What Dog Breeds Fall Under the Category of Pitbull?

Four canines fit comfortably beneath the Pit Bull dog breed banner:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• American Bully

These Pit Bull type dogs each have their unique traits, but some aspects link them together. However, when looking for a new family member, it’s a good idea to look into each breed to know exactly what to expect. So which Pit Bull takes your fancy?

What are the Major Pros and Cons of Pit Bulls?

Although we’ve mentioned that each Pit Bull breed is different, various traits can summarize all four breeds. So what are the primary pros and cons of owning a Pit Bull? All of these are listed below, but before we get stuck into the nitty gritty, it’s important to mention that some of these aspects are directly related to how they are raised. For more information, each trait is listed in detail so you can carefully consider them.

Pros

• They Make Loving and Loyal Companions

Their gentle and affectionate temperament is one of many benefits of owning a Pitbull. When raised in a patient, loving, and devoted home, these dogs will return the love tenfold. And then some. They make excellent companions for an experienced owner or even a rookie.

Naturally, Pit Bulls crave love and attention from their favorite humans. They are generally doting animals that will do anything for a head scratch or belly rub. Regardless of what some sources claim, they make excellent playmates and companions for children, which has earned the Pit Bull the title of ‘nanny dog’ over the years.

• They are People Orientated People Pleasers

When socialized well from a young age, Pit Bulls become people-orientated dogs, which means they will demonstrate good behavior to new people. As such, Pit Bulls will look tough on the outside but have an eager and loving nature toward those around them.

• Minimal Grooming Requirements

Pitbulls shed all year round, but the good news is that their coats are simple to maintain. Since they have a short, straight, and single coat, you won’t be likely to find tufts of hair hiding in corners of your home. However, it’s important that you still give them the occasional bath and brush them a couple of times a week to help remove loose fur. Furthermore, unlike dogs like the German Shepherd, you won’t have to trim or cut their coats since they only have a single layer.

• Protective Presence

The Pit Bull’s questionable reputation can sometimes work in your favor. Since they have a tough-looking exterior and radiate confidence, you are less likely to be approached by someone looking for trouble. Additionally, your home is less likely to be broken into if the intruder believes that the dog inside could become aggressive.

Although Pit Bulls are not considered dangerous to those educated on the dog breed, they can be protective of their families. They won’t be inclined to attack but may become vocal if they sense danger or trouble.

• They Can Keep You Active

Pit Bull owners will vouch that their canine companion keeps them fit and active. Each breed is not officially considered a high-energy dog but still loves to exercise.

Since these breeds are muscular and active, you will need to ensure they get plenty of exercise by taking them out for at least 60 minutes daily. Not to mention, you’re not confined to a simple walk or jog. They also enjoy swimming (provided they’ve been taught) and will love getting stuck in dog sports if enrolled.

• High Intelligence

From American Bullies to American Pit Bull Terriers, Pit Bulls are incredibly intelligent canines. Coupled with their eagerness to please, this makes them easy to train compared to other dogs as they will pick up on lessons quickly to make their human happy.

It is also said that they are intuitive and can read people’s emotions well. With this in mind, they can often mirror what their owners feel. When treated with love and adoration, the Pit Bull will return it, but if shown otherwise, they can become anxious and closed off. This is another reason why it’s important to properly socialize your puppy.

Cons

If you’re glancing over this article thinking, ‘wow, there seem to be quite a few cons – maybe I should reconsider Pit Bulls’, make sure to keep reading. Many of these cons are based on what happens when a Pit Bull isn’t raised in the best environment, so they can easily be avoided if you are serious about getting yourself one of these dog breeds.

• They Can Develop Anxiety

Pit Bulls specifically can develop separation anxiety. When left alone, they can resort to behaviors such as destructive chewing, urinating/defecating inside, digging, constant pacing, and more.

Often, Pit Bulls develop this as a response to trauma such as a change in family members, traveling, or even being left alone for long periods. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent this, including getting them some interactive dog toys or a treat-dispensing toy. Not only will these occupy your pooch, but they are a great tool for mental stimulation. Additionally, you can purchase dog cameras to install around your home as a way of communicating with them when you’re not around.

• They Can Suffer From Numerous Health Issues

Like other breeds, Pit Bulls are prone to some health concerns. Hip dysplasia, heart disease, obesity, and cataracts are some health problems that can affect your Pit Bull at some point in their life.

Skin issues and allergies are common occurrences in Pit Bulls, causing them to develop dry and irritated skin. In most cases, this can be mild and be treated with sensitive shampoos and appropriate dog foods. However, in other instances, your dog may have to take medication to ease pain and discomfort.

Sadly, some health issues can’t be avoided, but you can make sure their quality of life is at its peak. Issues such as obesity can be prevented by controlling their diet and ensuring it is the best option based on their age and size. Additionally, you can ensure they’re getting the required amount of exercise and take them for regular vet checkups.

• If Untrained, They Can Develop Bad Tendencies or Aggressive Behavior

It goes without saying that you could have a bad dog to deal with if you neglect to invest in socialization and basic obedience training. Not only will they turn their nose up at you, but they may develop destructive habits and be prone to biting other animals or even people.

Pit Bulls are strong-willed with a high prey drive, so if they feel like they’re in a frightening position, feel threatened, or simply lack discipline, you could be in a sticky situation yourself.

• The Stigma Latches Onto Owners

Many still believe that Pit Bull breeds are volatile and aggressive; sadly, this image can infect their owners too. The reason for this bad rap is due to their unfortunate breed history, as they were specifically bred to participate in unethical blood sports such as bull baiting and fighting wild animals. These sports have since been banned, but unfortunately, people engage their canines in illegal dog fighting rings in the modern day.

Pit Bulls are also commonly known to be favored by gangs and criminals to put on or enhance an intimidating aura. Therefore you may find that, as a Pit Bull owner, you could be subject to prejudice, and although many dog owners and enthusiasts know otherwise, others may give you a wide birth or judge harshly.

• They are Banned in Some States

If you’re one to travel, owning a Pit Bull might make things a little more complicated since they have been banned from several states. The Breed Specific Legislation is actively enacted in some areas as an attempt to prevent dog bites and similar attacks on humans and other dogs/animals.

Although there are sources that state that the BSL has done little to affect dog bites and attacks, according to sources, Pit Bulls are responsible for more dog bites than any other dog breed. This is troubling, but it’s important to consider what may lead a dog to bite in the first place.

• Adult Pit Bulls Can Be Difficult to Train

The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is outdated and incorrect to some degree. You can train an adult dog, but you may have to apply a lot more time and effort to train them successfully or even employ a qualified trainer.

Training them young is ideal, as Pit Bulls love to learn and impress their humans. They are also free from traumas or anxieties, whereas an adopted adult Pit Bull may have trouble coming to terms with training and their new family.

The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Pit Bull

There are many reasons to get a Pitbull from your local center or rescue shelter, but some risks come with adopting. All of these are listed below.

Pros

• You won’t be completely in the dark about your new dog. Since those that work at shelters and centers spend a lot of time with the dogs and evaluating them, they will be able to provide you with everything you need to know about your dog’s temperament, personality, and individual needs.
• Some dogs will already be house-trained! No need to enroll them in a training program if they already know what they’re doing.
• You’re saving a life. Adopting educates people on the severe problems revolving around animal abuse and neglect. The minute you bring your rescue home, you will be offering them safety, comfort, and love, which you’ll get in return!
• Adopting will save you money. Getting a puppy can be pricey but getting a purebred can damage your wallet.
• A lot of rescues are also already vaccinated as well as neutered/spayed
• Not all of them will have difficult behavioral problems. Most just want to find them forever home.

Cons

• You must evaluate whether you can or cannot provide for the dog’s needs. Some shelter dogs can’t be homed in places with other dogs or pets as they may become anxious or aggressive. Others need plenty of space with access to a garden for fresh air and alone time due to being easily overwhelmed.
• Depending on their history, which may or maybe not be attainable, you risk getting a dog with behavioral issues. Occasionally, they may be defensive, but shelter dogs are typically more anxious due to past trauma.
• Trailing on from the previous point, some dogs can be possessive, particularly over toys or food. This may result from having to fight for or defend their food from others in the past due to a lack of it.
• Purebreed dogs rarely get put into shelters, so when you think you could be getting an American Pit Bull Terrier, you may get a mixed breed. This won’t be a problem to some, but it can be difficult to pinpoint what breeds they may be intertwined with, making identifying potential health risks hard in the future.
• You may find it immensely difficult to find Pit Bull puppies in a shelter, as most tend to be adults.

Before we sum up, we don’t intend to repelling aspiring dog owners from adopting. Adopting can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, but evaluating whether you can provide for a rescue before you go in and make the decision is important.

Summary – Pitbull Pros and Cons

So if you’re wondering, ‘should I get a Pit Bull?’ the choice is ultimately up to you. Getting a dog is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be made overnight. Take the time to mill over the information and ensure you’re prepared to take on another family member.

If you haven’t already, maybe consider the topics below to help guide you toward a decision:

• How will other pets respond to a new puppy?
• Can I provide everything they need from the minute they are brought home?
• Do I plan to make any home changes that might affect their well-being?

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What is a Goldendoodle?

Apricot Goldendoodles have the endearing qualities of two of the most popular dog breeds: the Golden Retriever and Poodle.

All dogs are different, but many Doodle owners and enthusiasts will argue that this beautiful offspring combines some of their parent breeds’ best qualities. Not only are they adorable, but they are also highly intelligent, affectionate, and suitably social.

Standard Apricot Goldendoodle Overview

Note: The size of a Goldendoodle puppy will depend on its poodle parent as they can come in various sizes, including toy, miniature, and standard. The standard poodle is the most common size used for breeding Goldendoodle puppies.

What Makes a Goldendoodle Apricot?

Goldendoodle colors can vary completely as they will be inherited from both breed parents. Golden Retrievers and Poodles can give us shades ranging from black, champagne, merle, red, tuxedo, and many more.

The Apricot Goldendoodle is perhaps one of the most recognized shades of Doodle. These dogs are described as being a lighter shade of red but aren’t to be confused with the red Goldendoodle. Although red Goldendoodles are very common among doodle lovers, they can be set apart from Apricots by their fiery red/mahogany coat color.

Goldendoodle Genetics

1. F1 – First generation. Bred from a Poodle and Golden Retriever.
2. F1b – First generation backcross. Commonly a Poodle is bred with another Goldendoodle.
3. F2 – Second generation. Goldendoodle bred with another Goldendoodle.
4. F2b – Second generation backcross. Goldendoodle (F1) bred to a Goldendoodle (F1b).
5. F3 – Multi-generational breeding is used here, sometimes involving a purebred Poodle.

Apricot Goldendoodle Appearance

Goldendoodles are unique-looking dogs. They tend to have a beautiful wavy or curly coat and can come in various colors. You may be surprised to learn that they can also come in various sizes. Below is more in-depth information regarding their overall appearance, including size variations, coat colors, and even coat texture.

Height

As mentioned previously, the size of an Apricot Goldendoodle will depend on their Poodle Parents’ size. The Golden Retriever parent, of course, will be the typical size, but the Poodle parent used to breed can be toy, miniature, or standard. Ultimately, this will impact how big you expect your Apricot Goldendoodle to grow. Below are rough estimations of the sizes you can expect the Goldendoodle puppy to grow between.

Weight

Like height, the weight will also depend on their Poodle parent. Generally, Goldendoodles will weigh anywhere between 15 to 80 pounds.

Coat Texture

Since there are different generations of Goldendoodles, you may find that the coat texture and style will vary depending on how close they are to the original Poodle genes. Typically, these coats will either be straight, wavy, or curly. Remember that the closer the Goldendoodle puppy is to their Poodle lineage, the curlier the coat.

Hypoallergenic Canines

Goldendoodles are a common choice for pet owners that struggle with allergies as they are considered low-shedding dogs. However, it’s important to note that all dogs shed, including the Goldendoodle.

Color Combinations

Believe it or not, the Apricot Goldendoodle has several color variations, which are listed below.

These are just some of the common colors of an Apricot Goldendoodle, but they can also come in red and even a light shade of cream with an apricot hue.

Changes to Coat Color and Appearance

One thing to remember about Goldendoodles is that their coat will change over time. As puppies, Goldendoodles will have what is known as a ‘puppy coat’ before this inevitably sheds to make way for their adult coat. To add, the color may also change as time passes by. Generally, this means that your dog’s coat will become a lighter color the older they get. For bi-colored Goldendoodles, their markings will also fade or disappear altogether.

