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Labshund: Dachshund & Labrador Retriever

Labshund is a designer breed, a cross between Dachshund and Labrador Retriever. These amazing pets will be able to conquer any heart. Having inherited the best character traits and appearance of their legendary parents, these dogs are gaining more and more popularity every year.

Labshunds are reliable and patient dogs. Most of all they love activity and attention. They are always ready for a walk and endless play.
Is this dog right for you? The answer to this question can only be given by knowing the basic information about the pet.

Appearance

The size of these dogs can vary depending on the strength of the genes and their build and height.
There are some that look more like a stocky, heavy Labrador Retriever on shorter legs. This is where Labshund’s weight can be surprisingly high. Some puppies look more like Dachshund and are lighter in weight. In general, it is difficult to predict the size of a future dog. Dachshund and Labrador Retriever have similar colors, so Labshund will inherit one of them: black, fawn, or brown (liver, chocolate). Fawn from light cream to fox-red, red.

Personality

The nature of the Labshund is not always predictable, but it can always be corrected with the right upbringing. There are character traits inherent in almost all representatives of this designer breed. They are very open, loving, and friendly animals that primarily value good relationships within their family. They are extremely loyal to the owner and family and are happy to spend all their free time with them. In addition, Labshunds treat strangers well – if the person does not pose a threat, the dog will rather try to make friends with him than to distance himself. We can say that Labshund treats a person well, as long as he does not create reasons to treat him differently.

This pet has a very developed intellect and understands a person perfectly. Moreover, the dog not only understands what they want from it at a particular moment but also feels the emotional environment around it. Therefore, do not be surprised if your pet tries to intervene in a family quarrel and defuse the situation with his kindness. Another distinctive feature of Labshund is the great attitude towards children. They not only love to play with children but also realize the full depth of responsibility, which allows them to protect your baby from committing any rash acts. Of course, you shouldn’t rely on the dog entirely, but the fact that it will do everything to protect your child is for sure.

Labshund has a high energy level and needs regular walking, play, and mental alertness. Their developed intelligence requires this, and therefore intellectual pursuits in the form of training are a great idea. They strive to please their owners and are distinguished by obedience. Other pets are perceived well, they have a balanced and gentle character, and therefore they never show aggression. They love to swim, like their parent Labrador and play in the water. They adapt well to moving, living in an apartment, or in the private sector.

Training

Labshund is great about training and is happy to participate in the learning process. Labshund is a good, kind, smart friend. He does not need to be forced to study – if you train every day at about the same time, the dog will wait for this moment with joy. Labshund training must be consistent. You need to be consistent, not nervous about trifles, and arm yourself with patience. Although, these dogs usually memorize everything pretty quickly. If you want to train your pet in any special commands or actions, for example, in order to help an elderly person, it may be better to bring in a specialist.

Care

Many Labshunds have a short coat like the Labrador Retriever, sometimes water repellent. However, a mix of long-haired Dachshunds can result in a stiffer and longer Labshund coat. This raises the problem of molting. You should ask your veterinarian how to properly care for your pet’s coat.

Labshund ears should always be clean and free of any unpleasant odor. To do this, they must be cleaned once a week with a small cloth made of natural material. You should regularly examine your pet’s oral cavity. Young dogs require special attention during the period of tooth change. Often, baby teeth do not fall out on their own even after the molar begins to grow. In this case, only a doctor will help, who will remove the unnecessary tooth. To prevent the formation of stones or bad breath, give your dog a chance to chew on raw potatoes or carrots. The use of dog toothpaste is very effective. This procedure is performed daily and takes only a few minutes.

Trim the Labshund’s claws once a month, starting at puppyhood. The procedure is best done with special nail clippers, which can be found at the pet store. When clipping, be careful not to touch the live tissue of the claw. If you are in doubt about your abilities, then you can seek help from a veterinarian.

Feeding

Dry food for Labshund should be of good quality, with the right balance of calcium, phosphorus, and protein. Also, probiotics and easily digestible proteins should be present in the feed. For a beautiful coat, you need zinc, copper, Omega-3, and Omega-6.

If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, then the diet should include the following foods:

  • Lean meat of any kind: beef, lamb, veal, rabbit, chicken. The only caveat is that you can’t give your dog store-bought chicken. In poultry farms, all kinds of hormones that can cause allergies are added to bird feed. All cereals can be given except oatmeal, which causes diarrhea.
  • Vegetables
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs

Health

One of the most serious health issues to consider is Labshund weight. Both parent breeds tend to gain weight, which means Labshunds are at risk for obesity. Therefore, a healthy, careful diet and a good exercise regimen are important. This is especially true for stockier puppies with short legs, which can put undue stress on their small limbs. Life expectancy for Labshund is around 12-14 years and is potentially higher.

Conclusion

Labshund is a very agile dog that should not be left idle. It is unacceptable to overfeed the dog or force it to be inactive. Since this dog is very prone to obesity and the subsequent development of concomitant ailments (heart problems, osteochondrosis, diabetes, etc.). Whether this pet is suitable for you or not is up to you. But the fact that these dogs are irreplaceable, loyal friends is an indisputable fact!

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