Have heard or owned a Great Pyrenees lab mix?
As the name suggests, the dog is a mix of Pyrenees and Labrador retrievers. The breed is also called Pyrador.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t recognize Great Pyrenees Lab Mix because they are not a pure breed.
However, the Dog Registry of America (DRA) recognizes the dog as one of the best crossbreeds.
In addition, the DRA categorizes this dog as the best crossbreed that is smart and friendly.
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is considered the most loyal and intelligent dog.
They are a family dog that loves to socialize with people when subjected to good training.
The dog is very active in the house, thus why they require an adequate space to play and exercise.
Its popularity is on the rise, since many people are recommending the dog as a family pet.
However, the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix varies in size and weight.
A medium dog weighs from 50-60 lbs, and a bigger one weighs from 80-100 lbs.
What you should know about the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Origin
The origin of the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix can be traced back to its parents, since it’s half Labrador and half Pyrenees.
Although the Labrador is common in the U.S, the breed originated in Canada.
In an area known as Newfoundland, anglers loved to go fishing with a Labrador due to its gentle and intelligent traits.
Labradors became so popular since they could relate with people well.
So, with no time, everyone in Newfoundland had Labrador had a pet.
On the other end, the origin of the Great Pyrenees is traced from Pyrenees Mountain, which borders France and Spain.
They are an old breed popular with shepherds.
The dog is used to guard livestock against wild predators such as wolves and hyenas.
Its bravery and extreme barking could scare away predators.
The idea of crossbreeding the Great Pyrenees and Labrador came to eliminate health issues related to over-breeding of the purebreds.
Also, dog researchers wanted to develop a stronger high breed that is more intelligent and loyal.
The Great Pyrenees lab mix is now a popular family pet.
People love them due to their activeness in family activities.
But, researchers are still gauging its potential and general weaknesses and how to deal with all these shortcomings.
Expectations
It is hard to predict the precise characteristics of a first-generation breed.
Traits such as appearance and temperament can vary from one puppy to the other.
However, the traits can’t be that much different from their parents.
A puppy may inherit all the traits from a purebred.
In this case, since the parents are different, any behavior can be inherited.
The best thing is that the parents are known to have extremely good traits.
So you don’t expect a puppy to be short of intelligence.
The physical traits of a Great Pyrenees lab mix vary depending on genetics.
The genes may favor one purebred.
However, it means that the color and fur may not be guaranteed on a puppy.
You may increase the chances of having a puppy with the needed color by choosing parents with the same traits.
Note that the color may also vary, since dogs have different fur and different color shades.
Life Expectancy
The Great Pyrenees Lab mix has a lifespan of up to 12 years.
Unfortunately, some of them don’t make it even to ten years due to health complications.
To avoid disappointment, choose a reputable breeder and take good care of your puppy.
Size, Height and Weight
The Great Pyrenees lab mix is categorized as a large canine.
The reason for the categorization is because the dog comes from two large breeds.
The dog weighs between 65 lbs and 100lbs. The weight is determined by what you feed the dog.
An average Great Pyrenees Lab has a height of 20 inches. Yet, an extremely tall breed may exceed 25 inches.
The height is mostly determined by genes inherited from the parents.
Note that female Pyrador is usually smaller and weighs less compared to male ones.
Although this is a noticeable trait, the difference is not that big since it’s the same crossbreed.
Temperament
The appearance of Pyrador puppies varies with the genetic development acquired from the parents.
The genes may favor one purebred or a combination of both parents.
If the puppy goes with lab genes, expect the puppy to be cooperative and intelligent.
The dog will be involved in fun activities, but the puppy can be destructive when neglected or bored for a long time.
On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees will give you gentle puppy traits, and the dog will be very playful.
The puppy will be alert and brave in case of any dangerous threats in the family.
The Pyrador owner should expect less of these highlighted traits.
So the dog will be friendly, intelligent, and playful. And they will require a lot of exercise.
Coat color
The colors listed below are common among the Great Pyrenees lab mix
- White.
- Brown.
- Grey.
- Beige.
- Black.
- Yellow.
Nutrition
The dog consumes approximately four cups of kibble daily.
