58-98 lbs
21-22"
United States
The Labmaraner is a hybrid breed and is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Weimaraner. They are lively, intelligent and active dogs much like both parent breeds. They are well-built and muscular, and will need a lot of exercise. They will love going for walks, jogging and swimming in summer. Common colors can include grey, brown, yellow, silver and black and their coats are glossy and short and easy to maintain. The breed can have grey eyes, blue-grey or amber. Although they can be stubborn, Labmaraners are very intelligent dogs who will respond well to training. They are good for people with families and will get on well with children and other pets in the house.
The Labmaraner is a combination of a Weimaraner and a Labrador Retriever, the most popular breed in the United States. Labrador Retrievers are good natured, intelligent dogs and prized as working dogs. They are often used as guide dogs and in search and rescue. Despite their name, the breed originated from the Canadian island of Newfoundland, not from Labrador. They were originally referred to as St. John's dogs, after the capital city of Newfoundland and worked with local fishermen to retrieve fish and pull in nets. It is hard to believe that this popular breed was virtually extinct in the 1880s because of a hefty dog tax. The second Earl of Malmesbury imported the breed to imported to England where he bred them as gun dogs and retrievers. He was also the first person to refer to the breed as “Labradors”. Labrador Retrievers were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917. Often referred to as the "grey ghost" because of its distinctive coloring, the Weimaraner was bred for hunting in the early 19th century. These graceful aristocratic looking dogs were bred at the Weimar court in Germany as hunting dogs. Some of the breeds used to develop Weimaraners include the Bloodhound, the English Pointer, the German Shorthaired Pointer and the blue Great Dane. The Germans imposed strict guidelines on the breeding of these dogs and when an American Howard Knight wanted to import them, he was sent two that had been neutered but he eventually managed to acquire some foundation dogs in 1938 and in 1942 the Weimaraner Club of America was formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1943.
The Labmaraner is a large, good looking, muscular dog comprised of a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Weimaraner. They can weigh up to 100 pounds and reach a height of 24 inches. Common colors will include grey, brown, yellow, silver and black and their coats are glossy and short. The breed can have grey eyes, blue-grey or amber and they are almond-shaped and usually very expressive. The head is usually rounded like a Labrador and they have a long muzzle and ears that hang down to the cheeks while the nose is usually grey. The paws are usually webbed like the Labrador.
With their short, glossy coats, Labmaraners are quite low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They don’t shed much, so weekly brushing should be more than enough to remove any loose hair and stimulate the skin. They won’t need to be bathed often unless they get very dirty or roll in something smelly which they quite enjoy doing. Because they are so active these breeds are unlikely to need their nails clipped very often because they will be worn down but it is always a good idea to check. Brush the teeth daily if possible for good dental hygiene and check the ears as the breed is prone to ear infections.
The Labmaraner is a loving, gentle, and friendly pet who loves nothing more than to be with its family and thrives on human interaction. They are great family pets and good with children but don’t like being left alone for any length of time and can develop separation anxiety so are best suited to people who spend a lot of time at home. The breed is good with other pets but with their hunting ancestry may be prone to chasing other animals. Early training and socialization will help with this as will keeping them on a leash when out in public. But they are intelligent dogs who will be easy to train. They are lively energetic dogs who will need plenty of exercise so best suited to an active family. Labmaraners do make good watchdogs because they are very alert but their friendly, non-aggressive natures mean they will not do much more than bark at strangers.
With both parent breeds being very energetic and active, a Labmaraner will be the same and will need plenty of exercise to be fit and healthy. They will enjoy long walks or a run to burn off energy and will love ball games and swimming. This breed is not suited to an apartment but will enjoy a home with a large enclosed yard. They could embark on destructive behavior like digging if not taken out enough and will thrive on activities that provide physical and mental stimulation. They are tolerant of varying temperatures but most dogs shouldn’t be exercised if it is very hot or left outside for too long in the cold.
