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April 4, Is your French Bulldog sleeping a lot in your opinion? Perhaps you are concerned if this is normal behavior for this breed of dog? It is a perfectly normal question to ask and I definitely researched this when my Frenchie was a puppy. But have you ever wondered if all this sleeping French bulldogs do is normal? Their sleeping patterns closely mimic our own, but differ in some important ways. When entering their sleep phase, French Bulldogs can take about 10 minutes or more to transition from the slow wave where their breathing slows, their blood pressure decreases, and their heart rate lowers. This is part of the process of your four-legged friend entering into rapid eye movement known as REM sleep. Sometimes my Frenchie has his eyes slightly open which creeps me out. I often see my Frenchie running or playing in his dreams and his little legs kick like they are running. French Bulldogs may only spend about 10 percent of their snoozing time in REM because of their irregular sleep patterns. Since they tend to doze off whenever they want, often out of boredom, they also wake up quickly and jump to alertness. Make sense? Do you think your French Bulldog is sleeping too much? Did you know that most fully-grown adults sleep around hours a day? Crazy right!? French Bulldog puppies require even more sleep, sometimes sleeping as hours per day! Older Frenchies can also sleep as much as their younger counterparts. The average French Bulldog spends about half of their day sleeping. Pretty impressive. As you have likely noticed, they are active in short bursts of activity and then go back to resting. Life is hard for a French Bulldog. Check out my article on crate training and picking the right crate here to assist with setting a good sleep schedule. I have personally found having a set sleep schedule helps to stem some behavior problems and helps with training. Does my French Bulldog sleep too much? Fear not my fellow French Bulldog owner it is perfectly natural. As I mentioned above, these little bundles of joy require ample amounts of down time. It is very unlikely you have anything to worry about with your Frenchie sleeping as much as they do. It is perfectly natural for your French Bulldog to be sleeping the majority of every day. Due to how they get into REM sleep it is very normal and nothing to worry about. Share on facebook. How many hours do the French Bulldogs sleep? On average, you can expect French bulldogs to sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, and another hours at night. French bulldog puppies and older Frenchies might sleep even longer, ranging between 18 to 19 hours a day. Why do French bulldogs sleep so much? Known as REM or rapid eye movement. You might have heard that term before as humans need REM sleep too. You might have observed your French bulldog twitching their tails or rapidly moving their eyeballs with eyes closed, well this is maybe their deep sleep phase. Most of the sleeping habits of your French bulldogs are the same as that of humans. You will see a puppy between 0 to 18 months sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day. Young bulldog puppies are full of energy and you will always find them running around in the house and creating havoc. They need a good amount of sleeping time to recover from all the activity. Additionally, your French bulldog puppies are constantly growing. And a lot of sleep is required during this period of growth. Sleeping at this age helps your Frenchie grow into a well-developed adult. The next phase of their life is adulthood, between the age groups of 3 and 6 years, you will find them sleeping between 12 to 14 hours a day. They will usually sleep during the nights for full 6 to 7 hours and scattered sleep sessions throughout the day. Generally, adult French bulldog divides their day into 3 periods. When your French bulldog gets older and is between the age of 7 to 8 years, they will return to similar sleeping habits to when they were puppies. Like humans, as your French bulldog is aging it will need more rest. Hence, you will find them lazing around, napping or sleeping around most of the time when they become senior citizens. What times of the day do French Bulldogs sleep? You will find French bulldogs sleeping their longest sessions during the nights. The remaining 5 to 7 hours of sleep is done throughout the day in the form of frequent naps. When to be concerned with their sleeping habits? It might be the onset of something serious so better get your dog examined. Some symptoms such as change or loss of appetite, Coughing and Sneezing, Vomiting and diarrhea, drinking either too much or too little water, overall general lethargy might be a sign your French bulldog has an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. Conclusion French Bulldogs are endearing and lovable dogs. When they enter your home, they become a part of your family. Make sure you provide this special member of your family with everything it needs. The most important of all being, its sleep and rest. While we humans are designed to require around hours of sleep per night, adult French Bulldogs generally need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily. Frenchie puppies can sometimes sleep for even longer, anywhere from 18 to 19 hours of sleep per day, only waking up for an hour or so after a few hours of rest. The truth is that the amount of sleep your dog need really depends on these four factors 1. Age As previously stated, Frenchie puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into seniorhood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier. Activity Level Does your Frenchie live a sedentary lifestyle? Unlike breeds that are bred to perform specific activities such as sniffing out bombs and drugs, assisting a patient with their medical problems, or other service animal needs, Frenchies are best at just hanging around keeping you company. Life Changes Has your dog been going through any major life changes, such as but not limited to the following? Current State of Health Is your Frenchie suddenly sleeping more than usual? Do you think your dog is sleeping a bit too much? There might be a reason why… Sure, as your dog ages they will tire more quickly and require more sleep. But does something just seem a bit off about their sleeping habits? There could be a few reasons why your Frenchie is sleeping excessively… Cancer. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea because of obesity How do identify abnormal sleeping habits As a serious pet owner monitoring your Frenchie sleeping habits should be a top priority as abnormal sleeping habits could be a sign that your pooch has fallen sick. Here are a few symptoms we recommend you to look for: Continuous rapid breathing while sleeping. Staying awake for 10 hours or more. Unexpected convulsions with frequent eye-rolling indicating possible seizures. Unusual sleep cycles Trouble waking them up even after sleeping for a good amount of time. Do Frenchies sleep through the night? While some adult Frenchies comfortably sleep at night, in most cases young Frenchies have trouble sleeping at night, but this improves as they age. Besides that, if you move to a new house, your pooch may have challenges sleeping as he tries to adapt to the new environment. You can help your Frenchie adapt to the new environment by allowing him to sleep with you for a few days. Your Frenchie may also struggle to sleep at night if he has been resting the entire day. If that is the case, he may struggle to close his eyes when it is time to sleep. Taking time to play with your pooch around the house for a few hours before sleep can help him sleep throughout the night well. Make your Frenchie comfortable Frenchies rely on their owners to live a comfortable life. So, you should try as much as possible to provide him with a good environment. To help your dog nap more comfortably, we recommend you find a soft Frenchie bed filled with memory foam. It is also vital to teach your Frenchie how to crate as this can prevent him from suffering from separation anxiety in the near future. Keep your Frenchie fit It is obvious your pooch will gain weight for spending most of the time indoors and lounging quite a bit. You can prevent your Frenchie from obesity by keeping him entertained. For example, get your Frenchie some cool toys to play with. Alternatively, take your Frenchie for a minute walk and remember not to do this in warm weather as Frenchies are prone to overheating. Wrapping up While French Bulldogs tend to nap quite a bit than other dogs, it is good to be mindful of abnormal sleeping habits as they may be a cause of concern. Immediately your notice any irregular sleep pattern makes sure to keep a close eye and to consult your vet in case that change persists. Written by jay kang. French Bulldogs sleep so much because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard to breathe, so they get tired quickly, it also turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle and are liable to have respiratory problems. They also have a tendency to overheat, and limiting activity helps keep that from happening. The French Bulldog is a big cuddler and likes to sleep close to their humans. They enjoy this contact and comfort. The French Bulldog is a toy breed and is liable to have respiratory problems. In order to keep them from becoming overheated, they need to sleep in the coolest, most comfortable place possible. There are some breeds of dogs that are notorious for being lazy. This breed of dog is one that is notorious for sleeping for the vast majority of the day. They sleep so often that you may even wonder if they are not entirely alive. French Bulldogs are known for their long naps, but why?! But there is a more scientific answer. It turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle. They sleep for about 12 hours at a time, but they only sleep in spurts of about 30 minutes to an hour. Reasons Why French Bulldogs Sleep So Much Here are some of the common reasons why French Bulldogs sleep so much which are as follows: Breed traits and fewer activities to perform French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companions and not to be service dogs like German shepherds or hunting dogs like Beagles. Being human companions, Frenchies do not need to do lots of exercises to stay healthy, but just to perform their primary task of companionship. Since French Bulldogs are not servicing dogs they have nothing to do rather than sleep in their spare time. They also sleep a lot because they are generally prone to heat exhaustion, and can not work for long. Hormone Imbalance Due to this reason of some hormonal changes in most Frenchies, French Bulldogs tend to have longer sleeping hours during winter. Additionally, many French Bulldogs have a higher incidence of hormone imbalance. It could be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and the result is extreme sleepiness and even depression. The warm temperature of the house, as well as its chemical makeup, may cause excessive levels of stress to French Bulldogs which always results in sleeping too much. French Bulldogs are adapted to the changing environment, but this affects their sleep patterns and can explain the long sleeping hours during the winter. Generally, Frenchies tend to sleep longer during the winter, as it helps them fight off seasonal mood changes. Being depressed and angry is a common side effect of seasonal affective disorder in French Bulldogs. As it is also known as the winter blues, seasonal depression also makes Frenchies sleep longer. Changes in Routine Your Frenchie can result in unnecessary lengthy sleeping because of the little change in your daily routine, after all, they love sleeping. Over Stimulation Much like us humans, French Bulldogs get overstimulated in the winter months. They have to contend with many other factors that affect their sleep. Also, an increasing number of French Bulldogs are kept indoors and the average temperature in the houses is lower. As the temperature starts to drop, French Bulldogs tend to get tired, making it hard to get them to go back to their feet. This leads to them sleeping longer as a natural reaction. The right temperature and temperature changes in the environment could have a severe effect on their health. It is recommended to bring them to the warmest room in the house, remove unnecessary clothes, use a shaded lamp to control the indoor temperatures, and ensure that they have enough space to play and sleep. The colder temperatures inside the house make it difficult for Frenchies to get rid of all the drowsiness. French Bulldogs fall asleep more easily in such extreme temperatures. If the temperature is high, it leads to unnecessary heat exhaustion, which makes Frenchies weak. Mold and mildew The lack of ventilation in the houses during the winter leads to mildew and mold. While the French Bulldog is sleeping, it is not getting proper air circulation. The longer it stays inside, the more chances are there for the air to get trapped in the house and lead to mildew. This is why French Bulldogs tend to sleep longer when there is a mildew or mold problem in their houses. Light exposure French Bulldogs have very sensitive eyes that depend heavily on sight to help them function. As it gets darker outside, there is a gradual decrease in the amount of daylight. Generally, French Bulldogs are not always doing good when exposed to high-light intensity which can sometimes force them to go to bed for several hours. Death of companion This is one of the major reasons why French Bulldogs may result in oversleeping as a sign of depression or anxiety. French Bulldogs are an amazing social breed of dogs that are often attached to a single person that takes more care of them. When they lose their loved ones, they become highly depressed, they may start staying on their own, and can develop separation anxiety. Age French Bulldog puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into adulthood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier. Adult French Bulldogs sleep as much as hours per day. Frenchie puppies may sleep as long as 18 hours per day, and senior French Bulldogs tend to sleep for much longer. So to wrap it up, the current age of a Frenchie has a lot to do with how long they sleep. Questions Here is more interesting information that will help you understand why French Bulldogs sleep so much: How do I know if my Frenchie is getting enough sleep? Here are signs your French Bulldog is getting enough sleep which is as follows: Waking you up long before your alarm goes off. French Bulldog becomes too active during the night. Always Sleepy during the day Needing to go outside in the middle of the night. Less snoring at night Sleeping after a few minutes of eating. Why do French Bulldogs sleep with their eyes open? Is it bad for French bulldogs to sleep all day? Yes, it is not right for French Bulldogs to sleep all day, but it is a good practice that French Bulldogs at most sleep not more than 8 — 10 hours per day, anything more than this, is not normal because they may become lazy and develop unnecessary health challenges. They still need little exercise to keep them fit. Why do French Bulldogs like to sleep so close to their humans? French Bulldogs love to sleep close to their owners because French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companion dogs that are always around their owners, also French Bulldogs are great cuddlers that thrive better on human companions rather than staying alone which is why they are prone to separation anxiety. How does the overheating affect French Bulldog sleep? It is recommended you calm your Frenchie down before you send them to bed, according to French Bulldog Owner there are many ways you can help French Bulldogs with overheating. How do I know if my Frenchie is not getting enough sleep? There are many ways to know that your Frenchie is not getting enough sleep, which is as follows: When your French Bulldog seems grumpy If your Frenchie is always disoriented. Your Frenchie is very forgetful. When your Frenchie finds it difficult to concentrate or performing his usual tasks. If your Frenchie is always pacing at night. Suddenly collapsing after activity Always snoring too loud after a little exercise. Signs of Insomnia Can my French bulldog sleep in my bed? Why are French Bulldogs prone to so much snoring? French Bulldogs are prone to snoring because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard for them to breathe, so they get tired quickly. Their narrow nostrils make it hard for them to take in air and push out air, which results in snoring most of the time. Too much exercise can lead to a French Bulldog heat exhaustion, which is a problem most Frenchies encounter and when they sleep, they snore a lot. How to identify abnormal sleeping habits in French Bulldogs Being a reputable and good Frenchie owner entails you will monitor your Frenchie sleeping habits which should be a top priority as unusual sleeping habits can be a sign that your Frenchie is sick. Here are some symptoms to watch out for: Constant unusual sleep cycles. Having trouble waking up your Frenchie even after sleeping for a long? Staying awake for 8 hours in a row. Frequent eye-rolling indicates possible seizures. Constant convulsions Health Reasons Why French Bulldogs show abnormal sleeping habits Here are some medical reasons why French Bulldogs may show signs of abnormal sleeping habits: Intense depression. Search Close this search box. This is understandable, they nap their way throughout the day. Since sleep is crucial to their health, you should know what habits are odd for your furry companion. Table of Contents French Bulldogs are big sleepy heads. They have personalities that shine even in their weird sleeping positions. But their long sleep hours can concern even dog lovers. Most of the time, it is nothing to worry about. What is more worrying is that even in their sleep, they want to be beside you. So to help them get the quality sleep they need, read on. Do French Bulldogs Love to Sleep? When they say that a tired Frenchie is a happy Frenchie, it is because they can sleep comfortably. Their love for sleep is what makes them perfect apartment dogs. They are content with lounging and napping the day away until you come home. Age Depending on their age, Frenchies will sleep more or less. Puppies tend to sleep more than adults. And once your Frenchie becomes a senior, they will go back to sleeping more Lifestyle Frenchies who are more active may need to nap more to recharge their energy level. Those who have a more sedentary lifestyle may not nap as much. This can lead to unwanted behaviors if they get bored while awake. Environmental Changes Frenchies may sleep less in response to changes in the household. Moving houses, a new family member, and death are a few things that can stress them out. Also, Frenchies who have separation anxiety may sleep much less. Older Frenchies are more susceptible to developing these, so they sleep more. The following are a few health issues that can cause excessive sleepiness: Canine Depression Hypothyroidism Sleep Apnea Due to Obesity There are a lot more other illnesses that can make your Frenchie sleep more than usual. Do French Bulldogs Nap a Lot? Many people regard Frenchies as a lazy breed, but that is because they love napping a lot. And it may surprise you that when they are awake, they can get pretty hyper. They make the most out of their energy while awake, so they will play and run around when they can. But since they are a low-energy breed, this energy can wear out fast. That is why they need constant naps throughout the day to recharge. It is alarming if your Frenchie is wide awake for 10 hours or more in a day. This is not a normal sleeping habit for them since they have to nap a lot. When a Frenchie is sleep-deprived, their immune system becomes weak. This makes them prone to getting sick and developing serious health issues. So if you notice that your Frenchie is not napping as much anymore, take them to the vet for a check-up. Adult Frenchies sleep anywhere between 10 to 14 hours a day. While older Frenchies need to sleep at around 15 to 18 hours a day since they easily get tired. This is why older Frenchies go back to sleeping like puppies. Another reason is that Frenchies become prone to health issues as they age. Their bodies are working so much, so it needs to recover with sleep. Both short-term and long-term illnesses have this effect on Frenchies. Frenchies can sleep 7 hours at night uninterrupted, but this can vary. While some can sleep as long as you do during the night, others cannot. The most common reason for this is that they have slept enough during the day. So when it is bedtime, they do not feel tired enough. This is why you should provide your Frenchie with means to keep themselves active during the day. If you cannot play with them because you are at work, interactive toys will do. And if your Frenchie has other furry companions, they will keep each other active while you are away. Older Frenchies may find it hard to sleep through the night. They cannot hold their bladders as well as they used to. So they may take frequent trips to the bathroom at night. This can also be true for younger or adult Frenchies. Stress, health issues, and medications can make them pee more than usual. You may think that your Frenchie is sleeping too much, but it is normal for them to spend most of the day sleeping. They are only awake for about 30 percent of the day. For a breed that can sleep as much as 20 hours a day, it is not unusual to ask yourself if there is something wrong with them. But do not expect them to sleep as long as you do, as they have different sleeping patterns. Frenchies only get about 10 percent of REM sleep whenever they are snoozing. While humans get 25 percent of REM sleep to compare. This means that they can nap whenever they feel like it and wake up completely alert. But that would mean that they need to sleep more to make up for the incomplete REM sleep that they had. As long as your Frenchie sleeps within the normal range hours per day , you should not worry. If they are sleeping more than usual, it can be due to stress or underlying health problems. Frenchies spend half of their day sleeping because they need a lot of rest. It is because of their love for sleep that many regard Frenchies as a lazy breed. If your Frenchie naps a lot throughout the day, this is their normal sleeping habit so you should not worry. You should only worry when your Frenchie presents abnormal sleeping habits. Frenchies can regulate their sleep times on their own, relying on their body clock. As long as they are healthy, they should get the right amount of sleep themselves. For adult Frenchies, this would be around 10 to 14 hours per day. While puppies and older Frenchies need more, at around 15 to 19 hours a day. Some can even sleep as much as 20 hours per day. Of course, this will also depend on factors other than age. Especially if your Frenchie has a health issue. If your Frenchie does have one, it is best to talk to your vet about this. If your Frenchie is not tired before bedtime, they will not sleep and you may not be able to as well. So play with them right before your bedtime! This releases all the energy that they have accumulated with naps throughout the day. It does not even have to be a long playtime, 10 to 20 minutes will do for their low energy. Other than that, there are other ways that you can help your Frenchie to sleep through the night. Below are a few of them. Crate Training To your Frenchie, their crates are like their own rooms. This is where they are most comfortable and where they feel protected. Having their safe space to go to is one of their canine instincts. The first step in this is to make their crates appealing to them. A quiet and cozy place of their own will help them to sleep at night. Comfortable Dog Bed You should not underestimate the magic that a cozy dog bed can do. If you want a soft bed for yourself, your Frenchie also wants one. But cotton-filled beds are the best to start with. If your Frenchie is older, you may want to invest in orthopedic dog beds. Especially if they have arthritis or joint pains. This will make sleeping more comfortable for them as it eases their pain, even a bit. With a routine, they will know exactly what is going to happen and when. And with an intelligent breed like Frenchies , they will quickly learn this. So schedule their bedtime and figure out what you can do before going to bed. You can insert playtime as part of your night rituals, which is effective in tiring them out. Comfort Toys As a clingy breed , Frenchies can get attached to anything that brings them comfort, even if it is a stuffed toy. Having their comfort toy beside them as they sleep will help to ease their anxiety. This can help you and your Frenchie to sleep uninterrupted at night. Sleep Beside Them This is especially helpful for Frenchies with anxiety. As their fur parent, you are their greatest source of comfort. Being able to feel your warmth and cuddle with you at night should bring them ease. Frenchie puppies sleep way more than adults. Having more energy means that they are spending more time playing. This leads to more and longer naps throughout the day for them to recharge. Puppies can sleep for hours and hours and this is necessary for their growth and immune system. So you should not worry about their sleeping habits. Relish the moment while they are asleep because it will get rowdy when they wake up. As puppies, it is normal for Frenchies to sleep around 18 to 19 hours per day. This unusual sleeping behavior is necessary for a rapidly growing pup. Other than that, puppies have too much energy for their bodies to handle. So they may be playing with their toys one minute, then sleep without you noticing it. When your Frenchie pup is awake, they take up a lot of energy too. Other than playing, they also use energy to explore the world. Constantly analyzing new sounds, smells, and sights take a toll on them. If you are trying to socialize your puppy, all the information they take in can be overwhelming for them. And at this young age is when most of the training should happen. They have to learn from you, all the behaviors you want and do not want. With all that they go through during their waking hours, they need to sleep. Not only to recharge but also to process all that has happened during the day. This is when they can store all that they have learned in their brains. So if you think your Frenchie puppy is sleeping too much, they are probably not. You will know if they sleep too much when they have no energy after waking up from a nap. They should be happy and playful after snoozing. You need to wear down your Frenchie pup before bedtime since they have weird sleep cycles. Puppies find it hard to sleep through the night, but you can train them to. As they grow older, their sleep will sync with yours. Play Before Bedtime Spend some time playing with your Frenchie throughout the evening. At least 10 minutes will do to for their short attention spans. For dinner, you can use a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl. Making it tricky for them to eat their meals will get them to work their brains. But make sure that this is not too difficult as they may give up trying. You can also play with your Frenchie right before bedtime. One last release of excess energy will make them want to snooze right away. Give Them a Comfort Blanket Puppies used to sleep with their litter and mothers. So this may be the reason why your Frenchie cannot sleep at night. You can give your pup a fluffy blanket to mimic the sensation of sleeping beside them. Lights in your home, even from your phone, can affect the release of this hormone. So having a crave cover for your Frenchie can prevent this from happening. Potty Break Before Bed Frenchie pups have small bladders , so they may need to go on frequent trips to the toilet. To help prevent this, take them for a potty break before you sleep. Calming Bedtime Ritual Canine behaviors like sniffing, chewing, and licking are all soothing to your Frenchie. You can use this to your advantage and calm them down before bedtime. Freezing their meals will make your Frenchie lick their food more. But you can also use a licking mat and their favorite treat for this. You can get creative and see what works! Use White Noise There are many playlists online made to lull your Frenchie to sleep. This can also help to distract them from other noises in the house, some of which may scare them. Frenchie puppies will start to sleep uninterrupted at night at around 4 months old. This will depend on your Frenchie. But you can speed up the process if you start training them at an early age. There are areas that your Frenchie may nap in more than others, like your sofa. As a breed who loves to sleep, Frenchies have certain places in your home that they love to snooze on, but why? Below are common places that Frenchies go for a nap and why they like them. On Soft Surfaces Frenchies love to lie down in soft places as humans do. So they will hop on your bed or sofa to get a good nap. Close to the Heater or Aircon As a brachycephalic breed, Frenchies cannot regulate their body temperature well. So during the winter, you will find them nestled near the heater for warmth. And during hotter seasons, they will nap near the aircon or fan to cool down. Frenchie puppies should have a soft and cozy place to sleep in a quiet place. You can even have sleep beside you if you want them to. No matter where your Frenchie sleeps, it should be in a cozy and quiet place to make them comfortable. They should have a soft and cuddly bed to lie down on too that is slightly elevated. If your puppy has a crate, you should keep these in mind It will also help if you leave them comfort toys and a piece of your used clothing. This will make them feel at ease since they can smell you while they are off to dreamland. But a lot of puppies will also want to sleep beside you. They are still getting used to sleeping away from their mothers and littermates. Having you, their fur parent, beside them will ease their distress. Since Frenchies are companion dogs, it is natural for them to desire to sleep beside you. They are very affectionate so they will want to cuddle with you and feel your warmth while sleeping. And if you have been showing them lots of love, they will want to sleep beside you even more. Another reason is that they see you as the leader of their pack. Their instinct is to seek protection as sleeping is when they are vulnerable. They know that you are their protector, so they will snuggle up to you for this. According to experts, you can let your Frenchie sleep beside you if you want to. It is a great way to bond with your Frenchie and it can have a positive impact on your mental health. As long as you do not run over them while you are sleeping, they can sleep in your bed without problems. Having your Frenchie sleep in bed with you is a matter of preference. You can if you want to and having them sleep beside you is comforting. Especially if you have issues with your mental health or sleep disorders. But of course, it is not that simple. To help you decide, here are the factors that you should consider. But they cannot help it, their deformed face shape restricts their airflow. If you are a light sleeper, this may not be a good idea. They Fart A Lot Frenchies are prone to flatulence. This can be due to their sensitive stomachs or it can be due to the way they eat. Chances are, you will wake up because of their stinky farts. They Invade Your Space It may surprise you that they take up much of your bed space even if they are not that big. Frenchies love to stretch when they are asleep, leaving you less bed space. Another thing to consider is your personal space. They will push themselves into your face whether you like it or not. This can be an issue if you sleep with your partner. They Can Trigger Allergies If you are an allergy sufferer, keep in mind that Frenchies are not hypoallergenic. They shed quite a bit, leaving dander all over your bed. And even if you are not allergic to dogs, their fur can trap pollen, dirt, or dust that can trigger your allergies. They Can Get Hot While this is great for winter, sleeping with your Frenchie in the summertime is a nightmare. They can get very warm, which can disrupt your sleep. They Can Get Harmed Both you and your Frenchie move around when asleep, so they can get physically hurt if you share a bed with them. You can roll over them at night without you noticing. Or they can get caught in the sheets when they roll around, injuring themselves. They Get Too Attached Once your Frenchie gets so used to sleeping with you, they may get separation problems. An over-attachment to you can lead to separation anxiety. And this is the cause of many unwanted behaviors in Frenchies, including aggression. It is not the best idea to let your Frenchie puppy sleep with you. As tempting as it is, this does not help in teaching them to be independent. If your puppy gets used to sleeping with you, it will be hard to get them to sleep in their dog bed as adults. Also, they will grow up to struggle whenever you are away. Like adults, this can lead to separation anxiety, which can be crippling for your Frenchie. Making your Frenchie sleep in their beds needs a lot of your effort and time. It can be hard, but with consistency, your affectionate companion will get there. Below are the necessary steps to take to teach them how to sleep alone. Get a dog bed that is right for their size and is soft to tempt them to get in. Throw in some stuffed toys and a fluffy blanket for comfort and this will make their bed more appealing. Pick the Best Sleeping Spot You should place their dog bed near yours, so they feel at ease sleeping alone. Once you have chosen a spot, do not move it anymore. Their own space makes them feel secure and relaxed, so moving it will make them feel insecure. Prepare for Sleep Timing is everything, so make sure they had enough time to digest their dinner before going to sleep. This way, you can take them for a potty break before they sleep. A routine like this will help them know what to expect, so they are more open to your commands. Use Verbal Commands Tell your Frenchie to go to their beds before bedtime every night. Make sure to reward them if they listen so they will have a positive association with their beds. Do this at around the same time at night for them to learn their night routine. This will help if your Frenchie is afraid of sleeping in their beds alone. While they would prefer to sleep beside you, Frenchies can learn to like sleeping in their beds. This