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I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Can't take your eyes off me can you? All the ladies love me already.Come on whatcha waiting for? But you can call and take me home today! My name is Koko.What was that.I saw you.We are hands on with our English Bulldogs and our puppies. We hand raise each and everyone of our puppies feeding them on mom every two hours around the clock for the first two weeks of their life. We start weaning them at four weeks while still feeding them on their mom throughout the day. We also start puppy pad training them at three weeks and by six weeks they are just about fully weaned and puppy pad trained. That's right by 6 weeks just about everyone of our puppies go to the puppy pad without fail this takes a lot of patience.Therefore, you should not have any problem with house breaking your new puppy or continuing to use puppy pads as we do. English Bulldogs require much care and love. They must be kept in a temperature controlled environment! We love our adult English Bulldogs and love on each and every puppy while they are in our care. Each and every puppy is raised in an environment with continued love and interaction so that when they get to their new home they are sociable and interact with their new owner these little guys need to feel safe and secure and they will love you back unconditionally. We only have one to two litters per year because we also operate a full time business. Our Bulldogs and puppies are raised in our home with our 11 year old son so they are kid friendly. Each afternoon we let them out into the backyard for some extra play time where they lounge and watch TV under our covered patio connected to their kennel. Each of our English bulldogs has his or her own indoor and outdoor area. Their indoor area is fully air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. If you purchase one of these bulldog puppies from us or someone else.The heat can kill them if they get to hot! Our bulldog kennel is kept at 70 degrees in the summer and 68 in the winter. Please make sure you can care for one of these precious English Bulldog puppies before you think about adopting one from us or anyone else. Call or text my cell any time Ken Characteristics The wrinkles on the English bulldog's face should be wiped regularly to prevent skin infections. They date back hundreds of years and are also known as British Bulldogs. They are a muscular, well-built dog with a wrinkled face and a pushed-in nose. This breed has won the hearts of generations of families for decades. They are considered to be one of the most popular dogs breeds in existence today. These fantastic puppies have gained popularity worldwide due to their playful, loyal, funny, and caring personality. They are laidback and tend to get along well with just about anyone or anything. They have very approachable demeanors and enjoy the companionship of their family. They also have a very easy-going personality which is one of the reasons they have remained a popular family dog. The English Bulldog does enjoy activity time and burning off energy, however, is not an overly energetic breed of dog. The correct ratio of meat-based protein and micronutrients, as well as healthy carbs and fats, will keep your dog feeling and looking his best. Most people recommend feeding this breed two meals each day, spaced about twelve hours apart. This will help to ensure the dog is provided with the proper nutrients he needs. It is also important to remember to provide your dog with proper dental care. It is suggested that his teeth get cleaned a minimum of three times a week. Failing to keep his teeth clean can contribute to health issues. Although properly cleaning his teeth will take some practice to get good at, in time, this will become easier for you and your pup. The English Bulldog grows to be between fourteen and fifteen inches tall. At maturity, the English Bulldog weighs between fifty and fifty-five pounds. The average life expectancy for this breed is between eight and ten years. English Bulldogs require regular bathing and grooming. It is suggested that they are bathed as frequently as every week up to no more than every four weeks depending on their activity level and lifestyle. This smooth coated breed does best with routine brushing which is essential to maintain healthy skin and a healthy coat. Frequently Asked Questions What are some of the health issues English bulldogs are likely to face? The English bulldog has various health issues with the most alarming being cardiac and respiratory complications. English bulldogs are also prone to dyslexia in the hip due to their relatively large body size. Skin infections are also a concern do to the wrinkly and folds nature of the skin. What is the lifespan of an English bulldog? The English bulldog can live up to years on an average scale. This is usually due to the numerous complications and health challenges the bulldog faces in the course of life. How frequently do English bulldogs shed? English bulldogs shed more frequently during the cold seasons like winter and spring. Compared to other dogs, they shed rather moderately and even lesser as they age. How hard is it to train an English bulldog? This breed of dog is known for its stubborn nature and can be really difficult especially for novice dog owners to get the hang of. Patience and routine should be the keywords when dealing with a bulldog. Are English bulldogs good watchdogs? The English bulldog has a natural instinct to protect its territory. Even though the bulldog is not usually much of a barking dog, in the case of an intruder it is well equipped and confident to take on the challenge at every cost. Are English Bulldogs dangerous to their owners? The English bulldog is not a dangerous pet. It is very much territorial and somewhat apprehensive to unfamiliar faces, but once it warms up to you, the bulldog is one of the most loving and loyal dogs. How much exercise do English Bulldogs need? The English bulldog on average needs about 30minuites of exercise every day to keep it mentally and physically healthy. Are English Bulldogs family dogs? The English bulldog may seem aggressive at first glance but you will get to find that they have a contrasting character to their appearance. They are perfect around children and can play all day. They are extremely lovable and friendly. How big do English Bulldogs get? English bulldogs can weigh up to 50 pounds and can grow as tall as 15inches. Male or female English Bulldog? This depends solely on the owner as both genders have their specific pros and cons. English bulldogs are very friendly and warm dogs and are amazing around children. No wonder they are one of the most sought-after breeds in the world. Are you interested in purchasing a English Bulldog? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Always Enabled Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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Because of this, you want to look for hypoallergenic shampoos. If your dog has an allergy to oat proteins, for example, be sure not to use a shampoo that contains oatmeal. You also want to avoid any artificial fragrances, perfumes, or colors for this same reason. To reduce skin irritation , look for shampoos that are specially formulated for dogs and are pH balanced. Deodorizers Deodorizers in dog shampoos can be helpful when you have a dog that likes to spend a great deal of time getting dirty. No one likes sharing a house with a stinky pup, so deodorizers can make a big difference. The important thing is that the deodorizing ingredients are natural and not too harsh. Brightening Ingredients Golden Retrievers have beautiful blonde coats , but their fur can sometimes look dull and dingy. Be sure to look for natural ingredients. Making it a safe and gentle product for your fur baby. The shampoo contains omega-3 and -6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Featured Image Credit: pixels, Shutterstock Contents. It comes in a large bottle, size 32 oz. Bacteria, mold, fleas, parasites, fungus, and more can get trapped and hidden within a Golden Retrievers furry coat. This shampoo contains ingredients that treat skin scaling, hydrate the skin, promote healing, relieve parasite infections, and remove fungus and bacteria. This shampoo is known for its fast-acting formula that also heals rashes, bald spots, and dry, itchy skin. Veterinary Formula works to provide quality medical ingredients at an affordable price for pet owners. This shampoo leaves your dog clean and smelling fresh without having to use any water. Ingredients found in this shampoo are paraben-free, alcohol-free, and plant-based with no harsh chemicals. If your Golden Retriever likes to avoid bath time at all costs, do not hesitate to try this waterless, no-rinse shampoo. This shampoo is specifically targeted to reduce the amount of shedding in dogs like Golden Retrievers. It contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that will get your dog clean and smelling fresh. There are no parabens or dyes in the ingredients that would harm your dog. You can purchase a 16 oz. Best Puppy Shampoo for Golden Retrievers While many of the above shampoos would work great for your Golden puppy, below are a couple options that we recommend if you are looking for something specifically for a puppy. This shampoo contains all-natural ingredients that are safe for dogs of all ages. It provides relief for allergies with an added hypoallergenic lotion, which contains antifungal and antibacterial ingredients that work to reduce flea yeast. Not only do the ingredients in this shampoo smell great, but they also keep odors away for extended periods. Do not hesitate to get a 17 oz. The mild and natural ingredients in this puppy shampoo make it safe for dogs of all ages and help prevent irritation to the eyes, nose, and paws. There are no harsh chemicals, colorants, or fragrances, which make it completely safe and well recommended by veterinarians. This fantastic all-purpose shampoo for puppies comes in a 16 oz. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shampoo for Golden Retrievers When it comes to choosing the right shampoo for your golden retriever, there are several factors to consider. Look for shampoos that are specifically formulated for dogs and have a pH level between 6. You should also consider the ingredients in the shampoo, as some dogs may have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients. As mentioned before, Golden Retrievers have a double coat that will easily trap unwanted dirt, smells, pests, sweat, and more. To keep your dog clean and smelling fresh, you will want to bathe and groom it frequently. The number of baths you give your dog should be based on its activity level, skin sensitivity, allergies, and hair length. For example, if your Golden Retriever has more sensitive skin, bathing your dog too frequently can lead to skin dryness and irritation. So if you find your dog has these symptoms, try reducing the frequency of baths and introducing a moisturized shampoo. Having the right shampoo for your dog will allow it to stay cleaner and smell fresh longer. Tips for Bathing a Golden Retriever When bathing a Golden Retriever, you want the experience to be both enjoyable for you and your dog. Below are some brief tips to help the process go smoothly. For a more in-depth look, read our article How to Bathe a Golden Retriever. Sample a few different types at first until you find the one best for your dog. Brush your dog before the bath. You will want to prep your dog before each bath by brushing away excess fur and removing tangles. Be consistent. Just like children, dogs will feel more comfortable in a familiar place with an established routine. Use the same bathtub or area of the yard each time you bathe your dog. Have everything with you. The last thing you want to do is get your dog watered down and then realize you are missing an essential bath time item. Make sure you have everything you need before you start, so you never have to leave your dog unattended. Be sure to have a comfortable water temperature. Select a water temperature that is comfortable for your dog. It may be tempting to use cold water, but treat your dog like a child and provide it with the right water temperature. Warmer water will also do a better job at cleaning than cold water. Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Each type of shampoo is different. Some are tear-free and safe for eyes, paws, and nose; others are not. The shampoo bottle will tell you how to lather, scrub, and rinse your dog to get the best results possible. Dry your dog. After each bath, you should dry your dog with a towel or blow dryer rather than letting it air dry. This will keep it warmer and reduce the amount of water that drips or is shaken off. Do Golden Retrievers Need a Conditioner? The question of whether to use a conditioner on a Golden Retriever is a common one. Lots of great shampoo products include some conditioning elements in their formula, so if you are unsure if you want to use a pure conditioner, this might be an excellent way to go. Also, if you are using a high-quality shampoo for your dog, then using a conditioner might not even be necessary. If you decide to use one, there are several benefits to using a dog conditioner. You do not always need to apply conditioner right after shampooing your dog. There can be some adverse effects when using a conditioner on your dog. If you see any of these symptoms, then stop using the conditioner and just wash with shampoo. Some symptoms might include skin irritation, weakened hair shafts, or trapped dirt after applying the conditioner. Do not attempt to use a human conditioner on your dog. When it comes to washing your dog, always try to use dog-specific products. Tips on Reducing Odor? It will also help significantly in reducing its unpleasant odors; however, a good shampoo is not the only thing needed to keep a dog smelling fresh with a healthy coat. Test out different shampoos for your dog until you find one that keeps it smelling fresh longer. Increase grooming. Wash its bedding weekly. For more information on solving your dogs odor problems, see our article Do Golden Retrievers Smell. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Bathing Your Golden Retriever Bathing your golden retriever may seem like a simple task, but there are several common mistakes that you should avoid. One mistake is not brushing your golden before the bath, as this can lead to tangles and mats in their coat. To prevent this, place a cotton ball in each ear and remove them once the bath is complete. Use only the recommended amount of shampoo, and make sure to rinse thoroughly. Instead, use a low heat setting or let them air dry. Because there are so many different dog shampoos on the market, try out a few different ones recommended in this article that you think will meet the needs of your dog. Once you find the one you like, stick with that shampoo to provide your dog with a healthy coat of fur. Remember always to avoid using human products. Use a dog conditioner if you feel it is necessary, or select a shampoo that has conditioner added. Or, if you are more interested in different options for dog brushes, check out our article Best Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers. She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. The thick, fine double-coat of a Golden Retriever can get tangled or trap dirt and odors, so they need regular bathing to stay clean. Along with baths, your Golden Retriever should have regular grooming to keep them clean in between bathing. Double coats are prone to mats and tangles and may trap dirt and oil, leaving your dog with irritation and a dull coat. If your dog is prone to shedding or odors, choose a shampoo that addresses these problems. Always brush your dog before bathing to remove excess fur and remove tangles. This also prevents a lot of fur from getting trapped in your drain. Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Consider a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Golden Retrievers benefit from conditioners that keep their coats silky and tangle-free. If your dog gets nervous at bath time, having a 2-in-1 formula reduces the time spent in the bath while providing the conditioning benefits. Be consistent. Plus, your dog will get used to the routine and may become more comfortable with grooming. Conclusion Golden Retrievers are prized for their long, silky coats, but with that comes extra grooming and bathing responsibilities. Fortunately, dog shampoo for Golden Retrievers can help with detangling, coat and skin health, and issues like itching or odor. See Also:. Specially formulated to reduce shedding in dogs, this shampoo enhances the effectiveness of deshedding tools. It is made with natural ingredients that help control excessive shedding by promoting healthy skin and coat. Other natural ingredients, including calendula extract, chamomile extract, and papaya leaf extract have soothing properties and help soothe dry and itchy skin. Cruelty-free and made without sulfates, colorants, or other harmful ingredients, this gentle shampoo is completely safe for regular use on young puppies or adult dogs. This tearless shampoo is made with the mildest ingredients to make bath time more pleasant for both you and your pup. Additionally, their active lifestyle means they tend to pick up dirt that hangs onto their coat, and since they are high shedders, you can expect them to leave that dirt around your home! A good shampoo is a must, since you will need to bathe your golden retriever once every four to six weeks or more often if they tend to get dirty. Unless your golden retriever has a specific skin condition for which they need a specific vet-approved product, when choosing the best dog shampoos for goldens, consider the following factors. Natural Ingredients: You should always avoid shampoos that contain harsh chemicals such as parabens and phosphates. Since golden retrievers tend to be prone to allergies, their skin and coats can greatly benefit from the use of hypoallergenic dog shampoos. Odor Control: Naturally energetic and active, golden retrievers like to play and can get stinky in no time! If you need help keeping your dog smelling fresh, look for a shampoo with deodorizing properties. Hydration: Whether or not your golden has skin problems, you should look for a shampoo that will keep their skin properly hydrated. Puppies benefit from different ingredients and formulations than adult dogs, and if your dog has sensitive skin, you may need to fork out money for a more expensive shampoo. Similarly, you can get deshedding shampoos to help you manage specific problems such as shedding, fleas and ticks, or dandruff and similar issues. Below is a list of the different types of shampoos you might want to consider for your dog. Not only do puppies have more sensitive skin than adult dogs, but they also have sensitive eyes. For this reason, look for mild and tearless puppy shampoos that are formulated to make the bathing process less stressful and more enjoyable for both you and your pooch. Flea And Tick This type of shampoo can be natural or chemical and is designed to kill fleas and ticks. For the best results, you will have to work it into the coat and leave it for 10 minutes to sit before rinsing. Depending on the type you choose, some flea and tick shampoos have repelling properties and will keep these blood-sucking pests at bay for some time. You can find out more about flea and tick shampoos for dogs here. Medicated Dog Shampoos These shampoos are designed to tackle skin conditions and have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic effects. If your golden retriever suffers from allergies, skin mites, seborrhea, or has a yeast infection, your vet might prescribe a medicated dog shampoo. All-Purpose Shampoo A good quality, all-purpose shampoo is essential if you want to keep your dog clean. Look for one that has natural ingredients and is hypoallergenic. Chances are, they are going to get dirty often and need regular bathing. Exactly how often you need to bathe your dog depends on their specific coat and activity level, but even dogs that spend most of their time inside need to be bathed at least once a month. Here are our top tips for making bathing your golden retriever as easy and effective as possible. Brush your dog before bathing them to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from its coat. Make sure to soak the coat all the way to the skin so you can work in the lather properly and remove all dirt and grime. When bathing your golden retriever, place a towel or a mat inside the tub. Use treats to entice your goldie to get into and stay in the tub during bathing. Generally speaking, you should bathe your golden retriever once every four to six weeks to keep their luxurious coat clean. However, if your goldie tends to get dirty quickly, you can bathe them more often. What can I use to bathe my golden retriever? Make sure you are using dog shampoo whenever you bathe your golden retriever. Dogs have a different skin pH than people, and dog shampoos are specially formulated as to not dry or damage their skin. Can I use human shampoo on my golden retriever? You should never use human shampoo on your dog! This is because human hair and skin are slightly acidic, and therefore our shampoos are formulated with a slightly acidic pH, of 5. Dog skin and hair has a more neutral pH of around 6. If you regularly wash your dog with human shampoo, you can disrupt the acidic mantle that protects them, making them vulnerable to parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Can I bathe my dog with baby shampoo? You technically can bathe your dog with baby shampoo because it is designed with a neutral pH to accommodate the more sensitive skin of babies. However, you are still better off choosing a specialized dog shampoo for your golden rather than relying on baby shampoo as an alternative. After all, you are what you eat. A diet that is rich in healthy fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and fish oils will give your dog the nutrients they need to grow and maintain a healthy coat. Regular brushing, using a good dog brush , to remove dirt and debris and spread oils throughout the coat can also make a big difference. How do you bathe a golden retriever at home? Many first-time owners worry about how they will manage to bathe their golden at home. Fortunately, goldens are actually one of the easier breeds to bathe. They are cooperative, highly trainable, and love water, so they are more likely to tolerate a good soak and scrub than many other breeds. The key is to be gentle but firm and to teach your dog the behavior that you expect at bathtime through positive reinforcement training. Another important thing to remember is that bathing is going to be a wet and messy process, so do it outside, in the shower, or somewhere similar, and watch out for slippery floors. If they slip, they could hurt themselves or leave a big wet patch on your carpet or couch. Conclusion Regular baths are what you signed up for when you welcomed a golden retriever into your home! While all shampoos listed above can do wonders for your goldie, the Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs is our choice for best overall. Our other recommendations for the best dog shampoos for goldens are ideal for specific circumstances and needs. What is your favorite shampoo for bathing your golden, and why? Share your advice with the community in the comments section below. You May Also Like.

