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One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. It is also important to understand there are different types of golden retrievers which may affect pricing. For example, if you decide to choose the lowest golden retriever cost option, those puppies almost never have the necessary 3rd-party assurances or veterinarian procedures like dewormings, vaccinations, health-tested parents, or a thorough health checkup. These missing costs and services will be your responsibility, making the total cost ultimately the same. Not to mention the added stress on you these extra expenses and issues create! Adopting vs. Please note that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional costs for your Golden certain shots and procedures. Depending on if the golden retriever is a boy or a girl may affect the price as well. Some male vs female golden retriever differences may make you prefer one over the other. This will ultimately save you time and money on your golden retriever price because breeders often pay lower veterinary rates than individuals do. Distemper, for example, is a highly contagious disease that attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems of dogs. Unfortunately, there is no cure — just a lot of expenses and stress which really adds to the overall cost of your Golden Retriever puppy. It is wise to ask your vet for guidance on this decision. Talk with your vet about the procedure, when you should get it done, and how much it might cost. Dental Care for Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers, like many dogs, can be prone to dental issues such as plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. These cleanings typically involve scaling, polishing, and potentially extractions if necessary. Some insurance providers offer optional dental coverage as an add-on or as part of more comprehensive plans. If dental coverage is included in the policy, it typically covers a portion of the costs associated with dental cleanings, extractions, and other necessary dental treatments. This typically includes services such as bathing, brushing, trimming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and sometimes additional services like de-shedding or dematting. Some groomers may offer package deals or discounts for regular appointments or bundled services. This monthly expense may seem like an additional cost, but it can be a worthwhile investment when considering the potential savings on veterinary bills for treatments, surgeries, and medications. By having pet insurance in place, you can ensure that your Golden Retriever receives the necessary care without straining your finances in the event of unexpected health issues. Puppy Training and Socialization Classes Attending puppy training and socialization classes is highly recommended for the comprehensive development of your Golden puppy. These classes provide structured learning environments, social interaction, and essential obedience training. By enrolling your Golden Retriever puppy in these classes, you ensure they receive the necessary foundation for good behavior, social skills, and overall well-being. The cost for food will depend on the size, age, and activity level of your companion. Fortunately, the cheaper brands of dog food can be just as good as the more premium brands as long as they meet the standards of AAFCO and are made with minimal processing. When making your decision, make sure to avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives where you can, since they could cause health problems for your dog. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Massachusetts Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Massachusetts? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Massachusetts? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Georgia Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Georgia? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Georgia? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved.

Pairing the sweet and friendly nature of the Labrador Retriever with the low-shedding Poodle genes, we get the most charming Doods that any owner would love to have by their side. And as both Poodles and Labradors are extremely intelligent, training Labradoodles is an absolute breeze! Thorough health screening helps breeders choose the healthiest pups for breeding new litters. As a result, the new litters have a much lower chance of inheriting any hereditary health issues. Likewise, ethical Labradoodle breeders in Florida also offer a health guarantee, which covers any serious genetic conditions that the parent pups have been tested for. The health guarantees usually cover the first two years, but some breeders also offer three-year health guarantees. However, all of these organizations require their member breeders to follow ethical breeding guidelines and strict health testing standards. And if any of your friends, family members, or neighbors have recently adopted a Labradoodle puppy, reach out to them and ask about their experiences with various breeders in your state. Their goal is to breed happy and healthy Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with wonderful temperaments. At Coastal Labradoodles, they raise all of their puppies in a loving and safe home environment. All of their breeding dogs are family pets first who either live with the breeder or with carefully chosen guardian families. This ensures that each dog is pampered and loved by their very own family. Coastal Labradoodles conducts extensive health and genetic testing on all of their breeding dogs to ensure the health and wellbeing of their litters. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Coastal Labradoodles follows Puppy Culture and Avidog methods when raising their puppies. Since they raise their puppies inside their own home as part of their family, their pups are already well-socialized with adults, children, and other dogs. In addition to that, their pups are well-adjusted to all sorts of household sights and sounds, and they even start with potty training and crate training before the pups go to their forever homes. Puppies receive all age appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and a microchip. Waitlist: Yes. They are located in the St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay and St. Pete Beach areas of Florida. To learn more you can visit their website here or send them an email at tbalusa gmail. They have been in business since .They breed allergy and asthma friendly mini, medium and standard size Australian Labradoodle puppies. All of their breeding dogs are health tested according to the standard of the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association. The kennel was founded by Peggy, who opened her business because of her love for dogs and desire for safer breeding practices. They socialize and teach. And, they provide a lot of interaction between their puppies. Individualized attention to their litters. They start training early and send them home vaccinated. They are located in Tampa Bay and Central Florida. To learn more about Seaspray and their upcoming litters, visit their website here. Lakewood Labradoodles Lakewood is a breeder of allergy friendly australian labradoodles. Located in Winter Haven, they raise their puppies inside their home as members of their family. Before you can take them home, Lakewood helps to begin the training process by laying a foundation for a well trained pet. For more information on their upcoming litters, visit their website here. They specialized in miniature to medium sized Australian Labradoodle puppies. I do not work outside of the home and I am fully involved in their upbringing, early development and training. They test for genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia, PRA and have eye exams annually. Before you bring your puppy home, they will be vaccinated, given a microchip, dewormed and given a well-puppy exam at 8 weeks. Plus, their litters are evaluated by a behaviorist to ensure good behavior before you bring your new dog home. To learn more about their upcoming litters and to view their dogs, visit their website here. They genetically and radio graphically test all their dogs for genetic disease and any health issues. Their puppies come with a 2 year health guarantee. The communication you provided during the process was spot on. With an excited family, it was great seeing the updates on the puppy and the pictures. Beau is beautiful and loved. He has a personality all his own, different than the Labs we owned. My wife Kelly got diagnosed with breast cancer not long after we got Beau and he has been a great pal for her. He loves her and she loves him. They breed their dogs to the highest of standards and each dog is registered and health tested to the regulations of the ALCA. Additionally, they have all of their breeding dogs DNA profiles so you know that you are getting an Authentic Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle. Before you bring your puppy home, they use neurological stimulation and activities to promote well behaved and confident pets. We want to raise our Australian Labradoodle puppies to have the best chance to grow into confident, stable and able to handle the stresses and challenges of a modern lifestyle. Fursure Helps Pet Parents Find The Best Pet Insurance Policy With the cost of veterinary bills rising each year, you could easily find yourself paying thousands out of pocket if an accident or illness were to occur. Let our team at Fursure help you get started on finding the best pet insurance policy for your furry friend. You pet will thank you! To get your pet protected and covered in just a few minutes , buy a pet insurance policy today! Join the Pack No spam. Just the very best in show products, expert pet parenting advice, and more.Read about our privacy policy. Thank you! Your submission has been received! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Introducing pet insurance that pays your vet directly. We let you keep your cash on hand, so you can focus on giving your pet the best care possible. We are starting our waitlist now as these puppies are very popular. They are the smallest we breed at 20 to 35 lbs. Temperaments are great! Stud to be determined. He adapted very quickly and never really fussed being in the crate. He is very intelligent and easy to train. We are very very happy that we found him as he is quite the companion and a very easy dog. My grandson and he get along very very well and he is very gentle with him although I can see there being competition for toys going forward. He does love his bath-Scott is very good at giving him one. He is quite the hippie dog! The communication you provided during the process was spot on. With an excited family, it was great seeing the updates on the puppy and the pictures. Beau is beautiful and loved. He has a personality all his own, different than the Labs we owned. My wife Kelly got diagnosed with breast cancer not long after we got Beau and he has been a great pal for her. He loves her and she loves him. Flordia Kahlo is amazing! She's so gorgeous!! Coat like her dad I think- never had a single tangle! Sheis so so sweet, not hyper, playful and loves to give hugs.Thank you so much for blessing us with our beautiful Kahlo! Our puppies are all over the world and would be happy to make you part of our puppy family. Thank you for visiting South Florida Australian Labradoodles. .We are the first multigenerational registered Australian Labradoodle in South Florida. We started in with our first mini Australian Labradoodle and fell in love with the temperament of this breed. Since then, we have held back mostly our own puppies and created the amazing lines we have today. We have generation after generation of our same lines, so our puppies temperaments are very predictable. We have since grown to our wonderful puppies being all over the world. We specialize in Mini Australian Labradoodles and know how important it is to know you are getting an Authentic Australian Labradoodle that is healthy, sound temperament, correct structure and amazing coats. All of our breeding dogs are registered and health tested to the standards of the ALAA. We adhere to a strict code of ethics, breed standard and strive to do everything with the highest integrity. All of our puppies are raised in our home and receive endless kisses by the time they go home. If you did not receive a response please check your junk mail. Coastal Labradoodles has been family-owned since and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of labradoodle puppies. We offer multi-generation labradoodles that have been bred with the utmost care and attention. Our puppies are raised with love and socialized to provide the perfect pet for any family. When you purchase one of our puppies, you get more than just a pet. Our white glove service includes a healthy puppy guarantee and a lifetime of support for both you and the puppy. Coastal Labradoodles LLC To be guardian family for one of our breeding dogs Our goal is to raise well-balanced multi-generation Australian Labradoodle puppies. Coastal Labradoodles is committed to health screening all breeding dogs, subscribing to the ethics, rules, and regulations of the largest and most comprehensive ALD breeders club in the world, the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association WALA. We are proud to be founders of this excellent and well respected organizaiton, where health and disposition are put foremost for this incredible breed. All our puppies have certified pedigreed thorugh WALA with generations that go back decades. In addition, they are selected for disposition, coat and heathy conformation. They gain confidence through positive experiences and daily stimulation activties, long tested to be effective in raising healthy puppies in body and brain. We offer lifetime support. Experience and certification with an established and pedigreed organization matter. We have over fifteen years of both of these. Our puppies are confident and eager to bond with humans of every kind. This includes physical traits, disease, as well as disposition. Puppies are checked by our vet and vaccinated. We offer a lifetime of support and love to keep in contact. Photos are enjoyed! We are proud to be a member and abide by the ethics of this organization. These certifications help ensure that your new Australian Labradoodle puppy is the real deal. Our dogs are carefully selected so their puppies will have wonderful dispositions, amazing conformation, and hypoallergenic coats for which the breed was developed and is sought after. Our goal is to provide allergy friendly Australian Labradoodle puppies that are healthy, smart, and people oriented as family pets as well as therapy and service dogs. Our foundation dogs were chosen specifically because they were the best examples of the breed standards set forth by WALA. With each and every litter we produce we are striving to produce a better puppy that lives a full and happy healthy life. This ensures that our dogs are as healthy as possible before breeding. We use temperament testing and conformation evaluation to help us breed for for calm, confident, and people focused puppies with correct structure. We also use the temperament test results to help place puppies in the right homes. These breeding practices help ensure that you get the best possible Australian Labradoodle puppy available for your family or service dog. We feel that every family should own one of these wonderful Australian Labradoodle puppies for a joyful addition to your family. See why we belong to WALA in this video below.Sunrise Australian Labradoodles. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. We are a small breeder of exceptional companion, multi-generational Australian Labradoodle Puppies. We are located in the central Florida area, minutes away from Orlando and very accessible via all of the major central Florida highways. All of our litters are hand raised in our home, never in a kennel. Our puppies are born in our master bedroom or bathroom, where they remain until they are three and a half to four weeks old. During this early period, we begin using puppy culture techniques in order to help raise very confident, well balanced puppies. At just over three weeks, we introduce a designated potty area, which they often begin finding within a couple of days, we also introduce solid foods at this same time initially goats milk, then a few days later we begin adding raw food. Later they are moved into our main living area, where they are exposed many new sounds, sights, textures and experiences in preparation for joining your family. The majority of our parent dogs share a home with one of our incredible guardian families. Virtually all of our guardians have come to us by way of referral from our existing guardian families - we'd like to think that is indicative of a very positive relationship. By implementing our guardian family team, our mom and dad dogs often live as the single pampered pet of their household. This is consistent in maintaining great family dogs - likely one of the reasons that you are considering an Australian labradoodle puppy. Our guardians are very hands on with the shaping of your future puppy, sometimes even assisting during the birthing process and later with weekly visits to their home - this is good for our momma dogs, their families and of course our puppies. Our visits allow our pups weekly car rides from week one, as well as early handling and socialization in a very safe and controlled environment. Our parent dogs are rigorously health tested prior to being considered for breeding and assessed for their temperament. We have been working with most of our lines for over fourteen years and have continued to refine them. When we give consideration to using outside lines, we are very attentive to the same qualities we seek in our parent dogs. While the majority of our litters are medium in size, we do occasionally offer mini doodles as well as standards. We tend to specialize and be known for our red and chocolate labradoodle lines, but also produce a great variety of other colors and patterns. Thank you for visiting our website! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to becoming part of your happily furever after! Raised in our homes in North Central Florida, these doodles are a part of our family. Whether a rowdy SEC football Saturday, lazy Sunday, chore day or vacation, our doodles are by our side. With more than 9 acres between us, they enjoy romping through the fields and forest, are always ready for a ride, and love welcoming family and friends. COM for exceptional breeding and health testing practices. She is the first to the door when she hears the jingle of car keys. She enjoys romping through the grass with her fellow Lea Acres doodles to see who can fetch the ball first. Harper is a sharp girl, as a puppy she was ringing the bell to go outside within a few days of coming home, and has been known to stage an escape for a crated comrade. She never ceases to amaze us with her quick thinking. Her best friends are a 6 year old girl and a senior bully dog. She is agile and athletic, but also extremely skilled at curling up on your feet. One of her favorite parts of the day is checking on her flock of chickens. The first to greet us with a hug, and each night lets us know when she is ready for her bedtime belly rub. Her favorite toy is the biggest stick she can find, and with acres of options she is never in short supply. His thicker build is a compliment to the sleek build of some of our girls. Tucker has produced beautiful puppies, and is available for stud to approved ALAA breeding programs. Harlea filled so many lives with love and joy in the short time she was with us. An unfortunate accident took her from us far too soon, but we hold her close in our hearts. This program is designed to instill not just basic behaviors and loose leash walking, but also grooming and etiquette — a complete package for a well-behaved pet. Plus, did you know that a CGC certification might even get you a nifty discount from your insurance or apartment complex? Learn how this program, a potential stepping stone for those eyeing agility or obedience competitions, compares with the AKC CGC. Get to know about the AKC trick titles, an engaging way to teach your dog new cues and earn titles to their name. Tune in and explore the significance of these fantastic resources! Support the showFollow us on social mediaInstagram baxterandbella TikTok baxterbellatraining YouTube baxterandbellaSubscribe to our site for free weekly training tips!

