labradoodle puppies health issues

Chews can help to stop this. Some are tough enough to give hours of fun and many have health benefits, in particular for their teeth. They also have a soothing effect on your dogs. If you have anxious or hyperactive dogs chews can help to relax them. What are English Bulldogs? English Bulldogs are medium sized muscular dogs with wrinkled faces and short legs. Their heads and necks are enormous and their jaws are massive, broad and square. Their upper lips hang down and they have pushed-in noses. Their coats are short and smooth. A distinctive feature of these dogs is that they drool and slobber, which makes them even cuter. Although they look intimidating, they are in fact very affectionate, playful and perfect as family dogs. However they are also protective and make good guard dogs. What Types of Chews Are There? Basically they can be divided into 2 different categories, those that are edible and those that are toys. Both are good for the dental health of your dogs. In addition they can get food poisoning from viruses and parasites which can cause big problems in the gastrointestinal system. You need to avoid this despite their pleading looks. Edible chews include bones, sticks and treats. Dogs find that they smell and taste delicious, although we may find the smell unpleasant. The downside to edible chews is that they can make a mess. They can also become costly if your dogs have a couple a day. Synthetic chews are often made of rope or nylon and are much cleaner than edible chews. Like edible chews, they help with dental health. All have an appealing scent so are not as smelly as edible chews. English Bulldogs have strong jaws so need a tougher chew. Soft ones will be gone in five minutes if not less. It is also a good idea to supplement the edible chews with toy chews as they will keep your dogs occupied while you are out. Elk Antlers Elk antlers are a good choice for English bulldogs. Not only are they tough, but they have health benefits. They contain calcium which is good for the bones and teeth. There is collagen which improves skin health, helps with joint pain and boosts muscle mass. In addition elk antlers contain phosphorus which is good for the kidneys, muscles, bones and blood vessels. In fact they are as strong as bones. They massage the gums and increase jaw strength, as well as looking after general dental health. A lot of them are shed naturally by elks so you will be doing something for animal welfare. Rawhide Rawhide is another tough chew, but it is controversial. On the other hand there are some rawhide chews that are promoted by vets. They are safe and are easily digestible. It may be a good idea to get advice from your vet. You could buy your English Bulldogs bully sticks. They are made of pizzle, and for dogs they are very tasty. They are dense so last a long time so will keep your English Bulldogs occupied. Unfortunately, on the downside, they do smell horrible. Beef Tracheas Beef tracheas are also a good choice as they are made of cartilage and are tough. They contain glucosamine and chondroitin. These both help your English Bulldogs to build cartilage and help to ease any joint pain they may have. They are made from cow and yak milk which is turned into cheese. It is mixed with salt and lime juice and then left to dry for a few weeks. This makes it very hard which is good for your English Bulldogs. They also come from cattle and yaks which are not treated with antibiotics or hormones. Other Options Finally there are dog chew toys which also give hours of enjoyment. Yes, your English Bulldogs may prefer an edible chew, but they will still have fun with a toy especially if they are left alone for a while. The best materials to go for are rubber or nylon as they are more durable. With too soft a material your dogs may be able to tear the chew apart and may swallow pieces and even the stuffing. There are also chew toys which can be filled with treats which gives your pups an extra incentive to play. They are totally natural and organic and are made from yak and cow milk from which the lactose is taken out. There is also no gluten in them, another thing that can irritate and cause allergies. They are 6 — 8 inches in length and 1 — 2 inches in width which will give your English Bulldogs hours of enjoyment. In fact they are dense and last up to 5 times longer than rawhide chews. They are the largest elk antlers on Amazon and they are 6 — 12 inches long and weigh between 9. They are dense which will suit your English Bulldogs and last longer than bully sticks, rawhides or pigs ears. They can last up to 14 hours which will provide hours of fun for your pups. In addition they are healthy and are a fantastic source of calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc. They are also good for dental health. There are no antibiotics, hormones or additives in these antlers. They also come from free-ranging elk that shed their antlers naturally. They are picked in the forest and hand sorted by Jim Hodges Dog Training. Beef Tracheas are made from cartilage and are very healthy. They are jam-packed full of vitamins and minerals, are high in protein and low in fat. They have glucosamine and chondroitin which helps with joint pain and arthritis. They will help your English bulldogs increase their movability and flexibility. They are made by intertwining 3 sticks and have excellent health benefits. They are high in protein which helps to build muscle mass. They are also low in fat which contributes to a lean dog. English Bulldogs are greedy dogs so these treats will help to keep their weight down. Another benefit of these chews is that they are excellent for dental health and help to remove plaque and tartar. They are made from grass-fed, free-range cattle and contain no hormones or chemicals. If your English Bulldogs are prone to allergies, these bully sticks are a good choice as they are free from corn, soy and grain, all of which can cause allergies. In addition to there being no chemicals, there are no artificial preservatives or colors either. They are made from free-range and grass-fed cattle, with no added hormones. They are great for dental health as well and clean the teeth, so reducing plaque and tartar. They are also odorless which is a great bonus. They are the perfect chews for an aggressive chewer. It will take a lot for your English Bulldogs to destroy these toys. They are a great design. Flat chews can be difficult for your dogs to hold, but this chew is wishbone shaped which is much easier. It also has deep grooves, which makes it even simpler for your dogs to grip. The information in the above list is provided courtesy of dogtime. Can Bulldogs Have Rawhide Bones? No cooked bones and now bones bought from the store. Maybe you can give your dog rawhide bones then? Unfortunately, the answer is, again, no. Dogs have been known to contract and suffer from Salmonella and E. Coli after chewing on rawhide bones. In addition, rawhide bones often contain gelatin, artificial sweeteners, and other additives and preservatives. These ingredients can be toxic to your dog. Rawhide bones have led to digestion problems, blockages, and cancer. All of this being said, your dog will in all likelihood not die if you give them a store bought bone or a rawhide bone to chew on. Although there are more dangers in presenting these bones to your dog versus presenting them with a raw bone, the dog bones that you can find in the store have to go through screening processes to make sure that they are safe. The best option, however, is still a raw bone or a raw recreational bone. Health Benefits of Chewing on Bones Chewing on bones is instinctual for dogs. They are a historically predatory species, and it is in their nature to gnaw on bones. Setting aside any physical health gains, a dog chewing on a bone is a happy dog. Bones are great sources of calcium and phosphorous, as well as a plenitude of other beneficial minerals that your dog needs in order to remain healthy and active. Chewing on bones strengthens stomach muscles, prevents bloating, and helps with bowel movements. Dangers to Watch Out for When Chewing Bones The biggest danger in letting your dog chew on a bone is the potential for the bone splintering and your dog ingesting a piece of the bone. While bigger dogs may be able to swallow a small piece of bone without batting an eye, smaller dogs can choke. However, even if your dog is quite large, swallowing a piece of bone can cause digestive issues. This is why small bones and cooked bones are such a problem because they have a higher likely hood of splintering when your dog chews on it. Make sure that your dog is chewing a bone that is proportional to their size. A large dog chewing a small bone can end up swallowing the bone and choking. Likewise, a small dog chewing a big bone can injure their teeth or jaw. A dog, especially a smaller breed of dog, can break one or more of its teeth chewing on a hard bone. Their teeth will be tender and more vulnerable to cracking or breaking. Do not give your dog a bone if they suffer from pancreatitis. The marrow in bones is high in fat, which can lead to diarrhea or a flare up in your dog. Watch to make sure that the bone does not splinter or that your dog does not swallow the bone whole. Give your dog a bone after they have already eaten their meal, as they are less likely to chew too vigorously when they are full. Once the bone becomes worn down, throw it out. Once a bone has become weak, it is more likely to splinter and cause damage. You need to know your dog and know how they eat. If you know that your dog is a particularly violent eater, then perhaps it is not the best idea to give them a bone that might break under pressure. Give your dog a bone that is longer than the length of their muzzle, as that makes it impossible for them to swallow the bone and choke. When the bone is cut, it becomes weaker and will break more easily. Bully Sticks are made out of one ingredient: beef muscle, meaning they are digestible and tasty. They are much easier to digest than rawhide and carry the additional benefit of not being full of chemicals, gelatin, or additives. If your dog is a particularly violent chewer, then you can even buy a braided Bully Stick that will last longer. There are also Bully Sticks made in fun patterns to stimulate your dog mentally while they chew. The only downside to using Bully Sticks in place of bones is that you lose the calcium and phosphorous that you get from bones. However, Bully Sticks are a very good alternative to bones if you are looking for one. You can buy them on Amazon here. Additional Questions Can dogs eat chicken bones? Dogs can eat chicken read Can Bulldogs Eat Chicken? Raw vs. Cooked and chicken bones, as long as they are raw and the bone is not too small for your dog breed. Cooked chicken bones will splinter and can injure your dog, and big dogs can end up swallowing small chicken bones. However, chicken bones can be quite beneficial to the health of your dog. Post Views: 1, These include Pig ears, Rawhide sticks and hooves. Rawhide is an extremely dangerous chewy for a Bulldog; while they love them their life is always at risk when you give them Rawhide, yes even under your supervision! Bulldogs have a tendency to Chew the Rawhide making it soft and slimy they then will inhale the whole piece causing obstruction, foaming at the mouth then this will cause them to collapse from lack of oxygen into their lungs weather you are or not experience with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR on a dog it is not worth the risk giving your Bulldren Rawhide. Although they are said to be percent digestible they are NOT many do not realize that Canine digestion is very different than human digestion; they do not have the digestive chemical breakdown like humans do. The veterinary journal now shows compressed vegetable chew treats, of which Greenies is the most popular sold, are now the third biggest cause of esophageal obstruction in dogs behind bones, rawhide and fish hooks. In my opinion they should be pulled from the shelves! To many precious dogs have lost their life chewing these now. The Nylabone Durachews are a good one and they last a long time. They make excellent dog chews because they are made of a bony material and so are hard, long-lasting, interesting to the dog and not smelly or staining. They are similar in hardness to a Nylabone, but tastier and healthier. Not all Bulldogs will appreciate chewing antlers the most are young puppies and Bulldogs that just love to chew! Antler chews are also full of nutrients such as calcium. Here are a few tips to help your Bully to enjoy the antler chew and keep him or her safe. The come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If there are any, it is easy to remove them by rubbing the sharp edge with sandpaper or I have done this with a nail file. If he is bearing down hard on the antler, it is best to take it away since chewing any hard chew this way could damage the teeth. They sell a huge selection of very Durable toys that are long lasting! They have some out now called Rip-apart's and our guys will spend hours playing with these trying to take the shells off of them. TJ has had this shark for over 6 months now and plays with it everyday and looks as good as the day it was purchased and he claimed it as his : These are fantastic and our Bullies love them! You can pick these up now in just about any pet shops! We highly recommend these even our puppies love them but even though these are rawhide free never leave your Bulldog untended with any type of chewy. But also, they have a tendency to be destructive. Namely — to their toys. Like shoes, purses, baseball caps, remote controls, end tables… In addition, bulldogs can also show a softer side to their favorite toys. Have you ever heard of English Bulldogs suckling their toys? And believe me, it is CUTE. Below I roundup and review toys that are recommended specifically for bulldogs. I go over durability, safety, enjoyment, and overall quality. They deserve the best of the best, and top quality toys. And in case you have no idea what that means, think about how a baby sucks on a pacifier. Or a young toddler who sucks their thumb. Bulldogs do