My name is Sweetheart, and I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with a couple of wonderful humans who have showered me with endless care and affection. Sometimes, I get excited around other dogs during our first encounters, I tend to get a little hyper. But don't worry, as I quickly settle down and become the gentle and calm companion you would expect from a sweet soul like mine. Despite my mischievous side, I promise I won't cause any destruction. Instead, I have a tendency to collect your belongings and bring them to my cozy bed, finding comfort in their presence. Sometimes, my human discovers their shoes nestled beside me, but it's just my way of snuggling up to something familiar. When I find myself in solitude, inside my special space, I don't bark incessantly. Occasionally, I let out a gentle whine, longing for a little extra love and companionship. If there's a special place in your home and heart for a furry companion like me, I'll fill it with unconditional adoration, using my paws to gently remind you that love is always just a touch away. You must be at least 21 years of age. We will call your vet to ensure the medical prerequisites have been met. As a general rule, we do not foster or adopt to families with children under the age of 5, however, exceptions are made on a case by case basis. Most of our boxers have issues that preclude adopting to families with children less than fifteen 15 years of age so the wait for an appropriate boxer for adoption to a home with children under 15 can be extensive. Applicants with children under 15 will be required to answer additional questions. This policy is strictly for the protection of our boxers and our foster or adoptive families. Applicants who rent must provide landlord contact info. NCBR requires verbal landlord approval for all renters. Due to dominance or related issues, we do NOT adopt female boxers into homes with other medium or large breed female dogs. We do not adopt out dogs as gifts. Puppies will only be adopted to a home with a preexisting adult dog, no children under age five, and where the puppy will not be home alone for long hours. Your application will be immediately denied and will not be processed. NCBR does not adopt out of state, except northwest Nevada.

We also raise a limited number of black and chocolate English Labradors throughout the year. Our dogs and pups are our life and passion; each pup we raise is lovingly cared for- from the time of birth, until the time of adoption into their forever home. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site; please stay awhile and browse through our gorgeous photos. From the time of birth to the time of adoption into their new homes, Redwood pups are spoiled with the best of everything. Along with the superior care that our pups receive, it is of equal importance to us that our adults also are given the best care possible. Each adult is a part of our family, and treated that way. It's important to us that they are properly trained, loved, and are well behaved just as a single family pet would be. We spend numerous hours with our dogs each day, ensuring they receive plenty of play time and proper exercise. This is, and always will be our 1 Goal as breeders. We carefully select each and every dog for our breeding program, so as to remove potential health issues in our pups before they exist. Picks are given in the order that the deposits are received, and if the particular pick is not available, then the client is given their choice of what remains, or waiting for the next litter to arrive. Deposits will be refundable until the time that the puppies are born. We ask that each family complete the puppy questionnaire, receive a response to the questionnaire and discuss options prior to sending a puppy deposit. Deposits can be made by mailing a personal check, cashiers check, or money order along with the completed puppy deposit form. The puppies are going through constant changes and at 7 weeks you will have a better pictures of what they are like. At 7 weeks of age we will do the last set of photos and do videos of the puppies. I contact each client in order of deposits received, and work with each client to match them with the puppy that fits best with their family from my observations of personality and their observations of pictures and video clips. All picks are usually made over days depending on how many puppies there are. If someone is last pick, and I feel the puppy personality is not a good match for the family I will give them the choice of getting their deposit back or carrying the deposit over to another litter. We allow our puppies to go home at 8 weeks. We will deliver within a reasonable distance, and we also offer delivery to Grapevine, TX for our Texas families. We are also now offering delivery to the Boston area on a frequent basis. Delivery fee is determined by the distance traveled and the number of clients serviced by the delivery. Puppies are dewormed at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks. At 6 weeks, the puppies are given their first shots. PIctures are taken on a bi-weekly basis. We begin monitoring personality at 4 weeks of age. All puppies go to the vet for a health check prior to leaving us. All puppies are microchipped. Puppies come with a puppy packet that includes: A written guarantee for 26 months on hips and 18 months on eyes AKC paperwork Information on registering the microchip A ziploc bag of puppy food and feeding information A toy that has been played with by the puppy and its littermates. The scent of the littermates helps the puppy to adjust to its new surroundings easier. Boot is lbs of handsome sweetness. Faith x George 9. She is a complete joy and has a beautiful personality. She is six months old now and is so intelligent she challenges us daily. We have a couple of child safety gates up to keep the dogs out of certain areas and she mastered being able to unlatch those quickly by the latch itself. She has now figured out how to open doors using the door knob. She is a beautiful baby. Thank you for such a wonderful baby. Thank you Audry and everyone at Blackfork Labradors. Heres a pic of two BFL babies. The Gullickson Family Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that Gus is doing fantastic and we love him to pieces. All the Best! The Johnson Family Here is Bodie. He is 8 months old today. Only in CA can he swim in March. Best dog ever. Thank you Blackfork. We cant say enough great things about him, smart, lovable and amazing with the kids! Thanks for such a great addition to our family. All pet puppies will be sold with Limited Registration. Limited Registration means that the dog is registered but no litters produced by that dog are eligible for registration. A dog registered with an AKC Limited Registration shall be ineligible to be entered in a licensed or member dog show. It is eligible, however to be entered in any other licensed AKC event such as obedience, tracking, field trials, hunting test, herding, lure coursing, agility and earth dog events. Limited Registration can be changed to full registration only by the litter owner. Doc x Roxie. Click Here For Available Puppies! Blackfork Labradors breeding quality English AKC registered fox red labs, including yellow, chocolate and black Labradors. Our lab puppies are bred for companions, hunting, showing and therapy. Blackfork Labrador Retrievers specializes in breeding the fox red shade. We have fox red lab puppies available through out the year, along with black, chocolate and yellow Labrador pups. Blackfork Labs takes great pride in striving to improve our fox red labs taking into consideration health, temperament, soundness and the Labrador Retriever Breed Standard. Fox red is not a separate color of the Labrador but a shade of yellow. In the early years of the breed development, fox red or dark yellow was the original yellow shade of the Labrador Retriever. Fox red is the darkest shade of yellow Labradors. Tap the photo below for Fox Red Labrador Information When looking for a breeder that produces fox reds in their breeding program, it is very important that the following questions be asked: Do you have an overall goal for your breeding program? This goal should be more than just producing wonderful pets for families. Ask to see copies of clearances. It is very important that your breeder is doing annual eye CERFs to be certain that eye issues have not developed over time. Here at Blackfork Labradors we are striving to improve the overall standard of the fox red. I do not breed solely for depth of color. I spend hours researching pedigrees and calling other breeders to ask questions. That means there will be times that my fox reds will be bred to black stud dogs and yellows of all shades. Fox red Labrador breeders Labs come in three colors, yellow, chocolate and black. As well as some pale, dilute forms of those colors. The red fox Lab, or fox red Lab, is a dark coated variety of the yellow Labrador Retriever. Breeders are selecting darker red Labrador Retrievers to breed from as they become more popular companions than paler yellow Labs. Sometimes known as the ruby Labrador or fox red Lab, these are smart, energetic dogs are best suited to active owners. Yet at one time, almost all Labradors were black. This was partly due to nature, and partly due to a little human interference. Chocolate and yellow Labs were both harder to breed for and less desirable. Horrifically, yellow or brown puppies were often culled at birth! Yet all three colors of Labrador Retriever, black, chocolate and yellow including the red shade , share the same origins or history. Bred to be hunting companions, with bags of intelligence and a friendly disposition. In recent years, these rarer colors are becoming more popular. Which leads to more people selectively breeding for them. And therefore more dogs being born with these coats. Red Fox English Lab vs American Lab The trend in Labrador coat colors swung to paler and paler colors in the s, and remained that way for decades. Especially among the dog showing community. Fortunately a pool of dark yellow or fox red Labs remained popular in the working sporting dog community. Possibly because a pale yellow dog, being far too easy for wildfowl to spot, is not an ideal hunting companion. American Labs are slimmer built, with less stocky heads and chests. They have a stronger prey drive, are a little less forward and playful. Even today you are unlikely to find a Red Labrador with a show background. Any dog advertised as an English fox red Labrador will probably have a pedigree that is a mix of American and English dogs. It is largely from this pool of working retrievers that we now have the stunning fox red Labrador Retrievers that we see today. And because they are often the American Lab type rather than English Lab type, they are often taller and more athletic in appearance than the paler yellow Labs. And if you live in the USA, you may have to do plenty of detective work to find one at all. You may have more luck looking for an American Lab type, from working lines. They are very intelligent and trainable, with loyal, loving personalities. Although they have the usual Lab friendliness, they can also be a little more nervous and wary of strangers and slightly high strung. Lots of socialization and plenty of attention will keep these dogs happy. Coupled with lots of exercise, and both mental and physical activities to keep them busy. Presumably because breeders are selecting for the popular deeper coat color in order to increase puppy sales. There is a lot of pressure on breeders to produce certain colors. But a responsible breeder should not choose parents purely on the basis of color. Especially when there are not large numbers of fox reds to choose from. You may be tempted to skip this — but give it a go — it might be easier than you think! Think of a Labrador as a basically black dog. Black is the default color. The black coat is caused by a pair of genes called the B genes Your dog inherits one from his mother and one from his father — in a pair — like this: BB B genes come in big or little versions. So a black dog could have a pair that look like this instead: Bb Little b carries the code necessary to make a brown coat instead of a black one. BUT, big B is dominant and switches off little b. So little b only gets a say, if two of them get together like this: bb, and when that happens, you get a chocolate Lab! This is done by two little e genes. They also come in a pair like this: ee And when they get together they have the amazing power to completely block the genes that cause black and brown coats. A lab with two little ee genes cannot have a brown or a black coat and so the coat color now defaults to yellow. Now we are getting closer to our fox red color. E genes can also be big like this: EE or mixed like this: Ee, but when that happens the big E switches off the little e, and takes away its power. Yellow vs Red Fox Lab Coats A red Lab is a variation of yellow, and every red dog has those two essential little e genes that switch off black and brown. But then it starts to get a little bit more complicated. It centers on a pigment called pheomelanin. And it is controlled by two different sets of genes. The A gene controls the production of the red color. And the C gene controls whether or not it is fully expressed or diluted. This is what makes things a little more complicated. In fact, I am still over-simplifying it a bit. Otherwise the B gene will override them. And you are back to black or brown. Fox Red Lab Breeders Your first step when bringing any Labrador into your life should be to make sure that this is the right time for you to do this. The next step is to find a reputable breeder of Labradors. Finding a nice fox red stud dog and making a list of all his recent matings is often a starting point. You are most unlikely to find a good breeder who only breeds fox reds. This is because color is not the top priority for a responsible breeder. And remember, in most yellow litters there will be a range of shades. Puppies may darken as they grow, or they may not. No breeder can guarantee you the final color of your puppy. Make sure that both parents have good hips, elbows and a clear eye test, as well as a PRA clear certificate. Then your pup will have the best chance of growing up healthy. Red Fox Lab Puppy Prices When it first starts to trend, a fashionably colored dog may be more expensive, and this is still happening to some extent with reds. My advice is to be wary of paying an unusually high price for a red lab puppy. It could indicate that you have found an unscrupulous breeder who may be cutting corners on health or other important matters. The reason I say this is because many respectable breeders will look down on selling puppies of different colors for different prices. In fact paying the same price irrespective of color could mean you have a better breeder, and a healthier pup! This shade gets increasingly darker over the first few weeks. By three weeks old they are starting to look much more like the Labrador you know and love. By the time you take them home at 8 weeks old they will have that lovely fox red shade. Not all the puppies in a litter will be the same shade, even if both of their parents are fox red themselves. Just like any other Labrador, it will be important to dedicate their first few weeks in your home to getting them settled. Starting to work on important things like potty training and setting food habits. They really benefit from positive reinforcement training. Using rewards to help encourage them to behave in a way that will help them to fit nicely into your family. Start off with no more than a few minutes of formal exercise a day when they are small puppies. And work up to any big walks or runs very gradually over time so as not to accidentally hurt them. Did you turn up here hoping to learn about red fox Labs, only to find us referring to them as fox red instead? There are no consistencies in the way fox red Lab is spelled. Whether fox red is one word or two. Or whether the fox or the red comes first. Of course, we know fox red is much more special than that. At least it means you can spell it any way you like! I tend to say fox red Labrador, you can say redfox or red fox Labrador if it makes you happy. Ultimately they are all just gorgeous Labradors, with a darker shade to their yellow coat. More about Labrador Types and Colors! Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that there are a few distinct color coat variations. Fox Red Labradors are a rare-colored version of the Labrador Retriever. Despite this, they can be registered as purebred Yellow Labrador Retrievers , as the darker-colored coat is not considered to be a disqualifying factor. Due to their unique and certainly eye-catching color, the Fox Red Labrador continues to grow in popularity. Labrador Retrievers are known for being exceptionally sweet and are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. These dogs yearn to be a part of a family, and fit right in when joining one. In fact, Labs are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Well-socialized Fox Red Labradors tend to get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. After all, every person they meet is a potential friend that they can play with. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Despite their energy, Fox Red Labradors can adapt to most settings. As long as this dog breed has a chance to get in daily walks, go outside to run and play, and they get plenty of attention, they are content. They are not overly affected by cold weather, but they have a dense double coat. Fox Red Retrievers are also happiest when in the presence of people and they love to be with their families whenever possible. They also have a lot of energy and get bored easily. Potential health concerns to be aware of in Fox Red Labrador Retrievers can include hereditary myopathy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease, and cataracts. There is also a condition with a genetic link that can occur in young adult Labradors called exercise-induced collapse EIC. Carriers can be identified by DNA tests. Good breeding practices can reduce the risk of potential health issues and make a big difference in the health of Fox Red Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances. The national breed club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an EIC DNA test, and an ophthalmologist evaluation at a minimum. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Fox Red Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk of bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Labrador Retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds and are highly trainable. Although they can become stubborn at times, they are eager to please and pick up on training quickly overall. Their energy and intelligence mean they can lose focus in training and get bored easily. However, training that is kept clear, consistent, and focused on positive rewards usually keeps them focused and responding well. Any color variant of the Labrador Retriever is ideal for beginner dog owners. Fox Red Labrador Retrievers have a short, dense double coat that is water-resistant. They shed year-round and more heavily as the seasons change. Brushing their coat a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding is usually enough to keep their coat healthy and looking great. Bathing is on an occasional, as-needed basis. Because their coat tends to protect them from the cold and they are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , your Fox Red Lab may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. If they are an avid swimmer or tend to get into a lot of things, you may need to bathe them more often. It is highly recommended to give them a bath or at least rinse them off thoroughly after going swimming with your dog. Their nails should be trimmed once or twice monthly. This will help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs is essential for preventing the tartar buildup that lends to dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is a good start. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. Like other Labs, Fox Red Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. However, they will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Often, they are just happy to be spending time with you. Labs tend to have an extended puppyhood until they are around years old. They will mellow out a little, but also tend to maintain a puppy-like exuberance even in their senior years. Once they are done growing and your vet has cleared them for more activities, you can try a lot of different things. Labs are athletic and versatile dogs. They are one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures and tend to enjoy a variety of activities. They tend to excel in swimming, running, obstacle courses, and several dog sports. Fully-grown Fox Red Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Fox Red Labs generally live for years on average.

These guys are projecting to be bigger than expected. Here are a few highlights from week 5: Golden Puppies Week 5 Highlights We kept working on socializing these little guys having friends and family stop by regularly to handle and play with these little guys. Day 29 — Car rides in the laundry basket 5 Week Old Golden Puppies Play in laundry basket We continue to take our Golden pups out for car rides in the laundry basket. Note to self: this laundry basket will soon be too small for this litter of puppies. Day 30 — Pee pads? Good or bad idea for our litter of pups? Day 33 — Introducing the litter to new sounds We started bringing more unusual sounds in and around the whelping box. One, in particular, was spoons, pots, and pans. Everyone hesitated but recovered well after hearing these new sounds. Our puppies are more mobile than ever and the poopies are piling up! That being said these little fur balls are fun, fun, fun…did I mention they are fun? In case you missed our other posts about our litter of Golden Retriever pups take a look back at past weeks: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 3 — First bark! Week 5 — This is Week 5! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. So what do you guys think? Have you ever raised a litter of puppies? What was your experience like? Tell us your story in the comment section below. Great information on raising a litter of puppies from beginning to end. A great book that will give you a solid foundation for raising and training your puppy. Are you getting ready for your first litter of puppies? Our litter of Golden Retriever puppies week five. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Bite Inhibition Young puppies also need to stay with their mom and siblings to learn proper bite inhibition. If they bite their mom or sibling too hard, they will act in a way that communicates to the puppy that the bite was too hard and not acceptable. Mom might get up and walk away or gently correct the pup with a subtle growl. Their littermate will usually let out a high pitch yelp with stops the play and tells the bitey puppy that their chomp was too much. Without waiting until at least eight weeks to bring home your puppy, they are more likely to be very bitey and not know how to soften their bites. You give your puppy and yourself the best chance at a happy, healthy life together by waiting until they are at least eight weeks old. Bringing home a Golden Retriever puppy soon? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! The absolute best thing you can do is to talk to the breeder and return the puppy until they are a bit older. Then, when your puppy is at least eight weeks old, you can pick them up again from the breeder and start your life together. Find a Surrogate Canine Family If getting your Golden Retriever puppy back to their mother and littermates is impossible, the next best thing is to at least let them spend those last couple critical weeks with other dogs and puppies. Puppies need to be learning lessons from other dogs at this age, ideally their own mother and siblings, but unrelated dogs and puppies can help. Do you know someone else with a puppy? Do you know someone who has a dog who is good with puppies? Maybe there is a friend of a friend who is fostering a litter of puppies? Ask around and see if friends and family might have some puppies and dogs that you can get your puppy around. Social media can be really helpful for networking with other dog lovers who could help you out with the situation you are in. They can help you understand what to feed them and come up with an appropriate feeding schedule. Your vet might also have some tips to ensure your puppy stays healthy and to prevent behavior issues from developing. Here is what is typical for a puppy of this age: Sleep If you were to spend a day with a litter of six-week-old Golden Retriever puppies, you might be surprised by just how much they sleep. At this stage, puppies are undergoing a lot of physical and mental growth so they need plenty of rest to make sure that they develop properly. Pottying You might also be surprised by just how much a six-week-old puppy poops and pees. A good breeder will be working diligently on potty training a litter of six-week-old puppies so that they start to learn good potty habits before they go home to their forever families. Puppies this age love romping around, playing chase, tug and wrestling with their siblings. They also can start to show off their retrieval instincts with little games of fetch. Some puppies might still nurse from their mom, but by six weeks, they are able to be on solid food exclusively. Breeders usually feed many small meals throughout the day, so a six-week-old puppy might be eating between four and six meals a day. Responsible breeders will also be very mindful that six-week-old puppies are in the prime window for puppy socialization. Early socialization is very important in preventing potential behavior issues from arising as the puppy matures, and it helps bring out the absolute best in the puppy. Many breeders will even start some basic training with young puppies, such as sitting for their meals and acclimating them to spending time in a crate. In short, you can expect six-week-old Goldens to be eating, pooping, playing, napping machines with brains that are little sponges ready to learn and explore over the next couple of weeks before they go home to their new families. Puppy Patience When it comes to adding a puppy to your family, patience truly is a virtue. Resist the temptation of a cute six-week-old puppy and give them just a couple more weeks to be ready to come home. A little extra waiting will go a long way to setting you and your puppy up for a long, happy, healthy life together. Have any questions about 6-week-old Golden Retriever puppies? Let us know down in the comments! Read the rest of our Golden Retriever puppy series here:. Puppies now go outside several times per day and are doing a great job pottying outside! Puppies like to dig in this hole unearthing the cool dirt. Fortunately, the area is dry so the dirt just brushes off puppies. One of the most important things learned… bite inhibition! Red Girl is going to tolerate that puppy playing with her unless that puppy gets too rough. So much exploring to do! Light Blue and Pink playing… Like kids, they use their mouths for everything! And they now have yet another newcomer to play with… A rather large stuffed tiger that tolerates their tugging, climbing all over, and snuggling with. Having them outside in our covered dog run is still iffy, in my mind. It really depends on the weather and heat. Regardless, hubby has now put up additional shade clothes over the run to give puppies more shade but really… It depends on the heat! Pups still prefer to sleep on the concrete cooler and enjoy the AC in our dog room! Successful attack of that menacing tree branch! Pups are in and out of the shadows where it is cooler! Now which way to go? Deja continues to nurse puppies a handful times per day but puppies are getting the majority of their nutrition from solid food. About one cup of food per puppy per feeding. You can always re-feed any leftovers at the next meal time. Getting ready to pounce on littermate! Meal time and pups come running! At around three months of age, they will start showing little interest in the mid-day feeding. They may eat some then prefer to play instead of eating. That is when you will know you can quit that mid-day feeding. Puppy is just not that hungry anymore. Places to go… Regrouping, no doubt! So often, folks get caught up with the number. Use this guide!! Sorry for being a day late! Computer glitch and internet down yesterday afternoon! Ahh… the love-hate relationship with technology!! Share this:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! Golden Retrievers are calm, clever, and loving dog. They are friendly, lively, and kind with youngsters, as well as other pets and strangers. These dogs have a strong desire to please, which is why they react so well to training and are as popular as service dogs. As golden retrievers are rarely barkers and lack guard instincts, they are unlikely to make effective watchdogs. Some golden retrievers, on the other hand, will alert you when strangers approach. They will need potty training, socialization, crate training, and other behavior corrections such as chewing, biting, and digging. Our step-by-step method and training full of compassion, vigilance, energy, and care will get them hippity-dippity in no time. So, even if you see an adorable little cutie on your way, you should hold your paws and read this guide first. Not many breeders, shelters, or rescues potty train or teach their pups manners. Recommended Supplies You will need a few supplies to welcome your new fur baby. Crate The purpose of the crate begins with the first night where your pup sleeps. They will need to be familiar with the crate for 24 hours before they want to sleep in it. Baby Gates Although they are not as important as crates, they stop your puppy from getting into unnecessary trouble, such as leaving the house or having accidents. Leash Leashes are of two types: indoor and outdoor. You will need both. One to indoors for training. The other one is shorter and used for outdoor activities. Toys You will be surprised to see the energy Golden Retriever puppies possess. These little furry playmates would love to play with plushies, vibrant chew toys and all sorts of ropes. Expect them to chew on your fancy throw pillows. Soft Bedding New pet owners often forget about buying their pets bedding after buying the bed. Add in comfy beds to their crates for them to nestle in. Dog Collar Want to proudly call them your dogs? You never know! A dog brush keeps their coat healthy and well, not clumsy. Keep them in a few spots so that they can be close at hand. You will also need car harnesses, food and water bowls, quality food, nail clippers, puppy shampoo, puppy cleaner, and poop bags. Make sure the first night is filled with joy, and the pup feels comfortable being with you. The Crate Your first task can be familiarizing the little offspring with its crate. Their crate should feel like a new home, not prison. For example, keep the cage open to explore it on their own and sniff on it. Bring them food to their crate so that they can become more comfortable with the idea of it. Keep them inside for the door shut for periods and show them, love when they are out. Offering no rewards also allows you to stand your ground on dominance. The last thing you should know about crates is crate accidents. Expect your pups to wake up and bark or pee in their crates three of four times a night for the first few nights. Potty Training You should know, shelters suck at potty training. As for Golden Retrievers, you will need to take some time out during the first months for them to learn thoroughly. You can begin by taking your Retriever outside every 30 minutes. This means after they play, eat, drink and before and after sleeping. They become comfortable outdoors and slowly realize the idea of an outdoor bathroom. Let Him Make His Decision Allowing him to make decisions might help him feel more confident, hopeful, and in charge of his new home. Instead of being pushy and smothering them with cuddles, sit on the floor and wait for them to come to you. When you arrive at your home, place the pup in front of the door and let him decide to pick whether or not to enter. Allow him to explore his new home at his leisure. You must correctly direct his biting to understand when it is alright to chew on something and when it is not. Make Him Learn His Name Another crucial duty for every 5-week-old golden retriever owner is to familiarize their pup with their name. Saying their name and rewarding them is a fantastic and simple method to achieve this. Keep repeating this process as needed. The puppy will try to learn things similarly to how human babies learn what things are by pushing them in their jaws. Allow them to get acquainted with the leash first before attaching it. Best Exercise For A Happy Relaxed Golden Retriever Puppy You can do some simple exercises with your Golden Retriever that will provide mental and physical stimulation while also helping them sleep more soundly at night. Sit