Pick up in temple. Lost and Adoptable Pets. Pet Adoption - Search dogs or cats near you. Pets Available "temple" in Atlanta, GA - craigslist. Contact ads friendship, love, etc. Texas Craigslist Classifieds Use the Craigslist Temple link for the local search classifeds, tag sales and much more! Pets near Temple Hills, MD. Pets Available "temple" in Atlanta, GA. Craigslist of adoption of animals Dog, Hamster, Turtle, Parrot, etc. And remember Craigslistt is a portal where you can find totally free or find the ads you want, from jobs, cars, homes, etc. Training and employment ads job, online, books, online seminars, etc. Free firewood. Pets near Temple, PA - craigslist. Pet Services in Temple, GA. See us in yoyr city, Templeton! Pictures of dogs and cats who need a home. Find pet services in Atlanta, GA on Craigslist classifieds. Find it via the AmericanTowns Temple classifieds search or use one of the other free services we have collected to make your search easier, such as Craigslist Temple, eBay for Temple, Petfinder. City of Temple Pet Search. Please read the instructions in the pinned post. Craigslist helps connect you with the services you need in your community. Siamese Kittens Available! Free to loving home do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers post id: .Pets in Temple - Local Temple Pets for sale or adoption and wanted ads for pets in your area. Pet Services in Temple, GA - craigslist. Adorable Doberman Puppies Available for adoption. Pets Available in Temple, GA. Free German shepherd puppy. Here are some from nearby sorted by distance — change search area. Baby Rats! Pets near Temple City, CA. Pets near Temple City, CA - craigslist. Search by breed, age, size and color. Welcome to City of Temple, TX. You can find your new best friend at our shelter, N. 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This small town in Arizona offers a variety of activities and attractions that make it an ideal destination for snowbirds. Tucson, Arizona is a great place to get away and explore the beauty of the desert. The small town of Green Valley, Arizona is a popular destination for snowbirds from across the country. Tucson, Arizona is a beautiful and vibrant city with plenty of exciting attractions to explore. Are you looking for a winter getaway in Green Valley, Arizona? Are you looking for a unique and exciting vacation rental in Tucson, Arizona? Look no further than a casita rental. As our community's only open-admission shelter, we have the largest selection of adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens waiting to meet you. East texas craigslist pets. Weatherford 2 cats. Red nose brindle East texas craigslist pets. Red nose brindle pitbull. Texas Heeler puppies. Mount Pleasant. Macungie Standard poodle puppies. Click here to submit your FREE ad. Kunekune Pigs. Rehoming springer spaniel. 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Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors are amongst the most popular family pets in the UK thanks to their loyalty, gentle nature, and intelligence. Like most dogs, they thrive with regular exercise, keeping them healthy and happy. How much exercise does an adult Labrador need? A healthy adult Labrador generally needs at least 80 minutes of high-quality exercise per day. Of course, when setting exercise goals for dogs with existing health issues including obesity , you should consult your vet first. What types of exercise are best for Labradors? When we say high quality, we mean just that. Try and incorporate off-lead time into their exercise routine and take a ball or toy to play fetch with — running will help to raise their heart rate and burn off more calories. How much exercise does a Labrador puppy need? For their first three months, your puppy will get enough exercise from tearing around the house, playing and causing chaos. How much exercise does an old Labrador need? At an advanced age, your dog will have less energy in general and be more likely to suffer from health issues that may limit their mobility. Be observant — being the loyal companions they are, Labradors will push through a lot of pain to keep up with you. Watch for excessive panting, changes in their movement, and exhaustion as signals that they have overstretched themselves and adjust their activity accordingly. Can you over-exercise a Labrador? Labradors have the capacity to build up incredible fitness that will see them on the go all day long, but for most, there is a limit on how much they can do. Gradually increase their activity levels, using a PitPat to check in on their progress. How far can a Labrador walk? A working Labrador could be expected to cover many miles every day through the undergrowth and even water. However, your pet Labrador will have slightly different stamina, depending on how much exercise they are used to. Getting out and about with your Labrador keeps them happy and healthy and can be a highly rewarding experience for you both. Download our app for free to see if PitPat is for you. You might also like Single page Single page Top 10 most active dog breeds Got energy to burn? Single page Single page 10 ways to exercise your dog indoors Whether you find yourself stuck indoors because of the weather or for any other reason, your dog still needs plenty of exercise. Here are our top tips for exercising your dog indoors. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Whether young or old, big or small, yellow, black, chocolate, from field lines or show lines, your Labrador needs exercise. It will keep their heart and muscles strong, their mind stimulated and their weight under control. But how much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors Are a High Energy Breed The Labrador Retriever is a high energy working breed, initially bred for very physically demanding work retrieving game for hunters. This would involve all day hiking, running and swimming in sometimes difficult conditions. So Labrador Retrievers were bred to have lots of energy and be very active. And though their main role in life today is as a family pet, they still have those same genetics that made them suited to their original role. Dog Ball Thrower. Yes, you can throw a tennis ball extra far with the Chuckit, but two reasons why I love it: 1. In this state they will often resort to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing…and will often be very restless, may bark excessively and try to escape your home and garden at every opportunity. Insufficient exercise can also lead to weight problems with Labradors. Excess weight is a problem because it can lead to all sorts of problems such as damage to their joints hips and elbows , heart disease, increased blood pressure and increases the risk of diabetes. So a lack of exercise leads to behavioral problems, hyperactivity and possibly an assortment of health problems. However, as a general rule of thumb, a normally healthy adult Labrador Retriever will need 1 hour of exercise every day. The more relaxed Labs just 45 minutes per day, the more energetic 1. This can be made up of running, swimming, playing fetch , jogging alongside you…anything that goes beyond a gentle walk. But if the first consideration is your Labradors age, how much do puppies and the elderly need? Nice for long runs with your Lab. If you have older dogs or children, the puppy may well try to keep up with them and over-exert themselves, playing to exhaustion and damage their developing joints. So keep an eye on them and interrupt play if need be, to give them plenty of rest. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer. The 5 minute rule should be sufficient to keep your lab puppy fit, burn off excess energy yet not over-exert them and cause possible developmental issues. Continue the 5 minute rule until your puppy is at least one year of age where you can then begin to exercise them more vigorously. This is highly dependent on your labs overall health and can vary wildly from one Labrador to another. Some labs may need to slow down from the 7th year onwards, while others remain extremely active beyond their 10th year. As Labradors get older, many develop arthritis, dysplasia and other health issues that can prevent a Labrador from enjoying or needing exercise as much as they used to when young and healthy. They will likely still try to chase a tennis ball all day and hike mountains just to please you, even if it may be doing them more harm than good. Try not to put them in this position. As your Labrador ages, you need to be more observant , looking for changes in their movement, excessive panting, slowing down, feeling tired. And during grooming sessions and massage, check for any painful spots indicative of sore joints or other problems. We noticed Linus was stiff getting up in the morning and decided to try adding glucosamine to his diet. We saw a noticeable difference a few days later and an added spring in his step. If your Labrador tears around your home like a tornado. If your Lab displays any of the restless and destructive symptoms described above, try increasing their levels of exercise for a few days and see if their behavior problems improve. However, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket you might want to check out PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher. Over-exercising very young and elderly Labradors can do more harm than good. For your adolescent and adult Labrador, exercise them well. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 1hr per day and scale this up or down depending on your Labradors individual needs. This could mean 45 mins for the more sedate and elderly, or 1. And at the end of the day, think of it like this: You have the best exercise machine to rival that of any gym to keep you fit and healthy yourself. And hey, what fun!!! What better motivation and need is there to keep yourself in shape? Do you mostly agree with the above? Please let us know in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. UK I've search high and low and can find no scientific evidence to support the '5 minute rule'. The Kennel Club describes it as ' a rule of thumb' - which has a dictionary definition of 'A useful principle having wide application but not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable in every situation'. I found some interesting advice on a breeder's website regarding the '5 minute rule' 'Any sensible caring owner is going to be thinking about this issue having bought a puppy. A mixture of experiences from any previous dogs you have owned, coupled with breeder advice or possibly lack of! How much is not enough? There is never going to be a definitive answer to this burning question. But, of course, there are sensible guidelines. The crux of the matter is, IF your puppy has sound genetically strong joints passed from its parents, and is not horribly overweight, in all honesty, it can take really quite a LOT of exercise without damage. However, how can we KNOW if it has sound joints? However its important to stress that doing so is you doing your very best to give yourself a head start in maximising the chance of your puppy having good strong genetically sound joints. It is not a guarantee of that, nature can be cruel and work in mysterious ways. However, the chances are stacked in your favour if your pups parents have good hip and maybe elbow scores. I am not saying at all that ANY young dog cannot have an accident or cause himself injury in a trip, fall, crash with another dog etc. The point being your puppy is a baby. Babies need to be taken care of because they cannot make rational decisions for themselves. So YOU need to make that decision for them. As a young dog hits exhaustion point during exercise, damage can then start to occur pretty easily. Your puppy will not acknowledge he has hit exhaustion point. From his behaviour he may seem FULL of beans and up for it. Especially if interacting with other dogs. A puppy exercise guide, commonly considered helpful and useful, is called the 5 minute guide or sometimes the 5 minute rule — but for me, there is no gun to anyones head on this, it is not a RULE, it is a helpful guide that owners should use as a ball park figure, NOT as something to set your watch by. So after puppy vaccinations are completed at about 12 weeks of age so 3 months before which it is still VERY important to take your puppy out to introduce it to sights and smells, dogs, people, pushchairs, children, cars, buses and all sorts …. See article: Keeping a Puppy home during its innoculations? Enforced exercise is NOT strolling or playing in the garden. It is not wandering about the house. Basically a dog listening to its own body clock. Enforced exercise is when you have a puppy NOT able to listen to its own clock because new and exciting stuff is coming its way. That amount of exercise per day can be split as you like. If your 6 month old gets 15 — 20 mins in the morning, and 15 — 20 mins in the afternoon, thats perfectly fine. However it is proven a great guideline for our breed. A DAY???? He will go through the ceiling!! He has three times that and comes back bouncing!! How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. These tips will also help you to advance your dog so that, eventually, you can trust them to be off the leash in a safe area. Don't release your dog until they can demonstrate knowledge and obedience on the long leash and in many different settings. To begin with, walk them in the house and in the yard. Dogs learn 'contextually and by repetition'. These hints will help you to become the pack leader. Be certain that this is only reason that your dog will follow you. Make time to walk your dog Whether you walk your dog in the morning or evening will be influenced by your program. Whenever you exercise your dog, the walk should allow for 'focused time' and 'free time'. Two leashes will facilitate this. If they are under 12 months old, take some water with you. Also take a back-pack and a treat belt available on Ebay. I recommend no more than thirty minutes of walking in total for a dog under 14 months old as their growth plates are not set until this time. Be careful of overly vigorous activity, particularly if you have an older but playful dog. I don't recommend running for more than very short bursts for the same reason. Healthy hips and elbows are critical for a healthy, active and long life. Use two leashes - a long leash approx 7m and a short leash approx 1m Start your walk with the labrador pup on a short leash. The short leash will help you to direct and guide the dog. This allows you to maintain full control over your dog. Set up your walk for success. Start by getting the dog to sit or at the least be stationary and under your control. As you begin, keep your dog behind your body alignment. Be patient and encourage your dog. Do not show aggressive frustration. This will only cause confusion and fear or aggression. If your dog is not complying, stop and reset. You are the master Walking in front of your dog demonstrates that you are the master or the pack leader. You should be first out the door. The dogs should exit the compound only at your command. This is essential whether you are walking 1, 2 or more dogs. If your dog controls the pace and direction of the walk, they are the pack leader. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk. Dogs learn contextually The next two hints are important training essentials. Firstly, labradors learn contextually and their training in not immediately transferable to a new environment. Using the same disciplines and routines, train your dog the same way in different settings. This will entrench your expectations. Correct immediately Secondly, a labrador has about a five second retention of information. After five seconds the dog has lost any association between your assertiveness and their behaviour. If they disobey you, you must correct them within five seconds or not at all. If the dog is disobedient or simply does not understand, reset and start again. The long leash I'm a big fan of the long leash. A long leash will help you to correct bad behaviour at a distance. After a period of training with the short leash, remove it and connect the longer lead. Keep the leash in your hand, releasing it slowly and progressively. As they master this, you can back away while the dog is 'sitting and staying'. Reward your labrador pup with vigorous affection and a treat. After this, you should allow them to wander and sniff around. All this time you will keep your dog on the long leash and under your control. Be sure that the free time is less than their focus time. During the socialisation phase, 8 - 16 weeks, you will need both leashes as you expose your labrador pup to other dogs. As you walk your dog, you will come across small and large dogs that are aggressive. Walking on either leash will give your complete control. And it will ensure safety at all time. You new labrador pup has no innate road sense. Walk them, getting close to roads. Expose them to vehicles so that they do not panic. Reward your dog for good behaviour. Remember that dogs register tones and frequencies, not words. Use higher tones to affirm, reward and encourage. You approval is the greatest reward for a Labrador. Direct eye contact without high vocal affirmation will be interpreted as aggression. Use lower growling tones to reinforce disapproval. Try to avoid 'No' as a command. It is too general and therefore confusing to the dog. Always reward and reinforce obedience to specific commands. Use food treats to begin with, however you must gradually phase them out. Your vocal affirmation and affection should be your longer term goal. As your dog maintains the proper behaviour, reward them with treats. Reward your dog after the walk I recommend that you reward your labrador pup after the walk. Let them have a drink firstly then give them a portion of food that is less than a meal but more than a treat. It will not take long for your dog to anticipate the whole experience. When you appear with the leashes, they will become very enthusiastic. If you adhere to these eight hints and maintain the discipline of your training, you and your dog will value and enjoy the experience. Finally, remember to pick up after your dog. Don't go on a walk without your poop bags on hand! Find a vet you can have confidence in. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Just like us, Labradors need plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Whether you have a young or old dog, they all need to get the blood flowing to stay healthy and live long happy doggie lives. Regular exercise with your Labrador is very beneficial for you both. Exercise stimulates neuron growth in the brain, encourages the production of endorphins with a known mood-boosting effect , helps strengthen your bones and muscles, improves blood pressure, and can significantly help with depression. Are you having a hard time figuring out how much exercise your lab needs? Answers vary drastically from one dog to another. The amount of exercise to give your Labrador depends mostly on the age of the dog. The key to taking your Labrador puppy out for exercise is to be patient. Some labs are athletic, and thus need more exercise than others. Also, certain Labradors are genetically programmed to be energetic and have high metabolism rates, whereas others are more laid-back. Here are some exercise guidelines a new lab owner can follow to make sure their dog gets the right workout. With older dogs or children, a lab puppy may well try to keep up with them and exhaust themselves before they reach their adult size and stamina. Hold off on structured games and other forms of heavy physical activity for the first three months. This will set the stage for long-term, healthy exercise habits. This rule states that you should take your Labrador puppy out for at least five minutes of exercise per month of age up to twice a day until he or she is fully grown. This can be anything from a walk around the block to a run in the dog park. How old your dog is will make a difference in their stamina. To determine how much exercise your dog needs, first take their age into consideration. Labs that are four years old and above need between one and two hours of exercise per day. The truth is Labradors can lead a perfectly healthy life with just an hour of daily active playtime. The Labrador Retriever was bred to retrieve game for hunters. That means they naturally love to play fetch. All you need is a toy for playtime and room for running around. Tug-of-War is less cardio-oriented but helps with muscle mass and body structure in growing dogs. Plus, they love it! It requires that you prepare your puppy with a proper agility training course. Agility training is great for completing a total-body, structured workout, while also providing mental stimulation for your labrador. This involves activities such as going through walkways, tunnels, and hurdles to reach the other end. You will need to train your lab to engage in the activity and this involves proper instruction. Find one that fits his size and abilities, as well as your own personal comfort level. Either due to space or having a small yard, it may be difficult to get their puppies out every day. The good news is that, with a little creativity, indoor exercise can be just as viable and fun! Here are a few ideas you can try at home. Try Treadmill Training Sessions With Dogs A dog can be trained to use a treadmill and enjoy it, but the experience will take time. Build an Obstacle Course for Your Labrador Use everyday things found around the home or office to create an obstacle course. It also boosts their energy levels and problem-solving skills. For example, you might use old boxes and trash bags to make a tunnel, chairs or stools to jump across, and other furniture for your puppy to climb. At first your puppy may not catch on, but with effective use of the treat and lots of encouragement, you can help it learn as it goes. Hide-and-Seek With a Treat! Hide a treat around the house, and let your puppy work to find it. As you hide treats around the room, remember to make sure they are not hiding somewhere that is unreachable. Tip 2. Make sure that all the activities are not just what you enjoy but what is enjoyable for the puppy. Otherwise, they may get frustrated and stop cooperating with you. Include treats and praise whenever they accomplish something. All dog breeds respond positively to lots of physical affection and verbal affirmation. This will make the activity more enjoyable for the puppy. Keep fun as the central theme and good health will flow. Tip 3. Make an Exercise Routine and Schedule for Your Dog Lab owners, take note: maintaining the health of an adult Lab is all about consistency. And this starts with walks at a young age. Take regular walks with your dog, no matter the weather conditions. Walk at the same time each day in order to create an exercise pattern that both you and your dog can stick to. Maybe you can get the puppy used to a leash and casually walk through your neighborhood with it. That way, you can vary the activity occasionally. In six months, increase the amount of time your dogs are running to 15 minutes. This keeps their energy high and stops weight gain as they mature. Conclusion As a dog owner, your foremost responsibility is protecting the health and safety of your pet. Insufficient exercise causes health problems in dogs , like hip dysplasia especially those already prone to hip or joint problems. Share on. Tweet on Twitter Puppy exercise requirements vary between different types of dog, and as a puppy grows the exercise they need will increase. It is possible to give a puppy too much exercise so I will give you a puppy exercise chart, as a guide to how far a puppy can walk at different ages. Taking your new puppy for a walk We all look forward to the day we can take our new puppy for a walk. For many people, daily dog walks is a huge part of why they bought a Labrador in the first place. Others already take quite small puppies for quite long walks and are surprised to discover that many experts believe this to be a bad thing. So just how much exercise does a puppy really need? How much exercise does a puppy need? This rule of thumb says that a puppy should have no more than five minutes of walking for every month of his age. So that would be fifteen minutes a day maximum for a three month old puppy, twenty minutes for a four month old and so on. This concern about excessive exercise has arisen because it is widely believed that exercise is a factor in the development of serious joint disorders. Especially in larger breed puppies such as Labradors Breeders are particularly concerned about hip dysplasia, a serious and complex disorder of the hip joints, that is believed to be influenced both by inherited factors passed from dogs to their puppies and by environmental factors In addition to factors influencing growth rates, the stresses and strains placed on the vulnerable growing joint by excessive exercise are believed to be a contributory environmental factor in the development of inadequate hip joints. It seems likely, that a puppy that had inherited a tendency for poor hips, could have its soft and still forming hip joints made a good deal worse through prolonged or hard exercise. It is also possible that a puppy that has inherited excellent hips, will come to no harm whatsoever through hard exercise. On the contrary, a certain amount of free running exercise is a good thing Running off-leash A Norwegian study published and which included labradors, showed that puppies given the opportunity to exercise off leash in a park before the age of three months were less likely to develop hip dysplasia HD , not more. Stair climbing The same study showed that puppies that had to climb stairs on a regular basis during the same period were at increased risk of HD You can read about this study in Science Daily. So what does this study tell us? Well, it is only one study, but it suggests that playing in a natural way, with other pups or simply running about at their own speed is probably going to benefit a small puppy Strenuous exercise Whereas more strenuous activity such as climbing hills and stairs, may not be such a good thing at a very young age. Another study has suggested that running hard for a retrieve, may not be great for joint health either. And some breeders also prevent dogs from jumping for the first twelve months to reduce impact on the shoulder and elbow joints. This may be especially important for some of the heavier breeds of dog, and those that are slow to mature. How far should my puppy walk? But how does that translate to distances walked? If you like to think in distances rather than time, a mile is around steps for an adult human and takes about twenty minutes at a moderate walking speed. So a maximum walk for a four month old Labrador might be about a mile. And of course if you are walking out and back again, that means not taking the dog more than half a mile from your home or car, whichever is your starting point. With young puppies, you need to keep a balance. Think about the overall energy your puppy is expending rather than focusing on walking alone. Walking is only one form of exercise and is no more valuable or important than games or training exercises. If you have been to visit a friend with your five month old pup and their dog has played for half an hour in the garden with yours, your dog does not need a walk as well. It is the total exercise that counts. How much exercise is too much? And you are bound to know of someone whose puppy had far more exercise than this and came to no harm. However taking a puppy for long walks or asking him to negotiate very steep or uneven surfaces when he is little, is probably a bad idea. Beware of letting a puppy play for too long with an older dog that does not want to stop. And keep an eye on children who may inadvertently exhaust a puppy by encouraging him to play when he needs to sleep. Crating your puppy when he is tired or overexcited, will enable you to make sure that your puppy gets some well deserved down time. Summary Young puppies need the time and space to run about freely, and free running exercise is beneficial. You do not need to attempt to prevent puppies playing in the garden, trotting about the house or playing with another young puppy for a while. Provided that the puppy is free to stop and rest whenever he wants. As far as we know at the moment, formal exercise — walking on a lead — for example, is probably best restricted using the five minute rule as an approximate guide. And strenuous exercise such as stair climbing, and chasing balls should be limited or avoided altogether in puppies under three months of age. Remember, an adult dog can become an amazing athlete, but like all athletes, fitness and stamina are best built up in gentle stages if injury is to be avoided. Do talk to your vet about exercise at your first appointment with your puppy. We are still learning about hip dysplasia. Research is ongoing, knowledge increases all the time. Your vet should be up to date with the latest information regarding the optimum amount of exercise for your new puppy. Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. This article was originally published in and has been extensively revised and updated for References Slater et al. Diet and exercise as potential risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans in dogs. Am J Vet Res. Sallander et al. American Society for Nutrition. Krontveit et al. Risk factors for hip-related clinical signs in a prospective cohort study of four large dog breeds in Norway. Exercise, Growth, and Joints Exercise Labradors not only love exercise, they need exercise. We all look forward to taking our puppy for a walk, however it is important not to over-exercise your puppy. In natural play, puppies will romp until they are tired and then stop to lay down for rest. When walking a puppy on a leash, they cannot stop when they normally would for rest. Too much exercise or walking can severely damage their bone and joint structures irreversibly. This should be taken seriously. THE RULE is: No more than 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age So that means, at 2 months old 8 weeks , your puppy only needs to exercise or walk for 10 minutes per day. At 3 months of age 15 minutes of exercise and so on. If you walk your puppy too far too soon, your puppy may develop hip and elbow dysplasia as they get older. Labradors have been known to develop dysplasia younger than other breeds of dogs. In many of these cases, it is often due to environmental factors such as over-exercise, running on hard or strenuous surfaces such as concrete or sand , continual jumping or agility work. Things to avoid with your puppy: No jumping in or out of car, especially larger cars. Lift the dog or use a ramp. No throwing balls or frisbee great distances for your puppy to chase. The sudden stopping and over reaching with the front legs is dangerous. No agility, jumping or flyball before years old Do not let other dogs knock or push the puppy over continually, includes body-slamming Avoid much stair climbing which can increase the risk of dysplasia No fast turns or roll-overs Good exercise: Swimming is great, since there is no weight-bearing impact on their joints. Remember, labradors love water! Walking on leash, for no longer than the recommended length of time for their age Self-directed play is an overriding rule for any puppy under 18 months old. The majority of exercise should be free play, exploring, and noodling around Hide and seek games are fantastic, as the dog can move at its own pace looking for its toy or treat or you. Size is a factor as large dogs, especially ones that like to play with paw whacks, can inadvertently injury a young puppy. Supervised play is critical. You need to teach the puppy a release command. All these games are forms of exercise for puppies and are a great way to help your puppy learn useful lifelong skills and qualities. Growth plates and bones: Development and injury Growth Plates Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to grow longer until the end of puberty. Growth plates gradually thin as the hormonal changes approaching puberty signal the growth plates to close. In puppies, this closure normally completes between 18 to 24 months old in labradors. After sexual maturity, the growth plates calcify and the rapid cell division ends. The growth plates become a stable, inactive part of the bone, now known as an epiphyseal line. Dogs bones are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments soft tissue. In an adult dog, if a joint experiences a stress such as bending the wrong way or rotating too much, the bones will hold firm and soft tissue will be pulled, resulting in a sprain or tear. Why this matters so much, is that unlike a sprain, injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong. Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb, which creates an incorrect angle to a joint resulting in yet more future injuries when he grows up, including dysplasia. These xray images show open and closed growth plates in a puppy and adult dog. Bone Strength In addition to having soft growth plates at the end of long bones, puppies bones in general are softer. Spiral fractures of the tibia lower leg bone are very common in puppies. A spiral fracture is where the bottom half of the bone twists in the opposite direction of the top half. Any exercise that puts torque twist on a bone puts the puppy at risk of a fracture. For an example, movements such as twisting and turning suddenly can cause these type of fractures. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This is where we recommend you read our Health and Genetic Testing page, where we talk about hip and elbow dysplasia. It is critical that you, as a puppy owner, understand as much as you can about hip and elbow dysplasia, how you can help prevent it, and what your breeder should be testing for. On the other hand, an underfed or malnourished puppy or dog is also at higher risk of injury. Muscles mass directly influences strength, likewise inadequate calcium and nutrients affect bone density. A body condition score of about is healthy for a young puppy. Once an adult, the ideal body condition score would be about 5 for a healthy, fit labrador. Sterilisation Desexing In larger breeds, sterilising young puppies at a young age has shown to increase the risk of joint disorders and injury. We recommend sterilisation occurs between 24 months old for this reason. This recommendation is outlined in our Health Guarantee. We discuss this more under Desexing or Sterilisation.

You may also like to know that there are many organizations in your area that are devoted to the well-being of dogs of all breeds. They are also very affectionate and are curious and lively dogs , but they can be difficult to train. The Dachshund has a mean lifespan of 12 to 16 decades. Dachshunds, on the flip side, are inclined to be smaller animals. Whatever breed you decide on, consider adopting from a rescue. There are all sorts of breeds of dogs out there. Small dog breeds are popular at present, but fashions change and the main portion of any pet is their nature and temperament. It is also feasible for puppies to have pituitary dwarfism, which is brought on by difficulties with growth hormones generated by the pituitary gland. The Shorkie puppies are extremely entertaining. Your dog will shed a reasonable quantity of hair, particularly when the seasons change. Golden Retriever Mix Puppies For Sale A Golden Retriever Dachshund mix is one of the hottest items on the market right now, as breeders are offering puppies at ridiculously low costs. But, with that comes a serious concern for new pet owners. If you are going to buy one of these dogs, you need to know what your options are and how much you will need to pay. First of all, you must consider the temperament of the puppy. All dogs in this category have some variation in behavior and abilities. If you buy a Golden Retriever and then it grows up into a destructive adult dog, you may have bought a whole lot of destruction. That is one reason why Golden Retriever mix owners tend to have such a difficult time getting their new dogs adopted. The other major consideration for Golden Retriever puppies for sale is the price. Some breeders are known for being stingy with the money that they ask for puppies. This is understandable because buying a dog from a breeder means that the breeder has owned the animal for a long time and knows all of the behavioral traits and characteristics of the breed. There are several different places that you can look at when trying to find these puppies. If you are in an area where Golden Retriever breeders are extremely active and popular, you can visit the showroom and observe the puppies up close and personal. You may even be able to take a tour of the entire facility before making any final decisions. Another option is to go online and search for Golden Retriever Dachshund mix puppies for sale. You can often find many options, both from a physical store near you or from an Internet site that will allow you to contact multiple breeders at once. Both of these methods are convenient and allow you to see and touch many puppies at once. It is important, however, to make sure that the breeder is offering a puppy that matches what you have in mind. If they do not have the specific dog that you want, you will be forced to search for a different breed or to wait a long time for what you want to come along. The Internet also provides great resources for learning more about Golden Retriever breeders and finding out more about the history of the breed. You can even find valuable tips on training your Golden Retriever and on how to care for the dog once you bring it home. Many reputable breeders will have websites that are easy to access and informative. They will have brochures and catalogs available for buyers to peruse and look over. Contact the American Kennel Club, which keeps track of registered dogs and their registries. There is also the American Association of Housebreaking and Animal Care Professionals, which is a national organization that offers support groups for dog owners. Contact your local veterinarian and ask about organizations, such as the Animal Rescue Association ominous. They help to spay and neuter dogs, as well as provide information and advice about other animal issues. There are many great things about Golden Retriever dogs, which means that they are very popular with households. These types of dogs mix well with all sorts of children, making them great companions for kids. Golden Retriever mix puppies for sale are usually very healthy and will add a lot to the quality of your life. Because you have the means to purchase just about any kind of puppy, we recommend a furry friend from Cream Doxie Luv. We offer families healthy and friendly AKC Dachshund puppies for sale. Your children will love you even more than they already do when you bring one of our puppies home. Add a friendly pet to your family, Quality is not cheap and cheap is not quality. We are located in Northern Utah, and we sell to customers nationwide. We like to focus on Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Idaho. Doxies have been in our own family for over 30 years. Their temperaments build and long-haired coats are why we especially love the Clear Cream and Shaded English Cream Dachshunds. Their fun-loving play and personalities are sure to win you over. If you're thinking of adopting, add another puppy to the mix for double or triple the fun. After all, Doxies are pack animals and love to have a buddy close by to run and play with and then cuddle up with at night. We have many return clients adding a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th dog to their family as time goes on. We have carefully chosen our dogs and take our job as a small home breeder to heart. To ensure the health of our puppies, we stay in close contact with our veterinarian during pregnancies. Once the puppies arrive, we will visit the Veterinarian 3 times before they are ready to be placed in your care. We strive to have happy, healthy puppies. We are committed to finding quality and loving homes for our Doxies and providing them and their owners with lifetime support. However, if, for some reason, you're not able to keep your dog in its lifetime, please contact us, and we will take it back with no questions asked or work with you to re-home our dogs. We offer cradle-to-grave services as we never want to see one of our precious pets in a dog pound. With 9 weeks worth of training they are worth the wait. With nine weeks of training in my home before placement, they are worth the wait! Other Hours by Appointment.