this type of thing as well. But they do it with their stuffed toys, or their blankets or beds. Not sure why there would be a difference, but that was the case. I believe it makes them feel safe and comforted. Because whenever my bulldogs start to suckle, they go into almost a trance-like state, and basically fall asleep while doing it. Oh, and one other thing — it is sooo adorable to watch!! We have gone through so many Snoopy plush toys over the years. The hands and feet have squeakers in them, but no one tends to play with those parts of the monkey. For some reason, this specific monkey is a sought after suckle toy for my dogs. How many people actually recall who Lamb Chop is? Anyone born prior to millennial age will probably have a good recollection. Lamb Chop was created by entertainer and puppeteer Shari Lewis, who spent over 30 years performing for children on educational TV shows. But for some reason, my big guy loves to suckle on this one. Best English Bulldog Chew Toys For English Bulldogs who love to chew, you need to find a durable, quality product to stand up to their powerful jaws. But I do really like the quality of Nylabone brand chew toys. There are four different areas to hold onto, for them to get the best gnawing grip. Plus there is an English Bulldog on the actual packaging! The blue rubber part in the middle makes a crinkling or crackly sound as it bends. There are different versions, but the one we have contains animal sounds. We have the largest one, which is really about the size of a baseball. My smaller dog cannot fit it into her mouth, but my big guy can. Just be careful if you have a chewer, since the plastic is pretty solid. Wekin Anti-Burst Exercise Ball This is a really fun one, especially if you have a bullie who likes to herd. Have you heard about a competitive sport for dogs called Treibball? If you are in an actual competition, your dog will push 8 balls into a goal. But this inflatable exercise ball has provided hours of outdoor activity for my dogs. The question, however, is should they eat them? The problem is that some treats are loaded with salt, fat, fillers, artificial ingredients, coloring, and, sadly, even more. If, however, you feed them low-quality treats all the time, they will start to suffer from various health problems, including obesity, joint problems, tummy problems, diabetes, and several more. Below are a few ingredients you should avoid when choosing a treat for your English Bulldog. Do your best to avoid treats with these ingredients. Salt Like sugar, salt often goes by other names on the ingredient list, like sodium chloride, iodized salt, and sea salt. Yes, some salt is needed, but not much. Like humans, too much salt can cause various health problems in dogs. Dairy Dairy products, while generally healthy, are also a common cause of food sensitivity. If your English Bully has problems with sensitivity, avoid treats with any dairy in them like cheese and milk. Corn Unfortunately, corn is a cheap meat replacement found in many dogs treat recipes. First, grains can provide some needed nutrients. Also, peas are often used in place of grains, and peas have been linked to diet-associated canine heart disease DCM. Calories Calories are great when your English Bulldog needs some quick energy. Long-term chews usually have the highest calorie count, so give them sparingly to your English Bulldog. What To Look for in Dog Treats for Your English Bulldog Just as there are ingredients you should avoid, there are several you should look for in a good dog treat for your English Bulldog. They include:.

Also called Miniature Labrapoos, Labradoodles, and Labradorpoos, the Miniature Labradoodle is a well-known hybrid breed in a smaller package. They are sweet-natured and smart, and they love to spend time with their people. They are affectionate with their family. They are also tolerant and compassionate, and they tend to be well-behaved around people of all ages and other pets. Labradoodles are generally healthy and should live to be 10 to 14 years old. These qualities make Miniature Labradoodles an ideal family dog that does well with other pets and children. Even the most inexperienced dog parents find this breed to be easy to train and eager to please. They are too gentle and sweet to make a good guard dog, but they can be useful watchdogs. They are small and fluffy, square and athletic. Long, furry ears are set on the top and back of their heads. Their muzzles can be medium to long. The Miniature Labradoodle coat varies a great deal, ranging from straight to loose curls, and usually kept about 4 to 6 inches in length. The coat may be one of three textures. They could have hair similar to fur in shedding dogs, they could have a more dense and non-shedding wool, or they could have more of a silky fleece. They come in a variety of colors: Gold. Typically a Black Poodle is bred with a Black Lab, but since black is a dominant color, sometimes another color of poodle red, chocolate, etc , can still have black puppies. Black Labradoodles have become wildly popular for their sweet, lovable nature, familiar black color, low-shedding and hypoallergenic coat characteristics. Labradoodles come in other colors, such as chocolate, yellow, cream, parti-colors, and occasionally red, but some people love the sweet nature of a Black Labradoodle. Many first generation Black Labradoodles f1 will shed. We recommend getting an F1b Black Labradoodle if you're worried about shedding or have dog allergies. Friendly Black Labradoodles One of the most desirable characteristics of the Black Labradoodle is their deep love of people. A Black Labradoodle is the happiest when they are surrounded by people that they love. They are highly intelligent and trainable, Black Labradoodles enjoy the stimulation of training and are eager to please their loved ones so they pick up on the cues very quickly. Some Black Labradoodle puppies receive many of the Poodle characteristics of being reserved, having a coat that is very fine and needs regular trimming. While other Black Labradoodles receive the excitable and almost immature nature of the Labrador Retrievers. As the Black Labradoodle becomes more common and breeders are crossing them with more consistency the discrepancies are becoming less of an issue and the breed is becoming more consistent. It is important to realize that the AKC does not yet recognize Black Labradoodles as an official breed, though most other registrations recognize them. The AKC actually does not yet recognize any of the doodles. Most families that want a wonderful dog, and are not concerned about show events do not care that the AKC does not officially recognize the Black Labradoodle currently. Black Labradoodle Best Breeders The best way to avoid the inconsistencies of the Black Labradoodle breed is to adopt from a reputable breeder. Avoid puppy mills at all cost and make sure that the breeder you buy from is caring for the health and wellness of your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy from before conception until you take your Black Labradoodle home with you. A Black Labradoodle should have a sleek, black coat with no sprinklings of any other color and have a black nose. Talk to your breeder about silver and blue Labradoodles as they often appear black as puppies. Some people prefer the looks of a silver or blue Labradoodle to a Black Labradoodle. A Blue Labradoodle, for instance, will start out looking like a Black Labradoodle, but as it grows its coat will come in a beautiful "blue" color. Although the color is called "blue" in the dog world it is almost a gun metal gray. Silver Labradoodles are a lighter silver color than a Blue Labradoodle. We are happy to refund deposits any time for any reason. We will clearly announce the pricing for each mini Labradoodle litter in a litter announcement. Apply Now If you are interested in a miniature Labradoodle puppy please consider filling out the application. Years ago, we'd announce litters to nearly people on an email waiting list. Within the first minute or two, the entire litter would be spoken for, and families who received a doodle puppy felt like they'd won the lottery. Since then, we've developed a thorough application process, seeking the very best mini Labradoodle forever homes. Please do not place a mini Labradoodle deposit unless your doodle application is accepted. We seek to fairly and thoroughly evaluate each miniature Labradoodle application within business days at which point we let you know the answer for your mini Labradoodle application: "yes," "no," or "wait. Your mini Labradoodle application does NOT obligate you to give a deposit or adopt a mini Labradoodle puppy. The mini Labradoodle application is simply your first step to express a level of interest in getting a mini Labradoodle puppy. After giving a deposit, your family would receive mini Labradoodle litter announcements in an effort to match you with the perfect miniature Labradoodle. Each adopting family has the option to pass on as many Labradoodle litters as they want until finding the perfect doodle puppy. Seeking to be the best mini Labradoodle breeders, we refund doodle deposits any time for any reason. It doesn't make sense to us why nearly every other mini Labradoodle breeder requires non-refundable deposits. We have FAR more demand than supply for our mini Labradoodles. Your application helps us determine if your family would make an excellent forever home to one of our precious mini Labradoodle puppies. We have no desire to keep a family's mini Labradoodle deposit if they've located a mini doodle with another breeder or if they've chosen not to get a mini Labradoodle at all. Life Span Did You Know? Second-generation crosses could include a Labradoodle and a Mini Poodle or two Mini Labradoodles as parents. This hybrid dog breed was originally developed to create smaller potential service dogs that might be a good fit for people with allergies to dog fur. With a mixed breed, you can end up with any combination of traits from the parent breeds. Often, Mini Labradoodles are smart, friendly, and sociable dogs that are highly trainable. They are often found working as service dogs and therapy dogs and living as beloved family companions. Although they are not recognized by the AKC, the Mini Labradoodle is recognized by other canine registries. A Mini Labradoodle is a combination of two friendly dog breeds that crave human affection and are always happy to have company. These dogs also tend to have playful, energetic personalities and low prey drives. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Due to their smaller size, these dogs can be injured by accidental rough play or accidental falls, so any interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised. Miniature Labradoodles will usually bark to alert you when someone is at the door, but generally are not prone to nuisance barking unless they have been trained into it. It may not be a bad idea to train your dog to stop barking early on. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles may be initially wary of strangers, but tend to warm up quickly and will often be happy to make a new friend. Miniature Labradoodles are highly adaptable. Provided they get enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation, they can adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They tend to do best in moderate climates, but can tolerate warmer or colder climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Although they tend to have a fluffier coat, they are also smaller and may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks in the cold. Mini Labradoodles are also very much companion breeds. They bond closely with their families and thrive on being near them, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The health of the parents and good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of Mini Labradoodle puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done to help allay any concerns you may have. Miniature Labradoodles tend to be highly intelligent and eager to please. This generally makes them easy to train and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. In fact, their parent breeds are considered some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. These dogs respond best to consistent training and positive reinforcement. Puppy training classes can ensure that owners of any experience level learn the latest training techniques and start building a strong bond with their puppy. Grooming requirements with a Mini Labradoodle can vary. On the Poodle side, you have a low-shedding, but high-maintenance, coat that needs daily brushing along with trimming and grooming every weeks. On the Lab side, you have a higher shedding coat that is more low-maintenance, requiring some weekly brushing or brushing a few times a week and intermittent bathing. Overall, Mini Labradoodles range from having a non- to low-shedding coat. They can have one coat type or the other, or a combination of both of them. So, you will want to be prepared for brushing a coat a few times a week and the possibility of more grooming needs. Regardless of coat type, there are some other general grooming tasks you can count on. Regular dental care for your dog will help prevent serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay later in life. This is especially important for dog breeds with floppy ears as they are more prone to developing ear infections. Miniature Labradoodles can be high-energy dogs. In general, they require daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity to be happy and healthy. Since they love to be around their family and can have an exuberant and outgoing personality, they will likely be up for more playtime if you are. This little dog may get tired more easily at times and could push themselves too far in their excitement. On the other hand, they may just keep going and going with no signs of slowing down. What is most important is making sure your Miniature Labradoodle gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Fully-grown Mini Labradoodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Miniature Labradoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Labradoodle Article.

Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article. South African Boerboel Puppies Puppies are vet checked, dewormed with first vaccines and docked tails. We have been vet checked, received our first shots and up to date on deworming We are.They are currently 8 weeks old and are ready to go. They have first shots deworming and are registered with a long list of pedigree. Vet checked only. These happy girls will come vet checked, first shots and dewormed. If you're looking for a sweet.Registered litter.Both parents are UKC registered. We have 4 males and 8females. They are being raised under foot around children and an assortment of other animals. They will come with vet.Ready for first vaccination. This breed is the must loyal. Kind abd sweet pet you can get. Great house guard. Litter is registered- papers, breeding rights at an additional cost. She comes with her shots and deworming x2 and flea and tick.Catharines we have an amazing all white American bulldog for sale. We are really attached but have to give her away. Mom is an American Bulldog and dad is a Boxer. Both parents have amazing temperments. If you like lots of snuggles then these babies are for.Raised with kids and a newborn all family dogs parents are family.We have remaining: 1 brown female 1 brown male 1 brindle female 1 brindle male They come dewormed. Vaccinated 4x dewormed UKC registered Please message me for more inquiries or questions and visit our instagram pages.Gorgeous Litter of eleven. Born July 15th, and are ready for their new home. There are 3 girls available. They will come fully vet checked with first and second shots, de worming and a clear bill of health.We have a litter of sweet American Bulldog puppies born on May 1,vary smart and they are looking for their forever homes! These puppies are the best

Contact About Mini Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are one of the most popular "designer dogs" and are a hybrid breed obtained by combining a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are known for their kind and intelligent personalities. They are highly trainable, outgoing, and family-friendly. Goldendoodles give you the best of both breeds in a warm fuzzy package. They have charming personalities with a goofy fun-loving nature and are all-around great family pets. Goldendoodle coats can be tight curls to loose wavy curls, and are low- to non-shedding, making them great for allergy sufferers. Goldendoodles have been one of our favorite dogs for quite some time. We not only love that they are hypoallergenic and low-shedding, their desire to please and just to hang out and be one of the family members is awesome. They love to do whatever it is you're doing. We take ours hiking, camping, and going on the razor. We also love just hanging out with them and watching TV. We are sure you will love our puppies as much as we do. F1 Goldendoodle: The F1 goldendoodle is a first generation hybrid. They have added health benefits associated to hybrid vigour. This is a phenomenon known in animal breeding. This refers to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated purebred lines makes the litter healthier and better then either parent line. Coat Maintenance: Expect to groom your F1 Goldendoodle about times per year, or every months. Brushing required depends on how long you keep their coat. Dogs that are kept in a "puppy coat" cut require little to no brushing. Longer coats require frequent brushing to avoid matting. Coat Description: Goldendoodle coats grows to a natural body length of inches. Many choose to have the fur cut back once every few months to keep the fur shorter and easier to maintain. Coats are usually wavy in the F1 Generation. Shedding: Most are very light- to non-shedding. Allergy friendliness is usually successful in families with mild allergies. F1b Goldendoodle: The F1b Goldendoodle, is a first generation dog bred back to a poodle to ensure non-shedding allergy-friendliness. For families with severe allergies. Although there is less vigour in this crossing then in the original hybrid, the first generation backcross still is close enough in the breeding tree to benefit from hybrid vigour. With each successive generation vigour is lost. Coat maintance: Expect to groom your F1B Goldendoodle about times per year, or every months. Coat description: Coat continues to grow in length similar in appearance to an F1 Goldendoodle; coats can be wavy or curly. Shedding: Very Light to non-shedding. Recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies. Life Span Did You Know? Although this breed is very popular, it is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club. As long as they are well-socialized, Miniature Goldendoodles tend to make excellent family companions. They tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they will alert you of strangers at the door, they tend to warm up quickly as they are more interested in making friends and receiving attention. Mini Goldendoodles are highly adaptable dogs. Their smaller size makes them a great fit for apartment living or for bigger homes with yards where they can run. As long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention, they can adapt well. These little dogs tend to do well in just about any climate. However, like any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Due to their smaller size, you may need to gear up with some dog-friendly winter gear when temperatures start falling. Because this dog breed is loyal and people-oriented, they love to be in your company and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. This means they can be prone to developing separation anxiety if you do not work with them on it early on. Instead, make sure your new Mini Goldendoodle puppy has an active role in your life. If you do need to leave them alone for a bit, make sure they have some comforting toys or challenging puzzles to keep them from getting bored. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests and clearances that have been done. The Mini Goldendoodles is a highly intelligent dog that picks up on things quickly and is eager to please. They tend to be sensitive to tone of voice as well. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward, a Mini Goldendoodle will strive to be obedient and impress you and tends to excel at almost any task. These traits make the Mini Goldendoodle one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles and prevent mats. Bathing is occasional and can often be relegated to the dog groomer that is recommended you visit every weeks. The groomer can help handle some of this during visits, but you will still need to do some maintenance at home between visits. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed help prevent ear infections. Daily brushing, plus cleanings at the vet as needed, is good dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Although the parents of this breed have a lot of energy, a Mini Goldendoodle tends to sit in a more moderate activity range. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are usually enough for them. But, they are also likely to match their energy level to yours, so be prepared for some bursts of energy as well as plenty of cuddling on the couch. Fully-grown Mini Goldendoodles usually stand inches tall at the shoulder. A Miniature Goldendoodle puppy can vary in size based on the generation of the dog. The result is generally a dog that will range from pounds. Looking at the size of the parents for an F1 or F1-B puppy can be a good indication of what size to expect in a fully-grown Miniature Goldendoodle. Mini Goldendoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Goldendoodle Article.

We are in-home breeders with long-term, ethical breeding practices. We partner with each other to serve the United States with excellent, low-tempered, family dogs that are blocky and stunningly beautiful. Our Breeding Program We are not a puppy mill. We are a family business. Bill and Rita live outside Pittsburgh, PA and are retired couple who enjoy our acre hobby farm and go to great lengths to ensure that our parent dogs and puppies are treated with the best care. We are small, professional hobby breeders and always strive to protect and improve the breed. Our interview process ensures that families are able to provide a good home and environment for our puppies. We stand behind our puppies and offer a 2 year health guarantee and have many happy customers that have ongoing relationships with us. They are carefully socialized every day with the ENS Super Dog Protocol , along with lots of love and kisses from all ages of children and adults. We feed the highest quality food, and our doggies enjoy being in a home where they are cared for all day long. Our dogs are family dogs that sleep in our home. They all are highly trained, groomed, exercised, and socialized. 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. We even have all types of golden retrievers for sale! At My Golden Retriever Puppies, we pride ourselves on our golden retriever puppy price being fair and affordable for high quality puppies. Location Information for Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of golden retriever puppies for sale. How do I know which breeders to trust in Pittsburgh? 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. We have answers. The cost of Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and throughout our network are determined based on the unique characteristics and availability of each. For instance, red Golden Retriever puppies for sale in PA, english cream Golden Retriever puppies for sale in PA, or white golden retriever puppies for sale in PA may be priced differently than puppies with more standard coloring. Other factors include sex, breeder experience, size, and temperament. We are confident we can match you with the right Golden Retriever breeders in PA! Does your network of breeders and businesses transport out of state? Yes, all of the breeders and companies we work with are able to safely transport your new pup to any major airport or the continental 48 states for you to pick up. Do you have reputable Golden Retriever breeders in PA near me? Absolutely, we do have Golden Retriever breeders PA within our network. All of the Golden Retriever puppies in PA are with breeders and businesses who have all been carefully screened and agreed to our Breeder Pledge. How do you screen breeders? We are committed to only working with highly experienced and ethical breeders and businesses who are trusted experts. We go above and beyond just trying to sell you a puppy, and provide a proprietary MatchMaking service to find the right puppy for a puppy match made in heaven. If you connect with a local breeder or company, you are able to drive to visit or pick up your potential new puppy! Our network of breeders and companies have a large range of puppies, ranging from multiple colors to purebred and mixed puppies. We created our unique MatchMaker experience to make a hassle free and fun way for families and owners just like you to find a puppy who will fit into their lifestyle and be a lifelong best friend. We use our questionnaire to find out exactly what you need in a new member of the family and then pair you with breeders and companies who have your perfect pooch! Is Uptown Puppies trustworthy? We hold ourselves to the highest standards of quality customer satisfaction and above board businesses practices and ethics.

