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German Sheprador: German Shepherd & Labrador Retriever

Welcome to your complete guide to the German Shepherd Lab Mix!

If you are thinking of bringing this fabulous mixed breed dog into your home, make sure it is the right choice for you.

This article discusses the history, temperament, color, grooming needs, behavior, health, and pet suitability of a beautiful German Shepherd Lab mix.

So let’s start by figuring out what a German Shepherd Lab mix is!

What is a German shepherd and laboratory mix?

The German Shepherd x Labrador, also known as the “Sheprador”, is a cross between the two most popular dog breeds in America.

A Labrador German Shepherd is a mixed breed or “designer” breed that results from the mating of a purebred German Shepherd Dog (GSD) with a purebred Labrador Retriever.

It’s no wonder that the German Shepherd Labrador cross was developed, whose parents are the two most popular dog breeds of the American Kennel Club.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the Labrador x German Shepherd lineage.

Where did the German Shepherd Mix Lab come from?

In order to better understand the German Shepherd Lab Mix, we need to learn about its parent breeds and their origins.

The Labrador Retriever was first bred in Newfoundland, Canada. There, smaller dogs that were used for waterfowl hunting were mated with Newfoundland dogs.

Their offspring began the line that founded the now popular Labrador Retriever, which was recognized as a member of the sports group by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1917.

Modern laboratories, like their water-conscious ancestors, are used as hunting dogs and even as service dogs. And as we mentioned earlier, they are incredibly popular family pets.

As the name suggests, the German Shepherd comes from Germany. The breed was developed to be the perfect herding or guide dog, strong enough to withstand the harshest conditions.

Eventually, Shepherds became popular military and police dogs, and the breed was recognized as a member of the herding group by the AKC in 1908.

Their role today is very similar to the ancestors of the breed. They are very popular as police dogs, guard dogs, and service dogs.

German shepherd mixed with Lab temperament

Preparing to Bring a Dog to Your Home? One of the most important traits to look at is the dog’s temperament.

The hybrid of the Labrador and German Shepherd is a mix of two breeds.

Hence, one can only assume what his temperament will be. Also in comparison to the general temperament of his parents.

The German Shepherd Dog is sometimes controversial. Since shepherds are popular police dogs, they are often portrayed as vicious attack dogs.

As a rule, they are not aggressive dogs by chance but can provide protection.

When a German Shepherd mixed puppy is searching for their German Shepherd parent, it is imperative that they be socialized with other dogs, places, and different people from a young age.

Socializing in this way will help the dog feel comfortable and thereby reduce the need to protect his property or family.

You don’t know how your pup’s personality will develop, so good socialization is key for this potentially very loyal dog.

Here are some great tips to help you socialize your pup.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Labrador Retriever is a usually good-natured but sometimes excitable dog.

People who are not used to a larger and “in your face” dog may find a Labrador-Mix German Shepherd intimidating after its Lab parent.

Note that with mixed breeds, a hybrid dog or puppy may have a temperament more similar to that of a parent breed than that of the other parent breeds.

When breeding for a German Shepherd with a Labrador, the characteristics and personality traits of Lab German Shepherd puppies are difficult to predict.

German Shepherd Lab Mix Training

German shepherds and labs are intelligent and active dogs.

Don’t forget to add your dog!

You will therefore most likely get a puppy that is smart and needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. Long walks, lots of games, and training are essential for a German Shepherd Lab mix.
It is very important to use positive training methods for breeds such as German Shepherds.

These smart dogs love to learn but do not respond well to dominance-based methods.

You can find out more about positive puppy training here.

These spicy cookies work really well when rewarded for their efforts, and they can be extremely fun workout partners.

These breeds are also known for their strong bonds with their families.

Labs in particular do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Neither of these breeds does well in homes where people are out and about during the day.

Here’s everything you need to know about raising a puppy if you work full time.

Exercise German shepherd mix

You must commit to training and exercising your German Shepherd Lab mix daily. Not only does this require a long walk, but it can also involve workouts.

When considering welcoming this mixed breed into your home, plan on doing plenty of running, running, and playing.

There should also be enough space in your house and/or yard for the dog to play and stretch its legs.

When your puppy is young, there will be benefits to using a crate to keep them from ruining your home if your back is turned. It also helps with potty training.

A puppy playpen also helps keep him from harm if you can’t supervise him for a few minutes.

Here’s everything you need to know about crates that will train your pup.

German Shepherd Lab Mix Height and Weight

A common deciding factor in purchasing a dog is its full size.

Due to the size of the German Shepherd and Labrador, a mix of German Shepherd and Labrador will definitely mature into a medium to large-sized dog.

Based on typical measurements of the parent breeds, a Labrador German Shepherd cross can weigh up to 88 pounds and measure 26 inches tall at the shoulder.

Therefore, the Labrador Retriever German Shepherd mix can be a pretty large pet.

German Shepherd Cross Labrador Colors

As mentioned earlier, predicting the exact physical characteristics of a hybrid puppy is difficult.

The only certainty is that German Shepherd Lab puppies can have a combination of the characteristics of their parents. Or maybe they look like one of their parents.

