difference between golden retriever and labrador puppy

Photo from thepuppyacademy The Doodle craze has resulted in many interesting crosses, from Cavoodles, Maltipoos , and Sheepadoodles to Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles. There are over forty Poodle mixes out there and they all seem to have fun names. Although these names are fun to pronounce, they can also be a bit confusing. The main difference between these three dogs is their genetic make-up. The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever while the Australian Labradoodle is a mix of a Poodle, a Labrador, and a few other dog breeds. When you cross these two pups, you get an Australian Goldendoodle. They all come in different sizes and coat colors. However, Australian Labradoodles tend to conform to a standard set by the Australian Labradoodle Association while the other two crosses are more unpredictable. Australian Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are more likely to inherit the low-shedding coat characteristics since they are multigenerational Doodles. The price range of all three breeds is similar, but Australian Goldendoodles can cost more on average. The F1 Doodles are the first generation pups that came into existence by crossing two different breeds. The F2 or the second generation dogs came from breeding two F1 Doodles, and the F3 mixes are multigenerational. This ensures that the hybrid vigor of the first-generation Goldendoodles and Australian Labradoodles is carried onto their offspring. Backcrossing Australian Goldendoodles is a bit more complicated than with other Poodle mixes since they have the genes of more than two dog breeds. Those crossed with a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever are considered to be different hybrid dogs. Physical Characteristics Of Australian Goldendoodles Australian Goldendoodles come in different sizes, depending on the Poodle genes of their parent breeds. Their height ranges from 17 to 24 inches while their weight can be between 15 and 80 pounds. The reason for this wide range of sizes is the fact that there are Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles. Their coats can be curly and wool-textured like Poodles. Pups with this coat type are more allergy-friendly since they shed less. They can also have wavy or straight fleece-textured coats. The hair length depends on their genetic make-up. Goldendoodles tend to have slightly longer hair compared to Australian Labradoodles. Australian Goldendoodles come in a variety of colors, from white, cream, and gold, to apricot, red, or black. Some are of solid color while others have different markings, such as parti, abstract, or phantom. Facial hair is in style, and Australian Goldendoodles are following the trend. Their adorable mustache, known as furnishings, gives them a distinct teddy bear look. The furnishings, alongside their shaggy-looking coats and floppy ears, make these pooches irresistible. They are small- to medium-sized dogs, weighing between 20 and 30 pounds, with a height of 16 to 19 inches. Poodles come in three different sizes; Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The small stature of Mini Doodles comes from the genes of their Miniature Poodle ancestors. The main difference between Mini and other Australian Goldenpoos is their size. They are the same as their larger cousins when it comes to other physical and personality traits. However, they need less exercise since the Miniature Poodle was primarily bred for companionship rather than for hunting like the Standard type. About 30 minutes of exercising a day should be enough to tire out these tiny pups. Do Australian Goldendoodles Shed? Australian Goldendoodles tend to be low-shedders. With the increase of pet allergies in recent times, the demand for pups with low-shedding tendencies is on the rise. Australian Goldenpoos with straight or wavy fleece-textured hair typically shed more than their curly-coated counterparts. However, the shedding can still be managed by proper grooming. Apart from genetics, other factors impact the amount of shedding in dogs as well. If your pup is shedding excessively, it may be due to stress, nutrition, health, or too much bathing. Grooming Requirements The Australian Goldendoodle is a high-maintenance crossbreed. The curly coats that make them shed minimally can easily get tangled or matted, which is why they require regular grooming. The grooming includes brushing and trimming their hair, bathing, teeth brushing, cleaning their ears , and trimming their nails. Their continuously growing hair also needs to be trimmed regularly. Most owners take their pups to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. Be sure to use a gentle dog shampoo since some bathing products can cause excessive shedding. You can inspect their ears weekly and use a soft cotton ball to gently clean them. Their teeth also need to be brushed once a week to prevent tartar build-up and gum disease. Their nails should be clipped once a month unless they naturally wear down. The Australian Goldendoodle is an affectionate, loving dog that loves to spend time with its owner. They are great family pets as they get along with other animals and children. Australian Goldendoodles can easily be trained for a variety of tasks due to their high intelligence. In fact, their Labradoodle parents were first created to be guide dogs for people with pet allergies. Many of these sweet-natured pups also work as therapy dogs, bringing happiness and comfort to people in hospitals and retirement homes. Australian Goldenpoos are very energetic and playful as well. Exercise Needs Australian Goldendoodles are active dogs. Making sure that your dog gets enough exercise and mental stimulation can prevent weight problems and behavioral issues. It also reduces the possibility of injuries as it strengthens their muscles. Puppies learn about the world through play, but it also helps build your relationship. As your puppy grows up , you can start taking it out for long walks or let it join you for a run. Australian Goldenpoos love being outside, so going for a hike once in a while is a great way to spend some quality time with your pooch. They also do great with different dog sports, such as dog agility or flyball. These sports would be fun hobbies to share with your pup. Positive reinforcement is always the best training method regardless of the breed. Your puppies will happily learn any new trick when you give them enough treats, praise, or tummy rubs. House training means letting the dog know what your house rules are. Puppies love to chew, so surrounding them with toys could help save your shoes. Another essential part of dog ownership is socialization. Although Australian Goldendoodles are friendly by nature, they still need to be socialized. What you need to do is bring your pup around with you to meet different people, dogs, and other animals. Smaller dogs generally have a longer life expectancy. They typically live between 12 and 16 years. These mixed-breed pooches are generally healthy dogs, but there are some health problems they can inherit from their parents. We pride ourselves on the way we raise our Puppies. We treat the Labradoodle puppies with care and give them lots of love so that they will be fun and social pets. Our goal is to make it easy to transition them from our loving home to yours. Thanks for visiting Southern Doodles. We currently have available spots on our puppy list!! Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are known for their gentle, social and affectionate nature which makes them wonderful family and therapy dogs. We have several of our breeding dogs with therapist guardians, we also have a veterinarian with one of our guardian dogs. We strive for social happy dogs! Here at Southerndoodlin we start their training right after they are born with sensory training. We also have various noises so your puppy will not be afraid of normal home sounds. We also have a gun range nearby, trains and farm equipment sounds and airplanes too. Australian labradoodles have been created for their temperament, coat and conformation. This has been shown over and over again by so many who use the Australian Labradoodle for therapy dogs. They just have a special ability to know their owners emotonal needs. They are intuitive, smart, athletic, easy to train love bugs! Australian labradoodles have been very carefully genetic tested to give you the best. At Southern Doodlin' we are deciding to slow down our business after many years of providing loving puppies for homes acress the country. This is a pretty typical range for doodle mixes. In addition to the initial cost of the dog, there are the setup fees food, bedding, harnesses, etc. Based on what breeders and owners have to say about these dogs, Australian Goldendoodles have excellent temperaments. They have been described as playful, loving, gentle, intelligent, and eager to please. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Your breeder or adoption organization should be able to advise you on whether they think an individual dog would be a good match for a home with kids. According to Australian Goldendoodle breeders, these dogs are great around other pets. It can be difficult for resident cats and dogs to accept a new family member at first, so go slowly to make the transition as stress-free as possible for everyone. Again, speak to your breeder or adoption organization about whether specific matches would be a good idea. There are a multitude of complete and balanced options for dogs, some suitable for all sizes and some formulated specifically for small, medium, large, and giant breeds. There are also options that target certain areas of health, like, for example, weight management, joint function, and urinary health. Fun physical activities for the easy-to-please Australian Goldendoodle include a few daily walks, fetch, chase, agility training, and games like frisbee, tug-of-war, and fetch. Some may also enjoy swimming, but not every dog does. Australian Goldendoodles are, by and large, considered to be highly trainable and eager to please, so they should respond well to short training sessions daily with a consistent leader who provides positive reinforcement praise, treats, etc. Patience, consistency, and kindness are especially important for adult rescue dogs. A post shared by Simin pet. On the other hand, if the Poodle genes are stronger, a curly or wavy coat is more likely. If your Australian Goldendoodle has a coat similar to a Golden Retriever, the rate of shedding may be higher than that of a wavy or curly-coated Australian Goldendoodle. It really depends on the genetics. Poodle-type coats are especially prone to these problems, especially around the neck and tail base, so be sure to focus on these areas. Regular nail trimming is another essential part of grooming, as too-long nails can quickly become sore. If you do this yourself at home, avoid the quick, which is the pinkish part of the nail. Cutting into this will be very painful, so keep the clippers only on the ends. According to PetMD, the following conditions are ones to watch out for in Goldendoodles. Note that the PetMD post is about Goldendoodles, not Australian Goldendoodles specifically, but Australian Goldendoodles might be susceptible to some of the same conditions since they share Goldendoodle parentage. Minor Conditions Mild allergy symptoms that receive treatment Minor, occasional stomach upset. Photo from kuechly. However, we can still look at the disposition of the parents that were used to create them since they will most probably influence how the Australian Goldendoodle behaves. Puppies with a more dominant Australian Labradoodle genetic makeup manifest the following: They are very loyal to their owners. They are happy-go-lucky dogs. They are curious and active when it comes to a number of activities. They get along well with small children and other animals when they are socialized early. They are sometimes tricky and clever. They show so much affection to their family, which means that they can even be therapy dogs. If your Australian Goldendoodle has a dominant English Goldendoodle gene, they will most probably exhibit the following traits: They are perfect for novice pet owners since they are very adaptable. They are easygoing and they are easy to train. They love pleasing their owner as well as other people. They do not like being alone for a long time because they become destructive. They are affectionate to practically everyone. Again, all these traits are seen on Australian Goldendoodles only when they are given proper training or socialization. Ensure that right after bringing them home, you start a suitable training program for them to thrive inside your household. But who knows, maybe your puppy can outlive even the oldest dog alive! Make sure that they are properly taken care of by providing their basic and most essential needs. Also, bring them to a trusted veterinarian if you notice something different about them. This may be a sign of certain diseases and should be prevented immediately so they can live a longer life. Here are the common health issues of Australian Goldendoodles that you should watch out for: Hip Dysplasia: This developmental disease is found in most dogs, not only in Australian Goldendoodles. Cataracts: You can identify that your dog has cataracts when their eyes become opaque, leading to blocked vision and eventually complete blindness. Patellar Luxation: There are instances where the patella of a dog dislocates and causes difficulty in extending the knee joint. This can lead to lameness if not treated early. Some of the signs of this disease are vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, increased urination, and shaking episodes. The area under the aortic valve narrows, affecting the blood flow and leads to breathing difficulty, fainting, or in extreme cases, death. Photo from miss. To take care of them, consider my tips and advice below. But remember that the nutritional need of each dog varies depending on its size. You should have them weighed by a veterinarian and ask for advice regarding what they are allowed to eat. Generally, Australian Goldendoodles can be fed commercial dog food and homemade food. Since they are hybrids, you should choose nutritious food and feed them three to four times a day. Again, this will still depend on what the vet will advise. In terms of homemade diet plans, there are many recipes you can watch and copy on youtube that will provide the energy requirements of your dog. Training and Exercise It might surprise you that Australian Goldendoodles are intelligent hybrids. They can easily pick up simple tricks because they are extreme people pleasers. In terms of their exercise needs, they love highly stimulating environments since they are energetic and active. Besides, they can also play some water games thanks to their Poodle gene. They can live in both rural and urban areas as long as there is enough space for them to run and play. Cleaning and Grooming Many pet owners these days are able to clean and groom their own pets. They rarely bring their Australian Goldendoodles to a professional groomer because they have studied and succeeded in doing everything that needs to be done in just a home setup. I highly applaud these types of owners, but I still would suggest bringing your dog to the vet a couple of times a year since there are some little details about pet grooming that you may have missed. Generally, Australian Goldendoodles need brushing several times a week using a slicker brush to prevent mats and tangles. They would also need to be trimmed every eight weeks for them to look more presentable. The fur around their eyes, ears, and footpads should be the priority because these areas help them to function well. Aside from these, their ears should be monitored for possible infections especially if they love to swim. Teeth cleaning is also necessary to avoid any dental-related diseases. How Much Is an Australian Goldendoodle? Aside from these initial expenses, there are some items that you need to buy in order to take care of your Australian Goldendoodle. They are presented in the table below along with their individual cost. Type of Expense. Our sister site Dogsnet has also has expert-led courses for new puppy parents right through to adult dogs. Exercise Australian Goldendoodles are active dogs who need at least two hours of exercise every single day when they are fully grown. This could include hiking, joining you for a run, swimming and water retrieves, or dog sports such as agility training or dock diving. Mini Australian Goldendoodles need to spend the same amount of time being physically active. But they may struggle to keep up with pursuits like running or cycling. A large, secure yard is helpful for giving this breed room to play and let off steam. Australian Goldendoodle Health and Care The health problems most likely to affect Australian Goldendoodles are: Ear infections Allergies, eczema, and autoimmune skin conditions Joint problems including hip and elbow dysplasia The neurological condition degenerative myelopathy Thyroid disease To protect each new generation of puppies, breeding dogs should be as healthy as possible. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals recommends testing potential breeding Australian Labradoodles for: Hip dysplasia Eye diseases including Progressive Retinal Atrophy Exercise Induced Collapse Goldendoodles ought to be tested for: Hip dysplasia Eye diseases Heart disease Good breeders will be able to provide copies of the results of all these tests. Shedding coats need regular brushing to remove dirt, debris and dead hair. Twice a year it will shed more heavily than usual and change texture to adjust to the seasons. At these times, you might like to use a deshedding tool to speed the process up. Non shedding coats also need frequent brushing, plus regular trips to the groomer for clipping. Australian Goldendoodles are prone to ear infections because their ears trap warmth and moisture. This creates ideal breeding conditions for bacteria and fungi. So keeping their ears clean and dry should also form a regular part of your routine. Are Australian Goldendoodles Good Pets? Australian Goldendoodles can be great pets for the right people. They do best in active households, with people who enjoy spending plenty of time outdoors. Their behavior is also likely to be more settled if someone or a mix of people can keep them company most of the time. Due to their size and playfulness, standard Australian Goldendoodles are difficult to keep in an apartment. But a Mini Australian Goldendoodle might adapt, provided you take them out for plenty of regular exercise. Most of the dogs which contribute to the Australian Goldendoodle are described as being good with children and other pets. However, they need lots of attention in their own right, so raising one from a puppy at the same time as a young family can be extremely challenging! Australian Goldendoodle puppies are well suited to households with older children and teenagers. Especially ones who are willing to help with playtime and providing all the mental and physical stimulation this mix needs. Younger children should always be supervised with any kind of dog. A standard sized Australian Goldendoodles are particularly likely to accidentally knock over a small child or elderly person in a moment of over-enthusiasm. Finding a Australian Goldendoodle Puppy Now that you know them better, is your heart set on an Australian Goldendoodle puppy for sale? Our Puppy Search guide will help you navigate that process and find your perfect pal. Designer dogs, included complex hybrids like this one are currently enjoying a lot of interest, so new litters are regularly advertised for sale. Unfortunately, their popularity has also caught the eye of puppy farmers, who try to sell poor quality puppies at top drawer prices. Sadly, puppies from puppy farms are more likely to have expensive lifetime health problems. They are also more likely to have behavioral problems including aggressiveness and separation anxiety. This article can help you spot the bad breeders, and avoid heartache. Are you considering an Australian Goldendoodle as your next pet? Goldendoodles are an elaborate mix of traditional hunting breeds. With a bit of luck, they represent the best aspects of all of them, complete with a non-shedding coat. But, all mixed breed dogs have the potential to inherit only the least fortunate aspects of their parent breeds too! Do you already have an Australian Goldendoodle, or are you considering getting one? Tell us more in the comments box down below! Discovering the mini Goldendoodle, including their size, exercise requirements and mini Goldendoodle lifespan, here. Meeting the German Shepherd Goldendoodle mix in this fascinating breed review. References And Resources. Contact Ericas doodles is committed to helping our families bring a new family member into their lives. We have decided because families are struggling to stretch their dollars but still want to bring joy into their families we are reducing our prices effectively immediately. We have been professionally breeding Doodles over 20 years. We know this doodle breed inside and out. We are also state-licensed we are not a backyard breeder we stand behind our dogs. We are 45 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. We are a family of 6 that loves the doodle breeds. My husband, myself and my 4 children are all involved in the daily care of our beautiful dogs. We have researched and selected the best quality dogs for our breeding program. Our dogs get lots of free time with our children to run free on our ten beautiful acres. Our puppies are raised in our home underfoot and get handled from the day they are born. We truly believe that our children are very instrumental in helping with the daily socializing of our babies. Socialization is the key for puppies developing into the lifelong companions that families can be proud to own. Our goal is to breed the most beautiful and healthy puppies that will bring happiness and joy in any family. What Is an Australian Goldendoodle? Mac, a lovely Australian Goldendoodle from Montreal image: thisdoodmac. Ultimately, the Australian Goldendoodle is a designer dog. Designer dogs are a result of breeders choosing purebred parents with desirable traits. The Australian Goldendoodle is technically a Doodle dog breed since it is a Poodle mix. However, Aussiedoodles are a mix between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. They are not to be confused with a standard Labradoodle. There are quite a few differences worth pointing out. Although Poodles have been mixed with other breeds for decades, if not centuries, the Labradoodle is credited as the first official Doodle breed. In , Wally Conron, a dog breeder who worked for the Victoria Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, created the first Labradoodle to provide a hypoallergenic service dog. This cross-breed came from a letter he received from a man in Hawaii who needed a guide dog but was sensitive to dog allergens. The success of this Labradoodle guide dog caught the interest of many. Standard Labradoodles have grown in popularity ever since. The Australian Labradoodle is a direct descendant of the standard Labradoodle. The intent behind this selective breeding was to create more consistent litters in regards to coat type, traits, size, and temperament [1] alaa-labradoodles. Due to the advocacy of breed clubs like the Australian Labradoodle Association of America, Australian Labradoodles now have entirely predictable traits, with the breed standard established in .The Australian Labradoodle is still considered a mixed-breed dog, but breeders hope that they can one day be distinguished as its own breed. The most significant difference between the Australian Labradoodle and the standard Labradoodle is that the Australian Goldendoodle is a mix of several different dog breeds. How popular are Australian Labradoodles? Australian Labradoodles are currently much more popular than Australian Goldendoodles. The mix has yet to receive much attention, but the data shows it is trending upward. The graph below shows the relative search volume of Australian Labradoodles and Australian Goldendoodles worldwide. It is clear that Australian Labradoodles are more popular than Australian Goldendoodles. However, this trend can change in no time! These two hybrid breeds are a result of four different parent breeds. Poodle Poodle Poodles are a breed of water dog that originated in Germany. They were bred to be water-fowl hunters and retrievers. They are intelligent dogs that have high energy levels and are athletic. This is why they eventually became famous as circus dogs in 19th-century France. There are three varieties of Poodle, which differ by size: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The standard Poodle is the largest, while the Toy Poodle is the smallest. This is the main reason Doodle breeders mix them with other purebred dogs. Poodles do not shed as often as other breeds, and the curly nature of their coat traps dander. However, they require quite a bit of grooming to prevent the matting of their fur. They come in various colors: black, white, gray, fawn, brown, blue, red parti, and a few others. Their temperament was the main reason breeders chose them for Australian Labradoodle breeding. Cocker Spaniels are social and people orientated. In addition, they are not as energetic as the other dog breeds. This makes them calmer and more suitable for families. Cocker Spaniels come in a variety of colors, including mixtures of colors as well. English Cocker Spaniel vs. However, when the breed was brought over to America, it was bred differently to be able to hunt American woodcock. Thus, the breeds differ, given their different physical characteristics and instincts. American Cocker Spaniels are smaller in size. They have a shorter muzzle and back with a dome-shaped head. The English Spaniel is taller and has a narrower head and chest. In their native countries, they are simply called Cocker Spaniels. Similarities between the two include the signature long ears and thick wavy fur. Labrador Retriever Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever is a famous British gun dog breed, one of the most popular choices for families in the western world. In addition to being playful, loyal, and obedient, Labrador Retrievers are the dog of choice for service or guide dogs. Their coats are short and water-proof but tend to shed a lot. Their addition as parent breeds for the Australian Labradoodle is because they were the original service dogs that breeders wanted to adapt for people with allergies. This breed results from a cross between an English Golden Retriever and Poodle. They have a few slight differences from a standard Goldendoodle , most of which are based on coloring and body shape. The size of an English Goldendoodle depends on the Poodle parent and can vary widely. Due to its size, the Mini English Goldendoodle sees more demand across households. The English Goldendoodle usually retains the social characteristics of a Golden Retriever and the intelligence and coat of a Poodle. Due to their light color, they are sometimes called English Cream Golden Retrievers. English Golden Retrievers have a very light cream-colored coat that almost seems white. American Golden Retrievers are never that light in color. Furthermore, English Golden Retrievers tend to be slightly larger than their American counterparts. Both these dogs are brilliant and highly energetic. They require lots of activity and attention. They make great family dogs and are easy to train. Where did the English Golden Retriever come from? Since the English Golden Retriever is not a separate breed, it shares the same history as the standard Golden Retriever. Lord Tweedmouth is credited as the founder of the Golden Retriever breed. At the time, hunting was becoming a very popular sport in both Scotland and England. Golden Retriever This particular mix was bred with the intent to aid hunters in the retrieval of waterfowl and upland hunting. Upland hunting refers to the hunting of upland game, which are non-waterfowl birds such as pheasants, quail, grouse, etc. Their sweet-temperament intelligence makes them a great choice to be used as a service dog, guide dog, or therapy dog. This is because it depends on the sizes of all the breeds that make up an Australian Goldendoodle. A strikingly handsome Australian Goldendood image: thisdoodmac. Goldendoodles generally come in three different sizes — Standard, Miniature, and Toy. You should be able to get specific weight and size from your breeder. If you want to know how big your puppy will get, ask for specifics on the size of the parents. Weight The following table estimates the weight of an adult Australian Goldendoodle based on type. Australian Goldendoodle Size.

Blankets, pillows, and towels. The mother GSD and her litter need a quiet place to stay. It should be spacious, clean, and comfortable. If money is not an issue, you may purchase a commercial whelping box and a washable vet bed. But if you want to be thrifty, you can just make use of a clean cardboard box. Just make sure that the box is big enough for your GSD to stretch out comfortably. You may also buy a heat pad. It will provide warmth to the litter. Instead, put the heat pad under the whelping box, with one end on top of the box. Cover it with a towel to avoid overheating. The whelping box should be close enough to an electrical outlet so you can easily plug in the heat pad once you need more warmth for your Litter. Make sure they stay warm by providing a heating pad and lamp. You may add blankets, pillows, towels, or even old newspapers and a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Be careful though because puppies might get entangled and suffocate if the blanket, pillows, and towels are not taut. Puppy milk replacer, baby bottle, or feeding syringe If the litter is abandoned or orphaned, ask your vet to prescribe milk formulated for German shepherd puppies. Purchase a baby bottle or syringe for feeding. If you leave newborn German shepherd puppies with their mother, give her the first two days to bond with her litter and feed them. Once you see that your GSD has accepted her litter and is feeding them, you can put the puppies in a box beside their mother. She will take care of cleaning and nurturing her pups while continuing to feed them with her milk. But if she still refuses to take care of her pups, you must take matters into your own hands. To do this, place a clean towel or a washable vet bed inside a cardboard box. Keep the box beside your GSD but make sure that she cannot get in touch with her pups. Plug the pad into an electrical outlet and adjust the heat to maintain its temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pups can get hypothermia if their body heat drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit. See also How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick and when to take the bully stick away? Now, put your German shepherd puppies under the warmth of the heating pad at 95 degrees F and wait for them to feed. Only put three puppies per towel or one puppy per section of the vet bed for ease in feeding and monitoring. A mother GSD can produce about 4 to 5 cc of milk every hour. This means that she will need someone to feed her pups every 2 or 3 hours. To correctly use the eyedropper, put your puppy on its stomach and tickle its throat to induce swallowing. Repeat this process until you see that the pup has emptied the eyedropper. Pups will probably fall asleep after feeding. To avoid suffocation, place rolled-up newspapers in their box the pups can use them as pillows when they sleep. These are only temporary until the mother GSD starts to take care of them by licking them clean and keeping them warm with her presence. Weighing scale To make sure if the German shepherd puppies are gaining enough weight, monitor their weight by using a weighing scale at least 4 times a week. If the puppies are not gaining enough weight, they may not be getting enough milk or nourishment so consult your vet right away. Use a wet cotton ball or washcloth to massage or rub gently the anal region. A mother GSD can give birth to 4 to 9 puppies in one litter, 6 as the average. Newborn German Shepherd Puppies Newborns especially 1 to 3-day old German shepherd puppies are vulnerable so before you do anything, consult with your vet especially if you are inexperienced. Right after your GSD gives birth, check the 1-day old German shepherd puppies if they are breathing. If you notice a puppy having breathing difficulties, use a suction bulb syringe to suck out the blockage and clear its airways. Most of the time, they just sleep or eat. They usually eat every two hours during their first week of life. If the puppies are orphaned, you may wash them gently using a warm and moist cloth. Avoid over-bathing the pups because it can cause dehydration. You will notice some of them wagging their tails as well which is adorable to look at. The puppies will gradually open their eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. They will be curious so expect them to move around to inspect their surroundings. Instead of crawling, they attempt to use their legs even though their legs may shake. Check their weight to see if they are gaining well and continue keeping them warm and clean. Their ears will open so they can hear the sounds around them. Though their legs still shake when they attempt to walk, they can finally stand on their own. They will begin to socialize and explore their surroundings more so you should not separate the puppies from each other. They will start teething so they tend to bite everything. They will also be interested in eating solid food. The puppies can walk well at 4 weeks so they will continue socializing with their siblings, their mother, and their handler through playing. They can begin eating solid foods for the first time now that their teeth are fully developed. The puppies can be fully weaned when they reach 6 weeks because they become independent of their mother. They also improve their social skills by playing not only with each other but also with people. Not to worry because this is just a normal phase. This is a good time to expose the puppies to various sounds, places, and people. Teach them basic commands but focus on socialization and bite inhibition. If the puppies are not fully potty trained , train them now. At 9 weeks, the weight of male German shepherd puppies normally ranges from 9 to 10 kg while the females would be from 7 to 9 kg. Their height ranges from 12 to 15 inches. See also How to Crate Train a German Shepherd Puppy When the German shepherd puppies reach 10 weeks, their ears will become pointy but sometimes the ears are floppy. Their height and weight will continue to grow as long as they are adequately fed. By this time, your puppies should already know how to gently use their mouth in dealing with humans so you can enhance their training by teaching other basic commands. When they are done, let them play so that they learn how to do this on their own. Be patient because it takes time before they get the hang of it. If after 24 hours it still refuses to eat, use a baby bottle or feeding syringe to feed the puppy. Prepare a milk replacement formula using evaporated milk mixed with egg yolk, using two egg yolks for every half cup of milk. To avoid bacteria growth, boil the water first before mixing everything and store any leftover formula in the fridge. Gradually increase the proportion of milk replacement formula and decrease the proportion of puppy chow until you wean them off milk replacement completely. Your GSD puppy may have parasites because stools may look like pebbles or tan-colored, small balls which can be a sign that they have swallowed something in their litter box. This is particularly common when they are still with their mother because they tend to eat the feces of the other pups. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress, which is common for a newborn GSD puppy that has been removed from its mom. If this happens, make sure you give them enough attention and place your hand gently on their body to calm them down. Conclusion German shepherd puppies are truly a sight to behold from birth to adulthood. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!

Replacement costs of these types of goodies will range based on how quickly your Bulldog destroys their current supply. You can also order subscription packs from many reputable companies that give your dog new exploratory items every month. Since these dogs are at risk for many health complications, save as much as you can—erring on the side of caution. The best time for obedience lessons is between 6 months to a year, but every trainer varies in preference. Depending on the treatment, you could spend thousands of dollars in one swoop. Pet sitting is more personalized care but can rack up extra fees. If you want to save as much as possible while still giving your Bulldog the care they need, look at these money-saving tips. They mainly offer spay and neuter surgeries at reduced costs, but they can also provide basic care. You can make anything from dog toys to intricate beds. Many things you can make may not even require going to the store for materials—you can simply make them from existing items at home. Auto-Ship Dog Food If you buy your dog food from certain websites, many companies offer discounted prices if you place an automatic, recurring order. Of course, you can always save on English Bulldog costs by using low-cost services and making tons of at-home projects and toys for your pooch. Less - The English Bulldog is a wide, medium-sized, compact dog with short legs. The body and head are massive with extra skin on both the skull and forehead falling in folds. The cheeks extend to the sides of the eyes. The muzzle is wide, short and pug with a broad, deep stop. The black nose is broad with large nostrils. The dark eyes are deep set. The rose ears are small, thin and set high on the head. The jaws are massive, very broad, and square with hanging upper lips. The teeth should have an under bite. The tail is either straight or screwed and carried low. The short, flat coat is straight, smooth and glossy. Coat colors include red brindle and other shades of brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn, fallow, piebald, pale yellow or washed-out red or white or a combination of these colors. Despite its "sourmug," the bulldog is jovial, comical and amiable, among the most docile and mellow of dogs. It is willing to please, although it retains a stubborn streak. It is very good with children. Most are moderately friendly toward strangers. Although some can be aggressive with strange dogs, the breed is quite good with other pets. These dogs were bred for sheer fighting capacity, and they were famed for latching onto their prey with an iron jaw which they refused to release—they could even suffocate opponents this way. English Bulldogs are simultaneously a symbol of British tenacity and an immensely popular American pet.

