Founded in 2012, Paw Print Genetics rocked the world of canine genetics by offering OFA-accepted, breed-specific disease panels at reasonable prices. Paw Print developed it’s own processes for DNA testing and uses two molecular methods to check each mutation to ensure accuracy. A third method is used if the first two don’t agree and/or a new sample requested. All testing in done in Paw Print’s own lab, and both PhD geneticists and veterinarians oversee testing, review results, and sign reports. What’s more, Paw Print promises results just two weeks from the arrival of your dog’s sample. Since samples are stored at the lab after completion of testing, additional tests can be added on at anytime. Paw Print invested in several lawsuits, working tirelessly to fight patents and ensure dog-owners access to canine DNA testing at an affordable price from a lab of their choice. Founder & CEO Lisa Shaffer is a board certified geneticist in canine genetic testing. Shaffer previously co-founded Signature Genomics, a diagnostic laboratory for people.
With just over one year of selling DNA tests to the public, Embark is the newest canine genetics company on the block. Embark partners with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where one of two founding Boyko brothers is an assistant professor in biomedical science. With the former director of National Geographic’s Geographic Project also on the team, Embark promises big dreams as the company markets towards appealing to the average dog-owner. This Texas-based company partners with Illumina Lab in California where the same testing procedures used on human samples is conducted on doggie saliva. Results are double checked using a single method to ensure accuracy. While a veterinarian does not oversee testing or sign off on results, Dr. Kate Robinson, a veterinarian who completed a residency in genetics, is available to answer questions and review results if there is a concern. Embark offers an amazing number of tests at an incredibly low price.
So what are the differences between Paw Print Genetics & Embark and which is the best choice for testing your breeding dogs? The chart below highlights some of the major differences (the following information was obtained through Paw Print Genetics and Embark’s websites as well as through communication with both companies’ team):
Now let’s compare the tests each company offers that are relevant to goldendoodles (notice that for $179 Embark includes disease, color, coat, and diversity tests all in one package):
* Note: Paw Print Genetics offers a panel of 150 diseases for $135 through Canine HealthCheck. Click here to learn more about the differences between Canine HealthCheck and the Paw Print Genetics breed-specific disease panel for breeders.
Which canine genetics company is best for breeding dogs?
Whether Paw Print Genetics or Embark is the right choice depends on the situation. Embark‘s significantly cheaper price tag certainly makes it an appealing option for breeders. If knowing whether your breeding dogs carry parti or merle is important, you may want to order those tests through Paw Print even if you use Embark for the majority of your testing. If you are relying on genetic testing results to choose a puppy from a litter (i.e. matching an F/F puppy with a family with pet allergies), Paw Print’s 2 week turnaround time will definitely be appreciated over Embark’s lengthy 4-6 week process, but Embark’s time frame is still manageable. For those selling breeding puppies, Paw Print’s $20 “cleared by parentage” designation may appeal to other breeders, as they can have their new pup’s disease carriage verified at a fraction of the cost of ordering a disease panel. On the other hand, if you are considering multiple traits, Paw Print’s $56+ per individual test can add up quickly for a litter of puppies and may quickly surpass Embark’s $179, making Embark the more economical choice. If you are new to breeding and anticipate having questions about genetic testing or test results, Paw Print may be the best choice. Paw Print repeatedly receives excellent reviews for customer service.
Best customer service
Paw Print Genetics continually receives raving reviews about their excellent customer service. Paw Print has received 4.9/5 stars on Facebook, and a quick scroll through reviews shows repeated compliments to their staff support, availability to answer questions, and customer service. Similarly Embark boasts a 4.7/5 star rating on Facebook. Reviews frequently reference satisfaction with discovering a dog’s heritage.
When researching for this post, I contacted both Paw Print and Embark via email. Paw Print promptly responded, answering all of my questions in great detail through email. While Embark responded quickly, the representative refused to answer a number of my questions over email. Instead she instructed me to schedule a 30 minute time slot for her to discuss my questions over the phone. Anyone busy raising puppies knows that scheduling a 30 minute appointment for asking questions is less than ideal. If you are new to canine genetic testing and anticipate having questions, consider choosing Paw Print.
