where to find golden retriever puppies near me

At what age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? As larger dogs, Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to reach their full weight. Most Golden Retrievers will be close to their adult height and weight around a year of age but may need one more year to fill out their chest fully. A six-month-old male Golden Retriever will weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, while their female counterpart will weigh around 30 to 35 pounds at the same age. As for their height, most Golden Retrievers will still need another three to six months to reach their adult height. At this age, they will likely be a few inches away from their adult height, which ranges from .Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on bonding with your pet, puppy-proofing your home, training, microchips, and more! How much bigger will my Golden Retriever get? There are a few ways you can estimate how much bigger your Golden Retriever will get. If they are less than a year old, they still need more time to reach their full adult size. Many Golden Retrievers can take up to two years to completely fill out, though their weight at one year old is usually close to their full adult weight. A puppy is rarely larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you a general idea of their maximum weight. If their paws still look large or oversized next to their body and legs, they are probably still filling out and have some growing left to do, as this is a classic sign of adolescence in canines. What is the size of a full-grown Golden Retriever? As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur. Golden Retrievers are stunning, sunny dogs that easily steal our hearts. Unfortunately, as a purebred dog breed, they are more susceptible to genetic diseases, which can compromise their lifespan and quality of life. However, many genetic disorders can be treated or prevented with regular veterinary care. Remember that prevention is almost always easier and less expensive than treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend a large-breed growth food to your Golden Retriever puppy to support their growth rate which can help prevent or decrease the severity of hip dysplasia in adulthood. According to the Veterinary Centers of America , Golden Retrievers are also more prone to gaining excess weight. Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to various genetic health disorders, such as oral tumors and aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is most commonly found in large, purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, and occurs when the aortic valves to the heart narrow. Aortic stenosis causes the body to struggle to pump blood through the valve, creating additional stress on the body. If untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to muscle failure and even fatality. However, veterinarians can treat many genetic diseases like aortic stenosis and oral tumors through surgery and medication. Even with proper prevention and wellness care, necessary veterinary visits can be expensive, with many treatments costing thousands of dollars. Out of over 20, pet parents surveyed , only .The last thing you should be focused on when the worst happens is how to finance a needed surgery or treatment for your beloved pet. This is where pet insurance comes in. Just like people, dogs are living longer lives and will need additional veterinary care to maintain a happy quality of life. Let pet insurance help you with these costs should the worst happen to your dog. Wellness plans are also available as an add-on to help with the ongoing costs of regular veterinary care , like x-rays and exams. Act now and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your Golden Retriever is covered should anything happen. Compare top Golden Retriever pet insurance plans side-by-side with Pawlicy Advisor today! Key Takeaways On average, male Golden Retrievers weigh pounds and females weigh pounds. At full height, Goldens stand between .Although puppies groww extremely fast, the Golden Retriever breed can take as long as 2 years to reach full maturity. Owners should keep an eye on their Golden Retriever's diet because they are very prone to obesity. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care necessary to give your Goldie a happy, healthy life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! Much like human teenagers, canine adolescents typically display some behavioral issues and moodiness, which can be trying not just for them but for anyone who interacts with them for a few months. Being a teenager is hard, and so is parenting them! Your pooch will likely develop legs, ears, and a nose that grow faster than the rest of their body. This is completely normal. Your pup is just in their awkward teenage phase, which usually results in a gangly appearance. However, your pup could be smaller or taller than that based on its genetics and the type of golden. How Much Sleep a 7-Month-Old Golden Retriever Needs Your 7-month-old Golden Retriever is going to be growing rapidly over the next few months, so they need lots of sleep because sleep is crucial for growth and development. Most puppies sleep between 20 hours, but older pups will eventually sleep for 14 hours per day. Your golden will likely fall somewhere in between the two. An overly-sleepy puppy is not only moody but quite wild. Around every 3 hours or so of play, you should let your dog out to go potty and then attempt to get them to take a nap. It helps if you give them a quiet, comfortable space to sleep. Crates and pens work well for this. And the last element of nap time should be a soft chew toy. Puppies chew and hold things in their mouths to soothe themselves to sleep. A 7-month-old Golden Retriever should be eating cups of food per day, which you should split up into 3 separate meals. Not only do you need quality puppy food , but it also needs to be a puppy food designed for large breed dogs. Golden Retrievers are prone to over-eating and many of them are overweight as a result. The general guideline is that your pup should exercise 5 minutes every month of life. So since your pup is 7 months old, they should receive around 35 minutes of exercise per day. This is good news for lots of people who have been waiting to go on long walks with their Golden Retriever pup! When I was a kid, we got a 6-month-old Golden Retriever named Bear. I have no earthly idea why they named him Bear. At any rate, when he first came to us, he was full of enough energy to power the small village we lived in. Not seriously. Some of the stuff we dealt with early on in the first couple of months we had him included jumping upon us and anyone else he came in contact with , him being mouthy and chewing on things, and being destructive. Luckily, my dad was always good at training dogs. He was a true dog- lover, and he loved that dog. And my brother and I were young enough that we had the energy to spare, too. We ran all over our acre of property with Bear from the time we got home from school until it was time to go to bed every day, and went on countless adventures with him. Dealing with canine adolescence and the over-abundance of energy that Golden Retrievers often have is a LOT to deal with, but if you stick to it and see it through, the reward is well worth it! Bear was one of the best dogs we ever had. Here are some of the more common behavioral issues with 7-month-old Golden Retriever: Independence It can seem like someone flipped a switch and now suddenly your puppy is interested in everything in the world around him- except you and your commands. Switch things up. Play new games with your pup, and give them new treats and rewards. Forgetfulness Your pup is going to basically go randomly forget everything maybe even their own name! Even commands that they could once easily perform will be forgotten. This sort of regression and forgetfulness is a natural part of development, even for pups who are stellar students. Destruction The most common complaint of teenaged golden owners is the destruction. You need to practice extreme patience during this time. Just continue training your pup and reward them for good behaviors. Goldens respond to reward-based positive enforcement, rather than punishment. However, consistency does work to rectify behavioral issues. Obedience Training Obedience training is your lifeline during these trying times. Mental Stimulation Another source of problem behaviors is boredom. A bored golden puppy with loads of energy is a bad combination! Some of the best ways to combat this problem are puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys, as well as playing games with your pup. Structure and Routine Just as with human children, young Golden Retrievers need structure and routine. Conclusion Your Golden Retriever has entered a new developmental phase, which is exciting! In a little more than a year, your pup will be fully grown! Even though adolescence can be difficult to deal with at times, the bond you create with your golden is priceless. Here are the other articles in this series in case you missed them:. Final Thoughts Usually, the skin hair coat that the golden Retriever has is very wavy and golden to cream in color. The size of the golden retriever depends on its growth. If they are fed regularly and provided with proper nutrition and a balanced diet, they will grow normally. In some cases, due to lack of food or nutrition, the golden retrievers cannot grow fully. This causes them to become sick and face various diseases. That is why it is highly recommended to provide them with proper food so that they can grow fully. It will also improve their muscle, nervous system, and growth. In addition to that, the fully grown golden retrievers can be a great companion for your family. It is important to ensure proper nutrition throughout their growing age so that they can become healthy when they reach the adult phase. But if you notice excess weight gaining, immediately go see a veterinary doctor. Golden Retrievers are considered medium to large-sized dogs. There are differences between the size of a male and a female golden retriever. A 7 months old male golden retriever weighs around 40 to 50 pounds. On the other hand, a 7 months old female golden retriever is around 30 to 40 pounds. The Golden Retrievers are medium to large size dogs that are commonly popular in the United States. These dogs are very friendly and love to play. They usually enjoy swimming in the water and playing fetch with their family members. The Golden Retrievers have a devoted temperament in front of the family members in the house. Usually, it takes around two years for golden retrievers to become adults or to reach their full weight. But in some cases, the Golden Retriever becomes an adult within a year of their age. There are significant differences between the weights of a male and female golden retriever. A 7 months old golden retriever is considered a golden retriever puppy. Generally, the weight of a seven-month-old male golden retriever should be around 40 to 50 lbs. On the other hand, a 7 months old female golden retriever dog should weigh around 30 to 40 pounds. The female golden retrievers need a little bit more time to become full adults. The chart below shows the standard weight of a 7 month old golden retriever dog: 7 month old golden retriever Weight should be 7 month old golden retriever male lbs. It is important to make sure that your golden retriever gets the proper food to grow up. It is highly important to consider the weight, age, and activity level of a golden retriever dog for making the food chart. You always need to have a balanced diet that will be able to ensure proper nutrition for your dog. Growing puppies should be fed often. It helps them to get the energy to survive throughout the day. That is why you need to feed a food diet that is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for the normal development of your puppy. It is recommended to provide your Golden retriever puppies with high-quality dog food that is rich in protein and minerals. In addition to that, you will need to provide them with more water. How much should a 7 month old golden retriever eat? In the case of a male golden retriever puppy, you need to feed three and a half to four cups of food every day. In the case of a female retriever, it is okay to provide them with three cups of food every day. Make sure to divide the food into three parts so that you can feed them three times a day. Do not feed the golden Retriever puppies very often. You need to make sure that you do not feed excess food to the golden retriever, because that may cause them to gain excess weight and face obesity. The adult golden retrievers need to eat food every day that has to calories. If the proper nutritional requirements for the Golden Retriever puppies are not met, they will face serious diseases and their growth will be disrupted. That is why you need to train them carefully so that they become well-mannered and controlled. Otherwise, they can harm anyone surrounding them. The seven months old golden retriever puppies may start to behave in an unmannered way which should be corrected immediately. Below is a brief discussion on the behaviors of seven months old golden retriever dogs: Barking: The common characteristic of a golden retriever dog puppy is to bark unnecessarily. You need to train them carefully so that they do not bark around everything they see. Although in some cases they bark to communicate with other dogs. Biting: At first, you may think that the biting of your dog is simply playing or being naughty with you. But in the future, this may cause a huge problem for you. That is why you need to train them properly so that they do not bite or feel scared to see anything. Aggressiveness: Golden retriever dogs may become very aggressive due to their characteristics. It is very normal. You need to control their behavior and make them well-mannered and well-controlled so that they do not become aggressive in front of other people. How much sleep does a 7 month old golden retriever need? The Golden retriever puppy requires at least 18 to 20 hours of sleep. Sleeping is important for a golden retriever puppy because it will help the puppy in its growth and development. Sleeping will develop their central nervous system, blood circulation, and muscle properly. As they grow older, you need to reduce their sleeping time. Generally, an adult puppy requires sleep 12 to 14 hours a day. How much exercise does a 7 month old golden retriever need? A golden retriever puppy needs to do exercise regularly because it helps to keep the central nervous system, blood pressure, and muscles stable. You can implement the 5-minute rule for the puppy to keep it healthy. It means the puppy does not require exercise for more than five minutes at once. You can take them to a field and let them jump and run. Let them go out and have some fun to make them comfortable in a social environment. You need to train them carefully so that they do not boss around the other pets or do any unruly behaviors in front of everyone. Why is my 7 month old golden retriever shedding? Usually, the talks will start to lose their hair during the spring so that they can prepare for the warmer months, such as the summer. Then again, they will grow back their hair before the winter to prevent them from getting cold. How to train a 7 month old golden retriever? It is important to train them so that they do not strike upon any other dogs or animals in society. In addition to that, you need to make them comfortable with other animals to let them become friends with them. It is important to train the golden Retrievers to prevent them from being aggressive or biting someone. Training is a part of socializing the golden Retrievers. Training the golden Retrievers when they are seven months old is the ideal time because, during this age, they learn everything. Below is a brief discussion on how to train a 7-month-old golden retriever: Potty train: To potty train your golden retriever, you need to take them outside very often. Take them to the same spot again and again so that they can be familiar with this place and do their work. Socializing: Try to take them out and let them eat with other dogs so that they can be comfortable with other animals. It is important to train them so that they do not get into a fight with other dogs. Biting: You need to stop the puppies from biting. This will help them to understand that this is not a good way to behave. Final Thoughts The Golden Retrievers are a very friendly type of dog, but they need to be trained well so that they do not harm or pounce any other animals. You need to provide the puppies a good amount of food that contains proper nutrition. It will help them to grow up properly and become healthy dogs.

