German Shepherd Lab Mix Introduction
German Shepherd Labrador Mix is a medium to large-sized hybrid dog created by crossing the German Shepherd with a Labrador Retriever. It is also known as Lab German Shepherd Mix, German Sheprador, or simply Sheprador. Either of the parent breed can be a sire or dam provided the dam is larger in size to reduce the risk of dystocia while whelping puppies. It is difficult to determine the appearance of a Sheprador since the looks entirely depend on the parent who has dominant genes.
Some Shepradors may have floppy ears like the Labs while some may have upright ears like the German Shepherd. Despite the looks that the puppy will inherit, you can be assured you will have a cute pet since both the Labs and German Shepherds are attractive pooches. The Labs have a solid coat color of yellow, chocolate or black while the German Shepherds have a black and tan, black, sable, gray, and white. However, the black and tan is the most popular coat color. For this reason, the color of Shepradors is highly variable. Both parents are highly trainable and intelligent a trait that Shepradors also possess.
Generally, German Shepherds are naturally protective of their families while Labs tend to be people pleasers and very obedient. Whether, a Sheprador is a guard dog or a pleaser is a matter of wait and see. However, dogs are the products of nature and nurture. If they are raised in a friendly environment they will tend to get along well with people. If raised in an aggressive environment, dogs will exhibit aggressive tendencies. Both German Shepherds and Labs are working dogs. Therefore, the Shepradors have high energy levels and need physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Origin | History
The Deliberate crossing of German Shepherds and Labradors started in the 1990s in North America. However, there is a possibility the crossing may have existed naturally over the years. Designer dog breeders likely crossed the two popular dog breeds to minimize the genetic health problems that affect many pure breeds.
Shepradors were also developed with an aim of creating a watchdog and family companion. As a crossbreed and not pedigree, Shepradors are not recognized by major kennel clubs such as AKC. However, this hybrid is recognized by Dog Registry of America, Inc. and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
German Shepherd Lab Mix Lifespan
According to a life expectancy study conducted in 2006, crossbreeds tend to live longer as compared to their parents by a year or two. German Shepherds have a lifespan of 9 to 13 years while the labs have a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. Therefore, Shepradors have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Grooming
The Shepradors have a double coat that sheds moderately all-year round and heavily twice a year when experiencing seasonal change in Spring and Fall. Daily brushing during the shedding season will help to keep the shed hair to a minimum on the floor and furniture. Weekly brushing will suffice all-year round when the dog is not experiencing seasonal change.
The Shepradors need an occasional bath unless they roll in something stinky. This especially applies to a Sheprador that has dominant German Shepherd genes. This is because the skin oils of the latter get stripped when the dog baths regularly causing skin irritation. Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent cracking, overgrowth, and splitting.
Brush the teeth of a Sheprador at least twice a week if not daily using a dog formulated toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls dampened in an ear cleanser solution to remove debris and excess wax.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Shedding
The Shepradors shed a fair amount of hair all-year round and heavily in Spring and Fall when experiencing seasonal change.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Coat | Coat Type
The short coat of a Labrador is dominant and hence most Shepradors have a a short double coat.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Hypoallergenic
The Shepradors are not suitable for people who suffer from dog allergies. They have a moulting coat that sheds heavily twice a year and moderately all-year round. Shedding allows dander and fur to spread around the house triggering allergies.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Training
The Shelpadors (German Shepherd Lab Mix) are intelligent dogs that are happier when they have something to do, making them highly trainable. Despite of how trained Sheldadors are, they will resort to behavior issues such as destructive chewing, digging, and barking excessively if they are left alone for long periods. Therefore, they are suited for dog owners who have flexible working hours. Some Shelpadors may inherit the protective instinct of a German Shepherd. Therefore, they need extensive socialization from an early age of 8 weeks to 16 weeks to understand that not all strangers are foes.
This training exposes the dog to a wide variety of people, animals, situations, places, experiences, smell, sight, and sounds such as door bells, sirens, washing machines, lawn mowers, whistles, and vacuum cleaners. Enrolling Shelpadors in a puppy class will also help in socialization. Early training is key in order to teach the pup the desirable behaviors before it gets inclined towards bad habits. Keep the training sessions short, fun, and challenging for a span of 5 to 10 minutes to avoid boredom and distraction.