Apricot Goldendoodle Personality

If you’re thinking about getting yourself one of these adorable, curly-coated pups, you’ll be pleased to know that many pet owners will vouch for their wonderful personality traits. Since both parent breeds are gentle and intelligent, you can expect their hybrid offspring to follow in their footsteps.

Intelligence

Golden Retrievers and Poodles are considered immensely smart dogs, and the Apricot Goldendoodle is not different. They are known to make extremely effective and versatile working canines, especially service or therapy dogs.

Furthermore, they enjoy participating in dog sports such as obedience and agility training. Not only do dog sports keep them fit and healthy, but it also keeps them mentally stimulated.

Energy Levels

Apricot Goldendoodles are regarded as having moderate to high energy levels. This means that they are active dogs that will require significant exercise and play sessions to burn off the energy. However, that doesn’t mean they require constant entertainment and tasks like other dog breeds. They will still enjoy curling up next to their favorite humans in the evening.

Sociability

Apricot Goldendoodles are loving animals that are incredibly friendly to those close to them and strangers. Compared to other breeds, the Goldendoodle doesn’t make a great guard dog and will sooner show a burglar their toys than intimidate them from stealing.

Children and Other Pets

Their love of people and their desire to play make great family pets. They will especially love playing fetch with children and mixing with other dogs or pets in the household.

Caring for an Apricot Goldendoodle

Diet

Like many other dog breeds, Apricot Goldendoodles rely on high-quality food to fuel and nourish them. Before getting one of these adorable dogs, do your research and consult a vet before getting ahold of their food.

In addition, it’s important to remember that their diet should be altered as they age to suit their energy levels and wavering nutritional needs.

Training

Like other canines, Apricot Goldendoodles should be socialized early to prevent them from developing anxiety or bad tendencies toward people and other animals. Due to their high intelligence, training will come easier to these canines not only because they are clever but also because they are known people pleasers.

That said, be sure you are prepared to train an Apricot Goldendoodle. Make sure you take a practical approach and use plenty of positive reinforcement, as a harsher approach may do more harm than good.

Exercise

Although Apricot Goldendoodles are active canines, they may not need as much exercise as you think. These pooches will require daily activity in the shape of a high-energy play session or a 30+ minute walk/jog.

*Note: It may also be interesting to learn that Goldendoodles are good swimmers and will enjoy a dip in a lake if given the opportunity.

Grooming

Whether they have a straight, curly, or wavy coat, your Apricot Goldendoodle will require regular grooming. Brushing your Doodle at least once a week is a must as this will prevent their coats from becoming tangled or matted. Brushing will also remove loose hair and help distribute natural oils that nourish and maintain the coat’s healthy appearance.

Moreover, ensure you take good care of their teeth and get their nails clipped when necessary. If you neglect these, you can invite a multitude of dental issues as well as problems relating to their gait and paws.

Potential Health Concerns

Sadly, Apricot Goldendoodles are prone to some health concerns. These can be avoided if you find your puppy from a reliable and trustworthy breeder. This is because they will screen their parent breeds and complete the necessary health checks to ensure pups are not likely to develop harmful issues.

Potential Health Problems:

• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Patellar Luxation
• Glaucoma
• Sebaceous Adenitis

Finding an Apricot Goldendoodle Puppy

Apricot Goldendoodles are quite common, but you may have difficulty finding pups with particular coat types or shades of apricot. As mentioned above, Goldendoodles will shed their puppy coat to make way for an adult one. Therefore, you may have issues finding a specific type, such as a curly Apricot Goldendoodle.

That being said, most breeders will strive for a particular kind of Goldendoodle (including specific generations such as an Apricot F1 Goldendoodle) so make sure to ask plenty of questions. However, be sure to understand what to look for in dog breeders and be aware of any red flags.

Finding yourself any Apricot Goldendoodle for sale is simple if you know where to look. A thorough internet search will draw up some valuable information, but also take a look at the sites below:

• CrockettDoodles.com
• Lancasterpuppies.com
• Gooddog.com

Adopting

Adopting has many benefits. The primary is that you will give a pup the chance to love home. However, adopting may mean waiting a little while before you find your new best fur friend, but it’ll be worth it. Make sure you regularly check your local rescue centers and shelters.

The post A Complete Guide to Apricot Goldendoodles: What Makes Them Special? appeared first on .

So, if you like a dog that stands out from the crowd, a brindle may just be your perfect color match. We explore 22 of the most popular brindle dog breeds to help you find the one to catch your eye.

What is a Brindle Color?

‘Brindle’ refers to a specific type of dog coat with darker ‘tiger-like’ stripes, irregular in pattern, across a lighter base color. A recessive gene causes this brindle pattern – we will delve deeper into this shortly – and can also be seen in other animals, including cattle and horses.

Not all brindle patterns are the same as the stripes. Colors and tones may vary. However, two main brindle patterns are acknowledged – the traditional brindle, where the colors are heavier and darker, and the reverse brindle, which sees a lighter color more pronounced against a darker background. The typical colors for brindle coats include blue, red, brown, dark brown, and fawn.

Some dog breeds are also more predisposed to the brindle pattern than others, and most brindle dog breeds tend to have shorter coats.

The Genetics Behind the Brindle Coat Pattern

Photo by @brindledogfeatures, Instagram

Now, to the science bit! Like all other dog coat colors, the brindle trait is caused by a dog’s genetics, namely a specific combination in the gene series in its DNA.

In all dogs, their coat color is determined by several different genes, which control two key pigments: eumelanin (black-brown) and pheomelanin (red-yellow) and eumelanin (black-brown). It is specifically how a dog’s genetics switches on its coat color and pigment pattern that, in the case of brindle hounds, creates the distinctive tiger stripe pattern.

What Makes a Dog’s Coat Brindle?

A gene mutation causes that gorgeous striped brindle pattern at a specific location on a dog’s DNA strand – known as the K locus. At the K locus, three gene variations determine color – one for black, one that defaults to all other colors, and one that leads to the brindle pattern.

The gene for brindle coat patterns is a specific gene called the Agouti, which controls the distribution of black and red pigments in a dog’s fur. For a dog’s coat to present as brindle coloring, its brindle gene must be dominant to the default gene but recessive to the black gene. And many brindle puppies are initially born without the stripes, which develop a little later.

Not all brindle coats are the same, and the Agouti presence doesn’t guarantee a specific striped pattern, meaning every brindle coat is unique!

What’s the Difference Between Merle and Brindle Dog Breeds?

While they have similarities, brindle coloring and merle are two separate canine coat patterns. As we have already seen, the brindle color is caused by a recessive gene in the DNA’s K locus, which results in a distinctive striped pattern.

On the other hand, merle – which represents patches of diluted pigment on a solid black coat – is caused by a partially dominant gene.

It is possible, however, for dog breeds with stripes to carry the brindle gene mixed in with other colors, including merle, to create a marble of solid colors against a brindle striped coat.

22 Beautiful Brindle Dogs

So, now we know that brindle is a coat color and not a specific breed, you can start to work out which breed with brindle in its genes will make your ideal pet. And the good news is that brindle dogs come in all shapes and sizes, including mixed breeds, so there’s plenty to choose from!

We give the lowdown on what we think are the top breeds when it comes to those tiger stripes:

1. Boston Terrier

Photo by @djtt_agility.bostons, Instagram

Known as the ‘American gentleman’ due to his cute tuxedo-like coat and dignified personality, the Boston Terrier is one of the most popular breeds in the US. On the smaller side – between 10 and 25 pounds – this polite yet super-smart chap has five standard coat colors, which include white, black, and seal and his short coat can also be found with three brindle stripe varieties.

Originally bred as a fighting dogs, Boston Terriers retain a spunky side. Still, this playful character also makes the Boston Terrier a good choice for families, and his size is suited to apartment living, although he does love his time outdoors.

However, as a short-snouted breed (also known as brachycephalic), Boston Terriers are prone to overheating and can suffer from breathing problems.

2. Dutch Shepherd

Photo by @ermis_thedutch, Instagram

Intelligent and independent, the stunning Dutch Shepherd excels in a job, and the breed makes for excellent police and service dogs. And, as one of the most handsome brindle dog breeds you can get, his well-defined stripes against a lean yet muscular body is particularly striking.

The coat of the Dutch Shepherd is exclusively brindle and comes in beautiful shades of red, gold, or silver. However, his coat is rough and can have a curly texture.

A larger, active dog, Dutch Shepherds are best for those experienced with canine training and handling as that sharp brain means he can be dominant. An extremely intelligent dog, the Dutch Shepherd is willing to learn and super-loyal to his human, making him a joy to look at and own.

3. Pit Bull/ American Staffordshire Terrier

Photo by @peteypie.pitmix, Instagram

The jury is still out on whether these are the same or two separate breeds, but whichever way you look at them, they were originally bred from the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and both can display brindle coat tendencies.

Taller and leaner than their English counterpart, Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terriers are today used as farm dogs or as family pets. And, despite the misconception of the breed as being vicious, the American Bully/Staffordshire Bull Terrier is, in fact, friendly, loyal and loving when you get to know them.

With their ‘easy care’ short coats, Pitbull/American Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be found in a host of coat colors and patterns, including solid and the more traditional dog brindle coloring, which is one of the most common coats recognized by the American Kennel Club for the breed.

4. Jack Russell Terrier

Photo by @jack.russell.family, Instagram

One of the most popular family pets, not many realize that the Jack Russell Terrier breed can also be one of the most adorable brindle patterned canines.

While rarer than most, the brindle JRT can still be found, although it does tend to be in one area, such as the face or body. And this rarity makes them highly desirable if brindle is your canine thing.

As well as looking pretty with their brindle markings, the Jack Russell is one smart, tenacious cookie that is also full of energy, so makes a wonderful pet if you have children who love to be out and active. And they are also easy to train, love human company, and can be a bit clown. What’s not to love?

 5. Akita

Photo by @posie_family, Instagram

The national dog of Japan, the Akita is a cool-looking customer that resembles the Siberian Husky. With its lux fur, the Akita was originally bred for hunting and sled work, as well as a guard and watchdog. The result is a confident hunting dog with a strong prey drive, and so needs a confident, experienced owner to manage his headstrong, protective personality and bring out his best.

Large-boned and tall, the Akita is a handsome dog that also needs early socialization to sort out any aggression, but their loyalty is unbound.

The Akita is also double-coated, with a dense undercoat and short topcoat.  Black, white, or chocolate – or a combination – are the most common coat colors, although Akitas with a brindle coat can be found.

6. Pug

Photo by @brindlepug, Instagram

Another short-snouted or brachycephalic dog, the Pug, is one of the oldest Chinese breeds and is thought to date back to before 4,000BC.

Diminutive and a little on the stocky side, the clown-like face of the inquisitive and funny pug has ensured he remains one of the most popular family pet breeds today. And his affectionate and playful nature makes the Pug a great pet for children, although he is happy to curl up on the sofa and snooze with you too.

Easy to groom, the Pug’s coat is soft and short, with a lovely gloss, and mainly comes in the officially recognized colors of black or fawn. However, brindle Pugs do exist, although it is rarer for them to carry the brindle gene. The brindle dog coat coloring is currently not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

7. The Boxer

Photo by @epic_the_boxy, Instagram

Goofy, upbeat, and downright gorgeous, the Boxer is a firm favorite for many, and their playfulness, intelligence, and trainability make them great family pets.

The name ‘boxer’ comes from the breed’s tendency to jump up with their front paws in an adorably pugilistic way! But they are also a little sensitive and need to be at the center of the family, so it can become problematic if left alone for too long.

The brindle boxer heritage is recognized and is one of the two official colors for the breed standard, alongside fawn/brown. Both coat patterns can be offset with white, typically along the belly and underside, to create a super-cute-looking bib! Brindle boxer coat patterns are dominant in the breed, making tiger-striped brindle Boxers a familiar sight.

8. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Photo by @koiravalokuvaustalapista, Instagram

Bred for herding duties, the relatively small Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a big heart and makes affectionate, funny, and loyal family pets that are easy to care for. And don’t let those short little legs fool you, as this breed is agile and loves to run!

An intelligent breed, the Corgi needs regular exercise to burn off his energy and keep him occupied. But they can also be a little stubborn, and their herding instincts mean that they can tend to nip.

When it comes to the Corgi coat, it is a lush affair that is dense and also sheds profusely, so be prepared for regular grooming! The Corgi is also one of the smaller dog breeds to carry the brindle gene, along with merle, the more popular color. However, you can also get a brindle/merle combo. Brindle or merle Corgis are rare, though, with the dominant colors being white, black, or tri-colored.

