Last Updated on December 27, 2020 by Dogs Vets
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What is a German Sheprador, German Shepherd Lab Mix or Black lab German Shepherd Mix?
The Great German Shepherd Labrador Mix, also known as a Lab German Shepherd Mix, also known as a Sheprador, is what you get when a German Shepherd mates with a Labrador (which states the obvious).
Since these dogs are about the same size, the mother can be of any breed as long as she is larger than the father to avoid difficulties at birth.
As is the case with most mixed breed dogs, it’s a bit of a gamble as to what you’ll get when these two get together.
They could have the pointy ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There’s nothing left to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, and it turns out that they should look good.
Sheprador – German Shepherd Mix Overview
- Body Size – 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds
- Coat – Medium length, double coat, color varies
- Shedding – Yes
- His Lifespan – 10–14 years
- Temperament – Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers
- Training Abilities – Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored
- Temperament – Highly active (needs two hours of activity per day)
- Best For – This dog loves Families and love people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them
German Sheprador History
The German Shepherd dog breed may have been in existence naturally over the years, but designer breeders intentionally began mixing German Shepherds and Labradors in North America in the 1990s.
See also: The Rottweiler Dog History, Breed, Diet, Cost, Size, Training
Breeders were looking to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health issues that affect many purebreds and create the ultimate family companion and guard dog. They continued to create German Shepherds as the demand for mixed breed puppies increased.
Although the German Shepherd began as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the dog for you.
Check your local shelters, look for German Shepherd rescues or contact breed-specific German Shepherd and Labrador rescues, as they sometimes help repopulate mixed breeds.
Black lab German Shepherd Mix Size
Since both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium to large dogs, you can assume that their mixed offspring will be the same.
German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall.
Labradors are just a bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall.
So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to be between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents.
Sheprador Color
The color of these beautiful mixed breed dogs also varies greatly, and you may get a puppy with a solid coat color like Labs or a striking mixed color like German Shepherds. Much of this depends on the color of the Labrador parents, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate.
Sheprador Coat
When it comes to coat length, in most cases you should expect your Lab German Shepherd mix to have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of Lab German Shepherd mixes have this type of coat.
See also: 8 things you should know before getting a German Shepherd Husky mix
The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a characteristic of both breeds. The undercoat is soft and fluffy and the protective coat is rough.
This means that they shed a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if someone in the household suffers from allergies.
Black lab German Shepherd Mix Temperament
While temperament is again unpredictable in mixed breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active and loyal dogs. So you can expect their offspring to share these traits.
German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They tend to protect everything they consider theirs.
Labradors were originally bred as hunting dogs to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to find favor, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans.
Since both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect to see these traits in a Sheprador.
Whether it’s a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers or a lover that is great with children, you’ll have to wait and see.
See also: Australian Shepherd Dog, Price, Size, Temperament and Colors
Watching their parents’ behavior can be a rough guide, but in most cases, you’ll be looking at the German Shepherd’s parents to make sure they aren’t being too diligent in their guard duty.
While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, you should be careful when bringing a German Shepherd mix into a family home or if you are a first time dog owner.
German Shepherd Lab Mix (Sheprador) Personality
Whatever their personality turns out to be, you will have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working will need about two hours of exercise per day.
Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when bored, they can be prone to destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. You should not leave Shepradors at home for hours at a time.
They do best with active owners with whom they can go for walks, hikes and runs. Whether these dogs like to swim is a coin toss.
While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more cautious. Because of their size and adventurous nature, they can be trained to love the water.
So, you have a good chance of your Lab German Shepherd mix becoming a swimmer.
How to provide care for The German Shepherd Lab Mix
Caring for a German Shepherd Lab Mix starts with love. These dogs are loyal and love to be with their humans.
You will find them happiest and healthiest if you make them a part of the family and shower them with love. But let’s get into the details.
Exercise
Typically, your Sheprador will need about 2 hours of exercise daily. This can be more than just a long walk, as they also enjoy running due to their high energy levels.
They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you by their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means that this breed will likely enjoy a good game of fetch.
Always Keep in mind that these dogs need that level of rain or shine, or they will get frustrated and engage in destructive behavior.
These dogs can also be prone to obesity if they don’t get enough exercise. Not only is this bad for them in general, but it can also put undue pressure on their hips, which are also prone to problems.
Intellectual Stimulation
German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train, but also means they get bored very quickly.
When they get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble and you can come home to explore the scene.
These dogs need to spend time with people to keep their minds occupied, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating play. However, expect them to complete these challenges in a short amount of time, as they are chewers. You will be giving them new games quite often.
Companionship
Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait that their offspring are likely to share with German Shepherds.
This is not the kind of dog that you can leave home alone for 12 hours a day while you work. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can also become depressed.
How to care for your German Shepherd Lab Mix
Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shepherds, so you can be sure that their Sheprador offspring will be too.
This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They need to be brushed at least twice a week and even once a day during shedding season (fall and spring).
In addition to brushing, invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner with special features that allow you to pick up dog hair.
These dogs also probably like to jump on the couch to snuggle and snooze. Invest in covers and make sure your fancy vacuum has an upholstery attachment.
Their fur isn’t the only part of their grooming they need to take care of. They need to clean their teeth three times a week with a brush or dental treatments. If you want to learn more about this, read our article on how to clean your dog’s teeth and why this is important.
It is also important to clean the ears regularly, about once a week, because bacteria, yeasts and parasites live inside their ears. Learn how to clean your dog’s ears here.
Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is for both their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a large dog like this, it may be a good idea to take them to the vet to have their nails trimmed. However, if you’re confident about doing this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers.
Diet
German Shepherd Lab Mixes are very large dogs that have a lot of energy, but they are also prone to obesity, which means they need to get their energy from good sources. This means high quality protein and fats versus carbohydrates.
How much does a Sheprador cost?
Expect to pay $800 or more for a Sheprador puppy. German Shepherd Labrador mix breeders can be found fairly easily. This is a more common designer dog breed so it is easier to find a puppy.
Black Lab German Shepherd Mix FAQ
- Is a German Shepherd Labrador mix a good dog?
German Shepherd Labrador Mixes are magnificent dogs, which is not surprising since they bring together two of the most popular dogs in the world.
They are very intelligent and so are easy to train, affectionate and loyal, so they quickly feel part of the family.
However, they require a lot of exercise and attention, so adding a Sheprador to your family is definitely a commitment.
- Are German Shepherd Lab Mixes Aggressive?
German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it’s not really deserved.
They are natural guard dogs and reserved with strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack.
They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means they are easy to control.
Their offspring with Labradors are likely to have these traits, but also the friendlier attitude of a Labrador, making them very unlikely to be aggressive.
What is the best German shepherd mix?
German Shepherds mix well with Golden Retrievers (Golden Shepherd) and Siberian Huskies (Shepsky), along with Labradors.
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What is the most friendliest dog?
Labradors are among the friendliest dogs out there, but they are not alone. Beagles, poodles, boxers, golden retrievers and spaniels are also extremely friendly dogs, many of which were bred specifically to be companions.
The conclusion on black lab german shepherd mix
German Shepherd Labrador Mixes are adorable dogs that make great pets, but require a lot of exercise, love and attention, which means they are not ideal for every household.
They do best with active people or families that are full of people who love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when properly cared for.
This means training them properly, exercising them, stimulating them mentally, and feeding them well. But these loyal doggies will repay your care and commitment with lots of love and affection.
See also: Pandemic isolation – Dogs are making life easy for nursing home residents
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Reference: labradortraininghq.com