And Down On Command This may be a trickier exercise for some dogs, but you can sit your Golden down by simply standing behind them, have them sit, and then give them a treat when they do. You should do this with them every time they come out of the crate so that your dog comes to you when they are ready to go inside. Learn Basic Commands Like most dogs, goldens love to learn things, and there are plenty of tricks you can teach them to do. This is an excellent activity for your dog and will train them to obey orders. You should get something you can interact with your dogs, such as a Frisbee or a ball. Things You Should Know Be Getting A Golden Retriever Golden Retriever puppy requires a lot of care and attention during their first few months of life, so it is essential to choose the right breeder. Certain dog breeds are bred for specific tasks like hunting, herding, etc. Some breeds will grow up to be aggressive and difficult to control, while others are calm and obedient. These dogs are wonderful family pets since they get along well with both children and other pets. They are straightforward to train and tend to catch on quickly. Your dog will experience the same hormone increase as humans during pregnancy. More specifically, estrogen and progesterone levels will rise during this time. The same symptoms that occur in humans will also happen with your dog. From nausea to bloating and breast enlargement, your pup is experiencing the exact effects of hormonal changes that you are. Bottom Line No matter how old your golden retriever is, training him should be a pleasurable experience. Although it might be difficult at times, 5-week-old golden retriever can be taught to behave as you want if you just follow the proper steps. If you are consistent in reinforcing behavior, give your pet plenty of love time, and follow all of these easy guidelines. Hope we could help with our complete guide on taking care of a 5 week old golden retriever. FAQs: 1. Ans: Kneecap injuries in puppies are usually due to growth plate injuries. The thighbone is connected to the knee joint by the patella or kneecap. It is held in place by a ligament, and a groove at the end of the shinbone has it in place. In some cases, there can be too much pressure on this area while an animal walks, and they can injure their kneecaps. Ans: A Golden Retriever adult male weighs thirty-five to forty-five pounds, and an adult female weighs thirty to thirty-five pounds, at the age of 6 months. Ans: Invite your buddies over to your place of residence. Visit a buddy with your dog. Pet-friendly dogs who have had their shots and are used to puppies should be introduced to your puppy. For him to feel at ease with other animals, you should introduce your pup to your cat. By Tom Massey Mar 02, Adopting a golden retriever is one of the best decisions you can make. These loving dogs are constantly praised for their gentle and calm, yet playful nature, making them perfect dogs for all walks of life and types of families. So when you do finally bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, you want to do everything you can to give them a long and healthy life for years to come. This is a wide range, so keep in mind that the weight of your Retriever will vary depending on genetic factors and sex. For example, female Golden Retrievers will weigh closer to 55 pounds while Golden Retriever males are heavier and will weigh closer to 75 pounds. Females also typically reach their full size by their first birthday, while males may continue growing through their second year. You can usually tell the size males and females will be based on what their parents look like, which is why Snowy Pines encourages meeting the parents or browsing through their photos and biographies online. Then, calculate 1. What to Expect: This age is crucial for mother-puppy bonding since he will depend on his mother for food, cleaning, and socialization. Image Source Weeks months Golden Retriever Male Weight: Between 8 to 12 weeks, your male puppy will average between 10 to 22 pounds. Golden Retriever Female Weight: Although females will grow to be smaller than males, they are typically around the same weight at this age group. The puppies become very playful, curious, and discover their voices little by little. Introductory training like house training is essential. Socialization is also important, which is why Snowy Pines ensures that all puppies stay with their littermates until adoption. For female puppies, 6 months is a little over the halfway point to their full-size, and males are essentially smaller versions of their adult bodies. Remember, at this age, you can multiply by two to determine their adult weight! What to Expect: Socialization is still crucial at this age, and more intense training can also begin. The puppy should also be kept in happy and safe environments, as any exposure to something fearful at this age may impact him long-term. This is entirely normal: Think of your puppy as a teenager who is going through adolescence and waiting for the rest of his body to catch up. They may get territorial and challenge you and other pets for dominance. Most Golden Retrievers will be fully grown by 24 months old, although this varies. Golden Retriever Female Weight: In most cases, females are finished growing before 16 to 24 months. Whatever their nature is like at the to month mark is likely what it will be throughout their adult life. They are loyal, friendly, and calm, making them the perfect companion for small and large families alike. However, Goldens are susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases that are common in bigger breeds that are typically caused by overfeeding, stunted or accelerated growth, and genetic issues. One of the most common diseases that goldens experience is Osteochondritis dissecans OCD. OCD is a developmental disease that affects large-breed dogs because of the accelerated growth they experience. It is an inflammatory condition that causes abnormal cartilage development on the end of a bone in the joint. This can lead to joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia which commonly appears in the elbow, hip, and knee. Image Source The good news is that, although larger breeds like golden retrievers are prone to joint issues like this, you may be able to help prevent it through proper practice. OCD is a specific disease that is more common in dogs that receive too much energy and calcium in their diets. Other common factors are genetics, rapid growth, and hormonal factors. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, and all that extra weight can leave your puppy with skeletal abnormalities that put too much weight on joints. Another way to avoid accidentally stunted or accelerated growth is to ensure your golden retriever puppy is getting fed appropriately and receiving the right amount of calories. Image Source Months Between 2 and 4 months old, your puppy should eat 4 times per day with 2 ounces per meal. This will add up to 7 to 9 ounces per day, depending on how much he willingly eats. Keep him on puppy food through his first year before switching to young adult food. They must receive regular exercise every day. However, this depends on their age. As previously covered, the more your puppy grows, the more susceptible to common diseases like joint problems. Breeders with years of experience, like the team at Snowy Pines, work hard to keep pure bloodlines so that all of the parents and their litters are as healthy as they can be, which helps guarantee a lifetime full of happiness without any issue. Share on.

Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 49, times. Pugs may be little, but what they lack in size, they make up for in personality. They are fun loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs that love to make their owners smile. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Crate training will keep your pug protected from household hazards, help with house training, and give him a place to retreat when he's overly excited. An ideal crate size is 24 inches long x 18 inches wide x 21 inches high 61 cm x 46 cm x 53cm. Place a blanket on top of the crate so it feels like a cozy den to your pug. Leave the crate door open at all times during this part of crate training. This will allow your pug to explore the crate at his leisure, without fear of you closing the door behind him. For crate training to be effective, your pug must learn to be comfortable in the crate when its door is closed. Gradually, have your pug wait up to 10 minutes after a meal before you open the door. You may need to leave your pug crated for hours at a time during the day, and maybe overnight. Sit with him briefly, leave the room for few minutes, then return to the crate. Work up to leaving the room for 30 minutes. Reward him with a treat each time he responds to it correctly. Practice leaving the house when you crate him. Do not get your pug worked up when you leave home or return; this could build up a lot of anxiety and anticipation in your pug. A common concern with crate training is whether to respond to whining, especially with overnight crating. Just be prepared for the whining to get worse before it gets better. Pugs aim to please, but can get sidetracked by a short attention span. When your pug stays focused on your finger on your nose, immediately give him a treat. Lengthen the time he watches your finger before you reward him. When your pug learns the basic commands, he will have the proper foundation to behave well and learn even more commands. Basic commands include sit, stay, come, and heel. If his short attention span is making training difficult, consider enrolling him in a local dog obedience class. Use plenty of positive reinforcement verbal praise, treats, extra petting each time your pug correctly follows a command. The more excited and positive you are, the more your pug will try to please you and behave properly. Pugs love to chew. Teaching your pug to 'leave it' will help keep him from chewing something inappropriate e. If you cannot stay with your pug all day and take him outside frequently, gate off an area in your home for him to stay during the day. Place some pee pads in the corner of this space where he can eliminate. When your pug urinates, the urine would go through the grass into the underlying tray. Place his water bowl and bed in the gated area. Without knowing when he should eliminate, your pug may have accidents in your home more often. A consistent bathroom routine is very important for puppies, since they cannot hold their bladders for very long. If you have a pug puppy, take him out first thing in the morning, 15 to 20 minutes after eating, after naps, and before bedtime. As he gets a little older and has better bladder control, you can start leaving his water in the crate overnight. The indoor gated area lessens the need for frequent outings during the day. However, it may take longer to house train your pug if he gets used to eliminating on pee pads or in the litter box. Your pug should learn to eliminate in the same area each time you take him outside. If you have a backyard, take him out on a 6-foot 2-meter leash, stand in one area of your yard, and let him pick a specific spot within a 6-foot radius of the leash. Examples of this body language are sniffing around, looking for a private place, going to the door, and whining. Give him a treat and verbal praise when he eliminates so he makes a positive association with eliminating outside. When you reward him for eliminating, he will also be learning how to respond to your command. It can take time—up to 20 minutes—for your pug to relax enough to eliminate outside. If you become impatient, you may experience what many other dog owners have experienced: elimination as soon as the dog gets back inside. Twenty minutes can feel like an eternity, so bring something with you e. If you pug has an accident and he probably will clean it up promptly with an enzymatic cleaner that will erase the urine smell. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source If your pug smells the urine, he will likely go back to that spot to eliminate. Do not punish your pug, whether you catch him in the act or not. Doing so will make him fear you, rather than teach him not to have another accident. Your adult pug may have had some previous training, but it may not have been completed or consistently reinforced. Ask the rescue group or animal shelter from where you adopted your pug about what types of additional training he will need. Be patient with your adult pug during the training process. If your adult pug was mistreated by his previous owner, he may be extra sensitive to yelling or harsh punishment. If you have other household members, have them all train your adult pug. They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! House Training a Pug Overview One of the most important things that you will ever teach your Pug is house training. And, while it can be a bit challenging and you'll have to devote quite some time to this, if you follow these guidelines you are sure to find success. These tips will be applicable for both young puppies and adults of any age that need to re-learn the rules. The main goal will be to train your Pug that one certain area outside is the bathroom area. And, that when you are not home to take your Pug there, pee pads are used for bathroom needs. While the exact time needed for potty training varies depending on how often you are there to actually teach the lessons, expect for this to take about 3 months for your Pug to be fully trained. Also, plan for there to be little setbacks here and there as your Pug learns these important lessons. Above all else, do not give up. The Pug is a breed that aims to please. With proper prepping and patient guidance, your Pug can be a very well-trained dog. Step 1: Prepping No doubt, you want to get right into housebreaking your Pug; however, prepping is a vitally important step and is needed to ensure your Pug is set up for success. Certainly, while you are setting things up, bring your Pug outside as needed details ahead. And, once you have everything in place, you'll find that house training is easy and accidents are few and far in between. Those that do happen will be nicely contained. Choose a designated bathroom area. Your Pug should not just go to the bathroom somewhere outside. Pick on certain area that will be used. This should be away from family foot traffic like outdoor barbecue areas and easy to reach no matter what the weather. Choose a containment method. If your Pug is allowed to roam the house or even just an entire room like the living room or family room this will inevitably lead to puddles of pee and piles of poo all over the place. So, the goal is to keep your Pug in one spot any time that you cannot closely supervise. This means when you are busy cooking dinner, taking a nap, etc. The goal should also be that the area is very comfortable, with everything a Pug needs to be content: Quality bed, lots of fun toys, and food and water bowls. One of the best methods to create this sort of contained area is via an indoor canine playpen. These are square or circular heavy-duty plastic open-topped pens. Some have doors and these are recommended. This is 24 inches 61 cm high and offers 8 square feet of space perfect for a Pug puppy. It has a nice little door to easily get your Pug in and out, and the door can be left open when you're home and watching your pup and closed when you're away. What's nice about this is that as your Pug grows, you can add on panels to increase its size. And, it comes in 7 different colors, to blend in nicely with your home decor. This is a bit taller at 34 inches 86 cm and it's circular in shape, offering 21 square feet. Though it's roomier, it will still keep housebreaking accidents contained and serve the purpose of keeping your Pug in a comfortable spot while you work on training. No matter which option you choose to create this sort of defined area, it should be lined with pee pads. While a puppy will not automatically know that the pads should be used, they will be used by default. If you find that that your Pug doesn't use the pee pads , urine and feces end up near them instead of on them, or they are moved or chewed on, this can be addressed by using larger ones, using a method to keep them in place, or using alternatives like reusable pads or even real grass patches. Have a supervision method. Since your Pug will be in a contained area see previous point 2 any time that you cannot closely oversee your pup, it's now time to choose a method of effective supervision when you are there to do so. The goal will be to