The Doberdor is a very special breed and one that many people will fall in love with. They are perfect for anyone who wants a pooch that is intelligent, loyal and low-maintenance. It’s a perfect breed mix that inherits the best qualities of its parents.
The Doberdor is a mix of the Doberman Pinscher and the Labrador Retriever. It is a large dog and one that is popular due to its handsome looks and fantastic personality. They have the loving and sociable attributes from a Labrador, and the fiercely loyal and protective nature of a Doberman.
If you’re interested in getting a Doberdor, then you’ve come to the right place. Here we will give you all the information you need on their size, lifespan, maintenance, grooming and their temperament. Let’s get started!
How Much Does A Doberdor Weigh?
Since both parents – the Labrador Retriever and the Doberman Pinscher – are classified as large dogs, a Doberdor will also belong to this category. Of course, their size depends not only on genetics but on the quality of nutrition they get. However, Doberman Lab mixes will definitely be on the bigger side when it comes to their body weight, even as puppies.
With good nutrition, they will grow quite fast. Because of their mixed breed status, these dogs can have slight variations in weight; however, an adult female Doberdor will weigh anywhere between 65 to 80 lbs. The males are always noticeably bigger than the females and can reach up to 100 lbs.
This is particularly true if they take more to their Doberman parent. Given proper feeding, their size will be due to their musculature, and despite their muscles, they will have a sleek appearance.
How Big Do Doberman Lab Mixes Get?
Male Doberman Lab mixes usually stop growing when they reach around 28 inches in height. This usually happens around the age of 10 to 12 months, and from then on, they will only gain muscles.
Females are slightly shorter, and they usually never get higher than 24 inches. They often reach their full height before males do and can even get there shortly after turning six months. Besides their constitution and gender, the food they get as puppies will also affect how big a Doberman Lab mix gets.
How Many Years Do Doberman Lab Mixes Live?
As with most hybrids, Doberdors also have the same life expectancy as their parents did, which is around 10 to 12 years. Although given proper care in their later years, they can be around for a little longer than that.
Common Health Issues
Fortunately, Doberman Lab Mixes have very few health issues, and most of them tend to be age-related. As puppies, they are very healthy and energetic dogs and will only require healthy food and a lot of room to exercise.
That being said, it’s still important to take your pet to your vet regularly, even as a puppy. This way, they can eliminate or catch the early signs of any genetic illnesses and provide proper care of your Doberdor.
As with most Labs, their offspring are also prone to hip dysplasia, a condition where the socket of the hip joint fails to form normally This, in turn, will affect their mobility in their later years.
Similarly, Doberdors can develop progressive retinal atrophy, making them lose their vision eventually during old age. From their Doberman side, they may inherit Wobbler syndrome and occasional heart problems.
In rare cases, a Doberdor may develop certain types of allergies that can be easily treated. What often causes concerns is that even though these dogs have a healthy energy level, they are still prone to obesity.
Without proper nutrition, Doberdors can acquire some weight-related illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular and hormonal issues, which will shorten their life expectancy drastically.
Hence, it is always important to get information about your Doberdor’s parents from your breeder or the rescue shelter. This will go a long way in caring for your puppy and making preparations in the future.
How To Take Care Of Doberdors?
As these dogs have a generally healthy constitution, taking care of them is usually pretty simple. Just give them enough nutritious food, room to play, some cuddles, and they will be happy companions.
Exercise
Doberdors have a need for lots of activity, and they usually require a larger space for it. If you live in a home with a fenced yard, feel free to have them roam around when you aren’t there or play with them if you are.
In a home without those luxuries, you will need to take your pet at least once a day for an hour-long walk, or better yet, a local doggy park so they can play with other dogs. This will also make sure they burn those calories and prevent them from becoming overweight.
Diet
It’s crucial that you keep your Doberdor on a healthy diet beginning from their puppy days, as this breed is predisposed for weight gain. Their diet should be designed for a large dog with higher energy levels, and a large portion of it should consist of healthy proteins.
