 The Short Answer is: |
Breeders combine the German Shepherd and Labradoodle Mix to create the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix puppy. A dog of this breed combination has the ability to be hardworking, intelligent, and energetic at the same time. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “What Is a German Shepherd Labradoodle Mix?“.
Do you get a Labradoodle if German Shepherd cross Labradoodle?
This combination of these two popular breeds does exist despite this sounding like the beginning of a bad joke.
If you want to know the punchline of the joke it is that you will get a dog that is loyal smart active and would not shed too much hair.
But since we are talking about a labradoodle mixed with german shepherd two different breeds it can be difficult to know exactly what traits you will get.
Any form of breeding involves a bit of a lottery after all!
To give you a better idea of whats going on lets meet the parents…
Breed History
Breeders combine the German Shepherd and Labradoodle Mix to create the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix puppy. A dog of this breed combination has the ability to be hardworking intelligent and energetic at the same time.
Dogs bred to work as service dogs police dogs or even herding dogs are available. The dog has proven to be a very loyal family member that loves its owner unconditionally.
Here are the parents of the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix
The German Shepherd and the Labradoodle are the parents of the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix.
A combination of these two breeds results in a hard-working dog that is both intelligent and loyal with excellent skills to qualify for service or law enforcement.
German Shepherds
First lets get to know the German Shepherd dog. German Shepherds were originally bred in Germany and their primary purpose was to herd cattle for farmers.
They were used for a variety of intensive jobs but their primary purpose was to herd cattle.
Dogs of this type are extremely hard-working which makes them a popular choice for police work.
Their excellent sense of smell and undying loyalty make them the ideal dogs to sniff out drugs track criminals and protect their owners.
Similar to ancient German herders todays farmers and ranchers still use them as herding dogs.
Service dogs have also been trained with them. In addition to their patient thoughtful and helpful demeanor they have a keen sense of danger that allows them to protect disabled people from danger.
When properly trained a German Shepherd will improve the functionality of their owner greatly especially if the owner is blind or motor-impaired.
German Shepherd dogs stand up to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and are medium to large in size. Their ears are triangular and their heads are more narrow with thick coats of fairly uniform color.
They have a mixture of light brown and dark brown spots on their coats with their snouts being typically dark brown or black.
Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is the other parent of the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix. Originally from Newfoundland Canada this breed of dog was bred exclusively for waterfowl hunting.
These dogs assisted their owners in hunting ducks geese swans and other small and large waterfowl that may otherwise be difficult to hunt.
They have since become great service dogs because of their intelligence and high level of motor skills.
German Shepherds are renowned for their patience persistence and intelligence making them excellent service dogs.
These dogs are also known for being outgoing friendly and high-spirited making them great pets for the home. With their high energy level and ability to play with children they are excellent pets.
Laboratory dogs are so friendly that they have become somewhat famous for their friendliness.
These dogs are medium to large in size standing 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 55 and 80 pounds.
The coat of this species is dense and comes in a variety of colors including yellow black and dark chocolate brown. The dogs’ heads are wide their eyes are kind and their thick tapered tails are almost always wagging.
Owners looking to stay physically fit will enjoy these dogs as they love to run and jump and are excellent swimmers because of their original breeding.
Appearance
When fully grown the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix usually weighs between 50 and 110 pounds the differences in size caused by their parents. Their height can also vary from 20 to 28 inches at the shoulder for the same reasons.
These dogs have medium-length coats and inherit either the curlier or wavy hair of their German Shepherd parents. The coats of these cats can be mixed with black cream gray tan or sable giving them a beautiful and unique appearance.
It is common for German Shepherd Labradoodles to have heads that are wide taking after the Lab parent though they can also have narrower heads like their German Shepherd parent.
They have large paws and their legs are on the muscular side compared to other dog breeds.
Personality
Despite being a mix they are highly energetic and possess the courage of their parent German Shepherd. This is a great mix for those who enjoy energetic dogs.
The breed also has a very loving and loyal nature making it a perfect lifelong companion.
Its lineage makes dogs of this breed highly intelligent allowing them to learn and be trained much faster than dogs of other breeds.
They will be able to learn a wide array of skills and commands that not all breeds are capable of learning. They make excellent service dogs due to their propensity for intelligence and learning.
Also it makes a great family dog as we mentioned earlier. It is important for them to be around people as much as possible and leaving them unattended for too long may cause them to develop separation anxiety or other negative mental health issues.
As a result these dogs may not be the best option for owners who are gone for long periods of time for work or travel.
Feeding and Care
For German Shepherd Labradoodle mixes to remain active and healthy physically at least a few walks per day are recommended sometimes even more. Playing is their favorite activity and may be necessary for their health.
These dogs are very dependent on people and if left alone for too long they may develop anxiety depression or even aggressive tendencies.
Its important for their mental health to get plenty of attention so they’re a great choice for families with many children to keep them occupied during the day.
This dog should be fed approximately five cups of dry dog food per day divided into two separate meals.
As a result they will be able to consume the necessary calories and nutritional support to remain healthy and strong.
It might be different depending on the size of your dog since this breed can come in a variety of sizes.
Potential Health Problems
About 12 to 14 years is the average lifespan of this mix.
When breeding German Shepherds and Labs together there may be some inherent risks to a dogs health that may be affected by both environmental factors and genetic inheritance.
Due to the health issues that both parent breeds have the mixed breed may also be prone to the same issues. Hip and elbow dysplasia which are common in heavier dogs are among these conditions.
Also maybe prone to hemophilia which causes wounds to take longer to close and heal and flea and tick infestations (as many dogs are).
They are also susceptible to perianal fistulas – an issue that mostly affects German Shepherds – in addition to those three common problems.
Occasionally the skin surrounding the anus drains into an internal cavity resulting in small anal wounds that can become infected. An additional potential health concern for dogs is osteoarthritis.
This is typically a health issue that results from getting older and affects their mobility and bones.
Coat Color and Grooming
The coats of German Shepherd Labradoodle mixes can be black cream gray tan or sable as described earlier in the appearance section.
Most of the time their coats will follow the same color pattern as their parent German Shepherd. Light patches will be interspersed with dark patches.
Stiff-bristled combs and brushes are good for their coats and should be used on a weekly basis to tease out mats and knots and to keep their coats looking glossy and healthy. As a result excess hair buildup may also be removed.
German Shepherd Labradoodle Mix Alternatives
There are several other breeds similar in size appearance and personality to the German Shepherd Labradoodle mix.
It will be hard to beat this mix of Shepherds. Even if you do not want to go with the parent German Shepherd breed which is strikingly similar in appearance disposition and size there are plenty of other Shepherd breeds that will work just as well.
It is also possible to purchase a Lab which will have the same friendly disposition and high intelligence and may be much easier to locate.
If you prefer to choose this route you can choose from an array of Retriever breeds. If you get this mix you will end up with a dog that is very similar to it.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