have your Pug close enough that you'll be able to interrupt any attempts to pee or poo in the house. It's important that you don't just assume you'll somehow do this. Puppies dart around quickly and Pugs of any age can move around a corner and leave you a nice little present in the blink of an eye. You'll want to avoid accidents like this since each one is a step in the wrong direction and a missed opportunity to instill house training lessons. One of the best ways to keep your Pug right near your side is the tethering method. Your Pug will be on leash and harness and you will have the other end connected to you. Please note that a harness must be used, not a collar. Brachycephalic breeds like the Pug should never be on leash and collar no matter what; it can constrict the trachea and cause breathing problems. Next, under point 4, you'll see details of what you'll need to tether your Pug while house training. Have two leashes and at least one harness. As mentioned above, you'll want a leash and harness combo for when you are supervising your Pug. You will also need these items for when you take your Pug outside for bathroom needs. There are several types of accessories that will be used for these purposes: 1. A comfortable, properly fitting harness. This is for any time your Pug is on leash indoor tethering to you or being taken outside. Unlike collars that put strain on the neck and trachea and is a big no-no for brachycephalic breeds, a harness distributes pressure over the much stronger back, shoulders, and chest. This is super easy to place on you just slip your Pug's front paws through the leg holes and then there is an adjustable buckle and Velcro on the back to secure it. There is an o-ring right between the shoulder blades to connect the leash. This is padded for comfort and the material is a breathable air-mesh. It also comes in 13 different colors, so your Pug always looks stylish. A short soft-handled leash. This is the type of leash you'll want to use when you are with your Pug indoors and supervising him during house training. You'll want the leash to be short about 6 feet to keep your Pug close. And, the soft handle will allow you to either slip it over your wrist or secure it through a belt loop, which allows both of your hands to be free. A retractable leash. For when you take your Pug out to the designated bathroom area, it can be useful to have a retractable leash. And, these are great for taking walks as well. Being able to adjust the length at any time is a huge plus and helps you stay in control of your Pug. It can extend out to 16 feet and even comes with a lifetime guarantee. Have effective training treats. A big part of housebreaking is being able to let a puppy or dog know that they did something right by going to the bathroom in the designated area. This teaches them what is expected and offers motivation for doing that action again. Praise works to some degree; however, the fastest method is to combine praise with reward in the form of a training treat. There are a few elements to keep in mind: The treat should be something reserved for reward not given as a snack at any rate , small so it doesn't interfere with appetite , moist which is often more appreciated over dry , and packed with flavor. You'll also want it to be up to the standards of any food that your give your Pug, meaning made in the USA, no chemical preservatives, no artificial additives, and no fillers like corn or soy. Choose the cue words. Dogs always learn best when they can connect a word or phrase to an action. So, when you are potty training your Pug puppy, you will want to use one certain phrase each time you head outside for bathroom needs. You'll also use this phrase again to mark the moment that the deed was done and when you give reward details ahead. Common choices are 'do the deed', 'pitty-potty', 'bathroom', 'potty time', and 'get busy'. Choose whichever phase you like, but make sure that it's one you don't mind saying out loud in front of other people. Arm yourself with an enzyme cleanser. It's important to clean any accidents the right way. Urine and stools contain certain enzymes that soap and water do not remove. If these enzymes remain, they will produce a lingering odor. You may not smell anything, but your Pug with exceptional canine senses will indeed pick up the scent. It is a strong motivator to go to the bathroom in that area again. To prevent this from happening, clean any accidents with soap and warm water, blot it dry, and then spray the area with a cleanser like Simple Solution Enzyme Formula , allow it to stay there for 5 minutes, and then blot the area dry one last time. To summarize your housebreaking prep: You have a method of keeping your Pug in one area like a playpen that is lined with pee pads for any time that you are not closely monitoring things, you have a supervision method for when you are watching your pup, a designated bathroom area has been chosen, you have training treats to hand out for reward, you have a leash and harness for your Pug, you've chosen cue words, and you have an enzyme cleanser to deal with any accidents in the house. You're now ready to fully house train your Pug. Step 2: Taking Your Pug Out for Bathroom Needs You will want to take your Pug to the designated area: Right after your puppy or dog wakes up About 20 minutes after a meal Every so-many hours, depending on age. This is typically every 2 hours for a 2-month old, every 3 hours for a 3-month old, etc. Before each walk allowing a dog to pee and poo along the walking route is a missed opportunity to teach house training rules Before bed Any time that you are supervising your Pug and there is a motion to pee or poo Right when you get home if you've been away As you can imagine, you'll be quite busy bringing your puppy outside many times each day. Fortunately, as a puppy matures, the bladder and bowel muscles become stronger and there is a gradual ability to hold bathroom needs for a longer duration. Still, an adult Pug will need to be brought out 4 to 6 times per day. The exact steps are as follows: 1. Quickly bring your Pug to the exit door. If you must, carry him or her. It's okay if some urine dribbles; as long as your pup finishes urinating outside, consider it a 'win'. As you are heading out, grab the training treats. Also be saying the cue words out loud. Example: 'Let's go do the deed, do you have to go do the deed? Bring your Pug to the designated area and stand in the center of it. With your Pug on leash and harness, allow them to sniff around and choose the perfect spot. Plan to be patient. Some dogs can take up to 15 minutes, particularly if there's a need for a bowel movement. If your Pug pees, but you think he may need go number two, remain in the area. As the deed is being done, offer praise, 'Good dog, you're doing the deed! The very moment that your Pug is done, offer both praise and reward, 'Good dog, you did the deed, good dog! Both of you need to work as a team. If you find that things are not going as planned, re-read the rules and see how closely you are following them. Ahead, we'll touch on some commonly seen house training issues and how to deal with them. Going to the bathroom right after coming back in the house: A very common complaint by owners is that their Pug is peeing in the house soon after being brought back into the home. It can seem as if a pup is doing this on purpose, as if the dog is mocking the training system. But the answer is far more logical than that. In most cases this is because the owner did not have the patience to wait outside while the puppy chose the perfect spot and the body relaxed enough for urination or the muscles had time to push out a bowel movement. After the body relaxed or the bowel muscled readied, the pup was brought back in and of course, went to the bathroom where he or she was at the time: in the house. Stay outside for at least 15 minutes while your Pug is learning his or her housebreaking rules. This can seem like a very long time while standing there and waiting for a dog to go to the bathroom. For this reason, it can help to set up an outside chair, bring a book or take the time to check emails and messages. Barking at night - Is it a bathroom need or a call for attention? One of the hardest elements - but one that you will soon conquer - is to learn your Pug's signals that there is a bathroom need. One of the most challenging times to figure this out is at night when you are awakened by barking. If you are unsure, it's always best to bring your dog outside. However, it will be important to make it very clear that this is a serious time. No playing, no talking and right back to bed afterward. If you are quite certain that barking is due to attention seeking behavior and not for housebreaking reasons, as long as you are sure your Pug is safe and comfortable, all yelps and whines should be ignored. Constant bathroom needs: Puppies may need to pee every couple of hours and adult Pugs depending on how much they drink and often often they eat may need to head out 6 or more times per day. If you feel that your Pug needs to urinate much more then normal, this can point to a health issue with bladder infection and UTI being the most common. So, it's always best to check with the veterinarian. Correcting vs punishment: Pugs are very sensitive and do not react well to being yelled at. For housebreaking, that sort of reaction to accidents will not get you anywhere. Pugs tend to have their feelings hurt if not disciplined the right way and therefore rubbing a dog's nose in poop or getting upset will not be beneficial to actually teaching what is expected. It is best to give tons of enthusiastic praise for deeds done right and forgive accidents. Did you find this to be helpful? It's a page massive book that guides you through every aspect of your Pug's life. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement First, as a general rule, remember that Pugs are dogs, not just lap pets, and need attention and daily exercise to feel content; a tired dog is far less likely to misbehave! Although Pugs are often very treat motivated see some of the best dog foods for pugs here , toys, play and affection can also be great incentives for your little snort monster, too. House training and Potty Training for Your Pug Pugs are not known for their speedy ability to learn proper toilet habits. They can often reach the age of 5 or 6 months before they truly get the hang of housetraining, and need toilet breaks overnight for a longer time than other breeds. Although this is perfectly normal, it can be very frustrating for some owners! Patience, consistency, a regular daily routine, and the use of an appropriately sized crate just big enough for your pup to stand, lay down and turn around are all excellent ways to help potty learning along. First, set an approximate routine for your Pug — they should be eating, playing, and having the opportunity to pee and poop in a designated area at roughly the same times each day. Puppies cannot be left along for long periods of time, either — most need a toilet break every two hours at least — and even adult pugs need to have the opportunity to go potty several times a day. My last adult pug was generally okay with going once in the morning and once at night. My new pug puppy at 10 weeks currently goes every hours. When you are out of the house, or otherwise not able to directly supervise your Pug, then a short rest time in their crate is a good idea to prevent house accidents — most dogs instinctively hate to soil their sleeping places. Do make sure to go out with your Pug to their toilet area during housetraining— this is so you can make a big fuss over them when they actually do toilet outside! Pugs are highly food motivated, Benji learned a host of tricks with food as a motivation! For owners of older puppies or adult Pugs who already mainly potty outside, training them to ring a bell beside the door is a great method to get them to communicate that they need to go out. For the first week or two, reward him clicker training works well here too each time he sniffs or touches the bell with his nose. I was lazy with cleaning it though, and in retrospect I would have used potty pads underneath the grass to ease the cleaning. Prong collars or choke chain leads are also a big no-no with Pugs for the same reasons. A front attaching harness most have a clip at chest level will let your pup move freely, as well as allowing you to redirect their front end and their attention back to you to prevent continued pulling. Puppia harnesses are super popular in the pug community. The best solution, though, is to teach your four-legged little friend to walk at your side. Use food or toys to reward your dog for staying at your side while walking. When they pull, stop walking and keep the leash still, then reward them for taking steps toward you or returning to your side. Soon, the two of you will make a great walking team! After doing some research, I found out that he uses this e-collar , as well as clicker training. In spite of their ability to leave chaos in their wake, however, Pugs are perfectly capable of learning appropriate doggie manners when consistent boundaries are set, and good behaviour is rewarded! There are two kinds of reinforcement that you can give to your Pug during training — either negative or positive reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement — This includes verbal or physical punishment or scolding, and the use of corrective collars like choke, prong or muzzle collars. If you punish your Pug for misbehaviour, he could inadvertently end up being afraid of you, the place where he was punished, or other people or dogs that were present while he was being corrected. Negative reinforcement training might lead to growling, biting, or other unwanted behaviours from your Pug. Positive Reinforcement — Remember how happy you were the last time someone gave you a compliment, or that time you got a work bonus for a job well done? Well, your Pug feels the same way — praise and food especially food! With this method of training, teaching your Pug obedience commands and good manners can be fun for both of you. When your dog is offering that behaviour regularly, you can add a spoken command word. Remember that all dogs, and especially Pugs, need a lot of patience during training — work in short sessions, and keep the tone fun and upbeat for success. To prevent naughty Pug antics like household destruction and counter surfing, initial dog-proofing tends to be the best prevention. You can also take the Alpha Dog approach , which Cesar Milan The Dog Whisperer uses, though controversial, it is effective because dogs, like wolves, are pack dogs. And respond to the leader of the pack the alpha. You asked super valuable questions and really listened to our concerns. You helped us to make a conscious choice about what is right for us and take the steps to determine that we were doing the right thing. Ultimately we decided we weren't ready to be a 2 dog family, and we're so glad to gain this insight before taking on a commitment to a second dog. Thank you so much for your advice and support. She has a really flexible approach to training and finds what works for you and your dog. They sent weekly reminders about the classes and would even send us a text before the class started. Tara was amazing and soooo great with buckwheat. Would happily go to another class that she was teaching. They are both incredibly knowledgable and professional in their approach, and both went out of their way to provide additional help and support. Our great dane has benefited immensely from this training and we couldn't recommend this service more highly! No more pulling! She gave me some great strategies to help with reactive behaviours and some really simple tricks which just make life so much easier. The one in one session was a great investment. Such a refreshing change from the outdated, harsh methods and so much more effective, and fun! I have been struggling with barking with my 6yr old anxious staffy for years. We felt like we had tried everything and Cassie came and it felt like she gave us those last few missing puzzle pieces. As soon as we started enacting her advice we have had a massive improvement and have not looked back since. Not only this but she arrived right on time and was super friendly and compassionate with zero judgement. I've been to a lot of people with my little one and I can happily say Cassie is by far the best trainer we have been to. We would recommend the company to anyone experiencing the need for some professional support and advice. The ongoing support has also been most helpful! Google rating score: 4.

