miniture poodle puppy

I promise to teach and share with you the meaning of love. Love him from his little sweet puppy face, wrinkly skin, to his paws, and his tiny, curled tail will wiggle in delight! He is crafted from our premium vinyl that is flocked for a velvety finish with a weighted cloth body for that wonderfully lifelike feel. Download Pup Adoption Paper here. We are so confident that you will be delighted with your purchase; we will gladly take it back within 30 days. IF returned in original condition and packaging, refunds will be made in the original payment method used at checkout. Paradise Galleries does not refund return shipping fees and will only process a refund for the purchase price of the item. Return labels are only provided for orders which are defective. It is customer's responsibility to provide a tracking number once item has been returned. Paradise Galleries is not responsible if your return got lost intransit, damaged in the delivery process or not delivered to our return address. We advise that you contact seller directly to gather more details on their return and refund policy. If you require assistance, or if you have any questions about our shipping and return policy or for general questions please contact our Customer Care department: 6am-7pm PST Monday-Friday and 7am-3pm PST Saturday. E-MAIL: customerservice paradisegalleries. This dog cake pan has become very popular with two different kinds of dog lovers. There are those looking for French Bulldog gifts and want to buy a French Bulldog cake pan as a gift. Then there are those looking for Boston Terrier gifts in the form of this Boston Terrier cake pan. It would be perfect to give at a French Bulldog birthday or a Boston Terrier dog birthday party. Like our other dog breed cake pans , we've designed this pan so that it looks like a popular breed--in this instance a French bulldog puppy or a Boston Terrier. The pans itself is almost as big as, well, a French bulldog puppy or a small Boston Terrier. The pan measures about 12 inches by about 9 inches, and is three inches deep. This pan should hold between six and eight cups of cake batter--or about what at least one box of human cake mix would give you. Remember: a box mix from the grocery store is made for human consumption only. But don't worry - we will include a FREE dog safe recipe! Like all of our silicone cake pans, animal shape cake pan is made of percent food grade silicone. When cooking with silicone baking molds, we recommend coating with cooking spray so the cake doesn't stick to the pan. Also, we recommend putting this cake pan on a baking sheet before filling with cake batter and putting in the oven. It will make it easier to get the pan in and out of the oven. Cool completely and then peel the pan away before frosting, cutting and serving. Never cut a cake in silicone bakeware. You'll ruin the pan when the knife goes through it. These pups have a unique body shape and size that can make it difficult for them to comfortably eat and drink from traditional dog bowls. Half of her food ends up on the floor. So, I wanted to look for something with a tray or something that catches or prevents the fall-out food. Her bowl would also get tipped over on its side after she finished eating. She is wild. My criteria for the bowls this time was mainly for Fira. Fira is the complicated one. Weston also has a bit of a longer snout than Fira, making it easier for him to reach his food. So, Fira needed a bowl that would be suitable for her non-existent snout and easy for clean-up. She needed something that would stay put on the floor, help prevent regurgitating and look good in the kitchen. Here are the 9 bowls I picked up for my French Bulldogs: Hint: Scroll down to the end of this post to find my 1 choice for dog food bowl. The bowls are really shallow and wide, so it helps small-snout and squishy-face dogs get into the bowl better. These are perfect for a neat eater aka: Weston! The tray around the bowl was littered with fallen food right away. Not sure how but it ended up ripping, so we had to throw it out, but I included it on this list as a good bowl for French bulldogs. Ceramics Raised Bowl : The design of this bowl is really nice, very modern and a cool shape. I could see this really as a nice accent piece in a contemporary kitchen. Wide Ceramic Dog Bowl : Super pretty dog bowl made of solid ceramic. This bowl is super wide and is taller at the back, which I thought would work for Fira. I think it was too large and the food got stuck at the back and top edges. So maybe not the best French Bulldog food bowl for Fira. But I think if your dog eats dry food or is bigger, this dog bowl is a decent choice! Slow Feeder Bowl : if your dog eats super fast, like Fira does, a dog bowl for fast eaters is a smart option. A slow bowl is great as it forces your French Bulldog to work around the bowl and gives them time to chew and digest — and not inhale their food. It makes eating meals a bit slower for Fira. Even though I found a solution for this bowl, I found it too cumbersome and a few too many added steps for her meal time. Love the slanted feature and Fira had a much better time eating without a huge mess. Elevated bowls are really beneficial for French Bulldogs, as it helps them swallow their food down better without regurgitating it up. This tilted dog bowl also came with silicone grips to stick onto the bottom of the wooden legs — nice! Sturdy grip on the bottom, large area for their face to move around and at an elevated angle. This is my 1 choice. Stainless steel dog bowls are not only durable and easy to clean, but they also have the added benefit of being bacteria-resistant. Unlike other materials such as plastic, which can develop scratches and grooves over time that can harbor bacteria, stainless steel is non-porous and smooth. There you have it — the best bowls for French Bulldogs so far. Hope you enjoyed it! If you have any recommendations, please add them in the comments! Related Posts.

What is the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles? Guest Contributor .Along with the joy of having a Goldendoodle as part of your family comes the responsibility of providing for their nutritional needs. Like every dog breed, Goldendoodles need a diet of high quality, nutrient-rich food to ensure they grow healthily, live vibrantly and maintain their energetic lifestyle. With the right wet or dry food for dogs , you can help them maintain their well-being and longevity. Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Goldendoodles As an active and intelligent crossbreed that is fairly energetic, Goldendoodles require a balanced diet to support their health and vitality. Understanding their dietary requirements, such as the type of protein they need, the role of carbohydrates in their diet and the importance of essential fatty acids, is the first step towards choosing the right dog food. Additionally, considering the potential health issues common to the breed can guide you toward more targeted nutritional choices. All dogs, including senior canines need a moderate to high amount of protein. To choose the best food for your Goldendoodle, look for options with the following ingredients. These sustainable ingredients can help your dog stay healthy and happy at any stage of life: High-Quality Protein Sources Goldendoodles thrive on high-quality proteins. These can be derived from various sources such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish or plant-based proteins like lentils and peas. Protein should be a priority when considering the best ingredients in dog food , as it supports muscle growth and development. Our dog food products contain ethically sourced protein for your pet. Balanced Carbohydrates for Energy Given their energetic nature, Goldendoodles need a balanced amount of carbohydrates for sustained energy. Opt for dog foods with wholesome carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes, brown rice and vegetables rather than those with simple sugars and fillers. To keep their skin healthy and their coat shiny, look for foods like Rawmix dog food that include essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega.These products contain ingredients like fish oil, flaxseed and certain animal fats high in omegas. Look for dog foods that include a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are natural sources of these essential nutrients. Your pet can also get these nutrients from bone broth. There are many benefits of bone broth for dogs , including stronger bones and joints and a healthier coat. Avoid Artificial Additives, Fillers and By-Products Choose dog foods free from artificial additives, fillers and by-products to provide your Goldendoodle with the most nutritious meals. These ingredients can be harmful over time and offer little to no nutritional value. Always opt for natural, wholesome ingredients when possible. All our dog food at Open Farm contains natural, sustainable ingredients. We never use artificial fillers or by-products; instead, we help you provide your pet with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates and fats to promote an improved quality of life. How much should I feed my Goldendoodle? To know how much I should feed my dog , consider their age, size, activity level and health. Should I choose grain-free or grain-inclusive dog food? If your dog has grain allergies or sensitivities, stick to a grain-free option. If not, consider dog food with healthy grains, like brown rice or millet, for the best nutrition. Can my Goldendoodle eat freeze dried food? When thinking about is freeze dried food good for dogs , it depends on the quality of the food. If your Goldendoodle is thriving on its current diet, there may be no need to change. However, if you notice signs of food intolerance or your dog seems unenthusiastic about their food, it might be time to try something new. Share this post. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Feeding your puppy meat meal is by no means an inherently bad thing. The owner pouring dog food in a bowl. Acana Regionals Grassland The main ingredients in Acana Regionals Grassland are deboned lamb, deboned duck, eggs, lamb meal, and goat meal. Most dog foods use one type of protein, which is perfectly fine, but your Goldendoodle can benefit from eating multiple types of protein. In that case, I strongly recommend considering Acana Regionals Grassland. When to stop soaking puppy food? This brand is among my highest recommended dog foods because of its well-roundedness. The Pomeranian puppy stands in front of a bowl. Unfortunately, some foods are difficult to digest, and in some cases, that can lead to digestion-related health issues, which no owner wants for their growing Goldendoodle. Also, even though this is for bigger breed puppies, there are multiple kibble sizes, so you can get the best size for your puppy to eat. Golden Retriever puppy eats kibbles. Some people mention how small the size of the kibble bag is, as the largest bag you can get is .However, depending on how much you feed your Goldendoodle a day, this amount of food can go relatively quickly, so you can spend quite a bit of money on buying new bags frequently. Giving a Jack Russell Terrier a dog food. Due to the sheer number of dog foods you can find, deciding on one is difficult because it might not offer your puppy all the things you desire. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Not all dog foods are created equal, nor is it a one-size-fits-all situation. Always talk to your vet about the best food choice for your goldendoodle. The protein content in your dog's food should not only be high, it should also be high-quality protein. There are many options available for high quality dog food. Congratulations on your new family member! Your adorable, teddy bear-like bundle of energy and cuddles known as a goldendoodle puppy, who has inherited intelligence , friendliness, and sociability from both of its parent breeds golden retriever and poodle. Obviously, you want a high-quality dog food, so you're probably wondering, "What is the best puppy food? Best Puppy Food for Your Goldendoodle There are a lot of requirements and factors to consider when you're selecting a pet food for your goldendoodle puppy. However, most high-quality puppy foods should be formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of your goldendoodle at any life stage. You should think about: Your puppy's weight and size Your puppy's nutritional needs. It should promote good health and prolong life. When determining what to feed dogs, you should consider their breed, age, size, and activity levels. Since a miniature Goldendoodle is slightly active, it should eat more proteins than grains. We will disclose seventeen of the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles below. Moreover, we will answer frequently asked questions. As a first-time parent to a miniature Goldendoodle, you should read food labels. Check the ingredient list to see if a dog food product can nourish your mini Goldendoodle. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles will provide a protein-rich ingredient as the first thing on the label. If the dog food has grains, they should be the lowest quantity on the label. A miniature Goldendoodle has a higher metabolic rate. Hence, dry dog food for Mini Goldendoodles alone is inadequate. Consider buying food with meat additives. It will keep your puppy more energetic and healthier. You will locate the most appropriate item for a puppy or a senior pet in our list of the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. Also, you will discover the products that most veterinarians prefer and the items that can give you the best value for your money. It contains USDA-approved chicken liver, chicken, and brussels sprouts. Every cup of this fresh food provides up to calories. We picked it as our first choice because the highest ingredient on the list is chicken, a rich protein food. This is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles as it contains forty-nine percent protein, thirty-seven percent fat, seven-point-five percent moisture, and one percent fiber. They also provide omega-3 fatty acids that could promote brain health. We like this dog food because it has no synthetic additives or preservatives. Above all, dog parents can choose from three other proteins: pork, beef, and turkey. The way you select food for your pet is easy. Wait for the company to send you a list of the best recipes for your dog. Lastly, this is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with a subscription plan. Once you choose a subscription, the company will send you dog food consistently. Pros The dog food is hypoallergenic. You can receive a dog-specific recipe. Cons 2. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Here is another choice of fresh dog food for your pet. Ollie produces the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. This product is subscription only. As its top ingredients are protein-based, Ollie Fresh Dog Food is safe to buy. The protein content in this product consists of beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. You can make fresh or wet food using beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey recipes. As for dry or baked food, Ollie gives you two recipes with beef or chicken. Its food is nutritious since it has antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and chia seeds. It also has sweet potatoes, which contain a lot of vitamin A and other nutrients. Ollie Fresh Dog Food provides a quiz to help customers pick the correct pet recipes. Pros Can offer recipes for dry and wet food for Mini Goldendoodle puppy. Ollie uses fresh and natural ingredients. Slow-cooking and freezing retain all nutrients. You can serve your dog almost the same type of food you have at home. Cons Only dog owners from the continental U. S can buy this dog. You can only buy it by subscription. This dog food looks like a messy powder. You can make food recipes with deboned beef and salmon. We love this miniature Goldendoodle food for its high convenience and safety. Unlike other dog food products, we have described, this has no chicken recipe. If your Mini Goldendoodle dislikes chicken flavors, this food type fits it best. You can serve it as an only meal or use it as another meal topper. When going out with your pet, you can bring Merrick Backcountry Raw Meal as a snack. Pros Dog food is easy to serve. Your pet can digest it easily. Ideal for dogs that dislike chicken. It has deboned beef. Some customers dislike freeze-dried food. Storage of unused food can be challenging. This dog food is expensive. Cesar Classic Cesar has the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. One of its top-selling products is the Cesar Classic. It is a wet option with many flavors. It provides ninety-one to one hundred and five calories. We highly recommend this loaf to any person with a small budget as it is affordable. You can choose beef, fillet mignon, grilled chicken, or porterhouse steak flavors. All flavors are delicious and soft enough for your miniature dog to chew and digest. If you have a senior dog with teeth problems, you might want to get it this meal. Pros This dog food is soft and easy to chew. A high-quality food product without grains. All ingredients are available in the USA. It is an affordable high-protein diet. Cons 5. It is dry dog food with a high protein content of twenty-five percent. Each cup will give your pet up to calories. Fourteen percent fat is a safe concentration for your dog. Other protein sources are soybean meal, sorghum, and dried beans. We would recommend this diet to owners of adult Mini Goldendoodles. The small puppies might not chew this kibble as it is too big for them. In terms of nutrition, this diet contains omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These omega nutrients can improve coat and brain health. It is among dog foods with healthy levels of protein. An affordable dog food product. This dog food has energetic whole foods. Cons Small dogs might not handle the kibble size. This food is so oily. This dry dog food has fewer calories. If your adult dog needs to cut some weight or maintain a fit body, the Blue Buffalo food can help it. As you can guess, this adult dog food has the highest protein concentration. As a result, it can help your dog build some lean muscles. Pros Blue Buffalo is a low-fat dog food. Contains no fillers, additives, or by-products of grains, poultry, or dog meal. Ideal for weight loss and maintenance. This food is high in protein. Cons Some dogs disliked this product. It may not fit dogs with sensitive guts. Nutro gives you two flavor choices: brown rice and chicken. The dry kibble provides up to calories per cup. Protein content makes up twenty-eight percent of this dog meal. This product is a balanced diet for your puppy because it has nutrients for promoting body and brain development. Your Mini Goldendoodle will have strong bones, healthy skin, and a glossy coat. Instead, the Nutro Nature Choice diet has kale, spinach, bran, brown rice, pumpkin, and rice bran. All these are healthy foods. Pros A high-quality non-GMO dog food. Boasts high protein levels. An exclusive kibble for puppies. Cons The brand is hard to locate in stores. Slightly expensive for some puppy lovers. One dog food product that could give you exactly that is Sold Gold Wee Bit. It has whole foods like brown rice, pearled barley, and real bison. It is a holistic dog food without any potatoes. The ingredients label shows that this dog meal has a balanced amount of protein, fat, and fiber. Consult about the suitability of this as the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with sensitive stomach. A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation and can also cause an upset stomach. Pros A nutritious dog food item with adequate nutrients. Sold Gold dog food has an ideal bite size for miniature pets. This is a high fiber diet. Cons 9. This dog food is fit for miniature Goldendoodle puppies as it has more protein. Its four recipes include water buffalo, lamb, egg product, and sweet potatoes. The fat content is seventeen percent. You can purchase bags weighing five, fourteen, or twenty-eight pounds. The protein content comes from water buffalo, venison, and bison. The Taste of the Wild has also added fruits and vegetables like blueberries, raspberries, and peas to this product. These are high in antioxidants. Your little pet can also get adequate omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from this dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. We have not found another dog food with probiotics and prebiotics. Hence, this puppy food can help dogs with stomach problems. Pros An adequate level of proteins. Has fruits and vegetables for healthier skin. Antioxidants reduce inflammation in the body. The product has nutrients that improve gut health. It has zero artificial fillers, additives, or preservatives. Cons Some puppies might excrete loose stools. Costly dog food. Solution Sensitivities. This is dry dog food with a salmon flavor. Each cup of this dog food provides calories. The fat and fiber portions are twelve and four-point-five percent respectively. This kibble has ten percent moisture content. Solutions Sensitivities is an affordable dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with sensitive bellies. Its nutrients are easy to digest. The product has no allergens or unsafe artificial additives. Instead, it contains a high-fiber food called chicory root plus coconut oil, chickpeas, and peas. Due to salmon, this best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles from Go! Solutions have high omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Hence, it will give your pet a healthy coat and skin. Pros Go! Solutions Sensitivities Dog Food has salmon protein. Dogs can digest nutrients fast. This dog food has no synthetic chemicals. You can buy it for puppies with digestive difficulties. Ideal for underweight puppies. This is a high-calorie diet unsuitable for obese dogs. Healthy puppies could get overweight. We have picked it as the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles because of this simple fact. Adult dogs weighing nine to twenty-two pounds can eat this high-quality dog food. Another good thing about this best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles is that it can potentially boost brain development. However, we dislike that this dog food provides low protein content and more grains. Pros Appropriate kibble size for small pets. Can give your pet more energy. It can boost skin and brain health. Cons .Protein comes from pork meat, chicken fat, and beef. Victor Classic Hi-Pro is also a grain-based dog diet without gluten. Eighty-eight percent of that protein comes from meat. This dog food can boost immunity through nutrients like selenium and omega fatty acids. Again, the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles by Victor Classic can assist dogs with poor gut health via healthy prebiotics and probiotics. Pros Contains nutrients fit for the immune system. This dog food can boost gut health. Dogs in all life stages can eat Victor Classic Hi-Pro dog food. It has a super high level of protein. Cons It might make some pets have an upset stomach. Some dogs dislike the flavor. The dry kibble has up to thirty-four percent protein, the highest we have seen. One cup of kibble contains calories, making this a high-energy diet. The fat content is half the amount of protein, fiber is three-point-five percent, and moisture is ten percent. If your miniature Goldendoodle loves non-stop play, it can replenish its energy levels with the Crave High Protein Dry Food. As this dog food formula has no grains, it will work for dogs that dislike cereals. Additionally, dogs that require nourishment from grains might not benefit from this item. It contains a high amount of protein. Provides a healthy level of fat content. Cons Can cause obesity in dormant pets. This dog food has no grains. Hence, it could be a perfect choice for an obese miniature Goldendoodle. Offering up to forty-six percent protein from rabbit meat and thirty-two percent fats, this dog food is super healthy. Additional nutrients are five percent fiber and an equal amount of moisture. Finding a high-quality raw dog food product like this is difficult. Thus, you are lucky to read this article on the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles today. It also contains organ meat, bone, fruits, and vegetables. Offering up to 50,, CFU live prebiotics, this raw dog food can boost gut health. Pros Raw rabbit is not an allergen. This dog food has live prebiotics. You can serve raw rabbit food as the main meal or as a topper. High protein dog food. Stella and Chewy is expensive dog food. Some dogs might dislike the food texture. It is in the form of delicious treats for your small dog. Including four different flavors, these treats offer flexibility when selecting the most appropriate taste for your pet. We made this product among the best choices because it is high in protein. It also has other pure ingredients. You can serve it to your pet as it has no gluten or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This dog food is in the form of jerky sticks. Pros This dog food is high in protein from venison and beef. Treats have no grains as the main ingredient. The only flavor of this dry kibble is chicken. If your senior dog loves chicken meat, the Iams Proactive Dog Food could be ideal for it. It has calories per cup and is up to twenty-four percent protein. This dog food has a lower fat content of .It is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles who seven years are and above. Pros A recipe with nutritious free-range chicken meat. Chicken fat can enhance skin health. Ideal for older dogs. This kibble can cause bloating. Some small dogs might not like this kibble size. However, it might only work best for you if you have another high-protein dog meal. However, its fat content of 1. For healthy miniature Goldendoodles, this food alone might not provide adequate protein. Pros Perfect for dogs with indigestion symptoms. Proteins that take a short time to digest. Cons A prescription is a must to get this Mini Goldendoodle puppy food. An expensive food product. FAQs 1. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles puppies is the one you will select from our long list. Mini Goldendoodles do not necessarily need a grain-free diet. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles should have a low number of whole grains for fiber, antioxidants, etc. Ensure a product that has grains also has protein as the highest ingredient. Grains should be gluten-free to prevent stomach issues. Choosing the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles is not enough. You should feed the dog adequate food for its body size and weight. Older dogs should eat four to five cups twice a day. After finding thebest dog food for Mini Goldendoodles, feed your puppy according to its age. Small dogs should eat more often but in small portions. Larger dogs should eat big portions twice daily. We highly recommend Iams Proactive food for Mini Goldendoodles puppy. This dog food is a specific product for senior dogs. Related Posts. Here, is what you need to know about the best dog food to feed your Goldendoodle. Here in this blog, we have covered all the information about the best food for Goldendoodles. What are the nutritional needs of your Goldendoodle dog? According to pet nutrition experts, dogs are different from true carnivores like cats. It means they are meat-eaters primarily but they can also survive on plants. An appropriate diet for a dog is a meal with a high concentration of protein with moderate fat content and limited carbohydrates. Protein is the main component for puppies to grow and develop properly. For adult dogs, it helps in building muscles and healthy body weight. Fat provides a good source of energy for your dog. The best dog food for your Goldendoodle must contain as much protein and essential nutrients. List of the best food for Goldendoodle Goldendoodle deserves the best and healthy diet for proper and healthy growth. Here are some of the best options to feed your Goldendoodle. It consists of chicken as the main ingredient with real fruits and veggies in a meaty broth. Merrick Limited Diet Its major ingredients are chicken and brown rice and are free from soy, dairy, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie This dog food is a roasted bison and roasted venison recipe made with ancient whole grains. It consists of ingredients like ancient grains which are higher in fiber. This food consists of proteins like chicken, lamb, and salmon for a boost of nutrition. American Journey This dog food consists of large-breed salmon, menhaden fish, and brown rice as a source of carbohydrates protein to provide a high protein diet to your Goldendoodle. Nulo Senior Grain-Free Recipe Dry Food High nutritious food including glucosamine and chondroitin to give joint support this Goldendoodle food is the best-categorized food for your dog. This trout and sweet potato recipe provides a complete and healthy balanced meal for your senior Goldendoodle. Nom Fresh Dog Food This dog food acquired the first rank in best dog food for Goldendoodles according to scientific research. It is a cleaner and healthier food which makes your dog hungry to eat this because of its great look and taste. Purina Pro Plan The food consists of a good amount of fiber to give a healthy and strong immune to your Goldendoodle. Also, it holds the second position among the best dog foods. American Journey Puppy The best and idle food for puppies of Goldendoodles. It consists of tons of crude proteins, and plenty of omega 3s, and is a good source of protein. Here we provide some information about dry, wet, and raw dog food so that you can understand the difference and pick up the best type for your Goldendoodle. Dry Dog Food Dry dog food is the most popular and preferred choice among dog food varieties. They consist of tons of nutrients and a very good taste due to a freeze-dried coating. Wet Dog Food The next option dog owners go for is wet dog food. It consists of dog food with added perks that your dog loves to eat. Raw Dog Food Now, it comes to the last option, raw dog food. It is approximately equivalent to human food and thus it provides the highest quality. Also, it is the favorite and the first choice of picky eaters. All the best foods illustrated here have a more than sufficient amount of protein. Salty foods Foods that contain a lot of sugar Raw food diet items like eggs or raw or undercooked meat can contain salmonella no, the raw diet is not healthy for dogs Why should I feed my Goldendoodle a raw diet? Here are potential risks: You could expose your furry friend to the risk of bacterial contamination. Raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. How often should a Goldendoodle eat? When your Goldendoodle is a pup, you should feed them 2 to 3 times a day. Goldendoodle puppies should be eating a puppy formula specifically designed for their growing bodies. P uppy food contains higher fat than adult dog food. Adult dogs should eat at least once a day. Most people will feed their Goldendoodle twice a day as their Goldendoodle tends to be more content with the twice-a-day feeding. When you feed Goldendoodle a few times a day, they are less likely to have any food aggression and will stay full longer. This will help prevent them from destroying things in the house or eating things that they should not eat. How much should a Goldendoodle eat? Usually, the feeding guidelines are on the back of the bag. Sometimes this is a little more than your Goldendoodle needs , especially if they are not very active. A good rule to follow is 1 cup of food per 15 pounds of body weight a day. So a pound dog should eat about 1. You will also need to consider their exercise. Some Goldendoodles may participate in agility or other sporting events. During their training and competition months, you will need to increase their dog food intake to make up for the extra energy, whereas in the off-season, you need to decrease the amount of dog food they eat to help keep them at a healthy weight. What if My Goldendoodle is a picky eater? If your Goldendoodle is a picky eater , there are a few things that you can do to help entice them to start eating their dog food. Add Warm Water to Their food You can try to add a little bit of warm water to their dog food. This will make a gravy-like consistency when mixed with the dry kibbles. It will also make the dry kibble a little softer, and your Goldendoodle may like to eat it. Just a small spoon full added to the food and fully mixed will help. If you do not mix the wet dog food in with the dry food, your Goldendoodle may just eat the wet food off the top and leave the rest of the dry kibble. Switching Diets or Protein Source There may be something in the diet that you are feeding that they do not like. Switching to a different diet or a different protein may help. If you are feeding chicken and rice, try switching a lamb and rice or a duck protein. See Your Vet If your Goldendoodle has suddenly stopped eating their dog food, it may be time to see your vet. Some illnesses will cause your dog not to want to eat. Your vet can examine your Goldendoodle and make sure that there is nothing causing your dog to feel bad to cause them to not want to eat. There are many great treats that are available for your Goldendoodle. Some of these treats also have added nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that have health benefits too. You can also give your dog fish oil supplements to ensure they are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, which help with brain development and keeps their coat healthy. Glucosamine can help their joints, which is great for this breed since hip dysplasia is common in both the Golden Retriever and Poodle parent breeds. And a simple multivitamin can help support their immune system. If your Goldendoodle has joint or skin issues, look for a treat that will help with these problems. These treats have added calories that can quickly cause your Goldendoodle to become obese. This means they can carry some traits from their parent breeds, which may even affect their diets. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when choosing the right food for your Goldendoodle. For instance, adult food can be fed on both wet and dry food. Again, adult dog food needs more protein and fewer calories, while Goldendoodle puppies need more calories. Nutritional Life Stage According to Dr. The table below shows the growth stages and nutritional requirements for Goldendoodles. More importantly, always check with an expert for professional dietary guidance. Nutritional Life Stage.