9. Dachshund

Photo by @barneys_adventure, Instagram

Also known as the Weiner, the Dachshund is a unique-looking pooch that can have either short or long hair. And both coat lengths have been known to carry the brindle and the merle gene. However, these patterned coats, including gray brindle, are not as popular as the traditional black and tan Dachshund coloring. Although it can be found, Brindle is not officially recognized in the breed standard as a Wiener color by the American Kennel Club.

As a pet, the Dachshunds have friendly, outgoing personalities that love to be the center of attention. And their small size makes them ideal for apartment living. But don’t expect a shy and retiring type with the Daxie, as he loves to make his presence known!

Vocal, tenacious, and protective, they can also be stubborn, making life with a Dachshund – brindle or not – a lively and fun experience.

10. Great Dane

Photo by @puptentphotography, Instagram

We move from one of the smallest brindle breeds to one of the largest – the oversized and gorgeous Great Dane. One of the world’s biggest breeds, the Great Dane, can reach three feet to the shoulder and weigh up to 200 pounds, so that’s a lot of dogs to care for.

But their personality is one of a big softie, making the Great Dane a true gentle giant. Calm, dignified, and loving, the Dane is a joy to own, although they need plenty of space and exercise. And you need to be prepared to put up with a lot of doggo drool.

Regarding their short coat, the Great Dane has seven official colors and can carry the ‘stripy tiger’ gene to create a beautiful brindle coat. The other recognized Great Dane colors are black, blue brindle, fawn, harlequin, mantle, and merle.

11. Greyhound

Photo by @mnphotos8, Instagram

These natural runners are the most popular racing dog in the US and, away from the track, also make wonderful, family-friendly pets. And although the color is less prevalent than the more traditional colors, such as white, black, merle, or apricot, the brindle coloring in greyhounds can be found.

Tall, lean, and lithe, greyhounds can be speedy when out exercising but then take it down a notchback home, where they often transform into the ultimate cuddle monster and couch potato. And their friendly, gentle nature makes them wonderful pets for kids.

When it comes to that distinctive brindle stripe, the pattern adds an eye-catching look to the greyhound. And while rarer, the brindle pattern can come in all the core greyhound colors, including a stunning blue brindle, red brindle, and fawn.

12. Bull Terrier

Photo by @extreme_elfs_bull, Instagram

Stocky, with an unusual profile, the muscular Bull Terrier is known as an extremely loving dog that can have its stubborn and destructive chewing moments, so need patient and consistent training. But the effort is worth it, as Bull Terriers are loyal, funny, and charming and bring much love to their human clan.

Originating from the 19^th century, the Bull Terrier is a cross between the bulldog and terrier breeds and was intended as a baiting and fighting dog. Fast-forward to today, and while Bull Terriers now make wonderful pets, they have retained a lot of energy and agility despite their stocky size.

Bull Terriers are also known for a brindle coat, among around 13 different recognized color patterns, including all white, fawn brindle, and tri-color. And the beauty of the brindle gene in Bull Terriers is that it can manifest itself as traditional Bull Terrier brindle, brindle and white or, more unusually, white and black brindle.

13. American Bulldog

Photo by @stormtheamericanbulldog, Instagram

Descended from the English bully, the American Bulldog is a strong and handsome chap. Bred for sports and farm work, the American Bully also makes a loyal pet who is naturally protective of his human family.

He is agile, muscular, and energetic, too, so needs plenty of daily exercise and stimulation to keep him occupied and happy. He needs consistent training early, but the rewards are worth it.

White is the traditional base color for American Bulldogs, typically patterned with brindle patches or solid black or red. They can also be found in fawn, and more rarely, some dogs can be blue-tinted merle. Their coat is short, which means they shed moderately all year round, but with regular grooming can be kept under control.

14. Kai Ken

Photo by @isao.kaiken, Instagram

Unlike many of the dogs in our brindle breed guide, the Kai Ken defaults to the stripy pattern in almost all cases. Hence it’s another name, the Tiger Dog. Hailing from Japan, this strong, German Shepherd-looking canine is a rare breed and is just one of six native breeds protected in its own country.

All Kai Ken dogs have a clear brindle pattern to their full coat, ranging from black and red brindle to the traditional brown. As a brindle puppy, Kai Kens are born with a solid color coat, which then develops its brindle stripes as they grow.

Intelligent and skilled as a hunter, the Kai Ken has a high energy drive but is also loving and attentive and can make super family pets.

15. Irish Wolfhound

Photo by @aino.the_irish_wolfhound, Instagram

Wiry, rangy, and agile, when it comes to the stripy brindle pattern, the Irish Wolfhound will more typically exhibit the reverse brindle coat, meaning their coat remains the lighter color. And these reverse brindle stripes are quite common in the breed, although the reverse brindle pattern is more subtle as the Irish Wolfhound’s coat is rough and dense.

Classed as a giant breed, the breed’s lifespan is quite short, with an overage between 6-8 years. Temperament-wise, the Irish Wolfhound can be a little stand-offish, especially with strangers, but with patience, they will warm to their human and make a laid-back family member. But as they were bred to hunt wolves and elk, they do need consistent training and are perhaps not the best choice for first-time dog owners.

16. Glen of Imaal Terrier

Photo by @retutheglen, Instagram

Rarely seen outside of its native Irish home of county Wicklow, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a rare breed in the US but a sought-after one amongst its fans. Bred as a rabbiter and vermin hunter, this small Willey dog looks similar to a Cairn Terrier and loves nothing better than to play and chase. However, while laid back in the home, this terrier does have a strong prey instinct, so is best in a one-pet household.

Stocky, short, and with the typical Cairn Terrier-like face, the Glen of Imaal has a rough, medium-length double coat that requires consistent grooming to keep it clean and neat. The breed also has three coat colors – wheaten (ranging from cream to red), blue (from slate grey to silver), and terrier brindle.

The brindle coat pattern in the Glen of Imaal Terrier will most likely take its inspiration from the dominant blue color of the breed to create a stunning blue brindle shade, although red brindle is also seen.

17. Cane Corso

The distinguished Cane Corso is an Italian Mastiff dog that commonly carries the brindle gene. The result can be a brindle pattern against a black coat and other lighter patterns, including shades of red, gray, and fawn brindle. And, with the breed’s short and very shiny double coat, these brindle color patterns can look stunning – making a brindle Cane Corso a real head-turner.

Originating from Southern Italy, the Cane Corso is an ancient Mastiff breed bred as a watch or guard dog. This makes this statuesque breed intelligent but also dominant, so needs careful training. And the sheer size of the breed – the Cane Corso can grow to around 28 inches to the shoulder – means an experienced, patient, and consistent owner is a must.

18. Presa De Canario

Another member of the Mastiff family, this time from Spain, the Presa De Canario, hails from the sunny Mediterranean island of Gran Canaria, also known as the Canary Mastiff. The Presa Canario was originally a farm dog, a sizeable animal bred to herd livestock. He also makes an excellent guard dog but can be protective of his human.

The coat of these herding dogs is short and comes in brown, gold, orange fawn, or silver. Tiger and brindle patterns are also a recognized standard, giving this beautiful, muscular dog a majestic look thanks to the unique brindle colorings.

But despite his tough appearance, this lovely canine is docile with his family and will be a loyal and loving pet, while consistent training is a must.

19. Mountain Cur

Photo by @the.brindle.black.pack, Instagram

A member of the hound family, the Mountain Cur hails from the ranges of Kentucky and Tennessee and worked as herders and watchdogs on isolated farms. Long-limbed and athletic, the Cur has an intelligent face with the personality to match.

As a hound, they are easily trained and can make a fantastic pet for an active family who needs to be committed to regular exercise otherwise, the Cur can become destructive. Their strong prey drive can also cause problems with other pets.

With a smooth, short double coat, the Mountain Cur is a handsome dog and comes in a nice range of colors, including black, tan, yellow, and brown. They are also sought after for their brindle gene, either the traditional brindle or black and brindle mix.

Some Curs may also have white points on their coat. Minimal grooming is needed to keep the Mountain Cur looking good, although they are prone to infections as they can have sensitive skin.

20. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Photo by @amy_poppy_pumpkin, Instagram

The fierce-looking Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in Africa and was crossbred between the native Khoikhoi dogs and hounds and terriers from Europe to work as hunting dogs. A muscular animal with a strong prey drive is used as a fearless lion hunter.

Today, the Ridgeback has evolved to become a family pet that has proven to be calm and loving, although they tend to be protective of their human family and so need firm and consistent training and handling.

As a medium-large dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback makes an imposing figure; they are also fast and athletic and can have an independent personality, so not the best choice for a first-time dog owner.

The smooth coat of the breed also only comes in one dog’s coat color – known as ‘wheaten’, which can cover a range of shades, from light flaxen to a deeper red but can also be found with a wheaten and black brindle coat in the traditional striped brindle colors pattern.

21. Treeing Tennessee Brindle

One of the few breeds with the word ‘brindle’ in its name, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle carries the gene that makes the stripy pattern one of its most frequently seen colors on its smooth coat.

Alert, intelligent and friendly, this lean dog is of medium size and is a prolific hunter. The traditional brindle pattern is the dominant color in the breed, although you can also find a Treeing Tennessee Brindle in black.

Bred in the Ozarks, which were used to track a range of game species, are scent-driven and can be very vocal. The high energy levels of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle mean they need to be in an active home with plenty of outdoor space.

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle can also be stubborn regarding training and don’t like to be left on their own.

22. Cursinu

Photo by @shelbers2013, Instagram

The Cursinu is an ancient dog breed that originated from the French island of Corsica, where it had been previously known as the Corsican. It was also at risk of extinction in the mid-20th century before breeders made a concerted effort to increase numbers and enable this medium-sized breed to make a comeback.

With a muscular body and short fur, the main color for the Cursinu is traditional brindle, overlaid on fawn, brown, tan, or black. White markings on the chest can be included, and the whole look is offset by the breed’s typical warm amber eyes.

Hardy in nature and adept hunters, the Cursinu is loyal and alert and makes excellent watchdogs, although their tendency to bark can become a nuisance. But as a family pet, they can be docile and calm, ready to step up energy levels, come exercise or playtime.

Do Brindle Dogs Have an Increased Chance of Health Problems?

Brindle coats will not cause any issues with your pet’s health as the mutation in the genes to create the pattern is harmless. However, if the dog has been bred with a dog with the merle gene, it can increase your pet’s chances of developing health conditions related to the dominant merle gene.

Merle dogs can suffer from certain visual and hearing problems due to suppressing pigment cells in the eyes and ears. These conditions can include cataracts, blindness, and congenital deafness.

Dogs with the merle gene should be tested for such health conditions as a pup.

Like other dogs, when choosing a brindle dog, you should also consider the likely health issues the specific breed you are opting for may be more prone to.

Are Brindle Dogs More Aggressive?

As brindle is a pattern on a dog’s coat and not a specific breed or type, the tiger stripes do not influence how passive or aggressive a dog will be. In short, the brindle coat has little or no bearing on a dog’s temperament or personality.

When choosing your new brindle color dog, it is important to factor in the breed’s traits to ensure the dog is the right fit for your experience level, home setup, and lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

The distinct tiger stripe pattern of a brindle coat means whatever breed you choose; you will have a head-turning dog to love and care for. And the beauty of that stripy pattern is that it can be found in a wide variety of brindle dog breeds, which come in all shapes, sizes, energy levels, and temperaments.

This means that whatever your dog-owning ambitions or pet parent experience may be, you should be able to find the perfect brindle companion.

And, as no two brindle coats are ever truly the same, this means that whatever brindle dog breed you choose, you are getting a unique four-legged friend!

The post Brindle Dog Breeds: Top 22 Most Popular appeared first on .

Before you decide to buy a Pomeranian Siberian Husky designer breed dog, make sure you understand its unique characteristics and requirements for optimum care. If you cannot commit to these basic requirements, then a Pomsky is not for you. This article should help you make that decision.

History of the Pomsky

The Pomsky, or Huskeranian to some, is a relatively new designer breed, barely a decade old, having been ‘designed’ in 2009 in the US through artificial insemination. However, it would take another 3 years before the first Pomsky litter was born in 2012, also in the US. Artificial insemination was the most viable approach to designing a breed. More specifically, it must be the bigger Siberian Husky that needs to get pregnant, not the smaller Pomeranian.

