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Here are some things to consider: Size Do you want a big or a small golden? Sex Do you want a male or a female? Style Or a stocky, blocky-headed golden retriever? Color Do you want a dark gold or red golden , a cream-colored golden , or something more in the middle? Personality Do you want a calm golden or more of an energetic one? Nobody will be able to tell you what you want out of a dog but yourself. Consider your lifestyle, home, whether or not you have kids , what you like to do on the weekend, etc. If you want to get a good feel for what a puppy will be like, look at their parents. Temperament and health are hereditary and no puppy test or observation will be as accurate as what their parents are like. So that being said, pick a good breeder that is breeding dogs that resemble what you want. There are two important things here: Talk to the breeder and tell them what you want Observe the puppies and look for the puppy that resembles what you want Talk To The Breeder The breeder has spent the last eight weeks with the puppies and knows them best. By telling them what you want they can help you decide the right one for you. But assuming the decisions lays in your hands, this next section will help you out. Selecting A Puppy From The Litter When we went to pick our puppy from the litter we knew exactly what we wanted: a big, calm, sweet boy. He had probably worn himself out trying to impress them because two days later we were wondering what happened to that calm puppy as a fluffy little tornado was tearing around our apartment! Are they submissive? This might give you some insight into their personality. Take note of their energy levels. Consider how your puppy interacts with people. How are they with you, whoever is with you, and the breeder? Are they fearful? A friendly dog will be outgoing and interested in you. Toss your keys or a toy. Put the puppy on their back. Either cradle them in your arms on their back, or roll them on their back on the floor. A dominant pup may squirm a lot, but a well-adjusted pup should calm down shortly. They should be ok with being handled. Shoutout to Vet Street for a few of the tips above. In addition to choosing the right puppy, you also want to choose a healthy puppy. Now even if you have your checklist and run each pup through these tests, it may all go out the window if a puppy picks you. But as we tried to give each puppy a chance and interact with all of them, Oliver kept coming back to my wife and nuzzling his nose into her to tell her that he was the one. Conclusion When picking a puppy you first want to decide what you want. Then pick a breeder that breeds dogs that resemble what you want. When it comes to actually picking the puppy from the litter, talk to the breeder about it and try to see which puppies match up with what you want. However, know that puppies may be different than how they initially appear. And finally, you might not even need to worry about picking the right puppy because the right puppy just might pick you. Have any questions about picking a golden retriever puppy from the litter? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is about to pick up a puppy, please share this with them! Related articles:. However, picking the right puppy from a litter can be overwhelming and stressful. So, what is the easiest way to pick a golden retriever puppy from a litter? An excellent way to see how your potential puppy will turn out is to take a look at his parents. Most importantly, ask the breeder a lot of questions before adopting. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! A responsible breeder is your best bet for a healthy puppy. A dog breeder like this will cut corners and overbreed in order to get as many viable Golden retriever pups to sell to unsuspecting puppy buyers as possible. Even if the price for a golden retriever puppy appears to be less initially, the potential long-term health and behavioral problems involved with a puppy from a genetically unhealthy litter will quickly surpass the cost of a puppy from a good breeder. Some of the best ways to find a quality golden retriever puppy breeder is to get referrals from your local veterinarian, a good friend, or a local golden retriever club. You can also find an excellent golden retriever breeder by attending professional dog shows. When you look each puppy over, you want to look specifically at their eyes, coat, build, and skin. Look at their eyes. They should look focused and clear. You want to keep an eye out for any golden retriever puppies that rub their eyes or appear to struggle with their vision, such as squinting. Touch their coat. The coat of your new perfect puppy should be shiny and healthy. Examine their build. Take a look at the overall shape of each puppy. Check to see if they are favoring one foot more than another foot. These could be signs of a more serious health issue. Check their skin. You want to keep an eye out for any flaky skin or skin with bald patches. Look for redness or signs of irritation. There are also instances when a puppy with anxiety will chew or scratch at their skin until the fur falls off. Things to look for when choosing a puppy from a litter. Even the runts are going to be bigger than a lot of other breeds. Many people wonder if the runt of the litter is a good choice when choosing a golden retriever. The runts are typically the pups who are weaker and smaller than the others in their litter. The mother produces the nutrients the litter needs to survive. The runts will be at greater risk of having weaker immune systems and getting infections. Choosing a medium-sized puppy will reduce your chances of getting a runt, an overeater, or a bully overly dominant pup. When it comes to temperament and size, there are differences between females and males. The most significant difference is going to be their size. A male dog will get slightly longer and taller than females, but they will also weigh more. There are also small differences in their faces. They can also come across as more territorial, but this is a very slight difference as well. While the females will still love you unconditionally, the males will be twice as doting and loving. Watch the way each member of the litter interacts with the others. This will tell you how your puppy will react to the other dogs or animals in your home. Extremely shy puppies may not have been socialized well so far, and could grow up to become distrustful dogs that are full of anxieties. Speak with the breeder or the owner of the litter. Ask them tons of questions about how socialized the puppies have been with other dogs and pets so far in their young lives. Make Sure the Golden Retriever Puppy Is the Correct Age Golden retriever puppies should stay with their mothers for eight weeks before being adopted and taken home. As mentioned earlier, the mothers produce vital nutrients that a new puppy needs to survive. If the puppy is taken away too soon, it puts them at greater risk of infections and other complications. It can also increase their anxiety, aggression and make them over-protective of their toys and food. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! Before seeing the litter, research what a golden retriever puppy of eight weeks looks like. It will vary depending on the dog, but this will help you establish a clear idea of what the puppies will look like when you see the litter. The size and temperament of the parents are passed down to their offspring. What is the temperament of the parents? How does the puppy in question behave around dogs outside their litter? What kind of food are the puppies used to eating? Have the puppies all been dewormed? Are the puppies socialized with other animals besides dogs, such as cats or birds? Summary Adopting a puppy is a significant milestone for a family. How will we ever decide? Our Selection Process If you have ever chosen a puppy from a breeder, you were probably given a thirty-minute time slot, a pile of ten puppies and no behavior or temperament information. You likely chose your puppy based on color or gender, or both. You might have chosen the first puppy who came up to you, the puppy lying by himself over in the corner, or the puppy who kept crawling into your lap. Maybe you chose the runt because you felt sorry for her. Every single puppy has a purpose. Some dogs are meant to hunt or search, others are meant to perform valuable tasks, and still others are meant to offer comfort. Most dogs are meant for lifelong companionship. Service dogs and therapy dogs serve very different purposes. The testing and selection process for each is different, as is the training. A dog can never truly be a family pet AND a service dog. A therapy dog can never be an emotional support animal and a family pet, because an ESA is bonded to one person while a family pet divides his time with various family members or friends. Candidates for our therapy and service dog programs are chosen first We do not consider gender or color when temperament testing or placing dogs into our programs We can not control the number of puppies in a litter, nor the number of males and females in a litter. We usually take three male deposits and three female deposits prior to the birth of the litter. Once the litter is born and we know how many puppies we have, we accept additional deposits. We follow a puppy protocol from the day puppies are born, exposing them to different sounds and surfaces. We hold them in different positions and we move them around increasingly. We work with their pressure points and we use essential oils to relax and stimulate them. We construct these profiles based on observed behaviors during weeks such as barking, growling, shyness, food assertiveness, independence, maturity, patience, motivation. Temperament testing occurs during week 6. If the family with the third deposit on the list wants a pet, we will suggest the puppy ies that most closely match their family profile. If the puppy they wanted was selected by the family with the first deposit, they may then move to their second choice. A family who makes the LAST deposit in a litter may not get their first choice, however we do our very best to accommodate everyone. While families may have a color or gender preference, we suggest being open-minded and willing to consider the puppy with the temperament that best fits you and your needs. We do our best to get the right puppy for you, and we are unable to allow a family to wait until pick up day to select a puppy. Above everything, we must ask our families to trust us during this process. Our experience with goldens and goldendoodles, and the relationships we have with our families, have made us what we are today. If you do not feel comfortable with the selection process, please seek another breeder. By placing a deposit, you are agreeing with our testing and selection process. Your deposit is non-refundable, but it may be forwarded to a future litter. The selection process differs from those of other breeders and priority is given to our program. We make every effort to match puppies which best fit family profiles that are submitted in online puppy applications. We cannot determine the number of puppies or the number of males and females in a litter. When necessary, placement decisions will be made according to the order in which deposits are received. You love me when I am not lovable. You find me in the darkness. You keep my secrets and lick my tears. You teach me to live like someone left the gate open. But simply picking a Golden Retriever from the litter might not be quite as easy as it seems, remember, this pooch would be with you for the rest of its life, so you have to be sure that the Golden Retriever pup you are selecting is just right for you and your family. There are a lot of things to consider, and lots of questions to be answered: What color should I pick? What temperament would I want? Should I pick a male or female Golden Retriever? Lots of questions that require answers. Your experience with the beautiful Golden Retriever should be enjoyed. First off, is Golden Retriever the right dog for you? I assume that you probably did a lot of research on the Golden Retriever breed before picking a reputable breeder to patronize or work with. The Golden Retriever is quite energetic and clingy, and as such does require a lot of time and attention. It requires a lot of exercises to keep from being destructive and for an adult Golden Retriever, an average of hours would be required daily to properly exercise the breed. And for those allergic to dogs or dog coats, the Golden Retriever might not be the best breed for you. This is because the Golden Retriever is a moderate to heavy shedder during shedding season. You might want to consider a Labrador Retriever, checkout our comparison for more detail: Golden Retriever Vs. When trying to decide what sort of Golden Retriever is best for you, answers to these questions would be needed. Male or Female Golden Retriever? This sort of decision might be quite easy for some and incredibly difficult for others. This is because to some, any gender is good enough they have no preferences , while for the rest, specific reasons or purposes could cause them to favor a particular Golden Retriever gender over the other. Both the male and female Golden Retrievers are very lively and equally playful at this stage of their lives. The only slight difference, however, that might occur or might be noticeable between both breeds might be size, as the male Golden Retriever is only slightly bigger or larger than the female when looking at the same litter. As both Golden Retrievers approach their individual sexual maturity, you might begin to notice a lot more differences. A lot of generalization is done between both, the male and female genders of the Golden Retriever breed. Some might say that the male Golden Retriever is a lot more hyperactive and could be harder to train than the female Golden Retriever, or that the female Golden Retriever matures quite faster than the male Golden Retriever, but again, these are all generalizations and speculations. Another popular generalization or myth is that the female Golden Retriever is a lot more independent and affectionate than the male Golden Retriever, again, it could still just be a myth. What Size of the Golden Retriever should I pick? As we already stated earlier, the gender of the Golden Retriever has a huge impact on the size of the Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever males are bigger than Golden Retriever females when comparing two Golden Retrievers from the same litter. What style of the Golden Retriever should I go with? Deciding on what Golden Retriever style you would like is equally important. Are you looking for an athletic Golden Retriever or a slim Golden Retriever, or are you in search of a more stocky and blocky-headed Golden? What Color of Golden Retriever should I go with? Of course, the Golden Retriever has a variety of different coat colors that you could be interested in. Some of these colors are; red-gold or dark gold, or perhaps, maybe a cream-colored Golden Retriever. Either way, there are some interesting Golden Retriever colors to choose from. What sort of personality should I look for? This is yet another decision that can only be made by you. The personality of the Golden Retriever you choose is quite important, so you definitely need an answer to this question. Are you looking for an energetic Golden Retriever dog or a calmer and more gentle companion? You might be searching for a friendly and outgoing Golden Retriever or perhaps a shy or reserved Golden Retriever. The breeder should know them best, being that they have spent approximately 8 weeks with the puppies. The breeder should be able to tell in each litter which of the Golden Retriever puppies is more dominant, which is shy, which is, which barks a lot, which is calmer, and of course, which of the Golden Retriever pups is most energetic. So, by simply telling him what exactly you are looking for in a Golden Retriever, he should be able to make helpful suggestions and recommendations. This is quite common in breeders today, they usually do the picking for you based on the requests and information you give them, which I personally feel is better. These 6 tips would be quite beneficial in deciding which Golden Retriever puppy is best for you. Does it dominate the other Golden Retriever puppies or is it a more submissive puppy? Try to notice the energy levels of each Golden Retriever pup A great way to figure out the temperament of a Golden Retriever pup would be by checking out their energy levels. A Golden Retriever pup that spends half its time barking and the other half running around is a clear indication that it is anything but calm. Notice how your chosen pup reacts or interacts with people In addition to watching how your pup reacts with other littermates, you also have to watch how they react with people. When you interact with them, how do they react, also watch their interaction with the breeder and basically strangers? Do they react in a curious manner? Are they quite fearful? Or are they the outgoing and friendly type that seems to be quite interested in interacting with humans? Try tossing a toy or your keys at the pup This is a great way to identify how alert your Golden Retriever puppy really is. Once you toss your keys or a toy at the pup, try to notice how quickly your Golden Retriever reacts to it. Does your pup run after it? Or does it follow the toy or keys with its eyes? Try putting the Golden Retriever pup on its back As you pick and cradle the Golden Retriever pup, you could try placing it on its back while in your arms or placing it on its back while on the floor. For a dominant Golden Retriever pup, it should squirm or struggle a bit, while for a more submissive and calmer puppy, it should also struggle for a bit but shortly relax. Try Caressing your Golden Retriever puppy You could try caressing your chosen Golden Retriever pup by gently rubbing its ears, tails, paws, and mouth. A calm Golden Retriever puppy should be cool with it. Note: Be sure to check the health of your chosen pup before choosing. Also, your Golden Retriever might pick you. This is not new, as some dog owners have shared their various experiences. Some pups could run up to you all sweetly and cute looking for a cuddle, some could pee on you while others might even go as far as peeing on you, but all in all, when a puppy picks you, you would know. Final Thoughts Picking a Golden Retriever puppy that is just right for you and your family is not an easy task, but it is quite important as this dog would be with you for a huge part of its life. So do ensure you stay attentive when choosing. Ensure that your chosen pup is quite healthy, ensure they are well tested and strong. Following all the steps listed above should be enough to help you when selecting a Golden Retriever pup. In all you do, please ensure that you shower your new Golden Retriever with so much love and care. Drink a lot of water, eat well and of course, always stay devoted to dogs. While the puppy mills and commercial breeders almost always have puppies available and will let you take your pick, the people you really want to buy from are the hobby breeders who are breeding for themselves. Hobby breeders are always looking for great homes for dogs but they sometimes cannot let you know until the puppies are about 8 weeks old who is available. And the good breeders often have waiting lists. My comment to people who are puppy shopping is that if you can walk in and get a puppy, be alarmed. The AKC has a breeder list on its website but you should be advised that there are no criteria for quality used by AKC or most other websites. The Golden Retriever Club of America grca. So the standards may vary but there are standards. It's a good place to start. Go to some dog shows or obedience trials and watch people to see how they interact with their dogs. Plan to talk to multiple breeders to choose the one whose values are in line with yours. If the people you meet are not people you want to have a 12 plus year relationship, then keep looking. Because when you buy a dog from a reputable breeder you are entering into a relationship. This dog will live with you and your family for many many years. This is not a decision to take lightly. Indian Trail Golden Retrievers breedings produce a sweet and loving disposition in a puppy. We breed for conformation, as well as personality. We take special care in matching our stud dogs with our dams to produce beautiful, healthy, and long lived dogs. A Golden Retriever puppy should have bright eyes, a thick lush coat, a black wet nose, and clean ears. A puppy should have several puppy shots and be wormed by the time they are ready to go to their new homes. A Golden Retriever puppy should have both parents cleared by OFA for elbow, hip, eyes, and also have a heart clearance. These are weaknesses in Golden Retrievers created by over breeding and breeding too closely. Regardless of what you want your puppy to be- an obedience dog, a show dog, or a loving pet, you as a buyer need to make sure that the breeder follows strict breed guidelines. At Indian Trail Golden Retrievers, located in Connecticut, we take extra care to have all our breeding dogs screened and cleared for any possible health or hereditary problems, which will provide new puppy owners the best puppy available. Your puppy should reflect your family. Active families should choose an active and outgoing puppy that will thrive in a busy household. A puppy needs plenty of activity, and your puppy should be inquisitive, playful, and not shy. All new puppy families should plan to bring their puppy to puppy classes, it is as important for the owners as for the puppy. The investment in puppy school will reap endless benefits. Consistency in training, both for the owners and the pup, will make your pet expedience most fulfilling. Each puppy has an individual personality, and the fact that our puppies are home raised, helps us match pups with their prospective families. We have found that many pups choose their new families. Puppies just love children, and the bond will last for your dogs life. Remember that puppies are puppies, and they will pull on shirts, pants, hands, and your house will have to be puppy-proofed before you new puppy arrives. Puppies will be teething. They will need plenty of chew toys. Puppies will chew furniture, toys, shoes, whatever they are allowed to chew. Damage to your belongings is not the puppies fault, but the owners. Training and correct confinement, such as crating when they are not with you, will help to give a positive experience. Plan to spend time with your puppy. They will require a lot of exercise. The more positive activity you give your puppy, the less time and energy they will have to get into trouble. Our puppies love to retrieve. We take hikes, and just spend time outdoors playing tug of war. Consider how an Indian Trail Golden Retriever puppy will complete your family. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road. On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research. They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee , which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues. Since breeders are there from the day the puppies and their parents! And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust. No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address: Image Source Does the breeder give back to the breed? Breed preservation should be the primary goal of Golden Retriever breeders. They should participate in keeping the species alive through membership at a Golden Retriever breed dog club, a performance club, or an obedience club. What type of experience does the breeder have? Do they stay true to the pure genetic traits of the breed? Do they provide health screenings and health guarantees? Can you meet the puppies and parents in person? How many litters do the females have each year? Female Golden Retrievers can have up to two litters per year. However, breeders who follow ethical practices will only allow the females to have four to six litters in their lifetime. A female can breed between the ages of two and eight. Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home! One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder. When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase. Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age. Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood. With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy. Image Source 1 Why do you want a dog? This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions. Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog. Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home. No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak. Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders usually with generations of pure genetic proof! Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready. Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts. The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this. If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first. The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research.

