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Pitbull Lab Mix Breed Info

The Pitbull Lab mix — often called a Labrabull or Pitador — is one of the kindest and most loyal dog breeds you can find.

Combining great traits from both parent breeds, the Labrabull is the perfect addition to any family, and they have a lot of love to give if you choose to bring them into your home. 

If you are considering adopting a Labrabull, here is everything that you need to know about this amazing breed. 

lab pitbull mix
image via bullcitydogs,Flickr

Traits and Temperament

As a cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and a Labrador Retriever, the Labrabull inherits traits unique to both of these breeds.

The American Pitbull Terrier, a descendent of the English Pitbull Terrier, was specifically bred in the 19th century and often used for dogfighting.

Despite this unfortunate past, this breed is notorious for being both social and loyal when raised in a loving family environment. 

Pitbulls are great with children, and they can be extremely gentle and protective.

This is one trait that is passed on to their Labrabull offspring. 

Labrador Retrievers are ranked as the most popular breed in America, and like Pitbulls, they are popular for creating mixed breeds.

Labradors are exceptionally friendly and even-tempered, which makes them frequently used as service dogs and emotional support dogs.

This breed is notorious for being a great family pet for this reason, and these traits are also exhibited by Labrabulls. 

Because a Labrabull’s parents are such loyal, devoted, and social breeds, these behaviors can also be found in them.

They tend to form very strong bonds with their owners, and affection and praise nurture this the best.

However, because they form such close bonds, they don’t tend to do well in family settings where they are left alone for long periods of time.

They enjoy being around people, and solitary life doesn’t suit them well.  

If you have cats or smaller animals in your home, you’ll want to take care to introduce your Labrabull to them gradually.

Due to their parentage, they can have a bit of a prey drive.

However, with training, they can be taught that these animals are friends, not food.

Early exposure will be key, but because of their high intelligence and drive to please, it is possible to train them very effectively. 

Size, Appearance, and Color

Labrabulls are very sturdy, strong dogs that combine the muscular frame of the American Pitbull with the energetic agility of the Labrador Retriever.

Their appearance can vary between mixes depending on a variety of factors, and their size can range between 17 to 25 inches tall.

Because Retrievers tend to be taller than Pitbulls, it’s always a toss-up which gene is going to be dominant when it comes to size.

Similarly, weight can vary between 45 to 90 lbs, depending on which genes take precedence. 

In terms of coloration, a Labrabull can vary widely depending on the color of the parents.

Although black is the most commonly found color, this breed can also be found in yellow and red with varying lengths of white coat.

Although Pitbulls are a short-haired breed, Labradors have medium-length fur.

This means that Labrabulls can have short to medium-length hair depending on which parent they take after.

Regardless of the length, the most you’ll need to brush this breed is once a week. 

Grooming and Skin Conditions 

Speaking of their coats, Labrabulls tend to be relatively low maintenance, and are known for being fairly low shedding.

However, American Pitbull Terriers are predisposed to having some skin sensitivity which can be passed on to their offspring.

This means that your Labrabull may be more likely to need special attention if they develop a skin allergy or other condition.

While a regular bath with a formulated shampoo is usually enough to combat this, some may require more care. 

Exercise

Because the Labrabull comes from such an energetic stock, exercise is important to mention.

Interaction and play will be essential either with people or other dogs.

If you have a busy schedule or lack room for a Labrabull to run and play, it may be a good idea to consider another breed or wait to adopt until later. 

Another thing that Labrabulls love is chewing, and all their toys will need to be durable to withstand this.

Although they love to play fetch, you will need to stock up on tennis balls because they will end up being destroyed at some point. 

Training

Labrabulls are highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and desire to please their owners.

As with any breed, training should be started early, and the use of positive reinforcement will be one of your best tools.

Labrabulls take instruction very well, but only if you do not use aggressive or harsh training methods, as this can cause problems down the line with distrust.

The key is to build trust, which can be relatively easy with this friendly breed. 

Health

Although mixed breeds tend to have fewer health problems than purebreds, they are still susceptible to the conditions inherited from their parents.

In the case of the Labrabull, this means that they are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia from their Labrador parent, as well as skin allergies and hypothyroidism from their Pitbull parent. 

Bloating, also known as GDV, is another condition that larger dogs with deep chests can experience, and it can occur in Labrabulls.

This condition happens when the stomach twists and fills with gas.

While there is no consensus about what causes it, it is often linked to intense activity after a large meal. 

When caring for your Labrabull you should always try to get an idea of any conditions that the parents may have, and if buying from a breeder, you should ask to be notified of any conditions that are discovered later in life.

This can give you a better idea of what to look out for and what to test for as your dog ages. 

The Perfect Family Pet

The Labrabull embodies the best of both parent breeds, and it can be one of the best breeds for families.

Even with small children, Labrabulls can be surprisingly even-tempered and gentle.

Overall, they are highly loyal, friendly, and affectionate.

They thrive with attention and proper training, making them perfect for owners willing to spend time doting on them. 

If you’d like to add a Labrabull to your family, reach out to an adoption center or breeder near you to learn more about how you can bring one of these incredible dogs into your home. 

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National Canine Research Association of America