When a German shepherd and a Labrador create a litter of cute puppies, they are called German Shepradors and sometimes Labrashepherds. The German sheprador combines the best of both breeds to give a strong, intelligent, and playful pet.
The German shepherd is traced back to Germany in 1800 and the Labrador is said to have come from Labrador, Canada in the 1830s. How these two species crossbred is not very well known and could be out of sheer luck.
Whether you want to become a first-time dog owner or are planning on increasing your canine family, this article will tell you whether the German Sheprador is the dog for you.
Curious about other hybrid dogs too? We’ve written about Terripoos and Shihpoos too.
What does a German shepherd Labrador mix look like?
Height and weight
The Labrador and the Shepherd are both generally large breeds, so their offspring takes the same stature. On average, a German shepherd weighs between 50 and 90 pounds and is 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
The Labrador is usually 50 to 80 pounds heavy and measures around 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
With this in mind, the German Sheprador is usually between 50 and 80 pounds heavy and 24 inches tall. The females are usually on the lower end of the spectrum and the males range in the higher end.
The size of the dog is also determined by the size of its parents.
Coat color and length
German shepherds are distinctly known for their black, brown, and sometimes white coat colors. Labradors, on the other hand, usually have only one color on them. They can be black or white but the most common color is golden brown.
The color of the offspring will be determined by the dominant gene. For this reason, when breeding, you can never know whether you are getting a solid-color Labrashepherd or a multicolored one.
When it comes to coat length, your German Sheprador will likely have a short coat. This is because the gene for short coats is dominant in Labs so even when the German shepherd has a long coat, the puppy might not.
It is guaranteed, though, that the puppies of a German shepherd and a Labrador will have a double coat because the gene is present in both parents. The outer guard coat has thin rough hairs to protect from the elements and the undercoat is soft and fluffy to provide insulation.
Structure
Both this mix’s parents have an athletic build. This means the Labrashepherd will also have a fit body, but not too muscular. This will also depend on the dog’s exercise and activity levels.
Most of the time, the dog’s facial structure will look like that of the Labrador with a square nose. The offspring’s ears are usually a gamble. When they are puppies, all their ears will droop. As they get older, some dogs’ ear cartilage will strengthen, making the ears alert like the German shepherd and sometimes they will droop.
This dog’s eye color is usually brown or blue, but this will depend on the parent.
Labrashepherd temperament
Finding out individual temperaments of the parent breeds can help us determine possible outcomes of the mix’s behavior. German shepherds are devoted, protective, and loving to their owners. On the other hand, Labradors are friendly and lovable. Both parents are energetic and love to get busy.
The result is a loving and loyal offspring who enjoys spending time with their human. Their affectionate nature, together with their fondness for other dogs and small children, means they will cause little trouble in social settings.
The Sheprador is an intelligent animal and responds well to training. When training them, they may resist domination and punishments because of the German shepherd nature. Positive reinforcement in words and treats will be the way to go.
German shepherds are also wary of strangers, so you should train your lab mix on socialization as early as possible.
You should also ensure that your children are aware of how they should play with the dog to avoid injuring or irritating it, causing harm.
What should I feed my German Sheprador?
This mix is a large and energetic dog and its diet should reflect the same. They are muscular and will need a high protein diet to maintain their structure. Use protein foods like beef and chicken.
You should also get some dog food with healthy fats and oils and some carbs. These will generate the energy they need for their activities.
Usually, it is advisable that for every pound of their weight, a dog should consume 30 calories a day. Once you have determined the recommended daily amount, split this into two portions to feed in the morning and evening.
This will prevent bloating. If you are unsure of what foods and portions to give, please speak to your vet for guidance.
German lab mix exercise requirements
As said earlier, this dog is energetic and active. This means they love to go out and play and run around.
It is recommended that they get between 1 and 2 hours of playtime every day. They are prone to obesity so your dog might start to gain unhealthy weight if you don’t follow this.
You should start to give them exercise time as early as possible so that they get accustomed. If you don’t, they’ll grow up obese, developing more health complications.
German Lab mix health issues
- Hip and elbow dysplasia. This occurs when the ball and socket joints rub against each other. It is caused by obesity, a lack of exercise, or too much exercise.
- Bloating and diarrhea. This is caused by giving your dog an improper diet. It is also caused by exercising immediately after meals.
Before you bring your dog home, you should ensure that you have some of their medical histories. If possible, ask to get their parents’ history as well to see if there are any hereditary illnesses to be wary of. You should also schedule a vet visit for a full-body check-up.
If you are interested in knowing more about dogs, you can do that here: Female Italian Dog Names, Spanish Dog Names, Female Dog Names In French, What to do if a Dog Bites You, Mexican Dog Breeds, Foods Toxic to Dogs, Canine Herpes, Smells That Dogs Hate, The most popular breeds of dogs, Most Expensive Dog Breeds, How to Prevent Dog Fights, Poodle-Shih Tzu Mix
