Labradane : All About This Labrador Retriever x Great Dane Mix
Quick Guide
As a man once famously said, with great power comes great responsibility. And there is no power greater and more important than that which sustains life and takes care of beings under its control.
Dogs weren’t always the domesticated friends that they are today. They were once wild creatures with rabid instincts and feral mannerisms. But through years of dedicated training and breeding, humans brought this species under their control.
And with that control has come an explosion in dog variants, ranging from the pug to the Yorkshire terrier poodle mix. Few things are as satisfying and fulfilling as having a warm furry companion who loves you through thick and thin. And one such breed that excels in this role is the Labradane – a Great Dane and Labrador Retriever mix.
They’re loving, friendly beasts that are sure to be a great fit with your family, but like other popular breeds such as the pomchis and goldendoodles, learning all you can before springing for one can make the difference between a mutually beneficial fit and a tragic parting. Here’s what you need to know.
Introduction to the Labradane Dog Breed
You’ll find them to be playful, loyal, and affectionate. They’re well-known for being large dogs, which act much meeker and friendlier than their stature seems to imply. In fact, one might call them gentle giants, much like the kind creatures that show up in the pages of kids’ fantasy novels.
With proper care and love, they’ll form deep and compassionate bonds both with adults and children. And if you’re in the mood for a bit of social activity and playtime, they’re always up to the task. They’re super social and will always be up for some quality time together.
And because of their extra-large size, they’ll quickly grab the attention of passersby while out on a walk, adding a bit of flavor to your life and routine.
Labradane Pictures
Identifying a labradane by sight is crucial, especially if you’re looking in a pound or adoption center to pick one up. Thankfully, they’re very distinctive, and with a bit of research, you should be able to pick them out by looking at them with ease. Keep reading below to see a set of pictures of labradanes of all sizes, stripes, and shape.
What Is It like Owning a Labradane?
Like owning any dog, particularly those of a larger breed, there is a lot to consider beyond the initial cuteness factor. For instance, you have to consider what the dog needs to live, including room and space requirements, a healthy diet, and an adequate amount of exercise and loving attention.
Of course, there are some things specific to the gentle giant soon to be residing in your home. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Expect a heavy end weight of 100 to 180 pounds that might make it difficult to carry or bring the dog anywhere outside of the home.
- Though they may be large and intimidating on the surface, their actual behavior is anything but. They’re sweet and extremely loving, acting almost like oversized puppies.
- They have an affectionate and playful attitude which means you can enjoy your time with them no matter what you’re doing.
- This designer dog breed is one of the species that became popular during the 1980s and is a cross of two crowd-favorite big dogs, meaning it has the lovable traits of both.
- Expect this breed to love people, act well around children, and be eager to please their owners. Also, look for an outgoing and friendly nature and a high level of intelligence when dealing with common problems that arise.
- Be careful around them if you’re on the small side, as their bubbly nature means they may be overly enthusiastic, accidentally bumping into or knocking you over when you least expect it.
- They will typically be careful around strangers, though they shouldn’t bark or get aggressive unless a real threat is detected.
Labradane Breed Information
So now you know a little bit about labradanes. They’re an interesting mix of two very likable dog personalities, creating a result that is just as infectiously fun and lovable as you might expect. They clock in at a rather hefty size, meaning you’ll need the strength to keep them in line and carry them around when needed.
Also, look out for a high level of intelligence and an energetic attitude that ensures you’ll always be on your toes – in a good way. Don’t expect them to be the ideal guard dogs, as they are naturally too sweet to get in the face of any intruders, though their size may suffice to scare away most people.
Be aware that they will shed occasionally. Their coats are short, thick and glossy, and can come in colors ranging from golden to white to chocolate and brindle.
Labradane Cost – How Much Are Labradanes?
If you can find a labradane in a pound or shelter, which may be difficult as they are a cute and well-loved breed that will regularly be adopted rapidly, you can expect a lower overall cost, especially when compared to buying it from a breeder.
Depending on the animal organization in question, you can expect donation fees anywhere from $50 to $350 or more. This is often the most ethical choice as it gets the dogs out of a bad situation where they might never get taken to home or, even worse, put to sleep.
On the other hand, if you can’t find a labradane in your local humane societies and animal organizations, it can make sense to find a specialized breeder. This species shouldn’t be hard to find as it’s a popular designer dog breed, beloved and prized by many families and prospective dog owners. You can expect a price point ranging anywhere from $500 to $1500.
Of course, initial fees are only one small part of the equation. When taking in a dog, there’s several additional costs and procedures that might have to be considered.
