labrador puppy 11 weeks

Any puppies that qualify as a German Shepherd Mix are a cross between a German Shepherd and another dog breed. In a mixed breed, you can get any mix of characteristics in the parent breeds. German Shepherds tend to be strong-willed, intelligent, playful, and loyal. To get a full idea of what to expect in your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the cross and check out the mother dog in-person to get a general idea about size and temperament. On the German Shepherd side, you have an independent dog with high intelligence and a playful spirit. German Shepherds make great family pets and are born protectors. Because of their protective instinct, they can be suspicious of strangers. Socialization early and often can help curb this suspicion and make them more open to new people and situations. German Shepherds also tend to be loving and have a lively personality. The German Shepherd Mix can have any or all of these characteristics plus any characteristics from the other parent breed in the mix. Before buying a German Shepherd Mix puppy and bringing them home, be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. If the puppies are being family-raised around children, you should be able to get an idea of how they will do in a family setting that includes children. The German Shepherd is a moderately adaptable working dog that was bred to guard, work, and herd. They do not tend to do well in apartments and are best-suited for houses with yards. GSDs prefer to be with their families and do not like to be alone. They also tend to prefer cooler climates as they are sensitive to heat. With a German Shepherd Mix, you could get a moderately adaptable dog that is just like a purebred German Shepherd. You could also end up with a dog that is more like the other parent breed. Talking with the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a good idea of what to expect. German Shepherds can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. You will need to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an idea of any other health concerns to be aware of in your German Shepherd Mix. Health screenings, clearances, and the genetic history of the parents can help allay concerns about potential health conditions. On the German Shepherd side, training and obedience classes are highly recommended for novice dog owners. Although GSDs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and train fairly easily, they can be stubborn with an independent streak. Regardless of the other parent breed in the cross, you should be prepared to enroll in obedience and training classes with your German Shepherd Mix. The experience will be beneficial to both you and your puppy and will also offer some opportunities for socialization. You will still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an understanding of what to expect during the training process. Professional grooming a few times a year and the occasional bath is also recommended. Regardless of the coat type, your German Shepherd Mix will need to have their nails trimmed monthly and their teeth brushed regularly. Not every dog will allow you to do this, so try to get a tooth brushing session in at least a few times a week to reduce tartar buildup. This will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it will help cut down on bad breath! German Shepherds tend to have a high activity level. They were bred to run, herd, guard, and protect, so they are used to working and having a job to do. They are definitely not a lazy dog breed! Be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. You will still want to go in prepared for a high energy dog with the understanding that your German Shepherd Mix puppy may have an activity level closer to the other breed in the cross. If both are high energy dogs breeds, expect to end up with a high energy dog. A German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. They also usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. The other dog breed in the cross could result in a smaller or larger German Shepherd Mix. A German Shepherd generally lives for years. You should be able to expect a similar range in your German Shepherd Mix, but the other dog breed in the cross could affect this range. Featured German Shepherd Mix Article. Top German Shepherds off championship bloodlines Limerick German Shepherd Age: 3 months 1 Male, 1 Female We are delighted to offer for sale our beautiful, intelligent, well-bred German Shepherd puppies. Born just a few months ago, these alert pups are already showing signs of their brilliant lineage. We have two female and one male puppy, all boasting a striking black and tan coat. Their father, a jet-black German Shepherd with a unique white Mallon streak, is a brilliant guard dog. His lineage includes top protectors from Ireland, England, and Germany, with a sire sheet available for viewing. He also boasts a lineage of show dogs. The mother, a beautiful black and tan German Shepherd, is not only intelligent but also a wonderful guard dog. She too comes from a champion show dog lineage. Both parents are our family pets and can be seen upon your visit. These puppies have been vet checked, wormed, and vaccinated. We are looking for good homes only, preferably with people who have experience with German Shepherds. Located in Limerick. Mother in last picture. Mixed Breeds By Meg Marrs 11 min read March 13, 70 Comments K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. The German shepherd breed is generally considered one of the most intelligent, dedicated, loyal, and family orientated companions available in the doggy world. Throwing in a mix to this breed just strengthens and enhances these naturally appealing traits. Golden Shepherd German Shepherd x Golden Retriever Mix The golden shepherd is a golden-haired beauty that will definitely win your heart with those soulful eyes. This golden retriever and German shepherd mix is an affectionate sweetheart who thrives on one-on-one interaction with her owners and especially adores the tiny human variety. This makes the golden shepherd the perfect family-with-kids choice. Both retriever and shepherd parents love to eat, so make sure you keep this marvelous mix at a healthy weight. The best of both doggie worlds are all rolled up into this one adorable and energetic bundle of joy. This pug and shepherd breed is an extremely loyal companion, loves his human family, exhibits impressive intelligence, and serves as an alert guard dog. Labrashepherd German Shepherd x Labrador Mix The Labrashepherd also known as a Sheprador is a calm, loving and even-tempered animal with a touch of the shyness from the German shepherd parent shining through when he is presented with new situations. Labrador retrievers have a kind and happy demeanor which definitely shines through in this canine cross. This German shepherd Labrador retriever mix is gloriously beautiful and loves a good play session in the park. Siberian Shepherd or Gerberian Shepsky German Shepherd x Siberian Husky Mix A post shared by German Shepherd Husky Mixes germanshepherdhuskymixes This exquisitely handsome boy is a German shepherd husky mix that will have you falling over your feet when he looks at you with that one baby blue. Love at first sight for sure. And the bonus? He loves you just as fiercely. Make sure these energized pups have plenty of exercise, puzzle toys, and activities to provide mental stimulation. Shollie German Shepherd x Collie Mix A unique combination of the collie and German shepherd gives us this gorgeous designer breed. She is amazingly even-tempered temperament, very eager to learn, and easily trained through basic obedience training. Be prepared to groom the German shepherd collie mix every day though, as those locks are relatively high maintenance. Shepweiler or Rottweiler Shepherd German Shepherd x Rottweiler Mix Shepweilers are immensely protective of their owners, family, and surroundings and make excellent guard dogs. Well-muscled, protective dogs who can always be found at your side? Sounds good to me! The German shepherd poodle mix needs your constant companionship and will follow wherever you may lead. The poodle breed genes are relatively dominant in this dog, resulting in the somewhat curly fur coat. What a striking and intimidating doggo. This breed is a cross between a domesticated German shepherd and a genuine wolf. Please keep in mind that these animals are illegal to own in certain areas, so please research carefully to avoid any heartbreak should you not be able to keep him legally. Designer breeders for a cross as unique as this one can be challenging to come by. With a sensitive temperament and above average hearing, you have a guard dog of indisputable qualities. These dogs are natural hunters, so it will be wise to keep him separate from other small pets like cats, rabbits, and hamsters. He is super-friendly but an excellent protector. He does, however, require intensive training, as he loves a challenge and can often be considered a little stubborn. This dog is an interesting mix of German shepherd and the Alaskan malamute. This is one amazingly beautiful animal. They possess the best of both breeds in strength, loyalty, friendliness, and trainability. And such a cutie to boot! Almost like having a teenager in the house, these shepherd-type dogs will test your patience and push the boundaries, so training is vital. These shepherd pit sweeties are sure to appreciate a game of fetch with their favorite human! Innocence aside, the German shepherd pit bull mix is a powerful animal with a high energy level and training is thus non-negotiable. German shepherd pit bulls need a firm, strong, but loving owner and handler. New Shep German Shepherd x Newfoundland Mix A post shared by Sadie Sanderson resolutedogtraining This breed is an interesting mix of the Newfoundland and German shepherd, forming a giant powder-puff who loves water! Well, space of course! This is a giant dog and needs plenty of room to run off all that excess energy. This behemoth is a loyal, loving, and protective, yet intimidating watchdog, probably due to its sheer size. But be honest — what a cutie pie! But beware, do not leave this puppy to his own devices — you might not particularly like the end results! He craves constant attention and will happily be your permanent side-kick. These canine cuties would benefit from an active family. There you go German shepherd lovers and fans. Please leave a comment on what you think the best German shepherd mixed breed out there is, or share your own cross-breed companion that we might have missed! And, if you have your own GSD or GSD-mix at home, make sure to check out our guide to the best dog toys for german shepherds as well as our piece on the best dog food for german shepherds too! What are the specific guidelines for adopting a German Shepherd mix? Good breeders will only sell to a family with a yard and German shepherd experience, as German shepherd mixes need plenty of space for these dogs to run around freely to get exercise. German shepherd mixes as well as purebred German shepherds should also be owner primarily by those who have experience with the breed, as German shepherds are naturally prone to anxiety and need an experienced, confident handler. The breeder should meet our breeder checklist, have been in business for several years, and their puppies should be well socialized. How much does it cost to adopt a German shepherd mix? Are there any health issues associated with German shepherd mixes? If a German shepherd mix is not from a good breeder, then there may be health problems. German shepherds are prone to a number of different genetic health conditions. The most common health concerns include hip, elbow, and joint dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, narcolepsy, and eye problems. Are German shepherd mixes active? While canine crosses can take on any combination of traits from either of their pooch parents, German shepherds require plenty of daily exercise. GSDs have a high activity level and need to be kept busy mentally and physically. Not all German shepherd mixes will need vigorous exercise per day, but you should have the capacity to take on an active furry friend just in case. What is a German Shepherd mix? A German shepherd mix is a breed resulting from the combination of the German shepherd with other popular dog breeds. These dogs are medium to large in size, and can vary in appearance based on what breeds they inherit traits from. German shepherd mixes do not always look entirely like the German shepherd, as they could also take after their other dog breed parents. How should you train a German shepherd mix? The best way to approach training a German shepherd mix is to provide lots of training sessions focused on positive reinforcement. These pups can be fairly sensitive and eager to please. Thankfully, most GSD mixes are super smart and can master just about any trick with a little time and practice. Some of the best German shepherd mixes around. Which one was your favorite? Have you ever met any of these cuties in real life? Let us know in the comments below! Like it? Share it!

