The Labrador shepherd mix is a modern and young mixed race from the German shepherd and the Labrador Retrievers.
The goal of the breeders was to combine the best characteristics of both dog breeds and to minimize typical breed diseases.
Oftentimes, this breed is also short Sheprador called. This designation is made up of the English word shepherd and labrador.
The most important things about the Labrador Shepherd mix in brief:
Size & Life Expectancy:
- Adult males: 29 to 40 kilograms
- Bitches: 22-32 kilograms
- Life expectancy 10-14 years
character: friendly, even-tempered, intelligent, inquisitive and trainable, protective, active, obedient and loyal
special feature: The Sheprador is not a coach potato. He quickly feels physically and mentally underchallenged and should therefore only be given to very active families
Look
The parents of the Shepherd Dog Labrador mix are both working dogswho, because of their tasks, have a very strong physique have. Thus, the hybrid also has a strong stature.
While the German Shepherd pointed and pricked ears owns, the Labrador has floppy ears. Depending on the dominant parent, the Sheprador adopts the ear shape. Most of the time, however, he has Labrador ears.
The Shepherd Dog Labrador Mix has blue or brown eyes. The snout is black in almost all hybrids.
Height Weight
The German Shepherd is slightly larger and heavier than the Labrador.
become German shepherd males between 60 and 65 centimeters large, bitches between 55 and 60 centimeter.
For male Labradors, the range is between 57 and 62 centimetersin the females as in the shepherd dog 55 to 60 centimeters.
Accordingly, the size of the mixed breed is within these ranges.
The Shepherd Dog Labrador Mix is also in the range of both parents when it comes to weight.
This is for male Labradors 29 to 36 kilogramsin the females 25 to 32 kilograms.
Shepherd males bring between 30 and 40 kilogram on the scales. German shepherds are with me 22 to 32 kilograms significantly easier.
Colors & coat texture
Mixed breed dogs are usually real surprise packages in terms of the possible coat colors.
Depending on which parent dog had the more dominant part when crossed, the Sheprador can completely adopt the typical coat colors of one parent.
However, new mixed colors can also arise from the color pigments of both dog breeds.
In most cases, however, the Labrador has the greater influence and will dominate in the mixed breed. Here is the color palette Yellow, chocolate brown or black.
The usually smaller proportion of the shepherd dog ensures mixed colors, so that the mix is typical of the shepherd dog bicolor looks black and tan or red with black coat can get.
Shepherd Labrador crossbreeds have a so-called double coat. This one has one short undercoat and dense top coat.
Labradors can have short or medium-length coats. In the mixed breed, the longer coat of the shepherd dog usually dominates.
Character & nature of the Labrador Shepherd Mix
Both parent breeds are working dogs and have similar characteristics.
One strong bond with their human and to the family both races build up and thus also have one high protective instinct.
The shepherd dog is a bit more suspicious and reserved towards strangers, while the labrador is more trusting and outgoing.
To a certain extent, the Labrador Shepherd mixed breed combines all of these characteristics.
Character traits that both parents have in common are reflected in the mixed breed anyway.
Such is the Sheprador a very intelligent doghas a high willingness to learn and workis concentrated and obedience.
He wants to please his owner and impress him with his willingness to learn and his skills.
The Sheprador has a lot of temperament and is very agile and active.
This dog gets along very well with children or other pets. But he has one friendly, even-tempered and gentle nature and is therefore an excellent one family dog.
attitude & upbringing
The Labrador Shepherd Mix is very eager to learn and willing to work and wants to please its owner. That’s why he needs tasks and an occupation that doesn’t underchallenge him.
When the Sheprador gets bored, he sometimes does nonsense or nibbles on clothes and furnishings. If boredom becomes a persistent condition, the naturally docile dog can quickly develop into a «problem dog».
agility and dog sports as well as puzzles should be considered from the beginning in order to challenge and support the four-legged friend mentally and physically.
This also makes sense because the Sheprador is a very agile and active dog and has a high urge to move has.
This dog is definitely not suitable for couch potatoes. The Sheprador requires a lot of exercise and should therefore have the opportunity to let off steam for at least two hours a day.
Since Shepradores are extremely trainable, intelligent and obedient, it is relatively easy to train them and thus also suitable for beginners.
The dogs get along well with other animals and children and also get used to strangers quite quickly.
So that the four-legged friends don’t get used to any quirks in the first place, there is one early education and socializationas actually with every breed of dog, very important.
Breeding & Health
Mixed breeds are not only bred to combine the best qualities of two different breeds in one cross.
The aim is also to minimize the characteristic diseases of the respective breed.
If both dog breeds have the same common diseases, this can also be transferred to the mixed breed. This effect will also “crossover disease» called.
Due to the similar physique of both of the Sheprador’s parents, come to him as well Hip and elbow dysplasia before.
Both dog breeds have a massive build. The high urge to move also ensures a premature wear of the joints.
One Progressive retinal atrophy can also occur in mixed breeds. This is one eye diseasewhich particularly affects the Labrador.
The Labrador Shepherd mix breed often tends to too overweight. This legacy is also more attributable to the Labrador.
Since Labradors often eat everything that literally gets under their nose, the mixed breeds also tend to put on too many pounds.
One healthy and balanced diet is very important, especially since, as a very active dog, it has a corresponding need for energy.
High-quality proteins ensure good muscle growth and thus also prevent joint diseases.
Life expectancy
As with many dog breeds of this size, the average age for a Sheprador is around 10 to 14 years.
A species-appropriate husbandry and diet naturally has a significant influence.
What is there to consider with Labrador Shepherd mix puppies?
Already the Sheprador’s puppies are very active. They should be put on a «long leash» so that they can let off steam and explore the area.
You should also show the puppy its limits early on and with a good one basic training begin.
Any «nonsense» can hardly be weaned from him in adulthood.
Their intelligence should also be encouraged from the start with suitable toys.
When feeding the puppies, make sure that they don’t develop too fastto promote typical joint diseases or obesity.
For choosing a puppy should only reputable and trustworthy breeders be considered. Searching for breeder websites on the Internet makes more sense than browsing through advertising portals.
Especially with mixed breeds, not all breeders are organized in clubs and can show the corresponding seals of quality and pedigrees.
However, a hobby breeder should still be able to prove the origin of his puppies.
Reputable and professional providers often offer to obtain information in advance and to visit and get to know the puppies before the earliest delivery date of 8 to 10 weeks.
Usual and realistic prices for a Sheprador puppy range between 600 and 1200 euros.
The appearance and price of a puppy should not be the only criteria when making a purchase decision.
The temperament and character of the dog must not only be related to the living situation and living conditions, but also to the future family itself.