From puppyhood to old age care The black Lab is up to 24 inches tall and weighs up to 80lbs. Depending on on their ancestors, your black Labrador puppy may be a little smaller than this when they are fully grown. And the hunting or American Lab may have a lighter frame and a strong drive for retrieving. The lifespan of a black Labrador is 12 years, and some purebred black lab puppies can live even longer given the right diet, exercise and a healthy dose of luck. He was my constant companion almost into adulthood. He came on countless runs through the woods, spent hours playing ball in the backyard, but also sat with his head gently rested in my lap whenever I was sad. It has always amazed me that despite the black Labrador being the most common color, it is in some ways the least appreciated. With an amazing history of working alongside human companions, and a fabulous temperament, this pup really is one to watch. This black retriever has been favored by the hunting community for generations. But they were bred from a fishing companion that has been extinct now for nearly fifty years. This breed was also most likely the route of the rather different, and bigger, Newfoundland. Albeit often with white markings. Do you ever feel like you see more black Labs around than any other color? The first chocolate Labradors that we know of were born in the s, but colors other than black were not at all popular until the mid 90s. Horribly, for many generations most puppies born with chocolate or yellow coats were routinely euthanized at birth! If a puppy has inherited the gene for black coat color from either of her parents, this is the color that her coat will be. These both come from a pigment called eumelanin. More eumelanin leads to a black Lab, less leads to a chocolate. Genes come in pairs. Here we are dealing with B genes at the B locus. B is dominant over b. So a pairing of BB or Bb will give a black coat. Only bb will give a brown coat. A puppy gets one gene from each parent. With me so far? This is because these genes are also effected by another set of genes, at the E locus. E is dominant, and does not get in the way of the B genes. But e is recessive, and this does. It has the potential to stop the B genes giving a black or brown dog, and gives us yellow Labrador pups. And these all interact with each other differently to give different coat colors. This diagram explains them nicely: You can see from these combinations alone that the most common result is a black Lab puppy. But also how chocolate and yellow Labs were hidden for a time through careful matings and selective culling. But there is another twist to the black coat color tale. Occasionally a Lab is born with the dilute gene. This genetic twist essentially tones down the shade of the dark coat color. In the same way that the chocolate Lab looks silver when this gene is activated, the black Lab looks charcoal. In genetic terms, this dilute gene lives at the D locus. Popularity of Black Labs Black Labs have always been the most prevalent color, but their popularity has changed over the years. In the sporting dog community owners of hunting dogs still often prefer the black coat, but pet and show owners often show a preference these days for the paler colors. Chocolate and yellow Labs can even fetch higher prices from some breeders, not to mention the less common fox red and silver tones. Black Dogs Are Harder To Rehome There is a sad phenomenon in pet shelters, which impacts the rehoming rate of black dogs. Prospective owners often pass them by, regardless of temperament, in favor of the brighter colored pups on offer. But these adopters are missing a trick, because black dogs have so much to offer beyond their coat. And what they do offer differs slightly between the Labrador types. English Black Labs — bred for show There are two strains of Labrador. One was bred for the show ring, and the other was bred for the field. Although they are both Labs in the true sense, these separate strains can be quite different and are easy to pick apart if you know what you are looking for. English black Labradors are often preferred by pet homes as well as owners interested in the ring. The English black Lab has a reputation for being a little slower to mature, and a lot more playful. American Black Labs — bred to work American black Labs are slimmer, less excitable but more driven. They stand around the same height, but their heads are less broad and their tails often have less of the otter quality that their show companions sport. Although still friendly, they are perhaps less inclined to play than their show bred cousins. And in contrast to this have a stronger drive to retrieve and hunt. The English black Lab was bred for looks over purpose. Their broad head and barrel chest is matched with a straight, thick furred tail and a heavier weight on the scales. Black Labradors bred for show or as pets tend to be slower to mature, with a more playful personality, and are arguably less likely to run off after wildlife! Which Type Suits You? American black Labs may need more exercise and mental stimulation than English black Labs. They will benefit from gun dog style training involving retrieving exercises. Black Lab Characteristics Although there is no denying that the different Labrador strains have separated to a fair dramatic degree, these are still all fundamentally black Labs. And they do have some features in common that makes them who they are. The Lab has a double coat, excellent for keeping them warm in and out of the water. Their thick straight tail is described as having an otter-like appearance. And they are almost all one single color with no other markings. Mismarked Labs rear their heads from time to time, but this is generally just a case of white toes or a splash of white on their chests. Grooming and Coat Care Your black Lab needs no special grooming due to his coat color. In fact, the grooming requirements of your Labrador Retriever are some of the simplest among dog breeds. Their coats are designed to take care of themselves. Though your furniture and floors may benefit if your dog has a twice daily brush when shedding heavily. Other than that Labs have a wonderful coat that requires only occasional washing. The eventual size of your black Lab puppy will depend a little upon their upbringing, and a lot upon whether they are from American or English lines. An adult black Lab will weigh anywhere from 55 to 80 lbs, and be from 21 to .The English black Lab will tend to be closer to the heavier end of the spectrum, and the American nearer to the lower. Black Lab Temperament Labradors are well known for being friendly. Perhaps sometimes a little too friendly! This bouncy breed is more likely to leap up and lick a burglar than to stop him in the act. The downside of this is that they can be easily distracted at the dog park by wanting to greet everyone they come across. Their jolly, lively nature can also lead them into trouble with people who are unsteady on their feet. Although lovably clumsy, this dog also has a brilliant brain. Intelligence Black Labradors have been bred for generations as hunting companions. Deliberately bred from dogs that were attentive to their handlers and relatively easy to teach commands to, they are absolutely an intelligent breed. Because to get that black coat expressed is just a matter of mating two dogs, whereas to get the recessive genes you need to at least partially make your breeding choices based upon the colors of the parents as well as factors to do with temperament and trainability. But the most important factor when bringing together two Lab lines should always be one of health. Training and Exercising Your Black Lab Black Labs are intelligent dogs and training is an absolute essential for them and their owners. RUnning, swimming, cycling, hiking and even dock diving are popular pass times. Although American Labs tend to be more driven to fetch, English Labradors are often still keen too. Both types need a good workout every day to keep them fit and healthy. And to help them relax at home. You can exercise your dog with a traditional walk, by going for a run together or through play. Retrieving games are a great way to give your Lab a lot of exercise without you having to travel quite such a long distance yourself. You can find some great ideas for games you and your Labrador can play together in this article. Black Lab Health The best way to avoid health problems is by purchasing a puppy from health tested parents. The main areas to be aware of are joint problems and eye problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common Lab complaints. This condition ranges in severity and an adult dog can have x rays to assess their joint health, and be given a score to let you know how well their joints have developed. To avoid your puppy suffering from this either both parents need to be Clear or one Clear one Carrier. If one is a carrier, your puppy might carry the gene too. A general eye exam once a year will make sure that there are no other vision problems manifesting over time. Most breeders advertise online now, so you will need to be careful to have a good chat with them before committing to buying a puppy. Do not put down a deposit before meeting the mother and the litter at their home. The mum should be relaxed and happy to meet you, and for you to handle her pups. If you are looking for a pet you will need to decide whether you think a show or working temperament is better suited to your lifestyle and family needs. Make sure the breeder willingly shows you copies of health certificates from both parents. As a minimum they should be PRA clear, have a recent clear eye check from a vet, have good hip scores and an elbow score of 0. If one parent has been shown as a carrier for dwarfism or PRA, be sure to check that the other has been tested clear. Good breeders ask lots of questions because they care about what happens to their pups, and will be open and willing to answer all of your questions too. You might find it helpful to check out our article on Labrador breeders before you start searching for a pup. You might also want to read this article: Choosing the Right Dog. The information in these articles will help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when looking for their new best friend. Rescuing a Black Lab Rescuing a dog is a great thing to do if your circumstances are right. And rescuing a black Lab is even better, as this color can be hard to home. Reputable rescues will work hard to match you to the right dog, and help you to make a choice that fits in well with your family. Rescuing such a dog can be very rewarding. We hope you will find our article Should you adopt a Labrador helpful. You can view a list of rehoming societies on our rescue page. They will also offer plenty of support and help once you bring your dog home. Especially when it comes to behavioral and training problems. White or grey hairs may start forming around their muzzle, giving them a bearded or grizzled look. This pale hair is nothing to worry about and happens to most black Labs sooner or later. As your black Lab reaches old age, you might find that he slows down a bit. His typical energetic black Lab personality may mellow. He will be less boisterous, and more inclined to spend the day in bed than bouncing up and down by your side. The average lifespan of a black Lab is around 12, but if you are lucky your pup might be with you for 14 or more years. A more comfortable bed, ideally with memory foam, can help support those ageing joints. Ramps for accessing the car can really help them out too. Depending upon advice from your vet you might also want to switch them to a senior dog food , which is easier to digest and has additives that some believe can help slow the pace of arthritis. Life Span Did You Know? Black Labrador Retrievers, or just Black Labs, are a common coat color variation of one of the most popular dog breeds. The Black Labrador Retriever is not necessarily a separate dog breed. Black Labs are still Labrador Retrievers; they just have a distinct coat color that is a specifically-bred characteristic. Like other Labrador Retrievers, Black Labs are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great family companions. Although they are active and energetic dogs, Labs are also known for their gentleness and patience with other family members. Well-socialized Black Labs tend to get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, pets, and even strangers. They are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , Black Labs thrive on attention, especially from their favorite humans. They are happiest when they are spending time with their families and receiving affection and attention from them. Despite their high energy, Labs are highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be better suited to homes with fenced yards where they can run, but they also adapt well to apartments provided they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold like many dog breeds. As such, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Black Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, heart disease, hereditary myopathy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Another potential health concern is EIC exercise-induced collapse , which can occur in young adult Labs and has a genetic link. Because carriers can be identified by DNA tests, it is recommended that breeders test for them. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Although their high energy and puppylike exuberance can sometimes be a challenge, they are intelligent dogs that are eager to please. As long as training is kept consistent and focused on positive rewards and praise, novice owners still tend to do well with Black Labs. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training too. Black Labs have a short, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and sheds heavier as seasons change. Depending on how active your Black Lab is and what they get into, they may need a bath more often, especially if they are swimming a lot. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed help prevent ear infections. Good dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. As one of the most active dog breeds , a Black Labrador Retriever will need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are a minimum. Your Black Lab will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood. They tend to maintain a puppylike exuberance until they are years old. Although they do tend to mellow out as they get older, they are still active, energetic, and playful dogs. Once they are fully grown, you can try other things like hiking, running, dock diving, and more to find other activities you and your Black Lab can enjoy together. Fully-grown Black Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Black Labs generally live for years on average. Black Labrador Retrievers came before the also-popular Chocolate Lab. All modern Chocolate Labs can be traced back to three Black Labs in the s. It was the December issue of .Featured Black Labrador Retriever Article.

Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. Deoderizer Plastic bin or something similar — optional Your new furry bundle of joy is likely going to go potty. Or, your new puppy may be scared and urinate out of fear. If you brought the list of things above, then this should not be an issue. You are prepared for it. Be patient and understanding. Your Golden puppy will be scared and nervous enough, so stay calm and reassuring if an accident happens. A puppy does not know any better and cannot hold its bladder for long periods. Geting frustrated with an already scared puppy is not helpful. Lap time is an excellent opportunity for you and your puppy to bond. It would help if you took every chance to build that bridge as early and often as you can. Like introductions and crate training, potty training can wait until another day. Now is not the time. If the pup does go on the towel, put the towel in the plastic bag for washing or disposal later. And what to do with any unexpected poop presents? Any soiled items are put in a plastic bag and sealed until they can be dropped in a waste bin. If your towels or blankets get soiled, and you want to relaunder, put them in a separate bag. Odors can be controlled by tossing a deodorizer in the bag. And this is where the plastic container comes in. It serves two purposes. Secondly, it makes it much easier to carry any supplies you have packed especially if you have to stop for the night. Also, your new puppy may get car sick. Stay calm, clean it up, and put it in the bag until disposal time. No littering. We packed a laundry basket with a bed, toys, paper towels, treats, plastic bags, old towels, and other items we needed. Bedding, Snacks, and Water Just like we need Doritos and other assorted snacks on a long car ride, so does your puppy. Instead, bring some healthy snacks. If the trip is a long one, bring along a bowl or two because your puppy will need to eat and drink water. A good breeder should provide you with some of the food that the puppy has been eating. So, you want to transition a puppy to another food slowly. Sometime before picking up your puppy, ask your breeder if they will supply some of the puppy food when you pick up the dog. If they do not, then ask them for the brand and where they purchased it so you can get some before arriving. Puppies sleep a lot, and with the added stress of the trip, your new puppy may want to chill. So, bring a bed or blankets. If you take a bed, make sure your line it with a puppy pad or some layers of old towels or rags. Toys Your puppy might be playful and want to play. Some puppies adapt faster to new situations and have an extroverted personality. Bringing toys along gives your puppy something to play with and is excellent for distracting it on the ride home. Avoid small toys or ones that your puppy can chew small pieces off to avoid choking hazards. Your puppy may even sleep most of the trip. Like people, some puppies may be more introverted and need more time to get accustomed to strange situations. Some puppies are timid, and some are not. Some will play right out of the gates; some will not. Other Considerations Using a Crate What about crates? Crates can be the safest option IF your puppy is accustomed to it and definitely if traveling alone. Ask the breeder if they familiarized the Golden puppy with the crate. If yes, then a crate may be a good option, but you should let the pup get familiar with the crate before departing the breeders. A bad experience can set back future crate training or affect it permanently. It can be traumatizing. You can leave the crate training to a day when it can happen in a calm environment and when your puppy has become a bit familiar with its new home and family. Bottom line: a crate is a good option if your puppy is familiarized with the crate thank you, breeder or has no issues going in. If your puppy is not happy about it or outright opposed, have someone sit it in the backseat holding and monitoring the pup. This great video provides helpful instruction on how to introduce your puppy to the crate. Leave The Kids at Home Kids love puppies, and puppies love kids, but this is not the time to make that introduction. And for you. And for the driver. The car is not the place to be distracted. Be safe and keep the stress levels as low as possible. Leave the introductions for when you can control the interactions in a stable and comfortable environment at home. The car ride on the first day is not the best place for that. Nor will it make or break the bonding and socialization experience if introductions wait until home. If the kids are 12 or over, then you can consider bringing them along. Staying Overnight If the trip is a long one, then you may need to consider staying overnight. If you stay at a hotel or motel, make sure you confirm that they allow dogs, especially puppies. Your puppy may whine a lot during its first night, so check with the hotel to determine if a more isolated room is available. You can bring a crate along or a playpen and make a little confinement area in the room—kind of like when you were kids and built forts. Also, overnight stays require some additional supplies. It would help if you planned on taking more food for your puppy, as well as snacks, paper towels, and any other supplies as required. In a pinch, you can always stop at the grocery store or gas station to top up. Rain can cause issues, as can any number of weather-related issues. If traveling in bad weather, then pack accordingly. For winter, that means extra supplies such as blankets, food, winter clothing, a survival pack, and shovels. Time off work Taking a week off of work is a good idea. The extra few days will give you time to ensure proper bonding with your puppy. And, if the trip is a long one you can take more time without rushing. The first week is essential for bonding with your new puppy and developing trust. The puppy is adjusting to its new surrounding and family, and you want the time to work on routines. Routines included potty training, feeding, and bedtime. You also want to work on preparing your puppy for the day you return to work. To learn about how to raise a golden Retriever puppy while working, this article may be of some help: Raising a Golden Retriever Puppy While Working: Guilt-Free Solutions Rest Stops Chance are you will need to pull over so your puppy and you can relieve itself and stretch the legs. However, it would be best if you were cautious where you stop. If you must stop, then consider going someplace with no or very little dog activity. Rest stops are usually full of people with dogs, so I suggest avoiding those popular areas. If you must pull over, then do it someplace that seems dog isolated like a farm road. Puppies fetch no pun intended a fair price these days, especially with demand increasing due to the pandemic and more people isolated at home. If you must make a pit stop, take turns while one person attends to the puppy another good reason to enlist some help and ensure someone comes along for the ride. Bailey having a rest stop. Relax and Have Fun Having fun might be the most crucial step. Dogs, especially puppies, really thrive in a caring environment and with lots of positive reinforcement. Doing so will help your puppy thrive from day one. That positive energy will lay the foundation to support your Golden Retriever puppy to prosper in the coming days and months. If you follow the steps above, you are almost certain to have created a mostly stress-free environment when bringing home your new Golden Retriever puppy. And doing so paves the way to cherishing one of the most joyful experiences we can have in life—a new puppy. Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! A couple toiletries you should consider getting are shampoo , toothpaste and a toothbrush, a brush to keep their coat nice and smooth, and poop bags for the inevitable accidents on walks. Your puppy will need a lot of stimulation so having a couple chew toys or balls will not only help with bonding, but will also spare your precious furniture from his attempt to alleviate boredom. Preparing Your House For A Golden Retriever Puppy Not only will you be able to protect your valuables but you will also be able to reduce the chances of them accidentally ingesting or choking on various items around the house. You can help prevent this by moving things off the floor, such as toys or knick-knacks. Another common offender is medicine or household detergents. Ensure that those are packed away, as these can cause serious medical emergencies if ingested. Other suggestions would be to remove or secure electrical cables so as to prevent your puppy from experiencing the wonders of electricity. Furthermore, ensure that your dustbin has a secure lid as this will prevent them from not only strewing your kitchen floor with garbage but also from potentially poisoning or injuring themselves while digging through the smelly treasures. When reviewing your garden, make sure that your pool has a covering or is securely locked so as to prevent drowning. Also check your fence to make sure that there are no holes or weak points which could result in your puppy running off into the street. Bringing Home a Golden Retriever Puppy Once the big day arrives, it is important to consider how you are going to get your new pooch home. Remember to cover the backseat with a towel, as nausea has been known to occur. There are some who prefer to hold their new puppy on the car ride home while the four-legged friend is swaddled in a towel. This is not recommended due to the increase in injury risk should there be an accident. Most importantly, for puppies on their first car trip, they should be given time to take a bathroom break before the trip starts, as well as when you are en route. Now that he is home and all the excitement has calmed down, it might be time to start considering important aspects of your parenting plan. First off, you need to plan for appropriate socialization ; not just with the dogs and humans at home, but also with other dogs, humans and other animals outside. This ensures that they are a well-rounded well-adjusted member of the furry society. Bringing golden retriever puppy home is an amazing experience and one that you will never truly forget. However, this does require preparation on the part of the owner, as you will need to outfit your house with necessary essentials, assess your current living arrangements, and still plan your parenting strategy. But here is wishing you the best of luck with your new golden retriever puppy. Sarah Andrews Hi I'm Sarah, dog lover and blogger. I was born into a dog-loving family and have been a proud doggy mommy ever since I can remember. I love sharing my dog knowledge and love being an active part of the dog-loving community. Related Posts. Read the full disclosure here. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials, plus some added extras. Food: Every dog needs food! See our puppy food guide for recommendations. Bowls: Your puppy is going to need something to eat that food from. Something to think about. Bedding: Your pup will need a comfortable bed to call their own. You can decide whether to choose a puppy-sized one or one that they can grown into. To avoid buying more than one crate, you can get one big enough to fit your adult golden and make it puppy-sized using dividers. Brushes: Get your puppy some brushes suitable for a longer-coated dog. The sooner you get pup used to being brushed, the easier it will be in the future. Toothbrush and toothpaste: These are daily essentials in your grooming routine. Be sure to choose a dog-specific toothpaste as the human stuff can be dangerous to canines. Treats: Essential for training. Pick high-value treats for when you really want to motivate your pup. Chew toys are essential to help direct chewing away from your belongings. Tug toys, balls to play fetch and treat-dispensing toys are also nice to have. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. These are the main things you need to think about when puppy proofing your home. Put them up high or away in their proper place. Not only will it leave you out of pocket if your pup chews something expensive, many such items are also choking hazards. Be careful of plants: Make sure you remove any plants that are poisonous to dogs , both in your house and your garden. Common offenders include foxglove, wisteria and yew. Secure medicines and cleaning products: Both medicines and cleaning products can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Hide electrical cords: If a puppy sinks their teeth into an electrical cord, it can prove fatal. Try not to have electrical cords running across the room or out in the open where your puppy can get to them. If needs be, you can get cord concealers, cord wraps or even pvc pipes to secure them. Planning Appropriate Puppy Socialization Socialization, with both humans and other dogs plus other animals, if your new puppy is going to be around them , is one of the most important things to think about with your new puppy. A well-socialized puppy should turn into an adult dog who interacts well with all dogs and people, which makes your life so much easier as a dog-owner. It might sound a bit over the top, but it will stop your pup from getting confused or overstimulated and it sets some ground rules for the humans involved, too. Pick out regular meal times for your puppy and try to stick to them as closely as possible. Also take your puppy out into the garden on a schedule, as this will really help with toilet training. You can also schedule in training sessions, play sessions and, when your puppy is old enough, their daily walks. Learning How To Train Your Puppy You might think that training your new dog will be intuitive when you get them home, but dog training is a skill you learn, not one you just pick up as you go along. Once your puppy is old enough, group puppy training classes are an excellent idea. Not only will you learn more about training your pup, your dog will also get to socialize with other young canines. The ideal option is to have the puppy in the back seat in a car harness and have a passenger sit next to them, who can hold, pet and comfort them on the journey home. Some people forgo the harness altogether and have a passenger simply hold the puppy, wrapped in a blanket or towel. However, before you even get your puppy into the car, you should try to get them to relieve themself first , to avoid any toilet-based accidents on the journey home. Once you get your precious pup home, all that effort and preparation will have been worth it to give your new four-legged friend the best start in life. You May Also Like.