When species breed, both parents contribute half of their genes to forming the new cell, which will soon form and develop into offspring. And since the genes contain all the information about how a certain species is to develop, breeding means you’ve got 50% of the characteristics of female Siberian Husky and 50% of the characteristics of the male Pomeranian. Unfortunately, there is no telling what genetic information is contained in this 50/50 arrangement and how it will translate into the offspring.

That being said, it is a must that the Siberian Husky be the mother and the Pomeranian be the father because of the sheer difference in size. Having it the other way around may result in larger puppies for which the smaller Pomeranian’s reproductive organs may be unable to accommodate. This can endanger the puppies or, worse, even the Pomeranian mother.

The Pomsky Club of America was formed to produce a recognized purebred. However, it will take many more years to accomplish this because of the large disparity between the two breeds. Puppies must be carefully selected for the specific traits that Pomsky breeders need. A breed can only be called pure if the characteristics or traits of the offspring are nearly uniform and they can already follow a very predictable pattern. It would take several generations before these traits are cemented into a purebred form. The good news is that the Siberian Husky and the Pomeranian have the same roots, belonging to the Spitz type of dogs.

There are also ethical concerns in using artificial insemination since it is generally not considered natural. This leads to a dog that is, to put it bluntly, made by man and not by the natural processes of reproduction.

Regardless, the Pomsky is being groomed as a leading contender for many companion dogs, such as the mini Poodle and the Yorkshire Terrier. It just might be based on its growing popularity in the US and Europe. For now, however, Pomsky breeders must be very careful in selecting the best possible puppies for breeding. That means they have to look deep into the lineage of both parents.

Who are the Parents?

Since a Huskeranian or Pomsky has a Siberian Husky for its mother and a Pomeranian for its father, it is important to understand the unique characteristics of these parent breeds.

Siberian Husky

The breed has been around for millennia, possibly as ancient as some 8,500 years ago. They were first bred by the Chukchi peoples who inhabited the harsh lands of the Chukchi Peninsula, washed by the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The Chukchis are Paleo-Siberian inhabitants of the ancient world. They have been using the Husky to help carry their goods across the inhospitable Siberian tundra, where the summers are very short. Even on these short days when the sun is shining, the landscape can still be formidable. This is where Huskies are valued. It’s highly resilient and very active. It loves pulling sleds loaded with the Chukchi’s goods.

During the Nome Gold Rush at the turn of the 20^th century, Russian traders eventually introduced these dogs as sled dogs. Carrying gold recovered from the beach sands of Nome, Alaska, the Siberian Huskies were called by the local people Siberian Rats because they were smaller than the heavyweight dog in the area, the Alaskan Malamute. Nevertheless, because of their smaller size, they were faster, more agile, and more resilient than their bigger counterparts earning them a slot in many of the region’s sled dog racing competitions.

The Siberian Husky shares many genetic characteristics with other Artic dogs, such as the Alaskan Malamute, the Alaskan Husky, and the Chukotka sled dog. It is believed to be the direct descendant of the North Asian Taymyr wolf, a subspecies of the grey wolf. Most scholars believe that dogs began splitting from their wolf ancestors some 11 to 16 millennia ago. However, recent studies show that the genetic split (a term for mutation) may have occurred much earlier, about 20,000 to 25,000 years ago. This is significant since more than a quarter (27%) of the genetic makeup of Siberian huskies and other Northern dog breeds can be traced back to the ancient population of Siberian wolves.

Siberian Huskies can grow up to 50 and 60 pounds for females and males, respectively, and typically last from 13 to 14 years. It’s a working dog that loves the outdoors, plenty of exercises, and socialization with other dogs, kids, and other people. It’s a highly intelligent breed, but they have a streak of stubbornness that can make first-time owners give up their obedience training. They are the quintessential leader of the pack, requiring a stronger, more willful pet parent to show them who’s the leader. After all, they are the direct descendants of a special grey wolf breed, which can still manifest in their sense of independence.

The Husky is one of the sturdiest breeds in the dog world. Its main problems are issues with its eyes and hip dysplasia. Its hardiness is believed to be what the Husky has inherited from the Taymyr wolf.

Pomeranian

Bubbly, cute, and affectionate, the Pomeranian is a direct descendant of the large working dogs that toiled the inhospitable climes of the Arctic. Migration to Middle Europe introduced some of these Arctic dogs in the region where they were aptly called Wolfspitz because of their sharp, pointed muzzles and ears. A region in present-day Germany and Poland is known as Pomerania is credited with the miniaturization of the Wolfspitz, paving the way to what the world now knows as Pomeranian.

Not much is known about the breed until the 18^th century, when Queen Charlotte brought two of the dogs to England in 1767. The Poms, Phoebe, and Mercury were larger than modern-day Pomeranians highlighting the breed’s ongoing transition from their wolf-like ancestors into the miniature lap dogs we know today. In 1888, Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter, Queen Victoria, established a breeding kennel of her own, with Poms being her favorite. One of the most successful and largely considered progenitors of modern Poms is Windsor’s Marco weighing only 12 pounds.

Because of the unexpected popularity of the small wolfish hound, Queen Victoria strived to make the breed even smaller. Today, a standard Pomeranian can weigh anywhere from 3 to 7 pounds, although it’s not unusual that some will grow bigger to Queen Victoria standards. It also grows to 8 to 12 inches in height at the shoulder and can last at least 15 years.

Number 15 in AKC’s list of the most popular breeds, the Pomeranian is a favorite among the members of society’s upper echelons, including the royalty that included England’s King George IV and Josephine de Beauharnais. By 1898, a Pom was already a member of the AKC until its official recognition two years later.

Spunky and bright-eyed with the endless curiosity of a toddler and the adventurism of a preschooler, the Pomeranian exudes confidence for its diminutive size. It is always happy, highly adaptable, and very clever, a trait it inherited from its wolf ancestors. It loves the attention, whether performing a one-off show for the family or competing in a serious agility course. Those nimble feet and its wide-eyed innocence make the Pom a great little hound to have.

But this tiny bundle of joy does have quite some serious health issues. Tracheal collapse, dental problems, luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and skin and coat problems are just some of the major health concerns of a Pom.

There are several things in common between the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky. They both belong to the Spitz class of dogs, having pointed ears and muzzles, a thick coat, and a tail that either curl back or droops. They’re friendly, intelligent, and energetic, too.

Quick Facts

It is difficult to establish the breed qualities of a Pomeranian Siberian Husky Mix since they have only been around for less than a decade. We really couldn’t establish with absolute certainty their lifespan as well as any other information that might prove useful when deciding to get a Pomsky or a Huskeranian. We will share the facts with you based on the best available data. As such, these may change with the addition of new information.

• Pomskies may weigh up to 15 pounds, although it is highly likely they can weigh no more than 10 pounds or as heavy as 38 pounds, depending on whose trait for weight is stronger between the Pom and the Husky. If it’s the Pom, expect the body weight to be on the lighter side; if the Husky, it is more on the heavier side.
• They may live up to 15 years, maybe more, although the minimum should be 12 years. This is quite difficult to establish since the first Pomsky came into being only in 2012.
• The Huskeranian can grow up to 15 inches, possibly more. Again it all depends on whose trait for height is more dominant.
• A Pomsky is like Forest Gump’s box of chocolates: you’ll never know what you will get. This is true for hybrids since there is no sure way to determine which trait of each parent will be present in the offspring and whether these will be dominant or recessive. In other words, be prepared to face whatever challenges Pomsky can bring.
• Siberian Huskies are sturdy; Pomeranians are not. Combining the two makes it natural to think that one offsets the other. Sadly, this is not always the case. Again, it’s all about whose genes will be more dominant. If your Pomsky happens to inherit the hardiness of the Husky mother, then the only issues it may inherit are some eye problems and hip dysplasia. But if the Pomeranian father is more dominant, expect health issues to be plentiful.
• The Pom is a one-person hound, while the Husky has a more independent streak. Mixing these two traits can be quite a challenge.

Things You Should Know

If you’re halfway into your decision to get a Pomeranian Siberian Husky mix, it is important to take note of the following things.

Training

Both Husky and Pom are intelligent breeds, so it is expected that their offspring, the Pomsky, will be intelligent, too. Unfortunately, this does not automatically translate to easy trainability. The Husky’s sense of independence is strong and will never bow down to a self-conscious pet owner who lacks the confidence to be the pack’s leader. It will bully you since the Husky is bred in the harshest environments where the weak have no place. The Pom, on the other hand, is very playful in that it treats almost everything as a game.

Training should begin in earnest the moment your Pomsky pup arrives home. You’ve got to be its leader and not the other way around. Like all pets, positive reinforcement and knowing the essentials of training can go a long way.

Feeding

Depending on the size and activity level of your Pomsky, you can either increase or decrease its calorie intake. Both breeds are highly active dogs, so they need calories to sustain their energy levels. More importantly, however, are proteins as they need to build and develop their muscles. Always strive for high-quality dog diets. If you can give them high-quality raw food, then so much better.

Exercise

Being highly active dogs in their respective breeds, the Pomsky will require moderate levels of physical activity. Thirty to 60 minutes of casual walking daily should be fine for a Pomsky. If more Siberian Husky is in the mix, you’ve got to ramp up the exercises. Running, hiking with your dog, and jogging should be fun. But if there is more Pom in your Huskeranian, 30 minutes of intense playtime in the backyard should suffice.

Mental stimulation is also important. Being intelligent as they are, they need interactive or puzzle games to keep them sharp and keep away from canine boredom. Both can have destructive tendencies, which can be mitigated by keeping your Pomsky relaxed and focused.

Socialization

Poms love the attention that they get. They’re one of the world’s quintessential lap dogs or companion dogs. Royalties, socialites, and celebrities love bringing them into their affairs, dressing them in fancy clothes and adorned with lavish accessories. Huskies don’t mind the attention, but they love hanging out with their family’s kids.

This can be tricky since we cannot determine which trait will emerge as dominant. Regardless, early socialization can help establish the foundation for a socially-friendly Pomsky. You may want to enroll it in a puppy class or even be brought to the dog park where it can socialize with other dogs. Having people in your home helps.

Grooming

Daily brushing is a must for your Pomsky; that is, if you want to retain the health of its soft double coat. Otherwise, tangles and mats can develop a lot faster than their parents. Huskeranians are also heavy shedders, so get ready with the de-shedding tool. Weekly bathing is also recommended, although once-monthly bathing should be fine if your Pomsky happens to be ‘well-behaved’.

Health

Since the hybrid is relatively new, we have a dearth of information about what health issues a Huskeranian may face. Scientists think there could be a mix of the various health issues the two parent breeds typically face.

A Husky’s main problems are issues of the eyes and hip dysplasia. A Pomeranian’s health concerns are more numerous, sad to say. These include collapsing trachea, patellar luxation, Legg-Carve-Perthes disease, cataract, progressive retinal atrophy, elephant skin, genetic alopecia, patent ductus arteriosus, growth hormone abnormalities, and thyroid disease, among others.

Even if you do manage to trace the lineage of your Pomsky, there’s still no telling whether these diseases will manifest or not.

The Pomsky is perfect for individuals who:

• Can devote at least 30 minutes of exercise and engaging play time every day
• Knows the basics of canine obedience training and has the perseverance to follow-through
• Has all the right qualities of a pack leader
• Can accept full responsibility for however the Pomsky will turn out to be
• Doesn’t mind increased vocalization

The Huskeranian is not for individuals who:

• Don’t like cleaning up pet hair from their furnishings and other surfaces
• Don’t have time for training, socialization, playtime, and exercise
• Don’t like visiting the vet on a more frequent basis because of the uncertainty of health issues
• Don’t like dogs that either howl or bark excessively
• Doesn’t like the idea of having a dog that he doesn’t have any idea what it will turn out to be

Temperament

Pomskies are sweet, bordering on clownish. They love the attention and have this rather conceited belief that they’re the cutest 4-legged creatures on the planet. They’re quite vocal, too. Try combining the wolf-like howl of a Husky with the barking proficiency of a Pom, and you’ve got a really loud mix.

Pomskies that are socialized early on tend to be great with kids and other pets. The Husky has a strong prey drive, so you can expect your Pomsky to chase your household cat. Depending on the size of the Pomsky, kids younger than six should never be allowed to pet the dog, as young kids still don’t know how to properly handle these small hounds.

The temperament of a Pomsky largely depends on how you nurture it and the socialization it has received so far in its life. Early socialization and obedience training are absolute musts for these dogs, especially since they’re relatively new and little are known about their temperaments as a hybrid. Most of the things we know are speculations based on our understanding of their parents.

