Australian Shepherd Lab Mix: Puppies, Temperament, Life Expectancy

The Australian Shepherd Lab Mix is a result of crossing an Australian Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever. The representative of this breed combines responsibility, friendliness, activity, and energy. This dog is classified as a medium-sized breed. This breed loves its owners and likes to spend time with people.

Characteristics

Weight	about 50 pounds, up to 80 pounds
Height	about 23 inches, up to 50 inches
Colors and Patterns	black, gray, and brown
Lifespan	12-15 years
Suitable for	Hearding, family pets, farm dogs

History of the Aussiedor

Experts are not sure when the Australian Shepherd was first crossed with a Labrador Retriever. Both breeds are famous workers and helpers, so it’s not surprising that these breeds would be combined.

There are different indications that the breeds were crossed purposefully. Some argue that this was to the detriment of the breed, while others say that mixed breeds are often more useful than purebloods. There are a number of hypotheses about the origin of the Australian Shepherd. It is already known that this breed was first recorded in the United States in the 19th century. This breed was created to herd grazing sheep. They later became known for appearing in rodeos, horse shows and in movies.

Labrador retrievers were originally bred in Canada. After the representatives of this breed were brought to Britain, it drew the attention of the Earl of Malmesbury. He noted the dog’s natural talent for hunting. As a result, labradors have become popular hunting dogs. Today, the labrador continues to be popular among hunters. But their quiet nature makes them suitable for a variety of roles, from service to a family pet. ^[1]

Interesting facts about the Australian Shep Lab Mix

• Australian Shepherds get along well with other dogs, but it is very important to socialize with the puppies.
• People with allergies are not recommended to have these dogs.
• These dogs love and are very tolerant of children. However, they may try to steer small children, thinking that they are part of their herd.
• These dogs must lead an active lifestyle, otherwise, they can become destructive.

The personality of Aussiedor

This breed of dog has an open and very friendly nature, making it an ideal companion for humans. They are extremely loyal to the owner and family.

If you have a large family with many children, the Australian labrador will also perfectly fit into your daily life. This is a hardworking breed that is happy when it has the opportunity to help. The dog will get bored and have no appetite without a walk.

These pets are well suited for living on the territory of a private home. High energy aussie shepherd having the opportunity to be in the fresh air and to have a certain level of activity throughout the day. These dogs love to swim and play in the water. They adapt well to moving and to living in an apartment or in the private sector, although the dog’s size implies the presence of a large amount of free space in your home. They tend to bark, but they are easily trained to stop on command. In general, the Australian labrador is an excellent companion for a person of any age.

Lifespan

Although, in general, this dog breed are healthy, lifespan – 12-15 years. Some may be susceptible to diseases. It is essential to contact your veterinarian quickly if you see that your dog is not doing well.

Here are some of the most common problems that aussie lab suffer from:

• Elbow dysplasia;
• Canine hip dysplasia;
• Cataracts.

Like their parents, the Australian Shepherd Lab Mix is prone to being overweight; therefore, its owner needs to monitor its weight. An important factor in weight control is not only the control of food consumption but also exercise.

Breed Characteristics

Overall Adaptability
Apartment living	2  out 5
Being alone	4 out 5
Cold weather	5 out 5
Hot weather	4 out 5
All-Around Friendliness
Affectionate with family	4 out 5
Kid-friendly	4 out 5
Dog friendly	4 out 5
Cat friendly	4 out 5
Friendly toward strangers	4 out 5
Overall Health and Grooming
Amount of shedding	4 out 5
Drooling potential	2 out 5
Easy to groom	4 out 5
General health	4 out 5
Trainability
Easy to train	5 out 5
Intelligence	5 out 5
Tendency to bark or howl	3 out 5
Overall Exercise Needs
Energy level	5 out 5
Intensity	5 out 5
Exercise needs	5 out 5

The Australian Shepherd Lab Mix combines two sports breeds (Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever). Aussiedor is always active and requires physical activity. Your dog will probably be an average size, weighing about 50 pounds and about 23 inches tall. Such dogs can have a plain or multicolored coat. The usual colors of these dogs are black, gray, and brown.

These dogs have a strong body and long legs. Representatives of this breed can run fast since their ancestors had walking cattle and the other hunting. The appearance of the Australian labrador depends on the dominant genes of the parents.

One of the parents is an Australian Shepherd. This dog belongs to be the medium breed group, with gender differences in its size. The head is quite large and proportional to the body, with a slight rounding of the skull. The forehead is slightly rounded or flat. The nose is pigmented, depending on the body’s color – black in marble-blue and black dogs and brown in marble-red and red.

The medium-long ears have a triangular shape with barely rounded tips. The ears rise at the moment of alertness. Erect or completely hanging ears are considered serious disadvantages. The Aussie’s look is very expressive and intelligent. The eyes are almond-shaped and black or marble-blue and have a black outline around the pupils.