For instance, you might need to get your dog spayed or neutered, which can cost another couple hundred dollars. You’ll also need other items like food, appropriate licensing, collar, leashes and identification tags, grooming equipment, and routine veterinary care.
Other optional expenses that you might want to consider include permanent identification methods via a microchip or tattoo, training classes, a bed and toys, a crate or carrier, as well as spare collars and leashes. All told, the extra goodies and expenses can run you another couple hundred bucks, or more, depending on whether specialized care is needed over time.
Still, while it’s a hefty investment to pick up a labradane, or indeed any dog, if you can afford it, you’ll be well rewarded with love, affection, and a great canine companion for years and years to come.
Are Labradanes Good Apartment Dogs?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to whether a labradane will be well-suited for an apartment or not.
One is strictly against this breed for apartment dwellers simply due to the massive size of the dog. In fact, within the first 6 months, you’ll notice dramatic and rapid growth that might make it a pain to fit into a small space. The dog needs space to roam, and without it, you might find both yourself and your pet feeling cramped and suffocated.
However, the other argument goes that based on the two breeds it’s mixed with, the labradane might do okay in a limited apartment setting. The reason is that dogs of this kind can quickly acclimate to a smaller setting.
In fact, while they may be energetic, that mobility can easily be diffused outside of the house with frequent sidewalk and park trips where they can let off its excess energy. In fact, their cousins, the great dane, don’t need as much exercise as many other similarly sized dogs, implying that even for your labradane, you might not need as much movement and space as you think.
They’re also a markedly calm breed, quiet and easily trained, meaning they likely won’t generate chaos within your apartment.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and how comfortable you’ll feel living with a larger dog in what could be a much smaller space.
What Are Some Common Labradane Health Issues?
Unfortunately, like all living things, health issues can crop up. While many of these can be avoided by maintaining a lean body mass and reduced body fat (meaning feeding healthy and reasonable portions), which also directly ties into their expected lifespan, there are still some common health issues that you should keep an eye out for.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – These are developmental disorders caused by lax joints and dysmorphic formation. It can result in excess wearing of the bone over time, eventually culminating in the severe issue of osteoarthritis, or arthrosis, and even degenerative joint disease. To prevent this from happening, feed your dog a healthy diet, and allow for a healthy amount of exercise.
- Bloating and Indigestion – This can again be alleviated with a healthy diet and good amounts of exercise.
- Panosteitis – These are initial growing pains caused by an inflamed long bone that will present as a limp when your dog is young. Typically a vet can prescribe an anti-inflammatory with this condition passing as your breed gets older.
Are Labradanes Hard to Train?
This breed is intelligent and eager to please, meaning it’ll pick up commands quickly when delivered consistently and firmly. Use positive rewards-based approaches to adjust for the sensitive temperament of this breed. Make sure to train and socialize your dog from a young age, as it will be harder to train it when it gets large and energetic.
What Colors Do Labradanes Come in?
Their coat can come in varieties including black, chocolate, brown, brindle, white, cream, merle, golden, and fawn.
How Big Do Labradanes Get?
Unlike labradors, which can be struck by disproportionate but thankfully not health-related dwarfism, labradanes generally grow to a large size. They can reach 24 to 30 inches, with the weight coming in anywhere from 100 to 180 pounds.
Are Labradanes Good with Kids?
Due to its sweet and pleasing demeanor, the labradane gets along very well with children. It’ll be both playful and protective, meaning you can trust it to take care of and amuse your kids even while you’re gone. The only caveat is that they can sometimes forget about their weight and potentially knock over your children due to their large size and energetic nature.
4 Fun Facts You Should Know About Labradanes
- One fun fact to know about labradanes is their lifespan. On average, they can live between 8 to 12 years, meaning you’ll have a faithful pal for many years to come.
- Labradanes may be smart and capable of carrying out tasks, but they can also be stubborn and refuse to follow commands in a spirited way.
- This breed loves to eat. Their food-focus makes it easy to train them, but it also means that you need to be careful not to feed them too much, lest they run into obesity or health issues.
- Both its parent breeds do well as service dogs, like for seeing-eye purposes. As a result, you can expect the labradane to be just as intelligent and helpful in your day to day life if you train them appropriately.
Conclusion
Buying a dog is a big decision that can entirely change the course of your life, not to mention the shifts it’ll bring into your day-to-day routine. But despite this upheaval and the amount of money you’ll have to put down to house and care for a labradane well, it can definitely be a worthwhile purchase.
If you’re looking for a partner or new family member, you could do much worse than this gentle, playful, loving, and fast-learning breed. What are you waiting for? Get one today!