As a responsible pet owner, it is essential to ensure your Frenchie has the right sized crate to ensure their comfort and safety. Once you have determined the right size, you will then need to decide between a metal wire cage or a plastic crate. After you have identified the right size and type, you are ready to start crate training. Preparing the crate, introducing the crate, and following the crate training basics will help you and your Frenchie get off to the right start. What is a French Bulldog? Are you considering adding a French Bulldog to your family? They are known for being loyal, playful, and affectionate companions. They make excellent family pets, and their size makes them a great choice for those living in apartments or condos. Look for crates that are made from high-quality materials that are designed to provide adequate ventilation and provide your pup with plenty of space to move around. Make sure the crate is easy to clean and has a secure latch. Start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time your pup spends in the crate. Provide plenty of positive reinforcement and rewards when they stay in the crate. Not only does it help to keep your pup safe and secure, but it also ensures that your pup is getting enough rest and keeping out of trouble. Having a designated place to go when you need some alone time or when you need to run out for a few hours also helps to create a sense of security for your pup. Crate training helps to establish good behavior and can be used as a form of reward when your pup has been good. Crating also prevents destructive behavior, such as chewing and digging, which can help to save your furniture and other belongings. When selecting a crate for your Frenchie, be sure to consider the size of your pup. Remember that they should have enough room to turn around and stretch out, while still feeling secure. Pay attention to the height and width of the crate, as well as the material it is made from. Consider whether or not you will be taking your pup on trips with you, as some crates are designed for travel. Getting the right size of crate is essential, as it can help make crate training successful, as well as ensuring your Frenchie feels comfortable, secure, and safe. An Essential Guide for Pet Owners To start, measure your pup from the tip of their nose all the way to the tip of their tail while they are in a standing position, and add around four inches to that number. When it comes to finding the right type of crate, your best bet is to look for metal wire cages or plastic crates. Metal wire cages are the most popular, as they provide plenty of ventilation and are very durable. Plastic crates are also a good option, as they provide more privacy for your pup, making them feel more secure. Whichever you choose, make sure it has a floor tray and enough room for your pup to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Make sure the crate is tall enough for your pup to stand up and turn around in easily. With the right crate, your Frenchie will be able to relax and get the rest they need. Crate Types When it comes to crates for French Bulldogs, there are two types to choose from: metal wire cages and plastic crates. Metal wire cages are lightweight, easy to clean, and usually come with removable floor trays or divider panels. Plastic crates, on the other hand, are heavier and durable, but they are not as ventilated as metal wire cages, so they may not be ideal if your Frenchie is prone to overheating. Plastic crates come in a variety of sizes and can usually be folded down for transport or storage. Crates that are too small can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety for your pup, while those that are too large can encourage your pup to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. The best way to determine what size crate your Frenchie needs is to measure their length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and their height from the floor to the top of the shoulders. Choose a crate with a removable bottom tray for easy cleanup. Another important factor to consider when choosing a wire cage for your Frenchie is bar spacing. If the bars are too far apart, your pup could escape or get stuck. Consider adding a divider panel to the cage. This will give them the comfort and security they need while ensuring the crate is large enough for when they reach their full size. Plastic Crates Plastic crates can be a great option for French Bulldogs as they offer more privacy and security than metal wire cages. They are also more lightweight which makes them perfect for transport and mobility. They can keep your pet calm, secure, and safe while you are out of the house. Just make sure to measure your Frenchie before you buy the crate to ensure that you get the right size. For the best results, it is recommended that you introduce your Frenchie to the plastic crate slowly. Let your pup get used to the crate by allowing them to explore and sniff around it. You can also place some treats and toys inside the crate to make it more comfortable and inviting. Make sure to reward your Frenchie every time they go in the crate — this will help to build positive associations. With some patience and consistency, your Frenchie will soon be comfortable in their new plastic crate. Crate Training Tips Crate training your French Bulldog is a great way to ensure their safety and comfort. Knowing the size of the crate that your pup needs is essential, as too large of a crate can be overwhelming, and too small of a crate can be constricting. To make it inviting, add a comfortable bed and some toys. If your pup has trouble transitioning, try a food puzzle or two inside the crate to occupy their time and make it fun. Make sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement when your pup enters their crate. Over time, they should start to associate it as a happy place. Preparing the Crate Before introducing your Frenchie to their new crate, you need to prepare it properly. Start by lining the bottom with a soft bed or blanket. You can also add a toy or two for your pup to play with, as well as enough room for food and water dishes. Introduce your Frenchie to their crate gradually and give them treats to help associate the crate with positive reinforcement. If your pup is particularly anxious, you may want to consider using calming aids such as pheromone sprays or diffusers. With patience and positive reinforcement, your Frenchie will soon feel comfortable and secure in their crate. Start by making the crate inviting for your pup. Try to make it a relaxing and comfortable area for your dog to escape to. Be sure to give your Frenchie plenty of praise when they enter the crate. You can offer treats and verbal encouragement to reward them for going into the crate. Doing so will help your pup create a positive association with the crate. If they seem scared or overwhelmed, let them out and try again later. With patience and practice, your Frenchie will eventually love their crate and use it as their own safe space. Crate Training Basics Crate training your French Bulldog can be a great way to ensure your pup is safe and secure in your home. Introduce them to the crate slowly and make sure they have a positive experience. Start by leaving the door open and allowing them to explore as they please. Once they are comfortable, you can start closing the door for short periods of time and rewarding them with treats when they stay inside. Gradually extend the time they spend in the crate until they are happy to stay in it for longer periods. This will help them acclimate to the crate and make them more comfortable in it. The key to successful crate training is consistency and patience. With a little bit of effort, your pup will not only be crate trained, but also be comfortable and relaxed in their crate. Post Views: .Beside ratters, French Bulldogs are also good companion dogs. Nowadays they mostly focus on their job as fabulous show dogs and family friends. Certain colored fur can be rare so do not be surprised if you are put in the waiting list before you get one. These medium energy dogs are known as show dogs and ranked as 6th most popular dog breed by the AKC. French bulldogs are not for clean neat freaks because they drool a lot and are prone to flatulence and some shedding. They are dependable watchdogs but quite often become territorial. They also like to be the center of attention. Frenchies have average intelligence and do not bark excessively so they will be suitable your apartment living. Appearance French Bulldogs weigh under 28 pounds and are 11 to 13 inches in height. They appear as active, smart, and muscular dogs with heavy and relatively big bones. They have a smooth coat that comes in brindle, brindle white, cream, fawn, fawn white, fawn brindle, white, white brindle, white fawn, cream white, and fawn brindle white colors. There are 5 markings recognized by AKC which are ticked, black mask, brindle markings, piebald, and white markings but only the first is recognized as standard. Nutrition It is recommended to provide feed formulated to small-medium sized breeds. It is also important to ensure that clean, fresh water is always available. There is no need for coat clipping since his hair is short in length. They do shed though.Doing so about once per week is sufficient and will keep his coat healthy and shedding to a minimum. Especially with French Bulldog puppies, clipping their toenails once a month is imperative. That will keep them from cracking, chipping or overgrowing. Bathe your French Bulldog as needed. Especially when he is a puppy, you can actually bath him in the sink. Keep their facial wrinkles dry and clean, especially when you bathe your pet. Brushing his teeth will be a must. Brushing several times per week should be enough to keep halitosis at bay. It will keep his teeth and gums on the healthy side and will help to prevent tooth decay and loss too. The ears should be checked and cleaned with a damp, warm cloth around the edge of the canal. Never use a Q-tip though. He may suffer from dry ears so a dab of oil, like baby oil, will do him good. His nose may have a tendency to be dry as well. A little baby oil will help it too. Consider starting grooming your dogs at a young age, teaching them to stand will make grooming much easier for you and your Frenchies. Do not forget to check if there is any skin lesions, scabs, bare spots, flaky skin, or infection to remedy. Exercise Frenchies do not need lots of exercise, as they are calm dogs. But to keep them fit at a healthy weight, take them for daily walks around minutes in duration. Monitor them on hot days to avoid overexertion since they do not endure heat very well. They are trainable, which makes them popular show dogs, but sometimes can become stubborn so make sure you or a professional train them firmly, yet gently. Leaving them with children and other dogs is okay, as long as it is under your close supervision. Their under-bite only adds to their attraction, which is in the eye of the beholder. The purpose of the breeding was to produce a smaller version of the Bulldog in order to serve for bull-bait in pit fighting. The French Bulldogs were wildly popular companion dogs with lace workers in England. When the workers migrated to France in search of better jobs, they brought their beloved French Bulldogs with them. The AKC first recognized the breed in .Popularity Today, French Bulldogs are all the rage. They are expected to become the most popular breed in the United Kingdom this year. In fact, they are so coveted in the US, they are the third most stolen breed! French Bulldogs have starred in their share of movies as well. Celebrities are wild about their Bulldogs. Sadly, one of the most famous Frenchies of all times was the one that was aboard the Titanic when it went down in .His name was Gamin De Pycombe. He belonged to a 27 year old banker named Robert Daniel who reportedly had purchased him for a small fortune prior to the trip. A passenger who survived the catastrophe reported to have seen the dog swimming but no traces of him were ever found. Behold the Beauty While some other dogs might look a bit more regal, beauty is definitely in the eyes of the one who beholds it. The flat-faced French Bulldog has a grace all its own. It sports a short, easy to care for coat and French Bulldog colors range from white or cream to brindle and most every combination in between. They are medium-size with unusually heavy bones and are built like tanks - short, stout and muscular. They are powerful pups, in no uncertain terms. Appearance While most Frenchies sport the same general look and feel and the same 28 pounds or less in weight, there are some exceptions. The Blue French Bulldogs have a blue hue or tint to their coat. The coloration is caused by color pigmentation due to genetics. There are Blue Fawns and Blue Brindles. French Bulldog size can vary too. Personality Frenchies are oozing with personality. They are curious, alert and playful. Their expressions are priceless. Although they have their fair share of energy, they are also able to relax with the family and can be quite easygoing. This breed is very entertaining. They enjoy the attention they get from doing amusing things which can be conducive to training.Frenchies are also humorous, and always into something. While they are compliant when they want to be, if they chose not to be, they definitely stand their ground. Frenchies are so stout and strong, they actually dig their heels in protest. So if you are trying to sway one.Possible Medical Conditions of Frenchies While your Frenchie may never incur even one single medical woe, there are a number of conditions that they are prone to get. One is deafness. It is passed down from generation to generation so do keep your eyes and ears peeled for any concerning signs or symptoms your dog portrays. A Baer test can be conducted by a veterinarian specializing in neuroscience if you suspect he may have a hearing problem. Hip Dysplasia is not uncommon in the breed at all. The condition involves the ball of the femur not residing in the pelvic socket as it should. It is characterized by pain, limping and sometimes complete immobility. Surgery can correct or improve the issue. Since dogs have three eyelids, an upper, lower and corner one, sometimes the third one, in the corner has a tendency to cause trouble in Frenchies. The membrane is designed to protect his eye but sometimes becomes inflamed and red. The underlying root of the protrusion can be removed and a surgical replacement of the membrane can be put in. Many dogs that sport the look are prone to the condition in which he may breathe noisily, snore and snort. The condition can affect his lungs too and make him exercise intolerant. Dogs with severe cases of the malady will breathe through their mouths. It is a squeezing pressure on it that causes the condition. If your Frenchie is undergoing anesthesia, it is a good idea to have him checked by way of a radiograph to eliminate the condition. If he does have it, extra precautions will need to be taken during surgery. Heat stress is common, across the board, to most Frenchies. While most dogs cool themselves off by panting, short-faced, short-snouted canines are unable to do so or at least not nearly as effective. It is imperative to realize his inability to deal with too much heat at all and to care for him accordingly. You will need to be firm yet loving. Lavishing attention on him will bring out the best in him. When you get him wanting to comply, training will be a cinch. Family Matters French Bulldogs are perfect pooches for family life. Perhaps that is why they are so popular. They absolutely love their humans and can, at times, become overly attached. They can also be very territorial. The two traits combined make the Frenchie a decent watchdog. Frenchies are very engaging. They are always up for a game of fetch or to play ball. They can also be found snuggling with the family on the sofa, watching television. They are quite sensitive to heat and to extreme cold too. On the flip side, they work well in small spaces, if need be. If you live in an apartment or rent a room, owning a Frenchie is not out of the question. They certainly have a mind of their own. While that makes for plenty of charm in the personality department, it also means that they can be so independent that they are stubborn. With lots of love and patience, French Bulldogs make excellent family members. If you can put up with a little bull-headedness, you might just find you are a French fan, just like so many others are. It can be a useful training tool and calm their anxiety. How do you find the best crate for your French Bulldog? Dogs are naturally denning animals and enjoy small spaces. Providing your French Bulldog with the proper size crate will give them a peaceful, quiet place for them to call home. It can be helpful when training them and keeping them secure when you are away from home. Below we will look at everything you need to know to pick out the right crate for your French Bulldog. What size crate do French Bulldogs need? Picking the best size crate for your French Bulldog is important. It needs to be comfortable for them but not too large. They should be able to turn around, stand and sit up without the need to duck under the top of the crate. The crate is too small if there is not enough room for their head. They should have room to lie down without hitting the walls. The crate should not be too large, either. There should not be an overabundance of space inside the crate. If the crate is too large, it can negatively affect any crate training. They could also use it as a bathroom. That would negatively impact its ability as a training tool. The crate should allow them to feel secure without having too much space. Measuring your French Bulldog for a Crate To pick the proper size crate for your French Bulldog, you will need to measure the length and height of your dog. Marking their height and length on a wall may be easier than fumbling with a tape measure while trying to get them to hold still. Using a treat can also help keep them in place long enough to make your marks. Use chalk or a similar marking device that can be cleaned off easily. When your dog is standing on all four paws next to your wall, mark his nose and the base of the tail to record the length. To capture the height, your dog will need to be in a seated position. Place a mark on the top of their ears to get the distance needed for the height of the cage. Once you have your marks, you can measure the distances with the tape measure. The length and height do not have to be accurate. You will need to add a few inches to the measurements to ensure your French Bulldog will have the room needed to move around inside the cage. As your French Bulldog puppy matures and grows, the crate will become too small for them. If you can, you can replace the crate as they get larger as they mature. When they reach adulthood, you will not need to replace the crate again; it will be their permanent home. You can also use the option to buy an adult-size crate when they are still a puppy and use dividers to keep the size of the crate comfortable without being too large. As they grow, you can move the dividers to resize the crate to keep it comfortable for your dog. Metal Wire Crate: These are the most popular dog crates available. They are durable, lightweight, and can be folded for transport. They are also easy to set up and clean. Best of all, since they are the most popular, they are also the most affordable dog crates available. Soft Crates: Soft dog crates and the best option for portability. They are perfect if you need to take your French Bulldog in your vehicle or on long trips. They are easy to clean and can be collapsed for storage. Wooden Crates: These crates are designed to look more like a piece of furniture than a traditional dog crate. End tables are the most common wooden crates, but they can be found as end tables as well as in other designs. Plastic Crates: Plastic crates are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. They are popular for travel, especially on long trips and aeroplane travel. There are airplane-approved plastic crates for use when checking your pet as cargo. Heavy Steel Crates: Mainly for home use, these crates are best suited for dogs that can be difficult to keep in a crate. These may be the best options if your dog is a chewer or tends to escape. It is better suited for one of the other style cages. How long your Frenchy stays in a cage depends on age. Puppies can tend to hold their bladder for one hour for each month of their age. Five-month-old dogs can be in a cage for up to 5 hours without a bathroom break. Adult dogs can wait up to 7 hours. French Bulldogs can get separation anxiety. The less time they are in the cage, the better they are. It may seem uncomfortable and unpleasant initially, but it can be a helpful tool, especially when training your dog. Crating your Frenchy will give them secure personal space. Below are some of the most beneficial reasons to crate your French Bulldog. Safety when Crating your French Bulldog No matter where you use the crate, it will be a place of safety for your dog. At home, when transporting them or on vacation, it will give them a safe and secure feeling. Crates can be used to keep your dog secure when you are not at home. Training tool for your Frenchie Crate training can help potty train your puppy. All dogs do not want to pee or poop in the same area they sleep in. Crate training can help reinforce where your puppy should use the bathroom. After a while in the crate, they will need to use the bathroom. Taking directly to the area they use the bathroom will help your French Bulldog learn the proper place to go. After a busy day of activity, they will need a place to relax. Their crate should provide a quiet and peaceful place for them to relax. The crate should never be used as a form of punishment. It can help keep them relaxed and calm while heading to and home from their destination. It will allow them to have the same comforts on vacation they have at home as well. Unlike a swing-out, hinged door, the Ovation Door can slide up and out of the way when not in use, thus eliminating the need for additional space. With its channel-track door frame, the crate is exceptionally strong and secure, and the low threshold of the door allows your pet to enter comfortably without having to climb any obstacles. Strong, sturdy metal crate design creates a safe place for your pet while you're away Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. It has two bottom mesh expandable sides that retract when not in use. It expands and collapses on both sides. This backpack has a spacious frontal mesh entrance that rolls up and Velcros in place. It has a mesh back window that lets in extra sunlight. Added durability with dual-reinforced stitching. An inner plush cushion covers the whole surface area and is reversible. PET LIFE 'Capacious' Dual-Sided Expandable Spacious Wire Folding Collapsible Lightweight Pet Dog Crate Carrier House, Small, Khaki The capacious crate almost triples in floor space by simply zipping opened the expandable sides Features an included Inner foamed and polyfill cushion that is built-into each side, and a built-in pouch for added belongings Folds and collapses in seconds, making it easy to travel and setup almost anywhere Great for both Indoor and outdoor usages and perfect for multiple pets or larger animals Available in multiple sizes and colors Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Casual Home Wooden Medium Pet Crate Wooden Crates: You can rest assured that your French Bulldog will have a cozy, private spot to sleep and relax when you use the solid wood pet crate end table. If you are away from home for a short period of time, you can rest assured that the gate door will remain locked. Solid wood construction for pet-safe durability and longevity Made in Thailand Lockable gate for your peace of mind Interior: 17"W x .Your Frenchie will benefit from fresh air and increased visibility thanks to the degree ventilation openings. Designed with a raised interior and tie-down holes, the kennel stands up to travel rigors while providing French Bulldog comfort. In addition to its durable plastic shell and the metal screws used to secure it, the kennel offers heavy-duty protection. It is easy to assemble this kennel with no tools at all, thanks to the stainless steel screws and plastic fasteners. Cleaning and wiping down the plastic material is easy. In addition to being easy to open with one hand, the latch provides a secure lock for the door, ensuring that it is securely locked. Product weight — 31 lbs. If in doubt, buy a size up. No tools required for assembly Airline Friendly Dog Carrier: This pet carrier meets most airline cargo specifications. This travel dog crate also has ventilation on 4 sides. Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Conclusion Finding the proper size crate is necessary to keep your French Bulldog safe and secure at home and on the road. If their crate is too small, they can feel cramped and not have the space they need to move. Too large of a crate, and it can be an invitation for them to use it as a bathroom if they are left too long. Amazon Then add a few inches to the length so the bulldog can travel through the room comfortably. The French bulldogs should have a little extra room so they can walk, change the bed, and feel cozy. Keep in mind that French bulldogs are mostly medium-sized, and getting a medium-sized crate will be a good decision. What crate size fo r beagle? A properly sized crate will allow the pup to stretch and sit up until they grow fully. Because of its length and height, many pet owners use a inch crate for their puppy French bulldog. You can also shop for a large-sized dog crate with a divider panel so you can keep the pup in the right space and increase the room according to the growth of the puppies. So get the length and height of your puppy and choose the crate that matches the size. But remember, the puppy grows too fast and the crate will get too small too quickly. Therefore, we recommend you spend less money on the first gate. For adult bulldogs, you should only invest in the crates for longer use. What crate size for an australian shepherd? Purchase A Customizable Crate The size of the bulldog as a puppy is far different from the full-grown adult size. So the pet needs a smaller crate than the adult. But following the growth of the puppy, the demand for the larger crate also increases, and that takes repeated investments. To save money and avoid purchasing multiple crates, you can buy a crate in an adult size. But make sure it has a divider. Using this feature, you can keep the bulldog in the appropriate crate size and increase the room as they grow at any time. The split one will let you resize the crate of the dog and prevent it from offering too much space inside the crate while saving a large amount of money. The importance of the right-sized crate for the French bulldog The crate for the French bulldog should be too small for the dog, limiting its movement. Conversely, a right-sized crate will allow the French bulldog to move comfortably without crouching or squatting. Another important aspect of providing the right size crate is providing enough leg space for the bulldog to spread their legs without touching the wall, especially when lying on its side. Even you should be cautious about purchasing a too-large crate, especially if you are spacious enough for your adorable French bulldog. A large crate also has a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of French dog crate training. Some pet owners have experienced bulldogs using the corner of the large crate as a toilet. The main intention of offering a crate to the French bulldogs is to offer them a sense of protection as well as comfort. Therefore, a right-sized crate is a must needed. All dimensions are measured manually, please allow deviation of 1 inch. Adjustable Carrying Strap and Fleece Mat Include The crate frame is make of strong steel tube; the carte cover is made of Durable washable D fabric and hex mesh fabric; a well ventilated, stylish, lightweight and durable crate Fleece bed included: Quality fleece bed provide a comfortable place for your pet. Lightweight and easy to carry to all places Collapsible Bars with retractable Springs make setup simple and storage efficient Check Latest Price On Amazon 4. In most cases, a wire crate is perfect for a french bulldog. The one we recommend is the MidWest double door foldable wire crate click here to check the current price on Amazon. What we like about it This wire crate offers an open view of the room from the inside of the crate allowing the dog to be part of the activity around him which could comfort him and help him feel safer and relax. Exploring the crate is a very important step in crate training; this crate makes it easier with its two doors feature which is a great help especially at the early stages of crate training. The wire crate is completely foldable and easy to move around the house which is great if you need to move it to your room at night to keep an eye on your puppy at night or for travel by car. Easy to clean, since it comes with a removable easy to clean tray that you can clean in a minute, which is very helpful especially when crate training a young puppy. The wire crate is safe and very sturdy, it provides a safe controllable environment for most french bulldogs and also available ina more robust version if you have an aggressive dog. It can be attached to a playpen if you want to use one in case of leaving the dog alone for too long or if you just want to give your dog more space to play. It has a crate cover that fits it and you can even use it with some foam to soundproof it if you live in an apartment. You can get the crate the bed and the cover, all for less than 80 dollars. The one we recommend and why For a french bulldog, the best wire crate is the Midwest foldable double door crate with a divider. Click here to check on Amazon This wire crate is by far the best not only for french bulldog but for crate training in general. It helps a lot with the introduction and exploring the crate making it easy to lure the dog inside it. It comes with great features like the divider panel and the double doors. Here is a helpful video from the manufacturer showing you how to install the divider panel to adjust the crate size. How to install a divider panel on a Midwest wire crate for french bulldog Best plastic crate for french bulldog Plastic crates are very popular especially for small breed dogs, and they do a great job, and in most cases, they are great for travel since they meet online requirements for pet travel. If you decide to go with a plastic crate we recommend Petmate Vari Kennel click here to check the current price on Amazon. What we like about it This crate has degree ventilation openings, unlike most plastic crates the dog can get fresh air and a better degree of visibility. It is easy to assemble and therefore easy to clean in case of potty incidents. It can be moved around easily if you need to relocate it for the night to have the dog closer to your bed. This crate is sturdy enough for a regular French bulldog and will last long enough. With only a few tweaks metal bolts it can meet most airline requirements for air travel. It works great for car travel in fact it does a better job than most crates. It provides a den-like environment that allows you to reduce outside distractions at night and help your dog sleep well through the night. It does not work well for an aggressive dog and he will probably chew through it. The size charts for plastic crates are almost all the time wrong you always have to take one size larger and this one is no exception. You have to buy metal bolts to make it extra secured and for travel requirements. The one we recommend and why For a french bulldog, the best plastic crate is the Petmate Vari Kennel. This plastic crate is the best for french bulldog especially if you take your dog for road trips. Unlike most plastic crates it is sturdy enough for a regular french bulldog. It has degree ventilation openings for better visibility and ventilation. Best wooden crate for french bulldog If you are convinced that crate training your french bulldog is important but your house interior decor is equally important, then a wooden crate is the best choice for you. It is sturdy and made out of solid wood making it a great option even for overly excited Frenchies. It comes in many color designs winch is great for home decor maniacs. Surprisingly easy to clean, unlike most decorative dog crates. It has a open view which is great for your puppy to have visibility and to keep an eye on you while relaxing in his crate. The price is clearly cheap for a wooden good looking end table crate. Not the easiest to assemble and you need some basic tools to do it. Not easy to move around, so if you ant your dog to sleep in your room at night it will be hard to move it around the house. This decorative wooden crate looks great and is available in different colors. It is sturdy enough for a french bulldog and looks great in your living room or kitchen. Taking a french bulldog on a road trip or on vacation is certainly exciting but you have to think about safety first. Making sure your partner is safe and comfortable during travel is a priority and what a better way to do it than to choose the best travel crate for your french bulldog. I decided to dissect this part into two sections of car travel and plane travel because each one is different and has special requirements. Best car travel crate for french bulldog Best car travel crate for french bulldog When we talk about car travel the risk is high, so safety is the priority. Your dog must be secured in the back of the car away from the driver. So to make our choice we have only two options; wire crates and plastic ones. The wooden crates are too heavy to move around and unpractical to load on a car and soft-side crates are too easy to get out of making them dangerous. Car travel often means your dog will most likely be in the back of the car next to your luggage so you need a strong crate that will keep the dog safe at all times and in case of an accident. Although plastic crates are good for travel we find that the wire crate is much stronger and safer for car travel. This crate is the stronger version of the wire crate we suggested earlier, for more safety and the double door makes it even safer in case of an accident you can easily get the dog out in case the main door is jammed or damaged. Best airline travel crate for a french bulldog airline travel has some very strict requirements when it comes to pet travel carriers. You want to check the IATA pet travel guide for more information. Not all airlines have the same pet travel rules, so you want to check with your airline before you head to the airport. Best playpen for french bulldog Some of you may have to work a full-time job while crate training a french bulldog puppy. However, making a choice between a crate and a playpen could be hard and you can read our article about crate vs playpen and which one is best. But why make a choice between a crate and a playpen if you can have both?! There is a playpen and crate combined solution that will make sure your dog still spends time in his crate and at the same time has a playpen to walk around and play. We recommend the Midwest metal exercise playpen click here to check the current price on Amazon. Related Posts. Best Soft French Bulldog crate — 2PET Foldable Dog crate I do go in depth on each of these down below so keep reading if you want more insights on each of these various dog crate options. Your French Bulldog should be able to turn around easily and sit up without having to crouch. If it is hitting his head on the top of the crate it is too small. You will also want to make sure your French Bulldog has ample leg room in the crate. He should also be able to stretch out his legs when lying on his side without hitting the walls. While you want the crate to be big enough for your Frenchie you will want to be careful about buying a crate that is too large. Too much space can negatively affect how useful the crate is as a training tool for your French Bulldog. If the crate is too big he could end up using one corner as a bathroom which defeats the purpose of it as a house training tool. The crate should give your Frenchie a feeling of safety and security. A crate with too much space will prevent your dog from achieving that sense of security. So, what size dog crate do you need for your Frenchie? Pro tip: having some treats available during this process can help make this go more smoothly. One way to do this is to have your French bulldog stand in the corner of a room with his backside against one wall. This way, you can mark the height and length measurements and get out the measuring tape after. French Bulldog crate Size — Measuring the Length of Your French Bulldog To accurately measure the length of your Frenchie, get him standing on all four paws and measure from the base of the tail to the very tip of his nose. Next, add a couple of inches to the length measurement which will allow him plenty of moving around space. Having a little extra space to move around, adjust his bed, and make himself comfortable is a good idea. Measure his height in this upright position from the floor to the tallest point of his big pointing Frenchie ears their big ears need room too! The length and height numbers you have come up with should give you your target crate size for your French Bulldog. You really have two options when it comes to getting a crate for your French Bulldog puppy. Get the height and length numbers for your puppy and get a crate that fits his dimensions. Just understand that your Frenchie pup will grow fast so the crate will quickly become too small. Once he reaches adult size, you can invest in a more expensive crate that will suit his needs into adulthood. The crate he will need during puppyhood will be much smaller than what he will need as an adult. It would take repeated investment and different crate sizes to keep as your puppy grows. Here are six popular options you can choose from. Metal Wire Dog crate — The metal wire dog crate is by far the most popular option. They are durable, they can be folded up for easier transport, they can be stored away, they can be set up easily, they can be cleaned fairly easily, and best of all they are affordable. For most Frenchies this option should be more than adequate if you just plan to leave the crate at home. While these metal wire dog crates are the most popular, you may get the following types of crates for the following main features and uses. Foldable Soft Dog Crate — When I first met my Frenchie puppy the Breeder I bought him from showed up with my little guy and his siblings packed inside one of these soft dog crates. The biggest benefit of soft crates is how portable they are. This crate is much easier to transport your Frenchie in than its metal counterpart. This is likely the best pet carrier for French Bulldog around town in your vehicle as well as for vacations and trips. These are also very affordable crates. In addition, it is easy to clean, and easy to collapse down. They are made of a soft fabric, have a thin metal frame, and come in some attractive designs. Decorative Wooden Dog Crate — This style of dog crate looks and functions as furniture while also being a dog crate too. They of course purely indoor crates. They can come in a style of an end table, night stand and more. There are many different brands each varying in colors, size, and shape so you can match it with your interior design. Wood end tables are the most common wooden dog crates but I have a friend who has a night table version for her Frenchie. Plastic Dog Crate — This is a very popular option as well and many people get plastic dog crates like these as travel carriers. This can help make the transport of your Frenchie to and from the vet easy for you. If you ever plan to fly on an airplane you can get an airline approved plastic crate as checked baggage pet crate transport. Plastic dog crates like these are lightweight. Heavy Steel Dog Crate — Made of a heavier thicker steel then the metal wire crates. This style of crate is really designed for chewers, scratchers and escape artist dogs. As you can see there are many styles of dog crates and the best crate for you depends on your needs. The intended uses and where you are going to use the crate will influence which type of crate to invest in. How long you can leave your French Bulldog in a crate? It really depends on how old your French Bulldog is. The rule of thumb my dog trainer told me is that, a puppy can hold their bladder one hour for every month of age. For example, if your puppy is three months old, they can hold it for about three hours. Now, if you have a trained adult French Bulldog can use its cage like a den. It can be in crate for overnight or up to 6 or 7 hours a day. French Bulldogs are prone to separation anxiety so if possible try not to leave your little guy alone for too long. One Simple Way To Make Your New Frenchie Puppy More Comfortable In His crate When you go pick up your French Bulldog puppy from the breeder you will be very excited but you must understand your new puppy will be somewhat stressed being separated from his mother and siblings. When we visited our breeder we saw that our little Frenchie slept in a pig pile with all of his other siblings. We picked up our Frenchie in the middle of Winter here in New Hampshire and our bedroom floor where we had the crate was somewhat cold. On top of putting a crate pad in there, putting some dog blankets in there, one other thing we did for our little puppy when we picked him up was to get him a heat pad. They even have electric heat pads for dog crates now. A simple little head pad like this can go a long way to help keep your Frenchie warm, feel less stress after being removed from his siblings, and sleep well at night. The Many Benefits of Owning a Dog crate There are a lot of great reasons to use a crate and its beneficial for both you and your Frenchie. Initially, the idea of using a crate may seem somewhat unpleasant due to its enclosed structure, but it can be very beneficial in training your Frenchie. If you want a secure personal space for your dog, then a crate is best to use. Below are some of the most common benefits of a dog crate for your consideration. Offer Your Frenchie Safety Whether the dog crate will be used at your house, transporting your dog in your vehicle, or even with you on a vacation, it will first and foremost be a safe place for your dog. As a rule of thumb you should keep your dog crate with you, especially when you are traveling. As much of a disappointment that might be it is quite normal and something all French Bulldog owners must deal with. A good crate will offer complete security due to their double locking system and this can help keep your dog safe. A crate can also help keep your Frenchie away from substances that might be bad for his health. Judicious use of the crate can prevent them from swallowing poisonous or dangerous substances. Keeping your little guy in a crate will help keep them protected and secured. A crate for your Frenchie can be used as