating solid food. The puppies can walk well at 4 weeks so they will continue socializing with their siblings, their mother, and their handler through playing. They can begin eating solid foods for the first time now that their teeth are fully developed. The puppies can be fully weaned when they reach 6 weeks because they become independent of their mother. They also improve their social skills by playing not only with each other but also with people. Not to worry because this is just a normal phase. This is a good time to expose the puppies to various sounds, places, and people. Teach them basic commands but focus on socialization and bite inhibition. If the puppies are not fully potty trained , train them now. At 9 weeks, the weight of male German shepherd puppies normally ranges from 9 to 10 kg while the females would be from 7 to 9 kg. Their height ranges from 12 to 15 inches. See also How to Crate Train a German Shepherd Puppy When the German shepherd puppies reach 10 weeks, their ears will become pointy but sometimes the ears are floppy. Their height and weight will continue to grow as long as they are adequately fed. By this time, your puppies should already know how to gently use their mouth in dealing with humans so you can enhance their training by teaching other basic commands. When they are done, let them play so that they learn how to do this on their own. Be patient because it takes time before they get the hang of it. If after 24 hours it still refuses to eat, use a baby bottle or feeding syringe to feed the puppy. Prepare a milk replacement formula using evaporated milk mixed with egg yolk, using two egg yolks for every half cup of milk. To avoid bacteria growth, boil the water first before mixing everything and store any leftover formula in the fridge. Gradually increase the proportion of milk replacement formula and decrease the proportion of puppy chow until you wean them off milk replacement completely. Your GSD puppy may have parasites because stools may look like pebbles or tan-colored, small balls which can be a sign that they have swallowed something in their litter box. This is particularly common when they are still with their mother because they tend to eat the feces of the other pups. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress, which is common for a newborn GSD puppy that has been removed from its mom. If this happens, make sure you give them enough attention and place your hand gently on their body to calm them down. Conclusion German shepherd puppies are truly a sight to behold from birth to adulthood. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Puppies How to Care For a Newborn German Shepherd Puppy German Shepherd puppies are the cutest pets, but can be very fragile at an earlier stage of life, making it impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about newborn German shepherd puppy care. However, these little babies are often born blind, deaf, and toothless. Since these pups are so fragile at an earlier stage of life, it is nearly impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Unfortunately, due to lack of care, many German Shepherd puppies easily succumb to unfortunate circumstances. It is essential to know that newborn puppies generally require a lot more care and attention than adult dogs. Here, we will dive deep into the world of newborn German shepherd puppies so you know how to take care of them. Important Things to Know About German Shepherd Puppies Newborn German Shepherds are blind until they are between 8 and 14 days old and deaf until they are 5 to 8 days old. These unique-looking puppies are typically born with dark blue or grey eyes, but their physical features keep changing and evolving as they grow. If the first litter of a German Shepherd has more than four puppies, it can render the mother incapable of providing them ample care. This means that there is a potential risk of the newborns getting sick, dying, or becoming very weak until you intervene. Care for the Pups During their Birth Once your German Shepherd has given birth, you will need to check all the puppies to ensure they are breathing properly. Generally, the mother cuts the umbilical cord and cleans up her puppies by licking them gently. She typically starts with their genitals, moves on to their legs, and then finishes with the rest of their bodies. You can start by using a disinfectant to clean the cords and then rub their bodies with a clean towel until they dry. Adjust the Temperature and Humidity Before delivering, a German Shepherd mother searches for a safe and private space enough for her puppies to be born it. So, as a dog parent, it will be your responsibility to provide your pup with a big enough box to suit her and her puppies. Therefore, adjusting the temperature of the nest is a rather significant part of keeping these pups healthy. Generally, German Shepherd mothers are the primary heat source for babies. However, if, for any reason, the mother cannot be in the box, you must provide the puppies with other heat sources, such as a warm lamp or a heating pad. The best way to maintain ideal humidity levels for the puppies is to install a humidifier or keep the nest in your laundry room. Feed the Puppies A significant part of caring for your newborn German Shepherd puppies is providing them with the right amount of nourishment. The best way to do this is to allow nature to take the wheel. The puppies will be nursed by their mother immediately after the birth, even without the pups unable to see her nipples. A German Shepherd mother typically lactates for two months. However, if the mother is unable to provide her pups with this nourishment, you will have to search for other sources. Take Note of Hygiene Maintaining the hygiene of the puppies and their nest is an integral part of keeping them in good health. However, it is best to maintain a clean environment by disinfecting the nest and replacing the blanks or towels once a day. Additionally, you must only start bathing the puppies after 45 days of their birth. Wrapping Up This article only provides you with the basics of newborn German Shepherd puppy care. Discover how to create a joyful, healthy home for your pet. Subscribe to your weekly rundown of practice, real life ideas and training tips straight to your inbox. We offer practical, real life ideas and training tips for a joyful experince, with your pet. All rights reserved. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!

Come visit our facebook page!! Welcome to Dare to Dream Labradoodles! Our labradoodles are just outstanding! We pride ourselves in producing the BEST family pets. I have been dedicated to this breed for over 20 years now. With our labradoodles, our main emphasis is on health, temperament, and overall conformation. Being associated with these organizations is extremely important to us because it means that we hold our program to a very high standard. All of our Australian Labradoodles that are born and bred here at Dare to Dream Labradoodles come from the best breeding stock, which have all been health tested to the highest level. Our breeding program produces medium and standard size labradoodles. Since , all of our breeding dogs and pets have been hand-picked by me from the finest Australian and American lines. Our foundation dogs include Rutland Manor and Tegan Park lines. We are located on 4 acres of property in Southern Ontario. We are surrounded on all sides by farmer's fields. We are a family that absolutely loves what we do. Both my husband and I are actively involved with our dogs and our breeding program. We have a very young and growing family, which allows for the best puppy socialization available! Read more about our family in the About us link. Thank you for your interest in an Australian Labradoodle. Contact Us We have puppies available now!! Click here to see! Welcome to DoodleLane. My name is Linda. We breed Australian Labradoodles in Ontario. I am the first breeder of Australian Labradoodles in Ontario and one of the first Goldendoodle breeders we retired from Goldendoodles in to focus solely on our Australian labradoodles. While my 'job' is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is extremely rewarding. I feel that every family should have a dog, and I love to meet the new families and see the joy on their faces when they pick up their puppy. We have 6 labradoodles that live with us ranging in age from years old. Check out our facebook page and LIKE us! Prudence - Australian Labradoodle We live on just over 6 acres of property outside of Hamilton, Ontario. We live right along the Grand River, and our dogs get to enjoy hiking along the trails and swimming all summer long! All of our dogs live as treasured family pets either with me or with great guardian families. You can read more about my family on the ' About Us ' link. As a part of this organization I am dedicated to responsible breeding and advancing this wonderful breed in health, temperament, and confirmation. All of my dogs are health tested to the highest of standards. I am proud to be a member breeder with the ALAA. My dogs are OFA certified for hips, elbows, patellas, and cardiac. All of this health testing is available upon request. At DoodleLane we breed Australian Labradoodles in mini, medium, and standard sizes. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email or give us a call. I will be glad to assist you in any way possible. Showing 1 - 19 of 19 resultsPage 1 - 19 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.Please Contact 1. He is great with kids and fairly well behaved. He has all his shots and is not fixed. We are just unable to give him the attention he.Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.Mom is 23 inches at the shoulder and 50 pounds. Father is 24 inches and closer to 60 pounds. Born on Canada Day. Mama is a standard poodle and Dad is a golden Labrador , so the puppies are F1 Labradoole. Mama Ella is a very sweet girl and loves hugs. She always lays next to.We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of .Description: 3 Females 8 weeks old ready for their forever homes. Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the.Description: 4 Females 1 Male 7 weeks old ready for their forever homes. Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and.He is very playful and is 7 weeks old. Vaccinated and de-wormed fully. Pee pad trained. For more inquiries, please message for details or extra photos. Some search tips we've found useful: Try a different or more general keyword Expand search location. We saw our first labradoodle more than 15 yrs ago and fell for the labradoodle dog breed. Immediately there after we grew into a guardian home of a breeding labradoodle puppy for Puppy Love Labradoodles and adopted our very own labradoodle over twelve yrs ago. All of our puppies reside with us in our home or in Guardian families which we have very carefully selected. We think our labradoodle family members do best when they are one of us and taken like family members. We travel with our labradoodles regardless of whether it is merely to the grocery store. Each one of our baby labradoodles are whelped in our bed room and live there with their mum for the very first 2 full weeks. This is where our mother dogs feel most safe and where we can keep a close eye on the babe labradoodles. Right after they are two weeks old we relocate them to the family room where they are introduced to everything that happens in family lifestyles. The labradoodle puppies get to see, hear and smell every little thing that goes in our residence. When they are ready to see their new adopted families they have already been for frequent car rides and have had countless hours of playtime and cuddles. We love our life's work! And know You will Too! Arrowhead, Established in .We are the only family that breed our particular line of Cobberdogs, and are happy to announce we are now offering top quality MDBA registered Australian Cobberdog breeding dogs for sale. When you purchase a puppy from Arrowhead you are getting fresh and exciting genetics, creating the best temperaments and therapy Labradoodles and Cobberdogs ever. We have researched for years, traveled far and worked long hours to build our program to be one of the finest and most complete Labradoodle breeding programs in the world! We value the health and temperament of each of our Labradoodles , and provide clean, spacious living conditions for our family of companion Labradoodles. We provide an all natural, locally made food for our dogs and also an environment that contributes to each Cobberdog being a cherished member of our lives. Many of them are in caring foster homes and receive a life of continual support and love from two families, the foster family and us at Arrowhead. Please browse through our site, learn more about what we do and why. We are grateful for all the wonderful families who give our puppies great homes, because without them the magnificent Australian Cobberdog would not be a reality! Available Labradoodle and Cobberdog Puppies Loading

When looking to purchase a merle make sure you are insuring the Australian Labradoodle breeder is having responsible husbandry practices regarding the merle gene. Any breeder of merle multigenerational Australian Labradoodles should be willing and able to discuss all the facts regarding this genome. Click HERE to learn more from our geneticists. Single carrier merles will live a healthy productive life just like any other dog. To ensure that we only breed single copy merles we verify testing of all outside studs or dams used with our breeding dogs since some dogs carry a hidden merle gene, called phantom merle. They are just as strong, silly, and full of adventure or snuggles, and capable of being a service dog as any other Australian Labradoodle! The problem comes down to greed or skipping testing. But doing so can come at a risk of causing serious health issues. A "double merle" known as a homozygous merle have significantly higher risk of being born deaf or blind. To set a president that ill managed breeding practice is not allowed, which is respectable. A German study found .Double Merle can also cause Merle ocular issues. Regarding the blue color in the eyes sometime can lead to full blue iris or increased inclusion of the eyes and blindness. Even though the blue eyes are beautiful we prefer to breed black or brown eyed single merle dogs to reduce the tendency for any health issues. As a merle breeder it is our responsibility to create health happy animals through preventive DNA tests and yearly OFA eye exams. Which, looks like someone had fun painting your dog and no two dogs have the same exact pattern. This rather exotic wild pattern comes in multiple color variations. Merles labradoodles can come in various color pallets; chocolate merle, blue merle, red merle and can be paired with parti, white mis-marks and phantom. Red or cream dogs in a merle litter have a higher rate of phantom merle. Every puppy from our merle litters are dna tested for merle before going home. Our girl Tiffany is considered a "classic" merle where Ranger is a "Tweed" merle. We only know this from extensive genetic testing from Paw Prints Genetics other companies such as Embark don't go as detailed with Merle testing. So all Merle related testing is done with Paw Prints. He does not have the gene to make a rose-nosed puppy. They display slightly smaller curls than some pups, but it is still not a tight curly fleece. As adults, they will have a coat similar to Tilly, their mom. This coat is easy to care for, does not mat easily, and is easy to brush out regularly. The first two pups pictured have a different dad, they are out of Riley, and the other four are from Sam. Also, note that Riley's pups have a rose nose, and the others have a black nose. These two display tight fleece. Keep short for easy management, or brush regularly to avoid mattes. The first pup had a slightly curlier coat than the others and was fluffier as an adult. You can also see the rose nose on the caramel pup 3 versus the black nose on the apricot pup 6. The black pups range in colors; the first black Australian labradoodle puppy is solid but already showing signs of silver showing through around his nose and will likely silver out as he matures. The other two black pups are phantom or sable, with adorable brown eyebrows—two caramel pups with rose noses and one apricot pup with a black nose. You can see three of each type in this litter. The pups in positions 1, 3, and 6 are tight curls, and the other three are loose. An equal distribution of rose noses, 3 rose and three black. Gypsy makes a wide range of sizes in her litter. In this litter, the Australian labradoodle puppies range in weight, at age 1, from lbs. Read this page, then check out our Current Labradoodle Puppies for Sale Allocation Process It's important for each family to remember, the more specific you are about what you want, the longer it may take to find the perfect puppy. Since temperament is our priority, we will always look at that first. You may want to be flexible. Puppies temperament is given priority in placement with you We promise you that we will do our best to provide you with the puppy of your dreams. We understand that it is very easy to fall in love with a picture of a puppy, but it is extremely important for families to understand that it is the temperament and personality of the dog that is most critical when determining which puppies and families will be best suited to each other. Our years of experience give us the knowledge and insight to understand this balance, and we will not place puppies solely based on looks. The most important factors for you and flexibility If you allow temperament to be the most important factor when looking for your Labradoodle puppy and can be flexible in the other areas, we will be able to identify the perfect puppy for you much more quickly. Two part allocation process Our allocation process is two part. First I ask each family to give me their top choice for sex and color. I post these on the website so that other families have an idea of what pups may be selected before them. This is not a final choice and can be changed during the selection visit. Family visits at 8 weeks At 8 weeks of age, I schedule each family who is able, to come and visit the litter. This will allow you to come to Great Day Labradoodles and meet the litter from which you are purchasing a puppy. I realize that some families will have the ability to come and some may not have that option. The visits are scheduled in the order the deposits are received. During your individual visit you will meet all available puppies and we will talk about your lifestyle and how the puppies each best fit. In general, families do a great job on selection using the insight I provide and the individual time with the pups. At the conclusion of your visit your selection is final and you will take your puppy home with you. Be open minded We ask families to be open minded when it comes to the many varied specifics such as gender and color. The more open minded you are in the allocation process, the more likely we will be to place a Labradoodle puppy in your home as soon as possible. Puppies go home between 8- 9 weeks. Go to our Labradoodle Puppies for sale application to register or click here to send us a message. Select Page Merle Australian Labradoodles, what are they? There are many color variations in the merle coat, chocolate, red, blue, parti and phantom are some common colors we produce. The true Australian Labradoodle was designed in the s for the purpose of providing a service and therapy dog to families that suffer from illness or allergies. The breed is allergy-friendly they produce little to no dander, however, some individuals are allergic to the saliva a dog produces. Wally Cochran was the driving force behind this program, and the goal was to produce a non-shedding guide dog. The diversity of these bloodlines have the potential to safeguard the breed from genetic health problems of inbreeding. The result of these crosses produced intelligent, easily trainable puppies that were the beginning of the Australian Labradoodle as we know it now. Chocolate Merle Australian Labradoodle Merle Australian Labradoodle Coat Types The result of these crosses produced intelligent, easily trainable puppies that were the beginning of the Australian Labradoodle as we now know it. Crossing these breeds together compliments the Australian Labradoodle giving these wonderful dogs a hybrid vigor and a variety of coat types: The Wooly Coat: Somewhat poodle like which requires regular grooming is non-shedding and allergy and asthma friendly. The Fleece Coat: The ultimate coat that is easily maintained, non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly and somewhat like that of an Angora Goat. The Hair Coat: Anything from flat and straight to curls down that back and possibly wavy and minimally shedding, that is less likely to be allergy and asthma friendly. You will usually see this coat in American bred Labradoodles first and second generation bloodlines. A fun loving, quiet, calm yet comical loving companion Overall, the Labradoodle is a fun loving, quiet, calm yet comical, loving companion for families as well as a fantastic service animal, being easily trainable, loyal and intelligent. The Labradoodle is not a recognized breed as yet, however, many breeders are working towards developing a breed standard for the future recognition of the Australian Labradoodle. Blue merle Parti Labradoodle puppy Merle Australian Labradoodles Merle can affect all coat colors in many different breeds. Some dogs are affected by merle, but the patches are either hardly seen or not visible at all. This is why it is essential to have all dogs in a merle breeding program tested for coat color, DNA or blood testing can be done. Combinations such as brindle, sable, phantom or parti merle colors also exist. In addition merle colored dogs have blue and green eye coloring. In the Labradoodles this gene has been brought into the Australian Labradoodle from the merle poodle and or the merle cocker spaniel. We have been breeding merles Australian Labradoodles for 20 years and all of our breeding dogs have been full tested since day one. We work to breed every dog better than the first, always breeding a healthy well balanced dog with a happy disposition and a non shedding allergy friendly coat. Merle Australian Labradoodles come in three primary colors The three main colors are: Blue merle which is a blue-gray color that is carried over through black Chocolate merle which is a diluted color from chocolate Red merle which is a diluted color from red Variations on these three colors can also include a parti gene making the dog have large patches of white mixed with the color and a phantom gene giving the dog tan points. In addition, these great dogs are hypo-allergenic and non-shedding, Merle Australian Labradoodles have their characteristically wavy fleece coats, their intelligence, their upbeat nature and their incredibly friendly temperaments. As such, it is no surprise that these dogs are fast becoming among the most beloved breeds available.

Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. Sound in mind and body, strong, functional, intelligent, trainable, courageous, and resilient. These are the natural qualities that can only be realized through the incredible genetics of purebred German Shepherds. We only import the best-of-the-best. Certified champions straight from Germany! Due to his home being burglarized in , Wayne decided to train dogs in tracking, obedience, and protection. His untrained Staffordshire Bullterrier was unable to protect his home and he then decided to obtain a Rottweiler for protection. Wayne continued to train Rottweilers up until the early 90s where he purchased his first German Shepherd. He was raised along side German Shepherds which had a huge impact toward his love and respect for the breed. At Kraftwerk K9, we honor the history of the German Shepherd. We here at Kraftwerk K9 care for and teach these world-class dogs to live up to their full potential. Our ethical breeding facility sits on 25 gorgeous acres of Washington soil and is available for touring before purchase. Take a look at our facility Learn more about our certified German Shepherds by calling today at or visiting our Available Dog page!

Swine gestation calculator. Dog due date, labor, and pregnancy Your dog can get pregnant between the ages of 2 to 6. The female is most fertile in her 2nd or 3rd heat heat happens every 5 to 11 months. That's also when we can expect the largest litter. When pregnant, your dog will start to eat more and gain weight, and lab tests may show anemia and an elevated number of white blood cells. Remember that false pregnancy is a relatively common occurrence in dogs! Factors that may influence the number of puppies: Breed of the dog large dogs: puppies, small dogs: ; Amount of the male's sperm; Breeding time; Health of a female; and The state of the dog's uterus previous pregnancies. Our dog gestation period calculator will familiarize you with how your dog's pregnancy develops and the time left until her labor. At that time, your dog's temperature will drop by 1. She will breathe more rapidly and have an elevated thirst. The dog will start to get nervous and will gather all her toys in a safe, quiet place. Once we computed the labor date with the dog due date calculator, it's sensible to prepare for it in advance. When the big day comes, you'll need: Sterile gloves; A bottle with prepared formula. Did you know? A dog's egg cell must mature for days before it can be fertilized by sperm! The puppy's wellbeing Once you've used the pregnancy calculator and you know the exact date your new puppies will arrive, try to keep in mind the following rules: During pregnancy, you have to avoid certain medications, including some antibiotics or antifungal treatments. Inform your vet that you suspect that your dog might be pregnant. Check if your dog is consuming enough food. During lactation, your dog should consume twice as much food as usual too. Pups will start to open their eyes after days. They can't discriminate between shapes until the 18th day of their life! So, if they have trouble with sucking, you must help them navigate to their mother's nipples don't worry, they know what to do once there. We hope that our puppy due date calculator helps you assure yourself that everything's ready and under control for the arrival of some new lives! Share the joy! They'll be eager to devour everything once they're older! You may find out more about the possible danger in our dog chocolate toxicity calculator. Here are some signs that your dog may be pregnant: Weight gain;. Proof of service or military ID must be presented at the time of adoption. Pets younger than two years will have normal adoption fees. What is included in the adoption fee? All Pet Adoptions Include: Spay or neuter surgery, dewormer, age-appropriate vaccinations, rabies vaccination, flea prevention, a pet microchip, and a one year registration with the City of Houston. BARC strongly recommends taking your newly adopted pet to a veterinarian within 72 hours for a follow up exam. If the pet becomes sick BARC offers treatment for newly adopted pets within two weeks of the adoption date. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease which affects dogs and other mammals in the United States and other parts of the world. This disease is transmitted by mosquitos. It does not spread from dog to dog so it is safe to adopt a heartworm-positive dog. Heartworm disease can be resolved and most dogs respond well to treatment and can live long and happy lives! If the dog you have chosen to adopt is heartworm positive, we will have you speak to a medical team member prior to completing the adoption. The team member will be able to answer any questions you may have, help you learn more about this disease, and what the treatment will entail. Heartworm disease can be prevented. Due to the high density of the disease and mosquitos in our area, all dogs in your household should be on heartworm prevention. Visit www. How do I adopt a pet in Foster Care? Pets in Foster Care are not physically in the shelter except for on special event days. If you have found a pet from foster care that you would like to adopt or learn more about, Email barcfoster houstontx. Please allow at least 48 hours for the foster caregiver to reach out. Once you have met the pet and confirm you would like to adopt, our foster team will reach out to you on how to start the adoption process. For most pets, the adoption will still have to be done in person at BARC. For more information on adopting a pet from foster care, please contact barcfoster houstontx. Please come to BARC before 1 p.

As a hybrid dog, the Golden Irish will inherit the physical and behavioral traits of both its parent dog breeds, however, not all Golden Irish dogs will inherit the same characteristics even if from the same litter. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with both the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter if you are planning on adopting a Golden Irish as the breed can have more characteristics of one parent breed than the other. Golden Irish are known for being very loyal and affectionate dogs with exceptional agility. They are very friendly and should make a wonderful companion or family dogs. Golden Irish are active dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Exercise is essential as it helps them burn off excess energy, maintain a healthy weight, strengthen their muscles and bones, improve their cardiovascular health, and prevent behavioral issues such as boredom and destructive behaviors. The intensity necessary may vary depending on their age, health, and lifestyle. Responsible dog owners should ensure that their furry friends get plenty of exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Important Notice!!!!!! Due to scams and imposters, please make sure and submit your deposits and payments only via this website! Never send money directly to an email, PayPal, Venmo, or other accounts not listed on this website!! We never ask for any remaining funds, until the day you pick up your puppy, or the day prior to shipping. After a puppy is reserved its is our goal to make the update within minutes with few exceptions outside holidays and unforeseen events. You can be confident the available puppies and their pictures shown are accurate and up to date. Transportation We will provide transportation for your puppy if needed and have had great success with our puppies traveling all over the USA. We handle all travel arrangements and details. Pet Nanny flights may be more expensive depending on location. Contact Us. This cross gives us a hybrid dog that has the best of both breeds. This is otherwise known as hybrid vigor. Our parent lines have all been tested to ensure that they are healthy. Since this cross is not a purebred it is referred to as a Golden Irish puppy, Irish Golden puppy or an Irish Retriever puppy. We have been a part of raising this breed for more than 15 years. We have concentrated our efforts on this cross to bring you a puppy from our home in northwestern Indiana to your home! Starting in , we began raising purebred Irish Setters. While not a cross we plan to make often, it is one that we plan to raise. The Irish Setters that we raise come from many generations of champion bloodlines who were show and bench. We are conveniently located in Indiana, about half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis. Generally, we use American Airlines out of Chicago. Our Golden Irish puppies live from coast to coast! We have Golden Irish puppies living in their forever homes from Washington D. We also have many living closer to home in Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding midwest! In other words, shipping our Golden Irish puppies has been a popular option especially for those who do not wish to make a long road trip to pick up their puppy. We at Golden Ridge Hi-Breds are comfortable with shipping our Golden Irish puppies via these professional pet carrying airlines. We are willing to arrange to ship your puppy to you, if this your best option. In order to give you the best of quality in socialization, we follow the socializing techniques that are taught by Jan Fennell in the Dog Listener. Golden Ridge Hi-Breds Offers.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We are trusted and experienced Lab breeders in Michigan, priding ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Fabulous puppies are produced from our quality lineage. Most importantly we breed to better the quality of the English Labrador to preserve fabulous bloodlines. As a result of this they all have wonderful, gentle and friendly personalities. Therefore according to AKC standards our parents also meet and have great build and conformation. Because of these outstanding qualities, our Labradors excel in AKC performance and many also hold therapy titles. Consequently, we are always working above and beyond to bring out the best in all of our Labrador Retrievers. We pride ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Each puppy leaves here ready for a lifetime of love, loyality and companionship with their new families. Our thrill especially comes from seeing our puppies bring joy and happiness to their new homes. Our daily dedication of hard work and love makes happy puppies and families. Moreover, your new puppy is hand-raised, above all, with much love, personal care and attention. We raise our puppies with constant positive socialization and gentle handling from birth. Because of this quality care, one of Rozey's Labrador Retriever puppies will be the perfect match for your family. Our lab puppies for sale, are also known to be intelligent, easy to train and excel in their obedience classes. We especially make sure that your new puppy will exceed all of your expectations. You will, truly, not go wrong with one of our puppies. Call us today for your new furry family member. Branch Family This is Lola.She is the best. She enjoys boating on Lake Michigan summer weekends and retrieves like a super star. She can catch a basketball midair!! She is such a sweetheart and so smart. Thanks so much for breeding such quality pups!!! We can't get over how calm he is and he just likes to lie by our feet and follow us around. I must say you are doing a great job with their disposition. We have had so many compliments on him. Jerry and Teresa P. Thought I'd send you a picture of Mackinaw a one year old. We couldn't ask for a more sweet, loveable and loyal pet. He has quite the personality. We absolutely love our gentle giant. Wish we could have more! Ashley Just wanted to send you an update saying how much we adore Eva. She has really warmed up and loves to run around chasing anything! She loves walks and knows sit and lay down already. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful pile of chocolate into our lives! We are so happy! Mike I just wanted to let you know that I took Gracie for her first vet appointment. The doctor said that she is very healthy. Also I received a lot of compliments on not only how good she looked but how well behaved and her temperament. One of the technician asked for your website. She said that she has been looking and thought Gracie was the best looking puppy she has seen. I believe she will be getting a hold of you. Here, our dogs enjoy the fresh country air and open spaces with us. Contact us today, for more information on our lab puppies for sale in michigan and on how to add your wonderful puppy to your home. Call us at .We will surely be able to fulfill your request for the perfect puppy. All Rights Reserved. Phone: .Whether you want a good family pet or an AKC show dog, this breed is the perfect choice. Our Labrador puppies in Michigan come in all three recognized colors — chocolate, black and yellow. We breed the classic English Labrador, known for its stocky appearance and otter tail, and all our adult dogs are AKC pure English lines. Because of this, many of our Labrador puppies for sale in Michigan have excelled in rally, obedience, conformation and agility. This is all on top of being loving family companions. Our available puppies are great choices for multiple needs and tasks. To learn more about the breed and breed standards of our Lap puppies, visit this helpful American Kennel Club resource. Interested in purchasing one of our Labrador retriever puppies for sale in Michigan? Check out the individual page for a specific litter. You can also contact us to be put on the deposit list for picks, and to also hold a puppy. Our puppy Price is for limited registration. Deposits are non-refundable. Full AKC Registration breeding and show rights contact us for an additional fee. Finding the right Labrador Retriever puppy can be mind boggling We here at Rozey K9 Farm provide a convenient and efficient means of selecting and purchasing the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy or Labrador Retriever puppies from your home through videos and pictures or on a visit to our farm. Take advantage of browsing our puppies or adult dogs. We are known as reputable Labrador Retriever dog breeders. Take a look at our individual Labrador Retriever puppy for sale listings with photos and detailed descriptions. We also offer shipping for our Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. As one of the trustworthy Michigan Labrador Retriever dog breeders with puppies for sale we offer a health guarantee. With several Labrador Retriever puppies for sale and numerous Labrador Retriever dog breeders, you're sure to find the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy with us. We are located close to Grand Rapids, MI. You can have your new family home soon. Check out the different Labrador litters and give us a call at to get started. We are the proud parents of the smartest, sweetest, most laid back lab, Gracie. Steve Karp and family are incredible to work with and truly care for their puppies and the families who adopt from them. If I could give stars, I would! If you're searching for a lab, look no further. Kara Bunbury We cannot say enough great things about M. Steve is very hands on throughout the entire process- sending weekly updates until the pups come home and remaining in contact thereafter. Everywhere we go people ask what breeder he came from. We got many very cute updates on our soon to be little puppy. We feel honored to be apart of the Michigan Elite Labrador family! Jill Price We were looking for a pure bred lab but were very skeptical about many breeders until we found Michigan Elite Labs. We knew after our first contact with them we found the breeder we were looking for. Stan is 10 months old and we love him to pieces. If you are looking for a pure bred lab you have found the perfect breeder. We would never think of going anywhere but Michigan Elite to get a Lab. Steve is always just a phone call away if you have any questions. Steve is very knowledgeable about his Labrador Retrievers. If you want an amazing Labrador puppy check out Michigan Elite Labradors you will be glad you did! From the first contact with Steve, you are reassured with their dedication to the breed and the MEL family that you become a part of. It's said that one of the best signs of a "good product" is repeat customers. We're proud to be an example of that, with 2 MEL dogs in our home. Temperament, physical health and the characteristics of MEL dogs are perfection. The added benefit of the MEL owners group is also a great perk. We've made amazing friends through the group, which is reinforced each year at the annual reunion. I would not hesitate to recommend Michigan Elite Labradors to family and friends! We looked at all of the photos and knew we would get a beautiful pup but didnt expect all of the wonderful traits they would have. We ended up getting 2! They are beyond my wildest dreams of what a pet should be.So intuitive! When ive had issues, steve has been a phone call away with the answers. Best babies around.You wont be sorry! I believe we were part his second litter and his biggest litter with Cocco and Chopper 14 pups. Both of the parents were beautiful and on site when we went to pick out our first "Pink Collar" girl. We picked up our second "Pink Collar" girl in late .They have become best friends from the beginning. They have never fought or growled at each other and play very well together. The Karp's are very caring and knowledgeable about the Labrador breed. Any questions I have ever had Steve has always been there to guide me and teach me. His extended MEL family has been very inspiring and amusing as we all watch the pups grow into beautiful pets. Kris Thompson Michigan Elite Labradors are wonderful. We had a great experience working with the Karp family. Our little black lab has brought us so many blessings! They are the most wonderful family and breeders. They are extremely reputable and involved with every pup. Steve is always available to you. I called so many times. He is conscientious and really cares about where his puppies go. He is beyond gorgeous. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that I have never seen better looking labs. Elite labs are very intelligent and have excellent temperaments. Jax was potty trained right away. When I got a trainer, He learned everything immediately. She was so impressed with him and shocked how well he did. She trains Leader of the Blinds dogs so it was a huge compliment coming from her. We have people stop us everywhere to ask if he is a show dog. One of them was a breeder. Another huge bonus is the all the relationships we have made amongst the Elite family. I love all the stories and pictures. Many of us got together for a Michigan Elite Lab's Reunion. All the dogs were gorgeous fun and well behaved. Even all the parents were a blast. I could go on and on about Michigan Elite Labs, but most important is the fact I would never get a dog from anyone else! Benefit from a Stronger Dollar. Save hundreds when you exchange your money We take care of everything for you so you can return to Michigan or another state in the USA with everything you need to easily cross the border with your new Lab Puppy. We have focused for the past twelve years as a chocolate Lab breeder and have experienced great success with our chocolate lab puppies in Michigan. Although our focus has been mainly on chocolate Labrador puppies , we also have black Lab puppies and silver Lab puppies for sale at times. We have a couple male studs who carry yellow and a few of our chocolate females do as well. Needless to say that yellow lab puppies for sale to Michigan will be a future topic in our home. Puppies come with a vet examination, free puppy health insurance, microchips not tattoos , and lifetime Labrador breeder support. We also provide a generous discount to the online training website www. If you do not end up getting your puppy from us, we will let you in on a little secret. So please visit the rest of our website and learn more about who we are as Professional Labrador Breeders, the services we have to offer, see pictures of our chocolate lab puppies or possibly our black or silver lab puppies, visit our Facebook page so you can look through hundreds of posts of happy families with their Labradors. We have helped many people from Michigan and the Detroit area find their new Lab puppy. Our goal is to exceed your expectations for adopting simply the best Labrador dog possible weather you are interested in Labrador puppies as a pet, a chocolate Labrador for hunting, or an adult Labrador. We breed both American Labrador retrievers, English Labrador Retrievers yes we know the difference between English and American Labs and also mixes between the two types of retrievers. Field Labradors, a lesser known third type of Lab are also available. Rather, search for the best Labrador retriever breeder in Michigan. Or if you are searching for American Lab breeders in Michigan. Or even chocolate lab puppies for sale in Michigan. We pride ourselves in our work, we love the recognition we get for being a top Labrador retriever breeder and even though we are not in Michigan, we are extremely close to the border. We are a short ferry ride across the border at Algonac Michigan, a 45 minute drive from Port Huron, or about an hour drive from Windsor Labrador Retrievers for Sale Please click the link below if you would like to visit our Lab Puppies for sale and upcoming litters. If you would like to apply you can find our puppy application form at the bottom of our home page where you will also find a map to our location.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I love it when my German Shepherd sleeps on its back because she looks so happy and relaxed. But, there are actually many reasons that my German Shepherd could be sleeping on her back. So, why does my German Shepherd sleep on its back? This is Rada, my German Shepherd, sleeping on her back while propped up against a wall. You might find your German Shepherd asleep on its back throughout the day or night. That said, there are actually many reasons that your German Shepherd might choose to sleep on its back. And some of these reasons are helpful to your dog and show a lot about their personality. Think of lying on the floor and stretching out. Especially if you have a double layer of fur to rest upon the GSD has a double coat of hair. Sleeping on its back gives your German Shepherd a feeling of relaxation, allowing them to rest more comfortably than lying on their stomach with their legs under their body in a tight position. German Shepherds sleep upside down because they feel safe and this allows them to doze off without fear about an attack from predators or enemies. When my German Shepherd sleeps on her back I know that she feels secure and protected in her home and around me. Lying on the back allows more air to circulate around the body, over the belly, and to move around the paws. They also sleep in many other positions that can tell you a little bit about their mindset. Here are some of the most popular sleeping positions for a German Shepherd Dog. Sleeping close to you I love it when my German Shepherd sleeps next to me. She tends to like to sleep on the floor by my bed, close to me, but still with enough space to keep her cool. German Shepherds love to be part of a pack and sleeping close to you lets them feel more secure and relaxed since they are with their group. Curled up tightly I rarely see my German Shepherd sleeping curled up since curling up tightly allows a dog to maintain their heat more efficiently and she loves the cold. Some dogs also find curling up in a ball comfortable. Tail covering its nose Another way a German Shepherds sleeps is with their tails lying across their dark nose. This sleeping style mainly serves to keep their nose protected from the elements — such as snow, wind, or rain. See, they are almost attached at the hips? From stretched out under the table to plopping themselves right in the middle of the floor with the legs becoming a trip hazard, this side position allows your German Shepherd the greatest amount of real estate to extend their bodies. They can focus on stretching and relaxing, as opposed to being ready to run or having to protect themselves. Here she is again sleeping on her side next to my other dog. Do you see him right above her head and neck blending in with the dark blanket? They may also enjoy sleeping in the side position to lie next to something they enjoy — like another dog or cat they are friends with. On their belly This is one of the least common positions for a German Shepherd who is comfortable around you and their home. It is, however, the most alert way for a dog to sleep since they can easily stand up or jump quickly. Sleep helps to keep your German Shepherd healthy and relaxed. As your dog gets older and becomes a senior, they might also sleep longer and more deeply to make up for their lack of energy. And puppies need to rest so their bodies can have the energy to grow. Take care to let them have their downtime. Sleeping also allows their body to heal and revive itself, much like sleeping for people does. If your dog has an especially long day of exercise and activity they need the extra sleep in order to recharge their energy and let their muscles rest and recover. Find all about the healthiest exercise routine for your German Shepherd now! Should I wake my German Shepherd up? Waking a dog up can scare them and cause them to bite or nip you out of fear. And, how would you like someone to wake you up if you were sleeping soundly and having a wonderful dream? Let your German Shepherd sleep and rest. If you simply MUST wake them up for any reason use a small bit of food treat and place this under their nose. Why does my German Shepherd walk in circles before lying down to sleep? Making circles is natural for a dog to place their bodies in a comfortable position before they lie down. It also allows them to feel the ground with their paws and see if the surface is to their liking for a nap or sleep. Dogs tend to make circles to flatten the ground before the dog sleeps on the grass or dirt. Why does my German Shepherd twitch its body when sleeping? Much like when people sleep German Shepherds experience different sleep cycles. One of the sleep cycles common to both German Shepherds and us is called REM sleep, or rapid eye movement. During this phase of sleep, you may notice your German Shepherd moving their eyes back and forth under their closed eyelids, twitching their paws sometimes wildly and even hear a soft bark. Perhaps they dream they really can catch that squirrel this time… finally! Conclusion So, why does my German Shepherd sleep on its back? Animal behaviorists believe dogs sleep this way to be more comfortable, relaxed, safe, and happy. You might cause them discomfort, fear, or interrupt their dream during deep sleep. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. This article covers everything you need to know as a german shepherd owner about GSD puppies and their sleep schedule. German Shepherd puppies sleep 15 — 20 hours a day. Yes, they sleep a lot. The bodies of GSD puppies go through a cycle of development in the first 12 months of being born, and hence the long nap time. Of course, understanding your puppies sleep schedule is crucial to taking good care of it. So that your puppy can grow healthy, and happy. In the beginning, the schedule is absolutely random. Once you have the schedule figured out, you can work around it to make things easier for yourself. When you first bring your puppy home, it might confuse you with the odd sleeping hours. Your pup might wake you up during the middle of the night, for bathroom breaks. A lot of german shepherd dog owners even get woken up 2 or 3 times. But, after a few weeks, your german shepherd puppy will get used to the schedule and not wake you up at night at all. Here are the causes behind the lengthy nap schedule of GSD puppies. Some are natural, while others can stir up concern for the owner. And a lot of this growth occurs during nap time. Most sources recommend 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age. So a 20 minute exercise session should be good for your 4 month old gsd puppy. However, the problem might be solved just by doing these. While others may prefer feeding them a home made diet. Raw diets are also becoming popular. It can cause problems later on. Your best bet is to check in with your vet, and ask for diet recommendations. So how much exercise should they do regularly? According to most of the sources, a 5 minute long walk at a time for every month of age should suffice. This means that if the puppy is 2 months old, then the exercise routine should be a 10 minute walk at a time. Here are the pointers that indicate when to stop exercising. Your puppy slows down. Your puppy starts panting. Your puppy starts laying on the ground. Age also plays a role in the intensity of workouts. Do not make it run excessively. Do not make it exercise on hard surfaces like sidewalks. Grass is the best area for your GSD puppy to exercise. Do not let it jump from the couch, furniture, or obstacles. Light fetch is also fine, after a few weeks. So you have to make sure that their brain stays engaged in their waking hours. Get your puppy their favourite toys. Take time training your puppy. Play a variety of games with your puppy. Get your puppy contraption toys that make the puppy do something with their paws, or sense of smell, instead of static toys. Give your puppy small healthy treats once they complete a task. Take Your Pup to the Vet This is the first option you should be considering if your puppy is sleeping too much or too less. Lack of sleep may cause your German Shepherd puppy to become aggressive , or even worse, not grow healthy. Give it a quiet and comfortable room to sleep. Let the puppy sleep whenever it wants or as much as it wants. No interruptions, just let it have its much deserved peace and quiet. Make Sure Your Puppy Has Comfortable Environment To Sleep You may not want your puppy to sleep on the bed, or the couch, due to various reasons like danger of falling or maybe hair fall. Buying a small dog bed or crate for your puppy is ideal. Make sure the crate or bed has soft material for your puppy to sleep. German shepherds are hardy animals. Just make sure their bed is soft and comfortable. Neither too hot nor too cold. Refrain your puppy from going into direct sunlight. Keep it in cool or shady areas. Make sure it has access to cool to cold water. Similarly, anything below 40 degree Fahrenheit or even 50 degree Fahrenheit is too cold for the puppy. If winter in your location hits hard, install heaters or a central heating system. Prepare cozy blankets for your puppy. Make sure your puppy is sleeping comfortably 15 — 20 hours a day. Have fun with your cute little puppy! Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Final Thoughts When your German Shepherd is a young puppy, it needs a lot of sleep to get enough energy for physical and mental growth. When it is awake, it will be more active, exploring new things and experiencing new sensations after a good, comfortable, and secure sleep. The time of German Shepherd sleep routines varies depending on the age. When it is a puppy, it needs hours, but as an adult, your doggy may sleep for hours per day and feel great. The Shepherd deprived of good sleep can develop behavioral disorders and get sick easier. The most commonly asked questions about the German Shepherd puppy sleep schedule relate to its early age. Your puppy needs about 18 hours of sleep per day, and some young doggies may even need a bit more. So, hours per hour period is considered a norm. As your furry friend gets older, the sleeping time reduces. Your 4-month-old puppy may even sleep 11 hours per day and feel perfect. Meanwhile, adult dogs sleep for hours per hour period. You need to keep in mind that your pup will not sleep the whole night before its 6-month mark soundly. The reasons are missing the littermates and mother and feeling insecure surrounded by new smells and noises. However, the most important reason is the small size of its bladder that does not allow it to retain from potty for such a long time. So, it may start whining and crying if it wants to go potty. The latter issue is vital for potty training — you need to go out to potty times per night before your doggy reaches months old to avoid accidents. You may even need to wake up your puppy at night to do without unexpected occasions. Your little pup may also start crying at night for other reasons, for example, if it is scared or feels lonely or hungry. You can try to help it sleep better in several ways. First of all, ensure that your pet is tired enough before going to bed. Take it out for 5 minutes to walk during its first month and add the next 5 minutes for every month of its life. For example, your 4-month-old puppy can walk for 20 minutes. If your puppy is very young, let it sleep in your room when you first get it home. Put the crate beside your bed to comfort it easily during the night. You also need to offer your new pet familiar objects, for example, clothes or toys with the scent of its previous home. Arrange a comfortable sleeping place equipped with blankets, stuffed toys, and snacks. You may even play soothing music during bedtime, eliminating anxiety and preventing whining. Classical music is a good choice for this purpose. Comfortable bedding is essential. The space should not be large because they may attempt to do their business right where they are sleeping if they find a vacant spot. However, move the crate out of your bed when it gets older. Do it gradually, moving it farther and farther every night. Then, the time will come to take it away from your bedroom, and your puppy will feel comfortable with it. The difference between human and dog sleep cycles is dramatic. They are much shorter in dogs. Dogs have only two REM cycles at a time. They last 6 minutes. Dogs are polyphasic sleepers because they can also go to bed in the daytime. People are monophasic, sleeping hours at night. That is why while people spend their daytime working and alert, dogs need about 5 hours of rest per day. They do not necessarily sleep fast during this time. There has been a discussion on whether dogs can dream. Yes, dreaming can occur during the REM phase. Puppies may dream even more than adult dogs because they sleep more and their nervous system is not stable at all. So, they may dream about their daily activities, food, playing with you, and other things that are processed in their brain. When you notice that your pup moves its limbs as if running or murmurs something while sleeping, it is evidence of its dreaming. What do they mean? The most widely observed position is sleeping on the back. The reasons for this position are the following: Your pet feels entirely comfortable. This position provides complete relaxation. The pup feels safe and protected. Your dog trusts you if it exposes its vulnerable stomach to the outer world. It does not expect attacks from any enemies or predators. That is why canines rarely sleep on their backs in the wild. Your doggy wants to express submission. It does not mean challenging your authority or confronting other animals in the house. The German Shepherd may just want to feel colder. Its thick plush coat, especially if it is long-haired, does not allow it to cool down easily, so it lays on its back to let the air circulate around its body, over the belly, and paws. In this case, you may notice your dog lying on its back on the cold tile or even near the open window. German Shepherds also sleep in many other positions. The most popular of them include the following: Close to their owner. It is pretty pleasing when your doggy sleeps by your bed or is somehow close to you. Shepherds like to feel a part of a pack, so if they sleep like that, they feel more secure. Tightly curled up. This position allows a German Shepherd to maintain the heat efficiently. These dogs usually sleep like that in cold weather or if they feel something threatening to protect their neck and stomach against unexpected attacks. With the tail on their nose. A German Shepherd has a very sensitive nose, and it wants to protect it from rain, snow, or wind. It happens when your dog sleeps outdoors, especially in winter. On the side. This position allows the doggy to extend its muscles and joint as much as possible. It also means that the Shepherd feels comfortable and confident in this environment and does not expect any enemies or unwanted encounters. This position can also be observed if they sleep next to another animal — a cat or a dog — they consider their friends. On the belly. If your doggy feels comfortable, this position is uncommon. Moreover, it is neither comfortable nor relaxing. However, it can easily and quickly stand up and jump or run from it if it is needed. They mostly depend on their personality. The question of sleeping with your German Shepherd puppy is essential for many dog owners. The common advice is not to do that during the first months of your pup in your home. Instead, you can put its dog bed or crate next to your bed to soothe it quickly if it feels uncomfortable or scared. Moreover, your young doggy may have accidents at night, and you need to potty train it first. However, when your dog is an adult, you can do it, and it will bring a lot of positive moments to both of you. When your doggy is well-behaved and trained properly, you may get a lot of benefits from sleeping with it. They are the following: you will increase your comfort and security; your overall health condition can improve; the risk of sudden death will decrease; the cholesterol and triglyceride levels will go down; the blood pressure will become lower; this kind of sleeping can promote creativity; it will regulate your heartbeat rates; your memory will improve; you will wake up in a great mood due to the flow of oxytocin; you will feel absolutely protected and safe; the furry and cuddly friend will make you feel cozy and comfortable; the immunity will boost. Of course, close and continuous contact with animals can provoke allergic reactions. However, recent research shows that children who sleep with their pets are less likely to develop any allergies when they grow up. You may wonder why your doggy sleeps so much or has just changed its sleeping habits dramatically. Generally, an adult German Shepherd sleeps hours per day, but puppies and senior dogs sleep longer, which is normal. You can consider different causes if your pup sleeps too much and decide what you can do after talking to your vet. Your doggy needs this time to develop or restore its brain, central nervous system, immune system, and muscles. It uses so much energy during the day that it needs to compensate for it while sleeping. However, if your grown-up German Shepherd sleeps more than 14 hours and is apathetic all the other time, you may start to be concerned and take your pup to the vet. Excess heat. German Shepherds are bred to feel comfortable in colder environments. That is why they have double-layered coats. When the weather is very hot, they become sleepy to cool down. Just give it access to shade and cool areas and provide it with good amounts of water during the day. Never let it stay in direct sunlight. Your pup does not feel well. If your German Shepherd started sleeping more for no reason, it might be a sign of some health issues. So, you need to have it checked by the vet immediately. Your doggy is bored. German Shepherds are working dogs with a lot of energy and drive. You should exercise your pet a lot. At least one hour of intense exercise per day is vital. However, be careful not to overexercise your pup when it is little. Add 5 minutes of walking and training per every month of its age, or you can damage its bones and joints. Pick out an appropriate diet. Poor diet may be a cause of extensive sleeping. Talk to your vet to choose the diet your Shepherd needs, or opt for one meant specifically for German Shepherds. Age is a crucial factor. You know now that little puppies need a lot of sleep, and it is normal when your fluffy cub sleeps hours per day. The same is applicable to senior dogs. Older animals need more sleep to restore their muscles and brain activity. Moreover, they get tired easily and need a lot of rest. To make your pup sleep according to its age and environment, you may need to make some changes and deal with different factors. Consider the weather conditions too. If your pup sleeps more when it is cold or hot outside, it is also a normal reaction to temperature changes. If it gets to sleep immediately after feeding , you may need to adjust the diet a bit. If not, make some changes. Always check whether it has constant access to fresh water. Underhydration can be one of the reasons for a long sleep. Of course, when you notice abrupt changes, you must take your pet to the veterinarian. Long sleeping time may be the first sign of some unpleasant health disorders. Little puppies can sleep hours per day, while adult dogs usually need hours of sleep round-the-clock. If your German Shepherd starts sleeping too much, it may be a sign of a minor illness. The excess sleeping may also be a result of heat, boredom, or a poor diet. Older German Shepherds can also start sleeping a lot. Why does my German Shepherd sleep on its back? When your dog sleeps on its back, it always looks cute. The reasons for it can be different, but the main one is that it feels comfortable and absolutely trusts you. It can also show submission in this way, or it is too hot, and your doggy wants to cool down. Why is my German Shepherd breathing so fast while sleeping? Breathing faster means that your doggy is in its REM phase of sleep, which is accompanied by a high amount of brain activity. So, your pup needs more energy and starts breathing faster to get an additional amount of oxygen for the brain. Breathing fast helps it transfer this oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, converting it into energy. How many hours does a German Shepherd sleep? The number of hours your German Shepherd pup can sleep is pretty individual. There are no strict standards. Little puppies sleep hours daily, while adult dogs reduce this number to .Senior dogs can sleep more — hours is normal. Ill doggies can sleep most time because sleeping helps them recover. Final Thoughts Remember that comfortable and safe German Shepherd sleeping is key to its healthy and happy life. All sleeping habits are pretty individual. If your German Shepherd sleeps well, you will enjoy long years together. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. As mentioned, German Shepherd puppies have short bursts of energy followed by long, restful naps. When playing or on a walk, it may seem like your puppy has a limitless store of excitement. Once they wear out, however, they tend to fall into a deep sleep—and may even snore! On average, a German Shepherd puppy will sleep between 15 and 20 hours each day. During growth periods, they may only get up to eat or go for a walk. Once fully grown, a German Shepherd will sleep around 12 or 14 hours a day. German Shepherds will take naps throughout the day, then sleep while their human sleeps for 6 or 8 hours. You can ensure your German Shepherd gets adequate exercise by taking it for long walks or hikes, playing fetch, or engaging it with agility workouts and puzzle toys. German Shepherds are intelligent dogs and need mental and physical stimulation for health and happiness. German Shepherds are naturally alert and protective , making them ideal for farm, police, military, and guard work. If you live in a busy area, you may want to provide your German Shepherd with a dark, quiet room to sleep in. If you use a crate or kennel, you can drape a blanket over it to shut out some light and sound for restful sleep. This is especially helpful with young puppies that may experience separation anxiety. Cars, buzzing insects, appliances, televisions, and cell phones can all make noises that put your dog on alert. German Shepherds usually live between 9 and 13 years. During this stage, your German Shepherd may sleep a bit more than the expected 12 or 14 hours a day, just like an older human. Along with the change in sleep patterns, your senior German Shepherd may show some graying around the eyes and muzzle, less interest in playing, and less energy for walks and hikes. If your German Shepherd is sleeping more than 14 hours as an adult, should you be worried? In some cases, longer sleep or more frequent sleep could indicate that your dog is experiencing a minor illness. If your German Shepherd is sleeping excessively for several weeks, however, you may want to take it to the vet for a checkup. Conditions like diabetes , hypothyroidism , Lyme disease , and arthritis can lead to increased sleep and may require treatment. Related Reads:. By Retriever Pets Ever wondered why your german shepherd sleeps a lot and is in weird positions? While asleep, your body can fix what has been injured or depleted, improving your mind, health, and general wellbeing. This is not only true for human beings but also for German Shepherds. But how much should a german shepherd puppy, adult, or senior sleep? A German Shepherd should have hours of sleep on average. This pattern may change with the kind of lifestyle the dogs end up living. For instance, older and younger German Shepherd tend to sleep more, while working or active German Shepherds tend to sleep less. You may have a German Shepherd that is quick to nap and you may have one that looks like it is a night owl. In this article, we talk about German Shepherds and their sleep patterns. We also discuss lifestyles that prevent German Shepherds from sleeping well and the dangers of such lifestyles. Read on and find out more about naptime and German Shepherds. Importance of Sleep to a German Shepherd German Shepherds are some of the most active and energetic dogs. They are highly intelligent maintaining a strong reputation as loyal and protective dog breeds. Initially bred as herding dogs, they portrayed strong guarding and protective instincts and have over the years become the preferred guard, guide, military, police, search and rescue dogs. What a resume!!!! But to have all these possible, German Shepherds have to be in tiptop shape. They have to be trained, fed, protected and constantly shown attention. Like all mammals, sleep is a very important element in the well-being of German Shepherds. Through sleep, German Shepherds can attain the following benefits: For better brain function — German Shepherds face many mental challenges on a typical day. For the dog to be highly effective in both mental and physical activities during the day, it has to have a certain period of mental and physical inactivity to rejuvenate brain function. This keeps the dog alert throughout the day. For Memory Retention — German Shepherds are intelligent and can often be taught a variety of lessons throughout their day. To ensure that these lessons stick, sleeping plays a key role. A well-rested German Shepherd can perform and remember certain tasks better than a fatigued German Shepherd. Strengthens the Immune System — Sleep-deprived German Shepherds are more prone to sickness and infections. For Physical Recovery — Sleep is a naturally rejuvenates. A German Shepherd is extremely active and, by the end of any day, could be extremely exhausted. By Sleeping, German Shepherds can rest and recover from physical exhaustion. German Shepherd puppies need to sleep for hours if they are to grow well. Sleep deprivation can suppress the release of this hormone, among others, that are critical for proper mental and physical development. Sleeping Habits of a German Shepherd Puppy Young German Shepherd puppies require more hours of sleep so that they may grow and develop. Typically, these puppies require hours of sleep per day. They require adequate food and rest as they easily get tired, especially during training and play-time. Due to its guarding and protective nature, you may find an adult German Shepherd sleeping lesser hours due to how active it is during the day. Additionally, the need to protect forces the German Shepherd to remain alert; hence, they end up becoming light sleepers. Their bodies are slowly deteriorating. Just like young German Shepherds, these senior citizens will sleep from hours. Do you own a German shepherd and want to get a cat and want to know if they get along? Why does my German Shepherd sleep so much? You may be wondering why your German Shepherd sleeps a lot. Several reasons could explain this behavior. German Shepherd puppies sleep for hours a day. This allows them to grow well, developing a healthy immune system, bones, and muscles. Adult German Shepherd sleep for hours a day. Depending on the kind of lifestyle they are living, adult German Shepherd needs to be alert and hence will sleep less. When they do sleep, they are extremely light sleepers keeping an ear out for danger. Senior German Shepherds sleep for hours. Their body organs are slowly deteriorating and they are becoming less and less energetic. At this age, German Shepherds tire out more quickly and end up sleeping more often. As the adult German shepherd grows older, it will certainly start sleeping more often. Nature Unlike human beings who require hours of sleep a day, a German Shepherd sleeps for hours a day Coile, .This is an important process