australian miniature labradoodle puppies for sale uk

australian miniature labradoodle puppies for sale uk

Goodendoodle Potty Training Conclusions When to Start Puppy Training It is best to start potty training your new Goldendoodle puppy at 12 weeks old, though some dogs need a few more weeks to develop adequate bladder control. Keep in mind that the older the dog is past 12 weeks, the more difficult it can be. It can take several weeks to successfully potty train a Goldendoodle puppy, depending on various factors. Goldendoodles have a reputation for being very obedient dogs, but some of them are more wilful than others. Be prepared to spend at least four months of potty training your puppy. This requires a decent amount of patience, but it is well worth the effort. These tips can make doing this a lot easier and help speed up the process. Photo Deposit Photos Stick to a Feeding Schedule You must adhere to a strict schedule for feeding your puppy and giving it water. Make sure that you let them go outside to do their business minutes after they finish eating and drinking. You should always make sure that water is available to them throughout each day. Having to let your puppy out to pee repeatedly can be annoying, but they must stay hydrated. Keep them close by You also want to keep your puppy nearby while potting training them. They are more likely to go outside to do this when you always have an eye on them. When you need to be in another part of the house away from your dog, you should keep them in a crate. This will provide them with a sense of security while you somewhere else. You can use baby gates to keep your dog where you want them in the house. An image of a light or Golden Cavapoo. Puppies that are two to six months need to be taken out to do their business about every two hours. Once they reach eight months old, they can go up to six hours without having an accident. This means that there should be someone home throughout each day to let them out when necessary. Otherwise, you are going to come back home to a pretty big mess. Ensure that everyone in the household is on the same page so that there are no schedule conflicts that would leave your puppy unsupervised. It would help if you were consistent with this. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement plays a significant role in potty training any puppy. It would help if you also gave them lots of verbal praise. This is especially crucial when you are just starting with them in the first few weeks. It would help if you never punish your dog for going to the bathroom inside of the house. The most you should do is to make a loud noise if you catch them in the act. Properly Clean their Messes When your puppy has an accident in the house and they will , make sure that you quickly clean it up. Make sure that you use an enzymatic pet cleaner solution. This will discourage your dog from doing its business in the same spot again. It would help if you also tried to keep them away from the area of the house where they had their accident for at least a few months. Choose a Certain Area in Your Yard One of the best tips for potty training your puppy is to mark off a specific space in your yard for your dog to do its business. Each time you let them out, you should lead them to this spot until they go. This will keep things nice and simple for your dog, which increases the chances of them learning quickly. Goldendoodles have zest for life and are super family friendly. Ways to Make Potty Training Fun There are specific ways that you can make potty training fun for your puppy. This can make the entire process a lot easier and less stressful for both of you. Once your dog has finished doing its business in the right spot, you might want to start playing with them. This way, they will begin to associate going to the bathroom outside with having fun. It could be a fetch game, a tug of war , or something else that your Goldendoodle puppy enjoys. This is a form of positive reinforcement that can be extremely effective when training them. You can even try playing some fun music on your phone when taking your dog outside. Many dogs become fond of certain types of music. This is yet another right way to create a positive association with doing their business where they are supposed to. They might have a particular spot they want you to take your dog when it needs to pee or poop. If your adorable canine companion has an accident, it will be reasonably easy to clean up. This will help you get them properly trained faster. Avoid taking them into public buildings until they have gone at least two or three weeks with no accidents in the house. Can Goldendoodles swim? Do they like pools and beaches? How to tell if Your Puppy Has to go Outside It is vital that you can recognize the signs that your puppy needs to do its business. Once they can control their bladder, they will essentially tell you when they need to go. Some dogs will bark or even walk in circles when they need to pee or poop. Whining and circling is fairly common when a dog with a full bladder is trapped in a crate. They might also scratch at the door on the crate as a way of getting your attention. Goodendoodle Potty Training Conclusions Potty training, even the most obedient Goldendoodle puppy, can be quite an arduous process. You will, therefore, need to be prepared for what is ahead. This will require a lot of patience on your part. Keep in mind that timing is a critical aspect of this type of training. You need to maintain a consistent routine when it comes to feeding your puppy and letting them outside. If you are not consistent in your efforts, you will have a tough time. Make sure to take them out to do their business in the morning, after they eat, nap, or play. 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. They usually have a gentle character, are affectionate and cheerful. This is a popular breed that can make an ideal family pet. Before getting any dog, however, most people take a lot into consideration. If you plan to get a Goldendoodle puppy for the first time you might ask yourself how to house train it efficiently. When it comes to potty training, this process can be time-consuming and frustrating. All new owners of a Goldendoodle have to realize that understanding your puppy is the first step of training. How effective your potty training will be will depend on factors such as living conditions, age, and size. In general, training young puppies requires positive reinforcement for good behavior, consistency, and patience which is all true when training Goldendoodle family members. Despite the difficulties, this is still something that you will be able to accomplish with your pet in time. Below, we have outlined a step-by-step guide to potty training a Goldendoodle puppy. This guide will help you become confident and ready for the task ahead. While potty training a puppy is never truly easy, there are many, many steps that can each take away a little bit of the difficulty. Even with all the tips and tricks in the world, you will still have a considerable amount of work and time to get your Goldendoodle fully housebroken. In the end, how well both you and the new puppy do will boil down to patience and consistency on your end. If you are ready to undergo this task, below is a complete list of steps to potty training your new Doodle. Go outside immediately after for a potty break. Step 2: Restrict your puppy to one or two rooms, preferably where you or the family are. You must not let the puppy learn that sneaking off to another room is the alternative to controlling elimination. Step 4: You must take the puppy out a LOT in the beginning. Step 6: Reward your puppy after the deed, either with treats or joyful praise. In the early stages, be sure to overdo it. Ignore the neighbors…what do they know? Step 7: Until the puppy learns to hold it, do not expect signals to go outside. That will come later. Most puppies will not be able to hold their bowels or bladder until they are around four months old. They have long memories regarding scary incidents. Those are the simple basics. Every puppy or dog is different in learning to understand what is expected of them. Below are some details on these steps. Monitoring his or her food and drink consumption will help you get a better idea of when to take them out. The frequency puppies need to relieve themselves depends largely on their feeding routine. Potty training and feeding schedule should work well together. Of course, you likely do not want to restrict your puppy from drinking when they need to. Beyond the feeding schedule, you will also need to monitor this throughout the day so that you know if they will need to pee again shortly. Make sure to take your Goldendoodle puppy outside shortly after drinking water. Post-meals, it is best to take your Goldendoodle outside within minutes. You may be able to make it 30 minutes, or even an hour once he or she is older. In the early days, it is better safe than sorry as they may need to go almost immediately after eating. Constant Monitoring Keep your puppy where you can see him or her at all times while potty training. Doing this, you can catch early signs that your puppy needs to go potty in order to prevent accidents. Signs that they need to relieve themselves include sniffing, scratching, and circling. Once they begin to get older, they may also learn that the door is where they need to go. This can happen before they are truly trained, so do not be fooled into allowing them alone. Pro Tip: If you need to move about, keep them with you on a leash. Keeping your Goldendoodle on a leash, even in the house, can help you to learn their signs and prevent them from having more accidents or learning to hide their need to go from you. Crate Train for Unsupervised Times When you can not watch your puppy or you need to leave your home it is necessary to use a crate. The crate should not be too large so the puppy will not use one area for sleeping and another as a bathroom. Crate training is one of the most efficient techniques to potty train your puppy. This can also help your puppy get used to eliminating his or her waste every time he or she gets out of the crate. Take Them Outside Frequently As annoying as it is to interrupt your cleaning, relaxing, tv show, or dinner — taking your puppy outside as often as every 30 mins and no more than 1 hour apart at the beginning will help minimize accidents in the house. This is not a forever thing, but something to do at the beginning to establish in their minds that they will have the opportunity as often as they need to go. Even if no signs are shown of needing to relieve themselves, take them out and allow them a few minutes to do their business. This is a potty training technique that works well with Goldendoodle puppies. This breed of dog is smaller in size, so they have a smaller bladder and higher metabolism. It is likely they will need to eliminate waste more frequently. Taking them outside often and offering rewards when they respect the potty routine is a great way to train Goldendoodle puppies. Use a Single Command Choosing a specific word command can be helpful, especially down the road. Much like teaching your pet his or her name, the puppy will start to recognize the command and learn what to do. To avoid any confusion, use that word command only when you train them to go potty. Repeat your unique command word in an upbeat voice tone each time your puppy is in the act to go potty. You will notice after a few weeks of training that when you say the command your pet will start pre-elimination behavior such as circling and sniffing and then relieve shortly afterward. Praise and reward your puppy for its accomplishments. Teaching him or her to eliminate on command will help you avoid spending too much time waiting for your pet to get the job done. Positive Reinforcement The best way to train a puppy to do anything is with positive reinforcement. Lucky for you, almost every puppy is food-motivated. Even if they are not motivated by food rewards or you are avoiding treats too often , positive emotional reinforcement can be just as strong. Any time your puppy defecates or urinates where they are supposed to, praise them. Act like they just showed up after being missing for weeks. If you are using treats for positive reinforcement, give these to them after they finish doing their business. This will help them associate going to the bathroom outside with treats, petting, love, and happiness. Expect Some Accidents Any untrained puppy left on their own is likely to make a mistake. For that reason, a very important part of potty training is close supervision. Unless your Goldendoodle puppy has been successful in his or her potty routine for at least four consecutive weeks ideally more , you cannot consider the training to be completed. This period is even longer for older dogs. Be ready for accidents to happen, and know that you will have to respond with patience and understanding if you want to continue to make headway on this task. Take note of what happens, and readjust your training to meet the needs of your furry friend. Introductions While being prepared for the problems is the first step, introducing your pet to their new environment is the first physical step in potty training him or her. Your Goldendoodle puppy is just learning his or her new family, new home, and role. At this stage, it is important to clearly establish your expectations and keep consistent with them. Puppies have short attention spans and are easily distracted, so make sure you keep them focused. Do not let your new puppy explore and roam on their own. Only show them those areas in your home where they are allowed to be, and keep it to a small number of rooms until they are trained. Research the special needs and traits of your dog breed. Be aware of any particular behavior that you need to look out for. Try to understand how your Goldendoodle puppy communicates and pay attention to the clues he or she gives. Most Goldendoodle puppies trained to hold waste will also learn to signal you when they feel the need to relieve themselves. They could do something as obvious as going to the door and sitting or whining, or they may just try to find a place that you cannot see them. Either way, learning what your puppy does will be vital in teaching them where it is okay to go potty and where it is not. Interrupt Accidents That Are In-Progress One of the best ways to teach them they cannot go potty inside is to interrupt them during an accident. You do not want to scare your pet, just startle him or her to make them know you disapprove of their behavior. Then lead the puppy quickly outdoors. If necessary, quickly carry your puppy outside if they do not want to follow. Even if they have finished the accident as you catch them, this will still instill in them that you disapprove of their actions and want them to go outside. It may be time to stop interrupting and start ignoring them. The dog likely learned that by urinating inside, they get your attention. They are likely doing this if they feel ignored by you. For a while, ignore when they go in front of you and clean it up after they leave, this will keep from reinforcing bad habits. Create a Consistent Potty Spot A great way to breed consistency is to choose a particular spot outdoors for potty training. Every time your puppy needs to go take him or her at the designated area. You should pick a spot that is easy to clean up and is not visited by other dogs. Keep your puppy on a leash when you take him or her outdoors, so you can easily lead to a specific location. You have to direct your puppy to a specific spot every time he or she feels the need to go potty. Sticking to just one potty spot is an effective way to succeed with the training process. Dogs are territorial animals and you can make this work in your favor and improve their potty training. As puppies, if they are to smell other dogs or animals around, they will be nervous to go in that area. Establish Routines Establish a potty routine and be consistent with it. Consistency is important in potty training. Many of these instances of routine have been mentioned, but there are also others. It is important that each facet of this training can be incorporated into a routine. Use the same door when taking your pet outside. Always take the puppy to the same potty spot and use the same word command. Take the puppy out after every meal and first thing in the morning. Also, take the puppy outside anytime you take him or her out of the crate or anytime you come home. Let your puppy out after napping, drinking water, playing, and before bedtime. A new pet in your home will be unsure about their bathroom limits. Directing him or her at the proper time to the proper place is essential in forming good habits. Other Tips to Note When Potty Training a Goldendoodle Puppy Never Punish them After-the-Fact While it can be helpful to stop them when you catch them in the act, you should never punish your puppy after he or she has passed. As frustrated as you may get by stepping in a wet spot or seeing a present they left you, do not take this anger out on them. Dogs are not able to tell what they are being punished for. Doing this will only cause them to fear you most of the time, and will not break the bad habit. Direct Your Puppy Away from Problem Areas Fecal and urine odor should be removed in order to keep your Goldendoodle puppy from returning to home areas where he or she made a mess. Use a good commercial product specifically designed for cleaning up doggy odors. If possible, do not allow your puppy to enter for several months into a room where he or she has had frequent potty accidents, or try to block off the area with other furniture. If you notice your dog peeing on a certain rug, perhaps roll the rug up after cleaning and keep hidden for a few days. Avoiding Nervous Wetting If your Goldendoodle puppy urinates and squats when he or she greets you, they may have an issue called submissive urination. Puppies that tend to urinate during greetings are super sensitive. You should never scold such a puppy when they act this way since scolding or punishment inevitably aggravates the problem. They will associate the scolding with the greeting rather than the nervous wetting behavior. If you are quiet and calm, most puppies will eventually grow out of this unwanted behavior. Another approach that can help to alleviate this issue is to ask your pet calmly to sit for a treat when someone greets him or her. Paper or Pee Pad Training This potty training technique works well if the weather conditions are too bad for your puppy to venture outside or if you are busy with your work and need to always be away from your house. This training method consists of positioning a puppy pad at an ideal place indoors. By using the paper pad your Goldendoodle puppy will learn to relieve itself in the proper spot when he or she cannot be taken outside. This will help you to maintain a clean home by providing easy removal and clean up as well. Many new owners of a Goldendoodle do not know how long a puppy should be expected to hold his or her bladder. This depends on factors including how long the puppy has been in your house, his or her age, and your training consistency. Puppies have small bladders and, of course, you cannot expect them to be able to hold it for long. For example, if your puppy is two months old, it should be able to hold it for two hours. When he or she is six months old, your puppy should be able to hold it for six hours. At night, most puppies can hold it for 1. By four weeks of age, they are just starting to try to do their business by themselves. By five weeks of age, you can start training them by providing a tray or a papered area, but you cannot expect much consistency yet. When they are around 10 to 12 weeks long, puppies start to be able to hold it longer, and you can have a bit more consistency with their potty training. However, your Goldendoodle puppy will need potty training until he or she is six months old. So, you can expect to take around five months to potty train your Goldendoodle puppy if beginning around five weeks of age. Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train? When considering purchasing a Goldendoodle puppy, you might wonder if they are easy to potty train. Fortunately, the answer is yes. Being intelligent dogs, Goldendoodles are usually easy to train. Their intelligence combined with their desire to please makes it simple for them to understand your basic commands and quickly grasp what you expect from them. However, even within a breed, every dog is different. Each puppy will have a different learning curve. Adding a Goldendoodle puppy to the family can bring you great joy. Here is a list of essential preparations: Water and food bowls You need to prepare adequate water and food bowls before bringing your Goldendoodle puppy home. The dishes you use should be easy to clean, resistant to breaking, and not too big for your puppy. It is recommended to only put the food bowl out during feeding times. This will help with house training and avoiding overeating. However, a fresh bowl of water should always be available for your puppy and should not be restricted for house training purposes. Quality food specially designed for puppies It is important to provide good quality puppy food in order to help your puppy to grow strong and healthy. You can find many high-quality varieties of puppy food on the market. It is recommended to choose a brand that does not have corn as its first ingredient and is high in protein. Puppies need high nutritional values in their food, especially during the early puppy months and years. In case you plan to make a change, it is a good idea to feed your puppy the same food from the beginning so that he or she is used to it and only switch over gradually to another brand. Leash, collar, and ID tag You will need a leash for walking and a properly fitting collar or harness for your Goldendoodle pet. Place an ID tag on the collar and make sure you provide your contact information. Keep the tag updated with your latest address and phone number. Crate A crate will help with behavioral training and housebreaking your puppy. Make sure you choose a crate comfortable for the puppy size. However, do not provide too much space at first. The crate will be less effective as a helping tool for your puppy training if it is too large. Toys Your Goldendoodle puppy will need a variety of toys to snuggle with, chase around, and chew on. Make sure to replace the toys regularly so that your puppy does not get bored. The toys to chew on are particularly important so your puppy will stay away from your sofa cushions, table legs, and shoes. Potty training items You will need paper pellets and a litter pan to use for potty training your Goldendoodle puppy. You may also choose to purchase a pee pad for their crate area so that they can relieve themselves in case you are unable to bring them outdoors. I am a dog parent in Hot Springs Village, Ar. I created this site to help fellow Doodle owners with up-to-date information and tips for raising your puppy right! Post navigation. We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. The effectiveness of the training depends on the age of the puppy, its size, and living conditions. You have to use certain tips like positive reinforcement to train them. With patience and proper training, your Goldendoodle puppy will become potty trained in no time. In this guide, we are going to outline a step-by-step guide to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy. Along with that, we are going to share some tips and answer some common questions to make the process easy for you as well as for your beloved puppy. However, our guide will help make this complicated process lot easier and more fun. About Goldendoodle Puppies A Goldendoodle puppy is a crossbreed of two popular dogs, i. They are also known as designer dogs or hybrid dogs. These puppies are usually more friendly and social than their Poodle parent. Goldendoodles are intelligent and playful. They make great family pets and get along with other pets. They are great with children. However, they do not make good watchdogs or guard dogs, though. Their high level of socialization means they need to be around their owners most times. The physical and mental energy of a Goldendoodle is great, and they need a high level of activity. These pups need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A Goldendoodle is a fun, loyal companion who will need a lot of exercise. They are active and love to explore, so they need ample time to play. These dogs have been bred to be energetic and friendly and will love to be with you and your family. The best thing about these puppies is that they are easy to train. You can easily teach tricks and commands to them. This quality of Goldendoodles will come in handy when you are potty training them. Because of their intelligence and easy-to-train quality, they will learn fairly quickly than other dogs. It is also necessary to clean up the mess after a puppy has relieved itself. A Goldendoodle puppy can be stubborn, so you must be patient and persistent. Fortunately, there are some easy steps that you can take to potty train your Goldendoodle puppy. You need to remember that this training process takes time. It will also help you learn more about this wonderful breed. When teaching your puppy to use the toilet, the first thing is to praise him or her. Your pup will show pre-elimination behavior when asked to go outside. As long as it happens quickly, praise and reward your puppy. To ensure success with potty training, you should establish a consistent schedule. The routine should include meals, bathroom breaks, playtime, and bedtime. The training process requires constant and consistent supervision. Depending on the age of your Goldendoodle, it might take up to four weeks of consistent training to get it right. Start by taking your Goldendoodle out immediately after it wakes up in the morning. When your puppy eats , it stimulates the digestive process and will most likely eliminate within an hour. Steps to Potty Train A Goldendoodle Puppy Regardless of the age, a Goldendoodle puppy is a great addition to any home and will be a wonderful companion for a long time to come. However, proper potty training is crucial for a rewarding relationship between you and your puppy. This is because their metabolism is higher, and they need to eliminate waste more frequently. However, the sooner you start potty training your Goldendoodle, the better. To make the training process easier for you, we have curated a perfect and easy-to-follow step-by-step potty training guide. It will help you to train them easily in a short span of time. Here are the steps you need to follow when training them. However, remember that patience is the key! Step 1: Stick to A Feeding Schedule When it comes to potty training a Goldendoodle puppy, the first thing you need to do is stick to a feeding schedule. Give food and water to your puppy on a schedule. So by monitoring their consumption, you will get a better idea about when they take them out. The feeding routine affects the frequency of excretion. The best thing you can do is prepare a meal schedule to match their potty training timetable. The meal and potty schedule should go hand in hand. Make sure you feed them at the proper time. You should also monitor their water drinking schedule. Once your puppy drinks water or eats food, take them out so that they can relieve themselves. For example, take your pup out for a walk immediately after a meal and within 10 to 20 minutes. This way, they can learn from an early age to go outside for potty. It will also condition them to prevent creating a mess inside the house. Step 2: Monitor and Keep Them Close Another thing you need to do is constantly monitor where the puppy goes. You need to keep them within your eyesight and prevent them from wandering to other places. Make sure you restrict them to fewer places in the house. Someone from your family should always be present near the pup to keep an eye on their behavior. It is one of the best ways to prevent them from eliminating inside the house. When you monitor them and keep them close, you will be able to notice the telltale signs that they are about to potty. Some signs include scratching, sniffing, and circling. When you notice these signs, stop them and take them out for potty. It will prevent them from going inside the house. If you are constantly moving in the house, use a leash to keep them in one place. These puppies are very clever and can easily learn where the door is. So it is better to monitor them. Step 3: Crate Train Them When you are not home to monitor or supervise your pup, it is best to leave them in the crate. Crate training is best for unsupervised times. A crate is a safe place for puppies, and they will be reluctant to create a mess inside. Make sure the crate is perfect for their size. Crate training will help them to go outside for potty once you open the gate. It should be their safe place. Unlike many other breeds, Goldendoodles can be trained to go inside the crate without any assistance. You should also crate train for unsupervised times when you leave your pup home alone. It can be annoying, but it will be very helpful in the long run as they will learn fairly quickly to go out for elimination. To minimize accidents, you need to take them out after 1 hour. This potty training trick works well with puppies. This breed of dogs is small, and they have a small bladder. They need to eliminate frequently, so you need to take them out a lot. As they will grow older, they will learn how to hold their bladder and go on their own to relieve themselves. Step 5: Give Your Puppy Commands Apart from taking them out, you need to teach them to control words. Associate these words with their elimination routine so that they can follow your order and go out. When your puppy is going, use these commands or control words to make them go out for potty. Make sure you use only one or two unique commands which they can associate with going potty to avoid any confusion. Being intelligent, your little pup will soon learn to follow your verbal command. Step 6: Positive Reinforcement After you train your Goldendoodle pup to follow verbal commands, reward them for following instructions. You can either use praise words or treats as positive reinforcement. This is the best way to potty train your puppy. Puppies feel motivated when you praise them or give them food. Praise and treats make puppies happy, and Goldendoodles respond well to this. If you give your pup treats or praise after eliminating, they will be more likely to go outside for the business. Make sure you use positive reinforcements immediately after they go outside for potty. In the beginning, you have to do this constantly for them to get used to it. They will probably go inside the house during the first few days. Until they are four months old, you can expect some accidents