Where do I buy canine genetic testing kits?
Paw Print Genetic’s testing kits can be purchased through their website. Be sure to check “current discounts” under the “pricing tab,” as Paw Print is nearly always offering a sale (anywhere from 30%-50% off). For Paw Print Genetics Canine HealthCheck, kits can be purchased on Amazon as well as on Canine HealthCheck’s own website. Check both to determine which has the best deal of the day.
Embark’s testing kits can be purchased either through their own website or on Amazon. Signing up as a breeder may afford you additional discounts.
Are there other canine genetics companies?
Yes! There actually are a lot of companies that test doggie DNA. Here are a few other popular ones:
While the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) partners with the University of Missouri’s , OFA maintains a list of laboratories throughout the country that run canine genetic testing. View OFA’s list to see other options for where you can have your dog’s health testing completed.
Note: much of the information contained in this post was obtained through email and phone conversations with persons representing both Paw Print Genetics & Embark
Timberidge Goldendoodles is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees via affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!
Not sure what to buy for the crazy doodle lover on your Christmas list? Here are 10 handmade, personalized gifts that will delight any doodle and doodle pawrent!
A custom doodle portrait
Certain to become the focal point of any room, a hand designed portrait of a beloved fur baby will bring tears to the eyes of any doodle lover. Be sure to select a picture that captures the doodle personality and playfulness (Facebook and Instagram might be great places to snag a picture of a certain doodle relative while still keeping the gift a secret from her pawrants). Stylized yet personalized doodle artwork is sure be a Christmas sensation as well.
A personalized doodle ornament
Nothing says Merry Christmas like having a special ornament for that special furry family member. Crafted wooden ornaments personalized with the year and doodle’s name are sure to be a treasure for any doodle lover.
You won’t be able to keep this gift wrapped until Christmas! Doodles need a collar for every occasion, so dazzle your favorite doodle lover with a festive snowflake Christmas collar or reversible holiday bandana. A doodle must be dressed to impress for the annual family Christmas photo!
Dog leash & treat holder
Practical, personalized, and Pottery Barn cute, handmade dog leash & treat holders can be completely customized, making them the perfect gift. Not only do they feature the fur baby’s names, but you can even select the color and size to best match decor.
Doodle doormat
Every doodle lover will be delighted to wipe their paws on a welcoming hand-painted doodle doormat. Pick out the perfect color and surprise your favorite doodle lover with this practical, decorative, personalized gift.
A doodle coffee mug
Doodles & coffee are two things that make this world a better place. A personalized doodle coffee mug combines both into one creative gift!
Doodle car decal
Every doodle pawrant needs a doodle car decal. Pair with a customized doodle key chain for a delightful, inexpensive Christmas gift.
Doggie Christmas cookies
You will undoubtedly be the favorite aunt or uncle as soon as that doodle nose detects a treat jar filled to the brim with delicious doggie Christmas cookies! Chances are, no human will need to assist in the unwrapping of this gift!
A healthy, yummy dog chew
Doodles love a good chew toy. And doodle owners appreciate a quality dog chew that will keep their favorite dood occupied during all of the holiday prep. RidgeRunner antlers are hand-collected off of the forest floor each year after the elk naturally shed them. The antlers are then cut and sized by this small family-owned business to make delicious, lasting dog chews. Read more about elk antlers and other dog chews in our power chewer post.
Don’t forget a doodle stocking stuffer
Who doesn’t need a little stress relief during the busy holiday hustle & bustle? Goldendoodle lovers will enjoy the beautifully designed pages of this newly released doodle coloring book, making it the perfect stocking stuffer this Christmas.