Written by: Howmuchisit. Although the chocolate lab has a different appearance compared to the usual Labrador, these dogs usually have the same temperament. Weighing close to pounds, the chocolate labrador are also very loyal to their owners, making them one of the best breed of dogs available. At the time of this writing, PuppyFind. According to this comprehensive guide on thelabradorsite. What is going to be included in the adoption fee? Most reputable breeders should include the registration paperwork, some sort of health guarantee, a health checkup by a licensed vet, up-to-date vaccinations and a travel crate if being shipped. What are the extra costs? Remember these dogs can weigh an average of 80 pounds. The average chocolate lab must be brushed at least once per week and twice when you notice they are shedding. Some breeders, however, often refuse to ship their puppies via the air and will ask to meet either halfway or have you pick up the puppies at their residence. Tips to know: If healthy, the average chocolate lab can live 10 to 13 years and are suitable for both warm and cooler climates, but most prefer to live indoors where their family lives. Similar to the other Labrador breeds, the chocolate lab is just as mellow and is known to get along will with just about anyone and anything in the neighborhood, including pets, children and other household pets. According to the AKC, they are known to be very loyal, happy and lovable. The coat will be dense, thick, short and resistant to most weather. The average shoulder height will be 20 to 25 inches and most labs will weigh 55 to 85 pounds, with the male weighing slightly more. The chocolate lab loves long walks, playing fetch and even swimming in the water. Like most larger dog breeds, according to PuppyFind. When buying from a breeder, try your hardest to see the location where the dog was raised. If they refuse or make up excuses, then this could be a big red flag since the living conditions may not be suitable for breeding dogs. How can I save money? Adoption is another option you can consider rather than buying a dog. Check out your local Humane Society or even consider a local rescue group to see if they have any dogs up for adoption. This is a great way to offer an older dog a forever home and spend a lot less money than buying from a breeder who is often in it for the money. Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info. The costs will be a bit higher at first while you get your dog the shots it requires and pay for the frequent visits to the vet. We also recommend getting your dog spayed or neutered unless you are a professional breeder, and it might even be required as part of your contract if you purchase from a breeder. Once your dog is an adult, it will not require as many vet visits and will only need booster shots every few years, so the average monthly costs will be much lower. Experts recommend getting all of the shots, but your dog is only legally required to get the rabies shot. We recommend purchasing a high-quality brand with real meat like chicken, turkey, or salmon listed as the first ingredient. The protein in meat will help build muscle and provide the energy your dog needs to stay healthy. High protein diets will also help your dog stay full longer, and it will be less likely to come looking for food. Foods with corn as the top ingredient are mostly empty calories that will leave your pet feeling hungry and looking for more food, potentially causing it to become obese. During the shedding seasons of spring and fall, you will likely need to increase the brushing to several times a week to help keep the fur off your furniture and floor. Professional grooming can also help with teeth brushing and nail clipping. This medication can also help prevent heartworm. Spot Pet Insurance offers customizable plans that you can adapt to your breed's specific needs. Many people forgo pet insurance, but it can be a great way to protect yourself from a huge expense while making sure your Labrador Retriever has the best healthcare possible. Accidents and serious illnesses can occur at any time, and many procedures can cost thousands of dollars which makes the price of insurance more than worth it, especially if you get it while your dog is still a puppy. It can chew up stuffed animals quickly, so they can get expensive, but there are plenty of options for a chewing dog, like the Lab. Another option is to purchase a subscription to a monthly service like the Bark Box that sends your dog new toys and activities for as long as you keep up your subscription. A full-grown dog only requires food and flea and tick medication to stay healthy, a few toys to play with, and treats here and there. Additional Costs to Factor In If you like to go on long vacations, you might need to factor in the additional costs of traveling with a dog. Many rental cars do not allow pets or will charge you extra, and the same is true for hotels. Owning a Labrador Retriever on a Budget Your Labrador Retriever will be relatively inexpensive once you get the medical things out of the way. A high-quality food may seem more expensive, but it will help keep your dog full so that it will eat less. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock Saving Money on Labrador Retriever Care The best way to save money on healthcare when raising your Labrador Retriever is to keep it a healthy weight by following portion recommendations on the food you serve and by helping them get enough exercise. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues that can shorten the lifespan of your pet. After the initial cost of the puppy , you will need to pay a few hundred dollars to get it spayed or neutered and get the shots it needs. After that, you will only need to provide food and shelter with the occasional booster shot. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide, and that it has helped answer your questions. If we have helped you create a budget that allows you to get one of these amazing pets, please share this guide on how much it costs to own a Labrador Retriever on social media. Featured Image Credit: scott, Pixabay Contents. All breeds of Labrador Retrievers are known for being kind and gentle — and this trait runs especially strong with the chocolate-colored sweeties. While these dogs are very friendly to strangers, they have even more affection to give to their beloved families. Your Chocolate Lab puppy or adult will be happiest spending time with their favorite people. If you have young children, a lab is a great fit, as this breed is usually quite tolerant of the horseplay of small children who are still learning how to interact with pets. Just like many people, Chocolate Labs enjoy both downtime — especially if it involves being pampered by their family — and active high-energy fun. We recommend daily exercise, which can include anything from fetch, to tag, or even frisbee games. The average Chocolate Lab lifespan is between 9 and 11 years. The most common Chocolate Lab health problem is hip dysplasia, which occurs more commonly in older and overweight dogs. This is just one of the reasons to make exercise a common part of your time with a Chocolate Lab puppy or fully grown adult. Another problem that occurs in overweight labs is joint and movement issues. The other most common Chocolate Lab health problems are: Progressive Retinal Atrophy Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia As is the case with any dog, when you bring home a Chocolate Labrador, make sure that you have a good vet to handle routing vaccinations and check-ups as well as emergency health problems. Learn more about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! Chocolate Lab Coat Care In general, Chocolate Lab coat care is easy compared to many other dog breeds which require weekly or daily work. Labrador Retrievers all have double coats, which includes an under layer of short hairs and a slightly longer top layer. This coat is useful for repelling water and keeping them cool in warmer temperatures — and warm in cooler ones. Their coat is also noted to be slightly dry and oily. Chocolate Lab coat care is fairly minimal and considered low maintenance. The coat should be brushed with a firm bristle brush 2 — 3 times per month to minimize shedding. In addition to that, baths are needed fairly infrequently. What is more crucial is ensuring that their toenails are well cared for throughout the year. Meet Chocolate Lab Puppies for Sale. This is mostly true but only because the vast majority of labs are bred and sold by puppy mills and pet stores. However, you should also consider the fact that labs sold by reputable breeders cost quite a bit more. At the same time, you can find chocolate labs in rescues and shelters too. These places offer good prices and are very good at making their pups look irresistible not to take home. However, such puppy mills also have awful breeding standards. Inbreeding and overbreeding are pretty much the norm there. Additionally, they pay very little attention to the raising of their pups and usually just keep them in small, glass tanks for countless hours, days, and weeks. All this amounts to poorly bred and even more poorly raised unhealthy pups. This is justified by the higher breeding standard, the better healthcare, and proper raising of the lab pups. So, while the several hundred or over a thousand extra dollars can seem like a steep price hike, they also guarantee a much healthier dog and lower vet bills in the future. Chocolate Labrador Price In Shelters and Rescues Labrador retrievers are so popular nowadays that you can find them in almost every dog shelter and rescue too. You may have to look a bit more for a purebred chocolate lab but those will still be easy to find too. The only drawback of adopting a pup is that you have less of a guarantee about its health. However, this can be mitigated by most shelters as they offer a full veterinary check-up and consultation. Additionally, dogs from shelters and rescues are either free or are sold for very low prices. Black labs can cost more in reputable breeders because they are more often chosen by hunters. However, chocolate and yellow labs will still have pretty similar prices. Good breeders make sure their purebred chocolate lab puppies match a certain health standard. This means avoiding inbreeding, overbreeding, and the breeding of undesirable genetic defects. This is a big reason why puppies in pet stores and puppy mills cost significantly less. Their breeders pay much less heed, time, and attention to how they breed their pups, they invest less into the logistics of finding new dogs to breed, and so on. Additionally, they invest much less into the care and raising of their pups too. All this translates into a much lower cost for you but also a much worse health for your pup. And the latter also means much higher vet bills as your dog grows up. Steering clear from puppy mills and pet stores will help you avoid or minimize the risk of any of the following:. Are they good family dogs? Labrador Dog Price — The Costs Involved Buying a Labrador is not just a question of the purchase price of a Lab puppy, though of course that is important. There are other costs involved, both financial, emotional and in terms of time and effort. So we need to look at those too. You may be wondering whether you will have the time for a dog, and if you have the space and energy for a large and lively breed? But this page will take you back to the fundamental considerations, to help you to make the right choice for you and your family. Do you have time for a dog? Can you afford a dog? What about your lifestyle? Will a dog fit in with your family? Is a Labrador the right dog for you? These questions all apply regardless of the type of Labrador you are looking for. The needs of a black Lab, yellow Lab or chocolate Lab are all the same in these respects. The same goes for an English or American Labrador too. Dogs need space, both indoors and outside. Even small breeds need room to stretch their legs and run about. And Labradors as fairly large and lively dogs need quite a lot of space. This means you need a decent sized backyard if you plan on buying a Labrador puppy. Somewhere that your Lab dog can run around, play and enjoy training sessions with you. Labradors can be quite silly during adolescence, bouncing and cavorting in the home. Their tails are long and thick, easily knocking any fragile decorations you might have from shelves. If you have lots of ornaments then you will need to move them to higher shelves to avoid them getting damaged. You will also need to move anything that could be easily damaged by chewing. With small puppies this will be very often indeed. Perhaps every 15 to 20 minutes during their first few days with you. If you live in a flat, or do not have a garden, this will be difficult for you. These are helpful but do take up a lot of space. Although this will take up a lot of space indoors, it can work very well for larger apartments with no easy outside access. Ideally however you do need to have a garden, and a part of the garden which your dog can use as a bathroom, along with a good system for clearing up after him hygienically. Space is key for a Lab dog! The right space for a Labrador includes large clear rooms in the house, with no breakable or fragile objects within his grasp. And ideally access to a garden where they can easily be let out to the bathroom and have room to play. Keeping a single Labrador permanently outside however is not usually a good idea, even with adequate shelter and security. Labs are very sociable dogs and prone to separation anxiety if they lack company. This means your dog may be both sad and noisy. It is always sad to hear from new puppy owners that are struggling to juggle the needs of a puppy with their need to work. These articles will help you to deal with this common issue. Even with a visit at lunch time. An older dog may cope with being left for up to four hours in row on a regular basis, but puppies need more attention than this. Contented Labradors are fairly quiet dogs and unlikely to disturb your neighbors. Nor are they very good guard dogs. However, lonely dogs bark and wreck things. If you work all day, can you afford to pay someone to come in and let him out to stretch his legs and empty himself? Or do you have a relative or friend that would be prepared to do this on a regular basis. Bear in mind that this is quite a lot to ask of anyone in the long term. The biggest long term time commitment in owning a dog is in the form of training and exercise. Training Takes Time All dogs need training in order that they can rub along in human society without being a complete nuisance. This means a regular daily commitment of ten to twenty minutes from you, in addition to your regular interaction with the dog. Training cannot be saved up for the weekend, your dog will have forgotten most of what he learnt the weekend before, and he does not have the attention span to concentrate on you for an hour and a half. You can find out more about training your Labrador puppy here. Staying Fit Exercise is required on a regular basis, for some breeds of dog this means at least an hour a day of walking or jogging to keep your dog fit and healthy. You can find out more about the exercise requirements of a Labrador puppy here. Whilst your dog will not come to any harm if you miss a day occasionally, a daily routine is often the best way to ensure that you build this important habit. Can You Afford A Dog? Dogs can be quite expensive to run. You need to consider not only how much a Labrador will cost you to buy, but also how much it will cost you to keep. How much do Labradors cost from breeders? The price of a Labrador puppy will vary from breeder to breeder, and from place to place. Perhaps you know a friend that has a litter of puppies and they are going to let you have one for free. However, the purchase price of a dog is almost irrelevant. It is such a small part of the final cost. The cost of keeping a Labrador The reality is, you are also going to need to fork out a chunk of your wages each week on keeping your pooch happy and healthy. Obviously you will have taken the cost of a good brand of Labrador puppy food into consideration. It is a good idea to budget for veterinary insurance too. Not because it is unreasonably priced, but simply because it is now so advanced. You can fix a lot of problems these days. We can do open heart surgery, mend complex fractures, treat cancer with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Pretty much anything you can treat in a human, you can now treat in a dog. And the catch? It costs. The more comprehensive your insurance package the more it will cost. Watch out for very cheap deals, as they may not provide continuing cover for long term ailments. You will also need to vaccinate your dog against common canine illness , and this will probably need to be done each year too. Especially if you are wanting to occasionally leave them in boarding kennels when you go away, as they require up to date vaccination certificates. Labrador Puppy Costs There will be a few other one-off costs such as a puppy crate and puppy play pen for your home for when your dog is young, another for your car if you have one. Then there are bowls, bedding, collar, leash etc. But you may be able to borrow a crate or get one second hand. Here are some of the items you will need for your new Labrador puppy, and reviews on the best options for Labradors:. Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article.