Any puppies that qualify as a German Shepherd Mix are a cross between a German Shepherd and another dog breed. In a mixed breed, you can get any mix of characteristics in the parent breeds. German Shepherds tend to be strong-willed, intelligent, playful, and loyal. To get a full idea of what to expect in your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the cross and check out the mother dog in-person to get a general idea about size and temperament. On the German Shepherd side, you have an independent dog with high intelligence and a playful spirit. German Shepherds make great family pets and are born protectors. Because of their protective instinct, they can be suspicious of strangers. Socialization early and often can help curb this suspicion and make them more open to new people and situations. German Shepherds also tend to be loving and have a lively personality. The German Shepherd Mix can have any or all of these characteristics plus any characteristics from the other parent breed in the mix. Before buying a German Shepherd Mix puppy and bringing them home, be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. If the puppies are being family-raised around children, you should be able to get an idea of how they will do in a family setting that includes children. The German Shepherd is a moderately adaptable working dog that was bred to guard, work, and herd. They do not tend to do well in apartments and are best-suited for houses with yards. GSDs prefer to be with their families and do not like to be alone. They also tend to prefer cooler climates as they are sensitive to heat. With a German Shepherd Mix, you could get a moderately adaptable dog that is just like a purebred German Shepherd. You could also end up with a dog that is more like the other parent breed. Talking with the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a good idea of what to expect. German Shepherds can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. You will need to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an idea of any other health concerns to be aware of in your German Shepherd Mix. Health screenings, clearances, and the genetic history of the parents can help allay concerns about potential health conditions. On the German Shepherd side, training and obedience classes are highly recommended for novice dog owners. Although GSDs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and train fairly easily, they can be stubborn with an independent streak. Regardless of the other parent breed in the cross, you should be prepared to enroll in obedience and training classes with your German Shepherd Mix. The experience will be beneficial to both you and your puppy and will also offer some opportunities for socialization. You will still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an understanding of what to expect during the training process. Professional grooming a few times a year and the occasional bath is also recommended. Regardless of the coat type, your German Shepherd Mix will need to have their nails trimmed monthly and their teeth brushed regularly. Not every dog will allow you to do this, so try to get a tooth brushing session in at least a few times a week to reduce tartar buildup. This will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it will help cut down on bad breath! German Shepherds tend to have a high activity level. They were bred to run, herd, guard, and protect, so they are used to working and having a job to do. They are definitely not a lazy dog breed! Be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. You will still want to go in prepared for a high energy dog with the understanding that your German Shepherd Mix puppy may have an activity level closer to the other breed in the cross. If both are high energy dogs breeds, expect to end up with a high energy dog. A German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. They also usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. The other dog breed in the cross could result in a smaller or larger German Shepherd Mix. A German Shepherd generally lives for years. You should be able to expect a similar range in your German Shepherd Mix, but the other dog breed in the cross could affect this range. Featured German Shepherd Mix Article. Monty probably aint going nowhere.Thought for minute he might be wolf hybrid. Monty has been with me for 5 years. Night one: I was getting my drank on with a friend. Walked out for a smoke at 2am and BOOM. There's this gigantic dumb dog standing at the door in the pouring rain. Do you think anyone came to claim him? Hell no. Not sure I can say I blame them tbh. Im just trying to be honest with you guys. He either hates you or loves you. We've had one failed attempt after another with meet and greets. Monty doesn't want to be forced to like someone. He wants to do it on his own terms. We've had volunteers that haven't had a single issue with him at all and we've had volunteers who can't take him out of his kennel. Monty loves me, my 7 year old son, my ex husband, my new future husband, and a handful of other people. He responds beautifully with someone who won't bow down to him. You won't find more love, character and devotion than Monty will give you. He has ZERO ill intent towards people whom have been blessed enough to be considered part of his pack. Monty will not be suited for a home with children or one that will have random people walking in and out. Monty would be best suited for a person or couple who both are confident with dogs and don't display anxiety around them- Monty feeds into anxiety. It's like he has to prove a point that he's the boss. He would do great with adopters who are active and like to hike, walk, run or do just about anything. He can often be found at Kankakee State park, Menards and Lowes, because for some reason hell act civilized for fun trips has to be muzzled but he doesn't mind. Monty is not for the weak minded or feeble. Monty isn't a bad dog, he doesn't want to kill anyone. He's just a little twisted and likes to see people squirm. He needs a handler who will say "knock it off" and not let him see them sweat. One who can commit to keeping him in line and safely controlled. FYI he can and will absolutely jump a 4' fence. Doesn't even attempt with 6'. Much as that is to take in, Im sure you've left by now. If not, and you think this level of crazy is just right for you then please give me a call so we can discuss your next biggest mistake! Considering Monty for adoption? To meet any of our dogs you must first complete our online adoption application on our website. He's beyond handsome, very charming, totally social, loves everyone, and will win you over in minutes. Here's the real question. Can you handle being the second best looking one in the family? Sure, he can't have access outside when no one is home because he can and will jump a 7' fence, but that's not the real issue here. Are you secure enough to handle his good looks? Are you ready to be completely ignored when out in public? Everyone's eyes will drop to your dog and all you'll hear is 'omg, he's amazing! He's so soft! He's so sweet! He's so handsome! Brody will eat it up and you'll eventually have to say, 'OK, so it's getting really late and we've been here for 95 minutes and should probably get going. This handsome boy is probably around years old, and he's great with people and gets along with female dogs who like to play rough. He's got all of the energy that comes along with puppihood, but is smart and food motivated, making him fun to train. He's a Husky in every way, good on a leash, obedience trained, super loving and sweet, and going to make someone very happy to have him in the family! He would do best in a family with Husky experience. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, boarding fees, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is tax deductible. The adoption donation provides that all dogs will be spayed or neutered, receive current vaccinations, and are microchipped. If not, arrangements will be made on an individual basis i. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with physical problems. Considering Brody for adoption? Showing 1 - 33 of 33 resultsPage 1 - 33 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.See all Female Puppy Brockville Looking to re-home a 13 week old puppy, part shepherd, husky and retriever. She is very active. Born on June 29th, just a little over 2 months old. Straight backs. We are a small family-owned dog.I would like to find a good and loving home that has space for them. They still need a little bit of leash training but they know all of the basic.He was born on June 22nd and is 9 weeks old. He eats solid food and use puppy pads already. The parents Jax and Ember are the best of friends, both have kind and loving temperaments and have been raised in our family.They were born on June 22nd and are 11 weeks old. They eat solid food and use puppy.Golden, Husky and Shepherd Mixed Puppies!!! Puppies will come with vet papers that include their first shots and.Looking for a furry bundle of joy? Look no further! These 4 adorable puppies are ready to find their forever homes. They're cute, cuddly, and full of love. Don't miss out.Currently rehoming him due the fact I am overworked and after a recent tragedy in the family I no longer have the time nor emotional capacity to care for.Contact for further information. Serious enquires only please. There are 3 girls available. They will come fully vet checked with first and second shots, de worming and a clear bill of health.Mom is our family pet, quiet and calm and loves children. Ready to go home with you! Females and males available.

Oklahoma City: .It is a medium to large-sized dog very well known for its strength, trainability, and intelligence. Discover more about our German Shepherd puppies for sale below! Breed History In the 19th century, Shepherds bred all kinds of dogs mainly to herd and guard flocks. Thus, the dogs needed to display a high level of intelligence, extra normal strength, resilience, courage and bravery, a keen sense of smell, and trainability qualities, etc. These mongrel combinations provided dog breeds that could efficiently guard and herd flocks but differed in appearance and ability, from one locality to another. Temperament German Shepherd dogs are well known to be highly inquisitive which makes them excellent for rescue mission training. The German Shepherd has a noble character and shows very high levels of loyalty to its owners. The dog is also described as extremely territorial and has displayed characteristics of overprotectiveness in some cases. Environment The German shepherd can survive in all types of environment; their thick furriness makes them better prepared for cold climates. Exercise German Shepherds are considered extremely playful and active. These breeds spend half of their daily routine with activities. The German Shepherd is popularly known as an athletic natured dog and requires a good dose of daily exercise to keep up muscle tone, build and development. If improperly exercised the German Shepherd has been known to become frustrated and exhibit undesirable behaviors. Grooming The German Shepherd requires an occasional brushing, as this helps with removing loose hair from its fur. The German Shepherd sheds fur once or twice a year and in this time the breed requires a lot of soft brushing. This can be done using a soft to medium bristle brush. The German Shepherd occasionally requires that its nails are trimmed off when they grow too long, however, some breeds instinctually file their nails against any hard surface that can be fine. Excessive nail growth can cause much pain and even lead to structural concerns. In choosing a German Shepherd breed you must ask yourself what it is you want in a dog and what kind of person are you? Our German Shepherd puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our German Shepherd puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our German Shepherd puppies. A: Healthy German Shepherds live for as long as between nine to thirteen years, however, some german shepherd has lived much longer than Thirteen years. Q2: How fast can German Shepherds run? A: An adult German Shepherd can run approximately 30miles per hour. A: Originally the German Shepherd was bred for guarding and herding of flocks. The German Shepherd dog is highly intelligent and a fairly quick learner and that is why Police and Military institutions use them in operations. Q4: What is the perfect diet plan for my German Shepherd dog? A: The German Shepherd must get all required nourishment in its daily meal, which includes all types of animal protein this enables muscle development and growth , Calcium-rich food, MultiVitamin supplements, and glucose water. Real meat, bone and organ meat liver, heart, kidney is the best food for your dog. Q5: How do I care for a German Shepherd dog? A: The German Shepherd sheds lightly all through the year so be sure to brush it at least twice weekly. Bathe it after each shedding season. Brush its teeth at least once a month. Feed with healthy meals. Routine exercise of at least 45 minutes each day is crucial to the existence of a German Shepherd. Q6: Do they shed a lot? A: Yes, German Shepherds sheds heavily all year round and blows the thick, dense fur under its harsh topcoat twice a year. Q7: Are German Shepherds good with kids? A: German Shepherds are good with kids, however, they can become very protective because of this adult supervisor is highly recommended. Q8: At what age are German Shepherds fully grown? A: In moderation German Shepherds, reach full maturity between months i. There have been known cases of some Eastern European lines taking up to 3years i. Q9: Why do German shepherd ears stand up? A: During the early puppy age weeks German shepherds have floppy ears but this usually becomes pointed ears, standing up due to the cartilage in the ear becoming hard and strong thereby making the ears stand permanently. Q Are male or female German shepherd more affectionate? The female may also be less tolerable than the male when it comes to playing with children. Located in the beautiful Osage Hills of northeastern Oklahoma. Our dogs are exclusively from German bloodlines and are bred to the exacting German FCI breed standard. We uphold only the highest standards in the health, temperament and structure of our dogs, as well as in their care. While we are professionally credentialed trainers, breeders, and exhibitors of high in trial competitors in IGP, agility, obedience, tracking and numerous Regional Conformation Champions, and Best Breeder in Region awards and are very proud to have bred national competitors in IPO, Agility, and Obedience our area of focus is producing outstanding companion dogs with the potential to be wonderful working companions. Our program places a special emphasis on producing pet friendly traits that adapt well to the demands of a modern lifestyle and we are most proud of the happiness our dogs bring their families. Sign up for our Newsletter! What are we doing now? Find out! Follow us on Facebook for real time updates. Learn more about us, our dogs, and our training! This blog contains affiliate links, so we can earn a small amount of money linking to products we have tried and tested, while you pay nothing extra! Enrichment for our dogs is the hot topic of the day! Blogs, workshops, seminars, and FB groups all devoted to this topic. When I wrote this blog I never expected the response to be so powerful. This page continues to be the most visited page on our website all these years later. As we have continued to use our crate conditioning protocol and coach other breeders through the process we have updated and progressed the course … Read More Find our group! Learn about Poop School! Find our German Shepherd Dog Group here! Eugene Thompson and Mr. Wayne Richards pronounced Ri-shard. Her kennel was founded on Grand Victor GV Harrigan, whom many claims were the greatest shepherd that ever lived. From the same lines that produced GV Harrigan, gave rise to the Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs, as well as, many of the other highly regarded top producing kennels in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these other kennels went another direction in their breeding in the late s and early s by producing a more extreme show dog type of German Shepherd that is over angulated. In addition, these top kennels in many cases disregarded temperament. Our guidelines to breeding the Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs are, first and foremost, temperament, followed by health, and finally, show quality and appearance. More than champions later and several thousands of satisfied owners of the Heidelberg type of German Shepherd Dogs, we continue breeding Heidelberg German Shepherds that are world-renowned. We continue to use the Heidelberg name because we do not breed these dogs for our ego to have some contrivance of our last name to label our dogs with and to collect accolades. Rather we breed these shepherds for the future generations that will enjoy and love these wonderful German Shepherd Dogs, as we do, long after us. Why change the name? American vs. European: One Disclaimer: Before reading, the following note that we are providing only anecdotal evidence that we have witnessed with our eyes. Throughout the years, we have observed that the biggest cowards and least trainable dogs consistently are the so-called import German shepherd dogs. For example, when the owner brings their import out for boarding, the import will have its hackle up and be extremely aggressive towards staff, even to the point of snapping at our staff. This aggression is unfounded, and these shepherds are potential liabilities for their owners. However, after the owner leaves, these same dogs become cowards. They consistently refuse to socialize with other dogs or staff and coward in the corners of their kennels. This type of temperament would not protect their owners if a real threat materialized. For example, while these dogs are being aggressive towards staff, a quick step towards them would send them cowering behind their owners. This is not the correct German shepherd temperament. Keystone German shepherds are not aggressive towards strangers and do not coward from threats. Our dogs are aloof toward strangers until they learn that they are friendly, in which time they will readily accept the stranger as a family friend. Likewise, if the stranger proves to be a threat to family or property, our shepherds may provide a warning growl. At this point, if the bad actor does not cease, but continues with their aggressive behavior, they may be met with a bite. At this time, the perpetrator will again be allowed to stop with their aggressive actions; however, our shepherds may meet additional aggressive acts with increasing aggression. This is the correct protective temperament of the German shepherd dogs. This natural, innate protective behavior, by our dogs, is not learned and cannot be trained, and it may keep you from being sued. The correct shepherd temperament is discerning and controlled. Note: all breeds of dogs can become liabilities if untrained or improperly trained. The European or import shepherd purposely is bred to be high-strung and restless. They breed these dogs to be high energy translated as high maintenance for the very demanding sport of Schutzhund and