as a German Shepherd is quite active and energetic. During the day, you will find the dog playing and roughhousing. Heat The current temperature can also greatly affect how much a German Shepherd sleeps. German Shepherds were initially bred to thrive in cold environments hence why they have double coats. However, in regions where the weather is hot, German Shepherds become sleepy sleeping for more than 14 hours a day. If you live in a warm or hot area, ensure your German Shepherd has access to shade, cool areas, and water throughout the day. Also, ensure that you take your German shepherd on walks when the sun is not directly overhead. Illness When a German shepherd is sick, it can also sleep longer than it is used to. If you notice that your German shepherd sleeping suddenly, more often and exhibiting certain behavioral changes, such as being lethargic, it is likely they are sick. Check-in with your vet if you suspect this. Boredom German Shepherds sleep because they are bored. With such an active and energetic personality, German Shepherds need a lot of physical and mental stimulation throughout their day. They also require a lot of attention from their owner. When German Shepherds are not mentally stimulated, they can easily get bored and sleep more often. You must consider increasing the number of activities that your German Shepherd is exposed to in a day. If it is a puppy, limiting the amount of exercise is critical for its growth as it can end up hurting its joints. Diet The diet you are feeding your German Shepherd also contributes to how long it will sleep in a day. Your German Shepherd requires a healthy and balanced diet to ensure it has a normal sleeping pattern. However, if you change its diet and it is not balanced, your German Shepherd may start sleeping more than usua Research on the best German Shepherd diets to follow to ensure you do not end up giving your pup an unbalanced diet. German Shepherds sleep problem Yes, German Shepherds can have sleeping problems if their state of mind is affected. Certain mental conditions or diseases could lead to the development of sleeping problems. They often act out the dreams they are experiencing with vocal sounds, sudden violet leg movements, twitching, and other bodily movements. In extreme cases, the German Shepherd can attack objects violently and run wild. When they wake up it is as if nothing happened and they continue with their life as normal. This is most common in obese German Shepherds whose airways have been narrowed by fat deposits. Such dogs will often snore loudly to the point of being startled by their own snores. They will wake up sluggish and tired. In extreme cases, Chronic Sleep Apnea can be fatal where the dog is unable to breathe properly when asleep. Insomnia — When German shepherds have certain health and mental issues, such as depression, stress, flea infestation, anxiety, chronic pain, and pent-up energy, they may experience insomnia. Narcolepsy Sleep Disorder — It is a sleeping disorder that causes a German Shepherd to suddenly collapse and sleep when it is excited or during physical activity. The German Shepherd does not experience any pain. Sleeping positions You may find your German Shepherd sleeping in a weird position, one that looks as though it is defying the laws of nature. This is typical of all German Shepherds. The sleeping position your German Shepherd chooses often spells out the kind of life they are living and the influence the surroundings may be having on them at that particular moment. Let us check out a few sleeping positions and understand what they mean. Sleeping upside down This is one of the weirdest and hilarious positions to find your German Shepherd taking a nap. The legs are usually suspended in the air, and the dog practically looks like it is playing dead. Finding your German Shepherd sleeping in this position could mean one of three things: The pup is relaxed and comfortable with its paws facing up. The dog is submitting to its owners The dog feels very safe and does not have to worry about being attacked by enemies The dog is trying to cool down Sleeping on the side A German Shepherd sleeping on its side normally has its paws outstretched before it. This is one of the most common sleeping positions for German Shepherds and is evident when the dog wants to stretch its legs so that they are more relaxed. Also, if you find them sleeping in this position, it signifies that the dog is feeling comfortable and safe in that environment. Sleeping while curled up like a ball This is also one of the weird positions you may find a German Shepherd sleeping, especially where the pup chooses to cuddle up in a small space, such as a basket or box. Typically, your German shepherd sleeps in this position to keep warm. You will often find the puppy curled up this way in colder months. Sleeping on its front This is one of the most natural sleeping positions for German shepherds. It is a position that allows them to stay alert and attack in case of anything. This position gives them an added advantage as they can quickly rise to their feet and charge. Tail wrapped over its nose This position is not as common. A sleeping German Shepherd will want to protect the most exposed part of its body, being the nose, from any injuries or flying elements. You will find a German Shepherd sleeping in this position during seasons where the weather is harsh, for instance when it raining, snowing, or windy. Sited but Upright Picture a Kangaroo sitting down. Yes, this is a legitimate sleeping position for a German Shepherd. It is hands-down, one of the weirdest and uncommon sleeping positions. The pup sits on its tail with its hind legs stretched before it, and the upper body rests either on a wall or back of a chair supported on either side. Such a position just shows how comfortable and safe your dog feels. Also, it allows the pup to cool off. These are some of the most common German Shepherd sleeping positions. They communicate a lot about their current situation and the influence the environment may be having on them. For instance, if you find your German Shepherd sleeps while curled up during extremely hot days, it may be an indication that the pup is coming down with something. Where should a German Shepherd Sleep? Now that we have covered the reason a German Shepherd sleeps and its sleeping habits, let us talk about where it should sleep. We all know that a good bed or sleeping structure highly contributes to how well we rest. Is this true for Germans Shepherds as well? Yes, providing a safe and comfortable environment where a German Shepherd sleeps is important. Most German Shepherd owners provide a doggie bed; however, this is not enough. Ensure that the bed is placed in a suitable location. Place the doggie bed in a location that not too hot. Also, ensure that the dog has access to clean water from where it sleeps. This will give the dog a comfortable sleeping environment. Since you are part of their flock, they will want to sleep next to you. Its Protective instincts German Shepherds have very strong protective instincts. At night especially, they would rather sleep next to you and protect you, than in the other room. Separation Anxiety Genetically, German shepherds were bred as herd animals. They will want to spend every waking moment with members of their flock. As a member of its flock, expect the German Shepherd to get quite anxious and angry when you leave it behind. This is why it is attached to you and may also want to sleep in your bed at night. They are trained to sleep next to people Your German Shepherd may have been trained to sleep next to people as a puppy. If you allowed your German Shepherd to sleep in your bed, or if its previous owners allowed the pup to sleep with them, then sleeping with you even in old age is normal. This is the most likely reason for their behavior. In summary: German Shepherd sleep Position, Habits and quantity An adult German Shepherd should have hours of sleep each day, while puppies and senior German Shepherds sleep for hours. Of course, the amount of sleep highly depends on the lifestyle and health of the German Shepherd. A Healthy German Shepherd will get its beauty sleep, and most times, the sleeping position will communicate how comfortable, safe, and rested the dog is. However, if the pup is battling any sort of health condition, whether mental or physical, sleep patterns may likely be affected. You may find that your German Shepherd sleeps less or more depending on the kind of illness it is battling. Therefore, if you want a healthy German Shepherd, be sure to check on its habits and conditions. Ensure you provide the most comfortable option for the pup, be it sleeping on its own bed or yours. Puppies are similar to babies, they eat, poop, play and sleep. This article will answer those questions and give you some insight into German Shepherd puppy sleeping habits. Yes, German Shepherd puppies sleep a lot. A GSD pup will normally sleep upwards of 18 to 20 hours a day. They are usually asleep unless you are engaging with them in some way. It is normal for German Shepherd puppies to sleep up to 20 hours a day. GSD puppies sleep so much because their bodies are still developing and growing fast so they need to sleep to fuel that process. As they get older, they will sleep a little less. German Shepherd puppies should sleep in a crate when really young and not yet trained. This is because if your puppy has too much space to roam, it will be harder to get them potty trained as they will just find a spot to do their business away from where they are sleeping. Some of the best crates for German Shepherd puppies are ones that can grow with your pup and come with a divider. This is not to say your pup has be crated forever, think of this as a tool to help them get house-trained faster and to keep them safe. As mentioned above, it is too easy for them to find a spot to do their business if they have free access to the whole room at night. However, once your puppy knows how to wake you up for their bathroom break, it is really a personal decision as to whether you want your pup to sleep in your bed. German Shepherd Puppy Sleeping Habits As mentioned above, German Shepherd puppies will usually sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day, which is totally normal. It is also normal for a puppy to not be able to sleep through the night. Just like newborn babies need to get on a schedule so does your new puppy. When my GSD puppy first came home, she usually woke me up two or three times each night for potty breaks. Final Thoughts German Shepherd puppies sleep a lot because their bodies are developing and going through a lot of growth when they are really young. It is normal for a puppy to only be awake for 6 hours a day when you first bring them home. Unless they are playing with toys , eating, drinking, or going outside, they will probably be sleeping. If you feel like your GSD puppy is sleeping too much you can check with your vet to make sure all is ok just for peace of mind. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might sleep so much and the signs to look for. Nature It is natural for a German Shepherd to sleep for between 12 and 14 hours per day source. Since German Shepherds use up a lot of energy it is necessary for them to get a lot of sleep so that they are able to direct their energy towards growing and repairing the muscles. With that being said, if your German Shepherd sleeps for more than 14 hours per day and it is lethargic when it is awake then it may be cause for concern and it would help to take it to a vet. That is unless it is a puppy or it is old in which case it would be normal for them to sleep for more than 14 hours per day. Heat Heat can also contribute to a German Shepherd becoming sleepy. German Shepherds are designed to thrive in colder environments which is why they have double coats. As a result of this, when the weather starts to heat up, it can cause them to be more sleepy. Heat would be much more likely to be the reason that your GSD has been sleeping a lot if it suddenly started to sleep a lot more when the weather became hotter. If that is the case, it would help to make sure that it has access to shade, cool areas and water throughout the day. It would also help to avoid letting it out in direct sunlight when the sun is directly overhead. Illness Illness can also cause a German Shepherd to be more sleepy. This would be more likely to be the reason if your German Shepherd suddenly started to sleep a lot more than it used to. It would also be more likely if its behavior changed suddenly or if it became lethargic as well. If you think that it might be sleeping too much due to illness then the best option for you would be to have it checked up on by a vet. Boredom Boredom could also be the reason that your German Shepherd has been sleeping a lot. German Shepherds are meant to be working dogs which means that they are designed to be very active when they are awake. Generally, it is recommended that a German Shepherd should get an hour of exercise per day. If your German Shepherd is not currently getting that much exercise then it would help to make sure that it does. However, if it is a puppy then it is recommended that you limit the amount of exercise that it gets to 5 minutes per month of age each day. This is because too much exercise might damage their joints. Diet A poor diet could also be why your German Shepherd sleeps a lot. This would be especially likely if it started to sleep more at around the same time that you changed its diet. You can look at this website to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. If it is young or old As mentioned above, the age of your German Shepherd will have an impact on how much it will naturally sleep. German Shepherd puppies need to sleep a lot since it is when they are sleeping that they grow and they grow fast. This is why it is normal for a German Shepherd puppy to sleep for between 15 and 20 hours per day source. On the other hand, when a German Shepherd gets older it will sleep a lot then as well. This is because they tire out more easily. Things to consider Before trying to get your German Shepherd to sleep less it would help to consider a number of things. If it suddenly started to sleep more If your German Shepherd has always slept a lot but it is lively when it is awake then it is likely that it sleeps a lot naturally. Whereas, if it has suddenly started to sleep a lot more than it usually does then it would be more likely that there is something wrong. The list mentioned above could all be reasons that your German Shepherd suddenly started sleeping a lot. It would help to consider what else changed at around the same time that it started to sleep more than usual. If it has also become lethargic when it is awake or its behavior has changed then it would likely be worthwhile for you to take it to the vet. When your German Shepherd sleeps a lot It would also help to consider when it seems to sleep a lot. For example, if you notice that it only seems to sleep a lot when it is hot outside then it would likely be because of the heat. Whereas, if you notice that it sleeps shortly after feeding it then its diet might have something to do with it. What to do about your German Shepherd sleeping so much Below, I will mention a number of things that you can do about your German Shepherd sleeping so much. Allow it to As mentioned above, it is natural for a German Shepherd to be sleeping a lot. With that being the case, one of the best things that you will be able to do is to allow it to continue to sleep as much as it needs to. Make sure that it is able to sleep comfortably Seeing as they are meant to be sleeping a lot, it would help if you can make its sleeping environment as comfortable as possible. You can do this by ensuring that it is not too hot where it sleeps, it is comfortable for it and that it has access to water when it wants it. Make sure that its diet is right Seeing as its diet could be contributing to it sleeping so much it would help to ensure that it is getting the right diet. Keep it cool Seeing as its diet could be contributing to it sleeping so much it would help to ensure that it is getting the right diet. Take it to a vet If you are unsure of why your German Shepherd is sleeping so much or you think that there might be something wrong then the best option for you would be to have a vet look at it. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. During sleep a German Shepherds brain, central nervous system, immune system and muscles develop. Since German Shepherd puppies grow quickly it is necessary for them to get a lot of sleep so that they are able to direct their energy towards growing. With that being said, if your German Shepherd puppy sleeps for more than 20 hours per day and it is lethargic when it is awake then it may be cause for concern and it would help to take it to a vet. Other things that can cause a German Shepherd puppy to sleep a lot While it is normal for a German Shepherd puppy to sleep a lot there are also a number of other factors that could be contributing to it sleeping so much. Additionally, if it is more than 16 weeks old, it should be starting to sleep much less than it used to. If it is sleeping for more than 14 hours per day then it could be that there is something else contributing to it. Below, I will mention a number of things that could be causing your German Shepherd puppy to be sleeping a lot. Heat Heat can also contribute to a German Shepherd puppy becoming sleepy. German Shepherds are designed to thrive in colder environments which is why they have double coats. As a result of this, when the weather starts to heat up, it can cause them to be more sleepy. Heat would be much more likely to be the reason why your GSD puppy has been sleeping a lot if it suddenly started to sleep a lot more when the weather became hotter. If that is the case, it would help to make sure that it has access to shade, cool areas and water throughout the day. It would also help to avoid letting it out in direct sunlight when the sun is directly overhead. Illness Illness can also cause a German Shepherd puppy to be more sleepy. This would be more likely to be the reason if your German Shepherd puppy suddenly started to sleep a lot more than it used to. It would also be more likely if its behavior changed suddenly or if it became lethargic as well. If you think that it might be sleeping too much due to illness then the best option for you would be to have it checked up on by a vet. Boredom It might be the case that it has been sleeping more than usual due to boredom. German Shepherds are highly active, while they are awake, when they are young. If they do not have things to stimulate them in their environment then it can cause them to become bored. German Shepherd adults require a lot of exercise. However, the amount that you should be exercising your German Shepherd puppy will be a lot less since their joints are not fully developed yet. Instead, you can keep it occupied, while it is young, by training it to behave the way that you want it to when it is older. It is important to take the time to train it while it is young since it will be easier to change its habits and you will be able to avoid behavioral issues when it gets older. Diet A poor diet could also be why your German Shepherd puppy sleeps a lot. This would be especially likely if it started to sleep more at around the same time that you changed its diet. You can look at this website to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd puppy. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. You can get dog food specifically designed for German Shepherd puppies on Chewy here. Too much exercise While it could be the case that your German Shepherd puppy gets bored, it could also be the case that it is getting too much exercise. Since German Shepherd puppies grow rapidly it is important not to exercise them too much otherwise it can damage their joints. According to the Kennel Club , a good rule of thumb is to give your German Shepherd puppy 5 minutes of exercise per day for every month of age. So, if it is 3 months old, it would be recommended to limit its exercise to 15 minutes. If your German Shepherd puppy is lethargic when it is awake then it would be a sign that you are giving it too much exercise. Related post: Ways to exercise your German Shepherd. Consider if it suddenly started sleeping a lot more If your German Shepherd puppy has slept a lot right from the start but it is lively when it is awake then it is likely that it sleeps a lot naturally. Whereas, if it has suddenly started to sleep a lot more than it usually does then it would be more likely that there is something wrong. The list mentioned above could all be reasons why your German Shepherd puppy suddenly started sleeping a lot. It would help to consider what else changed at around the same time that it started to sleep more than usual. If it has also become lethargic when it is awake or its behavior has changed then it would likely be worthwhile for you to take it to the vet. What to do about your German Shepherd puppy sleeping a lot There are a number of things that you can do about your German Shepherd puppy sleeping a lot that I will mention below. Allow it to sleep as much as it needs to As mentioned above, it is natural for a German Shepherd puppy to be sleeping a lot. With that being the case, one of the best things that you will be able to do is to allow it to continue to sleep as much as it needs to. You should find that it will, gradually, begin to sleep less as it gets older. Make its sleeping environment comfortable Seeing as they are meant to be sleeping a lot, it would help if you can make its sleeping environment as comfortable as possible. You can do this by ensuring that it is not too hot where it sleeps, it is comfortable for it and that it has access to water when it wants it. Ensure that its diet is right Seeing as its diet could be contributing to it sleeping so much it would help to ensure that it is getting the right diet. Give it access to cool and shaded areas If you live in a warm area then it would likely be helpful if you can ensure that your GSD puppy has access to cool and shaded areas when it wants it. It would also help to avoid taking it outside when it is hot out and to do it in the morning or evening instead. Take it to a vet If you are unsure of why your German Shepherd puppy is sleeping so much or you think that there might be something wrong then the best option for you would be to have a vet look at it. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. They are the second most popular breed in America. German Shepherds are an active breed that requires extensive physical and mental training to stay engaged. Their bites have lbs of force, which is close to 3 times the force of a human bite. Make sure train to your pup not to bite unless the person is an intruder. A German Shepherd puppy can adopt the same routine as a human baby. Incorporate enough time throughout the day for a rotating schedule of eating, potty breaks, playing, and sleeping. Providing a balanced and engaging schedule for your puppy will get him or her more able to become accustomed to sleep training. Your new puppy will be getting used to their new home with you and adjusting to your sleep schedule as well. When the pup is not playing, eating, or taking potty breaks, he or she may squeeze in a day time nap. Their bladders are not fully developed yet, so they are always in need of a potty break. Be prepared for your puppy to wake you up in the middle of the night the first few weeks of bringing him or her home for midnight potty breaks. If you have multiple adults in the house, create a rotating schedule of who will take out the dog for a midnight potty break based on the day of the week. If you have yourself and two others in your home, try a schedule like this: You: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday Significant other, roommate, or another family member: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Your older child or teenager: Saturday nights only What Are Other Reasons for Sleeping a Lot? There are other contributing factors as to why your German Shepherd puppy is sleeping a lot. When they are just months old, their normal sleep schedule will be for normal growth and development of their brain, immune system, and joints. Keep an eye on the other factors that could be reasons as to why he or she is sleeping more and adjust their environment accordingly. Poor diet, excessive exercise, sickness, heat, and boredom could be other reasons for your puppy sleeping more than usual. If your pup is not eating the right nutritious food, he or she could become sleepier throughout the day. Your pup should eat protein-rich nutritious dog food specially formulated for German Shepherds. According to Pet Care Rx , the age, activity, and general health of your pup will decide how much calories it needs throughout the day which is anywhere from to per day. Pet Care Rx suggests giving your pup one of the following for a balanced diet. Young puppies are still in the process of developing their bones and joints. Excessive exercise will only tire your German Shepherd puppy out faster and repeated instances of too much exercise could mess up their sleep schedule. The German Shepherd Shop recommends the following exercises to help your pup stay healthy. Limit tug of war activities to only minutes at a time. Take your puppy on small walks around the block for optimal exercise. Play fetch for about 5 minutes at a time which could be a good throws. Encourage normal puppy free play with their toys at their leisure. German Shepherd Shop discourages doing the following high-impact exercises with your pup. Prolonged games of fetch or tug of war Long hikes or walks Agility training that is not aged appropriately for your pup Sickness If your German Shepherd puppy is sick, he or she may sleep more to fight off the bad bacteria and viruses. If your puppy is acting differently and not as active as usual, take note of this for repeated occurrences. A common German Shepherd sickness is hip dysplasia which could lead to arthritis because of the continuous inflammation in the hips. Degenerative myelopathy, bloating, blood disorders, and epilepsy are also common health issues in German Shepherds. If your German Shepherd puppy continues to act abnormally than how he or usually behaves, schedule a visit with the veterinarian to be on the safe side. This breed naturally thrives better in colder climates and a high amount of heat outside or inside the house can cause more sleepiness. In the summer, be sure the air conditioner is at a comfortable temperature so your puppy feels comfortable. Consider placing a waterproof dog mat or bed and a dog bowl of water at this area for your pup to stay properly cool and hydrated. If your puppy loves the snow during winter, only give him or her a few minutes of snowy playtime so they do not get hypothermia. Your Pup is Bored Naturally, boredom leads to sleeping more. Refer to German Shepherd Corner for some of the best toys for German Shepherds to get ideas of what toys to get for your curious pup. Purchase a few toys as a start and observe your pup. Does he or she like to chew, tug, or fetch more? Maybe get one toy each that encourages these activities and see which toy your German Shepherd puppy loves most. Once you have figured that out, you can stock up on their favorite toy for when the original one becomes worn out. Related Posts. They need to go to the toilet How to stop a german shepherd puppy crying at night? There are many different reasons that your pup may be crying at night. Fortunately, there are also lots of ways to help him sleep better at night. Here are a few of the ways you can stop your german shepherd puppy from crying at night: Exercise to tire your German Shepherd puppy out: Your puppy should be taken out for 5 minutes for however many months old they are. For example, a 3-month-old puppy would be taken out for 15 minutes. Make sure you tire them out enough to help them sleep better at night. Let your German Shepherd puppy outside before bed: Make sure you let your puppy outside to relieve himself before putting him to bed. Surround your German Shepherd puppy with familiar objects: Bring clothing with the scent of the home or the breeder next to him while he sleeps. This will help give him something familiar and help him ease into the transition to his new home. Play soothing music: Playing classical music before and during bedtime can help alleviate whining and anxiety as well as drown out other noise or unfamiliar sounds that may upset or rouse your puppy. The average dog sleeps for only 45 minutes at a time, while human sleep cycles are much longer, lasting 70 to minutes. Dogs can only experience two sleep cycles during that time period. Dogs also differ from humans in that they are polyphasic sleepers, which means they sleep on and off throughout the day. Humans, on the other hand, are monophasic sleepers. Most humans receive their 7 to 9 hours of sleep all at once. While humans spend most of their waking hours awake and alert, dogs dedicate up to 5 hours of their day to simply resting. Dogs who rest more during the day tend to seem happier and more relaxed. Do dogs dream and what about? Dreaming occurs mainly during this REM phase of sleep. And dogs do cycle through REM during their sleep. So its make sense to believe that dog do dream. A puppy will spend more time in dream sleep than an adult dog as they fall asleep more often. So just what are our furry friends dreaming about? Anything your dog does during the day is being processed while they sleep and relived in their dream. This can be observed by their twitching whiskers, the whimpering, and the running paws while they are sleeping. Chances are that your dog may also be dreaming about you if you spend enough quality time interacting with them. They will be dreaming about your play session, walks, and cuddle time together. Where should my German Shepherd puppy sleep? German Shepherd puppies should sleep inside with comfortable beddings. This is because if your puppy has too much space to roam, it will be harder to get them potty trained as they will just find a spot to do their business away from where they are sleeping. You can place the crate beside your bed or in an area close to you. In this way, your new furry friend can smell you. And it gives him a sense of security. Should I sleep with my German Shepherd puppy? You should not sleep with your German Shepherd puppy during the first few months home. Yet you can let your pup sleep beside you in a crate or a dog bed. Your puppy needs to get used to a regular schedule, work on their independence, and see you as the dominant figure. Once your GSD has become an adult months-old to 2-year-old , it will be fine for you to sleep with him. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep with me? A new dog may need some time to adjust before they are ready to sleep in your bed. If they show interest in sleeping with you and are well-behaved , you can always let them on the bed later on down the road. What are the benefits of sleeping with dogs? If you are still reading, chances are you might like to sleep with your dog at night. Pets offer comfort and security, but they may affect sleep quality or trigger allergies for some people. Petting dogs in particular has proved to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. If touching your pet is part of the key to gaining health benefits, cuddling up together at night is only to make it better. Sleeping with dogs promotes creativity Studies have shown that when dogs are with their owners their heartbeats sync up. This experience promotes theta brainwaves which can be seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness. Sleeping with dogs boost your mood Studies have found that people who spend time with dogs reported fewer depressive symptoms. Not only is it fun to be with your furry friends, it also helps us relax and increases our flow of oxytocin, the love chemical. Sleeping with dogs makes you feel safe Think about it — your GSD is hard-wired to protect. Many people and having the dog protecting them helps them feel more secure and sleep more soundly. Sleeping with dogs is comfortable That furry, cuddly animal is likely to love lying with you just as much as you enjoy laying with them. The level of comfort a dog brings to the bed helps put you at ease and makes you feel cozy. Sleeping with dogs promote immunity Many people have hygienic concerns when it comes to sleeping with their dogs. However, one study found that infants who slept with their pets were less likely to develop allergies later on in life. After all, your new furry friend will sleep for at least 15 hours per day during their short lives. And the better they sleep, the healthier and happier they are. Further reading.