Use positive reinforcement methods to encourage good behaviors through the use of interactive toys, verbal praise, petting, treats, and playtime. Use of choke collars, beating, punching, kicking, and shoving makes training counterproductive. Start teaching Shepradors basic command words like come, sit, stay, lie down, wait, heel, etc. Effectively housebreak Shepradors by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Temperament | Personality | Traits
- Intelligent.
- Alert.
- Watchful.
- Energetic.
- Trainable.
- Active.
- Loyal.
- Affectionate.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Exercise
The Shelpadors are active and energetic dogs that need daily physical and mental stimulation. Exercise may be in form of several long walks a day, playing in a secured yard, playing fetch, hide and seek, learning new tricks, playing with interactive toys, hiking, or jogging.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Barking
Some Shelpadors inherit the watchful and protective instinct of a German Shepherd hence will bark to notify when someone or something is approaching.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Height
Mature Shelpadors have a height of 20 to 27 inches ( approx. 51 to 69 cm ).
German Shepherd Lab Mix Weight | Weight Chart
The Shelpadors have a weight of 60 to 95 pounds ( approx. 27 to 43 kg ).
Full Grown German Shepherd Lab Mix | Size | Size Chart
A Full Grown German Shepherd Lab Mix has a weight of 60 to 95 pounds ( approx. 27 to 43 kg ) and a height of 20 to 27 inches ( approx. 51 to 69 cm ).
German Shepherd Lab Mix Health Problems
The Shepradors are cross breeds that benefit from hybrid vigor which reduces the risk of inbreeding depression and lows susceptibility to diseases. However, this does not necessarily rule out the possibility of Shelpadors suffering from the health issues that affect their parents including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, hypothyroidism, allergies, and eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma.
Other dog breeds include:
German Shepherd Lab Mix Names
A Shelpador parent may get a name for this crossbreed pet before it leaves the shelter or days after the pet settles home to understand better the personality of a particular dog. Parents may get name inspirations from the personality of the dog, origin, coat color, celebrity Shepradors, songs, movies, books, and historical figures.
Choose a name that does not rhyme with the command words to avoid confusion. Shepradors and other dog breeds better understand a name that has vowels. Avoid giving your dog a name that is used by other family members or guest who frequent your home to prevent confusion. Some of the names that Shepradors parents give to their pets include:
- Bailey.
- Apollo.
- Nala.
- Lola.
- Bailey.
- Dakota.
- Pepper.
- Chase.
- Cleo.
- Rocco.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Food | Dog Food
The Shepradors need to feed on dog food formulated for medium to large-sized dogs appropriate for their age i.e. puppy, adults, and seniors. The amount of food that Shepradors feed on depend on their metabolism level, body build, activity level, and size. These dogs will thrive on either a raw diet, home-made, or a commercial dry or wet food. Parents should be well-versed with human food that is safe for dog’s consumption. Ensure the dogs have access to fresh and clean water at all times.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Black | White | Tan
A German Shepherd Lab Mix may have a solid coat of a Labrador or a mix of colors like the German Shepherd. Some of the coat colors of a Sheprador include black, black and tan, white, cream, red, grey, and blue.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Price
The Price of German Shepherd Lab Mix is $500 to $2500 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.
Are German Shepherd Lab Mix Aggressive
No. However, they may be wary of new faces unless they are introduced. In addition, Some may have the protective nature of German Shepherds hence need extensive socialization to reduce the chances of exhibiting aggressive tendencies towards strangers.
How Much Does A German Shepherd Lab Mix Cost
The cost of a Sheprador is $500 to $2500 depending on the location of the breeder and the age of the dog.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Quick Facts
- They were created by crossing a German Shepherd with a Labrador Retriever.
- They are also known as Lab German Shepherd Mix, German Sheprador, or Sheprador.
- The German Shepherd Lab Mix are active and intelligent dogs that thrive in an outdoorsy family.