Lifespan Sociability Before we get into the American Bullador puppy years, it is important to note that designer breeds can be hard to predict as far as their temperament and personality. What we do know is that this hybrid came into existence sometime in the s to create healthier offspring of their purebred parents. Typically, when a breeder decides to create a new hybrid, it is generally to eliminate any health defects that pure breeds may suffer from. Although the jury may still be out on whether or not this works, it is true to say that your puppy can take after either parent in the personality department. As far as the puppy years, these adorable little tykes are energetic, playful, and frisky. They will get into plenty of mischiefs and should be trained as early as possible. On the other hand, they will quickly adapt to your family, and even as youngsters, they are even-tempered and make great companions. If you have a large fenced-in yard that is secure, this pup will be more than happy to spend the majority of their time outside. Providing them with a doghouse and other entertainment will only add to their outdoor glee. Just keep in mind, we do not recommend leaving these pups outdoors overnight. Appearance When mixing two purebreds to create another breed, it can be difficult to determine which parent the puppy will take after. What is cuter than that? This allows water to roll off their thick fur without it saturating them down to the skin. They are very intelligent with a calm demeanor. They make great companions and watchdogs, and they have a lot of energy to spend running around with you and your family. This breed comes from working-class purebred parents, so their daily life should be full of activity and tasks. You may have noticed that this dog has a couple of contradictions within their nature that make them interesting. The first anomaly is their love of the outdoors. As we mentioned, this breed enjoys outdoor time, yet on the other hand, they do not like extended periods alone. It is important to check on your dog often, and play with them if you are going to be leaving them in the backyard. Also, make sure that you never leave them by themselves overnight. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are good with children, however, they need to be socialized early in life. Due to their Bulldog ancestors, they can have a touch of aggression. It is equally important that you teach your kids how to interact with your dog safely. When a child plays rough or yells loudly, your protective pup can go on the alert thinking that something is wrong. In that case, they can tend to be aggressive, as mentioned. Typically, this does not happen often, but you should be aware if you have small children. Other than that, this is a dog that will enjoy spending time with the family. They like the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This pooch will do well with families that are very active and have time to spend with them outdoors. Even better, if you can provide your Bullador with tasks such as running after a ball or other fun activities, they will be even more content. They enjoy meeting new friends, running around with other dogs, and generally being social. When it comes to being in their yard, however, they are more opt to distrust strangers. Whether it be another furry face or a two-legged friend, your Bullador is going to be slightly distrustful and standoffish. This breed makes a great watchdog and is very alert, therefore, it is important to train them early so they do not overreact to visitors. Even with appropriate socialization skills, they are still likely to bark at a new face. As far as other pets in the home, this again has a lot to do with their early socialization and training. On the Labrador side, they are very calm and obedient. The Bulldog is a bit pricklier. There usually is not an issue, but you want to ensure that they are familiar with other animals before you bring a smaller pet, such as a cat, into your home. Now, however, you want to take a look at some of the other aspects of their care to ensure that this dog will be within your means to take care of properly. When taking on any pet, you become responsible for their overall well-being. This includes their diet, training, health, grooming, and happiness. Ensuring that you will be able to not only financially but physically take care of this animal is important. Take a look at the other care requirements for the American Bullador below. They will most likely be able to eat between three to four cups of food per day that you can spread out morning and night. For the most part, this dog has few food sensitivities or allergies that you need to watch out for. Of course, each dog is different, and it is important that you speak with your vet about the best diet for their health, age, and lifestyle. Most medium to large-sized dogs that are moderate to highly active require a diet that is high in protein. Nutritious meals that offer lean protein, healthy fats, and natural fibers are the best. It keeps their energy level high, their digestive system running smoothly, and their metabolism working properly. You also want to ensure that your dog is getting the other vitamins, minerals, and supplements that they need. These things can include antioxidants for their immune system, fur, and skin health, probiotics for their gut health, and various other vitamins to support their teeth, bones, cognitive function, and many other areas of their well-being. You also want to keep in mind other food that you give to your pet such as treats. These little snacks should be just as nutritious as their normal meals. Look for options that are organic with little added sugar. A post shared by Monty monty. They are very energetic and without an outlet for their excess energy, they can become bored and destructive. That being said, you want to take your pup on at least two minute walks per day. They will also enjoy going on bike rides, hikes, and jogs with you. As we have already mentioned, this pup enjoys a lot of outdoor time and should be given this opportunity daily. They will have fun with toys and other entertainment. It will allow them to get out of all the restlessness they may have. Make sure to go out and check on your pet several times while also stopping to throw a ball around for a few minutes to keep them engaged. For example, Labradors are very intelligent, even-tempered, and ready to please. Bulldogs are also very intelligent but tend to have a more stubborn streak. In fact, the Lab also has some stubbornness, and if you happen to get a pup that is closer to the Bulldog in nature, training can be difficult. In general, this breed does well with a lot of positive reinforcement. The earlier you start training, the better. Just keep in mind, a lot of patience will be needed. You want to keep their training sessions short and rewarding. If they become bored or feel that they are being punished, they will be less likely to follow your commands. Obedience, behavioral, potty training, and socialization are the four major training points that you want to cover when they are puppies. This type of dog also looks for a leader, so you must train them with a firm yet fair hand. Anger and aggression on your part will only have the opposite effect of what you are looking for, yet consistency with an added treat or two will give you great results. At the end of the day, this is a pup that is eager for your approval, so they will pick up quickly on what makes you happy. They tend to have dense, short fur with low shed. They should be brushed weekly with a bristle brush to get rid of as much of the excess fur as possible. During the shedding season, you may want to brush them daily as their thick fur can catch the loose hair making an even bigger mess. You will also want to clean your Bulladors ears weekly with a cotton swab and ear wash. You want to check them for excess wax and mites, as well. Teeth brushing should be done as often as possible. Doing it daily is recommended, but we understand it is not always possible. It is important to keep tartar and plaque build-up to a minimum, however. This breed does well with dental treats which can cut down on daily cleanings. You will also need to take care of their nails, which are thick and grow quickly. For the most part, you will have to trim them down every two to three weeks. However, if your pup gets a lot of outdoor exercise, they can be filed naturally. As far as baths, this can be done on an as-needed basis. Remember, your pup has a waterproof coat. This means that if you saturate the undercoat and skin beneath, it can take a long time to dry out. Try to keep shampoos to a minimum in the colder months, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. For the most part, hybrids tend to be healthier than their purebred parents, yet there is nothing to say that they will not develop some of the more common ailments of the parent breed. Take a look below at some of the more serious and minor conditions the America Bullador may face in their lifetime. Bulladors tend to be friendly, loving, and playful dogs that make great family pets. Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. Bulladors tend to be affectionate and loving dogs with a gentle, sweet nature and an energetic, playful personality. They tend to get along fantastically with children as well as other dogs and other pets. They can have a prey drive. So, you will want to socialize them with smaller pets in the household. Although they are open and friendly, they will usually bark to alert you of people or animals nearby. They can be protective, but are generally more interested in making friends. The Bullador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They do best in homes with fenced yards where they can run. However, if you dedicate the time to giving them the exercise and mental stimulation they need, they can adapt to apartment living. They tend to do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. If they have more of a flat face like their English Bulldog parent, they will be very sensitive to heat and may have difficulty breathing in cold weather. They are devoted to their families, so they do not like to be left alone for long. Because of their prey drive, they can have an urge to chase. As such, you should only let them off-leash in securely fenced areas. Even if they are trained off-leash, they may decide to ignore your recall commands if they get excited and caught up in chasing something. Potential health conditions to be aware of in the Bullador include skin issues, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies. So, make sure you ask the breeder about the genetic and health history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests that have been done. If a Bullador inherits the snub-nosed face of the English Bulldog, they can have difficulty breathing and will be extra sensitive to heat. Bulladors are also one of the breeds at risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can become serious very quickly and can be fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Although a Bullador can pick up on things quickly and can be easy to train, they also tend to be stubborn at times. This can be a challenge for first-time dog owners to handle alone. But, puppy training classes can help. Not only do they reinforce training and strengthen the bond you have with your puppy, but they also often offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. The Bullador has a short coat that will shed moderately year-round. Brushing this coat weekly or a few times a week is usually enough to keep your Bullador comfortable and their coat healthy. Bathing is occasional and on an as-needed basis. When you are checking them, ears should be clean, dry, and free of debris. Because dental care for dogs is often overlooked, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal for helping to prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Regular checkups and cleanings at your vet are an essential supplement to your efforts. The Bullador can range from a moderate to high energy level. They generally require a lot of activity to be happy. Daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity are usually enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity as long as you are. They tend to be athletic dogs, so once Bullador puppies finish growing and developing, you can try a bunch of different activities with them. Hiking, swimming, playing frisbee, and more can all be great activities for a Bullador. They will likely also love taking trips to the dog park. A fully-grown Bullador usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Bulladors generally live for years. Bullador Puppies for Sale Thanks for visiting our Bullador page! Currently, we do not have any Bullador puppies available, but we can alert you when new Bullador puppies are available! Just enter your email address and click submit! Please enter a valid email address! Related Breeds. Should an American Bulldog Mix take after their American Bulldog parent, they will be a large and lovable dog that is affectionate to their families. American Bulldogs tend to have a gentle nature, a sweet disposition, and a fun-loving, playful personality and you can expect something similar in an American Bulldog Mix. American Bulldogs are known for being absolute sweethearts and quintessential family dogs. They tend to love children and get along well with other dogs in the household. They also thrive on affection, bond strongly with their owners, and absolutely adore spending time with their families. Since they can be initially wary of strangers and can have a high prey drive, socialization early and often is important. You should be able to expect something similar in an American Bulldog Mix. Talking to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix and meeting the mother dog can give you a better idea of what temperament to expect in an American Bulldog Mix. The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. The other parent breed may affect this for an American Bulldog Mix, but you still want to be prepared for a moderately adaptable dog in case they take after their American Bulldog parent. Apartment living could be an option, but you would need to dedicate a lot of time daily to making sure they get the attention and exercise they need to be happy. A mixed-breed dog can inherit the potential health conditions of one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. From the American Bulldog side, potential health conditions include eye-related issues, thyroid disorders, hip dysplasia, kidney issues, bone cancer, and elbow dysplasia. Knowing more about the other parent breed can give you a better idea of what to be aware of in an American Bulldog Mix. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the genetic and health history of both of the parent breeds. Because they are highly intelligent and eager to please their owners, American Bulldogs are highly trainable dogs that are a good fit for owners of all experience levels. But, the other parent breed could affect the trainability of an American Bulldog Mix, so you still want to ask the breeder about them. An American Bulldog Mix can inherit a coat similar to one parent breed or one that is a blend of both. But, the other parent breed could affect how much grooming your American Bulldog Mix needs. Also, practicing good dental care for dogs can help prevent dental diseases like gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss later in life. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal. American Bulldogs are high-energy dogs that are athletic and strong. They need daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity. The other parent breed could affect how much exercise your American Bulldog Mix needs to be happy and healthy, but you will still want to be prepared to handle a high-energy dog. Fully-grown American Bulldogs tend to stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed could have a big effect on the size of your American Bulldog Mix. By talking to the breeder about the other parent breed and meeting the mother dog, you can get a better idea of what size to expect as your American Bulldog Mix puppy grows. American Bulldogs tend to live for years. Although the other parent breed could affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span in an American Bulldog Mix. Featured American Bulldog Mix Article.