The consumption rate depends on the size and the appetite levels of your dog.
Ensure the kibbles come from a trusted brand. Substandard food may affect the health of your puppy.
The dog requires high-quality kibble for optimal bone development and growth.
The food should be tested to have all nutrients, especially calcium.
Bone growth is a serious issue for Pyrador since complications can lead to hip or Elbow Dysplasia.
Don’t overfeed your dog, since it can lead to obesity.
An obese dog will be lazy and difficult to handle, so manage the feeding schedules.
The Pyrador that has inherited the traits of Labrador are known to have that appetite.
Be on the look, since overfeeding will also add extra costs to your budget.
Health Care issues
The Pyrador is exposed to the diseases and healthcare issues that affect parents.
With this knowledge, it’s recommendable for you to screen the puppy to avoid hereditary healthcare issues.
Health testing helps you to identify signs of diseases and treat the course immediately.
It is important to understand the healthcare issues of parents so that you can know what you’re dealing with. In the case of Labrador, a healthy one can surpass ten years. But still, a Labrador faces generational diseases.
The most common diseases are retinal atrophy, cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia.
Other healthcare issues include problems with cranial ligaments and Canine bloat.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Great Pyrenees is no exception to hereditary health complications.
A healthy Great Pyrenees has a similar lifespan to that of a Labrador (10-12yrs).
Some notable generational diseases include Osteosarcoma, volvulus, Ectropion, hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, Entropion and degenerative myelopathy.
Other health issues are tricuspid valves, dysplasia, skin infections and Degenerative myelopathy.
Note that Pyrador is at risk of all these diseases which affect their parents.
So look for a credible breeder who is recognized and has positive reviews.
The breeder should be able to produce the legit health reports of the parents.
On top of having a legit breeder, make sure you take the puppy to the veterinary officers.
Regular health evaluations would help identify and treat a disease before it has developed.
Always follow the guidelines of the veterinary officer in caring for your puppy.
The diet also matters when it comes to fighting diseases.
So ensure that you give the puppy quality food.
Remember to always check the puppy’s joints to ensure that they are growing healthily.
Note that exercises will help make your puppy have strong joints.
Exercises
Regular exercises for the dog are essential.
Daily exercise will keep your dog in a good and healthy mood.
Note that you should take your dog for a walk for at least one hour.
Remember to keep your dog in a good mood by making them have a fun time.
You can play with them or let your kid enjoy that company.
Exercises help kill that boredom that can lead to the destruction of household items such as sofa sets.
They also help to strengthen their legs as well as create a stronger bond.
Ensure that the dog becomes your friend; you can give them a few treats after the trip.
Dogs are curious when exposed to a new environment. So always put your dog on a leash when you’re doing the exercise.
If the leash is causing injuries to your dog, you can use a harness, which helps to avoid sudden pulls.
Apart from walking your dog, ensure that from time to time, you take your puppy to a dog park.
The environment will help your dogs socialize with other pets.
Also, it will be easier for you to add another puppy to the house, since the dog will not be aggressive upon meeting another one.
Avoid taking your dog for exercise immediately after the meal.
It is vital to note that the Pyrador has bloating issues as compared to other breeds.
Therefore, give your dog enough time to digest the food before any physical activity.
Training
When training a Great Pyrenees Lab Mix, you must be smart enough to understand your puppy.
Note that the dog may be eager to learn new things.
The occurrence will happen only when the puppy has inherited traits and personality from its Labrador retriever parent.
In this case, the dog may cooperate to please the owner, making the training easier.
On the other hand, the puppy may have independent personal genes inherited from the Great Pyrenees parents.
So the puppy may be stubborn to accept and learn new things.
At this point, you need to have a bond and be friendly to help convince your puppy to accept changes.
You don’t have to worry since the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix learns quickly and rarely forgets.
The best thing is that a Pyrador puppy trained at an early age cooperates more easily than a grown-up dog.
When training, you must accept that there are occurrences when a puppy will forget.
It’s upon you to remind your dog by incorporating a specific phrase that is common and easy to remember.
Don’t punish your puppies, since they will not learn due to fear, and they may become violent and unfriendly in the future.
