Labradanes are a hybrid breed, resulting from the crossing of Great Danes and Labrador Retrievers. These dogs are characterized by a short coat, remarkable intelligence, powerful physical build, and high activity levels. Labradane puppies typically resemble larger versions of Labrador puppies, featuring long legs and oversized ears. Their coats are known for shedding heavily and are commonly black or grey with white markings. Although originally bred as working dogs, Labradanes have proven to be adept in a variety of roles, including as loyal watchdogs, therapy animals, service dogs, and as beloved companions. Due to their considerable size, weighing up to 170lbs, they require sufficient indoor and outdoor space. Moreover, Labradanes are susceptible to separation anxiety, which warrants their living in environments where they can have constant human companionship throughout the day.
Families seeking a dog with the size of a Great Dane but lower risk of early death are drawn to the Labradane, a designer breed gaining in popularity. However, it is important to examine whether the reality aligns with the anticipated benefits. This article will delve into the traits of this clever companion and effective worker, offer advice on selecting a reputable Labradane breeder, and provide tips for nurturing a content and thriving adult Great Dane Lab mix.
What is a Great Dane Lab Mix?
Learn all about the Labradane, a hybrid breed of Great Dane and Labrador Retriever. Despite its imposing size, this smart and affectionate canine is amicable towards humans and other canines. As the offspring of two hunting dogs, this lively blend relishes strolls and generous outdoor spaces.
- Popularity : On the rise!
- Purpose : Companion or watchdog
- Weight : 100-175 lbs
- Temperament : Friendly and energetic
As you continue breeding Great Dane Lab mix puppies from F1 and beyond, you’ll observe that their temperament becomes more uniform, yet their color variety expands.
Where Do Great Dane Lab Mixes Come From?
Although it originated as an unintentional pairing in households where work is done, the popularity of this mixed breed has skyrocketed with the surge in demand for designer dogs in the United States.
Initially employed for fishing activities in Newfoundland, the Labrador Retriever earned its recognition as a hunting canine owing to its adeptness in recovering fallen prey. Outside of the domain of hunting, the breed has become renowned as a household pet and service animal.
In the 17th century, Great Danes were bred in Germany for the purpose of hunting wild boars. Presently, they don’t participate in that activity but their amicable temperament makes them suitable for service and companionship roles.
Fun Facts!
- The Labrador Retriever has been America’s favorite family dog for years! But this breed also excels in working roles, like: guide dogs, military dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs!
- The Great Dane is another popular breed! Some famous owners that have loved this huge dog are: Kendall Jenner, Cameron Diaz, and Vanessa Williams!
Great Dane Lab Mix Appearance
Triangle-shaped ears that are set far back and lay close to the head are typical for Standard Labs, accompanied by brown or hazel eyes and medium length muzzles featuring black noses – although brown noses may be present in chocolate Labs. In comparison, Great Danes possess deep set eyes and ears that are located higher up and fold over much like the Lab, with cropped ears being a common feature that points straight upwards.
The coat of your Great Dane Lab mix puppy will be short and they will have triangular ears. Their eyes usually resemble the Great Dane’s shape more than that of the Lab.
Colors, Coats and Shedding
Typically, the initial crossbreed of a Great Dane and a Labrador Retriever yields a dark-colored dog with white markings on their paws, chest, and chin. By breeding them with other purebred dogs in subsequent generations, they may exhibit a broader range of colors reminiscent of the Great Dane or the chocolate or yellow hues of the Labrador.
Labradors possess a thick, double coat that is short and compact. Their undercoat helps retain heat, while their outer layer is waterproof. Great Danes also sport a short coat that appears to be low maintenance. However, this breed tends to shed profusely, requiring routine grooming with a de-shedding tool during the shedding season. Additionally, frequent brushing with a pin brush is essential throughout the year for their upkeep.
Are Labradanes Hypoallergenic?
It is unfortunate that individuals with allergies cannot tolerate the Great Dane and Labrador combination.
Great Dane Lab Mix Size
Great Danes are among the largest dog breeds, with a weight range of 110 to 175 lbs and standing at a height of 28 to 32 inches. Labrador Retrievers, on the other hand, are classified as medium to large dogs, weighing between 55 to 80 pounds and standing at a height of 21.5 to 24.5 inches.
Your Labradane, resulting from the breeding of two large parent breeds, may vary in size and could range anywhere between 55 to 175 pounds in weight and 21 to 32 inches in height.
Great Dane Lab Mix Temperament
Unless given proper socialization, Great Dane Lab mixes may develop a distrust towards unfamiliar individuals despite being generally amiable.
These dogs are loyal and intelligent. They respond well to positive training techniques and are very eager to please their owners. They are typically great with children in families. These dogs are smart and patient, making them a good fit for families with older kids as long as they are closely supervised. As puppies they can be either energetic or relaxed.
