The Labradane dog is fairly low maintenance and for most of the year will just need brushing around twice a week. However, they’re moderate shedders and will shed lightly all year round, this will become heavier in spring and fall. During this time you may need to brush them daily to reduce the amount of fur that covers your home.
Those lovely floppy ears are more prone to infection so it’s important to check and clean them at least once a week. You should also brush their teeth at least three times a week, if not daily and trim their nails when required.
You don’t want your Labradane to become bored as this can result in destructive behavior such as chewing your furniture. This is why you’ll want to keep them mentally stimulated as well as physically. They tend to enjoy agility exercises which will work both their mind and body.
As this is a large dog they are not suitable for living in an apartment. They’ll benefit from plenty of space including a large yard they can run around in.
Labradane health risks
The Labradane is a relatively healthy breed. However, they can, of course, be affected by the health conditions that affect the parent breed.
A few you need to be aware of, include:
Does your insurance cover the cost of conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia? You want to ensure you have the best cover for your furry friend, so browse and compare top pet insurance providers to ensure you do.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is arthritis of the elbow and tends to affect both of them. This is typically an issue for large breed puppies that grow quickly including Labrador Retrievers, so a Labrane may well experience this condition. The symptoms may not develop until they are adults, though. The dog appearing stiff when getting up, limping after exercise and swollen joints are among the symptoms to look out for. It will depend on the severity but they will likely require corrective surgery.
Panosteitis
Panosteitis is bone inflammation. This typically affects fast-growing, large breed dogs — like Labradanes. It happens when they’re young and usually stops around the time dogs are 18 months but could continue up to five years. This tends to start in the front leg and is most likely to affect bones such as the tibia and femur.
Your dog may appear to be in pain for anywhere from days to weeks and then there could be several months before they appear to have symptoms again. Treatment is likely to include pain medication and anti-inflammatories.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket hasn’t formed properly so instead of gliding smoothly it rubs and grinds. This is most common in larger breeds although it can happen to dogs of any size. This can occur in one or both hips and could happen from as young as 16 weeks or they may not get it until later in life. This will be very painful and restrict the dog’s movement.
Hip dysplasia can develop due to rapid weight gain or obesity in your Labradane. If this is the case, you may need to begin by looking at their diet and weight management. Other treatments may include physiotherapy and surgery.
Bloat
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — GDV) is most likely to affect large and giant breeds with deep, narrow chests such as the Great Dane. It’s more likely to affect older dogs. It’s when there is excess air in the stomach that can cause it to dilate and potentially rotate. You do need to see a vet as soon as possible as it can progress very quickly and can be life threatening. Symptoms to look out for include a bloated abdomen, retching, breathing rapidly and a fast heart rate.
Feeding a Labradane — what’s the best diet?
Your Labradane should be fed a diet specifically formulated for large breeds. They can eat wet or dry food or a mixture of both but high-quality protein should always be the main ingredient.
A Labradane puppy should be fed four meals a day and then this can be reduced to three as they get older. Of course, as larger dogs, they will eat more than smaller breeds. But, if they are overfed and don’t get enough exercise then they can easily become overweight.
Make sure if you’re giving them treats throughout the day that you take this into account when serving up their meals. If they become obese this can be a cause of the joint issues they're prone to.
If they take after the Lab then they will love their food. However, they are also prone to bloat and this can be brought on by eating too fast. This is why it’s better to feed them little and often. You could also use a slow feeder and elevate this off the floor. You should also ensure that you don’t exercise them straight after eating as this can increase the chance of bloat too.
Are you wondering what to feed your Labradane? To help, take a look at the advice from our trusted partner Dog Food Advisor, including the best wet food and the best dry food. You can also look up our recommendations for the best dog food for Labrador Retrievers — one of the Labradane’s parent breeds.
