Doberman Labrador mix, also known as Doberdor, is a designer breed that encompasses the loyal, alert, muscular physique of the Doberman Pinscher with the amiable, dignified appearance of the Labrador Retriever. Loyal, intelligent, and protective, these unique breeds inherited some of their parents’ best qualities. Doberdors make exceptional guard dogs, and they will quickly become reliable and protective towards their human family. However, they are also a super active breed that requires lots of playtime and exercise. Therefore, they are not suited for apartment living–ideally, a safe, fenced-in yard and access to off-leash parks is enough to meet their necessities.
Early socialization and obedience training from a very young age is essential for Doberman Labrador mixes, as they may inherit the Doberman’s guarding inclinations or the Labrador’s over-excitable disposition. However, once your Doberdor is socialized early and is trained to live with other pets, mainly dogs, you will have a large dog with boundless energy and good service or security.
Table of Contents
Doberman Labrador Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Very happy and playful
Need constant training
Less grooming required
Need lot of exercises
Loyal and intelligent
Requires ample space to move around
Family dog
Separation Anxiety
Doberman Labrador Mix Basic Information
Name: Doberman Labrador Mix
Origin: USA
Height: 21 to 28 inches
Weight: 50 to 80 pounds
Size: Medium to large
Coat: Short but shaggy or long but thin
Color: Black, chocolate, tan, fawn, yellow, white, blue, red
Energy: High
Activities: Companion dogs, Sports, Agile, Guarding, Tracking, Rescue, Service dogs
Agility, Conformation, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Obedience, Rally
Complications in Breeding
No
No
Litter Size
6 to 8 puppies
6 puppies
Life Span
9 to 13 years
10 to 15 years
Other Names
Alsatian, Deutscher Schaeferhund
Labrador
Doberman Labrador Mix Personality
Doberdors are known for the following personalities:
Affectionate and agile
Loyal and smart
Friendly and outgoing
Playful and intelligent
Independent and people-pleasing
Being a hybrid, Doberdors will have an unpredictable personality as its physical characteristics are dependent on the parental gene expressed in the canine. Doberdors are medium to large-sized designer dogs with solid, athletic body structures, long pointed or drooping floppy ears, bright round eyes, well-muscled neck, broad-chested, forelegs parallel and well built, higher and lower shanks are of equal length, water-friendly tails, and long noses. Generally, Dobermans have short coats and Labs have long double coats, the Doberdors can have short or long coats depending on the dominant parent breed. They come in colors, including blue, black, chocolate, yellow, white, fawn, and red.
The Doberman roots have given them their guarding instinct, making Doberdors an exceptional watchdog and training them to become more efficient. They can control their barking to occasions that may call for your awareness or attention of something they suspect. Always make sure not to leave them unsupervised around children to avoid any unfavorable incident caused by their large bodies and extreme energy. They are smart, brilliant, curious, intuitive, and you can efficiently guide or train them with commands or tricks and utilize this time as a bonding exercise.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
Medium
Family-friendly
Medium to High
Children-friendly
Medium
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Low
Adaptability Overview
Apartment living
Low
Good for new owners
Low
Sensitivity level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low
Tolerates hot weather
Medium to high
Tolerates cold weather
Low
Doberman Labrador Mix Temperament
Doberdors are known for the following temperaments:
Kind and caring
Loving and playful
Protective and loyal
Attentive and energetic
Very smart and fearless
Snuggle bug
An ideal supervisor/watchdog.
Excellent for children.
Exceptional guard dog
Suppose the discipline and consistency of training and socialization are not there. In that case, all of the threats inherent in both purebred parent breeds can manifest in a Doberdor. Lack of continuous training and early socialization will produce willful disobedience, aggression, separation anxiety, destructiveness, inability to distinguish friend from foe, and other undesirable behavioral issues. Athletic, elegant, and perfectly groomed Doberdors are winning hearts. However, they require a consistent but loving owner who has experience with large-sized dogs. Both the parent breeds are noted for their guarding and defense capabilities. They will safeguard their family, patrol their premises, and can even foresee dangers and threats. Doberdors can be a unique family guardian and devoted companion with a solid bond for you, mainly kids.
Doberman Labrador Mix Training
A Doberman Labrador mix might indicate an independent nature, making them feel dominant, so they will require firm but positive training to establish you as the real pack leader. However, they will appreciate being trained by a skilled trainer and seek to please, making training sessions relatively effortless. Doberdor puppies must be socialized with other pets, animals, and people to become familiar even when fully grown. Being a susceptible designer breed, you must evade harsh treatment, yelling, and punishments, possibly making them more determined. These hybrids stem from parent breeds known for their intelligence, it is highly recommended that pet owners continuously train their Doberdor in maintaining socialization skills and attaining mental stimulation. Brain stimulation is just as crucial as body training, so they should not be left alone for long periods. They might get anxious and nervous, resulting in excessive barking or chewing off shoes, sofas, or other objects.
Here are some of the training activities that you need to do with your Doberdor:
Doberman Labrador mixes are working dogs who require sufficient mental and physical stimulation. Hence, these large, high-energy canines need at least two hours of daily exercise to keep them fit and maintain their energy. If you fail to let your dog release their excessive energy positively, Doberdors will display detrimental and anxious behaviors.