If you are curious about the unique appearance of this pup, you have come to the right place. Under certain lighting, the darker portions of the Isabella German Shepherds may appear to be lilac or lavender in color. In reality, they are a darker brown. The head, back, and legs of this variation of GSD are of this color. The lower portion of the Isabella German Shepherd, however, is a lovely, light fawn color. This pup looks especially striking because despite belonging to the same color palette, the shades contrast beautifully. For the most part, Isabella German Shepherds are identical to other German Shepherds in almost every way. This includes physique, traits, skills, and more. These dogs can appear somewhat different from what you might expect German Shepherds to look like. You will also find that their noses are brown or pink instead of black. These dogs tend to have brown or pink paw pads as well. Another thing you will notice about these pups is that they almost always have lighter eyes. This can be amber, blue, or green — it is quite a sight to behold. To understand why the Isabella German Shepherd has this type of coloring, you need to appreciate the color genetics of German Shepherds. Color genes occupy specific positions loci on chromosomes. German Shepherds have several of these chromosomes — some are dominant and some are recessive. The A-locus is what gives this breed its coat color. It dictates the base color of German Shepherds and a GSDs coat will depend on whether or not the loci are dominant. This A-locus can be expressed in four distinct ways in German Shepherds. The B-locus creates a recessive liver gene, giving rise to Liver German Shepherds. This B-locus liver gene is considered a dilution gene as it suppresses all black in German Shepherds. When the dilution gene is on the D-locus, this results in the Blue German Shepherd. These dogs have two recessive dilution genes. Unlike with the B-locus dilution, though, these loci simply create lighter shades of black instead of suppressing it. An Isabella German Shepherd is known as a double dilution, with recessive genes on the B-locus and the D-locus. The recessive B-locus genes ensure that Isabella German Shepherds have no black hair on their coat or much black coloring in general. The recessive D-locus genes further reduce the pigment in darker areas, resulting in lighter patches. One of the reasons that Isabella German Shepherds are so rare is naturally due to genetic variation. The coloring of these dogs relies on two rare and recessive genes. This means that both parents should have at least one pair of these recessive genes to produce Isabella German Shepherds. Even then, there is no guarantee that they will. There is more to the story. The AKC and other organizations accept the Isabella coloring, but dogs with this hue are penalized more heavily, making them less likely to win. To add to this, tan and black dogs are the favorites and do well in shows. Due to this, breeders will often focus on breeding dogs with these coats, avoiding dogs with recessive genes that can produce Isabella German Shepherds. You will most likely have to find an Isabella German Shepherd that accidentally cropped up in a litter. There is no way of knowing if this variation will appear or not. It may be possible to find breeders that specifically deal with Isabella German Shepherds, but you should be wary of such opportunities. If the breeders only pay attention to the coat color and not physical and health attributes , there is a higher risk of disease in the puppies. In case you find a breeder that tracks both coat color as well as health, you can expect to pay a hefty price for an Isabella German Shepherd puppy. The cost will be far higher than what you would pay for regular GSDs, even though the only difference is the coat. See also German Shepherd Bulldog Mix Breed Guide And Information You should also be aware that with breeders like this, you may be put on a waiting list that can span several months. Due to their rarity and unique qualities , these dogs are quite sought-after, as you can imagine. This is the full lowdown on the Isabella German Shepherd. It would be a breathtaking sight to see such a dog in real life. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Photo by lyla. It usually starts on their face, neck, chest, and gradually to their whole body. Since these isabella German Shepherd dogs are already light-colored, you may not recognize the color change instantly. This happens when the fur of an isabella puppy is brushed off, and the adult fur settles in their body. The same thing happens when they are shedding. Usually, it starts at around two months until two years of age. Watch this cute video to see a stunning lilac German Shepherd puppy enjoying the great outdoors: Izzy the Isabella German Shepard dog. River Humber. They may excel like standard GSDs, but they are still considered faults and heavily penalized during shows despite their intelligence and unique appearance. In addition, they are protective and loyal to their owners. However, they need to learn to be independent since they are prone to be overly attached to their families. They can further develop separation anxiety and destructive behavior if left alone for long periods. An isabella German Shepherd requires a firm owner during training since they tend to be stubborn despite being highly intelligent. They are one of the fastest learning dogs, so training them will be swift. Overall, they are great family dogs. However, it is also important to note that they have a high prey drive. Isabella German Shepherd Lifespan and Health Issues Isabella German Shepherds may not be in the same color as the traditional GSDs but they are similarly healthy and can live up to 10 to 14 years on average. However, like other dog breeds, health problems can sometimes be inevitable or genetically linked. To help you get an idea of what they could be prone to health-wise, here are some common health problems your isabella German Shepherd puppy may encounter: Hip Dysplasia: As large dogs, isabella German Shepherds can be prone to hip dysplasia. Bloat: This condition is also known as gastric dilation volvulus GDV , and it happens when the stomach gets filled with gas, fluid, and food, which results in twisting. Pet owners should always take this as an emergency as it progresses quickly and can sometimes be fatal. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: PRA in dogs occurs as a group of degenerative diseases that affect photoreceptor cells, resulting in deterioration and blindness. There are no treatments available for this condition. However, vitamins and antioxidants may reduce eye stress and delay the formation of cataracts. However, this condition is successfully managed through monitoring, maintenance meds, and regular vet visits. These issues can be prevented and are manageable as long as you keep your eye on your isabella dog. Taking them to regular vet check-ups and keeping their vaccines up-to-date will keep them healthy and improve their quality of life. Brushing their hair regularly can keep their coats shiny and healthy, and it can significantly contribute to the severity of shedding every time the climate changes. Giving them sanitary hair trims can help maintain their cleanliness, too. In addition, wiping and washing their paws is necessary after walking or strolling outside. Chew toys or chew treats are a great way to strengthen their teeth and gums, on top of regular teeth brushing. However, we should always be mindful of the number of chew treats we give our dogs since giving too much can be unhealthy for them. Regular ear cleaning and nail trimming are a must. Note, though, that finding a lilac German Shepherd may be pretty challenging, considering it is rare. There are a lot of factors surrounding puppy prices. It is also essential to know that having a puppy is not a one-time purchase. You have to look through imperative needs and expenses before you decide to open your home to your new isabella German Shepherd. He is the total package of beauty, brains and health! Bo has the typical old fashioned straight-backed structure that we strive for. He has great bone and a beautiful classic GSD head. Bo is always happy to go places with us. He frequents local stores with us all the time and is a perfect gentleman. He is always looking forward to accompanying us for daily ranch chores too. He is great with all the animals. He especially loves puppies and is so gentle with them, he is a great helper in socializing our litters with big dogs. He has great food drive, loves learning new things and always does his best to please you. He also loves doing scent work and I hope to get him entered into some trials soon. He is naturally protective of our home but as soon as I give him the okay he will be the first to greet you for pets and is known to try and sneak in your lap if you sit down! He is an easy-going, gentle, super sweet boy who is always steady and fearless. Like our other boys he can also have a goofy streak at times and he can always put a smile on your face! We just love Bo and are really looking forward to incorporating his lines into our breeding program. But even Alsatians who meet all the criteria of a beautiful show dog face preferential treatment given to dogs of specific colorations. You have probably noticed that when you think of a German Shepherd, you first picture a black and tan dog with a classical saddle pattern specific to the breed. Most successful show dogs of German and American standards have a color pattern that highlights the stunning contrast between the two tones, whether black and tan or black and mahogany. However, the original Shepherd, Hektor, was sable. It might surprise you to know that a black and tan German Shepherd is recessive to sable. Theoretically, it should be easier to breed a sable german shepherd than a black and tan. However, show breeders have selected the black and tan with a specific pattern for decades. Since pet dogs often originate from show lines, black and tan dogs are most commonly what you will see and associate with German Shepherds. Working lines are more often sable or darker colors, featuring full blankets in the place of saddles. The liver, a brilliant chocolate color, is recessive and quite rare in German Shepherds. While the AKC recognizes solid liver and liver and tan in German Shepherds, there are also liver and white and, of course, Isabella variants. However, the liver is a serious fault as are washed-out or dilute colors so that Isabella would suffer double penalties in show rings. While people fight to acquire rare colors such as lilac in the French Bulldog , breeders largely avoid liver German Shepherds. As the race to be the most unusual and unique persists, the demand for Isabella and liver German Shepherds may increase. Isabella German Shepherd has a fascinating but obscure history Isabella, about color, may have originated as early as .Spanish Queen Isabella proclaimed she would not change her gown during the Seige of Granada until Spain prevailed. In the interim, her dress changed to a nondescript color of reddish with remnants of white and black. Other historians say Isabelline could have stemmed from the word Zibellino, which described the color of animal pelts popular in the early s. The color was a pale gold similar to that of cougars and lions of specific shades. Nevertheless, the first known use of the term Isabelline was in , referring to the color of a certain fashion trend in dresses. People soon interchanged Isabellan and Isabella to describe the unusual color, and its use for bird plumage and specific bear species became more prominent in .Isabella is noteworthy in that it can be breed-specific in its use. You will see Isabella and not lilac German Shepherds, although the terms refer to the same color. Weimeraners, universally dilute dogs, can be referred to as lilac, gray, or Isabella unless they are blue. French Bulldogs are commonly lilac. Other words that describe the same color as Isabella but are not used for the GSD are Isabella fawn, silver beige, silver-fawn, or lavender. What is an Isabella GSD? Isabella typically is lilac or dilute liver-colored dog. However, in the case of German Shepherds, who are not commonly a solid color, Isabella can be difficult to distinguish from a blue dilution. However, as blue and liver dogs represent diluted colors, the nose will be lighter accordingly. Therefore, a liver dog has a liver, brown, or reddish nose, and a blue dog would have a gray nose. Red and black German Shepherds are prominent in the German Show lines, and some people mistake them for liver dogs. However, liver dogs cannot have black hair, and solid red dogs will have fully pigmented noses. Isabella German Shepherds, although a double-dilute color, can have a relatively dark nose. According to Doggenetics. Some may even have a dark gray nose. What should you know about how colors like Isabella show up? Isabella German Shepherd, like any other color variation, has a genetic basis. However, the hereditary nature of colors is not as straightforward as other traits like height and muzzle length. In the simplest of terms, color genes occupy certain locations or loci on the chromosomes and dictate pattern expressions on the body. Dogs have several loci, and some are dominant over others. The A-locus or agouti gene is responsible for most German Shepherd coloration. Agouti dictates the base color of all dogs, and if it shows up or not depends on whether other loci are dominant. There are four expressions of the agouti-locus in dogs, all with their labels. Without getting into too much detail, agouti in its different expressions, also known as alleles, is responsible for four different color patterns, according to Animalgenetics. Each hair has bands of two or more colors often tipped with black. Sable is dominant over the other agouti expressions. A sable dog may have two dominant alleles or one recessive allele. Wild sable — Similar to sable, wild sable dogs have a sandy or reddish appearance instead of a predominance of black. Some dogs with this gene expression may also be solid black. Some sources, like Ddr-k9. Different presentations illustrate the complexity of color heredity in dogs. Such a discussion is beyond the scope of our article. Note, black is carried on a different and dominant locus in many other breeds. So how do you get an Isabella German Shepherd? The Liver and Dilution Loci Remember the loci we keep mentioning? The A-locus is your base color, but another named locus may transform it. A specific liver recessive gene, for example, resides on the B-locus and is responsible for a brown or chocolate color in dogs. The liver is a dilution in German Shepherds. Since the A-locus affects color pattern, otherwise bi-color and recessive black Shepherds will show as solid liver in dogs with B-locus dilution, and black and tans will express as liver and tan. Blue German Shepherds inherit two recessive dilution genes on the D-locus. Unlike the liver gene, the blue gene dilutes black without completely removing all pigmentation. As a result, dogs with dilution at the D-locus will be in various shades of blue, usually charcoal to light gray to steel blue. Gray or mouse German Shepherds can be blue and tan, solid blue, or blue bicolor. Blue GSDs usually have gray or blue eyes. Blue GSDs are distinct from silver dogs who are variants of black and tan. An Isabella dog is a double dilution that involves a puppy inheriting two recessive suppressing genes on the D-locus and two on the B-locus. The recessive liver gene ensures the dog will have no black hair. The dilution gene further suppresses pigmentation in the chocolate brown areas since there are no black hairs upon which to act. Isabella dogs often have sea-green or blue-green eyes. Do Isabella German Shepherds have additional health problems? An Isabella color occurs naturally in the GSD breed, albeit with precise alignment of several criteria. Blue Germans Shepherds do not have blue alopecia dermatitis common in other diluted breeds like the Doberman. Isabella German Shepherds thus far have no more health problems than dogs of the more common and standard colors. Because dilution is a recessive trait, selecting for Isabella German Shepherds based on increased interest and demand could promote health problems that would be difficult to anticipate. As always, if you desire an Isabella dog, go through a reputable breeder to avoid practices such as overbreeding and inbreeding that could lead to detrimental health concerns. Conclusion The following are two examples of Isabella dogs. This video shows an Isabella puppy with bicolor markings. Note the tan markings with the light reddish-gray, which will progressively fade as the pup gets older. You can see how difficult it is to distinguish a blue dilution from a double liver dilution, but this pup already exhibits a lavender sheen typical of Isabella German Shepherd. This video shows again an Isabella GSD but with what appears to be a sable base coat. Where the dog would ordinarily be black, she is a red chestnut. This could be a liver dog except for the hint of lavender about her muzzle. Note her light-colored nose, indicating she is not a wild sable. Take note that if this dog were black as she appears, she is blue and does not have liver dilution. Some circles refer to blue German Shepherds as Isabellas. DNA tests can confirm the genetic coloring of dogs. Liver dogs cannot have black hair, and blue dogs cannot be liver. Isabella typically refers to dilution on the blue locus and the liver