Whether you're creating marketing materials, designing a website, or working on a personal project, incorporating black pug images can be a great way to communicate your message and connect with your audience. The Selection of Black Pug Images Available Our stock image library offers a wide variety of black pug images to choose from. We have high-quality photos and vector graphics that showcase black pugs in different poses, settings, and moods. Some of our images feature black pugs on their own, while others show the dogs in group settings with other animals or people. Our black pug images can be used for a range of purposes, including marketing and advertising, social media, web design, print media, and personal projects. Whether you need a cute and playful image for a children's book or a serious and professional image for a corporate website, we have the perfect black pug image for your needs. How to Choose the Right Black Pug Image for Your Project Choosing the right black pug image for your project can be a challenging task, but with a little guidance, you can make the process easier and more effective. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Consider your audience — Who are you trying to reach with your project? What kind of message do you want to convey? Make sure the black pug image you choose is appropriate and relevant to your target audience and fits with your branding and messaging goals. Think about the context — Where will your image be used? Consider the layout, colors, and style of your project and choose a black pug image that complements and enhances those elements. Focus on quality — Our black pug images are of the highest quality, but make sure the image you choose is clear, well-lit, and visually appealing. Avoid using low-resolution or poorly composed images that can distract or detract from your message. Benefits of Using Black Pug Images for Your Projects Using black pug images in your projects offers a range of benefits, including: Adding personality and character — Black pugs are known for their playful and affectionate personalities. Using black pug images can help to inject those qualities into your project and make it more relatable and engaging for your audience. Enhancing emotional appeal — Black pug images can evoke a range of emotions, from joy and happiness to nostalgia and comfort. Using black pug images can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and create a more meaningful and memorable experience. Standing out from the competition — Incorporating black pug images into your project can help it stand out from the crowd and differentiate it from the competition. With many different black pug images to choose from, you can find the perfect image that sets your project apart and captures your audience's attention. With the wide variety of black pug images we offer, you're sure to find the perfect image for your project. From playful and whimsical to serious and professional, our black pug images can help you enhance the personality and emotional appeal of your project and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Black Pugs Overview Pugs are found in two basic colors, black and fawn, plus silver-fawn and apricot-fawn standard with clubs other than the AKC. Black is a very interesting coat color with the Pug; distinctive markings seen with fawns do not show on black Pugs, however, an all black Pug is extraordinarily beautiful. This article will dive into the details about black Pugs including popularity, variations, possible markings, photo examples, mistaking brindle for black, coat aspects, questions regarding behavior, and origin. Black Pugs in Kennel Club Breed Standards Though there are variances in regard to non-black Pugs with all major kennel clubs, there is agreement across the board regarding black Pugs. How Common Are Black Pugs If you've noticed that there are generally fewer photos of black Pugs than fawn Pugs or that you don't see black Pugs in person very often, this is because there really are fewer of them. To determine more precisely how many black Pugs there are, we presented the question of 'What color is your Pug? This polling suggests that a bit less than one-fourth of Pugs are black or in other words, 1 in 4 Pugs have black coats. Variations with Black Pugs In conformation show rings, all major kennel clubs expect black Pugs to be solid black. And, this is indeed what many black Pugs are, but there are some exceptions. Black Pugs can have small markings, sometimes referred to as a mismark, which can occasionally be seen with Pugs of all colors. If this occurs, it is often a small white or light patch on the chest. Aside from this, there can be larger markings, seen as faults in the show ring, which may include a larger area of white on the chest or a scattering of lighter hairs throughout the coat. This doesn't stop her from being active with her family, Jerry, Shelly and Taylor Koltz in Frisco, Texas Just like humans, dogs can develop gray hairs as they age. It does not happen to all Pugs, but to a majority of them to some extent. While this will not be very noticeable on fawn Pugs, gray hairs on black Pugs stand out quite a bit. In some cases, graying will only be seen around the face, but other seniors can grow gray hairs on any other areas of the body. The appearance of gray hairs with black Pugs may start as early as the 8-year mark, but is most commonly seen with those age 10 and up. Mistaking Brindle for Black Brindle is a pattern of interlocking striping colors and is not an accepted standard color for the Pug with any of the well-known kennel clubs. In fact, many wonder where this color came from or if it can even truly exist in the Pug bloodline. Other breeds were used to develop the Pug which is where the pattern most likely came from; however, since it is not a color called out for in breed standards, most breeders do not aim to produce this and it is only seen sporadically. As you can see with Luna here photo below who is a brindle, there is a lot of black in the coat. Yet, it is woven in with fawn as part of the brindle pattern. While she may have an overall appearance of a dark coat, this should not be confused with a true black coat. This may lead you to wonder why there are more fawn Pugs than black ones. The main reason is that breeders choose more often to produce fawns. If both colors were equally represented within all breeding programs, there would be many more litters of black Pug puppies than there currently are. Each pup's color is determined by a pair of color genes, one comes from the dam, the other from the sire. If both genes in the pair are black, the Pug will be black. If one gene is black and the other is fawn, the pup will be black since it is the dominant gene and overpowers the fawn. If both genes are fawn, the Pug will be fawn. Interestingly, despite their coloring, black Pugs carry the fawn gene, known as SS, though it is a recessive gene. The B gene produces the black coat color. Generally, it is not acceptable to breed a black Pug to a fawn. Crossing colors will not improve the coat or color of either type. Therefore, with no benefit to the pairing, most breeders will focus on one certain color. This said, due to recessive genes, a litter can consist of both fawn coats and black coats. In most cases, there will be more fawns, with a ratio. Size, body structure, ear set, bite set, tail shape , and eyes are all the same for all colors with this breed. While you may see black Pugs that are smaller than fawns, there are just as many that are larger. And while you may spot more fawns with double-curled tails, there are just as many black-coated Pugs with the double curl. Any physical differences that you may see are just a matter of those particular dogs. Non-black Pugs have black ears and a black mask black over the muzzle and around the eyes , and of course technically this is there with black Pugs but is part of the dog's overall coat. The toe nails on Pugs of all colors can be black or white, though black is preferred in conformation events. Differences - The one and only difference between the two colors is that some but not all black Pugs often have a single coat versus the double coat seen with most fawns. The double coat consists of both a soft and dense inner layer and a short, shiny outer layer. Black Pugs that have just the single layer will be missing the inner layer. While you may not notice much of a difference by eye, you can often feel the difference when petting a Pug and this does affect how much a Pug sheds. With double-coats, there will be more shedding since the inner layer rapidly cycles, especially in the fall and spring. There is generally more upkeep needed with grooming tools to remove the dead hairs. Personality Differences There is much debate on whether coat color determines a Pug's personality. Some may say that black Pugs are better behaved, are more relaxed, or are less vocal than fawns. Yet, just as many will say the opposite. The question of personality traits is one of nature versus nurture. Is behavior inbred or does a dog's environment and type of care received shape the personality? It has been our experience that while genetic traits regarding temperament can be passed down, it is how a Pug is raised, trained, and treated that will have the biggest impact on that dog's overall behavior. The Origin and Popularity Spread of Black Pugs Unlike many other breeds whose development was meticulously recorded and those documents are preserved as part of history, the Pug's early development is shrouded in mystery. General consensus is that the Pug originated in China thousands of year ago at least B. Chinese drawings, carvings, and statues depicted dogs that were, most likely, ancient ancestors of the Pug. But, unfortunately, documents covering the very early development of Pugs was essentially erased from history when some time around B. Yet, of course, moving further ahead in time, evidence and record-keeping started up again, including those connected to the appearance of black Pug dogs. Black Pugs are known to exist as early as the 's thanks to William Hogarth's painting of one in House of Cards .The artist was an owner of Pugs and portrayed many in his paintings so there is an exceptional visual record of this breed's appearance from over years ago. House of Cards, a painting by William Hogarth showing a small black Pug [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Note that this far back in the breed's development, the body was more slender and the face was not as flat. It was in that black Pugs first appeared in England which allowed them to eventually spread to other parts of the world including the United States. It is believed that Lady Annie Brassey, a Victorian author who traveled extensively, is responsible for this introduction. On one of her trips to China, she brought back a pair of black Pug puppies and decided to show them at the Maidstone Dog Show that was held that year. Due to her efforts, black Pugs where shown more and more and started gaining acceptance and popularity. Black Pugs actually became recognized as a separate variation of the Pug in by the Kennel Club in London. Do you have a Pug? This comprehensive care book guides you through every step of your Pug's life. Are you part of the PetPugDog family? Join us by becoming a free PetPugDog Member ; this will allow you to receive newsletters that announce new articles and help you stay up-to-date with care tips and other information. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.