Visiting the parents of your puppy and inquiring about their demeanors could offer valuable insights regarding your furry friend’s tendencies. Although Great Danes are inherently mild-mannered, their sheer size may appear daunting, rendering them effective watchdogs. The same holds true for Labradanes, given their considerable size.
Training is crucial for all dogs, however, when dealing with a large breed that may intimidate people, it becomes even more significant.
Training Your Great Dane Lab Mix
Potty training is often the primary focus for training puppies. Our Puppy Potty Training Schedule is an excellent resource to help you begin the process successfully.
Your pup may become too excited and jump around, given that both parents are affable animals. As the Great Labradane can pose a danger to kids or seniors when it reaches adulthood due to its size, this tendency needs to be corrected early on.
The original purpose of both parent breeds was hunting, and the Labrador Retriever is still a frequently chosen breed for that activity. If you own a Great Dane and Labrador Retriever hybrid, they may have a strong sense of smell that prompts them to pursue animals in your yard. If you don’t already have a fence, you might consider training them on boundaries or installing one.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Basically, dog training can be categorized into two levels. The first level involves skill training and teaching basic manners like sitting, staying, and lying down and can be done by a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog is exhibiting problematic behavior such as anxiety, aggression, or fearfulness, you should consult a dog behavioral consultant like Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require training for both skills and behavior, it is better to begin with the more complex one – behavior training. A dog behavior expert is knowledgeable in teaching your dog basic commands like “sit,” whereas a dog trainer may not be as proficient in supporting your dog’s separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
As Fratt says, “Just like not every human is going to learn to love going to raves, not every dog is going to learn to love going to the dog park.”
Kim Brophey, the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is not only an applied ethologist but also a family dog mediator. Furthermore, she authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs a system referred to as L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) to illustrate dog behavior. For instance, if your furry friend is barking at your visitors.
Brophey suggests that it is possible that the breed of dog was chosen over numerous years to protect against unexpected visitors at the entrance. As the natural instinct of a German shepherd to guard its surroundings cannot be eliminated through training, it may be necessary for you to modify your anticipations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training options available, including group classes, individual training, board and train, day training, and self-led training. Group classes are more affordable yet lack personalization. Fratt warns that board and train facilities are pricier and pose a greater risk.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The decision you make will rely on both your training objectives and financial plan. In case your dog is exhibiting hostility towards another dog in your house, it’s unlikely that training outside of your house will be effective.
Keep in mind that training your dog requires your involvement, but it doesn’t have to consume a significant amount of your time. Fratt claims that she dedicates roughly five minutes per day to training. Additionally, much of the exercises that trainers assign can be amusing and can effortlessly be incorporated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or low-cost online resources for dog training to avoid spending a significant amount on it.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together some complimentary resources, and Fratt offers a set of lessons labeled Training Tuesday that are free of charge.
Understand the methodologies.
In the field of dog training, there is a lack of regulation which permits anyone with a website, Instagram page, or physical store to declare themselves as a dog trainer. Consequently, there is no established standard for the training techniques to be utilized and this leads to conflicting opinions among trainers. The majority of trainers, however, fall into two main categories:
Positive reinforcement trainers, such as Fratt, utilize a method where dogs receive rewards, like treats, when demonstrating desirable behavior. This encourages them to repeat the same actions or change their negative perception of something by associating it with a positive experience.
Another type of trainer, such as Brianna Dick, is known as a balanced trainer. These trainers utilize positive reinforcement techniques while also being open to implementing corrections, including e-collars, in their training.
According to Dick, E-collar training requires the use of a collar that is worn by your dog and can be controlled through a remote. The collar delivers a stimulus to the neck of your dog, which could be a shock, sound, or citronella spray whenever a correction is needed. The use of E-collars is a subject of controversy in the dog training community, particularly those that emit shocks.
Dick advises staying cautious of trainers who rely on e-collars for every dog, as this approach is cookie-cutter and is unlikely to yield satisfactory outcomes. Instead, it is important to find a trainer who takes the time to understand your unique situation, including your relationship with your dog and lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
To find a reliable roster of positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality, you could refer to lists prepared by multiple professional organizations. There are numerous such lists to choose from.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Afterward, conduct interviews by contacting previous customers. Determine which trainer elicits the most ease in you. Ensure that they are capable of articulating their approaches to training.
Don’t rule out medication.
Changing your dog’s brain chemistry might make you apprehensive, but if your dog is dealing with fear, anxiety, panic, or aggression that cannot be resolved solely with training, you must approach it as a medical issue and seek treatment.
Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, the medical director at NYC Behavior Vets and a behavior veterinarian, likens it to having a patient with diabetes. She emphasizes that not administering insulin to your dog for its diabetes is not an option since it requires it to regulate its hormone levels effectively.
“At the end of the day, this is a chemical imbalance. And it needs to be treated.”