even when they are in training. Potty training is a time-consuming process, so you need to be patient. Make sure you keep up with the training and develop a routine. As the days will pass, the puppy will stop going inside the house. You can expect fewer accidents as they grow old. Instead of scolding them, you need to make them understand that it is not right to go inside the house. These puppies are intelligent and sensitive. If you make a fuss and scold them, they will get confused. They have a sharp memory and will not forget when you punish them. Just remember that your Goldendoodle puppy is still in the puppy stage, so expect accidents and frequent cleaning until they learn how to relieve themselves. Punishing them will ruin all your hard work to build a strong relationship with them. How to Potty Train a Goldendoodle Puppy? When you adopt or buy a new Goldendoodle puppy, they will not be potty trained. It is your responsibility to train them. While there is a detailed step-by-step guide for training them, here are some core steps to help you with potty training. Along with the step-by-step guide, you need to follow these additional steps. These five steps will help you to introduce your puppy to potty training and develop a routine for them. Here are the steps. Step 1: Introduction The first step in potty training is the introduction. When you bring a Goldendoodle pup to your home, introduce them to the new surroundings. It is the first physical step you need to follow. As the puppy is small, they are just learning to adjust to the new environment. You need to clearly establish what you want from them. Only introduce them to the area where they are allowed and where you can monitor them. This will help you to avoid accidents in different parts of the house. Step 2: Understand Their Behavior After introducing them to the new surroundings, you need to start paying attention to their behavior. You need to learn how the puppy is trying to communicate with you. You need to notice their behavior to know when they need to go for potty. Pay attention to the signals they are giving. They will give you a signal by whining or scratching the door to go outside. Once you notice this behavior, take them out so that they can relieve themselves. It is the best way to potty train a pup. Step 3: Interrupt Accidents When you notice that the pup is about to go inside the house, interrupt the accidents. You need to give them commands to stop. Once you stop them in the middle of going potty, immediately take them outside and then give the command to go again. Step 4: Create a Common Potty Spot One of the best ways to instill the habit of going potty outside is by creating a common potty spot. Create a designated area for potty training. Make sure the spot is easy to clean. Now, whenever you take the dog for potty training, go to that spot. This way, they can smell the area and associate it with going to the potty. It will help them to easily go for potty. Dogs are territorial, so it will help you to easily train them to avoid any mess in the house. Make sure you stick to one spot so your puppy can recognize it. Step 5: Establish Routines This is the last and final step you need to follow. Establish a daily potty routine with your puppy. Take them out at the same time and follow the same steps. This will condition the puppy and help them develop a potty routine. Take them out in the morning when you wake up. You also need to take them after meals and when you bring them out of the crate. When you come home from work, take them out again. You need to take them out after naps and during evening time as well. Make sure you stick with the same routine to develop the habit in your Goldendoodle puppy. Tips to Potty Train A Goldendoodle Puppy Apart from following the steps, you can use some additional tips to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy. It will help you to train them with ease without any problems. Morning Walks: The best tip to train a Goldendoodle puppy is to take them about in the morning immediately after they wake up. Puppies pee right after they wake up, so you need to take them out at that time. It will help you to avoid any mess. Multiple Potty Breaks: Another thing you can do is give them multiple potty breaks in the beginning. When a Goldendoodle puppy is not fully trained, it can pee or poop anywhere. So, you need to take them out on as many potty breaks as you can. Make sure you reward them after they go outside. Go Out After Meals: You also need to take them out after they eat or drink something. Goldendoodle puppies tend to go after 15 to 20 minutes of eating something. By taking them out after meals, you can train them to go potty outside. Use Commands: You need to use commands to potty train them. Use verbal commands so that they can understand when to go outside. You can teach them to ring the bell when they have to go to the potty. This way, whenever they have to go, they will ring the bell to give you a signal. Rewards: Another thing you can do is use positive reinforcement and reward them when they go outside for potty. It will help them to associate it with good behavior. Paper or Pee Pad: You can use this technique when you cannot take them out due to bad weather. Use a pee pad of paper on which your puppy can pee. This will help you to avoid any mess. Keep Away from Problem Areas: Puppies like to go potty in the same area. So make sure you use good cleaning products to remove the smell from the area. Also, keep them away from soft surfaces. These are problem areas where they are more likely to go potty in the house. Avoid Nervous Wetting: Sensitive Goldendoodle puppies can become nervous when they greet you and will pee in the house. To prevent this, you need to avoid scolding them and behave calmly. Overfeeding: The first thing you need to avoid is overfeeding them. Leaving Them Alone: You should never leave them alone in the house as well as when you take them out. It is best to go with a crate that has enough sleeping space. Punishment and Scolding: You should avowing punishing or scolding your Goldendoodle puppy as it will make them nervous and cause too much stress. Forgetting Schedule: You should avoid forgetting the potty schedule. If you are a forgetful person, make sure you set alarms to take the pup out on the potty break. Waiting for Signals: Avoid waiting for signals from the pup as they are too small to convey that they want to go potty. Instead, you should frequently take them out in the beginning. Irregular Feeding: Another thing you need to avoid is irregular feeding. Make sure you feed them as the schedule as per their daily potty routine. When to start potty training varies for every dog. Regardless of the breed, Goldendoodles are food-motivated, so the earlier you begin the process, the more successful you will be. You should start taking the puppy outside once they are 12 weeks old. It is the ideal age to start potty training. However, some dogs need a bit more time to develop bladder control. Take your puppy outside frequently in the early morning and after playing or napping. This will help your pup develop a habit of going outside when the urge strikes. This will save you both time and frustration in the long run. If you wait for them to mature, the task will become very difficult. So make sure you start training them once they reach 12 weeks of age. Puppies have smaller bladders than fully grown dogs, and this can make them prone to frequent urination. When it comes to bladder capacity, Goldendoodle puppies can hold their bladder as long as their age, in months. A 6-month-old Goldendoodle can hold its bladder for up to six hours, while a 12 week-old puppy will be able to hold it for up to 2 hours. At night, they can hold it 1. Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train? Most breeders agree that Goldendoodles are easier to train than other breeds. They are highly intelligent and good with people. Their natural instinct to please the owner makes them pretty easy to train. They will be able to easily pick up your commands and follow a schedule for potty training. Compared to other dogs, Goldendoodles are pretty easy to train. However, you might still face some challenges as each and every dog is different from the other. Make sure you are patient and follow the tips to train them. It will take some time to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy, but with patience and consistent care, you will be able to do it. Once they reach the age of 5 weeks, they start to pee on their own. At this time, you can use pee pads to avoid any mess. However, once they reach 12 weeks of age, they will have better bladder control. You can start training at this age until they are six months old. It can take around 4 to 5 months to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy. If you start at five weeks, it will take five months for them to learn how to go potty outside. One important step in toilet training a puppy is to understand when they have to go out. Most puppies give signals when they feel the urge to pee or poop. When a pup sniffs or goes near the door, it is a sign that they want to go outside for potty. Some other signs that a puppy needs to potty include sniffing the floor, circling around, or scratching the door. If you see one or more of these signs, take your puppy outside. How to Make Potty Training Fun? Potty training is a complicated and time-consuming process. However, you can do some things to make it fun and easier. The first thing you can do is play with your puppy when you take them outside for potty. Once they are done with eliminating outside, play with them. It works as positive reinforcement and helps them to associate going potty with playing outside. You can play various games like tug-of-war or fetch. It will make the potty training process fun. Apart from that, you can also play music when you take them out. Puppies become fond of a certain type of music. This way, they will happily go out for doing their business. You can use these two tips to make potty training fun for Goldendoodles. Even though these dogs are intelligent, easy to train, and listen to commands, pet owners might find it challenging to train them, especially in the beginning. Keep in mind that it is a time-consuming process and needs patience, consistency, and dedication. If you follow our guide and use the tips, this process will be much easier. If you follow the steps for 4 to 5 months, your Goldendoodle will learn how to control the bladder and go out for potty breaks. Make sure you use positive reinforcement to reward them. 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. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent dogs and they have a great desire to please their humans. Figuring out the best routine for house training your puppy effectively helps ensure a happy life together with your new fur baby. Most dog parents would agree that potty training a puppy is one of the hardest things to teach. It takes weeks if not months of dedication and consistency and is highly dependent on you not letting your guard down. There will be unavoidable accidents in the house, but the more accidents you allow to occur, the longer the process will become. While an old dog can still learn new tricks, it is best to start potty training your Goldendoodle the moment he comes home to you. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes as you never want to be working to change bad habits, but instead, creating good habits from day one. Unfortunately, failing the potty training of a puppy is one of the main reasons why pets end up in shelters. Most puppies need the first six months to master this task. You cannot consider your dog a graduate of the potty training academy until he has been accident-free for at least a month. Even then, accidents can occur if you miss his queue or leave him indoors beyond his limit. The Process of Potty Training Your Goldendoodle Puppy To successfully house-train your puppy, you must arm yourself with patience, a crate with an adjustable partition, some baby gates, and cleaners that remove the smell of urine when accidents occur. Once an area is scented with urine, it attracts the puppy to the same area to do its business again and again. One of the most challenging and time-consuming things to teach your puppy is the art of going potty in the right place — outside. You will need to dedicate the first few weeks to watching him like a hawk and taking him outside at least once an hour when he is enjoying playtime. You will need to close doors to other rooms and baby gates off access to areas where your puppy may be able to get out of your sight. The puppy now thinks this is the appropriate place to potty and he will go there again and again. If you cannot effectively remove access to other rooms, then you can attach a six-foot lead to your puppy and your belt. When arriving home to a crated puppy, always pick him up as soon as you open the crate door and carry him outside to the designated potty area. Allowing him to follow you out after holding it for more than one hour is allowing him to have an accident on the way to the door. Puppies will not go potty while being carried, so use this trick to get him outside after being confined to his crate. Your puppy will eventually choose a way to signal to you that he needs to go outside. These signals will likely be walking or pacing by the door, barking at the door, sitting at the door, or scratching at the door. You can teach your puppy a better option which is called bell training which will always get your attention. Hang a bell on a rope on the doorknob of the door you always use to go outside for a potty break. Make sure it hangs low enough for him to reach it with his nose. This door should be in a room where you spend most of your time with your puppy. He will not easily learn to go find another door to the outside if it is not within sight of where he spends most of his time. Each time you take your puppy out the door, stop and use his nose to make the bell ring. Immediately open the door so he learns that the sound of the bell makes the door open. Usually, within days, the puppy is successfully ringing the bell when he needs to go potty. Keep in mind that he may abuse this newly learned trick by asking out just to play. Get to Know Your Puppy Most puppies will need to eliminate shortly after each meal. Make sure it becomes your normal routine to have a potty break outside after eating. Also, note his mannerisms when it has been more than one hour since his last outing. Until he learns to communicate his needs to you, you may find him walking towards the door, sitting near the door, whining, circling, sniffing, or squatting. Any of these actions require you to immediately pick him up and get him to his designated area. Keep Your Dog on a Consistent Feeding Schedule Food and water consumption are the reason why your puppy needs to eliminate. Adhering to a regular feeding routine ensures that you can monitor their food and water intake. You may wish to offer access to water only at mealtimes and specific times in between meals as this will give a better indication of necessary potty times. An ample drink of water may render a potty break within minutes in a young puppy as his bladder is very small and cannot hold much. Give Commands Choose a single command to indicate that you want your Goldendoodle to do his business. Just make sure to be consistent with the command you use to avoid confusion and to imprint the result you are seeking. Even if the accident still occurs, pick him up and take him outside to his potty place to instill in him that what he did was in the wrong place. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement is the act of rewarding your dog when he does things right, therefore introducing him to positive stimuli. I do not recommend providing a food reward when a successful potty event occurs outside. When an accident occurs and it will! Prevent your puppy from having access to rooms where he has had multiple previous accidents. Close the door to that room or use a baby gate to avoid access. You are, in effect, closing the bathroom door. The perfect crate has enough space for your puppy to stand, lay down, and move around comfortably. You should use the crate to crate train for unsupervised times. However, you must make sure to teach him not to associate the crate with punishments. It is his castle, his safe place, and he will be spending a lot of time there. It should always have safe chew toys inside so it is a fun place and not a jail cell. If an accident occurs inside the crate, downsize to the previous location of the partition and try again a few days later to allow a slightly larger space. Keep your puppy awake until you plan to go to bed. Take him out for a bedtime potty break, then place him in the crate with a few non-squeaky toys. A Snuggle Puppy is a great option to help him feel secure. Close the door, lay down in bed, and listen to him cry and whine. You can drop your hand down to the gate and allow him to see and smell that you are close by, but do not open the crate for a minimum of three hours. Your puppy will likely fall asleep in a matter of minutes but may wake crying shortly thereafter. Allow your puppy to cry himself asleep again and only take him out for a potty break if three hours have passed since the last outing AND he is waking you. Never wake a sleeping puppy! Each night, the crying should be shorter and the sleeping should be longer. Typically within a week, you will wake one morning realizing that you and your puppy slept all night without a potty break. Sample Schedule for a New Puppy For puppies mos. For those that have family members home during the day, the puppy should spend one three-hour stretch in the crate and have more supervised interaction outside the crate than this schedule shows. Allow min. Confine to a crate when you leave; place safe chew toys in the crate for entertainment. If you will remain home, allow your puppy to have supervised playtime and take them outside every minutes to eliminate. Noon Take pup out if arriving home on lunch break. Confine to crate overnight. This is just a sample schedule to give you an idea of the time involved in housetraining a puppy. When possible, your puppy should not be crated once you are home for the evening. This is when you spend quality time with him and work on basic obedience. Take time off from work to dedicate to potty training your puppy when he first comes home. You are going to lose some sleep while your puppy is settling into his new environment and he is learning to be an only puppy. It may be difficult to maintain a normal work schedule when you are getting up in the middle of the night or having to deal with periods of a crying puppy. However, after a 3 hour period of confinement, a puppy should have a minimum of one hour of play time before being confined again if at all possible. Take your puppy out for potty breaks to the designated area when appropriate and do not play with your puppy during the potty break outing. He may need to go potty a few times in one outing to completely empty his bladder. Have a special spot for your Goldendoodle puppy to potty. Until your puppy has demonstrated bladder control, always pick them up from their crate and carry them outside for potty breaks to avoid accidents. Always bring your puppy back inside immediately after a potty break is completed. Come inside and then go back out to a different area for playtime. Avoid submissive urination. Some dogs are more sensitive than others and may end up squatting when excited. Do not scold your puppy for this action as that will make matters worse. Keep calm when greeting them, avoid eye contact until you get them outside, and know that they will likely outgrow this behavior. In conclusion, potty training a dog requires patience and careful observation. The Goldendoodle temperament allows this breed to respond well to positive reinforcement so use that to your advantage. By Kern Campbell Goldendoodle puppies are adorable, but potty training requires a lot of work on your part to take them outside often enough and help them understand why. Luckily, Goldendoodles tend to be intelligent and eager to please. Those are traits that make Goldendoodles easier to potty train than some other dog breeds. How long does it take to potty train a Goldendoodle? Most Goldendoodles are fully potty trained by the time they reach 6 months old. Tips for Potty Training Your Goldendoodle Potty training a Goldendoodle requires a lot of consistency, hard work, and patience on your part. Here are some tips for potty training your Goldendoodle. Take your puppy out every half an hour to an hour during the day. Take your Goldendoodle outside as soon as they wake up in the morning, after naps, and after eating. Keep your puppy on a regular feeding schedule and take their food away between meals. This helps them poop at more predictable intervals. Take your puppy outside right before bed and before you leave them alone. Always take your puppy to the same place every time you take them outside. Wait until your puppy is potty trained to let them stay in the backyard alone. Reward your puppy every time they go potty outside. A reward could be a treat, praise, or a walk around the neighborhood. DO clap loudly to distract your Goldendoodle puppy if you catch them in the middle of the act. DO give your puppy plenty of time outside each time you go out. Give your puppy 10 minutes to pee or poop every time you go out. Everything is new and exciting. DO use an enzymatic product to clean up accidents. Enzymatic cleaners are better at removing odor than other products. Your Goldendoodle is very likely to encounter a crate at some point in their life. It may be at the groomer, the vet, boarding, or doggie daycare. Crate training your Goldendoodle as a puppy can prevent them from ripping out their toenails or breaking off teeth, trying to escape from a kennel as an adult. However, it also makes potty training easier. Tips for Crate Training a Goldendoodle Dogs are den animals, and crate training done properly provides a safe place for your Goldendoodle where they can be comfortable and feel protected. A kennel should be more like a bedroom for your dog than a prison cell. Here are some tips for crate training a Goldendoodle: Buy the right crate. A crate should be large enough for your Goldendoodle to stand up, lie down, and turn around. Some large crates come with a divider, which allows you to make it smaller for your puppy and bigger when they grow. Feed your puppy in their crate. You want your puppy to associate the kennel with good things, like food. Your puppy should have a positive association with the crate. Line the bottom of the crate with old towels. Provide special treats in the crate. Take your puppy out of the crate often for potty breaks. At most, your puppy can hold their bladder for one hour per month of their age plus one. That means your 2-month-old puppy that you just brought home needs to go out at least every 3 hours, even at night. Slowly increase the length of time your puppy stays in the crate. However, you should gradually increase how long your puppy spends in the crate every day. Start with just minutes at a time and build up from there rather than throwing them straight into 8 hours alone in the kennel. Be patient. Potty training and crate training can both take up to 6 months or longer before your puppy is finally able to hold their bladder for long periods and be comfortable in the kennel without crying. Obedience Training Your Goldendoodle Luckily, Goldendoodle puppies generally do well with obedience training thanks to their intelligence and desire to please. If the puppy moves, start over again. Reward staying immediately with treats and praise. Final Thoughts Goldendoodles are amazing dogs who are relatively easy to potty train. Also, keep in mind that your puppy has a tiny bladder and that Mini and Toy Goldendoodles may have more difficulty holding their bladder since they have smaller bladders than Standard Goldendoodles. If your puppy has an accident because you waited too long to take them outside, the fault lies with you, not them. Confinement When you first begin potty training your puppy, restrict his access to just a couple of rooms in your home. Once the puppy understands that the only place he can relieve himself is outside, he can be free to roam around your home. Set A Feeding Schedule Eating and drinking determine when your puppy needs to be eliminated, and you can use that to devise a feeding routine to suit your routine. That said, fresh, clean water must always be available for your pet, as puppies can get dangerously dehydrated very quickly. Take Your Puppy Outside Regularly Puppies are creatures of habit, and you can use that when toilet training your pet. The first thing you should do in the morning is to take your puppy outside so that he can go to the toilet. Throughout the day, make time to take your puppy outside every 30 minutes to an hour or so. Also, immediately after your puppy has had a nap or eaten a meal, take him outside for a potty break. Having a routine for going outside can help to avoid common potty training issues and accidents in your home and is crucial until your pup has adequate bladder control to last for longer periods. Lights Out The last thing you need to do at the end of the day before you settle down for the night is to take your puppy outside. That means your puppy will be comfortable and should sleep soundly. So, try to take your puppy to the same place to relieve himself every time so that he understands where his toilet is. So, how many times a day does a Goldendoodle puppy poop? Generally, most dogs need to poop up to five times every day! Puppies and senior dogs that eat lots of small meals throughout the day might need to go more frequently than that. Also, sick dogs with health problems sometimes need to poop more times than that. Reward Your Puppy Once your puppy has done his business, praise him and reward him with a treat. All the time, praise your pet for doing the right thing in the right place. Basically, your puppy craves your love and attention, so he will try to do what he knows will get that for him, i. Yes, in the short term, you can use a training crate for potty training your puppy. The idea is that confining the puppy in the crate enables you to keep an eye on your pet and spot the signs of when he needs to go. Crate training also means that your puppy will learn to hold on until you open the crate and take him outside to his latrine area. Crate Train For Unsupervised Times Here are our top tips on how to use a crate for toilet training your puppy. Make sure that the training crate has enough space for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. Puppies can become dehydrated very quickly. Never deny your dog a drink purely to prevent him from needing to pee so often. So, a bowl of water should always be available for your pet. The crate is too big. The puppy needs to be let outside more frequently. The puppy might be too young to have adequate bowel and bladder control. With patience you can eliminate this undesirable behavior and rule out these doggie accidents once your pet gets into a proper potty routine. To potty train your puppy successfully, you need to know how to spot the signs that your pet needs to go, including: Sniffing the ground in one area Turning small circles on one spot Sniffing or scratching by the door Whining or whimpering If your furry friend displays any of these signs, you know that he probably needs to relieve himself. There are a few factors at play here, including the age and size of your dog. For example, a two-month-old puppy can usually hold it for two hours before he needs to go. So, it follows that a puppy of six months of age should be able to wait for six hours. Also, the puppy will begin to associate your displeasure with the greeting, not the urination. Try to remain calm and chilled out when greeting your pet. Most dogs eventually grow out of the behavior. In the meantime, you might find that distracting your dog by offering him a treat helps to stop the problem. There are a few absolute no-nos when potty training your Goldendoodle puppy. Punishment Never punish your canine companion if he gets it wrong and has an accident in the house. Yelling at your puppy will frighten and upset him, potentially making him afraid of you and causing even more problems. If you hassle your puppy or dog, they might not do their business, resulting in an accident in the house later. Caught In The Act! Immediately, take your puppy outside to finish what he was doing, and then make a big fuss of him and give him a treat as a reward. The best thing to do is clean up the mess and move on. However, potty training an adult dog is often easier than teaching a puppy. One reason for that is that adult dogs have a larger bladder and can, therefore, wait for a few hours before needing to eliminate. Even so, you should never force your dog to wait for too long before he can get outside to go. That quality time helps the dog to bond with you and also enables you to get potty training off to a flying start. Establish A Routine Begin by establishing a routine for your Goldendoodle. First thing in the morning, before you feed your pet, let him outside so that he can go to the toilet if he wants to. Take the dog outside again at lunchtime and then again mid-afternoon. Praise Your Dog! That way, your pet will quickly learn to associate going to the bathroom in the correct location with a positive experience. Be Observant Be vigilant for the signs mentioned above that could indicate that your pup needs to go. As soon as you spot something suspicious, take your pet outside to avert an accident. What About Tummy Upsets? Sometimes, adult dogs suffer from digestive upsets, typically gastroenteritis. An upset tummy is quite common in dogs from rescues and shelters that have just arrived in their new home. That often results in diarrhea or loose stools. However, those symptoms can also be indicators of an infection, so always consult your vet immediately. Puppy Pad Training If you live in an apartment or if the weather prevents you from taking your dog outside to relieve himself, you can use puppy pads or special potty boxes that are designed for indoor use. Basically, you choose somewhere suitable for the puppy pad or potty box to live inside your home and teach your dog to relieve himself there, using the same methods described earlier in this guide. How To Clean Up! As previously mentioned, dogs will always use their chosen latrine area when they want to relieve themselves. If your Goldendoodle puppy or dog makes a mess in the house, the smell of urine must be removed thoroughly and quickly to prevent your pet from returning to the area when he needs to go. Cleaning Dog Urine From Carpets And Rugs There are two methods that you can use to clean up dog urine from your carpets and rugs, both of which are very effective.

