The Doberman lab mix is a popular choice among pet owners because it is an intelligent and energetic breed. Are you thinking of getting one for yourself? Then you must first get acquainted with key facts and figures related to this breed.
This article is a complete guide on the Doberman lab mix. Below, you’ll read useful information about the breed, its history, lifespan, proper care, price, and more.
What Is A Doberman Lab Mix?
As the name suggests, this breed is a mix between the Doberman Pinscher and the Labrador Retriever breeds. This is also known as the Labraman or Doberdor mix. The result is a playful, loyal, intelligent, and protective breed. These dogs are excellent guard dogs because of their loyalty to their owners and their alertness.
These dogs are also very playful so they’re not ideal for small spaces. They need lots of playtimes and enough space for them to comfortably move around. You will need to take them out for walks or runs. It helps to live in a house with a yard or somewhere near a dog park.
Appearance Of Doberman Lab Mix
The most common colors of Doberman Lab mixes include chocolate, tan, fawn, and black. The fur’s color may be solid, like Labradors, or patterned, like Dobermans. The fur also depends on the dominant parent, so it may be short but shaggy or long but thin.
These dogs typically weigh 60 to 100 pounds and measure 24 to 28 inches tall. Female Doberman Lab dogs are considerably smaller than the males. They have round eyes, a long nose, and pointed or drooping ears.
History Of Doberman Lab Mix
The best way to fully understand the history of the Doberman Lab mix is to take a look at the origins of the parents. Dobermans became first known in Germany during the 1800s. This breed was invented by a tax collector who also worked in a dog kennel at that time. The breed was specialized as guard dogs for the police force and the military due to the intelligence and sharpness of the dogs.
Labradors are the complete opposites of Dobermans. They’re more cheerful and designed for domestication and companionship. Labradors originated from Canada and the first few dogs of the breed were faithful companions during hunting and retrieving activities. Labs were officially recognized as a sporting breed in 1917.
The Doberman Pinscher and Labrador Retriever were mixed to form the Doberman Lab mix. This breed is a “designer” breed that aims to mix the Doberman’s temperament with the Labrador’s playful nature.
Doberman Lab Mix Lifespan
How long do Doberman Lab dogs have? These dogs have the same average life expectancy as their parents. That means these dogs have an estimated lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
Doberman Lab Mix Food And Nutritional Requirements
A Doberman lab mix puppy will grow into a medium- to large-sized dog. Such a body type needs enough protein to fuel it throughout the day. Your dog must eat healthy and well-balanced meals. Avoid overfeeding because this can lead to obesity and its associated health issues.
The best thing to do is to consult a dog dietician so that a diet can be tailored to your pet’s body type.
Doberman Lab Mix Price
The price of the puppy depends on the breeder. They typically cost around $1,000 to $2, 500.
Doberman Lab Mix Temperament
The temperament is hard to predict because of the mixed breeds. Hybrid dogs are generally difficult to predict so your dog could have a personality that’s close to a Doberman, a Labrador, or a mix of both.
If you want more predictability in your puppy, you can choose an offspring whose parents closely resemble the temperament you want.
Doberman pinschers have always been viewed as aggressive dogs but this nature has been toned down with countless generations of breeding.
The Doberman lab mix may be calm or aggressive. They generally don’t like solitude or being locked up so make sure to give them enough attention. Don’t leave them in a cage for too long because they will become aggressive and destructive.
Doberman Lab Mix Exercise
Exercise is very important for Doberman lab mixes. These dogs are very energetic and hyperactive so it’s important to find a way to spend their energy. Make sure to a lot a few hours of playtime each day to keep them active. This could be in the form of dog games like playing catch.
Another thing you can do is to take your dog out for walks or runs. This gives them a breath of fresh air and allows them to burn their extra energy. You may also bring them to dog parks where they can run freely and socialize with other dogs. Make sure to keep a close eye and to keep them on a leash if they seem aggressive against other pets.
