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French Bulldog Whelping Ethical Kennel Learn the process behind how the breeding and pregnancy process works for French Bulldogs and their puppies. By: James Harrison Jul 22, Before you start breeding your French Bulldog you should educate yourself as much as possible. Do research on genetics, take courses, etc. If you are here, after an accidental breeding happened and you are low on time and knowledge, we will try to help you out as much as possible with this article. Keep reading. Before Birth French Bulldog pregnancy lasts from days. You will be able to confirm the pregnancy with an ultra-sound after 30 days. So make the appointment with your local vet as soon as possible. The price of the ultra sound and X-ray really depends from city to city. Right after you confirmed your French Bulldog is pregnant, switch her to a high quality puppy food. Puppy food contains more nutrients than the adult food, which are crucial for the development of the babies. Deworm your dam, so you prevent her from infecting the puppies at birth. Let your vet recommend a product that is safe for a pregnant dog. By the 6th week introduce smaller portions 3,4, maybe even 5 times per day. Her babies are growing and the amount of space in her belly is getting smaller by the day. This is also the time to get the whelping pen ready, and make sure she is used to it and feels comfortable in it, since she will spend a substantial amount of time there in the next few weeks. The amount of food should be gradually increasing until she whelps. The Labor After the 50th day you should start consistently measuring her rectal temperature. Every day, same time, keep notes. Other behavioral patterns will also give it away, like restlessness, nesting, panting, lack of appetite. Whelping Kit: Whelping box, located in a quiet part of the house. You can buy one online or build one yourself. A heating lamp or heating pad. They need to be kept warm at all times, but also need a space to crawl to if they get too warm. Digital thermometer. Make sure the room temperature or the whelping area temperature is above 80 degrees at all times. Hand sanitizer. And also to intervene with opening up the sacks if she is not doing it fast enough. You can warm them up in the drier and use them to dry up and warm up the puppy before placing them under the heating lamp. Suction bulb, you can order this one or get one from Walmart. This is very important. You will use it to suck any fluids out of the puppies lungs and nose. Puppy feeding bottles. Puppy feeding formula. We recommend using the GNC Goat milk one. A scale. You will be measuring their weight from birth on, every day, no excuses. You have to make sure all the puppies are gaining. Lots of blankets. You will be switching blankets several times per day. You have to keep the whelping box clean at all times. Baby wipes. There will be a lot of mess. Use gentle baby wipes to clean the pups up. Week 1 Weight the puppies and take their temperature daily. Feed them every 2 hours. It would be helpful if you have someone to assist you, or you will end up being a walking zombie. Puppies need to be fed every 2 hours for the first 10 days of their life. Make sure they are all pooping and peeing. If she refuses to do it, you will have to jump in. The pressure from the bloat can damage their internal organs. Take a syringe with 5ml of luke warm distilled water and slowly squirt it up their anus. Wait 30 seconds and start massaging with a warm cloth until they poop. Follow the instruction on the puppy formula. If you see milk coming out of their nose, use the sucking bulb to remove it. Around day 5 puppies front legs will be strong enough to start crawling towards their mothers teats. They can recognize and take a preference for a certain teat by the smell. You can start supplementing her with Raw Goat milk , to increase calcium intake after birth. Week 2 Puppies should be gaining weight daily. They are regulating their own temperature and also slowly opening their eyes and ears. They will be reacting to sounds and will start recognizing their mom, siblings and yourself. Start trimming puppy nails. I just use human trimmers at that point, since the nails are soft and tiny. I swear puppy nails are murder weapons. You may not be aware but almost all puppies are born with some kind of worms, usually transmitted from their mother. Repeat the process every week until 12 weeks of age. Week 3 At week 3 your French Bulldog puppies will start taking their first steps. They will now be able to use their hearing and vision for exploration. Make sure to remove any unwanted objects they could ingest or nibble on. The nursing process is going to become more and more uncomfortable for the mother and that is where the next big step comes in. Time to introduce the pups to food and water. Offer it several times per day. If your litter is big use a baking sheet and place the mush on it to make it easily accessible to all of them. They will still nurse, as much as the mother lets them. Week Puppies are actively exploring their surroundings and interacting with their siblings. Their senses are now fully developed. Interaction with their mother is still essential during this period; through play, she will start to guide them in how to behave appropriately. In short, the dam will communicate with them and teach them. You can introduce different types of stimulatio , from toys, to TV sounds, kids, unusual sounds, people picking them up and playing with them, etc. If socialization is poorly accomplished, this could create fear and inappropriate behavioral responses later in life. Week 6 In contrast to their earlier readiness to explore, around week puppies will begin to withdraw, appearing more reserved when faced with new and unfamiliar experiences. Puppies should continue to be offered as many stimulating socialization opportunities as possible, yet everything new must now be introduced with greater care. Failure to do so could make the puppies frightened, which is highly undesirable. If your child is handling puppies make sure they are informed and as gentle as possible, not just physically but also vocally. Week The mother now pays less attention to her young, allowing them to suckle less and less. This development in maternal behavior is quite normal. Nevertheless, the dam will continue in her role of teacher, deciding when and where to intervene and stop play. Week 8 is also the time to take a trip to the vets office for their overall vet check to make sure they are growing, healthy and parasite free. Puppies will receive their first set of vaccines. Your vet will be able to advise on the vaccination schedule to follow. Sometimes they need plenty of stimulation to get them going. Start by using the sucking bulb to make sure no liquid is preventing them from taking a breath. Cover their mouth and nose with your mouth and start performing CPR on the pup. Try pinching the puppy several times to get a response out of him. Do that for an hour. Our Experience, passion, and dedication for our french bulldog puppies speaks for itself. Each litter gets their own room away from everyone else in the house. It limits exposure to disease and keeps mom calm and relaxed. First we lay down vinyl flooring. Especially since we have carpet. Things get messy. Vinyl is easy to hose off and disinfect. Then we set everything else up. The metal pen is used to contain the whelping area to the space we want, keeping poop and pee off the carpet — usually implemented once pups are ready to start exploring. This heating pad has a hard shell, and specifically made for dogs. It never passes a temperature of .We like this pad because its easy to clean and near impossible to destroy. Puppy potty training pads may become your best friend and can cut out a lot of laundry time. Depending on the litter we will put pads ALL over the whelping box on top of the blankets. Acoustic Egg carton panels are great and important to put under blankets to keep the surface bumpy. This keeps pups from laying on flat surfaces, helps with building muscle strength, and preventing flat chest and swimmers syndrome. When we first come home we use our LPF Incubator or a plastic tote to keep them in halfway under the lamp with the thermostat cord hanging inside basically, an incubator. Around 2 weeks of age they start to fuss, needing more space and we let them roam free in the big box. This is helpful anyway so the puppies can smell where to go. Even though youre cleaning the turf, pheromones are still there that we may not smell. Using a turf mat also prevents disease mom may pick up in the yard. Mom has access to food and filtered water at all times in between feedings located outside of the pen. Make sure to have a thermostat in the room so you can monitor temps. Moms tend to have explosive diarrhea a few days after puppies are born. The tarp makes for easy clean up of the space. Of course, I have my closet full of extras. You might not want to get the best of the best like the ezwhelp whelping box. I used a kiddie pool for my first two litters. It looked really stupid, but it worked! Ok so now your room is set up! Your girl has been bred. You now have 63 days from ovulation to mentally prepare and get all the sleep you can. She may become picky with eating, grumpy, extra needy, morning sickness or just sick. Seared Salmon Between 28 and 35 days You can, if you like, have an ultrasound done on mom to confirm the litter. The vet may give you a guestimation. Take this lightly. Ultrasounds are fun and exciting but more often than not, counts are wrong. This past litter we were told 3, possibly 5. Elsa had 6 puppies! Vets can also see absorptions as well. Some girls go early, some go late. Keep in mind due date is a calculated but educated guess that is extremely accurate. Check for colostrum production. Get your car ready, throw some towels and puppy pads where mom will ride. Get your LPF Incubator or a bin ready for your pups with a blanket or towel in it. You can use a heating pad that connects to your car if you like, or the vet will give you some hot water bottles for travel. Discharge is totally normal Colostrum What is it? Milk drop takes a few days to come in. So initially pups will only be eating colostrum. The first few days of milk is called colostrum. This protects newborns from diseases and infection. This substance is made of fats, proteins, mucus, bile and cells the puppy ingested inside his mother. Normal Poop like the one to the right should be light brown or dark yellow and formed. Once her temp drops below 98 degrees, have her go to the bathroom, retake temp in 30 min to 1 hour. This usually takes about an hour sometimes 2 depending on how many clients are ahead of you but the process itself is usually pretty fast. The C-section itself plus waking mom and puppy exam took maybe 45 minutes start to finish. Things your vet should send you home with: The vet SHOULD give you: Pain medication 2 doses of oxytocin the love drug shot — aids in uterine contractions to push out any residual gunk, colostrum and milk productions, and bonding Antibiotics Dyne — Dyne is a high calorie goo. It stimulates appetite and helps pups to gain weight. This can be given every 2 hours at. Betadine — Betadine is an antiseptic that protects the umbilical cords from infection, which can cause serious problems if it happens. Instructions were every 8 hours for 3 days. Easy enough! Domperidone as needed for milk production During your drive keep pups warm and covered. Make sure mom is in a stable spot. Elsa likes to ride in the very back of my suv, its flat and she feels safe. When you get home: Carry mom inside or up any stairs. Support her belly with both arms to avoid ripping stitches. I usually carry mom with each arm behind the front and back legs like a fork lift. Bring in newborn puppies. Get mom settled in her pen and administer the 1st oxytocin shot. Mom will be woozy and funny; she may need to be held down to feed her puppies. This is ok. Work with one at a time in the beginning. Take it nice and slow. Be prepared to spend an hour or so just getting her acquainted. Never leave mom alone with the pups. It will take her hours for her to become comfortable. Be cautious about allowing mom to clean the puppies, especially within those first 72 hours. Let her sniff and lick. Mom may need to be given calcium but not always. Oxy momma is a great postnatal with all vital nutrients for recovering and nursing moms. Fenugreek can be given as lactation support. We do 3 pills a day until her breath smells like maple syrup and milk comes in. This could take a few days. You can only get domperidone from your vet. It takes at least 24 hours for the dom to kick in. If you notice a few days before her due date that the colostrum has not yet started to drop- consult with your veterinarian for options. Her second litter was a breeze. This time she ate puppy food by choice. Cottage cheese also boosts milk production. You can even make her Leerburg formula recipe below Settling in with French Bulldog puppies in the Whelping box. Enjoy it! You will need to feed the puppies every 2 hours for the first week or 2. Set alarms. Weigh your pups when you get home and x daily thereafter. This is normal. Keep everything clean! Change bedding and potty pads often throughout the day. Keep things disinfected. Never use chemicals around puppies and dogs. You may move them to a different room as needed to clean. Read the directions, contact time is important to kill bacteria and viruses. During each feeding Make sure to rotate nipples, put strong suckers on the overfilled ones and put smaller puppies on the nipples first and give them a little extra time. Be sure to burp the pups as they come off the nipple. Pups will need to be cleaned and stimulated. Stimulate using a baby wipe. This will allow pups to do their business. Mom is usually good at cleaning but may need help. Elsa will NOT clean poop, so I definitely had to help her with that. Keep butts especially clean. French Bulldogs tend to glue themselves shut with their tails. If this happens use a squirt bottle or warm water and a baby wipe to loosen and clean. If puppy butts become raw, use aquaphor or Neosporin to soothe tender bums. If mom goes outside to potty, make sure to wipe her paws off. Never use nipple towers on new born pups! We currently do not have a nipple tower. Never enlarge holes unless needed. A nipple on a bottle should never be dripping milk, even if it is slow. If you want to bottle feed with Leerburg because it is so thick, widen a hole but keep that nipple separated from the rest of your bottle feeding things. Noisy pups are unhappy pups. Between feedings they should be quiet. If you have a pup that shoots milk out his nose, sucker it out and listen to his breathing to make sure you got it all so nothing gets in the lungs. Pat the pup on the back to make sure its out. Never remove pup while its latched. Milk may be coming out of the nose, but if you disturb the latch, the pup will breath in the milk. You can sucker or wipe while pup is latched or wait until the pup is done feeding. Incubators and oxygen tanks or concentrators can be useful. We have used a nebulizer on a pup before with albuterol. At 2 weeks You can start to do feedings every 2. Nail cutting is easy at this point. Use human nail clippers to snip the talons. Eyes will start to open. However, uncommon, I had a litter start to open eyes at 3 days old. By 3 .Mom will still nurse, but get them used to the taste. We use boiled or purified water to adjust consistency. For feeding we use muffin tins. The muffin tin keeps them cleaner and separated. We still give them filtered water. By .They need to learn how to chew. At 6 weeks you can start to reduce liquid in the soaked food, drier and drier until around 7 weeks. Around 7 weeks we start to play around with hard food. We like to do this and just put a huge bowl of it out to eat as they want. Once they get used to it, we switch to unblended kibble and let them eat as they want. This checkup is usually between weeks of age, one week before they go home. You can do it, or the vet can do it for you. Make sure to bring fecals to test for worms and other things. Fecal testing throughout whelping can be useful. We use pill bottles bought of Amazon for fecal samples. Which we also put the bottles in a bag and label each bottle. French bulldog training starts early and slowly. We start with crate training and basic things like name recognition. This includes placing a crate in the whelping area with a nice fluffy bed. The door is left open so the pups can move freely in and out to get used to the space. You will notice your french bulldog puppy is like a sponge and will love to learn new things. On day 5 he had to have his eye opened due to an infection. Always keep terramycin on hand. Then on day 12 we had to take him to the er. We tried enemas, soaking his butt in warm water, cotton ball stimulation, karo syrup, baby gas drops. He also kept vomiting. His skin was pink and translucent, thin. It looked more delicate than a tissue. The er told us he had an ileus. Ileus is an obstruction of the intestine and causes poor to no gut motility. They wanted us to euthanize him, but we treated him with antibiotics and took him home to make him comfortable and continue to try. We used nebulizer treatments on him. After 5 days we took him back to our reproductive specialist vet. At 5 weeks old, while the other pups were on mush and soaked food, he could barely walk, was gasping for air, ears were set extremely low and far back, eyes bulging. I could barely get him to poop once every few days. Hydrocephalus — cons to whelping When we took him for his follow up, the doctor diagnosed him with hydrocephalus, an underdeveloped respiratory system, and was in severe pain to say the least, among other things that were surly and unknowingly wrong. That was the last time we saw that little pup. It was devastating to say the least. At one point this same litter had gotten a little too chilly and started vomiting but resolved quickly. Another puppy developed a urinary tract infection. Symptoms included:. Main Menu French Bulldog Whelping! Here we will break down French Bulldog whelping from A to Z. We have included a list of supplies to have on hand as well as detailed instructions. However, there are some things that you can do to make your life much easier throughout this process. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of their uses! French Bulldog Whelping Checklist! To achieve this, artificial insemination can be done at home by you or at your local veterinarian. Once your Frenchie is confirmed pregnant switch her to quality puppy food, we prefer Iams! After 30 days you may notice that your dam has become a finicky eater. If you are struggling to get her to eat try giving her food in smaller portions or feeding her other options salmon, chicken breast, ground beef Mix it up! These are signs she will be going into labor soon. At-home births are highly discouraged for French Bulldogs for multiple reasons. Make sure to get your car ready for the big day! Frenchie Puppies Weeks 1 - 2 After her pregnancy, it will be important to keep your dam eating. Make sure you are setting alarms for this, even at night. Be sure to watch your puppies closely while feeding, if they suck milk too quickly or if you are supplementing and your bottle is leaking your puppies can aspirate. If this occurs you must immediately use a sucking bulb to remove any milk or mucus as it could obstruct their airways potentially being deadly. Weigh your puppies daily and keep track to ensure they are gaining weight. Also, trim their nails to make mom more comfortable while nursing. In the case of an aspirating puppy, an oxygen tank can be a lifesaver. If you begin to notice abnormal breathing patterns or an inability to nurse your puppy may need to be tube fed. Frenchie Puppies Weeks 3 - 5 At around 3 weeks you should begin to notice that your puppies teeth have started to come in. Mom should still be actively nursing her puppies but at this point you can begin to slowly introduce mush into their diet. As your puppies get older, they will begin exploring their surroundings so be sure to remove any harmful objects you may have lying around. Frenchie Puppies Weeks 6 - 8 By week 6 you can begin to introduce soaked food into your puppies diet. By week 7 try introducing hard food puppy food, if you struggle with this you can try blending the puppy food at first. After 6 or 7 weeks be sure to schedule their first vet visit to get your puppies their 5 way shots or if you are experienced feel free to provide this to them yourself!

