best dog food for pitbull lab mix puppy
Pitbull Lab Mix Complete Owner Guide
The Pitbull Lab Mix, which is also sometimes known as a Labrabull, a Bullador or Pitador, is the result of crossing a Pitbull with a Labrador Retriever. These hybrid pups are known for being an energetic and smart dog and, with half of their genes from the most popular breed of dog in the United States (the Labrador) theres no wonder this breed is popular too.
Loyal and easy to train, the Pitbull Lab mix will make an excellent addition to any family and provide great companionship. If youre interested in reading more about this fun-loving dog, take a look below to learn about their history, their characteristics and what living with one of these dogs is like.
History Of The Pitbull Lab Mix
Both the Pitbull and the Labrador Retriever are historically working dogs, so it comes as no surprise that the Pitbull Lab mix likes to keep themselves busy and entertained. They were originally bred to combine the most desirable characteristics from both parent breeds into one dog the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull.
As a hybrid dog, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but they are recognized by the Designer Breed Registry as a Labrabull.
Breed Origin
The breed origin of the Pitbull Lab mix is actually unknown and we cannot be sure when these dogs first appeared. However, we can look at the history of both parent breeds so you get an idea of where these pups originated from.
The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Lab mix can actually be any of four types of Pitbull. These include the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bulldog and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Pitbull was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs.
Later, these Pitbulls accompanied immigrants to America and they began new careers as all-around farm dogs. Their jobs included hunting wild game, guarding the property from animal intruders and providing companionship.
The Labrador, as we mentioned above, is the most popular breed of dog in America. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs in the 1800s and used to accompany hunters and retrieve animals that had been shot. They were also used in Newfoundland to retrieve fish that came in off the trawl, which is why they love the water. Their loyal and loving nature mean that they quickly became a very popular family dog and are still used today as working dogs, such as guide dogs.
Characteristics Of The Pitbull Lab Mix
Because the Pitbull Lab Mix is not a purebred breed and it is not recognized by any kennel clubs, this means that there is no definite breed standard for these pups. This means we cannot be sure how each litter of puppies is going to turn out. However, we can guess based on previous litters.
These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of 5 to 10 puppies, with the average being 7. It is not normally an issue which parent is the sire or the dam when breeding. Your Pitbull Lab Mix puppy should cost around $500, but always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
As we have said above, you can never be sure what your Pitbull Lab crossbreed will look like. They may look more like their Pitbull parent or more like their Labrador Retriever parent. You probably wont know which parent they take after more until they have matured at around 18 months of age.
The Pitbull Lab Mix is classed as a medium to large breed dog, and they can weigh anywhere up to 80 lbs, with females generally being smaller than males. These dogs will likely have floppy ears and will be muscular yet lean in statue.
Coat
A Labrador Pitbull Mix will generally have a short, smooth coat and they will not require too much grooming. We will go into more detail about grooming later on.
Color
The parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab Mix dog can vary greatly in color, which means your designer dog will likely vary greatly too. A Labrador can be yellow, brown or black and a Pitbull can be a huge range of colors especially because there are four different breeds of this dog!
If you want a good indication as to what your Pitbull Lab may look like color wise, you should take a look at the parent breeds.
Temperament
The Pitbull Lab Mix is a friendly and sociable dog that loves to be around people. Because of their high intelligence, they need to be constantly engaged and keeping busy so they dont exhibit any destructive behaviors. This is particularly true for the Pitbull in them, who can become feisty when bored or not stimulated. Therefore, they will do well when they are around a lot of people and are being given lots of attention!
There is a common misconception that all Pitbulls are aggressive. This could not be further from the truth. When raised properly and socialized well, these dogs are sweet-natured and loving traits which are passed down to the Pit Lab Mix. They are not known to bark and will alert you when there is anything wrong, making them a great guard dog or watch dog. They also dont like to be left alone for long periods of time and want to be around people always.
The intelligence level of this mixed breed dog means they are easily trainable and will be top of the class at puppy school. They will also happily learn tricks and engage with their owners!
Lifespan
The Lab Pit Mix has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, anywhere between 10 and 14 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Pitbull Labrador Mix can be prone to some health issues. These are normally the same health issues that their parent breeds are predisposed to. However, there are two health problems that are seen more frequently, both of which are seen in Labradors.
- Hip Dysplasia this is when the thighbone doesnt fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Insurance is also a good idea, and you should be able to purchase insurance for your Pitbull Lab Mix for around $400 a year.
Remember buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring.
Daily Life
While the different traits and characteristics that your Pitbull Lab Mix may inherit from their parent breeds can be somewhat of a mystery, fortunately taking care of these dogs is pretty straight forward. Below we discuss their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Pit Lab mix requires quite a lot of food to keep their energy levels up. As an adult, this should be anywhere between 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day, which equates to four cups of kibble a day. You should always check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding them of a particular food based on their weight.
