The Doberman-Labrador mix is a very special dog that makes a wonderful pet. This DogAppy article provides some interesting information about this mix breed.
Responsible Breeding
When getting any mix breed dog home, always research the breeder beforehand. This is because there are people known as backyard breeders that commonly breed two purebreds to produce designer dogs for some extra cash. Do not patronize this activity by purchasing pets from such people. Adopt your Doberdor from a shelter or find a responsible breeder who cares for his/her dogs.
The Doberdor is a mix between the Doberman and the Labrador Retriever. It is a big dog that requires space to move around. It is active, loves the outdoors, and requires its daily dose of exercise, thus making it a suitable breed for active and outdoorsy folks.
There are some issues with this breed that require close attention, like proper training and socialization, but once these are taken care of, the dog can be a well-rounded individual that is a perfect family pet. It is another designer mix that is quite in demand but rare to find.
Appearance
It is safe to say that the Doberdor is a large dog, given that both its parents are big breeds. However, as with all mix breeds, it is difficult to predict the exact size, as pups can take on different characteristics of their parents. But by and large, the breed is big in size. Always check some images on the net to get a general idea of how your dog may look. The height and weight range will be similar to that of the parents, i.e. 22 to 27 inches, and 60 to 100 pounds.
The ears of this breed are usually long and dropped. It has long legs, big feet, and a strong tail. Some pups may inherit the webbed feet of the Lab. The coat can be like either parent’s; it can be short and fine like the Doberman’s, or slightly long, soft, and water-resistant, like the Lab’s. Coat colors can be either solid fawn, black, blue, red, or chocolate, or dual-toned like black and tan or brown and fawn, with white patches. The color of a puppy can never be predicted in advance, as pups from the same litter can also have different colorations.
Temperament
Since the personalities of the Lab and the Doberman are similar in certain aspects, it is possible to give a fair estimate of a Doberdor’s temperament. This dog is loyal, loving, alert, active, and sociable. It is a good watchdog, and may also be adept at guarding if it takes after the Doberman. However, socialization is very important as with any dog, more so with a Doberdor because it can take the Doberman’s protective instinct, and may be inherently weary of strangers, small children, and other animals. However, this will be a very loving and loyal dog. And how do we know this? Because the Doberman is called the ‘Velcro dog’ as it is extremely attached to its family, while the Labrador is always eager to please its owner. This makes the Doberdor twice as sweet and affectionate, and very loyal.
Training
Smart parents, smart pup. The same rule applies here. The Doberdor is a very intelligent dog that will be quite easy to train. It is a quick grasper and an enthusiastic learner. However, remember that with intelligence can come independence and stubbornness. Thus, try to make the training session fun by introducing new activities, and keep it short, like 10 to 15 minutes. You can take a few sessions throughout the day. Also provide your pup a lot of encouragement and positive reinforcement so that he/she knows what is expected and what will fetch praises. You will need to keep patience though, and getting angry won’t help. If a command is not followed, simply repeat it; when it is done correctly, praise the pup.
Exercise
This is going to be an active breed that needs its dose of daily exercise. Two walks a day and some extra playtime will be helpful for your dog to burn off its excess energy. Taking after the Lab, some Doberdors may even have a love for the water and enjoy swimming. All in all, this mix makes for a great outdoor companion.
Grooming
The shedding frequency of your pup will depend on which coat type it inherits. If he/she takes the Doberman’s coat, then minimal brushing will be required as the Doberman is a low shedder. Bathing will also not be needed on a regular basis, and an occasional wipe-down with a wet cloth will suffice. The Labrador on the other hand is a seasonal shedder and requires more management. If your pup inherits this coat, then he/she will need to be combed regularly and bathed at least twice a month. Thus, this unpredictability is something that you will need to be prepared for. Other than this, aspects like dental hygiene, ear cleaning, and nail clipping will also require close attention.
Health
A mix is always healthier than its purebred parents as it tends to inherit the stronger genes. However, there are some common health problems that affect its parent breeds, which the offspring can inherit. These health issues are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye issues in the Lab, and dilated cardiomyopathy (weak and enlarged heart) in the Doberman. Although your pup may not necessarily be affected by any of these diseases, there is always a small chance. Hence, while getting your puppy home, try to access and check the medical records of his/her parents if available. The average lifespan of this breed is 10 to 13 years.
Living Conditions
Apartment – Not really suitable
Big house – Can do
House with yard – Perfect
The Doberdor is a wonderful family dog that is loving, active, and very loyal. With proper socialization and training, it will be the dog that you had always wanted.