Facts about the Labrador Pit Bull Mix
It’s sometimes called a Labrabull, sometimes a Pitador, and there are likely a few other names for this Labrador pit bull mix as well. The Labrador is considered by many, if not most, to be among the friendliest of dogs, if not the friendliest. The American Pit Bull Terrier does not share that distinction. Whether its reputation is deserved or not, there are those who would prefer not to have to share their neighborhood with a pit bull.
The pit bull is a fighter, there’s no doubt about that. That happens to be more the fault of humans than of the breed. The pit bull is also known to be a wonderful family dog and one that can be trusted around children. There are owners, however, who won’t take the time to ensure their pet is properly socialized when it is still a puppy. The pit bull tends to be a dominant animal, much more so than the Lab, but at the same time it is a breed that responds very well to training.
That’s not to say a Lab doesn’t need to be given obedience training as well. A Lab is by nature gentle, but it also has a mind of its own, and being a medium to large dog it can get into all kinds of trouble if it hasn’t learned right from wrong.
As far as what to expect when the two breeds are mixed, the answer is no different than is the case with any other two breeds. You can tell something from the physical characteristics and temperaments of the parents, but there is never a 100 percent guarantee as to how those in the litter will turn out. You really need to do some research on the temperaments of the two breeds in order to make an educated guess as to how a mixed puppy will turn out. Better yet, you may want to look into the bloodlines of both of the parents to see if there are any idiosyncrasies that stand out. The best person to talk to would, of course, be a person who breeds this hybrid mix.
Size
How large one of these hybrid puppies will grow can be quite difficult to predict, although knowing the size of the parents might give an indication. The problem here is that both breeds can vary considerably in size from dog to dog. There are smaller pit bulls, larger pit bulls, smaller Labs and larger Labs. A hybrid could be anywhere from 30-35 pounds to just over 100 pounds. If you plan on your new puppy tipping the scales at 50-60 pounds as an adult, you probably won’t be far off.
Temperament
Labs tend to be playful; pit bulls tend to be more reserved. Labs have a reputation for getting along well with other dogs and cats, pit bulls have a reputation for being aggressive toward other dogs, especially toward smaller ones. This reputation is, for the most part, a false one, but the pit bull is a dominant breed, as is the case with most terriers. It can easily be trained to get along with other dogs and household pets, though. Since both parents are energetic breeds, you can expect a Labrador pit bull mix to be on the energetic side as well, which is almost always the case. Since it is a relatively large dog, it’s important that it is well trained. A big dog can cause a lot of damage, even if it has the best intentions. Labradors have long been known as a breed that can easily knock things from coffee tables with a friendly wag of the tail.
Appearance
A Labrabull, like both of its parents, will have short hair and does not shed, at least not excessively. Its coat may take on a solid color characteristic of the Lab or it may feature patterns, a trait not uncommon in the pit bull. This hybrid breed comes in black, brown, yellow, tan, and even white. The head of a typical Labrabull will normally be slightly wider than that of a Lab, but not quite as wide as that of a pit bull.
Health
This hybrid breed is not known for having any particular health problems. The parent breeds are, for the most part, healthy animals, and hybrids are often found to have fewer health issues than either of their purebred parents. A well cared for Labrabull will have a life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years. This hybrid breed needs plenty of exercise, as do its parents. The Labrabull would make a good apartment dog as long as it gets a daily walk, or better yet a daily run or jog. This hybrid can be a natural choice for a hunting companion. Besides an innate ability to retrieve, the Labrabull can also serve as a tracking dog. This mixed breed also does well in competitive obedience trials.
Registering Your Pet
There are three major organizations (and several others as well) that register mixed breeds, hybrids, and designer dogs, the three terms meaning one and the same thing. Registering a hybrid dog is not a requirement, of course, but it’s a good idea if you plan to use the dog for breeding or for show purposes (some events will require an animal to be registered in order to compete). If you just want the dog as a family pet, there’s no particular reason to have it registered unless you want the diploma for bragging rights.
Organizations that register mixed breeds are:
- The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) – with headquarters in Harvey, AZ
- The International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) – located in Keene, CA
- The Designer Breed Registry in Howell, NJ
These registries all recognize the Labrador pit bull mix. A fee will be charged for registration, although submitting an application is usually free. You can contact the organization of your choice for an application or simply download one from one of the three websites. Besides the completed application form, you’ll need to provide documentation of the dog’s pedigree, documentation you should be able to get from the breeder. If your canine friend comes from a pet shop or rescue organization, you may find it difficult, if not impossible, to have it registered, as its pedigree will not always be available. If you’re just looking for a family pet or a hunting companion, however, the dog’s pedigree may not be of much concern.