Find Out Now! Introduction You may be wondering if your French Bulldog is too skinny. This can be a difficult thing to determine since some Frenchies are naturally more slender than others. But there are some signs that may indicate that your pup is too thin. With the help of this article, you can make sure your furry friend stays healthy and happy. What is a French Bulldog? A French Bulldog is a small and muscular breed of dog that originated in the United Kingdom. They are an intelligent, playful and affectionate breed. French Bulldogs have distinctive big ears and a wrinkled face that is sure to make you smile. They usually weigh between 10 and 14 pounds and are an excellent companion pet. If you think your Frenchie is too skinny, there are some signs you can look out for. Check for a waist and spine. Look for muscle mass and a healthy coat. Typical Weight of a French Bulldog A healthy French Bulldog should weigh between pounds, depending on the individual. Its size is usually proportional to its height, with a larger head and shorter body. Frenchie puppies may weigh less due to their growth rate and size. It can be difficult to tell if your Frenchie is too skinny or not. These can be indicators of malnutrition and should be taken seriously. It is also important to consider possible causes such as poor diet, worms and other parasites, stress or anxiety, and medical issues. If your Frenchie is too skinny, you can help them gain the necessary weight. Feed them with a healthy and balanced diet and make mealtime an enjoyable experience. You should book a vet appointment to ensure that there are no underlying medical issues. By taking these steps, you can help your French Bulldog stay healthy and happy. One of the ways to do that is to make sure they are at a healthy weight. Here are some tips that can help you understand if your Frenchie is too skinny. Look for a waist and spine. Check for muscle mass and make sure it is proportional. That way, any underlying issues causing the weight loss can be identified and treated. In the meantime, you can do your part to help your pup gain weight by feeding them a healthy diet and making mealtimes enjoyable. Be sure to consult your vet for the best diet and nutrition advice. With the right help, your French Bulldog should be at a healthy weight in no time. When assessing whether your French Bulldog is too skinny, one of the first things to look for are visible ribs. It is important to note that the ribs should not be overly visible and that the abdomen should be slightly tucked in. If there is a pronounced tuck, then this could be an indication of your pup being underweight. A healthy Frenchie should have a visible waist, which can be seen from the side. If either of these elements are missing, then your pup may be underweight and in need of help. See also Can a Chihuahua Kill a Human? A healthy pup will have a smooth, shiny coat. If you cannot, then this could also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. If you suspect that your pup may be too skinny, then consult your vet to determine the best course of action. Checking for a Waist and Spine When you are checking your French Bulldog for underweight, it is important to look for a waist and spine. The waist should be clearly visible, and there should be a space between the ribs and hip bones. The spine should appear lean and defined, and not be hidden by a layer of fat. You can also check how much muscle mass your Frenchie has. A healthy French Bulldog will have an evenly distributed layer of fat over their body, and their legs should look strong and sturdy. They should also have a smooth and shiny coat with no bald patches. If your Frenchie has lost muscle mass and their coat looks unhealthy, this is a sign that they may be too skinny. Checking for Muscle Mass and a Healthy Coat When checking for muscle mass and a healthy coat, you should pay attention to the general body condition of your French Bulldog. Check for any visible ribs protruding from the sides and a noticeable waist. Consider adding wholesome ingredients such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats to their usual kibble. Making sure your Frenchie is getting enough nutrition is key to their health and wellbeing. With the right diet and plenty of exercise, you can ensure your French Bulldog stays happy and healthy. Poor diet is one of the most common reasons as Frenchies require a balanced diet with sufficient calories to maintain their weight. If your Frenchie refuses to eat, it could be a sign of worms or parasites, and you may need to take them for a vet check-up to make sure everything is alright. Stress or anxiety can also be a factor, so be sure to provide your pup with plenty of love and attention. Medical issues can also be the reason for weight loss in French Bulldogs. If your pup is showing signs of a lack of appetite, excessive drinking or urinating, or abnormal stool, it could be a sign of a more serious issue and you should book an appointment with the vet immediately. Remember that if you suspect your French Bulldog is unwell, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. When it comes to helping your French Bulldog gain weight, the best solution is to provide them with a healthy, balanced diet and make mealtimes enjoyable. If your pup is refusing to eat, try adding different types of food or introducing new recipes. You may also want to book a vet appointment to rule out any potential underlying health issues. With the right diet and care, you can ensure that your French Bulldog is happy and healthy. Poor Diet It is crucial to make sure your French Bulldog is getting a balanced and nutritious diet. If your pup is underweight, one possible cause is that they are not getting the right kind of food or not enough of it. To help your pup gain weight, talk to your vet and make sure their diet is balanced. Make sure your Frenchie is getting enough of the right kinds of food and nutrients, and look for foods that are high in calories and protein. If necessary, use treats to supplement their meals and make sure their food is always fresh and appetizing. Keep in mind that an overweight Frenchie is not healthy either, so portion control is key. Refusal to Eat If your French Bulldog is refusing to eat, it could be because of a variety of reasons. To help get them to eat, try adding some wet food to their regular kibble, or switch to a different type of kibble altogether. Give them treats and make sure their mealtime is a fun and enjoyable experience for them. Your Frenchie needs to be taken to the vet right away for diagnosis and treatment. The vet may prescribe medication, or they may recommend home treatments, such as giving your pup a dewormer or giving them natural treatments like raw pumpkin or papaya. Regularly clean up any messes your pup may have made and make sure their bedding is regularly washed. Vacuum and sweep your floors frequently, as well as outside areas where your pup spends time. Be sure to use natural flea and tick treatments, as chemical-based treatments can be dangerous for your pup. Keep an eye out for any signs of parasites, such as worms in the feces or flea or tick bites. If you see any signs, take your pup to the vet right away. With the right diagnosis and treatments, your pup will be back to their healthy weight soon. Stress or Anxiety It can be especially worrying when your French bulldog begins to lose weight unexpectedly. Stress and anxiety can be a hidden culprit. If your French bulldog is feeling overwhelmed, they might not take in enough energy-dense food to ensure they stay healthy and fit. Signs of stress and anxiety include: barking and howling in the night, destructive behavior, avoiding eye contact, and hiding. The first step is to identify the source of the stress and anxiety. Have you recently changed your routine, moved or adopted a new pet? If so, that could be the culprit. It can also be beneficial to spend more time with your pup and provide comfort during times of distress. Make sure your Frenchie has plenty of toys to play with and set aside time each day for interactive activities. It can be useful to establish a consistent and predictable routine to help reduce stress. If your French bulldog continues to show signs of anxiety, it might be necessary to visit a vet. They may be able to provide medication, supplements, or other helpful treatments. You may want to look into engaging activities like dog sports or behavior training. These can be great ways to build confidence and help your pup become more comfortable in their environment. In any case, the most important thing is to ensure your pup feels safe and secure. Medical Issues If your Frenchie is looking a bit on the thin side, it could be due to medical issues. These can range from allergies to parasites, thyroid disease, and even cancer. It is important to have your vet check your French Bulldog for any underlying medical issues that could be causing its weight loss. Your vet may suggest a blood test or an x-ray to diagnose the issue. If your Frenchie is found to have a medical issue, treatment will depend on what is causing the weight loss. If it is due to parasites, it can be easily treated with medication. If it is due to cancer, then you and your vet will have to make the best decision for your pup based on the individual situation. No matter what the cause, it is important to take the steps necessary to keep your Frenchie healthy and happy. Get the Facts Now! The first step is to ensure they are eating a healthy diet with an appropriate amount of calories. Consider switching to a high-quality dog food with all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. Adding in supplemental proteins, such as eggs or canned tuna, can provide additional nutrients. It can also be beneficial to add in a bit of olive oil to the food, as the fat will help your pup gain weight. When it comes to mealtimes, it is important to make them enjoyable. Rather than just throwing the food into their bowl, take the time to sit with your Frenchie and feed them by hand. This can help them associate mealtime with companionship and enjoyment, and encourage them to eat more. Make sure to keep the food bowl in a quiet location where your pup can eat peacefully. A professional can help diagnose any potential illnesses and provide the necessary treatments. With the proper diet and medical care, your French Bulldog should be back to their happy and healthy self in no time. Feeding a Healthy Diet Feeding your French Bulldog a healthy diet is essential to ensure that they are fit and healthy. This means avoiding any diets that are too low in fat and protein, as these are essential for keeping your pup healthy. Look for a diet that is balanced and contains the right amount of vitamins and minerals. You should also make sure that you are feeding your Frenchie enough food, as this will help them maintain a healthy weight. If you are unsure of the portion size, you can always speak to your vet who will be able to recommend the right amount of food for your pup. Make sure that you are avoiding any unhealthy treats or table scraps as these can easily upset the balance of their diet and put them at risk of being too skinny. Making Mealtimes Enjoyable Making mealtimes enjoyable for your French Bulldog is essential for helping them gain weight. Provide a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for your pup during mealtimes. Make sure they are comfortable, and give them praise and attention when they eat. You can also consider adding a treat to their food to make it more enticing. Consider adding wet food or a special oil to their kibble in order to further increase its appeal. Keep their food bowl clean and add fresh food regularly to ensure they get a balanced diet. Making mealtimes enjoyable for your pup is an important step to help them gain weight. Booking a Vet Appointment It is always best to bring your French Bulldog to the vet for a check-up at least once a year. This will give you and your vet the opportunity to discuss any potential health issues and come up with a plan for addressing them. If you suspect that your Frenchie is too skinny, make sure to discuss it with your vet. They can assess your dog and determine if there is an underlying health problem or behavioral issue that is causing the weight loss. Your vet can also provide advice on the best diet and lifestyle changes to help your pup regain weight. Conclusion If you think your French Bulldog is too skinny, there are a few things you can do to help. Start by making sure your pup is getting a healthy diet. A balanced diet of high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats is key to putting on weight. There could be underlying health problems that are causing your pup to lose weight, like worms and other parasites or an underlying medical issue. Take it easy on your pup. With the right diet, regular checkups, and lots of love, your French Bulldog will be back on track in no time! Post Views: .Is My Frenchie Too Skinny? Usually, pet owners will worry about their dog being overweight and rarely about being too skinny. But an overly thin dog can be a cause for concern as much as an obese dog can. French Bulldogs are exceptionally muscular little pups and if anything, might be more at risk for gaining weight. This Brachycephalic breed, labeled as such due to their short noses, undoubtedly has a low tolerance for exercise. This may be a result of difficult breathing, but nonetheless, they should not be allowed to become overweight. One of the principal concerns with owning a French Bulldog is keeping them at an ideal weight. If they acquire bad habits, just like humans, they may inevitably gain weight that will contribute to health issues regardless of whether male or female, spayed or neutered. Male Frenchies generally will weigh in somewhere between twenty and twenty-eight pounds and measure eleven to twelve inches in height. This is a standard weight, but there will be exceptions in both height and weight. They will weigh just a bit more than their female counterparts. Females weigh in at slightly less than males, somewhere between eighteen and twenty-six pounds. Their height is equivalent to that of male Frenchies measuring between eleven and twelve inches as a general standard, but again not without exceptions. These, however, as general weights will be subject to other factors that can influence what is considered to be a standard ideal weight for a Frenchie. Both body shape and genetics will influence individual dogs. Statistics suggest that half of all dogs globally are overweight, so for Frenchies, with their particular build, short legs, and respiratory considerations, being overweight is more likely than being too skinny. Dogs should be able to reach the back of their paws and their rear end to groom. Look for signs of too much weight like rolls, or a pudgy appearance. Even as a stout little dog, your Frenchie should have a well-defined muscular physique. Stomachs should be contoured before the back legs. Ribs should not be visible but there should not be any excess fat in the rib area. See also: Do Frenchies Like Water? Is My Frenchie Too Thin? A French Bulldog that is underweight is also a cause for concern. When feeling the rib cage, each rib should be able to be defined and easily felt. If ribs protrude, the dog is what is considered emaciated. Puppies tend to be an exception because they are very active and in a growth phase. Chubby Frenchies are known to be at risk for heart disease or diabetes, worsening respiratory difficulties, and joint discomfort. Five extra pounds on a French Bulldog is like at least forty extra pounds if not more packed onto a human being. Underweight Frenchies cause owners to worry because it can imply serious health issues such as gastrointestinal disease or kidney disease. Your vet may ask for a series of tests to be run to verify if your dog has an underlying medical issue that requires attention. If your dog is underweight, you will need to increase his or her daily calorie intake. If weight loss is associated with a specific medical condition, your dog may require pharmaceuticals as well as a prescribed special canine diet for medical conditions. Such is the case, for example with kidney disease and with gastrointestinal disease. The same thing stands to reason if your dog is pudgy. Your vet will determine if there is a medical cause or if it is simply a case of too little daily exercise and too much food intake at mealtime. An increase in exercise will help however it needs to be gradual and controlled due to respiratory concerns. The Bottom Line Especially in the case of French Bulldogs, a visit to your veterinarian is always the best option. Your vet will decide if there are health concerns to factor into a specific diet or exercise regime. Frenchies are great companion dogs. They are social, amusing, loving, and loyal to a fault. If you have a Frenchie, you will want him or her to enjoy a long and healthy lifespan at your side. To ensure this, keeping your Frenchie at a healthy weight, neither too overweight nor too skinny is an important step toward a life-long partnership together. Susan R Elliston I have over 11 years of experience as a vet working with a wonderful variety of species of innocent and lovely animals. Whilst I still work two days a week for a local practice, I realized that I could help more people by sharing my knowledge and experience with my readers. Related Posts:. Hide treats around the house Running up and down the stairs Skinny French Bulldog? How to know if your Frenchie is underweight Visibility of Ribs: In a healthy dog, you should be able to feel their ribs easily when you lightly run your fingers over their side, but the ribs should not be visibly protruding. If you can see each individual rib, your