If you’re not sure or it’s the first time you’re training a pet, it is recommendable to seek professional guidance.
Alternatively, you can hire a professional trainer for the best results.
Pyrador Socialization
Early socialization can make your Pyrador calm towards people who are close to you.
Ensure that the puppy is introduced to as many friends and family members as possible.
The process will help avoid future aggression towards them.
Apart from people, ensure your dog socializes with other animals and faces crowded and noisy places.
These places included the beach area, schoolyard and train area.
These places will help your dog overcome its fears and be more friendly.
Guarding tactics and instincts
The Great Pyrenees Lab mix has high instincts and can sense the dangerous scent of an intruder from a distance.
It is proven that the dog takes the role of guiding very seriously. It is a trait inherited from the Great Pyrenees.
It is vital to supervise the dog, especially when there are strangers in your house.
Its guiding instincts can make them turn into a monster and attack strangers.
So be careful and read any signs of aggression in your dog towards strangers.
Grooming
Hygiene is important in keeping the dog neat and eradicating the possibilities of healthcare issues.
The best thing is that the Great Pyrenees Lab mix is easier to groom since the dog doesn’t attract dirt easily.
You will need to bathe the dog occasionally to keep the fur shiny and smooth.
So ensure that you wash your dog twice a week. Nail trimming is also required to help the dog walk properly.
Rescues and shelter places
If you’re interested in keeping a Pyrador as a home pet, look for a reputable place to get a puppy.
You can look for a nearby rescue or a shelter in your location.
Note that a shelter hosts all kinds of breeds or crossbreeds.
So, in a shelter, it may be hard for you to find a Pyrador puppy.
The best thing about shelters and rescues is putting a dog in good condition, covering vet fees to prepare the puppy for the next home.
The most popular rescues are Lab Rescue and National Pyr Rescue.
Look for a reputable Breeder
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is a new crossbreed, so you need to look for a certified breeder before you make any purchase.
A reputable breeder should guarantee that the Pyrador puppy is healthy and doesn’t have any major problems.
Ensure the breeder shows you health certifications and checks on the health status of the parents.
Finding a reputable breeder can be challenging.
However, you can search online or use a referral from family or friends who already have the Pyrador.
Pyrador Accessories
If you want the puppy to stay in good condition and comfortably, ensure they have all they need.
The list below highlights some of the accessories;
- Dog’s Backpacks.
- Toys for dogs.
- Dogs Tags.
- Collars.
- Leashes.
- Pyjamas customized for dogs.
- Flotation for dogs
- Bandanas for puppies
FAQ’s about Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
What should you know before getting a Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Every breed has its positives and shortcomings.
Here are the pros and cons of a Pyrador:
Pros
- Intelligent––easy to learn.
- Friendly––it’s a family-oriented dog.
- Brave––the dog is courageous in dealing with threats.
- Playful––it’s good for an active family, especially when playing with children.
- Loyal––it’s hard to trick the dog if you’re a stranger.
Cons
- Aggressive––they can get violence, especially when you punish them.
- Unpredictable temperament and appearance––you can’t determine the traits even when the parents have well-known features.
Can Great Pyrenees Lab Mix make a good Family pet?
The dog will make a good family pet, especially on the bigger compound.
Pyrador prefers a bigger space to play and socialize.
Note that the dog loves the outdoor experience and makes good company for them, since they are very loyal and intelligent.
Just like other dogs, Great Pyrenees Lab Mix can be destructive when bored.
They can chew things in the house if they are not properly trained.
But, toys can keep your dog busy when you’re away from the house.
It’s a good guard for your house since it’s very brave and cannot be enticed easily by strangers.
You can leave your house, and you’ll be sure that the dog will not allow anyone to enter the compound.
What is the cost of a Pyrador Puppy?
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix puppies can approximately cost around $500-1000 depending on the breeder.
The price is negotiable, and you can push the breeder to the limit.
Choose the most healthy-looking puppy, and don’t wait for the breeder to choose for you.
Avoid backyard breeders since they are there to make a profit, and they can sell you an inferior breed with health complications.
Don’t use a shortcut to save a few dollars. Remember, cheap is expensive.