If you love the muscular and athletic looks of the Pitbull but also prefer the friendly and easy-going nature of the Labrador, you should consider getting yourself the Labrador Pitbull Mix. So, what is a Labrador Pitbull Mix?
The Labrador Pitbull Mix is a crossbreed between America’s most popular dog breed, the Labrador Retriever, and the American Pitbull Terrier. The Pitbull Lab is a good-looking pooch that is known for its intelligence, energy, and loyalty.
Before adopting the Pitbull Lab, it is important to learn all you can about this doggie breed so that you can provide your pooch with the best care possible. In this article, we are going to take an in-depth look at the Labrador Pitbull Mix, including their appearance, nutritional requirements, care requirements, lifespan and health problems, personality and temperament, grooming requirements, and so on. Before going into that, however, let’s learn what a Pitador is.
What Is A Pitador?
A Pitador is another name used to refer to Labrador Pitbull Mixes. The Pitbull Lab can also be referred to as a Labrabull. Before adopting a Pitador, one of the main things most people want to know is how big Pitadors will get.
Pitbull Lab Mix Size
The size of the Pitbull Labrador Mix will depend largely on the size of the parents. That said, the Pitbull Labrador Mix is a medium-to-large size dog.
Depending on the size of the parents, the average adult Pitador will have a height of 17 to 25 inches, and will weigh about 45 to 90 lbs. Male Pitadors can weigh as much as 30 lbs more than females.
Appearance
The Pitbull and Labrador breeds are a good mix, with the best traits of both parents. A Pitbull Lab Mix puppy has a very strong body, combining the muscularity of the Pitbull with the athleticism of the Labrador Retriever.
Pitadors come with long, pointed ears, a long muzzle, a broad head, and a chest that is broader than that of the Lab but smaller than that of the Pitbull.
Coat
Pitbull Labs will usually have shiny coats with medium to short hair. It is very unlikely for Pitadors to inherit the double coat of their Lab parent.
The color of your Pitbull Lab Mix puppy will depend on the coat colors of the parents. Common Pitador colors include black, tan, brown, yellow, white, and brindle. Your Pitbull Lab puppy can either have a solid-colored coat or a combination of colors.
How Long Do Pit Lab Mixes Live?
Another point of concern for those interested in this dog breed is the average lifespan of a Pitbull Lab Mix.
Both of its parents, Labs and Pitbulls, are generally healthy dogs with long lifespans, and therefore, the average Pitbull Lab mix has a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years.
While the Pitbull Lab mix is considered a healthy dog breed, it can still be prone to some of the health conditions that are common to purebred Pitbulls and Labs. Some health problems that might affect the Pitador include:
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a health condition that affects a dog’s bone development during the fetal stage, resulting in your pooch having areas with thick cartilage rather than bone.
Symptoms of OCD include lameness, limping, and swollen joints. OCD is common in both Labs and Pitbulls.
Bloat
This is another health condition that commonly affects medium to large-size dogs. Bloat happens as a result of your dog’s stomach filling with gas. Bloat can be fatal, and therefore, this is something you should be very careful with.
A good way to prevent bloat is to ensure that your canine buddy does not engage in intense physical activity immediately after meals.
Other Common Health Problems
Your Labrador Pitbull Mix could also be vulnerable to other health problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, eye infections and blindness, skin conditions and infections, hypothyroidism, and exercise-induced collapse.
If you notice any sign that your furry buddy might be unwell, it is advisable to immediately see a vet to have the problem checked out.
How To Take Care Of Labrador Pitbull Mixes?
Diet
Due to their highly active nature and their strong, athletic bodies, Labrador Pitbull Mixes require highly nutritious food for proper development. I recommend feeding your Pitador with Pet Plate’s Barkin Beef.
This dog food is made using a high protein, grain-free recipe that will provide your dear fido with all the nutrients they need for energy and growth.
Pitadors have lots of appetite, and if you’re not careful, your pooch can easily become obese.
Therefore, you should avoid overfeeding your Pitbull Lab Mix. You also need to ensure they get enough rest after meals in order to avoid bloat.
Exercise
The Pitbull Lab Mix is a strong, muscular and athletic dog, and therefore, they require lots of activity.
