Labrabull Care

The Labrabull, as a hybrid of a Labrador Retriever and an American Pit Bull Terrier, is a large-sized crossbreed that's energetic, intelligent, athletic, and protective. Overall Labrabull care and maintenance will take a moderate amount of work, and will need to include plenty of daily exercise and some early training and socialization.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Labrabull including puppy development, exercise needs, food recommendations, and more. Find answers to your questions about raising a Labrabull in the following sections!

As highly athletic, energetic dogs, Labrabull exercise requirements are pretty extensive. Since they're also intelligent, these hybrids will need a variety of daily activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging and bicycling companions as well.

Adult Labrabulls will need at least an hour of proper exercise each day. You can start exercising your Labrabull puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Labrabull exercise:

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

Exercising your Labrabull every day is an absolute must. These hybrids are strong, active, and enthusiastic--and without consistent activity they'll become frustrated, disobedient, destructive, and even aggressive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! Some exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: Labrabulls will chase a ball, stick, or Frisbee for hours
• Tug-of-War: Good indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Canine Sports: Labrabulls can excel at agility trials, cart pulling, flyball, and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, give your Labrabull access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These dogs need a fair amount of maintenance overall. Lab-Pit mix shedding is moderate, and drooling is a minor issue.

Labrabulls have short, smooth coats that shed some year-round. Owners will need to brush their Labrabulls a couple of times a week with a bristle brush to keep the shedding to a minimum, and cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be required once in a while, but shouldn't be a constant chore.

And a Labrabull may 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 Bloodhound. If your Labrabull is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

Though opinions differ, most veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for Lab-Pit mix dogs is premium dry food. Labrabulls, like all breeds, need a diet that includes animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--and while high-quality food is more expensive, it provides balanced portions of these nutrients.

Overall, the best dog food for Pit-Lab mix dogs is premium food formulated for active breeds. Royal Canin and Dr. Tim's are recommended brands that carry excellent lines of high-energy food.