20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Labradane

The Labradane is a mixed breed dog that is the result of crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Great Dane. This combination produces a giant dog that needs a fairly large area to roam about, but he’s an excellent family pet. This mixed breed has so many wonderful traits that it’s one worth considering if you’re looking for a new addition to the family. Here are 20 things you didn’t know about the Labradane.

1. Labradanes are extremely playful

When you bring a Labradane into your home you’re bringing a new playmate for the kids into the mix. From the time that they are puppies, most Labradanes have a playful nature that continues well into their adult years. It’s important to consider the fact that this is a dog who will almost always be up for a game of fetch. He’ll pester you to play, so be ready for an active lifestyle.This is why it’s good to have kids or other pets who are willing to stand in to satisfy his need for play.

2. Labradanes have a lot of energy

The Labradane is a dog who is most likely to seek stimulation. He has a lot of energy and it simply must be spent to keep him happy. He requires mental stimulation as well as plenty of room to run, exercise and play. Because of his large size, he does better when he lives in a larger home with a big yard and space to run. His stamina levels are high and he loves to jump, run, and investigate his environment.

3. Labradanes are highly intelligent

This breed gets a 4 out of 5 when it comes to intelligence. He can accomplish tasks that require concentration and decision making very well. This is why he needs plenty of mental stimulation. It’s important to make sure that he has his own toys to play with and plenty of attention. If you don’t satisfy his need for mental stimulation, he’s going to find his own kind of fun, and it might include chewing and digging. Supply him with plenty of interactive toys so he leaves your personal belongings alone.

4. Labradanes are highly affectionate

Labradanes are affectionate dogs that have plenty of love to spread around to the entire family. Although each dog is an individual, there is a tendency for this cross-breed to enjoy spending time with the family. This is especially true if he is raised inside the house and gets plenty of interaction in the early months of his life. He enjoys human companionship and will bond easily with everyone in the family that shows him warm attention.

5. Labradanes come from working stock

Your Labradane has the genetics that make him a hard worker. He gets this from the Labrador retriever genes passed by one of the parents. Labs were used in Newfoundland during the 19th century to help fishermen with pulling in fish, hauling nets and ropes, and other jobs. His other ancestors, the Great Danes were used for hunting wild boar in Germany. He is happiest when he has a job to do.

6. Labradanes are good dogs for kids

Labradanes inherit excellent genetics from both parents when it comes to their friendliness and patience. While it’s important to always supervise child and dog interactions, Labradanes are among the most patient and kind dogs. They love the attention that they get from kids and they’re considered gentle giants. Most have a sweet disposition and they truly enjoy playing with kids. They tend to keep their eyes on the little ones to protect them from danger.

7. They don’t all look alike

Labradane puppies can come out with a variety of different physical characteristics. This depends on which traits are inherited from the parents. Some look more like Great Danes and others more closely resemble labrador retrievers. You might get a pup with a sleek black coat, or there might be some coat variations with the lovely diverse swirling patterns that you see in a Great Dane. Some designer breeders spend years to achieve a specific look through selective breeding.

8. The breed isn’t yet recognized

The American Kennel Club does not yet recognized the Labradane as an official breed. It is considered to be a hybrid, or cross-breed of mixed origin. Some breeders are working to create uniform standards through multi-generational breeding to perfect the breed. Some breeders hope that in time and with crossbreeding to achieve standardization that the Labradane will eventually become a recognized breed, but this is not likely to happen any time soon.

9. Labradanes are gentle giants

Labradanes come from parents that are both larger dogs. Great Danes contribute the genes of a giant while Labrador Retrievers are considered to be big dogs. When you cross the two, you get a very large dog that is going to be tall and heavy. Females weigh less than males in most cases, but your Labradane can achieve a weight of between 100 and 180 pounds.

10. Labradanes are prone to a few health conditions

While this cros-breed is generally healthy, there are a few health conditions that are more common among them. Because of genes inherited by Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes, growing pains are common because they tend to grow fast. Some pups could benefit from an anti-inflammatory until this phase passes. Other known health conditions are elbow and hip dysplasia, common with larger and heavier breeds. These dogs may also experience bloat occasionally, as well as other digestive issues so watching the diet can be important.

11. Labradanes have achieved an elevated status

Although the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Labradane breed, there is another agency that does. The Designer Breed Registry has given a nod of approval to this crossbreed dog. The International Designer Canine Registry also recognizes that the Labradane is a unique cross-breed dog.

