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If you are looking for a large breed that is both a playful family dog and a reliable guard dog for your property, then a Doberman Lab mix, also known as a Laberman or a Doberador, might be a great choice!
The Doberman Labrador is a mix of an intelligent and friendly Labrador Retriever with a Doberman Pinscher, which brings size, energy, guard dog skills, and a low-shedding coat to the table.
Combined, you get the best of both worlds when it comes to family pets and guard dogs.
However, there is no denying these are big dogs with lots of energy that need lots of space, exercise, and attention. Generally, they prefer to live on a spacious family property and not in an apartment.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the Doberman Lab mix and decide whether one of these unique dogs is the right canine companion to make a part of your family.
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Doberman Labrador Mix: Vital Statistics
- Mix Breed: Doberman Pinscher and Labrador Retriever
- Height: 24 – 28 inches
- Weight: 60 – 100 pounds
- Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
- Low shedding
- Black, chocolate, tan, or fawn
- Intelligent
- Excellent guard dog
- Needs lots of space
- High energy
- Doesn’t like to be left alone
Parent Breeds’ Origins And History
The Doberman Lab mix is one of many designer mixed breed dogs that emerged around the 1990s as breeders started to experiment more with combining already-popular breeds.
It has had more staying power than many other designer dogs that emerged at this time because it is an especially great breed for families looking for a dog to protect their property but still has the affectionate streak of a family pet.
Labrador retrievers are medium-to-large gun dogs that were bred in the United Kingdom from stock brought over from Canada specifically to retrieve game, even in wet conditions.
This means they were bred to love the water and have a soft mouth for retrieving.
They are also very intelligent dogs that enjoy working and are eager to please and therefore easy to train.
These characteristics have made them popular working dogs in assistance and service roles as well as popular family pets. However, they do require consistent grooming and shed heavily.
Meanwhile, Doberman Pinschers are even bigger dogs at around three to four inches taller than Labs. They were developed by a tax collector in Germany in the late 19th century.
He wanted an intelligent and strong dog that could protect him while working that looked impressive enough to put off most would-be thieves based on appearance alone.
The reputation of the Doberman as a “tough” dog was solidified in World War II when it was adopted by the United States Marine Corps as its official war dog.
Dobermans are brave and fearless when it comes to protecting their people. But despite their reputation, they aren’t naturally aggressive, and diligent and attentive owners can restrain them in most situations.
Nevertheless, they are commonly seen as police dogs, personal protection dogs, and guard dogs.
Doberman Lab Mix Appearance
The one thing you know about a Doberman Lab mix is they are going to be a pretty big dog! To account for the size difference between the different parent breeds, the mother will always be the Doberman.
Female Dobermans measure 25 to 27 inches in height and weigh 71 to 77 pounds. The males are quite a bit bigger, measuring up to 28 inches and weighing up to 100 pounds.
The mother will be mated with a male Labrador retriever that is a little bit smaller than her to maintain her and her pups’ safety during pregnancy.
Male Labs measure 22 to 22.5 inches tall and weigh 65 to 80 pounds.
This basically means you can expect your Doberman Lab mix to be 24 to 28 inches tall and weigh around 60 to 100 pounds, with the males being quite a bit larger than the females.
It is less predictable whether they will have the stockier but athletic body of a Labrador or the thinner and stronger body of a Doberman.
Overall, they tend to have a heavier look than your average Doberman. Additionally, they could also have either the pointed ears and snout of a Doberman or the slightly flatter face of a Lab with floppy ears.
One factor that breeders do tend to control for is their dogs’ coats, as they want to produce dogs with the low-shedding coat of a Doberman rather than the high-shedding double coat of a Labrador.
But it is not an exact science, so some Labramans can end up having more high-shedding coats. The thinner coat also means they are less tolerant of the water and the cold than a Labrador.
Doberman Labradors can have varying coat colors as well. They can be black, chocolate, tan, or fawn in color, and they can have a solid coat like a Lab or markings like a Doberman.
Doberman Lab Mix Temperament
Both Labrador retrievers and Dobermans are intelligent dogs, so you can expect the same from their offspring.
But while Labs are eager to please and therefore highly trainable, Dobermans are more independent and therefore more difficult to orient.
Nevertheless, they have proved themselves capable of completing the complex training required to become police dogs, and their independent thinking is helpful in unknown situations.
Most Labrador Doberman mixes will be very intelligent and even more trainable than your average Doberman, but you can expect a little bit of stubbornness, especially when food is involved.
Labs are very friendly dogs that like to make friends with everything they meet! This makes them great family pets, since they enjoy the company of children and other animals, but terrible guard dogs.
They don’t bark at much and will probably make friends with a would-be intruder.
Dobermans are loyal and bond quickly with their people, including children, and can get on well with other animals if properly socialized. However, they are much more wary of strangers.
They are quite mouthy and will bark in warning when they see something they don’t like. They are also very protective and will jump into action when they perceive a threat.
This will be barking and growling while placing themselves between their people and danger rather than biting.
With a Doberman Lab mix, you should expect something between the two. They are typically loving dogs that will get along great with your family but also raise the alarm when it comes to strangers.