We should feed the dog for the weight they ought to be not necessarily their weight, which could result in an obese dog remaining obese. Toy poodle. Toy Poodles are very small dogs that do best when fed two or three smaller meals a day, rather than one large meal. Owners must understand how few calories an adult toy dog needs and resist overfeeding. A Body Condition Score of 4 or 5 out of 9 should always be the aim. Puppy Toy Poodles need frequent feeding and can be at risk of dehydration and hypoglycemia if not fed often enough. When first home, we will need to feed them four times a day. As they mature, this can be cut down according to their needs. Miniature poodle. As with the Toy Poodle, these smaller dogs should be fed a couple of meals a day. While it is up to the owner to decide if they wish to feed wet or dry, vets generally recommend dry food for both Miniature and Toy Poodles, to prevent dental disease. Standard poodle. Standard Poodles are large dogs that can be fed once or twice a day. To aid joint mobility, it is best to try, and keep your Standard Poodle lean; sticking to their daily calorie requirement and not over-feeding them. These can include probiotics to support the gut and essential fatty acids to promote skin and coat health. High-quality, digestible diets are best to ensure optimal health and prevent the development of gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or flatulence. Some individuals may be sensitive to certain ingredients and should be closely monitored after being transitioned on to a new diet. For all, it is advised that they are swapped onto a new food over the course of 5 — 10 days. Recommended Ingredients With such a variety of commercial diets now available, we really are spoiled for choice. Opt for a recipe that contains protein as the first ingredient; whether it be in the form of poultry, red meat or fish. Some diets will also contain offal such as lung and liver; with owners growing to appreciate their nutritional value more and more than our understanding of nutrition develops. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy and may come in the form of oats, barley, and corn. Dogs can digest these forms of carbohydrates and will use them as an energy source. Foods to avoid include: Spicy foods which may lead to gastrointestinal upset Fatty or fried foods which can cause pancreatitis Chocolate. While any cocoa containing chocolate is toxic, dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst offenders. Grapes, raisins, and sultanas are toxic and can cause acute kidney disease. Sweets and cakes offer no real nutritional value and can lead to obesity. Most cannot tolerate dairy well and it can cause an upset stomach. Whether raw or cooked, bones can fracture teeth, get stuck in the mouth, causing an obstruction and even lacerate the intestine. Food-Related Diseases in Poodles Poodles are considered particularly long-lived among dogs, with some individuals living up to 18 years. However, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Your poodle needs consistent exercise, mental stimulation, proper nutrition, and a balanced diet. Several diseases can develop due to improper nutrition of the dog: Obesity. This is the result of feeding more calories than are required. Obesity can not only cause diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, it also leads to a reduced quality of life. Those who are obese can find it difficult to exercise and may quickly become out of breath. Poodles are more likely than other dogs to develop diabetes due to their genes. The pancreas ceases to perform its proper function. Symptoms include an increased appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst, increased urination, and lethargy. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes acute abdominal pain, vomiting, and a reduced appetite. While some cases occur for no known reason, others are linked to high-fat diets. Periodontal disease. The wrong diet can quickly lead to plaque build-up and dental disease. If possible, avoid wet food and feed your poodle kibble. This prevents plaque build-up and reduces the incidence of gingivitis. Below are some of the frequently asked questions by Poodle lovers! What is the recommended amount of food for a Poodle? It depends on how active your Poodle is. A very busy poodle will require more food than a sedentary poodle. For example, puppies need more calories than adult dogs, and elderly dogs need fewer calories than adult dogs. The best way to determine how much food your dog needs is to feed them a diet based on their age, weight, and activity level. Consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about how much food to feed your Poodle. Can my Poodle be fed dry dog food kibble instead of wet food? There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people believe that dry food is better for dogs because it helps keep their teeth clean, while others believe that wet food is better because it contains more nutrients. Ultimately, the best diet for your Poodle will depend on his individual needs and preferences. There are pros and cons to both dry dog food kibble and wet dog food. Ultimately, the best food for your Poodle depends on his specific dietary needs and preferences. It can also be easier to portion control because the kibble can be weighed or measured. Wet dog food is usually more nutritious than dry dog food since it contains more fresh ingredients, and it can be a good choice if your Poodle has difficulty chewing or swallowing. Can poodle puppies eat dry dog food? Yes, dry dog food is safe for poodle puppies. As long as the food is specifically meant for puppies, it will provide them with all the necessary nutrients to grow and develop properly. Make sure to choose a food high in protein and low in carbohydrates, as puppies are naturally carnivores and need more protein than adult dogs. The majority of puppies have little trouble chewing dry dog food. However, you can soften the kibble by adding a little water or wetting it if they do. Until then, continue providing whatever diet is appropriate for his age and weight. If my Poodle has difficulty chewing, what should I do? You can do a few things if your Poodle seems to have trouble chewing. One option is to feed your dog softer foods, like canned food or boiled chicken. You can also purchase a special diet for dogs with dental problems. Finally, you can ask your veterinarian about giving your dog prescription toothpaste or chew toys designed to help clean their teeth. Can my Poodle eat grains? Grains are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber, but they also contain gluten which can be hard for some dogs to digest. In addition, dogs that are allergic to grains will often have skin problems, digestive issues, and excessive shedding. Can I feed leftovers to my Poodle? Leftovers can make a nutritious meal for your Poodle if they are not too fatty or high in salt. Be sure to avoid giving them any toxic food to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, or onions. You can also give them cooked meat, rice, and vegetables. A balanced diet is essential for keeping your Poodle healthy and happy. Feeding your poodle leftovers can also be unhealthy, as they may not be getting the balanced diet they need. Instead, try to give your Poodle specifically-made dog food tailored to their nutritional needs. This will help keep them healthy and prevent any weight problems from developing. Do I have any options if my Poodle is a fussy eater? You can do a few things to get your Poodle to eat. One is to try different types of food. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in diet to get a dog to start eating again. You can also try mixing wet and dry food or warming up the food slightly before serving it. If your Poodle is particularly fussy, you may have to resort to hand-feeding her small meals several times a day until she starts eating on her own again. What foods are toxic to poodles? Yes, there are a few foods that are toxic to poodles. Chocolate, raisins, garlic, and the artificial sweetener xylitol pose a threat to poodles. Cavities and gum disease are common problems in dogs, and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your pet. The vet will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend treatment. In many cases, cavities can be treated with antibiotics or surgery, and gum disease can be treated with a special diet or surgery. Your Poodle may be having trouble chewing because its teeth are not clean. You might also want to try giving your poodle rawhide bones or chew toys to help keep its teeth healthy and clean. What other foods should poodles never eat? Yes, there are other foods that poodles should never eat. Other dangerous foods for poodles include grapes, raisins, chocolate, and onions. Why not give my Poodle those treats that look like bacon, hot dogs, and pork chops? Poodles are prone to obesity, and these treats are high in fat and calories. Stick to crunchy treats that are low in fat and calories instead. My dog eats the grass in my yard and other plants. How can I prevent this? However, this has yet to be proven. Is fiber necessary for poodles? Yes, poodles need fiber. A high-fiber diet will help keep their bowels regular and help minimize the risk of constipation. Is a low-fat diet for my Poodle appropriate? Dogs have higher fat, and dietary requirements than humans and do not often suffer from the same obesity-related health issues that humans do. A low-fat diet would be dangerous for your Poodle and could lead to deficiencies in essential fatty acids. Feed your dog a balanced diet appropriate for their breed and age, and make sure they get plenty of exercise. Could I feed my Poodle raw foods? There are pros and cons to a raw foods diet for your Poodle. On the one hand, a raw foods diet can be healthier for your dog because it is more natural and closer to what they eat in the wild. However, on the other hand, it can be more expensive and time-consuming to prepare than a traditional kibble diet. If you consider switching your dog to a raw foods diet, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist to ensure that your pup is getting all of the nutrients they need. A raw foods diet should always include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and high-quality protein sources like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Is frozen raw food a good option for poodles? Yes, I do recommend frozen raw foods for poodles. I recommend all dogs eat a diet of at least some frozen raw food. Frozen raw food is the healthiest type of diet you can feed your dog. It contains all the nutrients and enzymes your dog needs to stay healthy and strong. Plus, feeding your dog frozen raw food can help protect them against many common health problems, including allergies, skin problems, weight gain, diabetes, and cancer. Is it okay to feed eggs to my Poodle? How about eggshells? You can feed eggs to your Poodle, but you should take care not to give them too many eggshells. Eggshells are a great source of calcium, but if your dog eats too many, they could end up with an eggshell calcium overdose. A safe dose for a healthy poodle is about 5 grams of eggshells per day. Poodles, do they need supplements? Yes, Poodles do need supplements, and there are a few are particularly beneficial for joint and bone growth. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two of the most popular supplements for joint health, and they can help reduce inflammation and improve joint function. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for joint health, as they can help reduce stiffness and pain. Vitamin D is another important supplement for Poodles, as it helps to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis. What man-made food can Poodles eat? Raw and cooked carrots are safe for your dog, as are cooked eggs, salmon, and blueberries. However, be sure to avoid grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and anything else that might be harmful to your pup. Conclusion — Final Verdict! Now that you know a little more about the best dog food for Poodles, we hope you feel confident in your ability to choose the right food for your pup. We wish you and your pup all the best in finding the perfect diet! Related Links. If you're looking for the best dog food for Poodles, chances are you're a Poodle parent! In that case—hey there. As a veterinarian, Poodle parents often ask me to recommend the best dog food brands for their furballs. Poodles are one of the most diverse dog breeds out there. However, they're also prone to obesity, especially as they grow older. And while there are many factors to Poodle obesity , giving them an improper amount of food definitely tops the bill. According to Dr. As a result, pet obesity has followed the human obesity trend. Unfortunately, pets are getting high-fat, high-calorie treats, human food, toppers, etc. It's essential to find the best dog food for Poodles to fit your dog's nutritional profile and feed them according to their needs. You should first consider your dog's current activity levels, health conditions, age and life stage, and other variables. You sure wouldn't want to feed your dog with foods that aren't beneficial to them, would you? Below, I will take a closer look at the Poodle breed across all sizes. We'll also discuss their general needs and nutritional requirements before we review some of the best dog foods for Poodles. Did you know that the Poodle was once a duck-retrieving dog? It's true! The Poodle has also been around for over a century and was developed in France and Germany. Over the past years, the breed has been molded into the variations we know today. Each type looks identical to the others except for the size. Toy Poodles tend to weigh under 10 pounds, miniatures fall between pounds, and the standard is large at pounds. They all possess a thick, densely curly coat, floppy ears, a long tail, and expressive dark eyes. The Toy Poodle lives the longest, up to 15 years, while the standard's lifespan is about years. Poodles are fun, energetic dogs that love to be around people. They tend to be very good with children and possess a natural athletic ability. Poodles have never forgotten their heritage. Most are great swimmers and expert retrievers. They are a breed to be considered by avid sportsmen as they make excellent, intelligent duck dogs. Nutritional Needs It's this dynamic nature that makes it challenging to feed a Poodle. No matter what size you own, you must find the best dog food for Poodles to meet the breed's nutritional requirements. And above that, your specific dog's needs. But Dr. Shores, should I feed my toy poodle less because she's small? And is puppy food okay? My advice is: Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your Poodle. Your vet is the best place to start. They'll make recommendations based on your Poodle's age, weight, activity level, and any health issues she may have. It will also help if you do your research which is where this article comes into play. I wrote this article based on my and my expert colleagues' recommended dog food brands for Poodles. We will discuss them based on their different life stages and body condition. If this is your purpose in reading this article, I suggest you bookmark this article, start the car, and go to the vet clinic. Continue reading when your vet gives you the advice you need on feeding your Poodle based on her nutritional needs. There are certain factors, even in the best food for poodles, that you must consider before buying one. Here are the important factors to keep you guided: Age The type of poodle dog food you'll buy will depend on her life stage. During the puppy stage and gestation period, too! In this case, you need to buy the best food for poodles that will give them all the vitamins and minerals that a growing puppy or pregnant dog, whichever is the case needs. Breed Size Yes, your poodle dog food will vary depending on your pooch's breed size. Every size of this breed has its respective metabolism. Smaller poodles tend to mature faster, which means they need nutrient-packed poodle dog food. Wet or Dry Feed Most dog owners prefer dry dog food or kibble because it's cost-effective. Nothing wrong with that. However, if your vet recommends having a mixed feed, you might need to combine wet and dry feed for your pooch. Nutrition The golden rule when buying the best food for poodles is to be balanced and complete. This means that the essential nutrients should be present in every serving. Providing a balanced meal for your pooch also means that the nutrients are in the right ratio and suitable for the poodles, depending on their age and breed size. What to Feed a Poodle Puppy Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian. Remember that no article on the internet can replace a consultation with a vet, including this one. I always recommend this to new owners of puppy Poodles. They've also done the legwork in developing the most digestible food for Poodle puppies. The unique flat, square kibble of Royal Canin makes it easier for their small mouths to pick up and chew. This food should be given to your dog for up to 10 months. Best Puppy Food for Standard Poodle Standard poodles are less likely to have developmental orthopedic diseases like hip dysplasia than other breeds. However, they are more at risk than their smaller poodle counterparts. While there is a genetic component to these diseases, significant nutritional risk factors play a part during puppyhood. These risk factors are rapid growth and excess dietary calcium intake. Of course, you don't want your Standard Poodle to develop these. This is why feeding your Poodle enough of the right balance of nutrients is crucial. Feeding a Poodle Overview Ensuring that your Poodle is on a well-balanced diet is one of the most important elements to keeping your canine family member healthy, both now and into the future. This section will cover all Poodle feeding guidelines including how often to feed a Poodle, serving sizes, dry vs wet, grain vs grain-free, and top recommended kibble. Don't need all of the details and just want to know which brands are recommended? New Puppies - The Importance of Gradually Switching Foods Before you even bring your Poodle home, it is very important to discuss with the breeder or shelter worker if you are adopting a rescue exactly which brand of food they have been feeding to your Poodle. A fast change in food can cause upset stomach and digestive problems. Breeders and shelters are buying food in bulk and have to feed many dogs which is a factor in which brand they choose; so there is a good chance that you will want to offer your Poodle something different. Have both the current food and the new food on hand and make a gradual switch over the course of 3 weeks. Though you will be leaving food out at all times, it is important that the food is fresh. Do not just top it off throughout the day, rinse and clean the bowl as necessary so that old food is not stuck at the bottom of the dish. Puppy: Starting at just about the 3 month mark, Poodles of all varieties should be eating 3 meals per day, plus snacks. Adult: When a pup matures into an adult, this does not necessarily mean that they should suddenly be given only one meal a day. Smaller dogs such as Toy Poodles and Miniatures often do best with 2 or even 3 meals per day. Standards have a bit more tolerance to a single dinnertime feeding, however many can also benefit from having food split up into two servings. Several snacks can be given in between meals and this is particularly helpful is a Poodle is a fast eater. How Much to Feed a Poodle Exact serving size varies quite a bit depending on the type of food. There is a big difference in calories between wet vs dry and low quality vs high quality. And, the amount of food that a Poodle should be eating depends on the dog's age, activity level, individual metabolism, and health status. Even the weather can play a role since dogs tend to eat a bit more in the winter and a bit less in the summer. In regard to calorie requirements, puppies need more calories per pound than their adult counterparts, approximately 40 to 55 calories per pound, daily, compared to adult dogs that need about 35 to 45 calories per pound, daily. S enior Poodles typically have slower metabolisms and reduced mobility and therefore usually require slightly fewer calories, in the 40 calorie per pound range. If you are feeding your Poodle a commercial food, follow the suggested feeding guidelines. These are usually pretty spot-on. Since these are based on both age and weight, do not estimate how much your Poodle weighs but rather know what this is within a pound or two. If you are feeding your Poodle homemade food, a rough guideline for serving size is 1 ounce of food for each 1 pound of body weight, daily. As you can imagine, this can vary quite a bit depending on the exact ingredients. Using the 1 to 1 rule as a starting point, what your Poodle consumes within 15 minutes is usually a good amount for each meal. Wet vs Dry If a Poodle had their way, most would opt for wet food. However, dry food is recommended since this is much better for the gums and teeth. In addition, dry kibble tends to be easier on the stomach and intestines and a diet of all wet canned food can lead to runny stools. Grain vs Grain-free Until relatively recently, there was not much debate on this subject; if a dog tended to have gastrointestinal or allergy issues when on a diet with grains, they were switched to a grain-free recipe. However, this changed when it was discovered that several dogs that were breeds not prone to dilated cardiomyopathy developed that particular heart disease and also happened to be fed grain-free kibble. Lots of pet parents immediately thought that they needed to change their dogs back to grains; however, many more studies need to be done. In fact, the most recent update from the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University suggests that 'grain-free' alone may not be the issue at play. For now, it is theorized that a certain diet dubbed a BEG diet may be to blame. This stands for boutique small local brands with exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, bison, ostrich, venison, and kangaroo and grain-free along with peas, legumes, or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients. Currently there are no recalls of grain-free dog food brands and the FDA is still investigating any possible links including the BEG theory. If your Poodle does not do well with any grains at all, you may wish to stick to a brand that has traditional meats like chicken, turkey, or beef or a fish-based recipes. And, if you are not sure about which grains your Poodle may do okay with, you may wish to opt for wholesome non-wheat and non-gluten grains like rice brown or white , oatmeal, quinoa which is technically a seed. Exact recommendations for the best foods include both grain and grain-free options. Elements to Keep in Mind When Choosing Food for Your Poodle What to avoid: It's no wonder that pet parents have a difficult time navigating the many choices of dog foods in their quest to find the best brand to give their Poodle, there are a lot of ingredients to avoid: Artificial flavoring like MSG which can cause terrible allergic reactions. Artificial coloring. Some of the worst are Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2, and Yellow 6 which are linked to very serious issues including neurological and behavioral issues like insomnia and hyperactivity and serious health issues including some cancers. Chemical preservatives. This can be tricky to avoid since these do not always need to be labeled; if these are added to protect 'protein meals' in low levels, you'll never see it listed as an ingredient. These are meats and animal parts deemed unfit for human consumption. Examples are lungs, spleen, spinal tissue, genitals, hooves, beaks, intestines, and more. Generic meats or oils. This can, by law, be any species of animal whatsoever and are usually 4-D animal parts: Sourced from dead, diseased, dying, or disabled zoo animals, farm animals, or even roadkill. These are very common in cheaper subpar brands and are inexpensive ingredients that are added only to plump up the food but offer little to no nutritional value. Examples of fillers include corn, soy, wheat middlings, peanut hulls, oat husks, and cereal grains. Ingestion of fillers is a contributing factor in coprophagia eating feces and is linked to malnutrition. High grain count. Though some wholesome grains may be desired next section , high levels of wheat or gluten can cause upset stomach issues and