Labradane Dog Breed

The purebred parents of the Labradane are in the Sporting and Working Dog Groups, but these hybrid puppies are not classified as either since the big kennel clubs don't recognize mixed breeds. These dogs are best as companions, are fine for first-time dog owners and are great for families with kids. They do need a lot of space, however, and the ideal home is a large one with very high fencing and lots of outdoor room to run.

Some of the things you should know about the Lab Great Dane mix are:

PROS

• Friendly
• Great with kids
• Average shedders
• Fine with other dogs
• Little desire to roam
• Low grooming needs
• Fair tolerance to heat
• Not too difficult to train
• Decent tolerance to cold

CONS

• High food bills
• Not hypoallergenic
• Significant vet costs
• Not good for apartments
• Lots of health problems
• Needs lots of room to run
• Somewhat sensitive to touch
• Highly susceptible to obesity
• Requires a lot of daily exercise
• Can suffer from separation anxiety
• Must be supervised around little kids

For all the Labradane breed information there is available, it's always best to learn about the two parent breeds so you can best understand your hybrid dog. Your Labradane could be either more Labrador Retriever or more Great Dane--she could also be a perfect mix of both. Even within a single litter, there is usually a difference among the puppies' genetic inheritances. Perhaps the only great dane lab mix information that is certain is that he/she will be a big dog!

The deftness of the Lab and the dependability of the Great Dane should contribute a fair amount of intelligence to your Labradane, and the most obvious aspect should be the lack of repetition required when learning lessons. They respond well to with a rewards-based system.

Both parent breeds are eager to please, and that will be imparted to most all Lab Great Dane mixes. They love to be very social, and they need to be taught as pups to not jump up when they greet people. These are big dogs, and if they are allowed to be unrestrained as puppies, they may be intimidating as adults when they don't mean it.

The stamina of the Lab and the fearlessness of the Great Dane makes for an energetic mix that needs a lot of exercise as well as room. These dogs aren't good for apartment living, laid-back lifestyles or being left alone while everyone else is out being active. Long daily walks (or runs), as well as a few weekly visits to the dog park, are necessities for the Labradane.

The Labradane is a large dog, and she may seem imposing — but she's friendly, even-tempered and only protective when the need arises. These dogs love to play, and perhaps the only "threat" they pose is not knowing their own size when they do play and which may be a problem for very small children.

These loyal, loving and lovely dogs demand constant company and can get anxious if left alone for long periods of time. They have a somewhat needy personality, and they will want to be with you as much as possible.

Labradanes are keen to be trained, and they will want to make you happy. They tend to pick up commands quickly. They are a little sensitive despite their large size, however, so they should be trained and socialized when they are very young and with a gentle hand. Harsh training will only make them nervous. While the Great Dane Lab mix temperament can be an independent one — both parent breeds have their own style of stubbornness — these dogs aren't that difficult to train.

Big dogs always have specific problems because they are big, and Labradanes are no different. Unfortunately, they also tend to have many problems of their parent breeds. Together, this can make for a lot of health costs that are one of the many responsibilities of living with this large hybrid dog.

If you adopt a Lab Great Dane mix, you can expect health concerns such as:

• OCD
• Bloat
• Epilepsy
• Cold tail
• Eye issues
• Bone cancer
• Skin problems
• Heart ailments
• Ear infections
• Joint dysplasia
• Development complications

Very large dogs typically have a shorter life span than most dogs, and Labradanes tend to live 8 to 12 years of age.