requires consistent and repetitive training. There is no cut-and-dry answer to this. The best dog bed for your Frenchie will depend on their needs and their likes. It is up to you and your companion to figure out what works best. But not any dog bed will do. Frenchies like to stretch and change positions, so this is important. For them, the best dog bed is an orthopedic bed which eases their joint pains. Make sure their bed can withstand their bites. Cleaning The Bed: For messy Frenchies, their beds can easily get dirty. There are beds with removable covers to help cut down your cleaning time. Bed Style: You can opt for dog beds that are covered if your Frenchie likes enclosed spaces. What Size Bed for a French Bulldog? For a standard-sized French Bulldog , a medium bed size will work. Keep in mind that male Frenchies are larger than females, so you may need to size up or down depending on their sex. Can French Bulldogs Sleep Outside? Frenchies are indoor dogs so they should not sleep outside under any circumstances. Even keeping them outside for a long time is not a good idea. The main concern is that they cannot handle hot or cold weather well. They have short furs that do not provide them enough insulation for the cold. And they have restricted airways that will not help them cool down efficiently when it is hot. Another concern is that this companion breed will get depressed when left outdoors a lot. They thrive on human interactions so depriving your Frenchie is cruel. Frenchies will sleep on their backs when it is hot so they can cool down. You will see them do this more often during the summer when it gets too warm. The only sweat glands dogs have are in their paws. Also, the fur on their bellies is thinner and sparser. So by lying down on their backs, they expose their paws and bellies to the air. This maximizes their way of cooling down. Any dog breed will do this, but this is especially important for Frenchies. A consequence of being a brachycephalic breed is that they cannot cool down properly. Other dogs do this better by breathing, but Frenchies have inefficient airflow. Also, Frenchies are prone to obesity. Dogs with excess weight have trouble cooling off since they have too much fluff in the way. Another reason for this position is that they feel safe in their surroundings. Leaving their internal organs exposed is dangerous if they are in an unsafe place. They cannot get up quick enough to protect themselves. But they will do this in a safe environment with people and other furry companions that they trust. So if you see your Frenchie exposing their belly to you, take it as a compliment. Lying down on their backs is a good way for your Frenchie to regulate their body temperature. Most dogs do this without risks. The only issue is if they sleep on their backs in an unfamiliar place. They will not be able to spring into action when there is some threat. But they are smart enough not to do this, so you should not worry about this. Digging beds is a presleep ritual that dogs do to make their bed more comfortable. There are various reasons behind this behavior including the following: Regulating Their Body Temperature Depending on the weather, your Frenchie will look for a cooler or warmer spot to rest. Their ancestors did this in the wild to protect themselves from other animals. While your Frenchie does not need to do this, their instincts are still strong. So when they are pawing at their bed, they are trying to spread this to claim their spot. This reason is likely for households with many dogs. Nesting If your Frenchie is pregnant , they are trying to prepare for their babies. They create a nest using their bed and blanket so that their puppies have a comfortable place to sleep in. Fluffing Their Bed Frenchies will also try to fluff their beds as humans do with their pillows. Once they have the arrangement that they like, they will circle around and then lie down to snooze. Frenchies will burrow themselves under the covers for protection. This is because sleeping is when your Frenchie is most vulnerable. It can also be because it is chilly and they are trying to keep themselves warm. If your Frenchie is sleeping under your covers, it is because they feel safe with you. You are the leader of their pack, after all, so they seek protection whilst asleep beside you. May 20, No comments The amount a French Bulldog sleeps is a topic of interest for many new Frenchie owners. It makes sense, because it would be concerning to see your dog sleeping all day if you were unfamiliar with the amount of sleep dogs typically need. The thing is, Frenchies vary in types , personalities , and family history which means each individual pup will have slightly different sleeping patterns. It may be in the nature of some Frenchies to sleep more than others, just like it is for humans. But, of course, there are some hard and fast rules you should be aware of. How much do French Bulldogs sleep? The simple answer is — French Bulldogs require a lot of sleep. Most adult Frenchies sleep approximately hours a day. However, for French Bulldog puppies or elderly dogs, this average can go as high as hours per day. Although Frenchies are avid sleepers, it is vital to note that they are also flexible sleepers. They can routinely change their pattern according to your schedule. Just like other dogs, Frenchies wake easily if there is a sudden knock at the door or another abrupt sound — their instincts are always ready to protect their owners. Is your French Bulldog sleeping too much? Wrap Frenchies are the perfect apartment-living dog given their small size, tendency to sleep long hours in the day, and small appetite for exercise. This is family and dinner time. We all spend time in the lounge. Awake for 3 hours. In the evening he comes upstairs. Sleeps on our bed whilst we watch TV. Asleep for 3 hours. We than take him downstairs. Before he beds down for the night he goes outside. Sniffs about for a while doing his business in the garden. Awake for 1 hour. He then goes back into the kitchen. He sleeps with our cat for the night. Asleep for 7 hours. Total hours a day asleep: 14 hours average. How these hours of sleep look over a 24 hour daily period I also put a graph together below which shows you what this sleep schedule looks like pictorially, running from 7am in the morning, through a 24 hour period. Not every day is the same, but the above is a pretty decent stab at what you might expect on average. Occasionally he will also have a mini-nap around mid-morning. Important: Dogs sleep for more hours in a day than they actually are awake. How many hours a day does a 3-month old French bulldog sleep? French bulldog puppies are a different case altogether, as just like human babies, they will sleep for hours and hours. French bulldog puppy sleeping habits are certainly different to adult dogs. If your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old or 3 months old, he could be sleeping for as much as 18 hours a day. This is Claude as a puppy, catching up on some sleep. Notice that he was sleeping with his eyes open! I know that the temptation will be to wake him, as they are so much fun at this age. Does my French bulldog sleep too much? The answer to this question is probably no. As a breed, French bulldogs tend to be a sleepier breed than your average dog. However, there can be some health issues to keep an eye on, if you feel that your Frenchie is exhibiting unusual sleep patterns and sleeping habits. Claude will come sleep on our bed for a few hours before he goes down to his own bed. Increased sleeping hours. Not sleeping well and out of sync, particularly staying awake at night. French Bulldog sleeping habits Below are some of the more common questions I see people asking on Facebook about their French Bulldog sleeping habits and schedules. Why does my French bulldog sleep with his eyes open? Sometimes French Bulldogs will sleep with their eyes open. When Claude falls asleep, often it will be with his eyes half open. I did some research online into why dogs and Frenchies sleep with their eyes open and found that this can be traced back to their ancestors. Sleeping with their eyes open was a defense mechanism which would let them keep safe from predators whilst resting. However, do keep watch on him, as if he is twitching in his sleep it could be the sign of a seizure if it gets to be violent movements, so look for any unusual behaviour. The most likely reason your Frenchie is sleeping with twitching legs and eyes will be because he is having a dream. Why does my French Bulldog sleep on his back? For example, a Frenchie who sleeps on his back will help him keep cool. This is because sleeping with an exposed tummy will let heat escape, letting him keep cool and happy on a warmer night. Why does my French bulldog is make puffing noises in his sleep? The physical make-up of a Frenchie is commonly known to lead to breathing issues. As brachiocephalic dogs they have short snouts. They will make a lot of strange noises in their sleep, puffing be just one of them. Similar to rapid breathing which I will come onto next. Claude as a puppy again. Sometimes French bulldogs will sleep on their backs. Why does my French bulldog have rapid breathing in his sleep? Rapid breathing is a common issue during Frenchie sleep too, most of which is related to their snout and airwaves not being as free as other dog breeds. But there are some signs that you should look out for. If your dog has rapid breathing in his sleep that seems unusual to him as a individual it could be a signal that: He is hot and his body temperature has increased. If you are worried, wake him up and see if he still has laboured breathing. If he is also sitting up in an unusual posture or his chest is moving irregularly it could be the sign of something serious. In fact, YouTube has plenty of videos showcasing this cute and funny behaviour. The following symptoms will often be seen in conjunction with hanging tongue syndrome. His tongue looks dry, rough, sore, with possible patches or spots. His tongue looks paler than normal and could be swollen. His breath smells worse than normal. His drinking has become less and loss of appetite. Final thoughts French bulldogs are adorable. The need their beauty sleep after all! But do be prepared, as once they wake up they will want your undivided attention! Handy Hint: Another guide you might find helpful is recommendations on how far and how often you should walk your French Bulldog puppy based on my own personal experiences. New born puppies are very helpless. They are born blind and deaf and unable to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to use an external heat source when the puppies are not in direct contact with mom. During this time period, their mothers have to stimulate them in order for them to urinate and have bowel movements. This is a very busy time for us and we are usually very sleep deprived because we assist the mothers every 3 hours around the clock to make sure that all puppies are latching on well, growing, and being stimulated to urinate and defecate. It is a critical time in which the puppies are so small that an unaware Frenchie mother could accidentally smother one or more of her pups, so we monitor them very closely. Lacey takes a video of each litter at 3 weeks of age and posts them on our website under New Puppies so that our clients near the top of the list, as well as other clients and prospective clients, can get a early look at them. They continue to gain weight rapidly over the next several months of their lives. At two weeks age their ears open and they are able to hear, and another big part of their new world opens up. Prior to this event, about all they do is grunt or mew, but afterward their vocabulary includes yelps, whines, and even little barks. At three weeks of age the more advanced puppies start taking their first shaky steps; prior to this their basic mode of transportation is basic army crawling. They are now able to urinate and defecate on their own and will move away from their sleeping area to do so. Up to this point it is strictly the mothers and us Donna, Lacey, and Bick who have handled the pups with lots of hand sanitizing before and after and they have been kept in their kennel. Even though it is hard on the kids, we do not let them or their friends handle them until 4 weeks of age. At four weeks we start introducing them to solid food initially crushed and moistened. By the end of the 4th week they are eating their crushed puppy food, with no water added, three times a day. Because they are not nursing as long or as often, we provide fresh water for them at all times. The kids are allowed to hold them now closely monitored and with clean hands and we allow the puppies to run around and explore our large main room in the house. At 5 weeks of age they are starting to run around all over the place when they are let out to play, and, when they are in their kennels, they play sometimes rather roughly with litter mates. It is during this time when some of their adult personalities will start coming out. By the end of this week their puppy teeth are all in, and they love to chew on things, including fingers if you let them. However, even at this age, they will spend most of their time sleeping, probably close to 20 hours per day, with only short times between naps when they are alert and active. By the end of the 6th week they are completely weaned from their moms and eating solid food well. We frequently take them out of their kennels to scamper around. They are full of energy and love to play with their litter-mates and the kids. This is the time that we really focus on socializing them and we even start their paper training. By 7 weeks they have already passed through most of their puppy milestones and are continuing to grow rapidly; they are generally in the 4 to 6 pound range. This is when their personalities really start coming out! It is so fun to watch them play with the kids and their litter-mates and observe their new fascination with toys. They have become somewhat accustomed to going potty on pee pads so that when they are out running around the room they often recognize them on the floor and will go potty on them. Though they are fast, active, playful little puppies at this point in their lives, they still are like babies and require lots of sleep probably over 18 hours per day and are still quite fragile. This video will show the color and conformation of each puppy, in addition to its personality. Their their third DAPP and 2nd Bordetella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks and then a yearly booster thereafter. The rabies shot can also be given at 12 weeks no later than 16 weeks. They are also regularly de-wormed and given a medication for the prevention of coccidia and giardia. Occasionally we hold onto puppies a little longer if we do not feel they are quite ready to go to their new homes. Our clients are encouraged to come to our home to meet their fur babies if this is feasible. When this is not possible, we arrange for one of our responsible puppy chaperones to hand deliver our puppies to meet their new owners at their nearest major airport. In fact, even as adults they will sleep at least half of the day in a series of long naps, and probably closer to 14 hours per day. Have More Questions?

And which one you should feed your new puppy? It can be confusing to try to figure out the best diet for your new dog , especially with so many food options out there. And when it comes to giving your puppy wet food, there are some positives and negatives that you should consider before feeding it to him. The Dodo spoke to Dr. Keston Smith, medical director at Bond Vet , and Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian consultant at Senior Tail Waggers , to find out what the benefits of feeding your pup canned food are and their recommendations for the best wet puppy foods you can buy. What's the difference between dry and wet dog food? The major differences between dry and wet dog food are how the foods are processed and the water content of the foods. Wet dog food is what it sounds like — wet. According to Dr. Smith, wet foods contain approximately 75 to 78 percent moisture levels, while dry foods only have around 10 to 12 percent. Smith told The Dodo. The kind of food you feed your puppy depends on your preference, but there are some upsides to wet food and some downsides, too. Smith said. But while wet food can get your puppy interested in his food, it can also make some dogs even pickier. And if your puppy eats too much too fast , you can try a slow feeder or an automatic feeder. To find the nutrient levels in wet food, divide the percentage of the nutrient usually found on the label , such as crude fat, by the percentage of dry matter the percent moisture content subtracted from , and multiply that number by .Make sure the food is made with real ingredients, such as lamb, beef and corn. The first ingredient in wet food will usually be water since it needs moisture, but the next ingredient after water should ideally be a source of protein. Smith and Dr. Smith recommends Royal Canin, and Dr. Royal Canin Wet Dog Food, .We spoke to a professional dog trainer to find out what to look for in the best training treats for puppies. We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. More from DodoWell. Click to get it NOW! Pet owners that are worried about the kind of food their dog is eating can have their worries assured with this food. That helps keep their coat and skin healthy. If your dog suffers from skin allergies, then this dog food may be a great pick for you. It contains only five main ingredients and all of them are natural. Along with beef or chicken, your pup will eat plenty of vegetables to get their nutrients. Your dog will eat the food and nothing else. This can help reduce allergies, improve their digestive health, and give them plenty of energy. This particular wet dog food comes with 16 tubs of food. Sale Contains sixteen 16 1. Picky dogs love the taste of it Fresh and real ingredients Great for dogs with dental problems or missing teeth Cons: Isolated portrait of black yorkie poo or Yorkshire terrier mix with poodle with schnauzer look Best for Puppies The best puppy food for poodle puppies is the Royal Canin Poodle Caniche. This dry dog food is specially made for purebred Poodle puppies. You know that every kibble has the right amount of nutrients and calories for a Poodle puppy to have and helps ensure they grow healthy and strong. It contains high-quality proteins and prebiotics to support digestive health and energy. This dog food is specifically designed to encourage standard poodles to chew through their food. This helps prevent them from throwing it back up due to upset stomachs. It helps them develop and maintain their muscle tone. The ingredients contain nutrients that are specifically used for standard poodles to help them grow into adult dogs and elder dogs. However, it will equally support toy versions through every phase of life. Here are the steps I took to select the best dog foods for Poodles: I did my research: As a biologist who has interned at a veterinary hospital and studied dog nutrition, I read many books on Poodles and dog nutrition in general. I also consulted with other veterinarians and pet nutritionists on the best dog food to feed Poodles. I considered the unique needs of Poodles: Poodles have specific dietary needs that vary based on their size and activity level. As such, I looked for dog foods that were tailored to the unique needs of Poodles, such as food that is low in fat and high in protein. I read customer reviews: I spent time reading through product descriptions, ingredients used in manufacturing the food, and customer reviews on Amazon, dog food brands, and e-commerce sites selling Poodle dog foods. This helped me get a sense of which dog foods were popular and well-liked by other Poodle owners. I looked for reputable brands: I also made sure to look for reputable brands that had a history of producing high-quality dog food. This included checking for brands that used high-quality ingredients and had a strong track record of producing nutritious and balanced dog foods. I avoided harmful ingredients: Lastly, I made sure to avoid dog foods that contained harmful ingredients like artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products. These ingredients can be harmful to Poodles and can lead to health problems over time. By following these steps, I was able to compile a list of the best dog foods for Poodles that meet their unique nutritional needs. In the next sections of this article, I will share my top recommendations with you and explain why they are the best choices for your furry friend. Best Dog Foods For Toy Poodles When it comes to toy poodles, feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to keep them healthy and happy. As a pet owner, you want to provide the best possible food that meets their nutritional needs at every stage of their life. In this section, I will share my recommendations for the best dog food for toy poodles. This section will cover the best puppy toy poodle dog food, the best adult toy poodle dog food, and the best senior toy poodle dog food. Puppies require a diet that is rich in protein, fat, and essential nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus. The poodle dog foods listed in this section are high-quality dry or wet dog food options that are specifically formulated for toy poodle puppies, which are typically small in size to accommodate their smaller jaws. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for toy Poodle puppies. This section will contain the best dry dog food for toy Poodle puppies and the best wet dog food for toy Poodle puppies. It also contains nutrients that promote optimal growth and development. It contains a balance of high-quality proteins and fats. This wet dog food is easy to digest and contains all the necessary nutrients that toy poodle puppies need to grow healthy and strong. Best Dog Foods For Toy Poodle Adults As your toy poodle grows into an adult, their nutritional needs will shift to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and providing energy for daily activities. The dog foods in this section are high in protein but low in fat to prevent obesity and other health issues. Additionally, they contain ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that can help support healthy skin, coat, and immune system. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for toy Poodle adults. This section will contain the best dry dog food for toy Poodle adults and the best wet dog food for toy Poodle adults. It contains a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to keep adult toy poodles in good shape. The food also contains antioxidants and other essential nutrients to promote healthy digestion and overall well-being. It contains high-quality proteins and healthy fats, such as turkey and salmon. The dog food is also grain-free, which is ideal for toy poodles that may be sensitive to grains. Older dogs may require dog food with fewer calories and lower fat content to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. The Poodle dog foods in this section contain joint-supporting nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin to aid mobility, and antioxidants to support the immune system. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for toy Poodle seniors. This section will contain the best dry dog food for toy Poodle seniors and the best wet dog food for toy Poodle seniors. It contains high-quality protein, whole grains, and other essential nutrients to support healthy aging and promote optimal health. In this section, I will share my recommendations for the best dog food for Miniature Poodles. This section will cover the best puppy Miniature Poodle dog food, the best adult Miniature Poodle dog food, and the best senior Miniature Poodle dog food. The puppy miniature poodle dog foods I picked are rich in protein, fat, and essential nutrients. I picked these foods because miniature poodles are slightly larger than toy poodles, so they would need dog food with slightly larger sizes to accommodate their growing jaws. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Miniature Poodle puppies. This section contains the best dry dog food for Miniature Poodle puppies and the best wet dog food for Miniature Poodle puppies. It is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of small breed puppies, providing them with the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to support their growth and development. It contains real chicken that provides essential amino acids for lean muscle development. Additionally, it contains vegetables and fruits, providing antioxidants that support the immune system. Best Dog Foods For Miniature Poodle Adults As miniature poodles reach adulthood, their nutritional needs will shift to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and providing energy for daily activities. Similar to toy poodles, I picked dog foods that are high in protein but low in fat to prevent obesity and other health issues. Additionally, I picked dog foods that contain antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that support overall health. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Miniature Poodle adults. This section contains the best dry dog food for Miniature Poodle adults and the best wet dog food for Miniature Poodle adults. It also contains antioxidants and other essential nutrients to promote healthy digestion and overall well-being. It is made with real chicken and lamb which provides high-quality protein to support muscle maintenance. It also contains superfoods like kale that provide antioxidants for overall health. Best Dog Foods For Miniature Poodle Seniors Senior miniature poodles require dog food options that are lower in calories and fat to help prevent health issues such as obesity and heart disease. I choose poodle dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin which support joint health and mobility. I also chose poodle dog foods that contain antioxidants and other nutrients that can also support the immune system and overall health in older dogs. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Miniature Poodle seniors. This section contains the best dry dog food for Miniature Poodle seniors and the best wet dog food for Miniature Poodle seniors. This food is specially formulated to meet the needs of aging dogs, with added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, and decreased calories to prevent weight gain. It contains real chicken and brown rice, providing high-quality protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, it contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health in senior dogs. In this section, I will share my recommendations for the best dog food for Standard Poodles. This section will cover the best puppy Standard Poodle dog food, the best adult Standard Poodle dog food, and the best senior Standard Poodle dog food. As with toy and miniature poodles, I looked for Poodle dog foods that are high in protein, fat, and essential nutrients. Because standard poodles are larger than a toy and miniature poodles, I looked for dog food with larger sizes to accommodate their growing jaws. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Standard Poodle puppies. This section contains the best dry dog food for Standard Poodle puppies and the best wet dog food for Standard Poodle puppies. Best Dog Foods For Standard Poodle Adults As standard poodles reach adulthood, their nutritional needs will shift to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and providing energy for daily activities. I looked for poodle dog foods that are high in protein but low in fat to prevent obesity and other health issues. Additionally, I also looked for ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that can help support healthy skin, coat, and immune system. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Standard Poodle adults. This section contains the best dry dog food for Standard Poodle adults and the best wet dog food for Standard Poodle adults. Older dogs may require dog food with fewer calories and lower fat content to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of health issues such as heart I choose poodle dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin which support joint health and mobility. In this section, I will go over the best dog food for Standard Poodle seniors. This section contains the best dry dog food for Standard Poodle seniors and the best wet dog food for Standard Poodle seniors. Fortunately, there are many options available that cater to specific health concerns. Here are some of the best dog foods for Poodles with health issues: 1. It is formulated with added glucosamine and chondroitin that promote healthy joints and mobility. It contains a blend of antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E to support a healthy immune system. It contains food with a low glycemic index like sweet potatoes and peas that regulates the blood sugar level of your poodle. It is formulated with a balanced ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates and is made with high ingredients that support their overall health. But with so many great dog foods out there that cater to specific health concerns, you can rest easy knowing your furry friend is getting the nutrition they need to live a happy and healthy life. They come in three sizes — toy, miniature, and standard — and have a distinctive curly or wavy coat. Poodles are energetic and require regular exercise and proper nutrition to maintain their health and well-being. Choosing the right dog food is crucial for the health and longevity of your poodle. Providing them with a balanced and nutritious diet can help prevent health issues such as obesity, joint problems, and dental disease. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best dog food for your poodle. Understanding Poodle Nutritional Requirements Poodles are a breed of dog that is known for their intelligence, elegance, and curly coats. Essential Nutrients Required by Poodles Poodles are a high-energy breed, which means they require a diet that is rich in essential nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Nutritional Needs of Poodle Puppies, Adults, and Seniors When it comes to the nutritional needs of poodles, there are some differences depending on their age. Poodle puppies require a diet that is rich in protein and fat to support their growth and development. Adult poodles need a balanced diet to maintain their health and energy levels, while senior poodles require a diet that is lower in fat and calories to support their aging bodies. Understanding the nutritional needs of your poodle at different stages of its life is essential for choosing the right dog food. Types of Dog Foods for Poodles When it comes to choosing dog food for your poodle, there are several types to consider. The most common types of dog food available are dry, wet, semi-moist, raw food, and homemade dog food. Dry Dog Food Dry dog food, also known as kibble, is the most popular type of dog food. It is convenient and easy to store, and it comes in a wide variety of flavors and formulations. Dry dog food is also affordable, making it an excellent choice for pet owners who are on a budget. Wet Dog Food Wet dog food, on the other hand, is typically more expensive than dry dog food. It comes in cans or pouches, and it contains a higher percentage of water than dry dog food. Wet dog food is an excellent option for dogs who have trouble drinking enough water, as it can help keep them hydrated. Semi-Moist Dog Food Semi-moist dog food is a type of dog food that is soft and chewy. It is often sold in small pouches or packets and contains a lot of sugar and salt. It is not recommended as a primary food source for poodles, as it can cause dental problems and other health issues. Raw Food Diet Raw food diets have gained popularity in recent years, especially for pet owners who want to feed their dogs a more natural diet. These diets typically consist of raw meat, bones, and vegetables. While there are potential benefits to a raw food diet, there are also potential risks , and it is essential to talk to your veterinarian before starting your poodle on a raw food diet. Homemade Dog Food Finally, homemade dog food is an option for pet owners who want to have complete control over what their poodle eats. Homemade dog food can be a great way to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients they need, but it is essential to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure that the food is nutritionally balanced. Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Food for Poodles When choosing the best dog food for your poodle, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that your furry friend stays healthy and happy. Here are the factors to keep in mind: A. Poodle puppies have different nutritional requirements than adults or seniors. A poodle that is highly active will require more calories than a poodle that is less active. Allergies and sensitivities of your poodle Poodles can be prone to allergies and sensitivities to certain foods. If you notice any issues, consult with your veterinarian to determine if your poodle has any food sensitivities or allergies. Look for dog foods that contain high-quality protein sources, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Brand reputation and recall history When choosing dog food for your poodle, it is important to consider the reputation of the brand and its recall history. Look for dog food brands with a good reputation and a history of producing high-quality dog food that is safe for consumption. Price and affordability Price is also an important factor to consider when choosing dog food for your poodle. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, it is important to prioritize quality and nutritional content. Look for dog food that fits your budget and offers good value for money. How to Read Dog Food Labels When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your poodle, understanding how to read dog food labels is crucial. Here are the key elements to look for on a dog food label: A. Guaranteed Analysis This section of the label lists the minimum and maximum percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture in the dog food. Ingredient List This section lists all the ingredients in the dog food in descending order of weight. Look for high-quality protein sources like chicken, beef, and fish, and avoid foods that contain a lot of fillers or artificial ingredients. Feeding Guidelines This section provides recommendations for how much food to feed your poodle based on its weight and activity level. Ingredients to Look for in Poodle Dog Food When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your poodle, the ingredients list is a crucial factor to consider. High-Quality Ingredients to Look For in a Poodle Dog Food Some of the essential nutrients that poodles need in their diet include protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Protein should come from high-quality animal sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, or lamb. Fats should come from sources like fish oil, flaxseed, or chicken fat. Carbohydrates should come from sources like sweet potatoes, brown rice, or oats. Other beneficial ingredients to look for include fruits and vegetables like carrots, peas, apples, and blueberries, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes can also help maintain a healthy gut. How to Identify High-Quality Ingredients in a Poodle Dog Food Look for whole-food ingredients that are minimally processed and avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Instead, opt for brands that clearly list their ingredients and provide detailed information about their sourcing and manufacturing processes. By choosing dog food with high-quality ingredients, you can ensure that your poodle is getting the necessary nutrients they need for a healthy and happy life. For example, some ingredients can cause digestive issues, allergies, or even serious health problems. By avoiding these ingredients, you can help ensure that your poodle stays healthy and happy. Additionally, watch out for ingredients that are listed as artificial, such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. These ingredients have been linked to health problems in dogs. Finally, look for natural and high-quality ingredients, such as real meats, fruits, and vegetables that provide essential nutrients for your poodle. Special Dietary Needs for Poodles As much as we want our Poodles to stay healthy and happy, they may face some health issues as they age. Therefore, it is essential to cater to their special dietary needs. Here are some things to keep in mind: A. Overview of Common Health Issues Poodles May Face Poodles are prone to certain health issues, such as allergies, skin problems, sensitive stomachs, and joint problems. Some of them may be genetically predisposed to these issues, while others may develop them as they age. If your Poodle has allergies, for example, you may want to consider hypoallergenic dog food. For Poodles with sensitive stomachs, easily digestible foods are recommended. For joint problems, food that is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin may help to support joint health. Some of the most commonly recommended supplements for Poodles include omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics. Omega-3 fatty acids can help support healthy skin and coat , while glucosamine can help support joint health. Probiotics can help support digestive health and may be beneficial for Poodles with sensitive stomachs. Pay attention to the ingredients and nutritional content listed on the label, and look for high-quality ingredients like lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and veggies. Equally important is being aware of what ingredients to avoid, such as artificial colors, preservatives, and fillers like corn or soy. You might consider consulting with a veterinarian to help determine the best options for your furry friend. Every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. With a little bit of research and attention to detail, you can help ensure that your poodle is getting the best possible nutrition to live a happy and healthy life. David Cassiel As a biologist and dog enthusiast, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge through my internship at a veterinary hospital and my personal ownership of multiple breeds. My passion for dogs and expertise in areas such as nutrition, care, and training drives my goal of providing a helpful resource for dog owners through my pet website. Find More Search for: Affiliate Disclaimer We may earn commission from Amazon and other retailers when you make a purchase through our links. You can learn more about our affiliate disclaimer here. Feeding a Poodle Overview Ensuring that your Poodle is on a well-balanced diet is one of the most important elements to keeping your canine family member healthy, both now and into the future. This section will cover all Poodle feeding guidelines including how often to feed a Poodle, serving sizes, dry vs wet, grain vs grain-free, and top recommended kibble. Don't need all of the details and just want to know which brands are recommended? New Puppies - The Importance of Gradually Switching Foods Before you even bring your Poodle home, it is very important to discuss with the breeder or shelter worker if you are adopting a rescue exactly which brand of food they have been feeding to your Poodle. A fast change in food can cause upset stomach and digestive problems. Breeders and shelters are buying food in bulk and have to feed many dogs which is a factor in which brand they choose; so there is a good chance that you will want to offer your Poodle something different. Have both the current food and the new food on hand and make a gradual switch over the course of 3 weeks. Though you will be leaving food out at all times, it is important that the food is fresh. Do not just top it off throughout the day, rinse and clean the bowl as necessary so that old food is not stuck at the bottom of the dish. Puppy: Starting at just about the 3 month mark, Poodles of all varieties should be eating 3 meals per day, plus snacks. Adult: When a pup matures into an adult, this does not necessarily mean that they should suddenly be given only one meal a day. Smaller dogs such as Toy Poodles and Miniatures often do best with 2 or even 3 meals per day. Standards have a bit more tolerance to a single dinnertime feeding, however many can also benefit from having food split up into two servings. Several snacks can be given in between meals and this is particularly helpful is a Poodle is a fast eater. How Much to Feed a Poodle Exact serving size varies quite a bit depending on the type of food. There is a big difference in calories between wet vs dry and low quality vs high quality. And, the amount of food that a Poodle should be eating depends on the dog's age, activity level, individual metabolism, and health status. Even the weather can play a role since dogs tend to eat a bit more in the winter and a bit less in the summer. In regard to calorie requirements, puppies need more calories per pound than their adult counterparts, approximately 40 to 55 calories per pound, daily, compared to adult dogs that need about 35 to 45 calories per pound, daily. S enior Poodles typically have slower metabolisms and reduced mobility and therefore usually require slightly fewer calories, in the 40 calorie per pound range. If you are feeding your Poodle a commercial food, follow the suggested feeding guidelines. These are usually pretty spot-on. Since these are based on both age and weight, do not estimate how much your Poodle weighs but rather know what this is within a pound or two. If you are feeding your Poodle homemade food, a rough guideline for serving size is 1 ounce of food for each 1 pound of body weight, daily. As you can imagine, this can vary quite a bit depending on the exact ingredients. Using the 1 to 1 rule as a starting point, what your Poodle consumes within 15 minutes is usually a good amount for each meal. Wet vs Dry If a Poodle had their way, most would opt for wet food. However, dry food is recommended since this is much better for the gums and teeth. In addition, dry kibble tends to be easier on the stomach and intestines and a diet of all wet canned food can lead to runny stools. Grain vs Grain-free Until relatively recently, there was not much debate on this subject; if a dog tended to have gastrointestinal or allergy issues when on a diet with grains, they were switched to a grain-free recipe. However, this changed when it was discovered that several dogs that were breeds not prone to dilated cardiomyopathy developed that particular heart disease and also happened to be fed grain-free kibble. Lots of pet parents immediately thought that they needed to change their dogs back to grains; however, many more studies need to be done. In fact, the most recent update from the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University suggests that 'grain-free' alone may not be the issue at play. For now, it is theorized that a certain diet dubbed a BEG diet may be to blame. This stands for boutique small local brands with exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, bison, ostrich, venison, and kangaroo and grain-free along with peas, legumes, or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients. Currently there are no recalls of grain-free dog food brands and the FDA is still investigating any possible links including the BEG theory. If your Poodle does not do well with any grains at all, you may wish to stick to a brand that has traditional meats like chicken, turkey, or beef or a fish-based recipes. And, if you are not sure about which grains your Poodle may do okay with, you may wish to opt for wholesome non-wheat and non-gluten grains like rice brown or white , oatmeal, quinoa which is technically a seed. Exact recommendations for the best foods include both grain and grain-free options. Elements to Keep in Mind When Choosing Food for Your Poodle What to avoid: It's no wonder that pet parents have a difficult time navigating the many choices of dog foods in their quest to find the best brand to give their Poodle, there are a lot of ingredients to avoid: Artificial flavoring like MSG which can cause terrible allergic reactions. Artificial coloring. Some of the worst are Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2, and Yellow 6 which are linked to very serious issues including neurological and behavioral issues like insomnia and hyperactivity and serious health issues including some cancers. Chemical preservatives. This can be tricky to avoid since these do not always need to be labeled; if these are added to protect 'protein meals' in low levels, you'll never see it listed as an ingredient. These are meats and animal parts deemed unfit for human consumption. Examples are lungs, spleen, spinal tissue, genitals, hooves, beaks, intestines, and more. Generic meats or oils. This can, by law, be any species of animal whatsoever and are usually 4-D animal parts: Sourced from dead, diseased, dying, or disabled zoo animals, farm animals, or even roadkill. These are very common in cheaper subpar brands and are inexpensive ingredients that are added only to plump up the food but offer little to no nutritional value. Examples of fillers include corn, soy, wheat middlings, peanut hulls, oat husks, and cereal grains. Ingestion of fillers is a contributing factor in coprophagia eating feces and is linked to malnutrition. High grain count. Though some wholesome grains may be desired next section , high levels of wheat or gluten can cause upset stomach issues and allergies. What to look for: Knowing what to avoid can help you identify some of the better brands though exact recommendations are below. This means zero artificial additives. Natural preservatives. Wholesome ingredients. For meats and proteins this includes chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, rabbit, beef, and many types of fish including whitefish, haddock, salmon, and cod. You'll also want your Poodle to have some vegetables and fruits which provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Zero fillers. Every ingredient should serve the purpose of providing nutrients and never added simply to bulk up the recipe. The right balance of healthy grains. Though some Poodles will need to avoid all grains, most do very well with select non-wheat, non-gluten options including oatmeal, quinoa, and rice. Added extras. Next, we'll cover exact recommendations that fit all of the above criteria. Best Food for Poodles: Recommended Brands Please note that if you have not yet read ' Grain vs Grain-free ' section, you may wish to do so before continuing. Top recommend food with grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry. For larger miniatures and standards, you'll want to opt for their regular Complete Health. There are also puppy, adult, and senior formulas. All of these have no wheat, corn or other fillers, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, meat by-products, or chemical preservatives, so you can feel very confident that your filling your Poodle's bowl with truly wholesome, healthy food. These recipes also have excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acids. And, this is made in the USA. Halo Natural Holisitc Dog Food. This top brand has found its niche by offering a purely holistic, organic recipe with non-GMO veggies and fruits and meats with no antibiotics, no hormones, and no factory farming. The protein base is chicken and liver, the two grains in this are oats and barley, and vegetables and fruits include peas, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and sweet potato. All other ingredients are to naturally preserve the kibble or are vitamins and minerals. This particular recipe is for small breeds, however there is also an original for larger dogs. Halo is made in the USA. Top recommended food without grains: 1. Merrick is a great brand which offers this recipe for small breeds, like toy Poodles and another option for larger dogs which would include miniatures and standards. Protein bases include Texas beef, lamb, chicken, and salmon. There is no corn or other fillers, wheat, gluten, artificial additives, or chemical preservatives. And, there are excellent levels of omega-3 and both pre and probiotics. Merrick is also made in the USA. The CORE formula from Wellness is, by far, one of the very best grain-free foods on the market today. It hits very single checkbox of what you are ideally looking for in a food for your Poodle and it has some superior extras. There are excellent levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. There is both a small breed formula and an original formula for minis and standards as well as puppy recipes and a reduced fat option. Wellness is made in the USA. What to Feed Your Poodle if Home Cooking You will want to have a mix of protein, healthy grains, vegetables and fruits. Proteins can include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, veal, and fish cod, flounder, salmon, whitefish. Vegetables can include sugar snap peas, green beans, lima beans, spinach, peas, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and regular potato. Fruits can include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apple, and pear. Extras can include eggs, salmon oil, extra virgin olive oil, certain cheese with low levels of lactose Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, and cottage cheese and plain whole white yogurt. Note that if you home cook, you will want to include a daily vitamin and mineral since it is near impossible for any combination of foods to offer a dog every nutrient that they need. Snacks Snacks and treats are also an important part of a dog's diet. Dry treats often labeled as baked or crunchy are best to tide over the appetite in between meals. Moist or chewy treats are best when used as training rewards and to reinforce good behavior. Rapid ingestion of food can lead to gas, vomiting, or upset stomach and is linked to killer bloat. Types of Nuts that a Poodle Can Eat - If you are snacking away on some nuts and want to share them with your Poodle, see which ones are safe and which are not. Poodle Begging Behavior - Giving into begging for table scraps or extra snacks contributes to this bad habit. See how to react if your Poodle won't stop begging. Overly Picky Poodles - Read how to address finicky eaters to make mealtime less stressful for both of you. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Ingredients Due to their size and predisposition to certain health conditions, Toy Poodles need high-quality ingredients and nutrient-dense foods without a lot of empty calories. You should look for foods with gentle protein sources as the first ingredients, such as chicken or turkey, or wild-caught fish. After that, the rest of the nutrition should come from complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Antioxidants are foods that limit oxidative stress , which can lead to health problems like diabetes. Finally, fatty acids are healthy fat sources that contribute to brain, skin, and coat health. Kibble is hard and can help remove tartar from teeth, supporting dental health. Dry food is also lower in moisture content and may not upset their digestive system as much. If you want the best of both worlds, use dry kibble, and top it with a little wet food or a high-quality food topper. Image Credit: bodnar. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese Grapes and raisins Sweets and desserts Avocados Dogs can have dried cranberries as a treat, as these berries are good for digestive and bladder health. However, raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs and can lead to significant kidney failure. If you fear your dog has eaten raisins or grapes, reach out to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Dry Food Vs. Wet Food Dogs should rely on dry food as opposed to wet food. However, wet food should be a consistent portion of their diet. Although most dogs would eat only wet food if they could, too much wet food can cause digestive problems and make dogs sick. Dry food offers fibrous content that dogs need for a healthy bowel movement. Wet food offers food rife with vitamins and minerals — alongside an appealing taste for most dogs. However, dry food can help with tooth health and fight gum disease. A healthy combination of dry and wet food can lead to a well-balanced meal and a happy dog. The best possible dog food varieties include those that offer your Poodle only the healthiest and high-quality ingredients available. Although some of these dog food choices may be expensive, they also offer lean proteins like duck and sweet potato, so you know your Poodle is getting only the best from their diet. Although the first ingredient is a chicken by-product, this dog food option is rife with protein, vitamins, and minerals that will help your Poodle feel at the top of its game. The kibbles included in this dog food choice are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and contain vitamins that will assist in healthy coat formation and healthy gums. Not only is this brand recommended by vets around the world, but it also includes a flavor that dogs seem to love and ingredients that pet owners can feel good about. While the cost for this dog food option is a touch high, it offers the security of knowing that your dog will have all the nutrients and vitamins needed to live a long and healthy life. Each variety contains the exclusive Nutrivantage, and no filler or meat bi-product. Chicken meal and rice flavor. No Corn, no wheat, no soy, no meat bi-products. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Alongside lean protein and quality sources of fat, this dog food option also offers tons of vitamins and minerals. Although this dog food choice is expensive, it is also ideal for dogs who are currently training or need a boost in their performance. Contains one 1 30 lb. Blue Buffalo is notorious for making only the best dog food with real meat as the first ingredient. This is rife with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants that will help your Poodle thrive. Additionally, this dog food is also enhanced with vitamins and minerals specifically for immune system support. ALL NATURAL: Created by nutritionists, veterinarians and animal lovers, our recipes provide an ideal balance of nature's finest ingredients, carefully selected to nourish and sustain your dog's.However, the calorie content of this food is a little high, which can cause weight gain. Additionally, this dog food brand is more expensive than the average, although it does have everything your Poodle will need to keep them healthy and happy. Larger Poodles may not get all the nutrients and vitamins they need from this dog food option, as it is meant for smaller breeds. This choice may be the least expensive choice for dog food while maintaining high-quality ingredients and food rife with minerals and vitamins. There are no artificial ingredients, and there is plenty of protein in this food option. This brand prides itself on not including any animal by-products or fillers. This product is rife with vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy gums and a full coat. Poodles Require Special Nutrients Poodles need more protein than other dogs because of their lean shape, meaning that Poodles may require a unique brand of dog food that can offer enhanced vitamins, minerals, and protein content. Whether you are looking for the best Poodle dog food available on the market or preparing for adoption, these top seven dog food options stand apart from other dog food options because they offer more essential nutrients for your Poodle. Although some options are expensive, these brands can help your Poodle avoid harsh and destructive ingredients like artificial dyes linked with cancer in animals, fillers, and empty calories. Instead, they boast quality and put healthy dog food ahead of profit. Small Poodles may be less than 40 pounds, meaning they may need even more nutrient-dense food to accommodate their small stature — something these dog food brands are passionate about providing. With the best dog food for Poodles on this list, you can be sure that your Poodle is getting everything they need from its diet. Similar Posts. Royal Canin Health Nutrition Poodle Dog Food We saved the best for the last, Royal Canin dog food for small breed dogs, especially Poodles because it is made with a large number of ingredients. It contains specific fibers and resistant starches to help promote digestive health. It contains specific fibers and resistant starches to help promote the digestive health of toy poodles. Promotes beautiful skin and coat health, as well as clear eyesight. Pros Includes antioxidants for an active immune system. Omega fatty acids for strong heart and joints. Prebiotics supports healthy intestinal flora. The shiny coats also mean that this breed needs more baths and tends to shed more. Here are some factors to consider while selecting the finest nutritious dinner for your adorable Toy Poodle. Ingredients You should look for these ingredients in your dog food if you have a Toy Poodle. Lean meat, with the first ingredient being real meat instead of by-products or plant proteins Whole grains instead of added sugars. Whole grains are more nutrient-dense than their processed counterparts and give your dog energy without harmful additives like sugar and corn syrup. You should never offer your poodle pups any of the following ingredients: -Artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Poodle Diet And Nutrition: Toy poodles are small breed dogs that need a healthy and balanced diet. Nutritional deficiencies are common with smaller dog breeds due to their fast metabolisms, so they must receive the right amount of nutrients. Nutritional stress not only influences growth but also affects behavior, which in return can hinder training. Toy poodles tend towards obesity because of their small body size and high metabolism traits. Purebred poodle puppies are prone to hip dysplasia. It is essential to provide them with a nutritious diet so they can gain the weight needed for their bones and muscles during developmental periods. Poodle pups are highly active physically, making them susceptible to exhaustion or even obesity due to the lack of exercise and overfeeding. Toy poodles should eat real meat instead of by-products or plant proteins. Serving your poodle premium food will ensure they are getting the necessary nutritional value without added sugars or corn syrup. Nutritional deficiency is the most common type of nutritional deficiency for toy poodles and can affect their growth and behavior. Calcium deficiencies may cause problems with bone development such as rickets, bowed legs, and soft bones. This condition makes it hard for them to stand or walk properly. Protein Toy poodles need a lot of protein in their diet. Lean meats and poultry are considered to be the best sources for this particular dog breed. Healthy protein comes from meat, eggs, fish, poultry, and dairy products. These are all necessary components of a balanced diet for toy poodles. Protein is required to develop muscles and bones in your dog. Muscle development requires amino acids which are obtained from protein intake into the body through food or supplements. Carbohydrates provide dogs with energy, and they also make up the majority of the diet for toy poodles. However, it is important to keep in mind that most toys will need reduced amounts of carbs compared to larger breeds. Poodle dog food should not have more carbs than protein. For the health of your Toy Poodle, it is important to be aware of their carbohydrate content as more carbs can cause weight gain. Like carbohydrates, these should only make up a few ingredients on your dog food list. Fats are responsible for keeping your dog warm and healthy. Fats also keep their skin and fur in good shape, which is why they need to eat high-quality fats every day. The best sources of healthy fats are things like fish oil or salmon oil. A healthy weight should be maintained. Dog food containing these two fatty acids is great for their overall wellbeing. A diet rich in fatty acids will provide your furry friend with healthy skin and a beautiful, shiny topcoat 7. The more antioxidants your dog consumes, the stronger his or her immune system will be, and the better its natural defenses will protect him or her from illnesses. Antioxidants fight the free radicals that are linked to age-related diseases, diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease, and other illnesses. Any prebiotic is beneficial since it encourages the digestive system to absorb as many vitamins and minerals as possible. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the best diet for toy poodles. Some people prefer to feed their dog wet food, while others think that dry food is better. Ultimately, it is up to the pet owner to decide what they think is best for their dog. Choosing different dog foods for toy poodles is similar to choosing human food—you want it to be high in protein with minimal fats and carbs. If you want to be more specific, look for brands that contain chicken or lamb as the main ingredient. This will ensure your toy poodles have all the necessary proteins it needs to remain healthy and strong! The average lifespan of a toy poodle is years. Some health concerns that toy poodles face in their lifetime are: Obesity.

By Mary Beth Chubby Puppies are loveable, tumbling, stumbling toys that your children are bound to fall in love with. It includes one electronic chubby puppy, four mini puppies randomly selected and some bonus Paw Patrol stickers. Suitable for age 3 upwards. Not only is he super cute, but he presses the ice cream cart buttons in order to produce popsicles. A fun little set for any Chubby Puppies fan above the age of 4. This hilariously fun play set includes various tunnel obstacles, a tennis shoe toy, squirrel toy, dog carrier and an instruction sheet. Perfect for little collectors above the age of 4. Push your pups on the swing or let them enjoy the puppy-powered elevator. Includes one Pomeranian Chubby Puppy, 1 doggy house, 1 spinning dog bowl, 1 swing and instructions. Perfect for little Chubby Puppy collectors age 4 upwards. This adorable set includes a Chubby Puppy and Chubby Puppy baby, as well as a stroller and milk bottle. Using the handle, the King Charles can push the stroller all by herself! He has a sweet, excitable expression, soft grey fur and features the official Chubby Puppies logo. Measuring at 8 inches long and 6 inches tall, this pup is the perfect addition to any soft toy collection. With a cute little waddle, enjoy watching this pug walk across the floor all on his own in search for bacon. He measures at 6 by 4 inches and is suitable for children above the age of 3. Instruct him around the pole course and let him have the best fun ever. The set includes a ball, frisbee and a dog carrier to let him sleep in after a long workout. Suitable for ages 4 upwards. Prices Vary This adorable, big-eyed Golden Retriever pup simply loves chasing after his little pink ball. Throw it across the room and watch him waddle towards it in a humorous way. Perfect for any Chubby Puppies collector above the age of 4. Watch her play and have fun before treating her to a T-bone steak! Perfect for kids aged 4 upwards. Now you can collect this yellow short haired tabby cat and her little kitten to play with your Chubby Puppies collection. Watch them waddle across the floor in a hilarious way and cuddle them up together to sleep at night. For ages 4 upwards. Snuggle up to him at night, stroke his soft fur, or introduce him to your other plush toys for some great imaginative play. Perfect for children above the age of 3. With a hilariously cute waddle, both Mom and baby can walk around on their own for the best interactive play. Prices Vary Add this sweet, big-eyed Pekingese and her adorable baby pup to your expanding Chubby Puppies collection. Watch them both waddle around together in the most hilarious way. Perfect for little ones above the age of 4. Batteries are not included. Bulldog has an adorable expression and is eager to play! Let him drink from the included water bowl and interact him with your other Chubby Puppies for the best possible play. This cute, interesting collectable features a beautiful lavender coat and an adorable expression. Suitable for children above the age of 4. Watch them waddle across the floor in the most hilarious way. Interact them with your other Chubby Puppies for the best interactive fun. Introduce them to your other Chubby Puppies and have the best interactive fun. Perfect for children above the age of 4. This set includes one labradoodle figure and her cute little pup. Watch them waddle around as they walk across the room, and introduce them to the rest of your Chubby Puppies collection. Suitable for ages 3 upwards. Not only is he super cute, but also comes with a little pup of his own! Watch him walk across the room using a hilarious waddling motion. Perfect for collectors above the age of 4. Watch her waddle across the room in a unique and hilarious way. She also comes with a cute little hat that she can wear on her head. Great for little ones above the age of 4. Furthermore, he comes with his own adorable pup. Perfect for ages 4 upwards. Add her to your collection and introduce her to some new friends. She comes with a gorgeous princess tiara, so you can dress her up and watch her parade around! This fun Chubby Puppies set includes a boxer puppy, a hot dog accessory, cake accessory, fashion accessories, 2 hats and a carrier case. Perfect for little ones aged 3 upwards. Not only does he have the funniest wobbly walk, but comes with his own baby pup for company. Add him to your existing Chubby Puppies collection. Suitable for children aged 4 upwards. She comes with her own sweet little chihuahua pup, both of whom enjoy wobbling as they walk. Introduce them to your other Chubby Puppies for the best imaginative play. Husky is soft and squishy, while featuring an adorable, friendly face and gorgeous grey fur. Add her to your soft toy collection and introduce her to your existing Chubby Puppy plushes! Not only does she have a hilarious wobbly walk, but comes with her own removable mermaid tail! Perfect for Chubby Puppies collectors above the age of 4. He comes with a super cute fish themed bow tie that you can dress him up in and has a hilarious walk! Perfect for Chubby Puppies enthusiasts above the age of 4. She comes in a cute carrier case, with five fun accessories including a hair brush, jumping hoop and bow hand bag! Suitable for children above the age of 3. She comes in a pink carrier case, with five fun accessories including a hair brush, jumping hoop and heart shaped earrings! Now you can take her home and add her to your Chubby Puppies collection! Now you can add Dutch Bunny to your expanding Chubby Puppies collection. She even comes with a spotted peach colored bow-tie to wear! The Chubby Puppies and Friends Fashion set features a number of wing accessories and hats, as well as a comfortable carrier case to store it all in. Perfect for Chubby Puppies fans above the age of 4. Now you can add Shiba Inu to your expanding collection! Watch him waddle across the room in a hilariously unique way, while interacting him with his shoe accessory. Now you can add this adorable pup to your Chubby Puppies collection. Watch him wobble and waddle across the room in a hilarious way, and interact him with your other pups for the best imaginative play. Add him to your existing Chubby Puppies collection and watch him waddle across the room in the most hilarious way. Includes a unique squirrel toy accessory for him to play with! A fantastic toy to snuggle up to at night. It includes 1 Misty Spaniel Chubby Puppy, a fashion runway, camera accessories, fashion carrier, sticker sheet, photo booth sheets and 10 dress up items! A creative way to play! Prices Vary. For Fall , I designed 2 mini theme park sets, including a Ferris wheel and Puppy food themed train set. The Ferris wheel playset features a spinning Ferris wheel and popcorn stand that has popping popcorns just like at a real theme park! The Puppy train set includes 1 train engine and 3 themes baby carts: popcorn, cupcake and burger. Let your Chubby Puppy do the train driving. Place it inside and it automatically powers the train! This pup will use its little legs to get the train moving. All aboard. Snack-Themed Train Each compartment of this colourful train is decorated with a snack theme! Put your Chubby Puppy Babies into the hamburger, cupcake or popcorn compartments for a delicious ride. Load your fumbling, stumbling, tumbling pups into the three seats on the Ferris wheel, then turn the handle at the back to get things moving! Your puppies will spin and spin and spin — just like on a real Ferris wheel! Puppy-Powered Popcorn Stand! Get popping with your Purple Poodle included! Switch your Chubby Puppy on and put it behind the counter! This puppy-powered popcorn stand will start moving as your Purple Poodle makes a classic amusement park snack!