allergies. What to look for: Knowing what to avoid can help you identify some of the better brands though exact recommendations are below. This means zero artificial additives. Natural preservatives. Wholesome ingredients. For meats and proteins this includes chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, rabbit, beef, and many types of fish including whitefish, haddock, salmon, and cod. You'll also want your Poodle to have some vegetables and fruits which provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Zero fillers. Every ingredient should serve the purpose of providing nutrients and never added simply to bulk up the recipe. The right balance of healthy grains. Though some Poodles will need to avoid all grains, most do very well with select non-wheat, non-gluten options including oatmeal, quinoa, and rice. Added extras. Next, we'll cover exact recommendations that fit all of the above criteria. Best Food for Poodles: Recommended Brands Please note that if you have not yet read ' Grain vs Grain-free ' section, you may wish to do so before continuing. Top recommend food with grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry. For larger miniatures and standards, you'll want to opt for their regular Complete Health. There are also puppy, adult, and senior formulas. All of these have no wheat, corn or other fillers, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, meat by-products, or chemical preservatives, so you can feel very confident that your filling your Poodle's bowl with truly wholesome, healthy food. These recipes also have excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acids. And, this is made in the USA. Halo Natural Holisitc Dog Food. This top brand has found its niche by offering a purely holistic, organic recipe with non-GMO veggies and fruits and meats with no antibiotics, no hormones, and no factory farming. The protein base is chicken and liver, the two grains in this are oats and barley, and vegetables and fruits include peas, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and sweet potato. All other ingredients are to naturally preserve the kibble or are vitamins and minerals. This particular recipe is for small breeds, however there is also an original for larger dogs. Halo is made in the USA. Top recommended food without grains: 1. Merrick is a great brand which offers this recipe for small breeds, like toy Poodles and another option for larger dogs which would include miniatures and standards. Protein bases include Texas beef, lamb, chicken, and salmon. There is no corn or other fillers, wheat, gluten, artificial additives, or chemical preservatives. And, there are excellent levels of omega-3 and both pre and probiotics. Merrick is also made in the USA. The CORE formula from Wellness is, by far, one of the very best grain-free foods on the market today. It hits very single checkbox of what you are ideally looking for in a food for your Poodle and it has some superior extras. There are excellent levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. There is both a small breed formula and an original formula for minis and standards as well as puppy recipes and a reduced fat option. Wellness is made in the USA. What to Feed Your Poodle if Home Cooking You will want to have a mix of protein, healthy grains, vegetables and fruits. Proteins can include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, veal, and fish cod, flounder, salmon, whitefish. Vegetables can include sugar snap peas, green beans, lima beans, spinach, peas, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and regular potato. Fruits can include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apple, and pear. Extras can include eggs, salmon oil, extra virgin olive oil, certain cheese with low levels of lactose Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, and cottage cheese and plain whole white yogurt. Note that if you home cook, you will want to include a daily vitamin and mineral since it is near impossible for any combination of foods to offer a dog every nutrient that they need. Snacks Snacks and treats are also an important part of a dog's diet. Dry treats often labeled as baked or crunchy are best to tide over the appetite in between meals. Moist or chewy treats are best when used as training rewards and to reinforce good behavior. Rapid ingestion of food can lead to gas, vomiting, or upset stomach and is linked to killer bloat. Types of Nuts that a Poodle Can Eat - If you are snacking away on some nuts and want to share them with your Poodle, see which ones are safe and which are not. Poodle Begging Behavior - Giving into begging for table scraps or extra snacks contributes to this bad habit. See how to react if your Poodle won't stop begging. Overly Picky Poodles - Read how to address finicky eaters to make mealtime less stressful for both of you. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Updated March 4, This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links. Poodle puppies are lively and rambunctious creatures who are ready for anything. The breed has a long history that dates back several centuries. While many people know them for strutting their stuff at a dog show or performing tricks at a circus, most Poodles end up being a lovable member of the family. Good nutrition is crucial for proper development. In a hurry? The first is their size classification. There are three main Poodle varieties. These include Toy, Mini, and Standard. Toy Poodles are the smallest of the bunch, maxing out at about nine pounds as an adult. Standard Poodles, on the other hand, can get quite large. They can weigh as much as 70 pounds. However, most stay around the neighborhood of 60 pounds. All dogs start out small. They experience a significant growth spurt during the puppy stage. Before you know it, your young dog will be approaching their adult size. You need to have a good idea of how big your dog will get to supply them with the right amount of food. With a protein content of 31 percent, your puppy will receive all the amino acids they need to grow strong muscles. To support their changing digestive system, plenty of probiotics are added as well. Buy on Chewy 2. Most of it comes from deboned chicken and chicken meal. The dry food also has plenty of healthy fat to support their growing coat and brain. Healthy doses of calcium and phosphorous are included. These ingredients support bone growth and may be able to help your puppy avoid joint and skeletal issues in the future. Buy on Chewy 3. Chicken, lamb, and salmon all contribute to the high protein content. Because so many animal meat sources are used, your puppy can get a complex profile of amino acids to support their muscles. The kibble is also chock-full of fruits and vegetables. Ingredients like apples, spinach, and blueberries give your puppy a dose of vitamins. This particular formula is ideal for Standard Poodles. Buy on Chewy 4. It supports ocular health, improves their digestive system, strengthens their immune system, and provides plenty of energy. It does this with high-quality ingredients. Chicken and turkey are the main protein sources. Buy on Chewy 5. Chicken meal, turkey meal, and lamb meal are the most prevalent ingredients in the recipe. They make up the 24 percent protein content. The food also has a number of beneficial nutrients. Buy on Chewy nutritional requirements While the Poodle size classifications are vastly different, their nutritional requirements remain the same. The only thing that will be different is the amount of food you provide. During the first year, your dog is developing muscles, strong bones, and healthy organs. Poodle puppies are quite active. This constant activity eats up a lot of energy. Not only that, but their bodies are changing. On average, Poodle puppies will need about 55 calories per pound of body weight. More active puppies may need upwards of 60 calories. On the other side of the spectrum, lazier pups will need about .You can use this general guideline to figure out how much food your puppy will need at various stages of development. If not, you may have to soften the kibble a bit to get them to eat or start with wet food. Compared to their birth weight, Poodles will be surprisingly large for only being a few months of age. Toy Poodles The average weight of a Toy Poodle at three months is about two and a half pounds. Miniature Poodles Miniature Poodles typically weigh about five pounds at this age and need approximately calories to stay healthy. Standard Poodles Standard Poodles are well on their weight to reaching adulthood at three months. They should already weight about 20 pounds. This equates to over 1, calories every day. You should continue to monitor their growth and adjust their diets as needed. Toy Poodles Toy Poodles almost double their weight by this age. They typically weigh in at just under five pounds, thus requiring about calories. Miniature Poodles By six months old, most Miniature Poodles tip the scales at about 9 pounds. Standard Poodles At around 35 to 39 pounds, Standard Poodles will do well with just over 2, calories of food. One Year of Age Take out the birthday candles and some dog-friendly cake! This is a great time to look back on your previous weigh-ins to see how much your puppy has changed. Your Poodle should be close to their target adult weight. They will continue to grow a bit longer, especially Standard Poodles. However, the changes will be a bit more difficult to see. Toy Poodles While it may not seem like much growth, Toy Poodles have come a long way since birth. Your tiny canine companion should weigh in at about six pounds and require about calories of food each day. Miniature Poodles Miniature Poodles have an average weight of about 13 pounds when they are one year old. As a result, you should be feeding them just under calories. Standard Poodles At a year old, your Standard Poodle is probably too big to be a lapdog anymore. Most puppies weigh about 50 pounds. They will need between 2, and 2, calories each day. Young Poodles need to eat many times throughout the day. When their suckling off their mothers, puppies typically free feed. Your dog will have the urge to eat a lot as a result. From there, you need to slowly decrease their meal frequency. When you hit the six-month mark, go down to three meals. At one year old, you should try to work your way down to two meals. Your puppy may not like this very much. If they seem to have a problem with hunger throughout the day, you can continue to feed them three meals for another few months. The time to switch your puppy to adult food will depend on a couple of factors. Some dogs take a bit longer to reach their adult weight than others. They need continued support as they make that last push to adulthood. Switching too early can do more harm than good. This is because they are considered adults at about one year old. The other two classifications continue to grow, albeit slowly, until about a year and a half. Their digestive system is still quite sensitive to changes. You can ease the transition by introducing small amounts of adult food to their puppy formula. Dry food and wet food both have their advantages. Starting off with canned food gives your puppy the opportunity to develop stronger muscles before they move onto something tough. It should be noted that wet food is usually less dense than kibble. To avoid weight gain, you should move onto dry kibble when your puppy is about six months old. Here are some great recipes for young Poodle pups. The food comes in a mash form. It can also be mixed in with dry food for an additional kick of flavor. It comes in a convenient tray for mess-free eating. The recipe is comprised of great ingredients like beef and liver. There are also visible vegetables. Over to You Creating an effective diet plan for a growing Poodle puppy is a lot different than doing so for an adult. They need all the fuel they can get. With a bit of extra knowledge and planning, you can provide your dog with a great diet that helps them grow up to a healthy adult. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from Poodle owners like you. What should I feed a picky Poodle? What should I not feed my Poodle? Human food! You should also avoid toxic foods for dogs like chocolate, garlic, onions, etc. Do Poodle need a special diet? Small-breed dog food is sometimes recommended by vets, but most small breeds can eat regular dog food without an issue. What is the best homemade food for Poodles? Soft dog foods that require little chewing are the best options for Poodles with no teeth. Should I put my Poodle on a diet plan? Unless your Poodle is overweight, suffering from a specific health condition, or has allergies, they should not be put on a diet. Your vet will be able to tell you if your dog requires a new diet, less or more food, or prescription dog food. If your dog needs to lose weight, here are some tips you can try. Sticking with Blue Buffalo, we think that their canned puppy food is a contender for the best dog food for Poodle puppies. What should I look for in a dog food for my Poodle? Look for a dog food that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and contains essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Avoid dog foods with artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. Should I choose wet or dry food for my Poodle? Both wet and dry food can be suitable for Poodles. However, dry food may be better for dental health as it can help scrape off plaque and tartar. Can I feed my Poodle a homemade diet? Yes, you can feed your Poodle a homemade diet, here are some vet-approved recipes. While dog food specifically formulated for Poodles may be beneficial, it is not necessary. What is the best dog food for a Poodle with sensitive stomachs? Look for a dog food that is made with easily digestible ingredients, such as chicken or lamb. Avoid dog foods that contain artificial ingredients or fillers. Can Poodles eat grain-free dog food? Yes, Poodles can eat grain-free dog food, but it is important to make sure that the food still contains essential nutrients and is not lacking in any areas. How much should I feed my Poodle? The amount of food your Poodle needs depends on their size, age, and activity level. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of food for your Poodle. Should I choose a dog food that is high in fat? No, it is important to choose a dog food that is balanced and does not contain excessive amounts of fat. Too much fat can lead to obesity and other health problems. Is it necessary to feed my Poodle a dog food with added supplements? Can I feed my Poodle a vegetarian diet? Poodles require meat-based protein in their diet and typically cannot thrive on a vegetarian diet unless carefully prepared. Here are some vegetarian and vegan recipes and store-bought foods. Should I avoid dog foods that contain by-products? While by-products are often viewed negatively, they can provide essential nutrients for dogs but not when cooked in with kibble. By-products, such as chicken liver are healthy for dogs. Consistency is important for their digestive health. What is the best dog food for a senior Poodle? Look for a dog food that is lower in calories and fat, higher in protein, and contains joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Can I feed my Poodle a raw diet? Yes, a raw diet is a great choice. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese Grapes and raisins Sweets and desserts Avocados Dogs can have dried cranberries as a treat, as these berries are good for digestive and bladder health. However, raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs and can lead to significant kidney failure. If you fear your dog has eaten raisins or grapes, reach out to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Dry Food Vs. Wet Food Dogs should rely on dry food as opposed to wet food. However, wet food should be a consistent portion of their diet. Although most dogs would eat only wet food if they could, too much wet food can cause digestive problems and make dogs sick. Dry food offers fibrous content that dogs need for a healthy bowel movement. Wet food offers food rife with vitamins and minerals — alongside an appealing taste for most dogs. However, dry food can help with tooth health and fight gum disease. A healthy combination of dry and wet food can lead to a well-balanced meal and a happy dog. The best possible dog food varieties include those that offer your Poodle only the healthiest and high-quality ingredients available. Although some of these dog food choices may be expensive, they also offer lean proteins like duck and sweet potato, so you know your Poodle is getting only the best from their diet. Although the first ingredient is a chicken by-product, this dog food option is rife with protein, vitamins, and minerals that will help your Poodle feel at the top of its game. The kibbles included in this dog food choice are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and contain vitamins that will assist in healthy coat formation and healthy gums. Not only is this brand recommended by vets around the world, but it also includes a flavor that dogs seem to love and ingredients that pet owners can feel good about. While the cost for this dog food option is a touch high, it offers the security of knowing that your dog will have all the nutrients and vitamins needed to live a long and healthy life. Each variety contains the exclusive Nutrivantage, and no filler or meat bi-product. Chicken meal and rice flavor. No Corn, no wheat, no soy, no meat bi-products. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Alongside lean protein and quality sources of fat, this dog food option also offers tons of vitamins and minerals. Although this dog food choice is expensive, it is also ideal for dogs who are currently training or need a boost in their performance. Contains one 1 30 lb. Blue Buffalo is notorious for making only the best dog food with real meat as the first ingredient. This is rife with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants that will help your Poodle thrive. Additionally, this dog food is also enhanced with vitamins and minerals specifically for immune system support. ALL NATURAL: Created by nutritionists, veterinarians and animal lovers, our recipes provide an ideal balance of nature's finest ingredients, carefully selected to nourish and sustain your dog's.However, the calorie content of this food is a little high, which can cause weight gain. Additionally, this dog food brand is more expensive than the average, although it does have everything your Poodle will need to keep them healthy and happy. Larger Poodles may not get all the nutrients and vitamins they need from this dog food option, as it is meant for smaller breeds. This choice may be the least expensive choice for dog food while maintaining high-quality ingredients and food rife with minerals and vitamins. There are no artificial ingredients, and there is plenty of protein in this food option. This brand prides itself on not including any animal by-products or fillers. This product is rife with vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy gums and a full coat. Poodles Require Special Nutrients Poodles need more protein than other dogs because of their lean shape, meaning that Poodles may require a unique brand of dog food that can offer enhanced vitamins, minerals, and protein content. Whether you are looking for the best Poodle dog food available on the market or preparing for adoption, these top seven dog food options stand apart from other dog food options because they offer more essential nutrients for your Poodle. Although some options are expensive, these brands can help your Poodle avoid harsh and destructive ingredients like artificial dyes linked with cancer in animals, fillers, and empty calories. Instead, they boast quality and put healthy dog food ahead of profit. Small Poodles may be less than 40 pounds, meaning they may need even more nutrient-dense food to accommodate their small stature — something these dog food brands are passionate about providing. With the best dog food for Poodles on this list, you can be sure that your Poodle is getting everything they need from its diet. Similar Posts. Raw or cooked homemade meals When you bring home a new puppy, you might want to switch her food to a brand you prefer. Wait until your dog has been with you for at least a few weeks. This is a time of big changes for your puppy, and you should minimize the trauma coming all at once. Plan to make the dog food switch over the course of a week or so, and watch for signs of digestive upset. Poodle Puppy Diets Many diets today are age- or stage of life-specific, even breed-specific. But does this really matter, or is it marketing? The truth is, it actually does. Brands that make dog foods pay attention to research to formulate the best nutrition for different stages of life and for different sizes of dog. A good puppy formula will include extra nutrients, such as calcium, and extra calories per pound of body weight. It will also have the right number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats for the right amount of growth. The right amount actually includes the restriction of certain nutrients. Having too much of a good thing can actually be bad for dogs. In large breeds like the Standard Poodle, the ingestion of excessive amounts of energy and calcium as puppies can lead to a higher likelihood of developmental orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia. Poodles are genetically prone to joint problems like this, so diet here is very important. For kibble, you can even dish up the daily meals at the start of the day. Personally, I always make one extra bowl to use as training treats. Allowing me to reward my pup for good behavior throughout the day without messing with my ratios. Over the first couple of months, I feed four meals so I make up five bowls first thing in the day. Spread the formal meals evenly throughout the day time, making sure the last one is at least two hours before you want to go to bed. This will save you getting back up again to let your puppy out to open their bowels! An adult dog food should have less protein, calcium, fat, and omega-3 acids than the puppy version. Once your Poodle gets to about 80 percent of his expected adult size, feel free to switch to the adult brand. Every dog is different in terms of metabolism and body type. In that case, it might be time to switch to the adult corollary. Look for meat-based protein sources in the first few ingredients listed on the package. Be sure to start off with apuppy formula if your dog is under 12 months old. Feeding a Poodle Puppy Wet Food Many canned dog food options are digestible and full of balanced nutrition. Not all wet foods offer a balanced diet, so make sure to read labels. If your dog needs better hydration or has problems with her teeth, wet food might be a good option. Canned food often has 75 percent moisture content compared with percent for dry. Canned food has more fat and protein and fewer carbs, along with more animal products. Also, do your research! Learn about safe handling and storage of meats. This works because some foods provide more nutrition and taste better! Others are better raw. So this diet can be more flexible and easier to deal with than the raw diet. And you can avoid some of the pitfalls of uncooked meat, too. However, some of the same nutritional issues must be addressed. Weigh your puppy frequently and use a Poodle growth chart, then adjust food amounts as needed. If you can see them without having to feel for them, your dog may need more food. Look for other symptoms of problematic weight, such as exhaustion and difficulty turning around, or bowel and gas issues. Poodles are prone to obesity, and obesity comes with plenty of health issues you do not want to deal with, such as metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, heart disease, and joint problems. Instead, find ways of helping your pup eat slower, or feel full faster. A slow-feeder bowl can help reduce the rate at which your dog scarfs down his meal, for example. A puzzle feeder or other toys may also help. Play with her to distract her, or take her out! If you really think you need to adjust food amounts, talk to your veterinarian and get professional advice. Poodles tend to be a slower-maturing breed. The different sizes of Poodle mature at different rates. Smaller dogs mature more quickly. Miniature poodles will be fully grown between months but may take a bit longer to fill out. Standard poodles may take up to 2 years to mature. You can start feeding Miniature and Toy Poodles adult foods at around months.

