Labrashepherd Puppies – These are two of the most popular dog breeds in the world, but when crossed together, the result is a hybrid dog called the Sheprado.
However, considering the popularity of the parent breed, some dog owners may not know that their dog is a German Shepherd Labrador mix.
Labrashepherd Puppies
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Sheprado hybrids to learn more about their appearance, temperament, athletic requirements, grooming needs and where to find Sheprados.
Help A Homeless Pet!
We chat with three Sheprador owners to learn more about these dogs: Lumi (@lumi_the_sheprador), Kyla (@kyla_thelabrador), and Cobiccino (@cobiccino).
It is unclear when the first Sheprados were intentionally bred, but these mixes are gaining popularity as they combine characteristics of two popular breeds.
While German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are two well-known breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, neither organization grants shepherd status.
Abandoned Labrashepherd With A Happy Ending
That said, the US Dog Registry and the International Designer Dog Registry do recognize herders.
At the time of writing, we could not find a dedicated Sheprado club setting out breed standards or ethics.
Nine times out of 10, if you are looking for Sheprador as your local dog rescue organization, you are the best choice.
German Shepherd Mixes That Will Melt Your Heart
Although commonly referred to as a Shepherd, this mix can also be referred to as a mix of German Shepherd, Labrador, and German Shepherd Labrador.
Sheepdogs will be a mix of the two parent breeds so they can embody the physical characteristics associated with German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. They usually reach a height of 20 to 27 inches and can weigh anywhere from 60 to 95 pounds.
Labrador Retrievers can have yellow, black and chocolate coats, while German Shepherds traditionally have black and brown coats, but they can also come in a number of less common colors such as black and white. The owner of Lumi (@lumi_the_sheprador) shared some more details about what these hybrid dogs look like.
German Shepherd Lab Mix: The Two Most Popular Dogs In One
My Lumi is all black with some white spots on the hind legs, chest, chin and neck. When she was a three month old puppy, she had a white tip on her tail. Her coat is what I would call medium length (fine hair). It is not too short and does not dry quickly. She is double coated, but not so long that you have to brush every day to unravel.
These beautiful mixed breed dogs come in a variety of colors, and you can end up with solid coat colors like Labs, or bold mixes like German Shepherds. Much depends on the color of the Labrador’s parents, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate brown. As a general rule, the darker the Lab parent, the darker the puppy’s coat. But you also get white German Shepherds, which can result in striking white Shepherds. Basically it’s kind of like a lottery where you don’t know what you’re getting, and as the puppy grows, they can lose those color patterns.
Keira has an all black coat (mother is an all black Lab, dad is a black German Shepherd). She was the only all black puppy in the litter. Her coat is softer and longer than the average Lab, slightly rougher to the touch, but still soft.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Care, Size, Lifespan & Temperament
One color – golden, her face actually looks like what we think of as a golden retriever. Medium hair. Double jacket. [She has] hind legs that stand up straight like a lab.
When combining two types of dogs, there is no guarantee that the dog will inherit certain desirable traits. Therefore, we cannot say for sure whether the collies will look more like their Labrador or German Shepherd parents. That said, chances are the Shepard is an energetic dog with a sense of loyalty to its family as these traits are associated with both parents. Shepherds tend to be smart dogs as the German Shepherd and Labrador are ranked as two of the smartest dog breeds in the world. Collies like to have a purpose because both parents have extensive experience with working dogs.
Coming from a German Shepherd breed that adores Labrador retrievers and is loyal, I must say that Lumi has a very laid back temperament. She goes into typical surveillance mode when she hears noises she is not used to at night/night, or if we are out at night and there is something that isn’t normally there, she won’t attack but she will go for it watching (like deer near us). I believe a dog’s temperament can change as long as you are patient and willing to train them. We taught Lumi the basics, I hung out with her when she was younger and she wasn’t aggressive with food/toys or anything.
Of The Best Lab Mix
Keira is the friendliest dog and very sweet. She absolutely loves people and dogs – loves hugs and kisses and loves attention! She is always in a playful state. She also has watchdog characteristics when she hears noises or noises or the front door. Kyla also has a loud voice (squeaking and talking), which we believe is more of a German Shepherd trait. We think her looks and playfulness are more of a Labrador, but her watchdog instincts and need for attention are more of a German Shepherd side.
Shepherds need regular physical and mental exercise routines. German Shepherds and Labradors are active breeds and need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Labrador retrievers can excel as service dogs, while German Shepherds thrive as working dogs, so both breeds like to have a purpose or get things done. Therefore, the Shepherd will need sufficient mental stimulation to satisfy this urge.
Just letting them run around outside or take a daily walk will definitely help. Lumi likes to go outside and do her “zoomies”, she runs around the lot next to our house, or she goes to meet the neighbors dogs and run around the fence with them. After a while, she calmed down and took a nap to regain the energy she had just used up. She can usually sleep all day and night. When she was younger, she had to go out more often to go to the toilet.
Traits Of White Shepherd Lab Mix Dogs
We try to take her for walks twice a day (40-45 minutes), and I tend to give her a 15 minute lunchtime walk as well if her work permits.
We are girls so I would say she needs less exercise than we expected. Usually one brisk walk/walk is enough for her. Or playing with other dogs without a leash is good for her. For some reason my dog doesn’t like to jog with me.
Collies are not hypoallergenic crossbreeds, so if you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t shed, the Labrashepherd isn’t for you! They usually have a double coat – a rough outer coat and a dense inner coat. They tend to shed all year round and shed their coats when the seasons change.
Life Expectancy For A German Shepherd/black Lab Mix
My Lumi has fallen a lot. I brush her every other day and I still have to walk and vacuum around the house. This is of course even more true if she wears her winter clothes in winter. She also has a double coat.
Kyla lost a lot of weight and this started around 7 months. We manage by vacuuming a lot and she has her own blankets in certain areas to keep her hair from getting on surfaces (like the bed/couch).
If you’re planning to take your collie home, you’ll need a good brush to shed them. It’s a good idea to brush the Sheprador a few times a week, but they may need daily brushing during the moulting season.
Things You Should Know Before Getting A Sheprador (the German Shepherd Lab Mix)
I usually brush Lumi with a Furminator brush, which removes a lot of shedding fur – I do this every other day. But for the actual grooming I would say they don’t need a haircut or professional brushing. With double coat dogs, you don’t want to get them clipped or shaved because the double coat protecting the skin underneath gets tangled.
I take her to the salon twice a year for a full grooming and hair removal treatment, but we tend to rinse her after our often muddy walks.
Their coat is shorter and easier to care for, we don’t have to take her to the groomer, but brushing every few days or a week is fine.
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German Shepherds are third in dog intelligence. The Labrador Retriever placed seventh, four places below the German Shepherd. As you can see, the Collie is probably an intelligent dog that quickly learns new commands and obeys its owner obediently. That said, hybrids can be independent thinkers.
I adopted Lumi when she was 3 months old and she is not difficult to train. She learned quickly (within 2-3 weeks) to go to the toilet outside. she understands