Lifespan Sociability Many designer breeds look like a perfect mix of their parents. These dogs tend to look like Poodles or like Dalmatians, with little in-between. So, if you have your heart set on the grown-up Dalmatian Poodle mix looking a certain way, this breed may not be for you. Be sure to keep a close eye on your dog when playing during the summer, and be sure to stop if they start to pant too heavily. Dalmadoodles Love Having a Job Both parent breeds were designed to be working animals. Poodles, on the other hand, were created to fetch fallen waterfowl. When you combine the two breeds, you get a dog who loves to be put to work. They can run and play for hours on end and not be any worse for the wear. At the very least, you should live near a big, open park — preferably an off-leash dog park. They can be inspired escape artists, and good luck hiding treats from them. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It may help to divvy up the exercise between multiple family members so no one gets burned out. After all, another dog is about the only thing that can keep up with them. Poodles have a hunting background, though, so many Dalmadoodles have a strong prey drive. This could be a problem if your household includes cats or other small pets. Expect to buy a bag of food a month. That food should be high-quality too. Skip anything with wheat, corn, or animal by-products, and focus on something that provides protein and healthy fruits and vegetables. Be careful not to overfeed them, as hip dysplasia is common in the breed. However, they often tend to be more enthusiastic about praise and playtime than food, so they might not eat to the point of obesity, anyway. Expect to give them at least an hour of vigorous activity every day, but preferably more. Do be careful during the summer months, though. While they enjoy just about any physical activity, they do best when their minds are as stimulated as their bodies. A post shared by SV mazzi. Introduce them to strangers, new situations, and other animals as safely and often as you can. However, we recommend doing at least one or two group classes, as they allow you to both train and socialize your Dalmadoodle at the same time. As far as training methodologies are concerned, these dogs do best with plenty of positive reinforcement. Any attempts to punish them will likely only render them skittish, and they may even start to rebel. This will determine how often you need to groom them. You do need to clean out their ears regularly to avoid infection, though. However, while Dalmadoodles are certainly healthier than Dalmatians, they still have quite a few health problems — more than the average designer breed, in fact. Here are a few things to be concerned about as you raise your Dalmadoodle: Minor Conditions. When it comes to your Dalmadoodle cross, prepare for any number of coat varieties. Remember, because he is a crossbreed, the way your Dalmadoodle looks is going to be left up to chance. Dalmadoodle Curls Dalmadoodles will usually have wavy coats rather than tight curls like Poodles. Dalmadoodles have one from each parent NC which creates a wavy coat. And Dalmadoodles can pass either of these genes to their puppies. Dalmadoodle Grooming and Shedding Grooming your Dalmatian cross Poodle could vary, depending on the type of coat he inherits from his parents. While the Dalmatian has a shorter coat, he requires weekly brushing to reduce shedding and to keep his hair shiny and healthy. Are Dalmadoodles hypoallergenic? The Poodle requires much more upkeep and needs to be brushed several times a week to keep his thick, curly hair from matting. And while there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, the Poodle does not shed often and produces much less dander than other breeds, reducing the chance of allergies. However, the Dalmatian is quite the shedder, so whether or not your Dalmadoodle will shed will be left up to genetics. Your Dalmadoodle will also need his ears cleaned regularly to avoid ear infection, and his nails trimmed to keep them from cracking or splitting. Dalmatian crossbreeds and poodle crossbreeds are known to be pretty intelligent, so you can expect your Dalmadoodle to be smart as well. Keep in mind that your Dalmadoodle could inherit any number of the temperamental traits listed above, and for this reason, we always recommend early socialization and obedience training. Dalmatian Personality The Dalmatian is a stately purebred with lots of confidence. This dog is famous for its looks as well as its brains. They are very loyal to their family and does well with dogs and children they are is raised with. However, they can be standoffish with strangers and, due to a guarding background, have a tendency to become territorial and protective, although not known to be an aggressive breed. Poodle Personality The Poodle is also best known for high intelligence, wowing their family with an incredible ability to learn tricks. This is a breed who loves showing off and is a natural entertainer. They do very well in family settings and enjoys other dogs. However, they do have a hunting background, so families who own smaller pets should not leave their Poodle in a room with them unsupervised. Dalmadoodle Exercise and Training Needs The Dalmatian x Poodle is going to be an active crossbreed, considering he comes from two very active purebred parents. We recommend giving your Poodle and Dalmatian mix at least an hour or two of exercise per day. This could include a long walk, a nice romp in the yard and a game of fetch. Luckily, the Poodle x Dalmatian is intelligent, and training should be simple. Dalmadoodle Lifespan The Dalmadoodle lifespan could vary depending on what he inherits from his parent breeds. While the Dalmatian has a life span of 11 to 13 years, he is prone to certain health issues, including deafness, skin allergies, urinary stones, obesity, epilepsy, thyroid disease and eye issues. The Poodle has a lifespan of 12 to .You may want to consider early health screening for your Dalmadoodle, as it could help you to prevent or prepare for certain inheritable health issues. Mixing Breeds There is an ongoing debate regarding the health of purebreds and crossbreeds. It is a well-known fact that purebreds suffer from many generational health defects as a result of generations of overbreeding. Those who support crossbreeding are hopeful that the practice could be a solution to these genetic health issues. The debate is ongoing and so are the studies. The Ideal Home for a Poodle and Dalmatian mix The Dalmatian Poodle mix is going to do best in homes with a large fenced-in yard where he can run and play, and in a home with an owner who is able to keep his intelligent mind active. This is a crossbreed who needs lots of stimulation both physically and mentally. If you are able to provide early socialization, the proper training and plenty of activity, then the Dalmadoodle may be the perfect dog for you. One good thing about getting a Dalamatian and Poodle mix puppy from a breeder is that you are able to ask questions about temperament and health issues with previous litters. Also, keep in mind that most repeatable breeders will be able to provide health certificates proving their litters have been health screened. No matter which source you go through to get your Dalmadoodle puppy, remember to go through a reliable and responsible source. Dalmatian x Poodle puppies are beautiful and great fun, and if you go to the right breeder and raise them well you will have a great companion for many years to come. References and Further Reading:. There is evidence to support that the Dalmatian was originally birthed in either the British Isles, Europe, North Africa, or Asia which is a very broad range of locations. By the s, Dalmatians were generally associated with the region Dalmatia, located in central Europe near the Adriatic Sea, which is where this breed got its name from. The Dalmatian has always been a working dog, from shepherds, to war dogs, to retrievers, to a bird dog, and even to circus dogs! As a coach dog, Dalmatians were responsible for trotting alongside horse-drawn carriages and guarding the vehicle when left unattended. Starting back in the s when horses pulled fire engines, Dalmatians started getting associated with firefighters. The American Kennel Club began recognizing the Dalmatian in .Poodle Breed History: While commonly associated with the French, the Poodle actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany over years ago. Eventually, Poodles made their way from the lake to the life of luxury as they were the breed of choice by French nobles, and eventually royalty across all of Europe. To this day, the Poodle is still the national dog of France. The Toy Poodle started in the United States in the early 20th century to be a city-dwelling companion dog. The exact origin of when this mix was intentionally bred is unknown. Dalmatians can be bred with toy, miniature, and standard poodles, although miniature and standard are far more common. The size of the poodle that the Dalmatian is bred with is a significant influence on the size of the Dalmadoodle puppy. Both Poodles and Dalmatians need rigorous grooming care. Dalmatians need to be brushed around times a week and Poodles need to be brushed just as often, if not more frequently depending on coat length and how curly it is. Mix these two coats together and you can expect to brush Dalmadoodle puppies at minimum every other day. Are Dalmadoodles Hypoallergenic? Do Dalmadoodles Shed? It depends. Dalmatians are not hypoallergenic, while poodles are. Once you breed a hypoallergenic and a non-hypoallergenic dog together there is no way to guarantee that the mixed-breed is hypoallergenic. With most doodle breeds, thanks to having one hypoallergenic parent and one non-hypoallergenic parent, you never know for sure if a puppy will be hypoallergenic and non-shedding or not. It may be safe to assume that the Dalmatian Poodle mix will shed less than a Dalmatian, but it cannot be guaranteed. On average, Dalmadoodles live from 11 to 14 years. Dalmadoodle Dog Breed Common Health Concerns: Mixed breeds often decrease the risk of genetic health concerns but, that being said, there are some common concerns to be aware of. Another less common health issue is gastric volvulus dilation. Due to the cost of treating these common health concerns, we highly encourage all dog owners invest in pet insurance. We recommend getting a free online quote from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Dalmadoodles are intelligent dogs who like to keep busy. Some Dalmadoodles have been known to be stubborn, but with a firm leader, they can learn quickly and will obey commands. They are not known for being an aggressive dog, but may bark some when meeting new people. Both Dalmatians and Poodles are energetic dogs that need owners who can keep up with them. Keeping your dog physically and mentally challenged will prevent them from engaging in destructive activities. Plan on a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise daily. This could be between walks, hikes, jogs, or a game of fetch! A big fenced in yard would be preferred for allowing a Dalmadoodle to run around in. Bonus points if you have a dog door! Both breeds are very intelligent and need mental stimulation as well as physical exertion to keep them happy and healthy. Dalmatian Poodle Mix Pictures Photo courtesy of delilah. Photo courtesy of flowerpowerdoodles on Instagram. Photo courtesy of mazziratti on Instagram. Alternative Breeds to the Dalmatian Poodle Mix. Due to their hypoallergenic nature and their cute and fluffy looks, these breeds are more expensive than other dog breeds. There are also a number of factors that affect their price, such as: Color: There are a number of different dalmadoodle colors. In addition to the typical black and white colors, you can find breeders who specialize in breeding tri color, phantom, or sable dalmadoodles, among others. Coat: Breeders charge different prices based on the coat. This can sometimes result in a higher price tag. Bigger metropolitan cities such as San Francisco or New York will often have higher price tags, both because of the higher general cost of living, but also because these cities usually have a higher demand for allergy-friendly dogs. Reputation of the Breeder: When it comes to purchasing Dalmatian Poodle mix puppies from a breeder, you certainly want to do your research so that you purchase from a reputable, established breeder. While it may be cheaper to buy your doodle from at-home breeders or from Craigslist, a good breeder can mean a world of difference. If you want a healthy, long-living dog, then it can certainly be worth spending the extra money on a reliable breeder who has done their due diligence in producing healthy pups. Keep in mind that you can also find these doodles in shelters and other rescue centers! In general, these doodles will live between years. There are a few factors that can result in outliers, however. Smaller dogs, for example, usually live longer than larger dogs. Because of this, a mini doodle will be expected to live longer. An increased lifespan can also be attributed to crossbreeding crossbred dogs usually outlive their purebred counterparts along with purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder. Because of their playful and companion-oriented personalities, dalmadoodles are perfect family dogs and are especially good around children. These doodles are very affectionate and love to be around humans. Potential Health Conditions Just like any other dog breed, Dalmatian Doodles are susceptible to certain health conditions. While these health problems can be serious, they are also relatively rare in Dalmadoodles. To help ensure that your doodle stays healthy and free of these conditions, it is important to work with a reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock. Health testing can help identify dogs that are at a higher risk for developing certain health problems so that they can be removed from the breeding pool. When buying a Dalmatian Poodle Mix, be sure to ask the breeder about the health of the parents and grandparents. This will give you a good idea of what health problems may be present in the bloodline. In addition, be sure to get your doodle checked out by a veterinarian soon after bringing him home. This will help ensure that any health problems are caught early and treated accordingly. Dalmatian doodles are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health conditions. Be sure to work with a reputable breeder and get your Dalmadoodle checked out by a veterinarian soon after bringing him home. They do not require a lot of grooming, but they do need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting. They also need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis. Other than that, Dalmatian poodles are relatively low-maintenance dogs. They do not require a lot of exercise, but they do need some daily activity to stay healthy and happy. A short walk or play session each day should be sufficient. When it comes to feeding, Dalmatian poodles do best on a high-quality dog food that is formulated for large breeds. This will help ensure that they get the nutrients they need without putting on too much weight. As with all breeds, it is important to socialize your doodle from a young age. This will help them become well-rounded, happy dogs that are comfortable around other people and animals. But, as with any new pet, there are a few things you should do to prepare for your new arrival. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that everyone in the family is on board with getting a puppy. This includes small children who may not understand how to properly interact with a puppy. It is also important to do some research on the Dalmatian Poodle breed before bringing home your new puppy. This will help you understand what to expect in terms of temperament, grooming, and exercise needs. When it comes to preparing your home for a Dalmatian Poodle puppy, there are a few things you will need to do. This includes things like putting away small objects that he could choke on and making sure that all electrical cords are out of reach. You will also need to create a safe, comfortable space for your puppy to sleep and eat. This can be done by setting up a crate or using a baby gate to confine him to a specific area. Finally, you will need to stock up on supplies like food, bowls, toys, and a collar and leash. This way, you will be prepared for everything your new puppy will need. Conclusion Say yes to the spots and curls! Dalmatian Poodles are perfect whether you want to explore, run around, toss a frisbee, or hunker down and watch a great movie. When looking to buy one, it is always better to buy or adopt a puppy than an adult so you can train it to suit your lifestyle and family. The Dalmapoo is available in two sizes; the Standard and Mini Dalmadoodle. The Mini Dalmadoodle is a convenient size for families with less space and small children. As the name indicates, a Dalmadoodle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Dalmatian. Dalmadoodles are extremely social and smart dogs that need human companionship, attention, and tons of training. Let us study a bit about the parent dog breeds so we can understand the origins of the Dalmadoodle in depth: Dalmatian The Dalmatian is an athletic dog breed with a spotted coat and mysterious origins; no one knows exactly when they originated. Irrespective of their beginnings, one thing is for sure — the Dalmatian breed is incredibly old and can be traced back to the 16th Century. Dalmatians gained a great deal of popularity thanks to the movie Dalmatians. They also became popular as Firehouse dogs since they coached horses that were used for horse-drawn fire carriages. To date, many firehouses use the Dalmatian as their mascot. Poodles Poodles originated in Germany where they were bred for the purpose of duck hunting. Their water-resistant coats made them perfect for all kinds of water-related jobs including search and rescue. Today, the Poodle is considered one of the smartest and easiest-to-train dog breeds in the world. Poodles also make wonderful pets for allergy sufferers since their coats shed minimally and are hypoallergenic. Origin of the Dalmadoodle There are several benefits of crossbreeding dogs, the major one being that the cross-bred puppies have a lower chance of exhibiting the diseases seen in the parent breed. No one knows for sure when the first Dalmadoodle came into existence, but it may have been around the s as that was when the popularity of Doodle dogs really exploded. Dalmadoodles that are created using a Standard Poodle tend to be some of the largest Doodle dogs. However, there are mini Dalmadoodles too — obtained by crossing Dalmatians with Miniature Poodles. In general, these designer dogs weigh between lb 18 to 30 kg and measure about inches 45 to 50 cm tall. Mini Dalmadoodles can be expected to grow to between 10 to 18kg and measure less than 45cm tall. They are a medium size dog that requires less space in the house and yard than Standard sized Dalmapoo. Both varieties require significant amounts of exercise and are suited to people who live an active lifestyle. The results are unique and extremely attractive. Are Dalmadoodles hypoallergenic? This can cause runny noses and watery eyes in dog owners with pet allergies. This increases your chances of getting a hypoallergenic puppy as the Dalmatian genes are diluted and there is a greater Poodle gene pool. Do Dalmadoodles need grooming? Both the Dalmatian and Poodle have sensitive skin and coats. This means that your Dalmadoodle could also inherit sensitive skin which needs regular grooming. They do not handle weather extremities well and their skin is also susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections. Avoid bathing your dog too much and only use a vet-approved shampoo for sensitive skin to bathe your Dalmadoodle. No two dogs are the same, even within the same breed. However, you can always train your Doodle puppy to adhere to your household rules and expectations. In general, it is safe to say that a Dalmadoodle will inherit a mix of the Poodle and Dalmatian traits. Both parent dog breeds are highly intelligent and trainable so we can expect the same from a Dalmadoodle. As with any dog breed, whether it is purebred or a designer dog, your Dalmadoodle puppy is going to need plenty of socialisation and early training. This is especially important if you do not want your pet to jump on visitors or bark at every passing vehicle. Unfortunately, many Dalmadoodles tend to have a stubborn streak and can also be quite headstrong. These traits can pose a challenge during training. This is also why it is important to set firm boundaries from its puppyhood. Failure to do so could make it difficult to handle as an adult. Be sure to keep all interactions with your pet positive as Dalmadoodles can be overly sensitive. They also have long memories so if you happen to scold your pet for misbehaviour, it will remember it for ages! Keep your training methods positive since negative training will only make your Doodle shy or aggressive. Most Dalmadoodles are social and confident dogs. They are also people-like and people-oriented. This means that your dog will want to participate in everything you do! This also means that your Dalmadoodle will hate being left all alone at home. These dogs tend to suffer from separation anxiety, so it is important to get them used to staying alone right from a young age. Crate training is the single most effective way to reduce the likelihood and stop the common Poodle Mix breed behaviour problem of separation anxiety from developing. As such, no dog should be left home alone for over 8 hours. If you have no choice but to do so, it is best to hire a pet sitter, doggy daycare or a dog walker to come in and check in on your Doodle while also letting it out for potty. Dalmadoodles are very energetic dogs. They are best suited for active owners who have the time to take their pets out at least times a day. Without exercise and mental stimulation, these smart dogs can get extremely bored. Dalmadoodles are highly intuitive dogs that can make excellent watchdogs. They are sensible and alert and will not yap or bark too much unless necessary. If you have young children in the house, remember that Dalmadoodles can be quite exuberant and could knock down small toddlers. You must also train your kids to never poke your Dalmadoodle in the eye or pull on its tail or ears. Both the Dalmadoodle and the children should be taught to respect each other to ensure harmony. Remember that puppies need around 20 hours of sleep each day and adult dogs hours a day. Dalmadoodles usually get along with other house pets including cats. This generally makes them excellent pets for multi-dog households. Finding a reputable breeder can be a hassle since there are not too many and these dogs are still quite rare in the USA and even rarer in Australia. The price of a Doodle puppy will depend on the pedigree of the parent dogs used. If the parents are championship title owners or have very pure bloodlines, then the puppies will cost more. The price also varies based on the Dalmadoodles size. In general, smaller Doodles cost more than larger ones although larger Dalmadoodles will be more expensive to keep. That way you can only use the best ingredients and avoid low-quality ingredients often seen in commercial dog foods. If you opt for feeding commercial dog food, then only select brands containing real meat as the first ingredient. Avoid dog foods with corn, soy, wheat, and other fillers which provide no real nourishment to your pet. Most Dalmadoodles are quite healthy dogs. However, from time to time, diseases like skin allergies, heart ailments, bloat, certain cancers, progressive retinal atrophy, and joint-related problems like dysplasia can be seen in Dalmadoodles. With proper diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care, your Dalmadoodle can live between years. Subscribe for poodle mix breed information, exclusive offers and access to our community of reputable breeders. Leave this field empty if you're human: Share this.