National Boxer Day is held every year on January .The pet holiday was launched in by TheWoofBook, a Facebook group for dog lovers. There are two schools of thought. In two brave Boxers named Punch and Judy received one of the most prestigious honors to be awarded to an animal— the Dickin Medal. Over the years the Boxer has worn many hats, with work ranging from that of an aide to hunters and butchers, to taking on the role of police dog, guard dog, military messenger and service dog. Boxer coats come in two AKC-recognized colors: brindle and fawn. Sadly, boxer puppies born white were once euthanized by breeders so this trait, which was looked upon as flawed, would not perpetuate. Boxers are born with floppy ears and a long tail, which in some countries are often docked so the dog will appear to possess a more formidable physique. In a Boxer named Brandy became a Guinness World record holder for the longest tongue ever for a canine. Measuring 17 inches 43 cm , the record still stands today. The Boxer bounded in popularity in the United States after World War II, when many members of the breed were brought to their new home by returning soldiers. Success struck again in , when Mazelaine Zazarac Brandy took home the title, and in , when Bang Away of Sirrah Crest earned top dog status. Famous Pet Parents of Boxer Dogs Following are just a few of the many famous faces who have been lucky enough to have had Boxer fur babies: Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart— Bogey and Bacall began their life together as husband and wife alongside their first Boxer, Harvey, who had been presented to the couple as a wedding gift. The Gone with The Wind star even shared a cover of a issue of Movie Mirror with his canine companion. Pablo Picasso— Known as the father of cubist art, Picasso was also a father to several four-legged family members, including a goat named Esmerelda, Afghans called Kabul, Kasbek and Sauterelle, a Dachshund dubbed Lump, and a Boxer named Jan. Kate Upton— The Sports Illustrated supermodel who is a role model as an animal advocate, having hosted several pet adoption events , was a proud pet parent to a Boxer named Harley, who crossed Rainbow Bridge in .Adopting A Boxer If you would like to welcome a Boxer into your heart and home, you can check online at Across America Boxer Rescue , a foster-based non-profit which finds forever homes for members of the breed who wind up in shelters or who have been abandoned. You can also search for adoptable Boxers online at:. Could you be the next forever home for one of our boxers? Rescuing is both rewarding and admirable. Most of our boxers have had a tough time through no fault of their own, and are looking for a fresh start with a loving family. At TBRI, we do our best to make sure that our boxers never again find themselves in need of a home and we take great pride in our adoption process from start to finish. Three easy steps…. If you do not hear from someone, you are welcome to email us at info theboxerrescue. During your phone interview, our volunteer will discuss more about why you want to adopt a boxer, and answer any questions you might have about our rescue. Your references will also be contacted, including your vet reference. This is an important step and we require that ALL family members fur and human be present. If there are no boxers that are a match for your family, we ask that you be patient. We are always rescuing boxers, so one is bound to come along that is a perfect fit. You are welcome to maintain communication with us during this waiting period. Be sure the application is filled out in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Where do your boxers come from? Many of our boxers are owner surrenders. Perhaps the owner purchased the dog on impulse, not understanding the needs of a boxer. Sometimes, financial situations change, and families are not able to care for the dog anymore. We also take dogs that have been brought to shelters around New England. If a shelter reaches out for help, we do our best to find placement for the boxer in need. All of our boxers are temperament tested and evaluated before coming into rescue. It should be noted that ALL dogs require a decompression period when going to a new home. Can I adopt a female dog if I already have a female dog? The short answer is no. Our experience in placing dogs, has shown us that placing two females together is oftentimes not the best long term situation. We receive many calls from owners needing to surrender their female boxers because there is fighting with another female dog in the house. Either way, the fighting is often brutal and bloody. We have adopted a policy to never place two female dogs in the same house. Are your boxers healthy? They are brought up to date on vaccines, tested for heartworm, and spayed or neutered unless too young or not medically able to be. Their vet records are provided upon adoption. Do I need to have a fenced in yard to adopt a boxer? We do not require a fenced in yard for all of our boxers. We look at each dog, individually, and based on the needs of that dog, we may require fencing. Please note that we do not consider an electric fence to be a proper method of containment and are not able place a dog in a home that uses electric fencing. Do you have a shelter where I can come meet the boxers? We are not a shelter and do not have a physical location where you can meet our adoptees. Most boxers will stay with their owners or shelter until we can secure a foster or adoptive home for them. What Are Your Adoption Fees? In some cases, surrendered dogs require surgery which we, as a rescue, pay for. Sometimes, we get emergency pleas from owners or shelters about a dog in urgent need of medical treatment. The money we receive from adoption donations barely covers the cost associated with rescuing dogs. Often times we rescue a dog that costs us far more than the adoption fee covers. We do offer our puppy parents the option of having their pups spayed or neutered at one of our vets for a lower cost. Spaying and neutering is mandatory and we require proof. We look forward to speaking with you! Get Involved. They are a distinctive wrinkly dog breed. Originally bred to be a companion dog for Chinese royalty, the Pug spent much of its early years living in luxury. They were imported to Europe in the s, where they continued to prove popular in royal circles. Pugs were recognized by the American Kennel Club in .They are typically very sociable dogs and make great family pets. Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to several health problems because of their unusual structure, compact breathing passageways, and shorter snouts. It can also be difficult for Pugs to keep themselves cool in hot conditions. The breed also requires frequent exercise and a healthy diet to stave off obesity. Their coats have an array of different colors — black, cream, brown, orange, red, or any mixture of these colors. The modern-day Pom is heavily influenced by the British Royal Family. During the lifetime of Queen Victoria , she worked to reduce the breed in size from the typical pound range to accommodate her preference for a smaller dog. By importing Poms from across the world, not only did she achieve her goal of making the breed smaller, but it also resulted in a diverse range of colorings which we see in Pomeranians today. The modern Pomeranian is commonly used as a household pet. They are affectionate towards their owners, and thrive on attention. In their quest to be alongside their family at every turn, Pomeranians can occasionally suffer from separation anxiety. The breed remains extremely popular in Latin America. The Chihuahua can either be short-haired or long-haired. It is believed that the dog was descended from the larger Techichi breed , which was favored by the Toltec civilization in Mexico. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs in the twelfth century, they refined the Techichi into the smaller, more compact Chihuahua we are familiar with today. As with other smaller breeds, Chihuahuas can require lots of veterinary help in the early months of their life. They can be born with moleras a soft spot on the skull , but these fill in as they get older. Their small size makes them vulnerable to attacks from larger dogs or other animals. Typically, a Chihuahua makes a good companion dog and will be better suited to apartment living. In registration lists in both the United States and the United Kingdom, the Frenchie was in second place. The breed has its origins in the United Kingdom. They were often used in blood sports, until these were outlawed in .When lace workers in Nottingham, England were displaced by the Industrial Revolution, they moved to France — bringing their bulldogs with them. As the nineteenth century progressed, the French gained an affinity for these dogs. This coincided with English breeders sending Bulldogs to France which they deemed to be too small. The dogs became popular with the creative class in Paris , garnering favor with artists and fashion designers. Today, French Bulldogs are kept as companion dogs in many countries. They do require socialization and close contact with humans to reduce the chance of separation anxiety. Overall, they are considered intelligent, affectionate and occasionally stubborn dogs. Poodles come in three different sizes from largest to smallest — the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle. Whilst poodle mixes have gained popularity in recent years, it should be noted that they are not purebred dogs. There is some contention over the origins of the Poodle. On one hand, some believe that the breed has its roots in Germany. An alternative theory is that the Poodle comes from France. The breed is named Caniche in French meaning duck dog , and some claim that the Poodle is a descendant of the extinct Barbel. Some even suggest that the breed may have its origins in eastern Europe or Africa. The modern Poodle has several uses, but it is perhaps most commonly associated with performing service dog tasks. Poodles can be trained as autism service dogs, guide dogs, and offer assistance to other individuals with disabilities. Although they are trainable, the Poodle is intelligent and requires patience from owners and dog trainers alike. The Siberian Husky has one of the thickest double coats of all breeds, which helps them to withstand even the harshest, coldest weather conditions. The breed did originate in Siberia, where it was bred by the Chukchi people in the eastern part of the region. Initially, they were simply used to transport goods and people across vast distances of the treacherous landscape. As the people became more familiar with the dogs and their behavior, the Huskies were eventually invited to live amongst them. The Siberian Husky made its way to Alaska in , where it served a similar purpose. They were also used for sled dog racing — which is still the case today, with several huskies taking part in the annual Iditarod contest which races over a thousand miles of Alaska. The Siberian Husky is very independent and can be difficult to train. In particular, males may be inclined to challenge authority during training sessions. Training them from a young age is essential — by doing so, owners will be rewarded with a friendly, social and amiable family pet. From their working roots in Scotland in the nineteenth century, all the way to their modern utilization as a family pet or reliable service dog, the Golden Retriever is one of the most adored dog breeds around the world. The breed originated in the Scottish Highlands in the s. He maintained a comprehensive stud book which detailed the origins of the Golden Retriever. Until the publication of the stud book in the s, some had even speculated that the Golden started off as a Russian circus dog. The first breed club was set up in , and the Golden Retriever was recognized by the Kennel Club in .Its popularity extended across the world in the s and s, with the AKC recognizing the breed in .Golden Retrievers are usually affectionate, intelligent and easy to train. These traits make the Golden Retriever an ideal candidate for a family pet, particularly if the household has young children. They are occasionally still used as hunting companions. In , the Labrador retains the bronze medal position in our analysis of popular dogs around the world. The breed dates back to the s, where it was developed in Newfoundland, Canada. Small water dogs were bred with the larger Newfoundland breed to create a new breed called the St. The St. By the s, the breed was popular across England. The breed was originally predominantly found with a black coat, but at the turn of the nineteenth century, the Yellow and Liver now Chocolate Labs also appeared. Labs are known to be even-tempered and a relatively healthy breed. They make great family pets, but have also been used for a number of functions. They are incredible swimmers, which means they can use their nose to locate injured or dead waterfowl. They can also be used as police or military K9s , or to perform service dog tasks. The versatility of the Labrador highlights why they are so popular around the world. They are the third-most registered breed in the United States, and feature in second place in this analysis — just as they did last time. A medium-to-large sized dog with distinctive pointed ears, the German Shepherd was developed to help with herding sheep and protecting flocks in Germany. These efforts took place in the second half of the nineteenth century. It was decided that the breed needed to be strong, smart, fast and agile to fulfill its role, and whilst early efforts to standardize the breed failed, a gentleman named Max von Stephanitz was instrumental in its eventual success. He had a clear idea of what a working dog should be, and was so taken with a dog he saw in a dog show in that he decided to purchase it on the spot. Von Stephanitz then formed the Society for German Shepherd Dogs, and within a matter of decades, the breed became one of the most popular — not just in Germany, but in other countries around the world. Today, the German Shepherd has multiple uses. Its trainability, temperament, drive and build make it well-suited for K9 work in police and military teams. Their strong sense of smell also enables them to succeed in detection disciplines and search and rescue. This muscular, medium-sized dog has retained the crown it earned in our previous analysis. The origins of the Bulldog are not pretty. Bred in England as a cross between the Pug and the Mastiff, its original use was for bull-baiting and blood sports. When bull-baiting was banned in the s, the breed almost became extinct. Throughout the rest of the s, breed enthusiasts worked to refine the characteristics of the breed, toning down its fierce aggression and turning it into something more akin to a companion dog. Today, the Bulldog is used primarily as a family pet, although they can be trained as a protection dog. Whilst they can be difficult to train, they form strong bonds with their owners and are fiercely loyal to their family. Related posts 11 Fascinating Japanese Dog Breeds August 10, Rich in culture and history, Japan also introduced a variety of dog breeds to the world. Learn more about these Japanese breeds in this article.