locus, resulting in a sandy-gray color. The blue locus is more correctly a dilution locus, and therefore, Isabella German Shepherds are technically double-dilute livers. The Isabella German Shepherd is the result of a rare genetic variation that combines the color variations from the bleu and the liver dilution. This means that the coat is entirely the result of recessive genes. This color pattern is sometimes called lavender or lilac as well. These dogs have a fluffier and longer coat in most cases, and they will almost always have light eyes that are either blue or gray. Their noses might also be light brown to match the lighter tones in their coat. This dog can sometimes be mistaken for a Husky or some of the other longer-haired and light-colored dog breeds in this size category. They are actually German Shepherds, however, and are not directly related to these other dog breeds. Are Isabella German Shepherds Rare? The Isabella German Shepherd is quite rare. This is because this color variant comes from two recessive genes that combine to make the color possible. This is not a common color in the German Shepherd breed, and it is not an AKC-recognized color either. For the Isabella German Shepherd color to occur, both parents must have a particular recessive gene that allows the color to be expressed. This does not guarantee that all the puppies in the litter will express this gene, however. Breeders could produce a few Isabella puppies per litter or might not have any, despite having produced a whole litter of puppies with this color pattern in the past from the same breeding pair. A reputable breeder will be needed in order to get a dog that has this coat pattern. It can be very hard to get a dog in this color, and you might be on the waiting list for a long time due to the rarity of this coat variation. This is because the first German Shepherds that were bred intentionally to create the AKC-recognized breed were supposed to be black and tan. When the German Shepherd became more popular for working dog use and for the show, more breeders began creating litters of these dogs. While the Isabella German Shepherd was not allowed to be registered by the AKC, these dogs were valued for the unique color that made them appear quite different than the other German Shepherds that were being bred for showing and for working jobs. Breeders might not have been breeding intentionally for this color in the beginning, but some breeders do work hard to create this coat pattern today. The combining of recessive genes can lead to other kinds of health issues, so the AKC continues to encourage breeders not to try and create dogs in this color. There are very few breeders who can dependably create litters in this color, and there is little to no chance that this color will become part of the recognized association coat patterns that the AKC encourages. Isabella German Shepherd Appearance The Isabella German Shepherd looks just like a standard German Shepherd except with a unique silvery coat that is either sable, brown, or even golden in color. The Isabella dog might start out slightly darker and lighten over time. However, since their coats are so light to start with, you might not even notice this change taking place. The coat of the Isabella German Shepherd is silky and slightly long. This means that you will need to provide more grooming care for this kind of German Shepherd than you would for a standard-coated dog. An Isabella German Shepherd will almost always have a light pink or brown nose, and they usually have blue or grey eyes. They can also have blue-green eyes in some cases. This breed is about the same height and weight as a standard German Shepherd, but they can be a bit longer-legged and leaner in their bodies. These dogs can live for years. This is the same expected age range as for the standard German Shepherd. Getting your dog from a responsible breeder who certifies their dogs as being free of certain defects is important. This is particularly true since this is a color that comes from two recessive genes combined. You should never get any dog from anyone who is not a responsible breeder. However, when you are trying to get a dog with a really unique coat, you need to be doubly sure that the dog that you get does not have a lot of health issues or problems related to inbreeding. Most German Shepherds can suffer from hip and back trouble as they age, but there are things that you can do to help slow down this part of the aging process. Always make sure that you are prepared to take your dog out for enough exercise every day and that you take them to the vet if you notice something unusual going on. The sooner that your Isabella German Shepherd gets attention for health issues, the better, no matter how old they are. Kibble is the easiest way to feed your dog, but some people prefer to feed a raw food diet. When you do choose to feed a raw diet, you need to be certain that you get the food from a reliable source. Raw food diets can be imbalanced, or they might have been contaminated during shipping. Other people want to be sure to feed their dogs real butcher cuts. This can be hard to do, but if you are near a butcher shop, you might be able to change your dog over to this kind of feeding plan. Feeding your dog quality kibble is often the easiest way to go. These are high-energy dogs who need to be busy and mentally stimulated every day. Keeping your dog busy requires daily walks or play, and you might need to be sure that you find things for your dog to do that challenge their brains. German Shepherds are working dogs, and they like to feel employed. Even if you make up games for you and your dog to play that keep them busy, this can be a great way to keep your dog happy and healthy. Isabella German Shepherds love to go hiking and walking with their families. They also love to play with children and other animals in your home. If you have kids, you can trust your Isabella German Shepherd to play with them gently and quite happily for hours. Isabella German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence German Shepherds are some of the most intelligent and trainable dogs out there. This breed learns rapidly and retains information for a long time. You can teach your German Shepherd all kinds of skills and routines with ease. Your dog will love to be challenged with new skills all the time, and they will be pleased when they succeed at making you happy. You can teach your dog tricks, and obedience, or even take part in competitions of many kinds. Your dog will be happy to learn things all the time, and if you enjoy working with a dog that loves to enjoy new skills, this is the right breed for you. German Shepherds benefit from being kept busy so that they do not destroy things or get anxious. You will need to be prepared to keep your German Shepherd busy on a daily basis throughout most of their life. This is because their coat is longer than the standard coat. While not as long as the long-coated German Shepherd, the Isabella German Shepherd will still require some of the more intensive coat care that long-coated dogs do. You will want to consider having a groomer work on your Isabella German Shepherd every few months to keep their coat in good health. This means removing burrs and other kinds of debris from their coat and making sure to keep on top of mats in the coat. Washing a long-haired dog also requires that you take the time to get them really dry before you start brushing them out. Grooming this German Shepherd will require more time and effort than the standard dog. You will need to be sure that you are prepared for the investment that this coat type takes if you do get an Isabella German Shepherd. These dogs are more prone to arthritis than small dogs, but you can manage these kinds of conditions with supportive care of various kinds. Hip dysplasia can impact even young German Shepherds, which is why you need to get your dog from a reputable breeder. Bloat is common in big dogs of many kinds. You will find that this is not so common that you need to live in fear of this problem happening to your dog. However, this is something that all big dog owners need to be aware of. This can happen due to your dog eating something they should not have, but it can also be spontaneous in some dogs. Your vet will have to do surgery to correct this problem, but the surgery has a very high rate of success. Progressive retinal atrophy is also common in all German Shepherds. This is a degenerative condition that causes blindness over time. There are few things that can be done about this kind of eye condition, but some vitamins and diet changes have been shown to help slow the progression of this condition. This is not as common as some of the other conditions on this list, but your German Shepherd could end up with this eye problem as they get older. Diabetes is also common in German Shepherds. This condition can happen to young dogs, but it is almost always a condition that impacts middle-aged and old dogs. Keeping their weight down is good for other issues as well, such as arthritis. Arthritis is a common problem for big dogs, and you will need to make sure that your dog is not jumping onto tall surfaces or exercising too hard every day as they get older. How Much is an Isabella German Shepherd? This is because this coat pattern is really rare. You will probably need to be sure that you are prepared to wait for a few years to get your dog as well. If the waiting list is long for a breeder, it can take a very long time to get to the top of the list. You will also not be able to be very picky about if you get a female or male dog since the number of Isabella dogs per litter can be small. You will need to be sure that you are working with a recognized breeder before you get on a waiting list. It can be a good idea to ask around other dog breeders about who they would recommend for a dog with this coat pattern. Alternatively, you can do some research online and ask the breeders who you are thinking of working with for some more information about their breeding process. Breeders who are not willing to talk with you about the details of their operation or who are not interested in providing certifications of health should be avoided. No matter what kind of dog you are getting, you should never work with a breeder who will not answer basic questions and who is not transparent about the health of their dogs. They are located in Saluda North Carolina and have been strong breeders of German Shepherds for quite some time. Their main focus is on German Shepherd puppies of different coat colors, especially the rare Isabella German Shepherd dog. The sires and dams used by K9 pines are registered dogs with the American Kennel Club which is where they are raised according to high standards that elevate the overall integrity of the breed. Their dogs are blessed with impressive titled pedigrees. In over 20 years, they have been able to build a solid line of genetically health-tested dogs that are still given the necessary orthopedic health checks with the proper certifications to show for it. As a breeding facility or kennel, they are located on a large property that is in Saluda, North Carolina. The dogs are given the proper socialization and training right from day 1 till they eventually go to their new families. Your new dog should come with the needed written health guarantee. They are also properly vaccinated and dewormed with the right shots to keep them healthy and strong.

Phone lines open everyday from 8. We're a happy, friendly team and would love you to come and visit us at the centre to see our fantastic facilities and all the waggy tails of our doggy guests. We have 38 kennels and can care for up to 70 dogs and puppies on site. By public transport: The closest station is Chestfield and Swalecliffe , which is a five-minute drive away or 15 minutes on the bus. To get to the centre by bus, take the number 5 from Maysdown Road to Broomfield Gate, then it's about a five-minute walk to the centre. Please note there is no pavement between the bus stop and the centre due to its location along a country lane - walking is not advised for safety. By road: At junction 7 of the M2 eastbound take the A towards Whitstable. Then take the Whitstable turn off onto the A.Follow the A going straight over four roundabouts, then at Chestfield roundabout turn right onto Chestfield Road. Dogs Trust Canterbury is approximately three miles down that road on the right-hand side. Limited parking available on site. Local supporter relations If you are interested in donating In Memory, have questions about our Canine Care Card service, leaving a Legacy or if you would like to book a guest speaker for your Community Group, then please get in touch with your local Supporter Relations Officer Lara Murphy or call on .Supporting us Donate your pre-loved items. Signage outside will make it clear where you can drop off your donations. We rely on your kind support to continue our vital work, please donate today. How rehoming works. Two new teachers' pets are set to be introduced to children at a special school. A pair of unnamed pooches are in the process of being trained to act as therapy dogs at Five Acre Woods School in Maidstone. The eight-week-old Labradoodle and week-old Cavapoo pups are currently in the care of teachers Emma Athwal and Sarah Costain who are tasked with looking after them before they are named by pupils at the school. During an inset day at the Boughton Lane school on Monday they were put through their paces and given time to adapt to their new surroundings. Miss Athwal, assistant head of secondary, said: "The main driving force behind these dogs is our principal Peggy Murphy. They are known for their therapeutic benefits. Sarah Costain and Emma Athwal with the two new dogs "The dogs are here today so they can get used to the school. When they are used to the pupils then the children can come and spend time with the dogs and pupils can take them for a walk around the school grounds or they can go out into the community with them. They are also expected to give the pupils confidence in times of crisis or anxiety. Sarah Costain, assistant head of primary, said: "We have art therapy, counselling and hydrotherapy and these will be another form of therapy for the pupils. We teach our older pupils how to look after themselves in the wider world which includes looking after pets. For more information visit www. Areas covered by our Maidstone branch: Our Maidstone branch also covers surrounding areas. Get a personalised quote What our customers say We have 2 giant rabbits and finding someone who is reliable and understands their needs is very difficult. Never had a problem booking her to visit them. Highly recommended for pet sitting. She was a pleasure to deal with, went above and beyond and made us feel completely reassured. She gave us regular updates while we were away and you could tell she genuinely cared for our pets. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend her and her company. Our BIG dogs had a fabulous walk with Simon and we were able to enjoy our day out knowing they were in safe hands, amazing value for money. On each visit I received photos and an update. They took patience with her and cleaned up after her. I have already recommended them to my family and friends and would do to anyone Kath BenCustomer - Bolton My very fussy dogs love Jon which says a lot! She has come on leaps and bounds and I know the interaction with Andrea and Shan has been instrumental in this. I get amazing pics and updates. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend We Love Pets and can't imagine having my dog go with anyone else! Sarah RowanCustomer - Sutton Pet sitting for small animals. Nothing too much trouble. For anyone any on business for a few days, or needing dog visits now back at work. Highly recommend these. Sandra IbaukCustomer - Swindon Emma and her team have helped me with puppy ever since he was old enough to join the gang. Now he has weekly walks and gets to meet and play with other dogs too. That one hour walk has him coming home so happy and content! The team are incredibly reliable and have helped me with home visits too when I've had to be away for long periods in the day. Professional and friendly. Thank you!!! We match dogs with a suitable walking buddy, but never walk in groups of more than four - as part of our 'No Pack Walk Policy. We'll stick to your dog's diet, routine, and walking schedule for a true home-from-home experience. They're DBS checked for your peace of mind, and will send regular updates and photos during the visit. One of our pet care professionals will stay with your pet in your home to follow their routine, clean hutches and cages, give medication, go for walks, let out for the toilet, help around the house, and give your pet plenty of fuss and love! Why we love Maidstone Our favourite places to take dogs in Maidstone Mote Park is a lovely spot for walking the dog! There are lots of paths to follow around the park and along the waterside, which is perfect for cooling off any warm paws and having a splash. There are also wooded areas to let your dog roam and explore the undergrowth and smells. Whatman Park follows a large part of the River Medway so there are lots of opportunities for a paddle and a dip, along with the treetop walk to wander, and the woodland for exploring. This is a great place for both you and your canine pals! With lots of open space for running and playing around and the woodland for exploring, whatever your dog enjoys the most, they will find something here to have fun!

