Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits – Dogster

The German Sheprador is a combination of two extremely popular breeds. The German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever are constantly finding themselves in the top five favorites according to the AKC’s breed popularity list.

What is it about these dogs that make them so special? And what happens exactly when you cross the two? This is a hybrid breed, and no one should be breeding them intentionally, since there aren’t a lot of regulations for hybrid breeds, so it can be a pretty lucky find.

In this article, we need to explore some characteristics you can expect when you cross these two special breeds.

Breed Overview

The German Shepherd is a protective, highly intelligent dog that is capable of doing just about anything. A Labrador Retriever is a slightly more laid-back, very family-friendly dog with nearly matched intelligence. When you cross the two of them, you will likely get an even tempered, incredibly brainy dog that can learn and teach so much!

German Sheprador Characteristics

German Sheprador Puppies

The German Sheprador will be very difficult as a puppy. Although they will be some of the cutest things you’ve ever seen, they will come with their equal amount of stressors and might not make the best dogs for inexperienced owners.

The German Shepherd has a mind of its own. They’re highly trainable, but they also require an alpha personality to make sure that they are trained correctly. Labrador Retrievers tend to be a little more eager to please, but they still require a steady hand as they can sometimes be stubborn. It doesn’t mean you should ever use negative reinforcement with these dogs. Positive reinforcement will work just fine, especially if you have treats on hand!

The trouble with this breed is that they are both very sought after dogs. That means that if a person wants to make a profit, mills and backyard breeders can make a killing by marketing German Shepherd Labrador mixes. So, it’s best to adopt this breed from a shelter or rescue. If you see someone selling them, be wary because they likely haven’t been health-tested and it could be someone that doesn’t have their best interest at heart.

German Sheprador Origin & History

The German Sheprador is a hybrid breed. That means that they take the German Shepherd that hails from Germany originally, mixing it with the gundog nature of the Labrador Retriever that hails from Canada. Both parent breeds come from separate countries and they were formulated for a different purpose.

Labrador Retrievers are awesome swimmers and irreplaceable at hunting waterfowl and other animals. It became abundantly clear shortly after their humble beginning that they also work as a tremendous family dog! Since then, they have consistently been in the top five favorite dogs, according to the AKC popularity list.

German Shepherds also make the top five also! Originally, they were used as military and guard dogs. Since then, they’ve earned their place in the home, making great protectors and service animals.

So ultimately, you have two extremely popular breeds mixed together to get the best of both worlds.

Temperament & Intelligence of the German Sheprador

These dogs will be incredibly intelligent, so they might be somewhat of a handful. There is a lot to talk about in terms of temperament with this particular breed. The Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd are two of the most popular breeds, but for different reasons.

The German Shepherd has a very well-timed, down-to-business kind of attitude. The Labrador Retriever, on the other hand, has more of a social, eager-to-please nature. Both are highly obedient dogs that thrive on companionship with their owners.

The Labrador Retriever is known for being an all-around family dog. They acclimate well into many styles of families, including those with very active social lives. The German Shepherd, on the other hand, might be more selective about who they deem worthy to be a part of their family.

They might not do quite as well with strangers and even show aggression. Because of this, you will often see German Shepherds on dangerous breeds lists. It is important to know this before you bring one home, as you don’t want to commit to a dog you won’t be able to have in the long run.

The good thing about both dogs is that they are both incredibly receptive to training, so you can easily elect for professional help if you seem to be having trouble.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

These dogs could make amazing additions to families. Both parent breeds are classic family dogs, but for different reasons.

Your dog might embody more of the protective nature of the German Shepherd or the laid-back friend-to-all aspects of the Labrador Retriever. It’s hard to tell exactly how the genetics will play out, But they typically can acclimate well into a majority of situations.

Because the German Shepherd is often on a dangerous breeds list, having a hybrid of any kind might be unacceptable for certain apartment complexes or shared living spaces. You will have to check with your landlord or the owner of your property before you bring one of these dogs home.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

This dog will get along pretty well with other pets, permitting that they are raised, and socialized with them. When it comes to other dogs, they are likely to take to them quite well in most scenarios. However, some of these dogs might exhibit same-sex dog aggression or territorial tendencies. That is why early socialization is such an important part of raising a puppy.