Things to do with your English Bulldog South Carolina is a great place to live with an English bulldog. With its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and mild climate, South Carolina is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. Visit the Beaches South Carolina has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Your English bulldog will love playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean, and exploring the tide pools. Hike the Trails South Carolina has a number of beautiful hiking trails that are perfect for dogs. Your English bulldog will love exploring the woods and getting some exercise. Visit a Campground There are a number of dog-friendly campgrounds in South Carolina. Your English bulldog will love spending time outdoors and making new friends. Go Shopping South Carolina has a number of dog-friendly stores that are perfect for browsing with your dog. Your English bulldog will love getting some attention from the shopkeepers and trying on new clothes. The aquarium has a variety of exhibits that are sure to interest your dog, including a touch tank where your dog can touch starfish and sea urchins. Your English bulldog will love learning about the ocean and its creatures. Take a Day Trip South Carolina is located close to a number of other great places to visit. Your English bulldog will love exploring new places and meeting new people. So come on down and explore all that this great state has to offer with your English bulldog. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in South Carolina? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. About Us Let US introduce ourselves.We are honored that you have chosen Palmetto State Bulldogs of Charleston, SC English Bulldogs to provide the newest addition bulldog puppies to your family or program! We are truly dedicated to our puppies and their FUR-ever families. We are with you every step of the way, and are dedicated to be there for you and your bulldog throughout the years. Take a look around our site and you will see how we raise our babies; Providing them a clean and comfortable environment, anticipating their needs, and loving them like our own.Happy, Healthy bully babies From the moment our bulldog puppies come into the world, they are loved so much. For us, it is about healthy, quality puppies. We dedicate all of our time and expertise to each litter; focusing on important developmental milestones, adequate nutrition and healthy transitioning from incubator to play yard, and all puppy pen set-ups in between. English bulldog breeder, puppies for sale A Furever Friend We believe in total transparency. We welcome potential new families to meet us and our bulldog puppies. Our flight nanny can also bring your puppy to you for an additional fee. We offer puppies in an array of colors and suits; from Black Tri to full-suited Lilac, Blue, Chocolate and merle! Many of our bully babies are also triple carriers! English Bulldog breeder PalmettoStateBulldogs gmail. Exciting news coming soon about an upcoming breeding!!! One of our mommas has a "date" with a beautiful stud on June 16th, for insemination. We will be confirming puppies via ultrasound soon. Sire and Dam to be announced.Puppy Packs We take pride in every aspect of what we do. At this time, families can place a deposit to be ensured a puppy from the confirmed litters. Please, don't hesitate to request a copy of our contract for your review. There are times when we agree to make slight changes to YOUR contract. It never hurts to ask.Bradford is who we use for "bulldog specific" issues. His facility offers affordable laser treatment for common issues such as Cherry Eye repair, elongated palate laser repair, skin issues, or even routine vet exams. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What We Are About When we began we had one mission - to share our love of English Bulldogs with the world by raising the healthiest, happiest English Bulldogs out there. Every aspect of what we do is out of love for our English Bulldogs, not the business - and our outcomes prove that an ethical approach will triumph, even to the toughest of critics. We willingly submit each of our Bulldogs DNA to keep on file and to ensure the integrity of the breed. We feel very blessed to have the opportunity to be able to produce such. Every puppy is raised in a home setting. Our home and our nanny homes are thoughtfully designed to ensure our English Bulldogs are primed for success, but it is the round-the-clock love and care from our whole family, close friends, nanny homes and extraordinary veterinarian care that we provide which truly set our furry friends apart. By owning the only the best and healthy English Bulldog bloodlines, we can guarantee impeccable pedigree and Healthy pups. Extensive genetic testing, veterinary care, and a health guarantee means the only thing you'll have to worry about is choosing the perfect pup! Please take note we do not choose quanity before quality. If you are not on our waiting list please concider joining. We produce each litter only to better the breed, not our bank accounts. Each litter counts as a step closer to our goal and slow and steady wins the race.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. She has very rare hazel eyes and an amazing demeanor. Dixie lives with her Guardian Family in Key West! She comes from amazing show dog lines and will be continuing those genetics to her puppies! Pearl will be getting her CGC very soon! Pearl lives with her Guardian Family in Jacksonville! She has the same parents as one of our foundation girls, Kaya! Tahoe is a dark rich red color and throws that color into her puppies as well! Sansa and Tahoe come from the same litter with the same parents as Kaya! She is the sweetest girl, always wanting to be by your side getting love. She loves fetch and lives with her Guardian Family here in Cocoa Beach! She comes from amazing lines and we can't wait to see how she grows! She is a sweetheart and lives with her Guardian Family here in Jacksonville! She is a gorgeous girl with a big blocky head. She is such a great representation of the breed. She is like a nanny to her Guardian Kids and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She lets the kids climb all over her. She is also a through and through water dog! She is truly bonded to her family and is such a loyal dog. She loves a good adventure but can also curl up on the couch all day. She has an amazing temperament and loves to explore with her family! She lives with her Guardian Family in Tampa! She is such a cuddle bug and is obsessed with going to the dog park with her friends! She lives with her Guardian Family in Jacksonville! One of the most gorgeous dogs I have ever made! She is the sweetest girl and the best friend of her two human sisters! Maggie lives with her Guardian Family in Jacksonville! Whether your work is based on text, images, videos or a different medium, providing a brief summary will help visitors understand the context and background. Then use the media section to showcase your project! She goes to work with kids everyday with her Guardian Mom and is truly an amazing girl! We can't wait to see what she produces this year! She is a female with a blocky head which is my goal to produce here at Salty Goldens! She is a sweetheart and loves to swim! We are located in beautiful Port Orange, Florida approximately an hour east of Orlando International airport. We are exclusively devoted to raising golden retrievers. The temperament and demeanor of these dogs stole our hearts long ago. In our opinion there is no dog that has a more kind gentle personality than Goldens. We are committed to only raising healthy dogs! Collectively almost 30 years of experience working with golden retrievers and still going! For that reason our dogs are only fed top quality dog food, supplements, and immune boosters. Our breeding dogs also have to meet a high standard of genetic qualities before we even consider breeding them. All of our dogs are genetically clear of Muscular Dystrophy, all eye diseases and free of ICH the skin disorder that is well known to Goldens. Our puppies are all well socialized spending time daily with our family. We utilize and follow the Puppy Culture Program to raise our puppies. Puppies all go to their forever homes with vaccines and wormer up to date. Our veterinarian approves and certifies all puppies with a clean bill of health before you take them home. Additionally our puppies are microchipped before leaving for their forever homes. We're the original Gemini Goldens here in Florida. Our track record makes us the premier destination for high-quality Goldens on the Space Coast. Gemini Goldens, Florida's premier golden retriever breeder, was founded in by Candi and Dick Pearce. The mission of Gemini Goldens is to develop a unique line of versatile golden retriever show dogs. The show dogs that Gemini Goldens develops are well-rounded and multi-talented, which has satisfied a number of customers in Florida and across the United States. In addition to breeding golden retriever show dogs that have been awarded and decorated in the show ring, it is Gemini Goldens' desire to give these excellent and beautiful pets loving homes. Gemini Goldens integrity is unparalleled by any other breeder in Florida. By breeding only the finest lines we can fully guarantee the health of all of our puppies. Gemini Goldens will not breed a dog that has any trace of a problem in its lines, from cataracts to hip dysplasia. The result was Houston, their first golden retriever Champion show dog. Eventually, Houston earned the exclusive Versatility Dog Excellent title. Gemini Goldens was born. Dallas was given to Candi's twin sister Cindi, who has since bred Dallas, with our approval as co-owners, to produce several successful show dogs including Dylan and True. All of our golden retriever puppies have five-generation pedigrees in which each dog has all of its health clearances hips, heart and eyes. In addition, both parents of all our litters have their elbows cleared. Gemini Goldens are certified healthy, and are cared for like our own until they become your own, which is why we are the choice breeder in Florida for golden retrievers. Gemini Goldens gives your family a best-quality, pet golden retriever from the finest lines available in the country. Email Us. We have been breeding and showing Golden Retrievers for over 20 years. Many of our Goldens have gone on to win numerous awards at competitions throughout the U. Some of our pups even starred in Disney movies! Eagleridge has been recognized multiple times for our outstanding achievements and dedication to breeding outstanding Golden Retrievers. We are proudly registered as a Breeder of Merit by the AKC, as recognition for our dedication and passion of breeding beautiful, healthy Golden Retriever puppies. The AKC has also rewarded us with their Silver Medallion as recognition of our success over the years. Baby Francis 3 arriving January ! Testimonials Gus "Good morning! I wanted to reach out and send some photos of Gus who is now a little over a year old. He has gotten into Dock Diving in the last few months and has earned his Dock Senior title. Thank you for a great dog! When I tell you that he did it with no effort, I'm not exaggerating. He did it all on his own! I think he would have passed the test when I received him in July. I think you and your staff should be very proud of the training you provide your puppies! Please thank everyone who worked with Dwayne. In two weeks, he will become a therapy dog with Easter Seals of Alabama. Jen was so helpful, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the whole adoption process. She communicated regularly with us, providing so many updates and videos along the way. We are so fortunate for her and her staff! Thank you Jen and Eagleridge Golden Retrievers!! Jen was always super responsive, knowledgeable and able to answer our many questions. We have had Kevin for about a month and a half now we got him in September and he is settling in perfectly. The training program was a great addition, he is able to follow commands and is very well tempered and so smart. From the adoption process to the training program, we would absolutely recommend this breeder to anyone looking for a great experience! This FL boy is definitely enjoying the Northeastern Autumn! Furthermore, being a client since , I could honestly compare the experience from four 4 years ago to this present time. It was as stress free working with Jen Francis as it could possibly be! Her knowledge about this variety of a K9 is remarkable. The quality health , temperament and of course breed beauty and more are on full display at EagleRidge! We have answers. Golden Retriever puppies or sale Orlando prices vary based on a number of factors, like breeder experience, puppy pedigree, and much more. What if there are no Golden Retriever breeders nearby? Can you make travel arrangements for my puppy? Businesses and breeders in our network can send your puppy to your nearest major airport, in any state excluding Hawaii and Alaska. How do you screen breeders with Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Orlando Florida? Our strict vetting and screening process covers every facet of breeding experience and puppy care—have a look at our detailed Breeder Pledge for more details. We made a place to help families like yours cut straight to the best breeders and the best puppies, making your quest for the ultimate dog easy and fun. What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are places that mass produce puppies like a factory in dirty, cramped, inhumane conditions. When you purchase a dog from a puppy mill, your pup has a higher chance of getting sick, acting aggressively, costing you more money at the vet thousands of dollars, on average , and dying early. Are there any Golden Retriever breeders Orlando Florida near me? How do I know I can trust you? We know how tough it is to find a breeder you can trust, and how heartbreaking it is to bring home a puppy that gets sick because of unethical breeding. Every puppy we connect with a family like yours helps us put an end to puppy mills and inhumane breeding practices—just take a look at some of our alumni to see the difference a loving breeder can make.