We will not accept animals exhibiting signs of upper respiratory infection, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. If you do not show up for your appointment you will be required to pre-pay for any future appointments. Pre-operative Instructions Dogs Dogs 4 months of age and older: No food after midnight. Water is allowed. Puppies under 4 months old: Do not withhold food or water. Feed a small meal the morning of surgery. Please leave your dog in the car when you arrive and check-in at the clinic lobby. Clinic staff will direct you when to bring your dog indoors. Please bring all dogs on a leash. Kittens under 4 months of age: Do not withhold food or water. Please bring all cats in a carrier. If your pet's rabies vaccine is up-to-date, please bring proof of that vaccine to your appointment. APL cannot be held responsible for contagious diseases for which your pet was not previously properly vaccinated. Post-operative Instructions For a full list of post-operative instructions click here. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern: .If you are feeding feral cats and would like to get them fixed, we're happy to loan you a live trap to do so! Please call our office at to borrow a live trap. All feral cats must stay with us overnight. Pure breed English Bull pup for sale. History: English Bulldogs have a long history in the United Kingdom, as they were, unfortunately, bred and used for dog fighting since the 13th century. Find Bulldog puppies for sale Near Illinois For a dog with such an unmistakable face — those chops, that brow! Find Bulldogs Animals For Sale. Sign in to your account to message breeders and set alerts for your searches! Male and female puppies ready for sale at affordable price for each puppy. These are olde english bulldogs and they have alot of english traits very type with a healthier approach screwtails, Cute as a button reserve yours now! We have red white and blacks Available 4. Find Bulldogs A. Rare color English Bulldogs for sale. McNabb, IL .History: English. They are quite alert and athletic so they do well with proper stimulation and socialization. How frequently do English bulldogs shed? English bulldogs shed more frequently during the cold English Bulldog breeder. This is usually due to the numerous complications and health challenges the bulldog faces in the course of life. Call me today and take pleasure in the advantages that 3G brings to you now in terms of efficiency and cost. They still enjoy outdoor - Puppyfinder. These dogs are about as low-energy as they come, and prefer hanging out with kids preferably on the couch than chasing after cows. I have a olde English bulldog for sale. English Bulldog Pets And Illinois. Find Bulldogs and puppies from Illinois breeders. Coat: Short, smooth, and straight. English Bulldog For Sale in Chicago .Dogs are like Potato Chips, you can't have just one! Annabelle-Ernie Girl, 5 weeks old. Olde English Bulldogge puppies for sale in Illinois from. English Bulldog, Illinois » Chicago. English Bulldog New Pups!!!! Prices start at : USD. We've connected in cattle-driving, but today's Bulldogs are all about the easy life. Kennel hounds, dogs and all kinds a family run English Bulldog breeder. English Bulldog A. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. English are located in aurora Illinois. We are seasons like winter and. British Bulldogs rarely bark but snore, snort, wheeze, grunt, and snuffle instead. English Bulldogs are very clever, entertaining, and very loyal. English Bulldogs are calm, non-sporting dogs with a sourmug face that love to chew and play tug-of-war. One of the few references to the sport dates back to , and talks about a butcher's dogs that chased a bull through the English town of Stamford. Also, be sure to check the English Bulldog. Adoptabull English Bulldog Rescue. Bulldogs for Sale in Chicago. English Bulldog Puppies for sale mini Bulldog pups for sale Mariagonzalex.British Bulldogs rarely bark. Bulldogs are a people-oriented, loyal and devoted watchdogs that love to nap by your side. Frenchies for sale in Illinois. We have red white and blacks seasons like winter and. Health guarantee Champion bloodlines Show potential Shipping included: No. Illinois English Bulldog Classifieds Hoobly. All Olde English Bulldogges we own are kept in our time, but are perfect partners for hanging at home. We are 1 10 per page - Puppyfinder. For pictures and more information please us at -- or -- Photos and contact info soon-to-be-phased-out 2G innovation. Our show stock have show records to back our claim. Illinois Olde English Bulldogges for Sale in who live in apartments and small homes. Kennel hounds, dogs and all kinds loving homes to reputable breeders since and we. You can find all of our financial documents at www. Once dog fighting was outlawed in the. Four weeks old and ready for a new home. We provide quality English Bulldog puppies for sale in Illinois. English Bulldog in cattle-driving, but today's Bulldogs are all about the easy life. English Bulldog Puppies For Sale. Size: inches tall, Will be ready halloween accepted credit cards zelle cash. We are a family run additional charge. Facebook: English Bulldogs in Illinois. Puppies available are 10weeks old 2 male puppie. AKC and fully vet checked, microchipped 11weeks old. We raise rare colors, blue, black, tri and merle. Please contact me for a potential ground transport, or nanny by air transport. Snub nose breeds are excluded, nanny or ground transport only. Contact us for details. About Us Art loves all the critters too. He's also capable of fixing anything he puts his mind too. A handy man is just the best! Its not unusual for me to be up every 3 hours around the clock feeding babies of some variety, puppies, but also baby pigs, bunnies, and some other critters that seem to just fall into our lap. We have had extended family and friends visit, move in and stay, or live here as a temporary home as they each build their own dream. My Uncle AL moved here in .In my aging mother and frail aunt also moved here full time. We completed their own little house here on the farm in fall of .My cousin Brenda lived here for a time. Then Aryne, a young mom with 3 little boys, we met in December moved in April .She needed a place and we needed help with paperwork and getting the house for my mom and aunt completed. She has her own place now and a few furry friends of her own including a cavalier named Sophie, and her poodle boy Sonny. My daughter left her corporate job, now works here part-time and is raising their wonderful boys. My only 2 grandchildren. I am SO fortunate they live close so I am a part of their life! Nothing like a job that you can show up and go home, whenever it works best for your family. Family is 1! Libbie worked here awhile, a sister to a friend of ours mid to spring .She added more help for the puppies and dogs to have socializing. She has had some schooling to be a therapy dog trainer. Plus she's great at paperwork! She is now doing her own thing; original art work! If you would like a custom puppy, or dog portrait please contact her, she is exceptionally good! She also does art of other animals and people, Seriously talented! In January one of Art's older sisters had a rough time and moved in. She wasn't able to use the stairs in order to have the big bedroom downstairs that extended guests usually use. She needed her medical issues brought under control, plus her very aged dog and old cat moved in with us too. The dog was at the vets regularly with severe intestinal issues, testicular cancer a good reason to neuter pets when young! He is doing much better health-wise now, although is a confused very old dog. The old dog ruined the carpet when Renee was unable to take him out often enough. We replaced it with easy to wash vinyl in November .Renee doesn't drive so Art and I had spent a lot of time on the road getting her and the dog where they needed to go all of .For specialty vet care we go all the way to Hannibal MO. We love Advanced Vet Care up there! Her cat was doing ok, but apparently had cancer and why she just wouldn't really improve. When she was no longer comfortable she was humanely taken to the vets and put to sleep. Very sad. Very sweet beautiful cat. I think she created a rainbow ladder for other needy cats to find their way here. We ended up with 21 additional cats added to the farm in ! We have spayed and neutered them all, took awhile. Many have slowly found their ways into good homes. One strangely moved up the lane to the neighbors house. We seen her all the time but only recently learned he keeps food out for her and gives her lots of attention.Renee found a really nice apartment, October .We were going to build her a place here, but she doesn't like me much, and she wanted her own place, which worked out so much better. Cujo, the old dog, is still hanging in there. Things evolve. In winter we hired Brandy, an accountant part time, who was also a full time college student. Her husband, Mike, lucky for us, wasn't very busy so he started working here helping with basic livestock animal chores, some help with the dogs, plus big time farm clean-up and renovation. My son, Keith, and Mike work great together and have steadily organized and repaired the things Art and I couldn't get to with the furry critters taking all our time and attention. Mike and Brandy are now living on the farm, hopefully for a long time, but the farm is probably a stepping stone as they of course have their own dreams. With the Covid pandemic it was very fortunate for us to have help who lived here as Kim and Libbie were home on the stay at home order. Kim is also now home schooling the boys. Brandy had family matters and college on-line taking all her time for awhile. Mike was my only help, which he did livestock chores morning and night, keeping up with long term goals of building and repairs with Keith and helped with dogs when I just couldn't keep up from early April to this update, mid-May. Kim would come by and couple hours here and there as she could. I had to set up an auto-reply on email as we were getting thousands of emails, doing all the dog chores with Art gone, and almost no help with the jobs Kim, Libbie and I did for office work it has been all I could do to try and keep up. The critters come first. They are doing terrific! The Covid hasn't effected them in the least, even if I am ready to drop from exhaustion! She is doing the accounting farm stuff. Kim worked a bit more to help with registrations and the things Libbie was doing that has piled up. Ethan started work in May and caught on really fast. He has been terrific with helping with dogs and puppy cleaning. Let me go back to working just the typical 1. Its August now .Brandy and Ethan are going back to school, Kim will have her 2 boys being homeschooled. Art is back and slowly getting his health back and helping as he can. I just heard the first 4 cases of covid are in Bunker Hill, the town closest to us. Prayers everyone reading this and their families and friends are ok! I can still look across the fields and trees and feel blessed every day to be so fortunate to have a beautiful space to call home with friends and family all living here, never a dull moment. Like many, the stress of Covid is always on our mind with so many susceptible people living here, plus friends and family who are all at risk. I feel so bad for those many people isolated during this stressful pandemic when accustomed to going out and socializing! Hopefully everyone has windows to be able to notice the shapes in the clouds, dream of new projects, complete some goals, and catch an occasional rainbow! Hang in there! Having issues coping, look up many articles on ambiguous loss to understand the immense invisible stress, and please call; hotlines, friends, or family and get help! There is beauty all around us, and in us, despite our emotional brain blocking what our senses can pick up in the here and now! Recommendations Food: Please remember no food is perfect, adding "toppers" to dogs food for variety and interest. Real people food with no additives, like cooked chicken, beef, green beans, carrots, ect.Its a great little pet shop that offers dog washing, training and list of services and products. We usually feed Fromm Surf and Turf to the puppies who we have retained, to any of our potential moms, or bred moms and stud dogs. We often add some of the other kibble to their food for variety. There are other Fromm foods that are great, we just have not used all of them. Fromm Beef Frittata, and Heartland Gold adult have made our rotation. We have tried many, many dry foods over the years. Many are great for a few months or a couple years, and then we see strange things happening in the dogs. Eventually it dawned on me that any food can not be perfect, advertised as: "for the life of your dog" really is not a good idea unless you add variety with scraps, or toppers. Seriously, how can any man made food be perfect? People don't know everything, new nutrients and needs for those nutrients are discovered all the time. The healthiest dogs are those who get lots of exercise, and a variety of real foods. Look at the label of what you eat, and what is in most dog foods. Both can be scary. Wetting any dry dog food and letting it absorb the water, before giving it to them is said to help the dog digest any dry kibble better. We would have hard time doing that as we like to full feed our dogs and puppies. We cant afford to throw away and waste wet food not eaten. We do wet puppies foods when they are very young. Since any dog can eat a different amount on any given day we rarely measure their food making them eat one amount each day. The English bulldogs we purchased as adults only one is on measured feed. More exercise is working for every other dog, despite the fact they are said to "require" food limitations for weight control. Trainers: Kim, my daughter has gone from a high end coorpertate world for 18 years, where she was the only female and also the youngest ever to be promoted to the position she held until being a stay at home mom summer .I could not be more proud of my grown kids for being honest, kind, harding working members of society. She has more patience and more persistence then any person I have ever met. Absolutely perfect for training! Plus she loves animals and its all done with love and their best interest at heart. Now that she has time she is going to train a limited number of horses in the basics of eventing for her instructor who has retired race horses. The horses can be hot headed, and are always a very sensitive lot. The horses just bloom under her riding! We have had families getting our puppies ask if we can start housebreaking for them, or trained puppies. We just did not have the time to offer that service. Puppies will be well socialized with children, other dogs, and cats. In addition they will be housebroken or well started depending on age and how long the puppy is in training taught to walk on a leash, crate trained, and learn "sit. She may be willing to board and train other puppies, but will have some age, and vaccinations requirements. Price may also be different. Older puppies and dogs are much harder to re-train then puppies are to start correctly. Plus since she has children, dogs, and cats she will not put any of them at risk if an older puppy, or dog is having aggression issues. ALL aggression issues are a direct result of a puppy, or dog not having the right guidance. Personalities are different, but respect for people is training. I have heard great things about Kennelwood Villiage in St. It is wonderful for dogs in sports, and dogs recovering from injuries, or older dogs who are just stiff a sore. You should see them melt under her hands! Her work is top notch. She can do whimsical and also very detailed realistic work. She will do custom portraits of your new puppy or dog, besides has art in several mediums, and jewelry for sale. Please email: elisheva.