12. The coat of the Labradane varies in color

An exciting part of breeding Labradanes is that there are a lot of different possible coat colors. While most of the photos shown are black colored Labradanes, these dogs can come in a varieties of color. While a lot of them are black, some are brown, and some have white coats. Although rare, there have been Harlequin Labradanes born. They may also feature mantle, brindle, or solid colors.

13. Labradanes tend to put on weight

If your Labradane doesn’t get enough exercise, there is a good chance that he will put on a little too much weight. A healthy Labradane is slender, but his muscles are ripped if he gets the proper exercise. He has a strong and sturdy body, so make sure that he has plenty of room to run around and burn off those extra calories. If your Labradane doesn’t have a sleek muscular build, he probably needs to start getting some good workouts.

14. Labradanes are not prone to shedding

The good news is that Labradanes are not prolific shedders. Their coats are generally thick and glossy, and relatively short. Light shedding through the year is common with Labradanes. for maintenance purposes, it’s recommended that you brush him two to three times a week. A heavier period of shedding generally happens in the spring and in the fall, as with most canines.

15. His ears need attention

Labradanes have floppy ears that usually hang down near the cheeks. These ears need to be cleaned regularly. The shape and positioning make his ears makes it easier for them to become infected. It’s a good idea to develop a maintenance regimen of cleaning his ears once a week by wiping them with a damp wash cloth. Keep an eye out for redness or odor and if he shows signs of an ear infection, take him to the vet for treatment as soon as you notice a potential issue. Catching ear infections early can save him a lot of discomfort.

16. His teeth need attention

This gentle giant needs to have his teeth brushed. While he is not any more inclined for tooth decay than any other breed, Labradanes need to have good oral care. Have his teeth checked by a vet when you take him in for his annual checkups. It is recommended that you brush a Labrador’s teeth a minimum of three times a week. You can set a schedule of every other day and this will help to keep his teeth in excellent condition. He does better with dry dog food rather than wet, because the abrasives in kibble help to clean the teeth.

17. Labradanes need companionship

Labradanes who are properly socialized tend to be real people dogs. If you leave them alone for extended periods of time they will suffer from separation anxiety. It’s similar to what some toddlers go through when you take them to the Day Care center for the first time. It’s best to make sure that he is set up with the company of another pet, and that he has plenty of his own toys around to keep him entertained. Don’t be surprised if he showers you with love and affection when you return from being away for several hours. He will wag his large tail and greet your with great enthusiasm. Since he’s so big, this can be a bit overwhelming so it’s important to realize that even if he knocks you down and covers you with kisses, it’s coming from a good place in his heart.

18. Labradanes are loyal and protective

Your Labradane bonds quickly with his human family members. He is warm and friendly with most people, but most Labradanes are wary of strangers. If he sees that the stranger is okay with you, he will warm up quickly, but if someone enters the personal space of his family and gives off bad vibes, his instinct to protect his territory will kick in. Labradanes do not generally bark much, but when they do, the size is usually enough to deter would be intruders. Labradanes are intensely loyal and they watch out for the members of their family to protect them from any dangers that might arise. We’d love to say that he’s a great guard dog, but the truth of the matter is that he is not. He is far too friendly and he is more likely to give in to a gentle pat on the head and wag his tail than he is to bite or have a suspicious attitude.

19. Labradane puppies grow fast

If you bring a Labradane puppy into your home, you need to be prepared for some surprising changes. He won’t stay the size of a small, cute, cuddly puppy for long. These puppies grow the most during the first 6 months of their lives. On average, a Labradane will put on all of his growth between the ages of 12 and 18 months. Considering how large they get, you’re probably going to be amazed at how fast he gets big.

20. Labradanes are easy to train

Labradanes are by nature, eager to please. They love their humans and their easygoing nature makes them easy to train. Some of them can be stubborn, but if there is a treat or a reward of affection, you’ll easily win your Labradane over. This is a blessing if your Labradane is a house dog, when it comes to crate and house training. Since these dogs love to play and they enjoy mental stimulation, training them isn’t usually difficult at all. If you maintain consistency and reward them for a job well done you should have no problems training your Labradane to do a variety of interesting things. Bear in mind that they love to work and if you give a Labradane a job to do his is going to be a happy boy.

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