Have you ever wished you could sit down with a professional dog groomer and pour out your copious questions about goldendoodle coat maintenance and grooming? Your dream has come true! We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Allison Camp from You Dirty Dog grooming salon in New Town, Ohio to get the inside scoop about what groomers recommend for goldendoodles. Here’s your chance to glean from her years of experience!
How often do you recommend that goldendoodles go to the groomer?
Allison: It depends on the look you want. Goldendoodles kept in clips with a longer hair length need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. If you keep your goldendoodle in a shorter clip, you can take her for grooming every 8-10 weeks.
Do you prefer goldendoodle owners to show you a picture or give you a description of how they want their dog clipped?
Allison: I much prefer a picture over a description! I find that often times the description someone gives me doesn’t quite match the picture in their head. A picture is much better for showing me what you actually want.
How much does it cost to groom a goldendoodle?
Allison: In the Cincinnati area, grooming usually costs $50-$80 depending on the size of dog and whether the coat is matted. Goldendoodles often love to swim but chlorine really mats up the coat. If your dog will be swimming regularly in a chlorine pool, keep her in a short clip.
What brushes do you recommend for goldendoodles?
Allison: My two brushes of choice are a slicker brush with a curve at the end and a metal comb. I use these for all goldendoodles, no matter the coat type.
How often do goldendoodles need to be brushed?
Allison: Honestly, it depends on the hair length. A really short clip may not require any brushing until it starts to grow out while a longer clip may require daily brushing. More frequent brushing is needed for a curlier coat. Also be sure to brush the burs out of your dog’s coat after hikes and definitely brush your dog before and after baths.
How frequently should a goldendoodle be bathed?
Allison: You actually don’t need to bathe your goldendoodle between grooming appointments unless she is smelly or dirty. Try to bathe your goldendoodle maybe once a month at most. Bathing too frequently can dry out your dog’s skin, which may cause itching. If you notice that your goldendoodle has a continuous bad smell, check for a yeast infection. If you have cut back on the frequency of bathing and your goldendoodle still seems to be itching, try switching to a chicken-free, corn-free dog food like Fromm.
What shampoo do you recommend for goldendoodles?
Allison: I really like Fresh & Clean because it is an oatmeal based shampoo with a built-in conditioner, which means no additional rinsing. I also like Show Season shampoo.
Besides regular brushing and occasional baths, what other grooming should I be doing with my goldendoodle at home between appointments?
Allison: Check your goldendoodle’s ears regularly, plucking hair out of the ear canal as needed and making sure the ears don’t have a foul smell.
I want to give my goldendoodle a sanitary clip between grooming appointments. What clippers do you recommend?
Allison: Any Andis clippers would be a good choice. If you are just doing a sanitary clip, one or two speed clippers will suffice. If you plan on doing a total groom, consider purchasing more expensive Andis five-speed clippers.
What will my goldendoodle puppy look like as an adult? That’s a question on every puppy owner’s mind as they pick up their new furry friend. Watch a goldendoodle puppy grow up! Here’s a time lapse for a puppy with a beautiful coat of loose, wavy curls. Notice that he has curls on his ears by the six week photo. Be sure to compare his time lapse to that of these other goldendoodle puppies with different coat types.
Sometimes people ask me what types of activities goldendoodles enjoy doing. A better question is: what activities don’t goldendoodles enjoy doing? That would be a much shorter list! Truly, goldendoodles love participating in whatever activities their people are doing. Abria had the chance to go to Michigan with our family a few weeks ago. Needless to say, she loved every minute of the trip!
We’ve taken our dogs on canoe trips, but this was Abria’s first time out on a boat with a motor. A casual onlooker would never have guessed it was her first trip though! Abria hopped right on board, never hesitating for even a second. She loved feeling the wind in her face, inhaling in the wonderful scents of the Glen Lakes and Lake Michigan. Additionally, since our toddler is slightly obsessed with work vehicles, Abria had the chance to ride on a John Deere Gator utility vehicle numerous times. She thought it was great fun to ride on our laps as well as in the bed. If someone started driving away without her, Abria would run and jump into the back. Abria also hiked Alligator Hill, joined us for lunch at Cherry Republic, and enjoyed various other activities with our family. Abria may be a mini goldendoodle, but she’s not limited to mini adventures. It’s great to have a dog that is so adaptable and versatile. Goldendoodles are wonderful companions for every life adventure. If you ever find yourself heading to Glen Arbor, I’m confident Abria can fill you in on all the fun places to go and sights worth seeing.
