Is a smart, affectionate Pitbull Lab mix the right dog for you?

A Pitbull Lab mix is an energetic dog created by crossing a Labrador Retriever and an American Pitbull Terrier. 

Both the parent breeds are friendly and intelligent, so it’s safe to say that the Pitbull Lab mix will inherit positive traits from both its parents. The dogs are smart, obedient, and courageous.

The dogs — Labrador Pitbull mixes, Pitadors, or Labrabulls — come in various colors, but the most common is black with white accents.

They have short, sparse coats that don’t do well in extreme weather conditions.

The Pitbull Labrador mix is a social creature that thrives on companionship. They don’t like being alone for long periods and may become destructive if isolated.

But if you’re looking for a fun-loving friend to play with, look no further.

If you’re considering a Pitbull Lab mix, keep reading to learn about this breed. Let’s start by talking about the parent breeds.

Meet the parents

The American Pitbull Terrier is one of the parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab mix.

This breed descended from the English Pitbull Terrier and was initially used in dog fighting.

Although the dogs may have a slightly bad reputation due to their temperament, training, and supervision can help manage them.

The other parent breed, the Labrador Retriever, is one of America’s most popular dog breeds, known for their happy-puppy faces and friendly disposition.

This mid-size breed has no significant temperament issues but sheds a lot, and routine maintenance can help control it.

Pitbull Lab Mix history

Pitbull Lab Mixes have been around for years but were first intentionally bred in the late 1990s.

Designer breeders wanted to mix American Pit Bull Terriers and Labrador Retrievers to create a healthier pup, and the demand for these mixed-breed dogs has climbed ever since.

Though they’re usually bred by design, some Pitador pups end up in shelters or with rescue groups.

If you want to adopt one of these dogs, consider checking your local shelters or contacting a Labrabull or breed-specific rescue organization.

Labrabull characteristics

There are few standards for the Labrabull breed regarding size since it is relatively new.

A Labrador Retriever and American Pitbull Terrier mix weighs 45 to 90 pounds and stands 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder. 

Appearance

Labrabulls inherit the coat traits of their parents and commonly come in black, white, gray, brown, yellow, and silver. Most Labrabulls have a black base fur color with white accents.

Their coats are mostly short and not too dense. Grooming is easy–a simple brush down once a week should suffice, along with an occasional bath.

Since the dogs have a single coat, they tend to struggle in extreme weather conditions. You might need to put a coat on your Labrabull in winter, and during summer months, be sure to apply sunscreen to areas without much fur coverage, like the ears or nose.

Temperament 

Pitbull Lab Mix dogs are friendly and affectionate but need plenty of attention and exercise to stay happy.

These pups are loyal and loving, and their high energy levels make them great playmates.

But be careful not to leave them alone for too long — they can get depressed without companionship.

Labrabulls need early training. They want to please their owners and love positive reinforcement.

While the breed makes a great companion for single people or families, there may be better choices for first-time dog owners.

The dogs can become anxious and destructive when left alone for long periods.

Health issues

A healthy Pitbull Lab Mix can live for up to 14 years. You can lengthen your dog’s lifespan with proper training, high-protein dog food, and loving home.

If the dog has healthy parents, it’s less likely to get sick, but Pitadors are prone to health issues.

Common health problems include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy, bloat, and hypothyroidism.

Be sure to start with vet care early and continue to bring your Labrabull in for regular veterinary checkups.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a painful, crippling genetic condition that often affects larger breeds of dogs and is caused by the sloppy breeding of two dysplastic parents.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative condition that affects the retina.

The condition primarily deteriorates the rods and cones, cells that perceive light, movement, and color.

The disease can also break down the pigmented epithelium, a layer that helps protect the rods and cones. This process eventually leads to blindness.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Dogs suffering from canine obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to display obsessive behaviors — shadow or light chasing, tail chasing, fly snapping, excessive barking, sucking, chewing, spinning, or fixating on particular objects.

Medical problems, boredom, improperly learned play habits, injury, anxiety, and lack of socialization or training are underlying causes for compulsive behavior.

Work with your vet and a trainer to help your dog overcome obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common canine neurological disorders. It refers to a disease characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures due to an abnormality in the brain.

This condition can be inherited, caused by structural problems in the brain, or stem from an unknown cause.

Bloat

There are two main types of bloat. 

Gastric dilation (GD) occurs when the stomach fills with gas.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) occur when the distended stomach twists. 

The gas gets trapped in the stomach and expands, causing the organ to twist, putting pressure on vital organs, and reducing blood flow to the heart.

Bloat can also tear the walls of the stomach and make breathing difficult.

Hypothyroidism

Canine hypothyroidism is an immune disorder commonly caused by either lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy. The condition is heritable, meaning genetics plays a role in its development.

Idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy occurs when fat tissue replaces normal thyroid tissue. This condition also needs to be better understood.

These two causes of hypothyroidism account for more than 95% of dog cases. The other five percent are due to rare diseases, including thyroid gland cancer.

Proper care

Feed your Pitbull Lab Mix high-quality, high-protein food to keep your dog healthy and help them develop a smooth and silky coat.

To keep your dog healthy, start regular vet checks early and maintain them throughout your dog’s life so your vet can help keep it healthy.

Labrabulls are high-energy dogs and need at least an hour of exercise daily. Without adequate exercise, Labrador Pitbull mixes can become stressed or anxious if they don’t release that energy. They also are prone to weight gain without enough exercise.

Check your Labrabull’s ears for debris and pests daily, and clean them as your vet recommends.

Trim the dog’s nails once or twice monthly before they get too long. Their nails shouldn’t click against the floor when they walk. 

Another important aspect of your Labrabull’s care is maintaining oral health.

This breed is prone to tartar buildup, so brushing their teeth at least twice a week is essential. Daily brushing is even better for preventing gum disease and bad breath. 

Family pets

The Pitbull Lab Mix is an excellent family dog breed. They are friendly and sociable and get along great with kids and other pets. But like all dogs, they will need some proper training. 

This dog breed is highly intelligent and thus easy to train. Pitbull lab mixes also love learning new tricks, so you can keep them engaged by teaching them something new occasionally.

Labrabulls make great playmates for kids because they are sturdy, energetic, and tolerant. However, no dog should ever be left unsupervised with children.

Teach kids not to pull on the Pitador’s ears or tail and never to approach a sleeping or eating dog.

If you expose your Labrabull to other animals and train them to interact safely, the dogs will likely be friendly with other pets too.

Bottom line: Should you get a Pitbull Lab Mix puppy?

Pitbull Lab Mixes are great dogs for families with children.

These loyal dogs are loving and gentle but have a playful side that loves to be active.

This breed is not as aggressive as its parent breed, the American Pitbull Terrier. Instead, it has a soft side like the Labrador Retriever, which makes a Pitbull Lab Mix a great companion for life.