Plot[ ] At a hospital, Butch J. Bulldog paces nervously, waiting for his baby to be born. He is, and Butch happily faints. Back at home, Butch teaches his new son how to walk, act tough, and bite cats by practicing on a dummy. One day, the young bulldog is playing with a ball when he wanders upon Sylvester. His training kicks in, and he attacks Sylvester, who proceeds to place the small bulldog under a tin can. However, Butch catches Sylvester doing this and exacts revenge by taking Sylvester to a shed and hammering the tin can onto his head and, as his emergence from the shed indicates, ultimately the rest of his body. Later, Sylvester is walking along while the baby bulldog is biting at his tail. He slaps the baby bulldog, only for Butch to catch up to him and wallop Sylvester in retaliation. After that, Sylvester reluctantly plays fetch with the baby bulldog and decides to throw the stick into a busy street, hoping the baby bulldog will be flattened. However, the young bulldog retrieves it successfully. Annoyed, Sylvester prepares to throw it again but Butch sees this and throws the stick into traffic himself, pointing for Sylvester to fetch the stick this time. Sylvester successfully retrieves it amidst heavy traffic, but is run over by a man on a scooter on the sidewalk anyway. Once again, Sylvester plays fetch with the baby bulldog again and throws a ball into a doghouse, which Sylvester boards up when the baby bulldog chases the ball into it. Sylvester plans to drop a lit stick of dynamite into the open hole on the top. However, Butch once again catches Sylvester and places the doghouse over Sylvester instead; Sylvester doesn't hammer out the nails in the boards in time, and it explodes. Sylvester sets up a booby trap of a dog bone hooked up to a shotgun. When Butch's son begins tugging on the bone, Butch gives Sylvester a stern look, prompting Sylvester to run over and plug the shotgun hole with his finger so the baby bulldog is unharmed, getting his finger shot over and over, including once in the face, as Butch's son tugs. The stork arrives and announces Butch has even more puppies to add to his family. Having had enough with dealing with more pesky baby bulldogs, Sylvester chases the stork, shooting at him. Censorship[ ] When this cartoon aired on ABC's The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show , the following scenes were edited: The sequence where Sylvester traps Butch's son in the doghouse and readies a dynamite stick to blow him up, only for Butch to appear and place the doghouse on Sylvester, blowing him up as he tries to escape. Several shots of Sylvester receiving painful blasts as he plugs the constantly firing gun and the scene of Sylvester getting his finger out and being blasted in the face were cut to make it seem like Sylvester was shot a few times off-camera. Cartoons , free of sound effects and voices. This short lacks a visible MPAA number on the credits card. The plot of this cartoon is a spoof of the Tom and Jerry cartoons with Spike and Tyke, where Spike is very protective of his son Tyke and would teach him to attack cats, particularly Tom at times. He would usually threaten and clobber Tom whenever he thinks Tom was annoying Tyke. This is one of the rare Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies cartoons to have only one animator, in this case Gerry Chiniquy. This is the only short where the stork , who is normally drunk, is sober throughout and delivers babies to the right parents. In this short, the only character who speaks on the camera is The Drunk Stork. Bulldog is meant to be the same bulldog as Hector the Bulldog from the Tweety and Sylvester cartoons, which Friz Freleng also directed at the same time. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. Spike is a burly, gray bulldog wearing a red sweater, a brown bowler hat , and a perpetual scowl. Chester is a Jack Russell terrier who is just the opposite, small and jumpy with yellow fur and brown, perky ears. The first of these films was Tree for Two .The cat is Freleng's own Sylvester , but every time Spike thinks he has the cat cornered, a runaway zoo black panther appears in Sylvester's place, thrashing the dog instead. When Chester decides to have a go of it, however, Sylvester finds himself at the little dog's mercy. By the cartoon's end, Spike and Chester have switched roles; Spike is the fawning sycophant, and Chester the smug prizefighter. The characters' second outing was in the short film Dr. Jerkyl's Hide .Chester, of course, never sees this transformed Sylvester, thinking his buddy is being beaten by the tiny tomcat. The final loss of face for Alfie is his being thrashed by a fly that has also been affected by the potion, as it occurs in front of Chester's eyes. Later appearances[ edit ] They appear in Daffy Duck's Fantastic Island as part of the characters that visit the wishing well, where Spike wishes that Chester be as brave as him, after it happening the events of Tree for Two. Spike and Chester appear in the movie Space Jam .They are seen as a pair of paramedics during the basketball game, who take Stan Podolak away after he was flattened by the Monstars. A live action version of Spike and Chester appeared in a commercial for Kibbles 'n Bits. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. Hector is a muscle-bound bulldog with gray fur except in A Street Cat Named Sylvester and Greedy for Tweety , where his fur is yellowish and walks pigeon-toed. His face bears a perpetual scowl between two immense jowls. He usually wears a black collar with silver studs. History[ edit ] His first prototype appearance was in 's Double Chaser. Hector's first true appearance was in 's Peck Up Your Troubles , where he foils Sylvester's attempts to get a woodpecker. His usual role is to protect Tweety from Sylvester, usually at Granny 's request. He typically does this through brute strength alone, but some cartoons have him outsmart the cat, such as 's Satan's Waitin' , wherein Hector as Satan convinces Sylvester to use up his nine lives by pursuing Tweety through a series of extremely dangerous situations. Later appearances[ edit ] Hector was going to have a cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit , but was later dropped for unknown reasons. In the cartoon, he plays Granny's loyal guardian. The show makes Hector's low intelligence his Achilles heel , as Sylvester is constantly outwitting him. Hector appeared in Looney Tunes Cartoons , where he appeared as a military sergeant who tries to protect Tweety from Sylvester. Henry Holt and Co.

Whether your dog is fearful of strangers or everything or exhibits sudden fear without apparent reason, there are ways to provide support and comfort. As a pet owner, you can make a significant difference in helping your scared dog overcome their fears. Turn worry into wonder with our app! Download the Zigzag app today to get your puppy training journey off to the best start you can have. Photo by Michelle Tresemer on Unsplash What makes my dog afraid of things? Dogs can be afraid of things due to different reasons. It could be a lack of early socialisation, genetics, or prior negative experiences such as trauma, stress or pain. This period is when they are most receptive to having positive reactions to new experiences. You guessed it; this makes it the perfect time to wisely and gently introduce them to new things. When a dog misses out on early socialisation, they can become fearful of these new experiences, and it can take a lot of time and work to help them overcome their fear. Would have been better to ease into them earlier. For example, a bad grooming experience, being forcefully shut in a crate or left alone for too long, can make your dog afraid of these things and become more scared of being repeatedly exposed to them. Whether through injury, illness, dominance aversive-based training methods or by associating pain with certain experiences, they can all contribute to a dog feeling scared. Fear periods Often overlooked, fear periods are those times when your puppy is suddenly afraid of that carrier bag dancing down the street or a rubbish bin clattering. Fear periods are actually quite interesting and worth learning about; our article here will explain it all. Changes in routine Dogs thrive on routines and the dependability of knowing what will happen next. Therefore, sudden changes can cause fear and anxiety, causing your dog to become easily scared or worried. Some breeds are predisposed to being slightly more fearful or cautious due to their genetic makeup, like Chihuahuas or German Shepherds , for example. On top of that, certain lines within breeds can be more likely to be naturally more fearful. As you see, just like with humans, dogs carry emotional baggage. Photo by Dominik QN on Unsplash Common things that dogs are scared of There are common things that dogs, puppies and rescue dogs are typically afraid of. In general, these are things that jump up without warning, they are loud or erratic. Turn fear into a thing of the past with our app! So at the end of the day, we could say kudos to them. Loud noises Dogs have sensitive hearing and are often scared of loud noises because it activates their startle response. A common fear in dogs is fireworks , but other loud noises they can be scared of are thunderstorms, gunshots, and even cars backfiring. Quite frankly, gunshots should startle everybody. Children Children can be scary for dogs, they are unpredictable, smell funny, often have sticky fingers and can move in strange ways. Dogs who are not socialised to babies and children from a young age, or who have had a negative experience where a child has been allowed to over-handle or pick them up, can make them scared of them. But everybody knows they can be a lot sometimes. Just ask your mother. This fear can also extend to being scared of dogs who look very different to them. For example, wolf-shaped dogs like German Shepherds to brachycephalic fancy word for flat-faced dogs may seem rather scary. It works the other way around too! The body language of different dogs can also seem scary. Some breeds are more likely to stare or hold their tail up in a way that can seem threatening to your dog. They are social creatures, after all, and as puppies are almost programmed to want to be with people as we make them feel safe. Rescue dogs in particular, have had a lot of changes and can also struggle with separation. Photo by Razvan Sassu on Unsplash Why is my dog scared of everything all of a sudden? There could be several reasons why your dog is suddenly afraid of things. Dogs communicate with their body language. This can be due to fear but can also relate to excitement. Whining, barking or howling — This might be barking AT something to make them go away, or barking, whining or howling as a self-soothing response to make themselves feel better, or get your attention. Sneezing — Sneezing is often a stress signal in dogs Our full guides to puppy body language and puppy behaviour: an overview will help you learn more about this. How can I help my dog become less scared of everything? A training plan is key to making your dog feel safe and confident when exposing them to new experiences and environments. Your training plan should involve management , positive reinforcement training with desensitisation and counter-conditioning. This might sound tricky, but our guides will help you through it. Socialisation classes Puppy socialisation classes are great for teaching your puppy that being in a strange place with strange things happening means wonderful things. Puppy classes have the advantage that everything is done in a managed way — some even offer off-lead puppy play, which is fantastic. Read our guide to finding a good puppy socialisation class to learn more about them. Positive reinforcement training Using reward-based training methods gives dogs confidence and enhances their optimism. Old-fashioned and aversive techniques that use punishments can make their fears get worse. Let them take their time, be patient with yourself and reward them with treats for being brave. Dogs communicate their feelings via their body language. When they are scared, this can include cowering, panting and drooling, or being aggressive to protect themselves. If your dog is afraid of everything, there are some things you can do to help them feel less fearful. Make sure they are safe and are not repeatedly exposed to the thing they are afraid of. Using careful management , as well as using positive reinforcement training , desensitisation, and counter-conditioning techniques to change how they feel, is key. If needed, work with a professional behaviourist or trainer to help your dog overcome their fears. If your dog is scared of other dogs, check out our article how to teach your dog to ignore other dogs. You can also teach them a reliable leave it cue to help them disengage. Our training games library will give you a heap of new things to do to make your walks and times with your dog fun and to help them build confidence. Well done! To know much more, download a trial of the Zigzag puppy training app and teach your puppy to be confident and well-socialised from the start. We also have a team of professional dog trainers on hand seven days a week to discuss your worries. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Trying to move away from the stressor Panting heavily or suddenly stops panting Keep in mind that some behaviors that look like aggression, like leash reactivity and barking , can also be signs of an underlying fear of something. For example, a typical dog might jump at the sound of a dropped pan, but a fearful dog might run, hide and then refuse to come out. How to help: If your dog only reacts to certain types of noises , like sirens or fireworks or thunder , you can use behavioral modification to help your dog learn to tolerate the sound. Use a recording of the sound to gradually desensitize him to the noise by playing it at a low volume and pairing it with treats. If your dog is trying to cope with ongoing scary sounds like construction noise, use a white noise machine to muffle the sounds. Children Kids can be fast, loud and unpredictable, and because of that, they can be challenging for even the most even-tempered dogs. If you discover that your new dog is fearful around your own children, make sure that he has an area where he can spend time away from them. Then you will need to find a positive-reinforcement dog trainer to help you assess the situation and create a training plan that keeps everyone safe. Other Dogs Unfortunately, not every dog wants to be friends with his own kind, particularly timid dogs. How to help: Helping fearful dogs learn to feel more confident around other dogs requires a slow approach and a good understanding of canine body language. You will need to slowly work through dog introductions in order to keep your dog feeling comfortable. For dogs that are mildly uncomfortable around other dogs, you should find a mellow, dog-savvy dog and try walking them together, at the same pace but with distance between them. When both dogs seem relaxed, gradually begin to bring them closer together, making sure that they remain calm and happy as they get closer. Keep early introductions short and end sessions before the nervous dog gets overwhelmed. Strangers Some dogs are uncomfortable around people that look different from their family for example, large men with beards or people wearing hats and bulky jackets , but dogs that are afraid of anyone outside their family can make going into public or having guests over traumatic. How to help: Using desensitization and counter-conditioning can help a stranger-shy dog start to overcome his fears. Continue giving treats while the person is in view for a few seconds, then have the stranger disappear. Gradually bridge the gap between your dog and the person over a series of training sessions. Going Outside Sometimes the world outside your front door is a scary place. Dogs that move to a different environment, like from the suburbs to the city, might find the noise and crowds in their new neighborhood overwhelming. Similarly, a traumatic experience outside, like having a fight with another dog, can be enough to create an overwhelming fear of going outside. Pet parents can begin the process by standing near the door with a handful of treats. Continue to build on and reward each step towards the door until your dog is able to cross the threshold. Trying to push a nervous dog beyond his comfort zone could derail the training process, so be patient and encourage your fearful pup as he learns to be a more confident dog. Talk with your veterinarian about pairing training and desensitization efforts with natural, holistic calming supplements or pheromone collars. Sometimes, medication is very helpful to calm some dogs in certain situations if natural options have not worked. Also, working with a veterinary behaviorist may be the best option if all other routes have failed. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be afraid a lot and the signs to look for. Previous owners The first reason why a German Shepherd might be afraid of everything is that it could have been mistreated by its previous owners. This would be more likely if you adopted your German Shepherd from an animal shelter. However, it could also be the case if you bought it as a puppy. Someone has been mistreating it Another possible reason why it might be afraid of everything could be that someone that it currently lives with or sees often has been mistreating it. This would be more likely if your German Shepherd spends a lot of time around people other than you. Related post: How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you It was not able to socialize as a puppy A common and the most likely reason why your German Shepherd is afraid of everything is that it was not able to socialize with other people and pets as a puppy. When they are puppies they will naturally be very curious and this is the time where they learn about the world most. If they do not get the chance to interact with people or dogs then it will have a large impact on what they are like as adults. You are in a new location Being in an unfamiliar environment is another possible reason why your German Shepherd is scared. This would be more likely if you have moved home recently. However, it could also be the case if new people have been around it a lot as well. It is ill or injured Being ill or injured is another possible cause for your German Shepherd being afraid of things. This would be more likely if it was not always afraid of everything but it recently started to develop the behavior. This would be even more likely if it started doing it after something happened that might have caused it to get ill or injured. It would also be more likely if it has been acting unusually in other ways as well. In this case, if you think that it is ill or injured then it would be worthwhile to take it to a vet to get an expert opinion. Nature Some German Shepherds will be naturally a lot more outgoing than others. It could be the case that your German Shepherd is just naturally timider. This would be more likely if you know that it was able to socialize as a puppy, it has not been mistreated and if it has always acted that way. Things to Consider Before trying to get your German Shepherd to be less afraid it would help a lot to understand what the cause is. There are a number of things that you can consider, when trying to figure out the cause, that I will mention below. If it is always afraid or if it is only afraid at certain times Considering whether or not it only gets afraid at certain times would likely help a lot. If it only seems to get afraid at certain times then it would be likely that it has something to do with what is going on around it at that time. If it always seems to get afraid of things then it would make it more likely that it has something to do with being mistreated when younger or not being able to socialize when it was younger. Who is around when it gets afraid Considering who is around when it gets afraid would likely help a lot in determining why it does it. If it seems to only get afraid when certain people are around then it would be a sign that it has been mistreated. However, it could also be a sign that it was mistreated by someone else when it was younger and it is less trusting of people as a result. It is not unusual for German Shepherds to be afraid of things such as thunder If your German Shepherd tends to be afraid of things such as sirens, fireworks or thunder then it would not be such an unusual thing and not something to be too concerned about. How old it is It would also help to consider the age of your German Shepherd. If it is a puppy then it will be normal for it to seem to be slightly timid at times. However, it would help to make sure that it gets lots of interactions with other people and dogs so that it learns not to be afraid. If it is not a puppy then it would be more likely that it was due to one of the reasons mentioned in the first section above. How to get your German Shepherd to be less afraid of things There are a number of things that you can do if you want to get your German Shepherd to be less afraid of things that I will mention below. Allow it to meet new people and dogs If your German Shepherd does not meet other people and dogs very often then, naturally, it will be more distrusting of them. In this case, it would help to allow it to interact with other people and dogs if possible. See a vet or a certified dog expert in your area If you are unsure of why your German Shepherd gets afraid of everything it would help to see a vet or a certified dog expert in your area to see what they have to say about it. Reward it when it is not afraid Positive reinforcement training can be very effective when you are trying to get a dog to adopt a certain behavior. By rewarding your German Shepherd with treats or attention when it shows signs of not being afraid of things that it normally would be you should be able to get it to be more confident. Avoid punishing or rewarding it when it does become fearful While positively reinforcing the behavior that you want can be very effective, it can also work the other way. If you punish or reward your German Shepherd when it shows signs of being afraid you might be reinforcing the behavior. Instead, it would be better to avoid reacting when it does show signs of being afraid and to wait until it stops being afraid to reward it with your attention. Take it to new locations One way to get it used to new stimuli would be to take it to new locations often. One way to do this would be to walk it on a different route than you normally would. Let it socialize as a puppy While it may not be possible now, for future reference, it would help a lot to make sure that any German Shepherd puppies you get in the future are able to socialize with other dogs and people regularly. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. Puppy proofing the house, buying food and toys, and brushing up on your potty training skills, are just a few. One important but often forgotten part of raising a confident puppy is helping them get through their stages of development, after leaving their mom. All puppies go through stages of development. Care should be taken to familiarize yourself with these stages so that you can help your dog get through them so they can mature into a confident, happy, socialized dog. Fear Period 1 Most of this development will take place when your puppy is still with the breeder, starting about 3 weeks of age until they are ready to go to their new home at around eight to twelve weeks. Eight weeks is the age when puppies begin to imprint and learn what can development into unnecessary fears. Building their confidence and exposing them to new things in a fun, positive, and non-threatening way at this age is very important. Fear Period 2 The next fear stage in their development is when they reach adolescence at about four to six months-but it can begin later and last up to age fourteen months, depending on the dog. At this age, once confident pups can suddenly get cautious, worried, or approach things differently than they did when they were younger. They may suffer a negative experience that makes them nervous, begin to mistrust the vet they once loved, get more cautious around strangers, or seem overly concerned about new things, such as a trash bag. This is also time when they are trained and continuously socialized. Any bad habits such as resource guarding or being over protective should have already been corrected or if recently developed, quickly be corrected. Making training a fun and positive experience will go a long way into helping your dog grow up to be confident, happy, and bonded with you. Negative or scary experiences can stick with puppies and imprint them for life resulting in dogs that are nervous and anxious. Only you can set the stage to give your puppy the best possible foundation to mature on. Please feel free to pass this along to your family and friends. Their genetics and early experiences in life develop their future personality traits, such as shyness. Some dogs are naturally shy and more timid than other dogs. However, shy dogs can become very fearful if forced into uncomfortable situations. Fearful dogs are often scared of the world and have phobias of certain things or places or people. This type of shyness or fear often comes from lack of socialization as a puppy. These fears hold the dog back from living their best life or even having normal dog experiences. Both shy and fearful dogs need help to face the world but should not be forced. Fearful dogs are more prone to bite and can panic over seemingly innocent things. However, they also need training, conditioning, and encouragement to overcome this behavior and to live their best life. They can also become shy and insecure without training or a routine. Some dogs become shyer when they become seniors or suffer from pain or other health problems. How to Help a Shy Dog The best thing that you can do to help shy dogs is to be confident for them. But they also need to be protected from things that can trigger more fear and from bad experiences that can make the problem worse. You can help a shy dog by proceeding slowly to gain their trust and never forcing the dog into a situation that scares the dog. With training and by allowing them to have more positive experiences and small victories, their confidence will grow. You can help by encouraging calm, brave behavior and not rewarding shy behavior. Rather, wait until the dog exhibits more confident behavior, such as moving forward, sniffing, or otherwise overcoming his inner battle then reward with praise and treats. First, introduce the leash slowly without putting it on. Once the dog is used to it, then calmly put the leash on and let the dog get used to how it feels. Once the dog is comfortable, then begin trying to teach the dog to walk with the leash. All the while praising every small victory and ignoring the fearful behavior. Every time the dog overcomes its insecurity, it will be more confident and willing to try new things. This method of conditioning can be applied to many scenarios. Once the dog is comfortable, try walking closer over time. Eventually spend time in closer proximity to people without it triggering concern in your pup. Eventually, have a friend help you. For instance, ask the friend to come closer to the dog greeting it and dropping treats. Have your friend get closer and closer over time while feeding treats and praising confident behavior until eventually the dog and the person are friends. Being patient is very important to building their trust and confidence. Never rush, force, punish, or yell at a dog for being shy. Basic training is very important for shy dogs. If the dog seems insecure, you can tell them to watch me, sit, hold it, heel, etc. There are many dogs who have overcome their problems this way. I arrived for the session as the guardian was returning from a walk so I used the opportunity to use a few puppy behavior tips to help her feel more relaxed and comfortable when meeting me. The approach had mixed results with the puppy spending some time relaxed and at other times moving back in a fearful way. We spent a good portion of the session discussing small things the humans can do to help Asia relax as well as things to avoid doing primarily petting when scared or failing to provide rules and structure. She was bred and spent most of her time outside of the home before being adopted. While she showed some aggressive behavior, the key problem her is Asia is a fearful puppy due to limited early exposure to new people. Puppies who spend their first few weeks of life in a barn or other non-domesticated living quarters miss out on valuable socialization experience. Dogs who are whelped in a farm situation are notoriously under socialized around humans and that was certainly the case for Asia. Her guardians mentioned several things that I would consider a big red flag from a breeder. A rule of thumb is you want your puppy to meet at least people in a positive way before they turn 3 months old. If they did not practice meeting people in a positive way during their CSP, its not unusual for them to be fearful around new people. This is most certainly the case with Asia. We headed outside to do a little BAT training and recorded a video on it, but after reflecting on the session afterwords I decided to not include it here. Although one of her guardians takes her for a short walk every day, she is in need of far more daily