Is the outcome of breeding the Brittany Lab mix a highly efficient worker or a confused combination of two versatile sporting breeds? This comprehensive guide provides answers.
Labanies, a crossbreed of Brittany and Labrador Retriever, are commonly referred to as Brittany Lab mixes. With an average weight of 40 to 70 pounds, they are highly trainable; however, their mixed ancestry may prevent them from entering certain contests. Labanies may vary significantly in size, energy levels, and tolerance for children, making it critical to evaluate one’s willingness to deal with any potential outcomes before adopting a Labany.
Brittany Lab mix: Breed at a glance
- Popularity: Little-known
- Purpose: Hunting companion, pet
- Weight: 40 – 70lbs
- Temperament: Smart, motivated, energetic
It is worth noting that Brittanies are referred to as Brittany Spaniels in their native France and Canada; however, the United States and the United Kingdom opt to use the name Brittany due to their genetic proximity to pointers and setters as opposed to spaniels. Both names are used interchangeably in this article and within the larger dog community.
What to expect from a Brittany Lab mix
The Brittany Lab breeds belong to a larger trend for dogs of recognized mixed ancestry, distinct from both purebred and mutts whose mixed ancestry is unknown. These dogs with established mixed ancestry are sometimes referred to as designer dogs. When planning a litter of designer dogs, there is no assurance that the puppies will solely inherit the most desirable characteristics or grow to be a size that is a perfect blend of each parent. Therefore, it’s crucial to evaluate both parent breeds’ traits and ensure you’re comfortable with any of them in any possible combination before making a decision.
Labradors and Brittanies share many similarities as they were initially bred as gundogs for hunters of wildfowl, particularly duck. As a result, their crossbred offspring may not be entirely unpredictable, and there may be some health advantages which will be discussed later. However, they also have some notable differences. We shall begin by examining their physical appearance.
Brittany Lab mix appearance
Labradors are dogs of medium to large size and can weigh anywhere between 55 to 80 pounds. Comparatively, Brittanies are notably smaller with an average weight of 30 to 40 pounds. Nevertheless, both breeds share a resemblance in their physical characteristics, such as the height of their body being proportional to their length, a similarly shaped head, and triangular ears that dangle instead of standing upright.
Different from Labradors, Brittanies have a greater variety of colors and patterns, which can give rise to surprising outcomes when breeding with other breeds. Particularly, Brittanies have the genetics for roan patterning and white spotting, which could be inherited by Labany offspring.
How big do Brittany Spaniel Lab mixes get?
The weight of a Labany when fully grown can range between 30 and 80 pounds, theoretically. Typically, most dogs will fall somewhere in the middle of this range and males will be slightly larger than females on average. However, there will always be a few exceptional cases where dogs will either grow much smaller or significantly larger.
A significant predictor of Labany size is whether their parents come from working or show lines (in the case of the Labrador) or French or American lines (in the case of the Brittany). Working Labrador lines (also known as American type) tend to be lighter and more lithe than dogs from show lines (also known as English type). In the Brittany breed, French-type lines tend to be smaller and lighter than American-type lines. Note that we’re just talking about breeding lines named after countries, not actual locations the dogs come from. There are plenty of breeders of English Labs and French Brittanies in the United States!
Brittany Lab mix temperament
Originally bred for similar roles in different countries, Labradors and Brittanies were both working gundogs. In France, Brittanies were developed as versatile pointing and retrieving companions for wild fowl hunters, while in Britain, Labradors were slightly more specialized as retrieving dogs. These two breeds are intelligent, people-focused, and easily trained, with athleticism, lots of stamina, and strong work ethics. It is safe to assume that Lab Brittany mix puppies will possess the same characteristics.
Labradors have emerged as a highly sought-after breed for domestic companionship in recent times. Their popularity is evidenced by the AKC’s registration statistics which show them as the most registered breed for 30 years. As a result, non-working strains of Labradors with exceptional temperaments for pet ownership are increasingly available. These Labradors possess agility and an affectionate disposition towards humans, while not possessing the perpetual energy and drive of their working counterparts.
Brittany Spaniels are primarily working dogs, thus requiring greater physical and mental stimulation than what the average pet owner can offer. Even if the other parent dog is calm, a Brittany Spaniel mix may still exhibit the same energy level. Therefore, anyone planning to adopt a Labany should prepare to spend multiple hours every day training and exercising them.
Brittany Spaniel Lab mix personality
Labradors are often favored due to their amiable and confident nature when faced with new people or environments. Although Brittanies are not quite as sociable or loving as Labs, this trait may be apparent in their mixed offspring. Nevertheless, Brittanies are generally considered to be kind and affectionate once acquainted with individuals. Therefore, a Labany pup is likely to exhibit loyalty and affection at home, but their behavior towards strangers will be influenced by the traits of either parent they inherit.
