Japanese Chin Labrador Retriever Care

The Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever is an interesting hybrid: half dainty, toy-sized Japanese Chin--and on the other end of the spectrum, half energetic, larger-than-life Labrador Retriever. Depending on the traits they inherit from their parents, Chin-Labs can differ a good bit in size and activity level--but they'll definitely be affectionate and fun-loving! Overall Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever care won't take too much work, and will mainly consist of showering these dogs with plenty of TLC.

Here you'll find details on caring for a Chin-Lab mix, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. Get answers to your questions about raising these unlikely hybrids in the following sections!

These hybrids are the offspring of two breeds whose activity levels are very different--so on average, Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever exercise requirements are moderate. Whether your Chin-Lab is low-energy like its Chin parent or tireless like the Lab, these dogs will need activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). Larger Chin-Lab mixes also make good jogging companions.

Adult Chin-Lab dogs will need 45-60 minutes of dedicated exercise per day, depending on their size, age, and activity levels. You can start exercising your Chin-Lab puppy at three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Chin-Lab exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is recommended when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises must be done together with people

Most Chin-Lab mixes will need exercise every day. These hybrids, regardless of their temperament, have enough Lab blood in their veins that without consistent activity they'll become frustrated and destructive. Regular exercise will do wonders for the dog's peace of mind! Some exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: These hybrids usually love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: Chin-Lab mixes enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: Chin-Labs often excel at obedience or agility trials and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your Chin-Lab access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, like walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

In terms of overall maintenance, these hybrids need moderate care. Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever shedding is fair to frequent, and can be seasonal (meaning the shedding is heavier during the spring and fall shedding seasons). Drooling isn't usually much of an issue.

These hybrids can have longer, silky coats like their Chin parents', or short and smooth ones like the Lab's--or often somewhere in between. The coats shed some all year long, and they can (but not always) shed more profusely in the spring and fall when they blow their undercoats. Owners can brush their Chin-Lab mixes with either a bristle or pin brush to help reduce the shedding, and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be needed fairly regularly. (If your Chin-Lab sheds seasonally, brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during those shedding periods.)

And since the Lab drools some, its Chin-Lab offspring might drool a bit in anticipation of food, after drinking water, or when especially excited or nervous--but the drooling won't be heavy or frequent like that of a Saint Bernard or Mastiff. If your Japanese Chin is drooling excessively, that might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

The Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever diet will need to include animal proteins, healthy carbs, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients every dog needs to maintain its health in the long term. This means the best Chin-Lab food is premium dry kibble, as it has balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild are recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium dry food.

Adult Chin-Labs, depending on their size, age, and activity levels, will need about 2½ cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Chin-Lab puppies will need a bit less: again depending on age, about 1¾ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age.

For more info on feeding a Chin-Lab from puppyhood through maturity, see the following chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by mixing in adult formula with the puppy formula, in slowly increasing amounts with each meal, for one week.

Try if possible to stick to the above-listed portions. If these hybrids are constantly overfed (and under-exercised), they can become overweight--and a fat Japanese Chin-Labrador Retriever will have numerous health problems and a potentially shortened lifespan. You can help control your Chin-Lab's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.

If you're worried your Chin-Lab is overweight, try this simple test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means less food and more exercise!