Their coats are both fawn and brindle. Fawn is a yellowish-brown type of color, and the addition of dark stripes to it leads to what is commonly referred to as brindle. If you ever spot a boxer that seems to be black in color, you're probably looking at a sealed brindle specimen. When boxers' classic black stripes overwhelm any fawn elements of their coats, they're often called sealed brindle boxers. While brindle coats are often fawn with darker stripes, they do appear the other way around, too -- with deep brownish basic coats and conspicuously paler streaking. Note that white markings can appear in brindle and fawn boxers alike. Not all boxers have white coloration, however. White markings on boxers typically show up on their feet, faces, stomachs and chests. When boxers have particularly sizable white markings, it gives them a predominantly white look. Thick Stripes The stripes on brindle boxers' coats vary in thickness. Some of them have markedly slender stripes, while others have notably broad ones. A sealed brindle boxer with a black appearance often has an abundance of thick black stripes. When these stripes are so plentiful and thick, they essentially "seal" all of the fawn components out, hence the descriptive naming. When sealed brindle boxers look black, pinpointing any fawn coloration that might be there often becomes a pretty tough task. Black Masks Outside of boxers with primarily black coats, dogs of this jovial, spirited and dedicated breed across the board generally have some black facial coloration. This black coloration, somewhat unsurprisingly, is usually referred to as a "mask. Other Key Coat Details Boxers, regardless of specific coloration, have extremely short hair with a coarse texture. Their coats are also glossy. Significant brushing generally is unnecessary for dogs of the breed. It can, however, keep their coats looking shimmery and healthy. If you want to keep your boxer looking tidy as can be, brush his hair on a daily basis. Boxers tend to enjoy brushing sessions, according to Cari Meister, author of "Boxers. Boxers shed a lot in the spring and autumn months. There are so many breeds to choose from; how do you know which one is right for you and your family? Boxers are a medium-sized dog that were originally bred to be guard dogs. Nowadays though, they make ideal family pets as long as you can keep up with all that energy! Generally, boxers have three main colors; white, fawn or brindle. Brindle coloring is a combination of two colors that express themselves as a pattern in the fur. Usually one of the colors is beige or brown and the pattern can be long stripes along the back or shorter, more disturbed stripes. Brindle Boxers are one of the most popular coloring there are, however, the colors and patterns of brindle Boxers can vary dramatically. There is, however, a rarer reverse brindle coloring with a dark background and lighter markings. It is sometimes referred to as an inverted brindle boxer. Sealed Brindle Boxer Now this is the rarest coloring for a Boxer out of them all. They appear black because their black stripes are sealed shut so you can see hardly any fawn at all. Some people try to sell these Boxers as having a black coat but that is not true. It is impossible for Boxers to have a true black coat; those that appear black are actually brindle with very thick, close set black stripes. Flashy Brindle Boxer Boxers often have a white underbelly and white feet. Sometimes the markings go up the neck and onto the face too. This is known as flash. However, white Boxers are not. Brindle Boxers are not rare, they are one of the three standard coloring for the Boxer breed. Certain types of markings and coloring are more rare than others though, like the sealed brindle. Brindle Boxers are prone to certain health problems Like all purebred dogs, there are some health conditions that Boxers are more prone to. To help reduce the risk of your puppy developing these conditions you should always buy from an AKC compliant breeder. They have to adhere to much higher standards than most and will undergo the necessary tests of the parent dogs to help reduce the chances of medical issues in the future. AKC registered breeders will usually cost more than private breeders but they come with more peace of mind about the genetics and the treatment of the parent dogs. Also, there are some pet insurance companies that focus on providing the best insurance for a specific breed, meaning they can cater to the likely health problems of that breed of dog. Alternatively, you could look at the American Boxer Club website. They have a specific page all about breeder referrals. There are even some organizations that specifically re-home Boxers! Wherever you go looking, make sure you have a list of questions you want to ask the breeder about how the dogs have been cared for, tests they may have had etc. If you need a hand coming up with all the appropriate questions you should check out this resource. How do you know if a Boxer is the right dog breed for your lifestyle and situation? Well, there are some common characteristics that most Boxers share which can help you get an idea of what they might be like. Black and White Boxer puppies There are quite a number of myths about the color of the black and white boxer puppies. The genetic combination of a black boxer puppy will play a huge role in determining its overall color. White boxer puppies lack melanin, the hormone responsible for the black pigmentation that ideally black boxer puppies ought to have. Mostly, white boxer puppies are associated with some deformities like deafness and are more prone to sunburns due to the lack of melanin. Black Boxer puppies Many dog lovers search for the pure black boxer puppy. It can be a bit hard to judge from photos of dogs that breeders claim to be pure black boxer puppies. Black boxer puppies have a very dark coat naturally that is also very thick. In the case of getting pure black boxer puppies, you need to look very carefully because the color can deceive your eyes. Never judge the color of the boxer in the first look. There are some black boxer puppies who are black in color and some just have a dark brindle. Image Source 3. Health of the black boxer dog Just like any other dog breed, the black boxer dog breed is also prone to some health issues. Some of the leading health issues that affect this breed is that they are likely to suffer from cancer, heart conditions like boxer cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroidism, hip dysplasia and even epilepsy. The main cause of death being stillbirth and infection. Remember, the original black boxer puppy was a hybrid of the English bulldog and the Bullenbeisser , which is now an extinct breed. The sole cause of infections among the current black boxer dog is as a result of inbreeding with other dog breeds. About .The lifespan of the black boxer dogs was therefore estimated to be an average of 10 years. Before you make your purchase from any breeder, make sure that you screen the black boxer dog to find out if he is likely to have any of these health conditions. This will greatly determine the lifespan of the black boxer puppy. Diet and nutrition of the black boxer dog The black boxer dog is a very energetic breed. This essentially means that you have to be very keen on the quality of dog food that you feed your furry friend. High quality wet dog food is recommended for the black boxer dog. Their diet should generally contain high amounts of calories because of their energy expenditure. You should mostly feed your black boxer dog meals which contain lean animal protein like lean chicken or fish which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. You also need to be aware of the fact that black boxers may be vulnerable to dental issues hence have a high likelihood of developing bad breath. This is one of the reasons why you need to avoid dry dog food, especially cheap and low quality food. Always give your dog plenty of clean and fresh water to help maintain good oral hygiene and to keep him well hydrated. Weight and height of the black boxer dog The black boxer dog is generally a medium-sized dog. The male dog weighs approximately between kgs and the female counterpart too. The only difference between the male and female black boxer dogs is the height. The male can grow to a height of between cm and the female between cm. Image Source 7. The black boxer dog is quite a harmless one when it comes to family and has a very warm and social personality. However, this dog can be distrustful to strangers. The black boxer dog is the perfect family dog because of their patience and protective nature, especially around children. This dog breed is a very playful and energetic one hence a favorite of many children. Boxers can also be quite headstrong so you need to take them through thorough obedience training. Naturally, boxers are not an aggressive breed and they have natural guardian instincts too. Socialization The black boxer is a very friendly dog, which makes it easy for you to socialize your puppy. The dog gets along well with both humans and other animals. They generally love companionship and will immediately get along fine with strangers once their natural instinct assures them it is okay to do so. However, you need to know that black boxer dogs may not be very patient when it comes to larger adult dogs, especially those of the same sex. Boxers are generally patient with smaller dog breeds. In case you take your boxer out the dog park, one that is frequented by smaller dog breeds will be a good place to begin socialization. Recommended: Check the brain training for dogs program here 9. What is the price of a black boxer puppy? The price of the black boxer puppy is expected to be relatively higher than the price of other dog breeds. This is because of the fact that the black boxer is a rare breed and they are not very easy to get. Breeders who sell black boxer puppies sell them a bit expensive because this dog has a really beautiful black coat that is very thick and dark hence making him a very attractive breed. You need to be prepared to dig deep in your pockets to get one of these lavish black boxer puppies. Are black boxers rare? Getting a pure bred black boxer dog can prove to be quite difficult due to the extinction of one of the parent species, the Bullenbeiser. However, you can get black and white boxer puppies as well as crossbreeds of the black boxer dog. Real black boxers do not exist anymore. The gene that is responsible for the rich dark color is extinct and not available in the existing breeds. Never be misguided by some greedy breeders who claim to have the pure black boxer dog breed. Conclusion In conclusion, the black boxer dog was one of a kind. The current breeds are a crossbreed between the black boxer dog and another breed. This existing breed may have a fur coat that is a mixture of black and white, hence a black and white boxer dog or brown. The boxer is a great family dog and has a warm temperament too. The breed is also a friendly one hence very easy to socialize with both humans and other canines. Always give your boxer plenty of physical exercise because this dog is very energetic and needs the exercise to develop healthy and strong bones. Good nutrition is also very important to lower the risk of your boxer suffering from illnesses that can be avoided. Featured Image Credit: Source. There is a lot of talk about black Boxers dogs; some potential puppy buyers will actively seek out this colored puppy, but their searching is in vain. It may be hard to believe it when you see photos, but black boxers do not exist — the color gene responsible for black coat color does not exist within the breed. Brindle is a pattern of color, it is a striping effect. With most brindle Boxers, the dark stripes are clearly over a fawn background. However, with Boxer dogs that appear to have a black coat, this is due to super heavy reserve brindling. In fact, it can be so dark and so thick, that you cannot see any fawn beneath it. This gives the dog a very dark coat that does indeed appear to be black. Here, we'll go into the facts a bit more to talk about why black cannot exist with the breed and some myths are swirl about regarding this perceived coat color. Why Colors are Misinterpreted It is very easy to see a dog and immediately assume that he is a certain color, based on what your eyes are telling you. However, with some breeds, the Boxer included, you must take a second look. It is sometimes only when you realize how brindle can cause an effect of sorts, that makes a first impression of black, that it starts to make sense. In addition, some Boxers are given the term of black; however, in many cases, this is a shortened term that comes from longer 'black brindle'. The base color of all purebred Boxers is fawn. Brindles are actually fawn with a brindle marking. Those markings are made of a pattern for fur consisting of black striping which covers the fawn… Sometimes just a bit lightly brindled and sometimes a lot a heavily brindled dog. A black Boxer with white flash? Your eyes are playing tricks on you. This pup is super dark reverse brindle with white markings. Cassandra, 5 months old Photo couresty of Christopher Many wonder if perhaps there were black Boxers that were mostly bred out of the lines and that perhaps now and again a dog with a black coat shows up somewhere. However, if we look to the record keeping of the past century, we can see that this is not the case. In this year time period, a black Boxer appeared once, however there is a catch to this. In the Germany, in the late 's a Boxer was paired with a mixed dog that was part Bulldog and part Schnauzer. The resulting litter had puppies that had black coats. Since another breed was introduced into the bloodline, they were not purebreds. These dogs were not used for any further breeding and therefore did not have any influence on genetics going forward. Once in a while there will be a breeder that claims to have black Boxers and will point to this one incident long ago as evidence that black does indeed run in the bloodline. However, since those mixed dogs with black coats were never used for any sort of develop program this simply does not hold true. Another element that shows that this coloring does not exist in the Boxer line is the rule that the Munich Boxer Club created in .This group had stringent control over breeding and development of Boxers in Germany and set the guidelines for the standard, conformation and all elements regarding appearance including coloring. This group did not wish for any experimenting to be done that would introduce the color black and for this reason they made a clear rule that black Boxers would not be accepted. Some make the argument that programs may have ignored this ruling and still attempted to breed black Boxers. However it would have not been in their best interest to do so and additionally, any resulting dogs would have not been part of the Munich Boxer Club since they couldn't have been registered there. This means that any such hypothetical dogs could not have genetically been included in the Boxer's bloodline since they would have been barred from any programs that were developing and perfecting the breed. So, now that we know: This color does not exist in the line The only record of any black Boxer in the last century was a mixed dog and not a purebred Guidelines and strict rules of of the club in Munich that was the foundation of today's Boxers clearly excluded black Boxers.And it is also fair to say: The chance of there being some odd, rare gene mutation that brings black into the coat is extraordinarily rare; mathematically the odds are so low that this can be ruled out Black Boxer puppies cannot be born due to a hidden gene; this is because black is dominant over all other colors. It cannot be recessive, it always comes out over others Why are some people still adamant that this coloring exists? Diesel, at 2 years old Photo courtesy of Brittany Calvert This leads us to the conclusion of only two possibilities in this regard: A 'true' black Boxer simply cannot be a purebred. It is assumed that in this case, it would be done to sell the pups at a higher cost. Some elements to ponder.Their registration papers do not have that color code as an option. Therefore, even if someone verbally dubs a Boxer to have a black coat, the dog - if registered with a recognized club - would officially be another color; and that would most likely be brindle. Since the pup would be handed over to new owners with papers stating he was not black, how can they simultaneously claim to have black Boxer dogs? And this of course, is very unethical. In Summary Every being whether it is a mammal, like a dog, human, etc. These genes determine everything about the being, from skin color to the number legs to where the eyes are.Genes control coat color in dogs, too. In order for a dog to be black, that breed of dog must contain the gene for having a black coat. Boxer dogs do not have that gene. So, there cannot be any black Boxer dogs. It is genetically impossible. A Boxer that is black, or true black with brown points, for example, MUST be a mixed breed or a heavily brindled dog.