Final Thoughts How to Prepare for Your German Shepherd Giving Birth German Shepherds are truly great pets, and preparation for your dog giving birth will be one of the most important things you do for her throughout the birth process. But first, take a look at this incredible 3-minute video of a German Shepherd giving birth. Nature is truly amazing: German Shepherd giving birth incredible video Even though dogs are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to the actual birth, there are still plenty of things you will need to do to get her ready and get the area ready where she will be giving birth. Talk to Your Vet The best way to be proactive in the success of your German Shepherd giving birth will be to have frequent discussions with your vet and maintain an open line of communication with them. In any case, once you suspect your dog is pregnant, you will need to take her to your vet for regular check-ups. Ensuring her overall health is the crucial first step. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam and alert you to anything you need to be aware of. As with pregnant humans, health concerns are elevated during gestation, so be sure to take your mom-to-be to the vet straight away and continue to monitor her throughout the pregnancy. Be sure to ask your vet any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your German Shepherd during the coming months and the birth itself. They will give specifics for your dog and anything else you need to be aware of. The third trimester is when the pups develop rapidly, and your girl will need more calories for energy, depending on how many pups she is carrying. You should gradually transition this, and the feeding schedule should be little and often aid digestion. But if your vet specified anything additional due to an individual circumstance for your GSD, always adhere to their instructions. Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready. And remember, you will want this checklist to include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. That will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready. Standard Supplies: Clean sheets, towels, and blankets You will want to have some of the blankets around the mom. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. If she has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those. But you will also need additional towels and blankets ready for the little pups after birth. Ensuring they are all warm and cozy after the birth will be, first and foremost. A pile of German Shepherd puppies bundled up with mom surrounded by comfort blankets is also just really adorable. Heating Pad or Heat Lamp Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature. The new mama understands this and will do her best to keep her pups warm using her body temperature and cuddling them close. But having a heating pad or lamp ready to go will help keep the space warm for the newborns. If you opt for a heating pad, you can place it underneath the towels and blankets where the puppies lie. It also has loads of temperature settings and timer settings, giving you plenty of options. If you opt for a lamp, be sure it is far enough away not to be too hot and burn the puppies. Place your hand underneath it to gauge where it gives a subtle warmth without causing your hand to feel hot. I prefer a heating pad as it just seems the safer option. Whelping Box and Mat To prepare for whelping, a whelping box will be required for the German Shepherd puppies to snuggle up in after the birth while the mom is recovering. You can purchase a large basket or make one yourself using a large cardboard box. German Shepherd puppies, on average, weigh around 0. As we know, German Shepherds seem to go from adorable 2-pound pups to majestic pound protectors in the blink of an eye. So, knowing how much they weighed after birth and monitoring their weight gain throughout their infancy is an essential step to proper health. There is no need to take them directly from mom and plop them onto a scale straight away. Give them time. But have it ready to take their weights within the first day or so. According to VCA Hospitals, the area where the puppies are kept should be between degrees for the first four days. Then gradually decrease the temperature to 80 degrees by the 7th — 10th day, and finally, 72 degrees by the end of the fourth week. Emergency Supplies: Baby Nose Suction Bulb Sometimes newborn puppies have built-up mucus around their nose, and the mucus causes breathing troubles. The mom will do her best to lick it away, but if you see one of the German Shepherd puppies still struggling with taking breaths, you need to have a baby nose suction bulb , such as this one from Amazon, ready to go. Gently swaddle the puppy and use the bulb carefully to suction the mucus out and hold him for a while after, massaging his chest very gently. Gloves, Sterilized Scissors, Thread, and Antiseptic Solution Typically, the mom will cut the umbilical cord herself by biting through it. Once tied off, ensure the end of the cord is cleaned with antiseptic. Cleanliness during this is critical, so a pair of medical gloves and a clean workspace are essential. Soft Travel Crate Hopefully, the birth goes smoothly, and there is no need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during it. But if there is an emergency or you have any concerns, always call your vet or nearest animal hospital immediately. Have the crate by the door with plenty of cozy blankets and familiar smells ready to go if you need to transport your GSD. This is never an ideal situation, so it should be avoided whenever possible, but under emergency circumstances, you may need an impromptu trip to the vet. Pro Tip! Use the buddy system. If you need to take your German Shepherd to the vet during birth, it will help to have someone with you. Consider asking a few close friends or relatives. They can drive while you sit in the back with your girl to comfort her. This is going to be a scary moment for your German Shepherd, and she will appreciate being able to have you by her side. Ensure the Environment is Clean and Comforting You will take much of this care during the prep stage. You will be placing clean towels down, ensuring everything is sterilized and ready for the momentous occasion. But during the birth itself, you will want to help maintain that environment. Here are a few things to consider that will help you make this a comfortable environment for your German Shepherd: Have familiar sights and smells around, such as toys, soft clothing, and blankets that she likes. If there are open windows and loud noises, shut the windows and do everything you can to limit the amount of noise and distractions around her. Give words of encouragement occasionally in a soft and soothing voice, letting her know she is doing great. In between puppies, she will need a breather. Make sure she is supported and comfort her during these breaks. Your German Shepherd will begin nesting behavior during the onset of labor, and her temperature will drop. She will become restless and may refuse food, pant, pace, shake, or vomit. But how do you know when the birth is imminent? You will see clear fluid from her vulva before the first birth. The first puppy should be delivered within minutes of hard straining. Giving Your German Shepherd Space During the Birth Oddly enough, one of the best ways to care for your German Shepherd during her birth journey will be to leave her alone. All dogs are instinctual in ways that amaze us mere humans. GSDs are also incredibly smart. So, between their instincts and intelligence, they have a knack for understanding what to do during and after giving birth. They will know what is best for their health, as well as the health of their newborns. Interfering too much during birth can cause frustration and even anger in your German Shepherd. While she will most likely understand you are trying to help — she knows best, and she will need her space. Once you have completed all preparations and have done all that you can from your end, the best thing you can do is sit back and enjoy the incredible experience of watching your German Shepherd Dog give birth. Be Ready When She Needs You Part of sitting back and watching as your German Shepherd gives birth is also knowing that she may need you, and, if so — be ready. If you have done the proper preparations, everything will be ready in case of an emergency or even a small hiccup. Here are some warning signs to be aware of as you watch the process and when you need to intervene: Your GSD has shown signs of going into labor, including a temperature below degrees, and does not end up going into labor within 24 hours. A puppy has only come halfway out, and mom seems to be struggling. She appears to be in pain, and is yelping or crying. One of her breaks in between puppies lasts more than 4 hours, and you know there are more pups to come. Typically, a long break will happen halfway through, which can be up to 4 hours. But past that, there could be something wrong. She is having contractions for more than 45 minutes without another puppy coming. If there is something more complicated, you will need to take your girl to the vet. This is another reason the buddy system is a great step to take. Now what? A big part of the preparation is to ensure that everything is ready for the new mom and pups once she is done. She is going to be exhausted, needing lots of rest and love. And the newborns will be adorable little helpless creatures that need their canine mom and their human mom or dad too! Making sure they all stay home, clean, and healthy is the number one priority after birth. During your discussions with your vet, this should be something that is covered. Your vet will offer specifics if there are particular health concerns for your German Shepherd. But otherwise, they will have general guidelines to keep the new family safe and sound. Once your German Shepherd has had enough time to recuperate and seems to be doing well after the last birth, take her outside to urinate and get some fresh air. She may not want to, as she wants to stay with her newborns, but encourage her to go outside for a quick pee and move around. Next, try to get her to drink some water and see if she has an appetite. At this point, all the puppies should be warm and snuggled in the whelping box. Let Mom join them and begin nursing them. They are going to be hungry, sleepy, and hungry again. Your job is to make sure the pups are getting enough food from Mom, and that mom is getting enough rest to care for them properly. If your German Shepherd stops producing milk for a while, you will need to have supplements and formula on hand so you can feed them yourself from a bottle. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are smart, instinctual, and fiercely protective. They also make amazing moms. And they know exactly what they need to do during the birth of their puppies. We hope this article has given you confidence in knowing what to do when your German Shepherd is giving birth. You will know when you are needed, and you will have everything ready to go from your checklist if she tags you in. You will soon be hugging those little bundles of joy and wondering what to name them. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for your pet. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. German Shepherds, like other dogs, have a day gestational period. It is approximately nine weeks of total pregnancy, but a female German Shepherd can give birth as soon as 58 days or as late as 68 days. This day difference in the average length of German Shepherd gestation may vary depending on the number of puppies and the size of the mother. To put it simply, the more puppies there are, the longer it takes, and vice versa. In some cases, a pregnant German Shepherd may only have one puppy, while huge litters might produce up to 15 puppies. Generally, in canines, preterm delivery is uncommon, and most pregnant dogs deliver their puppies at full term. However, being a few days earlier or later is normal and is frequently caused by a wrong assessment of the date when a female German Shepherd becomes pregnant. Furthermore, if you know when your German Shepherd has mated, you can use a dog pregnancy calculator to acquire an accurate estimate of its due date. Many breeders or even seasoned owners find it difficult to tell if their German Shepherd is pregnant, especially in the early pregnancy stages. Furthermore, unlike humans, there is no at-home pregnancy test for animals. Veterinarians perform ultrasounds between 25 and 35 days of gestation. They will analyze the levels of relaxin , a pregnancy hormone that is taken throughout the breeding process, using a blood sample from dogs. The veterinarian will determine the exact number of German Shepherd puppies in the womb 55 days or more after breeding. Abdominal Palpation: It is a traditional way to detect pregnancy of German Shepherds. It is done around the 28 to day mark by looking for uterine swellings that indicate the existence of developing puppies. Although German Shepherds are independent during pregnancy, there are still a lot of preparations you must make before the puppies are delivered. Generally, the average age for a German Shepherd to get pregnant is around two years old, but it can be as early as five months old. Additionally, because German Shepherds are a large breed, it takes them a while to fully mature before getting pregnant. So, they must be at least 18 months old if you plan to breed them. Once they reach full maturity, German Shepherds can be pregnant during the fertilization period in the second stage of their heat cycle. The heat cycle of female dogs consists of proestrus , estrus , diestrus , and anestrus. During the proestrus stage, female dogs begin to attract males, which will last for nine days. Meanwhile, during estrus, a female dog is marked as available to a male dog, usually lasting for three to four days. Then, the diestrus is the final day of the reproductive cycle when the female dog will no longer permit mating. However, like other large dog breeds, a German Shepherd Dog has its first heat cycle in the latter months. Thus, there is no precise date at which it can get pregnant. Yet, you can expect your dog to be pregnant when it is six months old because it is when the anestrus phase occurs. It is the time elapsed between one heat cycle and the next. That said, knowing the four stages of the heat cycle is important for estimating how long German Shepherds are pregnant. Week 1 Within a few days after breeding, the sperm reaches the eggs, and fertilization occurs. Week 2 Fertilized egg cells will begin to develop, separate, and descend towards the uterus for implantation between the 12 and day mark during the second week. There will be no physical changes to the German Shepherd, but it will become either more affectionate or irritated. Therefore, getting your female dog groomed is advised to lessen its stress. Week 3 During the third week, the embryos will begin to travel to the uterine horns to embed themselves in the uterine wall. The embryos will continue to develop while receiving essential nutrients within the womb through the uterine lining. Some body parts, including the placenta and nervous system, will develop on the 18th day. The placenta will be fully formed by the end of this week. In addition, your German Shepherd may gain weight, and its abdomen might begin to swell. If you notice these changes, confer with your veterinarian, who will provide veterinary advice about the right food and diet plan for your pet. Week 4 This week is the most critical stage when a fetus develops facial features, limbs, and vital organs. So, your German Shepherd must avoid rough play and serve its food in smaller portions. This is also the optimal time to bring your German Shepherd for an ultrasound after the 25th day to know how many puppies your dog expects. Week 5 The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin to resemble actual puppies during this period. On day 35, all major organs of the puppies should already have developed. Thus, a pregnant GSD might increase her weight by 20 to 50 percent as it has growing puppies in its abdomen. Therefore, it will need more calories and nutrients than usual. Furthermore, it will avoid normal routines like walking and become more sensitive because of discomfort. Week 6 The puppies develop more rapidly and should have their skin colors. Their eyes remain closed but have lids, claws form, and their heads begin to grow hair for the first time. Furthermore, your female dog will be more uncomfortable and may occasionally vomit because of the increased pressure on its stomach. There will also be clear vaginal discharge, which is completely normal. It will also decrease appetite and produce a clear and odorless vaginal discharge. Furthermore, preparing a whelping box for your female dog to nest in and give birth within the next few weeks should be done during this period. Week 8 Puppies have grown fur and are swarmed into the uterus, moving towards the birth canal. Also, your German Shepherd Dog will spend the majority of its time in the whelping box digging in the bedding. It will also feel restless as its body grows, so give your dog the comfort and attention it needs, especially when it is in pain. You can also get an X-ray examination to determine how many puppies your German Shepherd will have. Week 9 During the last week of pregnancy, the puppies are now fully developed and ready to be born, moving toward the birth canal. You will notice that your German Shepherd may appear uncomfortable, restless, or anxious during this stage. Keep an eye on your dog as it seeks a safe place to give birth. To make your dog feel at ease and to avoid stress, keep your house clean and quiet. Afterward, you must start taking its rectal temperature every 12 hours. In this way, you always obtain the best possible outcomes and perhaps get to meet your litter of healthy puppies. German Shepherd Pregnancy Signs Apart from the fact that conception is unpredictable and varies from dog to dog, no noticeable physical changes occur during the early stages of pregnancy. Nevertheless, similar to people, there are some early signs and symptoms that can indicate if a German Shepherd is pregnant: Change in appetite. When your German Shepherd gives birth, it will be the happiest day of your life! But first you should learn about how to help and what to expect. German Shepherds typically deliver between 63 and 70 days after conception, or roughly 10 to 12 weeks from the time of ovulation. During that time, the female dog will often become quieter and less active than usual as she spends more time lying down and resting. You might also notice her nipples growing larger and darker as your German Shepherd prepares to feed her newborn puppies. What will my pregnant German Shepherd weigh? On average, pregnant German Shepherds are likely to gain anywhere from pounds during their pregnancy. Not all of that weight will come at once, but most owners report their dog gaining more weight towards the end of her pregnancy. There is a good chance that your puppy will weigh over pounds by when she is ready to give birth. Because of her larger size, some risks are associated with giving birth to large dogs like German Shepherds. If you notice any signs your pet might be in labor, make sure you take her immediately to a veterinarian. Make sure that both mom and puppies are healthy after she has given birth. Can I tell my dog is pregnant by looking at her belly? Most veterinarians can tell if a dog is pregnant by examining her abdomen. Typically, female dogs will experience some physical changes during pregnancy. For example, the vulva will become larger and more prominent, and she may leak clear or yellowish fluid. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, such as leaking vaginal fluids or waddling like a penguin, take her to your veterinarian for an examination. What is the maximum number of puppies that a German Shepherd can have? A purebred German Shepherd generally gives birth to fewer puppies owing to its genetic makeup. According to a Norwegian Kennel Club study conducted in , the average litter size for a German Shepherd is 5. A German Shepherd generally only has a couple of fertile days; the mating period during those two days goes a long way in determining the number of puppies that a single litter shall yield. What should you feed your pregnant German Shepherd? Your pregnant German Shepherd will require nutrition that it might not receive through traditional dog foods. Regardless of the kind of food that you feed your German Shepherd during pregnancy, you must not take any chances with the nutrition. Dog owners often think that there is not much difference between canine and human nutrition; the truth is that dog nutrition is a lot more complicated and might not be fulfilled using supplementary pills. If you are unclear about the diet you should feed your dog, it is best to consult professional breeders. Can you play with your gestating German Shepherd? Your German Shepherd can and should be played with throughout pregnancy. By exercising, your dog will maintain their strength and health. In addition, make sure that your dog does not run around too much, as it might impact the birthing region of the body. First, we would like to sign off by stressing the importance of working with a capable veterinarian throughout this phase to minimize the risk of complications. 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. I went through diaries from the last ten years or so to come up with the usual times pups begin doing all sorts of things, and the ages at which I do different challenging and socializing things with them. Knowing how much people enjoy cute puppy photos, I put one or two photos in the main text to illustrate a new development and supplemented those by a link to more photos that you can view if you like. I have been breeding for 42 years. Years ago, all the screening anyone did was OFA hips. Then OFA began offering elbow certifications. As I went on and encountered other problems such as eye conditions and bad hearts in dogs I bought as breeding prospects or was offered by breeders as breeding prospects, I began screening my dogs for them as soon as OFA began offering certifications. I began with the old American lines, which still had a lot of German imports in their pedigrees. For example, photos from the C litter [whelped ] are distinguished from those of the CC litter [whelped ] by the use of the one-letter or the two-letter label. First, Selecting Parents I do more health screening on a prospective breeding prospect than most breeders. Thyroid ad eye certifications must be redone annually. When I buy pups as breeding prospects, usually 1 out of 3 pass all my health screenings at age 2. The problem is that most health problems are multi-gene recessive faults and can hide in the gene pool for generations. When a particular pup is conceived, it may get an excess of the bad genes and have a health problem. I follow my pups all their lives and keep track of any problems they might have, hopefully minor, and use that knowledge as I choose future breeding partners. So we breeders work in the dark, guessing which combinations of breeding partners will give us what we want, grieving when individual pups get a concentration of some bad genes for a certain trait. I have a friend who had an absolutely gorgeous, super social, fantastic Rottweiler who had 10 generations behind him of every ancestor having OFA good hips. When he turned two she did his OFA hip x-rays and he was severely dysplastic. It happens. All we have to go by are the phenotypic traits that show up on x-rays, not the genes that the dog has. For OFA evaluation the dog is sedated, stretched out on its back, and an x-ray taken. Three radiologists look at the x-ray and rate it excellent, good and fair are passing grades; failing dysplastic hips are rated mild, moderate or severe. In PennHip, the dog is sedated more deeply. After the standard x-ray is taken same view that OFA uses , a fulcrum is placed under each hip and pressure applied. The actual laxity is measured in the joint. PennHip rates each hip separately and gives each a distraction index and rates the possibility of its developing arthritis as the dog ages. PennHip is MUCH more expensive than OFA and only veterinarians who have completed PennHip training can do the x-rays so for me it not only involves a higher fee for the x-ray but also travel expenses and a day lost from other activities. The only health problem for which we have a gene test is spinal myelopathy DM , where the spinal cord gradually becomes constricted and the dog loses control of its rear end. DM comes from a mutation in a famous German dog who was bred to extensively in Germany and whose progeny are all over the world. DM Carriers will not get the condition as the dominant normal gene carries the day. My breeding dogs also must have some kind of training title. Mine usually have Nosework titles, often the Canine Good Citizen title, sometimes agility titles. Outside stud dogs to whom I consider breeding must have as many health screenings as possible and titles, either those listed above or others such as AKC obedience or tracking titles, or Schutzhund BH or further Schutzhund titles. I am serious about breeding dogs that are mentally and physically sound, with good working drives, and I want prospective breeding partners to have proved that in some way. I show a pedigree for the litter with the titles and health screenings listed for four generations. Artificial Insemination, especially with frozen semen, is iffy, so I wait at least until we do an ultrasound at four weeks in whelp before asking for a deposit; sometimes I wait until the pups are born. People on the waiting list are notified first and allowed to put down a deposit before I advertise the litter on my website. I ask people to spend some time doing the application as it gives me a first idea if one of my working-line pups would work for them. My dogs are intense and highly intelligent, not good for people with couch potato lifestyles or who will not spend time training and socializing. Once I approve a person as a possible puppy owner, they are welcome to come meet all of us. Beginning when pups turn three weeks old, people are invited to come play with them. I have to do an ultrasound to determine if my girl is pregnant. Twenty-eight days after breeding an ultrasound will show fetuses, and more importantly, fetal heartbeats. The heartbeats let you know you have live, developing puppies. The uterus has two horns, with puppies implanted and developing in each horn. German Shepherds are so thick that ultrasounds are of little value other than to confirm pregnancy; learning how many pups she has must wait until we can do a x-ray just before her due date. Otherwise, life as usual continues until just before her due date. We keep on training as long as she enjoys it and she exercises as usual, including her daily ball sessions. The Last Week in Whelp As close to her due date as we dare, we take an x-ray to see how many pups she has so I know for sure that we get all of them safely into the world. A week before her due date, I begin taking her temperature twice daily. I also begin adding some raw beef liver or heart to her lunch. I always save hearts and liver anyone gives me just for the near-to-whelping moms because organ meat helps induce milk production. Even if they begin refusing the raw beef cubes, they will gladly eat the heart or liver. The puppies have begun to drop from high in the rib cage to the abdomen area — her lower sides are larger while there almost seems to be a space up higher. The puppies are just too large to remain up under the ribs any longer. Mom has lots of mammary development, getting ready to lactate, and when she moves she clicks as her udder sways back and forth. Quinta shortly before whelping. She is so big that she looks like a snake as she walks towards me, the puppies swaying to the left during one stride and to the right on the next stride. I let her determine how much exercise she needs and just throw the ball when she returns it to me. I begin to really watch her as her behavior starts to change. She will be restless and want to stay close to me as I wander around the house, often begging me to rub her tummy, placing herself so that she can lean her head back and look into my eyes with her own and make sure I know how miserable she was. The strips absorb fluids as each pup is born and are easy to grab in handfuls to remove before placing more fresh strips in the box. I have tried shredded newspapers at times but generally prefer the strips to be wider. For the first couple of weeks they give the fragile, blind pups a place to squeeze into in case mom lies upon them without realizing it. A thermometer helps me make sure the whelping bed is warm enough. I have a doggie door going to a small private yard where she can potty if she needs to. All is ready. Her crate is right by my bed so I can hear if she becomes restless during the night. If at bedtime the thermometer says anything close to .For whelping, I pull the whelping bed out into the middle of the room so that I can access all of it and have plenty of light. I try to take photos as soon as mom has them cleaned up, but I usually wait to weigh the pup and put on its collar until mom is busy with a new arrival and not too worried about me handling the previous one. Average weight is 16 ounces, though occasionally one will weigh up to 20 ounces. I used to sew pieces of Rickrack into collars, but recently have been able to find Velcro collars in a wide enough range of distinguishable colors to make them practical. The first-born male always gets a blue collar, the first-born female always gets a pink collar, and for subsequent pups I try to put darker collars on the sables and lighter collars on the black and tans, again for better quick identification especially in the low-light whelping room during the first few days. I sit by the whelping bed and read a book, frequently checking mom as she peacefully nurses her pups, then go on alert when she goes back into labor. If she goes longer than 2 hours, I will give her an oxytocin shot to stimulate more contractions. When she delivers a pup, I let her clean it — tumbling the pup around as she chews the umbilical cord and dries it, gets it breathing well and rids it of any fluid inhaled during whelping puppy yelling is healthy! Pup on the heating pad while another is being born, BB litter. More photos: BB litter and LL litter When all are born, I give mom a last oxytocin shot to be sure she has expelled all the placentas. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, thus forcing out any leftover fluids and sometimes a hidden puppy. I remove all the shredded newspaper, scrub the whelping bed, let it dry and then put layers of flat newspapers under an absorbent fleece bedding that will wick moisture away from the pups plus give them good traction. Quinta with part of the CC litter my Lively is the pup with the multicolored collar. I then lift the pups back into the whelping bed. Joyful with the BB litter, all black and tans. More photos: FF and KK litters After taking a few photos, I push the bed under the table to create a draft-free, private den for them and add a big bowl of cool water for mom. Newborn pups sometimes roll away from mom and not yet know how to sniff and find her. Eventually they figure things out and the new mom relaxes — their yelling having upset her as she tried to be everywhere for everyone. Peace descends and all of us sleep. Puppies If your German Shepherd is pregnant or you are planning on breeding you may be wondering how many puppies can a German Shepherd have. The amount of puppies each German Shepherd has will vary on many different factors. This article will answer dive into the factors to help you better predict the number of puppies your GSD will have. Generally, you can expect a German Shepherd to have between 5 and 8 puppies per litter. However, German Shepherds have had litters as large as 14 and as small as only 1. There are many factors that contribute to the size of the litter. A German Shepherd can have puppies twice a year. Large dogs like German Shepherds go into heat around every 6 months. During their heat is when they are capable of becoming pregnant. A normal heat cycle lasts between two and four weeks long. Thus, if you breeders or individuals who are looking to breed their GSD track their heat timing and plan to have them mate during their heat. German Shepherds are pregnant for nine weeks on average. Factors That Affect German Shepherd Littler Size Although it is normal for a German Shepherd to have between five and eight puppies a litter, there are many factors that can increase or decrease the litter size. The most common factors are below: The size of the female dog The size of the dog has a big impact of how many puppies they can carry. Although German Shepherds are considered to be a large dog breed some female German Shepherds are larger than others. A female GSD that is larger will be able to carry more pups than a smaller one. Inbreeding Another factor that can contribute to litter size is inbreeding. A pregnancy that is the result of inbreeding will generally produce less puppies than one that is not. Accordingly, if you want to increase your GSD litter size make sure not to bred a female with a male that is related. The age of female The age of the female German Shepherds also plays a role in their potential litter size. Older German Shepherds will generally have smaller litters. The prime age to breed a GSD is between 2 and 5 years of age. You should not breed an elderly GSD. Just like with human males, the sperm count of male German Shepherds will decrease as they age. This decrease can make it harder for them to get a female pregnant and can also impact the litter size if they do get a female GSD pregnant. Health of the female Another factor that is important is the overall health of the female German Shepherd. In order for any dog to produce a healthy plentiful litter of puppies the dog carrying the pups has to be in prime health. Leading up to pregnancy your dog should be fed a high-quality diet, and during pregnancy a GSD will require a diet in that a certain amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates to ensure a health pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant German Shepherds can sometimes need dietary supplements if they are not getting the appropriate nutrients through their diet. Conclusion There are many factors that impact how many puppies German Shepherds can have. Most commonly German Shepherds will have between five and eight puppies, but age, health, and inbreeding can cause a GSD to bear a smaller litter. Breeders who are looking to increase litter size will need to make sure that all those controllable factors are in line and let nature do the rest. Gestation length according to accurate hormone measurements in dogs Please note that these values are averages and individual dogs may have slight variations. Getting Ready for Delivery Before giving birth to its babies, a female German shepherd begins exploring private and safe places for her puppies this process is called nesting. For the comfort of the mother and the safety of the puppy, keep some blankets and towels in the whelping box. She begins to spend more time in her nest. This way you will not have to distribute her puppies in hidden places. Taking Care of German shepherd Puppies Newborns cannot see or hear until 5 to 8 days of age. Puppies do not stand until at least 2 to 4 weeks of age. Same for the barking behavior. If left in the litter or orphaned, or if its mother is unable to produce enough milk, or if the suckle reflex for the puppy is poor, ask your vet for the Lactose-Free weaning milk prescribed for German Shepherd Puppies. Check if the temperature is warm enough as the puppies cannot control their temperature at this stage. You do not need to bathe them this time, because the mother GSD cleans her litter by constantly pressing. If the puppies are orphaned, you can wash them gently using a warm and damp cloth. Mothers for German shepherds , depending on her experience and the size of the litter, work an average of 6 to 18 hours, usually to deliver puppies. When new contractions begin, arrange the already-born puppies with a heating pad fitted in a small box and keep them away until the next puppy is born. Immediately after birth, check that each puppy is breathing properly. Observe closely their movements to make sure there are no faded puppies. German shepherd giving birth for the first time Usually, after birth, the mother cuts the umbilical cord and cleans the puppies by gently pressing their bodies. She starts with the genitals, then the legs complete with the rest of the body. She may not do so if she has no experience, or when she is exhausted after childbirth. This colostrum is very nutritious for babies. Hygiene Mother GSD, by licking its genital area, encourages her litter to urinate or defecate, but if left in the litter, you should stimulate them with potty cleaning essentials because new-borns cannot do this on their own till the first 2 weeks of life. Gently massage the anal area using a damp cotton ball or washcloth. Use a suction bulb syringe if something obstructs the nasal passages of the puppy. Also Read: When do German shepherd ears Stand up naturally? Track the growth and condition of each puppy. Using the Baby Scale, weigh each puppy immediately after birth and log its weight. Healthy German Shepherd puppies weight is about 0. Well-fed puppies sleep quietly, while air-swallowing puppies appear to be well-fed, but behave satisfactorily, initially crying and wandering around a lot, then, not moving enough. German Shepherd puppies are completely weaned and completely independent from their mother by 8 weeks of age, so it is best to train them to avoid behavioral problems. If puppies are not trained to be considered completely stupid, train them now. If necessary, bottle feeding with a canine milk replacement formula can be introduced, following veterinarian guidelines. Puppies should be fed every hours, including overnight. Weaning Introduce a small amount of softened puppy food to start the weaning process. Consult with a veterinarian for appropriate food and feeding guidelines. Start offering puppy food mixed with milk replacement formula, gradually reducing the formula over time. Begin to introduce the puppies to lapping from a shallow dish of water. Socialization Continue handling and gentle interactions to build trust and positive associations with humans. Introduce the puppies to new sounds, sights, and experiences in a controlled and safe manner. Allow supervised playtime with littermates to encourage socialization and development of motor skills. Veterinary Check-up Schedule a veterinary visit for a check-up, deworming, and vaccination recommendations. Hygiene and Cleanliness Clean the whelping area regularly, ensuring a warm, dry, and comfortable environment. Puppies may begin to crawl and explore, so provide a safe space with appropriate bedding. Monitor the puppies for any signs of illness or abnormalities and seek veterinary assistance if necessary. Sleep and Rest Puppies spend most of their time sleeping and should have a designated area for uninterrupted rest. Ensure the sleeping area is quiet, warm, and away from drafts or excessive noise. Provide soft bedding or blankets for comfort. Checklist of essential items for the Newborn German Shepherd Puppies and Mother Here is a list of things newborn German Shepherd puppies and their mother need: For Mom Whelping Box : A safe and comfortable place for a mother to give birth and nurse her puppies. Bedding: soft, clean bedding for the whelping box to keep mother and puppies warm and comfortable. Food and water bowls: Provide easily accessible bowls for the mother to have food and water. High-quality dog food: Provide a balanced and nutritious diet that meets the needs of the mother during pregnancy and lactation. Consult a veterinarian for specific recommendations. Freshwater: Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh water to keep the mother hydrated. Medical Supplies — Keep a first aid kit on hand that includes items such as wound cleansers, gauze pads, and other basic medical supplies in case of emergencies or complications. For newborn puppies Help Box: A safe and warm environment for puppies to grow and develop. Bedding: Soft, clean bedding to keep pups warm and comfortable. Heat source: A heat lamp or heating pad is set to a low temperature to provide adequate warmth for puppies, since they are initially unable to regulate their body temperatures. Milk Replacement Formula — If nursing is not possible or additional supplementation is required, a high-quality canine milk replacement formula is available. Nursing bottles or syringes — can be used to provide supplementary feeding if puppies are unable to nurse from their mother or if necessary. Weight standard: Check the weight of the puppies regularly to ensure proper growth and development. Vet Contact Information — Have the contact details of a veterinarian with experience caring for puppies handy for any emergencies or questions. Identification bands: Use different colored bands or collars to help distinguish between puppies and track their progress. Socialization and nurturing toys: As puppies get older, introduce appropriate toys and objects to stimulate their senses and encourage early socialization. Remember to consult a veterinarian for personalized recommendations and guidance based on your specific situation and the needs of your German Shepherd mother and puppies. The mother should be given small, frequent meals throughout the day to support her energy requirements while feeding the puppy or during nursing. How often should newborn German Shepherd puppies be nursed? Puppies should nurse from their mother every 1 to 2 hours during the first few weeks of life. They have small stomachs and need frequent feedings to meet their nutritional needs. When should I start introducing solid food to the puppies? Solid food introduction typically begins around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Start by offering softened puppy food mixed with milk replacement formula, gradually transitioning them away from exclusive nursing. Consult with a veterinarian for specific recommendations. How do I keep the whelping area clean? Clean the whelping area regularly to maintain hygiene. Remove soiled bedding promptly, wipe down surfaces, and replace it with fresh, clean bedding. Use pet-safe disinfectants as recommended by your veterinarian. When can I start weaning the puppies from their mother? Weaning usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks of age when puppies start showing interest in solid food. Gradually introduce softened puppy food and reduce the amount of milk replacement formula or nursing sessions. Monitor their progress and consult with a veterinarian for guidance. Final Thoughts In conclusion, newborn German Shepherd puppies and their mother require special care and dedication. Here are some key points to keep in mind: Proper nutrition is very important for mother and puppies. Make sure the mother gets a balanced diet that meets her needs during pregnancy and lactation. Consult a veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations. Newborn babies depend on breast milk for nutrition. Make sure they nurse frequently, usually every 1 to 2 hours to meet their nutritional needs. Monitor their weight gain to make sure they are thriving. Provide a clean and comfortable helping area for mother and baby. Keep the area warm, dry and draft-free. Clean and replace bedding regularly to maintain cleanliness. Gradually introduce solid food to puppies at 3 to 4 weeks of age. Start with soft puppy food and gradually transition them away from exclusive nursing. Check with a veterinarian for specific feeding guidelines. Socialize puppies from an early age. Handle them carefully, expose them to different sights and sounds, and introduce positive human interactions. This helps them develop into well-adjusted and sociable dogs. Look for any illness or abnormalities in the mother or puppies. Seek veterinary help immediately if you notice anything concerning. By providing proper nutrition, a safe environment, and early socialization, you can give newborn German Shepherd puppies the best start in life and ensure the well-being of both mother and her precious offspring.

As he enjoys his treat with his eyes covered with the blanket, he looks extremely cute. Overall they are very muscular and are strong enough to tackle. Playful dachshund puppies. See dachshund puppy stock video clips. Dachshunds were bred to be badger-hunting dogs, with their sensitive sense of smell and low-to-the-ground stature. Wat Chomphet: Not that worth it beyond getting some pictures of old town. Doxiepins are great-looking mutts that often feature the body of their dachshund parent with the color-scheme and face of a miniature pinscher. A Dachshund is an adorable Wiener dog that is short and stout. Vehari was made separate district. A Dachshund can be a good fit for a novice owner as long as they attend obedience and puppy training classes. Crusoe the Dachshund 1. Dachshund Puppies for sale and adoption All categories Dachshund All List Grid Newly listed listings dachshund English cream piebald dapple dachshund puppy Dachshund Pasadena, California, United States We currently have available one male Miniature Long-haired Dachshund puppy who is purebred and English cream piebald. The pottery village is located on the other side of the Mekong, a ten minute boat ride downstream of Luang Prabang. At Cute Dachshund Puppies, we breed our dogs only from our own lines or with established other breeders who have already earned a reputation for quality pedigreed dogs. Cute dogs characters various poses hunting breed, design for prints, textile or card, adorable dachshund cartoon vector set. Dachshund Puppy royalty-free images 71, dachshund puppy stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free. While stubborn and independent, they will love you forever and make a wonderful companion for your family. Miniature dachshunds are also curious and intelligent, requiring lots of attention just like their regular dachshund relatives. Dachshund Puppies for Sale. Dachshund's are. Avoid puppy scams! We don't want any money from you until you get your puppy. We found 9 ridiculously cute videos featuring Dachshund puppies. This is one sassy Dachshund puppy! As they mature, Dachshund puppies are known for nearly single-minded devotion and loyalty to their family, and have a reputation for being reticent around new people. Check out our cute dachshund puppy selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. New Puppies Are Here!!! To be exact, the average Dachshund weighs between 18 and 32 pounds, with the males being larger than the females. He is exceptionally playful and gets along well with children, making him an ideal family pet. Go over some of these cute Dachshund names for your doggo. We don't take deposits, no wiring money through untrusted cash applications, no gift cards, no. Watch this Dachshund puppy master his escape! Try Not To Laugh! Funniest Dachshund Moments of .Oh dear this one is a little rascal! Dachshund Dog in a red sunglasses and with a polka dots neck scarf on a striped background. Funniest Dachshund Moments of AlphaPaw 7. High resolution picture downloads for your next project. Dark brown and black on his head, and white with black spots on the rest of his body, Moo's fur pattern definitely makes passersby and social media lurkers look twice to make sure he isn't wearing doggy pajamas. Dachshund Breeders in Maine ME. Is this the cutest Dachshund puppy ever? Quite possibly. Originally raised in Germany to help with hunting, the iconic Dachshund has short little legs and a long body, along with a strong personality. These big-eared, scrunchy-faced pups are very affectionate and loyal dogs that often get along well with children and other animals. Humor card, t-shirt composition, hand drawn style print. German Shepherd , Male, Adult, Whatsapp. Find the best Puppies for sale in Multan. It wakes up to the smell and his tongue finds the piece of food. Dahlia, a cute Loving girl! Funny "I love you" heart sausage dog butt design element for Valentine's day, pets, dog lovers theme. Puppies for Sale at Puppies. Check out our cute puppy dachshund selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Once your pooch is born, the little buddy will be ready to go with you within weeks. Proper names for Dachshunds. So Stinking Cute Dachshunds raise their puppies around other dogs, cats and children. Check out our dachshund cute puppy selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. He is exceptionally playful and gets along well with children, making him an ideal. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. Oh dear… this one is a little rascal! Browse 2, cute dachshund puppy photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. OMG these wirehaired Dachshunds are too cute! Portrait of a smiling funny Dachshund dog in the Knitted hat with pompom. We now offer shipping in the USA! Feel free to email or call us at if you have any questions, or are interested in a puppy from one of our upcoming litters. Belonging to the hound family, they were bred to sniff out, chase, and flush out burrowing animals, as well as hunt small prey. Free Delivery Nationwide. Dachshunds can be standard-sized usually 16 to 32 pounds or miniature 11 pounds or under , and come in one of three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired. Dachshunds are unique dogs — cute and full of attitude. Depending on which parent the pup takes after, the Chiweenie can have a long or a short coat. Here is a video of a cute dachshund which is sleeping peacefully, but once the owners of the puppy put a piece of food in front of its nose. Related searches: dachshund dog isolated dachshund dog on white dachshund dog vector. OLX Pakistan offers online local classified ads for Puppies. Meet Moo - just about the cutest seven-month-old dachshund whose fur is adorably mismatched. Dachshunds are small dogs that come in three different sizes. Sometimes all you need is a little help… 4. The size and weight differs with the variety. Dachshund on the background of dry grass. There are three varieties of dachshunds that you will found the short haired, long haired and the wire haired. I have categorized them into top 10, best overall, funny, famous, German, cute, and then alphabetically by female and male puppy names. Funniest Dachshund. Overall they are very muscular and are strong enough to tackle their enemies. Think names that start with Sir, Miss, or Mister. The next size is again smaller and called a toy. Dahlia is a beautiful girl with long white hair. Key physical characteristics include. At Cute Dachshund Puppies, we breed our dogs only from our own lines or with established other breeders who have already earned a reputation for quality pedigreed. Some adorable options include: Miss Schnitzel. Sometimes all you need is a little help…. Stubbly little legs and floppy ears. Guilty baby dog listens attentively to moralizing of owner or handler. Dahlia likes to be held and receive pets! They also have a large color variety which ranges from black, red, chocolate, Isabella, cream, golden to platinum. Learn more puppies available 1, certified breeders Transportation Location Size Color. Dachshund puppies for sale from trusted breeders. Find Puppies for Sale at Puppies. Set cute dachshund puppy, jumping, lying and standing and smiling in cartoon style, bright pet character isolated on white background. Dachshund Moments of .Their goal is to produce even-tempered, quality dogs without health or genetic issues. These next few cute. Doxy Den Miniature Dachshunds 2. Dog Breeds to Keep as Pets. Cute puppy sitting. Cute dachshund puppy looks at something with surprise or suspicion, white background, copy space. Vehari, Khanewal and Lodhran were Tehsils of Multan district. These are names that sound refined and regal. The largest size is called the standard dachshund. She loves to go for daily walk and to run around in the backyard! She is good with the dogs in her foster home! She is house and crate trained. Sometimes all you need is a little help 4. This purebred dog breed comes in two sizes: the Standard Dachshund and the Miniature Dachshund. Find Cute dachshund stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Oh dear… this one is a little rascal! It is located in Phonxay, Luang Prabang. If you are thinking of getting one, these cute and funny dachshund memes will give you a taste of what it will be like to have one in your life. She loves to go. Dachshund pose, dog pedigree drawing, domestic pet illustration Collection of cute funny dog characters different breeds walking isolated on white background. The miniature dachshund is the smaller variety of the standard dachshund breed. This cute dog breed comes in a variety of sizes and colors, but one physical feature remains constant: his elongated body. The gorgeous Dachshund Should you get a Dachshund mixed breed? Community member. Cute dachshund pet lies in dog bed at dog-friendly hotel looking at camera. Their legs are short, their bodies are. Dachshund Mixes: 30 Different Doxie Crossbreeds. Some people often get confused about this name but actually doxie dog is the nick name of the very popular dog breed Dachshund. Cute Names for Dachshund Puppies With their large round eyes, floppy ears, and lengthy snoots, few pups are as endearing as a doxie dog. She has the face of a Golden mix and a long body with short legs of a dachshund. Knights Joy Dachshunds 5. Miniature Dachshund: Your Complete Guide. Dachshund This cute dog breed comes in a variety of sizes and colors, but one physical feature remains constant: his elongated body. This property is a 7, SqM land plot that is available for sale. Cute smiling dachshund puppy dog vector cartoon illustration isolated on pink background. Lovingly referred to as the "hot dog dog", the "wiener dog," and the "sausage dog", the Dachshund is a cute and outgoing breed. So Stinking Cute Dachshunds 4. Daisy-Hill Dachshunds 3. Whilst all of Luang Prabang's temples are beautiful, and historically unique, there are three which are most significant; Wat Xieng Thong, Haw Pha Bang and Wat Tham Phousi, all of which you can discover below. The gorgeous Dachshund Should you get a Dachshund mixed. Bald Mountain Dachshunds 6. The smallest size is called a miniature. Here are the best dachshund names. Post your classified ad for free in various categories like mobiles, tablets, cars, Cute Dachshund Puppies. The dog gets a puppy kit which contains a lot of functions including the smell of the mommy and sibling puppies to make the process easy. The rich ochre tones and coloured glass mosaics of Xieng Thong temple make it a standout. Although affectionate and eager to please, this dog breed is highly intelligent, independent, and has a stubborn streak, which requires plenty of patience when it comes to training. They raise all the puppies inside their house and treat them as a part of their family. Although petite and cute, this dachshund variety is hyper-energetic and can be a quite challenging dog to handle. Top Dachshund Puppies Available. They breed a variety of Doxies with various coats, colors, and patterns. Today, Dachshunds come in two sizes standard and miniature and in three varieties smooth-, wire- and long-haired. Originating in Germany, this dog was historically not intended to become the easy-going lap dog it is today. Their legs are short, their bodies are comically. How to get to Ban Chan Pottery Village. Dachshunds aren't built for. Life Span Did You Know? These large, fluffy dogs are known for their non-shedding coats and lovable personalities. Bernedoodles tend to be a great addition to any family! Although the Bernedoodle is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other dog registries. As long as they are properly socialized, they tend to be open and friendly dogs that get along well with just about anyone. These dogs tend to do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they can be initially wary and watchful at first, they even tend to warm up quickly to strangers once introduced. Bernedoodles are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. Despite their size and energy, they can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise and attention. These dogs tend to handle the cold better than the heat; you may even have some trouble getting them to come back inside after some playtime in the snow. Because Bernedoodles bond so closely with their families and enjoy nothing more than being around them, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to skin issues like sensitive skin, allergies, and hot spots. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large dog breed, the Standard Bernedoodle is also at risk for bloat like both parent breeds. The Bernedoodle is a highly intelligent and easily trained dog breed. Some facts about Bernedoodles are that they are a good fit for owners of any experience level and tend to pick up commands easily. Although they tend to grow out of this initial stubbornness with age, puppy training classes will certainly help with training and socialization early on. Bernedoodles tend to have a longer coat that ranges from curly to wavy. Although they tend to be non-shedding, they still need a lot of maintenance to keep their coat looking great. Daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats along with grooming every weeks are recommended. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing daily along and cleanings at the vet as needed are an ideal start to a good dental care routine for your Bernedoodle. Standard Bernedoodles can range from moderate to high energy. They tend to sit in a more moderate activity range and have bursts of higher energy when they play. These dogs are known to play hard and energetically until they are tired, but are not usually considered high-energy dogs. Daily walks plus playtime and some time to run should be enough for a Bernedoodle. But, these dogs will likely be up for more activity if you are. They will love the opportunity to spend more time being active with you. A fully-grown Standard Bernedoodle usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Standard Bernedoodles generally live for years on average. A Bernedoodle is also sometimes called a Bernese Mountain Poo. Featured Bernedoodle Article.