The main problem is the marginal response to training by both of the parents. Photo by Mary Swift on Shutterstock Shih-Tzus are quite stubborn and that can make training them a hustle. If you want to achieve something, grant them a lot of attention. On the contrary, Poodles enjoy having their minds and bodies tested so will learn everything there is to know very fast. Your Shih-Poo might not be the best training candidate, especially with dominant Shin-Tzu traits. However, starting the training early and implementing consistency and positive reinforcement will eventually provide results. Their ideal exercise time is approximately half an hour walking daily, possibly in two separate sessions. Sometimes additional exercises can be added if you want them to lose weight. At least an hour of exercise is what can keep your poodle satisfied. This hour can be filled either with intense walking, a game of fetch, or other rousing games. Lack of physical and mental stimulation in Poodles can result in destructive behavior. Excessive barking, digging, and chewing are signs of boredom and excess energy. Obesity can mean that your dog is more of a Poodle in means of exercise and needs to spend time out a lot more. Shih Poos are not inherently aggressive at all. However, as with many small dog breeds, training is often neglected at the expense of a wildly barking and untrained dog. There is no doubt that a Shih-Poo can be madly in love with his family and all life regardless. Whether they are friendly with other animals and people can also reflect their early socialization. Shih-Tzu dogs are very affectionate and there is nothing more they love than following their owners from place to place even the bathroom. They are made to be companion dogs and are generally happy beings. If they think there is something out of the ordinary ex. After the stranger comes in they will be best friends with the dog in a matter of minutes. Poodles strive toward the protective temperament. They are wary of strangers and will let you know that strangers approach their house. A Poodle is an affectionate dog too, but it can take a while to get used to new people, or not get used at all. Without any distraction, they are calm when their family is around. Shih-Tzus are a bit contradictory when it comes to the following leadership. Being stubborn they might decide not to do something or go someplace. In the meantime, they are dependent on their owners and cannot spend a minute without them. When they misbehave if you try to yell at them or punish them will make things even worse because they have very sensitive feelings. Beware of their jealousy especially when you are playing with other pets or children. Provide enough stimulation early in their lives and take the leadership badge. You will need to show you Shih-Poo that you are the leader by using positive reinforcement. Make your dog feel safe around you, give a lot of attention, work on socialization, and no matter what traits are dominant, you will have an obedient furry friend. Health Because of their sensitive skin, Shih-Poos can be prone to skin and ear infections. A contributing factor can be the frequent cases of allergies within the breed. Some bad anatomical formations can produce musculoskeletal abnormalities such as patellar luxation or hip dysplasia. Retained baby teeth, gum disease, and periodontal disease are also a result of anatomical abnormalities in Shih-Tzus. Another hormonal disease Poodles often develop is Diabetes. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or simply called bloat is common in deep-chested dogs such as the Poodles. The condition is very serious. You can reduce the risk of developing if you limit exercises after meals and give smaller and frequent portions of food and water. If the Shih-Poo inherits the Shih-Tzu anatomy there is a big chance for the dog to suffer from dysplasia, retained baby teeth, and any other breathing problem brachycephalic dogs have. Both Poodles and Shih Tzus have a life expectancy of around 13 years and Poodles. A Shih-Tzu cross-breed dog can live years. Depending on factors such as genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle dogs of this breed can live even longer. Do Shih Poos Shed? Yes, Shih Poos do shed and there are a lot of varieties of Shih-Poo coats. Some dogs get the straight fur from the Tzu parent while others are curly like their Poodle predecessor. In most cases, the crossbreed will be a combination of both. Shih-Poos have to be brushed daily and groomed on monthly basis. Along with bathing when necessary, you can prevent their coat from getting dry , matted, and irritated. Both Poodles and Shih-Tzus are considered to be hypoallergenic dog breeds. Their hair is less likely to shed and cause allergic reactions in people. An interesting thing about Shih Tzus is the way their hair grows in all directions — this granted them the moniker Chrysanthemum Dog. Regarding color, they can be in all variations and combinations — brindle, black, brown, white. Size Shih Tzu Poodle mixes are usually inches cm and weigh between pounds kg , assuming the dog is crossed with a smaller Poodle. Standard Shih Tzu dogs have an adult height between 8 and 11 inches cm and weigh pounds kg. There is also the Imperial Shih Tzu that can weigh less than 5 pounds 2. In most countries, they are classified as a toy dog breed. Adult Toy Poodle is about 10 inches 25 cm tall with pounds kg of body weight — Standard Poodle stands are 15 inches 38 cm in height and pounds kg weight. There are 4 different types of poodle — toy, miniature, medium, standard. The shelters across the globe are filled with Shih-Tzu and Poodle crosses. The dog is perfect for both larger and smaller homes and families with children if socialized properly. Let me know if you have any questions left regarding this crossbreed or share your experiences with the Shih tau Poodle mix! Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. Shih poos are a cross between a shih tzu and a toy poodle. While some shih tzu breeders breed a poodle to a shih tzu to create first-generation shih poos, it's also common practice to breed shih poos to one another to create multigenerational dogs. As cross-breeds, shih poos are not an officially recognized breed, and there is no breed standard regarding appearance or temperament. Even shih poo puppies born to the same litter may take after one parent more than the other and appear vastly different in coat texture and coloring, says PetGuide. Shih poos fall in the small to tiny range, typically standing between eight and 18 inches at the withers and weighing anywhere from eight to 18 pounds. Their coat may be long, straight and silky like that of the shih tzu, shorter and curly like that of a poodle or it may fall somewhere in between. Despite the appearance, the shih poo's coat barely sheds, making these dogs a good fit for someone with mild pet allergies. Coloring can take after either parent breed. While poodles have solid coats that are typically black, white, gray, brown or apricot, shih tzu coats may be solid or come in various color patterns and combinations. Shoodle coats may mimic the coloring pattern of either parent. Personality: Often, mixed-breed dogs develop a temperament that balances the qualities of their parent breeds. Shih tzus tend to be highly affectionate and extremely charming, but possess a stubborn streak that can make them difficult to train. Poodles, on the other hand, while equally charming with playful and comedic personalities, are highly intelligent dogs who are more eager to please and easier to train. Shih poos, as a result, are often playful, affectionate and quick-witted little charmers, although they may inherit their shih tzu parent's willfulness. Because of this, they often need a firm but patient guide in training, and might not be the best choice for first-time dog parents. What shih poos may lack in trainability, they more than make up for in love and affection. They love to play with toys and get along wonderfully with older children, although due to their small size and hair that's easy to grab and pull, they should be closely supervised around small children. While friendly and great at getting along well with other pets, especially if introduced as puppies, older shih poos might not love having other dogs around. They often do well as only dogs. Even so, these fluffy pups love being close to their people and don't tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. If work or school takes you away from home for long hours, you may need to consider doggie daycare to keep your shih poo happy. Living With: Shih poos are generally versatile dogs that can do well in small apartments as well as larger homes. They need up to 30 minutes a day of play and exercise, which can be satisfied with two or three short walks each day or minute sessions of vigorous playtime twice daily. The rest of the time, they'll be content to curl up in your lap or to cuddle up next to you on the sofa. Shih poos are highly social and love to be around people, so expect them to stick close as you move around the house. While shih poos tend to be long-lived, with some living 17 years or more, they can be predisposed to the same health problems as their parent breeds. These include allergies, patellar luxation , vision problems and endocrine disorders such as Addison's disease, hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease. Shih poos that inherit the shorter snout of the shih tzu may also be prone to respiratory issues, reverse sneezing and snoring. Extra care should be taken to prevent overheating and heat stroke, says Dogtime. And like many small breeds, these dogs may be prone to dental problems and will benefit from regular dental cleanings and daily tooth brushing. Regardless of the length or texture of your shih poo's coat, it will be thick, fast-growing and prone to matting. Daily brushing and monthly visits to the groomer are recommended to keep the coat under control. Limit baths to a few times a month to prevent the skin from drying out. When bathing, be sure to prevent water from getting in the ear canals to prevent ear infections from developing. Shoodles have healthy appetites and will overeat if given the chance, which will lead to unhealthy weight gain. It's best to keep them on a consistent feeding schedule rather than allowing them to graze on kibble throughout the day. Feed your pup a high-quality food dog formulated for small breeds , and keep treats to a minimum. History: Not much is known about the backstory of the shih poo. Unlike other boutique breeds, no breeders have come forward to take credit for introducing the shih poo. Most likely this cross-breed came about unintentionally, with breeders in the U. As a cross-breed, shih poos are not recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club, although they are recognized by various designer breed registration clubs, including the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. They are not purebreds like their Shih Tzu or Poodle parents. Shih-Poo coats can be curly like their Poodle parent, straight like their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two. They are generally considered hypoallergenic. Shih-Poos can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Like most small dogs, Shih-Poos can be prone to dental health issues. Maintain proper dental hygiene for your Shih-Poo. Shih-Poos are pretty versatile and can live in just about any kind of home. Shih-Poos come from the loyal, adorable Shih Tzu, and the intelligent, sophisticated Poodle. Unfortunately, like any other breed, these little cutie pies wind up in shelters, from people not wanting a long-term commitment. If you keep your eyes out for a Shih Tzu or Poodle rescue, in your area, that is most likely where you will find a Shih-Poo awaiting adoption. They are not acknowledged as an official breed at the present time. That said, as a mix between Shih-Tzu and Toy Poodle parents, you can expect the Shih-Poo to be on the small side Most weigh in at eight to 18 pounds and range in height from eight to 18 inches. As Poodle and Shih Tzu size can vary between teacup, miniature and standard, the size of the Shih-Poo will also vary. Shih Tzus can be stubborn, but what they lack in trainability, they make up for in personality ten fold. They are incredibly friendly, attentive, and cute, while Poodles are intelligent, trainable, and active. Shih-Poo personalities can vary but typically will fall in the middle of parental traits. Most Shih-Poos are described as friendly and playful. While Shih-Poos enjoy a good siesta, they also enjoy walks and thrive on playtime. They may not be eager to learn new tricks but do enjoy interaction and attention. Shih-Poos may not be as barky as their Poodle parent, but may alert you to any displeasures, such as a missed meal, with a single bark until every few minutes until needs are met. Training and socialization should be established early on. Consistency and positive reinforcement are the ways to go with Shih-Poos. Shih-Poo Health While many designer crossbreeds have improved overall health, they can inherit health issues their parents are prone to. That said, Shih-Poos can typically live approximately 16 years on average in relatively great health. Watch for signs of heat stroke if your dog happens to have a shorter snout. As a small dog, they can be prone to dental problems. Maintain good dental care and have their teeth regularly checked and professionally cleaned. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Make sure Shih-Poos are kept on a dietary schedule. Do not allow free-feeding as they will overeat and rapidly gain weight. They will need regular potty breaks and one or two ten-to minute walks a day for optimal health. Dental issues can be problematic. Regular teeth cleanings are recommended, as well as systematic dental chews and teeth brushings. Your vet should be able to help you establish a routine. Shih-Poo ears should be kept clean and dry. After bathing, take extra steps to ensure this. If your pup gets a smelly, pungent odor, they may have an ear infection. Ear cleaning solution can help keep your pup from getting infections and unnecessary trips to the vet. Shih-Poo Feeding An ideal Shih-Poo diet should be formulated for a small-sized breed with medium energy. High quality food is recommended, as they do tend to have dental issues. They should not be allowed to free feed as they may gain weight. A feeding schedule is ideal with a minimum of treats. They can get the curly fur from their Poodle parent, the straight fur from their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two, which is most likely. The color will vary, as well. They can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Daily brushings, as well as monthly groomings, will help keep your pup looking and feeling their very best. You may also want to give them a few baths in between, but not more than weekly, as their skin and coat can get dry and irritated. Shih-Poos prefer to be mostly around adults or older kids who know how to play gently. That said, for children who learn early how to properly approach and play with a small dog, the Shih-Poo can make a great companion. When it comes to other pets, Shih-Poos can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. Shih-Poos can be left alone for short periods of time, but a second dog could be ideal for them, especially in their later years. However, you may want to try Shih Tzu or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Although purebred dogs are carefully bred over generations according to the breed standard the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed , hybrid dogs like the shih tzu—poodle mix have no official standard. This means that characteristics like height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament are less predictable than they are in purebred dogs. Different breeders may have different ideas of what constitutes the perfect shih tzu—poodle mix. Additionally, shih tzu—poodle mixes are not recognized by any of the reputable purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. Shih Tzu—Poodle Mix Care The low-shedding coats of both shih tzu and poodles require of upkeep, and the grooming requirements for shih tzu—poodle mixes are similar. Brush daily or every other day to keep the coat untangled and to prevent mats from forming. Like poodles and shih tzu, shih tzu—poodle mixes require regular haircuts from a professional groomer. Also trim the nails every two weeks and check the ears once a week, cleaning them with a pet safe ear cleaner if they appear dirty. Excessive dirt or redness in the ears means a veterinary visit is in order. Shih tzu—poodle mixes are smart, but how trainable they are depends whether they inherited more the eager-to-please personality of the Poodle or the more stubborn nature of the shih tzu. Regardless, positive-reinforcement methods like clicker training using tasty treat rewards gets great results from any dog. Despite being indoor dogs, shih tzu—poodle mixes still need some exercise. Aim for two walks a day or one walk and one play session in a safely enclosed space like your fenced yard. More energetic shih tzu—poodle mixes with trainable personalities might also like training for fun dog sports like agility, flyball, and obedience. Each breed has certain inherited health disorders in their family background, and those health issues can be passed on to the puppies in a litter. Breeding shih tzu to poodles means the puppies could potentially inherit any of the genetic diseases common to either breed. Shih tzu are prone to hip dysplasia , patellar luxation slipped kneecap , and various eye problems including cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, and eyelid abnormalities. Responsible breeders start with healthy, well-bred adult purebred shih tzu and poodles and test them for the genetic diseases common to their breed before breeding them together. Responsible breeders should also test their adult shih tzu—poodle hybrids before breeding them to decrease the odds that the puppies will inherit genetic issues. Responsible breeders also offer a health guarantee on their puppies that protects the puppy buyer in case the puppy develop a genetic disease later in life. Many shih tzu—poodles will overeat if you keep the bowl filled, so instead serve measured meals twice a day. Ask to your veterinarian for a recommendation for a healthy food for your shih tzu—poodle mix, as well as an ideal healthy weight for your adult shih tzu—poodle. Life Span Did You Know? The Shih-Poo has an adorable, alert expression and small, sturdy body. They can take after the Poodle parent, the Shih-Tzu parent, or be any combination of the characteristics of both parent breeds. Shih-Poos tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate. They love their families and are avidly devoted to them. They tend to be friendly to other dogs, strangers, other pets, and children. They tend to do better with older children who have been taught how to carefully handle a dog. Due to their small size, a Shih-Poo can be easily hurt by rough play or accidental falls. They can do well in families with younger children as long as any time with them is closely supervised. The Shih-Poo tends to be a courageous little dog. They make excellent watchdogs because they are very alert. However, they can become territorial and barking can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Early socialization and training can help curb these tendencies and help your Shih-Poo puppy grow into a well-behaved, confident dog. This designer dog breed is highly adaptable. They do well in apartments as well as in larger homes and tend to do well in most climates. They are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, so they do best in moderate climates. Due to their small size, they may need to layer up for short trips outside when winter rolls in. Because Shih-Poos crave affection and love their humans, they do not like being left alone for long periods of time. The Shih-Poo is a generally healthy designer dog breed. Although the genetic mix can sometimes result in winning the genetic lottery, a mixed dog breed can still be susceptible to health conditions common in one or both of the parent breeds in the cross. By talking with the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances, you can allay several of these potential health concerns. This designer dog breed is highly intelligent and can be easy to train. However, they can also have a stubborn streak that can cause some difficulty for first-time dog owners. This is often easily remedied with the help of some puppy training classes. They can also be difficult to housebreak, but it can be done with plenty of training, consistency, and patience. Crate training can also help. Shih-Poos respond best to positive, reward-based training. Whether with praise, treats, or play, you can reward your Shih-Poo for the behavior you like, which will encourage them to do more of it. Coat types and colors can vary greatly in your Shih-Poo. They can have the long, silky, and straight coat of the Shih Tzu, the short, curly, and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, or a combination of both. Most Shih-Poos end up with a curly or wavy, low or non-shedding coat. However, you should be prepared for your Shih-Poo to exhibit either coat type of the parent breeds. This coat looks its best with a combination of brushing a few times a week at home and then professional grooming every four to six weeks. This will help remove tangles and loose hair and prevent matting. Regular dental care is also important. Small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Drop down ears, or floppy ears, are more prone to ear infections because they can trap moisture, dirt, or debris. Daily walks and some indoor playtime will give this dog plenty of exercise. Beyond that, most of them can keep up with you on longer walks and can even compete in dog sports like rally, obedience, and agility. Be sure to check with your vet first and get your dog cleared before taking on any rigorous activities or training for dog sports. A Shih-Poo will generally stand 8 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. The size of the mother dog can give you a good idea of what to expect in your dog. This designer dog breed usually lives for 15 years or more. Some have even been known to live for 21 years! Featured Shih-Poo Article.