Your goldendoodle is perfect in every way, and you wish you could clone her. You’re interest in breeding, but you aren’t sure where to start. Here are 12 initial steps to guide you as you begin preparing to breed goldendoodles or offering your goldendoodle as a stud:
1. Genetic Testing
Since DNA remains the same throughout a dog’s life, genetic testing can be done at anytime. This means genetic testing can be the perfect place to start! Two popular canine genetic labs are Paw Print Genetics & Embark. Read our article comparing the two to help decide which to use.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Golden Retriever Type 1 (aka GR-PRA1)*
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Golden Retriever Type 2 (aka GR-PRA2)
Ichthyosis
Since they have both poodles and golden retriever ancestors, goldendoodles should be tested for all of the above listed tests.
If your dog (or her parent or grandparents) are merle in color, your dog should also be tested to see whether she carries merle, as should any potential studs. A dog carrying merle should not be bred to anther dog who also carries merle. Dogs with double merle are at an increased risk for blindness and deafness, among other health issues. Breeders of merle doodles may also wish to test their dogs for MDR1.
2. Personality Evaluation
Your goldendoodle has the perfect personality… And earning her Canine Good Citizen is a great way to showcase it! Your dog does not have to be registered with AKC to earn a Canine Good Citizen. Alternatively, you can hire an experience trainer or animal behaviorist to evaluate your dog’s temperament. The goal is to assure future puppy owners that your goldendoodle’s personality is mama material and to make sure that a non-bias evaluator doesn’t uncover something in her temperament that you’ve somehow overlooked. Like genetic testing, personality evaluation can be done at any age, so it’s a good step to work on achieving even before your dog is of breeding age.
3. Consider The Generation
Determining which generation of goldendoodle to produce is an essential initial step. If breeding a golden retriever or goldendoodle to a poodle, coat testing is not required. If breeding a goldendoodle to a goldendoodle, coat testing is vital!
Golden Retriever X Poodle = F1 Goldendoodle (no coat testing needed)
F1 Goldendoodle X Poodle = F1b (no coat testing needed)
F1 Goldendoodle X F1 Goldendoodle… don’t do it! Some of the resulting puppies will be flat coated goldendoodles who shed significantly.
F1 Goldendoodle X F1b Goldendoodle = F2 Goldendoodle (coat testing for the F1b parent strongly recommended)
What is coat testing?
Coat testing is simply checking your dog’s DNA for two copies of certain traits. Furnishing/improper coat is an essential genetic coat test for breeding a goldendoodle to a goldendoodle. The shed locus test is also recommended. Paw Print Genetics & Embark offer both tests. Read Paw Print’s article about the role of improper coat and shedding locus in producing low shedding goldendoodle for more information. Learn more about what genes impact goldendoodle shedding in the guest post by breeder Ashton Kent.
Should I do coat testing for my stud dog?
Yes! Breeders inquiring about using your dog for a stud will want to know as much as possible about what puppies to expect if they breed their girl with your boy. Embark may be your best choice for DNA testing. For one fee, you will learn what genes your dog carries for color, improper coat, curl, and shedding. Embark does not offer a test for parti at this time, but that can be done through Paw Print if desired.
4. Find A Knowledgeable Vet
Most vets are familiar with caring for pets. When it comes to taking care of pregnant, whelping, and nursing bitches, many vets are a bit out of their comfort zone. Health checking, micro-chipping, and vaccinating an entire litter of puppies may even be a bit overwhelming. It is important to find a vet who can knowledgeably answer questions you encounter during the breeding and whelping process. Start by searching for a reproductive veterinarian to see if there are any in your area. A reproductive vet may also be able to make recommendations on where to take your goldendoodle when it comes time for OFA x-rays.