How long have you been involved with the breed? I was raised with a German Shepherd cross from babyhood. My first memories, about age 3, involve being fascinated by every German Shepherd I saw and loving their nobility and beauty. My parents did not believing in buying purebred dogs but rather visited the Animal Shelter when each old dog died to pick a replacement. I got my first purebred, a sable male, the fall I went off to work my way through college. I tried to breed my Harrigan daughter, Noche, in , but she wanted no part of the whole thing, thinking she was human, so I spayed her and showed her to a UDT, which was the highest training title possible at that time. It was before I had my first litter. Do you work or show your dogs? What titles do your dogs have? All my dogs are trained and compete in nose work, a competition that is based on the training given narcotics dogs. Instead of drugs, dogs search for essential oils, beginning with birch, then anise and cloves. They do interior, exterior, vehicle and container searches, earning titles for successfully passing increasingly difficult scenarios. Once the agility trials moved to a location 3. Now we have 2 trials here a year, so I have four dogs in serious training. Lovely also has her Canine Good Citizen Advanced title. Lovely, just certified with ATD this spring, will resume visits after her litter and begin earning her titles. During the school year we also participate weekly in the Reading Dogs program at Tongue River Elementary School in Ranchester about 15 miles from Sheridan and will resume when school starts in August. Another new activity in the school year was doing stress relief visits at the local college during finals week; Lovely and Lively participated in that. Why did you breed these two dogs? I approve each dog as a breeding prospect if it has a marvelous temperament, sound structure, steady nerves and joy of life. Each litter has its own webpage with all kinds of background information, including why I bred those two parents. I do PennHip evaluation for my preliminary hip check at approximately a year of age see www. In PennHip they first take the standard view the only one OFA uses , then they place the anesthetized dog with his hips in some kind of a fulcrum brace that allows them to pull the hip and put pressure on it in a certain way that reveals joint laxity. The x-rays go to the creator of the method and he does a bunch of measurements. If a hip rates less than. If it measures. They rate both hips separately, then give a percentile rating. The higher the percentile the better the hips. I do OFA hip and elbow x-rays at 2, which is when you get your official rating. Do you breed to AKC or breed club standards? I breed to the AKC-approved standard for the German Shepherd Dog, which is still very close to the international standard. I continue to breed for the medium-sized, athletic, balanced and healthy dogs that are described in the breed standard. How many litters do your dogs have each year? I seldom breed a female oftener than once a year. If I do, she gets over a year off before being bred again. I generally have two to three litters a year. The 9 weeks of pregnancy and 7 weeks of puppies are a very intense time for both my bitch and me. Quality is much more important to me than quantity. See the background information for each litter. Can I see the parents, grandparents and other relatives in-person or in photographs. I especially urge people, if at all possible, to meet my dogs and see their outgoing, confident temperament. I do require that they have filled out my application available on the website so that I have approved them as possible puppy buyers, before they can come visit. I have photos and details about all my dogs and litters on my website. If I do not own the male, I will give them the name and address of the stud owners in case they are close enough to go see the father of the litter, too. I give details on the pedigree with each litter see the background page for that litter. Yes, mine have all recommended screenings. Copies of all certificates for both parents are included in the puppy folder. In fact, they have all screenings that can be done for hereditary conditions that are problems in the breed. I have done this for years and years and am one of the few GSD breeders in the country who has done so. I normally do PennHip evaluation for my preliminary hip check at approximately a year of age see www. I do OFA hips and elbows at 2, which is when you get your official rating. Do you offer a guarantee? Do you have first right of refusal? Yes, I offer a guarantee a copy of the contract is on the website. I want the pup back if for any reason it does not measure up. I will replace with another pup to our mutual satisfaction. I repeat, I want my pups to come back here if for any reason you cannot or will not keep them. I never ever want them given away or placed in an animal shelter. I encourage people to either put a clause in their wills that the dog be returned to me, or fold the contract inside the will. I received a call from a lawyer of an elderly couple who did just that. They died a few weeks apart, and when the lawyer opened the will, there was my contract stating I wanted the dog back. I brought him here, kept him until his grieving was done and he was ready to re-bond, and then found him another loving home. I mail puppy updates every three months. The updates tell you what is the normal development for that age, what behavior problems typically surface then and how to avoid or handle them. They also emphasize your responsibility and what you should be doing at that age to form the pup so that he or she grows up to be a good canine citizen, well-mannered and a pleasure to live with. The pups are microchipped before they leave here and I always want to be listed with the microchip registries as a contact person. These pups are guaranteed to OFA for hips. Of course, you have a responsibility to control the environment part of their hip formation—keep them lean, especially as pups, since extra weight puts extra strain on developing joints. The hip joint is cartilage until approximately 12 months of age. Cartilage is soft and thus will wear off easily under repeated impact to the joint, then when it turns to bone there is roughness there which sets up arthritic change and becomes dysplasia. And feed a high-quality food. These pups were started on a balanced raw food, Northwest Natural Beef Diet. Once they were eating well, I began using less raw and more dry food until by 6 weeks of age they were eating only the dry. I strongly recommend that you keep the pup on the Holistic Select food. You will eventually spend far more on vet bills than you saved on food. I use Royal Canin kibble as training treats, rather than buying expensive treats. The Royal Canin is a large size that works well for beginning tracking training, when you put food in each footstep. They also protect those developing bones and joints, especially in this fast-growing time. When Quasi arrived in July , he had a dry, harsh outer coat and no undercoat at all. On top of that, he was quite scratchy and shedding all the time. I tried adding a variety of oils to his diet, but with limited success. They sent a free two-month supply and at the end of the trial period I was seeing enough improvement that I signed up for their breeder program and put all my dogs on it. I like that the NuVet products are not heat processed, allowing the ingredients to be truly effective. NuVet Plus is a good addition. I have for years given a glucosimine supplement to my dogs once they reach 5 months of age, to protect their joints since they are so active and athletic. I was excited that I saw an improvement in Chaos, who has arthritis in his spine from being an absolute idiot as a young dog, constantly jumping fences because either he was bored or he was trying to get to a female in heat. He became more active and moved more smoothly. NuJoint is also cold-pressed. These products can only be obtained through breeders. If you decide to try them, go to my website, www. Use my order code .These supplements help insure a healthy immune system to ward off any exposure to disease NuVet Plus and help hips, elbows and other joints develop correctly NuJointDS. At 7 weeks they still feel they own the world and thus are bothered less by the stress of going alone to a new home. They also are ready to bond with their new owner very eagerly and thus can begin learning and socialization earlier. Socialization, before their shots are complete at 16 weeks and they are totally protected from diseases, must be done carefully. Therefore the pups have less likelihood of encountering dangerous viruses which can be carried on feet, or urine, or saliva, etc. When that happens, just one shot will give them protection. It takes about three weeks for a pup to develop protection from a vaccine. The pups should also be wormed each time they get a shot. All pups pick up worms from the mother, even if she always tests negative. As I understand, the worms encyst in her muscles, the pregnancy hormones activate them, and they pass through the umbilical cord to the babies. I worm the pups at about every days beginning in week 4. They also have a thorough vet exam when they get their first shot. When you get your pup, you should have your vet do a health exam within 48 hours. This is for your own protection. If they get sick within 48 hours of leaving here, they contracted something here and it is my responsibility. After that, all health issues are your responsibility, except for those I guarantee against. A Vet Record is included in your puppy folder. Take that to give to your vet at the 48 hour check. I have only heard of one other GSD breeder in the U. I send some with each puppy and strongly urge that the pup remain on Holistic Select for its lifetime, changing over to the adult formula after it has most of its growth finished, at about seven months of age. Do you have a contract? Yes, I have a written contract which we both sign, and of which we both receive a copy. It is also on my website. Can you provide references? He was my vet for 30 years and in April sold his clinic to two vets who had been with him, and who have been treating my animals since then. I have another letter of reference from them that is included in the puppy folder and can be emailed upon request. You are welcome to visit with my vets at Moxey Schreiber Vet Hospital. They have been my vets for over 40 years. I can also give you names and phone numbers of people who have my puppies, the people I train with, etc. Highly recognizable, these great dogs get noticed wherever they go. People are often drawn to their beauty, strength, and intelligence. Some of the most common questions are found below: 1. How big do German shepherds get? German shepherds are medium to large sized dogs. The American Kennel Club breed standard stipulates that, when full grown, male dogs have a height of 24 - 26 inches and weigh 65 — 90 pounds. Females have a height of 22 inches and weigh 50 — 70 pounds. There are many great German shepherd dogs that can be found larger than the breed standard. These dogs often weigh pounds or more. They may be AKC registered, pure bred dogs. Is it easy to train a German shepherd puppy? This is not an easy question for a couple reasons. The simple answer is, yes. German shepherd puppies are easy to train because they are very smart. However, because they are so smart, they require lots of time and attention. Training should start the day they are introduced to their new home. Some people are caught off guard about how energetic German shepherd puppies are. All problems should be addressed immediately while young. They respond well to consistent positive reinforcement, praise, and treats. At what age should I get a German shepherd puppy? German shepherd puppies should stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks. Some breeders will keep them for up to 12 weeks. In general, the AKC also recommends waiting until puppies are 8 — 12 weeks old before going to their new home. Dogs learn important social skills and go through developmental stages as puppies. You should be wary of any breeder willing to release the puppy before 8 weeks. Where can I buy a German shepherd? There are numerous German shepherds in rescues, shelters, and up for private adoption across the United States. If you want to adopt, you can start by checking with German shepherd rescues, shelters, and adoption events. Joining German shepherd social media groups may also be helpful in locating a great dog in need of a home. If you want to purchase from a breeder, start by doing your homework and talking to other German shepherd owners. Look for a breeder who health tests and is transparent with you. Always get breeder references. There are different lines of German shepherds. Some do better as working dogs while others are suited best as family pets. Reputable breeders will screen you and help you decide if one of their puppies is the right fit for you. How do I know if a German shepherd is right for me? German shepherds are powerful, active dogs that live 12 — 14 years. They require lots of exercise, training, and attention throughout their life. They are very loyal dogs that bond closely to their family. When left alone too much, they can develop serious behavior and anxiety problems. Are German shepherds expensive? German shepherds range in price depending on their breeding. However, that is just the beginning. Notoriously sensitive, they do best on high quality dog food, treats, and supplements. Because of their size, vet care, medications, as well as flea, tick, and heartworm control is more expensive. You should also consider where and how you will exercise them, if you will hire a trainer, groomer, dog sitter, daycare, dog walker, or buy health insurance. They go through their toys faster than most dogs. Do German shepherds have health problems? As with all dogs, German shepherds can suffer from health problems. Some health problems include allergies, hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, pannus, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, allergies, bloat, perianal fistula, osteoarthritis cruciate ligament disease, and megaesophagus. Are German shepherds vicious? No, German shepherds are not vicious. They make loyal family pets but must be trained and get plenty of exercise. As herding dogs, they are naturally protective and will defend their family. They can be leery of strangers, which is one reason socialization is mandatory. When raised right, they are loving family members that will vigilantly protect their home. Do German shepherds need lots of exercise? German shepherds are intelligent working dogs. They require an outlet for their physical and mental energy or they will develop behavior problems. The good news is, they can burn off their energy with training, playing, walks, hikes, jogs, runs, dog sports, and more. However, they need someone willing to burn off their energy each day without fail. Sadly, many dogs in shelters came from homes that were unable to provide this. What do I feed a German shepherd? There is a lot of debate over the best dog food. At minimum, they need a high quality, age specific food. Despite their strength, they tend to be on the sensitive side when it comes to food. A good dog food supplemented with small amounts of fresh eggs, vegetables, fruits, and raw yogurt can be beneficial. Do German shepherds shed? German shepherds shed all year long and twice a year, blow their coat. They require weekly brushing. Most owners manage with a good vacuum and brushing twice a week. We could fill a book with questions and information about German shepherds. The bottom line is, they are the most loving and loyal dogs for people who have the time for one. They need training, guidance, and lots of attention. They need exercise or they develop behavior problems. We hope you enjoyed this article. Please share with your family and friends. How long have you bred German Shepherds, and what others have you bred? Breeding is not an easy business. It takes years to get good at understanding breed-specific traits and diseases, matching the parents, training, and socializing the puppies. Were both parents tested for genetic diseases known to the German shepherd dog breed before mating? Ensure that the parents have indeed been tested and screened. Furthermore, insist on health certificates for both parents. No matter who the breeder is if they fail to show any proof, leave them right away. Can I meet the parent dogs? Be suspicious with breeders who have just a pair of dogs and keep breeding them over and over. Reputable breeders usually try to find the best mating partner for their dog from another breeder. When meeting the mother, you should observe how she behaves around you. What you want to see is a mother dog who is calm, well socialized and well mannered, gentle, and affectionate. Has the puppy been vaccinated? If so, how far along are they with inoculations? Dog vaccinations play a critical role in protecting a puppy from many highly contagious bacteria and viruses. A reputable breeder should start their puppies on core vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks of age. The vaccinations are then continuously given every two to three weeks, which at this point becomes your responsibility, continuing until your puppy is 14 to 16 weeks old. When asked, they should be able to provide you with a health record on the puppies to date, notably vaccinations and wormings. What are the good and bad points of the parents, and what titles do they have? Every breeder should be able to explain the good and the bad points of each of their dogs, for example, too short a tail or an imperfect gait. What Titles do The Parents Have? Even if all you want is just a pet-quality German shepherd and never intend to compete with your shepherd, the title is something that you should put a lot of weight to. This is because titles are a good sign that a breeder cares and makes a good-faith effort to maintain the quality of their breeding stock. Here is a list of some popular titles that suggest top-quality German shepherd dogs. Titles in showing conformation, such as Ch. Have you evaluated these puppies? A good breeder should have temperament tested every puppy before pairing each one with an ideal owner. They know which ones are shy, who is the boldest, and which ones are in-betweens. Where were these puppies raised? Puppies that have been exposed at an early age to our world will adapt easily when you bring them home. How have you socialized these puppies? As touched earlier, socialization is crucial if you want your puppy to grow up into a well-rounded, gentle-mannered German shepherd. If the puppy turns out not to be a good fit for me, would you take them back? Another hallmark of a reputable breeder is their readiness to take back an unwanted puppy they have bred and give you an ironclad contract stating either replacement with a new puppy or refunding of your money should the puppy develop a congenital ailment. When can I take my German shepherd puppy home? The reason is that they know their puppies still have a lot to learn from their mother and littermates. Puppies removed before seven weeks often miss important life lessons and thus are more prone to misbehavior and are difficult to deal with. You need to spend more time and effort than usual to socialize and train them. There are two ways that puppies are picked from a breeder: 1. The breeder picks the puppy for you based on what they know about you. Regardless of which method is used, all the questions that I post here still should be asked. Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd. Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds. Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here. Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Related posts:. This request is typically accompanied by also wanting a list of questions to ask the German Shepherd breeder. Based on this feedback I wanted to give you the ultimate list of questions to ask, plus any warning signs that should make you walk away without buying. Not just warning sings about the German Shepherd puppy, but also her mother and the breeder too. Things to know before buying a German Shepherd puppy The moment you see that adorable German Shepherd puppy for the first time, the feeling will last with you forever. It certainly did with me when we first met our own dog. Just take a step back for a second. I wish we had, but luckily, our dog ended up being ok, but it could have been very different: German Shepherds and any puppies can have health problems be sold by unscrupulous breeders. With their long noses, furry bodies, and sparkling eyes, they will tug at your heart strings. You will be tempted to just take that German Shepherd puppy and go. But please, please, please… before you do that, here are some important things you should check before you pay your money. Your German Shepherd will become a huge part of your life, but make sure you know what to look for before you buy a puppy. Read these before you spend the money. By doing this due diligence you should hopefully get a puppy that not only fits your family and lifestyle, but also lives a long and happy life. You want to choose one that has a track record, online reviews, and a good reputation in the German Shepherd world… not some first timer nobody has heard of. Be suspicious of low prices: If the German Shepherd puppies are advertised as a lower than average price, be wary. The old adage about if it looks too good to be true is almost always the case with puppies. Low prices can be a sign of an unhealthy litter. Find out how many litters the mother has had already: German Shepherd mothers should not have anything more than one litter each year. The best scenario would be a litter every couple of years. More pregnancies than this mean she has been over-bred and both her and the puppies could have health problems. Look out for serious conditions and hereditary issues including hip and spine issues, soft palate issues, eye problems, and hearing problems. I would recommend getting a puppy from a German Shepherd older than this just to be sure. Before 8 weeks of age, they should still be with her, and it can also help you understand what type of dog your puppy will grow up to be. If the breeder refuses access to the mother, walk away. Ask where the puppies have been living: If the German Shepherds have been in a dark garage away from human interaction it will mean they will be harder to socialize and harder to train. Ask how often the German Shepherds have been handled: When puppies are regularly handled by humans, they will be much easier when taken home. Ask whether a vet has checked the puppies: Puppies should have been checked by a vet and had their first set of vaccinations before going to their new home. Ask to speak to a previous buyer:A reputable breeder will let you talk to people who have bought a German Shepherd puppy from them before. If they are unable to supply references and contacts, they could be hiding something. I hope you find these questions to ask a German Shepherd breeder helpful. Please do print them off before you visit the litter and decide to buy. The personality of the German Shepherd breeder This is so often over-looked, but I wanted to add it on as something to look for when buying a German Shepherd puppy. Only buy a German Shepherd puppy from a breeder who is prepared to take the time to answer any questions and concerns you might have. Breeders that treat buyers with respect will most likely extend that kindness to the German Shepherd mother and her puppies. This gives you an indication of what health problems could in store. Puppies can sometimes have the following conditions: Allergies. Remember, all puppies are cute and you can find people breeding them everywhere but choosing the right breeder can make a world of difference during the life of your pup going forward. For tips on choosing the right puppy click here. What bloodlines does the breeder work with? For example, German Shepherds have separate bloodlines a dog can originate from. Some lines have higher drive and others have lower drive. The person was looking for a family dog and found a breeder with a cool looking sable or bicolor not realizing that these are working line dogs with high drive. These dogs are not necessarily suitable for just any family home as they require firm corrections, have above average exercise requirements, and can have behavioral issues if not properly handled. Although the breeder should have disclosed this information many do not which sets the puppy and owner up for failure. On the flip side, a person looking to compete on a higher level may be looking for a higher drive dog and would be disappointed with the laid back temperaments that can come with the West German Show Lines. You can read more about bloodlines in German Shepherd Bloodlines Explained. Bloodlines and temperaments can be pretty intertwined. Although a well-bred dog will generally have a temperament consistent with its bloodlines, there can be variations. Ask the breeder about the temperament of the parent dogs. Do they have outgoing personalities or are they uncomfortable around strangers? Do they have any aggressive tendencies? Do they have high, medium or low energy levels drive? Keep in mind, a breeder who wants to sell you a pup will paint a lovely picture of how wonderful the parents are. The parents may bark when you walk in the door, but not aggressively with fur up or growling. Many breeders say this is because the parents are protective of their puppies, but by the time the pups are weeks old, the parents should not behave that way. Read more about Temperaments And Drive. Does the breeder do genetic testing? I highly recommend finding a breeder that does it. Even if they give you a written health guarantee, this is no replacement for genetic testing. How are the parents housed? There are 3 main ways breeders house their doggos: The first is in kennels. This is normally done by larger breeders who use their dogs to compete, but they can also be used in poor breeding practices where dogs never leave the kennel and live under poor conditions AKA puppy mill. You can easily tell the difference between a competition kennel and a puppy mill. A competition kennel will keep clean conditions, dogs will be well fed and will come out daily to train. Needless to say, the latter should be shut down and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The second is a private breeder who has a couple dogs that live in their home as family pets. Many breeders get their start by doing this, learn as they go and attempt to do better and better. Thankfully I pushed myself to learn more about better genetics and breeding practices over the years until I became the kind of breeder I could be proud to be. The third is a combination of the first and second types. This is a home that the doggo lives in for his or her life as a family dog, and then goes back to visit the breeder during breeding time. What form of communication do you want with your breeder? But if your pup has a health or training issues this type of breeder could leave you high and dry. In this scenario, the breeder feels they have a right to certain types of communication at various intervals and may even have it in their contract as a requirement. Normally, you can tell which breeders have this type of mentality because they have a list of guidelines before you get a pup. The third type would be my suggestion. Does your breeder have a contract? And trust me, things can happen even under the best breeding circumstances. The contract will protect you as much as it protects the breeder. Ask for the contract prior to picking up your pup so you have time to thoroughly read it before signing. At the very least, the breeder should sit down with you and walk you through the contract to be sure everyone is on the same page. What type of health guarantee does the breeder have? Some breeders have no guarantee at all. For those breeders that do give a health guarantee, what does it say? The most commonly found guarantee states that the breeder will take their pup back and give you a new one in the event of a genetic defect that will keep the dog from living a normal life. Will the breeder take the Pup back if needed? This is huge. What kind of training support Does The breeder offer? There are 3 main categories a breeder can fall under. They normally have a facility and offer training classes of some kind. Those classes will normally be an additional charge and are a great way to socialize a new pup. If you have questions later this breeder will be able to help answer them. The second is a breeder who does no training. The third is the breeder who may not train professionally but has a solid foundation in training and can help guide you in the right direction by giving tips, advice and trainer recommendations. Do they breed multiple breeds? Does the breeder give back? This one really kills me. I hear it from breeders all the time. There are many things a breeder can do to help if they choose to. They can raise donations or volunteer time for a local shelter. Take some time to think about these questions. Then ask them to potential breeders you're interviewing. Do their answers sit well with you? If not, keep looking. There are many breeders out there and your search for the right pup should mean finding a breeder that makes a commitment to you for the life of your dog. Email mdalman4 gmail. This is a big step and can be so rewarding. Finding the right dog for you and your family starts with proactively talking to a responsible German Shepherd breeder. How can you tell if a breeder is everything you need them to be and what signs point to competent breeding practices? There are many factors to consider when raising a new dog, and many pertinent questions to ask your breeder. It is very valuable to understand your breeder, your interested dog breed, and what makes up your puppy. There are many steps coming up on this journey and information can play a very key role. There are many great dog obedience classes San Antonio, and by knowing what questions should be on your mind, you can best navigate these crucial first few months and years. Important Questions For Your German Shepherd Breeder Knowing your breeder and building a relationship with open communication can be very important. To understand your dog you need to understand your breeder. Have The Parents Been Tested? German Shepherds are working dogs. Potential parents should pass all relevant testing to show trainability, temperament, and should also show testing hip and elbow fitness. Are The Parents Registered? What Is Their Pedigree? Registration is really just a proof of pedigree and bloodline history. You can learn a lot about new puppies from their pedigree. This can include, temperament, skill sets, attitude and disposition, and even health concerns. Can You Meet The Parents? This may not always be possible. This is often because breeders will often use a quality male that is owned by someone else and may not live near you. They can often still provide many details, pictures, accolades and descriptions of the male. Be wary of any breeder that is reluctant to introduce you to the parents. Parental lineage is important for many reasons. But perhaps the most relevant is understanding potential health concerns and medical predispositions. GSDs struggle with many genetic and hereditary health conditions and the breeding process is often focused on reducing the negatives and accentuating the positives. A good German Shepherd breeder should be able to provide you with a very clear medical history and a breakdown of risks and concerns. Contracts should protect both the breeder and the new owner. There are many health factors that could come into play, and some breeders offer warranties and guarantees as well as have contracts with specific stipulations. Be sure to carefully read and consider all contract details. By the time you make a purchase, your puppy should have had multiple rounds of deworming, vaccination, and checkups and health screenings. It is also important to ask about microchipping. Does The Breeder Provide References? You need to thoroughly vet your breeder. If you can watch training days or events this can give you a window into their process. Like any critical buying process, almost nothing competes with the value of word of mouth. Ask around and try to gather an objective and impartial image of your breeder. There are many other considerations to keep in mind when raising this incredible breed, but having a good breeder relationship and knowing the parents is an important start. Depending on their proximity, a German Shepherd breeder may have recommendations for dog obedience classes San Antonio as well. First, the good news; due to their many wonderful characteristics the German Shepherd Dog is a very popular choice for a family companion. Now, the bad news; the demand for puppies has caused a rise in indiscriminate breeding and proliferation of backyard breeders BYBs and puppy mills offering puppies from parents with questionable temperaments and health histories, raised in far less than adequate environments. As the past Corresponding Secretary for a regional specialty club and the past national Chairperson for the Breeder's Code of Ethics for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, my phone would ring off the hook with new owners looking for help with temperament and health issues, asking questions and facing difficult decisions. The angels who work in breed rescue receive even more calls than I did. In almost every case, after reciting all the "bads" that were occurring, inevitably, the dog owner in trouble would say, "I should have known.There is a tremendous cost to the pet owner in these circumstances. The goal, when searching for a companion puppy is to find a healthy, happy baby raised in a clean, caring, hands-on environment with lots of attention paid to early socialization. If something doesn't "feel right", pay close attention to that feeling! Where to look for a reputable breeder? Try your State Federation of Dog Clubs, a regional specialty club, or a local all breed dog club's breeder referral service. The AKC has a list of events on its webpage. Go to dog shows, speak to breeders, ask questions. If there is nothing available at the time you are looking, which is likely, expand your search to neighboring states, or if you find a breeder you "click" with, ask if there is a waiting list for a future litter. Ask your vet for references, they certainly know who has healthy, happy, well cared for dogs! The AKC has a Breeder Classified section on their website as do many Internet search engines, but now you start the careful screening process. The AKC is only a registry and anyone can list a litter on the Internet. What questions to ask and what answers to listen for? Read on.The Breeder How did you find the breeder? What national and regional clubs and organizations is the breeder a member of and what activities do they enjoy with their dogs? Do they have multiple breeds of dogs? How are their dogs kept? How long has the breeder been breeding? How often do they have a litter more is not better! How are the litters raised, how much early one-on-one interaction is provided and what steps are taken to provide for early socialization? Many temperament problems that cause a dog to land in a shelter or rescue including sound sensitivity, separation anxiety, and lack of bite inhibition, can be traced to careless combinations of breeding partners and little or no early socialization of puppies. Problems with potty training can be traced to unsanitary living conditions. Show me a puppy who is hard to house train and I'll show you a puppy who was allowed to be dirty! Use common sense if you are invited to visit a breeder, but don't be surprised if that isn't welcomed or allowed more on that on the visitors' page. Are there too many dogs to reasonably expect that a puppy has received critical individual attention? Is the puppy used to being groomed, having its toenails clipped, its teeth examined and its ears cleaned or is everything a struggle? How clean are the surroundings? Finally, will the breeder be there for you after the purchase to answer your questions? Ideally, you want someone to pick up the phone or return a call when it's past midnight and your puppy ate a pack of chewing gum. It's wonderful to send birthday and holiday pictures to the person who loved your dog first and it's particularly comforting when waiting for a biopsy result from a suspicious bump on an old dog to have someone who will worry and pray right along with you. What should I expect from the breeder? Some contracts restrict breeding rights; AKC registration papers can be issued on a "limited registration" basis, which would prohibit any progeny from being registered with the AKC. That may be reasonable, the original breeder can always change registration status at the completion of health testing on a particular dog. Other contracts will provide that the breeder is to be listed on the registration as a co-owner. That may work between friends when discussing potential show dogs, but for companion puppies, simpler is always better. Obviously, you would want to know the particulars before committing to a litter. Don't be talked into making a "deal" for a lower priced puppy by promising the breeder now "your" new co-owner breeding rights. You might hear such arrangements referred to as "guardian homes". Would you be comfortable giving your bitch up for 10 weeks at a time to stay with your co-owner to whelp, wean and raise the puppies? A common saying among breeders is that "breeding isn't for the faint of heart". Though GSDs are usually an easy breed to whelp, things can occasionally go very wrong. The same goes for a potential "Mr. As the stud dog owner, the bitch comes to you and you have the added responsibility of getting her bred. That's how it works in dogs. Or, perhaps when it was time for his "date" the dog would go and live with the breeder, your co-owner, but then you'd be giving your dog up for weeks at a time. If the bitch comes to you, do you have the facilities and resources to keep a strange bitch safe for several weeks during her season? Are you sure? Really sure? Dogs can get out of almost anything when procreation is involved! And how on earth will you explain all of the noise to the neighbors? Dogs are.Remember too, if you make such an agreement, contractually, you can't spay or neuter your pet until whatever provisions you agree to are fulfilled. It's best not to make a "deal" for a lower priced puppy and promise "breeding rights". In the end, it never works out to be such a deal! Pine Hill does not participate in any "guardian home" schemes.