As a puppy, they will need 12g of protein per kg of bodyweight and 8% of their diet in fat form. When they reach maturity, this should be reduced to 2.62g of protein per kg of bodyweight and 5% of their diet in fat form. As an adult, you should try to feed them three times a day.
Always remember to feed your Pitbull Lab Mix nutritious, high-quality dog food. We have included a food that we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Pitbull Lab Mix
We recommend the Life Protection Formula for large breeds from Blue Buffalo for your Pitbull Lab Mix. This food is formulated with protein-rich chicken as the first ingredient, ensuring your doggie gets all the nutrients they need to keep their muscles healthy and strong.
Designed specially for large dog breeds, this food contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health and overall mobility of bigger dogs. There are also antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. Even better, there are no artificial flavors or preservatives in this recipe, only good, wholesome ingredients thatll keep your Pitbull Lab healthy.
Buy at CHEWY.com
Exercise
A Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a medium to large breed of dog and therefore has high exercise needs. A dog of this size should be exercising for around 120 minutes a day, so you must make sure you have the time to dedicate to this breed before buying.
When the Pitbull cross is a puppy, you should remember the 5 minute rule. 5 minutes of exercise per month of age. Therefore, if your pup is four months old, you should only be exercising them for around 20 minutes.
These pups will love to join you on a hike or a run or, like their Labrador parent, they also love to swim. Because of their intelligence, they can also learn different dog sports such as flyball or agility, so this is something to think about.
Remember, because of the common misconception that Pitbulls are aggressive dogs, some areas have restrictions on the breed being out in public. Check locally to see whether your area has any restrictions. You may need to keep your dog on the leash or have them wear a muzzle.
Family Compatibility
The Pit Lab Mix makes an excellent family dog. Loving and friendly, these pups thrive when they are around people and like to be right in the middle of everything, getting all the attention! They do not do well when left alone and can exhibit destructive behaviors and signs of separation anxiety. Therefore, you must make sure you are not going to be out for hours at a time if you are thinking about bringing one of these dogs into your home.
These dogs need to be kept entertained and stimulated mentally, which is why they can be such a good playmate for children. They also get on well with other family pets, so there is no need to worry about their reaction to other dogs and cats.
The Pitbull Lab Mix is a very intelligent dog, which means training them is very easy. They also love to learn tricks and to please you, so they can be a great first pet even if you dont have much experience in training a large breed dog.
Training and Socializing
We have mentioned above that the Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a very intelligent dog. This means that training them is easy and is one of the reasons they are recommended as a good first dog. These pups respond best to positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise and reward-based training such as treats.
Socializing your Pitbull Lab cross is also not difficult. They get on well with children and other animals, so there should be no issue within the family home. You should start socializing them from a young age and introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when you are out and about.
Grooming
Fortunately, your Lab Pitbull Mix will not require a lot grooming. You will need to brush them roughly two to three times a week to ensure that shedding stays at a minimum. Unfortunately, as they have a Labrador parent, they will shed a lot! You will need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner if you want to keep your home fur-free.
Bathing your Pitbull Lab is also important, but this can be done as infrequently as 3-4 times a year. You should also check their ears regularly to spot any signs of infection, and ensure their nails are clipped as needed. Teeth brushing is also essential, so you can be sure your dog doesnt develop gum disease.
Pitbull Lab Mix FAQs
Are Pitbulls dangerous?
We touched on this above but the answer is no. There is a common misconception that all Pitbulls are dangerous, but when trained properly and brought up in a loving and caring environment, Pitbulls are affectionate, loyal dogs and love to be around people. They have been known to exhibit signs of aggression when not trained properly or when they do not receive enough social interaction, but if you raise your pup right you shouldnt feel in danger when around them.
Are Pitbulls illegal?
In some areas of the United States, Australia and the UK, Pitbulls and other related dog breeds are under breed-specific laws. These laws prevent residents in those areas from owning these dogs, except from under special circumstances. Pitbulls in these areas are seen as a danger because of their reputation and dog fighting background, even though there is a huge amount of evidence to show that when trained properly Pitbulls make great pets.
How much does a Pitbull Lab Mix cost?
A Pitbull Labrador Mix puppy should cost you around $500 from a reputable breeder. If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a pup there that needs a loving home!
Summary
The Pitbull Labrador Mix breed was created to cherrypick the best traits from each parent breed the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull. These loving, friendly dogs make excellent family pups who just love to be around people, both adults and children, and other animals too. While the Pitbull has a reputation for being aggressive, this could not be further from the truth and, when put in the right home, the Pitbull Labrador Mix is a companion for life. What do you think, is one of these dogs right for you?