For the complete list please see our List of Boxer Breeders page. Purchasing a boxer puppy in North Carolina directly from a breeder can be expensive; however, it is also the best way to ensure that you are getting an animal that has been raised with proper care. Some breeders do not have the right facilities needed to raise healthy dogs and oftentimes these animals may be sickly or lack proper socialization skills due to improper care during development. What Are The Extra Costs? There are very few extra costs associated with owning a Boxer in North Carolina outside of routine vet visits, food, and other supplies that your new pet will need in order to live comfortably. A responsible breeder will typically keep all of their breeding dogs inside of their home and raise them with love and attention. They should also be able to tell you about their history; including any titles that either parent might have earned. A good breeder will give you health guarantees for your new pet as well as plenty of information on how to properly take care of your Boxer throughout its life. Responsible Boxer Breeders will typically not sell puppies to people who plan on leaving them outdoors or alone for long periods of time without supervision because it is important for them to receive plenty of attention while they are young in order for them to grow up healthy and happy. This will give you a chance to learn as much as possible about any sire and dam as well as the environment that they were raised in. Visiting your breeder will also give you a chance to see their home and how they keep their dogs. This will give you a better idea of what type of environment your puppy is coming from and if the breeder is someone that has invested time into raising healthy puppies. You should be able to tell if someone is being honest with you or not from how they answer your questions and whether or not they seem knowledgeable about the breed itself. A good breeder should be willing and able to help you decide what puppy would best suit your lifestyle and family needs, which can only be done if they know everything about you. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in North Carolina It is a good idea to always ask for references from your breeder or anyone who has purchased a puppy from them in the past. If they have any, you should be able to get in contact with at least one person who can tell you about how their experience was with the breeder and whether or not they were satisfied with the way that everything was handled. If you cannot find any references, then this is something that should raise a red flag and may cause you to reevaluate why there are no people willing and able to speak on their behalf. Not having references does not necessarily mean that someone is a bad breeder; however, it does mean that you should take the time to dig a little deeper. A responsible breeder will usually have plenty of satisfied buyers that are willing to share their information about the transaction with future potential owners because it helps ensure that the people they are selling their puppies to will be good homes. Meeting past customers will also give you an idea of how the breeder interacts with their buyers and if they are willing to allow them to ask questions before, during, and after the sale. A good breeder will not only have a veterinarian that they trust and depend on to take care of their dogs, but they will also be willing and able to share the information about them with you. It is extremely important to find out how often your breeder takes their dogs to see a vet because this can also give you an idea as to just how much attention they pay towards making sure that they stay healthy and happy. If someone cannot afford proper veterinary care then breeding these animals should be A Reputable North Carolina Boxer Breeder Will Ask About Your Living Situation Most breeders want to make sure that their puppies are going into a loving home where each one can thrive and receive all of the attention it deserves. You may find yourself at the receiving end of a lot of questions from your breeder which is perfectly normal. You can usually find this information on their website or by calling your local department of agriculture. Look out for red flags when dealing with an unethical breeder in North Carolina; these may include: Claiming that their lineage is rare or includes show-quality dogs without any proof. Lack of Health Certificates Provided. Constantly being asked to pay a higher price after you have already committed. This may also happen if your breeder tries to do business over the phone and refuses to provide any documentation at first. Refusing to provide their contact information, address, or name. Take the time necessary when looking at boxers in NC that will make sure that their lineage is healthy and well taken care of. If your breeder cannot provide you with any information pertaining to potential health problems then this is not someone you should do business with. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy There are a number of things you will want to consider preparing for before your boxer is set to arrive. First, make sure you stock up on all of the necessary supplies like food and water bowls, toys, treats, bedding, etc. Remember; puppies tend to chew on everything so make sure you keep important documents like remote controls and cell phones out of reach or else they might end up getting destroyed. Puppies also love leather; if given the opportunity they will start chewing away at your furniture corners which will make for a mess to clean up. Potty Training Your New Boxer Puppy Training your boxer to go potty outside will get easier with time; this is one of the most important things you can do when raising your new pup. Remember, patience is key when training any dog; it can be frustrating at times, but you should never hit or otherwise punish your puppy for having an accident. This will only make them more afraid of you and afraid to go near their potty areas in the future. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. We are accepting deposits on this and future litters due to the high demand for puppies from our gorgeous and health boxers. Please contact me with any questions or to reserve your puppy! We are breeders of Champion bloodline boxers with European lineage. We are a small breeding facility and all our puppies are raised inside our home. We offer a health guarantee, vet exam, puppy kit and gift bag with essentials. Our puppies tails are docked and dewclaws removed by a licensed veterinarian. We start house training at 5 weeks of age and socializing from birth. Our pups are socialized with children, cats, other dogs and tons of people. We welcome visitors to our facility and enjoy introducing them to our dogs and puppies. Our puppies are always up to date on shots and get frequent worming to keep them happy and healthy. We offer delivery to select areas for a fee. We would actually drive the puppy to you for the same fee in areas that driving is a feasible option. Our puppies come with full unlimited AKC registration so if you decided to breed or show your puppy you would have that option. Most breeders do not give unlimited registration with their puppies. They come from well socialized parents with excellent temperaments. Our puppies stay in our puppy house from birth with their Mom until they are placed in their new homes not in an outside kennel and are cared for by our Veterinarian medically. We have references available via phone from former customers for your convenience. Please feel free to ask any other questions or ask for more photos of our puppies. Thank you for your interest. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Britlyn Boxers.

So, you are already quite familiar with all the great characteristics of the German Shepherd and you are certain that you want to become an owner of this breed. We agree, and encourage you to make this decision! Also, you are now more informed about some of the best German Shepherd breeders in Alabama. What you must want to know next, is what price you can expect to pay for a German Shepherd. The price of this dog depends on many factors, but in general, it can be said that the German Shepherd is not a cheap dog, neither to buy nor to maintain. This is probably a scam! Responsible breeders invest a lot of effort, time, and money into raising top dogs. So, if the price of a dog seems high to you, you should understand that quality simply must come with a price. Also, a reliable breeder will immediately show you all the information about the health examinations and vaccinations of a dog. A breeder who offers you a German Shepherd for a low price will most likely not do the same and, if he suggests that you buy his puppy at a low price as soon as possible, you can be sure that you are dealing with an irresponsible breeder whose goal is to make money as easily as possible. Champion bloodlines: If you choose a reputable breeder, you will be sure to get a GSD with a purebred bloodline. For this reason, younger German Shepherds are significantly more expensive than adult dogs. Final Thoughts Finding a dedicated breeder is actually your first step to a happy coexistence with your future puppy. You will have already decided that the widely popular dog, the German Shepherd, is the type of dog you want for yourself and your family, and now, you will just have to set out in search of the perfect breeder. All you might know is that you want a purebred and healthy dog. This is of course a good start, but we want to warn you to concentrate as much as possible on choosing the right breeder. So, how do you do this? Contact the kennel first and make an appointment. This way, you will get to know both the breeder and the dog and be able to draw conclusions about the treatment of the dogs in this kennel. He will also offer you the option of contacting some of his previous clients and his vet, to confirm the veracity of his words. We hope that with these tips, along with our list of the 7 trusted German Shepherd breeders in Alabama, you will soon be able to welcome the perfect GSD dog into your home! Related Content. A Welcome to our website. The intelligent German Shepherd breed won our hearts with their warm, caring, and loyal temperament! Our Shepherd puppies are very friendly, good with children, incredibly social, eager to learn, and easily trained. They love to sit at your feet, go on a hike, and join in family adventures. They are loyal companion-oriented dogs tending to focus more on people than surroundings. When you buy one of our Triple S Shepherds to integrate into your family, proper care and exercise will produce a companion dog able to follow your mood and join in as part of the family. For our friends in Law enforcement and those needing protection or a GSD to participate in Schutzhund our German Shepherd dogs from our imported lines of West, East and Czech bloodlines are the answer. Our imported line shepherds will make the ideal police K9 unit for your police department. Our goal is to raise superior puppies for you. We choose our breeding stock by the individual dog's health, temperament, and also characteristics proven in work and play. We delight in raising healthy Shepherd puppies with sweet and loyal temperaments suited for the whole family. Please feel free to check out our purchase info and phone us with any questions you might have. We appreciate your interest. Thank you for the visit. We are a small breeding program for quality working line German Shepherds. Our breeding stock is hand-selected and tested for the highest standards of the breed. We health test hips, elbows and spines on every breeder German Shepherd dog at this facility. The work is tested for grips, strong nerves, and extreme drives on every breeder with emphasis on our breeding females as well as our stud dogs. Stud dogs are selected by proven results and not podium scores. Our philosophy on breeding dogs is not based solely on podium dogs but on proven producers. The genetics that the dog female or male has thrown is our criteria for a dog being breed-worthy. We cater to working homes and our program brings multiple experience in our selections. We have produced WUSV dogs from our small program as well. Our puppies are socialized and evaluated from weaning until placed. We import green dogs as well as titled dogs at the fairest prices from Europe. Our customers have been pleased with the quality with feedback from many Schutzhund clubs. We strive to restore the German Shepherd Dog with impeccable nerve base, good orthopedics and extreme drives. The careful selection process that our team adheres to has produced many prospective top sport puppies. We offer in-house training, outside stud service to selective females with our approval. We have the greatest passion and goals in putting out the highest quality German Shepherd Dogs at Alabama Canine. We hope you consider us when looking for a quality import or a puppy. We try and sort the puppies for the expectations of what our clients want in a working puppy. Our puppies are fully guaranteed for any genetic faults with contract. We welcome visitors to the facility year-round. Call to find out more: .German Shepherd Breeders in The Other States German Shepherds have long captured the hearts of many families for their ability to excel in many roles ranging from the family pet to working police dog. Once you decide to let a German Shepherd into your home and heart, the next step is finding a reputable breeder. Please check out our great resource on what to look for in a reputable breeder. Our guide of breeders is the key to finding the best German Shepherd puppies in Alabama. Each breeder will have a general description and information on any health guarantees they offer as well as what their adoptive families think of their dog and their experience. We have taken great care in putting this guide together, but you should always do your own research and talk with the breeder you are considering to be sure they are a good fit for you and offer the type of German Shepherd you are looking for. It is on this ranch where Lisa raises her German Shepherds alongside her cattle and horses to be superior working dogs. Ingram German Shepherd specializes in imported bloodline working dogs that closely follow the original version that began in Germany in the year .This is your go-to breeder if you are interested in a dog for protection because Lisa offers fully trained protection dogs as a part of her business. This breeder is proud to have a stud dog that is the winner of the Slovak National Championship of German Shepherds title. His name is Hugo, and he has the highest title a dog can have in tracking, obedience, and protection at the Shutzhund IGP3 level. Puppies from this breeder can be limited or full AKC registered, which is good for those who want to have breeding rights for their dog. Puppies receive age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming treatments while waiting to go to home with their new families as well as any other health care they may need. Ingram German Shepherds is held in high regard by its adoptive families. Lisa is praised again and again for her dedication to her dogs and the amazing customer service she gives her buyers. Dogs from this breeder receive the highest praise for their fantastic temperaments, intelligence, and natural protective instincts.

One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. It is also important to understand there are different types of golden retrievers which may affect pricing. For example, if you decide to choose the lowest golden retriever cost option, those puppies almost never have the necessary 3rd-party assurances or veterinarian procedures like dewormings, vaccinations, health-tested parents, or a thorough health checkup. These missing costs and services will be your responsibility, making the total cost ultimately the same. Not to mention the added stress on you these extra expenses and issues create! Adopting vs. Please note that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional costs for your Golden certain shots and procedures. Depending on if the golden retriever is a boy or a girl may affect the price as well. Some male vs female golden retriever differences may make you prefer one over the other. This will ultimately save you time and money on your golden retriever price because breeders often pay lower veterinary rates than individuals do. Distemper, for example, is a highly contagious disease that attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems of dogs. Unfortunately, there is no cure — just a lot of expenses and stress which really adds to the overall cost of your Golden Retriever puppy. It is wise to ask your vet for guidance on this decision. Talk with your vet about the procedure, when you should get it done, and how much it might cost. Dental Care for Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers, like many dogs, can be prone to dental issues such as plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. These cleanings typically involve scaling, polishing, and potentially extractions if necessary. Some insurance providers offer optional dental coverage as an add-on or as part of more comprehensive plans. If dental coverage is included in the policy, it typically covers a portion of the costs associated with dental cleanings, extractions, and other necessary dental treatments. This typically includes services such as bathing, brushing, trimming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and sometimes additional services like de-shedding or dematting. Some groomers may offer package deals or discounts for regular appointments or bundled services. This monthly expense may seem like an additional cost, but it can be a worthwhile investment when considering the potential savings on veterinary bills for treatments, surgeries, and medications. By having pet insurance in place, you can ensure that your Golden Retriever receives the necessary care without straining your finances in the event of unexpected health issues. Puppy Training and Socialization Classes Attending puppy training and socialization classes is highly recommended for the comprehensive development of your Golden puppy. These classes provide structured learning environments, social interaction, and essential obedience training. By enrolling your Golden Retriever puppy in these classes, you ensure they receive the necessary foundation for good behavior, social skills, and overall well-being. The cost for food will depend on the size, age, and activity level of your companion. Fortunately, the cheaper brands of dog food can be just as good as the more premium brands as long as they meet the standards of AAFCO and are made with minimal processing. When making your decision, make sure to avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives where you can, since they could cause health problems for your dog. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM on Apr. Golden Retrievers are medium-sized sporting dogs that weigh 55—75 pounds, with females weighing on the lower end of this range. Their height can range from 21—24 inches tall. They have a broad head, short ears, deep chest, and muscular build. Caring for a Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are known for their thick, water-repellent, lustrous golden coats. But their golden fur can range in color, so you can find white Golden Retrievers to red Golden Retrievers. No matter the color, Golden Retrievers have a double coat. This means that they have a thick undercoat of short hair covered by a layer of longer hair. Due to this double coat, Golden Retrievers shed a lot. They also tend to develop matted hair behind their ears and on their hind limbs. So, Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming—either at home or by a professional groomer—to keep their coats healthy. Goldens have a moderate amount of energy, even in their senior years. They enjoy a wide variety of activities such as running, going on long walks , retrieving, and swimming. They make excellent therapy dogs and guide dogs for people with impaired vision. However, due to poor breeding, some Golden Retrievers may develop a handful of health issues. Make sure to do your research when looking to adopt a Golden Retriever, or find a reputable Golden Retriever breeder so that medical issues are less likely. Hot spots develop more often in warm, humid environments and after swimming because moisture gets trapped near the skin. This moist skin causes discomfort that leads to scratching, chewing, and licking. These behaviors then cause the normal microbes on the skin to multiply, and the skin becomes inflamed and infected. A hot spot usually develops quickly and can lead to hair loss, redness, and moist skin that may ooze, crust, or develop thick scabs. If you notice any signs of hot spots in your Golden, take them to a veterinarian. Hot spots typically resolve quickly with medication. Atopic Dermatitis Atopy Atopic dermatitis atopy is an inflammatory and extremely itchy skin condition that Golden Retrievers are predisposed to. It can be triggered by environmental allergens such as insects, fleas, pollen, dust mites, or mold or by a food allergy , often to the protein in the diet. Goldens are believed to have a genetic predisposition. Golden Retrievers with atopy are constantly scratching, chewing, or licking themselves. This self-trauma leads to hair loss, thickened skin that can be red or black in color, or a rash consisting of macules discolored skin or papules raised skin lesions. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that happens when the thyroid gland loses its ability to produce thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms such as: Unexplained weight gain Recurring skin and ear infections Thinning of the fur Dry, scaly skin Golden Retrievers are predisposed to hypothyroidism and typically develop symptoms when they are middle-aged. Although this endocrine disorder is common, it can be well-managed with lifelong medication. This can cause pain and, over time, arthritis. Hip dysplasia can develop in one or both hip joints. Some Golden Retrievers are born with congenital hip dysplasia—which is rare—while others can develop this condition during their senior years. Hip dysplasia can be managed with joint supplements and certain medications, but in serious cases, surgical intervention may be required. Elbow dysplasia encompasses several different inherited orthopedic conditions that ultimately lead to degenerative joint disease DJD within the elbow. Eye Conditions Golden Retrievers are prone to a few different eye conditions, including: Pigmentary uveitis: An inherited eye condition where brown or black cysts develop on the eye. They are usually benign and develop when a Golden is at least 5 years old. Treatment usually includes eye or oral medications. Over time, pigmentary uveitis can cause cataracts and glaucoma , which require emergency treatment. There is no cure for PRA, but blind Golden Retrievers can still live long, happy lives with proper care. Cancers Goldens can develop a few types of cancer as well. Lymph nodes that commonly enlarge with lymphoma are on the neck, behind the knee, and inside the thigh. There is a relatively high prevalence of this condition within the Golden Retriever breed. Hemangiosarcoma HSA : An aggressive form of cancer that most often originates in the spleen, liver, or heart in Golden Retrievers. This type of cancer forms a blood-filled tumor that can rupture at any time and cause a dog to bleed internally. A ruptured tumor can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. It develops during the first year of life, so responsible breeding is key to ensuring prevention of this condition. SAS occurs when fibrous tissue slowly forms in the heart and causes an obstruction of blood flow. Over time, this condition causes the heart to stop functioning properly, resulting in heart damage. Golden Retrievers with SAS often have a heart murmur that can be heard during a routine physical exam, but dogs with mild to moderate SAS may not show any symptoms. However, those with severe SAS are lethargic, tired after short periods of exercise, may collapse, and can die suddenly. What to Feed a Golden Retriever Golden Retriever puppies should be fed a large-breed, high-quality puppy formula until they are 1 year to 18 months old. Once they reach maturity, they will need to be transitioned to a large-breed, high-quality adult. How to Feed a Golden Retriever Full-grown Golden Retrievers do well with twice-daily feedings, in the morning and evening. Golden Retriever puppies need to eat more frequently—about three or four times each day on a consistent schedule. Golden Retrievers love to eat, so a slow feeder bowl can be a great way to help them slow down their eating and prevent digestion issues. If your dog eats too quickly, it can cause vomiting and possibly bloat —an emergency situation where the stomach twists on itself. Follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag of the large-breed puppy formula, based on their age and expected body weight. Once a Golden Retriever is 1 year old, transition them to a large-breed adult formula that has fewer calories to prevent unwanted weight gain. Your veterinarian is your best resource for determining how much to feed your Golden Retriever to maintain a healthy weight. Nutritional Tips for a Golden Retriever Starting a Golden Retriever on a joint supplement early in life can help slow down or possibly prevent arthritis. Talk to your vet before giving your pup any supplements like Movoflex , Synovi Chews , Dasuquin , Cosequin, or Flexadin. Another supplement to consider for a Golden Retriever is omega-3 fatty acid fish oil. This helps to reduce inflammation in the joints, makes the coat more lustrous, and protects the skin barrier from allergens in the environment. Behavior and Training Tips for Golden Retrievers Golden Retriever Personality and Temperament Golden Retrievers generally have a great temperament—they are often friendly with children, other pets, and even strangers. They enjoy being the center of attention and being petted. In fact, Goldens will often nudge you gently so that you continue to pet them. They may try to eat socks, shoes, furniture, or get into the trash. To keep your Golden Retriever safe and prevent digestive issues or gastrointestinal obstructions , keep a watchful eye on them when they are puppies. Cute Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy and require lots of exercise to be happy and healthy. They are considered a quiet breed, as they bark infrequently and are not known for digging up yards. Golden Retriever Training It is usually easy to train Golden Retrievers due to their kind temperament and their eagerness to please. They are very food-motivated, so using small treats as rewards is highly effective. Socialization is also a very important part of training Golden Retrievers as puppies. Fun Activities for Golden Retrievers Agility.