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.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. They are so compassionate and loving with their own dogs, as well as have taken in rescue dogs to find homes for. They are reputable and honest and have been able to make many families happy by providing healthy puppies through the breeding of high quality dogs. Their home environment is super clean and their dogs are kept clean, well-groomed and well cared for. I would recommend Kelfrey Frenchies as dog care-givers, breeders, and overall knowledgeable regarding dogs, dog-breeding and dog care. Jacqueline S, Allen, TX Kelly is an amazing breeder that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for the perfect puppy to add to their family. Being a first time dog owner, I had the best experience that I could ever have gone through with the process of buying a puppy. Starting with very reasonable prices to the cutest puppy updates. I can honestly say Kelly is the best breeder out there to trust, she cares and knows so much on how to have your puppy as healthy as can be by the time you get to take him or her home. She also gives you as much information as possible on vaccines and everything that your puppy needs in order for your puppy to live a long happy and healthy life. She is extremely knowledgeable about Frenchies and available to help any time before and after you receive your puppy. Of course, the best part is her puppies. They are healthy and happy from the start. I was skeptical until we brought our baby home. It is amazing. She gets up and goes to the box every time she needs to potty. I am so grateful that I found Kelly and Kelfrey Frenchies! Interested in a puppy? Want to know when our next litter arrives? We have answers. Do you want a dog that will make you smile? If so, a French Bulldog may be the perfect breed for you! These dogs are known for their flat faces, big eyes, and big heads. They always seem to be up to something, even when they're just taking a nap! If you're looking for a popular breed that will bring some joy into your life, the French Bulldog may be perfect for you. Why are French Bulldogs so expensive? Welcome to the wonderful world of Frenchie pups! These special little dogs are born in a unique way, due to their narrow hips which prevent them from reproducing naturally. Their breeders must be skilled in both artificial insemination and C-section delivery in order to ensure the health of both the mother and her pups. But despite all this, Frenchie pups are absolutely adorable and make wonderful pets! What if there are no French Bulldog breeders near me? Looking for a place to get your hands on a French Bulldog? There are plenty of reputable breeders throughout the state, and even more across the country. No matter where you are, we can help connect you with a breeder near you. How do you screen French Bulldog breeders? Looking for a new furry friend? Come to Uptown Puppies! We have the cutest selection of pups around, and all of our breeders are vetted to ensure they meet our high standards. Puppy mills are a big no-no for us, so you can rest assured that all of our pups come from healthy and safe environments. Are French Bulldogs good for apartments? Looking for a low-maintenance pet that won't take up too much space? A Frenchie might be right for you! These little dogs are known for being lazy, which means they don't need as much exercise as some other breeds. So if you're tight on time or space, a Frenchie could be a great option. Dogs, like people, are individuals with their own unique temperaments. Some French Bulldogs can be Stubborn, but with the proper training methods, they can be just as obedient as any other dog breed. Start out by being clear and consistent in your commands, and don't give up even if your puppy doesn't seem to be responding at first. With a little bit of time and patience, you will see results. Are French Bulldogs a working breed? Dogs have been man's best friend for centuries, and there are few breeds as loved as the French Bulldog. These pups are known for their adorable, squishy faces and big personalities. Though they may be small, French Bulldogs have won over the hearts of people all over the world. Originally popular among the upper class in France, these dogs are now loved by people of all social backgrounds. If you're looking for a loyal and lovable companion, a French Bulldog might be the perfect fit for you. Walking your dog is a great way to get some exercise, and it can be a lot of fun for your pup too! But how much walking your dog needs depends on individual factors such as appetite, weight, and temperament. You'll get a feel for what's right for your dog by paying attention to these things. So get out there and enjoy some quality time with your furry friend! If you're looking for a dog that doesn't shed much, a French Bulldog is a great choice. They may shed a little, but their short, fine coats mean the shedding is hardly noticeable. There are very few breeds that don't shed at all, so French Bulldogs make a great pick for families who don't want to deal with hair around the house. This summer, make sure to keep a watchful eye on your French Bulldog. Because of their short noses, they can have a harder time than other dogs staying cool in the heat. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, so on hot days your Frenchie may need some extra help staying comfortable. Make sure they have access to air conditioning and plenty of fresh water. With a little help from you, they'll be able to enjoy the summer just like everyone else! French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world for a reason: they're absolutely adorable. With their big ears and squat bodies, these pups are sure to make you smile. But it's not just their looks that make them so lovable. Frenchies are also known for being loyal, affectionate, and relatively low-maintenance dogs. So if you're looking for a new furry friend, consider getting a French Bulldog. You won't regret it! Are there any French Bulldog hybrid breeds? There are so many amazing dog breeds out there, how could you ever choose just one? If you're stuck trying to decide, why not go for a hybrid breed? Mixed breeds are created by crossing two or more purebred dogs. For example, you could get a Frenchiepoo - a cross between a French Bulldog and a Poodle - or a Frenchton, which is a combination of a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier. With so many possibilities, you're sure to find the perfect pup for you! Although spaying or neutering is not compulsory, it is highly advisable to spay your French Bulldog. This will help to decrease its chances of getting certain kinds of cancer. It also prevents the risk of unwanted breeding between your French Bulldog and any nearby dog. Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? French Bulldogs have the potential to be aggressive. However, they are not usually aggressive unless they are trained that way. It is important to note that they may show aggression towards other dogs or smaller animals. Owners should watch out for signs of aggression and nip them in the bud. What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog? With a proper diet and nutrition, French Bulldogs can live for up to eleven or thirteen years. Can French Bulldogs eat raw meat? French Bulldogs can eat raw meat such as chicken, liver or kidney. They could also eat canned, dry food. What is the difference between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog? French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are quite similar but different at the same time. English bulldogs are bigger while the French Bulldog is considerably smaller. French Bulldogs also have upright pointy ears whereas the English breed has folded ears. Do I have to worry about fleas with French Bulldogs? Just like all other breeds, French Bulldogs can get fleas. If they do get fleas, this can be solved by getting flea medicine or using a flea comb to get rid of the fleas. How do you deal with separation anxiety in French Bulldogs? French Bulldogs are very prone to separation anxiety. To curb this, owners can crate train their dogs or provide them with chew toys. What is the best way to train your French Bulldog? Crate training is one of the best ways to train your French Bulldog. It helps to create good and positive behavior in your Frenchie and could be a fun place for it to rest. Are French Bulldogs children-friendly? French Bulldogs are not the best option for kids. However, if they grow up surrounded by children, the risk could be lessened. They should not be left unsupervised around kids. How big are French Bulldogs? The French Bulldog is about 11 or 12 inches tall and weighs an average of pounds. Are you interested in purchasing a French Bulldog? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Welcome to Crane Hollow Goldens. About Our Dogs All of our dogs come from excellent pedigrees with champion lines, sweet, gentle, very friendly temperaments, with great looks. Our dogs and puppies are surrounded by attention and love from day one, and we socialize our pups from birth to help ensure that you get the sweetest addition to your family. Most of our breeding dogs have OFA hip, elbow, eye and heart clearances. In the United Kingdom and most countries around the world, they are recognized by this name because of their attractive coats and gentle temperament. Our dogs are all AKC credentialed, have been trained and have gentle and well mannered temperaments. We use call names for our dogs and not their given names for the simple reason it makes them easier to train. For more information on their given names, feel free to contact us. Because of our own personal preferences, we made the decision long ago to focus our breeding efforts on the Light Golden category of the breed. Our Caring Approach We treat our mom and dad dogs and puppies as they are part of our family, and we look for adoptive families that will do the same. We specialize in matching the right puppy to your home, and we recommend the pup for you based on your family, lifestyle and activities. Offering a beautiful country setting great for raising dogs, where located in Oakville, Connecticut, in Litchfield County. We are about a 30 minute drive southeast from where the Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York state lines meet, and about 45 minutes northwest of downtown Hartford. Contact us today for your golden retriever puppy or stud service needs. Share this:. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Massachusetts Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Massachusetts? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Massachusetts? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Please scroll and read all the way down to learn about our process before sending us an application. Interested in obtaining a puppy from us? Do you live in the New England area? No exceptions. Golden Retrievers are not couch potatoes! They are active sporting dogs. Do you have plenty of time to play, train, socialize and groom your athletic Butternut Golden? Can you hold off on neutering your male pup until 3 years old? Or allow your female pup to have 1 heat before spaying? Have you seen the videos of our dogs on YouTube? Are you are interested in sending your Butternut Golden to Camp Butternut? Have you read this page in its entirety? Please do not email us asking us to put you on a list for a future litter. About us and our process: What is Butternut Hill Goldens? We have been breeding since .We are proud members of the Golden Retriever Club of America. We have litters a year. Our dogs are vital members of our family and all live with us in our home, not in kennels. We participate in different venues depending on each dog's needs and talents -- including obedience, tracking, rally, hunting, showing and therapy work. Butternut Hill seemed to be a fitting name for us. We live on a hill at the base of Butternut Mountain, with our butternut colored Golden Retrievers, who love to eat butternut squash. This is not a profit business for us. It is hobby of passion and labor of love for the Golden Retriever breed. Through our breeding program we strive to promote the health, temperament, workability and the beauty of the breed by adhering to the Golden Retriever Breed Standard as defined by the Golden Retriever Club of America. We feel it is important to retain the ability of the Golden Retriever to be multi-purpose. Each breeding involves in-depth research into the parent's pedigree, genetics, health history, longevity, structure, work ability and temperament. We adhere to breeding practices as recommended by the Golden Retriever Club of America. Our Puppy Raising Philosophy Our puppies are born and raised in our home. We pride ourselves on providing a wholesome enriching environment with an strong emphasis on socialization to get puppies off to the best possible start. Carmen Battaglia. Besides the important interaction with their mother and littermates, daily handling by us, additional enrichment activities begin at a very early age. Our socialization include exposing them to a variety sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches, which we feel allows them to better cope as an adult dog. Our puppies get to experience a variety of footing such as blankets, sheets, wood floors, tile floors, decking, carpeting, short grass, long grass, concrete, gravel, puppy agility equipment and sometimes snow. They are exposed to toys of all shapes and textures. They get to experience a variety of sounds from our household on a daily basis -- humans conversing, big dogs playing, television or radio playing, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, front door slamming, etc. We believe in providing a variety of challenges such as climbing steps, going through a tunnel, playing follow the leader, learning to come to a whistle. We trim the puppies nails weekly. When the puppies are old enough, we begin the foundation for house training by taking the puppies outside as soon they wake to relieve themselves. All of our puppies are nurtured as part of our family pack. As they mature they interact with our adult dogs and household cat. The pups are exposed to car rides and short field trips to new safe experiences. And if the season and weather allows -- an opportunity is given to the puppies to go for a swim in a clean, quiet Vermont pond. These activities will help give the puppy a chance to experience new things and meet new people. Care should be taken that these controlled experiences are positive, and do not the put the puppy in a risky situation with unknown dogs. We recommend staying away from dog parks, especially until your puppy has become fully vaccinated. Waiting to Spay or Neuter your Golden Retriever In our puppy contract you agree to allow your female Golden Retriever to have one heat or to wait to neuter your male Golden Retriever until after years old. Before deciding on acquiring a Golden Retriever it is important to become knowledgeable about the strengths and weaknesses of the breed. Goldens require a good amount of daily exercise, personal time, training and grooming. This breed is happiest when they are at your side or when they are working with you. As a breeder and owner, there are several health issues with the breed that concerns us. Still interested? These two are serious cuddlers!! We love them BIG! Thanks again for the amazing quality pups! Have a great week! He is truly the most wonderful boy and has been a godsend during the pandemic. He brings us so much happiness. He has an amazing personality.Thanks again. I attached a couple of pictures. My good friend and neighbor Jennifer is planning to contact you.He is absolutely the best!! I just wanted to let you know how well Bella is doing!! So sweet and doing very well and healthy!! Best dog ever!! Thanks again!! He is 3 now and such a love with the biggest personality! I am also writing as we have a few friends who love him so much that they are looking to inquire about getting their own golden like Huey! One of the names is Maggie Moriarty. I have passed along your information! I hope all is well! Stay Healthy! I would like to talk to you about getting a puppy. We have a dog from that we got from you 5 years ago, and we think he is a beauty! You can judge for yourself. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. She is such a sweet, smart loving girl! We love her so much! Thank you! Our family feels whole again! Annie, the pup we got from you late last March has turned out to be absolutely everything we had hoped and lots more. Having had goldens for every one of my sixty-six years, my standards are high, and I have had several world-class bird dogs. She is as mellow and easy going as a dog can be but given the scent of a bird and she is ALL business. She is smart and biddable; I just could not hope for a better dog. Grateful in Chelsea, VT. Chelsea, VT .I would add that it is quite unusual to find a Golden from show stock, regardless of how good that stock may be, and have the dog be as good as Annie is. I am not new to this game. She is as fine a dog as I have had for a first-season dog. Watching her learning curve has been astonishing. These are profoundly serious level dogs. Annie is not overshadowed by these dogs at all. All the best, - mm Madison is doing great!!!!!! Everyone had to hug and kiss her. She really is quite adorable. Our Daughter, Son-in-law and 14 month old granddaughter are coming in tonight for the weekend to meet her. I am anxious to see how the babies get along. Our granddaughter loves dogs. They also bring their sweet 4 yr old cat, too. I'll keep you posted, maybe even some pictures. I see all the puppies are spoken for. They are truly special. She is such a sweetie!!! You did such a great job crate training her. Our Nikki loves her. I just bought a new camera today and am charging the batteries now. I will send you a couple of pictures of them together when it is finished charging. She is loving our home and her new Mommy Sophie! We lucked out last night and found a big bag of Royal Canine at Pet Smart, along with many new accessories last night. Many thanks. He is growing so fast and gets smarter everyday. We have so much fun with him. My husband was so surprised and happy I gave him Odie for his birthday. I wanted to update you on Brandy. She's doing really well! She's actually sleeping and snoring on the couch right now - she's claimed her corner of it. She's very smart and friendly. She had completed Puppy Basic and we're in Intermediate Class now. She's very good with children and with my grandparents. My grandfather absolutely adores her, and she walks very slowly with him while he hobbles along on his cane. I sent some photos so you could see how she's grown! She is wonderful - thank you so much. We adopted Abigail from you the end of last February and I contacted you during the summer about a male puppy, well we are now ready. We are looking for a light, big and blocky male. We were interested in the males you just had, but were not quick enough! So, we were wondering if there might be any puppies fitting that description that might be up and coming. We are certainly willing to wait for the puppy. Please let me know if you might have anything available in the near future. Thank you so much! I always enjoy checking out your web site - your Christmas puppies were beautiful. I don't know how you manage to get them in such great poses - your photography is superb. Our Oliver is a very calm and affectionate Golden - we are enjoying him so much. He was a little upset on the ride home, which is understandable, but as soon as he arrived and met his two year old sister, Mitzi Maltese who likes to play every bit as much as he does, all else was forgotten. They have a ball together and wear each other out. He goes to the door whenever he has to go, which is every twenty minutes, and comes when he is called without hesitation. His training starts in earnest this weekend since he is a very smart dog. Instincts run deep. This morning he met our 16 year old cat for the first time, and his reaction was to freeze and point. He held the point for a good two minutes as the cat sized him up and then retreated to a safe loft to think it over. He is a great dog! Below is the announcement to family and friends with pictures. But it's a start. We already have about fifty pictures of him. Thanks for the picture of his mother. I have just moved it into the hard drive and will incorporate it into Montana's CD album. If you ever have a chance to get a picture of his father, we would love to have that as well. It was a pleasure meeting you, and we will stay in touch with pictures as he grows which is by the minute. Hope all is well with you, and quietly hope that you do not get out of the business. You do a great service. Stay in touch. What a wonderful dogso gregarious and affectionate. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me how handsome he is. As you may recall, this is my first dog ever and I am completely happy I made the decision. Coby was house trained in two weeks, so he is both smart and good-looking!! Keep up the good work. Frank Happened to visit your site last night and saw that you have a litter of puppies from the same parents that had Gem she was Caroline and I decided to send you some photos so you can see how well she is doing. We have had Gem for nearly 2 years now and, as you can see from the photos, she is a huge part of our family and my children love her so much. She is a very sweet natured dog and has never shown any signs of aggression to people or other dogs. She is so beautiful, people stop me to compliment her all the time. I was interested to see the photos of her parents again, now that she is an adult. I can definitely see a strong resemblance to her father, and from what I recall you telling me about his personality, it seems that she has a good share of that too. Thanks for helping us get such a wonderful dog. She is such a love. She wants to be wherever her people are. We ask where is Gracie? Thank you for a wonderful dog! She is an absolutely wonderful dog and we are loving her to pieces! We live on The Cape and she goes to the ocean to play on the beach every morning and goes walking on the dog trail every afternoon with her best friends Gracie GR and Ella Australian Shepherd and swims in the pond after. The family behind us recently got a puppy about Madison's age, a cross between a beagle and border collie. They play every chance they get. Madison weighs about 66 lbs. She jumps on everyone and licks faces; we are working on that. I have been following your website and all the pups are adorable! Thought you would like this picture. He's a great dog. Very lovable and very smart. Thank You. Shes doing great. Fully house trained, obeys commands sit, paw, stay, etc and is absolutely adorable! She loves people, especially little kids and is gentle and good natured. We love her! Thanks for getting us together! Sonny is doing great! He is such a perfect puppy, he is well on his way as far as potty training and is an angel in his crate at night, we don't hear one peep out of him. We are having so much fun with him and he seems really happy. Thanks again, I will send you a couple of pictures in a separate email. Thank you for our wonderful doggie! She seems to love her new big yard in Austerlitz and is having a ball following us around the house. Today we drove back to Brooklyn and Lily was promptly greeted with a friendly hello from the neighborhood dogs. One was a Goldendoodle and the other a Labradoodle, and together all three were a gorgeous golden color, what a beautiful sight! Lily is also enjoying her Brooklyn backyard and for now seems to have enough room to run around. She likes exploring the different floors of the house as well. Our cat seems to be taking her presence in stride and we anticipate that they will get along well after they become accustom to one another. Thank you for sharing your abundance of knowledge and providing us with an amazingly beautiful, calm and sweet puppy. He is a great dog and very social. I will keep you in the loop and send you some pictures as he grows. We took him out on the ocean yesterday to start to get him use to being on the water as our family spends allot of time there. He loved it and actually slept on the ride back!! Thanks again Dave and Amy, We will keep you updated with pics. These pictures are on his first birthday June 23, .People around watching me with him were just amazed how beautiful and smart he was for his age. We have him in agility and he is amazing. Odie is very smart, has a sweet personality and always has love and kisses for everyone he meets. Oh, he loves to watch golf on television with his daddy. If anyone is looking for a great Golden Retriever puppy they need to think about getting one of your puppies. A few accidents but we're working with him! He's been so much fun and we're looking forward to him being part of our family! Thanks again for everything. Love to see more, we are loving Cooper so much. Let me know. .Warm Regards, Denise. He has been such a joy and it has only been two days. I have been meaning to email you and give an update on our life with Stanley we renamed him Odie after seeing that name on your website before we bought Stanley, we loved the name. I know you remember us, so heartbroken over the death of our Jack. We still are, of course, but Odie had come into our lives and brought so much joy. He is the best behaved puppy, so mild mannered, never EVER barks, so loving and happy. He is very smart and learns so quickly. He has brought us so much joy already we cannot imagine life without him! I wanted to thank you for your patience with us, and thank you for providing us with such a perfect beautiful Golden, we love him so much. I have attached a photo of him, he is adorable, and a photo of him with his brother Max, our 10 year old Cocker Spaniel. Odie loves his brother very much!! We are dog lovers and entrepreneurs that specialize in quality Golden Retriever puppies. We are located in beautiful New England; in Hampden, Maine. We like to consider ourselves collectors, if you will! Our British Cream aka Euro Cream retrievers are almost pure white, with some light shades of tan. We do invite you to compare, and ask any questions you may have as well. Our Golden Retrievers are happy, healthy, obedient animals of only the highest quality! Our program concentrates on the traits of the family dog first; health, trustworthiness, gentleness, loyalty, beauty and longevity. Then, we incorporate the correct and proven genetics, imported and genetic lines that are proven through generations, not by just a few individuals, to pass on the history of the breed to their offspring. Show champions along with champions of the field events. These bloodlines are gathered from around the world! This results is an European bred Golden Retriever that is very beautiful, strong, athletic and extraordinarily capable and willing to please. These are wonderful animals with the history of the breed embedded in their very soul. They come from genetic lines that formed the foundation of the Golden Retriever breed! They are truly loving dogs that live to be loved, and will be a pleasure for you to work with. Over the years, we have developed many friendships with happy owners and quite a following on Facebook. We have many repeat customers and referral customers. We also breed dogs which become service dogs. NEADS places a high premium on these qualities because our assistance dogs need to be structurally and psychologically sound in order to assist someone with a physical disability. 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Bringing about a litter of English bulldogs requires artificial insemination of the female. While her gestation period is the same as other canines -- approximately two months -- the birth process is not. You must schedule a cesarean section with your vet. The bulldog puppy's large huge head makes it almost impossible to pass through the birth canal. English Bulldog Litters Bulldogs usually give birth to three or four puppies in a litter. Once you bring the bulldog and her litter home from the veterinary hospital, keep a close eye on her. She doesn't have much in the way of mothering instincts. It's not unusual for mother bulldogs to accidentally squish or smother their offspring. For safety's sake, it's a good idea to keep the litter in a separate, warmed box and only put them in with the mother for nursing. You must ensure that the mother dog licks the puppies to stimulate bowel and urinary functions. If she doesn't, you must gently rub the puppies after each meal so they will defecate and urinate. At three weeks, you can introduce the puppies to solid food. Because of their short noses, puppies might have difficulty chewing food. Ask your vet about special foods designed for bulldog puppies, aiding their ability to eat. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. During the summer, an average English bulldog can have up to four puppies. During the birth of English Dogs, they can also give birth to more than four puppies, which is potentially dangerous for the dogs if you own some English Dogs. A British bulldog tends not to live an easy life. Due to this, the delivery of a puppy is very difficult. A family in Coventry says a large litter of puppies has been born to an English Bulldog. It is crucial for English bulldogs to be bred for two or three times in their lifetime in order to ensure that they are in good health and well. This is an ideal breed of French Bulldog for those responsible for not breeding it more than three times a lifetime, and not one less than every two or three years. If that is exceeded, the dog will no longer be physically recovered, may even be mentally drained. Six months is a typical dog period for having a heat or estrus. When a baby turns six to eight months old, he or she is able to smell the heat for the first time. There is then a six-month cooling period followed by a two-year cooling period. Be very careful when pregnant with your Bulldog who may carry a virus while they are in the first year. Many dogs have been bred over many years to become bigger, causing their heads to expand so rapidly they cannot cessly through the pelvic canal. A canine with a squashed face known as a brachycephalic dog. There are probably more English bulldog puppies than you can imagine litters are possible. Puppies in a litter of three to four dingers commonly arrive. She does not have a lot of natural instincts when it comes to raising her children. A litter of 24 puppies holds the Guinness World Record for largest. Family Dog Expert Author Factors influencing a Bulldog litter size The size of a Bulldog puppy litter can be influenced by so many factors. The major factors include: Age of female Bulldog The age of the Bulldog bitch breeding plays a key part in litter size. The older the female Bulldog, the smaller the litter. Bulldog dams bred from years usually have the largest litters. Before that, they are considered to be immature and could end up with complications. Age of the stud Bulldog The age of the male Bulldog also plays a part in litter size. Diet of female Bulldog Nutrition plays a big part in determining the number of puppies in a litter. A high-quality diet rich in protein should be eaten all year to maximize litter size. The health of female Bulldog The Health of Bulldog plays a vital role in litter size. Both Bulldog parents need to be in excellent health to maximize their chance to have more puppies. Bulldogs that have genetic issues will tend to have a smaller puppy count. Method of mating Naturally mated Bulldog dams have significantly larger litters than those who had been Artificial Insemination, either fresh frozen. This is likely due to more sperm dying during the collection and insemination process. Waiting for a set season The American Kennel Club has noted that generally, dams give birth to larger litters in the spring and smaller litters in the summer. They can tell if the mother Bulldog has given birth to all puppies. It also identifies early signs of potential complications such as large puppies that may be hard to pass the birth canal. Ultrasound is a good way to determine the litter size in Bulldogs. It can be performed in around 25 days. Ultrasound is a great way to tell if the female Bulldog is pregnant and the pups are alive and moving. Often this method is not accurate for litter size as you are looking only at parts of the abdomen at a given time. The ideal way to assess Bulldog litter size is by radiography. This will make them visible on the x-ray. This mineralization process starts at around 45 days of gestation. In radiography, the skulls of puppies can be counted easily once the pregnant dam gets closer to whelping. How many litters can a Bulldog have? An average female Bulldog goes through heat about every seven months. However, a female Bulldog should not have a litter more than once a year. After a female Bulldog has had a litter, it will need at least a year to recover before having another. Frequent pregnancies might give all kinds of mental and physical struggles to the Bulldog mother. The uterus and surrounding muscles need time to regrow. Many female Bulldogs lose patches of fur during pregnancy. These fur patches need time to grow back as well. Putting a female Bulldog through too many pregnancies and c-sections is dangerous. How many puppies are usually in a first litter? The number of puppies your Bulldog can have varies in every litter. When a female Bulldog reaches sexual maturity and breeds for the first time, it is likely to have a smaller litter than normal. Despite the age of the dam, the first 2 litters will generally be smaller than the ones afterward. Bulldogs typically produce their largest litter the third or fourth time they get pregnant. After that, their litter size becomes smaller with every successful mating. When a Bulldog has a big litter, the risk of complications during pregnancy and at birth significantly increases. How long is a Bulldog pregnant? Like all breeds, Bulldogs have a pregnancy gestation period of around 2 months or around 63 days. This is the length of the pregnancy measured from when the fertilized egg embeds itself into the lining of the uterine horn. This may vary by a few days depending on several factors. A vet will be able to accurately determine how far along the pregnancy is and when the Bulldog dam will give birth. Can Bulldogs reproduce on their own? This includes both the actual mating and the birthing process. This makes it difficult for Bulldogs to give birth naturally through the birth canal. The Bulldog puppies are often too large for the birth canal. Usually, they require a correction and close medical supervision by a trained vet. Some Bulldogs can get pregnant naturally, however, most of them do not get pregnant easily when using natural methods. For most Bulldogs, the chest, shoulders and head are much larger than their hips. They usually are heavier in the front than they are in the back. Some Bulldog breeds do not require C-sections and can have a natural birth. Tips for Bulldog Breeding Bulldog breeding is not only a joy but also a huge responsibility. You need to prepare yourself and understand the commitment. Here are some useful tips: Check the female Bulldog over at the vet first. This will ensure that they are healthy enough to deal with the breeding process. Ensure you have enough money for all the vet treatments. Put the welfare of the mother Bulldog first. Never breed an unhealthy Bulldog. The goal of the breeding is to produce a healthy pup. Artificial insemination is a simple procedure that can be used for Bulldogs when natural breeding is impractical. Get the puppies registered from the kennel club and have the correct paperwork. Provide a safe, warm, and dry place for the puppies. Also, provide proper food and water for the female Bulldog. Give the mother Bulldog at least a year to recover after birth before the next pregnancy. Be alert for signs of labor Final thoughts It is always amazing to watch a Bulldog litter grow. Bulldog puppies have short noses and might have difficulty chewing food. Ask your vet about special foods designed for Bulldog puppies to facilitate their ability to eat. If you want to breed Bulldog puppies, this is not a task that should be taken lightly. Breeding Bulldogs is very high maintenance work and care. You need to research, consult your vet and have some money for medical expenses. Also, it should be done with the best of intentions and your whole heart. Family Dog Expert Author Hi there! My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. Welcome to Sirdoggie A blog crafted with love for all dog lovers and their families! How Many Litters can a Bulldog have a Year? How many litters can a Bulldog have a year? Also, how many times can a Bulldog go through a c section? Are they a good dog to breed? A female should not have a litter more than once and year due to the stress of the c-section which they have to have , and should not be bred more than 3 times in their lives. Bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated and have to have c-sections, and they usually do not have more than puppies. It is also hard to find good breed stock to start with. Answer by concerned Are you asking about an English Bulldog or a French Bulldog maybe some other bully breed? Some dogs come in season twice a year but somehow I doubt many English Bulls do. I would not recommend breeding back to back but there are recent differing medical opinions on that. If you're really interested in breeding, do your research and start out with something nice and as health clear as possible. But also go to Pet-Law, a yahoo group, just look it up. Read the achieves, the Animal Rightists are trying to end all home breeding and in fact pets, so it might be a good idea to have an understanding of what could happen in the near future before you begin. It might be nice if everyone understood what was going on and started to protect our ability to keep pets and show dogs too. Answer by grr. If you plan on forcing any dog through that, you are cruel and don't deserve to take care of a dog. Don't force her into having 7 litters of puppies, be happy with your own dog and encourage others to adopt homeless dogs and puppies. You are an enormous jerk for trying to make money off a dog's suffering while hundreds of other dogs are being killed every day. So give your dog the love she deserves and don't be an idiot. Every dog breed has a different experience with pregnancy, and English Bulldogs are not different. English Bulldog puppies are probably one of the most expensive kinds of puppies to purchase, and although some breeders may consider the financial benefits worth it in the end, the difficulties associated with pregnancy and birth for English Bulldogs should not be overlooked. How many puppies can an English Bulldog have? The average English Bulldog litter size is 3 to 4 puppies. Some English Bulldogs can have more than 4 in a litter, but this can lead to serious health issues and they may not survive long outside of the womb. Generally, a normal litter size for any dog is between two and ten, and several factors such as the breed, size and nutrition of a dog can have an impact on their litter. English Bulldog litter sizes are smaller than the average. English Bulldogs can have up to 4 puppies in the average litter size. How many litters can an English Bulldog have? To ensure their health and wellbeing, an English Bulldog should only be bred around three times in their lifetime. If an English Bulldog has more than 3 litters it can present health and welfare issues. Their average lifespan is smaller than that of other breeds — they generally live for up to eight years. And, with them becoming fertile around the six-month mark, it is probably advisable to spread the breeding process and pregnancies out throughout their lifetime. Did You Know? An English Bulldog will be pregnant for 63 days on average. If you think yours could be expecting, here are the pregnancy signs to look out for. Why do English Bulldogs have such small litters? To put it simply, the smaller the dogs, the smaller the litter. Bigger breeds such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers typically have litters of eight, and this is because they usually have much wider hips and a larger body. Now, consider smaller breeds like Yorkshire Terriers who, on average, have a litter of 3 puppies and English Bulldogs. Their substantially smaller hips, bodies and wombs mean that they have nowhere near the same level of capacity than their larger canine counterparts to carry and allow for the healthy development of a such a large litter. Can English Bulldogs get pregnant naturally? The only way that an English Bulldog can get pregnant is through artificial insemination. Although this can be done at home, the success rate will be higher and the environment safer if you arrange for your vet to do this. Can English Bulldogs give birth naturally? Although English Bulldogs have the same gestation period 2 months as other dogs, all female English Bulldogs will experience something called dystocia — which is a term used by vets to describe difficulties in giving birth. Specifically, English Bulldogs have a condition known as dystocia due to foetal-pelvic disproportion. In general terms, what this means is that the birth canal of the mother dog is a lot smaller than the puppies they are expected to birth. When it comes to English Bulldog pups, it is the abnormally large size of their head that is usually the issue. The consequence of this dystocia is that it is impossible for an English Bulldog to give birth naturally. The only way for an English Bulldog to have healthy puppies and survive themselves is through a caesarean section procedure at the vets. As with anybody with a caesarean section, it is crucial that your English Bulldog has plenty of care, rest and regular check-ups following the procedure to ensure that they heal up properly. This is why the recommended gap between pregnancies is longer for English Bulldogs than it may be for other breeds; at least a year is needed for them to recover from the previous C-section procedure. Why are English Bulldog puppies so expensive? Evidently, the entire pregnancy progress from conception to birth requires a lot of trips and procedures at the vets, which makes the resultant puppies a lot more expensive in order to make up for the bill racked up by breeders in order to bring them into the world. The fact that English Bulldogs cannot conceive or give birth naturally also means that puppies of the same breed are exceptionally rare, which gives them a much higher value as a result. Overall, both time and rarity contribute to the price of English Bulldog puppies. Handy Hint: If you are thinking about getting this breed please read my top things to know before you buy an English Bulldog which includes questions to ask the breeder. Ensure you have enough money for all the vet treatments as well as a little extra in case there is an emergency. Put the welfare of the mother dog first. Get the correct paperwork from Kennel Club. Give the mother dog at least a year to recover after birth before breeding her again. Ignore advice from your vet. Leave your English Bulldog alone with the puppies — they naturally have no motherly instincts and could end up harming them. Put your breeding business above the welfare of the mother dog. How can I tell if a breeder is not reputable? Breeders such as this can be difficult to spot, but if you get a strange gut feeling about something, it is better to be safe than sorry. The puppies seem too young under six weeks. The puppies seem abnormally small, weak or otherwise deformed. The prices are too good to be true. It is best to not let them know you know because then they might move away and risk capture. Stay calm, keep a cool head and call the RSPCA or the animal welfare charity that serves your country as soon as you leave. Handy Hint: Know when your English Bulldog is due her heat cycle is key to planning wanted or un-wanted pregnancies. Read my guide to the heat cycle of this breed, how long it takes, and what signs to look out for. Conclusion Thanks for reading my guide to how many puppies English Bulldogs have. Now you have an idea on what the average English Bulldog litter size is, it should give you an idea on why they can be so expensive to buy. English Bulldogs are a wonderful breed, but their journey into the world is far from simple. If you want to breed English Bulldog puppies, this is not a task that should be undertaken lightly. You need to research, consult your vet and have plenty of money for medical expenses. You might also like… If you already own this breed, here are some other help articles you might find of interest:. They often rank in the top 5 to 10 spots! Bulldogs are brachycephalic, not thanks to their short snouts. They are therefore more likely to snore, snort, grunt, drool, breathe loudly, and have excessive gas. No prizes for guessing who farted! English Bulldogs are frequently quite laid-back and easygoing. They do require some exercise, but a quick stroll will suffice. An English Bulldog gives birth to an average of 3 or 4 puppies in a single litter. Although there are some instances when they give birth to 4 or more, this is really rare and can actually pose a danger to the dogs. English Bulldog births are often quite difficult due to their small birth canal and will require human intervention in the form of Caesarean section in most cases. Although they are a medium-sized breed, they are known to have smaller litters than others in the same category such as Dalmatians and Huskies. Fun fact: the largest English Bulldog litter is shockingly 16, and that accolade belongs to Gucci, who lives in Coventry, England. Her breeder Jay Dhaliwal had to enlist the help of his family to help with this epic delivery! The size of a litter can be influenced by the breeding lines; some lines tend to have larger litter than others. English Bulldog owners who are considering breeding their dogs should talk to a veterinarian or breeder about the size of the anticipated litter. Many other variables, which I go into more detail about in the sections below, will also affect how many puppies there are in a litter. An English Bulldog puppy weighs between 10 to 14 ounces less than a pound! They put on weight quickly though and can be expected to reach 35 pounds by the time they are 6 months old only. The breed standard for an adult English Bulldog is between 40 to 50 pounds females tend to be smaller and the weight can vary slightly depending on genetics, diet, and activity level. All dogs, including English Bulldogs, do not go through menopause and can conceive puppies all the way into their older years. In general, their heat cycle lasts six to seven months or roughly twice a year. However, you should not take it to mean that just because they are in heat, they should be breeding. This is to give them a chance to recover properly. Your dog will experience a lot of stress due to overbreeding, which can result in heart disease, arthritis, and infertility, among other health issues. Stopping early also allows a breeder to spay their dog while they are still quite young and let them enjoy a quality life in their retirement. You should realize the significance of not overbreeding once you take into account that in some countries it is against the law to breed a dog more than four to six times during its lifetime. In the US, the American Kennel Club AKC does not accept registrations for dams that are bred over the age of 12 and under 8 months, and sires that are over the age of 12 and under 7 months. Age of the dam It should not be surprising that as the dam ages, the size of the litter decreases. After your English Bulldog breeds again after the first two times, you would probably see your dam having an extra puppy or two. Interestingly enough, the first two litters are typically smaller than the following ones, likely yielding only 2 or 3 puppies. Try to get your dog spayed long before that time to ensure their general health. Avoid breeding older dogs if possible. Health of the mom Only healthy mothers can give birth to healthy puppies, and that is the truth. Additionally, nutrition has a big impact on how many puppies are born in a litter. All year round, high-quality, protein-rich food should be provided to increase the possibility of producing a larger litter. Mothers who receive inadequate nutrition, especially those who are overweight, frequently have smaller litters. Size of dog In general, dogs within the same breed can differ quite widely in size. This is due to larger body frames in some dogs, just like us humans. Because of that, it also plays a part in the number of puppies an English Bulldog can have. Larger dams typically have a higher likelihood of having a larger litter. On the other hand, if your girl was born in a small litter herself, you can typically expect that she will have a small first litter. Type of breeding It might be preferable to save this topic for a later post given how quickly it could become complex. Just keep in mind that the type of breeding might significantly affect both the number and quality of the puppies. For instance, severe inbreeding will lower the quality of a litter. These difficulties are more likely to occur with two dogs that are closely related. Linebreeding , on the other hand, aims to maintain sufficient genetic diversity while preserving the best genes from a bloodline, making it frequently a safer method of dog breeding. Time of breeding It is said that a dam is more likely to have a larger litter size the closer she is to ovulation. This is defined as the period after the estrogen period when the Luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any studies supporting this theory, so at this point, I would say this factor is probably not that significant. When an English Bulldog reaches its first heat cycle, it can start breeding, but this should never be done. They normally have their first heat cycle between the ages of 6 and 8 months, which is far too young for them to begin breeding. If you want to allow your dog enough time to grow sexually and acquire weight and size, wait until she is at least in her second or third heat cycle. Most ethical and responsible breeders will wait till an English Bulldog is at least 2 years old before breeding them. This would give them sufficient time to complete all the necessary medical checks which can identify potential for inherited diseases or conditions. Most female Bulldogs go through their first heat cycle between the ages of 6 and 8 months. A useful rule of thumb is that it will go into heat at about the same age that its mother did. Numerous symptoms, including bloody discharge, receptivity to male dogs, restless behavior, and others, can indicate that a dog is in heat. There are usually 3 to 4 puppies in an English Bulldog litter. Some English Bulldog breeds can have more than four puppies in a litter, but this will result in serious health issues and the puppies may not survive outside the womb. In general, English Bulldogs have smaller litters and shorter lifespans than the average dog for its size. There is a difference between the average and English Bulldog litter size. More than three litters in an English Bulldog can present health and welfare problems. Dogs generally live up to eight years on average, which is shorter than other breeds. Due to their fertile status beginning at around six months, it would probably be best to spread out the breeding process and pregnancies throughout their lives. Litters are smaller when the dogs are smaller. According to the American Kennel Club, the average litter size is puppies. Take into consideration smaller breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and English Bulldogs, which have litters on average of three puppies. The significantly smaller hips, bodies, and wombs of these animals mean they cannot carry and support large litters to the same extent as their larger canine counterparts. The best way to find out if your bulldog is pregnant is to get an ultrasound. You should request an ultrasound 25 days after mating. English Bulldog ultrasound scanning is the quickest way to determine if your mating and conception plan worked. If you can wait at least 25 days after mating or artificial insemination, veterinarians recommend you do a pregnancy test as soon as 21 days after mating or artificial insemination. Timid dogs may find ultrasounds frightening, as they are noninvasive and painless. The noise may stress her out a bit. You will be able to see if any puppies are growing inside and how many puppies to expect. You can also come up with a prenatal plan for your dog once you know she is pregnant. When delivering a bulldog, the window for a c-section can range from 60 days to 63 days, depending on the gestation period. Puppies can be born early, but veterinarians often perform x-rays or sonograms to track their development. Early detection of a problem is typical if it exists. The rectal temperature of your dog during the final week of her pregnancy indicates when the puppies will be born. Drop-In Body Temperature The temperature of your dog should be between and degrees Fahrenheit if the dog is healthy. After the second reading of a low temperature, labor should commence within 24 hours. Milk Production Similar to humans, females provide milk to their pups shortly after birth. Their bodies prepare themselves for birth before even giving birth. In addition to swollen breasts, your dog may have swollen nipples and even some redness around the area. Panting When dogs exert themselves physically, they often pant. When dogs exert themselves physically, they tend to pant. It is common to see dogs pant excessively during active labor, with many short breaths that are followed by small pauses. Lethargy Your dog may need to rest a great deal as she gets ready to give birth as labor is a draining process. Your dog may be reaching the end of her pregnancy if she seems more sluggish than usual. Nesting Behavior It is easy to tell when pregnant dogs are nesting by the behavior they exhibit. To create a safe space for giving birth, your dog may begin digging through pillows, blankets, and any other comfortable items. By familiarizing your dog with a nesting box before this happens, it will be easier for you to provide a haven for her. Be sure to give your dog plenty of water if she starts vomiting before or during labor. This will prevent dehydration. You must be available to your dog during the birthing process for the simple fact that she may instinctively cling to your side. It depends on where you live and who you go to for a c-section whether it will cost you more or less. The information below will help you understand everything you need to know about c-sections and bulldogs, including how they can be performed safely and comfortably and why it is necessary. In bulldogs, natural birth can pose severe risks to their mothers and puppies. It is usually impossible for puppies to descend properly into the birth canal due to their size and shape. When they get into the canal, they will probably get stuck. Even though it is technically not necessary for you to assist your dog during delivery, it is always a good idea to be prepared in case of an emergency. The umbilical cord can be cut, the membrane can be removed, a towel can be used to rub the baby, and the baby can be kept warm. In addition, your female dog may require assistance walking and urinating after giving birth. When Can Bulldogs Be Bred? Bulldogs often begin going into heat between six and eight months of age. The first estrus is not a good time to breed your Bulldog. To ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for a litter of puppies, we recommend waiting until her third estrus. A watchful eye should be kept on her when she is in active heat to prevent unplanned breeding. A healthy and happy English bulldog requires at least three breedings throughout its lifetime to stay in good health. English bulldogs may have serious health and welfare problems, even if they have been living with the same family for years. As for males, they usually reach full sexual maturity between the ages of 12 and 15 months after becoming fertile. It is not technically necessary for you to assist your dog is giving birth to her puppies, but you should be on hand in case a veterinarian is required in an emergency. The umbilical cord may be cut, the membrane may be removed, a towel could be rubbed over them, and they may be kept warm. In addition to urinating and walking, your female dog may need assistance after giving birth. You will also like:.