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As you approach 12 weeks, scoot the box closer and closer to the door you want your puppy to exit in order to go potty. As he or she gains more and more bladder control, you can begin door bell training for outside potty. Click on the photo below to learn more or to buy: Petco, PetSmart, and Tractor Feed and Supply stores will have different options for litter for small animals. You can find litter made from recycled paper, or cedar, alfalfa and more. This specific brand has great reviews regarding low odor, low dust, and easy cleanup. Your puppy will find a way to escape in no time — believe me! You put the doggy litter box inside, especially at night up to 12 weeks or until they can show you that they can hold their pee for 8 hours. 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Himalayan Dog Chews are a type of dog treat that are great for chewers who need to be kept occupied. This brand is organic, contains no preservatives, and gives you a nice assortment. Click on the photo below to learn more or to purchase: Please do your rotator cuff a favor by investing it a ChuckIt Ball Launcher. Many bernedoodles love to chase a ball. Not to mention, it keeps you Beloved Bernedoodle entertained for a bit! Not only does it keep them occupied, but it also is supposed to be great for keeping teeth clean. Bullibones are awesome for strong chewers! They come highly recommended by many dogs owners with aggressive chewers — just check out the reviews! These bones are a great way to get energy out and keep teeth clean! Click on the photo below to learn more or to buy: Doodle owners also swear by this y-shaped bone by Benebone for strong chewers. Be sure to order the large size and the bacon or peanut butter, rather than the chicken. Click on the photo below to learn more or to buy: The Large Kong Wobbler is one of the most highly recommended enrichment toys on the Canine Enrichment Facebook page. Challenges your pup and slows down fast eaters. Click on the photo below to learn more or to purchase: I posted videos of this lifelike cat toy in my Instagram stories and was asked where to find it. Here you go! Great for kids and elderly people, and use only under supervision with dogs and puppies. Share this:. Free of Vinyl, Latex and phthalates Stuff exterior grooves with treats or food We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. In my experience, dogs like to play with them more. Maybe it is just the smell preference of the particular dog. Be careful not to get the treat wet as it will come away from the wheeler too quickly. If you are wetting the treat to get it into the toy easier, you will need to let it dry for a few hours first. If your dog drools a lot, then the toy will get a little dirty, given how much chewing time there will be a good thing. Luckily it is dishwasher safe. I rarely wash dog toys in ultra-hot settings in the dishwasher because I am worried about plastic degradation. Consider a regular cycle, faster cycle, or even cold water cycle. With any toy, be careful of plastic parts and only give for supervised play. Nylabone Ring My favorite Ring toy is the Kong ring — but if your Bernedoodle puppy is mad for Nylabone, then try out their Ring alternative. Dentally I prefer the more straightforward chewing ring for puppies. There are more complex shaped Nylabone rings out there. Still, I worry they might cause damage is chewed too aggressively by an over-excited Bernedoodle puppy. Keep it simple, sometimes. A safe game of tug with a Bernedoodle is often their favorite activity. Even more than walks or eating! Extra Large Dog Toys for Large Dogs - Super tough dog toys for aggressive chewers but not indestructible dog toys for big dogs. These large dog toys for aggressive chewers will be your dog's favorite.Our dog rope toys and rubber red tennis ball for dogs are made from dog-safe materials.Perfect Combination of Puppy Toys for Tug, Dog Chew Toys, and Shaking — Tough dog toys for aggressive chewers large breed will withstand playtime with large dogs and great large breed puppy chew.We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. As long as the puppy is not displaying aggressive behaviors, it is a perfect pastime. I like this particular pack because the ropes are durable, and there are a few to pick from. Tug toys do not last forever, and should not be confused with chew toys. If a tug toy starts to fray and fibers come away — it goes in the bin. This is one of the reasons that tug toys are typically sold in larger packs. I find the balance between good value and rope quality pretty great for this set. The ball is not a winner for me — but the rope tug toys are great. This brain-stimulating slow feeder is a perfect Bernedoodle puppy toy. You can put kibble or peanut butter into the toy, and the grooves slow down how quickly your Bernedoodle will be able to eat. Our Fun Feeder Slo Bowls both challenge and engage your dog during.Fun Feeder Slo Bowls are great for dry, wet, or raw food diets. Age range description: All Life Stages We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Muffin tin games are one of the easiest DIY brain training games for dogs. See more dog videos on our YouTube channel. There are a bunch of fun videos! Considerations when picking toys for Bernedoodle puppies When picking toys for a Bernedoodle of any age, the priority must always be safety. No toy lasts forever, but durable toys are less likely to break down. Soft toys and rope tug toys are for supervised use only. Fibers WILL break away. Even super tough chew toys like the Nylabone will eventually deteriorate. Eating plastic is never a good thing, even if most dogs pass any small accidentally consumed with no hassle. Prevention is the best cure, and removing any toy showing signs of deterioration is essential. Good hygiene is important — and dog toys stored correctly will still occasionally need to be cleaned. Be wary of heavy-duty repeat cleaning and using powerful cleaning agents as the risks are two. Any leftover cleaning chemicals might make your dog feel or actually be ill Repeat use of corrosive cleaning agents might make toys more likely to break or shed plastic. Gently clean toys only as required and follow instructions. The best toys will clearly state whether they are dishwasher safe or not which is a huge benefit when they are. Are Bernedoodles good with cats? The answer is YES but only if you follow some steps to ensure cat and puppy safety. The quality of the toy AND the way your individual Bernedoodle interacts with you are two things to consider. AVOID toys that have small plastic parts or can be broken down into small chunks. Avoid stuffed toys unless your Bernedoodle puppy is playing with them while you directly supervise. This can include things around the house that are not intended to be toys e. If a dog eats stuffing from inside a toy or pillow, they can get seriously ill. Giving soft toys unsupervised is not worth the risk! They are large dogs with strong chewing ability Even though toys can be broken by a determined Bernedoodle puppy Any plastic toy that sheds bits can be ingested. A Bernedoodle puppy is not designed to process plastic if eaten. Blockages have been seen in puppies that have eaten parts of a broken down chew toy Individual Bernedoodle puppy temperament needs to be considered also Some Bernedoodles will play safely and happily with soft toys Other Bernedoodles will use their sharp puppy teeth and tear holes into soft toys If your dog wild story soft toys it can be best to avoid them altogether At the very least consider soft toys ONLY for supervised play We love writing about the tricolour marvel that is the Bernedoodle. Some popular articles include.

Close search Sizing We know that purchasing online can feel scary, especially if you're unsure of your size so we've done our best to help make sure you get the size right on your first purchase. Use this page as a guide only. We recommend first checking your measurements alongside the Size Guide on the product page along with clicking the link above the Size Guide that says 'View Pups Wearing This Style' to get the best idea of size. This page has been created based on our experience with the majority of customers, but there are always pups that don't fit into these typical sizes and should go by the Size Guide measurements on the product page first. For strong, fully grown Aussie's, we recommend moving into our Adventure Strap Harness that was specifically designed for the requirements and safety of bigger dogs. This also has a front lead attachment for helping them to stop pulling on the lead. For any fully grown, extra fluffy Aussie's, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Males generally grow into the L when fully grown, but females often remain in the M when fully grown. On some occasions, larger males will wear an XL. On some occasions, bigger males will wear the L. Fully grown Beagles are usually an M but an L is more appropriate for males or larger females. Fully grown females can sometimes be an M or L, whilst most fully grown males wear an L. For any fully grown Beagles that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. BED: We recommend the Small size bed as the perfect size for one Cavalier, or the Medium size for two to share or one who likes spreading out. BED: We recommend the Small size bed as the perfect size for one Cavoodle, or the Medium size for two to share or one who likes spreading out. BED: We recommend the Small size bed as the perfect size for one or two Chihuahua's with room to curl up or spread out. On some occasions, fully grown females that are on the small size of typical cockers will remain in the M even once fully grown. On some occasions, smaller females will wear the S. Fully grown cockers are usually an M. For any fully grown cockers that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. On some occasions, fully grown females will remain in the M even once fully grown. Fully grown corgi's are usually an M. Fully grown corgi's usually wear an M. For fully grown Dalmatians, we recommend moving into our Adventure Strap Harness that was specifically designed for the requirements and safety of bigger dogs. Fully grown Dalmatians often wear the L. For any fully grown Dalmatians that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Once they are fully grown and have filled out, Frenchie's typically wear an L, though some fully grown, chunky males will wear an XL. Fully grown Frenchies usually wear an M, though some chunkier males will wear an L once fully grown. Because of the overlap in measurements on these collars, Frenchies can wear an L from around 12 months old onwards if you like the extra width. Fully grown Frenchies usually wear an M or L, depending on how chunky their neck is. For any fully grown Frenchies that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. BED: We recommend the Small size bed as the perfect size for one Frenchie, or the M size for two to share or one that likes to stretch out. For fully grown Goldens, we recommend moving into our Adventure Strap Harness that was specifically designed for the requirements and safety of bigger dogs. Fully grown Golden Retrievers often wear the L. For any fully grown Goldens that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Fully grown groodles are usually an M, though some bigger males will wear the L. Because of the overlap in measurements on these collars, Groodles can wear an L from around 12 months old onwards if you like the extra width. For any fully grown Groodles that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. On some occasions, males and some females with wider chests will grow into the M when fully grown. This also has a front lead attachment to help them stop pulling on the lead. On some occasions, fully grown females that are on the smaller end of the scale will remain in the M even once fully grown. Fully grown kelpie's will wear an M or L and it is best to measure and check against the size guide on the product page. For any fully grown Kelpie's that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Once fully grown, most labradoodle's wear an M. For any fully grown Labradoodle's that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. For fully grown Lab's, we recommend moving into our Adventure Strap Harness that was specifically designed for the requirements and safety of bigger dogs. Once fully grown, most lab's wear an L. For any fully grown Labrador's that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Fully grown mini's that weigh less than 6kg are usually in an S. Fully grown mini's that weigh more than 6kg usually wear an M. Some smaller papillons or females will always wear the XS, even when fully grown. Once pugs are fully grown and have filled out with a chunky neck, most pugs wear an L. Fully grown pugs usually wear an M. Because of the overlap in measurements on these collars, Pugs can wear an L from around 12 months old onwards if they have a particularly chunky neck or you like the extra width. Fully grown pugs will wear an M or an L depending on how chunky their neck is. For any fully grown Pugs that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Staffy's that are especially wide in the chest will wear an XL once fully grown. For fully grown Staffy's, we recommend moving into our Adventure Strap Harness that was specifically designed for the requirements and safety of bigger dogs. Staffy's that have an especially chunky neck will grow into an L when fully grown. Because of the overlap in measurements on these collars, Staffy's can wear an L from around 12 months old onwards if they have a particularly chunky neck or you like the extra width. For any fully grown Staffy's that grow out of the L, we designed our Bandana Extenders to add to the Large size for extra neck room. Comfortable for dogs with sensitive skin Cons: Can be more expensive than other collar types Not the best option for puppies prone to chewing May require regular maintenance to keep the leather in good condition Martingale Collars: Secure and Adjustable Martingale collars , also known as limited-slip collars, are designed with a unique loop that tightens when the dog pulls on the leash. This feature provides more control for the owner and prevents the dog from slipping out of the collar. Martingale collars can be made from various materials, including nylon and leather, and are suitable for both adult and puppy golden retrievers. Pros: Provides more control and prevents dogs from slipping out of the collar Adjustable for a perfect fit Suitable for adult and puppy golden retrievers Available in different materials, such as nylon and leather Cons: May not be suitable for dogs with respiratory issues Not ideal for off-leash play or swimming, as the collar may tighten unintentionally Choosing the Right Accessories and Customizations for Your Dog When selecting accessories and customizations for your dog's collar, it's essential to keep their comfort and safety in mind. Avoid anything that may be too heavy or cumbersome, as this can cause discomfort or even injury to your dog. Additionally, ensure that any personalized information, such as ID tags or nameplates, is clear and easy to read. By exploring the various collar accessories and customization options available, you can create a collar that is not only functional and comfortable for your dog but also a true reflection of their personality. Take the time to consider which options would best suit your dog's needs and style, and enjoy the process of creating a unique collar that your furry friend will love. Maintaining and Caring for Your Dog's Collar Now that you have chosen the perfect collar with accessories and customization options for your dog, it's essential to maintain and care for it properly to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. Here are some tips on keeping your dog's collar in top shape: Regular Cleaning Depending on the material of your dog's collar, it may require periodic cleaning to keep it looking fresh and free of dirt and grime. For fabric or nylon collars, you can often hand-wash them with mild soap and water or even toss them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. For leather collars, use a specialized leather cleaner and conditioner to maintain the material's suppleness and prevent cracking. Inspecting for Wear and Tear Regularly inspect your dog's collar for signs of wear and tear, such as fraying, broken stitching, or damaged hardware. If you notice any issues, it's important to address them promptly to ensure your dog's collar remains safe and secure. Replacing Collars as Needed Even with proper care and maintenance, dog collars will eventually need to be replaced. Keep an eye on the overall condition of your dog's collar, and be prepared to replace it when necessary. This is especially important for growing puppies or dogs that are particularly active or rough on their collars. Storing Collars Properly When not in use, store your dog's collar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This will help preserve the material and prevent any damage that could occur due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions. The Importance of Collar Maintenance and Care Proper collar maintenance and care are essential to ensure your dog's safety and comfort. By regularly cleaning, inspecting, and replacing your dog's collar as needed, you can keep your furry friend secure and stylish while enjoying your walks and adventures together. Selecting the right collar for your dog, along with suitable accessories and customization options, is crucial for their comfort, safety, and overall well-being. By taking the time to measure your dog's neck size, explore various collar styles and features, and maintain the collar properly, you can provide your furry companion with the perfect accessory that meets their needs and showcases their unique personality. Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Collar and Leash Once you've chosen the perfect collar and accessories for your dog, it's important to teach them to wear the collar and leash comfortably. This will ensure a positive experience for both you and your dog during walks and other outdoor activities. Here are some tips to help your dog become accustomed to wearing a collar and leash: Start with the Collar Before introducing the leash, allow your dog to become comfortable wearing the collar. Put the collar on your dog for short periods, gradually increasing the duration as your dog becomes more accustomed to the sensation. Remember to use positive reinforcement by offering praise, treats, and affection when your dog is wearing the collar. Introduce the Leash Once your dog is comfortable wearing the collar, it's time to introduce the leash. Attach the leash to the collar and allow your dog to explore their environment while dragging the leash behind them. Supervise your dog closely during this process to ensure they don't become tangled or injured. Practice Walking Together As your dog becomes comfortable wearing the collar and dragging the leash, practice walking together. Start in a quiet, familiar environment, such as your backyard or a quiet park. Hold the leash and encourage your dog to walk by your side, using praise and treats as positive reinforcement. Gradually Increase the Challenge As your dog becomes more confident walking on the leash, gradually increase the challenge by introducing new environments, distractions, and longer walks. Remember to be patient and consistent, offering plenty of praise and rewards as your dog progresses. Address Leash Pulling If your dog tends to pull on the leash, consider using a no-pull harness or headcollar to help manage this behavior. Training techniques such as "red light, green light" or "turning in the opposite direction" can also be effective in teaching your dog not to pull on the leash. You can even start with teaching your dog to heel. Final Thoughts Understanding your golden retriever's neck size is crucial for ensuring their comfort and safety. By measuring your dog's neck and choosing the appropriate collar size, you can avoid discomfort, injury, or even choking hazards. Additionally, it's essential to monitor your dog's weight and adjust their collar size accordingly. As with any pet-related matter, consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions about your golden retriever's neck size. With proper care and attention, you can help your furry friend live a healthy, happy life. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. This is appropriate if you intend to replace a worn-out or damaged collar and are certain that the replacement will be the same size. Measure from the center of the buckle to the current sizing hole for the most accurate results. If your dog has had not any collars before, use measurement tape. If you lack a loose tape measure, you can use any available string, yarn, or ribbon. Now, let go and mark the location on the string where your finger met the end of the string. Then, use a tape measure to determine the length of your string measurement. Not only will a puppy require time to adjust to their new collar, but you will likely need to replace it multiple times to accommodate its growth. You want your dog to develop a bond with their collar and view it as a normal, comfortable part of their life, so take care to select the proper size to facilitate this. Choose The Right Materials Of The Collar Collars for dogs are constructed from a variety of materials that prioritize comfort, aesthetics, and longevity. Golden Retrievers are medium to large dogs who put their collars through the wringer, so durability should be a top priority. The widest variety of designs, colors, and widths can be found in nylon and polyester, the most popular materials. Polyester and nylon are highly flexible and relatively simple to clean fabrics. Cotton Fabric Cotton is highly durable, insulating, and capable of controlling moisture. In addition, they are simple to clean, cost-effective, and simple to maintain. Numerous collars are made of cotton in a variety of patterns and hues. Some collars have an inner fabric sleeve wrapped around a nylon band to increase their durability. Bio Thane Some dog collars are made of the waterproof material Bio thane. Bio thane is composed of polyester and polyurethane and polyvinyl layers. Its waterproof qualities make it ideal for Golden Retrievers, who are likely water-loving canines. Leather Leather is an organic material that is both durable and versatile. They are an excellent option for Golden Retrievers with allergies or sensitivities, despite being more expensive. In contrast to collars made of synthetic materials, it is easy to clean and can be used for years without fading. Neoprene Neoprene is a rubber-based material that has a wide range of applications. It has exceptional water resistance and does not retain moisture, which can lead to odors or mildew growth. Neoprene dog collars combined with nylon or polyester are extremely sturdy and long-lasting, able to last for years. Polyester Or Nylon Due to their popularity, nylon or polyester collars typically have the greatest variety of styles, colors, and sizes. Polyester and nylon are highly flexible synthetic fabrics that are also easy to clean. Different types of collars are necessary for thick and thin furs. The collar size and style are influenced by factors such as hairstyle. These are some tips for selecting the appropriate collar for your puppy. Little Fields Farm is the place to go if you want to find additional dog collar options. This list is not exhaustive, but it does contain some examples. Rope Collars: Rope collars are both comfortable and durable without irritating the skin. Flat-Front Dog Collars: These are the most common collars that are used daily. They consist of a flat, fabric-based collar with a plastic or metal buckle. Safety Considerations When it comes to choosing a collar for your pet, safety should be a top priority. Here are some safety considerations to keep in mind: Choose a secure buckle or clasp: The collar should have a buckle or clasp that is secure and will not come undone easily. This will help prevent your pet from escaping and getting lost or injured. Avoid choke chains and prong collars: These types of collars can cause pain and injury to your pet, especially if they are not used correctly. Check for proper fit: A collar that is too loose or too tight can be dangerous for your pet. Make sure the collar fits snugly but not too tightly, and can be adjusted if needed. Consider breakaway collars: If your pet spends time outdoors or unsupervised, a breakaway collar can be a good option. These collars are designed to come apart if they get caught on something, reducing the risk of injury or strangulation. Choose a collar made of safe materials: Some materials can be harmful to pets, such as those that contain toxic chemicals or are easily chewed or swallowed. Choose a collar made of safe materials, such as nylon or leather, and avoid those made of cheap or unsafe materials. Your dog should wear a flat collar at the base of its neck. Golden Retriever puppies will grow quickly, so get a collar that can be adjusted, is easy to put on and take off, and, ideally, has a place for a nametag. It would be enough to have a flat collar with a buckle made of soft, long-lasting materials. No matter whatever option you go with, your four-legged companion needs plenty of exercise and opportunities to run around and play in order to remain healthy and content. When it comes to puppies, particularly short-haired breeds, you should look for a soft collar made of a non-abrasive material. Fabric collars are a good option, and collars made from a breathable fabric that is also machine washable are even better. When should a puppy wear a collar? Even if your puppy is still too young to go outside for walks, getting them used to wearing a collar is a good idea and will prevent any tiny tantrums further down the road! Collars should be worn most of the time, even around the house, but taking it off every so often to let the skin breathe is recommended. Try leaving the collar off for a couple of hours every time you brush or bathe them. Can an 8-week-old puppy wear a collar? Responsible breeders recommend puppies should not be brought home until 8 weeks old, and you can start getting them used to their collar shortly after this. It may be a good idea to let them settle into their new environment before introducing something new, but getting them used to their collar in their second week at home is a good idea. Should puppies wear collars at night? Most dog collars are designed to be non-abrasive, and perfectly safe for pups and older dogs to sleep in. This can also help puppies get adjusted to wearing a collar for the majority of the time. However, many vets also recommend including a contact telephone number, in the event your dog goes missing. Although microchipping has been mandatory for pet dogs since , tags are still a legal requirement and provide a quicker way to get in contact with you if your dog is found, without their microchip needing to be scanned first. We hope our puppy collar size guide has been helpful, as well as our dog collar FAQs! If you enjoyed our puppy collar size guide, you might like our other article, What do I need for a New Puppy? The idea of a lost puppy is terrifying, but an ID tag will help them return home. Although this silicone ID tag is more expensive than standard tags, I love that it is silent and attaches right to the collar. Crate and or containment gate Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. You can accomplish this with a crate and containment gates. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. I recommend a crate with an adjustable divider so you can give your puppy more room as they grow. Another option is to use a Cumbor containment gate to limit access to certain areas of your home. Food and water bowls There are endless options of food and water bowls. If your dog eats fast, I recommend adding slow feeder attachment. These aids in proper digestion and reduce overeating behaviors. Food and treats Your vet is probably your best source of information for selecting the right food. They create personalized plans for your dog and deliver the food right to your door. I shared my journey of picking the right food in this blog and video. Toys and chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with a variety of items to see what interests your puppy most. Ellie still has her first toy, Dino, from 5 years ago! The safest way to deliver bully sticks is to use a Bow Wow Buddy safety device so they cannot swallow or choke on the last end. Check out this blog for all things grooming. Bonus Recommendation! Online Access to Dog Training We recognized the need for convenient and effective dog training solutions, which is why we created The Hapco. Within our app, you'll discover a wealth of resources, including: video tutorials. Small to Medium 1. Dog collars are made from a variety of materials that are built for comfort, aesthetics, and durability. Golden Retrievers are medium to large dogs that can put their collar through the wringer, so durability should be one of the top things on your list! Nylon or polyester are the most popular materials and offer the greatest range of designs, colors, and widths. Nylon and polyester are highly flexible fabrics that are also relatively easy to clean. Cotton Fabric Cotton offers great durability, insulation, and the ability to control moisture. Many collars are made of cotton in a number of different designs and colors. Some contain a cloth sleeve on the inside around a nylon band to increase the longevity of the collar. Biothane Some dog collars are made of Biothane , which is a waterproof substance. Biothane is made of polyester and layered with polyurethane and polyvinyl. Its waterproof properties make them ideal for Golden Retrievers that are more than likely, water-loving dogs. Leather Leather is a durable, organic material with plenty of styles. Although they are more costly, they are an excellent choice for Golden Retrievers with allergies or sensitivities. Unlike collars made of synthetic materials, it is simple to clean and may be used for several years without fading. Neoprene Neoprene is a rubber-based substance that is used for a variety of applications. It has exceptional water resistance and does not retain moisture, which can lead to the development of odors or mildew. Neoprene dog collars combined with nylon or polyester are incredibly strong and durable and able to last several years. Polyester or Nylon Nylon or polyester collars often have the greatest range of designs, colors, and sizes due to their popularity. Nylon and polyester are highly flexible, synthetic fabrics that are also relatively easy to clean. However, unlike slip or choke collars, you can set the limit to which the collar can close. Rope Collars: Rope collars are both comfortable and long-lasting, without being abrasive on the skin. Flat Front Dog Collars: These are your everyday collars that are the most commonly found. They are a flat, fabric-type collar that fastens with a plastic or metal buckle. Training or Aversive Collars This group of collars includes: Shock collars Prong collars Slip collars or choke chains They are designed to give a firm correction in the form of discomfort or pain when an undesirable behavior is displayed. A shock collar delivers an electric shock, or vibration which is controlled remotely. This is a form of correction to a specific behavior, and while their use is justified in some adult dogs that have aggression, they are not suitable for use on puppies that need positive reinforcement. And the most common training collar is the slip collar or choke chain. It does exactly that if used incorrectly, choke the dog. When it comes to puppies, there are a lot of things that people get wrong. These collars are not meant for beginners and should be used with care by experienced trainers only. You should avoid using them on young pups and only use this as a last resort when all other training methods have failed. If your pup is exhibiting behavior severe enough to warrant a stern correction, it might be better for you to seek help from a professional. We use the 8mm size for our dogs. Alvalley is a high quality brand for all lengths. For an adult dog, use an 8 mm or larger. For a young puppy, an 8 mm leash works fine, but I prefer the smaller 6 mm Alvalley Snap Lead one for ease of use when working at home. This size fits easily into the outside pocket of a treat bag. If going for a walk, use a more substantial leash such as the 8 mm Alvalley leash. For at-home use, a 6 mm collar is fine. I like to attach a snap lead permanently to a martingale collar for ease of use. The collar and leash can easily be slipped off and on as needed. Puppies and even some dogs like to chew the plastic ones. At 10 weeks of age, we are using very small bowls for ease of use during training. Golden Retrievers tend to act like they are starving and eat too fast, even at their correct weight. These bowls slow them down so that they will come closer to chewing their food than inhaling it. I like to use buckets instead of bowls for water. Puppies love to dig in their water which makes a mess out of it. Hang the bucket on the outside of the crate by the handle that is on the bucket. Then attach the clip for security by using only one side of the clip to attach the handle to the crate. Leave the other end of the clip just hanging. Never put water inside a crate with a dog. I recommend the 2-quart size for one or two big dogs. This size is also a good size for a puppy. I use two snaps to stabilize the bucket. Though wire crates usually have a divider so that you can size the crate down, we recommend that you go ahead and purchase a 24 inch wire crate along with the correct size for your dog when he is grown. Most puppies can use the 24 inch crates for about 2 months after they are weeks of age. It is also helpful to have a smaller crate when traveling. If you want this option with a Summer Brook puppy, you can have a small icrate shipped to our home address for you to pick up when you get here. The best size crate for adult girls is a 36X24X27 inch wire crate. For an adult boy, use either a 42X28X30 or 36X24X27 inch wire crate. We prefer wire crates in most cases because they give more ventilation and Golden Retrievers like it to be cool. Midwest Life Stages : These are heavy duty and come in both double or single door options. I prefer the crate with the double door because you will have the opportunity to use it turned sideways with the entrance on the side as well as the end. The Icrates are also two inches shorter and two inches narrower than the Life Stages crate. They are larger at the bottom than the top so they fit better in the back of an SUV or van. They are crash tested and have excellent safety records. These crates are a bit difficult to set up and take down so we only recommend them for those that want a crate that stays in a vehicle most of the time. They are perfect for families that take their dogs with them a lot and want a somewhat permanent fixture in their vehicle. This crate is very lightweight and sets up and folds down quickly and easily. We love these crates for motels and dog shows. Wood Crate Denhaus Townhaus : I recommend this crate if looks are important to you. This crate looks just like a nice end table. Though it was expensive, mine has held up well for several years. Crate Pad Primo Pads: These are my favorite crate pads. They are made of a heavy-duty vinyl and I have yet to have a dog chew one up. The vinyl is cool so that my dogs like them even in the summer. They come in a big variety of sizes so that they will fit your crate like a glove. These pads are not sold anywhere except from the manufacturer. Order your Primo Pads here. This is a raised cot-like bed that is cool and comfortable. There is a new Kuranda Bed that we have not tried ourselves but it looks amazing. It is a raised cot like the aluminum bed that we have loved for years but it is sized to fit perfectly into a crate! We have purchased both the aluminum as well as the less-expensive PVC Kuranda beds. Our aluminum beds still look brand new but our PVC beds are starting to warp a little after a few years. We like the Ballistic Nylon fabric which has held up for us for several years. The large is the correct size for both boy and girl Goldens. We have two of them and they are as comfortable as many human beds. We have the extra-large size but a large would be plenty big enough for a girl. At first, your puppy will have to be watched almost every minute when they are out of the crate or pen in order to establish good potty habits and also to teach them not to chew. Until you teach them otherwise, some puppies will try to chew everything, including the furniture and even the woodwork on the walls so I have found the pen to be a huge help. If you get a pen, you need to begin training your puppy not to jump on the sides right away. Never pet your puppy or let him out while he is jumping. Reward him for sitting. They open and close easily and in both directions. The Richell Pens look really super nice. They also can be set up as room dividers. We own at least a dozen sets of these pens and have used them in a large number of configurations. However, like most exercise pens, many puppies will eventually learn to climb or jump out of them. Families must be on top of training their puppy not to jump on the sides. Unlike the Richell pen, most, if not all pens have doors that open in only one direction. If you get one of these pens, set your pen up so that the door opens to the outside. If you are getting your puppy from a breeder other than Summer Brook, plastic pens are a good option for a 7 to 10 week old puppy. It is easier to house train if you start off not allowing your puppy in too large of an area. It also has the added convenience of being able to be easily removed by simply pushing a button that locks it in place. However, this gate must be mounted to the wall. Baby Gates that are Mobile Regalo Extra WideSpan Walkthrough Safety Gate : This gate can span a space inches For a pressure-mounted gate, the Regalo gates do very well and are a good simple solution if you only want a gate for a few months until your puppy is house-trained and can be given the full run of the house. However, understand that many puppies cannot be totally trusted in large areas until they are over 6 months of age. It takes some until they are close to a year. Doggy Door Why to Use a Doggy Door If you are able to put a doggy door in, this is by far the easiest way to house-train a puppy. Also, it provides an ideal way to leave a dog when they have to be alone. I teach our puppies to use a doggy door before they go home. In the last days before they go home, I section off a small area inside next to our kitchen with free access to a doggy door that leads to our side yard. When I keep a puppy past 8 weeks, I gradually increase the size area of the indoor area as they show dependability. I reserve the times when they are free in the house to the 30 minutes right after they have pottied. We highly recommend it. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is average then I would use a Classic Kong. Bob-a-lot : You can fill this toy with a lot of food; the dog has to work at getting the food out by pushing it around. JW Pet has other great toys too. If you have a particularly aggressive chewer then I would buy the Extreme Kong but if your dog is an average chewer then I would use a Classic Kong. Puppies love them and they keep our puppies happy in their crates. Toys for Month Old Puppies.