Here are the best long-lasting toys that are ideal for large breed dogs such as a Doberman Labrador:
Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy
KONG Tires Extreme Dog Toy
Jumbo Tennis Ball
You can meet your Doberdor’s daily exercise needs by:
Grooming requirements depend entirely on the parent breed traits that your Doberdor inherits the most. For instance, if your Doberdor has inherited the Doberman’s coat, the offspring will have a thin and shiny coat that requires occasional grooming. However, daily brushing is essential for dogs with Labrador’s long coats.
Doberman Labrador mix is not a hypoallergenic breed and requires minimal maintenance for its well-fitted tailored coat. Doberdor’s grooming requirements are as follows:
The Doberdor may inherit the health problems of its parent breeds. As much as possible, have your pup checked by a veterinarian to rule out any health disorder. It would help if you did this as soon as you take them home from a breeder, pound, or shelter.
Health Overview
Basic health
Medium to high
Weight gain possibilities
Medium to high
Size
Large
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Between 40% and 60% of Dobermans in the US and Canada develop this disorder. A condition that is considered to be congenital in many large dog breeds. The disorder impacts an enlarged heart and ultimately heart failure.
Hypothyroidism: Athyroid condition that results in lowered metabolism and weight gain. This can be curable with appropriate medication and diet.
Bloat: Puppies with deep and narrow chests are more inclined to develop this potentially deadly disease.
Causes Of Bloat:
Exercise vigorously after eating
Drink large volumes of water after eating
Eating rapidly
When they are fed more than one large meal daily
Symptoms of Bloat:
Restlessness
Depression
Lethargy
Weakness
Excessive salivation
Retching without vomit
A distended abdomen
Wobbler syndrome: An inherited disease that affects dogs through a cervical vertebral flux or malformed spinal canal.
Symptoms:
Spinal cord compression
Paralysis of the legs
Neck pain
Von Willebrand’s disease: A genetic blood dysfunction clashes with its clot capability. The main symptom is severe bleeding after surgery or injury.
Hepatitis – Dobermans are predisposed to developing chronic liver disorder once they reach middle age. Regular blood screenings from an early age will allow for diagnosis of this disease before physical symptoms are evident.
Heart disease: A disorder that causes irregular heart rhythm and heart murmurs. A veterinarian can diagnose this disease through an ECG or an X-ray.
Canine hip dysplasia: Labs and Dobermans commonly struggle with this disease, passing it on to their heirs.
Cancer: The Doberman has a higher life expectancy than Labs, so they are prone to cancer as they grow older. This fatal disease can be healed by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy.
Entropion: A condition that occurs when the eyelid moves inward, damaging the eyeball from eyelashes and irritating the surface. In severe possibilities, entropion can develop a corneal ulcer.
Minor Conditions:
Allergies
Myotonia
Osteosarcoma
Cataracts
Ear infections
Joint Dysplasia
Serious Conditions:
Bloat
Entropion
Hip Dysplasia
Gastric torsion
Cancer
Development Issues
Heart Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus: A hormonal disorder when the body cannot regulate blood sugar. Common indications are excessive thirst and weight loss.
Obesity: A disorder common in both Doberman and Labrador. Therefore, it is vital to check their diet to prevent becoming obese.
Mange: A deadly skin disease caused by fungi, bacteria, or parasitic infection called mites. The signs that are associated with mange are:
Irritation and itching
Dandruff on the coat but not hair loss
Excessive scratching or movements near the face and ears
Scabs or sores in the affected area
Reddish-brown patches on the skin
Canine hemophilia: A condition that can cause extreme bleeding and extends wound healing. There is no remedy for this blood disease, but it is manageable. Hence, it is vital to identify this disease at an early age.
Narcolepsy: A neurological condition that affects the brain’s regulation of wake-sleep patterns. An affected canine may suddenly fall asleep.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Many eye infections involve the retina’s slow deterioration. In the initial phases, puppies become night-blind. As it progresses, they lose their eyesight during the daytime as well. However, most canines slowly adapt to their slight or complete sight loss as long as their home surroundings remain the same.
Doberman Labrador Mix Diet and Nutrition
The Doberman Labrador mix is an energetic and heavily muscled dog that requires a lot of energy for proper growth and body maintenance. Therefore, they need protein-dense and nutritious, preferably wet or dry large-sized edibles in moderation as per their regular diet; else, they manage to put on weight quickly. Also, the food you serve your dog should be calcium-rich to keep them away from diseases like hip dysplasia.
When it comes to feeding your Doberdor, you will need to:
Feed a pup 1.5 lbs to 0.5 lbs cups daily.
Feed an adult around 3 cups or 1 lb of food daily (Split their meals into 2-3 courses a day accordingly).
Here are some of the canine food brands that will work accurately with Doberdor dogs:
Wellness Core Dog Food
Nutra Thrive dog food supplement
Merrick Grain-Free Real Buffalo + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
Doberman Lab mixes are not advised for apartment living because of their exercise needs and high energy.
They are more suitable to live on a ranch, farm, or a house with a big yard.
If you are a novice owner, Doberdor is not ideal for you.
They are a little more sensitive than many other dog hybrids.
They should never be left alone for long periods, especially without toys to keep them active.
Adding Doberman Labrador Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember before Adding Doberman Labrador Mix to Your Family
Before you adopt/buy a pup from a breeder, you should guarantee they care for both the puppies and the parents. Also, the breeder should be willing to show you to any part of the places where they let their canines so you can check and guarantee that it is clean and safe. Eventually, you must check their parent’s genealogy and health and the puppy’s vaccination documents and gene testing certificates.
Cost of a Doberman Labrador Mix
The cost of a Doberman Labrador puppy can range from approximately $700 to $1500, depending on the breeder.