Training and exercising your Brittany Lab mix
Due to their heritage as working dogs, Labanies typically require significant amounts of mental and physical activity. It is highly recommended to commence socialization training at a young age to help them develop confidence, and to engage in training games and job-related activities. In addition to basic obedience training, it is advisable to explore dog sports as a means of providing an outlet for their working instincts.
Gun dog training, agility, and scent work are commonly chosen activities for recreational purposes, which can be done at an amateur level. However, due to the mixed lineage of the Labany, they will be ineligible for most contests. Additionally, some pet owners train their dogs to perform household duties, such as operating washing machines and dryers. As shown in the video above, Blaize has been trained to locate and retrieve antlers near hiking trails, and he seems to thoroughly enjoy his “profession!”
To ensure optimal results, it is necessary to dedicate a minimum of two hours daily to exercising your Brittany Lab mix outdoors, followed by recreational activities and training games indoors. Employing positive reinforcement training methods that do not rely on force is the best approach.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Kayla Fratt, owner of Journey Dog Training and a certified dog behavior consultant, says that a fundamental objective for every dog is to ensure that they feel at ease with their surroundings and lifestyle.
Training is beneficial for all dogs, regardless of their age or whether they were just obtained from a breeder or have been with you for a long time.
Wondering how to start the process? If you’ve recently looked up “dog trainers near me” online, chances are you may have felt overwhelmed by the multitude of options, certifications, and jargon. The abundance of information available can be quite daunting! To ease your concerns, we’ve sought advice from experts on where to begin. According to them, here’s what you should do:
Identify your training goals
There are primarily two tiers of training for dogs. For those seeking to develop skills or fundamental etiquette, like commanding their dog to sit, lie down, or stay, a dog trainer would be suitable. However, if you have a dog with behavioral issues like anxiety, aggression or fear, you will require the services of a dog behavioral consultant such as 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.”
Begin with behavior training, which is the more complex of the two, if you require both skills and behavior training. A dog behavior consultant can educate your dog on sitting as well as assist with separation anxiety, while a dog trainer may not possess adequate knowledge to handle such issues.
Be realistic.
Fratt points out that not all humans will enjoy attending raves, and similarly, not all dogs will enjoy visiting the dog park.
Kim Brophey, the owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and a mediator who specializes in family dogs. She authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey utilizes L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) framework to clarify dog behavior. As an example, if your dog barks at your guests.
Brophey suggests that it could be a dog breed which has been specifically chosen to protect against potential intruders entering through the front door for several centuries. As the genetic instinct of a German Shepherd to safeguard its territory cannot be trained away, it might be necessary to alter one’s anticipations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several choices for training techniques including group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training, and self-led training, which are the most frequently used. Whilst group classes are less customized, they are more affordable. Fratt cautions that board and train facilities are more expensive and come with increased 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.”
Your decision will be determined by both your financial limitations and what you aim to achieve through training. To illustrate, if your canine is showing hostility towards another pooch in your domicile, having training sessions outside of your living space may not be effective.
Bear in mind that you will need to actively participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t need to consume a significant portion of your time. According to Fratt, she devotes approximately five minutes per day to training. Many of the training assignments that instructors assign can be enjoyable and effortless to incorporate into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or inexpensive online resources for dog training if you want to avoid spending a substantial amount of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training lacks regulation, allowing anyone with a website, Instagram page or storefront to brand themselves as a dog trainer. Consequently, there is no set of defined guidelines determining which training methods are appropriate, leading to a discrepancy of opinions among trainers. Despite this, most trainers can be categorized into two major groups.
Fratt is an example of positive reinforcement trainers. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with something pleasurable, like a treat, after exhibiting good behavior to encourage them to repeat such behavior, or providing them with a pleasurable experience while associating it with something they fear.
Another type of trainer is represented by Brianna Dick, who belongs to the category of balanced trainers. These trainers rely on positive reinforcement techniques but are open to supplementing their training with corrective measures, such as e-collars.
Dick explains that E-collar training entails controlling a collar worn by your dog through a remote that triggers a stimulus on your dog’s neck, which can be a correction such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray. The use of E-collars, particularly those that emit shocks, is a controversial topic among dog trainers.
Dick cautions against trainers who rely exclusively on e-collars for all dogs. This one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective, according to Dick, and will not yield satisfactory outcomes. A preferable option would be a trainer who takes the time to learn about you, your bond with your pet, and your way of life.
Find a good trainer.
To find reliable positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers near you, professional association lists are a great resource to begin with.