Petite Goldendoodle Help Dogs In Need Our blog posts aim to provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information on all types of dogs, helping our readers make informed choices that fit their lifestyle. We don't endorse any specific breeding practices, but advocate for ethical breeding and dog welfare. We encourage exploring adoption first. Countless wonderful dogs, from all breeds, await their forever homes in shelters. Remember, with AdoptDontShop, you can give a deserving rescue a second chance at happiness. Physical Characteristics How big do Merle Bulldogs get? Merle Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs that typically weigh between 40 to 60 pounds and stand around 16 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. Males are generally larger than females. While their size may vary, they are known for their muscular build and strong, sturdy frame. Coat and Colors Merle Bulldogs have a unique coat that is characterized by a marbled or mottled pattern of colors. The base color can range from white, cream, fawn, or brindle, and the merle pattern can appear in shades of blue, gray, black, or chocolate. The merle pattern can also be combined with other coat patterns such as piebald or ticking. It is important to note that merle Bulldogs should not be bred with other merle Bulldogs, as this can lead to health problems such as deafness and blindness. Facial Features Merle Bulldogs have distinctive facial features that make them easily recognizable. They have a large, square head with a broad muzzle and strong jaws. Their eyes are usually round and wide-set, and their ears are small and set high on their head. Merle Bulldogs also have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. Overall, Merle Bulldogs are a unique and visually striking breed with a distinctive coat and strong, sturdy build. Temperament and Behavior Merle Bulldogs are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They are loyal and loving towards their family and enjoy being around children. They are also known for being calm and patient, making them an excellent choice for families with young children. These dogs are generally well-behaved and easy to train. They are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Merle Bulldogs are also known for their protective nature. They are instinctively protective of their family and can be wary of strangers. However, with proper socialization, they can learn to be friendly towards strangers. Health Issues Common Health Problems Merle Bulldogs are prone to various health issues that can affect their quality of life. Due to their brachycephalic airway syndrome, they may experience breathing difficulties, especially during hot weather or exercise. Eye problems, including starburst pupils, microphthalmia, and eccentric pupils, are also common in this breed. Additionally, Merle Bulldogs may suffer from color dilution alopecia, skin and ear problems, and musculoskeletal issues. One of the most significant health concerns in Merle Bulldogs is deafness. It affects 9. How long do Merle Bulldogs live? On average, Merle Bulldogs live between 8 to 10 years. However, the lifespan of a Merle Bulldog can be affected by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Care and Maintenance Diet Requirements Merle Bulldogs require a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain optimal health. It is recommended to feed them high-quality dog food that is specifically formulated for Bulldogs. The food should contain a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It is important to avoid overfeeding, as Merle Bulldogs are prone to obesity, which can lead to various health issues. Owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of food for their Merle Bulldog based on their age, weight, and activity level. It is also important to provide fresh water at all times. Exercise Needs Merle Bulldogs have moderate-to-mild exercise needs, requiring a daily walk or playtime to keep them healthy and active. However, they are not overly energetic and are content with lounging around the house. It is important to avoid overexertion, especially in hot weather, as Merle Bulldogs are prone to overheating. Owners should provide a safe and secure outdoor space for their Merle Bulldog to play and exercise. They should also supervise their dog during outdoor activities to prevent injury or escape. Grooming Merle Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. They should be brushed regularly to remove loose hair and keep their coat glossy. Merle Bulldogs are prone to skin allergies and infections, so it is important to keep their skin clean and dry. Owners should bathe their dog as needed, using a mild dog shampoo. It is also important to trim their nails with pet guillotine nail clippers regularly to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. Overall, Merle Bulldogs are low-maintenance dogs that require a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and regular grooming to maintain optimal health. Training a Merle Bulldog Merle Bulldogs can be stubborn at times and they are not the easiest dogs to train. They respond best to a clear and consistent routine, so it is important to establish rules and boundaries early on and stick to them. Use the same commands and gestures consistently, and make sure everyone in the household is on the same page when it comes to training. Positive Reinforcement Merle Bulldogs respond well to positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and playtime. Use these rewards to encourage good behavior and reinforce training. Avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement, as this can cause your Merle Bulldog to become fearful or aggressive. Socialization Socialization is key to training a Merle Bulldog. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments early on to help them become well-adjusted and confident. This will help prevent behavioral issues such as fearfulness or aggression. Exercise Merle Bulldogs are active and energetic, so it is important to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks, playtime, and training sessions can help keep them happy and healthy. Training Classes Consider enrolling your Merle Bulldog in training classes or working with a professional trainer. This can help you establish a strong foundation for training and address any behavioral issues early on. By following these tips and establishing a consistent routine, you can help your Merle Bulldog become a well-behaved and obedient companion. Legal and Ethical Issues Merle bulldogs have become increasingly popular in recent years, but there are several legal and ethical issues associated with breeding and owning these dogs. Breeding The breeding of merle bulldogs is a controversial topic in the dog breeding community. Merle is a dominant gene that can cause health problems when two merle dogs are bred together. While responsible breeders will avoid breeding two merle dogs together, some breeders continue to do so for profit or to produce more merle puppies. This practice is unethical and can lead to significant health issues for the puppies. For example, in Australia, merle Chihuahuas cannot be bred due to their association with health problems. In many countries, there are also increasing calls to restrict breeding dogs with extensive health issues, including popular breeds like the Bulldog and Pug. Even in countries where merle bulldogs are legal, there are ethical considerations to take into account when owning one. Merle bulldogs may require more health care than other breeds due to their predisposition to certain health issues. Additionally, some people argue that breeding merle bulldogs for their unique coat pattern is unethical, as it can lead to health problems for the dogs. Overall, while merle bulldogs can make wonderful pets, it is important for breeders and owners to consider the legal and ethical issues associated with the breed. Yet, every year, countless Bulldogs end up in shelters or with rescue organizations due to various reasons such as abandonment, mistreatment, or overpopulation. While the allure of a puppy from a breeder can be tempting, there are numerous compelling reasons to consider adoption instead. By adopting, you give one of them a fresh start filled with love and care. Combat Overpopulation: By choosing adoption, you become part of the solution to pet overpopulation, reducing the demand for puppies bred purely for sale. Save Money: Adoption fees are often less than purchasing a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, rescue Bulldogs are typically spayed or neutered and have their vaccinations up-to-date, saving you those initial veterinary costs. Support Responsible Care: Rescue organizations often provide necessary medical care, behavioral assessments, and training to ensure that your new pet is healthy and well-adjusted. Photo from Pinterest Blue Merle English Bulldogs get along with children, so they make great family pets. A Blue Merle English Bulldog is a black dog but the merle gene lightens their original color. Random parts of the black coloring are diluted to a bluish-grey shade. Some Blue Merle English Bulldogs have a primarily gray-blue coat with a couple of black patches. Without the merle gene, this breed would have a solid black color. Personality Blue Merle English Bulldogs are brave and reliable dogs who love to have fun. One of the best things about them is that they are easy-going. This breed is happiest when they are being petted or just relaxing together with their humans. However, they can be quite obstinate. You may need to coax them to do something. Blue Merle English Bulldogs respond well to training techniques that use positive reinforcement. Since they are strong willed, it is easier to encourage them with rewards than forcing them using violence. They are intelligent dogs that love to learn however, because they cannot do a lot of physical exercise due to their build, you have to keep their mind engaged and busy. Socialization is also important for this breed. Bulldogs were originally bred for fighting, so some of them can be cautious of other dogs. Your dog will be confident and relaxed around other pets and people. In fact, you might have a hard time getting your dog to walk. This breed is perfect for those who are too busy to walk their dog every day. They are ideal for families that have other pets such as cats. Great with Children This breed can put up with kids due to their laid-back nature. Excellent Watchdogs Blue Merle English Bulldogs will defend their owners and even confrontenemies much larger than them. They are also not fond of intruders. Blue Merle English Bulldogs are loyal and dependable. They will bark or growl if they feel threatened or intimated. Their short legs and wrinkles make them adorable. Puppies can also be extremely energetic but they start to calm down once they reach adulthood. How to Care for Blue Merle English Bulldogs This breed is prone to skin infections and dental problems, so taking care of them can be time-consuming. You have to check their mouth every day. Look for signs of unpleasant odor or tooth decay that could point to tooth or gum problems. You also need to keep the folds of their skinclean and dry because they can be susceptible to infection. Inspect their neck folds and facial folds as well as the folds around their tail base. You can use a damp cotton wool to remove any debris or dirt you see. Their tail should be cleaned as well, especially if it is screwed. By keeping their folds dry and clean, you can prevent skin problems from developing. Blue Merle English Bulldogs have a short, smooth and straight coat. You only need to brush their coat once a week. You can use a standard dog brush to manage their coat. Health Issues Blue Merle English Bulldogs are more likely to develop weight and joint issues due to their short bodies. They may not need a lot of exercise, but you should still keep them active by taking them out for a walk every day. By doing so, you can reduce their risk of gaining weight and developing joint problems. Feeding Blue Merle English Bulldog Puppies One of the most important things to keep in mind when feeding this breed is to change their food brand slowly. This will prevent them from having an upset stomach. Change their food completely the following week. Feed puppies 3 times a day for the first 4 months after their arrival. You can feed them 2 times a day once they turn 6 months old. At 12 months, they can be fed once a day. They should be given a well-balanced diet. Make sure that the first 1 or 2 ingredients are meat, followed by veggies and grains. If your pup develops skinproblems, vomiting or other symptoms of food intolerance, you should talk to the vet to determine the real cause of the problem. Chocolate, chives, garlic, onions, alcohol, avocado and nuts are harmful to dogs. It is also important to watch their weight. Since this breed can gain weight easily, you should monitor their body condition score. A dog whose weight is normal has a tucked abdomen. His ribs can be felt, but not obviously seen. A dog that is underweight has an excessive abdomen tuck and his ribs can be easily seen and felt. Merle English Bulldogs have a rare coat pattern that features mottled patches of various colors depending on whether they are a blue merle, lilac merle, tri merle or black merle. The merle gene dilutes random sections of the coat to a lighter color whilst leaving patches of their original coat color remaining. It may also affect eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. Despite the captivating look of a Merle English Bulldog, prospective owners should be aware that they are often a result of poor breeding practices and because of this may suffer from ocular and auditory defects. That is not to say that all Merle English Bulldogs are the result of poor breeding practices or that they will have these health issues but there is a higher risk than an ordinary English Bulldog. They are also not usually accepted by other English Bulldog breed clubs. They are disqualified from registration eligibility because merle is considered to be an undesirable and unrecognized coat color as it does not conform with breed standards. This is mainly because the merle gene does not naturally occur in the lineage and there are many health issues connected to the gene. Merle English Bulldog via roycee. Technically, Merle English Bulldogs are not purebred as the merle gene does not occur naturally for the breed. It was introduced by crossing a merle Great Dane, a breed that naturally carries the merle gene, with an English Bulldog. The merle gene was introduced into the breed many years and generations ago so Merle English Bulldogs only have a very small percentage of Great Dane genes in them and are mainly English Bulldogs. Merle English Bulldogs have been around for over a decade. Are Merle English Bulldogs Rare? The main reason why Merle English Bulldogs are rare is because breeders often avoid breeding the merle coat color. This is because it is much more complex breeding Merle English Bulldogs as breeders have to carefully track lineage to ensure healthy litters. Breeders cannot breed two Merle English Bulldogs together otherwise they will be Double Merles and may suffer from severe ocular defeats and auditory issues. Double Merles also are likely to have no coloring in their fur and often appear completely white. Merle English Bulldogs are so expensive because they are a rare and exotic looking coat color. There is high demand for them and there are not many available. The relatively low supply and high demand is the main reason for their exorbitant prices. Check out the adorable English Bulldog puppies that are currently available here! PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over , puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! Blue Merle English Bulldogs feature blue, grey, white and tan colors in their coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue with smaller white and tan patches throughout it. Blue Merle English Bulldogs usually have black or grey noses with pink patches noses and can either have brown or blue eyes.

Final Thoughts Congratulations on adding a Golden Retriever to your family. These friendly pups make fantastic pets. Just be sure they receive adequate exercise and stimulation to help positively release their energy. A trained Golden Retriever can do amazing things, like serve as a companion dog. Enjoy your new pet, and good luck finding a name! More Dog Name Ideas Another great place for dog names is our online generator. It lets you pick your favorite name styles or themes and then generates a list of ideas tailored to you and your dog. Style options include cute, funny, tough, elegant, and more. The themes span everything from movies, TVs, books and comics, to history, food, music, and so on. Is the name easy to say? Sure, some names look good on paper, but in real life they could be quite tough to say. Before you lock in on a name, say it a few times to ensure it rolls off the tongue. Is it right for your dog? Say it out loud a few times. Was it easy to say out loud? Can you imagine loudly calling for your furry friend with this name? Trust your gut! Share this post:. Unique Tips For Choosing The Best Name For Your Golden Retriever You are probably wondering what are some good names for a golden retriever and is there any way of narrowing the list of several names to a manageable few. Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best name for your golden retriever: Use Personal Names: Naming your dog is important since this is the name you will have to live with for a long time. Hence, it is a good idea to consider names you have heard and already like. Instead, take some time to research different names and meanings; you will know when you find the right one. Ask For Advice: Talk with your family and friends and see what name they would give to your dog. You may get inspired or end up liking the names they have suggested. So, spend more time with your new puppy and get to know them better. Listen To Yourself: The right name will feel the best right from the start. Most golden retriever names are short and sweet, mainly because shorter names are easier to pronounce and for a dog to learn and remember. While not impossible, it can be a bit tricky for dogs to learn long names with a lot of syllables. A good name for a male golden retriever is short and easy to pronounce so your dog can learn quickly. Nevertheless, it is up to you to pick and decide which name is best suited for your dog based on your preferences. There are many cool dog names you can give to your golden retriever, just make sure that both you and your pooch are fans of a particular name. If you have a hard time picking just one of several names, say them one at a time to your pup and see which one gets their attention. There is no shortage of cute golden retriever names that can be a perfect moniker for your adorable pooch. Whichever name you decide to choose, make sure you can pronounce it easily and that you can call it out quickly. There is a wide selection of male and female golden retriever names to choose from, so I broke them up for you into: The top names for this year Brave and loyal golden retriever names Hunting and tracking inspired names Cute names for golden retrievers Take your time to read through all the names; you will know when you find the best one for your golden retriever. You May Also Like.

Pugs will eat as much as you give them. Measure your pug's food and feed him small meals at scheduled times. As he ages, decrease how often he eats. He should eat four times a day. High-quality dry foods and wet foods are nutrient-dense, so your little guy will not need as much of it as he would lower-quality foods. You can find high-quality puppy foods in pet stores and at your veterinary clinic. Avoid semi-moist puppy foods because they contain high amounts of sugar. Adjust the amount so he is still getting his daily requirement. He may want more; but as long as he is at a healthy weight, don't start giving him extra food. Pugs gain weight easily. Obesity in pugs can lead to muscle and joint problems, diabetes and heart disease. It is doubtful that you will need to increase the amount of food per day even though your pug is growing. Your vet may suggest that you decrease the amount of food if your pug is starting to gain weight. Some owners prefer to continue the twice-a-day feedings because pugs have a smaller stomach than larger dogs. It's hard for them to digest a large amount in one feeding. It is now time to consider adult food. Introduce the new food slowly so he doesn't have difficulty digesting it. If you are concerned that your pug is not getting enough to eat, look at his shape. He should be broad at the shoulders and narrower beyond the shoulders, with a slight widening in the rump area. If his shape is square, he is getting too much food. More Articles. You may find yourself on the dog food isle trying to make sense of all the ingredients, types of foods and categories. And all you want to know is… How often and what should I feed my Pug? Every dog is different, every type of food has its specific quantities and it even varies between brands. Start simple and figure out all the details and methods. I have collected information about the different types, brands pros and cons of dog feeding to try and give an unbiased as much as I can look, so you can make a better-informed choice which will be right for you and your Pug. Remember, people care deeply about their dogs and will often get very emotional about the health and feeding they chose. Having been the owner of a pet store, I have learned that although I have my personal preferences and very good reasons for them, others may have different choices and they believe they are the right ones for them. There are a lot of issues to consider. How Many times a day should I feed My Pug? A mature Pug can easily live a healthy life with one meal which provides all his nutritional needs. In most cases, it is more convenient for both us and the pug to split this to two meals. If your Pug had a full meal in the morning, be sure he will nag you like crazy in the afternoon. Puppies have smaller stomachs and need, relative to their size, a larger quantity of food so it is better to break it up to three or even four meals a day. If you are around your Pug all day and prefer to give 4 meals a day to a mature dog, there is no harm in it, as long as the overall daily quantity stays the same. Free Buffet or Set meals? Pugs are notorious for becoming overweight and need to be limited to a set amount. If your Pug is not typical in that sense, you are welcome to put the full daily portion in the bowl and see how long it lasts. One more reason for set meals is monitoring. You want to know how much you Pug eats. If you want your Pug to lose weight, you need to know how much he is eating in order to cut down. On the flip side, if your Pug is not eating the usual amounts it may be an indication of a medical condition. What food do Pugs Eat? Pugs love food. They love treats, dry food, wet food, table scraps, raw meat, cooked meat, spicy meat and meat gone bad. In rural areas and farms, they may have also got more meaty scraps. Our Pugs who grew up with Emperors and Royalty were probably treated to high quality scraps. Today, dry bagged kibble or canned wet food are the standard for most homes, although there is a growing number of people and companies promoting more natural diets of either raw or cooked food for dogs. Every type of food claims to be the healthiest, more appropriate, tailored and nutritional. Kibble Kibble is the most common dog food available and has become the staple for the average dog. Pros of Kibble The makers of dry food claim it has the most balanced and scientifically based formulas to provide the best nutrition for a dog. They also tailor these formulas to dogs of different size, breed, age or other needs. Even the most discerning dog owners should be able a composition to satisfy them. The ingredient list is unclear and misleading. There are numerous food recalls yearly. There are websites dedicated just to keep up with the recalls. Teeth are going to need cleaning. Wet canned food Aside from the meatier texture and the higher water content, there is little difference between kibble and the canned, wet counterpart. The ingredients can be similar and so are the health benefits. Some dog owners report that wet food makes for softer stools when fed exclusively. Many dog owners will give a combination of wet and dry food. Home cooked As with human food there is a growing number of people fed up Pun intended with commercial and over engineered food. Raw food Also called the BARF Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods , the idea behind it is that the dogs digestive system has not evolved as their behavior, and much like wild dogs or wolves, they should eat the equivalent to small animals they would pray on in nature. Since dogs are also scavengers this diet will include some vegetables, berries etc. The pros As with the home-cooked diet, you have total control of ingredients and quality No preservatives, additives, fillers etc. You need to learn how to make, takes time Ingredients like bones and internal organs may not be available in your area. Can be pricy. Even More expensive if buying ready and frozen. Takes freezer space Raw Disclaimer I am a little bias towards raw food. I used to own a pet food store specializing in raw food for cats and dogs and I have been feeding my own Pugs raw food for over twelve years. Obviously, I am very happy with the raw diet and its outcomes as switching to dry food would have been easy and cheap. I believe it is the better choice for myself and my dogs. I believe I have presented the facts fairly objectively as far as the other feeding options go. There is no standard or way to measure what natural is and what the added value of it is other then the origin of it. Natural color could come from some secretion of an insect. Special Needs Puppies These little ones need the most nutritious and high-quality food you can find. If you want to find an economic way to feed your dog, please do it later in his life. Allergies Pugs are relatively sensitive to allergies. In some cases, this is due to an external source such as home detergents, but more often than not it has to do with their diet. There are a few brands that you can try with low, or no grain. If you are feeding your pug home cooked food or a raw diet, taking the carbs and grain out would be easy. Our Pugs were and are on a raw diet from day one and we never had any issues with allergies, except for one time. We started noticing that Preston had pinkish skin around his paws and around the nose fold. Since we owned a pet food store specializing in raw food, at the time convenient, I know we tried different types of meats, but nothing helped. It took us some time to realize the cause. We had our baby daughter at the time, and since she was very close and intimate with Preston, and he was eating raw, we made sure to wipe his mouth and feet with baby wipes after every meal. The baby wipes were the culprits. We switched them both to hypo-allergenic wipes and the skin went back to normal… Hip Dysplasia Pugs are ranked as one of the breeds with the highest chances of suffering from Hip Dysplasia. This can lead to trouble in walking and running and arthritis may follow as well. If your Pug is suffering from Hip Dysplasia to any extent you may want to either supplement their diet with Chondroitin and Glucosamine or to choose a brand that is made for joint support. Vets and nutrition. Having said that, if I needed nutritional advice, I would go to a nutritionist and not to my Doctor. The nutrition training vets get in many schools is provided by agents of the commercial food companies who are bias at best. Skipping meals Dogs will sometimes skip a meal. It is natural for them as food is not something that was always available on daily base. It is not typical for Pugs but it may happen. If it happens it will probably be a one meal deal. If your Pug misses a few meals in a row you may want to consult a vet. Treats and snacks I try and think of treats and snacks the same way I think of candy for my daughters. If the amount of treats your Pug is rivals the actual food, in quantity, you should reconsider or at least re calculate it. If you are using kibble both at meals and as treats for training, and your stubborn Pug ends up consuming a lot of treats, just take it off the next meal. The same goes for snacks. They should be a part of the total daily feeding and not extra. How long can a pug go without eating? An adult Pug can probably survive many days without food, but no Pug would stand for it. Unless your Pug has a medical condition, he will surely let you know he is hungry. Do make sure that your Pug is not deprived of fresh drinking water at all times. More so if the weather is hot and if he is on a dry food diet and has no other source of hydration. What if my Pug is overweight? Pugs love to eat and have a tendency to eat too much. A chubby Pug is very cute, but at some point, it becomes a health issue. Overweight Pugs may suffer from a wide range of conditions and or aggravate others. Conclusion Food is an important part of your Pugs life and will directly affect his health and well-being. Do make sure you know what your Pug is eating, the quality as well as the quantities. Actually, yes. This is an actual condition called Eye Displacement or Proptosis. It is not a common occurrence but with extreme trauma or circumstances it may happen. In most cases the condition is treatable. More on the condition here… Are Pugs Loving? Pugs have been bred as companion dogs for over two thousand years. Being with people is almost in their DNA. So yes, Pugs love to cuddle, snuggle and just be in contact or as close as they can to their human friends. More on Pug Love here. Best Dog Foods for Pugs Choosing the right dog food for a Pug is essential as this will ensure that it gets proper nutrition. However, this can be challenging and time-consuming, considering that there is a lot to choose from. Whether you choose to feed your Pug commercial, homemade food, or raw food, make sure that they are of good quality and recommended by a trusted veterinarian. Proper nutrition is one of the factors that affect their lifespan. Below is a list of the best dog food choices for your Pug: Dry Food: One of the best options for Pugs is dry dog food as it is widely available, cheap, and has a long shelf life. These are packed with all the nutrients essential for your Pug. Wet Food: Wet dog food is another good option for Pugs. Its flavor and texture make it more appealing to Pugs than dry food. Wet food contains fewer grains, making it healthier and easier to digest. However, wet canned food has a shorter shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening. Wet foods are also more expensive than dry foods. Homemade Food: Your Pug may benefit from cooked food consisting of chicken, eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables. The process is time-consuming, but it is less expensive and more convenient in the long run, especially if you plan on giving them a grain-free diet. Raw Food: Raw food diet for most Pugs results in better digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system in Pugs. Mixing any of the aforementioned food choices is also good. Hence, you may want to try dog food alternatives to fit your budget. With their sensitive little stomachs, some foods can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and can even be lethal. Below is a list of food that you should completely avoid feeding to your Pug: Alcohol: Any amount of alcohol is hazardous for Pugs. Pugs do not have the enzyme to metabolize alcohol. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , breathing problems, and central nervous system CNS impairment. Avocado: Avocado contains persin , a fungicidal toxin that has been linked to the death of many animals, including Pugs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage in large quantities. As a result, even small amounts of chocolate can cause poisoning. Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid , which causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure among Pugs. Unfortunately, even one whole grape can cause irreversible damage and death in small breeds like Pugs. Macadamia nuts and walnuts: While the exact reason why they are poisonous is unknown, it is best to avoid giving them to your Pugs entirely. In Pugs, macadamia and walnuts can cause diarrhea, weakness, breathing problems, and pancreatitis. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which damages the oxygen-carrying substances in red blood cells. Ingestion of these vegetables can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia. Xylitol: In Pugs, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. It is frequently found in gums, candies, syrups, and toothpaste. Pugs should avoid the foods listed above at all costs. Food with high sugar content: If your Pug consumes too much sugar, it is more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Food with high sugar content can also give Pugs an upset stomach. Salty food: Just like sugar, too much salt can cause health problems in Pugs. If left unchecked, it has the potential to poison your Pug. Excessive salt consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure. Milk and dairy products: Because the majority of Pugs are lactose intolerant , dairy products can make them sick. They will have digestive problems because they are unable to break down lactose. This causes gastrointestinal blockage and death if left unattended. If you think your Pug has accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods, bring your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic for appropriate treatment. Transitioning to a new brand or type of food may be beneficial to their well-being and development. For most dogs, transitioning to new dog food can be difficult. Fortunately, Pugs are not born picky eaters, so changing their diet will be easier. The ideal transition for Pugs should be gradual changes spread over three weeks. Do this until they are comfortable with the new food. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how to transition your Pug to a new food: Days. Still, you may discover information about how much to feed a Pug puppy here if you were unaware of the specifics before. Pugs are very food-motivated and will do just about anything for a tasty treat. Unfortunately, pugs gain weight as fast as any other dog breed. You are, supposedly, what you eat. The pug is a little dog, so even a slight increase in weight might be noticeable. Because of their tiny stature and low activity levels, pug pups have a lower caloric need than puppies of other breeds. Because of their unique nutritional needs, small-breed puppies should be fed food that has been developed particularly for them. Furthermore, make sure the puppy food you choose has all the nutrients it needs, and ask your physician for recommendations on how much and how often to feed the puppy. By the age of three to four weeks, you may begin feeding your puppy solid food. Mix equal parts of puppy chow and milk replacer as a first step. Give a little bit teaspoons many times a day. Weaning off of milk and onto solid food is complete when a pug puppy reaches this age. Independence from their mother and siblings and other littermates may begin to emerge. Puppies may start interacting socially and maturing rapidly at this age. Water should be kept fresh at all times. This is a good age to start teaching children to use the restroom without assistance. At this age, pug pups are full of energy and wonder. As they become older, puppies often become more receptive to training and socializing. There may be a period of boundary testing when they need constant guidance in training and socializing. Baby teeth may start falling out and adult teeth emerging in puppies. Proper potty training should have been completed. They may begin to express themselves more openly and build their own identities. Get started on the changeover to puppy food for adult dogs. They may test limits and need ongoing socialization and discipline. Make sure they get lots of exercise to keep their weight in check. Their interests and preferences in playthings and other pursuits may become more clearly defined. Maintain a high volume of physical activity and intellectual challenge. Pug pups achieve their full size at this point, however they may continue to gain weight. As puppies become older, they often become more devoted to their families and develop stronger bonds with them. The amount they eat should be adjusted based on their weight. At reaching adulthood, pugs often slow down and spend more time lounging. They may set in their ways, but they can still be taught new tricks with enough repetition. Aging symptoms in adult pugs include the development of gray hair and a general slowing down of activity. Understanding Pug Puppy Nutritional Needs Depending on factors including their age, weight, and level of activity, the calorie needs of Pug puppies might change over time. Pug puppies, on the whole, may need anything from to calories each day. The food of a Pug puppy should consist of between 22 and 25 percent protein, since this is the macronutrient most crucial for promoting healthy muscle and tissue development. Consuming between 8 and 10 percent of their calories from fat is recommended for optimal health and energy levels. To maintain a healthy skin and coat, they need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well. High-quality commercial puppy chow designed for pups is what you should be feeding your Pug. The growth and development of pug pups may be supported by feeding them multiple little meals throughout the day. Feeding them three to four times a day till they are roughly six months old is the norm. To figure out how often and how much to feed your Pug puppy, talk to your vet. Having access to clean water at all times is also crucial. Puppies of the Pug breed need three meals every day. For ages 8 weeks to 6 months, try to stick to this schedule for feedings. As soon as your Pug reaches 6 months of age, you may begin reducing the number of times each day it is fed to twice. Kibble is practical since it may aid in the prevention of tartar accumulation and can be stored easily. Yet, the added moisture provided by wet foods may aid in the fight against dehydration and support efficient digestion. Wet food may have a better texture and flavor for certain Pug pups, while kibble may be a better choice for others. You should talk to your vet about what kind of food and how often you should feed your Pug puppy. Yet the specific time might vary from dog to dog based on their nutritional requirements. To prevent stomach trouble, the change should be made slowly over the course of a few weeks. Puppy anorexia may be caused by several things, including sickness, dental issues, stress, and dietary or habit changes. In the meanwhile, you may try introducing a new kind of food or moistening their normal kibble with a little quantity of wet food or broth to pique their interest. Do not feed your Pug puppy any human food or table scraps since this might cause gastric discomfort and other health issues. Pugs have a tendency toward becoming overweight and overeating, which may lead to a host of medical complications. Instead, you should make sure your Pug puppy is receiving the right quantity of food by sticking to a regular feeding schedule and controlling portions. This may improve general conduct and aid in the process of teaching toilet independence. This formula is designed for purebred Pugs. Little dogs with short muzzles may easily pick up and chew the kibble design. This meal supports Pug immunological, skin, and digestive health with antioxidants and important nutrients. Supports digestive health 2. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins strengthen bones and teeth in this specifically prepared combination. Vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants for immune system, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair No corn, wheat, soy, or chicken or poultry by-product meal Cons May contain artificial flavors 3. This puppy chow supports strong muscles and a healthy heart by starting with high-quality protein. Antioxidants and natural glucosamine will maintain his joints for a lifetime of sports. Pros Protein-rich chicken is the first ingredient DHA aids puppy brain and visual development Four antioxidants boost immunity Omega-6, vitamins, and minerals for skin and coat No artificial flavors or preservatives. Aug 25, Share An important part of taking good care of your Pug puppy is making sure that they are properly fed and that they get all the nutrients that they need to grow strong and healthy. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and if your Pug is like most, they seem to like anything that they are fed. Luckily, there are many commercial foods available on the market. There is also the raw doggy food diet that seems to keep getting more popular as time goes on. But what kind of dog food is right for your Pug? How much should you be feeding them? What will the dog not eat? Are there special considerations for a senior Pug? The answers to these questions and more can be found in our Pug feeding guide below. What you do decide to feed your pooch should be based on the quality of the food, no matter the type, and your personal feeding preferences. Here is what can be on the table for your Pug. Image credit: PxHere Commercial Dry Food Kibble Commonly referred to as kibble, commercial dry dog food is the most common and widely available option on the market. Manufacturers of this type of food work hard to balance the ingredients and create a completely balanced nutritional profile for dogs like your Pug. In fact, some brands, like Royal Canin, offer puppy and adult foods made just for Pugs. Whether you choose a dry dog food made just for Pugs or one made for dogs in general, it should include real meat or animal meal as one of the first ingredients on the list. The upside to commercial dry dog food is that it is affordable and easy to administer. It is also typically easy to store for the long term without worrying about it spoiling. The downside is that it tends to be dehydrating, so water should be available to your Pug throughout the day. Commercial Wet Food Commercially made wet dog food tends to be more nutrient-dense than dry food because it contains fresher ingredients and usually has fewer grains, if any at all. Most wet foods have real whole meat or seafood and broth as the first ingredients. Sometimes, veggies are thrown in for good measure, but many are meat-centric to meet the high protein needs of your growing Pug. Wet food is not as easy to store as dry food is, because it must be refrigerated after being opened. However, Pugs tend to enjoy the flavor and texture of wet food more than dry. Wet food is also a little more expensive than dry food, especially when trying to feed Pugs that are full-grown and in their prime. Raw Food A raw food diet is said to result in better digestion, a healthier coat and immune system , optimal dental health, and less susceptibility to allergies among other things. A raw food diet typically consists of quality meat, a source of calcium such as bones , animal organs, and a lower fat count than most commercial foods offer. Feeding your Pug a raw food diet will take commitment and a strong understanding of the nutrition that they need. This type of diet can be expensive and can require storage space in the fridge and freezer. It is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian to put together a complete meal plan to follow if you choose to go this route. It is a freeze-dried raw food supplement that is delicious and nutritious. The process requires about a day of cooking in the kitchen, but the time that you spend in your kitchen should yield enough food for your pooch to eat all week long. You will just have to store the leftovers in the fridge each day until the entire batch has been offered and consumed. Homemade dog food usually consists of whole meat like chicken, eggs, fish oil or flaxseed, brown or white rice, possibly vegetables like carrots and peas , and maybe even supplements of some kind. It depends on what kind of recipe you decide to follow. Any recipe that you consider feeding your dog should be approved by your veterinarian first. But you can quickly tell whether your pooch is being underfed or overfed by checking out their physique every day. If your dog is underfed for too long, you could notice signs like lethargy and an unwillingness to interact with family members. If your dog is overfed, they may succumb to problems like diabetes. If you find that your dog is getting underweight, start feeding them up to an extra cup of food each day. Reduce the amount by up to a cup if your dog is getting pudgy and out of shape. To help avoid under and overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding directions on the packaging of any commercial food you buy for them. If you decide to go the raw or homemade food route, your veterinarian can provide you with a feeding guide. You are free to use this image, but please give credit back to Hepper. Extra immune support is also typically present in puppy food. Once Pugs become adults, they are not as active as when they were pups, and they are not growing at exponential rates, if at all. Therefore, they need food with less protein than what puppies get. Pugs can typically switch to adult dog food between the ages of 9 and 12 months because much of their growth will be complete at this time. The tricky part is the actual process of switching your pooch from puppy to adult dog food. If not done slowly and intentionally, switching to a new food can cause digestion issues for your dog that could create messes around the house. Lethargy and nausea may follow. Finally, offer only adult food. There are many reasons why your Pug might seem like they do not have an appetite. The first thing to consider is whether you are overfeeding them. If your pooch does not want to eat their last meal of the day, they could simply be full and satisfied. However, other issues could lead to a pup not eating such as: Dental Problems. If your Pug has a toothache or some other kind of dental problem, they may not be comfortable eating. Check for red gums, bleeding, and tenderness throughout the mouth. If something unusual is detected, consult your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Recent Vaccinations. Vaccines can cause side effects, including a lack of appetite. So, if your Pug does not seem to want to eat for a day or two after getting vaccinated, this is normal. Uncomfortable Surroundings. If your pooch goes on an adventure with you and is expected to eat their meal in a situation that is not familiar to them, they may pass on the meal altogether in favor of waiting until they get to what they feel is a safe space to eat. Even if your dog seems fine in every other way, a lack of wanting to eat could mean an illness of some kind is brewing. If you cannot find any other reason for a lack of appetite, you should see your vet as soon as possible. Adult Pugs will generally eat about a cup of dry commercial dog food each day or the equivalent, although certain differences might scale this amount up or down as time goes on. Here are the most important factors to consider. Active vs. Sedentary More active dogs will require more food than those that tend to be sedentary. If your pooch takes multiple walks every day, spends a great deal of time playing with kids throughout the day, or enjoys outdoor time with family members each afternoon, chances are that your dog will need a little more food than the average pooch. If your pooch takes only one short walk each day and spends most of their time lounging around the house, chances are that they should be fed as sedentary dogs. Spayed vs. Neutered Sometimes, dogs that are not spayed or neutered eat more than the average pooch. This is because they tend to be more active and excitable, which results in the need for more calories to support their energy needs. Pregnancy Pregnant Pugs need up to twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need. Instead of feeding your pregnant dog puppy or adult food, consider a food designed for all life stages that indicates its suitability for pregnancy. This type of food offers more protein and fat than adult food to support the extra growth they go through, but not as much as puppy food, which could make them overweight after the birth. What Foods Are Bad for Pugs? Image By: Momentmal, Pixabay There are a few foods that you should never feed your Pug to ensure their good health and to avoid serious problems like poisoning and even death. Here are a few food items that should be avoided at all costs: Alcohol. Final Thoughts Due to their love of food, pugs would do anything for you as long as you will feed them in return. But the tragic aspect of the tale is that pugs gain weight fast, just like any other dog. You have to pay special attention to the way you feed your dog. The pug is a little dog, so even one more pound would change how it looks. I will go into detail on every feeding question you may have based on my personal experience working for a veterinarian. Pug Nutritional Requirements Pugs are small sized dogs that require the proper nutrients in their specific amount to grow healthy. Like other dog breeds, if some of these nutrients are present in excess amounts or less, it would end up endangering the overall health of your dog. The small size of a Pug will require adequate and quality nutrients to maintain its body weight and strong bones to support its massive frame. Anything short of this, can result in many health problems and prevent your dog from reaching its peak size. Their fat source can be from fish oil or vegetables. Their source of fiber can come from wholesome healthy vegetables like cabbages, carrots, sprouts, and broccoli. Pug puppies are incredibly energetic and have a high metabolism. They grow very fast and will require quality nutrients to keep up. They require protein for building healthy muscles and minerals for strong bones; carbohydrates for energy; and fats for maintaining a healthy fur. At this stage, Pug are most active and will need protein and carbohydrates to keep their weight and energy level optimal. However, you should avoid overfeeding your pet at this stage as Pugs are prone to obesity and will develop health complications. Senior Pugs will need more minerals and vitamins in their food to keep their immune system and bones healthy. Factors Affecting The Feeding of A Pug Some factors will affect the diet of your Pug, such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions. Size consideration The average length of a Pug for males is 30—36 cm, and for females, it is 25—30 cm from the soles of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of a male Pug is kg and that of a female is kg. Male Pugs are generally bigger than female Pugs, which means that the male will require a larger intake of calories than the female to stay healthy and strong. Age consideration Pug puppies will require more calories during their growing stage due to their high metabolic rate. They need to be fed a lot if you want them to grow into strong, healthy dogs. Adult Pugs should not be fed more often than puppy Pug. Your senior Pug will be less active and require fewer calories than when they were younger. Doing otherwise might lead to obesity and other serious health problems. Activity Level Athletes are required to maintain a strict diet compared to non-athletes, so you should also keep your Pug away from certain foods if you want to maintain its athletic abilities. Health Consideration Pugs are prone to certain health conditions , which should be taken into consideration in their diets if you wish to manage or prevent those issues. These health problems could be avoided or mitigated by eating or avoiding certain foods from the start, rather than treating them as they arise. It might be tempting to cut corners and go for the cheapest food. But engaging in such an act in the long run could lead to pain, seeing your Pug sick, frequent visits to the vet, and thousands of dollars in expenses. Pug Feeding Quantity Your Pug, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. The amount of food a puppy will need will be different than the amount of food an adult will need to meet their nutritional requirements. On average, feed your Pug puppy 0. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. How Much To Feed a Pug Puppy For your puppy and adolescent Pug to grow into healthy adults, the meal should be high in protein and low in fat, which can be obtained from animal meat. A Pug puppy should be given 0. The feeding requirement of your Pug puppy is given in detail in the charts below: Age. And the total number of dogs all breeds in the reports are .So while this is something that should be monitored and many more studies need to be done, it's important to keep in mind that this is a very small number compared to the estimated 77 million dogs in the U. The latest update is that there are no recalls at this moment that are linked to this issue. The Best Food for Pug Puppies and Adults What to Avoid: Quite a few ingredients that are found in a lot of dog food brands can be severely detrimental to a Pug and cause everything from allergic reactions itching, rashes, wheezing, running eyes, etc. Corn which includes as corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, and corn bran High grain counts which includes high levels of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal grains which may be listed as hominy feed. Rice can be an exception; with rice, the hull, bran layer, and cereal germ is removed and for this reason, rice is often tolerated very well. By-products which are animal body parts deemed unfit for human consumption and can include brain, lungs, undeveloped eggs, and more. Generic meats or oils which can legally include roadkill and deceased zoo animals. What to Look For: All-natural preservatives; there are vitamin blends that work very well to preserve dog food and this often will show as mixed tocopherols. Natural flavoring Protein will come from wholesome animal sources including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, bison, and beef. There will be no by-products or generic meats. If you offer grains, gluten-free grains are usually best. No other fillers or controversial additives. Helpful extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin beneficial for joint health , omega-3, 6 for healthy skin and coat , probiotics for immune health and antioxidants to help prevent disease. Some of the best food for Pugs includes: Best Formulas with Grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. The base of this kibble is turkey and oatmeal which is easy on the stomach for most Pugs. There is also salmon, brown rice, peas, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. There are excellent levels of a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, good levels of omega-3 and 6, and glucosamine and chondroitin which are extremely beneficial joint supplements for Pugs. This is made in the US. Note that this offers puppy and adult formulas as well as 'healthy weight' for Pugs that need to lose a few pounds, and a senior formula. This line of Halo offers holistic recipes. This one has non-GMO produce and meats that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free with factory-free farming. The grains in this are oatmeal and pearled barley which are generally known for being well-tolerated. This is sized ideally for Pugs, and has no artificial additives, by-products, or corn. And, this is made in the US. Best Grain-free Formulas: 1. This is one of the best grain-free kibbles for Pugs; it's really top-of-the-line. The base is chicken and turkey. There is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits compared to some other brands spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, apples and blueberries. Levels of omega fatty acids are ideal, via both salmon oil and flaxseed. And, there are good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin which as mentioned earlier are important for joint health. There is no corn, wheat, by-products, fillers, or artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives and this is made in the USA. This is another excellent choice that is formulated for dogs under 70 lbs. There are several great bases including lamb, beef, chicken, and salmon. There are zero chemical preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Added extras are healthy antioxidants, omega-3 and 6, and the very important glucosamine and chondroitin which are very beneficial for breeds like the Pug that are prone to joint and hip issues. This is a holistic kibble that offers non-GMO veggies and fruits and sustainably-sourced wild-caught fish and is ideal for Pugs that are carrying a few extra pounds. The base is salmon and whitefish, so most dogs love the taste. There are no chemical preservatives, corn, by-products, coloring, or fillers. Switching a Pug onto a Different Food If you just got a new Pug puppy, you may want to feed your little guy or gal something different than what was being given. And in many instances, this will be a good idea. The sooner you start your pup on a superior food that you've chosen yourself, the better. If you have an adult Pug, you may decide to switch foods due to an intolerance to certain ingredients some dogs do best with certain proteins like beef as opposed to chicken or vice-versa or maybe you realized that your Pug was not on the brand and you want to make a change. No matter the circumstances, if at all possible, it is best to change to a new brand of dog food in a gradual way because a quick switch can disrupt the digestive system. The goal should be a incremental change over the course of 3 weeks. Home Cooking Owners decide to home cook for their dogs for a variety of reasons: It can be less expensive; though, this depends quite a bit on what you buy and if you can purchase ingredients in bulk. It may be done to fully avoid preservatives, additives, by-products and other subpar ingredients; you know exactly what you are putting in. This can help avoid an intolerance or allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient. It is very flexible and adjustable. It can be a good choice for picky eaters. Other sources include beans such as lima beans, kidney beans, and butter beans must be cooked. Vegetables - This includes peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash. You can also offer asparagus, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli in moderation since these foods can cause gas, Pumpkin in moderation is fine but typically reserved to help ease upset stomach issues. Fruits - This includes blueberries, raspberries both are low calorie, high in antioxidants, and water-packed , strawberries, huckleberries, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, kiwi, pear, peaches no pit , plums no pit , nectarines no pit , fresh pineapple, and apple no core, no seeds. Additional - This includes oatmeal plain , white or brown rice if no intolerance , quinoa, potato, sweet potato, cottage cheese, plain whole white yogurt, and eggs most dogs do best with scrambled eggs vs. Read more about home cooking for a Pug. Snacks and Treats We've covered the frequency of giving snacks and treats, but let's recap. Dry snacks, meant to satiate a dog in between meals should be given 3 to 4 times per day. And moist treats, meant to reward training and reinforce good behavior, should be given as needed. Now, the question remains on what to offer. All snacks and treats should be held to the same high standards that you have in place for your Pug's meals, meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, by-products, high wheat levels, or generic meats. If your Pug's calorie intake needs to be carefully watched due to issues with weight gain, there will also be a need to opt for some low-calorie treats. And, to see more options, including moist treats for giving reward, continue on to the best snacks and treats for Pugs. After 2 to 3 days, if the problem has resolved, adding in additional ingredients can be done. Any diarrhea lasing longer than 3 days or moderate to severe vomiting lasting more than 12 hours should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. Water Different elements will dictate just how much water a Pug dog requires , though a general rule of thumb is that each day, dogs need to drink about 1 ounce for each 1 pound. Offer bottled spring water or use a filter device like the. Related Articles: When a Pug is a Picky Eater - If you find yourself constantly scrambling to find foods that your Pug likes and their taste buds seem to change weekly, this will help you get things back on track. When a Pug is Always Hungry - If your Pug's appetite is ferocious and nothing seems to satisfy, these issues may be at the root of the problem. When a Pug Won't Eat - If your Pug puppy or dog refuses to eat or getting them to eat feels like a chore, these tips will help. How to Stop a Pug from Begging - If your Pug wants your food and is relentless about getting it, these guidelines will help stop this sort of behavior. Top 10 Pug Dog Eating Problems - A roundup of the most common eating-related issues seen with this breed and exact steps to resolve them. Do you have your book? All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. This feeding routine should be followed from 8 weeks to 6 months old. But how much food should that be exactly in each feeding session. How many cups of food should I feed my Pug puppy and adults? Before you check out this Pug feeding chart below, you may just want a quick reference to how many cups of food you need to feed a Pug. The common guidelines say you should feed a Pug puppy of 8 to 20 weeks different cup sizes depending on their weight and age. You can see the cup amounts in the chart here: Puppy feeding amounts This Pug puppy feeding chart explains just how many cups of food you should give them and the regularity. It will be 3 times a day, then twice a day as they get older. As your Pug ages, the number of cups of food you need to him or her will change, as will the regularity. Take a look at the guidance in the graphic below. Adult feeding amounts This is feeding chart for adult Pugs explaining how many cups and how often in the day the feeding times should be. The Pug feeding charts you see above have been scanned from the Royal Canin brand of dog food. This is a very trusted brand, and you will find it being sold in vets all over the world. It contains all the nutrients your Pug puppy will need and is great for starting out with and into adult ages. Almost every time, this happens by the age of 3 weeks; and puppies should not leave their mother until at least 8 weeks of age. They will be like eating machines at this age because they have so much energy to burn. You could also try to sit your Pug down on some scales, but good luck with trying to make them sit still. Instead you can weigh yourself if you have accurate scales, and then get someone to pass you your Pug puppy to see what the difference is. The age of your Pug You might find it hard to get your Pug used to commercial dry food at first. The commercial puppy food should be high enough in calories and nutrients to make up for what they used to get from their mother. In terms of adjusting for their ages, Pug puppies of 8 to 12 weeks old can have one and half cups of food each day, split into 3 servings. By the ages of 6 to 9 months, Pug puppies will be in a regular eating routine where they drop to two meals a day — and this is how it will stay as adults. The dangers of over-feeding Some Pug owners might decide to go to 4 meals a day, but still with the same amount of food. This is because tinier Pugs might find the half a cup 3 times daily, too much of a large meal. Overfeeding is something to keep a strict eye on. If you feed your Pug puppy too much, he could get gastric dilatation-volvulus see definition on ACVS. This is the medical term for a twisted gut and can actually be fatal. Feeding more senior Pugs As Pugs get older, they will start to get less active. With reduced levels of energy comes the need for a lower calorie intake. But only if they are reducing their exercise due to age. With an older Pug you might start to see them putting on weight. If you do see weight gain, start to pull back on the portion sizes. Sometimes your vet may even recommend you go to a higher frequency of daily meals albeit smaller portions , almost like they are puppies again. With senior dogs this can help with weaker stomachs. Overweight or underweight? The average Pug puppy will weigh between 2 and 4 pounds at 8 weeks. These are healthy weight ranges. If you do have a Pug puppy who is clearly underweight, start to add a little bit more food to each of the daily meals until they come back into the health weight range. With overweight Pugs you do the exact opposite but mix more exercise into their daily routines as well. Handy Hint: If your Pug is losing or gaining weight and how much food they eat makes no difference, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Health problems related to Pug feeding Not all dogs are the same, and all the guidance on this page is very generic towards how much you should feed a Pug. The bottom line is that your vet will be able to properly tell you how much your Pug should eat due to their age and weight. Raw food vs. I understand why people feed their dog raw food though; they say commercial food has too many additives plus preservatives, fillers, wheat, corn, and proteins. Consult with your vet for a professional opinion. Pugs that eat their food far too quickly You should also monitor how quickly your Pug is eating. Puppies are used to having to compete for food, and even when they are home alone with you, they will still have an instinct to wolf their food down. This can cause indigestion and vomiting, so there are a few things you can do to slow their intake down. Use a muffin tin evenly spread the portions throughout the tin. The best dry dog foods should have a high percentage of meats and fish in. Omega-3s are healthy fats, so those will also be a good sign if listed. All of the notes and guidance are based on my own personal experience of raising puppies, with exception to the feeding schedule which is from the Canin dog food brand. However, the Canin Pug feeding charts you see, are exactly how I have fed my puppies and adult dogs. Once your dog reaches adulthood, the best times to feed your Pug will be breakfast and dinner times. Keep a regular feeding routine, and your Pug will stay at healthy as our dogs have! You might also like… If you have found this useful and are new to Pug ownership, you might find these other handy guides useful during the puppy phase:.

Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon. This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. We all know it and have seen it multiple times: the dog sit. The pup is sitting upright with his knees flat to his sides and the feet are neatly tucked underneath. But sometimes the positioning of the dog sit might change and before you know it, the dog sits sloppy on your feet. To owners, it may seem like the dog sits weirdly, but often this is completely normal behavior. I will go into detail below, the reasons might surprise you. In case you ever wondered if that or any other dog position has a specific meaning, I will tell you, yes it does. The Puppy Sit Photo by Steshka Willems on Pexels The puppy sit — also called lazy sit, sloppy sit, or frog sit — is a phenomenon that occurs most often as the name suggests in young puppies. The dog sits with his legs splayed to one or both sides and flops into a sloppy posture. But why is it seen so commonly in puppies and is it something you need to worry about? When puppies go through these awkward growth stages you will find them running around with their limps flying to the sides and sometimes they just take this lazy stance. Puppies are very flexible because their joints are not yet connected and the bones are soft, leading to uncoordinated walking and sitting. A constant sloppy posture may need to be discouraged with techniques that I will explain below in order to prevent damaging the joints. Health Issues May Be the Cause Your dog assuming the lazy dog sitting position or the sloppy sit might point towards an underlying medical condition. At the very least, you should take measures to prevent these from happening. Conditions like hip dysplasia or luxating patella commonly result in different symptoms including the puppy sit to soothe sore joints. Arthritis or spinal problems prevent your dog from adapting a straight sit. A serious trauma from a car accident will also cause damage to the skeleton which could be permanent or a passing problem. Routinely sitting in a sloppy posture is probably a sign that something is wrong and causing your dog discomfort but what steps should you take in such a case and will it resolve without action? More on that at the end of this article. Your dog chilling in this position once in a while is probably a result of him imitating you. Some dogs also adapt to this posture because they like your reaction to it when you burst out in laughter. Keep in mind that any sitting position should be closely monitored and you should look for cues of discomfort. This is the only position that should be taught to puppies from the beginning and should always be encouraged to prevent back pain. Just like humans, dogs should take care of their posture and an effortless straight sit is a sign of a healthy spine. The leader always chooses the best resting spot so sitting beside you must be the best option and it may even get your attention. There is nothing you need to be worrying about when it comes to this position. If you are annoyed by the lack of personal space, provide your dog with a stuffed Kong and place it in his dog bed. Dog Sitting On Your Face Placing their bum on top of you is a type of scent marking, your dog simply wants to claim you as his pack member. It can also be a weird form of cuddling with the goal to be as close to you as possible. Similar to the human sit, your dog perhaps wants to get a certain reaction out of you. What to do: In the case of learned behavior, you will want to stop giving the reaction that you previously displayed. This might eliminate the behavior altogether. If your dog is just looking for a warm cuddly place, an orthopedic dog bed with soft blankets should do the trick. Redirecting your dog onto his dog bed may also be an option if the behavior persists. Dog Sitting On Other Dogs Well, some dogs like to cuddle a lot with their humans but what does it mean when your dog is sitting or laying on top of other dogs? If there are no particular signs of dominance, then they could simply be playing. Playful behavior is always relaxed and both dogs will feel comfortable with the situation. The sooner you catch the issue the better his prognosis will be. If your dog gets the unfortunate diagnosis of a skeleton issue, your vet will probably recommend physiotherapy or hydrotherapy for healthy exercise without straining the joints. Pain medication or surgery may be necessary for more serious problems. However, some breeds are prone to developing joint problems and my Rottweiler is among these breeds. There are various other options like the nature-based green lip mussel powder or general joint supplements to help with preventing joint issues. Not all work equally well though so research beforehand. Provide your dog with a comfortable dog bed — an orthopedic dog bed like mentioned above might be worth the investment. If your dog is healthy, encourage the right sitting positions. After the vet examined your pup and declares him healthy, then you can start working on a proper sit. If you have an adult dog, you can also redirect your dog into a straight sit or lie down whenever you see him sitting sloppy. These are only slight corrections and not in the slightest invasive. Once your dog connects the right sitting position with a reward, he will do it much more on his own which can make this little exercise really fun. Pin This: Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. The way that your dog sits can be a positive sign. For example, it may mean they are trying to form a deeper bond with you. Otherwise, it may be a sign they have some underlying health conditions. This can be quite dependent on age. If puppies sit sloppily with outward splaying limbs, this is completely normal because of their flexible limbs. Older dogs using this sitting position may be a cause for concern and may be worth checking with a vet. Dog Sitting Position Meaning The Puppy Sitting Position Also known as the frog sit, sloppy sit, or lazy sit, this is known as the puppy sit because younger dogs sit this way the most. The cause for concern here could be due to a number of reasons: Arthritis Spine pain Inflammation of muscles They may be in this sitting position to relieve some of the symptoms of pain in their back, joints, or muscles. If you begin to notice the early warning sign of them sitting in a different way, make sure to look for some other changed behaviors. There are two other common, yet very serious conditions that would cause a dog to sit in different ways, which I have listed below and is important to get diagnosed as early as possible to alleviate their symptoms. Hip Dysplasia While hip dysplasia will begin in puppyhood, dogs may not display clinical symptoms until they are older. It will often take years of gradual bone degeneration before a dog becomes symptomatic. The inflammation causes pain in their hip joints , resulting in dogs changing the way they sit to relieve the symptoms, or their gait may change when walking, or how they move in general. Torn cruciate ligament If your dog has torn their cruciate ligament , they will refrain from extending or stretching their sore leg, resulting in them sitting in this way also. You will also notice a change in the way they walk and will appear lame, so watch out for this too. Dogs Sitting Like Humans It can be quite humorous to see our doing sitting like humans do, or engaging in human-like activities! When their actions like this are met with laughter and adoration, this is seen as positive reinforcement which will probably cause them to repeatedly sit like this. Some larger dog breeds who have longer legs may find this way easier to sit, or have realised that sitting like this takes some of the pressure off their lower spine. You can be proactive by observing them as they move about, and if you see them getting up or walking in a stiff manner, then maybe there might be something wrong. The Straight Sit The straight sit can be recognized by an elongated spine sitting upwards and symmetrically with a knee on either side and their feet underneath them. In this position, your dog has a straight spine which is very good for their posture. The straight sit is actually a good way for your dog to sit and is often taught to puppies when they are young. Like humans, dogs benefit hugely from practicing good posture. If your dog sits with a straight sit, they are showing signs of a healthy spine with good posture. This is why obedience schools always use this position for dogs to sit in. Your dog will view you as their role model and leader, and the resting spot that you choose, in their eyes, is the one for the pack. So naturally, they are going to stay close, and even snuggle close to you to get your attention. If your dog is sitting at your feet, they are using this as a sign of bonding, and want to stay close to you. They could also be asking for pets. Dogs Sitting by Your Face If you find your dog trying to sit their rear on your face, this means that they are trying to scent mark. They would like to claim you to be a part of their pack. This odd type of cuddling is just a sign that your dog wants to be close to you. While this can sometimes mean dominance, it is quite unlikely this is what is meant. Most cases will find that your dog is just trying to form a closer bond with you. This may also be a way that your dog is trying to get a reaction from you by engaging in some strange behavior. If you are wanting your dog to quit this behavior, you need to communicate that this behavior is not acceptable. Make sure you do not encourage them to do it again in the future. Your Dog Sitting on Other Dogs There is two reasons why your dog will sit on or cuddle other dogs, which are either dominance or play. While you might think that this need to assert dominance is a personality trait of your dog, it is in fact natural instinct. In cases like this, when referring to dominance it is actually just the social relationship in which dogs have with each other. These signs of dominance may be displayed by putting their paw or head on top of another dogs back. This could also be meant as a playful gesture. If both dogs seem relaxed and comfortable then this is nothing to worry about. Dogs can end up sitting in a variety of different positions, particularly when they are playing. Below is a list of the most common sleeping positions: Lions Pose If your dog is sleeping with their front two paws outstretched and their head resting on or between their paws, then they are sleeping in lions pose. This is typical of a dog who is resting and has not entered a deep sleep. Superman This sleeping pose is easier for smaller dogs to do. This is when they lie on their stomach and stretch their legs out in front and behind. This is similar to a superman flying through the air. This position allows relaxed dogs to stretch out in a comfortable manner. Curled Up in a Ball Some dogs just prefer to sleep like this. It could also be that your dog is trying to make themselves as small as possible for safety reasons. This is a common sleeping position of dogs who are in shelters. Side Sleeping If your dog lies on their side with their legs outstretched, this means that they are comfortable in its surroundings. This position makes them vulnerable. So if they had any concerns about where they were, they would not be lying in this relaxed position. Dog sitting position meaning: Sitting and sleeping positioned explained The way in which your dog sleeps and sits is a good indicator of their state of mind and emotional well-being. A vigilant pet parent will use these as a good early warning sign for more sinister complications of their dogs health. This is particularly useful for dog breeds that are more prone to having issues with their joints. If you notice some of these signs, it would be well worth contacting your veterinarian. Dog sitting position meaning — FAQs Why does my dog sit with his legs to the side? If your dog sits with their hind legs sideways, as opposed to having its legs under its hips, it is considered puppy sitting or sloppy sitting. While this is not a problem for younger dogs because they have flexible limbs, older dogs should sit more straight up. Sitting in this sloppy manner can indicate numerous problems. What does my dog sitting position mean? The best position for your dog to sit in is when they sit squarely with a straight spine. They will have a knee on either side and their feet underneath their knees, in a symmetrical way. Related posts:. This correct position right photo allows the dog to engage all his knee, thigh and gluteal muscles properly when standing up. Improper sitting form left photo with legs splayed wide, hocks spreading out to the sides uneven left vs. What can I do? First and most important: always exclude possible physical limitations. Past injuries, possible weaknesses, chronic problems in joints or soft tissues of the hind limbs can result in compensatory changes and losing the ability to sit properly. Dogs with chronic unaddressed issues in the knee or hock joints often end up with reduced joint range of motion, and therefore lose the ability to fully flex these joints. Bad hip conditions create a vicious circle of pain and disuse of this body part, resulting in a weak core and hind limb musculature with hocks splaying out to the side while sitting. Spinal issues lumbosacral diseases, spinal injuries can also elicit painful response. Forcing the dog in correct sit when it is not desirable, or if the dog is physically not able to or ready yet , can quickly do more harm than good and requires professional help. Therefore you should always consult with an orthopedic vet and certified rehab professional to address the issue properly and help your dog regain these abilities through an appropriate individualized approach. What kind of ground is your dog sitting on? Sitting on slippery surfaces such as tiled or hardwood floors does not provide enough grip for your dog to keep the legs in proper position, let alone load the hind end to stand up. If your dog does not have a known history of past injuries or joint diseases, and is sitting sloppily on non-slip flooring, a lack of strength might be the reason! Weak core and hind limb musculature prevents the dog from maintaining a good posture. Strengthening exercises are definitely a great way to improve the overall physical condition and well being of your four-legged companion. Obese or overweight dogs also lack the needed strength to sit correctly. What about puppies? Well, young puppies might not be really able to perform a proper sit just yet, let alone work out. But don't worry, possibilities for proper sitting come with growing up when they develop enough body awareness and strength. Here are a few tips that can help your dog achieve a better sitting form: Work on smaller surfaces Sitting on a reasonably smaller surface itself usually promotes better sitting position and thus helps strengthen correct muscle groups. We can use a slightly raised platform or balance pad to start with. Use a narrow path Work with the dog on a narrow plank, just wide enough to promote good position of limbs, but narrow enough to prevent turning the feet out. Dec 23, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Have you ever wondered why your dog sits weird with one leg kicked out or both of his knees bent outward in a cross-legged position? Normally, a dog should sit upright with his knees flat to the side and feet neatly tucked underneath his hips. However, some dogs just flop to the floor like they are tired and end up sitting in some rather weird positions. While it may seem that your dog is sitting weird, this can be a completely normal canine behavior. In fact, strange sitting positions are quite common in puppies and are a completely normal part of the growing stage. However, while the puppy sit is normal for puppies, in adult dogs, it can be a sign that something is wrong. If you have a young puppy that sits weirdly from time to time, there is nothing you should worry about. But if your older dog flops into a lazy sit on a regular basis, you should take him to see a vet as soon as possible. In most cases, a dog that is experiencing pain or a health problem will feel more comfortable sitting in a weird position than in a normal sit. For some reason, dogs with joint and bone problems experience relief while sitting in strange positions. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the puppy sit and list the most common reasons behind this strange behavior. Dogs have many interesting habits and are known to do some rather strange things. You have probably noticed that your dog is exhibiting some weird behaviors such as chasing his own tail, barking at his reflections, sitting on your feet, and walking in circles before lying down. However, the thing that most owners find the strangest is the infamous lazy sit. Have you ever seen your dog sag into a sit like he is tired? Or has he ever flopped onto one hip and kicked out his other leg to the side, like he is trying to chill out? Or does your dog ever sit cross-legged with both of his knees splayed on the side and toes almost touching? All of these weird sitting positions are called puppy sit, but you might have heard some people refer to it as lazy, sloppy, or frog sit. If you have just brought a new puppy home , you have probably noticed that he is sitting in many different positions, with limbs spayed in every possible direction. While the lazy sit is quite common in puppies, it is completely normal to wonder if there is something wrong with your new pooch. All puppies go through a growth stage when they look extremely cute and bit awkward running around with limbs flying all over the place. But no matter how cute your puppy looks in this position, most new dog owners assume the worst. Lengthy potty training sessions or too much play can be tiring for a young puppy and may cause your pooch to flop down into a lazy sit more often. If there is a chance your pup is too tired from his daily activities, try to keep his training sessions shorter and more fun to prevent fatigue. However, if your puppy continues to flop into a lazy sit once he reaches maturity, then there is a chance that he is suffering from an underlying medical problem. Underlying Health Problem A lazy sit is a perfectly normal sitting position for puppies, but in adult dogs, it is usually a sign of underlying health problems. Your dog might be sitting weird to relieve pressure from his joints, back, or to avoid aggravating a sore spot on some other part of his body. If your adult dog slips into a lazy sit every once in a while, this might be a sign of a temporary issue, such as muscle soreness after a vigorous play session. However, if your adult dog is sitting like this all the time, you should have him checked out by a vet. Many potential health issues can cause your dog to have trouble sitting normally, but luckily, most are treatable. Listed below are a few health problems that might be the reason why your dog has trouble sitting normally: Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a painful skeletal disease that is often seen in large and giant breeds such as Great Danes , but it can also occur in smaller breeds. In dogs with this condition, the ball and the socket of the hip joint do not fit properly and they rub and grind against each other whenever the dog moves. The grinding causes wear and tear to the joint, which causes a lot of pain and discomfort to the dog. Dogs with hip dysplasia usually have trouble walking, getting up, jumping, and sitting normally. Most dogs with hip dysplasia start sitting in weird positions to relieve soreness and pain caused by this condition. However, once diagnosed, hip dysplasia can be treated surgically or managed with pain-relieving medication. If your dog sits weird on a regular basis, you should take him to your vet for a checkup. And if it turns out that your pooch has hip dysplasia, your vet will suggest treatment options and prescribed meds that will reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Knee Problems Conditions such as luxating patella and torn cruciate ligament are extremely painful knee problems that can cause your dog to have trouble sitting. Luxating patella is often seen in small breed dogs and happens when a kneecap moves from its normal location. If your dog is sitting on the side and is also limping on a rear leg, he might have a torn cruciate ligament. This condition is usually caused by trauma from an injury or a degeneration of the ligaments within the joint. A torn cruciate ligament is an extremely painful condition that usually happens when a dog is running and suddenly changes its position. If you suspect your pooch is experiencing any type of knee problems, you should take him to a vet for a checkup. Back Pain Back pain is another common health problem that might cause your dog to sit with his legs splayed to the sides. Dogs who are developing intervertebral disk disease or herniated disk may have trouble sitting normally. In these cases, a sloppy sit might be more convenient for your dog and help alleviate soreness and back pain. If your dog is suffering from any one of these two conditions, he might also show symptoms of hind leg paralysis, lameness, loss of coordination, and pain. To prevent further damage to the spine, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms of back pain. Impacted anal glands can become abscessed and very painful if not diagnosed and treated in time. While sitting weirdly is one of the signs that your pooch has inflamed anal glands , he might also scoot, bite or lick his rear end, and have constipation. Luckily, impacted glands are very easy to treat with antibiotics. Once the inflammation subsides and your dog starts to feel better, he will no longer have to use a lazy sit to relieve pain and will start to sit completely normally. If you have caught your dog sitting on the sofa with his legs extended out front like a human, chances are that he is copying you. If your dog sits like this often and you notice any signs of back pain, stiffness, or trouble getting up, schedule an appointment with your vet. A who dog just flops into a sit with his legs splayed sideways rather than beneath his hips or appears to go almost cross-legged is sitting in a puppy sit. However, adult dogs should be more stable and a puppy sit can indicate many different problems. In most cases, a dog will use a sloppy sit as a way to alleviate soreness and joint pain. Hip dysplasia, knee problems, back pain, and inflamed anal glands are a few health problems that can cause a dog to sit in weird positions. If your dog sits strangely and also has trouble walking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. The most common signs of hip dysplasia in dogs include decreased activity, pain, stiffness, lameness in hind legs, and decreased range of motion. Additionally, you will notice that your dog has trouble rising and is reluctant to run, jump, and climb the stairs or sofa. Some dogs with hip dysplasia also develop a swaying gait and have noticeably enlarged shoulder muscles compared to the rear end of the body. In some cases, you might hear grating in the hip joint while your dog is walking. Some dogs sit like humans just because every time they do it, their owners find it funny and unintentionally encourage this behavior. Dogs know how to copy human behaviors, and if your pooch thinks you like the way he is sitting, he will start sitting this way more often. However, some dogs might sit like people just because this position is more comfortable and alleviates back pain and soreness. If your dog is sitting like a human and has difficulty walking, you should take him to your vet for a check-up. Dogs that have hip dysplasia will sit on the side with the affected leg extended to the side, instead of sitting square with both legs tucked under hips. Additionally, dogs with bad hips might also have trouble sitting normally and they usually just flop to the floor like they are very tired. Observing the way a dog sits during an examination is one of the ways a vet can determine if he has hip dysplasia. Conclusion If you have noticed that your dog sits weird, he is most likely flopping down into a puppy sit with his legs splayed to the side. Also known as lazy and sloppy sit, the puppy sit is completely normal for puppies, but can be a sign of health problems in adult dogs. This weird sitting position helps dogs relieve pain and feel more comfortable if they are suffering from: Hip dysplasia Knee problems Back pain If your dog is slipping into a lazy sit only once in a while, he might be trying to relieve temporary muscle soreness or pain. However, if he sits weirdly all the time and has difficulty walking, you should take him to a vet for a check-up. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Does my Dog sit weird? What you can do to help Written by Tori Acres on .Share Seeing or teaching a dog to sit is common practice. However, by analysing their sitting posture, we can discover hidden problems or gain clues about their physical health. The Dog Sit We all know it; we've seen it many times and possibly worked on getting our pet to do it on our command—the dog sit. It's probably one of the first behaviours that dogs learn when they are puppies, and it often seems to be one of the easiest to master. It looks like this: a dog's bottom lowers to the ground, the hind limbs are bent and neatly tucked under the hips, the front legs stretched straight, and the head stands tall. Easy and simple. Or is it? Many owners will mention that sometimes or often their dog sits weird—one leg sticking out, the spine looks arched, or both knees bent outward in an odd manner. Although these abnormal postures may be due to something benign such as fatigue after exercise or a developing body. More often than not, though, this might be one of the signs of a much bigger problem rather than simply an unusual choice of pose. Does My Dog Sit Weirdly? To answer this question, let's first learn to distinguish between good and bad dog sitting. What's a Good Dog Sitting Position? The dog has straight forelimbs when sitting properly, with elbows pointing backward and the shoulders down. The hind limbs are neatly tucked alongside the body, with the knees and toes facing forward. The head and neck are relaxed, looking forward. An inability to adopt this posture can often happen during the puppy stage and in young dogs up to two years old whose skeletal and muscular structure is still developing. If we notice unusual sitting in adult dogs, it should attract our attention and prompt us to observe the frequency of such behaviour. Poor sit posture in the dog world has several names: lazy sit, sloppy sit, frog sit, or puppy sit. Precisely because of the latter, it is clear that puppies often demonstrate this behaviour. Puppies are very flexible since their boney structures are still developing, and their connective tissues are often more pliable than older dogs. Thus, movement patterns in younger dogs including sitting can look uncoordinated. What does a sloppy sit look like? When viewed from the front, it may seem that the dog has thrown its hind legs to the side and is sitting on one hip only; from behind, it may look as if the spine is crooked to the side. The hind legs can be bent outwards at the knees like a frog. However, due to the unnatural position of the spine, the shoulders may appear to stand high, and the forelimbs may not be aligned or pointed forward. If your puppy adopts this sitting position only occasionally, it may be due to fatigue after exercise or a slight asymmetry during their developmental phase. However, if this positional dysfunction persists or is accompanied by other signs of movement dysfunction, then they should have a thorough physical assessment. Puppies or adult dogs that frequently sit weirdly or suddenly start sitting weirdly may have an underlying medical issue that requires intervention. There are various reasons why an adult dog might not have a perfect posture while sitting. Some are minor issues, easily treated by your canine manual therapist and precisely targeted exercises. While others may be the first sign of an underlying problem that dogs often try to cover up. Therefore, sloppy sitting in adult dogs should always be carefully observed to determine if a physical problem would require veterinary assistance. Conformation Sometimes the conformation of dogs is such that textbook-propper sitting makes them uncomfortable. Different types of dogs have different builds, and some prefer unique sitting positions precisely because of their conformation. Long backs An example of conformation affecting the dog's ability to sit can often be seen in dogs with long backs, such as the popular sausage dogs or dachshunds. This hunting breed is recognisable precisely by its elongated shape. Their long spine requires strong core muscles and a good range of motion through the hip, stifle and tarsal joints for them to successfully adopt the proper sitting form. Otherwise, they can be inclined to sit on their hip, with their feet off to one side. Helping long-back dogs to maintain good posture throughout their lives is important in reducing the risk of long-term health consequences. Dwarfism Chondrodysplasia, also known as canine dwarfism, is a recessive genetic defect found in some purebred dog breeds. This condition occurs due to abnormal growth of cartilage, which affects the development of joints and the speed of their growth, resulting in irregular growth of limbs and the appearance of dwarfism. Probably the most famous dogs with this disorder are corgis, they physically are unable to point their forefeet forward. However, they will benefit, from regular conditioning to help support their bodies and maintain good posture. Athletic Excellence Certain types of dogs, such as sighthounds, are built for speedrunning and often have difficulty sitting correctly due to their long spines and strong muscular hindquarters. More specifically, these dogs have difficulty sitting in general as they often find it too uncomfortable to lower themselves into a sitting position, so most prefer the sphinx position or simply lying down. Surfaces If your dog is only showing signs of sitting weirdly in a particular place, consider that it could be down to the surface. Some dogs are picky about where they lower their bums, so a less-than-ideal surface might prompt them to avoid sitting directly on it—either because they've decided it's too wet, too hot, too cold, or perhaps too itchy. Surfaces should always have enough grip that the dog can safely move into and out of the sit position without their feet slipping. Fatigue If your adult dog occasionally slips into a sloppy sit, it's not immediately a cause for concern. Sitting in the correct position requires core strength, which can be too much effort for a dog when it's tired after a long play session or exercise. Such issues are usually not too serious and resolve on their own. Long training sessions for puppies, too, can result in this kind of behaviour. So keep in mind that they need to strengthen their muscles through conditioning exercises to withstand the challenges of sitting up straight after the training. Dysfunctions With all the above in mind, it is not an immediately alarming situation if you catch your adult dog in a strange sitting position on rare occasions. However, if your dog is over two years old and sloppy sits very often, it would be a good idea to have it examined by a vet or therapist so that potential health problems that cause it can be detected in time. Judy C. Coates, a researcher and author of Evaluation and Rehabilitation Options for Orthopedic Disorders of the Pelvic Limb, highlights that, when observing the dog in the sitting posture, a therapist considers square sit as normal. Therefore, abnormal sitting posture is often a sign of an injury or pain. Some of the potential medical conditions that could cause weird sit are listed below. Hip Dysplasia Canine hip dysplasia appears more regularly in some breeds, with larger breeds often afflicted by this condition. Although, it is also not unusual for it to occur in small dogs. Hip dysplasia is caused by the ball and the hip joint socket not fitting correctly, so they rub and grind against each other when the dog moves. This causes pain because your dog may have difficulty walking, flexing their hip to climb stairs, or sitting correctly. This condition is genetic, and the only thing you can do to reduce its occurrence is to get your dog from a reputable breeder who screens for hip dysplasia. Once diagnosed, hip dysplasia can be treated surgically, or the pain can be controlled with medication—something your vet will advise you best about. Manual therapy is an excellent adjunctive therapy for hip dysplasia, as it helps to maintain the range of motion in the joints and releases tension in soft tissue from muscle compensation. Pain A dog sitting in a position with its knees protruding outwards on each side can be a good indicator of pain. For example, a sloppy sit might be more convenient for your dog in this condition as it might help reduce tension in the already sore muscles. Pain can present through other symptoms, too, such as lameness, unwillingness, or even aggression. If you think your dog is in pain, a quick thermal imaging scan can help identify areas of concern. From there, you can make a plan to treat your dog or seek a diagnosis and medical care from your veterinarian. Injuries If you notice that your dog is limping on its hind leg, that is, if it has problems with shifting its weight on one side, there may have been an injury that prevents your dog from sitting correctly. Injuries can be either internal or external and may affect bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves, or even the superficial layers of the skin. A qualified professional must assess injuries that prevent your dog from sitting. Inflamed Anal Glands Inflammation of the anal glands is an uncomfortable condition that can cause your dog to refuse to sit correctly, and they may prefer to lean to one side. You can learn more about inflamed anal glands in the previous article. What is certain is that if there is inflammation in your dog's anal glands, the dog will avoid putting pressure on this painful area at all costs and may show it through a sloppy sit. Handler Impact Sometimes a poor sitting posture results from the owner or trainers' biomechanics. When teaching a dog to sit, placement of the treat is essential in training good posture. Everyone wants their dog to learn quickly and to be motivated and engaged during training, but this requires the right approach. Improving the guide mechanics is one of the key things to work on. It doesn't need more training time but, rather, enhanced handler mechanics. Mechanics include your handling position, movement, leash , timing, cues, and delivery of reinforcements prepare treats in advance. The handler's body language must be neutral when teaching a new behaviour, and it is necessary to reward reinforce only the behaviour we want from the dog. If we give confusing commands to the dog, be that verbal or through the position of our body, this may force the dog into a poor sitting pose. Regular reinforcement of poor posture will likely increase the frequency with which the dog adopts the dysfunctional pose. How to Correct Your Dog's Sit Now that we have talked about several possible reasons that cause dogs to sit weirdly, it's time to approach your dog individually and observe if this is a common behaviour or if it only occasionally shows a sloppy sit. For example, is your dog a puppy that doesn't yet know how to sit correctly? Do you notice any other symptoms that might indicate painful conditions? Perhaps changing the surface you usually train on will show that this was the reason for the sloppy sit all along. Also, could you consider from which side you observe the dog and in which position you are concerning the dog when you notice a weird sit? To help your dog strengthen its physical condition, in addition to regular exercises, you can provide your dog with quality supplements. Antinol is a dietary supplement that reduces inflammation and promotes joint function and health, which will facilitate holding the proper posture. Where physical dysfunction is the reason for the incorrect sitting, you should contact a professional that can help your dogs, such as a veterinarian or a canine therapist, depending on the severity and type of condition. Dogs lacking in muscular strength or condition, without other concerns, can be booked in for an online consult with a canine fitness trainer. These professionals can help you improve your dog's sitting biomechanics. Is puppy sitting a bad thing? No we are talking about the way your little pooch pie sits! Is there anything more adorable than a puppy? Sure, they may eat your shoes and stain your carpet yellow — but they are still cute. Even the way they sit captivates you and your friends. However, puppy sitting also known as sloppy sitting or the lazy sit can indicate a problem for dogs after one- two years of age. Why is this? Find out below. Normal sitting vs puppy sitting Dogs after the first two years should sit up straight with their body directly over their hips. This is considered normal sitting. If a dog is sitting with their hind legs sideways, rather than under the hips, it is considered puppy sitting or sloppy sitting. However, older dogs should be more stable and sitting this way can indicate numerous problems. What problems might be related? There are numerous potential conditions that may be related to abnormal sitting posture. They are: Hip problems — This includes potential items such as hip dysplasia, hip arthritis, or anything else that causes an inflammatory response in the joint. Knee pain — This could be the result of something as serious as a torn cruciate ligament or something more chronic in nature as a luxating patella. Back pain — Back pain may be the result of altered biomechanics, which would affect the joints involved in sitting. Problems with the anal glands and other inflammatory issues related to the hind end may also contribute. If the issue is biomechanical, such as hip, knee, or back issues than a good treatment option includes animal chiropractic. The goal of chiropractic care is to restore normal alignment to abnormal joints using very gentle, specific corrections known as adjustments. These adjustments will help restore normal motion and help your pet sit comfortably. There are other potential causes though, and it may be worth a visit to your primary care vet. Nutrition Developing puppies need a healthy diet for their joints to develop appropriately, no different than a human. There are many options including popular kibble brands such as Fromm , Zignature , Orijen , and more. If you prefer a dehydrated raw food for your pup, Sojos is a fairly popular brand. No matter what you feed, you want to avoid ingredients such as by-products in the ingredient panel. When it comes to supplements, it may be worth considering a puppy multivitamin. The glucosamine and other similar ingredients should help growing joints and may be useful in breeds predisposed to dysplasia, etc. So, is puppy sitting a bad thing? The answer to that is no — if your dog is still a puppy. However, abnormal sitting can indicate multiple other issues such as hip, knee, or back problems. There are options, however. Animal chiropractic via a certified veterinarian or chiropractor will help the biomechanical problems. A routine visit to your primary care vet can help rule out other issues. Looking for advice for products that may help your puppy as they age, visit our favorite products page or visit a reputable website like Chewy!