5. OFA Testing
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers several health tests relevant to goldendoodles. Your normal vet can complete the cardiac and patella luxation screenings during a routine visit and fill out the appropriate forms (linked below). You then submit these forms to OFA along with a fee for entry in the database. The cardiac and patella luxation screenings can be done anytime after your dog’s first birthday. It is financially wise to do those prior to paying for hip and elbow x-rays.
Hip & elbow dysplasia require x-rays, for which you will want to find a vet experienced with OFA films. If the x-rays will be submitted digitally, the vet must be registered with OFA. Sedation may be required. You will mail the x-ray films accompanied by the application (linked below) to OFA for a panel of orthopedic veterinarians to review and grade. While OFA does not consider results final until after a dog’s second birthday, films can be submitted once a dog is one year of age with results being given a “preliminary” designation. Alternatively, the PennHip evaluation can be done when a dog is 16 weeks or older. PennHip films require heavy sedation or general anesthesia and cost more than OFA’s hip dysplasia evaluation. For female dogs, do not schedule hip x-rays near when you expect your girl to come intoheat. The hormone changes from being in heat can impact joint laxity.
If your dog’s parents received OFA testing, be sure to list their AKC registration or OFA numbers on the forms. This is especially important for a dog being studded out and for breeders who wish to sell puppies to other breeders.
To locate a vet experienced in OFA or PennHip films, search your zip code on PennHip’s website. The majority of vets who are experienced with PennHip are also registered with OFA.
6. A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Words
Whether you plan to breed your own bitch or offer your boy as a stud, pictures are essential. The old adage is true: a picture is worth a thousand words. So exchange your camera phone for a quality camera and maybe a prime lens. Or consider investing in a photo shoot with an experienced canine photographer. When those babies arrives, you’ll want crisp, quality pictures once again. In a day where families search for the perfect future pet online, pictures sell puppies.
Want to try your hand at taking pictures but aren’t sure where to start? Practice stacking your dog and snapping some photos! If you plan to offer your dog for stud service, pictures of him stacked are a must.
7. Investigate Your Dog’s Pedigree
Research your dog’s pedigree to learn information about her ancestry. For health reasons, it’s essential to examine the vertical pedigree (parents, grandparents, etc.) as well as the horizontal pedigree (siblings, aunts, uncles, etc.). This post explains how to glean information from a pedigree and why it is an vital step for quality breeding! Be prepared to share your dog’s pedigree if offering him as a stud dog. Also be prepared to show health testing for your stud’s parents and grandparents.
So you’ve completed all of the above listed steps and you’re ready to get serious about having puppies in your home? Awesome! Here’s a puppy whelping checklist created to help you prepare.
If you plan to offer your dog as a stud dog, it may be wise to have a few artificial insemination kits on hand in case your dog is unable to achieve a tie. It isn’t uncommon for an inexperienced boy to have a bit of difficulty the first time, especially if the female is also inexperienced.
10. Advertising
Everyone who breeds goldendoodles loves puppies… but no one wants a houseful of unsold puppies! There are a number of ways to advertise your cute bundles of fur:
Facebook – While Facebook has become more strict about advertising puppies via your own business page, breeders can still post in goldendoodle specific groups and/or local pet groups.
Website – If you plan to have multiple litters per year, consider creating a website. A website costs around $100 each year but you will reach a larger number of people. The free Weebly makes website creation easy, even for someone with no prior website experience.
Goldendoodle & Labradoodle Premium Breeders List – This website charges $100 per year to list your kennel (website, email, phone number). You must submit health testing results and an application to be approved to join.
Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) – This group costs $100 per year to list your kennel plus a one time fee of $15 per breeding dog. You must submit health testing results to be approved to join.
Puppy Advertising Site –Puppyfind and Hoobly are two of the many places where you can pay to advertise your litter online.