Image used with permission by copyright holder Are French Bulldogs easy to train? According to the AKC, French Bulldogs fondly known as Frenchies can be stubborn, but they are people-pleasers at heart, which makes them easy to train. Positive reinforcement is the way to go when it comes to working with this breed. By making a game out of training and rewarding with treats and praise, your Frenchie will be excited to learn. Recommended Videos Sharon Dykes , a board member of the French Bulldog Club of America, describes Frenchies as active, intelligent, alert, and playful dogs. Puppies will be ready to learn as soon as they arrive in your home, Dykes says. Puppies have short attention spans so training sessions should be short. Sessions can be broken into five minutes at a time and spread throughout the day. In addition to training at home, early socialization and puppy training classes will help your Frenchie grow into a well-adjusted adult. If all puppies in the class have had their initial vaccinations and are healthy and parasite-free, the health risks to your dog are low and the potential benefits are enormous, according to Horwitz. How do you discipline a French Bulldog? You should never discipline your dog with punishment. Not only is it cruel, but it will destroy the bond between you and your new puppy. Instead, stick with positive motivation training. This means redirecting your dog away from bad behavior and rewarding her for desired behavior. Ask once and wait for the dog to follow through before rewarding and praising. Everyone in the household should use the same cues and training techniques to avoid confusing your dog. How long does it take to train a French Bulldog puppy? As your puppy progresses in her basic obedience training, you may reach a bump in the road between 6 and 8 months of age. Her hormones will start to kick in at this point and she may try to establish her place within the pack. This is a good time to enroll your dog in more advanced training classes, according to Dykes. By the time your puppy is 1 year old, she should be well on her way to becoming a good canine citizen. Keeping training sessions fun and adding new skills will provide your Frenchie with the mental stimulation she needs to stay happy and healthy. Image used with permission by copyright holder How do you train a stubborn French Bulldog? In an article entitled Living with The French Bulldog, Dykes says that, while Frenchies have big hearts and are generous with their affection, they need an investment of time, love, and commitment on the part of their owners. Consistency is the key to success when working with Frenchies. Pet parents need to create a training schedule and then stick to it. Using high-quality treats that are reserved only for training is a great way to get your stubborn dog excited about learning. On a final note, remember that training is part of being a responsible pet parent. To love your dog is to learn with your dog say experts at the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Positive reward-based training will bring out the best in your French Bulldog while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Editors' Recommendations. Consider this your guide to understanding and correcting French Bulldog behavior problems. Do French Bulldogs have behavior problems? French Bulldogs can make wonderful companions. Health problems. French Bulldogs can be vulnerable to many health conditions, including cataracts, hip dysplasia, and gastroenteritis. Some bad behaviors might be symptoms or side effects of whatever is ailing them. Dogs can be remarkably similar to toddlers. Is yours getting enough physical and mental stimulation to keep them from getting into trouble? Bad habits. Your pup might just need some discipline. They might do it just because they know that they can get away with it! Different problems will have different solutions. What are the most common French Bulldog behavior problems? Destructive Biting and Chewing Most dogs will gleefully tear into a toilet paper roll at least once in their life. It could also have a physical cause like pain from teething or an undiagnosed injury. Bad Leash Discipline As active, playful dogs, most Frenchies love a good walk. This can become a problem when they pull on the leash or lunge at bunnies and interesting-looking joggers. If your dog is older, however, or if they start making messes around the house for no apparent reason, the problem could be physical, mental, or emotional. Excessive Barking Howls are cute from tiny little pups. How do you stop French Bulldog behavior problems? Every dog is different, and the training techniques of one pet owner might not work for another. Identify the cause Are they bored? Are they stressed? Make a plan of action Maybe you can buy more chew toys for a teething puppy. Stick to your guns Training your French Bulldog will require time and patience. You just have to be consistent. You may like to try out an online training course, like Pupford Academy. Wrapping up Are you ready to fix the behavioral problems of your French Bulldog? You just have to draw it out! Be Consistent This is arguably the most important aspect when it comes to properly disciplining your French Bulldog: be consistent! Frenchies are not necessarily known for their intelligence, and creating a simple and consistent discipline regiment will ensure they understand what you are asking of them. A perfect example of a mistake many Frenchie owners make is allowing them to nip while they play as puppies while then trying to train them not to bite or nip! Use Firm Language and Body Language Your dog is looking for a leader, and you can help them understand your alpha status with your voice and body language. Remember, discipline is not punishment, so a firm voice does not mean yelling or shouting, but instead a low and firm tone will do the trick. They can sense your change in attitude and tone of voice more than you know! Making your voice louder does not make your commandment clearer, in fact, it may scare your dog and make them feel threatened and they are less likely to hear the instruction. Be Present at the Time of Bad Behavior To help your Frenchie understand what they have done wrong, you really have to catch them in the act. They have a fairly short attention span, so if you return home after work and they have gone through the trash, disciplining them will essentially fall to deaf, albeit cute, ears as they have most likely already forgotten that they did this naughty deed. One of the most popular positive reinforcements is giving your dog a small treat when they do something right. For example, if you are potty training, and you take your Frenchie outside to urinate, if they choose the right spot, reward them with a treat! If you are trying to keep your Frenchie off the bed, give them a treat if they go straight to lying on the floor at bedtime. You can also use a kind voice, extravagant petting, and even smiling at your pup when they behave well to show them you are proud of their actions! Take Breaks While Disciplining Excessive disciplining is not known to work well with any dog. They will learn that if they want to keep playing with you, they will have to tone it down. Use Distraction Methods Often your dog will be so excited with their current actions that the basic means of discipline will not do the trick. In this case, you can use the distraction method. Grab a ball or something else that is appropriate to chase and divert their attention away from the soon-to-be prey! Final Thoughts French Bulldogs are a wonderful breed! They are well known in the canine community for their cute features, amiable disposition, and their willingness to learn and obey! Hopefully, you now know that there are several proven tactics you can use to successfully discipline a French Bulldog and can start being the alpha they need! However, in order to have a well-behaved Frenchie, you need to play your part as the disciplinarian so they understand what you want from them! Remember, stay in control of the situation, do not punish, but instead be informative and clear about your expectations and your French Bulldog will get the message loud and clear! Pin1 1 Shares Dogs learn from their owners, and none more so than Frenchies. Our dog Claude is a great example and he really does mirror me in so many ways. With good training and discipline, you can sculpt the personality of your French Bulldog. But the key here is to not confuse discipline with physical punishment or loud yelling. Dogs get scared when you shout. How do you discipline a French Bulldog puppy without punishment? So many new dog owners will struggle with their French Bulldog, but if you persevere, stay consistent, and use corrective discipline you can soon iron out any unwanted behavior. Before I get into the tips you can use to discipline your French Bulldog without using physical punishment, here are the rules of engagement: Always use positive reinforcement when they do something good. Always discipline them at the time of the issue so they understand. French Bulldog discipline tips The following tactics are all ones that I used with our Frenchie and have never had to resort to any physical methods of punishment. This was probably the biggest training mistake I ever made with Claude — when he was around 10 weeks old, I would play fight with him in our garden, encouraging him to nip at my hands. I should never have started this game though… By the time he was 4 months old, those teeth were sharper, and he still wanted to play the nipping game. I had re-train him to stop biting , which probably confused him at the time. With any French Bulldog discipline, you need to be consistent. By doing so you will get quick results, and the result you want. However, if you do catch them doing something wrong, you can discipline your French Bulldog there and then with some firm words and body language — which I explain in the next point. Use firm body language and tone of voice Dogs understand change in voice and tone, and even your chosen body language at the time of punishment. Loud voices and pain will be interpreted as a threat, rather than something relating to their behavior. Use positive reinforcement After you have disciplined your Frenchie and you get the required result, you should always reward their good behavior. French Bulldogs brains will become trained with rewards. If you are teaching them how to recall and come back to you , give them a treat each time they get it right. By withholding a treat, you can punish them for getting it wrong. Take breaks and give them a timeout One of the ways we taught Claude not to bite was without time outs and verbal clues. He soon learned that if he bites us when playing then the playing would stop for probably what seems like hours to him — timeouts are a fantastic way to discipline Frenchie puppies because they just want to have constant fun with you. Handy Hint: Find out what games we play with our Frenchie for ideas, plus a list of the best toys you can buy to keep them mentally stimulated. Try using a squirt bottle or water pistol This is not something I have ever tried, and in truth, knowing my Frenchie, he would probably think it was a game as you can see in the YouTube video below. The video is from our French Bulldog Owner Youtube channel subscribe here. However, some owners swear by this punishment and disciplinary method. This was a method I would use in public with Claude, as often it was the only way to get him to stop being bad as a young puppy. For example, I was out on off-leash walk with him, and some little kids where playing ball. Claude ran over, got their ball and would not give it back, and even starting to jump up at the kids… he was only 5 months old at the time, so still very much an adolescent in the training phase. The best way I could get him to stop was to call his name, get his attention, then pretend to run off myself. I made myself look far more exciting than the kids, meaning he then dropped the ball and ran after me, thinking he had a better deal. Never shout at your Frenchie. Never hit or hurt your Frenchie. Never drag or jerk your Frenchie on their leash. Never chase after your Frenchie. Never use electric shock collars with your Frenchie legal in the US still. Your dog could even start pooping or urinating in the house. If your Frenchie does start urinating indoors, here are some tips on how you can stop it. Conclusion There are some owners who say that if you only mark the dog behaviors you want with positive reinforcement, then there might not actually be any need for discipline. That makes it hard for them to change the bad behavior, instead becoming fearful when shouting and hitting is used. Why Discipline your French Bulldog? Therefore, disciplining a Frenchie is a crucial thing to improve the personality and behavior of the dog. Whatever you teach them, they learn quickly compared to the adult ones. So, as a new Frenchie owner, it will be a bit challenging for you to discipline them. You just have to follow them keeping the safety of your dog in mind. But, there is a particular way to punish them. There is a particular way to discipline your Puppy French Bulldog in this situation. So ensure you follow that method instead of doing it on your own. The French bulldogs are the smartest dogs in the world. They also understand anything you do in front of them. Even when there is a change in your voice or expression, they quickly figure it out. This is the right way to discipline your dog when they do something offensive, instead of beating or assaulting them. The Environment is a thing that we get influenced by a lot. When we live in a toxic environment then we tend to become the same. The same are dogs; when you behave rudely with them or shout at them at tiny things, they tend to become sad and rude, just like you. Provide them with their favorite food, a comfortable couch, a well-settled room, and anything that can make their life comfortable. The French Bulldogs love rewards; nothing can be happier for them than getting rewards from their loved ones. How do you do it? And then go out of the room, leaving it alone there. But, try to apply the above-mentioned tips whenever you can and be consistent at training them. When you do any of these things, it will bring a lot of adverse changes in the behavior of your French Bulldogs. Apply all of the tips carefully and do the things that can harm your Bulldog. Be consistent at disciplining the to get better results. Your answers will highly be appreciated. Dino Man Dino is a passionate French Bulldog lover and owner who has dedicated himself to learning everything there is to know about these charming and charismatic canines. By consistently enforcing rules and boundaries, your Frenchie will learn what is expected of them and what is not allowed. This helps to establish clear communication between you and your dog, which is crucial for effective discipline. Imagine that you want to teach your French Bulldog not to jump on the couch. Therefore, if you want to maintain consistent discipline, you must enforce the same rules every time. This will reinforce the behavior you want to see and help your Frenchie understand what is expected of him. Redirect Unwanted Behavior French Bulldogs are notorious for being heavy chewers, and chewing is a natural behavior for a puppy. Having a variety of appropriate, and puppy-safe, chew toys will help satisfy this natural urge. On the other hand, if your puppy does not have access to appropriate chew toys, they may direct this behavior to your favorite pair of shoes, furniture, or even walls. Filling interactive toys like Kongs with peanut butter is a great way to keep your puppy engaged. Plastic teething bones and soft stuffed animals are often not enough to satisfy puppy chewing. For example, if your puppy is chewing on a shoe, take the shoe away and give the puppy a toy or bone. Chew on this, not that. You want your puppy to understand that they can chew on this the toy or bone and not that AKA your shoe! You can learn more about how to puppy-proof your house to safeguard your furniture. Discipline Them at the Time of the Offense Catching your puppy in the act is key to correctly disciplining your puppy. Staying with our shoe example, if you leave your puppy unattended and return to find your favorite pair of shoes destroyed, disciplining your puppy after the fact will be ineffective. Puppies have short attention spans. Your puppy will not associate discipline with his act of destroying the shoes. Disciplining in this situation will only create confusion. When your puppy does something right, like going potty in the yard instead of on the floor or sitting nicely in the kitchen instead of begging for food, get ready to give him lots of praise! Toys, verbal praise, treats, and physical attention like pets or ear scratches are all good tools for positive reinforcement. Some dogs are more food-driven and will respond better to treats than praise, and vice versa. Find out what your puppy responds best to, and use that when engaging in positive reinforcement techniques. It can be difficult to get a stubborn Frenchie to stop bad behaviors, especially when traditional methods of discipline fail. Instead of scolding him or trying to force him back to the game, I grabbed a treat and offered it to him. This caught his attention and encouraged him to come back to me and the game. With consistent use, distractions can help your French Bulldog develop good habits and break bad ones. Never Use Physical Punishment Physical punishments should never be used with a puppy. Because your puppy lacks training at this young age, it will not know how to associate physical punishment with misbehaving. In fact, physically punishing your puppy may lead to fear and even aggression. If your puppy comes to fear you, they may become defensive in your presence, which will lead to further negative behavior. The last thing you want to do is create an environment of fear for your new dog. If your dog fears you, not only will future training be more difficult, you may never have a healthy, happy relationship with your dog. Doing so will only make your puppy nervous and anxious around you. Puppies cannot hold their bladders as long as adult dogs. If your puppy has an accident, ask yourself: Have I established a potty routine for my puppy? Is he getting outside frequently enough? Has a trusted veterinarian ruled out medical conditions? Frequent urination or defecation inside may be linked to an undiagnosed UTI or parasite. Our natural reaction is to give the dog attention when it paws or jumps up. But rewarding undesirable behavior with attention will only encourage your dog to engage in these behaviors more. Some owners or their friends may even think this behavior is cute. Rather than give in to this behavior, when your puppy jumps on you or starts barking for attention, walk away. Removing yourself from these attention-seeking situations will let your puppy know that these behaviors will not result in pets or attention. Once your puppy understands this, they will stop this behavior. A dog who feels the need for attention may then intentionally do something they know will cause their owner to give them this attention. Establish a routine and stick to it. For the best training results, always train in short time segments — five to ten minutes, at the most. French Bulldog puppies have short attention spans and will respond best to learning new things when they do so in short, repetitive intervals.