Little to zero shedding equals a higher maintenance dog. The Tiny Bernedoodle is a relatively easy keeper in the grooming department compared with the Miniature Poodle. The curlier the coat the more they need groomed. Most Micor Bernedoodles need to be brushed at least 3 times a week and need a cut or trim every weeks. When brushing focus on areas that easily matt like behind the ears and the belly. You can see our favorite brush in our shopping list here. When people think of a Mini dog they usually picture something the size of a Mini Poodle or something the size of a Cavalier. When Bernedoodle breeders talk about a Mini Bernedoodle you need to keep in mind that Mini compared to a pound Bernese can still be over 50 pounds with some Mini Bernedoodles getting as large as 65 pounds. This is because each inherits separate genes from each parent. Some puppies get more of the Bernese genes and some get the Mini Poodle genes. Becase of the request we often get for a dog that will stay under 50 pounds or for a dog that will stay around 20 pounds we decided to add Tiny Bernedoodles to our Bernedoodle program. Tiny Bernedoodles are consistently smaller than F1 Mini Bernedoodles. Tiny Bernedoodles are great for families that live in an apartment or a small area. Tiny Bernedoodles are a great option for a family with allergies, a family looking for a smaller dog with the Bernese temperament, or a family just looking for a unique great dog to have as a companion. The Tiny Bernedoodle is a moderately active dog who requires around 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise. They adapt quickly to most hot and cold weather climates, making them an excellent all-weather dog selection. This crossbreed is excitable but will match their energy level to yours, so plan on snuggling on the couch together or playing fetch in the back yard. Tiny Bernedoodles are lap dogs so plan on your Tiny Bernedoodle puppy spending long hours hanging out on your lap. Are Tiny Bernedoodles good with young children? The cost of a tiny bernedoodle will depend on the breeder. Tiny bernedoodles cost more than standards or mini bernedoodles. How much exercise does a Tiny Bernedoodle Need? These bernedoodles litters will have a variety of coat types. We see tight curls, lose curls, and wavy in our Tiny Bernedoodles. This bernedoodle cross, like the other Bernedoodle crosses, comes in many different colors and producing many more colors than the F1 crosses due to breeding poodle color genes from both parents. While producing more color variations they are still categorized similar to the other crosses, consisting of a tri-color micro mini, bi-color micro mini, and a solid color micro mini. We specialize in tricolor, merle, and parti Tiny Bernedoodles. What is the Tiny Bernedoodle Temperament like? Do you have any Tiny Bernedoodle Puppies Available? Some breeders use toy poodles to create Tiny Bernedoodles. This is a pairing where it would be ok to use a toy poodle. The reason we do not want to use a toy poodle in an f1 Bernedoodle pairing is so we can maintain good confirmation. We bred for calm docile Bernedoodles. Most puppies in the litter tend to be calm and even tempered every once in a while you can get a puppy that has the higher energy. Tiny Bernedoodles like to be with people. Because of this if they are not taught at a young age that it is ok to be alone they can develop separation anxiety. We offer a great training program for our Tiny Bernedoodle puppies. If puppies are taught by the time they are 12 weeks old this will help tremendously. What size is a tiny bernedoodle? Tiny bernedoodles are pounds full grown. The average tiny bernedoodle will be 20 pounds full grown. What do tiny bernedoodles look like full grown? Full grown tiny bernedoodles look similar to a mini bernedoodle. Full grown tiny bernedoodles remind me of a little teddy bear. Some tiny bernedoodles can have curly hair like a poodle. We breed for the fleece coat type. Tiny Bernedoodles are eager to please and very smart which means they are incredibly easy to train. This dog will not need many training repetitions because of how swiftly he learns commands. In particular, Tiny Bernedoodles make good agility dogs. Even as young puppies Tiny Bernedoodles can start learning basic commands. What type of coat does the Tiny Bernedoodle have? Tiny Bernedoodles can be pounds. The average Tiny Bernedoodle will be around 20 pounds full grown. The size will be determined by the parents. When people think of a mini they usually think in terms of a mini poodle. When Bernedoodle breeders talk about a Mini Bernedoodle you need to keep in mind that Mini compared to a pounds Bernese can still be up to and sometimes larger than 50 pounds. What colors do Tiny Bernedoodles come in? How big do Tiny Bernedoodles get? How much do Tiny Bernedoodles cost? We currently do not have Tiny Bernedoodle puppies available. We are planning Tiny Bernedoodle litters through the year. We are expecting tricolor, merle, and parti Tiny Bernedoodle puppies. If you would like to get on the list for one of our tiny bernedoodle puppies please fill out our Bernedoodle Puppy Application here. This hybrid is excellent with kids of all ages, and is gentle enough for interaction with even the youngest children in the family. Because of their friendly, gentle natures, Tiny Bernedoodles thrive as service and therapy dogs. Their loyalty, protectiveness, and affability make them an ideal partner for people with disabilities. Because of their smaller size it is important when you Tiny Bernedoodle is a puppy to watch them closely when being with children and teach your child how to handle a smaller Tiny Bernedoodle puppy so they do not hurt the puppy. How often does a Tiny Bernedoodles need groomed? Tiny Bernedoodles come in Tricolor, sable, merle, black, black and white, cream, chocolate, and phantom. We specialize in traditional tricolors, merle tricolors, and phantom tricolor Tiny Bernedoodles. We love all colors Bernedoodles come in but cannot get enough of the stunning tricolors and merle tricolors. We were one of the first breeder to produce true F1B merle tricolor Tiny Bernedoodles. NOT the result of an Australian shepherd mix. We do not use Australian shepherds in our program. Are Tiny Bernedoodles easy to train? This crossbreed is a mix between a Miniature Bernedoodle and a Poodle, and typically weighs between 10 and 25 pounds They are a smaller version of the Mini Bernedoodle, making it an excellent choice for those who want the temperament and intelligence of a Bernese Mountain Dog in a more compact package. Like their larger counterparts, Micro Bernedoodles are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. They are intelligent, trainable, and eager to please, making them great companions for families with children or other pets. These dogs also tend to be hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for those with allergies. One of the unique features of the Micro Bernedoodle is its tri-color coat, which typically consists of black, white, and brown markings. This coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, and may shed minimally. However, the low-shedding nature of the Poodle parent means that the Micro Bernedoodle is generally considered to be a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming and upkeep. Overall, the Micro Bernedoodle is a charming and friendly breed that is well-suited for families and individuals who want a smaller, hypoallergenic dog with a fun-loving personality. Showing 1—12 of 80 results. The most typical breeding of a micro mini would consist of a miniature bernedoodle girl being bred to a small toy poodle boy. Micro Bernedoodle Size The micro mini bernedoodle is expected to mature at pounds depending on the size of the sire and dam. The Tiny Bernedoodle Coat The micro mini is considered more of a non-shedding or very minimal shedding bernedoodle due to being an F1B cross and possessing more of the non-shedding poodle gene. This bernedoodle cross, like the other Bernedoodle crosses, comes in many different colors and producing many more colors than the F1 crosses due to breeding poodle color genes from both mommy and daddy. While producing more color variations they are still categorized similar to the other crosses, consisting of a tri-color micro mini, bi-color micro mini, and a solid color micro mini. Temperament or Micro Bernedoodles The micro mini may differ slightly in temperament, as expected with the F1B cross. They may be more high-strung and energetic, similar to the toy poodle Tiny Bernedoodles Dogs for Sale We currently have no Tiny Bernedoodles for sale. If you would like to be notified, please contact us and we will notify you when our Tiny Bernedoodles become available. Tiny Bernedoodles Past Litters. Welcome to Alpine Bernedoodles, we are located in beautiful southwestern Colorado in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. I have been a Veterinary Technician for over 16 years and it is my passion to produce exceptional quality Bernedoodles. I am committed to breeding for excellent health, confirmation and sound temperament. My bernedoodles are bred with responsibility and integrity to be cherished family companions. Every puppy is raised with attention to physical and mental health, and nurtured with love and care. We cannot guarantee size or color but we will deliver a beautiful, happy healthy puppy. We are accepting applications for future litters. Please visit our Purchasing information page regarding our waitlist policies and application process. Now is a good time to start planning for your next best friend. Cannot recommend Alpine Bernedoodles enough! Our trainer at puppy class raves about how lucky we are to have such a smart trainable pup. Kathryn was great throughout the process sharing pictures and providing information to help us pick our pup and made it so smooth in getting her. The Kingery Family, Washington Today was a great day because we welcomed home our new puppy! She instantly lit up our home with joy! We adore her! They are amazing! The Priehs Family, Michigan I fell in love with bernedoodles about 3 years ago or so, I have wanted one for along time. It was important to me to find the right breeder of this breed as there are alot that are not. I had the most enjoyable experience from the day I sent in my deposit to this day. I love all the new friends I have met watching our puppies grow together. Kathryn is super great to work with! This puppy has changed our house. Less stress, more love. And I thought we were in pretty good shape before, so that says alot. The Heidemann's, Idaho Big day for the Porter family! We love Minna Hayley so much, we had to have Rocket Noah too! Marley and Logan and Kathryn sure make some awesome pups! This was a surprise to our kiddos, hence the tears The Porter Family, Colorado Kathryn, it was lovely to meet you and your husband. Thanks so much for everything! Thank you, Kathryn Hadfield for everything! What a wonderful experience it has been finding you, Alpine Bernedoodles, and this perfect little guy! The Cowgill's, Wisconsin Colt Mack has been such a joy! He is so sweet, happy, smart, and adorable! We are always asked about him when we are out in public and everyone always says how cute he is. People actually think he is a Bernese puppy because of his markings. His coat gets more beautiful every day. It is shiny and wavy and has not faded a bit! It has gotten much thicker and fuller and is gorgeous. The Dutton Family, Colorado We had a fantastic experience with Alpine Bernedoodles, well worth waiting for the perfect dog for your family! Finley has a hilarious personality and could not be smarter or more lovable. She was sleeping through the night after one week and we had her potty trained in two weeks using the bell method — they are SMART dogs. She is a favorite of everyone she meets and has not met a stranger yet. Alpine Bernedoodles has been there for us every step of the way if we have questions, and we love knowing there is a Facebook group for additional support if we need it. We could not be happier with our puppy and suggest Alpine Bernedoodles to everyone we meet! The Bogenreif's, Texas From the moment our puppy arrived we knew we had made the right choice with Alpine Bernedoodles. She arrived happy, beautifully cared for and well behaved. We would highly recommend Alpine and Kathryn to everyone! Thank you for giving us our perfect Scout! She melts our hearts and makes us smile all the time. Her fabulous looks are only enhanced by her amazing personality. She is so sweet and very spunky and she literally stops traffic wherever we bring her. Timber Ellie is the best pup we could ever ask for. She loves cuddling on the couch, politely sitting at the kitchen table with us, and hiking all around Colorado while winning over the hearts of everyone she meets. Timber has a beautiful, silky coat and a fluffy teddy bear face. She is like a person with how smart she is and how well she listens to us. We love her tri-color markings that are still there even as as she approaches 2 years old…and no shedding! Thank you so much for our furry family member! The Meyer Family, Colorado.