The Pomeranian Siberian Husky Mix is a new hybrid that promises to deliver all the fine qualities of a large wolf-like working dog with the cute and lovable attributes of a toy lap dog. Only time can tell whether or not this will become a purebred in its own right.

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If you’ve ever wondered how rare black Goldendoodles are or how expensive, then read on. We’ll also look at how to keep these cute pups fit and healthy, inform you of potential health issues that might occur with black Goldendoodles, offer tips on how to groom them, so they have a beautiful coat, and finally, we’ll answer your most commonly asked questions.

Dive right in to find out more….

What is a Black Goldendoodle?

Black Goldendoodles are Goldendoodles with black fur, and these guys are super rare! If you’re unfamiliar with Goldendoodles, then let’s just give you a little introduction to what they are and why they are one of the most sought-after pups.

Goldendoodles are dogs that have been crossbred with a golden retriever and a poodle. These dogs come in a range of colors, with apricot and tan being the most common and black Goldendoodle coats being uncommon because they are so hard to come by.

Are They Friendly?

These dogs are naturally very friendly and playful and have a cute teddy bear appearance owing to their tight curls. We will discuss later, they’re also a top choice for families with allergies.

Are Black Goldendoodles Rare?

Yes! And to understand why black Goldendoodles are so rare, we need to dip into the science a little and talk about genes.

Normally when you cross-breed a Poodle parent with a Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodle will be born brown, cream, or red with common shades of apricot, tan, and chocolate. A black Goldendoodle puppy is created when both the Poodle parent and Golden Retriever parent carry the black gene, and this is a rare occurrence – white Goldendoodles are also very rare too.

Black Goldendoodle Appearance…

Most black Goldendoodle dogs are pure black with no white markings, and their black coat can vary from tight curls to a loose curly coat or even a straight coat – again, depending on genes. If the Goldendoodle has a higher percentage of poodle genes, then the dog is more likely to have tighter curls as Poodles carry the curly gene and golden retrievers do not.

There are no guarantees whether two parent breeds will be able to produce black Goldendoodles, but obviously, you have a higher chance of producing a black Goldendoodle puppy if both parent breeds are black.

Common Goldendoodle Health Issues

Unfortunately, as with many purebred and crossbred dogs, Goldendoodles are susceptible to a few health problems, which are not limited to black Goldendoodles, but doodles of all colors.

These are the most common health issues with doodles…

• Hip dysplasia – is very common in dogs of all breeds, this genetic condition causes the hip joint to wear down and deteriorate, and this is due to an abnormal hip socket that hasn’t been formed correctly
• Addison’s Disease – also referred to as Hypoadrenocorticism, is a disease that affects the hormones and is caused by insufficient production of aldosterone and cortisol
• Cataracts – this eye problem can cause blindness and is common in golden retrievers
• Hypothyroidism – when the thyroid gland does not function properly, this can cause obesity among other issues
• Skin Disorders – itchy skin and allergies are relatively common

Which Type of Black Goldendoodle is Healthier?

There are several black Goldendoodle types – depending on the percentage of genes they obtain from their parent dogs.

An F1 Goldendoodle has been bred with a purebred Poodle parent and purebred Golden Retriever parent, with the resulting genes usually 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever.

An F1b black Goldendoodle has been bred back with a purebred parent dog and usually contains 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever.

F1 black Goldendoodles carry a hybrid vigor trait, which means it has been bred with two different purebred parent breeds to minimize inbred health issues and genetic diseases.

A black F1b Goldendoodle has a smaller percentage of the hybrid vigor trait, so are slightly less healthy than their F1 cousins.

How to Keep your Goldendoodle Fit and Healthy

Your black Goldendoodle will be an active boy or girl – it’s in their genes! So, if you are looking to adopt or buy this type of dog, you must be prepared to give them adequate exercise. Regular exercise is essential for keeping your black Goldendoodle at a healthy weight and preventing unwanted and negative behaviors that can occur when dogs are bored and/or stressed. Make sure you take your black Goldendoodle for a walk at least once or twice a day, and give them plenty of play time to prevent boredom.

If your doodle has more of the Poodle gene than a Golden Retriever, they are likely to be smarter and more inquisitive.

What to Feed Your Black Goldendoodle…

Make sure your black Goldendoodle has a healthy balanced diet. Make sure that you buy high-quality food. Feeding them highly nutritious food made with the highest quality ingredients will ensure that they maintain a healthy weight. It will also promote a healthy coat, good digestion, excellent muscle and bone health, and a healthy heart.

Avoid giving your black Goldendoodle your scraps, not only can human food be harmful to dogs, but it can also can obesity.

How to Groom Your Black Goldendoodle

Grooming is also a very important aspect of caring for your black Goldendoodle. Black Goldendoodles usually have a curly coat from their Poodle side. A doodle coat grows pretty long and can get very tangled, forming mats and sometimes even dreadlocks.

Frequent brushing is essential, preventing such mats from forming and keeping their black coat shiny and free of tangles. Weekly brushing is advised for black Goldendoodles with curly coats who have more poodle genes, although we believe that dogs should be brushed daily, despite their coat type, to keep the black Goldendoodle coat in tip-top condition.

Grooming tips…

Keep your dog’s hair trimmed! This is especially important if you live in a hot climate. It’s also a good idea to keep their fur nice and short if you spend quite a lot of time outdoors with your pup and don’t have time to brush them daily.

This can be done with special dog clippers, or you can take them to a special dog groomer, which is a much easier option!

If you prefer your black Goldendoodle to have a shaggy coat then there’s no need to keep their hair short. You will need to brush them daily and bathe them at least once a month.

Don’t ever allow your dog’s hair to tangle and mat, as this can cause painful sores for your pup.

Conclusion

If you have your heart set on a black Goldendoodle, you should be prepared to spend significantly more on this coat color and be ready to do your research – it takes time to find a reputable breeder. Once you have found a breeder, you might have to be added to a waiting list, as black Goldendoodles are not guaranteed. Even if a black Poodle is bred with a black Golden Retriever, the puppies could turn out dark brown or even another color.

Pups with the black coat color are rare!

These low-shedding cuties make excellent pets, they’re family-friendly, hypoallergenic, smart, and fun.

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Breed Overview

(A Violent) History of the Blue Nose Pitbull

The history of the Blue Nose Pitbull isn’t a happy one. In the past, they’ve been used for everything from dog fights to bloodsport, often abused and left to experience the crueler parts of the world.

The ancestors of this breed came from England, UK, back in the 19th century. They were subject to the same treatment. It continued down the breed’s family line because the ring leaders in charge of these bloodsports flew the pups to America after it was made illegal in England. Larger Pitbulls were bred to create dogs that would be naturally bigger than the typical Pitbull. This breeding is what resulted in today’s American Pitbull Terrier.

Thankfully, American Pitbull Terriers are no longer used in awful situations like bloodsports or dog fighting and have been domesticated to become amazing family pets. The reputation this breed and its related dog breeds have is down to each Pitbull Terrier needing to fight to survive the lifestyle they used to be forced into. Now that such things have been outlawed, there’s no need for this kind, wonderful breed to be aggressive. They were never naturally aggressive, to begin with. They were forced to be like that.

No record tells us when the first Blue Nose Pitbulls came into existence, but they likely followed soon after the standard black-nosed Pitbull. There’s very little difference between the Blue Nose and Black Nose, just their coloration. Blue-nosed Pitbulls are known for being dark to light gray, and their nose shares that color. In some lights, their fur and nose can appear to have saturated blue undertones, but we’ll talk more about their appearance later.

What’s the Difference Between American Pit Bull Terriers and Blue Nose Pit Bulls?

The Blue Nose Pitbull belongs under the umbrella of the larger American Pitbull Terrier breed. The traditional American Pitbull breed was initially bred for hunting, baiting, and fighting. They are banned in many parts of the world today due to their instinctual fighting nature. Blue Nose Pitbulls don’t share this instinctual nature that has been bred into American Pitbulls.

As well to their temperature difference, Blue Nose Pitbulls have different colorations. However, it’s not always so easy to tell the two breeds apart because some Blue Nose Pitbulls end up with the same range of fur, nose, and eye colors as the traditional American Pitbull. The Blue Nose Pitbull is a rare variety of the American Pitbull, they are bred from a recessive gene that causes their gray fur and nose. They are the same breed as the Red Nose Pitbull, albeit with a slightly different genetic code, giving them their distinctive coats.

The Red and Blue Nose Pitbulls fall under the American Pitbull breed until the American Kennel Club lists them as their unique breed – which can happen any time because the AKC is always looking to expand their breed list the requirements for each breed they recognize. At this time, it is not a separate breed. It should be noted that the AKC doesn’t allow the registration of American Pitbulls at this time.

Breed Appearance

We’ve spoken a little bit about the appearance of this dog breed, but let’s go into more depth about why the Blue Nose Pitbull is called a “Blue” Nose Pitbull. The dog doesn’t have a blue nose or a blue coat, so why does it carry such a name?

Blue Nose Pitbull puppies are gray or silver, with their nose holding the same shade as their fur, instead of the traditional black color that other dogs of the American Pitbull breed usually have. When “blue” is used as a descriptive term for pets like cats and dogs, it usually means a diluted black or a black or gray with a saturated blue undertone. It doesn’t ever refer to bright blue noses or dog breeds with royal blue fur.

Blue Nose Pitbulls, as they grow from puppy to an adult, may end up being anything from dark to light gray. You may also have a Blue Nose Pitbull that carries the recessive gene to be a Blue-nosed Pitbull, but they may be cream, brown, black, or any other standard color variation from the American Pitbull dog breed.

With their silvery-gray eyes, this not-blue dog has a somewhat otherworldly look. A wide grin frames their square nose, and their tail is long and thin, always pointing upwards. They’re a stocky and large dog, weighing anywhere from 50 to 65 pounds during adulthood and standing between 17 and 21 inches. You’ll have an athletic pooch on your hands, one with a short coat that’s easy to care for when they decide to get muddy.

Regarding dog shows and the like, the only colored Pitbull that is not accepted is a Pitbull with Merle coloring. Merle is not a true Pitbull color, which means that you likely have a cross-breed dog and not an actual Pitbull. Some breeders will try to convince buyers that a merle-colored Pitbull is a rare find, and they’ll charge a pretty penny for them, but they aren’t full Pitbulls.

Blue Nose Pitbulls Fun Facts

Here are some of our favorite fun and interesting facts about the Blue Nose Pit Bull dog breed:

• A Blue Nose Pitbull doesn’t have a blue-colored nose. They’re usually some shade of gray, though they may appear to have blue undertones.
• This breed’s nose, fur, and eye color come from a recessive gene.
• The breed is an American Pitbull. They aren’t registered as their breed with the AKC but are often considered a variation of the American Pitbull breed.
• They require high activity levels and can quickly become bored if they aren’t entertained!
• A well-socialized Pitbull is extremely loyal to their human family and will get along with other pets.
• They are incredibly easy to train.
• Blue Nose pits prefer people to other dogs.
• They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as their breed.
• These Pitbull dogs love to jump!
• They’re strangely susceptible to the cold.
• Just because you breed Blue Nose Pitbulls together doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a litter of Blue Pitbulls.

10 Reasons Why Blue Nose Pitbulls Make Great Pets

Looking for more reasons to buy or adopt a Blue Nose Pitbull over other dog breeds? We’ve got you covered. Check out our list of 10 reasons why Blue Nose Pitbulls make the best pets.

1. Blue Nose Pitties are incredibly friendly, much more so than other Pit bulls.
2. They are very loyal and made good guard dogs.
3. When properly socialized, most Pit Bulls have no issues with other dogs, so you can take them to the dog park without worrying about holding you back.
4. They’re the furthest thing from an aggressive dog possible.
5. Their grey coat looks silver or may have a blue undertone, making them look very pretty.
6. They make excellent therapy dogs for dog lovers with conditions like anxiety.
7. They are typically a healthy breed with few health concerns.
8. Blue Nosed Pitbulls can be trained to be working dogs. Historically, they were used as a herding breed. Put all that muscle to good use!
9. Other Pitbulls aren’t as friendly as this breed, even though the breed only exists because of recessive genes.
10. They are naturally loyal and will be very protective of you and your children.

The Personality of the Blue Nose Pit Bull

Sociability

The Blue Nose Pitbull is generally much more friendly around people than other dogs, though they can be trained to behave around other pets in a household. It’s all down to proper socialization! It’s the same with any dog breed – if you don’t properly socialize your dog from a young age, they’re going to have a wealth of issues with other dogs, cats, people, and any living thing they come into contact with.