When do labs Stop Growing? Labs need to fill out more than smaller breeds as they are medium to large-sized dogs. Usually, an average Lab will be at full height and weight by their first birthday. Is Your Labrador Retriever Healthy? Labrador Retrievers are the perfect family pet. Not only are Labs wonderful companions, but their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and love for life make them ideal members of any household. The best way to guarantee that happiness? Preventative care! This condition can cause pain and make it difficult for your pup to move freely. Due to CHD, they may also develop arthritis in the hip area as they age. Some dogs with CHD have normal hips as puppies, but they can develop joint instability later in life. Unfortunately, CHD affects medium to large dog breeds, with the Lab amongst those dogs with a higher chance of developing this condition. Recognizing the early signs of this progressive disease will help you get treatment for your dog so he has an active life filled with joy instead of pain or discomfort. An old Labrador Retriever is especially prone to developing this disease. Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease DJD , is a progressive inflammation of the joints caused by deterioration and breakdown in cartilage. This action leads to an increase in friction, which causes significant pain for dogs. In cases of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to break down because of factors such as age or injury. If a dog has canine atopic dermatitis, the immune system reacts too strongly to common environmental allergens absorbed through the skin, such as mold spores and grass. A dog with atopic dermatitis will typically show signs and symptoms between 3 months to 6 years of age. Labrador Retrievers are amongst the most common dog breeds to develop food and skin allergies. Gastric Distention and Volvulus Bloat Canine bloat , or gastric distention and volvulus GDV , is a condition where the stomach swells abnormally. Bloat is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency care. Dogs of all shapes and sizes can bloat, but some breeds are more susceptible than others. Unfortunately, Labradors are at the top of the list for susceptibility to this condition. The causes of bloat in Labs and other dogs are unknown, but there is likely a genetic element. Dogs who recover from bloating should never be used as breeding stock again. Got a Lab? Get Pet Insurance Coverage You love your dog like a child, but you cannot control what your puppy is dealt with in the genetics department. Health struggles can affect your Labrador Retriever, and his genes will determine what medical conditions or diseases he develops. What if cancer happens? What else might go wrong with your dog in an emergency that will require immediate attention? As a dog owner, you want to make sure that your Lab pup has the best chance possible at living a healthy and happy life. A pet insurance policy will handle any medical issue or expense which may come your way, which is a significant help, especially with how expensive veterinary bills can get. Get insurance quotes today and see for yourself how much better life will be with this coverage. Between 8 weeks and 10 months, your puppy has a ton of growing to do, and they change drastically from month to month. Each stage of growth requires specific attention, exercise, and diet, so there is much to learn and pay attention to these different growth stages. There may be behavioral challenges while your pup adjusts to their new life without their mother and siblings. This period of adjustment can sometimes lead to fearful and timid behavior, and your puppy will need as much attention and affection as possible. They should be eating 3—4 small meals a day at this stage. You can begin basic command, leash, and potty training at this point too. Although the schedule is not complete this is a critical period to begin socialization and making sure they are calm and friendly with other dogs, just make sure they are also vaccinated. We highly recommend making training a part of their daily activities at this age. Biting can be an issue at this stage too, as they will begin teething, and they will start exploring and chewing whatever they can find. Chew toys and consistent command reinforcement are both vital for avoiding this behavior. The good news is that your puppy will grow out of this habit at around 6 months old. Your lab should also be house-trained by this point, but there may still be the occasional accident. Remember to be gentle but firm when this happens, and your pooch will likely move through it swiftly. They will begin losing their baby teeth at this point, and biting and chewing may reach its peak. Firm but gentle commands, chew toys, and loads of patience are essential at this stage. Your puppy will be testing the limits and may start showing dominance, ignoring known commands, and asserting more independence. You can now drop their meals down to two meals per day, but be sure that they are not eating too quickly. Your puppy will start to closely resemble an adult at 6 months, but remember that mentally, they are still puppies and will need loads of direction and training. Females may enter their first heat at 6—7 months, so keep a careful watch for stray males. They will still display puppy tendencies and traits and have a ton of excitable energy, but they should be fairly obedient and well-trained by this stage. Be sure to give your Labrador plenty of exercise at this stage to help keep them from misbehavior. They will have reached their full height by now but may still gain weight and muscle mass in the coming months. Unless you intend on breeding, you should consider neutering and spaying your puppy to avoid wandering and unwanted pregnancies. While some breeders recommend that you wait until a year old, this is a perfectly suitable time to perform the procedure. They may still gain weight and muscle mass but much slower than during the past few months. They will still display puppy characteristics and even test boundaries, but all in all, they should be obedient and well-trained by now. They will have a ton of energy and still enjoy playtimes and loads of exercise. While they are at their full height at this age, some Labs may appear lanky and still have weight to fill out in the coming months. When Do Labradors Stop Growing? All dogs are unique, and the question of when they stop growing is largely dependent on the individual. Anecdotally, your Lab should have reached their full weight by 18 months and full height by 9—12 months. Most breeders agree that your Lab will stop growing at some point during their second year. Even so, any weight gain during their second year will be minimal, and they will have done the majority of their growth by their first birthday. Mentally, they are out of the puppyhood phase of testing boundaries and disobedience by their first year— if correctly trained. If you have been consistent in training thus far, your Lab should be friendly, obedient, and well-behaved from their first birthday and into adulthood. In males, neutering can sometimes result in a calmer, more relaxed dog, and this, in turn, will slow down his need for exercise and may result in weight gain. A study in showed that dogs neutered before 37 weeks may gain more weight, while dogs that had the procedure after 37 weeks had a slower growth trajectory. The difference was minimal, though, and there is no reason to assume that these procedures have much of an effect on growth rates in dogs. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth While some puppies may grow quicker or slower than the agreed-upon average, this is usually nothing to be concerned about due to the individual and unique nature of dogs. However, if your pooch is gaining weight rapidly or not gaining enough, there may be deeper issues to look into. If your dog is from working or hunting stock, they may be smaller than average Labs and are usually lighter for work in the field. Size may also be genetic, and if your Lab comes from small parents, they will be smaller than average. The same may be true of heavier-than-average Labs—if their parents are large, they will likely be similar in size. However, larger-than-average weights may also be due to overfeeding or a lack of exercise , or a combination of both, so be sure to keep their exercise and feeding habits consistent. Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock Growth Distinctions of Different Labradors Although they are designated under the same breed, there are two different types of common Labradors: English and American. English Labradors tend to be stockier and more muscular than their American counterparts and have a thick, waterproof coat , while American Labs have a slender build with a slightly finer coat. English Labs are slightly shorter, topping out at around 22 inches, but their stocky and muscular build often makes them heavier than American Labs. In fact, English Labs have been known to weigh up to 20 pounds more than American Labs without being considered overweight. American Labs are known to be slightly more active and energetic than English Labs, while English Labs tend to be less excitable and more laid back. English Labs are by no means lazy, though, and they still have plenty of energy and stamina to go around. Conclusion: Monthly Labrador Growth Pictures Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the growth rate of your Labrador puppy and given you a better idea of what to expect during the different stages. See also:. Labrador puppy weight. It can be hard to know what the right weight is for your specific pup. An American Lab is likely to weigh less than an English Lab in general, but not always! How much do Labs weigh in general? Male Labradors weigh between 60lbs and 80lbs, while females weigh in at between 55lbs and 75lbs. But many healthy Labradors fall outside these averages. As you can see, there is quite a range! Labrador Puppy Weight Lots of our readers want to know how much should my Labrador weigh at this age or that age. Labrador puppies are growing fast, and their weight is constantly changing. We used the data from our forum to create the Lab weight chart below. If you want a rough idea of how much your pup should weigh at different stages of their young life, just compare them to this chart and see how they match up. But remember, average Labrador weight is not totally straight forward… Average Labrador Weight Labradors come in a wide variety of sizes. So average Labrador Retriever weight figures can be misleading. As a very rough guide an adult female Labrador might weigh between 55 and 70lbs. An adult male Lab will weigh 65 — 80lbs. Female Lab weight will on average be lower than male Lab weight, but as you can see there is a considerable cross over. But Labradors also come in a couple of different types, and his type will have an impact upon his ideal Labrador weight. English Labs bred from show lines are likely to be at the upper end of the scale. You can expect English Lab weight to be around 60 — 70 lbs for a female and 70 — 80 lbs for a male. Some of our chunkier, show bred Labs can be a good twenty pounds or more heavier than their field bred cousins, without necessarily being overweight. Whereas the American Lab who is field bred is likely to be at the lower end of average. Volume for volume, muscle weighs more. So it is worth bearing in mind, that a very fit dog will have more muscle and may weigh more than an unfit dog of similar dimensions. Black Lab Weight In theory there should be no difference in weight between Labradors of different colors. Black Labrador weight for an English black Lab will probably be at the higher end of the range, for an American black Lab it will likely be lower. Black Labs are frequently found in both these categories, but some Lab colors differ. For example the chocolates. Chocolate Lab Weight Chocolate Labs are more likely to be show bred than field bred. English Labs weigh more than American Labs in general, and may therefore be at the higher end of average when it comes to weight. This is because yellow Labs are commonly found in both categories. White Labs are more likely to be English Labs, and will therefore probably be at the heavier end of the scale. Fox red Labs are normally American Labs, and will often be thinner in build and therefore lighter in weight. The way to effectively judge whether your Lab is at an ideal weight is not through the scales. It is by feel and appearance. You should not be able to see ribs, but if you press firmly along his sides you should just be able to feel your fingers bumping along them. But in most cases it really is not necessary to weigh your puppy every day, or even every week! Any more than you would weigh your three year old child on a daily or even weekly basis. There are however, some exceptions. Very thin puppies Occasionally we have people post up about puppies that are desperately underweight and clearly failing to thrive. Most of these comments come from people that have purchased puppies that are not ready to leave their mothers, and should not have been sold by the breeder. Some of these puppies are as young as three weeks old. If you have inadvertently been sucked into this horrible trade in underage puppies, do contact a vet for help with feeding your puppy, as a matter of urgency. If you are concerned that your puppy might be seriously underweight, again, your vet is the first port of call. As a very rough guide, many Labrador puppies will weigh around a kilo for every week of their lives. So you would expect a ten week puppy to weigh something in the region of ten kilos or around twenty-two pounds. A twenty percent variation around this would be fairly normal. If your puppy falls outside this variation he may still be perfectly healthy, but if you are inexperienced, a check with the vet is a good way to put your mind at rest. Should I Weigh My Dog? You may need to weigh your dog if he needs medical treatment. Determining the appropriate dose of some drugs requires that we know the exact weight of the patient. But in this case your veterinarian will probably do it for you at their check-ups and assessments. The main reasons to weigh a dog are loss or gain. Trying to put weight on a very thin puppy? You may want to check your progress with regular weigh-ins for a while to make sure they are sufficiently gaining weight. Trying to help your adult Labrador weight decrease? Checking their weight each week will help you to know that you are succeeding, along with visual checks. How to weigh a dog If you need to weigh a puppy, and he is small enough to hold in your arms, you can do this at home. Just weigh yourself on the bathroom scales without him, then weigh yourself again whilst holding the dog, and subtract the first weight from the second. This is accurate enough for most purposes. Larger dogs will need to be weighed on purpose built scales. Most vet surgeries have one in the waiting room, and some pet stores have them too. Really tiny dogs can be weighed accurately on a good sized set of kitchen scales. For once, this is a situation where appearances really do count. Try to get into the habit of looking at your dog objectively and of avoiding comparing with other dogs, many of whom will be overweight. You may find that some other dog owners will tell you your nice slim Labrador is actually too thin. This happens a lot, largely because people are simply getting used to so many dogs being overweight, including some of those receiving the highest accolades in our show rings. Again, if you are worried, check with your vet, but the chances are if someone is telling you this that actually your dog is healthy, and it is really their dog who is overweight. The Lab puppy weight chart shows you the average weight for male and female Labs every month from 2 months old, up until 12 months if you have a puppy Lab, check out our New Puppy Checklist to learn more about what to bring home for your first 24 hours and beyond. Doing so helps you and your veterinarian keep your puppy healthy. Are There Different Sizes of Labradors? Among the retriever breeds, the Labrador is one of the largest, where an adult male can top the scales at 80 pounds. Labrador Retrievers may differ in size due to individual variation and outside influences, such as the amount or type of food they eat, the amount or frequency of exercise they get, or underlying health conditions that may affect appetite or growth. But overall, a retriever should ideally hit a 5 out of 9 on the body condition score, regardless of the actual weight number on a scale. A healthy size Labrador has an evident abdominal tuck and observable waist, viewed from both the side and top of the dog. The AKC considers Lab puppies to be in adulthood when they reach 12 to 18 months of age, though there are outliers — those who grow faster or slower, reaching maturity either before 1 year old or not until 2 years old. Like other large dog breeds, Labs go through multiple stages of puppyhood until they reach adulthood. The average height for Labrador puppies is largely unknown due to insufficient data, but the average adult Labrador Retriever gets to be about inches tall at the shoulder. These numbers are contingent on the puppy receiving top-notch care, good nutrition, and appropriate levels of exercise. Different factors, such as health, breeding practices, and nutrition, may alter these estimated numbers. The below Labrador weight calculator can help you determine approximately how big your Labrador will be. But there are dogs who will fall outside of these parameters. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute offers puppy growth charts for veterinarians to use with their clients. You can also learn more about the ideal size and weight at different ages for different breeds with our Goldendoodle growth chart , a Golden Retriever size chart , Great Dane growth chart , or Chihuahua size chart. For that advice, consult your veterinarian.