Pitadors are suitable for homes with large yards where they can play around all day. If you don’t have a huge yard, make sure to take your pooch out for long walks or hikes every day.
Labrador Pitbull Mixes also enjoy a good game of fetch, and therefore, you should consider getting the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for dogs.
This amazing toy will help provide both mental and physical stimulation for your furry buddy. You can even teach your dog how to initiate the ball launch by themselves.
Vet Visits
While Pitadors are generally healthy dogs, it is still a good idea to plan regular vet visits if you want to keep your pooch healthy. A vet is better placed to notice signs of illness and treat them early.
Are Pitadors Dangerous? Temperaments Of Labrador Pitbull Mixes
Non-Aggressive
Pitbulls have a bad reputation as highly aggressive dogs, so aggression is a major concern for anyone looking to adopt or buy a Pitador. So, are Pitbull Lab Mix dogs aggressive?
Unlike what many believe, Pitbull Labrador Mixes are not aggressive. This can be attributed to the Labrador genes in the Pitador, since Labs are generally calm and friendly. The Lab Pit mix is not dangerous, and is good even for families with kids.
It is good to note, however, that Pitbulls like being dominant and have a prey drive. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a Pitador to show aggression toward other dogs and to chase after other small pets. However, this can be prevented through early socialization and proper training.
Temperament
Another thing most people want to know is the temperament of a Lab Pitbull Mix. Pitadors are friendly and loyal pooches that love attention and affection. They tend to form very deep bonds with their families.
However, this can also be a disadvantage because they are prone to separation anxiety and will get destructive when isolated from the family. Pitbull Lab Mixes can also be protective when they feel like someone they love is being threatened.
High Energy
Labrador Pitbull Mixes are also very hyper and excitable dogs. This means that you need to give them lots of physical activity that will tire them out. Otherwise, their hyper excitability and high energy will have them running all over the house, which can easily lead to injury or destructiveness.
How Often Should I Bathe My Lab Pit Mix? Grooming Tips For Labrador Pitbull Mixes
Bathing
The Pitador’s skin is very sensitive, and therefore, you should avoid giving your four-legged buddy a bath too frequently. Only give them a bath when they’re either too dirty, or when you can detect odors.
To avoid irritating your canine buddy’s skin, use special shampoos that don’t interfere with your dog’s natural oils when giving your dear fido a bath.
A good example is Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner, which is specifically made for dogs with sensitive skin.
Brushing
The Lab is a heavy shedder, while the Pitbull doesn’t shed much. As a result, most Pitbull Lab Mixes are moderate shedders. This means that the Pitador is not a suitable breed for those looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Being a moderate shedder, you can get away with brushing your four-legged buddy about once a week. Since the Pitador has a short haired coat, it is quite easy to injure their skin when brushing.
To avoid this, you should use a special purpose brushing tool, such as the FURminator Undercoat Tool. This brushing tool works well with large dogs like the Pitador, and you have the option of choosing a short hair model.
If your pooch spends lots of time indoors, you also need to get a good vacuum cleaner, such as the iRobot Roomba i3+.
What we love about this particular vacuum is the fact that it cleans your floors autonomously, has automatic dirt disposal, comes with allergen filters, and is designed to work with Alexa.
Related Questions
Are Labs More Aggressive Than Pit Bulls? No, Labs are very friendly dogs that do not have the tendency to show aggression. That said, however, you should remember that all dogs can be aggressive, depending on the circumstances. For instance, even Labs can get aggressive if you try to snatch something away from them, such as food or toys.
Are Pitbull Lab Mixes Okay With Cats? Pitbull Lab Mixes can have a prey drive, which means that they will sometimes want to chase after cats and other small animals. However, this can be avoided by giving your Pitbull Lab Mix exposure to cats from an early age and training the pooch to interact with other pets.
Are Pitbull Mixes Dangerous? Yes, Pitbull Mixes can be dangerous when they have not been properly trained. However, if a Pitbull Mix has been properly socialized from an early age, exposed to various situations and environments, and properly trained, they are perfectly safe dogs. That said, Pitbull Mixes are not suitable for first-time dog owners.
