Labbe Dog Breed

The Labbe hails from both a sporting dog (the Lab) and a hunting dog (the Beagle) so you can be fairly sure this breed can make a capable hunting partner. Most owners keep them as family companions or watch dogs. They are happy, playful and very energetic, making them best suited for owners or families that are active and have time to ensure they get enough exercise. Houses with yards are a plus if you are considering this breed.

Pros

• Playful with kids and social with other dogs
• Not aggressive towards new people
• Can make a good watch dog
• Great exercise buddy or hunting partner
• Able to live outdoors

Cons

• Needs early socialization to live with small pets such as cats
• May bark or howl frequently
• If not given enough daily exercise, may excessively bark or dig
• Not the best choice for small apartments or condos

Labbes, as hybrid dogs, will inherit characteristics from both parents but not always equally. We recommend prospective owners read up on the traits of both the Beagle and Labrador Retriever before adopting one of these mixes. The following information for this breed can be supplemented by visiting our parent breed pages.

Members of this breed are usually bright but may inherit the reputation for stubbornness like the Beagle. They are have also been known to bark and howl frequently, whether it be at a new face or just pure excitement. You will need to train and socialize them early, especially if you want to keep them in the house with other small pets. Encouragement, a pocket full of treats, and a lot of patience is recommended.

These guys are great additions to households with other dogs, children, or frequent visitors. They can live either indoors or out but they must spend time with their family every day. A lonely, bored Beagador will not be fun to deal with. Labbes make capable hunting partners as well as enthusiastic exercise buddies. They enjoy swimming, long walks, hikes and games with toys.

The Labbe temperament is best described as energetic, happy, loyal, and fearless. She's always up for playing, exercising and exploring. So much so that a leash will be necessary in unenclosed areas. Most make good hunting dogs and enjoy swimming, hiking, long walks, and games with toys. It is important to keep in mind they may inherit more Beagle traits, or more Labrador Retriever traits, or perhaps they may get an equal mixture. We recommend you read up on both parent breeds before choosing to adopt a Labbe.

Members of this breed are friendly and playful dogs. They are usually patient and make good friends for children. Although they are good watchdogs and will bark at the approach of a stranger, they will likely warm up quickly and won't make appropriate guard dogs. Labbes get along well with other dogs but will likely retain hunting instincts towards other small pets. Socialize and train your dog as a puppy, especially if you plan to have him around cats, birds, etc.

It's hard to say how your Labbe will take to training. If he is more Lab-like, he will be pretty easy to train and eager to please; if he's more Beagle, it may be harder to keep his attention and some say they are stubborn. Regardless, affection, treats and encouragement are the best methods to use. If you find you don't have the patience to train such a curious, energetic breed, enroll him in professional training courses.

A mix between Beagle and Labrador should produce puppies that develop fewer health problems than their purebred parents, especially first generation crosses. Choosing a reputable breeder that offers a health guarantee, along with routine check ups at your veterinarian should help prevent and/or detect many conditions. Typically, Labbes live between 10-14 years.Although Labbe puppies are usually healthy, a few common ailments that can be passed down from their purebred parents include:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Eye Disease
• Heart Disease