a house training tool A crate is useful tool to help control the environment of a puppy to assist with house training. Our dog trainer had us start crate training our little Frenchie as early 8 weeks of age. All dogs are born with a natural inclination to keep their pee and poop out of the den that they sleep in. When you first start crate training, try to keep your Frenchie in the crate for short duration and do everything you can to make it a positive experience. The crate can help your Frenchie puppy bladder control by holding it in, even when they are inside. You must understand, once you take them out of the crate, they will instantly need to go to the bathroom. The crate should be a valuable tool to will assist you in their potty training and they will soon learn to keep their cages clean. A properly sized kennel can encourage your Frenchie not to muddle the place, where he stands or sleeps. Moreover, puppy also learns to control his discharge, in case of emergency situations. In this way, pet owners can get a huge benefit of litter training. Here is a short video with some great puppy crate training tips: 3. The crate should be a place of peace for your Frenchie After a busy day of playing, sleeping, eating, and playing some more they will need a peaceful place to relax. The crate will provide soothing feeling to your French Bulldog and soon he will become accustomed to this environment and associate it with relaxation. Be sure to never use the crate as punishment. By treating the crate as a comfortable bed to your pup, he will search for his crate whenever he is tired and in need of rest. As his owner you must be sure to keep his crate safe and peaceful. The crate should be his own personal space, where your beloved friend can go to relax. I have some other French Bulldog crate training tips here. Have crate — will travel Not all French bulldogs enjoy traveling in your vehicle although mine loves it! Another worthy mention is that travel in a car unrestrained can be dangerous for your Frenchie. A sudden stop could turn them into a projectile. To keep your dog relaxed and calm while you are in transit it is recommended to carry them in a crate. There are many different French Bulldog travel crates on the market that are highly portable. Many can easily be folded down into a very portable handbag. Travel crates like this can provide a safe and comfortable environment for your Frenchie anywhere. The see through panels on the top and side allow you to monitor your Frenchie and make sure they are doing ok on their road trip. Protect them during injury or illness If your Frenchie ever gets injured or sick, then a crate may help to protect them from further injury. This comfortable safe-haven can help soothe your little dog to help them recover. A Frenchie may need some protection from their self if they ever do suffer from an injury. Without protection some of their actions can increase his pain and slow recovery. A secure crate you can protect him against making it worse by restricting his movements. In turn, as the proud Frenchie parent you will also feel relieved when your wounded or sick pup will be kept in a risk-free and protected environment. This is the crate we personally use for our little Augie and he loves it. It has wire vents on the front, sides, and back. Looking at the reviews for this crate you can fly with it after some modifications have been made but that will take some further investigation with your airline to determine the exact current FAA laws. Durable plastic shell, non-corrodible wing-nuts, extra strong steel wire, and interlocking door provide heavy-duty protection. We wanted to make certain our French Bulldog had plenty of fresh air. The fact that it is made with recycled materials is a bonus! We wrap this padded bed with a couple small dog blankets for easy cleaning and to make it even cozier. We found the 31 x 23 inch pad fit perfectly into our crate and gave him a cozy bed to sleep on inside. In addition to the pet pad, we got a tip from the dog trainer to help our Frenchie sleep even better at night. She recommended that we drape a blanket over the top of that after putting him his crate at night. This makes it even darker in the crate while. We went with this cute decorative French Bulldog blanket which fit perfectly over our plastic crate. While it also sets up easily you can quickly fold it down into a portable suitcase-like package as well this makes it handy to bring on trips. This way you can buy one crate when your little guy is a puppy and then adjust the size as he grows. Just choose the size of crate that your French bulldog will need when it reaches its full adult size 30 inches should do the trick. The divider panel will allow you to adjust the length of the living area while your puppy grows, keeping the living space small enough to reduce the chance of your puppy going to the bathroom in one end and sleeping in the other. All and all this is a great crate and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable crate that will serve their Frenchie from puppyhood to adulthood. My French Bulldog crate size ultimate guide will show you how to measure your Frenchie and provide the best crate size for him or her. Follow my French Bulldog Crate Size guide for the best results! Your Frenchie will love you for it. From growing up as a puppy to an adult, a crate always comes in handy when traveling. Even when staying at home, a comfortable crate can provide a cozy corner for your pooch. When choosing a French Bulldog crate size , know that they are usually on the smaller side of the breed spectrum. A standard inch crate is not recommended for adult French Bulldogs since they can easily outgrow it, making them feel cramped and uncomfortable. Instead, look for inch crates or more significant to give your fluffy more room. French Bulldog crate size is usually smaller than the English or American Bulldog crate size. The reason is the body sizes of each dog breed , respectively. There should be enough room for your Frenchie to move around a little, but not too much. Your Frenchie should be comfortable moving about swiftly in its crate without the need to squat or crouch. The crate is too small if it reaches his head at the top of the crate. He should be able to spread his legs without touching the walls while lying on his side. You should be careful about buying a crate that is too big if you want your Frenchie to have enough space inside. Your dog should not have any extra room inside the crate. Too much room may have a detrimental impact on how effective the crate is for your French Bulldog as a training device. He might end up using one corner as a toilet if the crate is too big, which defeats the intent of it as a home training tool. The crate should provide a sense of protection and comfort for your Frenchie. A crate with too much room will prevent the sense of protection from being reached by your dog. This will help you decide on a good starting point for crate size. Measure the length of your Frenchie from nose to tail, then add an additional 3 inches for optimal comfort and maneuverability inside the crate. Determine the ideal crate height that will allow your pup to stand up and turn around comfortably inside the crate, as well as sit in a comfortable position with the head elevated out of the crate. An adult French Bulldog needs a larger crate of inches long, inches wide, and inches high. A cozy bed in the bottom of the crate and a warm blanket are nice additions if your Frenchie likes to snuggle up. Also, check for any openings or spaces that may be large enough for your French Bulldog to get out of. Getting the right crate is an important part of preparing a safe and comfortable home for your French Bulldog. Choose wisely to make sure your pup stays safe and happy! This involves purchasing two or more crates of different sizes and using them in combination. For example, you can buy an adult-sized crate for your Frenchie and then purchase a smaller puppy-sized crate that fits inside the bigger one. By using the two crates in tandem, you can slowly transition your pup from the smaller crate to the larger one as they grow. Plus, having a bigger and roomier adult-sized crate gives your pup plenty of room to stretch out and relax. These types of crates come with adjustable walls that can be moved to suit the size of your Frenchie. Plus, customizable crates are great for those who want to keep their pup in one place at all times and provide them with plenty of room to move. With a little bit of research and planning, you can find the perfect French Bulldog crate size that will keep your pup safe and comfortable for years to come. Get the Right Size Crate If the crate is too small, your dog will be uncomfortable and may try to escape. If the crate is too large, your dog may be able to relieve themselves inside of it. The general rule of thumb is to get a crate that is big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. This will help to keep them occupied and distracted from the fact that they are in a confined space. Cover the Crate. Crate training your dog can be very useful for you as well as your Frenchie. You can compare crate training to a cradle for a baby. A dog who has a crate they love is a safe haven for them, just like a cradle is for a baby. Crate training your dog may or may not be an easy task. Either way, a step-by-step plan can only be helpful. And, if followed, will make the end goal easier to reach. Many pet parents feel guilty or unsure about crate training, and understandably so. However, crate training is beneficial for your furry family member and can be a great thing. Your puppy will learn that their crate is their space and where they will rest, so they will want to wait to use the restroom when they are outside. Separation Anxiety Many dogs suffer from anxiety when left alone. This is not uncommon. While being put in a crate can add to their anxiety or stress, their crate can be helpful if it becomes their safe haven and a spot that makes them feel safe. Emergency Use Crate training your dog can lend to be very helpful in case of an emergency. If there is ever a situation where you must evacuate your home or go to a place where a crate is required, having a Frenchie who happily goes into their crate can keep this situation safe and smooth. Another emergency you could face with your dog is surgery on their part or yours. For their or your recovery, being able to have them in their crate is extremely helpful. For Convenience Crate training your dog really helps when it comes to daily life. There are often times when putting your sweet Frenchie away simply makes life easier. These times may include when guests come over for dinner, when fireworks are happening outside, a friend brings their pet over, you have errands to run, etc. A crate not only relieves stress or anxiety your dog may experience when daily life is altered a bit, but it can also help you. Senior Dogs Senior dogs who have been crate-trained will benefit greatly. Older dogs can use their crate as a space to get extra rest. Senior dogs will also like their crate when they no longer have the energy to entertain big groups or children. Crate Options Once you decide that crate training your dog is the right move to make, choosing the best crate will depend on several factors. There are many different crate options depending on your Frenchies size, activity level, and your future plans with the crate. Making sure you select the right crate can make all the difference in creating a comfortable, safe spot for your dog to feel at home. Size Crates come in varying sizes, usually about 20 inches to 48 inches. The ideal size of a crate depends on the size of your dog. Most Frenchies are medium-sized, so a medium-sized crate would be good. The intention is that once your dog is fully grown, they will be able to stretch out and sit up straight in their crate. Before puppies are full-grown, use the divider panel that comes with the crate to expand the crate size as needed. When purchasing a crate, look at the size chart to make the best choice. Crate Types There are three different types of crates: the wire crate, the fabric travel crate, and the plastic travel crate. They are each different. Wire crate A wire crate is the most popular option when crate training your dog. Customer support team based in Indiana We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. It is easy to set up and take with you and is intended for travel as they are lightweight and easy to carry. These crates can easily be chewed on, so they may not be suitable for puppies or any Frenchie that has a habit of chewing. Plastic Travel Crate A plastic travel crate is more robust than the previous two mentioned. It is made of plastic and is also used for travel since it remains set up and is easy to carry. This may be a better option than the fabric crate if you need to transport your dog. They are also easy enough to carry, and your Frenchie is not as easily able to chew them. Some people use these as fixed crates at home, but they are more enclosed than the wire crate. This makes it less desirable for many dogs and owners. Doggy Playpen A playpen is a route some pet owners like to take as opposed to or in addition to crate training your dog. A playpen allows your Frenchie more room for walking around and playing. Playpen Versus Crate Like a crate, a playpen contains your dog in one space. The biggest difference is their size. You may decide to use one over the other depending on your needs. Playpens typically come in two different materials: metal and fabric. The metal playpen is similar to a metal crate, only bigger. Playpen Use: Contain your dog to an area, but give them room to play. You need to leave your dog for a full day more than hours. Your dog prefers a larger space. Crate Use: Contain your dog to a smaller area sometimes makes them feel safer. Sleeptime may go better in a crate. Transportation to another place. You will train your dog to happily go into their playpen as you do the crate treats, slowly increase time, make it a fun space. Having both would allow your pup to have a confined space for sleeping the crate and a bigger area for when they are ready to walk around and play the playpen. You can choose to set the two up in separate places, using each for different purposes and at different times. You can also set the two up together where the crate will open into the playpen. This option would be used with a metal playpen. Of course, this setup will require more space. You could use the following to do so. Bed or Crate Pad A crate pad fits more precisely into a crate than a standard dog bed. Get one that is sturdy and difficult for them to chew, like this chew-resistant pad. Durable crate pads can be pricey, but it beats buying several fluffy, easy-to-chew ones. I like to buy dog pads that have a zip-off cover, making them easier to wash. Your dog will love to cuddle up in this dog bed. This is one tough dog bed. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Chew Toys Chewing can be calming for dogs and gives them something to do while they are in their crate. As mentioned before, providing chew toys will also prevent them from chewing their crate pad. Choosing appropriate toys for your dog is important. Make sure that your Frenchie cannot tear and eat pieces of the chew toy and that it is not too small for them. A chewable stick is a good option. If you have a puppy, you should not leave them in their crate for too long and they also are unable to hold their bladder for too long. In this case, refrain from leaving them water. An option for leaving water in the crate without it becoming a mess is to purchase a snap bowl that easily connects to the side of a wire crate. A regular water and food bowl can be left in the playpen if you leave for an extended amount of time. This can be done with adult dogs, not puppies who need to relieve themselves often. A Possible Step-by-Step Plan for Training Crate training your dog requires a lot of preparation and training, as you may know now. This is only a guide. You know your Frenchie and your situation best, so always do what works for both of you. This plan could also be used for a playpen with alterations where needed. Days Set the crate up and keep the door open for several days. Place a couple of toys and treats in the crate. Place their meal in the crate at times. Allow your Frenchie to choose when they are curious enough to go in the crate. Allow them to explore and find the treats on their own time. Do not shut the door during this time. Shut the door for just a moment while they are in the crate. Stay there and open the door right back up. Increase the length of time, but stay in sight. Days If your dog has responded well to the door closing while you are visible, try closing the door and leaving the room. Start out small and increase the time. Always open the door if they do not respond well. When your dog is able to stay in the crate while you are not visible, try leaving home for just a short time or even stepping outside. Increase this over time. Helping Your Dog Like the Crate In order to ensure that crate training your dog is successful, you want to help your dog like their crate. To do this, it should be a positive experience for them. There are ways to achieve this. Make it comfortable with a crate pad. Give them safe toys to chew on. Before you start to use the crate with the door closed, have the door open for some time, allowing them to go in and out as they please and not make a big deal of it. When you do begin to shut the door, start small by only leaving them in there for a few minutes and slowly increase that time. As mentioned, treats are important for helping your dog feel good about being in the crate. You can use treats to train your dog to go into their crate on their own eventually. Practice this many times before leaving them alone in their crate. Keep training sessions short and repeat them up to several times a day. Tire your dog out by playing with it or walking it before putting them in the crate to help them reach calmness and possibly a level of tiredness that will help them sleep. Length of Time in Crate Once you have trained your dog to freely go into the crate, it is time to try leaving them in the crate for an extended period of time. When you first leave your Frenchie alone in the shut crate, leave home for just a couple of minutes. You can simply go outside your front door to do this. When you return, give a treat and lots of praise. Slowly increase the time they are left in there while you are gone. Puppies should not stay in the crate for more than a couple of hours because they will not have access to water and also use the bathroom more frequently. Once your puppy is older, approximately 6 months, they can stay in the crate for several hours. All dogs are different, and as a pet parent, you should be able to determine how often your dog needs to use the bathroom. If you need to be gone for a full workday, come home on a break, or have a dog sitter let your Frenchie relieve itself at a minimum. Or, you can use the playpen at this time if you have one and your dog is older. There is a very good chance that your Frenchie will whine in the crate. If this happens, you should let your dog out. Maybe you could go on a walk, play together for a bit, or give them a potty break. Then, try again. Otherwise, try to get them to go in peacefully using treats and toys. Provide different or new toys that may pique their interest and distract your dog. If your dog does use the bathroom in their crate, there is likely an issue you resolve. Make their space smaller using the divider that comes with the crate. Use a special cleaner to rid of the smell since dogs often remark the same spots. Give them time to relieve themselves outside right before they go into the crate. Leave them in the crate for a shorter time. Is it Worth It? Most would say yes! Crate training your dog can seem like a lot of work, but all good things do, right? While it takes time and patience, having a Frenchie that can successfully use a crate can really come in handy. As always, your vet can help. Not only can crate training your dog help you as a dog parent, but it also helps your Frenchie in many ways when it comes to their happiness and safety. Disclosure HappyFrenchBulldog. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Contact Have questions about our content? 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They are intelligent, loyal and energetic dogs when grown, but require lots of training and stimulation to avoid boredom and become well-adjusted socially. While loving to their owners, they are often distant with strangers and can suffer from separation anxiety when their owner is away. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your German Shepherd puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a few kibbles mixed with warm water. Health During this time it is important to monitor your GSD for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your GSD will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. In this time your GSD will develop a trusting relationship with you and will respond negatively to harsh treatment, so be sure be assertive and establish your dominance but avoid shouting. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your German Shepherd's large size and young age. This breed tend not to be gluttons and quickly work off any weight during exercise, but this time is crucial for developing healthy bones and joints so feed them the best quality food you can. You should also familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into places it shouldn't be. If your GSD is a long-haired variant you should make them familiar with brushing early as this will become a daily necessity for their entire life. You must be careful to monitor play and not allow your puppy to play too rough or they may irreversibly damage their sensitive back legs and shoulders. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your GSD will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and build your relationship early, but be careful not to allow your puppy to become dependent on your attention and presence. GSDs are often described as aloof since they are shy with strangers — it is important to socialise them with strangers early so that they do not become aggressive towards people and dogs they are unfamiliar with. Your GSD will be full of energy and already require lots of time exercising, playing and in training. Your dog will likely do well at puppy training school and will benefit from obedience training to help control them in public. Nutrition Your German Shepherd puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. It is particularly important that you make sure your pup has the right diet at this time to help them grow properly and avoid joint or bone problems later in life. Your GSD has a double coat which changes with the seasons: the bottom layer sheds in the warmer weather, but will need daily or weekly brushing to help it along. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks. A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour German Shepherds are unendingly loyal to their family but are distant with people they don't know, so familiarise them with friends, strangers and other dogs early. It is vital to teach your pup early to be patient with children who may not respect their boundaries and might otherwise provoke aggressive behaviour. It is important to provide your GSD with lots of sturdy, entertaining toys to stimulate them — a bored German Shepherd will destroy your furniture and backyard for fun. Recommended Articles. Less than 1 hour per day, e. Overfeeding and Underfeeding Underfeeding and overfeeding both carry significant health risks for your GSD. As a guide, your German Shepherd should have a defined waistline and you can feel her ribs. Obesity is costly, both in terms of veterinary bills and health. An overweight German Shepherd is at an increased risk of arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. German Shepherds love to exercise and keeping them in good body condition is part of maintaining their diet. But, puppies tire much more quickly and are still developing their joints. How often should I feed my adult German Shepherd? Full-grown German Shepherds do well on a twice-a-day feeding schedule. For most adult German Shepherds, feeding twice per day, around 10 to 12 hours apart is healthy. Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your German Shepherd to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal for at least 1 — 2 hours. This is especially true if your dog eats its food rapidly. Giving your dog time to fully digest her meal will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders. What food do German Shepherds need? The German Shepherd Dog is an athletic powerhouse! The German Shepherd is an Olympic athlete at heart! They love to exercise, play, run, and generally stay in motion most of the time. Giving them the best food is essential to their natural drive. Due to its convenience and ease of feeding, dry kibble is the most common way to give a German Shepherd her dietary requirements. Common commercial foods are made with chicken, beef, lamb, or fish products and by-products, grains such as corn, wheat, rice, barley, or oats. They contain added vitamins and minerals to ensure that the final diet is balanced. Some owners prefer to mix dry kibble with wet food, make their own homemade food, and only serve a raw diet, or any combination they feel is the right fit for their dog and lifestyle. Any mixture of food you feed your GSD must meet their dietary requirements. Dog food sales in the United States are a huge business. German Shepherd owners must not only stay alert as wise consumers but also monitor the health of their beautiful breed, which is an indicator of the quality of food you feed them. Many German Shepherds can carry on for a long time on a substandard diet, but inadequate nutrition can lead to more than health problems. In fact, poor nutrition could cause your German Shepherd to develop: behavior problems susceptibility to disease and even shorten their lifespan! What are the nutritional requirements for German Shepherds? Nutrition gives your dog the fuel they need to power through her day. The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Good nutrition plays a large part in the appearance and vitality of your dog. The minimum dietary requirement has been established for many nutrients. Keep in mind, these are the minimum requirements, and not what will give your German Shepherd optimal health. Proteins The main nutritional requirement of German Shepherds is protein. Protein has several functions that keep your dog healthy. Proteins provide energy, help build and repair muscles, form new skin, hair, and nail cells, and even keep the immune and musculoskeletal systems strong. Protein requirements vary with age, activity level, temperament, life stage, health status, and the specific protein quality of the diet. Estimating Protein needs Although energy requirements vary widely between dogs, protein needs are fairly constant. Adult dogs generally need at least 1 gram of protein per pound. However, younger and geriatric dogs may need more; young pets for early growth, and old pets because they appear less able to take advantage of dietary protein than their younger counterparts. But these amounts are only the minimums. Remember that you want your dog to thrive, not just subsist on the minimum industry standard. Fats Fat is the second main nutritional requirement for your German Shepherd. Fat provides energy and is necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues. But these minimums will only sustain your German Shepherd, not provide optimum health and sustained growth. Manufacturers further combine fiber, vitamins, and minerals to meet the minimum nutrient profiles of commercial dog food. Most German Shepherd owners use treats daily either in the training or for general fun with their dogs. Treats and Snacks German Shepherds rarely turn down a tasty treat or snack. There are a wide variety of treats available commercially, but these vary in quality. Try to limit treats to reward good behavior or for enrichment exercises to avoid the dreaded German Shepherd boredom. These are good alternatives as they are lower in calories. Examples of safe natural treats to feed include: Sliced cooked or raw carrot Frozen blueberries great for teething puppies and on hot days Slices of apple with the core and seeds removed If you have questions regarding which treats to feed, start with one of these healthy German Shepherd treat options. Feeding Habits Create good feeding habits for your German Shepherd from a young age. Follow these diet tips to keep your athletic dog in top form. Any uneaten food should be removed after about 20 minutes to encourage good eating behaviors. Some German Shepherds may develop fussy eating habits. In many cases, this is down to an owner being too quick to offer something tastier. Stay mindful of this and resist giving in to your dog immediately. Provide access to fresh water at all times. Always leave their water bowl available and check it regularly. This is normal, as German Shepherds are notoriously messy drinkers and tend to splash out more water than they drink sometimes. Plus, bits of food tend to wind up in the water dish, making the water turn cloudy quickly. Last, here are a few tips to make feeding your German Shepherd easier. Choose the best diet for your German Shepherd to match their life stage and activity, as well as dog food that is: Complete — includes all required nutrients. Balanced —all nutrients are present in the appropriate balance. Appetizing— your dog enjoys eating the food in sufficient amounts to keep them in optimum body condition. Safe — is free of weaknesses, excesses, toxins, unnecessary sugars, salts, additives, and dyes. Feeding a German Shepherd requires a balanced combination of nutrition to keep their energy reserves in check while not adding any excess weight which could harm their larger frames and bones. Additional References Coile, D. Henriksson J, et al. Journal of Experimental Biology. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Calories need kcal per day It is important that puppies replace the calories they are using. Three-month-old puppies should be fed between and kcal a day. Feeding amounts 1. Feeding correct amounts will help keep them on a good schedule and encourage good eating habits. On average, a 3-month-old puppy will need between 1. You can also check your food label for feeding guidelines. Feeding frequency 3 times a day A 3-month-old GSD puppy should get fed three times a day. Providing them with portions multiple times a day helps to maintain good digestion. Establishing a good schedule around eating a few times a day is excellent and can help with training. Create a plan that you can be consistent in doing. Mealtime length 15 minutes max. Food should not be left out all the time, even if they did not eat it. Removing the food after its being left out for 15 minutes. This will help to limit them from becoming picky eaters or not finishing their meals when they can. It will also encourage your pup to eat multiple times a day when it is available. It is a necessary time to make sure they are getting proper nutrition. Feeding them well at three months will help them grow strong muscles and healthy teeth. They will also have healthy skin and a shiny coat. Protein is an essential nutrient that has many benefits for growing puppies! It gives them optimum muscle development and can help to repair muscle tissues. It helps to promote a healthy coat and skin as well. Fats also play a role in your dog having healthy skin and coat. Fat will also help your puppy to absorb other vitamins and minerals. Excessive fat can cause digestion upset, but in the right amount, it is a vital part of their diet. Carbohydrates There is no set amount of carbohydrates a puppy should have, but it needs to be in their diet. Carbohydrates are essential as they are an energy source. They are also a great source of dietary fiber for your dog. Other essential nutrients e. Meat is essential and should be the primary protein source, but fruits and vegetables are also necessary. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus help to support bone health. Vitamins like Vitamin A help to support the immune system. How much should a 3-month-old German Shepherd puppy eat in a day? There are some factors to consider when determining how much to feed your GSD puppy. Activity, age, and health are all considerations that can impact how much you should feed your dog. Activity If a dog burns a lot of calories through activity, they need the calories to compensate for that. A puppy can be very active, and they need to replace that lost energy with calories. Age A 3-month-old puppy will need more calories per pound compared to an adult German Shepherd. This is why food for puppies will usually have more calories per cup. Puppies need more calories because of their activity level and how much they are growing. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this.

There are a variety of reasons to crate train your dog. Use your crate: [25] X Research source To keep your puppy safe when you cannot watch her. To keep your belongings safe when you cannot watch your puppy. When your puppy is home alone. To give your puppy a place to calm down. When traveling. To keep your puppy away from children or other dogs. To aid in house training and other behavioral training. Never use your crate to punish your dog. And once your dog is no longer a puppy and can be trusted not to destroy the house, do not crate your dog when you are away. Save the crate for special times — i. For the most part, your dog should enter her crate voluntarily. The type of crate you use is up to personal preference, though many find that wire crates are the most durable and comfortable long-term solutions for dogs as well as being used at most kennels where you might board your dog. The most important thing is that you get the right size crate. If it is too small, your dog will not be comfortable. If it is too large, it will provide the den-like space dogs crave. Your dog should be able to stand in the crate without hitting her head, to turn around comfortably, and to lie on their side with their paws stretched out. Also buy a divider if purchasing the crate for your puppy. Your dog should enjoy her crate. It should provide a comfortable place for her to relax, so much so that she should choose to spend time there. Make sure to: [28] X Research source Put the crate in a room where you spend lots of time, so your puppy does not feel abandoned. Keep it a comfortable temperature: out of direct sunlight and far from fireplaces and radiators. Place soft bedding inside. Place chew toys inside to give your dog something to do. Cover your wire crate with a towel or crate cover. This will give it more of the den-like feel your dog craves. If you do it well, crate training will be much easier. Throw some new dog toys in, too. Let your dog explore the crate on her own. Let her go at her own speed. Every hour or so put more treats in the crate when your dog is not looking. Be sure to subtract all these treats from their daily food allowance. Also start feeding your dog in the crate. At first, put the bowl just inside so they only have to poke their head in. After 2 or 3 successful feedings, move it to the middle, then all the way back. Show your dog a treat and toss it in the crate. Move away and wait for her to leave the crate. Always use your cue words. Repeat the whole ritual several times a day until your dog is happily entering the crate to fetch treats. After tossing a treat in once or twice to warm your dog up, use your command word without a treat. If she enters, praise profusely and give a treat or two. Also praise her when she leaves. Repeat this training several times a day for two or three days, until your dog is entering and leaving the crate on command. If your golden puppy struggles with this step, go back to the previous one. Ask your puppy to enter the crate and sit. Slowly close the door. If you have to bang it shut before your dog escapes, then she is not ready for this step. When the door is closed, praise and give treats, then open the door and let her leave. Gradually lengthen the time they must sit in the crate before you let them out. Do sessions of training where they wait ten seconds, then 30, 45, and a minute. When your dog can comfortably stay in the crate for a minute, you will want to start moving away while she is in the crate. In the first session, move only a few feet away before you come back. Move to different areas of the room and keep looking at your dog. Next, try training sessions where you move around the room without paying attention to your puppy. Add moments when you step out of the room briefly and return. Finally, leave the room. At first, stay out for only five minutes. Gradually increase the time you are gone to 30 minutes. Go back to the previous step or reduce the time you are leaving her. Always remove your puppies leash and collar before putting her in the crate, as they are choking hazards. For a puppy, these will need to be shorter trips, as a puppy cannot be expected to go more than 3 hours or so without urinating. She needs to be able to get up and stretch her legs. Vary the time you put your dog in the crate. Sometimes do it ten minutes before you go. Sometimes five. Sometimes right before you head out the door. Praise your dog for entering her crate, then go. Now that your puppy is comfortable in her crate, she can sleep there overnight, but be sure you can hear her. Puppies often need to pee in the middle of the night. We are overjoyed for you! Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendly and loving breeds…and lucky for you, one of the easiest to train. Golden Retrievers require a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid going about on their own or becoming frustrated. Their love for food is infinite. Prerequisites for training my Golden Retriever puppy? What age can I start to train my Golden Retriever puppy? Sounds like a good deal! We can only hope. What do I need to train my Golden Retriever? Say bye to that sticky, meaty feeling in your fingertips. A piece of non-slip vet bed or a soft mat: For a cozy bed, warm nights, and good dreams. Treats: The more smelly, the better. Two identical toys : Great for swaps! The name says it all…your Golden Retriever puppy will love retrieving, so identical toys will be great for all the games we have in store for you in the Zigzag Puppy training app. Of course, Golden Retrievers grow to be big dogs. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? A golden retriever needs 2 hours of exercise a day. What age is a Golden Retriever fully grown? Golden Retrievers reach adulthood at 3 years of age and are seniors by 8 years old. Though their height has been reached, their weight will still fill out and they will continue to mentally mature. What are Golden Retrievers bred for? Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden colored retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel — these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water kind of like crocodiles , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Do Golden Retrievers make good family pets? In fact, Golden Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds in the UK. The Kennel Club has a lot more good information and info about them. What does this have to do with how I train my Golden Retriever puppy? But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better: Golden Retrievers love to work. Commonly employed as Guide Dogs, they love having a job to do, which means they will adore training. Anyhow, they will be a breeze to train. They will also do almost anything for your soft words and approval — your praise will work just as well as treats. Because they are so gentle, they are a great fit for families with a variety of lifestyles and ages. They need a good amount of exercise; mental as well as physical. Let us rephrase — a hefty amount of exercise. Besides you and food, being in water is what they love the most! They have a very strong sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games tend to be the biggest treat for most. Golden Retrievers are the social butterflies of dogs. They love most people, and are not discreet in showing it. You know how us Brits can be about politeness. That being said, make sure you also teach them the wonders of giving things up. It can lead to great things! But it can also be less helpful when they give you a love bite on your arm — give them a toy to carry instead. Shift to some play, and revisit training later — we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread. Studies have shown that separating a puppy from mom and siblings before that time may lead to behavior problems later on. The good news is that you can start training your baby golden retriever as soon as he is home with you. Up until your puppy is 6 months old you should focus your attention on 3 main things: Golden Retriever Potty Training This may seem obvious but potty training problems are one of the main reasons dogs are surrendered at shelters. This link will take you to a step-by-step guide on potty training and crate training a golden retriever puppy. Socialization As a dog trainer I get asked many questions about dog behavior and training. In this photo Samsom is being socialized to babies and also to people putting their hands in his food bowl. Always add something yummy! Unfortunately, this period is very short and closes at 3 months of age. This means you have about 4 weeks to socialize your puppy to people of all sizes, genders, colors, ages, with costumes, hats, umbrellas; dogs of all sizes, colors, ages; cars, buses, trucks, loud noises, water, hair trimming, nail trimming, etc. Take your pup to a golden retriever training and socialization class that uses only positive methods. The first four weeks with your new golden retriever pup should be the busiest ones, follow this link for a detailed list and guide on how to socialize your new baby dog. It is natural and completely normal. The good news is that you can teach them to control the pressure they make with their mouth until mouthing turns into soft kisses. Follow this link for a how-to-guide. Playing with a puppy's mouth is a great way to teach him to how control his teeth. Finally, you can also start golden retriever training obedience commands, since puppies can learn very fast many things but you need to concentrate your attention on the three topics above, because they are key factors to help your puppy become a friendly and social dog, one you can trust and trusts you. Teaching your kids to train your Golden Retriever puppy is a grat way for them to bond. Sit and stay! Do not give up. Then repeat 3 more times. This is classic adolescence behavior and may start happening when your golden is between months. Just like humans, dogs also have an adolescence period, and just like humans, they like to test boundaries. During this time it is very important that you continue training basic obedience commands: Take your golden retriever dog to an obedience class that uses positive methods only!

Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic German Sheprador Highlights The German Sheprador is a mixed breed dog. The main colors of German Shepradors are black, white, red, cream, blue, and grey. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors. While they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job. Many German Shepradors absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also help to keep them cool during hot summer months. German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. Protective in nature, they will alert when strangers approach. They can easily become board, depressed, and frustrated, which will result in unwanted behaviors. German Sheprador History The German Sheprador dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing German Shepherds and Labradors in North America, possibly in the s. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health problems that affect many purebreds as well as create an ultimate family companion and watchdog. They continued to create German Shepradors as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the German Sheprador got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you. Check your local shelters, look up German Sheprador rescues, or check with breed-specific German Shepherd and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breeds. German Sheprador Size As the German Sheprador is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between German Shepherd and Labrador parents, you can expect the German Sheprador to be on the large side. Most weigh in at 60 to 95 pounds and range in height from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder. That said, many can be smaller or larger. German Sheprador Personality German Shepradors make excellent family companions and watchdogs. However, once they befriend you, you have a friend for life. These pups hail from a line of two working parents. Their German Shepherd parents regularly work as military, police, and guard dogs, while their Labrador Retriever parents have jobs as hunting and guide dogs. German Shepradors like to work and need to have a job to do, whether big or small. Give them a sense of purpose, and this dog will earn their keep ten fold. They are highly trainable, and thrive on positive reenforcement. Do not leave them alone for long periods. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. German Shepradors are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one hour long walk per day with several shorter walks mixed in. Hiking and other adventurous activities are also recommended. Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. You should brush their teeth daily, as this mixed breed is prone to tartar build-up. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility with its one-inch jumps. Crate and kennel training should start in puppyhood. German Sheprador Feeding An ideal German Sheprador diet should be formulated for a large breed with high energy. They have a tendency to gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Limit their amount of treats, as well. They usually have medium length, dense coats, and while they are not a good choice of dog for allergy sufferers, their coats are pretty easy to care for. A good brushing per week will probably do the job and bathing is recommended every few months with a mild shampoo. Too much bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Their double coats do shed quite a bit. You will definitely want a vacuum on hand. You will need it. Have you tried robot vacuums? See if the Eufy RoboVac is right for you! Their double coat gives them an edge when it comes to extreme weather. Many of these dogs absolutely love to run and play in the snow. Their double coats also helps to keep them cool during hot summer months. Keep in mind they are an indoor dog and need to live indoors. Like all dogs, however, German Shepradors need to be trained how to behave around children and vice versa. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Learn more about this awesome breed by reading about their parent breeds the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. German Sheprador Rescue Groups It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for German Shepradors because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Well, you get the German Shepherd Lab mix, a lovable crossbreed with all the great personality traits you could ever want in a family dog. Also known as Lab Shepherd mixes or Shepradors, these mixed breed canines are highly sought after. The parent breeds are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Like all crossbreeds, Shepradors combine the physical and personality traits of their parents, resulting in a one-of-a-kind companion. Because they are a designer dog , there are no established breeding guidelines or standards. Oftentimes, pedigree information is scarce as well, creating a lot of unknowns. Canines are fully capable of crossbreeding on their own. In fact, many of the purebred dogs we know today are a result of centuries of careful breeding. As we mentioned earlier, this crossbreed is a direct result of breeding purebred German Shepherds with Labrador Retrievers. Labrador Retrievers have a very long history that dates back all the way to the s. Back then, they were working dogs that often helped out fishermen. Eventually, these dogs made their way to England where they became companions for European royalty. German Shepherds were working dogs, too. However, their main job was to herd sheep and other livestock for farmers. Today, Labradors and German Shepherds are very popular the world over. .Though, they are popular for very different reasons. Typically, Labs are known for their companionship. They make great family pets and are often used as guide dogs for those with disabilities. Meanwhile, German Shepherds are revered for their athleticism and intelligence. German Shepherd Lab Mix Temperament The beauty of mixed breed dogs is that they take on traits from both of their parents. German Shepradors are a perfect example of this. These dogs are a joy to be around. Whether that required physical work or simply good behavior, these pups are up for the task! Like all dogs, German Shepherds and their subsequent crossbreed are products of their environment. Shepradors make great family dogs. The combination of intelligent thinking and loyalty can prove to be useful in a home setting. Your watchdog will do all they can to protect your home while still being down for cuddles. However, helping your pup grow up to be obedient and well-behaved is manageable. You see, these dogs are very intelligent. In fact, some might say that they are too intelligent for their own good. This mainly comes from the German Shepherd side of the dog. German Shepherds are notorious for being stubborn. Shepradors can take on that personality trait, making the training process a bit more challenging. They may require more time and patience to truly understand things. Another issue you might encounter with German Shepherd mixes is the need for regular mental stimulation. Because they are so intelligent, you must constantly challenge their minds to keep them happy. Like all dogs, Shepradors do best when positive reinforcement is the training method of choice. While dominance-based training used to be the go-to, several studies have shown that punishments do more harm than good. German Shepherd mixes thrive when you use a reward system. Showering your dog with praise and providing plenty of treats is the best way to instill the training techniques. Despite all of this, you may see pups with vastly different characteristics. Genetics is not an exact science. Dominant genes from one parent dog may take over, causing the puppy to look more like one breed than the other. As a result, the crossbreed is going to fall into that same category. You can use information about their parents for reference, but several factors will contribute to their true adult size. Generally, males can weigh upwards of 88 pounds when fully grown. They will stand between 22 and 26 inches at the withers. This is the point between the shoulder blades of the dog. Females are typically smaller than males. You may come across females as small as 35 pounds. Though, most will be around 70 to 80 pounds. As for height, females tend to be between 20 and 24 inches at the withers. Both of the parent breeds are pretty athletic, so most mixed pups will be as well. They fall somewhere in the middle. Depending on their activity levels, you might notice strong muscle development on their hind legs. These dogs usually have wide snouts and dark noses. Their eyes are large and brown. Some pups may have light eyes, but this is quite rare. Genetic variations in the parent breeds can lead to lighter eyes, but a vast majority are going to have big brown eyes. One characteristic where you will see a lot of variation among these dogs is the ears. Most Labs have large ears that flop down over the sides of the head Meanwhile, perky triangular ears are one of the most defining traits of the German Shepherds. The interesting thing about the ears is that you will have to wait and see whether they stand tall or flop down. Puppies are born with soft and fluffy ears. As they grow older, the cartilage in their ears may or may not strengthen to help them stand up. Some pups even have a combination of the two ear styles! Colors Coat colors can vary across the board with these pups. German Shepherds have an iconic tri-color coat. Distinct patterns of gold, black, and white cover the body. The most common is gold. However, black and pure-white Labs exist as well. They may have multi-colored coats or solid ones. Lifespan The average lifespan for a German Shepherd Lab mix is between 10 and 12 years. This falls in line with the life expectancy of the parent breeds. Generally, larger dogs tend to have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. Many factors will affect how much time these dogs have. Health issues and a poor lifestyle can cut that lifespan short. On the same token, extremely healthy pups are fully capable of living past 12 years of age. Possible Health Issues Like all dogs, Shepradors are not immune to disease and health problems. In fact, they may be susceptible to more issues. The problem with mixing breeds is that it opens up the possibilities of health complications in the future. Hereditary problems from both parents can be passed to the puppy. Unfortunately, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are known to suffer from a few different ailments. Here are the most common health concerns to be wary of. Dysplasia is a musculoskeletal condition that often affects dogs later in life. However, it takes years to develop and can be triggered by issues as a young pup. Take hip dysplasia for example. Hip dysplasia can cause debilitating pain. Many dogs who suffer from it have a hard time standing up. They may exhibit signs of extreme weakness in the hind legs, resulting in a noticeably different posture. The hip sockets become malformed, causing mobility issues with the hip joint. While some dogs are born with it, poor development as a puppy can exacerbate the problem. There are treatment options for hip and elbow dysplasia. Veterinarians can perform surgery early on to correct the problem and provide relief. If your dog is already suffering from it, physical therapy and joint supplements can provide relief from pain. Bloat Contrary to popular belief, bloat is not an innocent gas problem with dogs. It occurs when dogs eat too fast or exert physical exercise too soon after eating. Excess air is swallowed, filling the stomach. Eventually, the stomach can twist on itself. This restricts blood flow throughout the body. Provide small meals and prevent your dog from playing for at least 30 minutes. To control fast eating, you can utilize slow-feeding bowls or puzzle toys. They create an obstacle that forces the dog to eat slower than normal, which can do a lot to prevent GDV. Ocular Issues Eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy, are pretty common with both parent breeds. The tissue within the eye can degenerate over time. This causes vision loss. From there, you can provide supplements or foods rich in beta carotene to slow its progression. Diet and Exercise Requirements Shepherd Labrador mixes are incredibly active dogs. They love nothing more than playing and getting tons of exercise. To make matters worse, a lack of exercise can turn into a lasting problem. You need to start your pup on the right foot and establish a healthy lifestyle right off the bat. Go for runs and toss chew toys around the yard. You can break up exercise time in manageable chunks throughout the day to make things easier. As long as you get those 90 minutes in, your dog should have no problem staying healthy. When it comes to diet, you must be just as vigilant! These dogs have insatiable appetites. However, you need to ensure that their food is meeting all of their nutritional needs. It should use wholesome proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. The dog food should also have complex carbs and healthy fats like fish oil. Steer clear of anything that has artificial ingredients or unnecessary fillers. Those foods will do more harm than good. The goal is to provide your dog with muscle-building protein that will keep their body in good shape. As a good rule of thumb, dogs will need about 30 calories of food for each pound of body weight. This usually amounts to about 4 cups of dry kibble a day. That said, foods can vary dramatically when it comes to nutritional density. We recommend splitting their caloric requirements into two small meals a day. One meal in the morning and one in the evening will keep their energy levels stable as they go about their active lifestyles. Plus, splitting the meals will help to avoid issues like bloat. However, thick coats need a bit of extra work. GSDs have double costs. The outer layer of hair is thinner and easier to manage. Meanwhile, the inner coat is thick and dense. It provides insulation in those cold winter months. German Shepherd Lab mixes can inherit that thick coat. They will go through shedding cycles a couple of times a year, resulting in a mess of fur throughout your home! With regular brushings, you can keep the fallout to manageable levels while keeping your pup clean. These pups make great family dogs. They get along just fine with kids as long as you socialize them early on. As always, you should never leave your dog alone with young kids. These crossbred dogs are fully capable of attacking people, so you should exercise caution and always keep a watchful eye. They should know not to pull their tail or agitate the dog in any way. Are German Shepherd Lab mixes good guard dogs? Shepradors make great guard dogs. Plus, they tend to be a bit suspicious of strangers. Are these dogs aggressive? This all depends on their upbringing. If you take the time to properly train and socialize these dogs, they will be gentle and loving. However, if the dogs are abused or trained with punishment, they could exhibit aggressive behavior. How big to German Shepherd Lab mixes get? Males can weigh as much as 88 pounds and grow to 26 inches tall at the withers. Do Shepradors get along with other dogs? German Shepherd Labrador mixes do just fine with other dogs. However, they must be properly socialized first. Exposure to other animals is key during their development. They should be introduced to new family dogs slowly to prevent any aggressive behavior. Do Shepradors make good working dogs? Thanks to their intelligence and high trainability, Labrashepherds make fine working dogs. They do particularly well herding livestock. Conclusion German Shepherd Lab mixes are a joy to raise. If you have an active lifestyle to keep them fit, they will be a great addition to your family. Treat them well and these pups will spend their lives being a loving canine companion. Search Dog Breeds. There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior. German Shepherd Lab mix puppies German Shepherd Lab mix dogs are a combination of energetic friendliness and natural protection. As well trained adults they have the potential to make great herding, hunting, retrieving, therapy, service or pet dogs. German Shepherd Lab mixes are affectionate with their family, but need plenty of exercise, shed heavily, and can be destructive if left alone for long periods. That is, they have one parent of each pedigree. So there is huge variation in how they look, and no standard appearance. Some have the telltale muzzle and tall ears of the German Shepherd, others more resemble a Labrador. The color of their coat will depend on the coloring of their parents. For example, a black Lab German Shepherd mix is likely to have a dark coat, and a German Shepherd yellow Lab mix is likely to have a mid-toned coat. There are even arresting-looking white German Shepherd Lab crosses. An ultra-warm undercoat and a coarse outer coat to protect them from the elements as they work outdoors. This is because the gene for long coats is recessive and very unusual among Labs. Gathering up their lost hair will be a never-ending task! A good vacuum cleaner is essential. This might be reason enough to choose a different crossbreed if you have a busy family or someone with allergies in the home. German Shepherds are large dogs. They stand 22 — 26 inches tall at their shoulder blades, and weigh 49 — 88 pounds. Meanwhile, Labs are a medium sized breed, 22 — 25 inches tall at their shoulders, and 55 — 80 pounds on the scales. A Labrador German shepherd mix could be as petite as their smallest parent or as big as their largest parent. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could weigh anything from 55 pounds to 80 pounds. As usual, the lower end of the range is typically made up of female dogs, and the top end is dominated by the boys. They love to interact with people, show their affection, and get on well with children. Also, the German Shepherd is confident, courageous and smart. They are loyal and full of life. Furthermore, Labradors and German Shepherds are both fast learners and eager to please. German Shepherds in particular need productive ways to channel their intelligence, or they will get into mischief to stave off boredom. Your German Shepherd Lab mix could inherit any combination of the traits of their parents, which is why meeting both parents before committing to bringing home a puppy is so important. Socialization Socialization is the process of making a dog comfortable with other animals, people, places and activities. Even for breeds that are known to be friendly and easy-going, like Labradors, socialization is very important. German Shepherd Lab mixes are likely to inherit a love of people and company from both sides of their family tree. But socializing them properly as puppies will be vital to give them the confidence they need in meeting new people. German Shepherds, despite their great loyalty to their family, can be wary of strangers. So thorough socialization from puppyhood is essential, even for a mix. For instance, Socialization can involve having new people call over to the house regularly so your pup gets used to new faces and voices. It can also involve introducing your puppy to new dogs, cats, children and other animals so that they do not become fearful or territorial. A young dog in good health could require even more. They will also need human company for much of the day, and training to keep those big brains from getting bored. They are working dogs at heart. Highly motivated to learn and impress you with their ability to follow instructions. Like with any dog, training them is an ongoing commitment that lasts a lifetime. But with your ultra smart dog it should be a satisfying and rewarding one. German Shepherd and Labrador Health Magnification of health problems in pedigree dog breeds has become a well-documented problem. Labrador Health One of the biggest health problems facing Labradors today is hip and elbow dysplasia — looseness in the joints that eventually leads to painful arthritis. Another is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual failure of the retina at the back of their eyes that can ultimately leave them blind. Also, Labs are also notoriously greedy, and prone to obesity if their penchant for snacking is indulged too often. Another less serious but common issue in Labs is ear infections. These are easily treated but may require veterinary care and frequent inspections. In addition, they are more than usually prone to: Gastrointestinal diseases.