This breed is better suited for a solo housepet, and they do prefer to be the only pet in the house, but – as we said – if you socialize them, they can be housed with other pets. They aren’t aggressive, but they can be possessive and may exhibit dominating behaviors towards other pets in your home if you don’t train them to accept living with others.

While this breed is excellent with children, it is always recommended that the children and the dog are given time to get to know each other before they share a space. They should never be left unsupervised because that’s just a recipe for disaster with dogs and kids. Remember to also teach your children to respect the boundaries of your Blue Nose Pitbull and to look for signs that they want to be left alone. Even the friendliest dog has its limits.

Energy levels and keeping your dog entertained

These dogs are energetic and need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be through walks, visits to the dog park, playtime in your backyard, or even a few games of fetch. You can count any physical activity as exercise when it comes to dogs.

Without an outlet for their energy, your Blue Nose will become destructive. If your dog is tearing up your furniture and pillows or wrecking your home, they aren’t expending enough energy during the day to feel satisfied.

Beyond physical exercise, you will also need to provide your pup with some mental stimulation. Stock a doggy toy box with some good interactive toys, including a few indestructible dog toys.

They are likely if you’re bored of the same day-in, day-out with your dog. Why not build an obstacle course in your yard or train them in some skills? If your pup is particularly problematic, consider obedience training.

Intelligence

Blue Nose Pitbulls are highly intelligent, making them great train dogs. If this is your first pup, you may feel like a fish out of water when figuring out how to train your dog. There are plenty of great dog trainers out there, and there are likely several trainers local to you that have classes that will fit your schedule.

Do Blue Noses Pitbulls like water?

Although Blue Nose Pitbulls like water and are capable of swimming, swimming is more difficult for them than it is for other breeds of dogs. This is because the breed has such as stocky build. They’re heavy and not exactly streamlined. If you’re worried about letting your Pitbull go for a swim in a body of water, consider buying them a doggy life vest with a handle on the back to ensure that you can lift them out of the water in a hurry if you need to.

Alternatively, your pup may enjoy swimming in deeper waters, such as playing in shallow streams, running through a water sprinkler in your garden, or swimming in a children’s paddling pool.

Potential Health Problems of a Blue Nose Pitbull

Though they are generally fit and well, some health problems come with a dog being a part of the Pitbull breed, and a few more can occur because of the recessive gene that makes a Pitbull into a Blue Nose variant. This list contains the most common health problems associated with the American Pitbull breed and the Blue Nose variant:

• Alopecia: A hair loss condition is common in all Pitbull breeds due to their underactive thyroid. When a Pitbull has an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), they may also experience skin allergies, sensitive skin, weight gain, and may exhibit aggressive behavior. This is because an underactive thyroid affects everything from your dog’s metabolism to their mental functions and energy levels due to the lower levels of thyroid hormone production that their body is experiencing.
  Alopecia can develop anywhere there is hair or fur on your dog’s body, including their eyelashes. Your pup may experience thinning hair or may lose patches of fur. This typically happens over time.
• Deafness: This condition is unique to the Blue Nose Pit Bull because the recessive gene that causes their coloring gives them low melanin levels. In dogs, low melanin levels can affect the immune and nervous systems, causing various dysfunctions like deafness. Your Blue Nose Pitbull may not be deaf from birth, and not all Blue Nose breed variants will experience deafness.
  To figure out whether your dog is deaf or not, look for signs of apathy, increased sleepiness, tilting of the head, and excessive barking. They may also ignore verbal commands and stop responding to noises they would have responded to before (such as the doorbell).
• Dermatitis and other skin conditions: Though it’s possible that your Pitbull is experiencing skin conditions because of an underactive thyroid, they don’t need to have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism to have sensitive skin. Dermatitis causes dry, itchy skin on your dog, which can be hard to see on dogs with thicker coats. Thankfully, Pitbulls are short-haired dogs, so you’ll be able to locate and treat patches of dry skin with ease. Treat their skin properly, and their coat health will follow suit.
• Heart disease: Heart disease is a common health issue in Pitbulls and isn’t limited to Blue Noses. Overweight dogs are much more likely to develop this condition, so it’s important to keep your dog on a high-quality diet suitable for their breed type and weight. If your vet tells you your dog needs to lose weight, you should listen to them!
• Hip dysplasia and other joint issues: Joint issues are a standard problem with many dogs today, and the problem often lies in their genetics. After years of breeding dogs to the standard human desire, many have developed joint issues like hip dysplasia, which can be incredibly painful for your pup. This condition is treatable, but it’s crucial that you take notice of any changes in your dog’s stance or gait because that will be the first indication that something is wrong with their hips or legs.
• Vision problems: Like deafness, vision problems result from the low melanin levels in a Blue Nose Pitbull. Other Pitbulls may not suffer from poor vision, but low melanin can cause many health issues affecting the body’s functions.

Poor breeding, such as that which often occurs through the operations of backyard breeders, can result in poor health quality in dogs. Backyard breeders will often go to any lengths to secure more money through the suffering of the dogs they own, including overbreeding and even coloring or lying about the true color of a dog. It’s rare to find a healthy dog from a backyard breeder, and it’s truly an awful practice that needs to be shut down.

What About Blue Nose’s Nutrition?

A balanced diet is extremely important for owning and caring for a Blue Nose Pitbull. High-quality, nutritious food can go a long way to preventing some of their common health issues. For example, dog food with added joint support supplements would be perfect for a Pitbull because they’re so often prone to experiencing joint pain.

But it’s not enough to just choose a dog food that is good quality. Pitbulls use a lot of energy and muscle, so they can burn up to 1,800 calories a day if they’re highly active.

See our round-up of Best Dog Food for Pitbulls for a complete list of our favorite options.

Fully grown dogs should have around 3 cups of kibble daily, spread over the day. It’s important not to put all of a dog’s food down at once because dogs like Pitbulls are prone to overeating and gaining weight fast. The last thing you want is to be the cause of your dog’s heart problems.

Puppies naturally need less food, but their hunger can quickly grow. For this reason, we recommend free-feeding your dog until they are around six months old. However, if your puppy seems to be eating too much, you may consider buying a special feeding bowl that forces a dog to slow down by making them work to get their kibble pieces.

Are Blue Nose Pitbulls Easy to Train?

Blue Nose Pitbulls are easy to train thanks to their high intelligence and friendliness. The more they bond with you as their owner, the more they’ll listen to you. But it’s not enough to have a good bond with your dog, they also need socialized to become model citizens.

If you’re having trouble training your dog at home or don’t have the experience to train them, look up local dog trainers and sign up your pup for some classes in which you can be involved. These classes will also allow your dog to be around other animals in a safe, controlled environment.

Some dog owners also crate-train their Pitbulls because crate training can benefit some dogs. Dogs that are anxious or have destructive behaviors may appreciate a quiet space that is all their own. Remember that an indoor crate should be comfortable, have blankets and pillows, and hold some of your dog’s comfort toys. They should also have access to food and water inside the crate, which shouldn’t be locked unless you have an extremely good reason to shut the door.

How to Groom a Blue Nose?

The Blue Nose Pitbull is very easy to groom. They have a short, close-cut coat that requires little to no brushing and don’t often require frequent baths unless they’ve gotten dirty. Although, all Pitbull breeds are prone to problems with their skin, which can mean that they need a little more care and cleaning. Because of this, it’s usually a good idea to give your dog a once over a few times a week, so you can stop problems as early as possible and before they progress. That doesn’t mean you need to give them a full bath, but check over their coat and look for patches of dry skin to treat with appropriate creams and ointments.

As with all dogs, your Blue Nose Pitbull should also have their ears checked regularly for signs of the wax build-up to avoid infections. Similarly, a trained professional should check their claws regularly and trim them if you feel they are getting too long. Some dog owners are comfortable trimming their own dog’s nails, some aren’t. If you’re new to owning a dog, we recommend booking your dog a grooming appointment and asking a groomer to show you how to properly trim your pup’s nails. We don’t want to scare you, but if you trim them wrong, you could cause your dog to bleed. A dog’s nails, just like a cat’s nails, aren’t anything like human nails. Consider their nail to be your finger down to the first knuckle. Only a small bit needs to be trimmed to keep their nails healthy.

As for baths, once a month should be fine unless your dog has any skin conditions where a vet has recommended more frequent baths and given you a medicated doggy shampoo to use.

How to Socialize Blue Nose Pitbull Puppies

Socializing Blue Nose Pitbull puppies isn’t any different from socializing puppies from other breeds. Your puppy’s socialization will have begun before they even come to live with you because it starts from the moment they are born. The first three months of a puppy’s life will shape their personality, which makes those months the prime time to introduce them to other animals and humans.

Gentle handling encourages a puppy to develop into a kind, friendly dog. They’ll be more confident if their owner is patient with them and doesn’t tell them off for every little thing. Without socialization, a puppy will grow into a dog that relies on its innate instincts to keep itself safe. They’ll be anxious, unsure, and maybe even aggressive.

Introduce your puppy to new sights, sounds, and smells. The world is new and strange, but you must teach your puppy that they don’t need to be scared of new things or people. Let them walk over new surfaces, eat different puppy-safe treats, and meet people of different ages.

Make every experience as positive as possible, and be sure to complete the experiences in an area your puppy is familiar with so that they feel safe. Give them praise, pets, and treats! Remember to involve your family to ensure your puppy gets used to them, too.

Don’t try to get your puppy involved too much too fast. They may get overwhelmed. Take it slow and keep it at home for a couple of weeks before you try taking them outdoors for new challenges.

If you’re planning on training your dog to be a guard dog or other type of working dog, you should also start this training when they’re young.

Adopt Don’t Shop

As one of the many bully breeds worldwide, American Pitbulls are easy to find in shelters. Pitbulls have a bad reputation, which leads to many dog owners giving up on them quickly instead of trying to train them.

You’re less likely to find a Blue Nose in a shelter because they’re a rare and expensive breed variant, thanks to their “blue” coloring. That’s not to say that you definitely won’t find one, though, and it’s worth looking, just in case. Your best chance is to locate a Pitbull shelter and see if any dogs match the appearance characteristics of a Blue Nose.

Unfortunately, because the American Kennel Club does not recognize Pitbulls, we cannot use them as a reputable source of information for Pitbull shelters and breeders – simply because there isn’t any information like that on their site.

A note on breed bans and the AKC

The AKC does not recognize the Blue Nose Pitbull or American Pitbull. But the American Dog Breeders Association does recognize Pitbulls. Part of the reason the AKC doesn’t recognize the breed is that it has characteristics banned in several places in America. Breed Specific Legislation has banned around 75 different breeds of dog in the U.S., with over 700 cities enacting the legislation, which has affected thousands of dogs across the country even though it’s incredibly expensive to communities and provides a false sense of security.

Because of the ban on these “dangerous” characteristics, the AKC will not show any information regarding Pitbulls, even though they’re recognized in many other places. You cannot enter a Pitbull in AKC shows or register a Pitbull with them. There’s also little to no information on the breed through the AKC.

Similar dogs that the AKC does recognize are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog.

Price

If you’re looking for a Blue Nose Pitbull Puppy from a reputable breeder, you could pay anywhere from $1000 to $3000. Because of their “blue” coat and nose, they’re considered a rare variant of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed, which makes them very desirable. Who wouldn’t want a “blue” Pit Bull, after all?

Do remember that you won’t get an actual blue puppy, though. But you might be lucky to find a Blue Nose with silver eyes or a unique nose color! The price will certainly go up with more unique traits in healthy dogs. If the puppy has a black or brown nose, it’s not a true Blue Nose Pitbull, but it may still have the recessive genes in its genetics to create a Blue Nose puppy.

The post Blue Nose Pitbull: Breed Information, Characteristics, and Facts appeared first on .

Keep reading to find out more…

What is a Goldendoodle?

To start, we’ll look at the Goldendoodle and talk about the breed and how it came about.

What Do you Get When you Cross a Poodle and Golden Retriever?

A Goldendoodle, of course!

It sounds like the start of a joke. Still, dog breeding is serious, and reputable Goldendoodle breeders take their jobs very seriously to ensure you have a happy, healthy Goldendoodle puppy!

Goldendoodles have a gentle and playful temperament, and their popularity has risen dramatically over the years, not only because of their adorable “teddy bear” looks but because they are hypoallergenic and don’t shed as much as other dog breeds with longer hair.

In a way, these designer dogs have a misleading name. Labeled as such because of their hybrid mix of Golden Retriever and Poodle, many people assume that this dog is golden in color, but in fact, there are lots of Goldendoodle colors and patterns.