Frenchie might be underweight. Visibility of Spine, Hips, and Shoulder Bones: Similarly, you should be able to feel these bones, but they should not be clearly visible or protruding. If these bones are prominent, this is another sign that your dog might be underweight. Hourglass Figure: Looking at your dog from above, they should have a discernible waist behind their ribs. If this abdominal tuck is very severe, this can be another sign your Frenchie is underweight. Energy Levels: Underweight dogs often exhibit low energy levels, lethargy, or other changes in behavior. The best way to determine whether or not your Frenchie is underweight is by having them evaluated by their veterinarian. Why is my Frenchie skinny? Poor Diet : The dog might not be eating enough or might not be getting the right nutrients from its food. Illness or Parasites: Medical conditions, such as digestive disorders, or parasites can cause weight loss in dogs. Dental Problems: If your dog has dental issues, it might have trouble eating. Stress or Anxiety: Changes in environment or routine can lead to weight loss because the dog might eat less due to stress. Avoid foods with fillers and artificial ingredients. Instead, look for food that lists a source of animal protein, like chicken, beef, or fish, as the first ingredient. Increase Feeding Frequency: Instead of feeding your Frenchie two large meals per day, consider providing smaller meals more frequently. This approach can stimulate appetite and increase overall calorie intake. Increase Portion Size: On the side of most dog food bags is a feeding chart. They usually have a range of how much food to feed them based off their weight. Regular Exercise: While it might seem counterintuitive if your dog is underweight, regular exercise can actually stimulate appetite and contribute to muscle development. Make sure your Frenchie is getting regular, appropriate exercise. Male French Bulldogs typically weigh between pounds kg , while female French Bulldogs typically weigh between pounds kg. How can I tell if my French Bulldog is overweight or underweight? If you can see the ribs, spine, and hip bones prominently, your Frenchie may be underweight. A healthy Frenchie should have a slight waistline and tuck in the abdomen. Consult with a vet for an accurate assessment. How often should I feed my French Bulldog? Most adult French Bulldogs are fed twice a day. Puppies require more frequent feeding. The amount of food will depend on their age, size, and activity level. My French Bulldog is losing weight rapidly. What should I do? Rapid weight loss can be a sign of a serious health problem. Consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. Why might this be? Weight gain can result from a variety of factors, including decreased activity levels, aging, or underlying health issues. Just remember The key to weight loss in both humans and animals is the same: diet and exercise. Did we miss anything? Got a suggestion? Posted on. So, is your French Bulldog too skinny? Adult male Frenchies should weigh 20 to 28 pounds, while females should weigh between 16 and 24 pounds. In this article, we are going to help you get a definite answer to whether your Frenchie really is too skinny and how to fatten up your french Bulldog , so keep reading… Is Your French Bulldog Too Skinny? There are a few reasons why French Bulldogs might lose Weight. Some common causes of weight loss in Frenchies include Poor diet Excessive energy output due to high activity levels or puppies that are constantly growing Health problems Anxiety Poor Diet One of the most common reasons for weight loss in French Bulldogs is a poor diet. Frenchies are notoriously picky eaters, and their small stomachs mean that they need to eat high-quality food that is packed with nutrients. To make sure your French Bulldog is getting enough to eat, talk to your vet about what type of food is best and how much you should be feeding them. You may also want to invest in a quality dog food dispenser that can help you control how much your Frenchie eats. Your Frenchie may also suffer from a sensitive stomach, and in this case, you need to get them foods that will not upset their stomachs. You can check my full guide to the best foods for Frenchies with sensitive stomachs , or you can check out my quick recommendation, which is the Purina pro: 1. There is also a wet formula that is done especially for dogs who like to eat food with a soft texture. Excessive Energy Output Another common reason for weight loss in French Bulldogs is excessive energy output. Frenchies puppies have high energy , and they need a decent amount of exercise to stay healthy. However, if your Frenchie is burning more calories than they are taking in, they will start to lose Weight. To make sure your Frenchie is getting enough exercise, try to provide them with a good amount of physical activity every day and set aside time each day for playtime. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to stay active and healthy. You can also make sure your Frenchie is getting the right type of exercise by taking them on walks or playing games like fetch, tug-of-war, or even hide and seek. If you like hiking, you can take them with you to keep you company, but you need to make sure to provide them with plenty of water along the way, give them breaks, never walk too fast and pay attention to their body signs to know when to stop. Your Frenchie will also most likely need good shoes whether for hiking or just walks, and you can check out my full guide to the best French Bulldog shoes here for the best value-for-money options you can find today. Some common health problems that can cause weight loss include: Cancer. Is your French Bulldog losing hair in patches? It is really important that you buy the best quality food that you can afford and here is a guide to help you. Has your French Bulldog got teeth problems? Now, you just need to put that weight back on! Below I provide some quick tips on how you can feed your underweight French Bulldog. Firstly, this is a process that will take weeks not days so it is important to be patient. Secondly, use this calculator based on target weight and how active your dog is to find out how much to feed them everyday. Thirdly, divide that figure by three or four and feed them three or four times a day. Feeding them little and often will help their stomachs digest the food more easily. And finally, stand next to them as they feed and take the food away when they stop eating. A healthy Frenchie is neither too thin or too chubby! Being either underweight or overweight makes these cuties susceptible to a number of serious health problems, which can shorten their lifespan, not to mention the damage it can cause to their physical structure. So how do you avoid this? Feed him right. The body size and weight of your Frenchie largely depends on what you feed her. And when you feed her wrongly, the results will definitely be unhealthy for her. To keep your French bulldog in shape, avoid the following five most common feeding mistakes; How often do French Bulldogs go into heat? Not getting a special feeding bowl for your Frenchie: Like humans, dogs are also creatures of habit and will always do things out of habit. Feeding your Frenchie from a special feeding bowl will prevent her from eating from any other way. The only place to eat from is a bowl! Not considering the right portion of food: The size, age and activity level of your Frenchie will determine her nutritional requirements and how much food she needs to maintain a healthy weight. Just like how dogs can become underweight when they eat too little food, giving her much more than she needs will put her at risk of excessive weight gain and obesity. Not taking the age and lifestyle of your pet into account Younger and very active dogs need more food that fully grown and less active dogs. Puppies and dogs less than 8 months can be fed as often as 4 to 6 times daily because they need more nutrients for healthy growth while less active adult dogs will need to eat only twice daily. Sharing your food with your Frenchie Sharing some of your food with your Frenchie may seem harmless, but it is because your pet will form the habit of always expecting to join you during meals. Besides never peacefully enjoying your meals, your Frenchies may refuse to eat from his bowl alone. Giving your Frenchie too many treats Rewarding your Frenchie for good behaviour with fun treats is great for positive reinforcement but giving her too many treats for every little thing may be unhealthy because of the extra calories. There are some general guides as to how much your Frenchie should weigh as it grows up and here are some key markers. February 6, 13 Comments French Bulldogs make everyone fall in love with them with their cute, droopy faces and larger than life personalities. So if you are lucky enough to own such a wonderful dog, you want to ensure that you are keeping them healthy and safe. One of the biggest concerns with owning a French Bulldog is maintaining an ideal weight. Both male and female French Bulldogs can fall into poor habits, just like anyone else, and quickly become overweight. This can lead to health issues down the track. The most important thing for an owner to do is pay attention to your dogs weight and stay diligent before it turns into a problem. What is the ideal weight for a male French Bulldog? Male French Bulldogs should weigh between 20 — 28 pounds 9 — 13 kilograms and be a height of 11 — 12 inches 28 — 30 centimeters. They generally weigh slightly more than females. What is the ideal weight for a female French Bulldog? Female French Bulldogs should weigh between 18 — 26 pounds 8 — 12 kilograms and be a height of 11 — 12 inches 28 — 30 centimeters. However, for both male and female Frenchies, the ideal weight is dependent on a number of other factors. Such as genetics and body shape. How do I know if my French Bulldog is overweight? More than half of the dogs in the world are overweight, and that makes it very likely that your French Bulldog could be overweight, too. There are three basic signs of a French Bulldog being overweight: heavy breathing after little exercise inability to groom itself properly, and no muscle definition. French Bulldogs are playful dogs. Of course, Frenchies are known to have difficulty breathing, so these symptoms may not necessarily be signs of a weight problem. Dogs need to be able to reach certain parts of their body in order to groom themselves. Take a look at your dog for obvious physical signs of being overweight. Do you notice any rolls? Frenchies are known for droopy faces and athletic bodies. The below visual from Wiley gives you a good guide on how your dog should look from different angles. Yes, this is a larger breed of dog in the image, but many of the same principles hold strong with French Bulldogs. This is how your Frenchie should look too. How do I know if my French Bulldog is underweight? Most French Bulldog owners worry about their dog being overweight, but you also want to ensure that they are not underweight too. What are the health implications if my Frenchie is over or underweight? Overweight Frenchies are vulnerable to a variety of different diseases including diabetes and heart disease. An overweight Frenchie, who is already known for having breathing issues, may experience even more respiratory issues with increased weight. They may also experience joint problems. These problems will start sooner than you may think. While five pounds may not seem like much, remember that this is the equivalent of an additional 40 pounds on a human. Your French Bulldog being underweight can be a sign of an even bigger issue. They could have parasites or a serious disease, such as kidney disease or a gastrointestinal disease. But of course, there are LOTS of innocent reasons that your dog is underweight too. Speak to your vet for medical advice if you are worried. You can also help your dog by giving it more exercise if its overweight. Remember that French Bulldogs are social creatures, so getting them together with other dogs can increase their energy as well. One of the best things you can do to get your French Bulldog to the perfect weight is to take your dog to a veterinarian and get expert advice about your concerns. They may be able to give you special food or other tips. They will also be able to diagnose any serious problems that your dog might be experiencing. This is especially important if extra exercise and changing eating patterns do not work. Our recommended food for Frenchie weight management is the Pet Plate meal plans. Pet Plate is a meal delivery service that offers vet-designed, human-grade meals with real ingredients. All of their freshly-cooked meals are made with USDA-certified meats and fresh produce. Wrap up Frenchies are one of the greatest joys in the world. And if you are blessed to have a French Bulldog as a pet, you will want to keep your buddy around for as long as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that your dog maintains a healthy weight. Generally, the best ways to treat underlying conditions and change the diet or lifestyle are to encourage muscle development. If your dog is truly too skinny, you can help them gain a bit of weight relatively easily, but if you have a naturally petite dog, you make your pup overweight by altering it. Of course, there will be variance in size, but on average, you can expect your male dog to be between 20 and 28 pounds, while a female is usually a bit lighter at 17 to 26 pounds. Is Being Underweight Always Bad? Sometimes, you have a particularly tiny dog for the breed. It is probably fine if your dog is proportionately small, though your vet will confirm this. How to Know if My Bulldog is too Skinny: One of the easiest ways to tell if your Frenchie is too skinny is to look at their body type. Look down on your pup from above. Do you see their ribs protruding? Visible ribs are a telltale sign of being underweight. Is your dog slowing down due to a lack of energy? Is your dog not toileting enough? These are signs that there may be a problem that you will need to address. If your dog is too skinny, it is probably a cause. You could cause skinniness, or it could be caused by a medical condition that will need treatment. Thankfully, most causes can be treated. Not Eating Enough: The classic reason for being underweight is not feeding your dog enough. Or, your pup may not be eating enough for some reason, such as pain or a medical condition, even if you are providing the right amount of food. Feeding the Wrong Food: The food you feed may be inappropriate. If you feed something your dog is intolerant to, you can cause all sorts of issues. Worms or Other Parasites: Worms or other parasites can also cause weight loss and an inability to put any weight on. However, not all parasite areas are visible. A vet should be able to diagnose parasites if they are present. Other Medical Conditions: Other medical conditions can lead to weight loss and being underweight. Cancer, kidney problems, heart disease, allergies, and even anxiety may also cause problems with weight loss or putting weight on for your pup. If you notice these signs, you probably should reach out to the vet for a thorough evaluation. Are They Eating Regularly? Irregular eating habits or suddenly changing habits usually shows that there is a problem. Too much water could imply diabetes, while not enough could be related to kidney issues. Problems with drinking can become quite serious if left unchecked. Are There Toilet Issues? Going too much and having runny stools implies that their stomach cannot handle the food consumed. You may even notice worms in the stool. How is Their Energy? You should not hesitate to go to the vet if you notice that your pup struggles to find the energy for normal daily habits. Are There Any Other Concerns? Suppose you want to fatten up your Frenchie. In that case, you have three primary options: You can put on fat and build muscle, or you can treat an underlying condition or cause that is causing weight loss in the first place. How you do each is a bit different. However, both options will increase calorie content, so fat or muscle can be developed. Building Muscle: Building muscle is done just like it is in people. And, by exercising, you encourage the muscles to develop as well. While it might seem counterintuitive to exercise to help add weight, Frenchies are meant to be stocky and muscular. Gaining Fat: If your dog is truly underweight or too skinny, you may need to up the fat content on its body. Gaining fat is as simple as upping calories. Stick to high-quality foods with high-quality ingredients. Ideally, all dogs would be fed a raw, whole food diet, but this is expensive and time-consuming. If you are feeding kibble, make sure that you pick those that have real meat as the primary ingredients and avoid filler ingredients. Treat Underlying Conditions: Finally, if you want your dog to gain weight, you must ensure no underlying causes to keep weight off. Ensure your dog gets a clean bill of health, and putting on weight should be as simple as upping food intake and adding extra calories. Before you head off to start fattening up your dog, there are a few more things to consider. Adults require food twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Puppies under the age of 8 months generally eat as much as six times daily. Your Frenchie should be eating between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight per day to stay healthy. It could be that your dog is naturally petite or is naturally larger than average. Frenchies are small dogs, so even a few pounds of weight change can make a big difference. At the end of the day, a healthy weight will help your pup live a happier, longer life and is worth the effort.