Pitbull Labrador Mix: All You Need To Know

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Written by: Celestine Gomez
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Do you want a dog that is intelligent, loyal, energetic, and eager to please? Then maybe you want a great crossbreed of two intelligent and loyal breeds; A PitBull and a Labrador.

This attractive and mysterious crossbreed goes by a variety of names. Pitadors, Labrabull, Pitador Retriever, and even Bullador are all names given to this breed.

The Labrabull is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the American Pit Bull Terrier. Both their parents’ best traits can be found in these medium-sized pups: energy, loyalty, and devotion to family. Pitadors are another name for Labrabulls.

Learn more about this fun-loving dog, read about its history, characteristics, and what it’s like to live with one of this crossbreed. Find out if the LabraBull is the right dog for you by reading this article.

The Parents of LabraBull (PitBull Labrador Mix)

The Pitbull Lab Mix, also known as a Labrabull, a Bullador, or Pitadors, is the result of a Pitbull and a Labrador Retriever crossbreeding.

These hybrid puppies are known for being energetic and intelligent, and with half of their genes coming from the most popular dog breed in the United States (the Labrador), it’s no surprise they’re popular as well.

Although the Labrabull was created as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue organizations. If you decide this is the puppy for you, consider adoption.

Check local shelters, look up Labrabull rescues, or contact breed-specific American Pit Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever rescue, as they may be able to assist in the rehoming of mixed breed dogs.

Also, you should have at least some prior dog ownership experience. They may not be considered yappy, but they will bark when someone approaches the front door.

When it comes to a loyal, energetic, and loving dog that will protect and love you, this mixed breed may be just the ticket. 

Breed Overview of Pitbull

Breed Overview of Pitbull

In the Pitbull Lab mix, the Pitbull parent can be any of four breeds of Pitbull. The American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are among them.

The Pitbull was developed in early nineteenth-century England for bull and bear-baiting, which was a popular spectator sport at the time. They were regarded as vicious fighting dogs, but they were also known to be gentle with humans and make excellent family pets.

These Pitbulls later accompanied immigrants to America, where they began a new life as all-around farm dogs. Hunting wild game, guarding the property against animal intruders, and providing companionship were all part of their duties.

GroupTerrier
Height17 to 20 inches (female), 18 to 21 inches (male)
Weight30 to 50 pounds (female), 35 to 60 pounds (male)
CoatShort, smooth
ColorBlack, white, brindle, fawn, blue, red, brown, tan, gray
Life Span8 to 15 years
TemperamentLoyal, affectionate, courageous
OriginUnited States

Breed Overview of Labrador

Breed Overview of Labrador

The Labrador retriever is a medium to large dog breed with a short coat and a strong physique that originated in Newfoundland and the United Kingdom. Labrador retrievers are known for their intelligence, good character, and calm demeanor.

Despite their origins as hunting dogs, they make wonderful companions. Labs make excellent service and therapy dogs in addition to their sporting abilities. They’re also used in drug and explosive detection, as well as water rescue and search and rescue.

GroupSporting
Height22.5 to 24.5 inches (male), 21.5 to 23.5 inches (female)
Weight65 to 80 pounds (male), 55 to 70 pounds (female)
CoatShort, dense double coat
ColorBlack, chocolate, or yellow
Life Span10 to 12 years
TemperamentFriendly, active, companionable
OriginNewfoundland/United Kingdom

Labrador retrievers are known for being outgoing and friendly. Their temperament is also influenced by their high level of energy. They enjoy having a job or a hobby, and they are easily taught.

LabraBull: The Pitbull Labrador Mix

Designer breeders began intentionally mixing American Pit Bull Terriers and Labrador Retrievers in the late 1990s, most likely in North America, and the Labrabull mixed dog breed was born.

Breeders wanted to combine the two parent breeds to avoid the health issues that plague pure breeds due to their inbred nature.

GroupHybrid Dog
Height20 to 24 inches
Weight45 to 90 pounds
CoatShort, Dense
ColorBlack, white, gray, brown, yellow, and silver 
Life Span10 to 14 years
TemperamentProtective, loving, loyal, energetic, fun-loving, affectionate
OriginUnknown

The head of a Pitbull Lab mix is wider than that of a Labrador Retriever, but it is much narrower than that of a Pitbull. These crossbreeds, like Labradors, have a longer muzzle and long pointed ears.

These lovable canines are very friendly and trustworthy, especially around children, and get along well with other animals.

Temperament of LabraBull

Since of their high energy levels, they would most likely prefer a game of fetch to a nap in the afternoon. They crave affection, so make time to cuddle with them at the end of the day. Labrabulls are prone to be startled. 

These pups may appear tough, but they’re big softies on the inside. Labrabulls are also devoted to their families and fiercely protective of them. They would not hesitate to show aggression if their family was threatened.

Labrabulls are muscular and strong. They are vivacious and excel at sports and agility training. This could be your new best friend and favorite workout partner if you want to exercise with a dog.

This PitBull and Labrador mix is suitable for single-person households and families, but they are not suitable for inexperienced dog owners.