police work. This is a very legitimate pursuit, and necessary for the production of police and military dogs. However, let us be realistic, for every puppy produced that would excel at this sport or as a working dog, these breeders produce several cull dogs for which they have to find homes. Some of these breeders sell these cull dogs to the unsuspecting public. Invariably they will sell these dogs to families that are ill-equipped to deal with a nervous, high-strung dog that must be occupied or they become destructive. These are the very same dogs that we see time again being boarded at our kennels. Our shepherds while capable at excelling at Schutzhund and police work are even-tempered. They are bred to be relaxed and calm. Our shepherds are happy to lie down next to you while you watch television or if asked to herd livestock or play fetch. They are focused on you and your activities. This is what we believe is the correct shepherd temperament, which is a pleasure to live with. We had a European breeder come out to our kennels to try to show us how superior his European lines were to our American lines. He brought out his prize stud. This dog was released from his crate and took off running around our property. After minutes of this man trying to catch his prize import to demonstrate him to us, we told him that we had to get back to work. The man finally caught his dog and left. We never saw him again. Our dogs never run off from us. Our dogs are true shepherds and as such, they are herding dogs. They herd us by observing us, they love us, and we become their sole purpose in life. For example, while at dog shows, we exercise our dogs off-leash several times a day. We usually find a big open field so that they can run and play. A competitor once asked us why we would take the chance of losing one of our valuable show dogs by letting them off the lead. I responded that we are not taking any risks because if our dogs wander too far, all we have to do is call their name and they come to us at a full run. Our competitors exercise their dogs at the shows in small pens because their dogs will run off and not return. We had another Schutzhund trainer come out to purchase one of our puppies. He had seen one of our dogs at a Schutzhund event and he was quite impressed with its working abilities. European: Two American vs. European: Two However, because of years of propaganda about how inept American lines are, he could not bring himself to purchase one of our puppies. He left our place muttering that these dogs cannot be this good. The poor man wanted one of our puppies so bad, but he could not let go of his incorrect biases. I also suspect that the man was afraid of the grief that he would receive from his schutzhund friends if he showed up with one of our American bred, German shepherd Dogs. We had another misguided import breeder challenge our dogs and their temperaments. He asked us if he could come out and perform temperament tests on our puppies. We obliged him. He ran through all his tests with our puppies passing all of his tests. Perplexed and frustrated, the man picked up a large stainless steel bowl and threw it down as hard as he could on concrete in the middle of the six-week-old puppies. The puppies reacted as any normal living thing would by running a few steps from the loud noise and then turning to investigate. They were scared; your dogs have terrible temperaments. Structurally many shepherds have been bred to be deficient. Both European and American lines have their specific problems. Many American lines have been bred to have severe angulations and slopes to their backs, that forces these dogs to run on their hocks or to flip their hocks in and out of their body line to provide leg clearance while trotting. This can be readily viewed by watching a dog trot away from you. The correct motion when viewing a dog in a trot moving away from you is that the rear legs and hocks should move in straight lines in an economy of motion. We breed our dogs to be structurally correct, and thus movement is fluid without wasted motion or energy. Likewise, many imports have been bred to have an imbalance with strong shoulders with weak and underdeveloped rear legs. These dogs are two-wheel drive only. You can see this best when they are on a lead and digging in, thus driving with their front legs almost dragging their rear legs. This has been taken to the extreme with some of the import lines, which can be best seen with what is termed as a roached back. This roached back results in a downward tilt of the pelvis and curved spine, which weakens the rear legs and negating a fluid trot. Most all modern imports and European dogs have very short and choppy strides. This short and choppy stride results in very inefficient movement. These dogs would be poor herding dogs and would quickly tire much quicker than shepherds with correct and efficient movement. Take note of the heads of many of the modern European and import shepherds. Due to the shorter snout, the jaw of many imports was forced to be wider because teeth have not changed in size or number It is very difficult genetically to change teeth the jaws and head of imports have become wider to accommodate all the teeth. Notice also the lack of leg bone thickness on many of the import shepherds. Many of these dogs have a petite bone structure, which is undesirable for herding or working dogs. The bones need to be substantial and strong to avoid breakage in the field or while bringing down a criminal. A dog with a broken leg cannot perform its job. Nature does not make mistakes over the long-term. Compare shapes and angles by examining several pictures of the wolf compared to the import and our dogs. Then examine and compare pictures of our German Shepherd Dogs vs. The difference will become evident in these visual comparisons. Do not buy into the propaganda that imports are inherently superior to all American lines. This propaganda was started as a sales technique to get unsuspecting purchasers to pay more for inferior and sometimes extremely ugly shepherds. If examined and investigated with an open and intelligent mind, you will come to the conclusion that our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs are superior in temperament, structure, and natural beauty than most all other lines and types of shepherds whether European, imported, or American. What is beautiful? Researchers have attempted to define beauty. The overwhelming consensus in defining what is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing to the eye was found to be in Form and Function, Balance, and Symmetry of the object considered. The Heidelberg shepherd meets these definitions of beauty. Few scenes in life are as invigorating and stimulating as watching a Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog running in a flying trot across an open grassy field. The opposite is true! Our German shepherds are loving, sweet, and gentle dogs, especially around small children. Supplements and Supplies We offer everything that is needed to bring home a new puppy from toys, collars, to water and feeding bowls. The prices and quality are exceptional and, we are likely less expensive than big wholesale houses such as PetsMart because our overhead is lower. In addition, we provide one of the best vitamin supplements available. Our Pure Total Vitamin Supplement meets the micro and macro-nutritional requirements needed by your growing German Shepherd Dog, puppy or adult. These nutrients cannot be obtained from the diet alone. Have you seen puppies eat dirt or grass? They do this because their nutritional requirements are not being met. Our supplement contains diatomaceous earth, brewers yeast, active yeast enzymes, vitamins B complexes, E, and C, kelp, flax seed meal, chicken liver powder, brewers yeast, selenimum, complex amino acids, Omega oils, and fishmeal. We also provide the purest contaminant free cod liver oil available in one-quart bottles that will last approximately 3 months. Our cod liver oil is human grade and many of customers use it for their own nutritional regime. Keystone Store Vaccinations We start vaccinations on our puppies at six weeks using Duramune Vaccines. Our first series of shots include distemper and parvo. At six and nine weeks we vaccinate for Distemper, Parvo live and killed , Adenovirus Type 2, and parainfluenza, and corona. At 12 weeks we vaccinate for all the above including 4-Leptospira Canicola — Icterohagiae Bacterin. This same shot is repeated at 16 and 20 weeks and then again at 6 months. Since following this vaccination regime, we have not had any puppies get sick. We also inoculate for rabies between four and six months followed by an annual booster then biannually after age three. Oklahoma rabies is required annually for the first two shots and then bi-annually. We sell puppy shots and adult shots for a fraction of the cost of going to a veterinarian clinic. Our vaccines are always fresh and up to date. For example, we were one of the first kennels to receive the new vaccines that protect against the new strain of Canine parvovirus type 2 CPV.Since we are not veterinarians it is illegal in Oklahoma for us to administer shots to dogs not owned or co-owned by us. Our vaccines are easily administered intramuscularly by injecting the needle quickly into the meaty part of the rear hip. We usually have an assistant hold the puppy in the air with the rear leg hanging loosely relaxed and the puppy does not even know it has received an inoculation. For rabies shots, we administer these subcutaneous by grabbing the loose skin on the back and injecting just under the skin. Please call or text to reserve a spot. We do tend to fill up during major holidays. Space is limited. We will board at no charge and breed your female every other day to a stud dog of your choice. Stud fees are nonrefundable, although if female fails to get pregnant you may bring her out for an additional breeding. If a third breeding is necessary, we will require that a veterinarian examine the female to ensure fertility before we attempt the third breeding. If your female is a virgin, no brucellosis test is required. However, if she has previously been bred to a dog other than a Heidelberg, we require a brucellosis test. Full-Service Grooming We offer full-service grooming. Training Many times throughout the year, we offer free group obedience and conformation training on Saturday mornings. See our Show Info page for dates and times of these free classes. Usually, it does not take more than one or two sessions to resolve a particular problem or to teach your Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog, puppy or adolescent basic obedience commands. We also have many of our dogs being trained in search and rescue, herding, and as service dogs. If you are interested in any of these training services, we can provide you with information for the best groups to contact. If you are interested in owning a champion and competing in the conformation ring, we will assist and fully support you in this endeavor. For a nominal fee, we will gladly take your dog to shows if you cannot make it yourself. In addition, we will assist you in picking out and training a future champion that will readily win so that you may avoid unnecessary expenses. We did much of the work ourselves, and after my real job, I would drive out to the property to do construction work. This particular occasion, I was on the property installing hardwood floors. Oregon became bored with my installation work and he decided to find another room with a cool place to lie down on the concrete subfloor. I stepped outside the back door to rinse out a bucket when out of the woods two very large Rottweilers came running straight towards me. I instantly could tell that these were not friendly dogs and that they were intent upon attacking me. With one Rottweiler, I could possibly defend myself, but with two, I was in real trouble. Suddenly, I felt Oregon brush across my leg as he charged to meet these two large muscular dogs. He slammed into the shoulder of the closest one knocking him over, and then Oregon latched onto the face of the other with a guttural growl. Unsettled they ran back into the woods from which they had materialized. Oregon was in hard pursuit. After I processed all that had taken place in a matter of seconds, my thoughts and concerns were redirected to Oregon. Before I could call him, a terrible noise came from the woods. I heard dogs growling, crying, screaming, and then silence. Then Oregon appeared unscathed from the woods in an extremely proud trot. Naturally, I gave him the royal treatment for the rest of the day. I am convinced that I would have been severely injured or worse if Oregon had not been there to protect me. If you need a protector for your wife or children, call us for the best home protector and baby-sitter that you will ever own. No alarm or security system short of a hour armed guard could protect your family and property as well. Nancy and the Kids Nancy has asked to remain anonymous. Nancy was 27 married with children, a boy and girl age 3 and 2, and her husband traveled a lot for his job. They had purchased their Heidelberg shortly after they were married to protect Nancy while her husband was out-of-town. In this neighborhood, the mailboxes were on the front porches. One night while alone with her two small children Nancy was awakened to the sound of a deep guttural growl, that she had never heard before. The growl caused the hair of her neck to stand. She got out of bed and followed Chance downstairs where he jumped up on the back window barking loudly. Nancy still hazy from her deep sleep thought the best thing to do was to open back door and let Chance out. Nancy called the police, and the police found that the screen was removed from the back window and that the window had been pried open. The intruder, they said, was only moments from coming in the house. A week later in the same neighborhood, an intruder broke into a house and brutally raped a woman. They never did catch this predator, but what is known is that Chance saved Nancy and her two children from a potentially brutal attack. While our kennel was small, we still had several German Shepherd Dogs that we had to divide them up and have family members care for them until we could purchase property and build kennels in Oklahoma. During these trips, Patty started to notice that every time she had high or low blood sugar Bismarck would lean over the car seat and incessantly lick her face. Patty has had juvenile diabetes since she was years-old. Sometimes with high or low sugar blood levels diabetics will not help themselves because they become confused mentally. Therefore, family members may have to force the diabetic to test and treat their sugar blood level. One day, my daughter and I had just started to watch a movie when Patty said that she was going to Wal-Mart. Two hours later, Ashley walked outside to find Patty hanging halfway out the door of her vehicle passed out and almost in a diabetic coma. Patty would check her sugar in the evenings and if it was high or low, she would then bring Kodi into the house and love on him until her sugar returned to normal levels. Kodi goes everywhere with Patty including work, restaurants, when she travels, etc. In the four years that Kodi has been a full-time Service Dog, the only serious diabetic event Patty has had is when she left Kodi at home to do some Christmas shopping in .Patty had disappeared for several hours and the entire family began calling her. When she answered the phone it was obvious that her blood sugar was low and that she did not know where she was while driving her car. We finally got her to park in a parking lot and through a lot of questioning, we pinpointed her general location. Her sister found her and got her to eat dinner, and Patty recovered. The next shopping trip, Kodi went with Patty. Kodi sleeps on the floor next to Patty and wakes her up in the middle of the night if her sugar is high or low. This is a great comfort to the family because most diabetics slip into diabetic comas or even die while asleep. This nighttime risk for diabetics is because nobody is around to know they are in trouble. He is our hero! Now in Oklahoma City, too! We are a foster-based organization working out of Tulsa and now Oklahoma City! Our dogs are cared for in private homes and we do not operate a shelter. We are an all-volunteer organization. We are always in need of more help to answer questions, check applications, socialize dogs, transports dogs to adoption events and much more. Adopt: Fill out our adoption application here. Only approved adopters may schedule meet and greets with our dogs. Even if you are unsure which dog you would like to adopt, we recommend filling out an application and getting approved first so you are ready when the right dog comes along. To ensure your new family member is a good fit, dogs may be returned within 14 days of adoption for any reason. Adoption Requirements: We require all pets in the home to be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccines and on heartworm prevention. If you rent, we will need authorization from your landlord that German Shepherds are allowed. We also require a fenced-in yard. References may not be related to you. If you have questions, please send us an email! Available Dogs: View dogs available for adoption here. To meet one of our dogs, please fill out an adoption application. Foster: We are in need of folks to provide short-term, in-home care for dogs in need until they are adopted. Veterinary care, food and a large crate are provided. If you can help, please complete our foster application here. Please note, fostering is for those who want to volunteer by providing temporary housing for homeless dogs. If you are planning on adopting and just want to try out a dog in your home to see if it is the right fit, please fill out an adoption application. Only approved adopters can schedule meet and greets with our dogs. All adopted dogs can be returned within 14 days of adoption for any reason. As we work out of Tulsa and Oklahoma City, we prefer fosters to be within a 1-hour driving distance to Tulsa or OKC so they can bring a foster dog to adoption events and veterinary appointments if needed. Online Auction: Over the past few months, our rescue has seen a significant increase in dogs that have been surrendered or abandoned. When we do not have enough fosters, we have had to put dogs in boarding which also is an added expense. To raise much-needed funds, we are hosting an online auction. We will have items such as unique products and services, tickets to special events, art, jewelry, wine, restaurant and hotel gift certificates, dog items, gift baskets, etc. Stay tuned for more information! If you or your business would like to donate an item, please email: oklahomagsr gmail. Every little bit helps and the value of your donation is tax-deductible. Each auction contributor will be recognized in the online event and our Facebook page. Events: Check our Facebook page for a schedule of adoption events. Small donations add up! You may donate online or by mailing a check. Your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you! Donate Here Need to surrender a dog? If you are the owner of the dog you want to surrender, please fill out the owner surrender form. Please contact your local animal shelter or the closest SPCA or humane society for more information.

