Greyador Dog Breed

The Greyador, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any exist about the Greyhound-Labrador cross's specific origin; while this hybrid may have existed as a natural crossbreed for a long time, the Greyhound-Labrador mix was probably first developed for commercial purposes during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. The gentle yet energetic Labrador-Greyhound mix will be equally great as a hunting companion or as a loving pet for active families.

A few Greyhound-Lab mix facts: they're medium- to large-sized, averaging 24 inches at the shoulders in height and 60 pounds in weight; they have short, smooth coats that shed a lot; and they're highly energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Lab-Greyhound mix:

The Greyhound is the offspring of two breeds that are both extremely athletic: the Lab is strong and versatile, and the Greyhound is graceful and fast. A Labrador-Greyhound cross, then, will have lots of physical skills, regardless of their specific qualities.

As anyone who's had Greyadors as pets can tell you, living with a Greyador has its own particular concerns. These hybrids are sensitive and perceptive, and will need a good bit of attention from their human family members; without it, they're likely to become frustrated and unhappy, and will express their loneliness through barking, chewing, and other destructiveness. So they need a lot of companionship--and given their energy levels, any kind of activities that allow them to run and play are ideal. As a mix of two hunting breeds, Greyadors have good hunting skills too, and are great companions in the woods or fields, whether squirrels, rabbits, or waterfowl is the quarry!

With these hunting abilities, though, come a high prey drive--which means Greyadors will instinctively chase small critters like birds and squirrels if allowed. This means they'll need to be leashed at all times when in public. And it's best if Greyadors live in homes that have large, fenced yards, which will allow them to run free (without letting the dogs chase a squirrel into the next county!).

Energetic, sensitive, intelligent, versatile, and sometimes stubborn, the Lab-Greyhound mix temperament is one of activity and gentleness. These hybrids are friendly and loving, and will get along with kids, adults (even strangers), and animals alike. Greyadors usually do well as part of a multi-pet household, though their high prey drives might make them instinctively chase cats and other small animals. They're fantastic playmates for children too. It's best if Greyadors grow up alongside any kids or other pets, so they can be familiar with each other as they become adults.

In regards to training: Greyadors are very smart, and usually respond well to it--though they can be a bit stubborn at times, so trainers might need a few repetitions when teaching these hybrids tasks, tricks, and commands. As with any dog, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Because of their overall friendliness, though, Greyadors don't make the best watchdogs. While they may bark to alert their owners if they perceive an unknown sight or sound, they don't really have the protective instincts to neutralize potential threats like intruders.

The Greyador, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits from its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, a few Greyadors might suffer ailments common to the parent breeds like hip dysplasia, polyneuropathy, and eye issues like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Larger, deeper-chested Greyadors might also be prone to gastric torsion (or bloat). Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 11-13 years.