They are superb with kids and very much compatible with other pets in the house. They are big and their tail is strong, so keep your breakable belongings away from the reach of that helicopter wag. They are great personalities for a pet but maintaining them is no joke. Bookmark this page which lists down cool tips to take care of a Golden Retriever. To prevent it from matting and to reduce the shedding, you must brush it daily. If you do this from an early age, they get used to it and they actually look forward to it. Not only that. While you brush them, watch out for scabs, cysts, scratches and bumps and if it does not go in a day or two, visit the vet. Wrap some wet cotton gauze around your finger and then wipe the inside of your puppy's ears and ear flap. Do it every alternate day and if you notice wax buildup or discharge or foul smell, take it to the vet, do not delay. When their nails start clicking the ground, it is a sign that your boy or girl needs trimming. Active dogs need fewer trims as per vets. It can bleed and it is very painful too. Also, do not cut the nail in one go. Go slow and if you see a circle on the trimmed surface, stop there and then because that is the quick. Never use a human toothpaste because they are very toxic for dogs. Make sure that your fur-child goes on a brisk walk, plays around at least for 30 minutes twice a day. Play fetch, take it for a swim if he loves water. They must have a place to retreat if they feel low or nervous. But never make it an area of punishment as that will stress them out. Teach them basic commands. Nowadays, we also have pet friendly cafes, so take them there. Not just pets, dogs should also know other humans besides you. They must know that people wearing attires unlike yours are also humans they need to be civil with. Do take them to crowded places to take away that fear and so that they get accustomed to loud noises as well. Fast cars and bikes, all these things scare them if they are not used to it. It is the same as human babies. Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. They crave human attention and affection, the more the better! Often, they will sit by your feet and lean into you or will paw at you to keep petting them. Leaving your Golden alone too long might make him depressed, or could cause unwanted behaviours such as chewing, excessive barking, and other destructive behaviour. But, keep in mind that you are everything to your Golden Retriever and they want to spend their time with you. A high-quality diet is a must for these dogs, as they can easily develop skin problems such as allergies, and they can easily become overweight. Goldens love food, and will eat anything!! It is important to keep control and monitor their food intake so that they do not become overweight. It is certainly not an easy thing to do when they look at you with their sad puppy dog eyes begging for food every time you eat. The biggest mistake you can make is feeding them from the table. I can attest to this because I used to do it! My dog became slightly overweight, and it was a struggle to shed the pounds off of her. Give Them Space Goldens are labelled as a medium to large-sized breed. Breed standards state that adult Goldens will typically weigh between lbs female , and lbs male. Some adults can weigh more or less depending on genetics. Because of their large size, they need room to move. Goldens are not meant to be outside dogs all the time, they would rather spend time with their humans inside than be outside by themselves. Having a yard for them to run and play is beneficial, but when given enough exercise and outdoor time, Goldens can also do well in apartment living. Just make sure that your house or apartment is large enough to accommodate them. Keep Them Beautiful One thing is for certain of this breed, and that is they shed!!! Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful long coat, which is actually a double-coat. Meaning it consists of a thick soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. The undercoat is what sheds heavily in the spring and fall, and there is moderate shedding throughout the rest of the year. A Goldens double-coat offers protection from the elements, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Regular brushing is a must to keep their coat looking healthy and shiny, and to minimize shedding. Bathing should be done regularly as well, and since Goldens love water it should be easier to do. Because of their floppy ears, Goldens are prone to getting ear infections. Weekly ear cleaning is recommended to keep their ears free of dirt and debris and to prevent infections. Golden Retrievers are beautiful, and they know it and love to show it off. It is up to their owners to keep them beautiful. Grooming a Golden Retriever does not have to be difficult, you can easily learn to groom them yourself at home to save some money. Socialize Them Golden Retrievers are naturally social. They love nothing more than being taken for a walk and meeting new people and other dogs. Known for their friendly and gentle nature, Goldens will get along with all animals and all people. Now as an adult she continues this with the people that she knows. She will also go up to strangers and sit on their feet and wait to be petted. She loves the attention that she gets. After meeting someone, or another dog she usually gets very happy and excited. I would suggest taking your Golden everywhere with you, take them to the park, for car rides, let them meet new people and dogs. Let them experience new things and you will have a happy dog. Take Them Swimming Natural born swimmers, to say that Goldens love water is an understatement! Especially on a hot summer day, Goldens will love to go in any water source they can find. Some owners have Golden Retrievers that enjoy rolling around and getting dirty in mud puddles, I am lucky enough to not be one of those owners. Swimming is a great form of exercise for your Golden Retriever, so take them with you to a dog-friendly beach or other water spot and have a game of fetch in the water. Provide Mental Stimulation Because they are such intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers are easy to train. They are eager to please their owner, especially when a treat is involved for being a good dog. In order to keep them from getting bored, and becoming destructive, they should be given plenty of mental stimulation. Golden Retrievers are happier and healthier, and more behaved when they are given mental stimulation on a daily basis. This can be done by teaching your dog basic commands and tricks, playing games with them, and providing enough exercise. An example of mental stimulation right now for my dog Ellie is when we are out walking she loves to go into the creek at several spots along the trail and hunt for frogs. She is so excited when she sees one and tries to catch it. They are basically big teddy bears. Craving human attention and affection is what they do and if that means jumping onto your lap and snuggling up with you, then that is what they will do. I remember when Ellie was a puppy I did not want her on the couch. I even tried to put tinfoil on the couch to deter her away from it. How long do you think that lasted?? Maybe a week or less. She would take a running leap and jump onto the couch and realize how comfortable it was, and just stay there. Nothing I could do about it, it was just easier to give in. Now I share a couch with her. She has her side, I have mine. Some Goldens live longer than the average, with many of them living up to 14 or 15 years. Genetics, lifestyle, environment, nutrition and spay or neuter status can all contribute to the health of your Golden. In order to keep them healthy and to ensure a long life with your devoted best friend, there are things you need to do such as: Provide a nutritious high-quality diet. Provide plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Keep your Golden at an ideal weight and watch food intake to prevent obesity. Look for any signs of illness and medical problems, and get regular vet check-ups. Play with them, and show them plenty of love. Provide regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy. They may bark at a stranger at the door, but will soon wag their tail and flash their friendly smile at them. They love people way too much to be effective as a guard dog. If someone were to break into their home, a Golden would rather lick them to death than show any form of aggression. The Golden Retriever especially needs a lot of love and attention in order to be happy. They value the time spent with you, and any dog owner knows that the time spent with their beloved Golden Retriever is never enough. A Golden Retriever quickly steals your heart and becomes your best friend. Their beauty both inside and out becomes addicting that most owners of this beautiful breed usually own more than one. Keep in mind that if you let a Golden be a Golden, by letting them do what they love such as meeting new people and going swimming, then you will be rewarded with a happy dog. How do you take care of your Golden Retriever to ensure their happiness? Share your thoughts and comments below. I would love to hear from you. Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. Golden Retrievers were first bred in the early s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens also excel at many other activities, including search and rescue jobs and guide work. They require ample exercise—swimming in particular is a great outlet for their endless energy, and most Goldens love it! Their beautiful coats require brushing and in some climates a summer trim may be in order. Goldens are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their families. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Golden. By knowing about health concerns specific to Golden Retrievers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Golden Retrievers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Golden Retrievers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Golden looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Golden is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Golden Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Golden Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Golden is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Golden Retrievers Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your Golden will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are curable by surgical removal, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Golden Retrievers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Golden Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal , so early detection is critical. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Golden is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Goldens. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Golden Retrievers and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Golden is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Allergies, swimming, overgrowth of hair in the ear canals, and accumulation of earwax can all predispose your dog to ear infections, which are painful and annoying. Goldens are very often afflicted by allergies, which can cause itching and inflammation in the ears and elsewhere. The earlier we diagnose and treat these ailments, the less discomfort and pain your pet will suffer. Be sure to call us if you notice him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears seem painful to the touch. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we also reduce the likelihood of eardrum damage that can lead to deafness. Most ear infections tend to recur until we work together to control the underlying cause. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Golden Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Heart Disease Some Golden Retrievers inherit a heart condition known as aortic stenosis. This disease causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow leaving the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body. If the condition is severe, your dog may faint or seem to run out of energy during exercise. He may also have difficulty breathing, cough frequently, or have stunted growth. Golden Retrievers are also especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected, but Goldens have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you. Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Bleeding Disorders Your Golden Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Taking Care of Your Golden Retriever at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time. Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events. She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help. My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. Read the full disclosure here. They rely on you for everything and their health and well-being is well and truly in your hands. In order for your Golden to live as long and as healthy and fit a life as possible, you need to first educate yourself on how to care for them properly and build this knowledge into actions and routines. A balanced and nutritious diet, regular exercise , grooming and regular veterinary health checks are all essential parts of maintaining good health and quality of life. All of these are under your control. By taking steps to do the best for your Goldens health and monitoring their well-being regularly, you can prevent illnesses happening, avoiding pain and discomfort for your Golden and vets bills and heartache for you. At first, being a caring and responsible owner can seem a daunting and herculean task, but breaking it down into little manageable routines really does make it easy. Health Care Routines For Your Golden Retriever You should keep a diary and set up daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly routines to make sure every need is met and your Golden is well looked after. Example routines would be: Daily: Provision of nutritious food and clean water, regular and sufficient exercise, general health check via bodily inspections. Weekly: Inspection of ears, eyes and oral health and hygiene. Comprehensive grooming and nail care. Quarterly: Bath your Golden. In the past, any more often than this was bad for their coat quality and skin. Scheduled visits to a veterinarian and canine dentist, perhaps alternating every 3 months so two visits to each per year. Yearly: Vaccination top-ups. Following is a brief discussion of areas you need to pay attention to in order to care for your Golden well. Particularly during their puppy years they can get themselves into all sorts of trouble around your home and garden so you have to undertake a certain amount of puppy-proofing your home : Fence off swimming pools or ponds in your yard as they will get in there but being so small they may not be able to swim well and could find it impossible to get out unaided. Research the plants and flowers you have in your home and garden as there are in excess of one hundred plants known to be toxic to dogs and Goldens love a good chew! Remove or make safe any sharp items in your home that your Golden may play with, rub against or walk over in their playing. Hide away any electrical cables because a dogs sharp teeth and electricity are a particularly dangerous combination. Goldens can learn to open simple storage units and household chemicals therein are extremely dangerous to your dog. For now, just pretend you are an inquisitive dog, tour your home and garden and imagine just how they could get themselves into trouble in any of the areas they have access to. Then take steps to make those areas safe. Diet, Nutrition and Water Intake Dogs in the wild would hunt and scavenge, eating a wide variety of different foods, taking care of their own diet and ensuring they get all the nutrients they need. Modern dogs no longer hunt and scavenge and instead rely on their owners to provide them everything they need. You need to research, find and provide a good scientifically formulated diet to match their very particular nutritional requirements. You should note that a puppy has different nutritional requirements to an active adult dog, that is again different to a very senior dog who may have somewhat slowed down. There are dog foods balanced to meet a dogs different needs for each stage of their lives and activity levels. One thing you really need to watch out for with Golden Retrievers is over-feeding. And a Golden will never say no, they just love to eat! So please be mindful of their food intake and monitor their weight. No dog should be overweight. It can lead to joint problems, which leads to mobility problems, as well as diseases of their internal organs which can really shorten their lives. As well as good food, your Golden needs access to a good, clean and fresh supply of water every day. Dehydration is a real problem, as is over-hydrating in some dogs. And any drastic changes in their intake usually signifies an underlying health problem and you should seek the advice of your vet. Exercise Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed, bred for working and hence considered a high energy breed. To keep them fit and healthy and to occupy their minds you will need to provide them with lots of opportunity for structured exercise. Notice I said structured exercise! This means you cannot simply let them out into your yard and hope they take care of exercise themselves. They will walk around a bit and mostly just spend their time begging to be let back in with you. You have to plan structured exercise such as running, playing fetch or swimming. You have to take them out for a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise per day on top of their normal walks, and preferably with a good 2 hour bout of longer exercise at least once per week. The five minute rule is that a puppy needs no more than 5 minutes structured exercise per day for every month they have been alive. So a 4 month old puppy needs just 20 minutes, a 5 month old puppy 25 minutes etc. So take it easy with a puppy. Training Just how important training is for your Goldens quality of life cannot be overstated. A dog that listens to and responds to just a few well-trained commands can be kept infinitely safer than an untrained dog. So you should provide your Golden with a decent firm yet soft bed and a nice comfortable lining for their crate if you use one. If you have a yard and your Golden will be expected to spend any length of time outside you should provide a form of shelter so they can keep off the cold wet floor in winter and get out of the sun in summer. There are many options for suitable kennels and many of them are reasonably priced. If you fail to keep up a regular schedule of brushing, their coats very quickly become knotted and then matted and these are all but impossible to remove without the help of a pair of scissors. Regular brushing also helps to keep your Goldens coat clean and removes dead hair. When it comes to bathing, Golden Retrievers have a double coat and natural oils that help waterproof them so bathing too often is actually bad for their coats…at least it always used to be. Just be sure if you do wish to bathe them often that you research the shampoo used and pick one suited to regular bathing for Goldens. Human shampoo will never do as it will strip their oils and is too acidic for their skin and will irritate them. And cheap dog shampoos will strip the oils too. You kinda get what you pay for. To keep their coat healthy and prevent irritation you need to remove all the soap. Note: Click here for a selection of the best dog brushes suitable for your golden Nail Care Depending on how often your golden walks on hard abrasive surfaces, they will probably need their nails trimmed every 10 or 12 weeks. But if your golden is constantly walking pavements and roads, they may never need a trim due to concrete and tarmacs abrasive, nail-file like effect. Anyway, you should regularly check your dogs paws. This can be very uncomfortable for your dog and if it gets out of control even painful. You can quite easily trim your dogs nails at home , or you can take them to the vet where they will do the procedure for you. If you do wish to do it at home, I recommend taking your dog to the vet first and asking for advice on how to do it, being shown and learning from the pros rather than risking it alone from a book. Better safe than sorry! Look inside to make sure they are a healthy looking color, not bright red and inflamed. Also check for lots of small little grainy looking brown dots. These are the droppings of ear mites and a sign of a parasitic infection which should be treated ASAP. Dental Care Dental hygiene is an often overlooked area of dog care by many people but is very important. Much like us, dogs can suffer with tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum disease and a build up of plaque and tartar. Not only does this detract from the overall good looks of your dog, it can be quiet uncomfortable, sometimes painful and can lead to more severe problems if left untreated. So you should regularly check their teeth and gums yourself, make use of available chews that help to clean their teeth and take your dog to a canine dentist every 6 to 12 months. Try to treat your dogs teeth as good as you would treat your own. Parasitic problems Fleas, ticks and other parasites can be a real problem for dogs, leading to many problems ranging from mild skin irritation, to extreme sores and infections, and in the most extreme cases dramatic weight loss, tape worms and Lyme disease. So you should regularly check for parasites in your Golden which is very easy to do if you are sticking to a regular schedule of brushing their coats. Simply spend an extra minute to inspect closer to their skin looking for ticks, fleas or small dots droppings in their fur which would indicate the presence of parasites. Treatment for fleas and ticks can be administered at home as there are many treatments for this available over the counter. Try to make it every 6 months, but once per year as a minimum. This will allow your vet to become familiar with your dog which makes spotting changes easier for them. And it gives them a chance to spot problems early that you without an untrained eye may not pick up on. As always, prevention is better than cure and if there is ever a problem then catching it as early as possible is vital for more effective treatment and minimal pain and discomfort for your pet. Regular visits to the vet allow this early discovery. You will also need to see your vet to have your puppy vaccinated. There are many diseases, some fatal, that can be prevented easily with a course of vaccinations. Distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis as well as the infamous rabies can all be kept at bay with vaccines. A puppy will require shots starting at 6 weeks with a course of various shots taking them up to 18 weeks or so. The rabies shot is administered at about 6 months of age and after this your Golden will require just a yearly top up to maintain protection. Highly Recommended Training Course For a detailed program to follow in the form of a video library, including a step-by-step roadmap for raising a puppy from 8 weeks old all the way to a confident, well-trained and happy adult dog, you could do a lot worse than checking out The Online Dog Trainer. This program contains over follow along videos of an NZ SPCA endorsed professional dog trainer, covering all aspects of dog training, solving behavior problems in real life scenarios, explaining the theory, giving practical advice and more. You can see him getting real results in real-life consultations with his clients, so if you ever have a behavior problem you need to solve, you can follow along for almost guaranteed results. Of course, we are developing a fantastic training resource here at TotallyGoldens. Click here to learn more at TheOnlineDogTrainer. Caring For Your Golden Retriever Final Thoughts Regular grooming will keep your Golden retriever not only looking at their absolute best, but also with your help and intervention it keeps them healthy and disease free too. You May Also Like. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:.

