Hybrid dog breeds are becoming more and more popular lately. One of my all time favorite is when you get a Labrador retriever and a German Shepherd together and out comes what is called the German Sheprador. These dogs are also known but other names such as the Labrador Shepherd, German Retriever, and even the Labrashepherd. However, this dog is most commonly known as the German Shepherd Lab Mix because it is easier to pronounce and easier to recognize to those that may not be familiar with the mix.
It should be noted that this is not considered a dog breed but a hybrid dog because you are taking two purebred dogs and breeding them together to get a mix of their traits. So what kind of traits can and should you expect? Owning a German Sheprador will likely give you a temperament similar to a Lab and usually all the energy of a German Shepherd which, may I add, is a lot! What you end up with is a very smart dog that loves people and has tons of energy to play!
Looks
The appearance of this hybrid dog looks a lot like a Labrador. This means that their coat will be short haired and sleek, with a fit and learn boddy. They will also have ears that flop over the side of the head and a longer tail. The coloring of the German Shepherd Lab Mix is very close to a German Shepherd and is usually a form of tan or black. Others will be completely tan or brown colored with just black around the eyes. The face will show lots of expression and the black eyes are very cute making them an extremely affectionate dog that will love you back more than you love them.
Temperament
Are you looking for a family dog that is friendly and willing to play all day long? Great, the Sheprador is exactly what you should be looking at. They take traits such as loyalty and the love of all human contact from the Labrador and all the energy and protective behavior from the German Shepherd. This mixes together wonderfully to allow a great dog that is great with family and children to be created. Be warned that they will need many chew toys so nothing around the house gets ruined because like Labs, chewing is a habit.
The Size of the German Shepherd Labrador Mix
The size of this hybrid will range from a typical medium size dog to a large dog breed dog. You are breeding two larger dogs together which is the reason for this. Generally, females will weight in at about 34-45 pounds while males will weight in at about 10 pounds more at 44-55 pounds.
Health Problems
Hip Dysplasia in the Shepherd Labrador Mix is common. If you make sure to give your dog the exercise that they need and not overfeed them, you can make sure that they have as few health issues as possible. You should expect them to live about an average of 12 years and if you are breeding, can give birth to around 5 puppies.
Conditions for Living
If you do not have a large backyard or a place for your dog to run around, you may want to consider not getting this hybrid breed. If the German shepherd lab mix is left alone and they get bored, they can start destroying whatever they please in your home or your yard. They also like to dig so keep them away from the garden and keep them fenced in while they are still young pups. If you have a very active family, this would be a GREAT dog for you!
Exercise
You will need to give the sheprador adequate exercise or they will get into mischief. They also will be more prone to get arthritis and hip dyspasia if you do not exercise them. Walk this type of dog two times a day or more and give them different toys to play with because they are a very intelligent breed and need to be thinking!
Grooming the German Shepherd Lab mix
The hair on this hybrid dog is very thick. If brushed regularly, they will shine and look sleek. You should expect the coats to shed about two times a year. If you want to keep the coat in excellent condition, i would suggest getting something called a shedding blade which will help rid your dog of all the dead hair.
Sometimes they will have eye discharge which is perfectly normal so just make sure to wipe this away gently. When grooming and clipping their nails, you might have a hard time because they are transparent. Because of this, i would recommend that you leave this task to a veterinarian or a professional in the grooming business. If you do not have access to a groomer or a vet currently, you can always give them some running time on concrete which will keep the nails down.
Is this Hybrid Dog for Me?
This dog is perfectly suited for a family or individual that has the time to give to the dog. They have lots of energy and need to express that constantly. If not, it can lead to destructive behavior. They are very protective and will guard the house like a champ. If you have kids, they are great companions!
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