When it comes to cats or other smaller pets, these dogs will have a pretty high prey drive, meaning that they will require direct supervision around any other animals. German Shepherds can be very territorial, as they were bred for guarding purposes. So, even outside of canines, they might think that many different animals are threats to their home. On the flip side, they might vehemently defend smaller animals that they feel responsible for.

While Labs are phenomenal dogs, they have quite a sticky reputation of not being very great with cats. In fact, some Labs really have it out for cats. So it’s always best to socialize them early to make sure that they are exposed to a variety of situations.

Things to Know When Owning a German Sheprador:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Both the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever burn a lot of calories in a day. Because of that, they require a high-protein, nutrient-rich diet of your choosing. Some vets will suggest a particular diet for your dog, or give you guidance when you are selecting the recipe.

You might also find that you have to switch your dog’s diet throughout their lifetime due to sensitivities, allergies, or other needs. Dry kibble and wet canned food are still viable options when it comes to feedings.

However, many families are switching to more species-specific diets that replenish a dog’s body and provide lots of nutrients. Some examples of this include fresh, raw, and homemade diets.

When it comes to these particular diets, you will need direct vet approval, as you need to make sure they’re getting the appropriate diet to keep them happy and healthy.

Exercise 🐕

Your German Shepherd Labrador mix will need plenty of exercise! Both of these breeds are highly athletic and exercise-intensive, making them not so great for people with mobility issues of any kind.

However, if you have the lifestyle where you’re always on the go and love to be outdoors, this breed combination is sensational! If they are left outside to their own devices in a large yard, you should always have some form of security, be it an invisible fence or a very secure fence that they cannot dig under or jump out of.

On average, these dogs would definitely take up to 2 hours of exercise per day, if they are permitted. Always ensure that you are going on daily walks and even extra things, like trips to the dog park and other fun activities.

Training 🎾

Training will be imperative. They can be somewhat challenging, especially for novice owners. Because of that, it is best if you are an experienced owner who can handle the training necessary. If you do not feel equipped to handle it, you can always elect the help of a professional trainer.

Not only will this help your dog become a mannerly, obedient pooch, but you will learn alongside them, helping them through any challenges and issues so you know how to handle them when situations arise.

These dogs are capable of learning just about anything you’re willing to teach them. They make amazing service dogs, emotional support animals, and can be very fitting for other specialized roles as well.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming will be an absolute must! German Shepherds are very dense-coated dogs that shed profusely year-round. Labrador Retrievers also shed year-round. Both have two major coat blowouts a year.

Keeping up with cleanup will be completely necessary to keep a sanitary house and a well-kept dog. These dogs won’t require any fancy haircuts or anything of the sort. To save your fabrics and furniture, it is very important to keep up with regular house cleaning and general maintenance.

If they take more after the German Shepherd parent, you will likely find tumbleweeds of hair all through your living space. However, if they take more after the Labrador parent, they will just shed profusely all over your things, so be sure to get a lint roller!

Health and Conditions 🏥

Both German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are built to be hardy dogs. These dogs are capable of withstanding quite a lot, environmentally speaking, as well as having pretty sound health.

That being said, there are certain issues that can arise in each one of the breeds genetically. Understanding the possibilities can help you identify markers for these diseases or conditions in the future.

During your dog’s first year of life, they will get to know their vet quite well, going in for routine vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, and growth monitoring. Afterwards, they will need to go to annual visits, unless they have other health issues that require more frequent treatments.

Since they are a hybrid breed, the likelihood of either parent having genetic testing is slim to none. Therefore, it is imperative that you take note of your animal’s health. They might be perfectly healthy their entire life, or they might have a myriad of health issues.

These days, more and more pet parents are electing pet insurance to take care of emergency needs. There are tons of different policies these days, some of them covering illness and emergencies while others manage general wellness.