Please enjoy our home on the web where you will find a parade of wonderful examples of the boxer breed! We take great pride in producing the best quality boxer puppies Europe has to offer right here in the United States! Strictly European Boxers where quality, health, and temperament matter. Why import when you can purchase the same quality right here in the United States with no worries of paperwork and health guarantee's that matter. We are very proud of our accomplishments and encourage you to take a look at our photos, health testing, reviews, and what is in store for us here at Euro-Dream. When we built our home back in I wanted to be sure I had plenty of room for my furry kids! We have an entire floor of our home dedicated to them. Please view our pictures and you will see just how life is here at our home where everyone sleeps at night and plays out side during the day. We are very fortunate to have lots of room in our home along with several acres for the dogs to run and play on. Our goal is to raise happy and healthy European boxers for American families to enjoy! I hope they will touch your lives just as ours have for us! I hope you enjoy our home on the web. We are a small kennel located in Southern California that breeds top quality full European Boxers with impressive bloodlines that are true to the European standards. As a boxer breeder, we pride ourselves in breeding the best quality boxers for you and your family. We hope you enjoy visiting our site and learning about us. All of our boxers are AKC registered and follow the boxer breed standards. We breed not only to better the European boxer breed in the states but also to provide you with and your family with a life long companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in his old age. Boxers are medium-sized dogs. A male German boxer stands from 26 to 28 inches, weighing 65 to 90 pounds, while a female German boxer reaches anywhere from 24 to 26 inches and weighs 60 to 85 pounds. American boxers are slightly smaller, the males 23 to 25 inches tall and the females averaging at .European Boxers tend to have more robust appearance, larger bone structure, deeper chest, more slanted topline, and larger head, and a stouter shorter muzzle than the American Boxer. The lower jaw is slightly heavier than the upper jaw and protrudes slightly. They typically weigh more at maturity and have a greater muscle mass than American Boxers. The European Boxer is also a calmer and more focused dog. Many agree for this reason the Euro Boxer is easier to train. The American Boxer has a more balanced elegant look, finer bone structure, smaller chest and more solid hind quarters than the European Boxer. This dog's muzzle is longer and less substantial than the Euro Boxer. The American boxer has a less slanted topline. Many American Boxers have a lower mature weight and appear less muscular than European Boxers.

The German Shepherd Rescue Trust is a volunteer organisation providing complete care for unwanted, abandoned, neglected and stray German Shepherd dogs and puppies while actively seeking permanent, loving homes for these homeless pets. Any health problems are also addressed while the German Shepherd is in foster care. The Rescue Trust is based in Auckland however there are many Lucky Dogs currently living in wonderful, permanent homes throughout the North and South Island. Homes Needed — we have German Shepherds ranging in age from puppies to senior dogs waiting for the ideal permanent home so if you are seeking a beautiful large breed dog as a companion simply complete our online dog Adoption Application form and we will contact you. Check out our Faces of Rescue for some great photos and rescue stories. How can you help? We are always looking for caring foster homes that are able to sometimes take dogs on short notice. Foster duration time can vary between just a couple of days, through to a couple of weeks. On the odd occasion it has been necessary to have a dog in foster care for a few months. Reasons for extended time in foster care vary, it could be just while they recuperate from being desexed, or time to get some of the abuse victims back to physical health and get them to learn to trust again. All dogs who come into GSD Rescue are vet checked, vaccinated and neutered before placement. There is a lot of travelling to check out potential homes and to transport the dog to that new home. All this costs money, which means some dogs cannot be saved due to lack of funds. If you can help us in a financial way or donate some of your time then please take a look at our Make a Donation area. We would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Our Sponsors , who help make the Rescue Trust a possibility every day. Due to the popularity of our calendars we are now taking pre-orders for next years GSD Rescue Calendar. Please do not hesitate to read our FAQs or Contact us if you have any questions, or email us directly at info gsdrescue. We are strong supporters of networking and encourage like-minded Websites to exchange Links with us. If you believe your Website meets our criteria then Submit your site for review. Black, blue, grey, liver, sable, white or bi-colored most commonly black and tan German Shepherd Temperament: Smart and Self-Assured Because this watchful, self-assured breed is nearly unmatched in intelligence, German Shepherds excel in high-pressure jobs that require next-level problem solving, like search and rescue or police work. These extremely confident dogs are also keen observers and thinkers who have an uncanny ability to make decisions and problem-solve on the fly. Though German Shepherds might seem aloof around strangers, they bond easily with their families and are incredibly loving companions. A hallmark of the German Shepherd temperament is great loyalty to their people. Known to be protective of their family and territory, thorough socialisation at a young age is important to prevent reactivity to people and other dogs. So, are German Shepherds good family dogs? These pups are wonderful family dogs when matched with a household that understands their needs. Keeping German Shepherds Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For While these dogs are known to be relatively healthy, there are a few health problems specific to the breed which pet parents should be aware of. Recognising German Shepherd health issues early on means owners can seek treatment sooner. When choosing your German Shepherd breeder, be sure to ask about any known genetic health problems in their breeding dogs. Joint Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are diseases that lead to irregular growth and development of the hip and elbow, which can predispose the joint to early onset arthritis. Bloat: Bloat is an emergency, life-threatening condition that affects deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds. This condition causes the stomach to twist and lose blood supply, which can lead to death if not surgically treated immediately. Bloat can be prevented surgically and by feeding multiple, smaller meals. Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, incurable disease in which the nerves of the spinal cord cease functioning, leading to loss of mobility and feeling, first in the back legs, and then in the front legs. Megasophagus: Megaesophagus is a debilitating genetic condition that affects the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Affected dogs regurgitate food after eating, and puppies with megaesophagus usually are the runt of the litter or exhibit a failure to thrive. Perianal Fistula: The symptoms of perianal fistula include draining wounds on the skin surrounding the anus, straining to defecate, excessive licking at the affected area, diarrhoea or bloody stool. Treatment is available, and may include therapeutic foods. Talk to your vet about suitable Royal Canin Vet Diets for your dog. Here are the basics on how to take care of your German Shepherd Dog. Grooming: Be forewarned: German Shepherd shedding is moderate—but also continuous. They also shed heavily twice a year. To reduce shedding, brush your German Shepherd several times a week, and daily during the heavy shedding times, specifically spring and autumn. Using a deshedding tool or rake will be essential during this time. Bathing , unless your dog is heavily soiled, is not recommended more than once a month, with some kennel clubs recommending once every months. Shaving a German Shepherd is not recommended. You should also brush your pup's teeth daily to keep bad breath and tartar away. Studies show that dogs live longer and experience less disease if they are not overweight or obese. As for the best dog food for German Shepherds, look to large breed dog food that is uniquely formulated to support the bone and joint needs of big dogs. German Shepherd adult dogs benefit most from eating a complete and balanced large-breed dog food, like Royal Canin Maxi Adult or you can feed a German Shepherd breed specific food such as Royal Canin German Shepherd dry dog food. It is crucial to not overfeed German Shepherd puppies because it can predispose them to health problems. You can avoid many future problems by feeding German Shepherd puppies appropriate amounts of large-breed puppy food, like Royal Canin Maxi puppy food or breed specific food such as Royal Canin German Shepherd dry puppy food. Use the feeding chart on the bag as a guide, or ask the PetDirect Customer Care Team how much to feed your particular puppy. Exercise: The smart and active German Shepherd Dog breed requires a lot of daily exercise, both physical and mental. Invest in a good quality harness and lead such as these from the EzyDog range. If your German Shepherd enjoys water, teach them to swim they are not natural-born swimmers for a fantastic low-impact exercise. Exercises such as agility, herding or flyball provide both physical and mental exercise for this intelligent and agile dog. Then you can supplement with interactive dog toys , learning tricks and playing games like hide-and-seek. German Shepherd puppies require less-strenuous exercise than adults in order to grow properly, so talk with your veterinarian for exercise recommendations for your pup. Like all dogs, German Shepherds should be trained using gentle, dog-friendly, positive-reinforcement training. German Shepherds are eager learners that pick up new skills quickly, which allows handlers to speed through the German Shepherd training process. Have some healthy treats on hand as a special reward. Thanks to their breeding, German Shepherds are creative thinkers and they require consistent and ongoing education to keep them constructively engaged. Left to their own devices, German Shepherds can use their great intelligence for less-than-desirable purposes, like destructive behaviours. The mental exertion that occurs during training helps, as well as training games that utilise their natural abilities. You can also try interactive puzzles to engage their problem solving skills. German Shepherds are willing to serve their pet parents, so if you decide to get one, put yours to work! Top picks for your German Shepherd OK. We get a lot of enquiries about puppies and breeders on here. Sadly we have have been made aware of quite a number of people that paid top dollar for what was advertised as a purebred German Shepherd, but they have ended up with a mixed breed. Registered breeders have official pedigree paperwork via Dogsnz membership with three or four sometimes more generations listed. They are important to show you that your beloved dog is what you paid top dollar for and not mixed with some other breed. Not a huge cost to a breeder to ensure they are selling what they state they are selling. Also, if an ad states that their vet has thoroughly checked the dogs over, insist on the evidence. This cant possibly tell of any underlying problems. You seriously must make sure you see these items. So many unscrupulos breeders are relying on the fact that you wont ask. Its too late once you have your puppy home. Save yourself the heart break. You are spending alot of money. Dont be sold by sweet characters or flamboyant ads. Buy on evidence!!! Make sure you see it. This was evident in recent media reports about a notorious registered puppy mill. Their 5K puppies had and still have numerous ongoing health issues. There are a wide range of temperaments. There are many different "breeding lines" of German Shepherds each bred for a different purpose and a different temperament. If you want a family companion, you do not want high energy working lines. If you want a dog to compete within the sport of schutzhund a protection dog sport , you do not want show lines. They have the beauty and the brains. With German Shepherd dogs more than most other breeds, you must know what you want long before you start calling or visiting breeders. You need to ask the right questions. Otherwise you might end up with a German Shepherd that isn't at all what you were looking for - and possibly an individual who is too much for you to handle. Tammie specializes in German Shepherd dogs. Please see the Facebook link at the bottom of this information to her Facebook Page to make contact. To make your search even more challenging, a good number of German Shepherd dogs are badly bred. VonGecse German Shepherd dogs do not breed regularly and puppies are brought up in a family environment within our house and socialised with our sheep, chickens, cattle and cat! General health problems. As a long-time German Shepherd dog owner, I know first-hand how many health problems this breed suffers from. Crippling hip and elbow dysplasia, stomach disorders, skin diseases and degenerative myelopathy DM. When looking for a breeder - please ensure that they x-ray the hips and elbows of all their breeding dogs. The x-rays need to be done by the vet and sent to a reputable radiologist service specialising in scoring hips and elbows. Also it is highly recommended that all breeders test for DM Degenerative Myelopathy Insist on seeing the clinical results. A little research into these things can save a lot of heart break in the long run.VonGecse German Shepherd dogs are professionally tested and are DM free and have excellent hip and elbow scores!! Heavy shedding. German Shepherd dogs have only one shedding period a year - and it lasts for days! In other words, they shed constantly. You will find hair all over your clothing, furniture and carpets. Frequent vaccuming will become a way of life! Socialization requirements. Most German Shepherd dogs have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviours of "good guys". Then they can recognize the difference when someone really does act abnormally. Without careful socialization, a German Shepherd may be suspicious of everyone. VonGecse German Shepherd dogs puppies have socialization with our extended family, friends and our community from the day they are born. They have socialization with our sheep, chickens, cattle and of course our cat. Some German Shepherd dogs have an inherited form of shyness. Dogs who are genetically shy can be helped a little bit by socialization - but not cured. Yet another reason to be very careful when acquiring this breed. Providing enough mental stimulation. German Shepherd dogs are so intelligent and capable. I hate to see them chosen by owners who just want a dog to hang around the house and yard. German Shepherd dogs thrive when they are given interesting things to do that will challenge their minds. Mental exercise advanced obedience classes, agility classes, schutzhund, tracking, herding is even more important for German Shepherd dogs. This is a smart, thinking breed at least the good ones are! They thrive on this kind of activity and mental stimulation. They must have physical outlets for their energy and mental outlets for their intelligent minds. Most obedience clubs also offer CGC training. An owner must become "pack leader" early in the relationship. Canine Good Citizens training. It identifies and rewards dogs that have the training and demeanour to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members. It is open to all purebred and crossbred dogs. The purpose of the BHCGC Test is to ensure that our favourite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community because it is trained and conditioned to act with good manners in the home, in public, and in the presence of other dogs BHCGC training is fun and useful. Through it, you and your dog will establish a closer bond and your dog will have the added benefit of knowing how to please you. The test of your dog's manners and training is not a competition and does NOT require that you and your dog perform with precision. Who can participate? All dogs over the age of 12 months of age. Membership of Dogs NZ or member Club is not needed. Check our Frequently Asked Questions page for the answers to more of your questions. Note: Clubs can log in to the site to view the club FAQ on their club page. Certificates are available from Dogs New Zealand posted to the assessing club. Dogs will be registered onto a database. Dogs must be over 12 months of age. Dogs having been taught the following exercises may be eligible for assessment at a BHCGC registered club. To get full information regarding the exercises and requirements contact your closest BHCGC registered Dog training club as listed on this page. Appearance and GroomingFood mannersAccepting Friendly StrangersWalking in a controlled manner with distractions and through peopleStay tiedControl around other dogsThere will also be written questions for the owner. An average life span of a German Shepherd dog is 12 - 15 years. We will not risk placing a puppy into a persons home temporarily only to have that person need to leave the country to go back to their homeland. We also require a contract signed with an agreement that should the owner need to rehome their German Shepherd bred by us, that puppy will either come back to us to rehome or we will have input into where that puppy will go. If you do not agree with this, please do not request a puppy from us. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to find an ideal German Shepherd dog today. Nowadays, this breed is all over the map in temperament. Lines that are bred for protection work and the sport of schutzhund tend to be "hard-tempered" and businesslike. Show lines range from mild and mellow, to hyperactive and skittish, to downright dumb and dopey. And many German Shepherd dog puppies that are bred by backyard breeders have risky temperaments and suffer from a host of health problems along with their mothers whom have been bred back to back heats often having puppies at a time. Energy levels vary from vigorous to laid-back, but all German Shepherd dogs, to maintain their athletic shape, need brisk walking every day and all-out running in a safe, enclosed area as often as possible, once fully grown. Finally, early and ongoing socialization is a must to develop a stable, confident temperament. This starts with the breeder and continues once puppy is home. Puppy mills usually leave the bitch and pups alone most of the time in outdoor runs only having contact when feeding the puppies and bitch. The puppies end up with poor socialisation skills with humans and a fear of the world in general. Steer clear of these money hungry puppy mills. Most German Shepherd dogs are fine with other family pets, if introduced when young. However, some individuals are cat chasers, and many individuals are dominant or even aggressive with strange dogs of the same sex. One of the most capable and trainable breeds in all of dogdom, exceedingly eager to learn and work, an ideal German Shepherd dog, when well trained by a confident owner, is a magnificent companion. She specialises in German Shepherd dog issues. Please visit the group click on the blue "f" square just below , answer a few questions and join. Each hip can score from 0 best to a maximum of 53 worst and the hip score is the total of each hip added together. Therefore the best possible score is out of and the worst is or .The average hip score for the German Shepherd dog at present is a total of .Elbow ideals for breeding: The lower the score the better. Elbows are scored from a 0 to 3. Each elbow could have a different score. If a bitch has a 1. Ask to see hip and elbow scores of the parents when buying a puppy. Degenerative Myelopathy DM which is degenerative myelopathy and is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with the loss of coordination in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag their feet. All our dogs are tested for DM. If a bitch is a DM carrier then it is ok to breed her with a dog that is "clear" as puppies will be ok. Ask to see DM test of parents to ensure your pup will not be affected by this horrible condition. Jade and Joe racing each other. Joe would have won! Amendments were made to the standard during the 6th meeting of the association on the 28th July , during the 23rd meeting in Cologne on the 17th September , by the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee in Wiesbaden on the 5th September , and at the Board of Directors and Breed Committee meeting on 25th March .The German Shepherd Dog, whose planned breeding commenced in the year after the founding of the German Shepherd Dog Club in Germany, was bred from central German and southern German strains of existing herding dogs with a final goal of creating a working dog predisposed to a high working aptitude. In order to reach this goal the breed standard was laid down which relates to physical attributes as well as those of temperament and character. In order to reach this goal the breed standard was laid down which relates to physical attributes as well as those of temperament and character The American Kennel Club Standard says the German Shepherd "has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence, and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. General Appearance: The German Shepherd Dog is medium size, slightly elongated, strong and well muscled, the bones are dry and the overall construction firm. Temperament: The German Shepherd Dog must be of well balanced temperament, steady of nerves, self assured, absolutely at ease except when provoked and good natured as well as attentive and easy to train. He must possess instinctive drive, resilience and self confidence in order to be suitable as a companion, watch dog, protection, service and herding dog. The forehead is only slightly domed when viewed from front and the side and without any or only slightly indicated central furrow. The breadth of the skull corresponds approximately to its length. The skull viewed from above tapers evenly from the ears to the nose with a sloping, not sharply defined stop, into the wedge shaped foreface muzzle. Upper and lower jaws are strongly developed. The top of the muzzle is straight, a dish faced or convex curve is not desired. The lips are tight, well fitted and of a dark colour. The nose must be black. Eyes: The eyes are of medium size, almond shaped, slightly oblique and not protruding. The colour of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Light piercing eyes are not desirable as they detract from the expression of the dog. Ears: The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size that are carried upright and almost parallel not tilted inwards. They taper to a point and are set with the orifice to the front. Tipped ears and drop ears are faulty. Ears carried laid back, during gaiting or when at rest are not faulty. Mouth: The dentition must be strong, healthy and complete 42 teeth conforming to the dentition formula the German Shepherd Dog has a scissor bite that is, the incisors must fit scissor:like to each other so that the incisors of the upper jaw overlap those of the lower jaw in a scissor fashion. Level, over or undershot bites are faulty, as well as large gaps between the teeth. It is a fault when the incisors are placed in a straight line in the gums. The jawbones must be strongly developed so that the teeth are embedded deeply in the gum line. Neck: The neck should be strong, and well muscled and free from throatiness dewlap the angle to the body horizontal is approximately 45 degrees. Forequarters: The forelegs are straight viewed from all sides, and when viewed from front must be absolutely parallel. The shoulder blade and upper arm are of equal length and firmly attached to the body with strong musculature. The angulation of the upper arm and shoulder blade ideally should be at 90 degrees but generally up to degrees. The elbows must be neither turned in nor turned out while in stance or in movement. The forearms when viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry and firmly muscled. The pastern is approximately one third of the length of the forearm and has an angle of approximately 20 degrees to 22 degrees to the forearm. Both infirm more than 22 degrees as well as steep pasterns less than 20 degrees restrict the working ability of the dog and in particular its endurance. Body: The topline flows from the set on of the neck, over the high long withers and over the straight back to the slightly sloping croup without a noticeable break. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and well muscled. The loin is broad, short, strongly developed and well muscled. The croup should be long and slightly sloping approximately 23 degrees to the horizontal into the set on of the tail without disruption to the topline. The chest should be moderately broad; the underchest is as long as possible and well developed. The ribs should be moderately sprung, barrel:chested is equally faulty as slab sided. Hindquarters: The position of the hind legs is slightly set back, when viewed from rear the hind legs are parallel to each other. Upper and lower thighs are of almost equal length and form an angle of approximately degrees, the thighs are strong and well muscled. The hock joints are well developed and firm, the rear pasterns stand perpendicular under the hock joint. Feet: The front feet are rounded, well closed and arched. The pads are hard but not inflexible. The nails are strong and dark in colour. The hind feet are closed slightly arched; the pads are hard and dark in colour. The nails are strong, arched and also dark in colour. Tail: The tail extends to at least the hock joint, however, not beyond the middle of the rear pastern. It has slightly longer hair on the underside and is carried in a gentle hanging curve when relaxed. It can be carried higher when excited or during movement but not above the horizontal. Corrective surgery is forbidden. The limbs must be of such length and angulation that the hindquarter may be thrust well forward under the body and the forequarter reaches equally far forward without noticeable change to the backline. Any tendency towards over:angulation of the hindquarter decreases the firmness and endurance and therefore the dog's utmost working ability. Correct structural proportions and angulations result in a ground covering, low to the ground movement that gives the impression of effortless forward propulsion. With the head pushed forward and a slightly raised tail, an even, balanced and smooth trot, results in a gently curving and unbroken topline, running from the tips of the ears and over the neck and back through to the end of the tail. Coat: The German Shepherd Dog is bred in the coat varieties: stock coat and long stock coat, both with undercoat. The top coat should be long, soft and not close fitting, with feathering on the ears and legs, bushy breeches and bushy tail forming flags below. It should be short on the head including the inside of the ears, the front side of the legs, on the feet and toes, it is longer and heavily coated on the neck, almost forming a mane. The hair lengthens on the back of the legs to the pasterns or hock joints; and on the back of the thighs it forms distinct breeching. All black, grey commonly known as sables with dark shadings; black saddle and mask. Unobtrusive small white markings on chest as well as very light colour on insides of legs permissible but not desirable. The nose must be black in all colour types. Lacking mask, light to piercing eyes, as well as light to whitish markings on chest and inner sides of the legs, light nails and red tip of tail are to be rated as lacking in pigment. The undercoat is of a light grey toning. The colour white is not permitted. Sizes: Height at Withers - Dogs cm .Bitches cm .Bitches kg .Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Major Faults:Any deviations from the above described breed characteristics that impair the working ability of the dog. EarFaults - Laterally too low set ears, tipped ears, inward tilted ears, ears that are not firm. Severe lack of pigmentation. Severe lack in overall firmness. Dentition Faults:All deviations from a scissor bite and the dentition formula as far as it does not concern disqualifying faults see below Very Serious Faults:Weak character, aggression without provocation or nervousness. Dogs with proven severe Hip Dysplasia. Monorchids and cryptorchids, as well as dogs with clearly uneven or atrophied stunted testicles. Disfiguring ear or tail defects. Dogs with deformities. Dogs with missing teeth as follows:1 Pre:Molar 3, and one further tooth, or1 Canine, or1 Pre:Molar 4, or1 Molar 1, or1 Molar 2, or3 or more teeth altogether. Level bite in whole of the incisor area. White coat colour even with dark eyes and nails. Long Coat - Long, soft top coat without undercoat, usually with a parting down the middle of the back, flags on ears and legs and tail. Notes: Males must have two normally developed testicles fully descended in the scrotum. Any departure from the above points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. History and Origins Country of Origin: Germany Originally a herding dog, although not in the way you may think — the German Shepherd works as a living fence, walking or running an invisible boundary between sheep and land they need to be kept from, keeping livestock where they are meant to be. If they spotted a sheep straying from the flock, they would silently move them back into the fold without barking — which would alarm the whole flock. Formed from a variety of different sheep-herding dogs, they can trace their origins back to the 7th Century. At this time the breed name was changed to the Alsatian in England and France to avoid this discrimination. Thankfully this is far in the past and the German Shepherd Dog has regained their original name. Health and Common Issues The German Shepherd dog is predisposed to a number of problems including gastrointestinal diseases, a specific stomach condition gastric dilation volvulus , a disease of the spinal cord and epilepsy. As with many other breeds, they can also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia joint conditions that can be painful and lead to mobility problems. Hip scoring of dogs prior to breeding is therefore important. The breed club monitor the health of the breed carefully and should be contacted for the most up-to-date information and details of any DNA or additional testing they recommend. Breed Clubs can be found on the Kennel Club website. Puppies require careful exercise to avoid damaging still developing joints. Lots of training and puzzle solving games will keep that sharp mind engaged productively. A bored or lonely German Shepherd is likely to be reactive, vocal and destructive! Space Requirements This is a big dog who takes a long time to physically mature and so is not suited to flats accessed by stairs or homes without access to a secure garden. Town or country will be fine, but plenty of space to walk, train and run freely is advisable. They will guard and so a busy urban environment can be too stimulating for them. Nutrition and Feeding Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The German Shepherd dog can be prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk. Grooming German Shepherd Dog Grooming should be done several times a week, with a vigorous brushing to remove any dead or loose hairs. If it is a longhaired German Shepherd dog, combing will also be necessary. No trimming is required and bathing should only be done as needed. This is a shedding dog but the more you groom them, the less they will shed. Training German Shepherd Dog Early and consistent socialisation is vital to ensure the GSD grows up confident and happy in a variety of situations with people, other animals, livestock and children. This is a breed that needs to be sourced form a breeder who understands the importance of early habituation and socialisation with this potentially reactive breed. Easy to train if you employ kind reward-based training methods. Patience is needed as the GSD is slow to mature and often suffers from looking like an adult physically long before their brain has matured! A well-trained GSD is capable of most jobs, sports or activities — in fact one of the first non-herding and non-military uses for the GSD was as Guide Dogs for the Blind. Best Family Dog Breeds A German Shepherd Dog from a breeder who focuses on temperament and health makes an excellent family pet if you have the time to dedicate to training, exercise and vacuuming up shed hair. Possibly a little too boisterous and large for homes with tiny children or frail older family members. While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them. German Shepherd Dogs have had many jobs, one of the least well known however was as guide dogs for the blind, and the GSD was preferred as their height made them very suitable for blinded ex-military men, who would have found the Labradors and Golden Retrievers and their mixes too short! They are still used today for taller people but the amount of hair they shed makes them less popular. He made 26 films, had his own radio show and even his own private chef! German Shepherds are super intelligent and can learn new tricks and behaviours in only a few repetitions. After the World Wars, Americans and Europeans were very concerned about anything German so their named was changed to Alsatian Wolf Dogs, some still refer to them by that name today. The German Shepherd is incredibly popular and are the second most registered breed by the American Kennel Club after the Labrador Retriever. Similar Breeds:. View the Scrapbook der Ingolsta kennels are dedicated to the German Shepherd breed, we have been a member of the NZ Kennel Club since and bred our first litter in and have a reputation of breeding quality animals with superior temperament and working lines, Excellent for show, agility, obedience and great family companions for all ages, Our aim is to attempt to better the breed in all aspects, which means, continually importing quality NEW proven bloodlines, as our gene pool is so small in NZ, this, then should prevent any problems that inbreeding can cause. All our breeding stock go thru an extensive Veterinary examination which includes xraying hips and elbows and DM testing. These xrays are then sent to Australia to go thru the process of being scored and approved for breeding. We live in a country enviroment therefore the puppies have access to free running in there up bringing, they are reared on a Royal Canin which is a Quality Super Premium Dry formula and is a total balanced food and certainly gives them the excellent start in life that they require. They also go thru a full Veterinary check, vaccination and tattooed prior to leaving us to go to their new homes. Our very first German Shepherd we owned was was a full working dog on a farm that had pedigree jersey bulls, milking cows and sheep and she loved the challenge everyday working with the stock on the farm. In we purchased our very first show dog which was more of the family's very best mate than a show dog but he used to love to get out and strutt his stuff in the ring and he certainly got us really hooked into the breed For many more pics to peruse take a look at our scrapbook on the top right hand corner of this page. We also have another website you can click on, also at the top right of this page. Copy url URL Copied! The defendants were found guilty of 32 charges brought under the Animal Welfare Act , and were sentenced today following a three-week Judge alone trial at the Manukau District Court in January. One of the defendants was sentenced to nine months' supervision and the other was sentenced to 12 months' supervision, hours community work and judicial monitoring. SPCA was contacted after concerns were raised about the welfare of many of the dogs housed at the breeding kennel the pair operated. When SPCA Inspectors first visited the large rural property, more than 60 dogs and puppies were discovered, many of which were tied up by short leashes and choker chains without access to water, shelter or behavioural enrichment. For those that were housed inside or in kennel runs, the ground where they lay was covered in urine and faeces. In one enclosure, there was such a buildup of faeces that the dogs were struggling to walk without skidding in their own filth. SPCA later returned to the property to seize other dogs and puppies, including two pregnant females — one of which was found locked in a dark, dirty shed inside a cargo crate. Inspectors agreed that the most concerning dog they seized was an adult German Shepherd found tangled in her tether inside a cage with no water. The short leash was twisted tightly around her hind leg, forcing it into an extremely uncomfortable position up near her head. She had been unable to move for so long that the leg was swollen and when Inspectors freed her, she was unable to bear any weight on it. Sadly, the tight tether had also caused a major skin infection. She was in so much pain, discomfort and distress, she had to be euthanised. Months later, SPCA received information about several distressed dogs barking at an isolated piece of bush at the back of a rural property owned by the defendant. When Inspectors arrived at the scene, they found six German Shepherds tethered to trees, several kilometres from the main dwelling. The dogs were seized by SPCA, including one with a skin infection and another with an ear infection. A veterinarian determined the ear infection was chronic, untreated, and would have been causing considerable pain and distress. SPCA National Inspectorate Manager Alan Wilson says the case highlights the need for better regulation of the breeding industry, to ensure breeders maintain appropriate animal welfare standards and are held accountable for any breaches to those standards. While many breeders do treat their animals well, there are others that continue to operate under the bare minimum animal welfare standards, and some far below this. SPCA recommends that people adopt from reputable rescue organisations or accredited breeders. Anyone with animal welfare concerns is encouraged to contact SPCA. Latest news. So, you have decided that a German Shepherd is the dog for you A good choice. You will have a life long friend and companion that will protect you and your family. In return, you will have a responsibility to feed and provide warm shelter for your dog. Before you visit any litters, try to have some idea what you want to do with your dog. Do you want a male dog or a female bitch? Do you want to try showing, obedience, agility or tracking? Do you want to breed a litter yourself later on? Even if you are not contemplating any competitive work with your dog, some training will be needed to integrate your puppy into your household and this is covered in the domestic pets class at club. The following guidelines are designed to help the person who wants to buy a puppy for breeding purposes. However, all puppy buyers whether taking pick of the litter for showing, or the best puppy for obedience training or buying the last puppy left, will have the benefit of knowing that all puppies in the litter are bred and raised under the same conditions. That is: The parents are hip scored, the puppies are tattooed, fully vaccinated, wormed, registered etc. You should have contact with the mother of the puppies when you visit the litter. Some bitches can get a little possessive with their babies and you may have to see her away from her pups. Other bitches are happy for people to visit and take time out while you keep her babies amused. The puppies father will probably be owned by someone else and could even be in the North Island or Australia as is sometimes the case. Stud dog owners are more than happy to talk to you about their dog and for you to view the dog. Also take note of the breeders other dogs, how they behave and react. There could be other offspring from previous litters for you to look at and this gives you a good indication of what the mother can produce. The German Shepherd Dog is prone to hip displaysia and by responsible breeders hip x-raying and only using stock with good hips, the incidence of hip displaysia has been reduced. The puppies tattoo number is unique and is used to identify the puppy when: 1 The puppy is old enough to have a hip x-ray and the tattoo number is etched onto the plate to ensure the correct plate is submitted for the correct animal. If you want to show your puppy or breed later on, enter obedience, agility or trials, you will need to have your puppy registered. The breeder will normally register every puppy in the litter unless there is a valid reason not to. A set of pedigree papers should also be supplied along with feeding and exercise charts, vaccination certificates and worming timetable and any other information the breeder feels is necessary. Breeders cannot charge extra for pedigree papers but can charge different prices for an unregistered and registered puppy. COAT: The standard short coat is the only one that can be breed shown. Long coats can be entered into obedience, agility and trials competitions. The breeder will help with picking a puppy if you are interested in showing. And after considering all the above, you will then probably go home with the puppy that has chosen YOU and you had no say in the matter. Box Christchurch Club Captain's Cell:

Tom Thorpe Blog Did you let out your dog to play only for it to go home with a limping front leg? A Golden Retriever limping front leg indicates a potential injury, health problem, and even congenital defects. Golden Retrievers are very energetic canines. Below, I discussed the possible reasons for the limping and what you should do. Gradual vs. With sudden limping, the problem occurred without previous underlying causes. On the other hand, gradual onset limping is brought by an underlying illness. The limping developed slowly, which is far more concerning than sudden limping. Nevertheless, both of these conditions require immediate treatment. This is to save your Goldie from suffering and to prevent the condition from worsening. Why is my Golden Retriever limping on its front leg? Injury and trauma Imagine your Golden Retriever as a child. If you let them out unsupervised, they can get bruised knees, a broken bone, and all sorts of possible injuries. Injury and trauma is the most common reason why Golden Retrievers will limp on their front legs. Your dog probably zoomed too fast and pulled a muscle on its front leg. Also, your Goldie can fall off elevated surfaces, which can cause trauma on its forelimbs. Aside from that, paw injuries due to sharp objects can occur. Lastly, you should rule out insect bites. My Golden Retriever is notorious for pawing bees, which always give him swollen paws and a limp that goes on for days. Elbow dysplasia Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia can also affect Golden Retrievers. This time the affected legs are in front. This will cause limping, lameness, and other progressive symptoms. This can lead to various abnormalities on the affected joint, making it difficult or almost impossible to fix entirely. Moreover, elbow dysplasia is observed to be the most common cause of forelimb limping and lameness in young dogs. But unlike typical limping, Goldies with this condition will have a paddling gait as the dog tries to compensate for the lameness. Elbow dysplasia is easy to diagnose if the Golden Retriever puppy underwent rigorous testing. This is standard among legitimate breeders. By that time, the condition has worsened and can be expensive to manage. Panosteitis Panosteitis is a condition among young pups, specifically those that belong in the large and giant breeds. It can occur on one of the forelimbs or both. While rare, this condition can also affect the hind legs. Golden Retriever puppies with panosteitis will exhibit lameness, depression, unexplained weight loss, fever, and poor appetite. If not corrected early, panosteitis will lead to muscle atrophy on the affected legs. The good news is that this condition is self-limiting, which means it will resolve on its own most of the time. Generally, Golden Retriever puppies with panosteitis will outgrow the condition once they turn a year old. Still, some dogs will require corrective treatments and medications to assist with walking. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy HOD On a more serious note, a limping Golden Retriever might be suffering from a condition called hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is commonly observed in large breeds. According to experts, Golden Retrievers are about 5. Like panosteitis, Goldies with hypertrophic osteodystrophy will suffer from bone inflammation. The difference is that hypertrophic osteodystrophy affects the flared regions of the long bones metaphyses. On the other hand, panosteitis occurs on the bone shafts diaphyses. Moreover, HOD is a self-limiting condition that will usually go away on its own. Treatment for this condition is mostly centered on managing the pain. Overall, the medication for HOD will only last for a few weeks. But if your Golden Retriever still suffers from bone inflammation at an older age, there might be another underlying condition involved. Cranial cruciate ligament CCL tear Another condition Golden Retrievers may experience is the cranial cruciate ligament. This is quite a common knee injury among canines, which can affect both the front and rear legs. CCL tear causes sudden limping as the shin bone slides forward. Surgical correction is often necessary to prevent irreversible injuries and further joint damages. Almost all cases of CCL tear are due to overexertion. It can occur when your Golden Retriever runs too fast or jumps from an elevated surface. In general, the ligament tears because your dog planted its limbs on the ground even as the body is still in the forward movement momentum. The longer you put off treatment for your dog, the worse the condition gets. From limping, it will develop into full-on lameness, inflammation, and muscle atrophy. This condition occurs when the kneecap gets dislocated. As with CCL tears, the most common reason behind the luxation is injury or trauma. Dogs with this condition will bunny hop and limp on the affected leg. It can also affect both the front and back legs, depending on which limb received the trauma. Toy and small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas are at high risk of experiencing patellar luxation. Many cases of patellar luxation require surgical correction, especially if it occurs frequently. The veterinarian can also place implants to prevent the kneecap from luxating in the future. Arthritis Almost any dog can suffer from osteoarthritis later in life. If your senior Golden Retriever is limping its front leg, you should get it checked for arthritis. Moreover, arthritis occurs due to the deterioration of the joint cartilage. As the cartilage thins, the bones rub together, which forms bone spurs. These spurs will cause extreme pain and discomfort to the affected dog. As a progressive disease, the treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs is focused on managing the pain. Veterinarians can also prescribe medications and supplements to slow down cartilage degeneration. The vet will first rule out potential causes like luxation, dysplasia, trauma, arthritis, and so on. What should I do when my dog is limping? If you noticed that your Golden Retriever is limping, the first thing to do is check the affected leg. Look for obvious wounds, injuries, or dislocation. You should also bring your dog inside and observe its behavior. If the limping front leg becomes swollen, inflamed, or warm, you should bring it to the vet right away. You should do the same if you notice that your dog is licking the affected leg too much. This habit can cause bald spots on the leg and even increase the risk of infections. Human-grade pain relievers are no-nos for canines, regardless of breed. What can I give my dog for limping? To manage acute pain on the affected leg, you can put on an ice pack on it. Reduce physical activity. Putting the canine on a crate will help. You should also keep them on ground level and avoid forcing the canine to climb the stairs or the car. Control the bleeding. If your Goldie sustained open wounds, you should wash and bandage them right away. This will control the bleeding while you head to the vet. Carry the dog. When transporting a limping dog, you should carry it around. This is to prevent further stress on the affected forelimbs. Your dog probably stepped on sharp objects or very hot pavement. A: Minor injuries may cause your dog to limp but not substantial enough to trigger excruciating pain. Some Golden Retrievers are tolerant than others, so they may appear fine even if they are experiencing pain. Q: Should I take my Golden Retriever to the vet if he is limping? However, the longer you put off treatment, the longer your dog will suffer. Q: How long will a dog limp with a sprained leg? A: A Golden Retriever with a sprained leg will limp for 24 to 48 hours. Q: Can I give ibuprofen to my Golden Retriever for limping? A: You should never give human-grade ibuprofen to your dog. This medication has a very narrow margin of safety for canines. It can cause more harm than help if you decide to self-administer. Veterinarians have treated many cases of ibuprofen-induced conditions like intestinal inflammation and internal bleeding in dogs. Final words A Golden Retriever limping front leg should always be considered a serious condition. This way, you can prevent it from running too fast or getting exposed to various hazards. Do you have something to add to this discussion? Share it with us below! Basset Hounds. Treatment : This disease is self-limiting and it will randomly resolve, during this, treatment is supportive and can make a difference. Your vet will recommend using anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication. Prevention : Feed your puppies with the adult dog food as it contains lower levels of protein and calcium while also giving them more energy. Rapidly growing puppies need higher levels of energy to meet their growth needs. If you want to keep them on puppy food, you will need to give them more of it. But the better option is to feed an affected dog a high-quality diet that has been specifically made for use in large breed puppies, to keep the dog in healthy body weight. If you want to save yourself a lot of hassle, check out my recommended dog foods for golden retrievers at every age here. Bone disease: Cause: This disease affects large breed puppies too, and it makes walking really hard for them. It could also develop into other conditions such as osteosarcoma which is a type of cancer and hypertrophic osteodystrophy which makes walking very painful. Treatment: This condition requires taking your dog to the vet. The vet is the only one that can help your dog in this case. Prevention: You can prevent it by giving your dog vitamins supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin helps preventing further bone diseases and joint damage. Glucosamine helps in repairing body tissues such as cartilage and it also helps in reducing the pain. I do recommend checking with your doctor for the right dosage. Hip Dysplasia: Cause: This condition appears at a young age. And it only affects the rear legs. Weight reduction to take stress off of the hips. Joint supplements. Exercise restriction especially on hard surfaces. Anti-inflammatory medications. Prevention: avoid exercising young and at-risk dogs and providing essential nutrient supplements and avoid neutering at risk puppies and last but not least ensuring the skeletal system grows properly, and follow the appropriate diet for your dog. When should I take them to the vet? If you notice any of the following signs, and especially if your dog displays more than one of those, it is highly recommended to grab the phone and make an appointment at your vet as soon as possible. Obvious break. Inability to put weight on the affected leg. Dangling limp. Other symptoms appear with the limping. Related questions What should I do if my dog is limping? What are the signs of my dog being in pain? Increased breathing rate. Limping in dogs is quite common and occurs when your dog cannot walk normally due to weakness or pain. Your dog may walk slowly or with difficulty and will usually favor one leg. There are two types of limps that Golden Retrievers have: The gradual limp and the sudden limp. The gradual limp can be noticed increasing across a long period, while the sudden limp is often seen immediately after an injury or accident. Such foreign bodies can cause lacerations. Burns caused by scorching sidewalks or frostbite can also cause your Golden Retriever to limp. Get your dog some booties or paw protectors in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Overexertion Too much of a good thing, such as fetch, intense running, or rough play with other dogs, can leave your Golden Retriever sore and hobbling with a muscle strain. However, most dogs will recover quickly after a couple of rest days. Injuries To Toenails Examine your Golden Retriever for ingrowing or overgrown toenails, as these can cause discomfort and pain when they dig into the skin. My dog once suffered a dewclaw injury, so make sure you also keep these trim. Insect Sting or Animal Bite Your dog might be limping because his paw has been stung. Aside from insect bites, animal bites can also cause a limp. Early detection is vital because bites can lead to infections. Sprain A stretched muscle or torn ligament can result in a sprain. Almost any active dog can sprain his leg because activities as simple as jumping can lead to awkward landings. If your Golden Retriever sprains his foot, he will hesitate to put weight on it for a while. Fracture A broken leg should be suspected if the limping occurred suddenly. Broken bones may not always be visible. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Dysplasia is a common hereditary condition causing hip and elbow joints to become loose and move out of position. Although the disease is progressive and irreversible, around three-quarters of Golden Retrievers with hip dysplasia can live a comfortable life with ongoing management, such as exercise modification and anti-inflammatory and painkilling medication. Osteoarthritis Older and larger dogs are more at risk of this chronic painful disease. It results in joint inflammation caused by cartilage deterioration. Signs include lameness, stiffness, or difficulty in getting up. My dog Willow has osteoarthritis of her lower spine. Her initial symptoms were lameness of the rear leg and difficulty getting up. However, it is managed pretty well along with her hip dysplasia with prescribed medication, and exercise adjustments. My vet recommended these, they get good reviews online, and they seem to be working for her. She has the Big Barker , which is the only dog bed clinically proven to reduce pain and joint stiffness. You can read my comprehensive review here. It is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. Many small breeds are prone. However, many larger breeds, including the Golden Retriever, are now affected. Cruciate Ligament Injury or Disease A cruciate ligament injury damages the ligaments that hold the knee together. It is similar to a sprain but is more serious. If the ligaments weaken due to a disease, the limp is gradual. If they are torn because of a sudden twist or jump, the limp is sudden. Degenerative Myelopathy Older dogs are at risk of this inherited neurologic disorder that affects the spinal cord causing a gradual paralysis of the back end. Symptoms are weakness, lameness in the hind legs, difficulty rising, loss of muscle in the rear legs, and incontinence. This can make it harder for him to walk straight and he may develop a limp. If you notice inflammation and find your dog licking or chewing the site, he may need a course of antibiotics. Use a pet cone to prevent further chewing and consequent worsening of the infection. Lyme Disease This bacterial illness transmitted by certain ticks can cause intermittent lameness. Panosteitis Growing Pains This condition affects the long bones of the legs due to painful inflammation. Panosteitis in dogs tends to affect growing large breed pups aged months, including the Golden Retriever. A shifting lameness from one bone to another is caused and can occur over several weeks or months. Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy HOD This is a bone disease occurring in fast-growing large dogs, usually between 3 and 5 months old. Similar to panosteitis, signs will be a slight limp and pain in the affected bone. The shoulder is most commonly affected, but it can also appear in the elbow, hip, and knee. It occurs when large puppies grow too quickly. Limping, lameness, and pain are symptoms. Golden Retrievers are predisposed to Osteochondritis Dissecans , but the genes involved have not been identified by scientists. Hind limb weakness, paralysis, or urinary incontinence are symptoms of this spinal disease. The signs vary depending on the severity of the spinal cord damage and which disc along the spine is impacted. Diabetic Neuropathy If diabetes is untreated, excessive glucose can cause progressive weakness or paralysis due to nerve damage. However, this condition is rare in dogs. Immune Mediated Polyarthritis This immune system disorder causes inflamed, swollen, and painful joints. Your dog will be reluctant to walk — or he will hobble on one or more legs due to the pain. Congenital Limb Deformities Abnormally developed limbs can cause limping in your dog. Osteosarcoma Bone Cancer Bone cancer is more common in canines than in any other species. Bone tumors can rapidly grow, causing limping and pain, particularly in leg bones. Limping can vary from mild to severe. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Articles Sit. What should I do? Limping is a very common dog injury symptom and as caretakers, we are often left wondering what to do. Is it serious? Should we go to the vet? Will limping go away on its own? Sometimes limping will go away on its own, especially if you provide some at-home support like a brace. Other times limping may be a sign of a more serious injury or condition that will require veterinary intervention. Recognizing a Limp A limp is caused by a dog favoring one leg over another. The injured leg, or the leg experiencing pain, is the leg the dog will avoid putting pressure on. Gradual limps — Gradual onset limps develop more slowly over time and are usually a symptom of an underlying chronic condition or disease such as arthritis or hip dysplasia. Sudden limps — Sudden onset limps are typically an immediate result of an injury. For example, a sudden limp may occur after a tumble while hiking or rambunctious play. Determining whether the limp is gradual or sudden and which leg your dog is limping on can help a veterinarian diagnose the cause and potential solutions or support options. Dog Limping on Back Leg A hind leg or rear leg limp can be caused by several conditions or injuries. Limping is a common symptom for arthritis and hip dysplasia. Limping on the back leg can also be a result of arthritis in the knee joint or a tear of a CCL, the dog equivalent of an ACL. CCL tears are one of the most common dog injuries, and Ortho Dog offers a Cruciate Care Knee Brace to support dogs recovering from a mild tear or as a post-surgery support aid. Additional Resources:. Cut or wound to part of the leg Burn i. If your dog shows any outward signs of pain, discomfort, restlessness, or swelling, he should be taken to a veterinarian. Sometimes, however, a dog will show pain and it is up to the pet parent to know the signs and symptoms. Never wait when it comes to helping a dog in dire need of medical care. Any sort of sudden movement caused her pain, which she displayed by squealing aloud. Here are a few ways to move a dog with a front leg injury or pain: Blanket Stretcher Use a blanket as a makeshift sling: If you have another person to help, this is the method that I used and recommend. Position your dog on the blanket so his entire body is supported lengthwise. Stand on opposite sides of the blanket with the dog in the middle. Prevent the dog from moving or bending as much as you can, With one person on each side of the blanket, lift the corners and pull the blanket away from one another so it is taut and supportive for the dog. If you have a harder surface, use a stretcher, but if not a blanket comes in handy. If you are alone, you may have to drag the dog on the blanket gently as far as you can. Do not drag a dog down steps. It talks about spinal injuries, but the techniques are good for front leg issues, too: Carry The Dog In Your Arms If you are able to lift the dog to get him into your arms and then a vehicle, use this method. Use A Pet Carrier If your dog can be transported in a kennel, he is likely a smaller breed. A pet carrier can be used to move the dog, but ensure a blanket or soft material is placed inside the kennel first. Canine Shoulder Injuries Dogs have shoulder blades just as humans do, but they are not connected to the skeleton. How amazing is that?! The shoulder joint is called a ball and socket joint. In a dog with four legs, the shoulder joint is composed of the scapula shoulder blade bones and the humerus, or the upper bone of the front leg. Now think of all the ligaments and tendons that connect all the different parts in that shoulder joint and the shoulder as a whole. Ligaments connect bone to bone. BLB bone-ligament-bone. Tendons connect muscle to bone. Ligament and tendon injuries can happen in the front legs of a dog. Shoulder injuries can cause a dog to exhibit front leg limping or lameness, as in our situation. Dexter sustained soft tissue damage to the shoulder and neck area. Any number of activities can cause a shoulder injury in a dog, from jumping to overuse, running to swimming. If you have a chubby pooch, those extra pounds can also make him more prone to injury. For us, the dog was startled awake, jumped up, and had an awkward landing. See that scapula area and its relationship to the front legs? Dogs with a shoulder issue will often be hesitant to put pressure on one or both front legs. Sometimes, the symptoms are intermittent. The area can also swell and his neck range of motion may be limited. Only once the emergency veterinarian pointed it out did we notice our dog was not fond of moving his neck a certain way to look at us. Ah, the dreaded shoulder injury. There are a whole host of other shoulder injuries that can cause front paw limping. Biceps brachii tenosynovitis is often seen in older and athletic dogs. The biceps brachii muscle and its tendons get inflamed. In supraspinatus tendinopathy, the tendon in this muscle tears. It sounds painful because it is. Your vet may talk about calcium deposits in this area. Finally, the infraspinatus muscle is common in athletic dogs. Think about a dog who goes from zero to mach speed without warning. This injury is more disabling than it is painful. When the muscles that support the shoulder bones are overused or injured, you may see front leg limping in your dog. He was given pain medication, Tramadol, and a muscle spasm medication, methocarbamol. By the end of the first day, he was putting pressure on his leg. By day two, he showed more improvement, and this is when I decided to try a pet-friendly CBD oil. Since quality hemp oil is a strong anti-inflammatory, I went that route. I kid you not: by day three, Dexter was no longer limping. A proper diagnosis from a veterinarian is crucial followed by rest and meds as required. The little whimper sounds are normal for Dexter — he is vocal on our walks since puppyhood. Lyme Disease and Leg Lameness Does this one surprise you? The limp can change from one leg to another and dog parents are often floored when a diagnosis of Lyme disease is made. Dogs that develop Lyme disease will do so between one and five months after being bit by the infected tick. The lameness or limping is usually sudden and long after the bite, which is why it is often not associated with the tick. You may not even know a tick infected your dog, which is what happened to us. Here are some signs of Lyme disease in a dog: Limping or lameness, sometimes changing from leg to leg Warmth of the leg joints Pain in the leg joints when the vet examines your dog Pain or reluctance to rise from a laying or seated position Stiff gait. There are many reasons why your Golden Retriever may develop a limp. Common causes for going lame are foot, nail, leg injuries, underlying chronic or genetic conditions, Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, and illness. If your Golden is unable to distribute its weight evenly on all four legs, it means that they are experiencing some degree of pain, and you must identify the source of the problem. HOD Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy This bone disease affects young puppies, typically first appearing when the dog is around months old. Larger breed dogs are more likely to be affected. Limping is accompanied by swelling, pain on touching the affected limbs, loss of appetite, and depression. Symptoms are managed with pain relief and supportive care, but steroids and IV fluids may be required in more severe cases. Injury Sprain Or Strain If your gregarious Golden suddenly develops a limp out of the blue, the likelihood is that they have overexerted themselves while exercising, causing a strain or a sprain, according to Fetch by Web MD. Strains harm the tendons connecting muscle to the bone, while sprains harm the ligaments that connect bones. These are common injuries for active dogs and may put your Golden Retriever out of action for a day or two. Foot and Nail Injuries Other injuries include lacerations to the paw pad, ripped or broken nails. Both injuries will cause your dog to avoid putting its weight on the injured site. You can bathe sore paws in warm water and Epsom salts. Apply antiseptic and bandage any wounds. These can get lodged in their paws and cause pain, making your Golden Retriever limp. When you see your dog develop a sudden limp, the first thing to do is to check its paws and remove any foreign objects. Ensure any salt is washed from their paws when you come back from your walk in the winter. Your vet may be able to recommend a topical cream to soothe cracked paw pads. Lameness will come on suddenly and can affect different limbs at different times. Your vet will help you manage pano with pain relief and anti-inflammatories. It will spontaneously resolve itself by the time your dog reaches its second birthday. Ligament Injury If your Golden Retriever goes lame in the back legs, it may have torn or ruptured its crucial cranial ligament. A torn CCL is more often seen in medium to large active dogs. Depending on the severity of the injury, your Golden Retriever may require surgery to fix the problem. Cancer Lameness may be the symptom of some bone cancers. Broken Leg If your Golden Retriever is in an accident and sustains an injury or trauma, they may have broken bones. This is an emergency, and you should take your dog directly to the vet. Hip And Elbow Dysplasia Elbow and hip dysplasia are more common in larger dogs. This causes the ball and socket hip joint to be malformed, creating mobility, pain, and lameness problems. You might notice your dog has an abnormal gait, stiffness getting up, and pain around the hip area. Elbow dysplasia affects the forelimbs in the same way. Your vet will be able to give you a diagnosis, and the condition is usually managed through maintaining healthy body weight, physiotherapy, and medication such as pain relief and anti-inflammatories. Osteoarthritis This chronic condition will gradually come on, and in addition to a limp, other signs may be stiffness, difficulty getting up, weight gain, and irritability. Your vet will probably provide a joint supplement to help with this. When You Should Call A Vet About Your Limping Golden Retriever In mild cases like an insect bite, foreign object, minor injury, or even a mild strain or sprain, some simple first aid and supporting your dog to rest can be enough to ensure they bounce back in a day or two. If the dog is in obvious pain in emergencies such as acute injuries, your vet is the first person to call. For limps with no apparent cause, it is also best to contact your vet because it could result from an underlying or chronic disease. Prevention is always better than dealing with an injured doggie. A healthy dog is much less prone to injury or chronic disease. Give your dog a healthy balanced diet as obesity can lead to joint problems. A well trained Golden Retriever who is responsive to your commands is also much more likely to avoid injury. Remember, your dog should get regular exercise. Manage their fitness levels with a consistent daily routine so that they can run, play and hike with you safely for longer. It depends on the context: the age of your Golden Retriever and what happened before the limp. For example, a very young pup from 2 months old may have developed pano or HOD if there was no inciting event. Injury to the leg or paws will cause a sudden limp, as will stuck foreign objects. Identifying the reason for the limp and dealing with it promptly is important. Acute conditions require rest until the limp heals. In chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia, your vet will advise you on how best to modify their exercise routine. Perhaps not significant pain, but there is an issue there, and you need to find out what it is. Conclusion Golden Retrievers limp for all kinds of reasons. It is always worth getting to the bottom of the issue as it is not normal for your Golden Retriever to go lame. The best course of action is to check limbs, paws, and toenails for any injury or issue. Some of the reasons why your Golden Retriever is limping are more serious than others but the sooner you deal with the problem, the sooner you and your best pal will be able to enjoy life to the full together again. Recommended Read.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We produce beautiful black and red, as well as solid black German Shepherd puppies. We keep our puppy owners actively involved from before the time your pup is even born! You will get progress updates on mom, pictures as she grows, videos of the puppies moving in mom, etc all up until the day the pups are born. Then, you will get updates as the puppies are born, as well as pictures. It is not just about coming to pick up a puppy at 8 weeks, but it is a growing relationship between us to truly have you a part of our Samherz family. We become good friends with a lot of our puppy owners, as there will always be questions, concerns, stories, etc to share after you take your new puppy home. We are here to help. We require the best for our puppies, and we want you to have the best too. Samherz is located on 35 acres of gorgeous land, giving our dogs and puppies exposure to sights, sounds, smells and everything in between to ensure they grow up well socialized. We have done extensive research to choose the best pairings to produce top quality companion animals, as well as conformation, sport and working prospects. We currently breed European bloodlines only, avoiding crossing any working lines. Our breeding program proudly uses dogs that have generations beyond generations of solid hip and elbow clearances, as we follow SV guidelines in which all parents, grandparents, etc have certifications. Our puppies are true German shepherds, not American line, and are bred within the breed standard. We breed health tested and stable temperament dogs only. Our dogs are part of our family, loved and cared for and raised in our home. Feel free to contact us with questions, comments or simply to share pictures of your pups! We love to expand our friendship pool! Samherz Shepherds name came from the heart of our kennel, Samurai, call name Sam. The German word for heart is "herz". It is with great honor that our kennel is named after our impeccable companion, Sam. We will see him again on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Proudly created by Wix. Minnesota German Shepherd Breeder located in Brainerd. Breeding family raised German Shepherd puppies that are black and red, or solid black in color. We produce short coats, stock coats, or long coat German Shepherds. Thank you for contacting us in your search for a German Shepherd puppies or maybe even a retired or older German Shepherd. We pride ourselves on sharing our passion for the German Shepherd breed with our families and individuals who purchase a German Shepherd puppy from us. We enjoy the loyalty, love and compassion of this great breed. German shepherds are known for their loyalty and intelligence. As a responsible breeder, our goal is to find suitable homes and families for each and every German Shepherd Puppy. We want to ensure that our German Shepherd puppies are not only loving and healthy, but excellent representatives of the German Shepherd breed. Our German Shepherds are beloved members of our family. Each and every one of our German Shepherds have a very special place in our heart. They are our best friends and are loved beyond belief. We put time and research into producing quality AKC registered German shepherds that are fun to be around, loyal, loving, beautiful, and easily trainable. We produce the type of German Shepherd that will become a great asset to your family. We are thankful for our German Shepherds and the people they have brought into our lives. Breeding these wonderful dogs is truly our passion! From time to time we will have solid black due to lineage. We encourage you to come meet us and visit our dogs and our kennel

Lives best in warm weather and cannot thrive in extreme hot or cold. Temperament The Pug Pomeranian mix is a loving family dog emerging as a perfect companion, owing to its affectionate and charming personality. Having a calm disposition, they are extremely loyal towards their owners, always eager to please them. These well-mannered dogs mingle well with children as well as other pets. Having a very versatile personality, they are playful on one hand and at the same time have show a relaxed attitude. These small-sized dogs might inherit the alert nature of their parents and alarm their owner at the sight of an intruder. Care Exercise The Pug and Pomeranian mixes are playful and active loving to run around the house or an open space, thus requiring moderate amount of exercise daily. However, they do well in apartment life since they like to laze around and relax. Grooming This low maintenance breed are easy to manage, not requiring to be groomed much. Being moderate shedders, brushing two to three times in a week would help in keeping their coats soft and clean. Other grooming needs include keeping their eyes and ears clean, taking care of their dental health as well as bathing them when necessary. Health Problems The Pomeranian and Pug mix breeds are generally healthy with no known genetic issues. Though they have a short muzzle just as their Pug parents, they still are not too prone to respiratory disorders. Besides seasonal allergies they might suffer from dry skin during fall and even winters. Training These intelligent dogs would not be a hazard to train as they may pick up lessons easily because of their willingness and urge of making their masters happy. You can crate train your Pomeranian Pug mix puppies as they are extremely close to their owners and might be prone to separation anxiety like their parents when left alone. Crate training would even make housebreaking easier. Try throwing his favorite toys inside the crate along with delicious treats so that he finds everything familiar inside and is willing to spend more time there. Once your dog has a good knowledge of commands, teach it how to go to a certain place like his play mat. Engage it with interesting activities so that it may be willing to sit there unless you ask it to get up. These affectionate dogs can be taught how to plant a kiss on your cheeks without salivating much or licking you. Put your cheek in front and wait for your pet touch it with its nose. Pull yourself away so that he does not get a chance to lick you, give him a treat to reward his endeavor. However, if your dog is into the habit of nipping, this activity is not recommended, particularly for children. Feeding Give them half to one cup of dry dog food daily along with a diet containing vitamins and other nutrients. However, as they have a tendency of over eating make sure you keep a proper check on their diet. Lifespan Sociability Beware when going to view a litter of Pom-a-Pug puppies, as you are almost certainly going to bring one home. These gorgeous little pups are irresistible, and even just one may not be enough! Pomeranians used to be bigger. It may be hard to believe, but these little pint-sized pooches are originally descended from large, Spitz-type sleigh dogs. They were originally bred as sheep-herding dogs and used for sledding, but they became popular among royals in the 18th Century. Queen Victoria is often credited with the creation of the modern Pomeranian, as she is said to have owned a particularly small Pom, and consequently, this made them much sought after. The Queen is not the only famous Pomeranian owner, as they are known to have been the loyal companions of Michelangelo, Martin Luther King, and Mozart. Pom-A-Pugs are bred for companionship. Pugs were first bred almost 2, years ago, purely as companions. They have been loyal, loving, and devoted companions to humans ever since. A Pug is happiest on the lap of their owner. Although larger Pomeranians were first bred as working dogs, the pocket-sized modern Pom was bred as a loyal companion to the Queen. The combination of these two dogs is sure to result in the ultimate companion breed! Pugs have ancient roots. The Pug lineage stretches as far back as BCE, and most believe that they were first bred in ancient China or Tibet, where they were kept as loyal pets by Buddhist monks. Chinese Emperors kept Pugs as lapdogs, and they were consequently treated like royalty, with some sources claiming that they had their own miniature palaces and even personal guards. They can be rather protective of their owners and may take a while to warm up to strangers. Due to their heritage of companionship, they tend to become attached to one person and may act skittish around new faces. They have a strong desire to please, and despite their strong companionship instincts, they can exhibit independent natures at times. As long as their owner is within sight, they will enjoy going about their own business in the yard, sniffing out strange scents. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They love kids and are known to perform endless tricks to get their attention. Their tiny stature and incredible acceleration abilities will keep the family playing for hours, both indoors and in the backyard. Although these dogs love to run around in the open, they are highly adaptable animals that make great pets for apartment living or families with small back yards. The fierce loyalty and devotion to their role of dedicated companion may cause them to display assertive aggression at times, although these dogs have a bark that is infinitely bigger than their bite, and this usually leads nowhere. That said, they will occasionally pick fights with bigger dogs due to their larger-than-life personalities and will often get more than they bargained for. This is why they need to be well trained from an early age —not because they are inherently aggressive, but because they are extremely loyal and protective. Temperament Affectionate, friendly, loving, playful, and good with children. Pug mixed with Pomeranian makes one small dog, so you can expect a relatively light dog easy to carry around. Its ears may either be erect if it takes on the Pomeranian side and Floppy if the Pug side. The color can be unpredictable, and you can expect to either have a pure black or tan dog or sometimes a combination of both. Moreover, since Pomeranians are fluffy dogs, you can expect your dog to look like a pug but with a fluffy coat. Most of the time, however, you can expect the right combination of features of both dogs. Just make sure, however, to give them regular brushing to prevent fur tangling. The most important thing you need to know about Pug mixed with Pomeranian is their personality. Overall, their temperament is a great asset for the breed, as they can get along with almost anyone without any problem. They are incredibly loyal and affectionate, but can sometimes be stubborn and mischievous too. Pomeranian and Pug Cross Puppies for Sale The essential step in buying your puppy is choosing who to buy from. You want to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder, who employs ethical practices and has a standard. You can begin your journey by doing short research or getting recommendations from your friends, on where to get your forever companion. Are they a registered breeder? Health conditions of the existing animals in the area. Ask to look at the parents of the puppies. The health of your pups also depends on the health of its parents. Make sure they seem happy, healthy, friendly, and clean. The unfortunate reality of breeders is sometimes they keep breeding puppies without full regard with the condition of the parent dog, especially the mother. Ask for their health screening on all dogs. A good breeder will, at all times, have their dog parents and puppies regularly checked for any health conditions. How many dogs they have for sale? Are you buying from a breeder who runs a puppy mill, because as much as possible you want to avoid buying from those places? The breed is easy to manage, and it includes essential grooming responsibilities such as: Brush their coat at least two or three times a week to make their skins look shiny and beautiful. You want to avoid their fur from getting tangled, especially if they take on the coat of Pomeranians. Keep their eyes and ears clean. Using a soft towel, wipe any debris or discharge around their eyes, to prevent health complications from arising. Brush their teeth regularly to prevent plaque from accumulating and tooth decay. Give them regular baths, as necessary. Doing this prevents ticks from hiding within its coat. The Pomeranian and Pug cross is easy to manage, and you only need to be reminded of these important details for their grooming: Dedicate time to regularly brush their coat, using a metal-pin slicker brush, to help detangle their coat. Bathe them regularly, especially during the allergy seasons of the Pomeranian crossed with a pug. Make sure to use products which are gentle on the skin. Clip their nails, especially since the Pug mixed with Pomeranian are hyper and playful dogs. You want to avoid any situation of being unnecessarily cut. However, there may be some instance when they suffer from seasonal allergies and dry skin, which can nevertheless be treated. However, there are some health problems common to small dogs, such as the Pug and Pomeranian Cross which you need to watch out for. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome — this is a condition which affects the upper airways of dogs, common in most flat faced and short-nosed dogs. This may be present in your Pomeranian mixed with a Pug if the dominant gene your pup will have is that of the Pugs. If you notice your dog becoming lethargic, or tremoring in the face, then they may be having an attack. Some causes include being obese, or too much exposure to smoke and dust. Whelping complications — this occurs among female dogs who experience giving birth. Since their pelvic opening is narrow and limited, giving birth can be limited. Here are also some health problems which may be particular to the Pomeranian Pug Mix: Dry Skin — this can be caused by allergies, parasites, or other medical disorders. For this specific kind of breed, its source should come from allergies. Left untreated, the skin condition worsens to atopic dermatitis and lead to secondary skin infections. Symptoms — the symptoms are easy to identify such as itchiness, flaking, scabs, and hair loss. Prevention — feed them with high quality and balanced diet, and groom them regularly to prevent any buildup of debris and dirt. Eye Infections — Some allergies can cause eye discharge, which is results in mucus-like substances forming around the eye and getting in the eye. If your pup takes on the eye of Pugs, you have to be particularly careful with their eyes, as it often protrudes from its face. Be mindful, however, that they still need to receive their daily nutritional requirements.