The neck of the Australian shepherd is of moderate length and has a slight bend on the back. The strong body has a well-developed musculature. The back is broad. The front part of the body is equal in width to the back. The long ribs have a regular oval shape. The coat of the Australian shepherd is stiff and of medium length. It can be straight or slightly wavy. ^[2]

The other parent of the Australian labrador is the Labrador Retriever. These dogs have a muscular build. The skull is broad, the muzzle without prominent cheeks. The transition from the central part of the head to the muzzle is clearly expressed. The nose is wide. Jaws are of medium length and strong. The labrador’s teeth are set vertically in the jaw: their medium-sized eyes, which are brown or hazel, express intelligence and good character. The ears are not wide nor heavy and hang close to the head and set far back.

The tail of the labrador is very thick at the base, gradually tapering towards the end. The length is medium. The labrador coat is short, thick, without waves and feathering, and is hard to the touch. The undercoat is thick and protects from the weather. Labradors are monophonic in color: black, fawn, or brown (chocolate). A small white spot may be found on the chest.^[3]

Aussiedor Puppy

If you decide to get an Australian labrador puppy, be sure to carefully select a breeder. Unsanitary conditions, overcrowding and poor nutrition adversely affect the growing body and health in the future, so the first tip is not to try to save money – instead, contact only nurseries with a good reputation, where you can see your future aussiedor puppy with your own eyes, read its documents about the pedigree and get reliable information about vaccinations.

When choosing an aussiedor puppy, pay attention to the behavior – it should be playful and active. Important signs of good health are:

• the healthy shine of the coat,
• clean eyes and ears,
• good appetite.

Cost

Australian Shepherd Labrador Retriever mixes are a new designer breed. Expect to pay around $400 to $800 if you buy from a breeder. Rescue Aussie Labs will cost a bit less, usually no more than $250.

The activity of Australian Shepherd Labrador Mix

Socialization for the mixed breed is the main aspect of training for any dog and is especially important for Australian shepherd labs, because the ancestors of this breed are protectors, and you need to indicate to the dog which people you need protection from.

Since these dogs have a lot of energy, they are ideal for living in private homes rather than apartments. The dog needs a walk in the woods or a hike in the mountains. They like to have their safe yard to play in. They need owners who understand the inherent traits of both parents and are aware of the need for early and continuous learning and socialization.

Representatives of this dog breed cannot stay alone for a long time. You should train your dog and play with it. They love the company of people and they love to play active games, so you should pay attention to your dog. You need to spend a lot of time training your dog. You will see the capabilities of this breed blossom with training. They are extremely smart and persistent when given a task

READ MORE: Outdoor Activities for Dogs

Care and Diet

If your mixed-breed dog has a longer coat, you will have to take care of it regularly. If your dog has a shorter coat, then you are lucky, and very intensive care is not needed. If your dog likes to play outside, you should take care of it a little more often to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may accumulate in the long coat.

The dog’s ears and eyes should be cleaned as soon as they become dirty. Because of the shape of their ears, they are susceptible to infection. Also, the ears should be checked weekly for redness or a strong smell. This may indicate signs of infection. Trim your dog’s claws once or twice a month. Your groomer can help with this.

Make sure that the food you give your Aussie lab meets its daily nutritional needs. The dog will need about 0.04 ounces of protein per pound of body weight per day and 0.02 ounces of fat per pound of body weight. High-quality, high-calorie, dry dog food is the best choice for this breed and should be fed to the dog twice daily. You can consult a veterinarian to plan a proper and balanced diet for your pet. Food for growing puppies should take into account the size, age, individual sensitivity, and characteristics of the breed. immediately after weaning – and for the next few weeks – the puppy should be fed up to four times a day. Over time, the number of feedings is reduced to three, then to two feedings a day. To develop proper eating habits, the Aussie lab puppy needs to be fed from the same bowl and in the same place. When changing the puppy’s diet, it is essential to make the transition gradual.

RELATED: Best Fresh Dog Foods

Conclusions

The Aussiedor is a dog that loves to play and always behaves like a puppy. They are loyal, protective, fun, and very smart. Before you bring a pet into your family, determine how long the dog will be at home alone. Dogs of this breed require constant attention on the part of their owners. Puppies of this breed are very cute, but they can also be ruthless destruction machines.

FAQs

Article Sources:

1. “America’s Most Popular Dog Breeds: From #1 to #189.” American Kennel Club, 25 June 2020, akc.org/expert-advice/news/most-popular-dog-breeds-full-ranking-list/.
2. “Breed Standards : Australian Shepherd.“ United Kennel Club (UKC). 29 Apr. 2021, ukcdogs.com/australian-shepherd.
3. “Labrador Retriever – The Pet Wiki.” The Pet Wiki, 9 Oct. 2013, thepetwiki.com/wiki/labrador_retriever/.