For a dog to qualify as a German shepherd labrador mix, its parents must be a purebred Labrador and a purebred German shepherd. Parent Breeds This breed is a crossbreed between German shepherd and Labrador retriever parents. As these parent breeds are both large dogs with similar appearances, the resulting mix displays similar looks and personality traits. German Shepherd The German shepherd, or Alsatian, is a large, black-and-tan-colored dog hailing from Germany in the late s. This large breed is good with children and is best suited to active families. Labrador Retriever The Labrador retriever is a large British dog with cream, tan, or black coloring. This friendly, affectionate dog breed was developed from fishing dogs imported to the UK from Newfoundland in the s. Lifespan The German shepherd Labrador mix lives for 10—12 years. Healthy, active dogs that eat nutritious foods and live stress-free lifestyles are likely to live longer. German Shepherd Lab Mix Appearance German shepherd lab mixes are large dogs with medium-dense, short-to-medium-length fur. The dogs are usually black, brown, tan, or a combination of several colors. Height and Weight German shepherd lab mixes are considered large dogs, with a height at the withers of 20—27 inches, and a weight of 75—95 pounds. The size and weight of the dog depend on which parent the mix takes after most — German shepherds are taller and heavier than Labrador retrievers. Colors German shepherd lab mixes are typically black, brown, or tan. Patches of white are common on the neck and muzzle. Blue and red are uncommon colors for a labrashepherd. Occasionally, labrashepherds are all-black, all-brown, or all-cream, resembling the Labrador retriever. Coat The German shepherd lab mix has a medium-dense, double coat that sheds frequently. The outer layer of the coat is long and wiry, and the inner coat is short, thick, and soft. The coat comes in a variety of colors, and the undercoat is a lighter shade than the outer coat. Personality and Temperament German shepherd lab mixes have the combined temperament of the watchful German shepherd and the easygoing Labrador retriever. According to the American Kennel Club temperament guide , Labradors are eager to please, adaptable, outgoing, and intelligent. Meanwhile, German shepherds are fearless, confident, eager, and alert. German shepherds are known to be aloof with strangers, and Labradors suffer from separation anxiety. These two traits are often passed on to the German shepherd lab mix. The confident, loyal, eager nature of the labrashepherd makes it a loyal family pet. Barking The German shepherd lab mix has a low barking tendency. A properly-trained dog will only bark to alert its owners of a potential threat. Keeping a labrashepherd entertained with daily walks and playtime should prevent the dog from barking out of boredom. German Shepherd Lab Mix Care Caring for a German shepherd lab mix is easy as long as you have the budget and the energy to look after a big dog. Labrashepherds need daily long walks, a nutritious diet, and plenty of mental stimulation to live happy, healthy lives. Food Needs Provide your German shepherd lab mix with a high-protein diet suitable for large, high-energy dogs. On average, German shepherd lab mixes need about 3 cups of kibble per day. Use a slicker brush and brush in the direction of hair growth, applying fine strokes that remove dead hairs and mats. Exercise Needs The German shepherd lab mix is an energetic breed that needs at least one hour of daily exercise, divided into two or more walks. Ideally, give your labrashepherd access to your backyard throughout the day between walks to allow your dog to run around and let out energy. Mental Needs Provide at least 30 minutes of daily mental stimulation to keep your German shepherd lab mix happy and satisfied. The breed is intelligent and enjoys playing hide-and-seek, fetch games, and puzzle games with food release toys. Common Health Concerns German shepherd lab mixes inherit some of the common health issues affecting their parent breeds. Obesity Like Labrador retrievers, labrashepherds are prone to overeating and obesity. Lab results have found that Labradors are missing all or part of the POMC gene, which senses body fat storage and regulates appetite. Give this mix plenty of exercise to prevent weight gain. Skin Allergies German shepherd lab mixes are sensitive to mites, dust, pollen, and chemicals, which cause itchy skin and skin allergies. Redness, rashes, persistent itching, infections especially around the ears , and hair loss are all common signs of skin allergies in dogs. Treatment for skin allergies includes diet changes, avoiding triggers, and medication to reduce itching. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a common hereditary condition in large dog breeds, including the Labrador retriever and the German shepherd. The condition causes the hip ball and socket to deteriorate and lose function. This issue commonly affects overweight or under-exercised dogs. Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include decreased range of motion in the back legs, decreased activity, lameness, and limping. The condition is treated with physical therapy, weight reduction, and surgery. Consistent training is important for this breed, so train your dog for at least 15 minutes every day. Start training your puppy from the age of eight weeks old. To prevent this, train your dog during or after a long walk. While the breed mix is affordable to buy, the expense of feeding a large dog is high. The upfront cost of a German shepherd lab mix depends on whether you buy from a reader or adopt the dog from a shelter. Factors that affect the cost of the dog are age, coloring, and whether the dog is adopted or bought from a breeder. Dogs with rare coat colors are more expensive than dogs with common colors. Additional, optional costs are dog sitting and boarding, professional dog grooming, and dog training classes. The German shepherd lab mix is an affectionate, loyal, energetic dog that makes a great family pet. However, this dog has traits that make it unsuitable for some people and lifestyles. Labrashepherds are high-energy dogs that are ideal for active, outdoorsy households. German shepherd lab mixes are responsive to training if proper boundaries are established, so this mix is best suited to people who have the time to train the dogs from an early age. Check out these other hybrid dog breeds: German Shepherd Mixes. Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic German Sheprador Highlights The German Sheprador is a mixed breed dog. The main colors of German Shepradors are black, white, red, cream, blue, and grey. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job. Many German Shepradors absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. Protective in nature, they will alert when strangers approach. They can easily become board, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors. German Sheprador History The German Sheprador dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing German Shepherds and Labradors in North America, possibly in the s. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate family companion and watchdog. They continued to create German Shepradors as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the German Sheprador got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up German Sheprador rescues, or check with breed-specific German Shepherd and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. German Sheprador Size As the German Sheprador is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between German Shepherd and Labrador parents, you can expect the German Sheprador to be on the large side. Most weigh in at 60 to 95 pounds and range in height from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger. German Sheprador Personality German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. However, once they befriend you, you have a friend for life. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their German Shepherd parents regularly work as military, police, and guard dogs, while their Labrador Retriever parents have jobs as hunting and guide dogs. German Shepradors like to work and need to have a job to do, whether big or small. Give them a sense of purpose, and this dog will earn their keep ten fold. They are highly trainable, and thrive on positive reenforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. German Shepradors are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one hour long walk per day with several shorter walks mixed in. Hiking and other adventurous activities are also recommended. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as this mixed breed is prone to tartar build-up. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with its one-inch jumps. Crate and kennel training should start in puppyhood. German Sheprador Feeding An ideal German Sheprador diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. They have a tendency to gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. They usually have medium length, dense coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended every few months with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. You will need it. Have you tried robot vacuums? See if the Eufy RoboVac is right for you! Their double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also helps to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they are an indoor dog and need to live indoors. Like all dogs, however, German Shepradors need to be trained how to behave around children and vice versa. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Learn more about this awesome breed by reading about their parent breeds the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. German Sheprador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for German Shepradors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Well, you get the German Shepherd Lab mix, a lovable crossbreed with all the great personality traits you could ever want in a family dog. Also known as Lab Shepherd mixes or Shepradors, these mixed breed canines are highly sought after. The parent breeds are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Like all crossbreeds, Shepradors combine the physical and personality traits of their parents, resulting in a one-of-a-kind companion. Because they are a designer dog , there are no established breeding guidelines or standards. Oftentimes, pedigree information is scarce as well, creating a lot of unknowns. Canines are fully capable of crossbreeding on their own. In fact, many of the purebred dogs we know today are a result of centuries of careful breeding. As we mentioned earlier, this crossbreed is a direct result of breeding purebred German Shepherds with Labrador Retrievers. Labrador Retrievers have a very long history that dates back all the way to the s. Back then, they were working dogs that often helped out fishermen. Eventually, these dogs made their way to England where they became companions for European royalty. German Shepherds were working dogs, too. However, their main job was to herd sheep and other livestock for farmers. Today, Labradors and German Shepherds are very popular the world over. .Though, they are popular for very different reasons. Typically, Labs are known for their companionship. They make great family pets and are often used as guide dogs for those with disabilities. Meanwhile, German Shepherds are revered for their athleticism and intelligence. German Shepherd Lab Mix Temperament The beauty of mixed breed dogs is that they take on traits from both of their parents. German Shepradors are a perfect example of this. These dogs are a joy to be around. Whether that required physical work or simply good behavior, these pups are up for the task! Like all dogs, German Shepherds and their subsequent crossbreed are products of their environment. Shepradors make great family dogs. The combination of intelligent thinking and loyalty can prove to be useful in a home setting. Your watchdog will do all they can to protect your home while still being down for cuddles. However, helping your pup grow up to be obedient and well-behaved is manageable. You see, these dogs are very intelligent. In fact, some might say that they are too intelligent for their own good. This mainly comes from the German Shepherd side of the dog. German Shepherds are notorious for being stubborn. Shepradors can take on that personality trait, making the training process a bit more challenging. They may require more time and patience to truly understand things. Another issue you might encounter with German Shepherd mixes is the need for regular mental stimulation. Because they are so intelligent, you must constantly challenge their minds to keep them happy. Like all dogs, Shepradors do best when positive reinforcement is the training method of choice. While dominance-based training used to be the go-to, several studies have shown that punishments do more harm than good. German Shepherd mixes thrive when you use a reward system. Showering your dog with praise and providing plenty of treats is the best way to instill the training techniques. Despite all of this, you may see pups with vastly different characteristics. Genetics is not an exact science. Dominant genes from one parent dog may take over, causing the puppy to look more like one breed than the other. As a result, the crossbreed is going to fall into that same category. You can use information about their parents for reference, but several factors will contribute to their true adult size. Generally, males can weigh upwards of 88 pounds when fully grown. They will stand between 22 and 26 inches at the withers. This is the point between the shoulder blades of the dog. Females are typically smaller than males. You may come across females as small as 35 pounds. Though, most will be around 70 to 80 pounds. As for height, females tend to be between 20 and 24 inches at the withers. Both of the parent breeds are pretty athletic, so most mixed pups will be as well. They fall somewhere in the middle. Depending on their activity levels, you might notice strong muscle development on their hind legs. These dogs usually have wide snouts and dark noses. Their eyes are large and brown. Some pups may have light eyes, but this is quite rare. Genetic variations in the parent breeds can lead to lighter eyes, but a vast majority are going to have big brown eyes. One characteristic where you will see a lot of variation among these dogs is the ears. Most Labs have large ears that flop down over the sides of the head Meanwhile, perky triangular ears are one of the most defining traits of the German Shepherds. The interesting thing about the ears is that you will have to wait and see whether they stand tall or flop down. Puppies are born with soft and fluffy ears. As they grow older, the cartilage in their ears may or may not strengthen to help them stand up. Some pups even have a combination of the two ear styles! Colors Coat colors can vary across the board with these pups. German Shepherds have an iconic tri-color coat. Distinct patterns of gold, black, and white cover the body. The most common is gold. However, black and pure-white Labs exist as well. They may have multi-colored coats or solid ones. Lifespan The average lifespan for a German Shepherd Lab mix is between 10 and 12 years. This falls in line with the life expectancy of the parent breeds. Generally, larger dogs tend to have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. Many factors will affect how much time these dogs have. Health issues and a poor lifestyle can cut that lifespan short. On the same token, extremely healthy pups are fully capable of living past 12 years of age. Possible Health Issues Like all dogs, Shepradors are not immune to disease and health problems. In fact, they may be susceptible to more issues. The problem with mixing breeds is that it opens up the possibilities of health complications in the future. Hereditary problems from both parents can be passed to the puppy. Unfortunately, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are known to suffer from a few different ailments. Here are the most common health concerns to be wary of. Dysplasia is a musculoskeletal condition that often affects dogs later in life. However, it takes years to develop and can be triggered by issues as a young pup. Take hip dysplasia for example. Hip dysplasia can cause debilitating pain. Many dogs who suffer from it have a hard time standing up. They may exhibit signs of extreme weakness in the hind legs, resulting in a noticeably different posture. The hip sockets become malformed, causing mobility issues with the hip joint. While some dogs are born with it, poor development as a puppy can exacerbate the problem. There are treatment options for hip and elbow dysplasia. Veterinarians can perform surgery early on to correct the problem and provide relief. If your dog is already suffering from it, physical therapy and joint supplements can provide relief from pain. Bloat Contrary to popular belief, bloat is not an innocent gas problem with dogs. It occurs when dogs eat too fast or exert physical exercise too soon after eating. Excess air is swallowed, filling the stomach. Eventually, the stomach can twist on itself. This restricts blood flow throughout the body. Provide small meals and prevent your dog from playing for at least 30 minutes. To control fast eating, you can utilize slow-feeding bowls or puzzle toys. They create an obstacle that forces the dog to eat slower than normal, which can do a lot to prevent GDV. Ocular Issues Eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy, are pretty common with both parent breeds. The tissue within the eye can degenerate over time. This causes vision loss. From there, you can provide supplements or foods rich in beta carotene to slow its progression. Diet and Exercise Requirements Shepherd Labrador mixes are incredibly active dogs. They love nothing more than playing and getting tons of exercise. To make matters worse, a lack of exercise can turn into a lasting problem. You need to start your pup on the right foot and establish a healthy lifestyle right off the bat. Go for runs and toss chew toys around the yard. You can break up exercise time in manageable chunks throughout the day to make things easier. As long as you get those 90 minutes in, your dog should have no problem staying healthy. When it comes to diet, you must be just as vigilant! These dogs have insatiable appetites. However, you need to ensure that their food is meeting all of their nutritional needs. It should use wholesome proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. The dog food should also have complex carbs and healthy fats like fish oil. Steer clear of anything that has artificial ingredients or unnecessary fillers. Those foods will do more harm than good. The goal is to provide your dog with muscle-building protein that will keep their body in good shape. As a good rule of thumb, dogs will need about 30 calories of food for each pound of body weight. This usually amounts to about 4 cups of dry kibble a day. That said, foods can vary dramatically when it comes to nutritional density. We recommend splitting their caloric requirements into two small meals a day. One meal in the morning and one in the evening will keep their energy levels stable as they go about their active lifestyles. Plus, splitting the meals will help to avoid issues like bloat. However, thick coats need a bit of extra work. GSDs have double costs. The outer layer of hair is thinner and easier to manage. Meanwhile, the inner coat is thick and dense. It provides insulation in those cold winter months. German Shepherd Lab mixes can inherit that thick coat. They will go through shedding cycles a couple of times a year, resulting in a mess of fur throughout your home! With regular brushings, you can keep the fallout to manageable levels while keeping your pup clean. These pups make great family dogs. They get along just fine with kids as long as you socialize them early on. As always, you should never leave your dog alone with young kids. These crossbred dogs are fully capable of attacking people, so you should exercise caution and always keep a watchful eye. They should know not to pull their tail or agitate the dog in any way. Are German Shepherd Lab mixes good guard dogs? Shepradors make great guard dogs. Plus, they tend to be a bit suspicious of strangers. Are these dogs aggressive? This all depends on their upbringing. If you take the time to properly train and socialize these dogs, they will be gentle and loving. However, if the dogs are abused or trained with punishment, they could exhibit aggressive behavior. How big to German Shepherd Lab mixes get? Males can weigh as much as 88 pounds and grow to 26 inches tall at the withers. Do Shepradors get along with other dogs? German Shepherd Labrador mixes do just fine with other dogs. However, they must be properly socialized first. Exposure to other animals is key during their development. They should be introduced to new family dogs slowly to prevent any aggressive behavior. Do Shepradors make good working dogs? Thanks to their intelligence and high trainability, Labrashepherds make fine working dogs. They do particularly well herding livestock. Conclusion German Shepherd Lab mixes are a joy to raise. If you have an active lifestyle to keep them fit, they will be a great addition to your family. Treat them well and these pups will spend their lives being a loving canine companion. Search Dog Breeds. German Shepherd Lab mix puppies German Shepherd Lab mix dogs are a combination of energetic friendliness and natural protection. As well trained adults they have the potential to make great herding, hunting, retrieving, therapy, service or pet dogs. German Shepherd Lab mixes are affectionate with their family, but need plenty of exercise, shed heavily, and can be destructive if left alone for long periods. That is, they have one parent of each pedigree. So there is huge variation in how they look, and no standard appearance. Some have the telltale muzzle and tall ears of the German Shepherd, others more resemble a Labrador. The color of their coat will depend on the coloring of their parents. For example, a black Lab German Shepherd mix is likely to have a dark coat, and a German Shepherd yellow Lab mix is likely to have a mid-toned coat. There are even arresting-looking white German Shepherd Lab crosses. An ultra-warm undercoat and a coarse outer coat to protect them from the elements as they work outdoors. This is because the gene for long coats is recessive and very unusual among Labs. Gathering up their lost hair will be a never-ending task! A good vacuum cleaner is essential. This might be reason enough to choose a different crossbreed if you have a busy family or someone with allergies in the home. German Shepherds are large dogs. They stand 22 — 26 inches tall at their shoulder blades, and weigh 49 — 88 pounds. Meanwhile, Labs are a medium sized breed, 22 — 25 inches tall at their shoulders, and 55 — 80 pounds on the scales. A Labrador German shepherd mix could be as petite as their smallest parent or as big as their largest parent. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could weigh anything from 55 pounds to 80 pounds. As usual, the lower end of the range is typically made up of female dogs, and the top end is dominated by the boys. They love to interact with people, show their affection, and get on well with children. Also, the German Shepherd is confident, courageous and smart. They are loyal and full of life. Furthermore, Labradors and German Shepherds are both fast learners and eager to please. German Shepherds in particular need productive ways to channel their intelligence, or they will get into mischief to stave off boredom. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could inherit any combination of the traits of their parents, which is why meeting both parents before committing to bringing home a puppy is so important. Socialization Socialization is the process of making a dog comfortable with other animals, people, places and activities. Even for breeds that are known to be friendly and easy-going, like Labradors, socialization is very important. German Shepherd Lab mixes are likely to inherit a love of people and company from both sides of their family tree. But socializing them properly as puppies will be vital to give them the confidence they need in meeting new people. German Shepherds, despite their great loyalty to their family, can be wary of strangers. So thorough socialization from puppyhood is essential, even for a mix. For instance, Socialization can involve having new people call over to the house regularly so your pup gets used to new faces and voices. It can also involve introducing your puppy to new dogs, cats, children and other animals so that they do not become fearful or territorial. A young dog in good health could require even more. They will also need human company for much of the day, and training to keep those big brains from getting bored. They are working dogs at heart. Highly motivated to learn and impress you with their ability to follow instructions. Like with any dog, training them is an ongoing commitment that lasts a lifetime. But with your ultra smart dog it should be a satisfying and rewarding one. German Shepherd and Labrador Health Magnification of health problems in pedigree dog breeds has become a well-documented problem. Labrador Health One of the biggest health problems facing Labradors today is hip and elbow dysplasia — looseness in the joints that eventually leads to painful arthritis. Another is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual failure of the retina at the back of their eyes that can ultimately leave them blind. Also, Labs are also notoriously greedy, and prone to obesity if their penchant for snacking is indulged too often. Another less serious but common issue in Labs is ear infections. These are easily treated but may require veterinary care and frequent inspections. In addition, they are more than usually prone to: Gastrointestinal diseases. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior.