Physical activity helps Doberman labs maintain a healthy weight. This is also their first line of defense against hip dysplasia since they’re very prone to it.
Doberman Lab Mix Grooming
The grooming process depends on the fur type of your dog. The fur type depends on the dominant parent so it can either be short but shaggy or long but thin.
Doberman lab mixes with long hair must be brushed frequently to prevent tangles. They also shed a lot so it’s ideal to invest in a vacuum cleaner so that you can clean up the house. You should also bring your dog to a professional dog salon for proper grooming.
If your dog’s hair is short but shaggy, then less grooming is required. Brush its coat at least once a week. This helps the coat appear healthy and shiny by preventing tangles and spreading the natural hair oil around.
Another grooming must is to regularly clean the ears and paws. These cramped spaces can easily become home to infestations. Make sure to keep the nails short by clipping or filing so that the dog won’t hurt itself.
The teeth should also be brushed and cleaned using dental products that are specifically designed for dogs. There are toys with nets or ropes that help them clean their teeth.
Wash your dog at least once a week using dog shampoo. The shampoo you pick will depend on its fur type.
Doberman Lab Mix Training
There are different areas to train a Doberman lab mix puppy in. Some of these training areas include:
Crate training – This is a training method that makes it convenient for you to transport your dog. This is also applied for potty training. This teaches your puppy that his crate is his safe and quiet place to rest in. Lastly, this prevents your puppy from chewing on your household items and furniture.
Obedience training – This is a very important part of training any hybrid dog. Due to their unpredictable temperament, it’s ideal to have a way to control them in case things go haywire. Teaching your dog how to be obedient allows you to exert better control over them so that they’ll behave, particularly in public places.
Some of the most basic commands taught in obedience training include sit, stay, heel, come, and down.
Behavioral training – This is useful for controlling any behavioral issues your puppy might have. Your Doberman lab mix may be aggressive, have separation anxiety, or relentlessly chew on random items. This training method can help eliminate these behavioral issues.
Jumping training – Your Doberman lab mix may jump on you whenever it gets too agitated. This can feel overwhelming and may even injure you. You can remedy this with jumping training in which dogs are taught to avoid jumping on their owners.
Doberman Lab Mix Health Issue
Cross-breeding dogs usually have repercussions that materialize in the form of health issues. These illnesses may materialize depending on their age or genetic makeup. The most common issues include eye diseases, dysplasia, skin irritations, and allergies.
Other health problems that you should also watch out for include heart diseases, bone cancer, mange, twisted stomach, canine hemophilia, cervical vertebral instability, hyperthyroidism, and more. You can prevent these by conducting regular medical checkups to ensure that your dog stays in top shape.
Is The Doberman Lab Mix A Good Family Dog?
There are a few key considerations to make before deciding to get a Doberman lab mix for your family.
The first point is the size. The parent animals of this mix are naturally largely built, which means that you can expect their offspring to be big, too. Their size won’t fit well in a small apartment and they’re better suited for houses with fenced-in yards.
Such a large dog may also be unsafe if there are toddlers or infants in your family. Their size and overwhelming energy may pose harm to your children.
Another factor to consider is their sociability. Doberman lab mixes are better with a companion dog or with constant human interaction. If your house has family members with day jobs or school, then it’s not a good idea to have a Doberman lab mix.
Lastly, Doberman lab mixes are very curious hunter animals. They won’t hesitate to run after squirrels or raccoons in the yard, so make sure to keep them within the fence. Reinforce every corner so that they won’t be able to accidentally escape.
Conclusion
Getting a puppy is generally a major responsibility. Doberman lab mixes are extra special because of their unique features and strict requirements for maintenance and care. These dogs are not recommended for beginner pet owners because they are challenging and high-maintenance. You need to deliberately carve out the time to care, feed, and play with them.
If you’re already an experienced dog owner, then it shouldn’t be a problem to care for one.