Lhasapoo Highlights Lhasapoos are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Lhasa Apso or Poodle parents. Lhasapoos come in a very wide variety of colors, including brown black, white, grey, apricot, and cream. Sometimes their coats may be solid, but more often than not, they have a mix of these colors. Their coats will require daily brushing to prevent the hair from becoming matted. Because the Lhasapoo is a small dog, they can easily be injured by small children during playtime. Lhasapoos would prefer to be around older children or children that are shown how to properly handle a dog and play gently. Lhasapoos can get along with other animals if introduced at a very young age, and in a slow and gradual manner, but they may prefer to be the only pet in the household. Lhasapoos are protective and eager to please. They tend to inherit a bit of yappiness and may bark at strangers. Food rewards and positive reinforcement go a long way in training these dogs. Lhasapoos have moderate energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one-hour long walk per day with a few games of fetch or a trip to the dog park, as well. Lhasapoo History The Lhasapoo dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer dog breeders started intentionally mixing Lhasa Apsos and Poodles about ten to 20 years ago, likely in North America. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize the breathing problems due to the short snout of the Lhasa Apso, and to create a breed that is perfect for those suffering from allergies by adding the coat of the Poodle. They continued to create Lhasapoos as the demand for these adorable pups climbed. Even though the Lhasapoo got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the right breed for you. Check your local shelters, look up Lhasapoo rescues, or check with breed specific Poodle or Lhasa Apso rescues, as they sometimes take in mixed breed dogs and find homes for them. Lhasapoo Size As the Lhasapoo is still a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a cross between Lhasa Apso and Poodle parents, you can expect Lhasapoos to be on the small side. The Lhasapoo is most often a mix with a Miniature Poodle parent , but if the Lhasa Apso is mixed with a Toy Poodle, the pups may be even smaller. Most weigh in at ten to 15 pounds and range in height from nine to 13 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger, and males can tend to be larger in size than females. Lhasa Apsos were historically used as guard dogs, so these pups tend to inherit a bit of that yappiness while performing their duty as your protector. While they enjoy their time laying on the couch, they also ares very agile little dogs who love to run and play outdoors, as well as participate in agility games once trained. As the Lhasapoo is very protective, they can be rather skeptical of new people and strangers entering your home. Lhasa Apsos can often times be slightly aggressive if not introduced calmly and slowly, and the Lhasapoo may get this trait. Early training can also help to curb this possibly unwanted behavior. These dogs have moderate energy levels and a strong desire to please their owners, so the Lhasapoo often appears in agility courses. While they have a stubborn streak, Lhasapoos are very smart and food reward driven, so a good way to burn off that puppy energy is to teach your pup new tricks and provide toys made for mental stimulation as well. Since they develop such strong bonds with their owners, they are unfortunately not ideal for those who will be gone for extended periods of time. Lhasapoo Health The Lhasapoo breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Lhasa Apso and Poodle also face. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Some of the more common health problems Lhasapoos suffer from include: Hip Dysplasia. They are adaptable by nature and seek for attention and love from its family. If socialized from puppyhood, they would be good to other dogs, pets and children, provided the kids are also well-behaved. Care Exercise The dogs are so small by size that they need just an average exercise daily. Take your Lhasa poo out for a routine walk every day, out of the apartment as refreshment, and keep it close to yourself since they just love it. Grooming It is important to brush the coat of your lhasa poo at least twice a week, if not every day, and get it trimmed by professional hands once in months to avoid careless hair growth that might lead to tangling, which happens mostly in moist and snowy conditions. Clip their nails when long, check for rashes and infections in their inner ears and skin and brush their teeth frequently. Training Set rules clearly and affectionately and teach them tricks since the time the puppies are brought home from breeders, and they would pick up easily. Feeding Feed your lhasa poo according to its weight and age. For their moderate exercising habits, they need optimum carbohydrate and fat along with ample protein may be in the form of chunks of meat in their regular dog food, but occasionally. At times, you can also feed them with snacks like kibble and chews. Up to age one year, the dog should be fed with Puppy formula after which they can be switched to Adult dry dog food. Bad food generally bad for dogs and human foods might give them serious stomach and liver disorders. Interesting Facts Among other pets, the cats are especially friendly with lhasa poos. Lhasa poo older than 3 years of age is said to be a good companion to retirees. We live in Massachusetts. Looking for a young male or female. We had to put our 12yr old boy down and the ouse is so empty. We are semi retired ad have a beautiful fenced yard for someone special to play in. We would even consider a rehome dog. It has been so hard in the state we live in. Can anyone help us? Lhasapoos, like many hybrid dogs , are highly sought after for many reasons. However, they are not necessarily better than a purebred or a true mutt. First, most leading dog breeding organizations do not recognize crossbreeds. This might not bother you personally, but it can make finding a reputable breeder much more difficult. In fact, because of the lack of regulation, genetic health problems may be more common in these dogs. As long as you do your research — just like you would when choosing a purebred dog — finding a healthy, ethically bred Lhasapoo is possible! The capital city of Tibet is Lhasa, which is where Lhasa Apso comes from. They have long lifespans. Both of the parent breeds are known to live quite long, so blended together, you can have a family pet around for ages. The oldest Lhasa Apso on record was 29 years old when he passed, and. They are great for seniors. Though they are adaptable and will fit in with any family, the Lhasapoo is a great breed for seniors that live in smaller dwellings or apartments. Unlike many intelligent breeds, though, the Lhasapoo shows off its brains through companionship rather than by completing tasks. Chances are, your Lhasapoo will gain just as much pleasure from lounging with you on the couch as it would from completing a round of fanciful tricks. On the flip side, this need for companionship makes the Lhasapoo extremely prone to separation anxiety. Since the Lhasa Apso was bred and used as a guard dog for centuries , most Lhasapoos have the need to protect and alert deeply ingrained in their DNA! Are These Dogs Good for Families? These dogs thrive in countless environments, from apartment-living with a single retiree to life in a suburban home with a large family. Generally, Lhasapoos get along great with children of all ages. Lhasapoos can get along with young children as well, but playtime should always be supervised by an adult. Never just throw your Lhasapoo puppy into a room of children and hope for the best! For most Lhasapoos, their human family is the center of their world — other pets are just a nuisance. If you already own a dog or cat, another dog breed may be a better fit for your home. On average, these dogs need approximately 1 cup of dry food per day split into multiple small meals. Please remember that this is just a broad recommendation. Short walks are the best way to meet this requirement. In many cases, keeping a Lhasapoo active is more about their mental than physical wellbeing, and boredom can quickly transform into destructive behavior something no dog owner wants! On the other hand, many Lhasapoos excel at canine sports like agility and obedience. Which type of coat your dog ends up with, however, is entirely dependent on their individual genetics. If they trend toward the Lhasa Apso side, it will instead be extremely long and silky. Some dogs might even display a mixture of these coat types. In many cases, these dogs actually take on the genetic problems of both breeds, resulting in a long list of potential medical conditions. Some breeders and fans of these dogs will claim that they are healthier than other breeds. When it comes to the Lhasapoo, here are the most common medical conditions seen in the crossbreed: Minor Conditions. Lhasapoos are perfect for families, but they need proper training and socialization before living with small children. They have a mild temperament and only require moderate daily exercise. As long as they receive enough exercise, Lhasapoos are ideal for apartment living. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. They have a reputation for excessive barking and quickly sound the alarm when strangers approach your property. However, they tend to calm down after a few years and welcome visitors with joy when they recognize them. They are extremely intelligent, so they should be easily trained to be around other animals and people. The stubborn, defensive behavior comes from the Lhasa Apso side of their family, but you can minimize the trait by enrolling your puppy in obedience training. The dogs are extremely intelligent a trait from the poodle side , and they love interacting with humans. Leaving a Lhasapoo alone for more than a day can upset the animal, and you may have to wait a while after you return for the dog to warm up to you again. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They enjoy playing games with the family, but they establish a firm bond with one person. Taking them for a walk and playing games in the yard will keep them healthy and fit. Because of their size, you can play games with them indoors and marvel at their ability to leap onto furniture. When they interact with young children, you should supervise them closely until they become more accustomed to the little ones. Compared to other dogs, Lhasapoos are easy to train and learn commands quickly. Lhasapoos are more vulnerable to ear infections than other breeds, and you should inspect and clean their ears weekly to prevent an infection. Collecting information from a shelter is more difficult, but some people provide the shelter with documentation when they put the animal up for adoption. Taking a Lhasapoo for a checkup at least twice a year ensures that any medical issue is addressed before it progresses. Minor Conditions: With a short muzzle, Lhasapoos sometimes have trouble breathing after exercise and can develop brachycephalic airway syndrome. Other minor conditions include cataracts, hip dysplasia, ear infections, allergies, and dental problems. Regular brushing can prevent decay and reduce bad breath, but you should consult a veterinarian for dental hygiene tips. Some animals react wildly to brushing, and you may need another person to assist you in the process. Minor Conditions. Lhasapoo Description The Lhasa-Poo is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. She loves to play, she loves to cuddle, she loves to eat and she loves to bite at your ankles!!! Her housetraining is going well, however she does have the occasional accident when we are not paying enough attention to her signs. She is very smart; whenever she goes outside to do her business, and comes back in the house, she runs right into the kitchen and sits in front of the refrigerator, looking up. We keep the container of treats on top of the refrigerator. Once she has her treat she is on her way! Definitely she is not a first-generation hybrid, because her dog-dad and dog-mom are already both Lhasa-Poos. I have no idea about her grandparents, so I can't really say what generation she is of a Lhasa Poo hybrid. But she has streaks of straight hair too, like on her tail and on her head, that's why we can't give her a proper "Poodle-look" crown or afro on top of her head. We do shave her face though, as in Poodle cuts and we maintain her body hair on "summer cut," most of the time using grooming blade 7, because her hair grows very fast. Her soft, cottony undercoat is also very prone to matting. Awit is a non-shedder but she has very sensitive skin. Alternately, the word "awit" is also being used to translate the word "psalm" in the Bible. She loves walk time and play time. Play time means she runs and dares our other dogs to chase her around the house. She can also jump note: her agility makes her look like she can actually fly from the floor to the sofa, to the bed, from one bed to another, and back to the floor with ease. Yes, and she gets one 2" chew bone per day or a doggie biscuit that she can munch to her heart's delight. I tried to do clicker training on her, and she easily picked up the cues "sit" and "down. He is great with kids and tries to sing along with the neighborhood kids that often want to sing the nursery rhyme song "There Was a Farmer, Had a Dog and Bingo Was His Name.He wants to be with me every second of every day and goes with me everywhere that it is feasible to take him. If he thinks he will be left behind he exhibits definite signs of separation-anxiety. He will whine, cry and even try to sit on me to prevent me from leaving. Needless to say he loves being in the car and makes a great travel companion. He is very smart and easy to train. She's just about full grown in these photos, weighing in at about 7 pounds 3. Her owner says, "Her temperament is very sweet and she's super smart—she could sit, speak and shake hands after I'd had her for only 2 weeks. She's also very athletic and a terrific jumper. Often she makes tremendous leaps around the living room from the furniture. It's kind of her game to not touch the floor. You may also have seen advertisements for mixes of these breeds for sale. You may be wondering whether getting a mix produced by these two dogs is a great way to get the best of both worlds. What is a Lhasa Apso Poodle mix? They can have straight or curly hair, weigh between 10 and 30 pounds, and may be very friendly and eager to please or a bit more reserved and stubborn. A mix of two purebred dogs can be full of surprises. Combining the regal-looking Lhasa Apso and the intelligent, curly-haired Poodle is bound to produce some adorable puppies, but are there specific traits that can be expected? Take a look at what you may wind up with in terms of coat, size, personality, and health in a Lhasa Apso Poodle mix. Predicting Characteristics in a Mixed Breed Dog Dogs have been bred for hundreds or even thousands of years to have specific physical and behavioral characteristics. When dog breeds are mixed, the resulting characteristics vary dramatically in the resulting puppies. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly popular to breed purebred dogs together to create deliberately mixed breeds known as designer dogs. The Lhasa Apso Poodle mix is such a dog. These breeds have a number of things in common, which mixed breed puppies may be likely to inherit. They also have some key differences which puppies may or may not inherit. By looking at the likely traits in both the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle, we can make predictions about the probable characteristics of the puppies. It evolved to withstand the harsh cold of Tibetan winters. They have double coats, which are very heavy and dense. The outer coat tends to be quite hard and the inner coat is softer and warm. The coat is straight, is neither silky nor woolly, and grows nearly to the ground. The Lhasa Apso can come in any color. Poodle Coat The Poodle coat is very curly. The texture is harsh and dense. The coat can either be clipped short, combed out to create poofy fluff, or corded into tight cords. This level of grooming is possible because of the dense, curly nature of the hair which can be scissor cut into practically any shape. Poodles are supposed to be solid in color by the breed standard, although parti-colored dogs are popular as pets. The colors that are acceptable are varying shades of white, apricot and black. Within these colors, you can see gray, silver, blue, and cream, but the color should be more or less solid. Lhasa Apso Poodle Coat When the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle are mixed, the resulting coat may be anywhere between entirely straight and very curly. It may have two layers or one, and either layer may be stronger or weaker than the other. That means that you may have a thin outer coat that looks like wires sticking out of the fluff or a stronger outer coat that lies flat over the body. Depending on the makeup of the coat, it may be very prone to matting. You may find that this coat type may result in a coat that does not respond well to either being brushed out or corded. Any variation of color may be possible in a Lhasa Apso Poodle mix. However, these dogs may be a bit more prone to solid coloration since that is the standard for Poodles. Size Poodles come in three sizes, with each dog identical in conformation. Miniatures should be under 15 inches at the shoulder and toys should be 10 inches or less. Generally, when Lhasa Apsos are mixed with Poodles, they are mixed with either toy or miniature Poodles. Lhasa Apsos weigh between 12 and 18 pounds, with females tending to be slightly smaller than males. Your Lhasa Apso Poodle mix will vary in size depending on what size of Poodle was used, but expect around 10 to 15 pounds for toy Poodle offspring and 15 to 30 pounds for miniature Poodle offspring. Behavior and Personality Poodle Personality Poodles are among the most trainable and intelligent of all dog breeds. These dogs excel in the work they were bred for — retrieving. Still, they are also excellent at agility, obedience, tracking, scent work, and as service dogs. It is hard to find a breed more eager to please than a Poodle, but you can expect that you will need to occupy that busy mind if you expect to have a happy, well-adjusted pet. While Poodles tend to be sensitive and may be a bit reserved with strangers, they are generally extremely friendly with everyone and adjust well to being in groups. Lhasa Apso Personality Lhasa Apsos are much more independent and committed to following their own minds than are Poodles. They are very intelligent and can learn just about anything you try to teach them, but you will have to find a way to motivate them properly. Find tips for motivation here. They do not respond well to repetitive training and may become extremely stubborn if you try to force them. These dogs functioned as alert dogs in their native Tibet, and they are still a little bit reserved with strangers. Lhasa Apso Poodle Mix Personality These two breeds vary dramatically in personality and trainability, so you may experience quite a range of possibilities in your puppy. Your dog may be a happy-go-lucky charmer and love meeting new people or he may be slow to warm up to your guests. Health Both the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle tend to be very healthy dogs, but there are some problems that may crop up in either breed, and they also may show up in your mix. Both breeds are prone to this condition. Eye Problems The large, luminous eyes of both of these breeds can result in some problems for them. Poodles are prone to issues with their optic nerve and general eye issues, which require an ophthalmologist evaluation for all breeding animals. Lhasa Apso are prone to corneal ulcers and may also develop cherry eye and progressive retinal atrophy. Specific Genetic Conditions Both of these breeds have some serious genetic issues that occur, although they are not common. Lhasa Apso are prone to hereditary kidney dysfunction in mild to severe forms. There is not a reliable test to determine