How to buy a French Bulldog puppy on a low budget French Bulldog puppies are one of the most expensive dog breeds to bring home. So how can you get your first French Bulldog puppy on a low budget? There is no such thing as a cheap Frenchie or a low budget French Bulldog due to their breeding per birth price tag. Nonetheless, there are several creative ways you can get a Frenchie puppy with little to no money down and we took the time to explore options and share this valuable info with you. A very fine show quality French Bulldog can cost that much. The high price tag reflects the expense per Frenchie puppy birth of artificial insemination, c-sections, constant care when they are born and multiple health and genetic exams. Why are French Bulldogs more expensive than any other dog breed? Most Frenchies can't have live babies the normal way. Many breeders would agree good breeding practices can greatly reduce the risks of genetic disorders that can lead to hearing loss, hip problems, and respiratory illness. Buying a well bred French Bulldog is never cheap and can help avoid a lifetime of vet bills and care. Creative ways you can get a Frenchie puppy or dog with little to no money down: Easypay Finance: Need help buying your Frenchie puppy? Easypay Finance can help. Good credit to no credit applicants accepted. Just as the name suggests Easypay is a streamline straight forward application that allows you to be approved instantly online without pay stubs or bank statements. If your loan is paid back within 90 days you can get a full interest rebate back. Requirements: Have a cell phone and email address. Have a checking account for at least 3 months. Puppy Spot Financing Puppy Spot Financing offers a convenient payment plan through Community Finance to help families buy their dream puppy. Breeders invest time, effort and resources into breeding and often this results in a hefty price for the Frenchie puppy. With a financing option, you don't have to compromise on a quality French Bulldog puppy. All you have to do is fill a form and a Puppy Concierge will contact you within one hour of receiving pre approval to help you reserve your dream Frenchie puppy. Requirements: Employed for the last 12 months at the same job. Pet Loans dot com can help finance your pet purchase price or veterinary care and even your pet supplies. Pet Loans dot com specializes in exotic pet purchases. French Bulldog Breeder financing: Certain Breeders accept financing through programs that are set up to protect them and help the buyer with a flexible payment plan. Ask your chosen breeder if they are able to accept breeder financing through one of the above programs. My Pet Funding allows breeders and pet stores offer the potential buyer the flexibility to spread their purchase cost over time. Rescue a French Bulldog. Download our guide! We offer standard and fluffy Award- winning Award-winning bloodline, guaranteed health Every TomKings parent dog has passed a rigorous selection and examination process before we started our elite breeding program to build the healthiest and most Frenchie-authentic gene pool for our TomKings Frenchies. All of our adult dogs and puppies get the highest quality food and supplements to ensure immaculate health, and they are checked by our vet on a weekly basis. Our purebred French bulldogs come with a TomKings Health Guarantee, that is valid against all genetic illnesses. Instead, we treat all of our Frenchies as family members , let them roam freely in our vast green garden and rest with us in our house. Our Frenchie puppies can play as much as they want and we raise them by teaching all the good manners among dogs and people, including children. Maternal love 12 weeks of maternal love and professional care Spending 3 whole months after birth with their caring mother and siblings ensures that TomKings puppies develop a healthy dog-personality and a well-balanced nature. Before joining their new families in the USA and elsewhere, our Frenchies get all the puppy vaccinations, are dewormed and treated against parasites. They travel in a temperature-controlled and pressurized room not stacked on top of suitcases , and they are watched all along the flight. During layovers, the puppies are taken off the plane and placed in a pet hotel, where they are given fresh food, water and lots of pampering. They are sweeter than any airport scenes in romantic movies. Feel free to reach out to us any time with your questions or to share your joy: we answer you immediately 16 hours a day. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies What is included in our prices? We provide nanny service to all major US airports for an extra fee. Shipping to other countries is also possible, contact us for more info! PayPal and Stripe have payment insurance which means that they keep your money pending until you get the puppy. We get your money just after you have confirmed that your puppy has arrived in your arms safe and sound! Shots up-to-date worth USD Our pups receive all the necessary shots while they are with us: 1. Deworming worth 50 USD Our puppies are dewormed every two weeks from the age of 4 weeks old and they also get Simparica Trio against ticks, fleas and heartworms right before they leave. Anti-parasite treatment worth USD We give our puppies anti-parasite treatment against all parasites before they leave except for heart worms. Echocardiogram heart examination, worth 1, USD We do echocardiogram on our Frenchies and when we find the slightest chance of heart murmur in one of them, we rather cancel the adoption and find a loving home for them locally. Valer, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Membership and right to post in the TomKings Frenchie Family closed Facebook group We created a Facebook group for our adopters where we answer their questions and they share their experiences with each other. We are a Family because we are connected by the love towards Frenchies and we are always there to help and support each other, as well as share valuable experiences and advice! Only TomKings Frenchie parents are allowed to post and ask from us or any other member in the group. Participation in TomKings Frenchie Meetups We organize Frenchie Meetups in major cities throughout the States where you can talk with other TomKings Frenchie owners and exchange advice while your Frenchies are playing with each other. Frenchie Love eBook worth .Lifetime Health Guarantee We give you a lifetime health guarantee on all genetic disorders which cause death, which means that we send you another puppy if your Frenchie dies. We have never had that so far since the parent dogs go through a rigorous selection process before the breeding program and our vet checks the puppies often. We know that Frenchie owners have a bunch of questions about feeding, raising, training, etc. Our goal is to have only happy and healthy puppies so we will always be there to answer your questions! Lifetime vet assistance Frenchie owners have a lot of questions about the health of their puppies and most of the time they run to their vet right away and leave a fortune there for nothing. We even tell you whether you need to visit your vet at all! Health certification TomKings Frenchies are examined strictly before they leave for their new homes and we give you a health certificate which can be used if you want to have insurance for your puppy which we highly recommend. Exceptional care We treat every puppy as a family member from the moment they are born. We believe that the secret of having socialized and healthy Frenchie puppies is spending time with them all day long and letting them run and play in the backyard. Potty training It is crucial how puppies are trained at the beginning of their lives. At TomKings Puppies we are focusing not only on their health but their proper training as well. We start potty training for them so that you have a much easier job! Ultimate Guide. The breed actually originated in and around Nottingham, England, which was the center of lace making. This small bulldog was a companion to the lace makers and ratter-in-chief. As the Industrial Revolution took hold in England, cottage industries such as lace making were threatened by mechanization, and many lace makers relocated to France. Toulouse-Lautrec even put a Frenchie in several of his paintings. French Bulldogs are surprisingly good watchdogs. City dwellers love Frenchies. Besides snoring, they make all sorts of snorts, grunts, yips, and other odd noises. If only Rosetta Stone taught Frenchie-language! French Bulldogs can be very stubborn and hard-headed. However, even after they learn a trick or behavior, they may do their own interpretation of it. They may circle the coffee table or jump on and off the furniture, and it will always be exuberant. French Bulldogs have a huge celebrity following just like Toy Poodles for sale. French Bulldogs are sensitive just like Dachshunds for sale. With a mischievous sense of humor, Frenchies are enormously entertain .Of course, children need to be taught how to play with a dog, regardless of breed. Plan on buying lots of toys; a Frenchie is a toy terminator, and enjoys ripping out stuffing and squeakers. Be careful what toys you choose for him and avoid ones that could be choking hazards. Their personalities are as large as their big bat ears. Adaptable, loving, smart, and mischievous, the French Bulldog is pretty much irresistible! We were reluctant to put a deposit because we almost got scammed before and the sell was so trustworthy he held our puppy for us. And when we were ready, he shipped the puppy over as he promised. Thank you guys for everything and making our family complete Ann Belcher Here is a picture of our Heavenly Deja, the day she was delivered to our home from Lovely home French Bulldogs by Thomas.