During this stage a pug puppy is experiencing everything for the first time. He's also learning what it means to be a dog -- lessons that will stick with him for the rest of his life. The First Two Weeks During the first two weeks of your pug puppy's life, he'll be pretty focused on doing two things: eating and sleeping. Newborn pups spend the day nestled with their mother and siblings, suckling and napping and occasionally readjusting to get comfortable. Their eyes are still closed, and they can't see or hear, but they can feel the warmth of their mother and litter mates around them. Keep in mind that it's normal for pug puppies to breathe rapidly when they're sleeping because of their snubbed noses. But, if a puppy is wheezing, you should contact your vet right away. Age Two to Three Weeks In the two to three week stage, your pug puppy will begin to emerge from his constant slumber. Once his eyes are open, he'll build his ability to respond to light, movement and sound. He may try to crawl around his whelping box, until he wears himself out and needs another nap. Since he's more aware of his surroundings, he'll begin to recognize his mom, brothers, sisters and you. Now that your baby pug has all his senses, you can begin handling him gently for short periods of time. Always respect the pup's mother when handling her babies -- if she seems uncomfortable, return the puppy to the nest. Age Three to Four Weeks Your little pug will really perk up when he hits three to four weeks old. By now his eyes, ears, and nose are fully functioning. He'll see you coming and know that good things are headed his way. At this point your puppy is an adorable little sponge, constantly absorbing information about his surroundings. Because pug pups are so susceptible at this stage, it's important to keep their experiences positive. This is also the time when he starts to learn what typical pug behavior is really all about. Now that your pug pup's eyes are fully functional, check them for any sign of disease. Many eye diseases afflict pugs in particular because their eyes are so prominent. Check your pups for common pug eye diseases like Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca chronic dry eye and Pigmentary Karatitus spots on the cornea. If you suspect that any of the pups have an eye disease you should talk to your vet immediately. Age Four to Six Weeks And so the training begins. At four weeks old, your little pug is playing with his litter mates, who are all learning what to do and not to do as far as proper pup interaction goes. This is also a critical time in your puppy's life because it's when his mother begins to wean him. Pug puppies can start eating regular dog food at four weeks old, in combination with mother's milk, until they're fully weaned. Even though he's learning to make it on his own, it's still crucial for your baby pug to stay with his family. Experts consider weeks three to sixteen to be the most important time for learning appropriate dog behavior. During this window your pup will learn how to play with other dogs appropriately, how to respect their pack leader their mom , and where it is and is not OK to go potty. At six weeks old, your baby pug isn't ready to leave his mama's side, but soon he will be. When he reaches seven to eight weeks of age, as long as he's well-adjusted and happy, he should be ready to leave the nest and begin his life with his forever family. More Articles. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. As newborns they are deaf, bind, and largely immobile. They rely on their mom, or their breeder for food, warmth, and care. A Pug is Born! Unfortunately, the birthing process of Pugs is a difficult one. Flat-faced breeds, such as the Pug, are more likely to experience complications when giving birth. The Pug is also more likely to experience Dystocia, which is simply a term that means difficult or abnormal birth. Such situations put both the mother and her pups at risk. More often than not, the mother will require her pups to be delivered by a C-section. This is due to the fact that unborn Pugs have large and broad heads, whilst their mom has a very narrow pelvis. This awkward combination makes natural birth difficult. If the birth is successful, Pugs commonly have litters containing puppies, with 4 pups being the average. If your baby Pug is born naturally, their mother will next turn to chewing off the umbilical cord and cleaning them up. This is an important part of the bonding experience for mother dogs. The newborn Pugs will often nurse from their mother. When they are not nursing, they will spend the majority of their time sleeping. Newborn Pugs Pug pups begin their life fully reliant on their mother. They are born blind, deaf, and without teeth. A coat should be present, with the color being commonly either fawn or black. Fawn pups may experience their coat color lightening or darkening in shade as they mature. Their eyes and ears will be closed at birth and will remain this way for a while yet. Unable to support their own body weight, they will crawl on their stomach to get around. Baby Pugs are also not able to regulate their temperature, meaning that it is very important to stay warm. They will commonly clump together in piles, sharing body heat. Finally, the mother will also have to help her pups urinate and defecate as they are unable to do so by themselves. She does this by licking the anal and genital areas. One Week Old Baby Pug During the first week of life, baby Pug pups will either be nursing off their mother or sleeping. As they are still blind and deaf at this stage, they will not bother exploring or moving around more than necessary, spending most of their time lying close to their littermates and mother. Their weight should steadily increase every day. At the end of their first week of life, they should have doubled their birth weight, or at least come close. The owners of the pups will need to keep an eye on their breathing as brachycephalic breeds, such as the Pug, commonly have breathing issues. Two Week Old Baby Pug As we hit two weeks of age, we see a key development in the puppies growth; their eyes will open for the very first time! To begin with, their eye color will be blue, but will likely transition into a dark brown as they mature. Owners need to check over their eyes to ensure there are no issues, as this breed can be susceptible to ocular problems. At this stage, they may be a little more curious about their surroundings due to their newfound eyesight. However, they will still primarily be focused on sleeping and nursing. Their weight should continue to rise steadily over the coming weeks. By this time, the ears of the baby Pug pups will have opened. They will be able to hear for the first time and will begin reacting to more sounds. Their eyesight will also have developed significantly, with them being able to recognize their mother, littermates, and objects placed in their den. Along with their newfound perception of the world, they should now be able to support their own body weight and stand up. They may be able to walk, albeit with an unsteady gait. With all the interesting sights and sounds around them, they will likely be a lot more inquisitive of their surroundings. They may explore the den as much as their wobbly legs will carry them. The Pug puppies will also start teething, with their baby teeth coming through for the first time. This may start a passing interest in solid food. Gaining Independence On top of all this, they should now be able to urinate and defecate on their own, without any stimulation from their mother. We can also expect to see the start of the early socialization period. The puppies will begin developing behaviors and social skills for the first time, taking part in play with their littermates. Owners of the puppies should take advantage of this period to help them get used to human touch and presence. They will be establishing relationships with their mother, den mates, and people. Training can begin at this early stage. Despite the fact that their brains still have a lot of developing to do, a start can still be made on teaching them basic crate and potty training. They will also likely be much more mobile on their feet. Little adventures will be common and the puppies will play together often. Soft, easy to eat puppy food can be given. They will continue to rise in weight and keep learning social skills, with more complex behaviors being shown. While they seem a lot more independent at this stage, they will still require plenty of time with their mother and den mates before they are ready to be moved to a new home. Six Week Old Baby Pug At six weeks old, the Pug puppies are fast approaching the age where they reach full independence. By now, they should be fully weaned off their mother and placed onto solid food only. This is a big step. There is still much to learn. Up until now, the Pug puppies have been very curious and interested in completely new things. But they have always been safe under the watchful eye of their mom, too. Now, as they finally gain independence, the puppies learn to be cautious and careful; traits that keep them alive in the wild. Eight Week Old Baby Pug At eight weeks old, the Pug pups are developed enough to be able to leave their mother and littermates behind. They can be sold and moved into a new loving home. They should weigh around pounds. Training and Raising a Pug Resources Keep in mind that they still have a lot of developing to do; both physically and mentally! Remember, they are still within their fear period! Things learned here will make a big impact. Still, Thinking of Buying a Pug? The birthing process Sadly, baby pug births are renowned for their complications. Like many other brachycephalic dogs, pugs are prone to difficult births. This is often referred to as Dystocia. Natural birth is difficult. For this reason, the number of newborn baby pugs born by cesarean section is greater than average. Make sure mum is eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercises Visit your veterinarian for a six-week ultrasound, pelvic exam, and blood sugar testing Put together a cosey whelping box in a quiet and comfortable location. A cardboard box with a thick layer of newspaper will suffice Be ready with everything you need for the birth- clean towels, scissors, rubbing alcohol, and heating pads are a great start As the birth approaches, mamma pug will start acting a bit differently. Look out for nesting behaviors and change in appetite. Heavy panting, straining, and whimpering are signs that birth is imminent. If your dog shows any of these signs you will require professional assistance and must call your vet immediately. Most litters consist of between one and eight puppies in total. Puppies come out head-first in the amniotic sac. This is a natural and healthy behavior. You can cut the cord with a sterilized thread or apply some rubbing alcohol to a pair of scissors. When the puppies start to cry this is a great sign. Clean them off gently with a soft towel and encourage them to start nursing from their mamma. Newborn pups will need a lot of sleep. So be patient. Newborn Pugs: The Early Days Image source: Pinterest Remember that newborn baby pugs are born deaf, blind, toothless, and relatively immobile. These tiny creatures are entirely dependent on others during their early life. Mum will help them go to the bathroom and they will need help staying warm and well-nourished. This will take some time. Your puppies will crawl at first. This is completely normal. Newborn pugs cannot support their body weight yet. With time their mobility will improve. Something to consider- pugs are prone to respiratory difficulties, so look out for breathing problems early on. Even after a week, newborn pug puppies are blind and deaf. With their limited mobility, they are most likely to stay close to the litter. Things to monitor include weight and breathing. You should expect to notice a gradual increase in weight. Most baby pug puppies will double their birth weight after one week. Remember to keep checking their breathing, even as they start to mature. This is always a special moment. Step by step, your pups will gradually start exploring. There will still be a lot of sleeping involved. This is normal. Pug puppies start their lives with blue eyes but as they get older their eye coloration changes. Once maturity is reached, most pups will have dark brown eyes. They can now support their weight and move around. This means your bundles of joy will start to come into their own. Your puppies can now hear, urinate, and defecate independently. As they grow in confidence, they will become fascinated by their new senses and surroundings. Look out for their reactions as they discover the world for the first time. At three weeks, eyesight is developing quickly. Three-week-old baby pug puppies can recognize their mother, siblings, and immediate surroundings. This is a social time and the perfect opportunity to get your pups used to human touch. But always be gentle and go slowly. Your pups will start to develop social skills and become more playful. Enjoy watching them interact with their littermates and get up to lots of mischiefs. The three-week mark is also teething time. This is when your puppies will be learning about their world. Enjoy watching your litter play and tumble. Prioritize socializing at this time and begin some basic training exercises. Glorious Food. Expect Hungry Pups by Week 5 Week five is for progress. Weaning is a slow and steady process. Let your pup experiment with solid foods and gradually reduce their milk consumption. This is a delicate developmental milestone for young dogs. They will need to stay with their litter a while longer before looking for a forever home. Nearly There. Pug Pups at 6 Weeks By 6 weeks, it can seem that your pups are seasoned professionals at, well, being a dog. Give them time to find their feet. Baby Pugs: Expect a Confidence Wobble in Week 7 After seven weeks, your pups will have gotten used to being more independent. At this stage, you must be cautious with even the most confident of puppies. Pushing a young pup too far, too soon is a recipe for disaster. If your pup seems to have lost some confidence, try using counter-conditioning to get them back on track. Here are my 5 top tips for healthy, happy pups: 1. Your pups will need vaccinations and health check-ups throughout their life. Start training early but gradually for happy pups and happy owners. Portion food according to food type and age. Remember that pugs are prone to obesity so resist those wide-eyed looks and keep treats to a minimum. FAQs 1. Where can I get a baby pug? You can source your baby pug pup from one of several locations. One option is to visit a certified breeder. Make sure that they are reputable and ensure you take a visit before picking up your pup, to check out the breeding conditions. Another way to source your pup is through a pet shop. Buying a puppy from a pet shop. Ask lots of questions and make the most of their expertise. With so many dogs out there needing homes, rehoming an abandoned or homeless animal, pug or not, is a truly amazing thing to do. How much does it cost to get a baby pug? Depending on where you live and how you choose to source your puppy, prices will vary. Take a look at this pricing roundup for clearer international price points. Pugs can make healthy, happy, friendly companions. Check out the video below for Pug puppies from the first day to day 33!

Plus 5 Breeding Secrets! If you are planning to breed your French bulldog, then be prepared to deal with a dog breed that can be affected by a lot of health complications. Breeding French bulldog entails a lot of patience, experience, and a significant expense during pregnancy and at birth. It is recommended to have a great deal of experience breeding other animals if planning to become a French bulldog breeder. But what day do I breed my French bulldog? A female French bulldog is receptive to breeding during her heat cycle which takes place every six months. When in heat, breeding should occur within days. Female French bulldogs can breed safely from 2 to 8 years of age. However, male French bulldogs also have to be sexually mature for breeding. So, you will have to wait until they are around 15 months old. Male French bulldogs start producing sperm at the age of 6 months but you will have to wait for them to be a little older to breed successfully. French bulldogs make wonderful companions and are very popular. Their loving, caring, and friendly personalities make them adorable animals. The history of French bulldogs has led to certain physical and sexual traits in them over the years, making their breeding quite challenging. A wide range of health problems in French bulldogs is caused by deliberate selective breeding for exaggerated traits such as the flat face, large head, short muzzle, and a stocky build. Female French bulldogs can get pregnant naturally but not that easily. Most of the French bulldogs are incapable of getting pregnant naturally. The female French bulldogs have very narrow hips making it difficult for the male to mount the female to reproduce naturally. Because of their compromised respiratory system, the exertion involved in mating can be too much of a physical strain for them. In most of the other dog breeds, natural mating is the safest and efficacious method of producing a litter of puppies, but not so much in French bulldogs. Pregnancies in French bulldogs can be very delicate. You have to time the insemination perfectly. Apart from this, certain tests have to be carried to ensure that the dog is ready, and the semen latches on. They are a brachycephalic breed and so do not give birth to a lot of puppies. It could be on an average of 2 to 3 puppies and on rare occasions, if you are lucky, you might even get five. As a responsible breeder, you must ensure that the pups are born healthy and do not inherit any health defects. This can be done by getting the male and female tested for core problems and mutations. Mating of French bulldogs is extremely challenging and difficult to take place without human assistance. Therefore, artificial insemination is typically required to attain mating and eventual conception. Top 4 Tips. But how do Female French bulldogs deliver puppies when they cannot mate on their own and have to go through artificial insemination? French bulldogs have slim hips, big heads, and shoulders. These physical traits make it extremely difficult for the female to have natural labor and delivery. This is because the puppies can get stuck in the birth canal, causing their death. Natural birth can also be dangerous for the female and can damage her birth canal. Although the anesthesia can be dangerous, a planned cesarean-section puts less stress on the mother as well as the puppies. However, there are some bulldogs with smaller or moderate heads and wide hips that can mate naturally and deliver puppies without any human assistance. Cesarean-section is performed on French bulldogs so that there is no doubt whether all the puppies were delivered or not. This helps in preventing the female from developing a uterine infection, in case she delivers a dead puppy a few days later. As a result of this fatal infection, sometimes the uterus also has to be removed. Free whelping can also cause the uterus to stretch and makes it less likely to return to normal which can cause problems in the future. A stretched uterus has thin areas that can rip open with the pressure of a larger litter and can be dangerous for the female French bulldog. But a female French bulldog should not be put through too frequent cesarean-sections as that can also be stressful for the mother. Secret 3: The Heat Cycle of a French Bulldog Being in heat means your dog is in the oestrus cycle, quite akin to when a human female gets a period. A female French bulldog can go into heat as soon as they become sexually mature which is around 6 months. However, it can take up to 2 years for a Frenchie to develop regular heat patterns. The heat cycles usually last for about 3 weeks. Initially, you will see brown or red spots and later after the first week, the female will bleed a great deal. The best breeding time is from 5 to 18 days into the cycle. These include progesterone which maintains the pregnancy and luteinizing hormone LH which stimulates the ovaries to release the eggs. Dogs ovulate when their estrogen level falls and progesterone level rises. Luteinizing hormone LH and progesterone levels are the safe and sure indicators of when ovulation will take place and when is the perfect time for breeding. They can also help determine the whelping date, and even to plan c-section. Secret 4: Signs of Pregnancy in a French Bulldog Here are some quick and easy ways to find out whether your female French bulldog is expecting puppies: Decreased appetite Acting more lethargic and lazy and not active as usual Increase in nipple size Increase in the size of the belly, this can happen as early as 2 weeks Blood test Ultrasound Blood Test Pregnancy can be detected in your Frenchie if the mating happened 5 weeks ago through a blood test. However, early pregnancy can be difficult to date and the result of the test can be negative when your dog may be pregnant. Ultrasound Scan Another way to determine if the conception and mating have worked is to have an ultrasound performed on your female French bulldog. Ultrasound procedure can be done 25 days after the last mating event. So, make sure you are there to comfort your Frenchie. The most reliable method of detecting pregnancy for your French bulldog is ultrasound. An ultrasound scan can also give an idea of how many puppies she is expecting. However, the ultrasound is not always exact especially for a larger litter. Large litters tend to hid one another fairly well, making hard to determine the actual count of puppies. It is recommended to do an X-ray after 45 days to help determine the number of puppies in the litter. It can also depend on how large the puppy skulls are and if this would pose any risk for a natural birth. A medical assessment from a professional can aide in determining whether natural birth is feasible or if cesarean-section should be done for safety reasons. A pregnant French bulldog should be cared for in the following 5 ares: Regular vet check-up. Demand for Frenchie puppies is tremendous and that has created aspirations in many first-time breeders who want to start dog breeding. But people who truly love the French Bulldog breed — breeders who are in it primarily for love and not pure profit — soon discover that successfully breeding Frenchies is an art as well as a science. In this article, learn what age you can safely breed a French Bulldog and what you need to know about the unique challenges and health concerns these flat-faced dogs can present to a breeder. As Breeding Business describes, French Bulldogs as a breed can have some very unique health issues even without adding in breeding. These dogs can be bred, however, and the earliest age when it is safe to breed is after the female dog has had at least one full heat cycle and she is at least 24 months old. Read on to learn why it is important not to breed your Frenchie when she is too young or during her first heat cycle. In the video, you will follow an adult female French Bulldog as she goes into heat and goes through the whole process of getting Artificial Insemination AI so that she can get pregnant. In the remainder of this article, we will discuss the reasons why French Bulldogs typically need this type of help to get pregnant and why this breed also needs special help to deliver their puppies. As the Northern California French Bulldog Club points out, using the word "safely" in context with French Bulldog breeding is a term that should be taken with a grain of salt. There are so many issues that can crop up, as we will talk about here next. But first, it is important to know when you can even consider safely breeding your French Bulldog. French Bulldog male stud dog For a French Bulldog stud or male dog, technically it is safe to allow them to breed as soon as they reach sexual maturity. This usually occurs around the age of six months depending on the specific dog's genetics, health, and background. French Bulldog female The French Bulldog female, however, will bear far more risk when she is bred. She will have to endure the insemination process, whether done naturally or veterinarian-assisted. And she will have to carry the puppies to term and whelp them naturally or via cesarean section surgery. So it is important to wait until your Frenchie female is older before attempting this for the first time. As the American Kennel Club AKC explains, it is now an accepted custom among experienced breeders that you never breed a female dog during her very first heat cycle. The dog needs to finish growing up first and go through a process that breeders refer to as "conditioning," which is all about ensuring your female dog has great nutrition and is in great physical shape before she gets pregnant. The general rule of thumb is to wait until the female Frenchie is at least 24 months, or two years old, before considering whether or not to breed her. Happily, the French Bulldog can easily live 12 years with excellent care, which means you can well afford to wait for the first two years to make sure your female is in the prime physical condition and will be able to carry and whelp healthy puppies. The French Bulldog has an interesting history. These dogs aren't even from France! Originally, the French Bulldog was an English Bulldog. Then breeders started breeding them down to a smaller size by cross-breeding these dogs with terriers. This is the dog that migrated with its owners to France, where breeding efforts continued until they produced the dog we know and love like the French Bulldog today. Because French Bulldogs inherited the short, squat bodies and bow legs of their English Bulldog predecessors, they have some special anatomical challenges when it comes to successfully breed. French Bulldog studs males can't mount easily The first big challenge that takes many first-time French Bulldog breeders completely by surprise is that French Bulldog studs, or intact male dogs, often cannot successfully mount a female Frenchie in heat. They are not tall enough to reach the female. Even when they do this part successfully, they usually cannot "tie" with the female for long enough to achieve breeding. French Bulldogs can't typically travel safely In many cases, a dog owner will want to co-breed their dog with a dog that lives in another city or state. Depending on how the owner of the other dog likes to handle such requests, this may require the female dog to travel to the stud male dog's location or vice versa. Unfortunately, because of the French Bulldog's short, flat face and narrow nostrils, these dogs usually are barred from airline travel. So the only option is typically to find a local stud dog or try to arrange for stud services by mail. French Bulldogs have respiratory issues The physical exertion required for a successful pairing is another huge challenge for French Bulldog breeding pairs. As Victory Bulldogs breeder points out, these dogs have short, flat faces and narrow nostrils that make them unusually prone to overheating. The physical exertion of trying to breed together naturally can cause these dogs to overheat and actually collapse in exhaustion. It is often not safe to breed a French Bulldog pair naturally because one or both dogs may be at risk of over-heating and over-exertion, either from excitement or anxiety or from overheating or both. French Bulldogs usually need a C-section delivery Another huge challenge and enormous expense that many French Bulldog breeders are not prepared for is what happens when their female dog is ready to whelp give birth to her puppies. Because these dogs are "top-heavy" — they carry most of their weight in their heads, shoulders, and chests — they have very narrow hindquarters and a narrow pelvis and birth canal. The puppies can actually get stuck in the birthing canal, which is very dangerous for both the mother dog and the puppies. The safest and most common courts of action are to have the puppies delivered by C-section cesarean section. However, this is not an entirely safe option either, as it involves sedation, and the mother dog's respiratory rate must be closely monitored. Additionally, as with any invasive incision-based surgery, there is always a risk of infection. Another challenge with an artificial C-section birth is that it can create some developmental issues in terms of whether the mother dog bonds closely with the puppies and feels motivated to care for them as newborns. A Word About the Cost of Breeding a French Bulldog Every extra step you have to add to the process of breeding any dog is likely going to add extra expense to your budget. With the French Bulldog breed, because you may need assistance from your dog's veterinarian multiple times along the way, your costs are likely to be higher from the start, even without any unanticipated health emergencies. While it is true that many people are willing to pay several thousand dollars for French Bulldog puppies today, a reputable breeder also has to consider what they will do if the new owner returns the puppy which sometimes will happen. Responsible breeders retain lifetime responsibility for each puppy they breed. And since French Bulldogs tend to come with extra health-related veterinary expenses, not every owner ends up being able to afford their care. So you will need to carefully think through how prepared you and your wallet