Is A Smart, Affectionate Lab Pit Mix The Right Dog For You? Let’s Find Out

The Pitbull Lab mix, also known as a Bullador, Labrabull, or Pitador, was created by cross-breeding a Pitbull with a Labrador Retriever. These hybrid puppers are known for their energy and intelligence, deriving half of their genes from United States’ most popular dog breed- the labrador, which makes this crossbreed popular too. 

They are easy to train and loyal. The lab pit mix can become an excellent addition to the family with its invaluable companionship. 

Lab Pit Mix Breed History 

Both the parent’s dogs have been working dogs historically, which explains why the pitbull lab mix likes to stay busy and entertained by themselves. They were originally crossbred to combine the best traits of both breeds into one crossbreed- the loyalty of a pitbull and the temperament of a labrador. 

Being hybrid dogs, they are not recognized by the American kennel club (AKC), but the designer breed registry recognizes them as a labrabull.

Breed origin

The breed origin is relatively unknown, and not much can be said about when these dogs first appeared. But we look at the history of both the parent breeds to get an idea about their origination.

The pitbull can be of four types. They are the american staffordshire terrier, the american bulldog, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the american pitbull terrier. The pit bull was created in early 19th-century England for the spectator sports like bull and bear baiting. They were assumed to be aggressive fighting dogs, but they were also known to be amazing, having family dogs and being gentle with humans. 

The pitbulls later accompanied their owners across the ocean and began new careers as farm dogs. Their jobs entailed wild game hunting. Watching over the property from animal trespassers and providing companionship to their owners. 

The labrador, being the most popular breed in america, they were originally bred as gun dogs in the 1800s who accompanied hunters and retrieved the animals that were shot. They were also used in Newfoundland to retrieve fish that came in off the trawl, which ingrained in them their love for the water and swimming. Their affectionate nature and undying loyalty became their biggest strengths. They became popular family dogs, and they are still used as working dogs. 

Characteristics 

The pitbull lab mix is not a purebred breed and is not recognized by any kennel club. This means there are no definite breed standards these pups have to weigh up to, which also means there are no solid ways to tell how each litter could turn out. We can assume based on previous litters. 

Born in a litter of 5-10 puppies, with an average of 7 pups. It does not become an issue which one is the sire or the dam when being bred. These puppies should cost around $500, but you must keep in mind that a reputable breeder can give you more healthy and certified puppies. 

Appearance

We cannot be sure what the lap pit mix will look like- they could either resemble their pitbull parent or their labrador retriever parent. There is no way of knowing which parent they have taken after until they reach around 18 months of age. 

The pit and lab mix is categorized as a medium to large breed dog, weighing around 80 lbs, with their female counterparts being smaller than the males. these dogs usually have floppy ears and can be muscular yet lean in stature. 

Coat

A lab pit mix will mostly have a short smooth coat, not requiring much grooming. They may need brushing roughly 2-3 times a week to keep their shedding at the minimum. But they could shed, having a labrador parent. You will need to have a good vacuum at hand to keep your surroundings fur-free. 

Color

The parent breeds vary immensely in color, which results in the designer dog coming in various shades. The labrador can be yellow, black, or brown, and a pitbull can be several different shades, owing to its 4 separate breeds. 

Temperament

This mix is a sociable and friendly dog that enjoys being around people. Their high intelligence makes them seek out constant activity to avoid destructive behaviors. Pitbulls become especially feisty when not stimulated or bored. 

They, therefore, do well when they are around lots of people, showered with lots of attention.  

Lifespan

The pitbull labrador mix has a comparatively long life. They live on an average between 10-14 years. 

Health Issues

As with all other dogs, the lab pit mix is susceptible to a few health issues. The illnesses are mainly genetic and passed down by the parent breeds. Two of the most common diseases are passed by the labrador.

Hip Dysplasia- when the thighbone does not fit the hip joint, this disease occurs. Some dogs depict pain and become lame on one or both rear legs, but there is no discomfort with this illness. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy- this is a type of eye disorder that can ultimately cause blindness. This is caused by the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. 

Regular vet checkups and good care of the dog can help rule out issues early on. Prevention is better than care, more so in dogs, because some situations can become untreatable. 

Diet

The pitbull retriever mix requires a lot of food to sustain its energy. An adult dog will have an intake of 1500-2000 calories a day. This means 4 cups of kibbles a day. 

As puppies, they require 12g of protein per kg of their body weight and 8% of their diet in fat form. When they reach adulthood, it should be reduced to 2.62g of protein per kg of their body weight and 5% of their diet in fat form.

To Conclude

Buying these dogs from a reputable breeder can increase your chances of preventing your dog from suffering from any health conditions. Trusted breeders care for their animals and check the health of both parent breeds. They do not crossbreed if there is a chance of any of the issues being passed down to the offspring. 

The lab pit mix was created to get the best of both worlds- labrador retrievers and pitbulls. They are loving, loyal, and intelligent. They make very good family puppers because both the parent breeds love being around people, kids, and pets too. Pitbulls have a slandered reputation for being aggressive, but put in the right home, they are the most adorable companions. 

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