11. Follow The Rules
Last but certainly not least, it’s vital to ensure that you’re following all of the rules! Investigate the rules and regulations governing your area of residency. In many places, rules and regulations surrounding dog breeding are specific to the county and township/city more so than the state, although some states, such as Florida, have specific rules about puppies receiving certain vaccinations and health checks. Be aware that dog breeding may not fall under the category of “animal husbandry.” Depending on the number of dogs you plan to keep, you may need to apply for a kennel license or breeders license. If you are unable to find information online, check with your local humane society to learn whether there are specific laws regarding dog breeding in your county. Some counties require that you notify that Chief Animal Control Officer whenever you have a litter, some require annual inspections, and some may have rules about the frequency of which a dog can be bred. Some states may have laws about hold old a puppy must be prior to going to a new home. Know your county and state policies & guidelines!
Also be sure to obtain permission to breed from your goldendoodle’s breeder. Many breeders price dogs differently based on whether they are going to be pets or breeding dogs, and many breeders have hired lawyers to review their contracts to ensure that they are enforceable in court. Breeding a dog sold as a pet could result in an expensive legal fiasco.
12. $$$$$$
While breeding goldendoodles may sound like a great way to earn some extra cash, remember that quality breeding can also be expensive. You will need to have a large sum of money available to invest several years before any litters are born. Expect to pay $3500-$4500 for a goldendoodle with breeding rights, $200+ for genetics testing, $450+ for OFA xrays, and so forth. If you choose to breed dogs, you owe it both to the puppies you produce and the families purchasing your puppies to conduct the appropriate health testing.
It’s also a good idea to have money set aside in case an emergency arises, such as the need for an emergent cesarean section or a puppy is born with health problems. Have funds available for advertising puppies as well as for having the litter checked by a veterinarian, microchipped, and vaccinated. Stud fees (or health testing for a stud you own), an xray for a puppy count, a brucellosis test (if using a stud), and progesterone testing are other possible expenses.
In addition to dog-related expenses, you will need to schedule vacation if you are employed. At the very minimum, plan to take a few days of vacation around the due date as well as several weeks of partial days once the puppies are older. Proper socialization of the puppies is essential.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of expenses, it will hopefully help you put together a basic budget as you save up for breeding.
We have been using DexDog’s adjustable leashes almost exclusively for over a year now! These leashes are not only comfortable to use and great quality, the adjustable feature is handier than we ever would have thought.
You might ask yourself, “Is an adjustable flat lead for dogs really necessary?” I, for one, thought that an adjustable flat lead was unique… and also maybe a bit unnecessary. Much to my surprise, we actually adjust the leashes on a regular basis. Whether shortening the leash to keep the dogs from walking in front of the stroller, lengthening it so my dogs can explore, or maintaining some medium length so my one year old daughter can hold a leash, we find ourselves adjusting the leash often. Once you are accustomed to an adjustable leash, you’ll quickly get spoiled and find yourself missing this feature should you ever have to go without it.
It’s a bit of a challenge to find a 6’ flat lead anymore, which is what I generally prefer. For some reason 5’ leads have taken over the market. I’ve always used a 6’ lead because it’s required for AKC obedience trails. I’m a little partial to having a 6’ leash for that reason, and that extra foot just seems to make the walker and the dog both a bit happier. I was excited to find that the DexDog Adjustable Leash extends to 6’.
This leash is extremely durable. After one year of regular use our DexDog leashes are not showing any signs of wear. No fraying, no discoloration, no rusting, and no other type of malfunction. DexDog leashes are “Backed by a lifetime guarantee, even if chewed.” So even in the unlikely event that your leash breaks, simply snap a photo of the leash and email support@dexdog.com. You don’t even have to mail the old leash back. Does it get any better than that?!