Whelping means the process where a female dog gives birth to puppies. And a whelping box is a container or box designed to keep the puppies safe and warm. Having a whelping box makes it convenient for the mother to give birth comfortably. Female dogs are very protective of their puppies. Hence the nesting box offers a sense of security. Female dogs need assistance and a safe place to give birth. Hence, a whelping pen would be of great help. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to get a box or make it yourself. For a small dog like Pomeranian, you can convert a large card box into a whelping pen. You can put your creativity into the process and make a nesting box for your dog. If your dog is big, she might probably give birth to a large number of puppies. Hence, the size of the box should be large enough to fit the puppies and the mother. Furthermore, you can get the box from a pet store if creativity and DIY are not your forte. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider: The sides of the pen should be high enough that can keep the puppies safe for three weeks. Also, make sure that the mother can move to and fro freely. The size of the pen should be spacious enough for your dog and puppies. It should have enough space where the mother can feed her pups comfortably. In addition, it should allow them to move freely. It will help to keep the pups warm when the mom is not around. These are the factors that you need to consider while getting a nesting box. It helps the mother and the pups in the long run. You would notice the growth within the first few weeks. They can move and stand up over the sides of the whelping pen. By three weeks, they become mobile and able to move towards the edge of the nesting box. However, before it reaches that stage, you should take care of it diligently. Some pups would go astray and get lost. Hence, getting a box with proper height is essential. Sometimes the mother has to go out of the box for a nature call or food. The box offers a sense of security both to the dog owner and the mother. When the puppies are born, they have no control over their body temperature. So, while the mom is out, the box will keep them warm. However, you have to make sure that the bottom of the box is covered with a soft blanket. By three weeks, they will start moving, and some puppies might even get out of the box. So, the real chaos begins when they reach three weeks. It would be best if you were more careful than ever. How to Keep the Nesting Box Clean? Taking care of puppies can be quite tiring. Once the puppies are born safely in the box, it would be better to change the sheet or the beddings. The mother will take care of it. However, from the second to the third week, the real work starts. It will help if you make sure that the box is clean. While cleaning the box, you can keep the pups temporarily in a warm blanket. You need to replace the sheet or newspaper at least twice or thrice per day. However, keeping the box clean prevents the puppies from possible bacterial infections. It also helps to keep the puppies clean. You should see that the nesting box is clean and dry. So, like a responsible dog owner , make sure that the box is clean and warm. Changing the Whelping Box to Other Areas Once the puppies have passed the first week, you place the box in other areas. It will help them to get used to the new smell and sounds. However, make sure that the place is quiet and warm. Some kids would like to hold the pups, which would be too early and maybe dangerous. During the first two weeks, puppies are pretty delicate. So, it would be best to keep far away from children. The first three weeks are a crucial moment for you and the pups. The puppies are in their developing stage, and they need a quiet and calm environment to grow. So, you should make sure that puppies are kept safe and warm. They would be too young to take the regular food and would cause indigestion. But you can keep water for the mother. They get very thirsty while taking care of the puppies. She requires good protein and energy to keep the pups fed through her milk. You can place the food in the water once they can move or walk. However, make sure that the food is easily digestible. Also, puppies tend to eat food without a limit. So, you should give the food moderately. Overeating can cause indigestion and vomiting. Hence, it would help if you were careful not to overfeed them. It offers a sense of security to the mother and the dog owners as well. Having a nesting box helps to keep the puppies from going astray. The first three weeks are crucial for the puppies to grow and develop healthily. Having the right size of the whelping box can help both the puppies and the mother move freely. It allows the mother to breastfeed the puppies comfortably. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to arrange a whelping box. It offers safety and assurance to both the mother and puppies. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Stages of Puppy Development Birth to 3 weeks The first 20 days of a pups life it is not capable of much learning. The mental capacity is about nil. The pup will react when it is in need of food, sleep, warmth and its mother. During the first 3 weeks it is VERY important to look after the dam as well. She will in turn, look after the puppies. Once or twice a day the puppies should be handled by a human and they should be weighed daily. During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away. No matter what the breed, this is the time when the dormant senses wake up. From day 21 to 28 puppies are in need of their mom more than any other time as their brains and nervous systems begin to develop and they become aware of their surroundings. As mom jumps out of the box, they suddenly watch her wondering where she went. Pups may start climbing out of the whelping box at this age, so it is time to expand their home. At this stage we add a small potty area beside the whelp box. If a puppy were to loose his mom at this stage it would greatly affect his emotional wellbeing. Emotional growth is just blossoming as the puppy realizes it is alive. It is also at this age that characteristics can develop like shyness and fear. Any negative characteristics that develop at this stage in life are often permanent personality traits. The puppies sleep 20 or more hours a day. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home. This is not the age to be in the back bedroom, garage or barn. During this time, a puppy will learn to respond to voices, sounds and recognize different people. The puppies in their group will establish a 'pecking order', some will want to lead and some will want to follow. The dominant ones will eat first and the omega ones will wait. The dominant ones can become bullies and hog all the toys. This is an important stage to watch to learn the temperaments of each puppy and should be used for placing puppies into the proper homes. Some scientific studies prove that if there is a bully in a litter that is making others cower and be shy it can set in traits that are very hard to turn around, but it is also important to leave puppies in a social group long enough to be adventurous and for the puppy to acquire some social competitive skills. On the same note, a puppy should never be allowed to get too pushy. While shyer puppies have to learn to handle themselves in social groups, a dominant puppy needs to learn it is not acceptable to be a bully. Different breeds need to be separated at different ages. Often if the bully is adopted out first the remaining puppies will loose some of their shyness. Puppies at this age sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. By 7 weeks, a pup is considered emotionally developed and ready to learn, but the pup does not possess an adult brain yet. At 7 weeks old the breeder of the pups can start crate training for an hour or two a day with 2 pups in a crate. This helps with separation anxiety. By 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to go in a crate alone for a nap, and it is almost ready for its new home. A puppy should never be taken away from it's mother before weeks of age. The mother dog teaches the puppies in the litter manners, respect, social skills, and proper etiquette, along with many other valuable lessons. When a puppy misses this stage it can cause the pup to have future behavior issues as most humans do not understand natural dog behavior enough to teach the pup these things. What a puppy learns now will be retained and become part of who the dog becomes and his personality. Most dams stop caring for their pups by 7 weeks, as they have teeth and she pushes them away. If a pup is left with the dam during this period it's emotional development can be altered, as it remains dependent on her. The same can happen if littermates are placed together. They rely on each other instead of the new owner and they often do not find adequate security in their mom or littermate. They need their new owner to take over the role and it is important that the humans understand natural dog behavior in order to fulfill the puppies instincts and needs. First shots should be done at 7. When a puppy stays with his litter after 8 to 9 weeks of age without adequate human contact it doesn't adjust as well to a human social life. The optimum time to take a new puppy is from 8 to 9 weeks of age. It is always best to have a pup do his learning from his new owner and in his new home. Puppies are often adopted out at 8, 9, 10 or 11 weeks. Older puppies can do just fine if the breeder has spent a lot of time socializing them away from their littermates. Ideally 9 weeks seems to be the perfect age for most breeds to go to new homes. What the dog learns from 8 to 12 weeks will be with him forever. At this time the puppy must be introduced to other people and go for walks on the pavement street avoiding dirt or grass until it has had its 2nd shots. If the first shots are done at 8 weeks and second are done at 12 weeks it is a good idea to enroll in puppy kindergarten that starts right at 12 weeks. At this age on up to several months old, puppies will sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, give or take depending on the puppies energy level and the activity around them. Sleeping more during rapid growth sprurts. The sleep is broken up between night time sleep and naps during the day. It is common for a puppy to play hard, running around with bounds of energy, then suddenly crashing into a deep sleep. It is important to keep in mind that all puppies by this time have formed a general personality. Some are natural born leaders, some are middle of the road and could go either way and some are very submissive and really prefer not to lead anything. All puppies have an instinct to have a leader who can provide structure, because in their minds without it the pack cannot survive. Therefore even the most naturally born submissive dog may feel the need to take over as an alpha should they feel everyone else around them is too weak to care for the pack. These dogs are often very stressed out about their role because they really do not want it, but feel the need to lead just the same. After all, to them it's a matter of life or death. One of the biggest questions new owners call about is that the pup is an angel for the first couple weeks and then it starts to nip in an attempt to control things around it. This happens when a puppy does not see the humans as natural born leaders to which it can respect and it attempts to get the pack in order. If this happens it does not necessarily mean you got a bad puppy, but often means you are not being a good canine owner. Owners must be calm but firm and follow through. Set the rules of the home and stick to them. Teach basic obedience and how to heel on a leash. Do not let the puppy bolt out the door. Stay calm and confident and remember that dogs can feel your emotions. If you have emotional problems your dog knows and will see you as a weak being. Always remember to a dog anger is a weakness, so take a deep breath and control yourself. Should the puppy feel it is stronger minded than the humans it will not want to be at the bottom. Puppy owners should be prepared that the pup may attempt to establish itself as the dominant one in the family. This is where you need to understand a dog's natural instincts and learn their language so you can read them. It may see whether it can physically strike out at his owner like some teens and could nip or growl. Should this happen be prepared to stop the behavior immediately. It is kind of like kids wanting dessert before dinner or to stay up later. You just have to say NO. Each dog is different, just as kids are, therefore you need to figure out what works for you and your situation. If it is being aggressive one method is to pin it on its back and hold him there with a firm NO. If a pup is allowed to get away with bad behavior it will lose respect for the owner and learn that rebelling gets him his own way. The key is for the humans to be calm, confident and firm all at the same time. If you find yourself yelling or angry you as the human are out of control and need to learn how to portray yourself as someone your dog can look up to and respect. Dogs do not listen to unstable humans and anything but calm, confident and firm, to them is unstable. There should be zero tolerance for aggressiveness. Heaps of love and understanding will not stop bad behavior. A pup must be shown fast and firmly that you are the one in charge. If you have a good breeder who understands the dog even returning him for a few days can help as the breeder gets the dog back under control and you assess your own behavior and understanding of this animal you are trying to live with. Sending a dog away to be trained without training yourself never works, as the way your dog is acting often has more to do with the humans it is living with. This goes for any dog of any age. Learn how to groom your dog. Teach it to lie still for grooming and nail trimming. If you are having trouble call the breeder or a behaviorist for help. It is best to have earned a dog's respect and trust in regards to grooming by 16 weeks of age. A pups natural instinct will be to periodically try to test the order in the pack. Especially if there are children. If the owner is submissive, quiet and week, thus making the dog feel the need to lead the home, its respect for its owner will weaken and the owner will become inferior in the dogs eyes. In these cases the owner is destined to be owned by the dog and you will surely see behavior problems emerge. A puppy should have a good start on crate training when it leaves a breeder's home. Help your puppy feel secure by giving it its own bed and crate in a place where it can be alone when it needs some quiet time. It should be crated for one or two naps per day, especially when making and eating dinner and crated at night. It should not ever have the run of the house till after 6 months of age or housebreaking and training can become very difficult. A puppy should start formal obedience by 6 months of age, preferably sooner. Remember when you choose to adopt a dog you are choosing to take an animal into your home. The animal is not a human baby and humans are not born with canine instincts. Take some time to learn about the canine and be prepared to change your way of life to accommodate the new member of the family. A whelping box is an important item to have when puppies are about to be born. You can construct something yourself or buy a specifically designed boxes from pet stores. When can puppies leave the whelping box? Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old. At this age, puppies can move out of the whelping box as they become more mobile. Puppies can stand up and even climb out of the whelping box nest. At this age, puppies start to explore outside of their nest, to find out more about the wide and exciting world around them. Well, I can tell you that a whelping box will help you and the mother cope better with a horde of tiny puppies in their first few weeks. What is a whelping box? Also known as a nest or whelping pen, the whelping box is a container designed to keep the newborn litter in one safe and cozy place. The mother also likes to have a place where she can give birth to her puppies in comfort while having a sense of security. Whelping means to give birth hence the name of the box. It should be placed in a quiet part of the house and set up a couple of weeks before your dog gives birth. This gives her time to get familiar with the box. Image via Pixabay. What can I use as a whelping box? If your dog is a little girl, you could convert a large, sturdy cardboard box into a nesting box. You can make your own if carpentry is your hobby or you could go to the local pet store and buy a whelping box. What to look out for when picking a whelping box You need to make sure you pick a whelping box that takes into consideration the following factors: The sides are high enough to keep the puppies safely contained in their first 3 weeks but low enough for the mother to move in and out freely. The size is big enough to accommodate all the puppies being born. The bottom of the box may come with whelping pads or you can simply line it with newspapers and a soft blanket. Some breeders will use wood shavings to cover the floor of the box. Some whelping boxes come with an extension which is great for more active puppies who are still too young to leave the pen but are moving around quite a bit. Picking the right whelping box goes a long way to keeping mum and pups comfortable and secure. When is the right age for puppies to leave the whelping box? Puppies develop and mature very quickly in their first few weeks. A whelping box is designed to keep the newborn puppies safe, warm, and comfortable. Keeping the puppies in one place and even using a heat lamp will help keep them warm. And, when the mother needs time out, she can leave the box and get some space knowing her pups are all safe in one spot. A whelping box gives you peace of mind your puppies are well-protected, staying warm, and not disappearing once they start crawling. But be ready for the exodus once they reach 3 weeks old and might start walking! How do I keep the whelping box clean? If your dog gave birth to the puppies in the whelping box, you would need to change the bedding once all the puppies are safely delivered. Keep them warm with a blanket. Use a non-chemical cleaning detergent and warm water to wash out the box. Remove any dirty bedding and replace with clean blankets, newspapers or wood shavings. Some breeders do put in a litter box for puppies once they start crawling. This could be the first step to house training your pups. Do regular inspections throughout the day to make sure the whelping box is always dry and clean. Can I move the whelping box to other areas? Once your puppies have passed their first week, you could consider moving them to different areas in the house. But remember, you need to keep them warm so make sure there are no draughts and the puppies are not too intimidated by the new environment. Be careful also with handling newborn puppies when moving them. For the first 3 weeks, the puppies are small, developing, and can be easily disturbed by too much activity around them. Do I need to put food and water in the whelping box? The puppies will be drinking milk from their mother for the first 3 to 4 weeks, before moving onto water. For the first 3 weeks, you could keep a bowl of water in the box for the mother. She will be very thirsty while nurturing her puppies. However, once the puppies start becoming mobile keep both the water and food outside the box. Conclusion Get ready for a whole lot of fun, but also stress. She will take them no doubt but being able to help just a little with whelping boxes, nesting, and more will make it so much easier for you. You might also like…. Understanding how dogs physically, mentally and emotionally develop from birth to 6 months — Part 1 — By Jennifer Broome, QK Owner I decided to write this article because I am amazed at the lack of understanding out there in our society when it comes to dogs. Our newer puppy programs have been incredibly successful with our diligent introduction of crate work, patience training, manners, proper socializing and obedience and it is wonderful to educate new owners. However, we sadly still see many dogs that just are handicapped mentally and emotionally as adolescents due to their owners lacking leadership and early puppy training to establish rules, confinement, patience and manners. I am someone who lives my life with dogs and for dogs. This article is not based on scientific research, veterinary information, or other technical sources rather it is based on my ongoing observations from a variety of experiences. Those include my own revolving pack of dogs over 25 years, my professional time at my kennel with dozens upon dozens dogs even upwards of at times as well as my countless hours training dogs at all levels from puppies to adolescents, problem dogs and sporting dogs from basic to advanced training. They do this for comfort, security and protection. Any good dog breeder equally has a whelping box which is typically a 4 foot by 4 foot box with sides, maybe a heated dish and nice bedding for Mom to birth her puppies. Pups are born into a sheltered environment and they feel secure. By 4 weeks Mom starts to wean her pups, all heck breaks loose as the pups now are very mobile, their eyes are opened and this weaning is the first big stressor in their lives. At this point puppy kibble is offered, the pups make a huge mess in their boxes, and soon they learn how to climb out. There is MUCH more that goes on during the whelping, nursing, puppy rearing and puppy development during these 8 weeks however I want to concentrate this article on what happens once the new owner acquires the pup. A very cleverly designed whelping box with escape resting area for Mom, sleeping area for pups and separate potty area. NOTE: I am talking about pups that come from responsible breeders and were raised in a safe, healthy environment. Sadly we see all too many rescue pups that were birthed by an already unstable, unhealthy mom, they were born under a shed, an alley, or at a puppy mill and their young lives are already stressed. Between 7 and 8 weeks is a great time to get a new puppy. I certainly do not oppose some breeders keeping pups longer I do NOT advocate pups going home before 7 weeks! As long as the pups are well monitored by the careful breeder, they can stay longer to mature more. YES, all puppies typically hate their crates at first. More like they hate the alone time as they are used to a pack of friends for safety and security. While the first week or 2 of crate training may be horrendous, noisy and stressful for you and puppy, once the pup learns to accept this alone time and controlled down time, it is one of the very best training achievements that you can master right away! There will be screaming, wailing, temper tantrums, messes in the crate and pup may sound like he is dying… BUT with patience, persistence and a good strategy crate training is typically easy to master. Why go through all of this stress? Why subject a puppy to this trauma!? Well, honestly think about it… as a baby did you sleep in a crib? Yes, that may work…. BUT what happens when you want to leave your house? Do you think that it is ok to leave a puppy home alone and loose with free roam or even confined to a room? An 8 week old puppy is about the same in maturity as a toddler. Would you leave a toddler home alone? A 6 month old puppy is like a 6 year old child. Again would you leave alone? A year old puppy is like an 8 to 10 year old child. Home alone? They are not even mature adults until 3 years old. That is like an 18 year human. We all made such great decisions and had complete maturity and responsibility at 18 right!!?? See where I am going with this? What does a crate help to accomplish? Forced down time, patience time, alone time, relaxation time. The pup can sleep or keep busy with a good chew toy to keep self-entertained. A tired puppy is a happy puppy is a happy owner! Pups often sleep upwards of 18 hours a day. Why not make those sleeping 18 hours safely confined to a crate? Maybe 8 hours overnight straight and the remaining 10 sleeping times divided up during the day. This type of schedule allows pup to be safely contained therefore not chewing, getting hurt or going potty in the house. It also enables the pup to feel secure and not just loose in a big scary area. Here is where most people go wrong, they feel the crate is cruel and they leave a pup out loose. Well, they could not be more wrong. Sadly, when a dog is left alone in an entire house, part of a house or even a room, the pup still feels the need to guard and protect that area. That is like asking a toddler to stay home alone and watch the house! Believe it or not the more rules and structure you can provide to your pup the more secure they feel! Puppies that learn to relax in a crate grow up into dogs that have a great off switch and can be loose to feel secure and safe. We talked about the importance and reasons for crate time, how about the human interactions? Do YOU instigate play jumping and biting by showing excitement around your pup. Do you rough house, play tug, chase or wrestle with your pup. Human interactions should be gentle in touch and kindness, however assertive to correct unwanted behaviors right away. If you want a bad behavior to stop, then use as little pressure as you can but as much as you need to in order to STOP the bad behavior. Just because he is a puppy does not mean he will outgrow biting, jumping, etc. Rather it will only get worse. Stop it right away. Wow I love this! I treat my dogs the same way. The more you stroke, pet, pat, or rough up a dog the more they will challenge you. Those are actually antagonistic interactions. How about you calmly, lightly, endearingly touch your pup. What spots can you find that sooth your pup to relax and fall asleep just by your touch? They close their eyes and relish in your touch. This gentle interaction calms, soothes and connects you to your dog and teaches them to chill, be still and respectful around humans. Sadly what do most people do? The wigglier a dog is, the more excited they are. Excitement in dogs is anxiety, so basically you are initiating a panic attack by causing your dog to quiver with stress. Why not use animal savvy and teach them your touch calms them. I promise! What does this mean? He or she can walk on a leash, they can learn to do stairs, get into a car, go into a crate by themselves, listen to the vacuum, and they can be exposed to early stressors and be just fine as long as you show a calm, strong, positive leadership! People are so quick to lift up their pups, do the work for them, make excuses or simply let them refuse to face a challenge. This only makes the pups better quitters and ones that show a very strong resistance with a fight, freeze or flight when asked to tackle simple physical challenge. So fellow dog lovers, I hope that this article gave you some things to think about! Whether you are getting a new puppy or can go back and think about the mistakes you may have previously made, our goal at QK is to help you better understand your dog, how they think and what you can do to help be a better leader. In turn I promise your dog will be happier, healthier and better behaved. Look ahead in the next series of this topic to explore the 6 month pup and how they grow, mature and develop.