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Roughhousing is part of the fun of being a dog. Playing is a way for dogs to explore their world and to socialize with other animals and people. It is completely normal, safe, and healthy in most cases, but it can become dangerous if it goes too far. Dogs may play-bite, lunge, swipe, and even bark at you or other dogs during play, but it will normally be done in a gentle, friendly manner. However, playful activities can take a turn for the worse if the dog begins to bite or play in a way that harms people or other animals. Here are some tips about how to prevent rough play. Discourage rough behavior Sometimes people can influence dogs to behave in a rough manner, especially if they themselves are using their hands, arms, or legs while playing with the dog. It is recommended that you behave in a gentle manner with your dog and use toys to play with them instead of your body. Some of this behavior is learned from other dogs that play roughly in general or from dogs that are larger than your dog. If you notice that this behavior may be influenced by another person or dog, then cease the activity between the two parties. Also, always make it clear that you own all of the toys, and you decide when and which ones your puppy can play with, only keeping one or two toys out at a time. If a dog has too many toys, it may begin to hoard them in a safe place in order to feel more powerful. Let the dog cool off Playing can often make dogs feel slightly stressed, especially after a rough encounter. One of the best things to do is let the dog cool off with a brief time out of at least five to ten minutes. A firm command to sit or lie down in their bed will cause them to relieve some of the tension and regroup. Spay or neuter your dog For dogs, playing is primarily about exerting dominance over another dog, toy, or person. Spaying or neutering your dog can help reduce some of these impulses, make them more docile, and easier to manage. This may be something to consider if your dog has a history of showing a lot of aggression toward people or animals. Stop incidents before they start It can be difficult at times to distinguish play from a violent encounter, but one of the best ways to stop it is break them up before they start. Dogs will usually seem to be a in a jovial mood during play and they may lean forward, growl, or even a bark a little bit. The situation can spiral out of control if the dogs start to expose their teeth, use a low pitched growl, or yelp when they are bitten. Pay close attention if a small and a large dog are playing together because the smaller dog could potentially get hurt even if they are playing. Playing is a healthy part of socialization for dogs and it is definitely something to be encouraged. On the other hand, rough play can be dangerous for you and your dog because it can lead to bites or other injuries to yourself or another pet. If the situation is getting too intense, then it is best to remove the dog for a time-out session. Dog Training By Erin Jones 21 min read September 1, K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Play is a great way for your dog to unwind, and it can be a great social activity you both can enjoy. Playing with your pupper can also help the two of you bond. This might be a game of fetch, it could be playing tug, or even some games that require a little more mental stimulation, like hide-and-seek or other brain games. But what happens when play becomes too rough? Some dogs can be quite mouthy, and arousal levels can rise during a play session. I once worked with a 1-year old Cane Corso who was very mouthy and jumpy, and he became carried away quite easily. Suffice to say, it was incredibly unpleasant to have pounds of mouthy dog trying to roughhouse with me! Do They Like Playing Rough? When dogs play, they often mimic certain fighting behaviors, such as mouthing, biting, vocalizing, jumping and tackling. However, there are two main differences between playing and fighting: Playing involves meta-signals. Meta-signals are body cues dogs use to tell their play partner that everything that just happened, and everything that is about to happen, is all in fun. These include the play bow bum in the air and elbows on the floor , turning her bum towards her play partner, bouncy movements, relaxed and open jaw. The behaviors that mimic fighting biting, mouthing, jumping, vocalizing are inhibited. Sometimes they even give their partner the advantage by self-handicapping. This might be laying on her back or allowing another dog to catch her in a game of chase. Dogs sometimes play quite rough with each other, and this type of dog play is appropriate and normal. Dogs are social animals, and play is a big part of being social and learning the skills they need in order to interact in an appropriate way. Play also helps puppies develop into socially appropriate adults, develop motor skills, and ensure proper brain development. Play also serves as a form of exercise, and it is likely quite enjoyable. It is also important to have human-dog play interaction. This kind of play will help your dog to bond with you and learn what behaviors are appropriate when playing with human friends in general. This is particularly common with new puppies, as they are still learning what is appropriate, how to read social cues and how to inhibit their biting and mouthing. Aggression and play rarely go hand-in-hand. Aggression is generally due to conflict or is a response to fear or anxiety. However, play can get overly rough as arousal levels increase leading to aggressive responses, which is obviously not ideal. These are subtle signs of stress that dogs use to communicate. Stress can escalate quickly and may lead to an aggressive reaction or bite. When a dog becomes overwhelmed with fear or stress, or her warnings are ignored, she may then growl , snap, or even bite the perceived threat or aggressor. Stiff body. When a dog is playing and relaxed, she will be wiggly throughout her body. But if a dog is uncertain or nervous, her body may become stiff, you may see her hackles come up a behavior that is technically called piloerection , or they may start to move in slow motion. Hard stare. Staring is a direct threat. I rarely look at dogs in the eyes for more than seconds without moving my gaze away momentarily. If your dog is giving you or another animal a hard stare, if she crouches and begins to move in a stalking position with her body low, moving slowly and stealthily, it is often a sign of an impending chase and possible bite. Growling can be a normal part of play, but out of context or in the absence of meta-signals, it can be a warning to back off. If not, she may bite without any obvious warning at all. Guarding toys. Some dogs are anxious about having valued items taken from them. This could be food, beds, or even toys. If your dog is aggressively guarding her toys , playing tug or taking a toy from her could end in a bite and will make her anxiety worse over time. Graphic from DVM .Also, use care to watch for normal play behaviors, such as mouthing, jumping, and biting, which may transform into inappropriate pay very quickly. My own puppy, a 7 month-old terrier cross named Juno, can easily become way too overstimulated. She has trouble with her impulse control when it comes to nipping and mouthing. My answer to these kinds of questions is almost always: It depends! I suggest avoiding roughhousing with young puppies altogether as it teaches them that biting and mouthing us is OK. If we never roughhouse and we are always showing her more acceptable ways to interact with us and we will set them up for success. However, a bit of rough play may be OK for some older dogs. For example, Juno would love it if I played rough with her, but she would get carried away too quickly. So, we stick to games of tug, fetch, hide-and-seek, and even chase. Really any games that I can retain some control and that do not involve my hands. On the other hand, my old dog Stewie, a laid-back Pitbull, really enjoyed playing rough. He had excellent bite inhibition and would stop as soon as he was given the cue that we were all done with the game. It just may never be prudent to allow Juno to play in this kind of rough manner. There are some great books and DVDs available for teaching and playing games with your dog. How do we know if it is play or something else? Ask yourself: Is it only happening when your dog is happy and excited or wanting to play? How gentle is she? Mouthing could be happening for a different reason than play. For example, perhaps mouthing happens when she is feeling anxious. Or, is she mouthing people when they move around the house this is especially common among herding breeds. If she is placing her teeth on you with some pressure, she could be giving you a warning about something that makes her uncomfortable. You will need to look at the context of the behavior. What is happening before this happens and right after? If she is trying to play while mouthing you, you can make a pretty fair assumption that the behavior is related to rough play. I prefer my dogs to never mouth me, no matter how gentle they are using their teeth. I then redirect her to something appropriate. After being consistent with this process, Juno now automatically goes and finds a toy as soon as she feels the urge to tug on my fingers. The answer to this one is a definite nope! There is absolutely no scientific evidence that dogs act out of spite. Play biting starts because it is a normal instinctive behavior for all puppies. Every single puppy explores their world with their mouths. We need to teach our puppies alternatives to biting. If we give them the attention they are seeking when our puppies bite, we are reinforcing that behavior. For many dogs, this includes negative interaction as well as giving in to play. It could be as little as making eye contact, saying no, and certainly pushing them or moving them with your hands. What Is Dog Aggression Biting? If you have a dog who bites for any of these reasons, it is advisable to contact a professional fear-free based behavior consultant or trainer to help you to deal with the root cause of this behavior. Ideally, you should always start teaching your dog appropriate manners while she is young. The more something mouthing, biting, rough play is practiced, the better she will be at it. It also means it may take a little longer to change her behavior than a puppy. Another common mistake is inadvertently or intentionally rewarding rough play. However, there are a few strategies you can implement to address inappropriately rough play: What should you do when your dog plays too roughly? Stop interacting with your dog when she is trying to jump on you, bite or mouth you. This might be physically turning away, crossing arms, and not saying anything. You want to be as utterly boring as possible. It might mean removing yourself from the room or blocking yourself off from your puppy using gates or pens. If you are playing with your puppy and you can see her arousal levels begin to escalate, remove yourself or give her something else to do before she gets too carried away. If she is expected to keep herself entertained, she needs something to do. Have some puzzle toys, stuffed Kongs, interactive toys and chew items on hand. This could be redirecting her attention to a toy, a chew item, or other appropriate item she is allowed to play with and chew. This is ideal for those situations where you missed your prevention window, or she is too riled up for you to ignore her completely. Give your doggo an alternative behavior to do instead of biting and mouthing. When Juno starts to get too excited and wanting to play with me, I have her settle on her mat. She gets rewarded for this behavior with her favorite treats. Not only can she not jump all over me when she is lying down, but she is earning treats and learning to be calm when she feels overwhelmingly excited. The bonus is, she now defaults to this behavior when she feels excited and she begins to calm herself down automatically. Be consistent. Make sure that you always follow a predictable outcome. If biting starts, play stops immediately. What should you avoid doing if your dog plays too roughly? Often when I say this to a client, they immediately tell me that they would never use punishment. It is important to train yourself to react appropriately too. Technically, punishment is anything that your puppers finds unpleasant enough to stop an unwanted behavior. For some dogs, this is as simple as raising your voice. Generally, when this happens, people begin to increase the intensity of the punishment provided. This may mean raising their voice or pinning the dog down for longer periods of time, or tapping the pup on the nose with a little more force than before. I think you see where I am going with this. At worse, punishment can actually cause emotional damage. This may cause your dog to become frightened of you, and it may weaken your bond too. No one wants this to happen. What is too rough for some dogs may not be too rough for others. Dogs have different play styles, so find a game that works best for your dog. Knowing how rough is too rough may depend on the size and exuberance of your individual dog. It may also depend on your lifestyle. If you have children, you may want to be considerate of how your pup may try to play with your kids and what would be too rough for little humans. If biting becomes relentless, excessive, or painful, if mouthing happens in order to solicit your attention, if you are not able to stop the play at any point, then it is advisable to avoid any rough play. Instead, try to follow some of the tips suggested above. To do this: Stop play completely if it becomes too rough. Avoid playing rough with your pooch in the first place if you know she tends to get carried away. Make these cues a whole lot more exciting than the play itself. For some dogs, like Juno, this is easy. She is highly food motivated. So as soon as she hears either of those two cues, she immediately complies because she knows I will pay her with cheese or dehydrated liver treats. Try some other types of training games with your dog instead! Children are much more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog. A recent study showed that children under the age of 5 were most susceptible to bites, and the majority of these bites are inflicted by familiar dogs. Children are not as good at reading the body language of dogs as adults, which can lead to dangerous interactions and unheeded warnings. Children often play too rough with pets, and they can annoy, irritate, startle, or injure dogs. Accordingly, no child should ever be left unsupervised with a dog , no matter how tolerant and well-behaved the doggo is. Statistically, the majority of dog bites to children occur to their face, and the results can be quite damaging. The younger the child, the more likely they will require hospitalization. I have worked with a lot of clients who have decided to get a new puppy when their children are young. But while common, this is not something to undertake lightly. Puppies are notoriously rough when they play. Their teeth and nails are sharp, and it can be quite upsetting for young children. Children are also likely to cry, scream, and run when this happens, which can inadvertently frighten your pooch, or reinforce her desire to play roughly. So, it is always important to supervise puppies and children. In fact, instead of having your toddler play with your puppy, you should try to teach your puppy to earn rewards when your child is nearby by. This may involve teaching her to chill out on her mat or in a pen when your toddler approaches. Children love to climb, pull fur and tails, poke and prod. This can be really unsettling for your dog, and it may cause her to react in a less-than-desirable way. So, be sure to teach your children how to appropriately interact with your dog. Unfortunately, puppies often bite at the faces of children during play. If your puppy is guilty of face-nipping behavior, try to teach her an alternative appropriate behavior. For example, teaching her to sit, lie down, or go to her bed are excellent alternatives to rough play behavior. Otherwise, prevent the rough play interaction by using pens for either your puppy or for your child or both. What About Puppies? Puppies are new at this play thing, and biting is a huge part of puppy play. So, it usually takes them a while to learn how to behave appropriately. The age and rate that dogs learn to inhibit their bite is largely based on their individual personality, how motivated they are to play, and how consistent you are with your training. As puppies learn what is acceptable, you may be able to integrate more rough and tumble types of play. Some dogs become more or less vocal as they age. Some cautious puppies become more confident with time. Some confident puppies learn better manners. But in all cases, they will hopefully begin using their mouth less and showing greater impulse control. Puppies love faces. They love to bite beards and noses. It might be cute when they are 5 lbs and have that wonderful puppy breath. But as they get bigger, this will no longer be fun. Stand up, turn away, and redirect. They may also vocalize while playing. This is all completely normal. The more a behavior is reinforced the more your dog will do that behavior in the future. In fact, they will get faster, better, and stronger at the behavior too. What precedes it? What happens when she bites you? What is your reaction? What are you doing to prevent it? What would you rather her to? How will you work to achieve the desired outcome? If your puppy is biting outside of a playtime scenario, it is important to understand the root cause of her aggression. And for most owners — particularly first-time owners — the best way to do so is by soliciting the services of a professional canine behavior consultant. A dog behavior consultant can not only help you figure out why this is happening, but they can also create a specific behavior modification plan to help her. Just be sure to avoid punishing her in the meantime, as this will likely exacerbate the problem. Dogs are individuals. Even puppies within the same litter may have a variety of personalities and play styles. But there are some breed traits that may predispose your puppy to either a rough or more gentle style of play. For example: Labradors, goldens, and other types of retrievers are usually high energy pups that are very wiggly. They can easily get carried away when playing. Though usually very gentle, pitbull-type dogs are strong, and they tend to use their paws a lot when playing. They can easily topple adults like yours truly! Shih Tzus and Bichon Frises are generally much gentler and may prefer cuddles or brain games over rough and tumble. So, they rarely become terribly rough when playing. Herding breeds can have high energy levels, but when they have appropriate direction and mental stimulation, are usually not super rough players. They can be mouthy, however. Terriers and Spaniels are high energy breeds, who tend to be jumpy and excitable. They also have a strong prey drive, so games of chase or fetch can cause them to become over-aroused. It can help you build a strong bond