PDWRA has been receiving an increasingly high number of surrendered pugs, so please consider either of these options to give these pugs the future they deserve! Please see our Adoption section to find out more about the requirements to take into account for adopting, also to apply. Fostering We are in URGENT need of more foster homes due to the increasingly high level of surrendered pugs, many requiring dedicated healthcare or rehabilitation prior to adoption. Please read our Fostering section for all the details and considerations, also to apply. As with many rescues, the volume of pugs being surrendered has risen greatly, many in poor health, over and above the suitable homes available for them. We will be focussed on doing the best for those in our care, in order to Re-Open as soon as possible. Please read our Surrendering section for further details. Volunteering There are a number of ways that you can volunteer to support PDWRA, including: Home checking, by assessing adoptive or foster applicants in your near locality, according to rehoming requirements. Transporting involves the collection, delivery and safe transportation of a PDWRA pug to its new home. Fundraising, in a variety of ways including at Events, or organising your own, to raise much needed funds for the pugs in our care. There are also vacancies for specific, dedicated roles in the charity, that you can apply for. If you would like to find out how you can get involved or to apply to volunteer, please see our Volunteering section. Lynn lives in the lovely South West of England with her husband Geoff, and their family of five male pugs. Great loving dogs n great with children as i have two of my own. I have one beautiful Kennel Club Registered orange sable Pomeranian boy puppy looking for a loving home. Mum and grandmother are here to see and photos available of dad. I also now have two beautiful Kennel club Registered oran.She is a family dog who loves company and being social. Due to myself not being able to take her for walks am looking for a loving family who can look after her Amazing Solid Kc Registered Blue Staff Puppies Pets For Sale - london london - April 17, .Coming from the very best black and blue lines thi.It is known for its loyalty; its happy-go-lucky attitude family raised and loves to play with children, CALL friendly,Pomeranian Pets For Sale - Chesterfield England - December 8, .Family raised with TLC and well socialized with children. Ready today for a loving home. Up to date with shots and dewormer and vet checked as well. Comes with a health record and guarantee. Five year health.Monkeys will be coming with all their papers, supplies, playing toys and food manual. CALL .Lines from mum are Eifel von de monarchia Chocolate line and tan from great grandad " Stunning French Bulldog Puppies!!! They are being lovingly reared in my home with children and lots of attention. The mum is my lovely fawn girl who can be seen with her p.The puppies are being reared in our loving family home and are used to children and other household noises and are very well socialised. Mum is our family pet and can be seen with.Dad is Bentley our pet and Holly is mum also our pet. Family dogs used to children, horses, sheep. They have had a litter of gorgeous Black and.They are extre.Will be wormed and microchipped. Deposit secures. One male, one female. Mixed litter. All very well handled and used to children and cats. Different colours from light brown to nearly black. Both parents can also be seen. Small bag of starter food with sale. Please contact me for pic.Glow in the dark harnesses. Size medium. Ring or text or email shell2roam yahoo. Selecting A Pet Name Important checklist for Pug puppy Mypetzilla recommends that all potential buyers or those looking to adopt a puppy; fully read and understand the checklist below before they visit the puppy. Mypetzilla suggests you download this checklist and take this with you during the viewing of the puppy. If you have any concerns over an advertiser please report them to us. Research thoroughly before committing Adopting, or buying a new puppy or dog is an important decision and big responsibility. As an owner, you will solely responsible for the welfare of your new pet and will also be financially committed. For further information on caring for puppies and dogs, please visit our pet advice section. You can also find out more information about the Pug breed by visiting the Pug Dog Breed Information. The puppy must be 8 weeks of age or over Before bringing your beloved puppy home, it's important that the puppy is over 8 weeks of age and has been properly weaned before they leave their mothers. Some sellers will keep the puppy longer than this and this is perfectly fine. There should be absolutely NO reason for you not being able to see the mother of the puppies. Mypetzilla forbids third-party selling of puppies. All puppies advertised must have been bred by the advertiser. If this is not the case, Mypetzilla will report the advert to the authorities for necessary action. It's worth asking the seller a few questions regarding the mother: How old is the mother? How is the mother's temperament? You can do this by arranging a visit with the potential advertisers home if they try to avoid you visiting, or make excuses, and then you should be concerned. If the advertiser asks for money, or deposit to be paid online without you visiting the dog at their home, or they request to meet you somewhere or drop the dog off at yours, then please DO NOT agree. We advise that you should never send money online. Mypetzilla conducts various checks on advertisers on this site, but are unable to confirm that all are genuine. So please make sure you visit the advertiser at their home and verify this yourself. Important health checks for puppies and dogs It is very important that you check the health of your puppy or dog before you decide to adopt or buy. A responsible seller will fully understand the need and therefore fully cooperate with assisting in the checking the health of the puppy. Majority of sellers will agree that you can return the puppy or dog within 48 hours should they have any health issues. Mypetzilla recommends taking your puppy or dog to the vet for a health check as soon as you take them home. It is also worth ringing the vet to confirm everything beforehand. Vaccinations must be up to date Check the puppy or dog is up-to-date with their vaccinations. All puppies should have received 2 vaccinations. The first vaccination should be given between weeks of age and the 2nd vaccination should be given no more than 2 weeks later when the puppy has reached the age of weeks. Older dogs may also need booster vaccinations and this is normally recommended by the vet. It's important that you check with the seller what vaccinations the puppy or dog has had. It's worth noting that puppies should have had their first vaccination before they leave their mother. If the seller has not provided a vaccination plan, then it will be your responsibility to make sure you arrange both vaccinations 7 days before letting your puppy go outside. Check the puppies have had their treatment for worms and fleas It is recommended that all puppies should be wormed at the age of 2 weeks and then receive another treatment at the age of 5 weeks old. Before the puppy leaves the seller, they should have had more worming treatment at 8 to 12 weeks of age. Check to see if the puppies have been socialised It's necessary that the puppies have interacted well with their puppy litter and have been raised in a home environment around other adults, children, and general household life. Puppies that don't receive this kind of training and development from a young age, may go on to develop behavioural problems later in their life and become difficult to train. They may likely develop temperament issues and will find it difficult to adjust to family life. Kennel Club registration? It's worth considering to check the documentation and phoning the Kennel Club to verify the registration. Check the Puppy has been microchipped This is a very important point and is also law abiding. From the 6th April , it is required by Law that all dogs over 8 weeks of age are microchipped and that the keeper's details are registered in their name and are kept up-to-date. You must make sure you receive the microchip documentation with the chip number and then arrange to change the microchip details into your name. You can find out more information about this by visiting our puppy and dog microchipping article. Considering pet insurance Insuring your puppy or dog is one of the most important decisions you should make when bringing your beloved puppy home. Veterinary fees can become extremely expensive and it's important that you have the correct level of cover beforehand. We recommend that you research pet insurance providers and purchase the correct level of cover. Most policies will allow you to start the cover the day your puppy or dog arrives at their new home. Please check our pet insurance section for further information. Please make sure to visit their how to buy a dog section. Similar Pet Adverts.

Dedicated to a Healthy Legacy. Boxer Puppies and Young Boxers pictured. Subscribe to get news on litters! We own a farm on 29 acres in Morriston, Florida, near Ocala. We moved to Florida in .Throughout my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the Boxer for their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My Boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. Made in America. All of our puppies are proudly made in America. All the food and everything we use to raise up our puppies is made in America. All products in our kennels are made in America. God bless our troops. Proud to be American citizens. Jesus is Lord! He is featured on our MALE page. To have our boxers be everything they are meant to be we knew we must start with a good foundation. We believe we have achieved this with our boxers. We have spent time and research on choosing all our boxers. Boxers are born to show off and they do plenty of that. AKC Boxer Breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC Boxer puppy. Looking forward to working with you. Enjoy the journey! Files coming soon. A new look for: americanboxerpuppies. We have been a K9 breeder for over 20 years and have been breeding boxers for over 12 years. Our boxers are raised in a social, healthy and loving environment. Through my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the boxer. For their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. God bless our troop! Listons Boxers. AKC Boxer breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC boxer puppy. Our web site americanboxerpuppies. They have areas to exercise and play. We have top of the line breeding. Our boxers are related to one of the top boxers in the US. From our home to yours we strive to have you bring home a healthy and well balanced puppy. A Furever Friend Boxers are fun loving, playful and ready for a venture. They love to snuggle and great with children. Email Address. Buying A Boxer Puppy? Finding Your Puppy -- Buying From the Breeder The conscientious breeder plans a breeding to reproduce the best characteristics of an outstanding sire or dam. His guide is the official AKC Standard of the breedthe written "blueprint" that helps keep the breed uniform for generations to come. You can find the breed standard, revised in , at the American Boxer Club website: www. The more common disappointments for pet purchasers come from commercial sources--especially pet shops that often buy puppies from the infamous "puppy mills" that take little notice of the quality or health they are producing. The pet store or dog broker will sell you a puppy with a breeder's name attached to the paperwork--but this puppy may easily have been born in a puppy mill. The reputable breeder, on the other hand, will not only be able to demonstrate the pedigree and registration papers, but will also show you either the sire or dam themselves, or pictures of the parent who may be owned elsewhere. Though the mere presence of "papers" does not guarantee good health, conformation, or temperament, you will most often find these attributes in the puppy who has been raised with loving care in the home or kennel of a conscientious hobby breeder. The serious breeder often strives to produce a potential "champion. Sometimes the distribution of white markings alone may make the difference between the so-called "pet" and show-potential puppy. The pet puppy will have benefited from the same proven bloodlines, nutrition, and medical care as its "champion" littermate. His breeder will have health tested the parents and done the best he can to insure good temperament, soundness, and longevity. Here is your best buy. Boxer magazines publish ads from breeders. The American Boxer Club web site www. Usually any time after weeks. Many states have regulations regarding minimum age. However, your individual circumstances must be considered. Do you have the time to spend with a very young puppy? Will someone be home to housebreak him? Would an exuberant 6-month old puppy overwhelm a tiny child? Or would he be better matched with a 6-year-old youngster? Remember too that the puppy under 3 months needs lots of time to rest. Don't forget that adult dogs, already trained, also make ideal pets. While much can be told at six to eight weeks about the puppy's eventual looks, if you are seeking a show prospect you might be better off waiting until the pup is six to eight months of age. At that time, be prepared to pay a higher price for all the additional time and effort that the breeder has spent raising the show potential Boxer. Male or Female? This choice is a matter of personal preference. Both males and females make admirable pets. Breeding is a serious committment of time, energy, and money, and not to be taken lightly. If breeding is not anticipated, it may be appropriate to spay or neuter your dog. This procedure is best done as your Boxer approaches adolescence. Please be aware that these surgeries should be discussed with your veterinarian as to safety of anesthesia and any long term effects other than sterilization. Spayed and neutered animals are not eligible to compete in the conformation ring but may be shown in performance events. Check this list! Tails should have been docked within a few days of birth. Optional removal of front dewclaws fifth toes is done at the same time. The Boxer has no rear dewclaws. Ear cropping is customary and appropriate but not required--it is a matter of personal preference. Uncropped ears are permitted under the breed standard. If cropped, this procedure is done under general anesthesia, usually between six and nine weeks of age. If the puppy is taken before cropping, the breeder usually makes arrangements. The breeder also advises regarding aftercare and taping if ears are not already standing. Sometimes this is a lengthy process. In the male, both testicles should be descended into the scrotum. They should be in place by two to three months of age. A dog with undescended testicles may still make a fine pet, though he would be ineligible to compete in the conformation show ring. Consult your veterinarian for advice. Avoid the unusually quiet, inactive puppy, or the one that might shy away from you. This might mean a fault in temperament or even ill health. Papers the Seller Should Furnish: a. A three or four generation pedigree signed by the seller. There should be no extra charge for this. The pedigree preferably gives the color of the sire and dam, and the AKC registration numbers of each. The registration from the AKC, which is an official document identifying your puppy's individual registration number, sex, birth date, sire and dam, and name of the breeder s. There are two ways to register puppies for the first time: 1 Limited Registration If the puppy is not to be bred, and is being purchased only as a companion pet, the breeder may check off the Limited Registration option. This does register the puppy with the AKC. However, it does not allow any registration of offspring from the mature dog. The breeder and only the breeder can cancel the limited registration should the puppy at maturity be considered of breeding quality. Records the Breeder Should Furnish: a. Date and type of vaccines given. Depending on the type of vaccination program started, your veterinarian will advise you on following through. Vaccination protocols are evolving even among the medical professionals. Date and agent used for worming, if done. Do not worm your puppy without consulting your veterinarian. Avoid store-bought preparations which can be dangerous. Diet your puppy has been receiving. It is well to maintain the regimen begun by the breeder, especially while the puppy is adjusting to his new home. If changes are to be made. When he is an adult it will be wise to maintain your Boxer on two smaller meals a day. Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.