Pit Bull and Lab: 5 Things to Know About Labrabull

Labrabull
Josh Chavez/Shutterstock.com

Written by Kristin Hitchcock

Published: September 3, 2024

Share on:

Advertisement


The Labrabull is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Pit Bull. As a hybrid, these dogs can inherit any trait from their parents, so they are varied. You never know exactly what you’re going to get.

Some people claim that hybrids combine the best traits of their parents. However, hybrids can also combine all of the worst traits of their parent breeds.

The Labrador Retriever Pit Bull mix is an interesting mixed breed. It’s known for being friendly, loyal, and outgoing. However, its personality traits can vary a lot. It can make an excellent family pet for the right owner if trained and socialized correctly.

You need to do plenty of research before adopting one of these dogs, though. Below, you’ll find the five most important things to consider when getting a Labrabull.

1. You Never Know What They’ll Look Like

Labrabull

Labrabulls vary widely in physical characteristics, as they can look like either parent.

Because the Labrabull can inherit traits from its Labrador parent and Pit Bull parent, you never know exactly what you’ll get. These dogs vary widely.

Often, they stand between 18 to 24 inches and weigh up to 90 pounds. However, they can also fall outside of either of these ranges. Their size depends both on their nutrition and individual genetics.

They are often athletic dogs with a muscular build. A broad, strong chest is common, for instance. They often have characteristics from both parent breeds, though. Therefore, they may have floppy or erect ears.

You can expect these dogs to have a short, dense coat. The exact texture of the coat ranges from smooth to coarse. They can range in hue from black to brown to yellow. Because of how complicated coat genetics are, Labrabulls can sometimes have markings neither of their parents has.

2. They Can be Friendly

Labrador Retrievers and Pit Bulls are both rather friendly canines. Therefore, you’d expect their children to be, too. However, socialization is vital for this breed. While many are naturally outgoing, they can be high-stung and a bit too energetic. Therefore, it’s vital that you get them around different people, places, and animals from an early age.

These dogs thrive on human interaction. They need plenty of interaction with their humans every day, and this people-oriented nature will hopefully extend to strangers with proper socialization.

If raised correctly, these canines will greet just about anyone with a wagging tail.

Labrabulls naturally form strong bonds with their owners, making them highly devoted and protective.

On top of socialization, it’s important to get these dogs trained well. Because they’re so energetic, it can be hard for them to settle down and listen properly. Therefore, it’s extremely important that they’re trained well, or they may accidentally harm someone.

Labrabulls can be gentle and patient. They may be good options for families with children for this reason. They often form strong bonds with kids, especially when socialized early. However, it’s important to supervise these canines with children.

3. Labrabulls Can Be Lots of Work

Labrabull

Labrabulls are not for everyone because they are a relatively new breed, and there’s no way of knowing which parent they will take after.

Labrabulls aren’t easy to take care of in the least. They are extremely energetic and have high energy levels. Therefore, they need plenty of opportunities to exercise every day, making them best suited to active families.

Daily exercise is necessary to prevent boredom and help them burn off excess energy. They require brisk walks, jogging, playing fetch, and similar activities. If you’re looking for a dog that’ll spend most of the time cuddling on your couch, a Labrabull isn’t for you.

Many people gravely underestimate how much exercise these dogs need.

On top of that, Labrabulls also need a lot of mental stimulation. They need things to do, or they can quickly become bored and destructive. You’ll need to engage with them when you’re home and provide them with puzzle toys when you aren’t. They aren’t dogs that do well laying around the house all day.

4. They Tend to Be Healthy

Labrabulls are often very healthy dogs. As a mixed breed, they aren’t very likely to inherit any genetic conditions from their parents. They’re drawing from a larger genetic pool than purebred dogs, making them healthier.

However, they can be affected by some conditions, including:

  • Hip dysplasia: This condition affects the joints in the hips and can cause pain and lameness.
  • Elbow dysplasia: This condition affects the joints in the elbows and can cause pain and lameness.
  • Allergies: Labrabulls can be prone to environmental and food allergies.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This degenerative eye disease can lead to blindness.
  • Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder that can cause seizures.
  • Bloat: This serious condition can be fatal if not treated quickly. It occurs when the stomach twists and becomes blocked, preventing food and gas from passing through.

You can’t prevent all of these health problems. However, there are a few ways you can help your dog stay healthier.

For instance, feeding your canine an appropriate diet can help them stay at a healthy rate and reduce their risk for certain health problems, like hip dysplasia. You’ll also need to take your Labrabull to the vet for regular checkups, which will allow your vet to detect health conditions before they can become serious.

Where you get your dog from also matters. Ensure you’re adopting from a qualified breeder that does all the necessary health testing. Ask to meet the parents before taking your puppy home. One of the best ways to determine the health of a puppy is to look at the health of its parents.

5. They’re Often Called “Velcro” Dogs

Labrabulls are often called “Velcro” dogs because they can be extremely needy. They have a strong desire to please and need near-constant companionship. So, they tend to follow their owner (or whoever is available) around.

On the one hand, this can be a good thing. They’re very responsive to training, allowing them to be trained for nearly anything. Plus, they are very tolerant of children and love just about anyone (assuming they’re socialized properly).

On the other hand, this trait also makes them more prone to isolation anxiety and similar behavioral problems. It’s important that these dogs are taught how to be alone from a young age.

Ready to discover the top 10 cutest dog breeds in the entire world?

How about the fastest dogs, the largest dogs and those that are -- quite frankly -- just the kindest dogs on the planet? Each day, AZ Animals sends out lists just like this to our thousands of email subscribers. And the best part? It's FREE. Join today by entering your email below.

What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?

Share this post on:
About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.