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Getting the right-sized whelping box is crucial for your dog to feel comfortable and secure. If it's bigger than necessary, the puppies might find it hard to keep warm. So, what size whelping box do you need for a Labrador? For a Labrador, you need a whelping box sized about 4ft x 4ft cm x cm and a height of about 2 feet 61cm. This size allows your Lab to turn, stretch, lie down, and nurse with ease. Additionally, it is high enough to keep the puppies from escaping while still able to attend to them easily. You need to understand why correct sizing is important, and what to look out for when buying a whelping box. Additionally, you can make your own to fit your specific need, but there's a proper way to go about doing so. Lastly, you should know how to properly care for and maintain your box. Consider the dog's exact size, weight, and the number of puppies she's having if known before making a final decision on size. As a reminder, you shouldn't breed your female Labradors too early as it can have long-term health impacts. A big whelping box is necessary for Labs because they are larger dogs. Additionally, it allows enough space for larger litters. Keep in mind that l itter sizes are generally between puppies. However, it is critical to make sure that the puppies remain warm. If it's too big, the puppies may be at risk of not maintaining a safe body temperature. To ensure the recommended sizing is correct, get the measurements while she is lying stretched out fully. Add a foot to this measurement plus a few extra inches for the puppy roll bars or railing. Your Labrador needs a whelping box because a whelping box provides an ideal space for your pregnant Labrador to give birth and care for her puppies. Made from wood or plastic, the nesting box offers newborn puppies a clean, dry, and warm home. Labrador puppies grow pretty fast. As such, they stay in the box until they are about four weeks old, after which they will require more space to move around. While a wooden box is sturdy and ideal for big dogs, it can absorb waste unless waterproofed. Make sure there is no exposed wood. Plastic boxes are pricier, but they are robust, easy to clean, and hygienic. Do not use cardboard as it is neither sturdy nor sanitary. Whelping boxes contain a low railing or roll bar on the inside. The roll bar helps prevent the Labrador from smothering or trapping her puppies while sleeping, nursing, or giving birth. This is particularly important with larger breeds like Labradors. Indestructible bedding. Many dog owners line the boxes with newspapers, towels, or blankets. However, it's best to go for indestructible bedding since older puppies can shred up, chew and swallow these materials. The entrance. Ensure that the opening is wide enough to allow the Labrador to enter and exit the box with ease. Photo from Amazon product page. Click to review pricing on Amazon. It is the best pre-built option that I found, and It's easy to set up. It has adjustable height and is ideal for large breeds. While it is only 18 inches tall vs. Garden or Composting Bins as Whelping Boxes If you aren't a fan of the prebuilt recommendation and don't want a total DIY project, there is another solution. A breeder that I spoke with advised that she uses a composting bin that she only slightly modified for pups. Per the breeder I spoke with: The most important thing is that it is easy to clean and sanitize, so no exposed wood at all. A box with exposed wood cannot pass AKC inspection. Also, It needs to have good traction on the bottom for the puppies' developing hips. Avoid anything slick like kiddie pools. Make sure there are pig rails inside it to protect the pups from being squished. Here's what it looks like: Photo from Amazon product page. Whelping Prenatal Care Preparing for your Labrador bitch's labor is critical. Keep track of your dog's breeding date. After about 35 days of pregnancy, the mother's food intake will increase. She will require twice as much food as normal, increasing to three times as much when she begins nursing. The best Labrador nutritional plan is to buy an approved dry food and feed according to the package. These foods are balanced and require no supplementation. They have the extra calories needed by the pregnant or nursing mother. Do not use calcium as this can cause metabolic imbalances, and excess vitamins may be harmful to the Labrador puppies. Exercise of the pregnant bitch need not be restricted until after the first weeks of pregnancy. Day 45 At about the 45th day of her pregnancy, your lab mother should be examined by a vet. As well as assessing her overall health, your vet can x-ray your Labroador to ascertain how many puppies she is expecting. Earlier in the pregnancy, ultrasound can be used to confirm pregnancy and, after 25 days, the embryonic heart may be seen beating. Gestation The gestation period of the Labrador bitch is considered to be 63 days. Lubricate a rectal thermometer with margarine or KY jelly and insert it about an inch. Leave it in place for three minutes. You will need to determine your pregnant Labrador's bases temperature should be approx 38 degrees. Stage One of Labor During the first stage of labour the cervix dilates and uterine contractions begin. Contractions are not as easy to see as in humans but can nevertheless be very painful and distressing to the Labrador bitch. She may appear uncomfortable, restless, pacing, shivering and panting. The mother lab will probably not eat, she may even vomit and whine persistently. She may occupy herself building a nest. This is the longest stage of labour, generally lasting six to eighteen hours. By the end of this period her cervix will have completely dilated so that the puppies can pass. .Stage Two of Labor During the second stage of labour, contractions continue. The placental water sacks breaks and fluid is passed. Placentas are usually expelled after each puppy is born. Pups usually appear approx every hour after thirty minutes of straining. The bitch will lick the puppy clean and bite the umbilical cord. It is during this time that the mother bonds with her puppies and recognises them as her own. The licking of the bitch stimulates the puppies to breathe. The mother lab will likely eat the afterbirth. If the bitch does not tear away the sac and lick the pups, you should tear the sac open, clear all fluid away from the pup's nose and mouth, and vigorously rub the pup to stimulate breathing. The mother will take rests during labour and up to four hours can pass between puppies. If she is not straining then everything is usually normal and on schedule. If more than four hours pass without a puppy or the mother strains forcefully for over an hour without producing another pup, immediately take the bitch to an emergency veterinary hospital. It is not abnormal for puppies to be born rear feet first. You must do this very gently because puppies are fragile and easily hurt. Stage Three of Labor The third stage of labour is a very indistinct period for Labradors. Once all the puppies have been born, the bitch enters this third stage during which time the uterus expels the remaining placenta, blood and fluid. It is rich in antibodies which will protect the puppies for the first few months of life. Colostrum is only produced for two days and the puppy is only able to absorb its antibodies for a day or two. If their bitch did not nurse during the first 2 days of life, the puppies have a serious immunological disadvantage. Great care should be taken in cleanliness and the puppies can be vaccinated as early as 2 weeks old depending on their circumstances. Whelping Set up a comfortable whelping area for raising the puppies. The Labrador bitch should be able to come and go as she likes while the puppies remain confined. The mother dog should be isolated from all other dogs for three weeks prior to labour and 3 weeks after delivery to prevent infection. Herpes is spread by sniffing and licking between dogs. Adult Labradors rarely have any symptoms but the new or unborn puppies will die. Toileting Infant Labrador puppies are unable to take care of these matters. If necessary, use a cotton swab, tissue, or your finger to gently rub the baby's genital area. Have a tissue ready to catch the urine. Rubbing the anal area may also be necessary if the babies do not seem to be defecating as much as expected. Watch for diarrhea. Normally the puppy stool is very loose but should not be watery. It is normal for puppies to have very round bellies, however if you think the baby might be constipated, taking the temperature rectally with a normal rectal thermometer usually provides enough extra stimulation to get things back to normal. Starting Solid Food When the puppies start biting and chewing they may be ready to start on some solids. At first it may be necessary to mix solid food with a little formula and to smear a little around their mouths gently with your finger. We commence blended solid food at 3 weeks of age. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Stage 2: Giving birth Once your dog is ready to have her puppies, she will begin having strong contractions and feel the need to strain. The first puppy often takes the longest to be born; if contractions are weak it might take between two-four hours, but if contractions are strong, they should come within minutes. There will be a time gap between each puppy, which can range from five minutes to 1. As long as your dog is comfortable and not straining, this gap between puppies is normal. If at any point your dog has been straining and having strong contractions for minutes without progressing or producing a puppy, contact you vet immediately. Most puppies are born head first but some come tail first. Puppies are born inside a thin sac, which the mother will remove, enabling them to breathe. After each puppy, your dog should pass an afterbirth placenta , which they often eat. Between each puppy, your dog should be comfortable, settled and licking her newborn pups until her contractions restart. You may see a small amount of green tinged discharge following a pup being born, but a thick green discharge without a puppy can indicate problems. Exact timing varies, but most dogs give birth to their whole litter with 6 hours. The process should never take longer than 24 hours — any longer and the risk of a problem becomes very high. Once your dog has given birth to all her puppies, she is likely to be very hungry and tired. Dystocia is especially common in flat-faced breeds such as Pugs , Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. Straining but no pup Contact your vet urgently if your dog has been straining for minutes without producing a puppy — there may be a problem. Bleeding You will often see some fluid and bloody discharge during a whelping, but anything more than a few drops of blood is abnormal and should be checked by your vet immediately. Puppy stuck Large puppies, deformed puppies, and puppies delivered backwards can sometimes become stuck inside the pelvis or part way out. If your dog has puppy stuck inside her, call your vet immediately. Do not touch or try to pull out the puppy without specific advice and guidance from your vet. Sac problems Some dogs need help removing the birth sac from their puppies especially first time mothers. If any of your puppies still have their umbilical cords attached a few hours after they are born, you may need to tie and cut them off yourself. You may also need to tie off any cords that are bleeding often caused by the mother overenthusiastically nibbling them. Always call your vet for advice about how to properly tie and cut an umbilical cord — doing it incorrectly could cause an infection or hurt the puppy. Stillborn puppies Always have your dog checked over if she gives birth to any dead puppies. Treatment for dystocia problems giving birth If your dog is having trouble giving birth, contact your vet straight away and try to give as much detail about her and the pregnancy as possible. Your dog may need the following: Monitoring: your vet may decide to keep your dog in the hospital to monitor her and see what happens. Your vet will check her regularly and take further action if necessary. X-rays or a scan: x-rays and scans can help check the unborn puppies and diagnose any problems. Medication: if your dog is struggling to give birth, your vet may decide to give a medication called Oxytocin, which causes the womb to contract more forcefully. Assisted delivery: if your dog is struggling to pass a puppy, it might be possible for your vet to gently help deliver it. However, if the puppy is too big or deformed to pass through the pelvis, your dog may need a caesarean section. Caesarean: A caesarean section is an operation performed under a general anaesthetic to open the womb and remove the puppies. Contact your vet for advice if you notice any of the following symptoms: Lack of milk. Final Thoughts How to Prepare for Your Labrador Giving Birth Labrador Retrievers are truly great pets, and preparation for your dog to give birth will be one of the most significant things you do for her throughout the birth process. But first, take a look at this incredible video of a Labrador giving birth to her 8 puppies. The owner added some fun captions to make it even more awesome. Nature is truly amazing. Even though your dog will be relatively undemanding when it comes to the actual birth, there are still loads of things you will need to do to get her ready, including getting the area prepared where she will be giving birth. Consult Your Vet To ensure your Labrador is as successful as possible during birth, make sure to have frequent discussions with your vet. In any case, once you suspect your dog is pregnant, you will need to take her for regular check-ups. Ensuring her overall health is the important first step. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam and inform you of anything you should know. As with human pregnancies, health concerns are elevated during gestation, so be sure to take your mom-to-be to the vet if you have any concerns and continue to monitor her throughout the pregnancy. Be sure to ask your vet any questions you may have about how to care for your Labrador during the coming weeks and the birth itself. Your vet will be able to give you valuable input and help you plan for the birth. Ensure your dog has a healthy diet in place , along with the appropriate exercise, and do everything you can to make sure she stays healthy throughout the pregnancy. The third trimester is when the pups develop rapidly, and your girl will need more calories for energy, depending on how many puppies she is carrying. Your vet is the best person to advise you exactly what your dog needs at this stage in the pregnancy. Transition the food gradually and feed little and often. This ensures an adequate nutrient and calorie intake. Your vet may also recommend folic acid and essential fatty acid supplements. But if your vet specifies anything additional for your Labrador, always adhere to their instructions. Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready! And remember, the checklist should include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. It will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready. Standard Supplies: Clean sheets, towels, and blankets You should have some blankets around the mom. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. If your Lab has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those. Making sure they are all warm and cozy will be your priority. A bunch of newborn Labrador puppies snuggled up to mom and surrounded by comfort blankets is really adorable. The new mama realizes this and will attempt to keep her pups warm using her body temperature by keeping them close. But having a heating pad or lamp ready to go will help keep the room warm for the newborns. If you opt for a heating pad, you can place it underneath the towels and blankets where the puppies are lying. This one also has thousands of positive reviews and comes with a removable cover for easy cleaning. Place your hand underneath it to test where it gives a subtle warmth without causing your hand to feel hot. I prefer a heating pad as it just seems the safer option. Whelping Box and Mat To prepare for whelping , a whelping box will be required. This is for the Labrador puppies to snuggle up in after the birth while mom is recovering. You can purchase a large basket or make a whelping box yourself using a large cardboard box. You should place it in a quiet room of the house. The whelping box should be big enough for your dog to stretch out and comfortably turn around. The recommended size for Labradors is 4 feet x 4 feet and 2 feet in height. Various factors determine puppy weight at birth, such as sex of the puppy, litter size, length of gestation, and the adult weight of the mom. From this study of Labrador puppies, the average puppy weight was 1. Give them time. But be ready to take their weights within the first day or so. You will also need to check the temperatures of the puppies if you believe one may be sick. The area where the puppies are kept should be between degrees for the first four days. Then gradually decrease the temperature to 80 degrees by the 7th — 10th day, and finally, 72 degrees by the end of the fourth week. Emergency Supplies: Baby Nose Suction Bulb Sometimes newborn puppies have built-up mucus around their nose, which causes trouble breathing. The mom will try to lick it away as best she can, but if you see one of the Labrador puppies still struggling to take breaths, make sure you have a baby nose suction bulb , such as this one from Amazon at the ready. Gently swathe the puppy and use the bulb carefully to suck out the mucus and massage his chest very gently, holding him for a while after. Gloves, Sterilized Scissors, Thread, and Antiseptic Solution Generally, the mom will cut the umbilical cord herself by biting through it. Once tied off, ensure the end of the cord is cleaned with antiseptic. Cleanliness during this is critical, so a pair of medical gloves and a clean workspace is essential. Soft Travel Crate Hopefully, the birth goes smoothly, and there is no need to take your Labrador to the vet. But if there is an emergency or if you have any worries, always call your vet or nearest animal hospital immediately. Have a soft travel crate by the door with plenty of cozy blankets ready to go in case you need to transport your Lab urgently. I recommend you invest in a travel crate as part of your preparations. Pro Tip! Use the buddy system. If you need to take your Labrador to the vet during labor, it will be useful to have someone with you. Consider asking a close friend or relative. They could drive while you sit in the back with your girl to comfort her. This will be a scary moment for your Lab, and she will value having you by her side. Ensure the Environment is Clean and Comforting You will have taken care of most of this during the preparation stage. You will have placed clean towels down, ensuring everything is sterilized and ready for the momentous occasion. But during the birth itself, you should help maintain a clean and comfortable environment. Here are a few things to consider that will help you make this a relaxed and comfy setting for your Labrador: Have familiar sights and smells around, such as her favorite soft clothing, blankets, and toys. Close windows to minimize loud noises and distractions. Give occasional words of encouragement in a soft and soothing voice, letting her know she is doing great. In between puppies, she will need to rest. Make sure she is comfortable and supported. Giving Your Labrador Space During the Birth Oddly enough, one of the best ways to care for your Labrador during her birth journey will be to leave her alone. Animals are instinctual in ways that astound us as mere humans. Labs are also terribly smart. They have a knack for knowing what to do during and after giving birth with their instincts and intelligence. They know what is best for their health, as well as the health of their newborns. Interfering too much during birth can cause frustration and even anger from your Labrador. While she will most likely understand you are trying to help — she knows best and needs her space. The best thing you can do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the incredible experience of watching your dog give birth. Be Ready When She Needs You Part of sitting back and watching as your Lab give birth is also knowing that you may be needed and, if so — be ready! If you have prepared well, everything will be available in case of an emergency or even a small hiccup. Other signs are restlessness, not eating, vomiting, pawing at her bedding as if making a nest, licking her vulva area, or releasing a clear watery discharge. The first puppy should be delivered within 1 to 2 hours of the onset of contractions and pushing. A puppy has only come halfway out, and mom seems to be struggling and cannot push anymore. She appears to be in pain, is yelping, or crying. One of her breaks in between puppies lasts more than 4 hours, and you know there are more pups to come. Typically, a long break will happen that can be up to 4 hours. But past that, there could be something wrong. She is having contractions and straining hard for more than 30 minutes without another puppy coming. Puppies are born in a thin membrane that needs to be removed to avoid suffocation. As soon as the membrane is removed, the mom will lick the puppy, which stimulates breathing. After each birth, the placenta afterbirth will follow. The mother may eat it, and this is perfectly normal. This is discussed at the prep stage. However, if there is something more complicated, you will need to take your Lab to the vet. The gestation period in dogs is around 63 days or 9 weeks. But how long does the birth actually last? It generally takes a Labrador between hours to deliver her puppies, but it can take up to 24 hours. Puppies are usually born at intervals of 1 to 2 hours, but this can vary. Before this, she may be in the 1st stage of labor, while her cervix dilates, between hours. Your dog may rest for 2 hours before the next delivery, and sometimes this can extend to 4 hours. Sometimes, several puppies are born quickly. This process continues until all the puppies are born and each placenta is passed. Stage 2 is known as the delivery of the puppies, and Stage 3 is the delivery of the placenta. Dogs typically alternate between stages 2 and 3 until delivery is complete. The placenta and the pup are not always delivered together. If your Labrador is giving birth the first time, you may be wondering, how many puppies can she have? A Labrador may have puppies per litter — the average is 7 puppies for large breeds. However, the first litter is generally smaller. Factors that determine litter size include time and method of conception whether artificial insemination , age of the dam, past pregnancies, health, and diet. Check out these interesting facts around litter sizes: The average puppy count for large and giant breeds is seven per litter, according to this study of breeds and 10, litters. Labradors are capable of having 10 puppies. Dogs are most fertile 48 hours after ovulation because hormone levels are just right. Artificial insemination can result in fewer puppies due to how semen is preserved. The age of the male sire can affect litter size too. Now what? A big part of the preparation is to ensure that everything is ready for the new mom and pups after the birth. She will be exhausted and need lots of rest and love. And the newborn pups will be adorable helpless creatures that need their canine mom and their human mom or dad too! Your vet will offer specifics if there are precise health concerns for your Labrador. But otherwise, here are the general guidelines to keep the new family safe and sound: Once your Labrador has had sufficient time to recuperate, take her outside to urinate and get some fresh air. Encourage her to drink some water and see if she has an appetite. At this stage, all the puppies should be warm and snuggled in the whelping box. Let mom join them and begin nursing. Make sure the pups are getting enough food from mom and that she is getting enough rest to care for them properly. If your Labrador is unable to produce milk for a while, you will need puppy milk formula to feed them yourself from a bottle. Final Thoughts Labradors are smart, instinctual, and amazingly affectionate. They also make awesome moms. And they know exactly what they need to do during the birth of their puppies. I hope this guide has given you confidence in knowing what to do when your Labrador is giving birth. You will also know when you are needed, and you will have everything ready to go from your checklist if she tags you in! Good luck, and you will soon be hugging those little balls of fluff! This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute pet medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for your pet. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below.