MileHigh Doodles MileHigh Doodles are another small home-based breeder devoted to raising the best multi-generational Australian Labradoodles. The breeders adore their pups, show lots of affection to them, and raise the puppies from their homes. Their families and guardian families and make sure not to put the dogs in kennels. The puppies are well-groomed and are very kind and loving. They use puppy culture to raise their puppies. They have the best tips to offer for the development and character of the puppies. So, be sure to check them out. They raise premium and high-quality pups and are licensed by the Colorado state. All varieties of Labradoodle breeds are grown, and they come in various sizes. They even have retired older dogs up for adoption. The pups are taught and trained correctly from the start. The health and temperament of the puppies are tested, and the puppies are determined to be non-shedding, well-behaved ones. Also, the puppies are non-allergic and are not asthmatic. These breeders have the best advice for raising your dogs. So, make sure to check out their page for some insightful tips. The 6 best Labradoodle breeders in Colorado run successful operations. They take care of the Labradoodles amazingly and guide you on their care. Of course, before approaching them, you need to decide that you want to adopt a Labradoodle. Here are some tidbits that will make you want a Labradoodle. Easy To Groom Labradoodles do not shed much. These dogs are close to hypoallergenic, with much less fur compared to other breeds. It becomes easy to protect your furniture and ensure your allergies do not act up. Your Labradoodle puppies in Colorado require brushing and occasional trims. Sociable Labradoodles are fun-loving, loyal, and amicable creatures. They are incredibly affectionate, friendly, and adore people, and are also fantastic with children. Note that this makes them poor watchdogs. When you adopt Labradoodle puppies from the 6 best Labradoodle breeders in Colorado, you are guaranteed a loving, fun, intelligent, and easy-going furry companion. Exercise Your Labradoodles love to exercise. They are born to swim and will keep you active always. You will not need any other exercise app or Fitbit if you have a Labradoodle. They require plenty of walks. Labradoodles love to run and play about. If your Labradoodle puppies in Colorado do not get enough exercise, they can prove destructive due to boredom. Labradoodles need companionship and constant simulation. Their favorite activities include playing games, sightseeing, and pouring love on you. If you are a busy person, ensure you hire a trusted dog walker to care for your sweet companion. Both are extremely intelligent and enthusiastic. So, there is no doubt that your Labradoodle, too, is intellectual, brainy, and active. Labradoodle puppies in Colorado are highly eager learners. Training them is easy and keeps their mischievous side in check. Therapy Dogs Being the social animals they are, Labradoodles make for excellent therapy dogs. They are affectionate and shower you with love. If you deal with anxiety, depression, autism, physical disability, or any other issue, Labradoodles are your ideal mates. Hybrid designers originally designed Labradoodles to guide blind people. Endnotes Labradoodle puppies in Colorado make for adorable pets. They are excellent family dogs who are sweet and loving. These pups are therapeutic to people and are loved by everyone. However, searching for the best reliable breeders can be confusing. Hence, to make things easier for you, we have enlisted the 6 best Labradoodle breeders in Colorado who are verified and authentic. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. They are wholesome, loyal, and exciting companions who love playing with you. Especially hybrid ones like Labradoodles are the perfect puppies to bring fun and joy to your home. But how do you find a trustable and reliable breeder? It often leads to dogs having certain medical conditions or early deaths, and since Labradoodles are a years-long investment, you need to be careful. Fortunately, many Labradoodle breeders in Colorado are honest about what they do. You can trust them to provide healthily born puppies with complete vaccinations for you to take home. We have put together a list of the best breeders in town to help you take your pick. These are safe to choose from and are not puppy mills. These breeders closely follow the Puppy Culture Protocol and are a part of associations that authorize regular health checks on their dogs. They aim to promote this playful breed of dogs and maintain exceptional health and temperament standards. In addition, they aspire to find a comfortable and loving home for these unique and well-bred pups where the owners would cherish them and offer them lifelong support. Labradoodles are level-headed, friendly, and affectionate pups, so they often become therapy dogs and perform excellent services. Co Mountain makes sure to breed and raise the dogs in a carefully maintained environment to keep their amiable personalities prominent. They plan each litter and handle their pups daily, and this is why they are among the best Labradoodle breeders in the state. They partake in early neurological stimulation and practice the puppy culture method, which helps dogs to learn and socialize sooner in their lives. Co Mountain Labradoodles uses different testing like Avidog Evaluation to assess the temperament of each puppy before offering them for sale. Even though many breeders claim to be using Puppy Culture, only a few follow the entire protocol. Merely providing toys and ENS is not enough; there need to be weekly updates for at least 12 weeks since their birth. But Co Mountain Labradoodles offer you a film of the entire process and allow questions regarding their breeding techniques. Labradoodle Breeder Information:. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Why Us? This allows all of our Australian Labradoodle puppies to receive daily and early socialization, training, and crate awareness. All of our puppies are raised in our home and well socialized. We offer a two year genetic health on all of our puppies. We can do this because we are confident in our thorough health testing on all of our parent dogs. We follow several proven puppy programs-- Puppy Culture and Avidog --to ensure all of our puppies receive early neurological stimulation that will help them thrive as adults and be better prepared for training and stress management. Our parent dogs are extensively health tested. We are accredited by WALA. WALA is a breed club that ensures its members maintain the highest standards by mandating health testing and by keeping rigorous pedigree records. Our dogs are non-shedding allergy friendly. Check out what that means here. We live on four acres of fenced land, and work from home, so all of our dogs receive constant attention and tons of space. We have 3 kids ages .All of our puppies go home well socialized with kids and other animals. We work closely with a veterinarian and a reproduction specialist to ensure all of our breeding dogs and puppies are healthy and happy. We post videos of our program on Instagram to be open and transparent--and so everyone can see our cute puppies as they grow! We can provide references and reviews from families who have adopted our puppies. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. We are a small home-based breeder of Puppy Culture raised Australian labradoodles in Southern Colorado. We breed medium and standard-sized Australian labradoodles. We only breed for the enjoyment of the puppies and to further promote labradoodles that are of excellent health, conformation, and temperament. Our Australian labradoodles are bred with responsibility and integrity. Our goal is to place these special dogs into homes where they will be loved and cherished companions. We stand by you, and offer continuous lifetime support. We do this because we love dogs, and the Labradoodle breed. Labradoodles are known for their intelligence, level-headedness, affection, sociability and cheerful disposition. They are loyal, friendly, eager to please, even-tempered, gentle and kind. This combination of traits makes them outstanding service and therapy dogs, as well as terrific family companions. We produce exceptional labradoodles because each litter is carefully planned. We keep two vital factors in mind as we make our selection: temperament and health. Each puppy born in our home is handled daily. Colorado Mountain Labradoodles utilize early neurological stimulation, as well as the puppy culture method which represents a gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. We also use both the Empowered Breeder, and Avidog Evaluation Test to evaluate the temperament of each puppy. A lot of doodle breeders are now claiming they raise their puppies using the Puppy Culture. There are lots of reinforcement based breeders out there who are doing a magnificent job but have never seen Puppy Culture, or followed the whole protocol. Make sure the breeder provides videos, and other information on their weekly updates. We follow Puppy Culture thoroughly, and by the time our puppies are 8 weeks old, they have been started on the commands: sit, down, watch me and go to your place. They have been conditioned with the clicker, and are excited to be trained. Our Australian labradoodles are highly intelligent and are simple to train. They quickly learn standard obedience commands, such as sit, down, come and stay. They thrive on being mentally and physically engaged. They love playing and interacting with people and other dogs, especially in games involving chase, fetch or hide-and-seek. Families also find that our labradoodles enjoy participating in competitive canine activities, such as tricks, agility and obedience. As with almost any breed, their socialization and training should start at an early age and continue throughout their life. They share a love of water with their field Labrador and Poodle ancestors and often will enter water without prompting. All of our puppies receive love and care from everyone in the family. By the time they are ready to go home with you, they will be used to children and other dogs, and ready to go home to be a loving member of your family. Our dogs are treated as family, and are included in our daily routines. Labradoodles are amazing dogs but at the same time should be affordable for wonderful families who will love and care for them. The cost of a labradoodle puppy is influenced by many factors, and yes, it is expensive to raise a puppy but their quality should not be based solely on their price. What you need to look for are: proof that the parents are health tested; that you know where the puppies are kept and raised. Be alarmed if the parent dogs and puppies are kenneled all the time. You want a breeder who is not raising many different breeds or multiple litters at once. You want a breeder who has experience, knowledge of the breed they are raising, and who has the time to spend plenty of one on one with each puppy. We have open references on our Facebook Page , there you will see what families say about CO Mountain Labradoodles, and about their experiences in adopting a puppy from us. We also have a number of recommendations on our Testimonials page However, at any time we can provide you with more references from other reputable breeders, our vet and more families who purchased their labradoodle s from us. Here at Colorado Mountain Labradoodles, we put our time and money into caring for our breeding dogs. We only breed genetically sound, and health tested parents for our labradoodles. We spend a lot of priceless time with our puppies, and invest in early training and socialization. When the puppies are seven weeks old, they will be temperament tested, and families will be scheduled to visit and select the puppy they want to take home at 8 weeks old. The balance is due at the individual puppy selection meeting at 7 weeks old. Families can schedule to pick up their puppy, on a day and time that is convenient for them once the puppies turned 8 weeks old but no later than 9 weeks old.

With over 20 years of experience, we have shared our Labradoodle Puppies with families across this Country, and around the world. As an Authentic Australian Labradoodle Breeder, we offer our Riverbend Australian Labradoodle puppies in Miniature sizes lbs , Medium sizes 45lbs , and Standard sizes lbs. Because of our years of experience and success with our English Style Labrador Retriever Breeding Program , our Riverbend Labradoodles are stocky, heavy-boned, and have a beautiful, blocky style of head that gives them a soft, intuitive expression. We are so blessed to be involved with a fantastic Worldwide Labradoodle Breed organization, bringing together nearly Breeders from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia that are dedicated to protecting the breed we love so much. We are honored at the opportunity to help protect and promote the breed we love so much with our participation in these organizations. Our commitment to quality and accountability to these organizations offers peace of mind in purchasing one of our Australian Labradoodle puppies. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we are dedicated to helping people with allergies add to their family. Our Labradoodles are known to have a laid- back, easy-going temperament, and are great family companions. They are intelligent and easy to train, and typically finish at the top of their obedience classes. Here at Riverbend, we have made it our focus to protect the health and future, while maintaining the integrity, of the Labradoodle breed. Our carefully planned breeding program is dedicated to Quality, not quantity. We believe it is of utmost importance to have OFA hip, OFA elbow, ACVO eye clearances, and also breed specific health clearances, as well as Champion Quality pedigrees within all of our dogs' bloodlines, to ensure we have the healthiest Labradoodle Puppies possible. Take a look at Our Dogs. All of our Riverbend puppies are raised in our home for proper socialization and handling from birth. Our home is designed for our puppies to live with us, so we can provide a healthy environment, to build the foundation that will help them grow to their full potential. Paying attention to how a puppy grows, from the day he is born, is important for the very health and vitality of each puppy. And, we believe that the first eight weeks of a puppy's life, is of vital importance in determining his later behavior as an adult. We share our Australian Labradoodle Puppies with loving caring families, and you can be confident that our puppies are handled continuously, are exposed to our everyday life, and everyday noises, to create a positive social experience that will enable them to become lifelong companions. We hope that you enjoy our website and find it easy to navigate, helpful, informative, and fun. If you have any questions or would like more information about this fantastic breed, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We love sharing our Riverbend Labradoodles with others, and welcome all inquiries concerning them. Support an American Company and Small Business! We are confident these products are the best for your furry family member and we refuse to use anything else! We are an Australian labradoodle breeder specializing in authentic top quality Australian Labradoodle puppies in mini, and medium sizes. Sharing our puppies with families since , we have established our breeding program with fully tested breeding stock that can be traced back to the very earliest bloodlines. Located north of Dayton, Ohio in the rural area of Conover. We have shared our puppies across the US. Check out our available puppies page to learn about each one Latest News September Puppies available! Head to our available puppies page to see who is waiting to be your next family member! Available Puppies Boarding Available We are now offering boarding for our puppy families. Now taking reservations for fall. Spaces limited call Boarding Information Offering in home- training Did you know our trainer offers an in home board and train program? Get a head start before puppy goes home. Here our puppy will stay with the trainer and learn basic obedience, house training crate training, learn proper manners and receive lots of socialization to people and places. Why us Superb Temperament Australian labradoodles are known for their amazing temperament. Our love for this breed began with our first Australian labradoodle, Georgia pictured below in the snow. She taught us what the Australian labradoodle was all about. With her intuitive connection, and sociable personality, we fell in love instantly and so did everyone who met her. She was a joy to train, willing to please, gentle, and just as funny as she was affectionate. Due to their extreme willingness to please and ability to train, a percentage of our dogs have gone on to do therapy and service work. Nourishing Environment Puppies like babies need nurturing and human interaction. We are asking them to live in our world so the more human experiences they can have before going home, the easier the transition. We utilize Early neurological stimulation, Early Scent Introduction, Puppy Culture, a 10 step handling exercise, as well as extensive socialization to raise the most well-balanced dogs. All of our dogs are fed a high quality, all natural diet, for maximum health. We believe in a holistic approach to the well being of our dogs, and they are minimally vaccinated. Excellent Health While we have a strong emphasis for temperament, having a sound, physically healthy puppy is of upmost importance. Healthy puppies begin with the parents. Our breeding dogs have to meet strict requirements to enter the program. We start with carefully selected breeding stock coming from a controlled breeding line. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we love helping people with allergies add to their family. As a registered member of the Worldwide Australian labradoodles Association, WALA our breeding program along with hundreds of other programs across the world, are dedicated to ethical breeding, and continued focus on the improvement of the Australian labradoodle breed. Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association We are grateful that we are able to raise and share these gentle, fun-loving, and intelligent dogs with others. I would love to hear from you! If you are interested in bringing one of our Australian labradoodle puppies home, or have additional questions not included on our website, please contact Kristina. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Mount Healthy Ohio and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted.

