The Labshepherd is quite a large breed, with weights ranging from 50-100 lbs., and heights reaching 20-27 inches. Their face and back comes from the Labrador side of the family while their legs and stomach are more similar to their German Shepherd parent. They have long muzzles, dark brown eyes, and ears that may or may not stand up. Their tail can vary between being more Labrador- or Shepherd-like. They have a thick dense coat that can be short to medium length and can repel water. The usual coat colors are black, tan, white, and brown.
Personality
The Sheprador (or the Labshepherd) deals with strangers similar to how a German Shepherd would: warily and cautiously. They can have high energies like Labradors too, but not quite as full on active. Labshepherds are loving and kind creatures with even tempers, always eager to please and are extremely loyal and intelligent.
They are gentle and patient around children and other pets, but are submissive to other dogs, which makes them a great family dog. Just make sure to supervise your children around this breed as they can get quite boisterous during playtime. Their alertness makes them great watchdogs and they can be really cheerful and friendly when they’re not being skittish and cautious.
Health and Grooming
Labshepherds can shed quite a lot, and this can occur seasonally. You’ll have to maintain their fur by brushing it daily and vacuuming up the ones that have already been shed. Give your labshepherd a bath when needed, and make sure that you use shampoo that is specially made for dogs.
Nails must be regularly trimmed as well, especially if they don’t get worn out during your dog’s activities. You may want to consider letting a professional groomer do this as there are blood vessels and nerves connected to a dog’s nails.
Ears must also be checked and wiped at least once a week, and brushing their teeth at least three times a week is also advisable.
Health problems that are transferred genetically can include Bloat, OCD, eye problems, heart problems, epilepsy, joint dysplasia, and more. Food allergies can also be inherited so watch out if they show any reactions to veal, beef, chicken, and/or salmon.
Activity and Training
Because the labshepherd’s parents are both dogs of high energy, this has also been passed down to your dog. This means that you have to engage them in a lot of activities like walking, running, playing and so on to help them manage this energy and to avoid weight gain. Labshepherds are best suited for families with active lifestyles themselves because of their high endurance. It’s best if your home has a yard for this breed to play in, and it’s not advisable to have them in cooped up homes like apartments.
Because they are highly intelligent and are also very eager to please, labshepherds can be trained quickly and with ease. As with most breeds, you must remain firm and consistent during training. Reward accordingly (they love treats!) and remain positive throughout training. Don’t skip training as socializing and training your new pet is a must especially from an early age.