The leash clasp is a little heavy for our small dogs (all less than 30lbs). Sometimes this causes their legs to get caught in the loop of the adjustment. This doesn’t happen very often however and for me the benefit of having the adjustment far outweighs the drawbacks of the extra weight/loop. In order to avoid this issue, you could try DexDog’s small dog leash for any dog under 25 lbs. They now make a 3/4″ leash, although advertise that the clasp is the same as that for the 1″ leash.
The Bottom Line: I recommend the adjustable DexDog leash!
Pros:
Durable
Easy to use
Vibrant colors
Padded handle
Adjustable Length
Cons:
The clasp is a bit heavy for small dogs
The Details:
Cost: $15.99-$16.99 – ships free with Amazon Prime
Size: 3.5’ to 6’ long and 1” width (DexDog also makes a small dog leash with a 3/8” width, recommended for dogs <10lbs)
Functionality: The Adjustable DexDog Leash is easy to adjust.
Timberidge Goldendoodles received this products for free in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions expressed here were not influenced by the manufacturing company in any way. All of the products we review we have personally used with our own dogs and genuinely recommend.
Check back here regularly for updated pictures of Junie’s goldendoodle puppies! (Click on any picture to view it larger)
These sweet puppies have all found forever families, which means they are not available to come home with you. This is the last of our 2017 litters. We plan to have more litters in 2018.
eight weeks old
Phoebe
Daisy
Rosie
Gracie
Brady
At almost eight weeks old, these puppies are excited to be joining their furever families in just a few days!! Wishing you all a happy gotchya day!
seven weeks old
six weeks old
five weeks old
Pink Girl
Yellow Girl
Teal Girl
Purple Girl
Orange Boy & Purple Girl playing
Yellow Girl
Teal Girl
Purple Girl
Orange Boy
four weeks old
Pink Girl
Teal Girl & Orange Boy
Yellow Girl
Teal Girl
Pink Girl
Purple Girl
Teal Girl
Eat, play, sleep, repeat. The puppies have started wrestling and playing with each other. Their teeth are poking through, which means they enjoy nibbling and chewing. The puppies love exploring their environment and find everything new & interesting.
three weeks old
teal girl
pink girl
yellow girl
orange boy
no one wants to do a group photo!
The puppies felt the green grass between their toes for the first time! Many fun outdoor play sessions are in their future 🙂
two weeks old
Yellow Girl
Orange Boy
Purple Girl
Pink Girl
Teal Girl
Sleepy puppy faces!
one week old
It’s amazing how much puppies grow and change in such a short amount of time! Junie’s medium English goldendoodle puppies are now just over one week old and each pup is weighing in slightly under 1.5 lb, which means they’ve already doubled their birth weights. Their noses and the pads on their feet are blackening. At a week old, puppies’ ears and eyes are still closed so they can’t see or hear. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, which is evident by their little sniffs and grunts. Junie’s puppies have already become much better and quicker at getting around their whelping area. When their belly’s start grumbling, they know how to find food in a hurry! Little tails wag during nursing to let you know they are thoroughly enjoying their meal.
Junie’s English Goldendoodle Puppies at 1 week old
It’s that time of year again. The time when you begin to find ticks on your dog and start worrying about fleas. I’ve received numerous questions about preventing fleas, ticks & worms, so I decided to address them in a post!
I’ll start by saying that no matter the brand of heartworm preventative you choose for your furry friend, you will undoubtedly find it cheaper to purchase through 1-800-PetMeds than purchasing it at your vet’s office.In this article, I’ll walk you through how to order from 1-800-PetMeds, compare and contrast the different heartworm preventatives on the market, and touch on tick prevention.
Where To Purchase
All heartworm medications require a veterinarian prescription but that doesn’t mean you have to buy them from your vet. I have found that 1-800-PetMeds has the best prices. They’re usually running a sale, which lowers their already lower price. And, to sweeten the deal, they offer free shipping on orders of $49 or more. I purchase both heartworm preventative and the Seresto flea & tick collar for my dogs from 1-800-PetMeds. For one dog, I save approximately $30 in 6 months by buying heartworm preventative from 1-800-PetMeds.