German Shepherd Lab mixes can generally be one color. Or they resemble the shepherd with his characteristic black markings on the face, back, and legs.

If the Lab German Shepherd puppies are more similar to the Labrador parents, then their coat color may depend on the coat color of their Labrador parents. But not necessarily.

A German Shepherd Black Lab mix could be black or have the traditional German Shepherd markings. Because of the way their genes are transported, a German Shepherd Black Lab mix could potentially be a different traditional lab color as well. Not to mention how German Shepherds can be at times.

Looking for a German Shepherd Yellow Lab Mix? Or a German Shepherd Chocolate Lab Mix or even a white German Shepherd Lab Mix? They don’t necessarily guarantee the color of the resulting puppies.

German Shepherd and Labrador Mixed Coat

A white, yellow, chocolate or black Lab German Shepherd mixed puppy may have the short fur of its Labrador parents. But could also have the medium or long coat of his German Shepherd Dog parents. Or something in between!

Both the laboratory and the shepherd have double coats. When there is a soft undercoat underneath the rough top layer. So your hybrid offspring also have a double layer.

In the next section, we will talk about how a double coat affects cleaning and slimming.

German Shepherd Labrador Retriever mix grooming and shedding

With their dense double coat, your mixed breed puppy will need to be groomed at least once a week.

If a puppy of the German Shepherd Lab Mix has a longer and shaggy coat from its Shepherd parents, the care requirements increase several times a week.

Even more during the shedding season!

Both of these breeds can be very productive, so you’ll need to invest in a good grooming tool, as well as a good suction head!

German Shepherd Labrador Cross Health

As with any dog, regardless of breed, a German Shepherd Lab mix can be born with health problems. Or they develop different problems as they age.

Some common canine conditions include hip dysplasia, eye diseases, allergies, and skin irritation.

However, hybrid dogs like Black Lab and German Shepherd Mixes may inherit the conditions their parents are prone to. For example, both GSDs and Labs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.

To learn more about the diseases and conditions a German Shepherd is prone to, check out our article on German Shepherds.

To learn more about the diseases and conditions a Labrador Retriever dog is prone to, check out our article on Labrador Retriever.

If you are working with a breeder to have a puppy, make sure they use genetic testing on both parents. To determine which health conditions you can pass on to your offspring.

In addition, it is very important that both parents have good hip and elbow scores and clear eye testimonials a year ago.

How long do the Lab and German Shepherd mix live?

A hybrid puppy usually has the same lifespan as its parents.

The German Shepherd Lab Mix can therefore live to be around 10 to 14 years old.

Buying or adopting a Lab German Shepherd mix

To find a German Shepherd Lab mix, you may need to do some homework!

Most breeders are interested in one-line purebred dogs, not mixing two. Some breeders mix up two unsuitable dogs to make money off of a new designer dog trend.

You want to find a breeder who loves German Shepherds, loves Labradors, and really believes the pups make great family pets.

Make sure you meet both parents. This is especially important for the German Shepherd, as the breed can sometimes be less friendly in temperament than Labs.

Don’t be tempted to pick the cheapest puppy out there. Good breeders have spent a lot of money on the health testing of their dogs. Not to mention finding the right partner for them. Your puppies will therefore inevitably cost more.

The right breeder for you will ask you a lot of questions about your dog’s knowledge, your home, and how you plan to care for the pup. They will encourage and support you to meet both parents. And seem to have a strong bond with the puppy’s mother.

They made sure that both dogs have a minimum of excellent hip and elbow scores and have had recent eye exams.

We recommend that you do not buy a puppy whose German Shepherd parents walk on the stools. You can find out how to recognize this in this article.

The amount depends on the parents and how much they are worth to the breeder.

Is a lab mixed with a German Shepherd a good family dog?

Before you buy a German Shepherd Lab mix, consider whether you can now meet their requirements.

Both German Shepherds and Labradors are larger breeds, so a hybrid puppy will definitely need space to stretch its legs.

Your dog needs a large, secure backyard and is home for most of the day even during the week. Or, alternatively, pay for doggy daycare if you work full-time.

Labs are very bouncy, chewy pups.

German Shepherds need intense socialization to reduce the chances of them guarding you or your property. You need to be prepared to deal with all of these things as your puppy matures.

And that you consider yourself lucky to spend a lot of time training and exercising your dog over the next decade or more.

Both parent breeds have dense double coats that require grooming at least once a week. If the hybrid puppy inherits the longer coat of its German Shepherd parenthood, the amount of care required increases.

In a way, mixing the German Shepherd Lab is a lot of work. Or, you could be a really loving, rewarding, and loyal member of your family.

In conclusion, a German Shepherd Lab Mix could make a good family dog ​​if its parents have been health tested. And you have the time, energy, and space to socialize, exercise, and exercise well.

If you are sure you can tick all of these boxes, a German Shepherd Lab mix could be your new best friend!

Choosing the perfect puppy

Still unsure which breed of puppy to bring home? Then check out the selection of the perfect puppy.

A complete guide to choosing the right new friend for your family.

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