Common and Rare Goldendoodle Colors

Goldendoodle Colors

Below we will list many of the most common Goldendoodle colors as well as those that are rarer. Before moving on to Goldendoodle patterns, we’ll discuss the colors and how they appear.

Apricot

Apricot Goldendoodles are quite common, and one of the main reasons for this is their coloring makes them look like giant teddy bears! This is a popular color to breed as the American Kennel Club recognizes apricot Poodles as an official color, and dog owners just love this shade.

Inherited by both parents, the shade is best described as a light red, but this is often mistaken for red Goldendoodles. Apricot Goldendoodles are different as their shade is lighter. Another interesting fact is that apricot Goldendoodles have darker points in black or brown shades around their eyes, noses, and paw pads.

Red

Red Goldendoodles are also very common because doodles with this coat have a “teddy bear” appearance (can you see a theme here?). Often mistaken with apricot Goldendoodle dogs, their fur is different as the shade is much more intense with fiery, rich mahogany tones.

Goldendoodle dogs get their color from both parents, but the Poodle parent seems to have a bigger impact on the outcome of Goldendoodle puppies and their coloring.

Gray

Gray Goldendoodles are born with quite a dark fur that can appear black. The gray tones start to appear around six weeks, so when breeding Goldendoodles, it can be tricky to know exactly what shade the dog will be until this period has elapsed. Goldendoodle dogs will have fully gray hair when they reach around two years old.

This color is rare because people prefer apricot Goldendoodle dogs or red Goldendoodle colors because they have a more toy-like appearance.

Black

Pure black Goldendoodle dogs are rare. These dogs are bred from a Poodle and Golden Retriever with the black recessive gene. Only slowly becoming more and more popular, the black Goldendoodle hasn’t been the first choice for many dog owners over the years, with them favoring the more popular shades of apricot and red.

If both dog parents carry the special black recessive gene, then chances are you will have a pure black dog, which is only considered “pure” when its eyes, nose, mouth, and paw pads are also black.

Blue

Not to be confused with gray or silver Goldendoodles, blue Goldendoodles are super rare and can be easily mistaken for another color type. You can tell a blue Goldendoodle by looking at the dog’s stomach area, which will not look as “icy” as the rest of its coat.

Blue Goldendoodles have a bluish tone to their fur and have been born from several generations of breeding with blue poodles.

Champagne

Champagne Goldendoodles are rare and beautiful. When these Goldendoodle puppies are born, they are darker in the shade and look dark and golden. After around ten weeks, these dogs will change color, and their coat will fade to a light golden shade. It takes a Golden Retriever and Poodle parent that carries the red dilute gene to create a champagne Goldendoodle dog.

These dogs are very light in appearance and have either a pale yellow tone or dark cream coloring.

Cream Goldendoodles and champagne Goldendoodles are often mistaken for one another, but the champagne Goldendoodle usually has a richer tone.

Silver

Silver Goldendoodles result from many generations of breeding and are, therefore, rare. Their coat tends to lighten as they age, turning a silvery shade by the time they reach around two years.

Silver Goldendoodles are often mistaken for gray and blue Goldendoodle dogs. The difference is that this dog has a lighter shade that usually appears when they are around six to ten weeks old.

Chocolate

If you ever saw a chocolate Goldendoodle puppy, you wouldn’t believe that this dog could transform its coat dramatically. This is another example of a Goldendoodle dog being born a different shade. Chocolate Goldendoodles are born with dark fur and can often be mistaken for black Goldendoodles. At around six weeks old, the dog’s coat will have lightened, so the breeder will know what shade it is likely to stay.

A chocolate Goldendoodle has a beautiful rich, dark brown tone, and their paw pads, eyes, and noses match their fur color too. Chocolate Goldendoodles get their coloring from their dominant Poodle genes because the American Kennel Club (AKC) states that brown is a standard Poodle color.

Despite its luxuriant shade of fur, the black or chocolate Goldendoodle is not one of the most popular choices for dog owners. Apricot and tan always come up top.

White

Because golden retrievers are never white, white Goldendoodles inherit white fur from their Poodle parent genes.

Contrary to popular belief, white Goldendoodles are not pure white. The white Goldendoodle dog has cream in areas of its coat, and you rarely find a white Goldendoodle with pure white markings. They do, however, appear solid white when viewed at a distance.

Unlike a few other Goldendoodle colors we’ve discussed, the white Goldendoodle is born white and remains that color throughout their life.

The white Goldendoodle has paw pads, lips, eyes, and noses always black.

Patterned Goldendoodles

We have spoken a little about the different Goldendoodle colors, but the list isn’t endless. There are shades of Goldendoodle and combinations of colors, too, such as sable Goldendoodles, cream Goldendoodles, and more!

Their coat colors come in various colors, from dark golden and dark brown to silver beige. You can even get black and white Goldendoodles.

These designer dogs can also have various coat patterns, which we will explore below…

Brindle

Photo by @brynn.the.brindle, Instagram

Brindle Goldendoodles are rare and have an interesting striped coat pattern that resembles a tiger. The base color of this dog is usually red, and the stripes are normally black. The size and shape of the stripes vary from dog to dog, so no two brindle Goldendoodles will ever look the same.

Because these dogs are so rare, you can expect to pay significantly more money to buy one.

Tuxedo

Photo by @sweetsoutherndoodles, Instagram

Tuxedo Goldendoodles look exactly how you would expect, with a unique coat pattern that gives the appearance of the dog wearing a tuxedo. Looking at a photo of these dogs, it’s easy to see why the pattern may look like this, as they usually have white areas, mainly around the chest, stomach, and hind legs.

Merle

Photo by @djbrianjay, Instagram

The merle Goldendoodle is created when one of the parents carries the merle gene. As this gene isn’t often present in golden retrievers or poodles, these dogs are usually bred by mixing a poodle with a border collie, which means that technically they are not Goldendoodles.

The base color of a merle Goldendoodle is usually red and blue, and the pattern itself has a mottled appearance, with darker patches on the fur.

In rare instances, the merle Goldendoodle is born with a lighter base shade.

Parti

Photo by @sully_minidood, Instagram

Parti Goldendoodles have a base shade of at least 50% white with color patches in shades that are normally tan or apricot.

Recessive genes mean that one color will override the base color, resulting in a rare dog.

Phantom

Photo by @guinnfamilyfarms, Instagram

Phantom Goldendoodles usually have a black base color and red or tan colors around the lower portion of their legs, muzzle, and eyes. If you imagine a rottweiler or Doberman coloring, you’ll have a good idea of how it might look on a Goldendoodle.

Because doodles come in various colors, they can also have the “phantom” markings in red, black, and silver.

The coat color of a phantom Goldendoodle is usually more than 50% black.

Conclusion

There are so many Goldendoodle colors to choose from it can be difficult to choose which is the right fit for you. Reputable breeders will always tell you that the coat colors shouldn’t matter with this breed of dog because the dog’s health is the most important factor.

Having said that, it’s easy to understand why people choose certain coat colors over others. Apricot Goldendoodles and tan Goldendoodles are popular because they look like cuddly toys! But don’t let this put you off getting a Goldendoodle in a less popular color. They are all wonderful family dogs that would make a happy addition to any home.

Remember that the rarest Goldendoodle colors are more expensive if you are set on color. You should expect to pay more for merle Goldendoodles, parti Goldendoodles, and phantom Goldendoodles – anything with unusual colors and patterns.

The post Goldendoodle Colors: How Many Types Are There? appeared first on .

Thankfully, the Goldendoodle is produced from two highly trainable dog breeds. Golden Retrievers, especially, are extremely easy to work with and pick up skills quickly. There may be some resistance while your pup is young and excitable, but all dogs can be trained. Keep reading to learn the best ways to start dog training with your Goldendoodle friend!

How to Train a Goldendoodle

As a new dog owner, you won’t yet be used to the nuances of your little Goldendoodle friend. Goldendoodles come from breeding a Golden Retriever and a Poodle together, so you should expect them to have characteristics and traits from both these breeds.

Like all dogs, you should reward your Goldendoodle for good behavior. Professional dog trainers use various types of positive reinforcement during training sessions to ensure that their dogs associate their new skills with good things. For successful training, it’s crucial that you do the same.

Goldendoodles have some of the most wonderful qualities from both parent breeds. They’re intelligent, eager to please, and very trainable. When training your Goldendoodle, be sure not to overwork them. This can lead to frustration, and your pup may resist your training methods if it happens too frequently.

Introducing Your Goldendoodle to Another Dog

Also called “socialization”, this is a vital part of training your Goldendoodle, regardless of age. The process is the same for puppies and adult dogs of any breed.

Separate your new Goldendoodle from the other dog in your home. You should never try to immediately introduce two dogs, despite how cute some internet videos may seem. Employ the help of your family members to have each of you keeping an eye on a dog while you introduce them to each other over the course of a week.

The first step is to get each dog to eat with each other on the other side of a shut door. This is why it’s important to start with the dogs separated. You never know how either dog might react. To build up to this scenario, you should be switching a blanket, pillow, or toy from one dog’s room to the other dog’s room each day. These items will carry each dog’s scent, so they can learn how the other smells and become more familiar with them.

During this time, start moving their food bowls closer to the door each time they eat. Eventually, they will be eating together with a shut door between them. Only once they are successfully taking their meals this way should you attempt to let them eat together with the door open. Again, ask your family members for help during this step just in case something goes wrong. If your dogs are uncomfortable, shut the door and continue the process. You should be offering treats, calming words, and head rubs as incentives to each pet.

What Skills to Train Your Goldendoodle In

Dogs benefit from learning a range of skills. Thanks to a scrappy pup, not just tricks but everyday skills that they need so that your home isn’t a disaster. Here’s a list of skills and types of training that your Goldendoodle will benefit from:

• Potty training
• Leash/Harness training
• Crate training
• Socialization
• “Leave it” (verbal command used to get your dog to walk away from something, such as a small animal or an object)
• “Sit” (a verbal command that can help teach your dog patience)
• “Fetch” (a verbal command that is often used during playtime but has many other applications)
• “Down” (verbal command to get your dog to lie down, also helps teach your dog patience)
• “Stay” (verbal command to get your dog to stay put, even while you’re still moving)
• “Heel” (a verbal command that will bring your dog to your side and get them to stop what they’re doing)
• “Come” (verbal command to summon your dog)
• “Off” (verbal command to get your dog to move away or off of the thing they’re touching/on, such as the couch)

Commands such as “no” can be confusing for some dogs. Like children, dogs respond better when given something rather than just being told they can’t do something. What does “no” really mean to a dog, after all? You can use other commands in their place that will stop your dog from continuing any undesirable behavior. For example, if your dog is chasing a squirrel, command them to “leave it” rather than just shouting “no”. Shouting at your dog doesn’t get you anywhere, and excessive shouting may make them anxious or scared of you.

How to Train Your Goldendoodle in a Skill

No matter which skill you’re training these intelligent dogs, you’ll find that you can employ similar techniques during training sessions to keep things simple. Always be aware of your pup’s behavior while doing training. Puppy owners should know that their little friends aren’t going to have huge attention spans, so training sessions should be short. Long training sessions, even for adult dogs, can be boring and cause them to lose focus.

Pet owners should train one skill at a time. Yes, that sounds time-consuming, but the fact is that learning more than one skill at a time can confuse your pup. Now, you can potty train your dog while teaching them verbal commands. The same with any type of training versus verbal command. Young puppies will pick up training quickly but may still have accidents or get overexcited. Once potty trained, remember that they have small bladders, and you may occasionally clean up after them. Do not scold them, and don’t rub their face in it! Simply clean up to get rid of their scent, take them outside, and wait to see if they need to continue their business. If they do, offer them a treat and some positive reinforcement once they’re done.

Now, for verbal commands, training can be a bit more tedious. The best example your dog has is you, which means that you should be performing the trick for your dog to help them understand what you want them to do. A Goldendoodle pup doesn’t have anyone else to look to for help. You need to teach them just like their mother and siblings did while still with their litter.

For the “down” command, get down on the ground and position yourself similarly to your dog. This feels a bit awkward for humans because our limbs don’t bend like dogs’ legs. You should be curling your legs underneath you while your forearms are pressed against the floor. Repeat the command, offer your dog some head pats or a treat, and get back up. Then do it again.