exercise. Your average dog needs at least 1 hour of exercise a day, but higher energy dogs and puppies like Asia need more. I shared some tips like exercising before walks, walking at times when less people are out, teaching the dog to run up and down the stairs, scent games and fetch. Next we discussed the importance of rules, some rules to introduce and how to enforce them. Consistent enforcement of rules for at least 2 months will be critical for Asia to start seeing her humans acting like leaders. The more she sees them this way, the more comfortable she will be in situations that make her nervous just like a friend can give you confidence when dealing with a new or stressful situation. We also discussed ways to add structure like petting with a purpose. Giving the dog rewards and attention when they organically offer desired behaviors will also help. I call this passive training and its probably one of the easiest and most effective way to train any dog. I handed my camera over to one of the guardians so I could share some tips to help the puppy stop acting so fearful and start building up positive associations with new people instead. While Asia shows some aggressive behavior to strangers, most of this is stemming from fear due to a lack of exposure and confidence. The more the guardians have people over to practice the tips to stop a dog from acting aggressive that I outlined in the above video, the more comfortable Asia will become. The key is to do this in a way that allows the dog to feel comfortable. Exercising her before hand, keeping enough distance between her and the new person and keeping these session short should allow Asia to be around new people without reacting. Another thing the guardians can do is to teach Asia some new tricks and commands. One of these should be how to catch as this gives any dog the ability to interact from a distance; something that helps many fearful dogs. My hope is that as the humans flips the leader follower dynamic through rules, structure and discipline, increase her confidence with some new skills and help her practice meeting new people in a low intensity way — her fearful aggressive behavior will go away. To help the guardians remember all the things we covered in this in home puppy training session, we recorded a Roadmap to success video that you can watch below. Share this:. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and easy to train… but this comes with some caveats. One of these is their long memory, and because of this, when something scares them, they remember it and often react. Socialization Your dog typically learns socialization as a pup by playing with siblings under the watchful eye of their mom. Socialization teaches things like being comfortable around other dogs, knowing how hard they can bite without hurting someone, and how comfortable they are with humans around. Neglect or abuse Most common with rescue dogs, a German Shepherd that has been neglected can develop anxiety to outside stimuli. Unnatural fears Your intelligent Shepherd can have unnatural fears, just like humans do. This can include all kinds of things, like spiders, the vacuum cleaner, or even fear of the dark! Possible illness or other health issues In some cases, fearful behavior may be indicative that your German Shepherd may be ill or in pain from an unobserved injury. When the fearful behavior is new, rather than a current character trait, a vet checkup should be considered an excellent first step. Ears go flat Watch those ears! Dog ears can tell you a lot. Watch for this sudden shift and take note of your surroundings to see if anything obvious in your general vicinity might be the cause. Tail tucked between their legs When your dog tucks their tail between its legs, this is a sign of fear and submission. Raised hairs The old cartoon standard of a cat or a dog with their hair standing on end when they see something scary is based on an actual physical response. Cowering or hiding behind you Possibly the most obvious indicator of fear, your dog may flinch or backpedal away from something swiftly, followed by getting behind you. This behavior is exactly what it looks like. Your Shepherd is hiding behind you in hopes that you will protect them from whatever has frightened them. Sudden urination When a normally well-behaved and potty-trained dog suddenly loses control of their bladder, then this can also be a response to fear. Otherwise, try to determine what it is that is scaring them so much so that it may be dealt with through positive conditioning. Most commonly, your dog is just going to need some positive conditioning by means of love, reassurance, and an active effort not to reinforce bad behaviors. Socialization training Professional socialization training is an option, or you can even do it on your own. Most of what this consists of is a slow, controlled introduction to other people, places, and dogs so that they are more comfortable with changes in their immediate vicinity instead of going on an instant, fearful alert. Avoid reassuring them when they are scared Resist the urge to pet and try to calm your dog when they are showing signs of fear. Treats for bravery When your dog shows a more controlled response, such as standing alert next to you when they are afraid, then you can reward this behavior with a treat to help to reinforce it. Do NOT give them treats for acting fearful, as this will reinforce the anxiety-induced behavior rather than reassure them. Consider checking with your vet If the fear is a new response for your dog and out of alignment with their regular behavior, then your dog might be ill or in pain. Impulsive behavior that looks fearful may be signs that your dog is feeling ill or trying to protect an injured area that might not be readily visible. A trip to the vet is a good idea so that health issues may be quickly ruled out as the problem. Thunder A lot of dogs are scared of thunder, and the mighty German Shepherd is no exception. The only thing that you can really do is get them used to it. The dark While dogs see better in the dark than we do, pitch-black dark is still hard for them, and with older dogs, there may be problems with their eyes. A trip to the vet can check the latter possibility, while a nightlight or spending periods of time in the dark with your dog can help with the former. Being left alone Some dogs, especially if they live alone with a single owner, can become a little codependent. This is especially common if they have been weaned early. In cases like this, crate training is an excellent way to teach your dog to be more independent and that time alone is normal and nothing to be afraid of. Other dogs If your dog gets uneasy whenever they see another dog, instead of greeting that dog with a wary approach and experimental sniff, then socialization training is in order. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here , to learn exactly what the course has to offer! How do you calm a scared German Shepherd? Teaching your Shepherd to come to you like this can even save their life or yours someday, so teach them to come to you and then to sit down when they are scared. Can a fearful German Shepherd be cured? How do German Shepherds act when scared? Learning to recognize the signs can help you to determine what your dog is afraid of more quickly so that you can alter their training to accommodate and surmount these fears. If your Shepherd is showing signs such as dilated pupils or hiding behind you, you should now be prepared to identify what is frightening them so that you can train them to face their fears with full confidence. Related Posts:.

The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. German Shepherd puppies available in Colorado German Shepherd puppies available in ColoradoGerman Shepherd puppies available in Colorado Puppy development - Understanding the Stages Puppy Development - The Stages Explained Understanding the puppy development stages will help you build the personality and character you want in your pup, which starts with training at each stage of development. To have a wonderfully social dog, that isn't fearful or aggressive, you need to ensure his needs are met during each phase of development. Probably one of the most important things you can do to achieve this is to get the right training at the right time. And that's not just for your pup; puppy parents need training too! You need to know how to integrate your puppy into the family and establish yourself as the pack leader. You'll see many behavioral changes during the life stages of your pup, some of which will no doubt test you, particularly when they reach the final stage - adolescence! Overview of Stages The puppy development process covers five distinct stages: 1. Neonatal Period at Weeks 2. Transitional Period at Weeks 3. Socialization Period at Weeks 4. Ranking Period at Months 5. Adolescence at Months Stage 1: Neonatal Period at Weeks The first stage of puppy development is when they are born. Most of us won't have our puppies at this stage but, if you are getting your puppy from a breeder, you may get the occasional picture from the breeder. At this age, puppies only have a sense of taste and touch and rely totally on their mother. Stage 2: Transitional Period at Weeks You're still not likely to see your puppy at this age but the breeder will start to notice some more senses developing, such as their hearing and sense of smell. They'll also start to have their puppy teeth coming through and their eyes will begin to open. This is also the age when they start to develop their little personalities. They will interact with their littermates, wag their tails, stand, walk a little, and are able to bark. Stage 3: Socialization Period at Weeks This is the most important stage of a puppy's development. It's also the stage where the most critical changes occur, and guess what, you're probably going to bring your puppy home during this period! Most puppies go home to their new parents at the age of 7 - 9 weeks so understanding this stage is vital. During this period, changes start to occur rapidly, so let's break down this puppy development phase. This is also where you can separate the good breeders from the puppy-mill-type breeders. Note: At Centennial GSD, our puppies are born and raised in our home where their interaction with humans and other animals begins at birth and accelerates at 21 days old; the most critical time in early puppy development. Unfortunately, puppies that are from puppy mills usually sold in pet shops don't get the opportunity to develop a relationship with humans until you bring them home. This sets them back with socialization from the start and additional work is needed to enable them to become fully sociable dogs. Puppies that are born in kennels or outside are also unfamiliar with the day-to-day noises of a regular household such as TV, vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, washing machine, phones, talking, laughing, people dropping things, you name it! You'd be surprised by how much noise we make on a daily basis and how frightening that can be to a puppy that has been raised outside. Once the puppies are at least 5 or 6 weeks old you should, if possible, ask the breeder if you can schedule a visit to see the puppies. Most good breeders recognize that the socialization period has already begun and will gladly welcome future pet parents visiting the puppies. What you're looking for in the photos is evidence that the puppies are comfortable around humans and ideally that they are indoors, preferably in a household. If all you see are photos of the puppies in a kennel, or outside, then you may start off with problems with socializing your puppy when you get them home. If you can't visit, then question your breeder on what plans they have in place for the puppies to be indoors and meet new people between the ages of weeks. If they have no plans in place then I would seriously reconsider using this breeder as they are hindering the socialization period of these puppies. These puppies could easily become shy or fearful around people and noises , which could lead to a fear aggression problem. If you do visit the puppies at 5 weeks old you're likely to see some fun stuff. At this age, puppies are just learning to interact with each other and begin to play. They are also learning their doggie social skills as well as beginning to explore their ranking status within their pack. Their curiosity is now starting to develop so they will be interested in you and may well nip at you as their biting skills are developing too. Seek out ways to handle puppy biting appropriately. Therefore, it is vital that you introduce your puppy to as many new dogs, people, objects, and surroundings as you can. BUT, make sure you do so in a controlled manner. If you have another dog at home you should make sure you introduce your puppy to your existing dog on neutral territory. When bringing a new puppy home it is also important that you puppy-proof your home for the sake of your puppy and your possessions! It is also a good time to start a program to get your puppy used to being left alone to avoid separation anxiety from developing. From the age of 7 weeks, puppies are more than capable of being able to be house-trained so make sure you start them off right. At this phase of puppy development, the little guys are developing their reactions to things a lot more. They are also likely to focus more on different types of people and, as long as your breeder and you did a good job initially, should be friendly and approachable to strangers. During this time they are also going to practice their biting skills a whole lot more! Previously they would play and bite with their littermates. Puppies will yelp when another pup bites too hard which provides feedback to that pup to bite softer. You now have to try and mimic this behavior to teach your puppy not to bite. This is called bite inhibition and is quite easy to learn and teach your pups. You'll also notice that they may start to wander off a bit as they are more curious and will probably look to explore their environment a lot more. Be prepared for this at this age. That cute little puppy that you could take out for a potty break without a leash now needs to be on a leash! Generally, puppies at around 8 - 9 weeks old will not wander off but once they reach the age of around 12 weeks of age curiosity begins to take over and they will venture out or even chase a rabbit rather than stay close. Stage 4: Ranking Period at Months If you have another dog in your household you may start to see more ranking behavior from your puppy towards other dogs. You'll likely see him practicing his dominance and submission skills, which he may well practice on you too. If you haven't done so already, make sure you start a training program with your