Exercise Grooming Looking at the life of a miniature poodle today, the jewelry, the bright-colored coats and the luxury they live in, one may be shocked that these pooches used to accompany hunters many years ago. They were developed in Germany but developed into their own distinct breed in the country of France. They were developed especially for waterfowl hunting. They are believed to be a hybrid of different water dogs from Europe. They are believed to be a result of crosses between Spanish, Russian, Hungarian, Portuguese, French and German water dogs. There are also different theories that link its ancestry to different parts of the world like Africa and Asia. One thing however clear is that the Miniature Poodle is a very old breed. There are illustrations of this breed on Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs. Many believe Miniature Poodles came hundreds of years later after the Standard Poodles. They are intelligent, loyal, loving and mischievous. Poodle enthusiasts describe them as having an air of distinction. Miniature Poodles have a daffy streak and love to play. They can however often get leery with strangers. They are shy and if not socialized with new people and animals at an early age, will grow up a little laid back. The Miniature Poodle is very protective of his family and is quick to bark whenever strangers approach your home. They are highly trainable and have high energy. Miniature Poodles require an environment of care and discipline. They can be raised in apartment homes because of their small stature. Early socialization is critical to their development. Without this, they will get scared easily and be aggressive at strangers. Take your Miniature Poodle for walks of about an hour. Play games of fetch with them, they love tasks that challenge them mentally. They were working dogs historically, so it is no wonder that they want something to occupy their bodies and minds. The Miniature Poodle is a safe choice for people with allergies. They are a non-shedding breed and they have been found to give allergic people no reaction at all. Their coat comes in several colors. Their colors include blue, black, white, gray, silver, brown, cream, etc. They are high maintenance dogs. Their beautiful coat can be trimmed, clipped, curled and generally manipulated into different lovely shapes. They require grooming every three to six weeks to keep their coat in good condition. They need to be bathed every three to six weeks. Poodles have weepy eyes and you will need to wipe the hair under their eyes often to get rid of this stain. Make sure you check their ear often to spot any developing infection for quick treatment. Our Miniature Poodle puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Miniature Poodle Puppies For Sale. Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Atlanta GA? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Atlanta GA. Poodle prices in Atlanta and other cities in Georgia can vary from breeder to breeder. Factors that can affect the price include breeder experience and coat color. By searching through our network, we can match you with puppies that are close to your location and match your budget. Do your breeders arrange travel for Georgia Poodles out of state? Yes, they do! Our partner breeders and businesses are total pros and can arrange out-of-state travel for your new best bud. You can arrange to pick up your new puppy at a major airport near you. However, that may not be even necessary. The Uptown network is wide so the right Poodle for you could be right in your very city! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Atlanta, Georgia? We receive hundreds of applications from prospective breeders and businesses every week. Vetted breeders take our legally-binding Breeder Pledge which helps uphold high standards for breeding animal care. You can find many Poodle puppies online but you will never be sure where they are born and bred. Puppy mills and backyard breeders take advantage of the internet to sell puppies that are in poor health. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Atlanta, Georgia? Ethical businesses take good care of their dogs and puppies. The opposite is true for puppy mills who churn out as many litters of puppies as they can at the lowest cost possible. The result are puppies that are either sick or have serious behavioral issues that are extremely tough or expensive to treat later on. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies in Atlanta, Georgia for sale now? Search for your new best friend on Uptown Puppies today. In no time, your family will be meeting its newest furry member. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Atlanta, Georgia? All kinds of poodles possess the impressive intelligence that they are well-known for. Because they are very smart, Poodles can be trained to participate in dog sports, entertainment, tracking and herding, and in other support roles. Can I trust you to find me healthy miniature Poodle puppies in Atlanta, Georgia? But we are different from other online marketplaces. Uptown only works with ethical breeders and businesses who truly care about dogs. Check out our Reviews page and meet the families who have found their newest family member through Uptown Puppies.

This leads to pain, stiffness and restricted movement. Elbow dysplasia ED Elbow joint dysplasia is a chronic disease complex of the elbow joint of fast growing dog breeds. Eye diseases Often occur with allergies and intolerances. Overweight Often, unfortunately, the dogs very much under excess weight. But the dogs themselves are never to blame! Joint damage In some breeds, joint damage can occur later in life, affecting the musculoskeletal system. Ataxia can occur even when there is no paralysis paresis , that is, when there is normal muscle strength. In general, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers get along well. Both breeds are intelligent and energetic, which helps them get along well. They also have some similar physical characteristics, such as a strong build and athletic stature, which further facilitates their coexistence. What are the differences between Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers? Rhodesian Ridgebacks are slightly larger than Labrador Retrievers, with an average weight of39 to 52kg compared to 24 to 36kg for the latter. Rhodesian Ridgebacks also have a more muscular build, and their coats are short and dense compared to the dense, water-repellent coat of the Labrador Retriever. Finally, Rhodesian Ridgebacks tend to be more independent and aloof than Labrador Retrievers, which are usually friendly and outgoing. How much exercise do Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers need? Both Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers are active breeds that need plenty of exercise. A good rule of thumb is that each breed needs at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. This can include walks, runs, agility training or any other type of physical activity that will get them moving and burning off excess energy. What are common health problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers? Some common health problems that can occur in both Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers are hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and skin allergies. It is important to work with a reputable breeder to ensure your puppy is as healthy as possible, and to be aware of potential health issues that may be specific to the mix of these two breeds. Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers make good family dogs? Yes, both Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers can make great family dogs. They are intelligent, affectionate and energetic, which can make them great companions for children and adults alike. However, it is important to note that both breeds need plenty of exercise. Author Sissi Author Sissi is a blogger since , came on the dog .Since then she struts daily her steps with Loki through the world. The Beagdor Labrador-Beagle mix is a therapy dog for children and also accompanies her to schools. Secretly she fancies a French Bulldog as a second dog. Sissi is a blogger since , came on the dog .Useful Articles. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix. They are renowned for great qualities including loyalty, health, and friendliness, and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. In recent years, however, a new trend in crossbreeds has grown to the point where it is the height of fashion. This is the trend to breed two different purebred dogs together, creating a new and exciting hybrid breed, commonly known as a designer dog. The Rhodesian Labrador, or Labradesian, as it is sometimes known, is just one of these breeders creations, and one that is growing very quickly in popularity. This is not surprising since they are a mix of both breeds involved traits and appearance, creating an absolutely fantastic designer dog. The Rise Of The Designer Dog Before we can look closer at the Rhodesian Labrador, it would be useful to understand the craze of the designer dog and how and why it came about. Designer dogs have, as you are about to find out, their advantages and disadvantages that you will want to consider before deciding whether to get one. Designer dogs, unlike most cross breeds, have parents that are both purebred. The decision to breed them is always conscious, and the intention is to create a specific hybrid dog. Breeds are chosen on the basis of producing a mix of certain temperaments and looks. There are no guarantees, however, what combination of these you will achieve. Whilst not knowing exactly what traits you are going to conjure up by breeding two purebred dogs together may be a slight disadvantage of owning a designer dog, there is a huge advantage that truly outweighs it. This involves the highly important issue of canine health. Conventional wisdom states that mixed breeds are consistently healthier than their purebred counterparts. This is because pure breeds are bred from the same gene pool, and a limited one, that often involves familial genes. Known as inbreeding this practice can lead to all sorts of health issues that can affect your beloved family pet. Cross breeding to create a hybrid designer dog, on the other hand, allows the gene pools to open right up. Dogs that are used come from two entirely different gene pools meaning that recessive genes that carry health problems are buried. The result of this? A far healthier bred dog that requires fewer visits to the vets and lives a longer, happier life! Whilst the Rhodesian Labrador is a relatively new addition to the designer dog family, and the success of breeding them for health purposes is relatively unknown, it has been known to succeed in other hybrid mixes. A Brief Overview Of The Rhodesian Labrador The Rhodesian Labrador is generally a good looking, gentle, loving, yet determinedly headstrong breed that makes the perfect family pet. They are large and energetic, share a strong bond with their humans, and can outplay even the most playful child. Though they love being outdoors, and all activities outdoorsy, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not an outside dog. Rather, they need to be tucked up inside sharing your treats and sofa, if allowed, and not outside in a kennel. They love nothing more, so be prepared, than to relax across your knee during quiet time. Training brings out the best in the Rhodesian Labrador, so be ready to put some time and effort into doing this. Untrained, this breed may get a little on the domineering side, which you definitely do not want. Training needs to be firm but fair with the Rhodesian Labrador responding best to positive reinforcement. You should also be aware that the Rhodesian Labrador is a protective breed of a dog that will be wary of strangers and may posture. This is not, however, this breed being aggressive, as they are not, rather they are simply warning the perceived threat away. Finally, it is worth mentioning that if you are looking for a breed of a dog that can be registered as a pedigree with the American Kennel Club, then the Rhodesian Labrador is not that dog. This hybrid breed currently is not accepted by them as a breed of its own. This is because, as we have already stated, the hybrid that is the Rhodesian Labrador can be a mix of any, all of, or even none of their individual traits. The Rhodesian Ridgeback A true working dog that has been used to hunt and retrieve game, protect the family, and property, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a refined crossbreed in itself. It was established in the early 16th century when dogs of the Boer settlers were bred with tribe dogs such as the Khoikhoi, Mastiff, Deerhound, and Great Dane. A couple of centuries later, in , the Reverend Helm brought two of these wonderful dogs to Matabeleland. Here, people soon learned of their prowess when it came to being used as hunting dogs, and began to use them themselves. As we now know, lion killer is not strictly true as though the Rhodesian Ridgeback was indeed used to hunt lions, they never actually killed them. Rather, they hunted lion down, cornering them until their owner could catch up and deal with them. This bravery added to the loyalty that the Rhodesian Ridgeback displayed soon made them a highly trusted and highly prized companion. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is, according to the kennel club, a fast and powerful athlete that is a whole lot of a hound! They are described as faithful friends who are protective of loved ones, and full of affection and love. They are also, on the other hand, strong-willed and independent, needing firm but fair training. They can be domineering if they are allowed to be, so need a strong-willed owner. Looks wise, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is described as standing at between 25 to 27 inches if male and 24 to 26 inches if female. They can weigh in at up to 85 lb. Color wise, there is only one which the Rhodesian Ridgeback comes in and it is described as wheaten. This, however, can be of varying shades from pale flaxen to burnished red. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is listed by the American Kennel Club as the 42nd most popular breed of the clubs .The Labrador Retriever Classed as one of the most popular breeds in all of America, the Labrador Retriever originated from Newfoundland, an Easterly province of Canada. Here they would be used by a fisherman to help catch fish that came loose from their nets or to jump into the freezing cold water and help pull the nets out. In the s, English ships brought the Labrador Retriever to England where they were bred with Spaniels, Setters, and other types of Retriever to enhance the breeds instinct for hunting. This was highly successful and the Labrador Retriever we know today was born. Regarded as incredibly easy to train, and renowned for their hunting and retrieving ability the Labrador Retriever has developed over the years into much more than a hunting dog. Today they are also used for drug detection work, police work, guide work for the blind, sledding and carting, and search and rescue. According to the American Kennel Club, within which it ranks at number 1 for popularity out of breeds, the Labrador Retriever is a sturdy and well-balanced breed with a dense and hard coat. This coat comes in a glorious array of colors from yellow to black, and luscious chocolate, with the glorious fox red and silver being, also included but not recognized specifically. Standing at up to .They are classified as a sporting dog by the American Kennel Club but appear at Crufts as a gun dog. Technically, they are both with sporting just being another way to describe the gundog group. Personality wise, Labrador Retrievers are great big bundles of love that will bond with the whole family and always greet you with a wagging tail and smile. They make great and loving companions who socialize well with humans and other dogs alike. Quite the keen athletes also, Labrador Retrievers love to run and swim. Marathon games of fetch will be on the cards for anyone who invites this breed into their home. The Rhodesian Labrador — Appearance Image from petrescue. The chest is deep and supports a solid neck and fine elegant head. The top of the head is rounded slightly in shape with an indent often being present between the eyes. The eyes themselves are always bright, alert, and full of curiosity and character. They are a rich deep amber or a darkish brown in color with a rounded shape and a dark rim to them. Beneath the eyes, the muzzle is long and pointed and ends in a nose that is always black. The mouth of the Rhodesian Labrador has a black rim to it and teeth that meet in a neat scissor bite. Ears are set wide apart on this hybrid breed and almost frame the head. At the other end of the Rhodesian Labradors body, a long tail completes the design of this handsome breed with its elegant stance. Well, almost that is! The Rhodesian Labrador — Temperament Unlike appearance, which can vary in the Rhodesian Labrador, temperament is a little more certain. This is mainly due to both the breeds involved in this hybrid being similar in personality and behavior. Both, for example, are calm and confident, and both are loving and loyal. Where the Labrador Retriever and Rhodesian Ridgeback do differ is in the tendency to be stubborn and possibly domineering. This is not a trait that the Labrador often displays, rather it is the domain of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This trait makes them harder to train, but not impossible, it just takes hard work and the ability to be firm but fair. The Rhodesian Labrador usually inherits this trait. Calm indoors and energetic outdoors the Rhodesian Labrador is the ideal family pet. They love children and will play fetch with them all day long, often outplaying the child. They are also protective of those they love, but never aggressive. They may, however, posture and bark in the presence of those they see as a threat to their family, but they will not attack. The calm nature of the Rhodesian Labrador means that even though they are a large dog, they can adapt quite well to apartment living. They will, however, need frequent exercise such as walks to prevent them from becoming a destructive force within your home. As Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Labrador Retrievers come from a hunting background, the Rhodesian Labrador may inherit the prey instinct. This means they could be prone to chasing small animals and squaring up to other dogs. Good training with socialization at an early age should take care of this trait, but it pays to keep your Rhodesian Labrador on a leash until you are sure they will not chase. Overall, the Rhodesian Labrador could be described as a big dog that has a heart that is even bigger! They are loyal, loving, playful, intelligent, affectionate, and make a fantastic family pet. Rhodesian Labrador — Maintenance Putting it simply the Rhodesian Labrador is incredibly easy to care for and requires very little maintenance. They have no special requirements that will take up lots of your time. Time wise, all in all, care for your Rhodesian Labrador should take up a little more than an hour per week. A moderate shedding breed the Rhodesian Labrador requires a thorough brushing on a weekly basis. This should be done with a stiff bristled brush or a product like the Furminator. This will remove any loose fur, including the undercoat that is inherited from the Labrador Retriever. You may also need to occasionally clip your Rhodesian Labradors claws. Due to not always being able to tell where the vein is in the claw, many owners choose to use a groomer or their veterinary clinic to perform this task. With their large floppy ears, the Rhodesian Labrador is especially prone to ear infections. Because of this regular cleansing of the ears is recommended. This can usually be done with simple ear cleansing wipes, but if you notice a dirt buildup ear cleansing liquids are also widely available. Bathing is not a regular necessity when it comes to a Rhodesian Labrador and should only be done when they are really dirty. If you need to bathe them make sure you use a gentle dog-specific shampoo and ensure you thoroughly rinse. Finally, teeth cleaning is a care activity you should be performing on a weekly basis. Do not rely on teeth cleansing treats to do this job for you. Dog toothbrushes and toothpaste are widely available and as with any care regime, you should start performing this task from an early age. Special puppy brushes that are slipped on to your fingers can be purchased to help you accustom your Rhodesian Labrador to this task. Rhodesian Labrador — Activity Requirements Rhodesian Labradors have a lot of energy and require the time and opportunity for them to expel this. They should be walking for at least 12 miles a week and be participating in 2 hours activity a day. Agility, fetch, chase, and even training sessions are all excellent ways to give your Rhodesian Labrador the exercise they need. As mentioned before, this breed loves to play all manner of games, especially the one called fetch! They are also intelligent enough that sports like agility will be a breeze for them. It is worth noting that, also as pre-mentioned, the Rhodesian Labrador can have a high prey drive meaning they will chase after small animals, and possibly other dogs. When doing this they will also not always be responsive to recall. For this reason, it is a good idea to keep your Rhodesian Labrador on a leash whilst in public places. Extending leads are perfect for this breed as they mean your dog can have a range of up to around 8 meters away from you whilst still being under your control. Rhodesian Labrador — Food Consumption The Rhodesian Labrador is a breed that just loves their food and will eat virtually anything that is offered to them. It is, however, worth remembering that this breed also puts on weight very easily and can become obese quite quick. Fully grown Rhodesian Labradors should be eating around 2. Any treats given should be accounted for by feeding smaller meals. Feeding times are best spread out throughout the day, say three meals a day, to ensure they burn off the calories they are in taking. Please note Rhodesian Labradors do make excellent food thieves and are of a size that food simply placed on a counter will not be out of their reach. Make sure any food, that you do not want them getting, is secure and safe from stealthy paws. Rhodesian Labrador — Health As with all breeds of dog, the Rhodesian Labrador is more prone to certain illnesses than others, and this should be taken into account before making the decision to own one. Rhodesian Labrador major health concerns are canine hip and joint dysplasia, hyperthyroidism, and gastric dilation volvulus, commonly known as GDV. Canine hip and joint dysplasia — This is an abnormal formation of usually the hip, or less commonly elbow socket. In its more severe form, it can lead to crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is more common in larger dog breeds and there is no complete cure. It can, however, be treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatories, and sometimes if suitable surgery. Hyperthyroidism — This health concern occurs when your Rhodesian Labradors body produces too much of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms include lethargy, exercise intolerance, mental dullness, weight gain, obesity, and an intolerance to the cold. It is, however, treatable with Thyroxine which will offset your Rhodesian Labradors low thyroid function. Gastric Dilation Volvulus GDV — A rapidly progressing and life-threatening condition that is commonly associated with feeding your Rhodesian Labrador large meals. This in turn causes the stomach to dilate, because of food and gas, and can get to the point whether neither is expelled. The stomach will then expand and dilate causing a pressure buildup which can be fatal. Surgery is needed for this condition. Whilst the above may all sound really scary, they are certainly not common occurrences with the Rhodesian Labrador. They are, however, conditions you should be aware of and prepared to deal with should the need arise. Other conditions that may affect your Rhodesian Labrador but that would be minor concerns are ear infections and glaucoma. Ear Infections — As already mentioned in the care section, Rhodesian Labradors are prone to getting dirty ears which can become infected. This is usually due to bacteria and yeast growth and symptoms of infection include redness, a bad odor, and swelling. You may also find your Rhodesian Labrador trying to paw at their ears in an effort to clean them or frequently shaking their head. This is an indication that the infection has become painful and that you should seek veterinary help. Glaucoma — This is a disease of the optic nerve in which pressure is placed on the eye. If left without treatment, this condition can become chronic causing permanent damage such as blindness. Treatment varies including drugs or the possible draining of excess fluid. It is worth mentioning here that annual checkups for your Rhodesian Labrador are a really good idea. These can be done at the same time as their yearly vaccinations. In fact, many veterinarians offer packages that include both vaccinations and a checkup that are usually exceptionally well priced. Rhodesian Labrador — Puppies As a puppy, the Rhodesian Labrador will be highly energetic and love to actively play for which they need lots of safe space. This should take the form of a well-enclosed garden from which they cannot escape, or a leash being on them when out in public. It is worth noting that due to possible joint injuries, which we have covered above, that the Rhodesian Labrador puppy should take frequent but short walks. Rhodesian Labrador puppies should be fed a high-quality suitable food so that they grow healthy and do not become obese. As a guide, the weight of your puppy at 6 months old should be no more than 23 lb, and at 12 month 40lb. Like any other breed, pure or hybrid, you should always research possible Rhodesian Labrador breeders carefully. Visit the homes where the puppies are living, and insist on seeing both Mum and Dad. Watch how the breeder interacts with the puppies and how the puppies respond to them. As always anything much cheaper than this you should avoid at all costs. This is because it may be a good indication that the breeder may be running a puppy mill. Consider owning a Cairn Terrier! In this article, we explore who would benefit them as furry friends! Check them here! Read on to discover nine types of people who should consider owning this unique breed. Check this article to learn more about the types of people who are perfect for owning a Poodle dog! Because he is a newer generation crossbreed, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC , although several other kennel clubs around the world have started to recognize this mix. This is a crossbreed that has become quite common these days, and he is expected to continue to grow in popularity as time goes on. That said, there has also been a lot of debate when it comes to whether or not this mix is actually a good idea to breed and sell to the general public of dog enthusiasts. To properly understand this crossbreed and what makes him tick, it is important to take a closer look at his parent breeds. The Rhodesian ridgeback is a purebred dog that was originally developed in the province of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is famous for his agility, intelligence, and ability to withstand the harsh conditions of Africa. With that being said, there are still many people who rely on this breed for working purposes. There is no denying that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a beautiful dog. This breed is very athletic, muscular, sleek, and strong. Still, Rhodesians can be stubborn and even develop aggressive tendencies if they are not properly trained and socialized. They are also incredibly active dogs, so they require loads of exercise in order to stay happy and healthy. Meet The Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever is a family favorite thanks to his perfect mix of enthusiasm, playfulness and gentleness. Their endearing personalities and adorable appearance helped solidify them as winning family companions. Labrador Retrievers are some of the top most sought after working dogs not only in the United States, but also the world. They serve as search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, serviced dogs, police dogs, and more. The crossbreed controversy. Hybrid vigor. Designer dog breeds? It all sounds like nonsense but the terms are real and have been the epicenter of national controversy amongst canine enthusiasts for years. You might have heard about crossbred dogs. They are the latest trend in the canine kingdom. Crossbreed dogs are believed to have hybrid vigour: An overall fitness and a healthier body than their purebred counterparts. And while this concept does seem promising, it is not widely accepted by all experts when it comes to crossbreeding dogs. Over the last two decades, crossbreed dogs like the Rhodesian Ridgeback have made a breakthrough and are now considered as popular to own, if not more popular to own, than their purebred counterparts. However, while many dog lovers might fall in love with the physical features of a crossbreed dog like the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix, the health and life expectancy of this type of dog is a real gray area. Outside of health, earlier generation crossbreed dogs may also be unpredictable when it comes to temperament and appearance. So, what can you expect when it comes to raising a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Keep reading to find out. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix Temperament This is a mixed breed that is known to be friendly and affectionate with children. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is an eye-catching crossbreed dog with distinctive features and various other traits that make him a wonderful addition to the right household. As a companion dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is outstanding. They are known to be loyal, obedient, and excellent with youngsters. There are various reasons that people cross-breed these two breeds to create a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix puppy. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix can be a wonderful pet to the right individual or family as they are highly trainable and intelligent. If properly raised and socialized, Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix dogs can also make great guard dogs. Although the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is a relatively friendly dog, he can also be an independent thinker who will make his own decisions. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mixes make great family companions, and they even have the potential to do well in apartments or smaller spaces so long as their exercise needs are routinely met. However, these dogs can have a high prey drive and without early socialization and training they can develop serious behavioral issues like depression, aggressive tendencies, anxiety, and more. The key to a well trained dog is effective early training and socialization. When it comes to Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix training, the process needs to begin at an early age to ensure it is most effective. The good news is that, due to their genetic makeup, this is a mixed breed that reaches full maturity at the ripe old age of two years or so. This means that the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix has a socialization period that is fairly long in comparison to other breeds or mixes. Along with socialization, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix will also need to be properly trained at an early age. The process of training this hybrid should begin very early in its life and will require lots of time, consistency, patience, and attention. One of the most effective ways to train your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix puppy is to use positive reinforcement training methods. These methods include the use of treats, praise, and patience as opposed to punishments, scolding, or fear. One of the most powerful tools in positive reinforcement dog training is food. Food is used to celebrate successes and also to reward desired behaviors in your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix. This is vital when it comes to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix who, by nature, can be somewhat stubborn and hard-headed. High value dog treats include treats that are about the size of a pea, and treats that are very smelly and very chewy. These treats are all natural dog treats that include quality ingredients like real meat protein. We especially like the salmon soft dog treats! They are only 4 calories per treat, making them ideal for free or rapid feeding when utilizing them for specific training methods. We also like that these treats are made without any artificial preservatives, flavors or ingredients like wheat, soy or gluten. They are even ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or for dogs who struggle with weight or obesity issues. Rhodesian Lab Mix dogs need consistent exercise beginning at an early age. A lot of Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix owners might be confused about how much exercise this mix really needs. A cross between the herd-working Rhodesian Ridgeback and the water-loving Labrador Retriever, you should expect that the Rhodesian Ridgeback mix will need at least two hours of dedicated exercise each and every day. Long hikes, jogs, runs, and swims are all great ways to help keep your dog in shape and to reduce pent up stress or anxiety. Keep in mind that the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is a powerful, work-oriented dog that needs to be able to move around freely and run regularly. For this reason, he is best suited for homes with securely fenced in yards where he can romp around at his leisure. However, there is an exception to this rule if you are an especially active dog owner who is able to provide your dog with the amount of proper exercise he needs each day in order to thrive. We recommend using a no pull dog harness when you take your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix out for walks. The above PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is a safe and effective solution for pulling dogs as it allows you to control pulling by redirecting your dog back to you if he gets ahead. Mental Stimulation Along with proper physical exercise, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is also going to need routine mental stimulation each and every day. Keep in mind that this mix comes from two parent breeds with working origins, and without a job to do the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix could be prone to boredom, anxiety, stress, and destructive behaviors. Many dog owners wonder how much mental stimulation a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix needs to be truly happy. Some owners believe that just because their dog loves to run around outside or chew on various toys that they are receiving enough mental stimulation. But to truly understand what your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix needs, you must observe his instincts and breed traits. Mental stimulation for a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is a very important element of pet care. This type of activity can help to keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix happy and healthy for long periods of time, reducing destructive chewing or other behavioral issues in the home. This rubber dog toy is excellent for an assortment of games of fetch, or it can be played with and chewed on its own. The product is made from sturdy, natural rubber, so it is safe for heavy chewers. Grooming your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is a job that needs to be done on a regular basis in order to keep your dog healthy and looking his best. The Labrador Retriever part of the crossbreed means they may be heavy-shedding dogs that will need routine brushing and combing all year round. To keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix looking great and feeling great, we suggest grooming him on a weekly basis, and brushing him even more often during shedding season. Aside from this, grooming your Rhodesian Ridgeback is relatively simple so long as it is maintained. Brushing is an absolutely essential part of keeping your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix healthy and happy, and so is proper bathing. You are probably wondering how often you will need to bathe your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix in order to keep his coat healthy. One of the unique things about the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is that his coat is weather resistant, making it somewhat self cleaning. This means that your Rhodesian Lab Mix will only need to be bathed once or twice every six weeks or so. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix dogs should not be over-bathed. They have short hair and only shed once a year. Bathing them often can dry out their skin by stripping it of the natural oils it produces which can lead to itching and skin problems. All dogs can be susceptible to dental disease and should have their teeth brushed once a day, everyday. Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix will also need his nails trimmed routinely. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix can have many of the same characteristics and health issues of both its parent breeds, and while t hese dogs do have a decent lifespan , they may cost owners quite a bit of money in veterinarian bills if owners are not prepared. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador Mix has a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years. For the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix, the most common health issues he may be susceptible to include:. You should also take them out for short walks frequently because they are prone to injuries to their joints. Rhodesian Labradors are very proud dogs. This is true even as puppies, and this comes from their Rhodesian Ridgeback heritage. The puppies are somewhat stocky and thick. They have muscular builds that are similar to grown Ridgebacks. Instead of overreacting when this occurs, you should show them a lot of praise when they do something right, along with giving them treats. However, they will need to be walked daily so they can let off their energy. Socialization will also help. However, you should always be careful. These dogs make great companions for kids and they love playing. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are affectionate and playful, and they are also very protective of their families. They love playing with children and they will also be very protective of their nuclear family. If they are very active, you can take this to 3 cups. You want to keep their food out of their reach. Lastly, choose kibble with large pieces to help avoid bloating. As house pets, they are going to do fine with walking each day for exercise. However, if you want your dog to be playful, you want to make sure that you are playing with them. Otherwise, it could affect its health badly. Without the proper exercise, your Rhodesian Labrador will have to be fed less and its nature might cause overeating. This can lead to diseases such as bloat. Something else to be careful about is the deterioration of the joints and hips. The reason for this is due to their instinct to be aggressive and alert towards strange animals and unfamiliar people. They also might bark when you take them to the park and people try to pet it. The good news is that they are fast learners and want to do everything that they can do to please you. Be consistent and firm with practice and give them positive reinforcement such as treats. It is also important for owners to avoid keeping the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador on a short leash or a cage. It prefers to move freely about the house and interact with its family. A retractable leash is also recommended. You will want to brush him twice per week at least using a bristle brush. Sometimes, this hybrid will inherit the double coat for which the lab is known, which means it will need to be brushed more frequently. This means that bacteria grow, and this can cause infections. You will also want to keep up with their nails. Because Rhodesian Labradors have large frames, they are prone to problems with their joints and hips. Minor Conditions. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a great family dog. They are very affectionate and tend to be very loyal to their families. What two breeds make a Rhodesian Ridgeback? The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred in Africa by crossing cattle dogs with mastiffs. The Labrador Retriever has been used as a hearing dog, and they are trained to retrieve game birds and other animals in addition to their traditional purpose. Labrador Retrievers have long been known as one of the most popular breeds of dogs in North America. Labradors are loyal companions who are intelligent and active. The Labrador Retriever is a medium-sized dog that weighs around 50 pounds when fully mature inches tall at the shoulder. What is a rhodesian ridgeback lab mix? A rhodesian ridgeback lab mix is a hybrid dog with the look and temperament of a ridgeback but with the intelligence of a labrador retriever. The two breeds are very different in terms of personality, so be sure to choose the right breed for your family! Characteristics They are loyal, gentle, and protective, making them great family dogs. They also make good guard dogs, as their large size means that they can deter intruders by looking intimidating. The best thing about this breed is their gentle nature—they are very easy to train and will always try to please you in any way they can. Appearance They are a medium-sized dog breed with a short fur coat on their body. They have short legs and a long body with a muscular build. Their face is very round and their nose is black or brown in color. Their eyes are dark and they have eyelashes that are black or brown as well. They have a long bushy tail that can be black or brown. The rhodesian ridgeback lab mix has tan-colored skin on their face and ears and lighter-colored fur on their body, making them look like they have stripes down their back. They also have tan-colored paws, which makes them look like they have tiger stripes down their back! What is the temperament of a Rhodesian Labrador? They are calm and gentle creatures who will love to cuddle on the couch and watch movies with you. The rhodesian ridgeback lab mix is also very active, so you may want to consider an exercise routine for your pet. This dog tends to be very protective of their owners and family members. They like to keep an eye on things and keep an eye on what their owners are doing. The best way to train your Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix Dog is through positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training or controlled negative punishment CNP. These methods teach your dog that bad behaviors result in something good happening for him instead of bad things happening for him, like getting punished by having his favorite toy taken away from him by his owner. Feeding The feeding requirements of a rhodesian ridgeback lab mix dog breed are similar to those of other large dogs. The most important thing that you need to keep in mind is that you should be sure your dog is getting enough protein-rich food. In addition, it is also important that you replace its regular meals with high-quality food and drink. The best way to ensure that your dog gets the right amount of protein-rich food is by feeding them raw meat or kibble made from raw meat. You can also feed your dog with bones or beef liver once in a while if they seem hungry. Grooming The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix dog breed requires a moderate amount of grooming. The coat of this breed can be short or long. It is often wiry and straight, with no undercoat. The ears should be clean and well-groomed, with no hair growing inside them. If you want to groom your dog regularly, use a product that is designed for their type of hair and skin. If you want to keep their coat short, it may be necessary to take extra care when brushing it so that only the correct amount of hair is removed from each stroke. Barking Levels The barking levels of a rhodesian ridgeback lab mix dog breed can vary from low to high. Low barking: When the dog is outside and other dogs are barking, it will usually bark quietly. When its owner calls it, it may bark briefly in response. High Barking: When the dog is inside and other dogs are barking, it will usually bark loudly. When its owner calls it, it may bark for a long time in response. Weather Tolerance The rhodesian ridgeback lab mix has very good weather tolerance, making them great for all-weather and temperate homes. Hip dysplasia is usually caused by genetics, but it can also be caused by injury or disease. If left untreated, hip dysplasia can lead to chronic arthritis in those joints, which makes walking difficult for your dog and increases his risk of developing other problems such as cancer or heart disease. Liver shunt A liver shunt is a condition that occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the liver and the bile ducts, which can lead to bleeding in the stomach, intestines, and other parts of the body. The cause of liver shunt is unknown, but there are several factors that contribute to this disease. These include: Inherited genetic predisposition Dietary factors e. The most common symptoms of dehydration in dogs include the following: Dry mouth. Physical Traits Long-limbed, Long snout, beautiful fur, ears folding away from the face The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix is a combination of two loving and loyal dogs that are known for having an unshakeable bond with their family. The hybrid dog loves to play with children and may even display more energy than the kid. Owners will know that the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback likes to spend time with its human family inside the house and even sharing their sleeping space. Owners must also be aware that this hybrid dog loves to eat, which makes it essential to keep its food out of reach and avoid throwing food on the floor. Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed with Labrador Puppies for Sale Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Labrador are large dog breeds, which may come at high prices. While it may be pricey, owners will have a worthwhile experience living with this hybrid dog. The average price for the Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback ranges from to dollars. The cost varies when considering the pedigree and the size of the puppy. Its shedding requires owners to brush its fur at least twice a week. This hybrid dog does not require too much bathing due to its short coat. Owners may take it on a quick bath if the coat and skin start to get smelly. While it is low maintenance on its coat compared to other large breed dogs, the Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback needs constant supervision on its ears. The moist environment on the floppy ears may provide a place for bacteria to grow, which could lead to infections. It is essential for owners to be careful with trimming the nails of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador. If owners cannot trust themselves with making clean cuts, they must seek the help of a professional groomer. Improper nail cutting can harm the hybrid dog. Dental sprays help reduce the chances of the dog contracting oral diseases. It may be difficult for some owners to clean the teeth of the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback as it tends to force itself away from a toothbrush. Dental sprays help save time and effort for the owner. Ear Cleanser Ear cleansers can help remove wax to avoid diseases and prevent bacteria from growing inside the ears of the Labrador mixed with Rhodesian Ridgeback. Pet owners can try their ear cleaning solution for their pets when there are signs of infection or irritation. However, improper cleaning solutions can be harmful to the dog if owners create it without proper knowledge. Vacuum Cleaner This tool helps remove clutter inside the house and protects owners from allergies. While the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador is a moderate shedder, the vacuum cleaner may come in handy for dog owners who want to save time and effort cleaning up inside the house. Bristle Brush Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix is a moderate shedder with a short to medium coat, it does not require the slicker brush. The bristle brush will work on this hybrid dog as it helps remove shed hair remaining on its coat. Rhodesian Ridgeback crossed with Lab Health Problems Before adopting a Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador puppy, owners must first coordinate with the breeder regarding the health of its parent breeds. Most dogs inherit their diseases and health conditions from their parent breeds, which makes it essential for owners to check the medical history documents of the parents of the hybrid dog. Upon adoption, it is necessary to administer the shots that the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback need. Owners must always be aware of the common health conditions to prevent them from developing. Because of its large frame, the Rhodesian Ridgeback crossed with Labrador is prone to hip and joint problems. It may also be common for the hybrid dog to have stomach problems because of its lack of activity and its tendency to overeat. Owners must keep a strict eating schedule and a close watch on their pets. Here are a few of the common health problems of the Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback: Hip Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia is a common condition among active dogs because the hip and joint support can deteriorate as they age. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador can dislocate the socket joint on their hips, causing painful friction in the hip socket. An awkward limp on its hind legs is the first sign of hip dysplasia. The Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback can suffer permanent paralysis if it remains untreated. Bloat Veterinarians still have no idea as to how dogs contract bloat. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix suffers from it because it often eats uncontrollably without proper exercise. Bloat can cause damage to the stomach and heart if left untreated. The uncleaned environment inside the ears invite bacteria and may lead to infections. If left untreated, infections may cause severe damage to the hearing of the hybrid dog. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism can happen to any dog breed. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix may suffer from the health condition on rare occasions. If not adequately treated, the Pitbull Husky mix may suffer heart and kidney failure. Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback Food Requirements The Labrador mixed with Rhodesian Ridgeback needs to have at least two and a half cups of dry dog food a day. The Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog and needs to have a protein-rich diet. Owners need to seek dog food products that have meat as their main ingredients. Kibble that is rich on glucosamine is also a good choice when owners consider the hip and joint issues of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix. Owners need to consider what kind of dog food fits the Labrador crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback. One of the factors for picking the right product is studying possible health issues. Since the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback mix is prone to hip dysplasia, owners must seek brands that have glucosamine to improve joint health. The hybrid dog is also likely to bloat, which makes it essential for owners to buy dog food products that have large kibbles. This brand boasts real beef as its first ingredient. It also contains a turkey meal, antioxidant-rich fruits vegetables, and whole grains. Turkey meal provides the necessary protein levels to complement the real beef ingredient. The brand comprises of wild boar, rabbit with freeze-dried raw lamb, and wild game duck. While it is a dry dog food product, the Wellness CORE formula can become a safe way for owners to introduce raw food into the diet of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix without upsetting its stomach. It is also gluten-free, making it a balanced diet. This brand also helps improve vision and brain development because of the inclusion of the omega-3, DHA. This American Journey product also includes wholesome grains like barley, brown rice, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots, leaving a delicious blend of flavor. It derives nutrients and protein from its main ingredient, wild fish from the herring family. This single source protein diet helps eliminate allergy risks from chicken. The Life Protection formula is one of its most famous recipes because of its deboned chicken main ingredient. The formula also has antioxidant-rich kelp, sweet potatoes, carrots, and blueberries. It also has no corn, soy, or wheat. Each meal consists of a whole plate of nutritious proteins like salmon meal, deboned whitefish, and deboned chicken. This brand also contains four different probiotics, fruits, and vegetables to compliment the protein-rich ingredients. This brand contains all the necessary ingredients without all the additives that make dog food expensive. It lists chicken as its primary ingredient, followed by fortified vitamins and minerals. It also provides this hybrid dog with multiple fiber sources to aid the digestive problems of the hybrid dog. It also includes a vast array of fiber sources to prevent digestive problems for the hybrid dog. Large breed puppies like the Labrador mixed with Rhodesian Ridgeback will have a wholesome meal with whole grains and chicken for optimal nutrition. It also includes helps prevent diseases with its low glycemic index, making sure that the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador grows up to become a healthy, energetic, and large canine. You want to make sure that your dog, big or small, is always as healthy as a horse. Your super cute mixed doggo carries the genes of their incredibly different parents. So, you can offer them both the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best large breed dry dog food and see which one they gobble with more enthusiasm! In the backyard, however, it becomes an energetic goofball who loves to play with kids. As a house pet, this hybrid dog will do fine with a daily walk as its exercise. If owners want the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador to be playful, they are going to have to get involved in the activities. This hybrid dog loves to get the attention of its family, which is why a game of fetch and tag are some of the most suitable exercises for it. When taking a walk at the park with the Rhodesian Ridgeback crossed with Labrador, the owner must keep it on a retractable leash to keep it calm. Owners must not let the Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed with Labrador go on a day without activities because it may have adverse effects on its health. Without proper exercise, the Labrador mixed with Rhodesian Ridgeback must have less food consumption. Its lackadaisical nature around the house can cause it to over-eat, exposing the hybrid dog to many diseases like bloat. It is also essential for owners to limit exercises in hopes of avoiding hip and joint deterioration. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix will need to have 12 hours of activity in a week, which owners can divide into two hours of walking and playing in a day. This hybrid dog tends to reach into its instincts to be alert and act aggressively toward unfamiliar guests and strange animals around the house. It may also bark at people who are trying to pet it at the park. Owners must teach the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador mix how to act around strangers at an early age appropriately. The hybrid dog is a fast learner because it loves to please its owners. However, there may be instances where the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback may think of itself as the alpha around the house. When the hybrid dog is displaying stubbornness or unwilling behavior, owners must position themselves as the true leader inside the house. Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador dogs have the reputation of staying quiet and sulk at a corner of a room if owners use harsh treatment during training. To avoid any destructive behavior from the hybrid dog, owners must be firm and consistent with practice while giving positive reinforcement like handing out treats for obeying commands. It is also essential for owners to avoid keeping the Rhodesian Ridgeback Labrador on a short leash or a cage inside the house. It loves to roam around the house and interact with its family. A retractable leash is also recommendable for owners. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab and Families The Labrador and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are two lovable household pets that can double as protective dogs around the house. Their associations to services like hunters, military, and police work make them a perfect match for crossbreeding. Around the house and loving owners, the Labrador Rhodesian Ridgeback will be on the spotlight for a happy family. It loves to play around children because of its playful and affectionate nature. It is also protective of its family, making it an excellent watchdog against strangers and intruders. It was created by crosses between Labrador Retrievers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The resulting offspring inherit the best qualities of both breeds. Although the exact origins of the Rhodesian Labrador are unknown, it is thought that the first crossbreeds were developed in South Africa in the early s. Since then, the Rhodesian Labrador has become increasingly popular in other parts of the world. This is particularly the case in Australia and North America. Thanks to their even temperaments and trainability, Rhodesian Labradors make great family pets. They are also highly intelligent and enthusiastic workers, making them well-suited for a variety of roles. This includes search and rescue, assistance dogs, and therapy dogs. As such, they inherit many of the best traits of both breeds. They are playful and friendly, making them great family pets. They are also intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. However, they do require regular exercise and need plenty of space to run around. They are also prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Overall, the Rhodesian ridgeback lab mix is a loyal and loving companion that makes a great addition to any family. The coat is usually short and dense, with a distinctive ridge along its back. They come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and red. Regardless of their color, all Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mixes make wonderful companions. Rhodesian Labrador — What is their Temperament like? The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is a cross between the Rhodesian ridgeback and the Labrador retriever. They are calm and even-tempered, making them great family pets. However, their hunting instincts can still sometimes kick in, so it is important to socialize them from a young age. They are also eager to please, making them easy to train. Rhodesian Labrador requires regular exercise and need plenty of space to run around. They are also known for being very intelligent and independent-minded. This can make them a bit stubborn at times, but it also means that they are quick learners. Overall, Rhodesian Labradors will make a great addition to any family. This breed is not for everyone, and potential owners should be prepared to commit to a challenging yet rewarding training regime. The Rhodesian Labrador is an intelligent breed, and early socialization is essential. These dogs need plenty of exercise, both mental and physical, and they thrive when given a job to do. With firm yet compassionate training, the Rhodesian Labrador can make a loyal and obedient companion. However, without proper guidance, this breed can be destructive, and even dangerous. Potential owners should research the training needs of this breed before making the commitment to add a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix to their family. Rhodesian Labrador — Are they Aggressive? This mix combines the best of both parent breeds, resulting in a dog that is loyal, affectionate, and intelligent. However, some potential owners may be concerned about whether this mix is aggressive. While it is true that both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Labrador Retriever are known for being protective of their families, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is not an aggressive dog. In fact, these dogs are typically very good-natured and eager to please. With proper training and socialization, they can make excellent companions for families with children. Rhodesian Labrador — How much exercise do they need? While every dog is different, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is generally a high-energy breed that needs plenty of daily exercise. A long walk or run is a great way to burn off excess energy, and playing fetch or Frisbee is also a good option. This breed is known for being intelligent and independent-minded, so they need plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Other good options include agility training, nose work, and obedience classes. With the right environment, this mix can thrive both physically and mentally. Rhodesian Labrador — Grooming The Rhodesian Labrador is an active breed that requires regular grooming. Daily brushing is necessary to remove dead hair and prevent matting. The coat should also be trimmed every few weeks to keep it looking neat. In addition, the nails should be trimmed regularly, and the ears should be cleaned to prevent infection. With proper care, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix will be a healthy and active dog that is a joy to have as part of the family. Rhodesian Labrador — Are they Healthy? This hybrid combines the best traits of both parent breeds, resulting in a loyal, affectionate, and active dog that is well-suited to a variety of lifestyles. While they are generally healthy dogs, there are some health conditions to be aware of. For example, like all large breed dogs, they are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. With proper care and nutrition, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix can make a wonderful addition to any family. Rhodesian Labrador — Nutrition The Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is a large, athletic dog that requires a nutritious diet to maintain its energy and health. High-quality protein is also essential for this mix, as it helps to build strong muscles and supports the immune system. You may want to choose a food that contains a blend of proteins from both animal and plant sources. And because this breed loves to play, healthy fat content is also important for providing sustained energy throughout the day. Rhodesian Labrador — Dog Friendly? Due to their strong hunting instincts, Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mixes may not be the best fit for a home with small pets. They tend to get along well with other dogs, and they are often very patient with children. Rhodesian Labrador — Child Friendly? They are known for being great with children and are quite patient with them. They are also relatively easy to train. This includes socialization and training. Rhodesian Labrador — Drooling Levels These dogs are playful and friendly, but they also have a reputation for being heavy droolers. While every dog is different, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix is likely to inherit this trait from both of its parent breeds. You can also keep a stash of dog treats on hand to distract your dog when he starts to drool excessively. With a little patience and preparation, you can enjoy all the perks of owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix without the drool! They are not prone to excessive barking, and they are generally well-behaved. However, like all dogs, they may bark when they are excited or anxious. Labrador Retrievers, on the other hand, are known for being vocal dogs. They tend to bark more than other breeds, and they can be quite loud. So, what happens when you mix a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a Labrador Retriever? The result is a dog with moderate barking levels. This breed is not as quiet as a Rhodesian Ridgeback, but they are also not as vocal as a Labrador Retriever. They will bark when they are excited or nervous, but it is not excessive. Overall, this breed makes a good choice for those who want a dog that is not too quiet or too vocal. Rhodesian Labrador — Adaptability to Weather One of the most appealing things about the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is its adaptability to different weather conditions. Due to their short coats, they do not do well in cold weather and should be kept indoors during the winter months. However, their thick fur provides excellent insulation against hot weather, making them ideal for outdoor activities in the summer. Whether you live in a hot or cold climate, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is a versatile breed that can adjust to your climate. This is a relatively long lifespan for a dog, and it is due in part to the fact that both of the parent breeds are relatively healthy. However, some individual dogs may live longer or shorter depending on factors such as diet, exercise, and genetics. Overall, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab Mix is a robust and long-lived breed of dog. However, many dog lovers believe that it is only a matter of time before this breed receives official recognition. In the meantime, those who are lucky enough to own one of these special dogs can take pride in knowing that they have a truly unique pet. Rhodesian Labrador — Puppy Prices Puppy prices for Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mixes can vary depending on the breeder and the area you live in. The price will also depend on whether the parents are full-blooded Rhodesian Ridgebacks or Labrador Retrievers. If you are looking for a specific color or coat type, you may have to pay more. For example, puppies with blue eyes are often more expensive than those with brown eyes. Ultimately, the best way to find a Rhodesian Ridgeback Lab mix puppy is to research breeders in your area and compare prices. This will help ensure that you are getting a healthy puppy from a reputable source. These dogs inherit many of the best qualities from both of their parent breeds. They are intelligent, loyal, and loving dogs that make great family pets. They are also relatively easy to train and are known for being good around children. However, like all crossbreeds, there is some degree of variation in appearance and temperament between individual dogs. As such, it is important to do your research before you bring one of these dogs into your home. Thanks for reading!