They weigh 40— lbs and can grow to be 25 inches. This largely depends on the breed of Bulldog. Puppies Most Rottweiler Bulldog mixes take after their Bulldog parent. They only weigh 10—14 lbs at three months old and measure 4—6 inches high. When they are six months old, these puppies will experience drastic changes in their body, making them taller and heavier. Adults Full-grown Rottweiler Bulldog mixes grow up to 50 lbs and 17 inches. Meeting their food requirements helps achieve optimal growth. Rottweilers originated in Germany, while Bulldogs trace back to England. Bulldogs originated in England. They evolved from English mastiffs and an extinct dog breed called Alaunt. Breeders produced short dogs with strong jaws by only mating bulldogs with the said traits. When bullfighting was banned, those who admired Bulldogs bred them to become excellent companion dogs. Rottweilers came from Rottweil, Germany [3]. The predecessors of Rottweilers served Romans as war dogs and drover dogs. When the empire crumbled, villagers adopted them as drovers, herders, and guard dogs. Rottweilers get their name after the village that fostered them. They do not show aggressive behavior towards strangers and wild animals. These dogs are clingy and follow you wherever you go. Kids will love playing with Rottweiler Bulldog Mixes because they are energetic and playful — traits that come from their Rottweiler parents. These dogs are quirky and can uplift your spirits wherever you are stressed. Rottweiler Bulldogs are slow-moving, so you do not have to worry about your appliances toppling over. Here are some indoor activities you can do with your Rottweiler Bulldog mix: Play fetch Hide and Seek Trick Training They do not bark frequently, so dog owners do not have to worry about disturbing their neighbors. These hairs are so thick that they leave little space for dirt and fluids. Brushing them every three days removes dirt and liquids quickly. Dog owners do not have to worry about removing dog hair from clothes and furniture every day. These dogs are moderate shedders, and brushing them regularly helps remove old and damaged hair in their coats. Their genes make them susceptible to these diseases. Regardless of who they take after, Rottweiler Bulldogs mixes have a bone structure that makes it difficult to function. They typically have a compressed skull, short snout, or bones that grow larger than their sockets. These dogs need regular check-ups, proper exercise, an appropriate diet, and regular grooming to keep them healthy. They Make a Lot of Noise Rottweiler Bulldogs are usually brachycephalic, meaning they have a flat face and a short muzzle. This trait makes it difficult for these dogs to breathe, resulting in grunts, squeaks, and snores. They have a hard time tolerating hot and cold environments. A study found that brachycephalic dogs are more susceptible to eye, heart, skin, and cell diseases [4]. Proper grooming, exercise, and care help alleviate breathing difficulty. Rottweiler Bulldog Mixes Are Inactive dogs Bulldog Rottweiler mixes are inactive dogs due to their short legs, heavy weight, and brachycephalic traits. They prefer to lie down rather than exercise. Training them requires patience and time as they are stubborn. Identify what they like as it can help motivate Rottweiler Bulldog mixes to participate in physical and mental activities. As an owner, you need to encourage them to exercise because they are prone to obesity and cardiorespiratory diseases. Rottweiler Bulldog Mix Diet A meal containing a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fat, and water helps keep Rottweiler Bulldog mixes healthy. They are prone to obesity, like their parents [5]. Gaining weight makes it difficult for your dog to breathe and move. When feeding them, do not give them the typical dog bowl. Rottweiler Bulldog mixes have a short muzzle, so they need a slightly tilted bowl to avoid inhaling food and make it easier for them to eat. Do not serve your dogs with any food that is high in cholesterol, sugar, and salt because it can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems. Here are some healthy foods that you can serve: Chicken. Rottbull Description The English Bullweiler is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the English Bulldog and the Rottweiler. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in any of the breeds in the hybrid. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He has tremendous personality and is a handsome boy. Very intelligent, a derivative of his Rottweiler breed and also very ornery like most Bulldogs. He is very active, but also loves to snuggle up with mom and dad. She now weighs 25 pounds and goes to get spayed next week. She is a bundle of energy and is the typical bull in a china shop. She is a real sweetie pie and is a real people dog. Wherever I go she has to be there. He is the brother of Candie. His name is Sampson and he is a very dominant dog. He tries to hold other dogs down on the ground and not let them up. He sleeps with my sister. He is kept outdoors during the day and in at night. These dogs have a full-blooded white female bulldog as their mom and a full-blooded Rottie for a dad. He looks more like a Rott. Sampson the English Bullweiler as a newborn puppy. It is a cross between the American Bulldog and the Rottweiler. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in any of the breeds in the hybrid. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. The mother had a litter of 10 puppies. His temperament is wonderful and he is a lot of fun. Very obedient and aims to please much like the Rottweiler. We are enjoying our new puppy; he is a lot of fun. He is definitely the protector of our house and yard. He does his rounds every morning, walking the perimeter of the yard, chasing any animals who happened to jump our privacy fence or crawl under, even "chasing" the birds in the trees away. He has grown up with our female Pit Bull , Pixie, and they are best of friends. He is very vocal, if you don't respond to his request immediately his bark gets louder until you do. He likes his head on a pillow of some sort, like your legs, side or an actual pillow. He is definitely a jealous guy and can be a real bully to Pixie, claiming all the toys as his own. He is a very heavy lap dog , weighing around lbs. He can cover quite a bit of ground when he runs, and he "prances" around the house when playing. Our home would not be the same without him! We rescued Gracie from the Oregon Humane Society in .She looked very "Shepherdy" and my children and I always disagreed on what type of Shepherd she was. Last month I took her to the vet for her regular check-up and asked the doctor if there was any way that she could identify the type of Shepherd she was; I guessed Aussie , and my kids guessed German. It is amazing how much she looks like one of the pictures of this breed mix that you have on your web page. She is super sweet and loves to give kisses throwback to the name! She is actually a pretty calm, laid-back puppy. She loves to play but never gets over-excited. I have four kids including two toddlers and she never jumps up on them or knocks them over. She was a rescue from a shelter in a nearby city and we are grateful to be her forever family. Black, brown, tan, red, white Suitable for: Watchdog duties, families with kids Temperament: Goofy, protective, amiable, watchful Large and affectionate, the Bullweiler will brighten your life and give you the best snuggles. These goofy pups are super fun playmates, too. So, if you have children to consider, you might want to read more. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Even if neither parent is registered or guaranteed to be purebred, many try to breed and sell pups for profit. If the breeder seems suspicious, the puppies have a poor living condition, or the parents seem aggressive—steer clear. These are signals of backyard breeding, which no one should contribute to—even if you feel sorry for the poor, defenseless puppies. You might get lucky and find an awesome Bullweiler at a local shelter or rescue awaiting their forever home. This combination makes them perfect for couch cuddles and protection all in one. Bullweilers will drown you with affection. They simply love their humans and show their loyalty and devotion at every turn. Bullweilers are moderately intelligent and very receptive to emotions. Their constant need for acceptance makes them attentive in training, so basic commands should transfer without much headache. Bullweilers might exhibit some territorial tendencies, as both parent breeds might be sensitive to intruders—both human and critter. These traits make for excellent watchdogs, but you might need to exercise caution in certain circumstances. Are These Dogs Good for Families? These dogs have moderate activity levels, making them average maintenance. A few interactive games and a quick walk will suffice. This makes the breed ideal for people who want a rather low maintenance do g. They tend to be very amicable and friendly but might be initially suspicious of newcomers. They will assess them first before warming up. Early socialization is a handy tactic to get your pup used to new faces. These dogs also bond very well with children, being doting and gentle. Since they are so large, they might knock down small kids. These dogs do best with children roughly 6 years of age and older. Due to their muscular, large physiques, they might not work well for seniors. Other pets can be a hit and miss when it comes to the Bullweiler. Some might snooze with the family cat or make best friends with the senior dog. Others might be aloof, territorial, or aggressive with other dogs—especially of the same gender. So, early socialization is necessary. Cats and smaller pets can also be a toss-up. Tiny critters like hamsters and parakeets should stay out of reach at all times. Your dog might mistake the cute fluffy pets for squeaker toys. You can offer dry kibble, wet food, or a combination but be mindful of portions. These dogs are known to have hefty appetites and have a tendency to gain weight. Because of their skin folds and poor breeding over the decades, English Bulldogs are prone to skin allergies. If your pooch shows signs of irritation, you might see your veterinarian for guidance. They will likely try food trials for your dog to narrow the triggering ingredient. Once you have pinpointed the issue, you can eliminate it for good. Allergies or no allergies, try to steer clear of any food containing corn, wheat, or soy fillers—also, no harmful dyes, chemicals, or preservatives. Whole proteins are always best and should ideally be the first ingredient. Since the Bullweiler is brachycephalic, you might try tilted or shallow bowls to standard ones for easy eating. Both parents approach exercise differently. The Rottie enjoys strenuous exercise and tends to be more active than the Bulldog parent. Bulldogs are a bit lazier and tucker out quicker—mainly because of breathing troubles. Since your pup might be a little sensitive to prolonged intervals of exercise, try morning and evening walks with light interactive games. Be mindful of extremely hot temperatures. Both dogs are very sensitive to heat and might have adverse health problems because of it. In total, your Bullweiler should have at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This breed is not an agility dog that can navigate obstacle courses and climb trees. This dog prefers a much more relaxed approach to training. This breed is incredibly food motivated, so let that work in your favor. However, boys especially can be stubborn. So, you might have to learn bribery to get them to behave. Because they develop deep wrinkles, the bacterial buildup can collect in their folds, causing irritation or infection. In addition to skin fold cleaning, your dog will need a bath roughly every 6 weeks. You can follow up bath time with nail clipping, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Coat length and texture might differ a bit, depending on the stronger parent. But a daily brushing should help to keep their fur debris-free and lustrous. Rottweilers have their share of problems, too—like a strong inclination to various cancers. Because of the likelihood of health issues, annual vet visits are paramount in their entire adult lives. Early detection or prevention can be lifesavers in certain circumstances. Minor Conditions Allergies —these dogs can suffer from dietary and environmental allergies. Reverse Sneezing —this condition causes dogs to have fits where they suck air inward rather than sneezing outward. Cherry Eye —this condition is a prolapse of eyelid glands. Serious Conditions Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome —this condition causes airway abnormalities that make breathing difficult and can be life-threatening in certain circumstances. Cancer —both parent breeds are prone to various canine cancers. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia —these conditions cause deterioration of the joints, leading to bone rubbing. To combat any issues, make sure you take your dog to the vet for annual checkups to get ahead of problems. Male vs Female Every single dog, regardless of gender, is lovely and unique. But certain traits lean toward one or the other. Physically speaking, males are generally larger and broader than females. However, because this hybrid breed has a varying size proportion between parents, this might not always be the case. Boys tend to be more goofy, lovable, and slower to mature. They might also be likelier to exhibit dog aggression, especially in same-sex pairs. Dominance is a huge issue with most males, and you will have to proceed with caution. Females tend to be gentle protectors with a more subtle approach. They might also be likelier to bond intensely to one person over all others. The ladies might be a little more reserved around strangers than their male counterparts. They, too, might exhibit same-sex dog aggression. Both Parents of the Bullweiler Are Brachycephalic Breeds Brachycephalic dogs are all too familiar—short shouted pooches with adorable wrinkles. But with their special skull shape comes unique problems. Since both parent breeds carry this trait, your pooch might encounter breathing problems like brachycephalic airway syndrome. No One Knows the Exact Origin of the Bullweiler No one knows just when this breed surfaced, but speculators think it might have been in the s. During this period, many breed cross experimentation started, giving us many designer dogs we know and love today. This is such an exciting time for you and your family, bringing home a brand new addition. Just make sure that your puppy is healthy, and the breeder you select has a long history of successful litters. Because this is technically a mixed breed, you may very well find this combination in a shelter or rescue. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too — Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs.Read more Advertisement. Allergies due to contact with an allergen Eye issues Issues like Progressive retinal atrophy and Cherry eye Dental problems Overcrowded teeth increase dental issues Epilepsy Seizures can begin after the first few years of life The ethicality of bulldog breeding has been questioned by many due to the numerous health issues. An exaggerated physical feature like the shortened muzzle gives this breed severe, life-threatening breathing issues. Bulldogs can pass down this trait to their Bullweiler offspring. Bullweilers live for about 8 to 10 years, depending on their health. Bullweilers can experience the several health issues in bulldogs, like breathing issues contributing to a shorter lifespan. Many individuals advocate for reshaping the bulldog and its mixes to increase their life expectancy and overall health. The trainability of a Bullweiler: Temperament and Intelligence The mellow Bullweiler is relentlessly loyal and dotes on the owners and loved ones. Bullweilers may display the self-assured aloofness of the Rottweilers but warm up easily once you get familiar. They may exhibit territorial tendencies and tend to get protective of their loved ones. Bullweilers have a soft spot for kids, making good family dogs. Despite their family-oriented nature, kids should never be left with these mixed dogs or any other dogs without adult supervision. Early training and socialization ensure your dog is child-tolerant. Bullweilers are moderately intelligent and incredibly motivated by food, making training relatively easy. Their Bulldog parents are not the smartest, but the Rottie genes and food motivation compensate adequately. Are Bullweilers Good with Other Pets? Bullweilers have a high prey drive and are territorial, so interaction with other pets must be supervised. Early socialization increases the likelihood of your dog interacting better with other animals. Smaller pets like hamsters can trigger their prey drive and must be carefully watched. These dogs may also struggle with dog aggression aggression toward other dogs , so socialization is essential. Bullweilers are family-oriented dogs that would make a great addition to the family, especially one without too many other pets one other dog of the opposite gender is ideal. Their minimal grooming and medium exercise requirements make them relatively low-maintenance dogs. Early socialization and training are key to having a good pet. How Much Does a Bullweiler Cost? You can consider getting one from a shelter to provide a home and a second chance at life. Be careful of cheap Bullweiler puppies, as most of these are from unethical backyard breeders. Conclusion Bullweilers are a mixed breed and a great addition to your household. Bullweilers can be prone to breathing issues and other life-threatening conditions for which you must brace yourself if you want one. Early socialization and training will make owning this dog smooth and easy. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. This mixed breed has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its strong, loyal nature and loving personality. Both the Rottweiler and the English Bulldog share certain traits, but they also have some key differences that should be considered when making your decision. Rottweilers are an ancient working breed with a natural prey drive. They are fiercely loyal and protective of their families, but they can also be overly aggressive if not trained properly. They require lots of exercise and mental stimulation to remain happy and healthy. The English Bulldog is known for being affectionate and gentle, with minimal energy needs. When it comes to genetic health, both breeds come with potential health issues like hip dysplasia and skin allergies. With thoughtful breeding practices and careful vetting of puppies from reputable sources, you can ensure that your furry friend will have a long life filled with love and joy! Temperament And Personality The Rottweiler English Bulldog mix is a unique combination of two popular and beloved breeds. Loyal, gentle and protective, this mixed breed has the perfect personality for any human family seeking an addition to their pack. Though these dogs may appear intimidating due to their large size and muscular structure, they are incredibly loyal and loving towards their families. But rest assured that if you or your family ever find yourself in danger, this dog will protect you without hesitation. So take some time out each day to show your furry friend how much they mean to you; their appreciation will know no bounds. This hybrid breed is an ideal choice for those who crave the companionship of a lovable pet but also appreciate a strong watchdog. Aggression Levels The Rottweiler English Bulldog mix, like the other two breeds, is known for its strong territorial tendencies. While there are certain situations where this behavior may be warranted, such as protecting their owners from potential harm, no owner should ever let their pet act aggressively without proper guidance or training. With appropriate training and guidance, your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix can become a loving companion who knows how to interact appropriately with strangers and other pets alike. Just remember — patience is key! Size And Features The Rottweiler English Bulldog Mix is a medium-sized breed with an average weight of 40 to 50 pounds and a height of 15 to 20 inches. It has a large head, deep wrinkles, loose skin around the muzzle and neck, strong jaws, and short legs. Its coat is dense and low shedding, with colors ranging from fawn to black. This hybrid dog can make for an excellent companion due to its friendly nature. When looking after this mix, you have to pay particular attention to its ears since they are prone to infection, given their shape and structure. Also, keep an eye on its dense hair, as regular grooming sessions will be necessary in order not only to prevent matting but also to keep it healthy and happy! To sum up, the Rottweiler English Bulldog Mix is a great family pet that offers companionship, love, loyalty, and fun all rolled into one package — perfect for anyone looking for a four-legged friend! Exercise is essential for these dogs in order to keep them healthy, happy, and fit. Daily Walks The Rottweiler English Bulldog mix needs daily walks to burn off energy and maintain its overall health. A minute walk in the morning and evening is ideal to meet their exercise needs. These dogs also enjoy exploring new surroundings, so taking them to a park or a nature trail can be an excellent way to keep them engaged. Playtime Apart from walks, Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes also require playtime to keep them mentally stimulated. These dogs enjoy playing fetch, tug of war, and other games that require physical activity. Playtime can also include interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders, to keep them mentally stimulated. Training and Agility Exercises Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes are intelligent dogs that enjoy learning new things. Incorporating training and agility exercises can be an excellent way to meet their exercise needs while also stimulating their minds. These exercises can include obedience training, agility training, and other activities that require physical activity. Swimming Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes as it is low impact and helps build endurance. These dogs enjoy swimming and can be taken to a nearby lake or pool for a fun workout. While exercise is crucial for the overall health of a Rottweiler English Bulldog mix, it is essential to consider its unique characteristics when planning a workout routine. Here are some things to consider: Heat Sensitivity Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes are sensitive to heat due to their Bulldog heritage. Exercise should be avoided during the hottest part of the day, and water breaks should be frequent to prevent heatstroke. Joint Issues These dogs can be prone to joint issues, such as hip dysplasia. Low-impact exercises such as swimming and walking should be incorporated to prevent joint damage. Breed-Specific Behaviors Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes are bred for guarding and protection, so it is essential to consider their natural tendencies when exercising them. These dogs may be protective of their family and may need socialization to avoid aggressive behavior towards strangers. A great way to provide mental stimulation for your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix is through interactive toys. Puzzle feeders and other interactive toys can keep them occupied for hours and help them develop problem-solving skills. These toys can include treat-dispensing balls, puzzles, and other games that require them to think and work for their reward. Socialization is also a crucial aspect of mental stimulation for Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes. These dogs have protective instincts and can become aggressive toward strangers if not socialized properly. Taking them to dog parks and allowing them to interact with other dogs can help them develop better social skills and keep their minds engaged. Lastly, regular playtime can provide mental stimulation for Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes. They enjoy playing games such as fetch, tug of war, and other interactive games that require physical and mental activity. Playing with them also strengthens the bond between you and your dog, which is essential for their overall well-being. Training Needs Now that you have a basic understanding of the mental stimulation needs of your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix, it is important to understand how to provide adequate training for them. Providing proper training is essential to ensure that they develop good behavior and become well-behaved members of your family. Obedience training is an essential part of training your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix. This training involves teaching them basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and heel. Agility training is also an effective way to provide physical and mental stimulation for your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix. These dogs are known for their athleticism and enjoy learning new things. Agility training involves obstacle courses, jumps, and tunnels, which can help build their endurance and improve their coordination. This training can also improve their confidence and overall well-being. Another essential training for Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes is socialization. These dogs are protective of their family and can become aggressive toward strangers if not socialized properly. Socialization involves exposing them to different people, animals, and environments, which can help them develop good behavior and social skills. Socialization is critical to prevent behavioral issues, such as aggression and anxiety. Are They Child Friendly? Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes make great family pets. But when it comes to children, there are some important factors to keep in mind. These dogs have high energy requirements and require lots of exercise and stimulation. They can become aggressive if not given proper attention or training. A tired dog is less likely to exhibit any kind of aggression toward their owners or their children. This will help them form a strong bond while reducing any potential aggressive tendencies they may display toward one another in the future. Overall, Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes make wonderful companions for families who understand their needs and commit themselves to provide plenty of love, structure, and boundaries — all things necessary for happy, healthy relationships! Are They Friendly with Other Dogs? When it comes to canine interaction, Rottweiler-English Bulldog mixes have a tendency to be quite friendly. With regular exercise, they can make great companions for other pups in any home or neighborhood. Rottweilers and Bulldogs possess many similar traits that create an ideal balance when mixed together; this includes moderate energy levels and a desire for human attention. This means that Rottweiler-English Bulldog mixes need plenty of exercise every day for optimal mental and physical health conditions. These pooches often require just enough activity to keep them healthy throughout their life expectancy. These hybrid mutts can get along with various breeds if exposed properly from a young age. They respond best to firm but gentle leadership while being trained to understand boundaries around other animals, making sure they respect their peers without feeling threatened by them. Allowing your pup adequate time in safe areas under supervision will help both you and your doggo feel more at ease when meeting new friends! Grooming Needs When it comes to grooming needs, the Rottweiler English Bulldog mix is a unique breed. They have an adorable wrinkly face and skin folds that will need regular cleaning. This hybrid dog is a heavy shedder, so brushing should be done at least twice per week. Make sure to use long strokes when brushing in order to reach all of their fur and get rid of any dirt or debris they may have picked up while playing outdoors. In addition, these pups require occasional baths using shampoo specifically formulated for dogs — but only once every six months or so unless they happen to get really dirty! These are just some basic tips on how to effectively groom your beloved Rottweiler English Bulldog Mix! With proper care, they will look stunningly gorgeous and remain healthy year-round. It is essential that you provide a diet of high-quality food to ensure they get all the vital nutrients they need for optimal health. Instead, look for foods with adequate protein content suitable for medium-sized dogs — this includes wet or canned options as well as kibble. Also, consider supplementing their meals with fresh fruits and vegetables steamed if possible. Serve several small meals throughout the day rather than one large meal since this can help digestion and absorption of nutrients better. Overall, getting nutrition right is key to ensuring good physical health in your Rottweiler English Bulldog mix. By following these guidelines while keeping an open dialogue with your vet, you can give them the best chance to thrive! Being aware of these health issues can help you provide proper care and prevent potential health problems in the future. Joint Problems One of the most common health issues that Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes may face is joint problems. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise can help prevent joint problems in your dog. Skin Problems Another common health issue is skin problems. Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes can be prone to skin allergies, which can cause itching, redness, and hair loss. Breathing Problems Rottweiler English Bulldog mixes can also be prone to breathing problems due to their short snouts, which can make breathing difficult. This condition is known as brachycephalic syndrome and can cause coughing, gagging, and difficulty breathing. Avoiding exercise in hot or humid weather and keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help prevent breathing problems. Eye Problems Finally, this mixed breed is also prone to eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. These mixed-breed dogs have become popular family pets due to being incredibly loyal and loving companions. The average life expectancy for these mixes is years, but this varies depending on lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise. With good nutrition and regular exercise, your pup should easily live up to 12 or even 13 years of age. The best way to ensure longevity for your four-legged friend is by providing plenty of love, attention, exercise, and a healthy diet — just like any other canine companion! It also helps to find an approach to training that fits both your needs and those of your pup; after all, happy dogs tend to live longer lives! But no! This is especially true when it comes to finding a pet for families; so many people want to give their kids one as a companion without breaking the bank in the process. The key takeaway from this section? Researching your pup before buying will go a long way in saving time and money down the line. So, choose wisely and have fun doing it — after all, owning such a majestic creature is worth every penny! This will help guarantee the health and welfare of your future furry friend. When looking for a puppy, be sure to ask the seller questions about their breeding practices, socialization methods, and general care. Additionally, make sure that you can visit the premises before buying a puppy so you can check out how the puppies are raised in person. Look for breeders or owners who have experience with raising dogs since this will give you peace of mind knowing that they understand what needs to go into taking care of them properly. Finally, do some research on different breeders online before making any decisions—look at reviews and take time to compare prices in order to find the best fit for both yourself and your pup! I teach my clients that consistency is key when training any dog, especially this breed. You might also experience some separation anxiety from time to time. If you put in the work now, then soon enough, you will reap the rewards of having such an amazing pet! Eager to please Playful The Rottweiler is the most infamous guard dog in the world! But did you know that they are also one of the oldest herding dog breeds in the world as well? The Rottweiler dates back to Roman times. Back in 70 A. The Romans used the Rottweiler for herding cattle and protecting the cattle and other herd animals from wolves and other predators. Rottweilers were also used as meat cart pullers as well as personal protection detail. Did you know that in the mids, the Rottweiler nearly went extinct? Yes, the Rottie almost went extinct because trains were now a much cheaper way of transporting meat. Grooming — Brush four to five times a day throughout the spring and fall. Colors — Black, golden, brown, merle, brindle, speckled and spotted Eye Color — brown Exercise — Tons of exercises, consider getting them a job at a farm herding or protecting. Training — The Rottweiler American Bulldog mix is notoriously stubborn, a trait inherited from both parents. Socialization — Positive exposure to other people and dogs daily for best socialization. Temperament — Loving, caring, watchful, loves to hunt small game, eager to play, very protective Good in an apartment? The American Bulldog Rottweiler mixed breed is a powerful yet elegant and loyal nature dog. The mark of a great pack leader for these guys is to have them listen to your commands. Training of This Beautiful Breed! I often say that training, socialization, and, finally, exercise are the key foundation for making and keeping a stable and happy relationship with your dog. If you only do two or just one of these, then you are creating a situation in which it will bite you in the end. As a baby, work these commands over with, of course, frequent breaks in-between the training sessions. Make the training longer than the playing by as much as half or even more, and make the training fun with lots of praises and a little treat here and there. When training, it is imperative that you do not give up on your commands while also using positive reinforcement training. This breed is stubborn, so you will need to repeat yourself constantly. Socialization for the American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Socialization for dogs is key to having a very polite dog to humans and animals; the more they meet strange looking people and animals. The more they will be well behaved, greeting new people and animals. As a puppy, if you can take them out into different environments, say the park, coffee shop, or just walking the streets would be super beneficial to getting your pup socialized. One of the most important things not to do is take your puppy to the dog park. Dogs can be very mean and can scar such a small puppy; secondly, the puppy has not had its shots, so they can transmit and or get a disease. So never take your puppy to the dog park until they are old enough to be able to hold their own and be able to defend against any diseases. Rottweiler American Bulldog Exercise Requirements Exercise for this breed means running about a giant property or being put to use on a farm. May it be herding or protecting against coyotes or humans. As strange as it may seem to read, some people still steal cattle, ducks, or sheep.