What to Do if Your Dog isn’t Learning

If your dog seems to be struggling to pick up any new skills you’re trying to teach them, it’s time to contact professional dog trainers. Dog trainers use certain training tactics during sessions to get the best results from any new puppy in their class. They’ll have your dog in a sitting position in no time! But, the cool thing is that they’ll work with you and your dog together so that you can learn how to teach them effectively. The trainer will consider your behavior and watch how to interact with your dog, offering alternatives to help you bond with them better.

They can also teach you how playtime can be an effective learning tool. You wouldn’t think a chew toy would have any place in training time, but dog trainers often use toys to reward dogs and teach them new skills.

Before you start training with any professional, be sure to ask to visit so that you can see what the facilities are like or hire one who will come to you.

Dogs are social animals, and proper training will enable them to go to the dog park without causing you any concern while running around with other dogs.

Goldendoodle Training for Puppies

Trying to figure out how to train a Goldendoodle puppy? There’s not much difference between training a puppy and an adult dog, but puppies require more patience.

When you adopt an adult dog, the chances are they have already been trained in the most basic skills – potty training, perhaps a verbal command or two if you’re lucky. Some might even be leash trained (which helps prevent leash pulling during walks).

Puppies take a different kind of effort. They won’t know any skills or have any training. Their previous owner may have started potty training them, but the training isn’t likely to be complete. Your puppy may understand the basic principles of when it’s appropriate to go to the bathroom, but it might be best to install a litterbox for a little while until you’re sure they won’t use your rug as a toilet.

How to Potty Train a Goldendoodle Puppy

Training a Goldendoodle puppy to effectively empty their bladder and bowels is a task that no one enjoys. While young, house training a puppy often means cleaning up after them more than anyone can admit.

Sticking to a schedule is the best thing you can do for a puppy of a young age. Having a bathroom schedule for them helps them get used to only being let out a few times a day, which can train their body’s toilet needs. Puppies need the bathroom often, so you’ll find yourself going out less frequently as they age.

Several times a day, take your puppy outside after they eat or drink and wait for them to do their business. After they’ve finished, reward them and bring them back inside.

This tells your puppy that you’re happy with them for using the outside world as a bathroom. When they pee or poop indoors and don’t get any reward, they will realize where it’s appropriate to use the bathroom.

Young puppies will need to be taken outside a lot, so schedule a time to take them after each meal.

How to Train a Goldendoodle Puppy Not to Bite

Your puppy should have learned a little about their bite strength with their littermates. It’s common for puppy litter to munch on each other during playtime, and they rely on their litter to tell them when they’re biting too hard. They do this by yelping or whimpering to let the offending dog know that the bite was too much for play.

Your puppy will likely come to you still learning about biting. Now that they’re getting older, it’s time to teach them when it’s appropriate to bite.

When teaching your puppy that it’s not okay to bite, stick to one command. “No biting” is good because it doesn’t sound like any other command and won’t confuse them. When your puppy nips your skin, firmly tell them “no biting” and move away. The less attention you give them after biting, the better because this tells them it wasn’t a good thing to do. Be consistent. Don’t tell your puppy “no biting” and then allow them to nip at you or other family members. Be sure to tell anyone to repeat the command when visiting if the puppy nips them.

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In this guide, we’ll tell you all you need to know to care for a Red Goldendoodle and where to find Red Goldendoodle puppies for sale. Read on to learn more about Red Goldendoodle dogs.

Red Goldendoodle Basics

Where do Red Goldendoodles Come from?

While the exact history of the Red Goldendoodle remains unknown, we know that the Goldendoodle breed started gaining popularity around the 1990s. With their curly coats and friendly nature, it’s no wonder that they were considered such lovely hybrid dogs.

It’s said that the Goldendoodle was possibly bred by Wally Conron of the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, but there’s a lot of mixed information about this, and one can’t be certain that he was the first to breed a Goldendoodle.

Because of the misinformation and lack of written records about the breed, there’s no way to tell when the Goldendoodle first came around or when dark-colored Poodles with red coats started being bred with Golden Retriever dogs to create Red Goldendoodles.

Breeding Goldendoodles: How Red Goldendoodles are Produced

Breeders looking to produce Goldendoodles will continue to breed them over several generations to gain the desired characteristics that they’re looking for from the dogs. Some Goldendoodles will even be backcrossed with the parent breeds (meaning that a Goldendoodle is bred with a Poodle) to try and gain certain traits that the current dogs don’t have.

There are six major types of Red Goldendoodle.

1. Red F1 Goldendoodle – Bred from a red purebred Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. These are 1st generation Red Goldendoodles, and their height and weight will vary depending on the size of their parents. The Standard Red Goldendoodle from the F1 type will be 21 to 24 inches and 45 to 75 pounds. There are also Medium and Mini variations.
2. Red F1b Goldendoodle – This version results from backcrossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a Golden Retriever or a Poodle. The Standard version of this variation is a little smaller than an F1 Goldendoodle, with a height of around 21 inches and a weight of 40 pounds. Again, there are Medium and Minis of this variation, too.
3. Dark Red F1b Goldendoodle – Likely created because coat colors are often diluted when a Red Poodle is mixed with a Golden Retriever to make Red Doodles, the Dark Red Goldendoodle is a Red Goldendoodle backcrossed with a Red Poodle to regain the color lost and give the puppies a more vibrant red coat.
4. Red F1bb Goldendoodle – A category for Red Goldendoodles that have been backcrossed twice with a purebred Poodle.
5. Red F2 Goldendoodle – The 2nd generation puppy of two F1 Goldendoodles.
6. Red F2b Goldendoodle – Produced when an F2 Goldendoodle is backcrossed with a Poodle.

Can You Get Mini Red Goldendoodle Puppies?

The Red mini Goldendoodle is a possible breed variation, but you should expect them to be pricier and harder to find. This is because a miniature Red Goldendoodle can only be made when a mini Poodle is one of the parents. Even then, there’s a possibility that the Red Goldendoodle puppies will be full-sized. The “mini” aspect of any dog breed is down to selective breeding. Producing dogs of a tiny size is the result of matching runts of litters together and then just hoping for the best. There’s no genetic mutation for a “mini” dog. They’re just naturally small or bred that way.

It can be incredibly unhealthy for the mini variant in question. Dogs aren’t supposed to be so small, and tiny dogs often have health issues throughout their life. Before you go mini, we highly suggest you research more about the world of mini dog breeds and what owning one might entail.

What Other Types of Red Goldendoodle are There?

There are several variations of Red Goldendoodle in terms of size. There are:

• Standard Red Goldendoodles may be up to 24 inches tall and weigh 75 pounds.
• Moyen or Medium Red Goldendoodles grow up to 20 inches and 45 pounds.
• Mini Red Goldendoodles may grow up to 15 inches and 30 pounds.
• Toy Red Goldendoodles are around 11 inches and weigh under 15 pounds.
• Red Micro Mini Goldendoodles measure between 10 and 12 inches and weigh between 5 and 10 pounds. There’s some crossover with the Toy size version of these dogs, so the best way to tell them apart is the weight once they are fully grown.
• Red Petite Goldendoodle is bred by adding Cocker Spaniel genetics into the mix. They come in several sizes, but the Petite version is the most popular, with the dog being between 10 and 18 inches and weighing between 15 and 40 pounds.
• Red Teacup Goldendoodles are the absolute smallest Red Goldendoodle. They grow no taller than 9 inches and weigh under 6 pounds.

What is the Difference Between Goldendoodle Colors?

The most basic difference is coat color genetics. Red Goldendoodles are just a color variation on other breed coat colors. Goldendoodles are more often gold in color because the gold tone of their coat is desirable and easier to get (thanks to their Golden Retriever parents).

Goldendoodle dogs with a more vibrant red coat may have parents that were backcrossed (a Red Goldendoodle being crossed with a Red Poodle). This is standard practice to get dark coats in Red Goldendoodles because crossing a Red Poodle with a Golden Retriever can create Goldendoodle puppies with lighter-colored coats.

The color range in Goldendoodles comes from the coat colors of their parents. If a Goldendoodle had a dark-colored Poodle as a parent, they could have a darker coat, while Goldendoodles with light-colored Poodle and Golden Retriever parents are more likely to be cream or light gold.

Red Goldendoodle Coat Colors and Pattern Variations

• Dark Red Goldendoodle (mahogany coat color)
• Fox Red Goldendoodle (light ginger coat color with patches of white)
• Imperial Red Goldendoodle (mid to dark ginger coat color)
• Light Red Goldendoodle (light ginger coat color)
• Red Abstract Goldendoodle (Dark patchy red coat color with sections of white)
• Red Apricot Goldendoodle (light ginger coat color with some darker and lighter patches)
• Red Merle Goldendoodle (irregular patches of dark and light red, white, and possibly brown)
• Red Parti Goldendoodle (Part red, part white coat)
• Red Sable Goldendoodle (ombre effect across red coat)
• Red Tuxedo Goldendoodle (red coat with white tuxedo pattern)
• Red and White Goldendoodle (red and white coat colors in any pattern)
• Red and White Abstract Goldendoodle (red and white irregular patches across the entire coat)
• Red and White Parti Goldendoodle (part red, part white, more likely to be mid/light ginger than dark red)

Grooming Your Goldendoodle

Because some Goldendoodles have curly coats, grooming them can take a little more effort than the occasional brush and bath. Like other dogs, start by giving your Red Goldendoodle a good brush. You might need some dog-safe detangler, depending on the hair type that your Doodle has.

Use a slicker brush to work through your dog’s coat. Slicker brushes are great for all types of dogs and cats, and the bristles won’t get stuck in your pup’s fur. You can get any trapped debris out of their coat by brushing your dog.

You may occasionally come across a knot that won’t come out. When this happens, it’s better to remove the tangle with a clipper than try to force it to come undone. A quick clip-on fur that will soon grow back is better than making your pup uncomfortable.

After brushing, then bathe your dog. Dogs don’t need to be bathed often, but they appreciate a warm bath. Remember to use a dog-safe shampoo appropriate for your dog’s hair type. Shampoo for curly-haired dogs is available and great for Doodles with the teddy bear look.

Following their bath, simply dry off your pup with a towel. Unless you have experience or have closely followed the advice of a groomer, we wouldn’t recommend trying to trim your Goldendoodle’s coat at home.

Are Red Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?

No true hypoallergenic dog breeds exist, but the happy-go-lucky Goldendoodle is less likely to set off allergies. When it comes to dog allergies, what the human is experiencing is usually an allergy to the pollen in the dog’s fur or saliva.

If you’re looking for a dog and have known dog allergies, a Goldendoodle puppy could be a good alternative to other dog breeds. We cannot give medical advice or advise you on what kind of dog to get, but this breed doesn’t seem to get as many reactions as others.

When in doubt, consider spending time with a Goldendoodle that someone local to you has, or even go and check some out that a reputable breeder has for sale. Stay for a while and see if your allergies act up.

Common Health Issues for Red Goldendoodles

Red Goldendoodles are great family dogs. They have a soft coat, a cute teddy bear appearance, and are extremely friendly. However, like all dogs, they do have a few common health or medical issues that new owners should be made aware of. These are the most common conditions seen in the Red Teddy Bear Goldendoodle and all other Red Goldendoodle variations:

• Addison’s Disease
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Ear infections
• Glaucoma
• Hip Dysplasia
• Patellar Luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
• Von Willebrand’s Disease

It may seem like many serious conditions, but there’s a reason for them. Goldendoodle puppies inherit their health conditions from their parents, which means that the common health conditions for Golden Retrievers and Poodles are also seen in Goldendoodles.

What to Feed your Red Goldendoodle

Dog food baffles a lot of first-time dog owners. There are so many brands and a huge range of options in each brand that it can be overwhelming. You can easily cut down your options by taking a quick peek at the ingredients! Avoid any dog food that uses “by-products”, meat or fish “meal”, adds salt, or has ingredients that aren’t fully disclosed (such as using the term “animal protein” without explaining what that means).

Try to buy from more wholesome dog food brands and research common dog allergens. Many smaller brands won’t be found in grocery or pet stores but are often sold on marketplace websites like Chewy and Amazon. Always read the reviews before you make your final decision, and remember that dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies may need a special diet.

A quick bit of advice: For dogs prone to joint issues, try to buy food that adds appropriate supplements. For dogs, the correct supplements for joint health include Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM. Glucosamine is probably the most common one added to dog food.

For more Red Goldendoodle dietary requirements, you’ll need to pay attention to what affects your dog. It can be tempting to buy more affordable dog food for standard Red Goldendoodle puppies and full-grown Red Goldendoodle adults, but cheap dog food won’t offer the best nutrition for your pup. Treat your teddy bears as you would want to be treated!

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