pup. At this age, your puppy is going to go through teething so watch out, as chewing is a big factor at this time. You may also notice that there is blood on his toys and chews or in his mouth during the teething phase. Sometimes a puppy's tooth doesn't fall out and the adult tooth will come in next to it. If you notice this in your pup, take him to the vet as it will need to be removed by the vet to prevent it from interfering with the alignment of his teeth and can also cause root infections. Your puppy is usually done teething by the age of 6 months but you can tell when your puppy is finished teething once you see the upper fangs canines come in as they are last. Stage 5: Adolescence at Months Adolescence in German Shepherd Dogs will begin around nine or ten months old and likely continue until they are two or three years old. Consistency is key at this point so is routine. Puppy Development and Fear Periods During puppy development, puppies go through fear periods, in fact, on average they go through 4 fear periods. These are approximately at the following ages: 1. Between Weeks 2. Between 4 - 6 Months 3. About 9 Months 4. Between 14 - 18 Months This is a very important part of puppy development, as if you handle this incorrectly, you could end up with an aggression problem for life. As your puppy enters a fear period, he will suddenly become frightened of something that he used to be OK with or used to ignore. His reaction could be hunched down, shaking, backing away, hiding, running away, or submissively urinating. Or, your puppy could display more pronounced behaviors such as growling, barking, hackles up, or showing teeth. Either way, once you recognize one of these behaviors at the age range mentioned above, you would be wise to stop taking your puppy to new places and introducing them to new things for about a week. And if you can, don't schedule any vet appointments during a fear period. Your new puppy can grow up to be everything you want if you recognize these critical puppy development phases so you can prepare and react accordingly. Puppy Development Wrap Up By understanding what each stage involves with your puppy's development, you can get a good idea of what to expect, both developmentally and behaviorally. You'll also be better equipped to provide your puppy with the right care throughout each phase. Finally, providing a stable routine, consistency, positive training, and plenty of socialization and exercise you are more likely to produce a well-balanced and emotionally stable dog. After all, it is these periods of a puppy's life that will shape his personality and character. Quite simply, puppy development affects behavior, and behavior, molds character. Content courtesy of Sharon Dianora. Are male and female German shepherds different? The Neonatal Period. Birth-2 Weeks. In the first two weeks of their life your puppy is mostly helpless and fully dependant on their mother. Their mother will be responsible for feeding, eliminating waste and keeping them warm. The puppies will be able to taste, touch and feel warmth but their eyes and ears are sealed shut. You should see the following milestones hit in the first two weeks. What you should expect to see: Puppies Starting to Crawl Eyes and ears starting to open Teeth starting to appear By the end of the first two weeks your puppies should be able to stand up, albeit a little shakily and have their eyes and ears fully open. The Transitional Period. They will start to be able to control their body and temperature much better. They will start to interact with their litter mates but will still be largely dependent on their mother. What you should expect to see: Puppies Walking Well Puppies Interacting with you and their littermates Puppy teeth almost complete. The Socialisation Period 4weeks — 3 months The puppies will now have complete control of their body and will start exploring the world around them. The latter half of this period is the ideal time to rehome the puppies as this is when they are most susceptible to learning new things and they can start to be taught basic commands. Between weeks your puppy may start to display signs of some fearfulness. This is perfectly normal and will need to be nurtured Not encouraged by you. What you should expect to see: Start showing adult behaviours Wagging tails, sniffing bums Start to be able to be taught basic commands Ears begin to sit upright. The Juvenile Period 3months-6months Your German Shepherd puppy will become much more independent during this period. They will start to understand dominance and will explore their home to understand where their position is in the household. What you should expect to see: Female puppies begin heat cycles Ears now fully upright Males reach sexual maturity The Adolescence Period 6monthsmonths Most of your puppies social understanding and behaviours will have developed by this point but a reinforcement of these is still important. Your puppy will be at their most energetic and will require a structured training routine to help them to continue to develop. Males are considered fully grown at 36months whereas females reach this mark around 24months. You will know have an excellent, loyal family pet and companion to spend many years together with. German Shepherds are a medium-large breed. Females will grow to around inches and weigh lbs whereas the males will grow to around inches and weigh lbs. How many puppies is there in the average German Shepherd litter? German Shepherd litters Usually consist of between 5 and 10 puppies. How long do German shepherds live? The average life span for a German Shepherd is somewhere between 9 and 14 years. Other than the size difference already discussed females tend to be more affectionate than males where is male dogs are usually more protective of their surroundings and their families. Related Posts. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds. German Shepherd Growth Stages: This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot. Cuteness Factor: Through the roof! Height: Male: 4 — 6 in 11 — 16 cm Female: 3 — 6 in 8 — 14 cm Weight: Male: 5. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested. Month 2: Socialization Growth Stage Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall. Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears! Height: Male: 7 — 9 in 17 — 22 cm Female: 6 — 9 in 14 — 22 cm Weight: Male: 16 — 20 lbs 6 — 9 kg Female: 11 — 17 lbs 5 — 7. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home. Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule. Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler. Cuteness Factor: Equal to fluffy pillows! Height: Male: 9 — 11 in 23 — 27 cm Female: 8 — 10 in 20 — 25 cm Weight: Male: 22 — 30 lbs 10 — 14 kg Female: 17 — 26 lbs 8 — 12 kg Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur. Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended. Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended. Month 4: At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. Height: Male: 11 — 14 in 29 — 35 cm Female: 10 — 12 in 26 — 31 cm Weight: Male: 35 — 40 lbs 16 — 18 kg Female: 31 — 35 lbs 14 — 16 kg Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn. Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day. Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended. Month 5: At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point. Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie! Height: Male: 14 — 16 in 35 — 40 cm Female: 12 — 14 in 31 — 36 cm Weight: Male: 40 — 49 lbs 18 — 22 kg Female: 35 — 44 lbs 16 — 20 kg Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge. Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day. Month 6: Adolescent Growth Stage At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer. Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear! Height: Male: 16 — 18 in 41 — 46 cm Female: 15 — 17 in 37 — 42 cm Weight: Male: 49 — 57 lbs 22 — 26 kg Female: 44 — 49 lbs 20 — 22 kg Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present. Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day. Month 7: At 7 months old , a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished. Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression. Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart! Height: Male: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Female: 18 — 20 in 45 — 50 cm Weight: Male: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Female: 53 — 57 lbs 24 — 26 kg Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown. Month 9: At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible! Height: Male: 21 — 23 in 54 — 59 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 64 — 71 lbs 29 — 32 kg Female: 55 — 60 lbs 25 — 27 kg Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now. Month By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 73 lbs 30 — 33 kg Female: 57 — 62 lbs 26 — 28 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Month Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 57 — 62 cm Female: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 75 lbs 30 — 34 kg Female: 60 — 64 lbs 27 — 29 kg Milestones: They are still growing slowly. Month 1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended. Year 1. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 55 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 79 lbs 32 — 36 kg Female: 60 — 66 lbs 27 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Year 2: At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame. Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 57 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 84 lbs 32 — 38 kg Female: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown. Vaccines: DHPP is recommended. Year 3: Adult Growth Stage Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Height: Male: 24 — 26 in 60 — 65 cm Female: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Weight: Male: 79 — 88 lbs 36 — 40 kg Female: 66 — 70 lbs 28 — 32 kg Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually. Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state. A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Almost Home Campaign Puppy Developmental Stages and Behaviour To have a well-adjusted and social dog, you need to ensure his needs are met during each phase of development. Building the foundation for a great dog starts with appropriate training at each stage of development and establishing appropriate guidelines so that that your puppy is properly integrated into the family. You will see many behaviour changes during the life stages of your pup. Knowing how to handle your pup through each developmental stage will help to shape your puppy into a lifelong family member. Puppy Developmental Stages The puppy development process covers five distinct stages. However, puppies grow through these stages at their own pace and these timelines can vary. Stage 1: Neonatal Period 0 — 2 weeks This is the first stage of puppy development and begins at birth. At this age, puppies only have the sense of taste and touch and rely totally on their mother. Stage 2: Transitional Period 2 — 4 weeks Sensory development continues with hearing and sense of smell. Puppy teeth start coming through and their eyes will begin to open. Puppies will interact with their litter mates, wag their tails, stand, walk a little and bark. It is vital to understand this stage as most puppies go home to their new parents between 7 — 12 weeks. During this period, changes start to occur rapidly. Between 3- 5 weeks puppies start to become aware of their surroundings and have the ability to develop a relationship with people This is the period where puppies get familiar with the day-to-day noises of a regular household such as TVs, vacuum cleaners, telephones, etc. At this age puppies are just learning to interact with each other and beginning to play. They are also learning their doggie social skills and exploring their ranking status within their pack. Their curiosity is developing, as are their biting skills. Nipping behaviours begin as they practice biting behaviour with their mother and litter mates. At the weeks stage, they will have full use of all their senses and will be ready to go home to their new owners. Bringing your pup home usually between weeks is right in the middle of his socialization period. Therefore, it is vital that you introduce your puppy to as many new dogs, people, objects and surroundings as you can. BUT, make sure you do so in a controlled manner and never put your puppy in a dangerous situation where they can be injured, scared or contract disease. This is a great period to begin crate training, for a variety of reasons. Puppies are old enough to start getting used to being left alone to avoid separation anxiety from developing and are capable of being house-trained. Even though your home is likely puppy proofed, it also saves your possessions. During this phase of development, puppies are developing their reactions to things much more consistently. They are also likely to focus more on different types of people and should be friendly and approachable to strangers. During this time they are also going to continue to practice their biting skills a whole lot more! It is important to learn how to manage this behaviour early on. You may also notice that they are more curious and will probably look to explore their environment more. Be prepared for this and keep your puppy close to you and leashed. Stage 4: Testing Period 3 — 6 months This is the time your puppy starts to test their boundaries within their world. They will test the limits with their owners and other animals. At this age many adult dogs will start to enforce manners. Problematic behaviours can begin to arise in this period. At this age your puppy is going to go through teething and chewing is a common side effect. Make sure he has plenty of chew sticks and toys. Use commercial sprays or gels that dissuade your puppy from chewing your belongings. Try soaking a cloth toy in chicken stock and freezing it if your puppy is experiencing pain while teething. Once frozen, this can be given to your puppy as a chew toy and will help to relieve sore gums. Puppies are usually finished teething by the age of 6 months when the upper fangs canines come in. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour. Dogs go through adolescence much earlier than people; for small breeds, is can be as early as six months old while larger dogs starting at nine or 10 months of age. Adolescence in larger breed dogs continues until they are two or three years old with smaller dogs reaching maturity at about 18 months. Typically the larger the dog, the slower the development. Signs of Puberty in Canines Here are the typical signs to watch out for to tell you that your own puppy has hit puberty: Males.