australian miniature labradoodle puppies for sale uk - References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI is caused by a degenerative disease of the pancreas. The pancreas has two distinct functions: i the regulation of the blood glucose level through secretion of the hormones insulin and glucagon the endocrine function into the blood and ii the secretion of substances into the intestine that are vital for the digestion of food. The latter is the exocrine function that fails in this disease. The usual cause of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in German Shepherd dogs is pancreatic acinar atrophy PAA , in which progressive destruction of the acinar cells of the pancreas occurs. The main chemical constituent of pancreatic juice is bicarbonate, this acts to neutralise acid from the stomach. It also contains enzymes which are proteins that act as catalysts in the chemical reactions that break down foodstuffs into molecules small enough to pass through the intestinal wall and be absorbed. These enzymes include proteases that break down protein into amino acids; lipase and phospholipase that break down fats; nucleases that breakdown nucleic acids DNA and RNA ; and amylase that breaks down starch and glycogen. EPI occurs when the acinar cells fail to produce sufficient pancreatic juice for the digestion process Simpson and Rishniw .The commonest reason for this in young GSDs is pancreatic acinar atrophy PAA in which acinar cells are progressive destroyed. The cause of pancreatic acinar atrophy in GSDs is unknown. However, it has been suggested that it may be an auto-immune disease because lymphocytic pancreatitis has been reported to precede the atrophy Wiberg et al a, Hall et al , Wiberg .The endocrine function of the pancreas is usually spared so diabetes mellitus is not usually seen concurrently Neiger et al .In time, EPI can lead to severe malnutrition because affected dogs, although eating normally, may not be able to digest and absorb sufficient nutrients. Deficiencies of specific vitamins including B12 cobalamin , E and K may occur Williams .Dogs with EPI show mild to marked weight loss, despite being ravenously hungry. Other signs include: large volumes of diarrhoea of variable consistency, which may be foul-smelling; flatulence and intestinal borborgymi gurgling. Sometimes there is vomiting and increased drinking and coats may become poor and greasy Williams , Hall et al , Simpson and Rishniw .Unless successfully treated, there can be severe emaciation with muscle wasting and weakness and, eventually, widespread failure of metabolic homeostasis and death Williams , Simpson and Rishniw .Treatment involves oral supplementation of pancreatic enzymes and regular injections of Vitamin B12 and, in some cases, other vitamins Williams , Hall et al , Simpson and Rishniw .Various dietary modifications have been recommended, in particular, a low fat diet but this is controversial Simpson and Rishniw .Dogs with secondary bacterial overgrowth may require antibiotics. Some of these may have been euthanased because of the cost of treatment, which is significant and necessarily life-long Williams .Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact The welfare implications of EPI can be severe. Affected dogs appear ravenously hungry most of the time. They may, from time to time, also feel ill, nauseous suffering from vomiting and suffer from abdominal discomfort. Unless successfully treated, the disease progresses to cause weakness due to muscle wastage. If the disease causes vitamin K deficiency, dogs may show spontaneous bleeds Williams .As the disease progresses, dogs become too weak to maintain normal activities, display increasing malaise, and become sicker and sicker as their body systems close down and they die of starvation. The intense hunger can lead to ingestion of inappropriate materials, which may cause painful secondary gastrointestinal upsets or gastrointestinal obstructions. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact EPI can occur in dogs of any age but in GSDs signs usually become apparent between 6 months and 6 years of age Hall et al .Batchelor et al b found the median age of diagnosis in GSDs was 36 months. If left untreated dogs starve to death over weeks and months. Treatment has to be life-long. Return to top 4. We are not aware of any more recent estimates. From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are GSDs Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around , Return to top 5. Diagnosis If signs typically associated with this condition, of hunger, weight loss and diarrhoea, are shown by a GSD of less than 5 years of age, EPI is likely to be suspected. EPI can be confirmed by measurement of blood trypsinogen levels. This is the serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity TLI test. Other tests may be needed to rule out other possible causes and complications Williams , Simpson and Rishniw .Low TLI concentrations 0. Recently a test to measure faecal elastase levels has been developed for EPI diagnosis but the TLI test remains the most trusted Simpson and Rishniw .Return to top 6. Genetics It was thought that EPI in GSDs had an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance Weber and Freudiger , Westermarck , Moeller et al , Clark et al , however, this is now not believed to be the case Westermarck et al .Instead, it is thought that EPI is a polygenic disorder involving multiple genes and possibly environmental factors also Clark , Westermarck et al .This has yet to be confirmed. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? The genetics of the condition remain unclear and it is not known if carriers animals that can pass the disease to their offspring without being affected themselves exist Clark .When choosing a puppy, it is important to check that its parents are free of EPI. The older the parents are, the less likely they are to go on to develop EPI at a later date. There are currently no tests that can show whether or not a puppy is likely to develop EPI when older. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem As far as we are aware, there are no breeding schemes aimed at tackling EPI in GSDs. It has been recommended that animals that have EPI should not be used for breeding but EPI does not always become apparent prior to breeding age , nor should pairs that have produced affected offspring be paired again. Likewise, line-breeding is not recommended breeding from dogs which share common ancestors but are not closely related Clark , Steiner .These restrictions might result in significant decrease in the size of the gene pool significantly. EPI is not the only genetic disease of GSDs that has significant welfare effects; others include megaoesophagus, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, and hereditary multifocal renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis Wahl et al .Therefore, when developing breeding strategies to tackle EPI, it is desirable to also take these into account. The ideal is for breeding programmes to be informed by the results of disease monitoring programmes and for the estimation of breeding values EBV — the relative genetic values of animals in the breeding population — in relation to breeding to eliminate these diseases Lewis et al .EBVs are calculated using all available information on the dog including its pedigree, health status and physical characteristics. Planning matings based on EBVs has proven successful in reducing the prevalence of other diseases, eg in reducing the prevalence of epilepsy in the Belgian Tervuren Oberbauer .This may be a good approach to simultaneously tackling several genetic welfare problems in GSDs, although it may take many generations. For this approach to be successful, the cooperation of the majority of GSD breeders is required so that the breeding values of individuals can be established. Opinions differ as to whether it is ethically acceptable to breed animals whose welfare is likely to be compromised. Another approach to reducing the prevalence of EPI and which avoids risks of further inbreeding would be to outbreed with unaffected dogs of other breeds. The development of a genetic test would be likely to be very helpful in tackling the disease. Return to top 9. How Vets Diagnose EPI in Dogs A veterinarian may suspect that a dog has EPI based solely on their symptoms and breed or history of health problems, but lab tests are still necessary because other diseases can have similar clinical signs. Here are several tests that can help diagnose EPI in dogs. In dogs with EPI, blood-trypsin levels are significantly lower than they should be. The test is easy to perform by drawing blood, but dogs cannot eat for hours before the sample is taken. However, they may be appropriate under some circumstances. Folate another type of B vitamin levels can be normal, high, or low. In severe cases of EPI, dogs may become deficient in vitamin K, which can lead to bleeding. Treatment for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs In theory, treatment for EPI in dogs is fairly straightforward: Dogs eat the missing pancreatic digestive enzymes with their meals, and any other abnormalities, like low cobalamin levels, are addressed. Unfortunately, the reality of treating EPI can be a bit more complicated. Raw Pancreas Meat Another source of pancreatic enzymes is raw pancreas meat from other animals. You can purchase the organ meat from butchers, raw pet food suppliers, and other sources, but handling and feeding raw animal products increases the risk of food-borne illnesses like salmonellosis for everyone in the house. Tips for Feeding Your Dog Raw Pancreas Meat You can grind up and freeze pancreas meat in the appropriate portions and then thaw it before mixing it thoroughly with each meal. Medication that decreases stomach acid secretion, like omeprazole, may be used if this is a concern. Antibiotics Some dogs with EPI develop an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestinal tract , which can be managed with antibiotics often Tylosin. Many dogs only require antibiotic treatment for a month or two as their condition improves, but some may benefit from long-term treatment. Their symptoms can improve over the course of a few days to weeks. Ask if switching to a different diet makes sense. EPI Diets for Dogs There is no one type of diet that benefits all or even most dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Some dogs seem to do better when switched to a highly digestible food that is relatively low in fat and fiber, while others improve with more fiber or fat, or they do just fine with whatever it is that they normally eat. What do you feed a dog with EPI? A common recommendation is to feed dogs a highly digestible dog food that is relatively low in fat and fiber. However, different types of food seem to work better for different dogs, so you may have to try several diets before finding a good fit. Your veterinarian can help you figure out the best food for your dog. How do you test a dog for EPI? How much does it cost to test for EPI in dogs? Other tests will be necessary to plan appropriate treatment. How can I treat my dog's EPI at home? However, once that balance is found, the management of EPI in dogs at home is fairly straightforward. Dogs with EPI are usually managed at home with pancreatic enzyme supplementation and cobalamin supplementation. Some dogs also require additional vitamin supplements, antibiotics, medications to reduce the secretion of stomach acid, and other treatments to manage their symptoms. References 1. Wiberg ME. Pancreatic acinar atrophy in German shepherd dogs and rough-coated collies. Etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. A review. Vet Q. PMID: .Breed associations for canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. J Vet Intern Med. ACVIM .Westermarck E, Wiberg ME. Effects of diet on clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? If the pancreas fails to produce enough of these digestive enzymes, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, develops. The condition is thought to be hereditary in German Shepherds. Symptoms may include chronic diarrhea; weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite; frequent or greater volume of stool and gas; and coprophagia, a condition which causes an animal to eat its own stool. The enzymes responsible for aiding the digestion of starches, fats, and proteins, are produced by cells in the pancreas known as pancreatic acinar cells. The second most common cause of EPI in dogs is chronic inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis. If chronic pancreatitis is the cause, it is possible your dog has diabetes, which will also need to be treated. Diagnosis If symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are apparent, a number of pancreatic function tests can be done. A serum sample that measures the amount of the chemical trypsinogen TLI released into the blood from the pancreas should reveal problems in the pancreas. A number of other tests may be conducted, including urine and stool analyses. Gastrointestinal infections or inflammations may be among the other problems responsible for symptoms similar to EPI. These enzyme supplements come in a powdered form which may be mixed with food. Also, if your dog is undernourished, vitamin supplements may be necessary. Additional treatment depends on the root cause of EPI. Most causes of EPI, such as pancreatic acinar atrophy see above , are irreversible. This means that life-long therapy and enzyme supplements will be needed. Living and Management Avoid high-fat and high-fiber diets, which are more difficult for digestion. Diarrhea should disappear within one week, and the consistency of stools should normalize soon after. Your dog will also begin to regain lost weight. Your veterinarian will guide you through this as your dog progresses. Prevention Breed animals with pancreatic acinar atrophy is not advised, as the condition can passed along to offspring. Make A Donation. So, join me on this informative journey. EPI is generally a permanent condition, so do not stop treatment once symptoms resolve. You can greatly improve the well-being of a German Shepherd with EPI by following a specialized care plan at home, including a diet with easily digestible protein sources. Avoid giving human-prescribed medication, as it may worsen the condition. The pancreas is responsible for producing essential digestive enzymes that help break down food and absorb nutrients. However, in German Shepherds with EPI, the pancreas fails to produce an adequate amount of these enzymes, leading to digestive issues and malabsorption. So, keep an eye out for any unusual signs. Digestive Issues Keep an eye out for chronic diarrhea in your German Shepherd. The stool may appear greasy and foul-smelling due to undigested fat, a hallmark sign of EPI. If your German Shepherd seems to be losing weight without any apparent reason, it could be a potential indicator of EPI. If you notice a decrease in their energy levels or a lack of interest in usual activities, consider the possibility of EPI. Keep an eye out for signs such as chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, increased appetite without weight gain, and poor coat condition. Tracking their symptoms is an invaluable tool for a correct diagnosis. While precise numbers are challenging to determine, research and estimates shed light on the prevalence of EPI in German Shepherds. While these numbers are not absolute and more recent estimates are not readily available, it is evident that EPI is a significant concern among German Shepherds. Having a new German Shepherd puppy is an exciting and joyful experience. While predicting whether a specific puppy will have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency EPI is challenging, there are important considerations to keep in mind during the selection process. Genetic Predisposition German Shepherds, like many other dog breeds, can have a genetic predisposition to certain health conditions, including EPI. Ideally, both parents should be free from the condition to minimize the risk in their offspring 2. Age of the Parents The age of the parents can also be a helpful indicator. Breeder Reputation Research the reputation of the breeder and their breeding practices. Be observant of their behavior and look out for symptoms like frequent diarrhea, excessive weight loss despite a healthy appetite, and a lack of energy. Proper Nutrition Regardless of whether your puppy has EPI or not, feeding them a balanced diet is crucial for their overall health. Symptom Awareness Although there are no definitive tests to predict EPI in a puppy, being aware of potential symptoms can help. Watch for signs like frequent diarrhea, weight loss, poor coat condition, and excessive hunger paired with a lack of weight gain. They can conduct tests like fecal elastase or cobalamin levels to accurately diagnose EPI. The condition can be managed effectively with enzyme replacement therapy and dietary adjustments. While predicting EPI in individual puppies remains challenging, we can make informed decisions by prioritizing responsible breeding practices and checking the health history of potential canine companions. Focus on buying a German Shepherd puppy safely from a responsible breeder. Understanding Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency EPI in German Shepherds Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency EPI is a condition that affects the pancreas, an essential organ with dual functions: regulating blood glucose levels through hormone secretion endocrine function secreting enzymes for food digestion exocrine function In German Shepherd dogs, the usual cause of EPI is a condition called pancreatic acinar atrophy PAA , which progressively destroys the acinar cells. These cells are responsible for producing pancreatic juice, which contains vital enzymes and chemicals. Pancreatic juice plays a crucial role in the digestive process, containing bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid and various enzymes that break down food into absorbable molecules. EPI in German Shepherds occurs when the acinar cells fail to produce enough pancreatic juice for digestion, resulting in poor nutrient absorption and potential malnutrition despite a ravenous appetite. When this happens, your dog might start feeling sick. They could lose weight even if they are eating a lot, and their stomach probably feels upset with lots of runny poop. They might also have a greasy coat and feel weak and tired. German Shepherd EPI Warning In severe cases, there can be muscle wasting and weakness, leading to metabolic imbalances and even death if left untreated. They slowly become malnourished, despite eating. Blood Tests: To confirm the diagnosis, your vet will likely perform blood tests to assess the pancreatic enzyme levels and identify any abnormalities. Once this diagnostic process is complete, your veterinarian will discuss the results and give you a diagnosis. While professional veterinary care is essential, there are several ways you can contribute to their treatment at home. Consult a Veterinarian The first and most crucial step is to seek professional guidance. Daily treatment is relatively simple. These enzymes help break down food, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption. Your vet will determine the appropriate dosage and guide you on how to administer the enzyme supplements. These enzymes are available as powder, capsules, and tablets. Focus on easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates while avoiding foods that trigger adverse reactions. Small, Frequent Meals Feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can be beneficial. This approach aids digestion and minimizes strain on the pancreas, helping your German Shepherd absorb the necessary nutrients. Routine check-ups with your veterinarian help assess their progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Hydration Ensuring your German Shepherd stays well-hydrated is essential, as EPI can lead to increased water loss through diarrhea. Always provide access to fresh water and monitor their intake. Walking is generally a low-impact and calming activity that can not only reduce stress but also help keep their body in shape as they heal. Provide a calm and comfortable living space to promote their well-being. Patience and Love Living with EPI might be challenging at times, but providing your pup with love, patience, and a supportive environment can make all the difference in their well-being. Remember, you and your loyal companion are in this together. Avoid foods high in fat, as they can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally, feed smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the digestive burden. Consulting a veterinary nutritionist can be valuable in tailoring a balanced and nourishing diet for your EPI-affected German Shepherd. But, with the right approach and information, you can help manage the condition and provide your dog with a fulfilling life. Individualized Treatment Plans While many dogs respond well to the initial treatment, some may require adjustments to their management plan. Each dog is unique, and their response to treatment may vary. Financial Considerations Managing EPI typically involves ongoing medical expenses, as treatment is often lifelong. Pet owners should be prepared for the financial commitment when caring for a German Shepherd with EPI. Seek support from friends, family, or support groups to share experiences, gain insight, and find encouragement during this journey. Keep an eye on their progress at home and stick to regular vet checkups to help make necessary adjustments to their care plan. The Free German Shepherd Stomach Symptom Tracker and Gut Health Guide allows you to record and track symptoms, providing valuable insights for your veterinarian to make informed decisions during check-ups. In: Notes on Canine Internal Medicine pp .She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Chronic pancreatitis Small Intestinal Malabsorption The small intestinal disease is probably the most difficult health issue to differentiate from EPI. Firstly, the symptoms of the two processes are quite similar. Occasionally, small intestinal diseases, like bacterial overgrowth, are a result of EPI. German Shepherds are prone to small intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel and food sensitivity. Your veterinarian must perform specific tests to differentiate primary small bowel malabsorption and EPI. Often, primary small bowel disease does not produce the huge volumes of feces that EPI does. Also, the appetite may decrease when a disease affects the small intestine, especially if the liver or gallbladder plays a role. Sometimes your vet can perform a lipid test on the feces. However, most distinctions between EPI and small bowel disease occur only after a trypsin-like immunoreactivity analysis. Treatment for EPI usually addresses secondary small bowel malabsorption, especially bacterial overgrowth. Primary small bowel disease requires a diagnosis of the underlying cause and then subsequent treatment. Intestinal Worms Intestinal worms often cause weight loss and diarrhea. You see worms most commonly in young puppies. Your veterinarian can easily rule worms in or out with an examination of a fecal sample. Facilities perform repeated fecal examinations if necessary. Although puppies lose weight and are unthrifty from worms, it will not be as drastic as in EPI. Diarrhea tends to be scant and may have blood in it. It can bring on other signs atypical of EPI like lethargy, dehydration, and collapse. Starvation Although starving German Shepherds look much like EPI dogs, the diagnosis will be obvious from the history. Moreover, if you rescue a German Shepherd from starvation, you will not see voluminous diarrhea because there is no food intake. Chronic Pancreatitis Chronic pancreatitis can be difficult to differentiate from EPI because both diseases have origins in the same organ. Moreover, chronic pancreatitis is sometimes a cause of EPI. However, pancreatitis can also cause vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Please note when starting treatments that you must adjust dosages for each individual dog. Once enzymes are at appropriate levels for your dog, you should expect smooth and predictable results of weight gain and the resolution of diarrhea. Treatment for EPI usually involves a three-pronged attack. Rare cases exist where a canid with pancreatic insufficiency secondary to acute pancreatitis eventually regained enzymatic function. EPI often calls for a lifelong commitment to enzyme supplementation. Your veterinarian will prescribe enzymes for your German Shepherd in the form of powder, tablets, or capsules. The powder is by far the most effective formulation. If you subscribe to holistic or all-natural treatments, you can talk to your veterinarian about providing enzymes via fresh frozen pig pancreas. According to Epi4dogs. A fresh-frozen pancreas complements raw diets especially well. Cooking raw pancreas destroys enzymatic action, but uncooked meat can be susceptible to bacterial contamination. Recommended amounts to feed your GSD are three to four ounces of the minced pancreas. Whether the powder you use is prescription or over-the-counter, you will achieve the best results if you add warm water to activate the enzymes. Typical amounts are a half to full teaspoon of enzyme powder for every cup of food. You customize the amount gradually according to how your dog progresses. Eventually, you will decrease doses to use the minimal effective amount to maintain weight. Dogs that have dosages that are too high may experience oral bleeding. Many dogs do best with a raw diet or at least one that is free of grains. You can choose from prescription diets or hand-selected meals from high-quality health-minded brands. Your goal is to moderate protein and limit fats compared to what many premium dog foods offer. You can feed a homemade or raw diet as well. Try to follow the advice of your veterinarian regarding daily vitamin and mineral requirements. Treating EPI Complications The most common secondary effects of EPI that you may have to treat are vitamin B12 deficiency, inflammatory small bowel disease, and bacterial overgrowth. Such pH changes encourage inflammation and further proliferation of nonbeneficial bacteria. Diet modification helps, but your German Shepherd may also benefit from long-term antibiotics that target harmful bacteria. Such antibiotics include Flagyl, or Metronidazole and Oxytetracycline. Dogs can suffer from vitamin E and K deficiencies, but the most critical shortages are typically vitamin B.Moreover, if your German Shepherd does produce the vitamin, they may not be able to absorb it because of inflammation, or bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Eventually, the frequency may change to every other week and then monthly. Your veterinarian may even be able to train you to give injections at home. A lab test will be able to confirm whether your pet needs vitamin B12 supplementation. Vitamin B12 is vital for your German Shepherd to gain weight, and for maintaining healthy intestinal and brain function. It takes a long time for vitamin b12 to reach critically low levels and it is a challenging task to get it back up once it plummets to such low levels. Your German Shepherd can work, play, and serve as your loyal companion for years to come! Rather than show videos of emaciated German Shepherds, we would like to end on a positive note. Caretakers of rescue dogs must always be vigilant as it is easy to confuse exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with starvation when a dog first comes to a shelter. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency also called EPI is a medical condition in which the pancreas of the affected German Shepherd Dog GSD stops producing enough digestive enzymes to digest food normally in its small intestine. EPI in the GSD can result from primary pancreatic disease or several other diseases that interfere with the correct production of enzymes by the pancreas or of activation of the enzymes in the intestine. What is the pancreas and EPI? And what does this have to do with my own personal German Shepherd? Without adequate production of these particular enzymes your GSD cannot digest its food properly either. Keep in mind that Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can be potentially life threatening, especially in its acute form. However, it often responds well to ongoing and daily treatments when diagnosed and treated with the proper drugs. Typically, the exocrine functions of the pancreas can malfunction in one of two ways. This does require immediate veterinary attention. This is indeed a big tell. No matter how much the dog eats, it will be hungry soon after and will soon begin to lose weight. Typically, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the GSD is presented in young adult dogs between 1 to 5 years of age. The diagnosis of EPI needs to be confirmed by use of laboratory tests. Diarrhea and foul smelling feces due to high fat content results and because all the food ingredients are not being digested completely the German Shepherd will quickly become malnourished. EPI is caused by the pancreas not producing enough digestive enzymes, which can lead to malnourished and other health problems. EPI is a common health issue in German Shepherds, so If your dog has symptoms of EPI, it is important to get him diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Thankfully, EPI can be successfully managed with proper care. Her website, epi4dogs. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency EPI is a condition found in dogs where the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to break down food. The digestive enzymes include amylase to digest starch, protease to digest proteins, and lipase to digest fats. Weight loss, which can be extreme Excessive eating Eating everything and anything even nonfood items Inability to gain weight Rumbling sounds coming from the digestive tract Passing gas, which is often smelly Frequent diarrhea Light-colored stool yellow or gray Fatty looking stool Dull and sometimes greasy coat How Is EPI Diagnosed in dogs? Fortunately, checking for EPI in your dog is not all that difficult. If you and your vet suspect EPI is the culprit, your vet will request a stool sample from your dog and perform blood work. As we learned from Olisea in our podcast, treatment involves the whole dog, and it may take a bit of trial and error to get it right, but it is doable. Treatment includes diet changes to include: Highly digestible, low-fat foods with prescribed pancreatic enzymes mixed in with every meal. Fortunately, many dogs respond well to treatment and can live long, happy lives. Also, be sure to check out the website www. This part was inadvertently cut off and not fully explained in the podcast.


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australian miniature labradoodle puppies for sale uk - All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. Dog domestic dog The Labrador Retriever, or simply Labrador, is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from fishing dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland now a province of Canada , and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the European world. The Labrador is friendly, energetic, and playful. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog , or for rescue or therapy work. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury , who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland , with Charles St. John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer , more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland. John's breed of these dogs [6] [7] in the fifth edition of his book Introductions to Young Sportsman, published in .Black Chocolate There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred bench-bred lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard. Size: Labradors are a medium-large breed. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. The AKC standard includes an ideal weight for dogs of 25—36 kg 55—80 lb and for bitches as 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. The coat is water-resistant, so the dog does not get cold when taking to the water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow, and chocolate. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and be set slightly above the eyes. Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back. Body: The body should have a powerful and muscular build. The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC. If a dog carried wild type alleles at all three loci, the dog will have a yellow coat. If a dog has a loss-of-function mutation at MC1R, it will also have a yellow coat, regardless of their genotype at the other two loci. Within the breed, this trait is not visible. Show and field lines[ edit ] Head and muzzle appearance: field left , and show right , showing the shorter muzzle length, more solid appearance head, and "pronounced" stop of the latter As a result of specialised breeding, there are significant differences between field and trial-bred and show-bred lines of Labradors. In the United States, the former are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "American" and the latter as "English", in fact, both field and show types are bred in both countries and all Labrador Retrievers are descended from British lines. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a soft mouth , a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it. It continues in that role today, along with the Leonberger , Newfoundland and Golden Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard. During the Vietnam War they were used as scout dogs to track down dead or wounded soldiers or enemy positions. Notable issues related to health and well-being include inherited disorders and obesity most are missing all or parts of the appetite-regulating POMC gene. As of , it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content.