If heartworm preventative requires a veterinarian prescription, how do I order it from 1-800-PetMeds?
It’s actually really easy. Create an account with 1-800-PetMeds. Make a profile for your dog and type in the name of your dog’s vet. Select the heartworm preventative of your choice and check out. 1-800-PetMeds will take care of the rest! 1-800-PetMeds will obtain a prescription and mail your ordered medications to your door. They’ll even email you with updates if your vet is being slow to respond to their request or if it’s time to order your pet’s medications again. I have ordered medications from 1-800-PetMeds on a number of occasions and have been very pleased with how easy it is to do. Plus I have saved a significant amount of money ordering heartworm preventative through them rather than from my vet.
Heartworm Preventatives
We’ll start with worms. Heartworms are a dangerous parasite that attempt to infest your dog’s heart. If left unchecked, heartworms can eventually kill your dog. Since Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes, your dog is at danger even if she never leaves your yard. Mosquitoes don’t know property lines. Dogs are also susceptible to a variety of intestinal worms including: whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and round worms (hookworms & roundworms can also infect people). Because of this, your dog should use a monthly parasite preventative that covers a range of worms. All heartworm medications require a prescription from a veterinarian, and all of them kill heartworm larvae, not adult heartworms (if your dog has an infestation of adult heartworms, consult your veterinarian for treatment options). Heartworm medications should be administered with a meal, as they can be hard on your dog’s stomach. If you notice that your young puppy vomits shortly after receiving the medication, ask your vet about using a topical preventative (such as Revolution or Advantage Multi). Occasionally a puppy may need to use a topical heartworm preventative for a few months. Once older, she likely will tolerate the ingested medication.
There are a number of products on the market. Let’s compare the different heartworm preventatives:
*price based on 1-800-PetMeds‘ non-sale price for a 25lb dog
All dogs are at risk for heartworms, and every dog should be on a monthly preventative to avoid being infested by these nasty guys. There is no right or wrong heartworm preventative, and the best choice varies from dog to dog. If you have a collie or shepherd breed, you may benefit from avoiding Heartgard Plus or Iverhart, both of which contain Ivermectin. If remembering to give your dog one pill each month is plenty and you don’t want to worry about a different medication for flea prevention, Trifexis might be a good option. If you want to cover as many parasites as possible, you might choose Sentinel Spectrum. Or if your dog detests artificial beef flavor, maybe she’ll find the chicken flavor of Interceptor delightful to her pallet. Use the above table to help educate yourself and discuss your options with your vet so you can choose the preventative that is best for your dog. 1-800-PetMeds has more in depth details about each product on their website such as the drug class, how to store, and how it works. I used information from 1-800-PetMeds‘ product descriptions to compile the above table.
Flea & Tick Prevention
As you can see, different heartworm preventatives contain different medications and consequently differ in the additional intestinal worms they prevent. You’ll also notice that Triflexis & Sentinel are the only two options that simultaneously fight fleas and that Triflexis is the sole product that kills adult fleas (while Sentinel inhibits the development of any flea eggs, it does not kill the adult fleas). None of the options protect against ticks. Many wild animals such as mice, rabbits, raccoons, and deer can carry fleas or ticks into your yard, so your dog may need a flea & tick preventative in addition to her monthly parasite prevention. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lymes Disease are just two nasty illnesses carried by deer ticks. Needless to say, you don’t want ticks on your dog! There are topical, oral, and slow release collar options for flea and tick prevention.
We prefer the convenience of the Seresto Collar by Bayer for evading fleas and ticks. The collar slowly releases Flumethrin & Imidacloprid (both insecticides affecting nervous system of insects) providing a reported 8 months of protection against flea, ticks, mange & lice. Research indicates that the time release of these medications very effective. The Seresto collar has no greasy residue or odor. It’s more economical than many monthly options, and there’s no need to remember to give it to your dog monthly, which is a huge plus in my opinion. See our review of the Seresto collar
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