are to take on the responsibility of breeding your French Bulldog. And while it might seem like this only applies to female Frenchies, many breeders maintain their own breeding pairs at their kennel. If this describes you, then you will have double the expense of maintaining two breeding dogs in tip-top condition as well as the expense of whelping, rearing the puppies, marketing to prospective owners, screening the owners, and more. This is why French Bulldog breeders often say they are in it for the true love of the breed and not for profit. People who love these dogs, are all in and just want to produce the healthiest puppies for the continuation of the breed itself. Shannon Cutts As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to this site. French Bulldogs need to undergo many health checks, with some not done until they are at least two years old, so being a reputable breeder only breeds your dog when breeding age. Frenchie owners often consider whether or not they should spay their dog or breed him so they can have puppies. Many owners do this professionally, but others want another French Bulldog similar to the one they already have. Breeding a male dog may sound easy, but certain responsibilities and duties are involved. There is evidence to suggest that small breeds mature faster than large ones. The male French Bulldog becomes fertile around six months of age. By the time they reach full sexual maturity, they can be 12 to 15 months old. If your male French Bulldog is in good health, they may still be sexually active and fertile as they age. In order to mate, male and female Frenchies must be medically checked. How old does a male french bulldog have to be to breed? As mentioned above, over the age of two is the best time to breed your French Bulldog. This age is seen as the optimal one for mating, even though some breeds are mature at a younger age. To produce healthy puppies, the parents must be in good health. Your vet can perform a health check to determine if your French Bulldog will be a good candidate for mating after this age. If your French Bulldog is older than eight years old, it is not recommended to breed. But as long as your Frenchie is healthy overall, it should be able to keep on going at this age. Should this not be the case, the oldest age for breeding would be only five years. French Bulldog Health Tests Preparation Your veterinarian requires a complete physical exam before your French Bulldog can be accepted as a stud. Before mating, it is necessary to rule out health problems such as hip dysplasia and joint issues. Your French Bulldog should also have their ears and eyes checked and a blood test and urinalysis. Be sure your Frenchie does not have any diseases or other disorders. It is also possible that a genetic test is required. In the case of dogs that are not fully purebred, a genetic test ensures that the offspring will not inherit diseases. In addition to a general examination, veterinarians can administer specialized fertility tests to assess if your male Frenchie is fertile. There are other things you can do in addition to having your dog tested to find out if it is fertile. Make sure he has reached puberty. Check his general health. A few health issues may affect his fertility. The movement might interfere with a successful mating session. The reproductive organs are damaged. An infection or disease that can lead to infertility. A male French Bulldog can produce multiple litters during his life. In some cases, male dogs have mated as many as five times in a single day. However, different methods must be used to ensure high-quality and consistent impregnation. Others choose to breed their studs almost every week, while some breed only a handful of times each year. Giving the dog time between sperm harvests is important if sperm is regularly collected. For this reason, sperm collection should only take place every few days so that consistently quality sperm can be retained. Despite that, a male dog can produce good quality sperm every day if not bred on a regular basis. If you have a smaller dog, it is possible to collect your pet every day for up to five days. However, the dog will soon run out of sperm, so this cannot be done for a long period. It is important to keep a few things in mind before allowing a male pet to mate. Your dog will not only be protected from prostate cancer and other testicular diseases when he is neutered, but he will also behave less aggressively and be more affectionate, as well as be at lower risk of aggression from other dogs. Having a healthier dog greatly increases its chances of living a longer and happier life. Thus, always consider the benefits of allowing your dog to mate and whether or not it is better to neuter the dog to reduce the likelihood of unnecessary mating and the risk of health issues. As mentioned before. Breeding is possible throughout the lifespan of male French Bulldogs. If a Frenchie has a healthy genetic makeup, he should be able to pass it on. Senior male French Bulldogs, especially older ones, are prone to prostate problems, so their veterinarian should regularly examine them after a certain age. The treatment of infections and the restoration of declining fertility can often be accomplished. Pain medication can also be used to treat mobility issues such as arthritis pain. With aging, French Bulldogs are more susceptible to infection and illness. It is possible for an infection to be symptomless. Sexually transmitted diseases in French Bulldogs, such as brucellosis , should be tested for before mating. Although it has no symptoms, it still has devastating effects on a litter of puppies. Miscarriages, abortions, and stillbirths can all occur as a result of this disorder. Be careful with your young stud French Bulldog. An unhappy experience during the early stages of his career can destroy his motivation for breeding for life. Mate him with more experienced and cooperative female French Bulldogs in the first season or two. Before presenting your boy to the Female Dog, be certain she is fully in estrus. French Bulldog Breeding Paperwork After completing all health tests, it is time to complete all the paperwork. A dog must possess the most prominent features of its breed to mate. Depending on the breed, some of these characteristics may be physical, while others may be behavioral. Contact a breeder club to check if your French Bulldog complies with breed standards. Registration at a Kennel Club is not mandatory, but it might let other dog owners know if your French Bulldog is a good candidate for breeding. In addition, to have your dog recognized by a Kennel Club, you will need to claim his ownership. Pin 0 Shares I am not a breeder of Frenchies. However, there are many irresponsible breeders out there including French Bulldog owners looking to make a quick buck. One of the most common questions people like this ask is how many times you can use a Frenchie for breeding. Professional and qualified breeders will tell you the following: How many times can you breed a French Bulldog? Responsible Frenchie breeders will not breed their French Bulldog any more than 3 times in a lifetime, and only once every 18 months at a minimum. Any more than that and the dog will struggle to recover physically, and possibly even mentally. Why you should not breed French Bulldogs too much The reasons for the minimum amount of times you can breed a French Bulldog are varied, but all boil down to care and love. The danger of too many C-sections The majority of French Bulldog puppies are delivered via Cesarean section. This is due to the way in which the female Frenchie has been bred herself over time. They have narrow birth canals and the pups have large heads. C-sections are the easiest and safest way for them to deliver a litter. As a French Bulldog breeder, it is totally irresponsible to put your female Frenchie through too many C-sections. The risks are as follows: Stress: the female can become stressed and possibly aggressive after a C-section. Too many procedures could have a negative effect on their mental health. Medical problems: your dog could have an adverse reaction to anaesthetic, could have blood clotting during surgery, haemorrhaging, or a wound infection. Injury to the pups: not all C-sections are successful, and there is also a risk to the puppies during the procedure. Did you know? C-sections can be very expensive. Read this guide to how much you should expect to pay your vet to deliver a Frenchie litter via Cesarean section. Bodies need time to repair themselves The birth and nursing period post-pregnancy is critical to the health of your French Bulldog. Giving birth and becoming a mother is a highly charged time both mentally and physically. As well as the scars from the C-section, your female will need to recover from feeding her litter and will also have to re-grow parts of her uterus and build her muscle tone back up. Pregnancy and motherhood can take a toll on the female. This is why you should not breed your French Bulldog too many times. During the early stages of motherhood, many females will lose muscle tone and even patches of fur. It acts as a governing body for pedigree dogs, holding the national register of all breeds. They are very explicit about how many times you can breed a French Bulldog officially, where they will be prepared to register the puppies. The Kennel Club will no longer register any further litters from any bitch which our records show has already whelped 4 litters. Where the number previously recorded is 4 or more, the application will be rejected. The mother is younger than 1 year old at the time of birth. The puppies are born due to familial inter-breeding e. The mother has already delivered 2 litters via a C-section. How old does a Female French Bulldog have to be to breed? When can French Bulldogs breed and what age should they have to be? Frenchies can safely breed from the ages of 2 and a half years up to 8 years of age. At this point they will have gone through a number of heat cycles and will be ready to breed. This beautiful little girl is not old enough to be bred yet. They can produce sperm as young as 6 months, but you need to wait until they are older to breed them successfully. How many times a year can you breed a French Bulldog? Having spoken to professional Frenchie breeders, the general consensus is that you should only breed French Bulldogs once a year — and even that frequency is probably far too much. The reason being is that the female Frenchie needs to recovery after giving birth. As I mentioned earlier, you should only really breed a French Bulldog once every 18 months to 2 years. Anything more than that could be considered cruel, and this extended healing time gives her the chance to recover, be healthy, and be happy without the stress of frequent C-sections. Nursing clinginess to their favorite toy Stage 4: Anestrus Stage The last stage is a period of inactivity, so they will not show any symptoms or behavioral changes. The Anestrus stage lasts for about 2 to 4 months. After this, the proestrus stage starts again. Dogs do not undergo menopause, so they will continue to go into heat even if they get old. Even if they go into heat, older Frenchies will not be as fertile as they were. They will go through the heat cycle symptoms twice a year unless you spay them. Spaying your female Frenchie does more than prevent heat cycles. It makes them more mellow and reduces unwanted behaviors. And it also helps to prevent the development of pyometra. It is the result of the hormonal changes when they are in heat. This infection is life-threatening and the best way to avoid this is to get your Frenchie spayed. They do not bleed during the whole heat cycle, Frenchies usually bleed for about 7 to 10 days while in heat. The flow of their bleeding will vary. But in general, smaller dogs tend to bleed less than larger ones. Male and female Frenchies vary in their ideal breeding times. For male Frenchies, the best time would be when they have reached their sexual maturity. This is when they are about 12 to 15 months old. You need to wait for more with female Frenchies because age is not the only factor in this. While they reach sexual maturity young, the best time to breed them is when they are 2 years of age. Before they reach 2 years old, they will still get bigger slowly and fill out more. And while waiting for this, you should prepare them for breeding. They should be in top condition to undergo artificial insemination. Subjecting a young Frenchie to this stressful process is usually frowned upon. Other than that, you need to make sure that they have already gone through at least one heat cycle. So you should breed them at least on their second heat. The issue here still ties with age, Frenchies will go through their first heat at about 6 to 12 months old. While they can get pregnant at this stage, they are still too young for that. This is not only a concern about her physical health. Being too young, there is a risk that your Frenchie does not have her motherly instincts yet. So they tend to reject their puppies if you let her get pregnant during her first heat. This is not something that you would want since breeding Frenchies are very costly. You should not let your Frenchies mate naturally even if they are fertile. It is too risky to breed them the usual way. Instead, they should undergo artificial insemination to diminish the risks. To help you realize the dangers of natural mating in Frenchies, here are the risks involved. It will be hard for males to reach the female Frenchie. And if he can, it will be hard for him to sustain this position. Because of this, breeding the usual way is a big obstacle for French Bulldogs. If your male Frenchie overworks themselves, that is an issue connected to the next point. Frenchies Have Breathing Problems Mating is physically stressful for males, from mounting to holding their position. For them to cope, they need to breathe. But since they have breathing issues, they cannot do this very well. With overexertion, Frenchies can overheat and even collapse due to exhaustion. Female Frenchies can overheat from mating too either from agitation or excitement. Traveling Is Dangerous There are a lot of instances where dog owners find their furry companion the perfect mate. But the issue is that their mate is in a different city or state. So either one of them would need to travel, which is a big problem. Air travel is not an option for brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies. This poses a serious threat to their respiratory issues. This is why most airlines do not allow Frenchies on their plane. And if you travel by car, it can still be stressful for them. Especially when it is a hot or cold day , your Frenchie will have body temperature issues. Even if you find your Frenchie a mate nearby, the risks of natural mating are still very high for them. All these are avoidable with artificial insemination. Your Frenchie does not need to travel or overexert themselves to exhaustion. It is expensive, but this is better than risking their lives. From the day of the breeding, it can take about 48 to 72 hours for your Frenchie to get pregnant. After 2 or 3 weeks, you should take your Frenchie to the vet to confirm if they are pregnant. This will also help you in tracking their gestation period accurately. Also at this stage, their teats will be bigger and their nipples darker. Inside the belly, her puppies will have distinct bone structures. At this stage, you should already be preparing her birth area. First Week Day 0 to 7 After mating it will take about 48 to 72 hours for successful fertilization. Your Frenchie may show signs of morning sickness and a slight pink discharge. This is normal, and you should carry on with her usual diet. Second Week Day 7 to 14 At this stage of the pregnancy, the cells begin to grow and reach the uterine horns. Like the first week, there is no need to change their routine or diet. Third Week Day 14 to 21 The embryos embed themselves in the uterine lining usually on day .During this week, the fetuses are starting to develop and are now about 0. Your Frenchie may have an increased appetite at this stage too. Fourth Week Day 21 to 28 The fetuses now have a distinct shape, with their spines and facial features now forming. At this stage, they are still quite small at 0. Your Frenchie may have swollen nipples and a clear discharge during this week. Also, this is a good time to go to the vet for an ultrasound. Fifth Week Day 28 to 35 During this week, big developments will happen. The fetuses will have eyelids, toes, claws, skeletons, coats, and whiskers. Your pregnant Frenchie will also start to gain weight and eat more food. Because of these big changes, your vet can tell you how many puppies you have in the litter by performing a scan. Sixth Week Day 35 to 42 This is when your Frenchie starts showing during her pregnancy. To keep up with her growing puppies, she will ask for more food. So keep feeding her food that will supplement her and her puppies. The puppies will now have their distinct markings at this point. Being 3 weeks away from giving birth, you should start to make preparations at this stage. Your Frenchie may want to start nesting. So provide her a cozy and quiet place where she can relax. Also around this time, their belly becomes firm and larger. Other than these, you may notice that she will start to pee more along with a significant hair loss. All these are normal and nothing to worry about. From this point on, you can switch your Frenchie back to her regular diet. But you need to feed her more of it. Of course, you should talk to your vet before making any changes in her food intake. Frenchies usually gain about 20 to 50 percent of weight during the second trimester. You should brace yourself during this week, as some Frenchies give birth this early. To help prevent an early birth, avoid any heavy physical activities for them. Make sure that she feels calm and at ease too. Ninth Week Day 57 to 65 At the last week of pregnancy, the puppies have almost completely developed. They will start positioning themselves in the birth canal to prepare for birth. This will happen during the last days of their pregnancy. Your Frenchie will start to show behavioral changes to prepare for birthing. This includes a decreased appetite. You must keep an eye on her during this week. Labor for Frenchies lasts around 4 to 24 hours, but there can be drastic variations from one dog to another. You will know that your Frenchie is in labor when she starts to pant, pace around, dig her bed nesting , and even vomit. These are signs that puppies are coming out within 12 to 24 hours. A common way to tell that she is through with labor is when she is not straining anymore. The puppies come out covered in fluid, with your Frenchie breaking it by licking. This licking also stimulates the puppies to move. But if your Frenchie is too exhausted, which is likely, they may not be able to do this. You can help break the sac using a towel and wipe their noses gently. If you think that she still has puppies inside and she is not straining, this can be a problem. This is why experts strongly recommend going through a c-section instead of natural birth. But if you have settled with natural birth, here are signs that you should call your vet immediately: Straining Too Much A Green Discharge Fetal Fluid Is Coming Out Without a Puppy So if you have decided to go the natural route, always have a vet on standby in case something bad happens. Frenchies can safely have up to 4 litters during their lifespan. The most respected breeders will limit her litters to only 3, ensuring her health and safety. While 4 may seem a small number, there is a good reason for this. Breeding your Frenchie between 2 and 8 years old is the safest, with lower risks for them. Although they experience their first heat cycle at around 6 to 9 months old it is risky for them to breed this young. And once they are 8 years of age, they should retire from breeding already. They can still go into heat when they are 8 years old and above. But at this advanced age, likely, their pregnancies will not be successful. Also, they might have developed health issues already by this time. Taking these risks into account, Frenchies have 6 years to breed within the safe age limits. You can push for her to have 4 litters, but anything more than that is cruel. Or you can play safe by limiting her to having only 3 litters. In general, it is safe for you to breed your Frenchie every 18 months. But even this can be too much for them. While they go into heat twice a year, it is irresponsible to get them pregnant that much. Some reputable breeders enforce a strict rule of 1 litter every two years for their Frenchie. Having this stern rule in place ensures the health of their female Frenchies. Pregnancies spaced far apart will give Frenchies enough time to recover; cesareans are very stressful and need a lot of healing time. Frenchies produce only a small amount of puppies, with an average of 3 puppies per litter. Some litters are smaller, with 2 puppies. While some can have 4 or 5 puppies but anything more than that is very rare. They can only produce so much because they are a small breed with narrow hips. There is no room for them to carry more puppies, unlike larger breeds which can carry 12 puppies at a time. Even in their first litter, Frenchies can have about 2 to 4 puppies. This can vary, and Frenchies can have more or less than this. But 5 or more puppies in a litter is rare and can be too much for them. Having only one puppy in a litter is rare for dogs of any breed. There is no exact reason for this, but several factors can influence a single puppy litter. A majority of Frenchies undergo artificial insemination to breed. This can cause smaller litters compared to natural impregnation. Sperm can die during the process of collection and insemination, so it can be that one sperm survives. Another factor is the average litter size of the breed. Breeds who do not have large litters are more likely to produce only one puppy in a litter. The peak breeding years for Frenchies are between 2 and 8 years old. Getting pregnant outside this range decreases the litter size that they can produce. Frenchie puppies can leave their mothers at around 8 to 9 weeks old. Some countries are strict with this, making it illegal to buy puppies younger than this. Since Frenchies are a companion breed, they are clingy towards their protectors. Even more when it comes to a puppy and their mother and littermates. Taking them away this early is bad for their health, and may even cause behavioral problems down the road. Also, you need to give them time to wean. This process is necessary to prepare them when they need to leave their mothers. A bulk of this cost goes into feeding two adult Frenchies. But the prices may vary depending on where you live, your vet, and other factors. These are only estimated to give you a better picture of the expenses. The key characteristics of Frenchies are their bat ears, square heads, and arched back. As part of the Bulldog family, they look muscular and heavy-boned but in a compact body. To get a better view of the breed standard, below are the ideal characteristics of each of their features. Weight The ideal weight for males is .Exceeding this can get your Frenchie disqualified from registering. Head and Skull Large and square, proportionate to their size. The skull should be almost flat between their ears with a rounded forehead. Muzzle Should be well defined that is clear from the side. The muzzle should be broad and deep, with well-developed cheek muscles. The stop should also be well-defined, with a hollow groove between the eyes. Their nose should be black as this color is desirable. Other colors are a disqualification. An exception to this is for cream or fawn Frenchies with no black masks, but this is not preferred. Eyes The eyes are dark, nearing black. Both eyes should match in color and are wide apart, round, and moderate in size. They should sit low in the skull and are far from the ears. Darker eyes are best, as lighter eyes are not desirable. Any hints of blue or green in the eyes are a disqualification. The whites of the eyes should not show when looking straight ahead. Ears Their bat ears should be medium-sized, with a wide base and rounded top. They should be set high and erect, with the ear opening facing front. Mouth This should be broad, deep, and square with a slight undershot. Their teeth should be regular and not visible when their mouth is closed. Their tongue must also not protrude and any other bites are serious faults. Neck Thick, moderate in length, well-arched. Their necks should have loose skin by the throat. It should have an arch, falling behind the shoulders and rising to the loin. From the top, their backs should be broader at the shoulders, narrower in the rear. Chest Broad, full, and deep with well-sprung ribs, with tucked bellies. Tail The tail should be thick at the root and tapers towards the tip. It should be straight and long enough to cover their anus. Frenchies should have short tails that carry low. Feet Their feet should be small and compact with high knuckles. Their hind feet should be longer than their forelegs. The nails should be short, thick, and black. Hindquarters Strong, muscular, and longer than forelegs so that the loin is higher than the shoulders. Forequarters Short, straight, muscular, and wide apart. Gait They should have a four-tracking foot pattern. The front track should be wider than the rear track. They should have a flowing and unrestrained movement. Temperament Intelligent, highly affectionate, and adaptable. Frenchies should be alert and playful, but not boisterous. Coat Frenchies should have short and fine coats that are smooth and brilliant. Their skin should be loose at the head and shoulders to create wrinkles. Color The acceptable colors are brindle, pied, cream, white, and fawn. Desirable traits may vary, but certain coats are a disqualification. This includes the following: Solid Black. Tweet Breeding French Bulldogs can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for any breeder. But, it is important to know when the ideal time to breed your French Bulldog is. Breeding too early or too late can cause complications for both the mother and her puppies. In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about when lilac french bulldog stud should breed, why they breed, and how many times they should be bred each year. We will also provide guidance on what steps to take if you decide to have a French Bulldog baby. When should French bulldogs breed? Breeding French bulldogs is a complex process that should be done in late winter or early spring when the weather is mild, and the dog is in good health. It is recommended not to breed a French bulldog until it is at least six years old and in good physical condition. When breeding a female French bulldog, it should be with one or two other dogs of the same sex to produce healthy puppies. It is essential to keep track of the weight, size, and age of the male dog who will mate with the female dog. The father of the pup should also be closely related to the mother for genetic diversity purposes. Breeding two unrelated dogs could lead to genetic disorders in their offspring. Why do French bulldogs breed? French Bulldogs are very popular pets and one of the best breeds for families with children owing to their gentle nature. Ideally, French bulldogs should be bred between the months of November and February when it is less hot outside. However, French bulldogs can conceive at any time during their menstrual cycle, so it is essential to use proper contraception when breeding them. It is important not to breed a French bulldog if they have any health issues like hip dysplasia or a heart condition. They should be well-fed and exercised before breeding to ensure that they will have a healthy pregnancy and birth. In conclusion, responsible breeding practices must be followed when it comes to French bulldogs in order to ensure the health and happiness of both the mother and her puppies. How many French bulldogs should be bred each year? It is recommended to breed French bulldogs during their most fertile stage, which is typically in the spring or fall. It is not advisable to breed French bulldogs if they are currently pregnant, nursing, or have recently given birth. Only experienced dog breeders who understand the needs and temperament of French bulldogs should be involved in breeding. The average litter size for these dogs ranges from six to eight puppies, but it can vary depending on the quality of the breeding pair. What to do if you decide to have a French bulldog baby? If you have decided to breed your French bulldog, it is essential to consider a few things. French bulldogs should be bred when they are between years old. The ideal breeding season for these dogs is late winter or early spring. Breeders usually perform two to six litters a year. It is crucial to ensure that your French bulldog lives in an environment that is quiet, dry, and cool with ample space to run and play. Before breeding, it is recommended that French bulldogs are spayed or neutered before they reach six months of age. This will prevent any reproductive issues and help ensure the health of both the mother and the puppies. It is also advisable to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in breeding before deciding on the breeding process. Kokou Adzo Kokou Adzo is the editor and author of Startup. He is passionate about business and tech, and brings you the latest Startup news and information. 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