Because of their high levels of activity, they may prefer a home with a yard; however, make sure the yard is secure. A Labrabull would be fine in an apartment for a highly active person with the right lifestyle.

Care and Grooming Requirements of LabraBull

Care and Grooming Requirements of LabraBull

You should take your Labrabull to the vet regularly, just like any other dog, to catch any health issues early. Weight gain is common in Labrabulls, and they have a lot of energy.

Ensure that your dog receives at least one hour of daily exercise. They have a lot of bottled-up energy that they need to let out.

Check their ears daily for debris and pests, and clean them according to your veterinarian’s instructions.  The oral health of your Labrabull will be your primary concern when it comes to their care. Tartar accumulation is common in this breed.

Brush your dog’s teeth at least twice or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. If you want to avoid gum disease and bad breath, brushing your teeth every day is even better. 

The coats of LabraBulls are usually short and sparse. These coats are extremely easy to maintain. Except for the occasional bath, a good brushing once a week should suffice.

Labrabulls aren’t well-suited to extreme weather because of their short, sparse coats. In the winter, your dog will most likely need a coat, and in the summer, you may need to apply sunscreen to the ears, nose, and other sensitive areas where there is less fur coverage.

Diet and Food Needs of LabraBull

Diet and Food Needs of LabraBull

A good Labrabull diet should be designed for a medium-sized, high-energy breed. If you overfeed them, they will gain weight, so stick to a regular feeding schedule and don’t leave food out during the day. Limit their treats intake as well.

The dietary requirements of the Labrabull will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years, as they do with all dogs.

Because there is far too much variation among individual dogs—including weight, energy, and health—to make a specific recommendation, you should ask your veterinarian for advice on your Labrabull’s diet.

Health Risks of LabraBull

The American Pit Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever are both predisposed to some of the same health issues as the Labrabull.

While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health problems, which is why proper care and regular veterinary checkups are essential.

The following are some of the more common health issues that Labrabulls face: OCD, Epilepsy, Bloating, Hypothyroidism

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the thigh bone does not fit properly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness in one or both rear legs, but a dog with hip dysplasia may not show any signs of discomfort.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an eye disorder that causes the loss of photoreceptors in the back of the eye, eventually leading to blindness.

Sociability of LabraBulls (Other Pets, Family, and Children)

The Pit Lab Mix is a wonderful family dog. These pups are loving and friendly, and they thrive when they’re around people.

They like to be right in the middle of it all, soaking up all the attention. When left alone, they can engage in destructive behaviors and show signs of separation anxiety. 

These dogs require mental stimulation and entertainment, which is why they make excellent playmates for children. They also get along with other family pets, so you don’t have to be concerned about how they react to other dogs and cats.

Because the Pitbull Lab Mix is such an intelligent dog, training them is a breeze. They also enjoy learning new tricks and pleasing their owners, making them an excellent first pet even if you have little experience training a large breed dog.

Exercise and Training Requirements of LabraBulls

Since a Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a medium to large breed of dog, it requires a lot of exercise and training. A dog of this size should get around 120 minutes of exercise per day, so make sure you have the time to devote to this breed before purchasing.

When your LabraBull is a puppy, keep the 5-minute rule in mind. Per month of age, 5 minutes of exercise is recommended. Positive reinforcement training works best for these puppies. 

These puppies will enjoy going on a hike or a run with you, and, like their Labrador parent, they also enjoy swimming. They can also learn different dog sports such as flyball or agility thanks to their intelligence.

It’s also not difficult to socialize your Pitbull Lab cross. They get along well with kids and other animals, so there should be no problems at home.

When you’re out and about, you should start socializing with them at a young age and introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people, and animals.

Getting Your LabraBull: Shop or Adopt?

Pit Bulls and Labradors are two of the most popular dogs in the United States, which drives down the cost of their puppies. As a result, you should be able to find one for under $100, though we’ve seen some go for over $1,000.

Pit Bulls, on the other hand, are the most commonly abused dogs in the country, and much of this is due to untrustworthy breeders.

You don’t want to bring a dog home who has been mistreated or abused, so do your homework on any potential breeders to avoid puppy mills.

However, before you buy from a Labrabull breeder, you might want to check your local shelter or contact local rescue groups.

You might not be able to find a LabraBull puppy, but there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find one that is close. Furthermore, most pounds conduct temperament tests on their Pibbles, so you’ll be less likely to bring one home who is unstable.

Conclusion

The Pitbull Labrador Mix breed was developed to combine the best qualities of both parent breeds: the Labrador’s temperament and the Pitbull’s loyalty.

These loving, friendly dogs make wonderful family pets because they enjoy being around people of all ages, including adults and children, as well as other animals.

While the Pitbull has a reputation for being aggressive, this is far from the case, and when placed in the right home, the Pitbull Labrador Mix can be a lifelong companion.

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Celestine Gomez

I'm Celestine Gomez, worked for 5 years in an animal shelter in Los Angeles, California. Having noticed the inherent passion and zeal in me to care for pets, I took a step further to create a team of I and like-minded individuals to provide an informative resource in order to broaden the knowledge base of a regular pet owners.