with your dog, and it teaches them some important skills. What are your favorite ways to play rough with your pup? Let us know in the comments below. Like it? Share it! Print Retrievers, for the most part, make great family dogs. They are also smart, so they learn quickly and their strong willingness to please often makes retrievers a great addition to the family. But some retriever puppies are a high-energy ball of fire, one that is difficult to train or even handle in daily life. And sometimes there will be signs of aggressive behavior that are concerning. However, there is a fine line between puppy play behavior and hyper and aggressive behavior. Some owners are reluctant to stop such behavior thinking that it is just puppy behavior and therefore the dog will outgrow it. If you have a retriever puppy that is hyper or aggressive you might wonder what can be done and why they are acting that way. Here is some guidance on this topic. What are normal puppy behaviors? It is normal for very young puppies to nip at your hands and your feet. It is also normal for them to chew on things, jump on you and walk all over you. An 8-week-old puppy nipping at your hand might at first seem cute and sweet. But one bite from those exceedingly sharp puppy teeth and you might decide its not so cute. Those teeth can puncture your skin in a second and draw blood just as quickly. So, while it may be normal for a puppy to nip at your hand or foot, it is not a behavior that you want to ignore. Puppy play is naturally aggressive When puppies playing with their litter mates, the play can be very aggressive. This is natural, as dogs, they are always figuring out their pack and where they fit into the pack. Recognizing puppy play You can recognize when a retriever puppy is playing by the stance they take. They also may run around in circles, growling, or barking in high pitched barks, but when they do this their ears will be up, their tail wagging and they do not look threatening. It is uncommon for puppies under 12 weeks of age to exhibit true aggression. True aggression involves a dog exhibiting prolonged growling with a stiff posture and baring of teeth. Their hackles the hair on their back will be raised and they will be poised in a threatening position with ears back. If you were to approach a dog in this position which I do not recommend they will often move toward you and try to bite or snap at you. This type of aggression is something to be fearful about and is not healthy. Isolate the dog as much as possible and consult a veterinary or other professional for help or advice. What are signs of aggression in puppies All puppies can act aggressively, but if you take steps to address the aggressive behaviors while your dog is a young puppy, you can make a huge difference on how or whether that aggression progresses. These are all forms of aggression and none of them should be tolerated, not as a puppy and certainly not as a dog. There are also dominance behaviors that puppies exhibit that are often mistaken as aggression. They include things like jumping on people, stepping on people, pushing you around, forcing you to pet them and others. While these behaviors can be done aggressively, and should still be corrected immediately, they are not the same as aggression. Definition of puppy Because we often get clients that bring out their dogs that are close to a year old and refer to them as puppies, I want to define what I consider a puppy. A puppy is a dog under six months of age. Most retrievers are a good size by around six months. They will often continue to grow up until about a year and a half, but they have the bulk of their size by the time they are six months. And by six months, you need to have a handle on any aggressive behaviors, or you are going to struggle with eliminating them. Is it normal for a puppy to be very aggressive? It is normal for a puppy to test you with aggressive behaviors. And to be clear, that place should be at the bottom of the pack, under all your family members. I understand that your dog is a part of your family but allowing your dog to be in a position above any or all your family members is just asking for trouble. Treating your dog as a human and attributing your dog with human thoughts and reasoning is not fair to your dog or to your family. Love your dog, but make sure your dog is the lowest member of your pack and you will have a much easier time with obedience and basic good behavior. How to stop puppy growling Growling is often the first step for dog aggression. Or, if you try and take a toy away from your dog. No matter how or when you see the aggression start, it is important to nip it in the bud right away. A sharp NO command sometimes is all that is needed, especially if it is well-timed with the first sign of the growl or nip. Other times you may need to grab your dogs muzzle and squeeze. If these corrections do not seem to be helping, I would immediately crate my dog if it growled at me. Be sure you do not let your dog out of the crate while he is exhibiting a growling behavior. Only let him out if he is behaving appropriately. How to stop puppy nipping or biting A dog that nips or bites you often started as a very young puppy. We teach our puppies at 8-weeks-old that biting and nipping people is not allowed. And at this very young age, they learn it very quickly. Your pup may cry out or squirm, but that is fine. In fact, you need to be quite stern to make an impression. If it continues, you are not being firm or consistent enough. How to stop puppy growling while tugging During play, it is not uncommon for retriever puppies to growl and tug at toys, blankets, even your pant leg. This behavior is usually just playful and natural. However, I would still try to end this behavior as soon as possible. While almost harmless at first, this behavior can escalate quickly as your dog grows bigger and stronger. You can end this behavior first by not participating in it. If you start tugging with a toy with your puppy, you are going to encourage the behavior. The second step is to discourage the behavior with a sharp NO command. It can help if you say GIVE when you take the item. This will start to teach him the GIVE command that will be helpful later if you are a hunter. How to stop puppy baring his teeth A puppy or dog that bares his teeth to you is threatening to bite you. Even if the puppy goes no further than to bare the teeth and growl, you need to end this behavior. This behavior is far more dangerous than the puppy that nips at your hand. The nips may be done in play, since that is how puppies play with one another, but baring of teeth and growling is different. And you must handle it differently. I am not talking about lifting your dog off the floor with the shake, but if your puppy is very young, that may indeed be a great correction. Have you ever witnessed a mama dog correct her puppies? This is not a violent thing, just a natural correction for a puppy. The puppies rarely cry out or whimper when given this correction, they just walk away and understand that the behavior they were exhibiting is not acceptable. If your dog continues to bare his teeth even after this correction, you may have a bigger problem on your hands, and I would proceed carefully. True dog aggression is no joking matter. Dogs with aggression problems can snap at any time and go from baring their teeth to full out attacks. Hyper behavior is different from aggression. A hyper dog has a lot of energy and may not know how to control or channel that energy. Often hyper behavior is a genetic trait. In this sense, it is not something that you can eliminate. But you can take steps to make it more manageable. Exercise more Dogs that are hyper need more exercise than dogs that are more docile in nature. If your dog is hyper and is not getting enough exercise, the hype behavior is going to drive the dog to other behaviors that you may not enjoy such as chewing up your dining room table leg or your favorite pair of shoes. For instance, if your dog is hyper and is jumping up and down all the time, and you not only allow the jumping but pet him or her and give praise while your dog is jumping, then you are unknowingly rewarding the jumping behavior. Give your puppy time to mature Retrievers are often full of energy while they are young, well some a bit longer, but tend to slow down as they mature. But as they mature they do usually slow down and become a bit less energetic. Training Highly energetic dogs can benefit greatly from structured training programs. Programs such as the ones we offer here at Otter Tail Kennels, can teach an energetic dog control and channel their energy into hunting or retrieving which can make home life more manageable. There are even some things you can do at home to get more control of your energetic dog. Practice sitting I know this sounds boring, and for you it is. But for an energetic dog that does not like sitting at all, having them sit for 30 seconds, or a minute or two can be very challenging. They will need many reminders at first, but over time they will learn to settle and sit calmly. You can slowly increase the amount of time. This simple obedience drill will help your dog learn control. Teach your dog the kennel command so that when you say Kennel, they run into their crate and stay there until you release them. This basically sends your dog on a time out and forces them to practice control and settle. Final thoughts on why my puppy is so hyper and aggressive For dogs under 6 months of age, much hyper and aggressive behavior is simply puppy play. You must teach your puppy boundaries and the earlier you teach them the better. Be consistent in your corrections and persistent, and over time you will reap the benefits. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Email Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. Then give them a treat. Sign up for product updates, offers, and learn more about The Wildest, and other Mars Petcare brands. Must be over 16 years to sign up. I'm In See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights. As animal behavior researchers, we have been studying dog play for more than 10 years. Together with our colleagues, we have analyzed hundreds of hours of data to test hypotheses about play. We present our results at animal behavior conferences and publish in scientific journals. What is dog play fighting? For example, during play, one dog might chase and tackle another, or use a neck bite to force a partner to the ground. Dogs will also hip check or slam, mount, rear up, bite, stand over, sit on, bark, snarl, growl, bare their teeth, and do chin-overs i. However, despite the overlap in behaviors, some clear differences exist between dog play fighting and real fighting. When dogs are playing, they inhibit the force of their bites and sometimes voluntarily give their partner a competitive advantage self-handicap by, for example, rolling on their backs or letting themselves be caught during a chase — behaviors that would never happen during real fighting. In addition to inhibited bites and self handicapping, dogs clearly demarcate play by employing signals, such as play bows i. Anthropologist Gregory Bateson called play signals meta-communication, meaning communication about communication. Humans employ meta-communication a lot. Similarly, dogs play bow to invite play and to convey playful intentions during play. Marc Bekoff, while at the University of Colorado, did a study showing that dogs are most likely to play bow just before or immediately after performing an especially assertive behavior, such as a bite accompanied by a head shake. Meta-communication allows humans and dogs to pretend — that is, to perform actions that appear to be one thing but actually mean something completely different. To people unfamiliar with the notion that some nonhuman animals have this ability, play that includes archetypal aggressive behaviors, like snarling and growling, can be quite confusing. Close attention to the context, however, can help us differentiate between play aggression and real aggression. Even though play fighting is very different from real fighting, people often feel the need to intervene. Sometimes it is obvious at the beginning of a bout that two dogs are playing, but once the dogs start growling or their arousal intensifies, observers may no longer be sure that the dogs are still playing. After all, humans instinctively avoid a dog who is snarling or baring his teeth , and it is natural to think that our dogs should do the same. But what if this assumption is mistaken? Our research shows that for many dogs, play fighting is the primary method used to negotiate new relationships and develop lasting friendships. Although play is fun, it also offers serious opportunities to communicate with another dog. In this sense, play is a kind of language. Most importantly, how can we tell the difference? Related article Remember, dogs have more than one emotion. How to Tell if a Dog is Playing or Fighting First, we need to determine whether both dogs are enjoying themselves and want to continue playing. Look at their postures and facial expressions. Watch for play signals, which can often be quite subtle — a quick dip or bounce rather than a full-blown play bow. If they pull against your grip in an attempt to interact with the other dog, release them. An interaction like the one just described is straightforward and easy to read. However, what about instances that may not be so clear-cut? We encourage you to discard any preconceived notions about what dog play should and should not look like — at least for the time being. Appropriate dog play fighting all depends on the individual dogs and the kind of relationship they have with one another. He would pin Sam with a neck bite every few seconds. No sooner would Sam stand up than Sage would neck bite him and flip him on his back again. At first, we thought that Sage might be too rough for Sam, so we would intervene by holding one or both of them back. However, each time, Sam would try his hardest to get to Sage, despite the inevitable pinning. As Sam grew larger, eventually matching Sage in weight, Sage added body slams and mounting to their play. With the exception of frequent rear-ups in which they adopted identical roles, facing one another and boxing with their front paws , Sage usually maintained the more assertive role neck biting, pinning, slamming and so forth. Yet, because Sam was always an enthusiastic partner, we let them continue to play together. Related article My Dog Is Misbehaving. What Should I Do? With Sage and Sam, allowing play to continue was the right decision. Their early play interactions burgeoned into a lifelong friendship. Even today, the two middle-aged boys will sometimes play together for five hours at a stretch, stopping only occasionally for brief rests. When they are finally done, they often lie together, completely relaxed, with their bodies touching. Their faces are loose and smiling, and they seem almost drunk in an endorphin-induced haze. This relationship shows that play does not necessarily have to be fair or balanced in order for two dogs to want to play with one another. Scientists thought that if one dog was too rough or forceful e. Until our research, this proposition was never empirically tested. Over a year period, we studied pairwise play between adult dogs, between adult dogs and adolescents , and between puppy littermates. Dogs do not need to take turns being assertive in order for play to take place. When they played, they snarled a lot, lips curled and teeth exposed. The snarls looked fierce, but they often preceded silly behaviors, like flopping on the ground. Then, as though on cue, Safi and Osa would put their scary faces back on, almost as if they were Halloween masks, and turn toward one another. Their expressions were so exaggerated and obviously fake that they always made us laugh. Some dogs can even be trained to show a snarl on command in a context that is otherwise perfectly friendly. These observations show that dogs can exhibit nasty faces voluntarily, just as we do when we are only pretending to be mean. Growling , like snarling , is a seemingly aggressive behavior that means something different during play than it does in other contexts. We have often videotaped play between another female Shepherd, Zelda, and a male mixed-breed, Bentley. When watching these videos, we noticed that, following brief pauses in play, Zelda often stared at Bentley and growled fiercely. Whenever she did this, Bentley leaped toward her and the chase was on. Bentley moved toward rather than away from Zelda because he knew her growl was not real. This phenomenon was also noted by other researchers, who recorded growls from dogs in three different contexts, including play. Play growls have different acoustical properties than growls given as threats, and when researchers played the growls back, dogs distinguished between play growls and growls given in agonistic i. Related article Decoding the many sounds your pup makes. Playing Surprisingly Peacefully Surprisingly, in some of the relationships we studied, dogs initiated play and preferred to play with others who were consistently assertive with them. For example, in a litter of mixed breed puppies, one female, Pink, initiated play with a female littermate, Blue, more than twice as often as she initiated play with any of her other littermates including another sister , even though Blue adopted the assertive role during play percent of the time. Similarly, in our study of adult dogs, when the female German Shepherd, Safi, was playing, she was virtually always in the top-dog role. Sometimes people interrupt these interactions because they fear that rough play will escalate into an all-out dogfight. However, in hundreds of hours of observations of play fighting between two dogs with established relationships, we have never witnessed a single escalation to real fighting. One of the authors hosted six to eight neighborhood dogs in her backyard every day for nine years, including two female German Shepherds, a male Husky, a male Husky mix, and three mixed-breeds. Other scientists report similar findings. If this were the case, the dogs mentioned in this article did a great deal of practicing for fights that never occurred. All of these benefits, if real, are important to our dogs. Although we recommend carefully monitoring play between dogs who are significantly different in size or age, or who do not know each other well, our studies have shown that dogs are very good at figuring out which dogs they want to play with and how to play well with their friends. Presumably, dogs are better than humans at speaking and understanding dog language. Perhaps it is time to humble ourselves and listen to them. When we talk about play fighting, we mean play between two dogs rather than play between many dogs. We recommend caution with young, inexperienced puppies. If traumatized by other dogs early on for example, in a poorly run puppy class , a puppy may grow into a dog who is fearful , defensive, or even aggressive with other dogs. Rough dog play fighting typically works best between two dogs who are friends. Finally, work with your dog until they reliably come when you call them for a brief play pause. Related articles.