So Many Options! Where To Get a Labrador? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Except, you remember hearing you should only buy from professional breeders?! But that puppy in the pet store was so achingly cute! This article discusses the things you should consider before making that life changing decision. From dedicated experts who breed pedigree dogs to work or for show, to those who breed too many puppies, litter after litter purely for sale without love nor care for the health of the mother or quality of the litter. For how to recognize who the good breeders are, read our article: Labrador breeders — How to find the good ones! Buying from a good, responsible breeder is without doubt the best source for a quality, healthy Labrador puppy. They care about the overall welfare of the breed, as well as the health of the mother, quality of the litter and giving the puppies the best start in life. Responsible breeders: Guarantee a purebred and pedigree Labrador. Screen the parents for health problems before breeding , so puppies will be as free as possible from inherited diseases. Selectively breed aiming for conformance to the breed standard, so your lab has the most chance of looking like the perfect lab. Carefully socialize puppies from birth so they are well-adjusted and confident before sending them to a new home. Help buyers to select the right puppy from the litter to suit their personality, hopes and expectations. Helping you to get the puppy of your dreams. Provide expert help and advice on caring for the dog from puppyhood right through to adulthood. When you go to a good breeder you should expect lots of questions. They will also help to match you to the perfect puppy that suits your personality, preventing you from getting the wrong dog on impulse. You know the cute but feisty one that got your attention by barging through his litter mates to run up to you and be the first to say hello? Well, he may very likely become a dominant and strong-willed dog! You May Need Patience You should note that many breeders will have a long waiting list for their Labrador puppies. Then this may not be the right way for you. But this is a good thing! And nobody should buy a puppy on impulse, it must be a well thought out and reasoned decision. Maybe you would like to give a lucky Labrador a second chance at life and happiness? Adopting an Older Labrador From a Rescue Kennel Can Have Many Benefits: They will have been house trained already — No getting up in the middle of the night to relieve your puppy…or cleaning your floor after the inevitable mishaps. An adult Labrador will already show signs of any underlying problems so you can avoid this. Many will have received a decent amount of training already — Saving you lots of time and work. Having said all that… There are Some Obvious Risks! Or perhaps due to health problems that developed. Some may have faced abuse and neglect leaving them with psychological scars. Behavioral problems are sometimes well hidden, and aggression may only surface in very particular situations only. But if you are patient, understanding and can inject some routine and love into one of these dogs lives, they can become absolutely wonderful pets. There are also different types of rescue center and animal shelters. You will be able to get a feel for the level of the center when you visit and how professional they are and the staff to dog ratios. The Process When rescuing a lab, a good, well staffed shelter will ask you to visit and spend time with your potential pet. They will have assessed the dog and will tell you all they know about the dogs history and temperament. They will ask you lots of questions to find out whether you and your lifestyle are a good fit for a Labrador. They will want to meet you and your whole family. They will want to see how the people the Labrador is to live with interact with it and how the lab interacts with them. And that your choice of dog is well suited to you and interacts well with you on visits will they eventually allow you to adopt. Rescuing a Labrador can be a very good choice as long as due care is taken to pick the right one. And you will earn many karma points for doing a very good deed. It is a massive risk to take a puppy from a litter like this. These dogs have more than the average number of inherited diseases and behavioral problems. So although you will be saving a bit of money compared to paying out to a professional Labrador breeder. Or you might even be saving a dog from being given to a rescue center and possibly eventually being put down. You just might be letting yourself in for some expensive surprises in the way of vets bills or behavioral specialists later. But having said that, of course many of these puppies do become very good pets indeed. In fact a few places in the world have now banned the sale of puppies from pet stores. In these places, dogs are often bred in poor conditions, sometimes kept in small wire cages and given very little chance to socialize and little if any personal contact with humans. Have you had any good or bad experiences of getting a Labrador from any of the places listed above? Is there anything you would like to add about the pros and cons of the various places you can get yourself a Lab? Please let us know in the comments section below and you just might help people reading this article to make the right decision! Related Article:. Selecting Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Selecting your puppy Try to restrain your emotions when you are selecting our pup. Remember that the breeder has been with the pup from day 1 to selection day at 5 weeks. At Pawlinglabs, we will ask you to forward a list of the characteristics that your are hoping for, prior to selection. When you come to select, we will ask you to observe the litter before entering and handling the pups. Labrador pups are very cute and cuddly, but when it comes time to select the right one for you there is plenty to consider. Carefully observe Labrador Retriever puppies before buying them, ensuring that the pup you select looks healthy and is to breed standard. There are some basic points to note about Labrador Retriever standards. The coat of a Labrador is their most distinctive feature. Labs have two coats, the water resistant undercoat which is unseen, and the top coat which is dense, straight and short. There is might be a slight wave in their coat, however the coat should feel rough to the touch. Labrador puppies come in three different coat colors: yellow light cream to red fox , chocolate liver and black. There must not be any other colours in the coat. Labs have a broad skull and a well defined stop. Their head is quite large but the features on the head, such as the ears, look proportioned. The ears of a Labrador should be set far back from the face. The inside skin of the ears should be a pale pink and soft without any scabs or discoloration. There shouldn't be any odour coming from them. The eyes of a Lab pup are round, either deep brown or hazel with black rims. The eyes should be friendly and express intelligence. The Labrador Retriever has a wide black and well developed nose with distinguished nostrils. The nose should be clean and without discharge. Be aware that a wet nose is not an indication that the Lab is healthy, nor does a dry nose indicate he is unwell. The teeth should be set square to the jaws with the top teeth slightly overlapping the bottom. Labrador puppies have fewer teeth than adults and they will lose their baby teeth as their adult teeth grow in. Labs have a well developed and strong chest. It has good depth and width. Their barreled ribs are well sprung and their back is level. Their loins are wide and strong. The skin of a Lab should be without scabs or bumps. It is normal for Labrador puppies to have extra skin at the back of their neck; this is how their mother picks them up. The skin color of a lab is usually pale pink but it can also be brown or even spotted. The tail of a Labrador is thick at the base and tapers towards the tip. The tail is a moderate length and has no feathering. It is as smooth like the rest of the coat with a rounded appearance. The tails is even with the back or slightly upwards. It should never be carried over the back or hang down. Labrador have long and sloping shoulders that connect to the strong front legs. The hind legs are developed well and have a turned stifle. Both the front and hind legs should be straight. The feet of Labrador pups are compact and perfectly round. Their toes are arched and pads well developed. Feet should be straight, not turned inwards or outwards. The gait of a Labrador should be carefree. Labs take long strides and walk straight. Observe your puppies as he walk. Make sure it is not favoring any leg or paw. This can be a sign of a current or future health issue. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. They are also very high energy. Labs are intelligent and well-tempered for becoming service dogs. You may have seen a Lab working as a guide dog or alongside a police officer. Labradors come in three distinct colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. There is no real difference between these sub-breeds aside from color. However, chocolate Labs and yellow Labs do tend to be favored as show dogs, while a black Lab is more likely to be raised as a hunting dog than a chocolate or yellow one. Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly and companionable to both humans and other dogs. This makes the Labrador an ideal breed to keep as a family dog. There are factors, however, which need to be considered before choosing a Labrador puppy. Bringing home a beautiful black Lab puppy? Check out hundreds of great black dog names here! The amount of maternal care a pup receives prior to adoption influences the adult temperament of your Labrador. A responsible breeder will not remove your puppy from its mother before it is ready. In the study, Labs belonging to extroverted owners had better social skills than those belonging to introverted owners. You may also look through your local classifieds for unregistered litters, although we do not recommend it. Even though Labradors are a generally healthy breed, it is important that both parents get screened for any health issues prior to breeding. Adopting from unregistered litters will also significantly increase your chances of encountering a puppy mill. No matter where you adopt from, it is essential that you meet both parents and access a history of good health for each parent before adopting a puppy from the facility. In other parts of the world, use the puppy search tool on the website of your regional kennel club or equivalent authority. You may also ask a local veterinarian for a reference to a quality breeder. Another option is to keep an eye out for someone with a purebred Labrador and request information on where they adopted from. Registered breeders use only top-of-the-line animals as parents. Puppies from responsible and registered breeders are given the appropriate amount of maternal care and not released to a new home until they are physically and mentally mature enough to do so. This lays the foundation for an affectionate and even temperament in adulthood. The cons of adopting from a breeder are higher costs and often longer wait times. Responsible breeders require a pre-adoption home check to ensure that their puppies are appropriately homed. You may also need to travel some distance to find the right breeder. Registered breeders usually breed a maximum of only twice per year. This maintains parental health and allows sufficient time for the puppies to progress. These breeders often have waitlists for upcoming litters before they are born, sometimes before the parents are even bred. While these practices maintain value, they also mean the puppies will cost a little more and take longer to bring home. Private Ads Private ads for puppies can be found in online classifieds or in your local newspaper. You may also spot them on the bulletin boards of various local businesses. The benefits of sourcing a puppy from a private ad is that the breeder is likely be located nearby, and the puppies will be available relatively quickly, if not immediately. The cons of taking this route is that you do not have pedigree parents to your puppy, and the risk of health complications down the road is much higher. Puppy farms will often advertise through private ads. For these reasons, we do not recommend sourcing a puppy through a private ad. Pet Shops We do not endorse purchasing puppies from pet shops, because the credentials of both parents and breeder cannot be provided. Parents of pet shop puppies may have been overbred, mistreated, or in less than optimal health. It is impossible to know without verified records. The puppies themselves could have experienced conditions and trauma that will negatively impact their behavior in adulthood, such as being separated from their mothers too soon or physical abuse. Avoiding Puppy Farms Puppy farms are unregistered breeding establishments that mass produce puppies in order to generate the highest amount of revenue. These farms, or mills, severely mistreat their animals and often produce puppies with little socialization skills and significantly increased health risks. To steer clear of these facilities, avoid pet stores, which often source stock from puppy farms because of the low cost. Also avoid any online advertisements for puppies at a low cost. If you do source a puppy from an online ad, call the breeder in advance and ask questions about the puppies, parents, and establishment to screen for any inconsistencies with industry standards. When you visit the breeder, if it comes to that, ask to have a look around and meet both parents in person. Is the space open? Do the parents look healthy? How many other dogs and puppies are there on the premises? Health Tests While Labs are generally healthy overall, it is important to confirm the parental health prior to breeding. If the breeder cannot show you certificates of health for both parents, adopting a puppy from those parents poses a risk for complications later on. The American Kennel Club recommends Labrador Retrievers get screened for: any hip and elbow defects that could indicate dysplasia heart disorders out of ordinary muscle weakness degenerative eye conditions. Make sure that the breeder can demonstrate certified health in each of these areas for each parent. The initial cost of requiring this level of screening for your puppy may be higher, but it will save you on veterinary bills down the road. Choosing Your Puppy Labrador Retrievers are friendly by nature and tend to get along well with other dogs. This breed very rarely shows aggression and must be provoked to do so. When it comes to children and other pets, a Labrador puppy would be a valuable family addition. Labs are companionable and socialize well. The Labrador Retriever is a high-energy breed and will need enough time and space each day to receive sufficient exercise. These exercise needs will continue to grow as your puppy matures. A Labrador is not designed to be an inside-only dog. This breed needs lots of activity to stay mentally and physically fit. Consider that your fully grown Lab will be between .We recommend that you take your Lab out for daily outdoor activities such as swimming and fetch. A Labrador that does not receive enough exercise time may rebel by engaging in destructive behaviors within the household. However, remember that the best-quality Labradors come from responsible breeders that produce only one or two litters per year. These breeders often have waiting lists due to high quality puppies and infrequent production. If you want the best which you should! Labradors are wonderful family dogs with lots of love for humans and other dogs. They are one of the lowest risk for health complications when properly screened, making them ideal as a long-term energy-filled companion. Considerations before jumping into the adoption of a Labrador puppy are how big your puppy will be when it reaches adulthood and the daily rigorous outdoor exercise it will require to keep it in peak physical and mental condition. Read more about Labradors here in our guide to Labrador lifespan! References and Resources Bray, E. University of Pennsylvania .Graham, L. Temperament and Personality in Working Dogs. CRC Press .Kuroshima, H. Kyoto University .Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are consistently among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, due in large part to their cheerful personalities and obedient natures. If you live in California and want to expand your pack with a new Labrador Retriever puppy, the breeders on this list should be the first places that you check. The 8 Labrador Retriever Breeders in California 1. However, they emphasize preparing their pups to be working dogs, ready to help you with your next hunt. For an additional fee, you can have your new dog taught basic obedience and advanced gun dog training. Summerland Labradors Visit Their Website Phelan, CA Summerland Labradors is a small operation, producing only two to three litters per year, so you need to be on the ball if you want to adopt from them. Kenya Labradors Visit Their Website Santa Margarita, CA The biggest downside in buying a dog from Kenya Labradors is that the animals are raised on a gorgeous, acre plot overlooking the California coast, so the dog might be a bit disappointed when they get to your house. Still, all that room enables these dogs to get plenty of exercise and socialization before they join your pack. This kennel breeds well-pedigreed dogs, and your pup will come with more paperwork than the average new car. Your dog will be accustomed to living like you do long before you pick them up, which should cut down their adjustment time significantly. All their dogs are AKC-registered, and each one has many generations of champions in their heritage. They go to great lengths to try to match each pooch up with the perfect home for them, so your dog will be chosen based on how their temperament fits in with your existing lifestyle. They also guarantee that their dogs will be free of genetic defects up to 1 year of age or your money back. Your new pup will be thoroughly vetted, registered with the AKC, and microchipped before being handed over to you. They also have an extensive blog that answers just about any question that you might have about raising your new family member. You may also be interested in:. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content. His pedigree is here Pedigree. Contessa's pedigree is here. We put a lot of energy into raising puppies. We are involved with them from birth. They are loved all day long. They are exposed to children, adults, older dogs, loud noises, household items, scented to wings, duck calls, a early start with obedience and potty training. Our lab puppies are well on their way to being potty trained before they're placed in their forever homes, as we've incorporated the misty method. Labrador retriever puppies will have a complete puppy packet including information on shots, worming schedule and medication that has been given, that you will need to share with your vet. A written guarantee, and the basic schedule of sleeping and feeding that the puppy has been raised on will also be some of the information in your puppy packet. AKC Northern California labrador puppy Breeder All of our labrador puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club with limited registration , micro-chipped and ready to be enrolled in the AKC ReUnite program before they go into a new family home. This service is included in the purchase price of your puppy. Our labrador puppies are also sent home with a supply of their current food and feeding schedule. We feed large breed puppy food to insure they grow up healthy and avoid any problems with dysplasia as recommended by the AKC. We also send them home with a receiving blanket that has been with them for some time. It has the scent of their litter-mates and their mother to ease the transition to their new home. Contessa Rose Da Serra.