They should be easy to control with a firm command if they have been properly trained, but you can expect them to be quite noisy dogs.
It is this balance that makes the Dobrador a great balance between a family pet and guard dog. Always use positive reinforcement rather than punishment to train your Doberman Lab mix.
It is more effective, and punishment can unintentionally trigger aggression.
Doberman Lab Mix Energy Levels
Both Labrador retrievers and Dobermans are high-energy dogs that need lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
Labrador Doberman mixes need at least an hour of exercise a day, preferably split over two or three different sessions.
A casual walk won’t do it; you need running and high-energy games to help them burn off energy.
These dogs consider themselves members of the family, and they won’t be happy to be outdoor dogs.
They will want to flop their huge frame down on the couch with you for a snuggle and always like to know what is going on in the house.
Nevertheless, they do need an outdoor space, as they will want to be moving around for a lot of the day. Their large size means this can be uncomfortable indoors, so a backyard is a must.
A larger property they can wander and defend will make them very happy.
The fact that they consider themselves part of the family also means they don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time.
Even if you leave them in the yard, they can develop anxiety if they are left alone for eight hours or so a day when everyone is out at school or work.
They really need a family that has time to spend time with them.
Watch their diet carefully, as both of their parent breeds tend to love food. It is easy for them to overindulge and put on weight.
We tend to want to show our dogs love through food, but this can do more harm than good. Remember, every treat contains calories, too!
A calorie-controlled diet that is high in animal-based proteins and healthy fats is ideal for high-energy dogs like a Doberman Lab mix.
Doberman Lab Mix Health
Overall, Labrador Doberman mix dogs are pretty healthy. They have more diverse genes than their parent breeds, which means they may be less prone to some of the illnesses that affect them.
However, their large size means elbow and hip dysplasia can be a major problem.
Elbow and hip dysplasia occurs when these joints don’t develop correctly. When the joints are misaligned, their movement becomes strained, resulting in a lot of pain.
While this is genetic, one major aggravating factor for this condition is too much exercise while growing.
Dobradors need lots of exercise as adults, but they shouldn’t be getting too much while they are still growing.
Until they are fully grown, which can take 18 months to two years, they should only get about five minutes of exercise per day per month of age.
So, at four months they need 20 minutes, at six months they need 30 minutes, and they should only be getting close to an hour a day once they are a year old.
Wobbler syndrome has also proven relatively common in this mixed breed. This is a neurological disease that affects the spine and neck of larger dogs.
If they develop the condition, you will notice it because their legs will become wobbly when walking. In about five percent of cases, this can progress to full paralysis.
Early and consistent vet check-ups can help prevent and monitor conditions like Wobbler syndrome.
How Much Is A Doberman Labrador Puppy?
Labrador puppies are already quite popular, and many breeders work with them.
This means you’ll likely find a puppy for less than $1,000.
Dobermans are harder to get your hands on, and you might pay almost twice that for a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Breeders working with Labramen are even rarer, so it is not uncommon for a puppy of this unique mixed breed to cost around $2,500.
Additionally, you may get lucky and find a Doberman Lab mix at a rescue or up for adoption.
They grow to be a lot bigger than people expect and need a lot of space, which are the main reasons that they end up in rescues.
The fact that they naturally bark quite a lot can also lead to them needing to find a new home.
FAQs About Doberman Labs
Are Doberman Lab mixes good dogs?
Doberman Lab mixes can be great dogs if you want a friendly-family pet that can also act as a guard dog. However, they are also big dogs that need lots of exercise, so they aren’t for everyone.
How big is a Lab Doberman mix?
Doberman Lab mix dogs are fairly large. They can measure anywhere from 24 to 28 inches and weigh 60 to 100 pounds. The males tend to be significantly larger than the females.
Why don’t apartments allow Dobermans?
When apartments restrict specific dogs, it usually comes down to size and perceived aggression. Dobermans are big dogs with a reputation for being aggressive and working as police dogs.
If Dobermans are not allowed in your apartment, a Doberman Lab mix will probably also be restricted.
Should You Adopt A Labrador Doberman Mix?
Labrador Doberman mix dogs make great pets. They can be loving family dogs that also protect your family and property.
But the main thing to remember is they are big dogs with lots of energy, so not everyone is capable of looking after them. You need the space, time, and energy yourself to exercise and train them.
Plus, they don’t do well when left alone every day.
However, if you have a fairly large property that needs a guard dog, and you want a pet to join you on physical adventures, then the Doberman Lab mix may be the perfect dog for you.
To recap, here are the breed’s statistics at a glance:
- Height: 24 – 28 inches
- Weight: 60 – 100 pounds
- Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
- Low shedding
- Black, chocolate, tan, or fawn
- Intelligent
- Excellent guard dog
- Needs lots of space
- High energy
- Doesn’t like to be left alone
If you are looking for other larger Labrador mixes, you can also check out our German Shepherd Lab profile.
If you are looking for something smaller, why not look into getting a Beagle Lab mix or a Corgi Lab mix?
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Doberman Lab Mix: Breed Need-To-Know was last modified: March 12th, 2023 by