Come visit our facebook page!! Welcome to Dare to Dream Labradoodles! Our labradoodles are just outstanding! We pride ourselves in producing the BEST family pets. I have been dedicated to this breed for over 20 years now. With our labradoodles, our main emphasis is on health, temperament, and overall conformation. Being associated with these organizations is extremely important to us because it means that we hold our program to a very high standard. All of our Australian Labradoodles that are born and bred here at Dare to Dream Labradoodles come from the best breeding stock, which have all been health tested to the highest level. Our breeding program produces medium and standard size labradoodles. Since , all of our breeding dogs and pets have been hand-picked by me from the finest Australian and American lines. Our foundation dogs include Rutland Manor and Tegan Park lines. We are located on 4 acres of property in Southern Ontario. We are surrounded on all sides by farmer's fields. We are a family that absolutely loves what we do. Both my husband and I are actively involved with our dogs and our breeding program. We have a very young and growing family, which allows for the best puppy socialization available! Read more about our family in the About us link. Thank you for your interest in an Australian Labradoodle. Contact Us We have puppies available now!! Click here to see! Welcome to DoodleLane. My name is Linda. We breed Australian Labradoodles in Ontario. I am the first breeder of Australian Labradoodles in Ontario and one of the first Goldendoodle breeders we retired from Goldendoodles in to focus solely on our Australian labradoodles. While my 'job' is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is extremely rewarding. I feel that every family should have a dog, and I love to meet the new families and see the joy on their faces when they pick up their puppy. We have 6 labradoodles that live with us ranging in age from years old. Check out our facebook page and LIKE us! Prudence - Australian Labradoodle We live on just over 6 acres of property outside of Hamilton, Ontario. We live right along the Grand River, and our dogs get to enjoy hiking along the trails and swimming all summer long! All of our dogs live as treasured family pets either with me or with great guardian families. You can read more about my family on the ' About Us ' link. As a part of this organization I am dedicated to responsible breeding and advancing this wonderful breed in health, temperament, and confirmation. All of my dogs are health tested to the highest of standards. I am proud to be a member breeder with the ALAA. My dogs are OFA certified for hips, elbows, patellas, and cardiac. All of this health testing is available upon request. At DoodleLane we breed Australian Labradoodles in mini, medium, and standard sizes. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email or give us a call. I will be glad to assist you in any way possible. Showing 1 - 40 of 47 resultsPage 1 - 47 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Are you interested in bringing home a cuddly Labradoodle to join your family? Look no further than Cucciolini Labradoodles! We have.Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.Located near Guelph, Ontario, our animals are raised with awareness, Sarge- Sire of the litter. First picture. Imported directly from Romania. Direct son of the famous.Females available. These puppies are 8 weeks old and ready for their new homes. The puppies have received their first vaccine and also ongoing deworming.They are both two years old. One male fox-red lab, and one female black labradoodle. The labradoodle doesn't shed at all. They are both very friendly. Ask for.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Bunni is a medium size double doodle weighing 40 lbs, non-shedding double doodle puppy. She is 8 months old and will have puppies when she is the.Kawartha Lakes Ready to go to loving homes. They come from a home with a 4 year old who has made sure they are gentle and playful with the littles. Ideally looking for a.Bunni is a medium size double.Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.There are 2 girls still available. They will grow to be approximately 25 Ibs. They all have amazing temperaments! Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.She is playful and would do best with a fenced in backyard. She can sit, shake a paw and loves treats. She is crate trained and has been exposed to kids and a.Both mom and dad on site and both wonderful family pets. All puppies have been vet checked with first shots and deworming. Mother, Rue is our miniature Aussie doodle,Brown ticked parti, 28 pds. Father, Stitch is a miniature Labradoodle, blue.Kingston Hello from Teddybear Australian Labradoodles! We have puppies available NOW! We are a small in-home breeder of Registered Australian Labradoodles in Kingston, Adorable F1BB third generation puppies ready to go to their forever home. Two males and one female available. Born July 16, .Puppies have been family.Showing 1 - 40 of 55 resultsPage 1 - 55 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Located near Guelph, Ontario, our animals are raised with awareness, Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.Are you interested in bringing home a cuddly Labradoodle to join your family? Look no further than Cucciolini Labradoodles! We have.Sarge- Sire of the litter. First picture. Imported directly from Romania. Direct son of the famous.This is a rescued dog from a friend of the family. Coco was living in an apartment, so we figured we would take her on but it is too much with our our 2 smaller.Females available. These puppies are 8 weeks old and ready for their new homes. The puppies have received their first vaccine and also ongoing deworming.They are both two years old. One male fox-red lab, and one female black labradoodle. The labradoodle doesn't shed at all. They are both very friendly. Ask for.Gorrie One sweet, 7-week-old female puppy ready for a new home next week! Has had vaccinations, vet check and deworming. Mother is on site and very good.Bunni is a medium size double doodle weighing 40 lbs, non-shedding double doodle puppy. She is 8 months old and will have puppies when she is the.Kawartha Lakes Ready to go to loving homes. They come from a home with a 4 year old who has made sure they are gentle and playful with the littles. Ideally looking for a.Bunni is a medium size double.Description: 3 Females Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. These pups.Description: 2 Females remaining Mom Nina is a first-generation f1 miniature labradoodle, and the father Chico is a toy poodle. Urgent Beautiful puppy for you! Are you ready to welcome a bundle of joy into your life? Look no further! We're thrilled to introduce our enchanting litter of 6 Labradoodle.There are 2 girls still available. They will grow to be approximately 25 Ibs. They all have amazing temperaments! Please Contact 1. He is great with kids and fairly well behaved. He has all his shots and is not fixed. We are just unable to give him the attention he.Playful, sweet and bright little ones. Father Labradoodle is a playful, gentle giant and mother bull-mastiff is a very.Toronto Ready to go! I hope you're having a great day. Please take a moment to read through the information provided before asking.She is playful and would do best with a fenced in backyard. She can sit, shake a paw and loves treats. She is crate trained and has been exposed to kids and a.The owners are finding it difficult to care for him with an illness int he family. Both mom and dad on site and both wonderful family pets. All puppies have been vet checked with first shots and deworming. Mother, Rue is our miniature Aussie doodle,Brown ticked parti, 28 pds. Father, Stitch is a miniature Labradoodle, blue.Kingston Hello from Teddybear Australian Labradoodles! We have puppies available NOW! We are a small in-home breeder of Registered Australian Labradoodles in Kingston, Adorable F1BB third generation puppies ready to go to their forever home. Two males and one female available. Born July 16, .Puppies have been family.We love our life's work! And know You will Too! Arrowhead, Established in .We are the only family that breed our particular line of Cobberdogs, and are happy to announce we are now offering top quality MDBA registered Australian Cobberdog breeding dogs for sale. When you purchase a puppy from Arrowhead you are getting fresh and exciting genetics, creating the best temperaments and therapy Labradoodles and Cobberdogs ever. We have researched for years, traveled far and worked long hours to build our program to be one of the finest and most complete Labradoodle breeding programs in the world! We value the health and temperament of each of our Labradoodles , and provide clean, spacious living conditions for our family of companion Labradoodles. We provide an all natural, locally made food for our dogs and also an environment that contributes to each Cobberdog being a cherished member of our lives. Many of them are in caring foster homes and receive a life of continual support and love from two families, the foster family and us at Arrowhead. Please browse through our site, learn more about what we do and why. We are grateful for all the wonderful families who give our puppies great homes, because without them the magnificent Australian Cobberdog would not be a reality! Available Labradoodle and Cobberdog Puppies Loading

Photo from: henryhenrichsen Well, yes. There is a mini version of the Labrador Retriever. This dog is slightly smaller than the standard Lab. However, this dog is not officially recognized. There are some teacup dogs and miniature dogs that are recognized by the AKC American Kennel Club , but the mini Lab is not among them. So, how did breeders even come up with the idea of a miniature version of the Lab? Like with any other miniature version of one dog, there are a couple of ways miniature Labradors can be bred. However, we advise you to do your research right from the start to see if it really is a purebred Labrador. Unfortunately, many of these small dogs are created today as a result of crossbreeding. So, breeders crossbreed Labradors with some other smaller dog breed, resulting in a dog that looks like a Labrador, but in a smaller package. Today, there are various Labrador mixes , and we think that many of them are wonderful dogs, but these dogs should not be sold under the name of mini Labrador. Crossbreeding is quite a complex process that should only be undertaken by experienced and educated breeders. Unfortunately, many breeders today put quick money first, while not paying enough attention to the health records of the dogs they intend to crossbreed. Vet exams and health records are even more important in the case of combining two different dog breeds, each of which has its own needs, its own history, and the health conditions to which it is prone. Dwarfism In Labradors Just like with humans, dwarfism can also be found in dogs. This condition is an endocrine disease, which is characterized by a lack of growth hormone. In dogs like these, besides the growth hormone, there also might be a lack of some other hormones. This is a congenital disease, which means that a puppy will inherit it if both of its parents have it. So, if you breed two Labradors that have the dwarfism gene, you will be getting puppies that will have the same gene. In dwarf Labradors, there are the SD1 Gene and the SD2 Gene that are the reason for this medical condition to appear, and thanks to which there are miniature Labrador Retrievers today. The first gene stands for Osteochondro dysplasia to appear in Labradors. This state makes a dog have bent legs, deformed paws, and enlarged joints. The second gene stands for a genetic mutation called skeletal dysplasia. Dogs with this diagnosis have a body of normal size, but their shorter legs make them different from the standard Labrador. Also, their legs might be slightly curved. Its head also might be larger than average, while its nose might be shorter. Breeding Runts Simply put, breeding runts refers to taking the smallest dog from a litter and breeding it with another equally small dog. This sometimes involves inbreeding of two dogs from the same litter, where it only matters that both dogs are smaller than the others. It is not recommended that brother and sister dogs have puppies together. Although in some cases they can produce completely healthy offspring, in many cases, serious diseases are recorded in such dogs. Breeding runts is not considered ethical. These dogs often have more serious health problems. Also, it is important to mention that breeding two small dogs does not necessarily mean that all their puppies will be equally small. So, when in search of mini Lab puppies, make sure to check that the breeder you are dealing with is completely ethical and trustworthy. Their basic difference is, obviously, their size. This is why we call them the miniature Labrador. For many of these dogs, this will actually be the only difference. Also, their legs are shorter than those of the standard-sized Lab. In some cases, many people will not even notice that they actually own a mini Lab. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the origin and characteristics of miniature Labradors. If you like everything about the Labrador Retriever, but its size makes you doubt the decision of adding this dog as your new family member, well, maybe a mini Lab would be a marvelous solution. But, should you really be taking a risk and buying a mini Labrador Retriever dog? This way, we can get an insight into the temperament, appearance, and health of this smaller Lab. Based on this, we can make a conclusion about how much the mini Lab actually differs from the standard Lab. Or, how similar these two dogs are. Temperament For many dog lovers, the Labrador breed is the number one breed among them all. The mini Lab is a bit smaller than the standard Labrador. However, their personalities are quite similar. The mini version is equally kind, friendly, and loving as the standard version of this dog. These miniature dogs are also in love with their human family, and the thing they like the most is spending time with them. So, with a mini Lab, you will have your own shadow following you around wherever you go! This dog gets along well with children and other pets. Also, this dog is quite energetic and needs different activities, both physical and mental, to stay happy. This dog is literally a Labrador Retriever in a smaller package. The one thing that differentiates them from standard Labs are their short legs. They also have floppy ears, big eyes, and a broad head. There is a slight difference when it comes to the weight and height of male and female Labradors. According to the Labrador growth chart , males usually weigh from 65 to 80 pounds, while the average weight of females goes from 55 to 70 pounds. The average weight of a Labrador Retriever goes from 55 to 80 pounds. Miniature Labs are quite lighter, and they weigh from 35 to 50 pounds. The difference in weight can be noticed as early as around two to three months of age — at this age, a standard Labrador will reach a weight of 20 to 25 pounds, while a mini Lab will probably weigh 16 to 22 pounds. According to some opinions, a Labrador is a large dog. Some other people see this dog as a medium-sized dog. The average height of a standard male Lab goes from 22 to 24 inches tall. Females are usually 21 to 23 inches tall. Many miniature dogs are usually a lot smaller than the same dogs of the standard size. However, there is not a big difference in the height of a full-sized Labrador and the mini version of this dog. Miniature Labradors are only two or three inches shorter than the normal sized dogs. So, the average size of mini Labs goes from 19 to 22 inches. Some of these dogs might be even shorter… around 17 inches. Coat Characteristics Photo from: thejoniexpress Some of the standard Labrador colors are black, chocolate, and yellow. We can also find mini black Labs, mini chocolate Labs, and mini yellow Labs. Labrador Retrievers shed quite a lot, so they are not the best option for people with allergies. This is also the case with the mini Labrador. Its double coat is dense and short, and you can expect to find its hairs all over the place. A miniature Labrador will have short legs. Also, we have learned that this dog might have many additional health issues. What are those medical conditions? What is the overall quality of life for this dog? Welcome to Miniature Labs! Labs have been on the top of the list when choosing a family pet therapy dogs and hunting companions. The Miniature Labradors are really no different when it comes to temperament, looks and being family friendly. They are a bit smaller so they take up less space! They still have all the great attributes as a standard lab like great coats, webbed feet for swimming and otter tails. There have been a couple of good breeders that have invested a lot of time into the Miniature Labrador Retriever. We hope that these dogs will continue to bless all of us with their GREAT personalities and their zest for life for a long time to come! We breed our miniature Labrador puppies using many of the breeds listed on our miniature lab breed origen page. However, we do try to keep "Lab" as our primary breed. By doing this, it helps to preserve what past miniature labrador retriever breeders have started as well as help build the future of the mini lab breed. Above is a 15 month old standard labrador Chocolate Left lbs next to one of our miniature labs 15 months right merle 34lbs www. Should a Lab Mix take after their Labrador Retriever parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and affectionate dog that loves their families. Labrador Retrievers are energetic dogs that tend to have an extended puppyhood. They are also social, friendly, and tend to be patient and gentle with children. This makes them fantastic pets as they also tend to get along well with other dogs and even other pets, despite their retriever tendencies. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. You still want to ask questions about the other parent breed as they are bound to introduce some potential quirks of their own. Although Labs are happiest with room to run, they adapt well to apartments as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection. They also do well in most climates, but do not like to spend long stretches of time alone. If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? As with purebred dogs, health often depends on reputable breeding practices. Just as a mix can inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, they could also inherit all of them or some combination of them. From the Labrador side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Labrador Mix include patellar luxation , hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts. The other parent breed will likely introduce some other potential conditions to this list. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Labrador Retrievers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. First-time owners may have a challenge at first with their high energy and exuberance, but tend to be successful. If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. If the other parent breed tends to be more challenging to train, then you will want to be prepared for that potential and be ready to enroll in puppy training classes if you need them. A Lab Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. Should they inherit the Labrador Retriever coat, it will be short and will shed throughout the year with heavier shedding as the seasons change. Weekly brushing and the occasional bath keep a Lab coat healthy. Trimming nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Because dental care is often overlooked, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing teeth every day or using an enzyme toothpaste daily in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed helps prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Labrador Retrievers are high-energy working dogs that need plenty of exercise and a job to do to be happy. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you should expect a Labrador Mix to be a high-energy dog as well. Even if the other parent breed sits in a lower activity range, you will still want to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog should they take after their Lab parent. Fully-grown Labrador Retrievers tend to stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Labs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed could affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Featured Labrador Mix Article. We have AKC English Lab puppies for sale Our goal here at Winter Valley Labs is to breed excellent dual purpose AKC Labrador Retriever puppies that make great companions and family pets, that also have the ability to excel in the field as well as show ring. And of course, in our hearts. We breed for quality, not quantity. We breed English Lab puppies! Each of our litters is carefully planed and bred with purpose. We are a small breeder in Hatley, Wisconsin. Our love and passion for Labrador Retrievers drives us to better the breed and provide families with healthy, happy, perfect pets, companions and hunters. We have been breeding labs for over 10 years, and look forward to that number growing. We bred our first litter in January of .We hope to grow in size now that we have the room for it. We love to take the dogs out bird hunting, and am excited to get them started on waterfowl this year as we are located on the river. I have been around dogs my whole life, but the lab has always been my favorite. I started studying at the UW of Stevens Point for Wildlife Ecology and Captive Wildlife management, and had done some study in veterinarian medicine but complications with pregnancy forced me out. I decided after my first son was born that I wanted to stay at home with my babies anyways both human and canine. So I am now a stay at home mom for all of our babies. Prior to that I had worked at an animal shelter as well as a grooming and boarding facility. I am doing some online studies for genetics and animal behavior, as I am always striving to be very well educated with the dogs. I am an avid hunter and LOVE spending the days outside with the dogs. Please note; We do not breed silvers, charcoals or champagne. We do not breed labradoodles, golden labs or any other designer breed. We do have English lab puppies for sale- We breed Fox red lab puppies, yellow lab puppies, black lab puppies, chocolate lab puppies and white lab puppies. Fox red and white labs are registered as yellow labs! These ARE akc recognized unlike the dilute colors. Click here to see what english lab puppies we have that are ready to go and looking for their loving forever homes! Our focus is on the English Lab breed. Please contact us for more information on any of our wonderful English Lab puppies, or upcoming and planned litters! We will help you find the perfect puppy for your family! All of our English Lab puppies are vet checked with the vaccines that are needed and also wormed. They also have their dewclaws removed. If in any case a dew claw, or partial dew claw grows back, that will be the buyers responsibility to take care of, if they feel the need to do so. This can be done at the time of spaying or neutering. This is not a common thing. All of our English Lab Puppies are placed with limited registration Pet homes only If you are looking for full registration Breeding rights Do not wait until pickup day to discuss this with us.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. They are outgoing, active and affectionate companions who have a lot of energy and love making their owner happy. They have strong retrieving instincts as they were bred to be gun dogs, so they love both soft toys and diving into bodies of water. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your Labrador puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Health During this time it is important to monitor your Lab for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your Labrador puppy will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. You will soon notice their attentiveness to you and their intense love of play — many Labs keep this caring and fun attitude for their whole lives if you foster it. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Labrador's large size and young age. Labs are notoriously greedy and will quickly gobble down food and snatch treats from hands. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into forbidden snacks found only in bins. Labradors puppies instinctively like to 'dig' inside their water bowls so much of their water will end up on the ground. Make sure to get your puppy used to touching inside their small ears as they are prone to ear infections and will need regular checkups. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your Labrador puppy will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour at this time to establish boundaries early. Labradors are eager to love anyone but can be overbearing, so you should introduce them to a number of different people and environments so that they are not overwhelmed with excitement later in life. PUPPY By the time your Labrador Retriever reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed and you will have established a loving, social friend who wants to maximise time with you and others. Your Labrador puppy will do well socially and behaviourally from puppy training classes as long as treats are involved. Nutrition Your Labrador puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Bloat is potentially fatal but can be combatted by feeding your dog two smaller meals per day, a habit you should start while they are a puppy. A rough guide is that they should exercise for minutes per day and less after 5 years when many lose their appetite for long marathons of activity. Your pup will need brushing every few days, with more frequent grooming during seasonal changes to combat shedding. Bathing should be infrequent as this can damage the waterproofing of their coats, however, you should wash them after swimming or rolling in muck. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour Do not be complacent with training your Labrador puppy — almost all are very gentle and well behaved, but this does not mean that training is unnecessary. Labs are very loving and patient with all that they meet, but they often do not know their own size. To combat this, they should be trained in how to act around small dogs and children to avoid intimidation or accidental injury. They will also benefit from obedience training to drop things from their mouths, avoid rushing across busy streets and make sure they come when called. Recommended Articles. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. Lab puppies are energetic little learners eager to run, swim, and fetch. Although active, they also tend to overeat and gulp down their food. They can benefit from the right growth formula to provide immune system support, healthy growth, weight management, and digestive care as they take on puppyhood. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your pure breed puppy. Whether you have a Yellow Lab, Chocolate Lab, or Black Lab, this exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Labrador Retriever puppy with specific nutrients to help them thrive. The unique donut-shaped kibble is specially designed to help your fast eater slow down and actually chew. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system and keeps their body growing strong. Calcium and phosphorus support healthy bone structure, while a balanced energy content helps them maintain an ideal weight. Once your Lab puppy is over 15 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Read more Promoting pet health and wellbeing Creating value for our entire ecosystem Committed to become certified carbon neutral by Cookie Settings. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.