whether a breeding dog carries it. Misconceptions About Mixed-Breed Dogs The increasing popularity in designer breeds is partly due to some prevailing misconceptions about mixed-breed dogs. They Are Healthier Mixed breed dogs may be less likely to inherit recessive traits that are predominant in a certain breed. However, if both of their parent breeds have a recessive trait, they are just as likely to get it as the purebred dogs. Because the physical makeup of mixed breed dogs is less predictable, they may actually be more likely to suffer from problems like joint issues. They Are Smarter A mixed breed dog may inherit the intelligence of either of his parents. Unless the two dogs that are bred are both of particularly intelligent breeds, there is no reason to think a mixed breed dog would be more intelligent than a purebred dog of average intelligence. Related Posts:. He may have the curly coat of a Poodle or the long, straight coat of a Lhasa Apso, but he always has a cute, alert face and a sturdy body. Like his parent breeds, the Lhasapoo can come in a multitude of solid colors or in a particolor pattern a color plus white. Traits, Personality and Behavior At their best, Lhasapoos are friendly and affectionate, although some may have the suspicious nature of the Lhasa Apso, whose original purpose was to serve as a temple watchdog. Lhasapoos generally weigh 10 pounds to 20 pounds, making them a comfortable size for most homes. They are excellent watchdogs but can be on the yappy side. They also have a quick-thinking brain, making them highly trainable. Lhasapoos have a moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner's lifestyle. They need a nice walk or active playtime each day, and if you're interested, they are athletic enough to participate in such dog sports as agility, obedience and rally. Both of the breeds used to create Lhasapoos are smart and learn quickly. If you begin socialization and training early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play and food rewards, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion. Poodles have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, meaning that they can be tolerated by people who have allergies to dogs. Because they have the Poodle in their heritage, Lhasapoos are sometimes promoted as being hypoallergenic. But allergies are caused not by a particular dog coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that are shed by all dogs. There is no scientific evidence that any breed or cross breed is more or less allergenic than any other dog. Some people with allergies react less severely to particular dogs, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that her dogs are hypoallergenic. Lhasapoos can have different types of fur, including soft, tight curls, big looping curls, loose waves or straight hair. Most have a curly or wavy coat with a minority having either the typical Poodle coat or the straight Lhasa coat. Curly or straight, it's always soft. A Lhasapoo coat looks its best with professional grooming every four to six weeks, and it requires brushing or combing every two to three days to prevent mats or tangles as well as regular bathing in between appointments with the groomer. Lhasapoos are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Sometimes the stains are related to the dog's diet, and changing foods can help. Your best bet, though, is to wash the face daily, carefully wiping beneath the eyes, to prevent stains from setting. Your Lhasapoo doesn't need a bikini wax, but you do need to trim the genital area for cleanliness or have the groomer shave the lower belly area. This prevents urine from staining and stinking up the coat and feces from getting caught in the hair around the anus. In addition, trim his nails at least monthly --more frequently if necessary --keep his ears clean and dry to prevent ear infections and brush his teeth as often as possible. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease. Lhasapoos are companion dogs. They need to live in the house, never outdoors. Lhasapoo puppies are adorable, and it's one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Lhasapoo a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders. But there's no need to pay big bucks for a Lhasapoo. You can often find a wonderful example of this hybrid dog at your local shelter or through adoption organizations. If you do choose to buy one, however, select a breeder who has done the health testing to ensure that her puppies won't carry the genetic diseases common to both Lhasa Apsos and Poodles. And while there are no guarantees in life, it's also a good way to minimize the possibility of big veterinary bills in the future. Health Issues Common to Lhasapoos All hybrid dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as purebred dogs can and just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don't walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the Lhasapoo is percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the Lhasapoo and the incidence with which they occur in her lines. Lhasapoos may develop health conditions common to both Lhasa Apsos and Poodles, especially if you aren't cautious about whom you buy from. They include luxating patellas and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, cataracts and glaucoma. Many toy breeds and small dogs have a condition known as luxating patellas, in which one or both knees are unstable and occasionally slip out of place. Depending on the level of severity 1 being mild and 4 being severe , luxating patellas can be a minor issue that cause the dog little problem or pain or serious enough to require surgical correction. Ask the breeder to show evidence that both of a puppy's parents have OFA patella knee clearances as well as certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that their eyes are healthy. Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. Having the dogs "vet checked" is not a substitute for genetic health testing. Life Span Did You Know? Although a mixed breed can take on any combination of traits from the parent breeds, Lhasa-Poo tend to be friendly, affectionate, and playful dogs that are loyal to their families. This designer dog breed is a small dog with a big heart. They tend to be social and bond closely with their families. They tend to have a sweet, friendly disposition and a playful, energetic personality. They tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Because their small size makes them susceptible to injury during accidental rough play or falls common to younger children, they are a better fit for older children who know how to interact appropriately with a dog and can handle them gently. As with any dog breed, socialization and training early on are important and the same is true for the Lhasa-Poo. They do make alert watchdogs, but they tend to be friendly dogs, so they do not tend to make good guard dogs. They can be prone to barking, but training early on can help curb this behavior. Lhasa-Poo are highly adaptable dogs. Their small size makes them a good fit for apartment living and they adapt just as well to larger homes. They do well in most climates, but may need to bundle up in the winter to keep warm. Having some basic winter dog products on hand is a big help when the temperatures drop. These small dogs are also sensitive to heat as with most dog breeds. Because these dogs thrive on attention and bond closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone. A mixed breed can inherit the genetic conditions of one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing genetic conditions to puppies. Both of the parent breeds tend to be eager to please and highly intelligent. Although they tend to be easy to train, they can sometimes have a stubborn streak. So, your Lhasa-Poo can be highly trainable, but may have a stubborn streak, which can be challenging for first-time dog owners to navigate. For this mixed breed, it may be a good idea to be prepared to enroll in puppy training and obedience classes. Aside from the training, these classes can help further strengthen the bond you have with your puppy and are also a great opportunity to socialize a puppy. Lhasa-Poo tend to have a long coat that can be wavy or curly and can be clipped short. Although they do not shed much, they do need a lot of grooming in order for their coat to stay healthy. Because their fur is prone to tangles and mats, you will need to brush them daily. If their coat is clipped short, you can likely get away with brushing a few times a week. Bathing is on an as-needed basis, but your Lhasa-Poo will need professional grooming every weeks. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Lhasa-Poo. Nail trimming on a monthly basis is usually sufficient to keep them from growing too long. So, professional grooming sessions may take care of it. This can help prevent ear infections. Although they are small, Lhasa-Poo tend to have a moderate activity level and can sometimes have bursts of higher energy. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this dog. Try out a bunch of different activities to see what your dog likes to do best. They may enjoy taking an easy hike with you, going for trips to the dog park , or even swimming. A fully-grown Lhasa-Poo usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. A Lhasa-Poo generally lives years. The Lhasa-Poo coat is a coat of many colors. They can have a white, cream, apricot, black, brown, or combination colored-coat. Featured Lhasa-Poo Article. Lhasa poos are the cross between a miniature or toy Poodle and a Lhasa Apso. They are cute, small-sized dogs that are highly trainable and apartment friendly. They even get along with kids and other pets. This Lhasa Apso Poodle Mix breed has a long lifespan but finding puppies for sale in Australia can be challenging. They are certainly among the cutest poodle mixes and their non-shedding coat makes them one of the most popular poodle crossbreeds in the world. So, if you are looking to add this sweet little designer dog to your household, then this guide is for you! What is a Lhasapoo? Also known as Lhasadoodle, the Lhasapoo is a cute designer dog obtained by crossing a miniature or toy Poodle with a Lhasa Apso. The Lhasapoo are among the smallest-sized, hypoallergenic poodle mix breeds that do not shed. Before we learn more about Lhasapoos, let us check out some facts about its parent dog breeds. The breed is held in great veneration in the Orient and was even given as gifts and considered a symbol of good fortune. Lhasa Apsos are not a new breed at all; they may have existed since AD. Tibetans believe that the souls of lamas or priests reincarnate as Lhasa Apsos. Today, Lhasa Apsos are extremely popular as house pets mainly due to their compact sizes as well as their hypoallergenic coats. In terms of grooming, the Lhasa Apso requires regular weekly brushing and combing to maintain their coat and prevent knots. They also come with the added advantage of longevity and most Lhasa Apsos have an average lifespan of years. Poodles Poodles originated in Germany, where they were bred to assist fishermen and hunters. Their excellent swimming capabilities combined with a quick-drying and water-resistant coat aided them in their work as water dogs. Research has shown that Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They rank No. Their high intelligence also makes them easy to train. This trait combined with their low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, makes them one of the most popular dog breeds. Doodle Dog Breeds The popularity of designer dogs is on the rise because it is trendy to own compact-sized hybrid dogs. Moreover, there is a belief that crossbreed dogs are usually healthier than purebred dogs and often inherit the best traits of the breeds involved in the cross. Given that the Lhasapoo is a small-sized, non-shedding, hypoallergenic poodle crossbreed, they are very popular in Australia. The best poodle mix breeders conduct thorough health testing including DNA tests and hip scoring. Cross-bred dogs enjoy the benefits of increased genetic diversity and purebred dogs suffer reduced fitness from inbreeding depression. Poodles are one of the best dog breeds to cross because of their high intelligence, easy trainability, and their low-shedding and hypoallergenic coats. One such dog was the Lhasadoodle or the Lhasapoo. Physical Features of Lhasapoos — small size hypoallergenic and non-shedding The full-grown size of a Lhasapoo is a weight of around 15 pounds 6 to 7 kg and about inches 22 to 33 cm tall at the withers. There is no standardisation in Lhasapoos since they are not recognised by any major canine club. Also, breeders may use miniature or toy Poodles in their breeding programs, so the height and weight of Lhasapoos tend to vary greatly. Breeders most commonly cross a toy poodle stud with a female Lhasa Apso to create Toy Lhasapoo puppies. Similarly, some breed a Miniature Poodle stud over a lhasa apso female to create Mini Lhasapoos which are slightly bigger than Toy Lhasadoodles. In either case, your Lhasadoodle puppy is bound to be low-shedding and suitable for families where one or more members could have pet allergies. You could see these puppies in brown, white, merle, black, red, apricot, golden, sandy, honey, or combinations of these shades. If the Lhasapoo is a small-size hypoallergenic poodle mix breed that is non-shedding; Are they Easy to Groom? Moreover, they tend to attract debris and parasites. Lhasapoo are a small-size hypoallergenic poodle mix breed that is non-shedding, therefore they are a breed that requires a moderate amount of maintenance. Investing in a suitable brush and comb makes grooming a poodle mix breed significantly easier. Even if your puppy has a short, curly coat, it could develop skin issues if it is not brushed regularly. It is especially important that you take your Lhasapoo for professional grooming to get its hair trimmed every 6 weeks or so. Too much coat can cause a dog to overheat on a hot day. As with the physical characteristics, the temperament of a Lhasadoodle is not standardised. In general, we can say that these dogs are smart, confident, affectionate, and incredibly loyal. They have a light comical side that makes them excellent family pets. On the downside, Lhasapoos do need plenty of puppy training to make sure they behave properly. They have a strong will which can pose a challenge while dog training because they think they know best. Furthermore, most Lhasapoos suffer from small dog syndrome, meaning that they need plenty of socialisation with other dogs to prevent that incessant barking. Your Lhasapoo will quickly learn how to get what it wants, so you must make sure to train appropriate behaviours and prevent the rehearsal of bad behaviours such as barking for attention. Many Lhasapoos are also known to have a high prey drive. So, if you have rabbits, hamsters, or other small pets, do make sure your pet will not terrorise them. Also, when you walk your dog outdoors, you need to keep it on a leash otherwise, it might try to run off and chase small animals. They also have loud barks! Their barking at strangers can be annoying to neighbours close by so you will need to train calmness and impulse control with your Lhasapoo puppy. Providing environmental enrichment such as stuffed Kongs, long-lasting chews and raw meaty bones can also help prevent separation anxiety and stop barking. Crate training is also invaluable for preventing common behaviour problems in poodle crossbreeds. Lhasapoos are confident dogs. They are also curious and love to explore everything. They also love being a part of family activities and hate being left alone at home. Due to this reason, many Lhasapoos suffer from varying degrees of separation anxiety. Some tend to void indoors, tear up slippers or bed linen, or chew up furniture. You might consider bringing another dog to keep your Lhasapoo company or hire a pet sitter to watch your pet. You could also enrol your dog in a doggy daycare. It pays to exercise your dog well and provide passive calming activities such as long-lasting chew treats; since tired dogs usually do not have the energy left to indulge in negative or destructive behaviour. Given that the Lhasapoo is a small hypoallergenic poodle mix breed that does not shed, they make an excellent companion dog for kids and the elderly. They know this fact and take their job seriously. Intelligent dogs like Lhasapoos are prone to boredom and they need plenty of mental stimulation to prevent it. Obedience training can be one aspect of keeping your pet mentally active, but you must keep the training sessions fun. How Much is a Lhasapoo? Always research the Lhasa Poo breeder thoroughly before buying your puppy. Ask about the health checks they have conducted on the parent dogs. This is important to ensure getting a healthy puppy. Some unscrupulous backyard breeders and puppy farms advertise their puppies for sale at cheap prices. It is best to steer clear of such breeders as they are breeding for profit and rarely health test their breeding dogs. Cross-breeding can be done ethically and the best poodle mix breeders utilise science-based health testing. Most Lhasapoo owners prefer feeding kibble or dry dog food as it is convenient. These small dogs tend to have dental issues because of their tiny jaws — they make it difficult to clean the back side of the oral cavity. Always select high-quality dog food with premium ingredients. Avoid dog foods that are packed with fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Many Lhasapoos have sensitive digestion and might need grain-free and hypoallergenic foods formulated especially for sensitive dogs. Your vet nutritionist can guide you in this matter. Health Issues and Lifespan of Lhasapoos Like their parent breeds, Lhasapoos have a long life compared to many other dog breeds. Most Lhasapoos live for years. Their long lifespan combined with the fact that Lhasapoos are a small-size hypoallergenic, non-shed poodle mix breed, makes them popular family dogs. Some of the health concerns in the breed include hip and joint issues, eye problems, dental diseases, renal disease, and intervertebral disc disease. These are diseases seen in the Lhasa Apso parent. Good breeding practices can ensure that these designer puppies do not inherit these genetic conditions. Lhasapoo puppies for sale and Breeders in Australia Although the Lhasa Apso x Poodle is among the best poodle mix breeds, it is also an extremely rare poodle mix breed in Australia. Most small, cute, cuddly and hypoallergenic poodle mix breeds are popular family dogs. Subscribe for poodle mix breed information, exclusive offers and access to our community of reputable breeders. 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Humane Society guidelines note that dogs should have just enough room to fully stand and easily turn around inside their crates. Grown bulldogs stand at about 12 to 15 inches tall, according to Animal Planet's dog breed guide, so make sure your crate is tall enough to comfortably accommodate an upright pooch. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers suggests a crate length of about 42 inches and a width of about 30 inches to 36 inches for English bulldogs to rest in at home. Adapting to Immediate Needs There is such a thing as too much space when it comes to buying a crate, especially if you are planning to crate train your furry friend. Dogs do not like to eliminate waste near their sleeping arrangements, but a too-large crate may allow your bulldog to use the potty at one end and still lounge at the other. If you are raising a bulldog puppy who needs room to grow, get a crate that will meet his estimated full-grown size, but use partitions to block off extra space at either end. Many crates offer dividing panels for this very reason. Home Crate Materials and Capacity If your bulldog can breathe easy, chances are you will, too. Wire crates, which allow plenty of air circulation, are the only way to go with English Bulldogs. Enclosed plastic crates might prove too stuffy for your pup at home. According to the American Kennel Club, bulldogs are predisposed to overheating due to short noses. Most bulldogs range in heft from 40 to 50 pounds, with full-grown female dogs tending to fall in the lower part of this range and male dogs toward the higher end. There are some outliers, too, that will weigh quite a bit above this range. The stress of air travel combined with unpredictable temperature extremes can make flying uncomfortable or even dangerous for a bulldog, and many airline restrictions reflect this fact. When air travel is unavoidable, Farris recommends using a travel crate a size larger than what your bulldog technically needs. In addition to making sure your travel crate meets the unique specifications of the airline, Farris also advocates for a well-ventilated kennel. More Articles. Preparing for an incoming Bulldog is no exception. In fact, it can be essential to dog training early on for your Bulldog. Not only do veterinarians agree, but there are also many proven benefits to crate training your Bulldog. Benefits of Using Dog Crates When used properly, dog crates are not only humane, but also teaches a puppy how to control their bladder and bowel. In addition, it could keep your teething pup in check. In the wild, dogs will look for small enclosed space for protection. The dog crate is a space they can feel safe and relaxed in. These are just some of the many benefits of crate training. Size of a Bulldog Hailing from the non-sporting dog group, Bulldogs are generally classified as medium-sized dogs. With that said, both female and male bulldogs can range between 12 and 16 inches tall. However, this number can be more or less depending on the parents. In regards to weight, there is more variation between gender. A female Bulldog can be anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds. On the other hand, a male Bulldog will likely range between 50 to 55 pounds — just slightly higher because of their thicker frame. Crate Size for Bulldogs Given the modest size of a Bulldog, the recommended dog crate size for them is 42 inches length by 30 inches width. This number can vary depending on how big your Bulldog is. I understand that most people buying dog crates are buying for a puppy. Like other dog breeds, Bulldogs grow fairly quick. In fact, Bulldogs reach their full adult size in just 10 months. Just let them grow into it. Top Dog Crates for Bulldogs Despite the Bulldog ranking on the list of top 10 most aggressive dog breeds , they are generally very calm dogs. It easily takes the number one spot and are great options for all dog breeds with a calm demeanor, such as the Bulldog. Best Features What I like best about the iCrate is their attention to dog-safety. Bulldogs are not weak dogs by any means. So, the iCrate comes with secured slide-bolt latches for extra security measures. This divider allows you to adjust the living space of the crate. Like with most crates, the iCrate has plastic removable plans that easily slides out from underneath the crate. Such a small feature will save you a ton of cleaning time! If you have limited space in the house, not to worry. The iCrate can be folded up in a matter of seconds. It makes it easy for transportation or storage. But if we had to nitpick, it would be the durability of the frame. However, unless you have an overly aggressive escape artist, this should be fine for most dogs. Check the price and see more reviews about the iCrate. English Bulldog. He has plenty of room to move around and get comfy. Very easy set up, it comes folded in a big box. All u gotta do is prop it up and you are ready to go. March 29, Heather Hiley What size crate do I need for my dog? One question we are asked frequently is what size dog crate do I need for my new puppy or dog? This guide is for those of you who have asked this as you ensure you have everything ready for a new pup or for travelling with your dog. Our guide will cover what size crate you might need depending on your doggie's breed; and how to make the crate comfortable for your four legged friend. Travel Dog Crate Travel safety is of utmost importance and restraining your dog when travelling in the car is now a legal requirement. A travel crate is a really practical option for most people as they sit simply in the boot and can fold flat when not in use. They are also needed for travel by sea and air, another reason to train your pup in a crate whilst young. Size is more important than weight. Dog owners often say to us, what size for a 12kg dog but 12kg can looking very different in a French Bull dog to a Sheltie for example. The crate should be at least 15cm 6inches longer than their body length head to start of tail and at least the same 15cm higher than their shoulder height to ensure they will be comfortable and be able to move around. Depending on whether your dog is still a young puppy or fully grown, you may consider buying a crate to suit their adult size so it lasts a period of time. This means your dog doesn't have to part with their favourite den. Different brands may vary slightly, but most will offer these most common size options. To help with conversions we have added inches as well as centimetres for ease. You might have a particularly large Frenchie or a very dainty Cockapoo. Use our recommendations as a guide and use this with your knowledge of the dog for a more accurate size recommendation. If you have reviewed the information above and still have questions about selecting the right dog cages for your pet, please get in touch with your dog's measurements and we will happily help. We love to help you buy the best products with the right dimensions; and, appropriate dog cage or pet carrier before you spend your money. We do encourage owners to consult their pup's breeder if you are bringing a new puppy home as they hold the specialist breed information. Pet travel crates are made from a collapsible metal frame and fabric material which is just big enough for your dog to stand and turn around in. You can use it when you are on the move with your dog, whether a visit to the vets, to friends or for a staycation. They are also handy around your home when you are not around to supervise your dog. When you have a dog, you will probably be faced with a challenge when it comes to deciding whether or not to crate your dog. You may feel that it is unfair to crate your dog and deny it its freedom to be out and about. However, both professional trainers and veterinary doctors can attest to the fact that crating your dog has a positive impact on its well-being. So crates as dog training tools are highly recommended by professionals. Particularly when on the move. If your dog is used to a crate at home, then they will travel better in a crate as this will not be alien to them. A crate allows your dog to satisfy its natural instinct to be in a den and this prevents it from experiencing problems that un-crated dogs feel. Traveling with dogs can be daunting as they may not be ready to adapt to all the changes around them. With a travel crate, your dog can relax in the crate as you travel and it will feel safe inside its crate because the crate is a familiar environment. More Information Introduction The Bulldog, also known as the English or British Bulldog, is a medium-sized breed that has a distinctive wrinkled face and pushed in nose. As of , it is the fourth most popular breed in the United States. The Bulldog is known as courageous, friendly and calm. It got its name from being used in the 'sport' of bull baiting. This blood sport involved tethering a bull to an iron stake with approximately a foot lead radius. It was the job of the Bulldog to immobilize the bull by the nose and eventually pinning it. Thankfully, such barbaric practices are no longer required of today's Bulldog. Although owners and breeders still defend against the unfair perception that bulldogs are aggressive and vicious animals. Generally, Bulldogs get along well with children, other pets and dogs. It goes well with their patient nature. Bulldogs are medium-sized and medium energy companions. The Bulldog is known as expressive, yet dignified. Appearance The Bulldog has a smooth coat with a low-centered body, wide shoulders and a sturdy frame. Generally, it will have thick folds of skin, wide-set eyes, a flat nose, drooping lips and are known to come in up to 10 colors with 4 distinct markings Black mask, brindle markings, piebald, and white markings. Nutrition It is recommended to provide feed formulated to medium-sized breeds. It is also important to ensure that clean, fresh water is always available. Grooming Bulldogs benefit from regular cleaning of their face and ears. This can be conveniently done with pet wipes at the ready. In order to avoid overgrowth, splitting or cracking, regular trimming or grinding is recommended. Exercise Bulldogs enjoy walks and require regular moderate exercise to stay healthy. This paired with a careful diet ensures that bulldogs have the best chance of living a full and happy life. Due to their short snout and difficulty breathing extreme humidity and heat should be spent in front of an air-conditioner rather than vigorously exercising. More Information Dimensions English Bulldogs weigh between forty to fifty pounds. Male English Bulldogs are heavier and will generally weigh an average of forty pounds whereas females will weigh about forty pounds. Bulldogs used for show purposes are likely to be as much as ten pounds heavier. The shoulder height of Bulldogs lies between twelve to fifteen inches and they are generally short animals. Persona This dog makes for a great watchdog because of its courageous nature. They do not bark and their appearance is enough to scare away any intruders. Sweet and lovable, Bulldogs have a dignified personality as opposed to a lively one and they are known to be stubborn at times. They get along easily with others and you can enhance this trait by exposing your English bulldog to different types of dogs and people. Though they are slow learners and take some time to train, once they have learned something it will stick and you will seldom find yourself teaching them something that you did a while ago. Their temperament will be influenced by a number of factors such as their heredity, socialization, and training. Thus, it is best for you to get a puppy which has been well bred. You can carry on the good work by giving it proper training and enrolling it in a puppy kindergarten. You can evaluate the temperament of your puppy by visiting its parents and siblings and you can choose a puppy with the temperaments that you prefer. Choosing a puppy in the middle ground, that is one that does not bully others or shy away, will help you shape your puppy into a well-rounded dog. Their inactive nature makes them suitable for various types of homes such as apartments as well as houses with yards. Health It is not always easy to tell what conditions that your bulldog might suffer from until it has reached two years. To be safe, get your dog from a reputable breeder to lessen the chances of getting a dog that is at a greater risk of contracting diseases such as entropion, cherry eye, hip dysplasia, and tail problems. Regular check-ups will go a long way in preventing most of the diseases that your dog is prone to. English Bulldog Protection It is imperative that you follow the right guidelines in the care of your dog to ensure that it lives a long, happy healthy life. Activity To prevent your Bulldog from gaining too much weight which can be problematic to its bone structure, ensure that it gets about fifteen minutes of exercise a day. Due to their inactive nature, they get tired easily and after those fifteen minutes, they will be ready to take a nap. Do not engage them in too much exercise though. A stroll up and down the street will serve your dog just fine. Weather Bulldogs have faces that are pushed in and as such, they do not do well in extreme temperatures. When they are exposed to high temperatures, they breathe very heavily as they are not able to dissipate heat efficiently. This makes them prone to suffering from heatstroke. If it is hot, ensure that your bulldog is in an environment with adequate air conditioning because if it spends as little as half an hour in high temperatures of about eighty-five degrees, it can die. Ensure that they have a lot of water by them in such hot temperatures to help them stay hydrated. Training Bulldogs are quite slow learners and for you to train them effectively, make the training sessions fun and fill them with positive reinforcement in the form of treats and a lot of praise. Once your Bulldog learns a command, it will remember it for a very long time. Safety Bulldogs are not natural swimmers as their heads are very heavy and tend to drag them down into the water which can lead to drowning. If you have a pool or a pond in your yard, keep an eye on your dog to prevent it from falling in. Feeding The amount and type of food that you give your bulldog will depend on its size, metabolism, age, build and its activity levels. Consult a professional trainer or a vet to help you in coming up with the right diet for your dog. Leaving food out at all times encourages your Bulldog to eat massive amounts of food and due to their inactive nature; this can easily lead to obesity. To prevent this, limit eating times to twice a day. Hygiene Getting your dog accustomed to hygiene practices while it is still young prevents the occurrence of many diseases. You can use baby wipes to wipe the insides of wrinkles and ensure that the insides are completely dry to avoid the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Introduce your Bulldog to nail clipping at an early age as this will make the experience much more pleasant for the two of you. Give your dog a weekly exam as you bathe it so that you can look out for warning signs of diseases. Crating English Bulldogs The size of the crate you choose will depend on the size of your dog. If it is still young, get a crate with a dividing panel to allow for expansion. Given their social nature, English Bulldogs get along with most people and children and you can trust them to play nice with kids. Instead of getting angry when tormented, they prefer to walk away. Seeing how amazing these dogs are, they definitely deserve a crate that is befitting of their lovable nature. Get a crate that allows them to have adequate space to sleep in as they really love to take naps. This decision should involve a number of considerations including gender, the possibility of mixed ancestry, age, and even the personality of your dog. However, this dog crate sizing chart will give you a good baseline to understand the proper size crate for an adult dog of each breed. From there, you can adjust based on additional factors. A proper dog crate should make a dog feel contained, but leave enough space to lay down and move around. It is also important to keep in mind that there are many varieties of dog crates available today. You have your choice of wire, plastic, soft side, rolling soft side, decorative wicker dog crates and wooden dog crate end tables—also known as dog crate furniture. Some of these will be adjustable in size so you can use them when your dog is a puppy, then take out pieces to grow with your adult dog. It is also important to consider any other items that you will be putting in the crate with your dog such as water bowls, bedding, toys, or even another dog. Please consult your veterinarian for additional guidance if necessary. How big should your dog crate be? Can a dog crate be too big? Yes, dog crates can be too big. Dogs actually feel a sense of security when they are in a closed environment and they will establish it as a home, much like we do with a bedroom. How much space should you have in a kennel? If you are looking for a quick rule that applies to all dogs, shoot for inches of space on all sides around the pet. How to measure your dog for crate size A lot of the crate size guides that you will see show recommendations based on the weight of a dog. However, when selecting the proper crate for your dog, the size matters more that the weight. The best way to measure this dog is with a simple tape measure. The two measurements that are important are height and length of your dog. How to measure the height of your dog Have your dog sit on the floor and face upward. This could be the forehead, nose or ears, depending on the dog. To be even more confident that your measurement is right, you can also measure your dog standing. Measure from the top of the head or ears if higher to the ground, just like you did when sitting. Take whichever of the two measurements is higher. When you have this height, add three to six inches to make sure that you are leaving enough room for your dog to be comfortable. You can think of this height as the minimum, but you should not be concerned if the crate is slightly taller. If you are on the border between two sizes, go with the larger one. How to measure the length of your dog Measuring length of your dog for a crate is both a measurement and a calculation. Measure your pet from the tip of the note to the base of the tail do not include the tail, regardless of type of dog. This is the height when the dog is standing from the floor to the elbow joint many people think of it as an armpit. Add the first measurement full length to one half of the second measurement arm length and that will give you your length. The reason for this is that when the pet is laying down, it can stick its arms or paws out beyond the standing length of its body. If you prefer, you can just add inches to the full length rather than measuring the legs and calculating it. Tips for measuring your dog for a crate A few tips and tricks for measuring your dog include: If your dog has a thick tail that will swing around in the cage, you can consider adding a portion of it to the length just to create a little bit of extra space. Use a soft tape measure like those used for measuring human clothing as opposed to a rigid household tape measure. This will irritate your dog less when measuring. This quick video from Chewy. Dog crate sizing chart by breed There are probably dog breeds that are not listed below. Also, keep in mind that these are rough guidelines and may not apply exactly to your dog. For instance, if you have a dog that weighs 20 pounds more than average, consider sizing up. You will see that some dog breeds show up on two of these lists. In that case, consider the exact breed teacup, etc. Extra Small Dog Crates. Crating Philosophy When considering the natural habitation of a canine, often its home is a den, cave, or similar close-quartered shelter. They used this space as their home, to sleep, escape from danger, and raise their young. Obviously, your bulldog would not appreciate roughing it out in the wild. However, they still find comfort resting in a similar space. On some days, it feels like our bulldogs have decided to claim the entire house as their den. But, we know they find comfort and in their crate as an escape from the clamor of a busy house. Certainly, the crate can be a great tool and outlet for your bulldog IF used properly. As useful as crates can be they are often one of the most abused resources an adopter. There is much, unneeded controversy on using them that has stemmed from irresponsible dog owners abusing their purpose. As concerned bulldog breeders, we make sure to take the time to explain to our adopters the proper and improper uses of a crate. What a crate is to be used for… 1. For a further in-depth explanation of this process please read this previous article we wrote on the matter. We like to use the 4-hour rule at our house for an adult bulldog and the 2 hour limit for our puppies. Any time past these limits, we would seriously consider arranging someone dropping by the house to let them out and move around. Transporting your bully in the car A crate provides a safe place for your bully to travel with you in the car especially long trips. We have found they love to snooze in their crate when road-tripping with us. Sleeping Once your bully is completely potty trained it is ok to sleep outside the crate, but we have found they often prefer their crate as a place of comfort as they grow older. Escaping from too much commotion The crate should be a place that your bulldog voluntarily goes into; they should feel that the crate is their home! Crates are an escape haven for your bulldog when the house is busy and there is just too much commotion.