By Chris Poodles have been considered a fashionable dog ever since their popularity skyrocketed in France in the 17th century. Colors officially recognized now include black, white, blue, cream, gray, silver, red, apricot, silver beige, and all shades of brown, including caf-au-lait. Apricot vs Red Poodles — Are they different? Red vs. Apricot Poodles Red and Apricot Poodles are two of the rarest and most sought-after colors of Poodles. Because both red and apricot coloring can vary in hue, the two colors can be difficult to discern at times. Red and Apricot are the two newest Poodle colors. Because Poodles come in so many different colors, many of which are known to fade over time, it can be hard to know what to expect after you find a puppy. A Red Poodle and an Apricot Poodle resting while tongues are out. The apricot color is caused by a recessive gene, making Apricot Poodles very rare. Most Poodles were black, white, or particolored until this point. The apricot color quickly grew in popularity and was bred mainly in the UK. An Apricot Poodles — what a pretty coat color! Because it is so rare, the darker Red Poodles are very desirable. However, red coats are prone to fading, and most Red Poodles will end up with a coat that resembles the apricot color by the time they are about three years old. Because of this history, the first Red Standard Poodles tended to be smaller than other colors of Poodles. However, the largest resulting Red Poodles were bred, and Red Poodles are now very similar in size to Poodles of different colors. Some say that it must be the same gene because the Red Poodle originated from Apricot Poodles. Despite their genes being different, the appearances of Red Poodles and Apricot Poodles can end up being very similar. Apricot and Red Poodles sitting together on a white background. An Amazing Dog Regardless of Color Regardless of whether a Poodle is red, apricot, or any other color, the coloring of your Poodle will not be a factor in its personality or temperament. Poodles are highly intelligent, easily trainable, and very social. Any color Poodle from a reputable breeder that receives appropriate training and care can be an incredible companion. If you have your heart set on a Red Poodle, a chance remains that your Poodle could maintain dark red coloring into adulthood. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. However, it is the red Poodle that is so rare, so stunning and so special. Bringing this color into the Poodle genes and being able to produce such a shocking and beautiful dog was not easy. Let's take a look at how this was done and what you should know about his particular dog. Red poodles are rare and are of a faded gene. When they are produced, the pups usually come from dogs with apricot lines, which can be confusing to many since of course red is a much darker and deeper color. This gene may work to darken an apricot or sometimes a brown coat. One thing that is clear is that the red gene has absolutely no affect on blacks. The apricot gene is recessive to all Poodles except for the white. A true red will have black points. Liver points are acceptable but not preferred in the U. It took quite a while to achieve the amazing red Poodles that we see today. It was Ilse Konig of the Shangri-La Kennel who first came up with the idea of developing a red color standard. Experimental breeding was done by mating a small miniature apricot female Poodle to a large standard sized red at Palamares. The very first litter produced four red Poodle puppies. It is said that the color was simply amazing. Due to the rare pairing of two different sized Poodles, this placed the dogs into a category that is between the Miniature and the Standard, called the Klein or Moyan, which is popular and recognized in Europe. The biggest puppy from each litter was then bred…And this is what helped to slowly increase the size of the dog. After quite a few years of breeding and keeping red Poodle puppies, red Standards were then able to be bred relatively easily. Reds can go through many color changes as the dog grows. They occasionally are born a very bright red and then lighten over time. Some will stay lighter, however in some cases the Poodle will then darken up again as he or she ages. When a red does lighten, the color will usually become a sort of cinnamon color. In most cases, they are exceptionally dark and then lighten between 1 year old and 18 months old. Since a color change can occur during puppyhood.Or in the later adult stages, this means that the owner of an Apricot or tan my have a huge surprise if their Poodle's coat develops into this amazing, bright and rare color. So, do be aware that a red Poodle can fade, as fading is common with this breed. The exceptional color that one may see in a young puppy will often change with time; although this is not to say that the adult coat will not be gorgeous in its own right. When one does know that they have a red, here are the most popular names that are given: Amber. Contact Us Red Poodles With all the colors available in Poodles it could be hard to choose your puppy. However, it is the red Poodle that is so very rare, so stunning and so special! It does appear that it is a completely separate gene than the other poodle colors. Red Poodles are the newest color developed, it only became an official color in .A red poodle will have black points, nose, gums, under paws and very dark eyes. Liver points are acceptable, but not preferred in red poodles. Red poodles are a stunningly beautiful color, one that is very close to the color of humans with natural red hair. Poodles come in the light red new copper color to the darkest of any human with dark auburn hair. Ilse Konig was the first person who developed the red color of poodles. It was first developed on the Standard Poodle, then crossed with an Apricot female miniature Poodle. After many years of selective breeding, we now have Red Poodles in all the poodle sizes. While developing the red color, it was imperative to breed for all the qualities of a well-bred poodle, which includes temperament, health, conformation, and beauty. Missing any one of these characteristics the red poodles would not be complete! Typically, red poodle puppies are born quite red, then, when they are about 6 weeks old, their coats will turn less red. Then at about 10 weeks, you can see a definite dark red line next to the skin where the new coat color is coming in. It is thrilling to see this in a red poodle puppy. Their mature red color changes cannot be predicted by the color of the puppy. Some dark apricot poodles will stay a brighter color than the red poodles. The Poodle breed is a breed that does change color, as do some other breeds. Do be aware that red poodles can fade, it is common for these breeds to lighten up as they age. Each dog is an individual and will change. This is not to say that the mature red coat will not be gorgeous in its own right. Red Poodles, and poodles in general, tend to lead lively energetic lives. Red poodles are extremely loyal companions, making them ideal pets. They love to learn tricks and will perform for audiences of enthusiastic onlookers and their red color stands out above the rest! Most designer dogs have one thing in common: they are crossed with a Poodle. There is a very good reason for that, the Poodle cross brings up the intelligence and ability to train. Crosses also get some of the benefits of the hypoallergenic qualities of the Poodle, and less shedding. If you live afar, we can safely ship your red poodle puppy to the closest major jet port. If you would like to move forward with reserving one of our red poodle puppies, or any of our puppies, then please search our available poodles , find one you are interested in and then submit your application! A post shared by Candela candela. Reportedly, the color of these poodle puppies was awe-inspiring. Red poodles are relatively new to the breed standard compared to other poodle colorations. In , red became an officially accepted color for the poodle breed standard. This brilliant color is coveted by many, making the red poodle highly desired. Unfortunately, the red color also has a high chance of changing over time. Red poodles are likely to see their color fade over time, gradually shifting towards something similar to an apricot poodle. Others describe the faded color as being closer to cinnamon. However, there is also a chance that the color will darken rather than fade as the years go on. Interestingly, a red poodle may change colors multiple times. For example, a red poodle may slowly fade into a lighter color only to bounce back later. However, in most cases, a red poodle will grow lighter over time; it is impossible to tell what any poodle may turn out to be. This gene is said to darken the apricot coat, making it red. Suitable for: Poodles are energetic and intelligent dogs who are eager to obey their owners. The poodle could be a great choice for anyone who wants a dog willing to be trained. Dog owners interested in owning pups with rare colors may also be interested in bringing a red poodle into their home. However, any red poodle owner will have to accept the chances that the vibrant color may fade over time. Since it is more likely than not, red poodle owners must be open-minded to the coloration changes their dog may go through. This poodle was the first recorded apricot poodle. Until this point, most poodles had been restricted to white, black, or partial colors. But once the apricot poodle was born, its popularity skyrocketed. It was so beloved that the first miniature apricot poodle was bred a little over a decade later. Today, all sizes of poodles can be seen with the apricot coloration. Potential Color Transformation An apricot poodle is generally considered to be somewhere between a red and cream color. This is a light, warm color that many poodle owners find appealing. The color of the coat will naturally fade when exposed to sunlight, as the UV rays can weaken the hue. Around the time an apricot poodle is 2 or 3 years old, its color may have already changed to something more like cream. Genetics Much like red poodles, apricot poodles are incredibly rare. This is because the gene that creates an apricot poodle is recessive, so the genes for most other color varieties quickly push the apricot gene to the background. All but one color variety is considered dominant to the apricot gene. The white color is the only color not automatically dominant to the apricot gene. Image Credit: Savicic, Shutterstock Suitable for: Any pet owner prepared to take on the unique grooming challenges of caring for a poodle can find themselves extremely happy with such a fancy companion, but those who underestimate the level of grooming attention needed may quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Much like the red poodle, any owner of an apricot poodle will need to expect a color change. Although there is a color difference between these two poodles, that is where the differences end. If you plan on bringing a poodle into your home , you must ensure that you are prepared to care for it. Poodles are lively and remarkably intelligent. This means that they require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and if they are neglected, they may act up and become destructive. Likewise, when it comes to grooming, poodles require special care. They should be brushed daily and receive regular trimmings to keep their fur manageable. If you are confident that you are prepared for a poodle, and the only decision you have left is whether to choose a red poodle or an apricot poodle, either dog you pick will be an excellent addition to your family. However, it is the red Poodle that is so rare, so stunning and so special. Bringing this color into the Poodle genes and being able to produce such a shocking and beautiful dog was not easy. Red poodles are rare and are of a faded gene. When they are produced, the pups usually come from dogs with apricot lines, which can be confusing to many since of course red is a much darker and deeper color. This gene may work to darken an apricot or sometimes a brown coat. One thing that is clear is that the red gene has absolutely no affect on blacks. The apricot gene is recessive to all Poodles except for the white. A true red will have black points. Liver points are acceptable but not preferred in the U. It took quite a while to achieve the amazing red Poodles that we see today. It was Ilse Konig of the Shangri-La Kennel who first came up with the idea of developing a red color standard. Experimental breeding was done by mating a small miniature apricot female Poodle to a large standard sized red at Palamares. Due to the rare pairing of two different sized Poodles, this placed the dogs into a category that is between the Miniature and the Standard, called the Klein or Moyan, which is popular and recognized in Europe. The biggest puppy from each litter was then bred…And this is what helped to slowly increase the size of the dog. After quite a few years of breeding and keeping red Poodle puppies, red Standards were then able to be bred relatively easily. Reds can go through many color changes as the dog grows. They occasionally are born a very bright red and then lighten over time. Some will stay lighter, however in some cases the Poodle will then darken up again as he or she ages. When a red does lighten, the color will usually become a sort of cinnamon color. In most cases, they are exceptionally dark and then lighten between 1 year old and 18 months old. So, do be aware that a red Poodle can fade, as fading is common with this breed. The exceptional color that one may see in a young puppy will often change with time; although this is not to say that the adult coat will not be gorgeous in its own right. They have a distinctive thick, curly coat that comes in many colors and patterns, with only solid colors recognized by breed registries. Poodles are active and intelligent, and are particularly able to learn from humans. Poodles tend to live 10—18 years, with smaller varieties tending to live longer than larger ones. Similar dogs date back to at least the 17th century. Larger Poodles were originally used by wildfowl hunters to retrieve game from water, while smaller varieties were once commonly used as circus performers. Poodles are also common at dog shows, where they often sport the popularly recognized Continental clip, with face and rear clipped close, and tufts of hair on the hocks and tail tip. Numerous works by various German artists from as early as the 17th century depict dogs of recognisably Poodle type. Beneath the curly, low-allergen coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons. Poodles come in three size varieties: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. At dog shows, Poodles are usually seen in the elaborate Continental clip. Most pet owners prefer the simpler Sporting clip, in which the coat is shorn to follow the outline of the squarely built, smoothly muscled body. Forget any preconceived notions about Poodles you may have: Poodles are eager, athletic, and wickedly smart dogs of remarkable versatility. The Standard, with his greater size and strength, is the best all-around athlete of the family, but all Poodles can be trained with great success. History of the breed. The Poodle is the national dog of France, and the French sure do love their Poodles. The Standard Poodle began its development as a retrieving water dog more than years ago. With a crisp, curly coat as protection against the elements, superlative swimming ability, and off-the-charts intelligence, the Poodle was, and still is, a magnificent retriever. Hunters wanted their dogs to have free range of movement in the water, but they also wished to protect vital areas of the anatomy from the cold. They shaved the legs, neck, and tail but left the chest, hips, and leg joints coated. The rounded tufts on the legs, hips, and tail tip are called pompons. Note the spelling: Cheerleaders have pom-poms; Poodles have pompons. Elegant Poodles of the Standard and Miniature varieties found favor among the nobles of France and, eventually, all of Europe. An excellent nose brought the Poodle additional work as a truffle hunter. The Standard was bred down to the Miniature. The Toy was first bred in America, in the early 20th century, as a city-dwelling companion dog. Well-bred specimens of each variety are exact replicas of each other and are bred to the same standard.