Multivitamins
Make sure their food has all the nutritional elements needed to keep your dog healthy and happy. Aside from the healthy protein, carbohydrate, and fat sources, their food intake should also encompass all the multivitamin and mineral sources your dog needs. Pet Plate has all these necessary elements and much more.
Dental Water Additives
Dental water additives can be a great way to keep your pet’s mouth clean and healthy between regular washes. Just put it into their bowl of water every day, and you will have less cleaning to do when the time for brushing comes.
Are Doberman Lab Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Doberman Lab Mixes
Even though Dobermans are notorious for their aggressive behavior, their offspring will be far less aggressive in mixed breeding with Labs. Whether they physically take after their Labs or Doberman side, the temperament of a Doberdor is usually calm.
The only time they will exhibit somewhat aggressive behavior is when they are acting protective of their family or territory. And while this is very similar to Doberman traits, they will never display the same level of viciousness.
Doberdors love to play with dogs and other pets; however, you will need to watch out for the safety of smaller animals, as they can accidentally hurt these tiny beings.
In addition, they can have a stubborn streak, so be prepared to have a firm tone when training them on the necessary rules and commands. If you stick to proper training methods, your dog will be a well-behaved and loyal part of your family.
Are Doberman Lab Mixes Good With Kids?
With a proper socialization process from an early age, a Doberdor will get along with your kids perfectly. In fact, this breed is usually very protective of their human family, especially the children.
A Doberman Lab mix will be happy to play with small kids, and they will also love to cuddle or take naps with them. Make sure the breeder has already begun the early socialization of your pup when you get it, and introduce the dog slowly to the kids.
After an initial period, the Doberdor will be eager to spend time with your little ones and rarely display any adverse behavior towards them.
Do Doberman Labs Shed? Grooming Tips For Doberman Lab Mixes
A Doberdor’s coat is dense and straight and it doesn’t shed much. If the dog inherits the short fur from the Doberman parent’s side, there will be hardly any shedding at all. But even if they have the longer version of their Labrador parent’s coat, brushing it out once every week will be more than enough to get rid of any excess.
Besides regular brushes, you can also use the FURminator Undercoat Tool to remove all the excess hair from underneath their coat.
Unless otherwise indicated by a vet, due to certain skin conditions or naturally oily skin, bathing them too often won’t be necessary either. Only if they get dirty after playing or if you live in a hot climate should you give them a nice refreshing bath. A Doberdor may require additional heat protection in colder climates, especially if they have a shorter coat.
Hypoallergenic
Albeit not entirely hypoallergenic, due to their lack of shedding, a Doberdor is an excellent choice for people suffering from allergies. If you want to make sure your pet never leaves any allergy-inducing fur around, you can change your grooming habits.
And if you are even sensitive to the dander shedding from their top layer of skin, bathing them with Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo should help you out.
Aside from reducing the amount of dander they shed, it will also help make their skin less sensitive. This way, they won’t itch and scratch that much, further reducing their shedding.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Doberdor? Depending on the breeder you have chosen, a Doberdor puppy will cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,000. It’s recommended to do a little bit of research beforehand, so you can find a breeder who offers the best lineage of puppies that have gone through all the necessary testing.
Do Doberman Lab Mixes Swim? Doberman Lab mixes are good swimmers in general, and if they inherit more traits from their Labrador parent, they can master this water-based activity in no time at all. You may well be asking do Doberman Lab mixes have webbed feet? Labs are known for having webbed feet, which makes swimming much easier for these dogs, and often pass down this trait, even in mixed breeding.
Do Dobermans And Labradors Get Along? Although Dobermans tend to be more hyperactive, if they are properly introduced to a Lab, the two of them should get along just fine. The Labrador will overcome its initial phase of being intimidated and catch up with the other dog very quickly. Male Labradors and Dobermans can live together if they are both neutered.
